With survey measurements taken every two years, the results from this research give ACCJ leadership a better understanding regarding the needs and desires of ACCJ members, and thus help guide us in making decisions that affect the organization’s prospects for the future.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

The most recent “Member Feedback” measurement, taken in October 2011, indicates that:

■ ACCJ members are overall satisfied
■ Membership in ACCJ is valued, and
■ ACCJ’s key benefits of providing networking, information and advocacy are being consistently delivered

Overall, gains have been realized across most key indicators of member satisfaction, not only recovering from the “post-Lehman Shock” declines shown in the 2009 survey, but also improving upon the 2007 data.

Member loyalty is once again increasing, with 49 percent “totally agreeing” that they are likely to renew their membership and 39 percent saying that they would recommend the ACCJ to a colleague or friend, suggesting that improvements in other key indicators (such as Value and Process Areas) are resulting in greater levels of member satisfaction.

I am also happy to report that perceptions of the ACCJ as an “organization of excellence” increased more than in any previous survey year.

There are a few things we can do to improve member experience; fortunately, they aren’t that difficult.

Specifically:
■ Younger (and new) members need more “mentoring”
■ Small tweaks to publications, website and other communications vehicles will yield even more positive impressions of the ACCJ as an organization
■ Continued attention to delivering high quality programs and events will also pay off in greater member satisfaction

It is encouraging that ACCJ members feel so positive towards our organization, but we would never want to rest on our laurels. Going forward, we need to continually work at improving our processes and refining the way we do things so that we can ensure that ACCJ member satisfaction remains consistently high. Striving to be the best we can be is one of the core characteristics that helps set us apart as an international business organization.

With this in mind I have challenged the BOG and our Committee Leadership to “move the dial” in a positive direction by one percentage point on all measurements in the next survey, which will be taken in Autumn 2013.

As always, your help and ideas are most welcome.

For those of us fortunate enough to attend the summit, we were treated to an incredible lineup of speakers and panelists. It’s hard to know where to begin, but just running through some of the names quickly, we had Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yukio Edano, US Deputy Secretary of State Thomas Nides, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez, Ambassador John Roos, Charles Lake (AFLAC), Ambassador Robert Orr (Asian Development Bank), John Rice (GE), Ambassador Hans Klemm (Economic Coordinator, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, US Department of State and US Senior Official, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation), Ambassador Sung Kim (Korea), Hiroshi Mikitani (Rakuten), Ambassador Jeffrey Bleich (Australia), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary McCarthy, Takeshi Niinami (Lawson), Assistant USTR Wendy Cutler, Lewis Kaden (Citigroup), Ambassador David Adelman (Singapore), William Toppeta (MetLife), Deputy Minister Dang Huy Dong, Planning and Investment Vietnam, Ambassador David Carden (ASEAN), Monika Merz (Toys R Us), Ambassador Paul Jones (Malaysia), Robert Eberhart (Stanford University), Ambassador Scott Marciel (Indonesia), Kevin Thieneman (Caterpillar), Ambassador David Shear (Vietnam), Commissioner Masamichi Kono (Financial Services Agency), William Stanton (Director, American Institute in Taiwan) and Japan’s Ambassador to the US Ichiro Fujisaki.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

Actually, having run through that list of eminent individuals, I’d like to note that I’ve named only around half of the speakers at the conference! There’s just not enough room in this column to name every one of the distinguished participants. Being informed by so many uniquely qualified experts was really a remarkable experience. At one point during the conference, it occurred to me that we’d assembled what was probably the deepest and broadest array of participants from the US business community and government ever seen in Asia.

I feel as if I learned so much in those two days that it will take me weeks or months to assimilate it all. Our ability to make this event happen is really due to the credibility and reputation that the Chamber has earned over the last six decades.

Coming less than one year after the catastrophic March 11th earthquake, this event proved categorically that not only is Japan back in business, but that we’re one of the business communities providing leadership and vision globally.

From a Chamber perspective, we’ll be enjoying the benefits from this great event for years to come. In my concluding remarks at the conference, I said that I’d like to individually thank each ACCJ volunteer leader and staff member that contributed to APCAC but that I’d need an hour or more to do so. This column will be the second time I’ll once again issue a collective “thank you!” to all the folks that made the 2012 APCAC Asia Business Summit such a fantastic experience.

I hope that you’re all as energized and motivated as I am right now… and we still have nine months to go in 2012!

Thanks again.

