This is an annual event sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and SMU Tower Center, presented by JASDFW to highlight trends and information related to U.S. and Japanese business.  This year’s theme is “Innovation and Growth: Urbanization and Globalization in the U.S. – Japan Partnership”.

More details on speakers and registration to follow soon.

The event is free and open to the public. To join in-person or virtually registration is required and the seats are first come, first served.

Date: Friday, February 20, 2026

Time: 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm

Location: Prothro Great Hall, 5901 Bishop Blvd, Dallas, TX 75205

Program

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  Registration

12:00 p.m. – 01:30 p.m. Keynote Luncheon

02:00 p.m. – 03:30 p.m. Afternoon Panel

Japan Currents Series

In 2019, NAJAS inaugurated the “Japan Currents” public affairs series, with support from the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC. The series involved events in fourteen different cities, each hosted by the local Japan-America Society, and composed of speakers from Japan, the U.S. and the local community. Public affairs topics of interest relating to Japan vary by location. Each host selected the theme and the reports of the events demonstrate the depth and variety of interest in Japan across the country. As the only national public affairs program series focusing on the US-Japan relationship, we believe Japan Currents serves an important part of the mission of Japan-America Society network. We are grateful for the support of the Embassy of Japan for this program.

In partnership with the Sun & Star Program on Japan and East Asia at the SMU Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affairs

Presented by

Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

Southern Methodist University, Tower Center

Lead Sponsors

Embassy of Japan

NAJAS

This program is supported by a grant from the National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc., with the support of the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC.

Any person who requires a reasonable accommodation on the basis of a disability in order to participate in this program should contact the SMU Tower Center at tower@smu.edu in advance at least 4 days prior to the event to arrange for the accommodation.

SMU Tower Center | http://www.smu.edu/TowerCenter

Southern Methodist University (SMU)

3300 University Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75275-0117

214-768-3954  tower@smu.edu