DBEDT, Japan-America Society of Hawaii to Host 2026 Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit

For Immediate Release: April 27, 2026

HONOLULU—The 2026 Hawaii-Japan Sister Summit will bring leaders from Hawaii and Japan to Honolulu on May 20 and 21 for discussions to strengthen long-standing ties and advance new opportunities for collaboration. The event will begin with an opening reception on May 20, followed by a full day of summit sessions and the Sister Summit Marketplace on May 21. A separate Hawaii-Japan Economic Policy Forum will take place May 22 at the East-West Center and is by invitation only.

Hosted by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), the summit is themed “Creating Our Future.” The summit is expected to include Governor Josh Green, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi, Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami, along with representatives from Hawaii’s six sister prefectures and 30 sister cities and towns in Japan.

Building on the inaugural 2023 summit, this year’s gathering will focus on strengthening sister-state and sister-city relationships while creating space for new dialogue, partnerships and practical areas of collaboration.

“Japan is one of Hawaii’s most important global partners and this summit creates an opportunity to identify practical areas for collaboration,” said James Kunane Tokioka, director of DBEDT. “From trade and investment to education, resilience, cultural exchange and even growing opportunities in sports tourism, the conversations at the Sister Summit can help shape long-term value for Hawaii and Japan alike.”

“For decades, sister relationships have helped build trust, understanding and exchange between Hawaii and Japan,” said Reyna Kaneko, president of JASH. “This summit is designed to turn those relationships into fresh ideas, stronger partnerships and meaningful action in areas where both sides have much to share and much to gain.”

The May 21 program will open with a keynote address by Joshua W. Walker, Ph.D., president and CEO of Japan Society, whose remarks are expected to help frame the day’s discussions around the broader strategic, economic and cultural significance of the Hawaii-Japan relationship. Sessions throughout the day will explore One Health, the Hawaii-Japan economic relationship, sports diplomacy, disaster preparedness and resiliency, a free and open Indo-Pacific, as well as the business of pop culture, including anime, gaming and e-sports.

Planned speakers and panelists include:

Health, Sustainability and Shared Learning

• Moderator: Sandra Chang, Ph.D., One Health Program, University of Hawaii
• Governor Josh Green, state of Hawaii
• Governor Seitaro Hattori, Fukuoka Prefectural Government
• Dr. Kelly Pelican, director, Health Sciences Institute, University of Hawaii

Business of Pop Culture

• Moderator: Mari Erdman
• Deputy Mayor Sae Sugiura, Shibuya City
• Nyle Sky Kauweloa, director, UH e-Sports
• Lani Kekahuna-Kalaukoa, CEO, Vtoku
• Michiteru Okabe, game producer and director, Capcom, Sega and FromSoftware
• Ricky Uy, co-founder and CEO, Komodo

Hawaii-Japan: Economic Impact and Relationship

• Moderator: Colbert Matsumoto, chairman, Tradewind Group
• Neill Char, vice chair, Retail Banking Group, First Hawaiian Bank
• Shinichiro Shimizu, vice chairman, Japan Airlines
• James Kunane Tokioka, director, DBEDT
• Jacob Vuillemin, economist, DBEDT

Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency

• Moderator: Molly Schmidt, CEO, Pacific Islands Region, American Red Cross
• Vice Governor Tsuguyoshi Miyagi, Okinawa
• Mayor Hiroyuki Uchida, Iwaki City
• Col. James Barros, (Ret.), Administrator, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• Renise Bayne, regional disaster officer, American Red Cross
• Andrea Ciletti, branch chief, Center for Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (CFE-DM)

Strategic Roles for Hawaii and Japan in the Indo-Pacific

• Moderator and Panelist: Joshua Walker, Ph.D., president and CEO, Japan Society
• Manabu Imakyurei, president, National Institute for Defense Studies, Japan Ministry of Defense
• Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, director, Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies

Sports Diplomacy

• Moderator: Dave Erdman, Retail Merchants Association of Hawaii
• Jim Barahal, M.D., sports event executive
• Don Nomura, sports agent
• Rika Riodan, chair, Pickleball Japan Federation
• Glenn Wakai, state Senator, state of Hawaii

In addition to the summit sessions, the Sister Summit Marketplace on May 21 will feature government agencies, businesses and organizations from Hawaii and Japan showcasing services, products and information while creating opportunities for new connections. The May 22 Hawaii-Japan Economic Policy Forum will bring together invited government leaders and selected business representatives for a more focused discussion on trade, investment and the role of government and sister relationships in advancing economic partnership.

Registration is $350 per attendee. The deadline to register is May 11, 2026. For more information or to register, visit https://www.jashawaii.org/sister-summit-2026.

About the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT):
DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, as well as foreign trade advantages. The DBEDT mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments and promotes innovation sector job growth.

About the Business Development and Support Division (BDSD):
The Business Development and Support Division of DBEDT promotes industry development and economic diversification by supporting existing and emerging industries in Hawaii and by attracting new investment and businesses to the state. Learn more at: https://invest.hawaii.gov/.

About the Japan America Society of Hawaii (JASH):
The Japan-America Society of Hawaii was founded in 1976 to promote understanding and friendship between the people of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Laci Goshi
Communications Officer
Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, State of Hawaii
(808) 518-5480

Jocelyn Collado
Vice President
Becker Communications
Cell: 808-392-5737

Sheri Kajiwara
Sister Summit Coordinator
Cell: 808-265-1051

Reyna Kaneko
President
Japan-America Society of Hawaii
Cell: 808-292-0049