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE ABOUT THE TPP?
Many of the factors that impede a company’s ability to do businesses in today’s global business environment are not addressed in traditional trade agreements. However, there are high hopes that the ambitious TPP will be a trade agreement for the 21st century and establish a framework that will increase market access for US companies, simplify the business environment to facilitate trade and investment, ensure equal opportunities and a level playing field for all market players, and create an overall a better business environment. This will ultimately enhance competition and bring substantial benefit to US and other companies operating in the Asia-Pacific region.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

Another point that makes TPP different is that it is a living agreement. This means that it will evolve and adapt to include new and emerging trade and investment issues as they arise and also expand its membership as countries demonstrate the will to commit to the same high level of liberalization. The TPP currently has nine negotiating partners including Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and United States with Japan, Canada and Mexico formally expressing their interest in joining. Other countries such as the Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea have also informally expressed their interest in eventually joining. The TPP promises to become the largest free trade area in the world and is widely seen as the precursor to a region-wide agreement or Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP).

JAPAN’S PARTICIPATION: A GAME CHANGER
Certainly, of most interest to US companies operating in, or with Japan, is whether Japan’s interest in joining the TPP will be realized. On January 13, 2012 the Office of the United States Trade Representative concluded its “Request for Comments on Japan’s Expression of Interest in the Proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement” through the Federal Register. Submissions were overwhelmingly in favor of Japan’s participation (104 in favor to 8 against and 1 indecipherable).

As the ACCJ highlighted in its submission, we welcome Japan’s participation in the TPP. Given the size of Japan’s economy and its role in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan’s participation would be a game changer, not only creating the world’s largest free trade zone but also serving to strengthen the US-Japan bilateral relationship both economically and strategically. However, for Japan to join the group of likeminded countries negotiating the TPP, the country’s leadership needs to move quickly to demonstrate its readiness to embrace the common vision for the highest standard of trade liberalization and to take the hard decisions required to achieve this.

AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US-JAPAN LEADERSHIP IN THE REGION
The United States and Asia are inextricably linked and the future of one depends on the other. As two of the largest economies in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Japan must see the opportunity in TPP and to work together to create a regional architecture that unlocks the region’s growth potential to the benefit of US and Japanese businesses, citizens and the region as a whole.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

PROPOSALS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
2. Indicate the timing of the next official communication in all travel warnings and warden messages Consistency and regularity of US Government messaging conveys confidence and can ease apprehension during rapidly changing circumstances. With this in mind, the ACCJ urges the US Government in times of crisis to indicate in travel warnings and warden messages when citizens can expect the next message. Doing this adds certainty and better enables private sector planning and business continuity, even when the situation remains unchanged.

3. Evaluate the style of US Government communications during a disaster
ACCJ members reported difficulty gaining relevant information from US Government travel warnings and warden messages and cited lengthy passages and vague language such as “safe haven” and “an abundance of caution” in communications. In light of modern email, social media, and other information gathering trends, the ACCJ encourages the US Government to review its messaging style and system to ensure that US Government messages are relevant, clear, and concise. In addition, the US Government should consider ways to incorporate information into official US communications that help the American private sector mitigate risk and make sound decisions for their organizations, employees, and families.

4. Educate the American business community on the government’s disaster response plans
The ACCJ urges the US Embassy to institute an ongoing program to educate the American business community on its disaster response plans through annual speaker events with the ACCJ’s Kanto,Chubu, Kansai chapters. These events would introduce US Government emergency procedures and provide the American business community with resources in the event of a disaster. These regular briefings can be facilitated by the Disaster Preparedness Liaison Team.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ACCJ
March 11 also brought to light areas where the ACCJ can better support members in disaster situations. ACCJ members cited the value of social media as a disaster communication tool and encourage the Chamber to implement the following:

1.Appoint a disaster preparedness and response team from Chamber leaders The ACCJ President should appoint three members of the Board of Governors to serve as the Chamber’s core disaster preparedness and response team. This group would include at least one ACCJ Vice President and the Executive Director. This team would advise the President and comprise the Emergency Response Team to work with the US Embassy on disaster preparedness. In the event of a disaster, these leaders would serve as the Chamber’s emergency response team and would work with the ACCJ secretariat to convey appropriate information to the Chamber membership.

