Photo courtesy of Howorth International
On January 22, 2022, the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office of the Texas Governor and the Bureau of Industrial and Labor Affairs of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Japan, signed a Statement of Mutual Cooperation to strengthen economic ties between Texas and Tokyo.
Initially, 19 Texas communities were designated as collaborative partners under the agreement. Since then, three additional communities have joined, with the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) becoming the most recent partner.
As a direct outcome of this Statement, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government launched the Inter-regional Economic Exchange Program, providing Japanese SMEs with the opportunity to explore market entry into Texas. Each year, a select group of SMEs is chosen to participate. This year, ten (10) Japanese SMEs were selected for the program, which is administered in Tokyo by the Tokyo SME Support Center, International Business Section.
In late January 2025, JASH had the privilege of welcoming the SME delegates to Houston alongside Howorth International and the GHP. JASH Vice President Tak Ishikawa (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America) and new JASH member Nobu Namba (PNC) provided valuable insights on doing business in Texas, while JASH Executive Director Patsy Brown shared strategies for fostering deeper connections with local communities in Texas. Additionally, JASH Board Member Satoru Akama (Daikin Comfort Technologies) hosted the delegates for an exclusive tour of the Daikin factory.
We were inspired by the innovation and ambition of these companies as they explore opportunities in the Texas/U.S. market. As a warm gesture of Texas hospitality, all participating SMEs were awarded complimentary JASH memberships.
Join us in welcoming our newest members!
Courtesy of Howorth International