U.S.-Japan Council Announces 2026 Return of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit in Arlington, TX
Hosted by USJC in partnership with the City of Arlington and Arlington Economic Development Corporation as title sponsors and ABeam Consulting as organizing sponsor, the 2026 Summit revives a landmark initiative that first launched in 2018 and now returns as an annual signature event for strengthening U.S.-Japan economic ties.
'This is more than a conference. It's a strategic signal,' said Sachi Hamai, Chair of the U.S.-Japan Council's Board of Directors. 'As bilateral trade discussions intensify, the Japan-Texas Economic Summit reflects a shared commitment to partnership through commercial vision, policy alignment, and real investment.'
The Summit's momentum is driven by local leadership deeply rooted in Texas.
'We're fortunate to have prominent USJC leaders such as Donna Cole, Mark Okada, and Steve Sakanashi who reside in Texas,' said Audrey Yamamoto, President and CEO of the U.S.-Japan Council. 'Their leadership, in-state networks, and knowledge of the local economy is shaping an agenda that will resonate broadly and highlight Texas's pivotal role in advancing U.S.-Japan relations.'
The Summit will leverage USJC's proven convening power of bringing together subnational leaders, including governors, mayors, government agency officials, and top corporate executives. These influential figures will engage across borders to develop strategies for sustained growth and regional collaboration.
The inaugural Japan-Texas Economic Summit, hosted in Houston in 2018, convened more than 400 leaders across industry and government.
Since then, Texas has emerged as a top state for Japanese-affiliated companies and one of the fastest-growing destinations for foreign direct investment. Between 2011 and 2021, employment by Japanese firms in Texas more than doubled, reaching over 75,000 jobs and far outpacing the national average.
'The 2018 Summit, combined with Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Statement of Mutual Cooperation with Governor of Aichi Prefecture Hideaki Ohmura last year, reveals a deep appetite to strengthen Japan-Texas ties,' said Steve Sakanashi, Chair of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit. 'The 2026 Summit will build on that momentum and become the permanent gathering point for our two economies to plan for the future.'
With Arlington serving as host city for three consecutive years, the Summit anchors itself at the heart of the Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex, an area projected to become the third-largest metropolitan region in the United States by the 2030s.
This explosive growth mirrors broader dynamics unfolding across Texas, from the energy capital of Houston to the innovation corridor of Austin and San Antonio. Together with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, these cities form the Texas Triangle, where five of the nation's 15 largest cities form a megaregion driving over 75% of Texas's $2.7 trillion GDP.
Programming for the 2026 Summit will explore a wide spectrum of shared priorities, including:
Energy transition and resilient supply chains
Advanced manufacturing and next-gen mobility
Semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity
Biotech, healthcare innovation, and the longevity economy
Cross-border capital formation and the rise of the Texas Stock Exchange
Cultural diplomacy in sports, food, entertainment, and education
To learn more or receive updates, visit: www.usjapancouncil.org/japan-texas-economic-summit
Speaker and sponsorship requests can be directed to: japantexassummit@usjapancouncil.org
About the U.S.-Japan Council
Founded by Japanese Americans, the U.S.-Japan Council is the premier organization dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections. From high school classrooms to corporate boardrooms, from college lecture halls to the halls of government, we develop and connect leaders from every sector committed to a strong and enduring global partnership. For more information, visit www.usjapancouncil.org.
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