2. Leverage the ACCJ organizational structure to facilitate communication In the event of an emergency,the ACCJ disaster preparedness and response team should facilitate information exchange and communication within the Chamber by reminding leaders that they can leverage the committee structure to share information. If appropriate, committee leaders could convene emergency committee meetings, conference calls or utilize the ACCJ’s social media tools to communicate with committee members. This may be of particular benefit to committees with an industry specific focus and that lack a separate industry organization.

3. Compile and make available information from authoritative sources to Chamber members The Chamber can be a valuable source of information for Chamber members. Consistent with its actions following March 11, the ACCJ should compile and convey credible information for circulation to members via email or posting online. As non-experts, the ACCJ should only make available information compiled from recognized authorities and expert sources. Such information can be helpful for ACCJ member companies reporting to headquarters.

4. Publicize Chamber member contributions In the wake of March 11, many ACCJ members made substantial contributions to disaster relief organizations such as the Japanese Red Cross. In addition to focusing on its own fund-raising efforts, the ACCJ should compile an online list describing the significant contributions of member companies. Doing so would not detract from Chamber initiatives but instead would highlight the good work of American companies as contributing members of the local community.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

Looking back at the unprecedented events of March 11, 2011, and their aftermath, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) believes that over the course of the disaster response a particularly good working relationship developed between the ACCJ and the United States Government and US Embassy in Tokyo. In the disaster response context, this relationship – forged under extraordinary circumstances – serves US strategic and operational interests in Japan well and must be carefully tended to going forward. In an effort to build on the progress made and lessons learned, the ACCJ prepared this after-action report to highlight American business concerns and offer proposals to the United States Government and recommendations to the ACCJ for how to enhance disaster preparedness and communication.

BACKGROUND: An unequivocal American response to March 11

The US Government response to the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami came immediately and without hesitation. Operation Tomodachi was the single largest humanitarian relief effort in American history and was a natural outgrowth of deep bilateral ties and American affection for the people of Japan. The ACCJ is deeply grateful to the US Government and all the American servicemen, women, and civilians who gave so much to support Japan in its time of need. Indeed, this response was an unequivocal demonstration of the US commitment to the vitality of Japan and the bilateral relationship.

In particular, the ACCJ would like to highlight the efforts of Ambassador John Roos and the US Embassy staff to connect with the Japanese people. Their initiative and support sent a powerful message to the people of Japan that the United States is, in the words of the President, an “unshakeable” ally.

“As allies for half a century, the partnership between Japan and the United States has been the foundation for our security and our prosperity…. It’s allowed us to become two of the world’s largest economies. It has made Japan the second largest trading partner outside of North America… We are bound by our people — our families, our businesses, students and tourists who bring us closer every day.” US President Barack Obama, November 2010

The American business community is a vital pillar of the US-Japan relationship

The ACCJ believes that the American business community is a vital, integral, and inseparable component of the US-Japan strategic relationship, creating value, increasing living standards, and facilitating greater person-to-person exchange between the two countries. As the events following March 11 clearly demonstrate, however, the American business community in Japan, led by the ACCJ, not only represents critical stakeholders in the US-Japan relationship, but is also a vital source of insight and perspective without which US decision-making in times of major crisis in Japan would be incomplete. Accordingly, mechanisms must be created to ensure that clear, effective and durable lines of communication and cooperation be established so that they can be quickly activated in times of crisis.

PROPOSALS TO THE US GOVERNMENT

In an effort to enhance public-private communication, coordination, and cooperation, address the challenges described above and build on collective experience following March 11, the ACCJ proposes the following:

1. Establish a mechanism to facilitate disaster preparedness and response between the US Embassy and the ACCJ

This mechanism would facilitate communication between government decision makers and private sector stakeholders and be comprised of a Disaster Preparedness Team and an Emergency Response Team.

Disaster Preparedness Liaison Team

Comprised of representatives of the US Embassy and designated ACCJ leaders, the Disaster Preparedness Liaison Team would review, and if necessary develop disaster response plans to enhance public-private sector communication, coordination, and cooperation. The team would meet semi-annually and discuss potential emergency issues and scenarios including, but not limited to:
Travel alerts
Safety
Transportation
Energy
Business continuity
Evacuation planning
Communications and
Other issues

This team would issue a short report to the US Ambassador and ACCJ President, copying the Japan Desk Director at the US Department of State, on an annual basis describing the discussions. Regularizing the meetings of the Disaster Preparedness Liaison Team is essential to ensure its functionality in a time of crisis.

