Expanding into the 'Second Largest Giant Economy in the US', Texas! Special Seminar Conveying the 'Appeal of Texas' to be Held on May 20 (Wed)
The Tokyo Metropolitan SME Support Center will hold a free seminar on May 20, 2026, to support expansion into Texas, featuring local representatives and successful Japanese companies.
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The Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Mitsuyoshi Tarao) will hold the seminar 'Appeal and Expansion Seminar of the Texas Market' on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to support expansion into Texas, which has some of the world's leading growth potential. The seminar will be held concurrently at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-Kan for in-person attendance and online.
Texas, which creates a GDP equivalent to the 2nd largest in the US as a single state and 8th globally, boasts a highly competitive business environment, including zero state corporate income tax. In this seminar, representatives from the corporate attraction department of Brownsville, Texas, will visit Japan, and an SME from Tokyo that continues its challenge locally aiming for a listing on the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) in 2030 will take the stage. They will disclose their know-how, from the latest market trends to 'success stories' regarding expansion.
[Seminar Information Site]
https://www.tokyo-kosha.or.jp/TTC/matching/economic_exchange/seminar_texas_2026.html
Background and Aims of the Event: Supporting the 'First Step' of SMEs Aspiring to Expand into the US
While many Japanese companies are interested in the American market, the actual state of the market is still largely unknown, and there are high hurdles to actual expansion.
Therefore, we will convey the appeal and points to know when expanding into Texas, a state with which the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has concluded a 'Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Market Expansion for Small and Medium Enterprises'. In addition, representatives from the 'Greater Brownsville' community in Texas will actually visit Japan to give lectures, and real networking will be provided for venue participants. Please utilize this opportunity that can be experienced in Japan.
Seminar Details
Event Name: 'Appeal and Expansion Seminar of the Texas Market'
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 9:00 - 11:30 (Online room opens at 8:45)
Location:
[Venue] Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-Kan, 5th Floor (1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
[Online] Held on the video conferencing system 'Zoom Webinar'
Target: SMEs in Tokyo considering overseas expansion
Participation Fee: Free
How to Apply: Please apply via the Google Form below.
*The application deadline is Tuesday, May 19.
[URL]
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHZqf9VVJUQ1cRGUB_pdbb-0RdfGztOxCF_Pqb6hQ7EmPQ3A/viewform
Program: Keynote Speeches and Networking
[Part 1]
Speaker: Mr. Lawrence P. HOWORTH / President, HOWORTH International
Theme: US Market-in Strategy
[Part 2]
Speaker: Ms. Junko Goodyear / Co-owner, CSS Holdings Group
Theme: Texas is Hot Now!! On the Appeal and Current State of the Texas Market
[Part 3]
Speaker: Mr. Gilberto Salinas / President & CEO, Greater Brownsville EDC
Theme: The Appeal of Brownsville
[Part 4]
Speaker: Mr. Toyokazu Yamaguchi / President & CEO, American Katerra, LLC
Theme: Build for Dreams in Texas ~The Challenge of AMERICAN KATERRA~
Roadmap from Zero US Corporation Establishment to 2030 TXSE Listing
[Part 5 - Project Introduction]
Speaker: Representative from Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center
Theme: About the Inter-regional Economic Exchange Project Texas Program (The Center's Hands-on Expansion Project)
[Part 6 - Networking]
Theme: Real Networking with Greater Brownsville (For Venue Participants Only)
Speaker Biographies
Mr. Lawrence P. HOWORTH / President, HOWORTH International
A global advisory services firm based in Dallas, Texas, with over 30 years of experience in market entry strategy and business development for multinational markets. He prepares Japanese companies for entry into international markets, introduces them to government agencies, industry clusters, universities, and research institutions, and provides expert advice on marketing, entry strategies, and distribution channels. He also supports companies' global expansion by arranging inspection tours to Texas.
Ms. Junko Goodyear / CSS Holdings Group
Texas, which creates a GDP equivalent to the 2nd largest in the US as a single state and 8th globally, boasts a highly competitive business environment, including zero state corporate income tax. In this seminar, representatives from the corporate attraction department of Brownsville, Texas, will visit Japan, and an SME from Tokyo that continues its challenge locally aiming for a listing on the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE) in 2030 will take the stage. They will disclose their know-how, from the latest market trends to 'success stories' regarding expansion.
[Seminar Information Site]
https://www.tokyo-kosha.or.jp/TTC/matching/economic_exchange/seminar_texas_2026.html
Background and Aims of the Event: Supporting the 'First Step' of SMEs Aspiring to Expand into the US
While many Japanese companies are interested in the American market, the actual state of the market is still largely unknown, and there are high hurdles to actual expansion.
Therefore, we will convey the appeal and points to know when expanding into Texas, a state with which the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has concluded a 'Memorandum of Understanding on Mutual Market Expansion for Small and Medium Enterprises'. In addition, representatives from the 'Greater Brownsville' community in Texas will actually visit Japan to give lectures, and real networking will be provided for venue participants. Please utilize this opportunity that can be experienced in Japan.
Seminar Details
Event Name: 'Appeal and Expansion Seminar of the Texas Market'
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 9:00 - 11:30 (Online room opens at 8:45)
Location:
[Venue] Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Hamamatsucho-Kan, 5th Floor (1-7-1 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo)
[Online] Held on the video conferencing system 'Zoom Webinar'
Target: SMEs in Tokyo considering overseas expansion
Participation Fee: Free
How to Apply: Please apply via the Google Form below.
*The application deadline is Tuesday, May 19.
[URL]
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHZqf9VVJUQ1cRGUB_pdbb-0RdfGztOxCF_Pqb6hQ7EmPQ3A/viewform
Program: Keynote Speeches and Networking
[Part 1]
Speaker: Mr. Lawrence P. HOWORTH / President, HOWORTH International
Theme: US Market-in Strategy
[Part 2]
Speaker: Ms. Junko Goodyear / Co-owner, CSS Holdings Group
Theme: Texas is Hot Now!! On the Appeal and Current State of the Texas Market
[Part 3]
Speaker: Mr. Gilberto Salinas / President & CEO, Greater Brownsville EDC
Theme: The Appeal of Brownsville
[Part 4]
Speaker: Mr. Toyokazu Yamaguchi / President & CEO, American Katerra, LLC
Theme: Build for Dreams in Texas ~The Challenge of AMERICAN KATERRA~
Roadmap from Zero US Corporation Establishment to 2030 TXSE Listing
[Part 5 - Project Introduction]
Speaker: Representative from Tokyo Metropolitan Small and Medium Enterprise Support Center
Theme: About the Inter-regional Economic Exchange Project Texas Program (The Center's Hands-on Expansion Project)
[Part 6 - Networking]
Theme: Real Networking with Greater Brownsville (For Venue Participants Only)
Speaker Biographies
Mr. Lawrence P. HOWORTH / President, HOWORTH International
A global advisory services firm based in Dallas, Texas, with over 30 years of experience in market entry strategy and business development for multinational markets. He prepares Japanese companies for entry into international markets, introduces them to government agencies, industry clusters, universities, and research institutions, and provides expert advice on marketing, entry strategies, and distribution channels. He also supports companies' global expansion by arranging inspection tours to Texas.
Ms. Junko Goodyear / CSS Holdings Group