TAC Blog

The summit brought together top Japanese and Texas business, government and civic leaders in Tarrant County's city of Arlington, advancing bilateral investment across energy, semiconductors, AI infrastructure, real estate and space. With over 400 Japanese companies and $31 billion in bilateral trade anchoring the relationship, the summit made clear that Texas' growth trajectory runs directly through its counties.

Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai delivered special remarks during the opening plenary, speaking to the deep and enduring Japan-Texas relationship and the tangible impact of Japanese investment in his region. Since 2006, Toyota has invested more than $4.7 billion and employs over 3,700 workers at its Bexar County manufacturing plant, a living example of how county-level partnerships translate into statewide economic strength.

Grayson County Commissioner Josh Marr engaged directly with Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson and leaders in the semiconductor and data center sectors, participating in conversations about how counties are managing unprecedented growth. Grayson County and neighboring Sherman were repeatedly highlighted throughout the semiconductors breakout session as ground zero for the next generation of chip manufacturing in Texas.

These conversations weren't incidental. County judges and commissioners are the officials who approve infrastructure investments, manage the roads and utilities that support major industrial sites, and deliver the public safety and workforce services that make a region competitive. As Texas races to become the most populous state in the nation by 2045 and positions itself as a global hub for AI, semiconductors and energy, the message from Arlington was clear: Counties are not just supporting players in Texas' economic rise -- they are foundational to it.

TAC will continue tracking these developments and advocating for county governments as partners in Texas' global economic future.