A pending trade agreement between the United States and Japan has the potential to significantly boost exports of Iowa-raised beef, pork, corn and other ag products into the high-value Japanese market, Iowa officials said last week.

“There is a lot of optimism, and the future for trade is very bright,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig during a conference call from Tokyo as Iowa officials wrapped up a trade mission to Japan. “We are really looking at expanded opportunity because of the agreement.”

Naig and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds led the Iowa trade...