Stay current on U.S.-Japan relations – and how they affect North Texas.

This annual program brings leading thinkers from both Japan and the U.S. to explore current and looming issues that affect the critically important bilateral relationship. Topics at the luncheon range from international trade to politics, security, and the globalization of Japan’s economy. The afternoon panel session highlights the Japanese business boom in North Texas, focusing on specific industries and collaborative projects, as well as the “draw” of the region.

From 2014 to 2019, this program was known as the Japan Update Symposium. It was part of a series presented by Japan-America Societies across the U.S., made possible by the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS). Starting in 2020, this program will be known as the Japan Currents Symposium, also part of a series presented by Japan-America Societies across the U.S., made possible by the Embassy of Japan in the United States and NAJAS.


February 17, 2023

The Effect of SMEs in U.S.-Japan Economic Exchange and Trade

Speakers

Jason Galui, Professor of Practice, Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University

Jessica Gordon, Director, U.S. Department of Commerce’s U.S. Commercial Service Dallas-Fort Worth Office

Richard Katz, Publisher, Japan Economy Watch; Correspondent, Weekly Toyo Keizai; Senior Fellow, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Iichiro Uesugi
, Professor, Hitotsubashi University Institute of Economic Research

Hiroyuki Watanabe, Director, Texas Japan Office

Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi (moderator), Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Sun & Star Program on Japan and East Asia in the Tower Center, Southern Methodist University

March 9, 2022

Logistics and Supply Chains in U.S.-Japan Business and Trade

Speakers

Scott Price, President, UPS International – unable to attend

Replaced by Catherine Mellor, Vice President, International Trade, UPS

Kantaro Takenaka, General Manager, Logistics Strategy Department (Corporate Planning Division), Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.

Tim Feemster, CEO and Managing Principal, Foremost Quality Logistics

Mollie Haney Bailey, Vice President, International Logistics, Transplace, an Uber Freights Company

Masaru Uchida, Director, Cargo Planning and Sales (The Americas), Japan Airlines

Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi (moderator), Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Sun & Star Program on Japan and East Asia in the Tower Center, Southern Methodist University


February 10, 2021

The Future of the Alliance under President Biden and Prime Minister Suga

Speakers

Dr. Michael Green, Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, Center for Strategic and International Studies; Director of Asian Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University

Aiko Lane, Executive Director, U.S.-Japan Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Dr. Yoshihide Soeya, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, Faculty of Law, Keio University

Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Sun & Star Program on Japan and East Asia in the Tower Center,                Southern Methodist University


February 13, 2020

The Business and Diplomacy of Baseball in U.S.-Japan Relations

Luncheon Speakers

Abassador Ryozo Kato, Former Ambassador                     from Japan to the U.S., former Commissioner of         Nippon Professional Baseball

Dale Petroskey. President and CEO at Dallas                      Regional Chamber, former President of                        National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

Ambassador J. Thomas Schieffer, Former                         Ambassador from the U.S. to Japan, former                 President of the Texas Rangers Baseball Club


February 15, 2019

U.S.-Japan Relations in 2019:
Alliance in Disarray?

Keynote Speakers

Mieko Nakabayashi, Ph.D., Professor, School of Social Sciences, Waseda University

Gene Park, Associate Professor of Political Science, Loyola Marymount University


February 27, 2018

U.S.-Japan Relations: One Year into the Trump Administration

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Toshihiro Nakayama, Professor, Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University

Dr. Sheila A. Smith, Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations


February 17, 2017

U.S.-Japan Relations under the
New U.S. Administration

Keynote Speakers

Joseph M. Young, U.S. Department of State

Dr. Haruo Iguchi, Kwansei Gakuin University


February 12, 2016

U.S.-Japan Economic and Security Relations:
One Year after Prime Minister Abe’s Historic Visit

Keynote Speakers

Professor Koji Murata, Doshisha University

Ambassador Ira Shapiro, Ira Shapiro Global Strategies, LLC


February 13, 2015

Going Global: A New Era in Japanese Business Strategy and Growth

Keynote Speakers

Osamu “Simon” Nagata, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

Matthew P. Goodman, Center for Strategic and International Studies


February 11, 2014

Abenomics, the Trans-Pacific Partnership,
and Economic Opportunities for Texas

Keynote Speakers

Wendy Cutler, Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative

Fukunari Kimura, Keio University