Emergency Response Team

Comprised of the relevant Minister Counselors and Embassy staff, ACCJ President and designated ACCJ leaders, the Emergency Response Team would be convened by mutual assent in the event of an emergency. Its purpose would be to share information, create action plans, discuss the context and ramifications of official US Government messaging, align resources as necessary, and determine next steps. Participants would report back to their respective organizations to facilitate information exchange and enable next steps. The Emergency Response Team will meet in person, or by conference call daily, as necessary depending on the situation.

Next month, we will continue with more recommendations for the US Government and the ACCJ.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

This year (October 26th-28th) marked the 16th anniversary of the ACCJ Diet Doorknock (“DDK”). The Doorknock a unique opportunity for us to engage in a dialog with important members of Japan’s Diet and other senior officials.

We met with 63 members of the Diet, from ordinary members to Cabinet-level officials, from both houses and all major political parties. Our primary focus (although each meeting was somewhat unique) was on Tohoku Reconstruction, Growth Strategy, and TPP.

On Tohoku, much of the discussion centered on the establishment of special economic and free trade zones, the use of private sector capital to rebuild infrastructure through expanded utilization of the recently amended PFI (Private Finance Initiative) law, and the continuing contribution of ACCJ member firms. I would note here the universal expressions of appreciation we received by everyone we met with in recognition of the support and friendship of the American business community and Americans in general.

On Growth Strategy, we of course utilized one of our key Advocacy documents, the Growth Strategy White Paper, as the basis of our remarks. Here we went through our familiar points, namely that achieving sustainable economic growth will be the best way to foster Japan’s recovery, that ACCJ has remained committed to Japan and our bi-lateral relationship for over 60 years and make what we believe are helpful suggestions for the entire community. Also, that Japan needs to make further efforts to encourage new company formation by Japanese individuals and facilitate more foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to increase employment over the long term.

Regarding TPP, we noted that Prime Minister Noda has taken a forward looking approach to the possibility that Japan might join the TPP negotiations. Of course, the ACCJ’s position is that the decision concerning whether to join the negotiations or not is completely up to Japan, based on its view of its national interests. While we also understand that some in Japan will argue strongly against Japan’s participation, we believe that a successful TPP negotiation which includes Japan as a critical partner is in Japan’s overall best interests and that of other countries in the Asian region as well. Clearly, participation in TPP will allow Japan to have a greater voice in setting the 21st Century trade and investment agenda in Asia, and drive new business models, services and techniques to be introduced into Japan’s service sector which now accounts for more than 80% of GDP. The Diet Doorknock meetings typically lasted about 25 minutes.

While any given meeting may or may not have a lasting impact, my feeling is that taken in aggregate, these meetings do constitute a critical aspect of engagement in, and communication with, one our most important constituents, Japanese Government officials. In closing, I’d especially like to thank Arthur Mitchell, the Chair of our Government Relations Committee, for his stellar work in organizing and executing this year’s Doorknock. I’d also like to thank Ambassador Roos for hosting us at his residence for a reception in honor of the Doorknock. Lastly, but most importantly, thank you to all the volunteer leaders who took the time out of their busy schedules to participate in the meetings. Early feedback is that this year’s Doorknock was especially well received; I’m already looking forward to doing it all again next year.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

As I write this, 7 months have elapsed since the terrible events of March 11. The ACCJ continues to express its deep sympathy for the people of Japan who experienced losses due to the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Our members continue to support Japan in its determination to rebuild the areas damaged by the disaster and to help revitalize the ailing regional economies. As the Government of Japan considers innovative ways to reinvigorate the region, we welcomed the delivery of the Reconstruction Design Council’s report “Towards Reconstruction: ‘Hope beyond disaster’” to the Prime Minister in response to the earthquake/tsunami disaster. Specifically, the ACCJ supports the proposal by the Reconstruction Design Council to create “special zones” in Tohoku. Effective implementation of special zones could create an environment attractive to domestic and foreign investment, where businesses could grow and prosper, stimulating Tohoku economies to the benefit of the people of Tohoku and Japan overall.

Of course, the proper establishment of such zones is not a simple matter. Special zones can potentially be too small or too specialized to be effective. The special zones should be large enough geographically to create a habitat or infrastructure that will support long term, sustainable economic activity. The implementation of special zones should decentralize regulation and authority, simplify procedures, and provide economic assistance with the aim to attract new business, encourage local businesses to stay and rebuild, and foster greater domestic and foreign investment in the region. The special zones should be established in such a way that in addition to capital investment, they also attract research and development and create mechanisms for the recruitment of a highly skilled and relatively young workforce that will help drive entrepreneurial innovation and economic growth while reversing extant demographic decline.
Keeping these and other desired outcomes in mind when formulating the policy framework could help create an environment through which private industry know-how is successfully utilized in the reconstruction effort, transforming the region into a new center for growth, and leading to a successful, business-led, economic recovery.

