Sycamore Tree’s Mark Okada Facilitates Return of Japan-Texas Economic Summit in 2026

As Co-Founder and CEO of Sycamore Tree Capital Partners, Mark Okada has spent decades helping institutional investors navigate complex credit markets and capitalize on long-term structural opportunities. In parallel, Mark also serves as Vice Chair of the U.S.-Japan Council, where he plays a key leadership role in advancing economic collaboration between the two nations.

Mark's deep ties to both Japan and Texas-culturally, professionally, and economically-have made him a pivotal figure in orchestrating the return of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit - a strategic forum for discussions spanning cross-border investment, trade, and regional growth. Mark's leadership symbolizes the growing importance of Texas as a hub for global capital and innovation, particularly as Japanese investment continues to accelerate across the state, and Sycamore Tree looks forward to attending the return of this prestigious event series on May 11-13, 2026.

For more information, please find the USJC's full press release below:

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U.S.-Japan Council Announces 2026 Return of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit in Arlington, TX

Three-day summit will gather top leaders from Japan and Texas to deepen cross-border ties amid global trade shifts and economic realignment.

ARLINGTON, TX - The U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) today announced the return of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit, a premier gathering of business, investment and political leaders dedicated to advancing economic collaboration between Japan and the Lone Star State. Scheduled for May 11-13, 2026, in Arlington, TX, the event will take place against the backdrop of evolving U.S.-Japan trade dynamics and growing regional alignment on supply chain resilience and industrial policy.

Hosted by USJC in partnership with the City of Arlington and Arlington Economic Development Corporation as title sponsors and ABeam Consulting as organizing sponsor, the 2026 Summit revives a landmark initiative that first launched in 2018 and now returns as an annual signature event for strengthening U.S.-Japan economic ties.

"This is more than a conference. It's a strategic signal," said Sachi Hamai, Chair of the U.S.-Japan Council's Board of Directors. "As bilateral trade discussions intensify, the Japan-Texas Economic Summit reflects a shared commitment to partnership through commercial vision, policy alignment, and real investment."

The Summit's momentum is driven by local leadership deeply rooted in Texas.

"We're fortunate to have prominent USJC leaders such as Donna Cole, Mark Okada, and Steve Sakanashi who reside in Texas," said Audrey Yamamoto, President and CEO of the U.S.-Japan Council. "Their leadership, in-state networks, and knowledge of the local economy is shaping an agenda that will resonate broadly and highlight Texas's pivotal role in advancing U.S.-Japan relations."

The Summit will leverage USJC's proven convening power of bringing together subnational leaders, including governors, mayors, government agency officials, and top corporate executives. These influential figures will engage across borders to develop strategies for sustained growth and regional collaboration.

The inaugural Japan-Texas Economic Summit, hosted in Houston in 2018, convened more than 400 leaders across industry and government.

Since then, Texas has emerged as a top state for Japanese-affiliated companies and one of the fastest-growing destinations for foreign direct investment. Between 2011 and 2021, employment by Japanese firms in Texas more than doubled, reaching over 75,000 jobs and far outpacing the national average.

"The 2018 Summit, combined with Texas Governor Greg Abbott's Statement of Mutual Cooperation with Governor of Aichi Prefecture Hideaki Ohmura last year, reveals a deep appetite to strengthen Japan-Texas ties," said Steve Sakanashi, Chair of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit. "The 2026 Summit will build on that momentum and become the permanent gathering point for our two economies to plan for the future."

With Arlington serving as host city for three consecutive years, the Summit anchors itself at the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, an area projected to become the third-largest metropolitan region in the United States by the 2030s.

This explosive growth mirrors broader dynamics unfolding across Texas, from the energy capital of Houston to the innovation corridor of Austin and San Antonio. Together with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, these cities form the Texas Triangle, where five of the nation's fifteen largest cities form a megaregion driving over 75% of Texas's $2.7 trillion GDP.

The Summit will leverage USJC's proven convening power of bringing together subnational leaders, including governors, mayors, agency officials, and top corporate executives. These influential figures will engage across borders to develop strategies for sustained growth and regional collaboration.

Programming for the 2026 Summit will explore a wide spectrum of shared priorities, including:

• Energy transition and resilient supply chains
• Advanced manufacturing and next-gen mobility
• Semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity
• Biotech, healthcare innovation, and the longevity economy
• Cross-border capital formation and the rise of the Texas Stock Exchange
• Cultural diplomacy in sports, food, entertainment, and education

To learn more or receive updates, visit: https://www.usjapancouncil.org/japan-texas-economic-summit

Speaker and sponsorship requests can be directed to: [email protected]

About the U.S.-Japan Council

Founded by Japanese Americans, the U.S.-Japan Council is the premier organization dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections. From high school classrooms to corporate boardrooms, from college lecture halls to the halls of government, we develop and connect leaders from every sector committed to a strong and enduring global partnership. For more information, visit https://www.usjapancouncil.org.