Japan Currents Symposium
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
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
