PRESS CONFERENCE

Manning Rollerson, Founder of Freeport Haven project
Gwendolyn Jones, Founder of Climate Conversation Brazoria County
Melanie Oldham, Founder of Better Brazoria: Clean Air and Water

10:30-11:30 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
The speech and Q & A will be in English.

"How Japan’s $550 Billion Threatens an American Community"

Under pressure from President Trump, Japan has promised to invest $550 billion in the United States, with much of the money flowing into energy megaprojects. Members of one community in coastal Texas say they say will suffer the impact of these gigantic but disruptive projects, and their leaders have come all the way to Japan to sound the alarm.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan will hold a press conference by the leaders of three groups from Brazoria County, a community outside Houston near two big energy-related construction projects: the Texas GulfLink offshore terminal, which will load petroleum onto enormous crude-carrying ships, and an expansion of the Freeport LNG export terminal, which exports liquified natural gas.

While proponents say the projects will bring revenues and jobs, the speakers say many costs will be borne by their community, and particularly its low-income residents, who will face pollution, economic dislocation and the threat of accidents. The three have come to confront the backers of these ventures, which include some of Japan's biggest banks and energy companies, with the human costs.

Their visit comes at a critical juncture, when Japan is trying to navigate an American administration that has threatened it with punishing tariffs only to see these overturned in U.S. courts. At the same time, energy security, and finding alternative supplies of oil and gas, remains an urgent issue with the American and Israeli war on Iran choking off the Strait of Hormuz. Please attend a timely and newsworthy event.

How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live  

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/mSPvE3HiajJHk1ATA

TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference. 

Professional Activities Committee