Symposium Held to Strengthen Economic Relations Between Japan and San Antonio
2025/2/13
Consul General Naganuma
San Antonio Mayor Nirenberg
Bexar County Judge Sakai
Certificate of Commendation Recipient Ms. Dowlatshahi, Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer of San Antonio
Group Photo
On February 6, the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston in partnership with the City of San Antonio co-hosted a symposium to promote economic relations between Japan and Texas at the Betty Kelso Center at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Approximately 90 people attended, including representatives from the federal government, the City of San Antonio, Bexar County, the Japan-America Society of San Antonio, the Naoko Mitsui Shirane Foundation, JETRO Houston, Japanese companies, as well as major chambers of commerce, business associations, and companies, operating locally.
Consul General Zentaro Naganuma, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai each gave opening remarks, reflecting on the long history of exchange between Japan and San Antonio and expressing their hopes for further development of the established economic relationship.
Following the opening remarks, Mr. Kenji Kotani, Vice President of the San Antonio Japanese Companies Association, gave a presentation noting that the organization’s member companies employ more than 8,000 people in the city. Next, Mr. Hiroshi Iwata, Treasurer of Toyota Motor North America, presented on the company’s plans to invest an additional $531 million to build a new plant that would create more than 400 jobs. Finally, Mr. Hideki Shimada, Director of JETRO Houston, spoke about JETRO's role in promoting economic exchange and the contributions of Japanese companies to the United States.
During the symposium, Consul General Naganuma presented a Certificate of Commendation to Ms. Shahrzad Dowlatshahi, Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer of the City of San Antonio, in recognition of her significant contributions to economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between Japan and San Antonio.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support Japanese companies’ investments and activities in Texas.
Consul General Zentaro Naganuma, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai each gave opening remarks, reflecting on the long history of exchange between Japan and San Antonio and expressing their hopes for further development of the established economic relationship.
Following the opening remarks, Mr. Kenji Kotani, Vice President of the San Antonio Japanese Companies Association, gave a presentation noting that the organization’s member companies employ more than 8,000 people in the city. Next, Mr. Hiroshi Iwata, Treasurer of Toyota Motor North America, presented on the company’s plans to invest an additional $531 million to build a new plant that would create more than 400 jobs. Finally, Mr. Hideki Shimada, Director of JETRO Houston, spoke about JETRO's role in promoting economic exchange and the contributions of Japanese companies to the United States.
During the symposium, Consul General Naganuma presented a Certificate of Commendation to Ms. Shahrzad Dowlatshahi, Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer of the City of San Antonio, in recognition of her significant contributions to economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between Japan and San Antonio.
The Consulate-General of Japan in Houston will continue to support Japanese companies’ investments and activities in Texas.