IRVING, Texas - The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) welcomed an extraordinary gathering of business, civic, cultural, and community leaders on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, for its 28th Annual Sun & Star Legacy Awards Gala in the Grand Ballroom of the Irving Convention Center. The signature event celebrated the enduring partnership between Japan and …
IRVING, Texas – The Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW) welcomed an extraordinary gathering of business, civic, cultural, and community leaders on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, for its 28th Annual Sun & Star Legacy Awards Gala in the Grand Ballroom of the Irving Convention Center. The signature event celebrated the enduring partnership between Japan and Texas and showcased the strength of the relationships driving investment, innovation, cultural exchange, and international collaboration across North Texas. View Photos
The evening honored Governor Greg Abbott as the 2026 Sun & Star Legacy Award Recipient for his leadership in strengthening economic and cultural ties between Texas and Japan. JASDFW also presented the 2026 Bridges to Friendship Award to Amy Lewis Hofland, director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art of The University of Texas at Dallas, in recognition of her lasting contributions to cultural understanding, education, and the connection between Texas and Japan. The Sun & Star Legacy Award was presented by Tetsuo “Ted” Ogawa, President and CEO of Toyota Motor North America.
Adding to the prestige of the evening were notable presenters and dignitaries, including Dr. Emily William Knight, President and CEO of the Texas Restaurant Association; Mayor Rick Stopfer of Irving, who served as Honorary Host; Takeshi Koyama, Lawrence Holworth, Chairman of the Board of Directors Japan American Society Dallas/Fort Worth, Consul-General of Japan in Houston; and Dr. Hisashi Shichijo, Honorary Consul of Japan in Dallas. The program was emceed by Adam Zehner, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Licensing at Crunchyroll, a Sony Pictures and Television Company helping guide an evening that blended international diplomacy, business leadership, and community celebration.
The gala also drew an influential audience of North Texas leaders and special guests, underscoring the event’s value as a premier networking and sponsorship platform. Among those publicly noted in attendance were Trammell S. Crow, Plano Mayor John Muns, City of Richardson Mayor Amir Omar, City of Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, Michael Kowski, President of the McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Miss Texas Sadie Schiermeyer, Dr. Prabhas V. Moghe, President of The University of Texas at Dallas, Hideki Shimada, Chief Executive Director, JETRO, Akira Maruyama, CEO of Toyota Tsusho Systems US, Inc., and former Olympic figure skater Fumie Suguri, along with many additional leaders from business, government, and the arts.
A contributing factor to the gala’s continued growth and success is the support of its corporate partners. JASDFW recognized Toyota as its Platinum sponsor, joined by Gold-level supporters including 1Finity, 7-Eleven, Arlington Economic Development Corporation, Harwood International, Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, ITO EN, M6 degrees, McKinney Economic Development Corporation, Mizuho, MUFG Bank, NEC, ORIX Corporation USA, City of Plano, PwC, Sewell Automotive Companies, SMBC, HN Capital Partners, and WaSho United. Additional table and event supporters included organizations and leaders such as Dallas Business Journal, Dallas Regional Chamber, Hitachi Group, NTT Data Services, OpenTable, Wells Fargo, and Trammell S. Crow. Their visible support helped position the gala as one of the region’s most meaningful celebrations of international business and friendship.
The gala also energized guests through its auction experiences, which added excitement and philanthropic momentum to the evening. JASDFW’s live auction featured a one-of-a-kind handcrafted Japanese knife by renowned artisan Takayuki Sakai of Aoki Hamono, custom engraved by celebrated artist Michiko Kubota and donated by WaSho United. The gala also featured a silent auction with highly desirable offerings that included travel, dining, jewelry, and other premium experiences, giving attendees another way to support JASDFW’s mission.
“This year’s gala reflected exactly what makes the Japan-Texas relationship so important — visionary leadership, shared opportunity, and a strong sense of community,” said Grant Hiroshi Ogata, President of JASDFW. “We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, attendees, award recipients, and partners for helping us create an evening that not only honored achievement but also strengthened the relationships that will shape the future.”
As JASDFW looks ahead, the success of the 2026 Sun & Star Legacy Awards Gala sends a clear message to prospective sponsors and partners: this is more than a gala. It is a high-visibility platform where civic leadership, international business, cultural diplomacy, and community influence come together in one room. For companies and organizations seeking meaningful engagement with North Texas leaders and the Japanese business community, the Sun & Star Legacy Awards Gala continues to stand out as a premier annual opportunity. For more information, visit www.jasdfw.org