Our recommended areas of focus for special zones include: agricultural innovation (including provenance tracking of supplies and goods, and food safety and branding), healthcare delivery; ICT including cloud computing and healthcare IT; energy efficiency in power generation equipment that also reduces emissions, such as the use of flexible gas turbines and switching from coal to gas; developing innovative smart grid intelligent electricity networks; transport and logistics; and construction and manufacturing.

Establishing special zones will require measures to overcome the challenges created by some aspects of Japan’s governance structure. In particular, Japan’s vertically segmented policy regime makes it difficult for policy makers to reach consensus on difficult longstanding issues which now risk negatively impacting the overall economy and impeding Japan from moving forward. However, given the unique and severe nature of the challenges we currently face, it is imperative that the Government of Japan, foreign and domestic business leaders, NPOs and most importantly, each of us as individual stakeholders do our utmost to support our friends and neighbors in the affected region. If we continue to work together to build upon the progress made to date and maintain our focus into 2012, I can foresee a day in the not too distant future where the Tohoku region is recognized as a model for innovation and a driver of national economic growth.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

As we at ACCJ work hard to deepen the bonds of commerce and friendship between the United States and Japan, and to contribute to the growth and revitalization of our host country, we increasingly see that the bilateral relationship does not exist in isolation. More than ever, U.S.-Japan cooperation in the growing Asia-Pacific region defines our relationship, and our opportunities. We have seen this clearly over the last two years, as Japan last year, and now the United States, leads APEC. We have built strong partnerships with our Japanese government and private sector friends to leverage APEC to advance issues of common concern within this important regional grouping. As another example, I used this space in March to write of the importance of TPP, and Japan’s participation therein, for expanding regional trade and growth. While the disasters of March 11 slowed Japan’s consideration of TPP, we believe that the case is stronger than ever for Japan to join this nucleus of a 21st century Free trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.

Against this background of growing Asia-Pacific economic integration, it makes sense that we are strengthening our historic involvement with the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC). APCAC, consisting of American Chambers of Commerce throughout the Asia-Pacific region, represents the interests of more than 10,000 businesses in 21 Asia- Pacific countries and market economies. APCAc’s members manage trade volumes in excess of $400 billion and Foreign Direct Investments of nearly $300 billion. As our member companies face common issues across Asia’s increasingly integrated market, coordination of policy positions among APCAC chambers is more critical than ever. this trend will only increase if, as we hope, Tokyo is successful in regaining its position as a financial and business hub for Asia.

As many of you know, the ACCJ was selected to host the next APCAC Asia business Summit on March 1-2, 2012. We are honored that APCAC has selected ACCJ, and Tokyo, for its premier annual event, which will draw hundreds of business leaders and government officials from around the region and show that Japan is indeed “open for business.” our APEC/APCAC Task Force, led by Tom Clark and Bruce Ellsworth, with Larry Bates and Eric Sedlak serving as Board Liaisons, is already busy with preparations for the Summit. The ACCJ staff is gearing up to provide the support and logistics required for an event of this magnitude. We will strive to make this a signature event, attracting speakers from the most senior levels of government and business, and providing informative panel discussions and unparalleled networking opportunities. In addition to the Asia business Summit, we are also increasing our coordination with APCAC on regional policy advocacy,
helping to drive initiatives like the APCAC-NCAPEC White Paper. An updated White Paper will again will be released at the APEC Summit, this year in Honolulu, to help inform regional deliberations on such issues as trade policy, energy and the environment, healthcare, financial services and the internet economy. We are also taking a more active role than ever in APcAc’s own Dc Doorknock, ensuring that it, along with our own Doorknock and those of other regional Am chams, delivers a consistent message to congress and the Administration on what is needed to help American business succeed in Asia, and deliver a win-win that also creates more U.S. jobs.

In sum, our success as American businesses in Japan is becoming more intertwined with increasing U.S.-Japanese cooperation in the broader Asia-Pacific region, and given this, our more active coordination with our sister chambers is increasingly critical. We look forward to providing all of our members with the best access to these growing regional relationships and opportunities.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

I’ve always felt that one of the most fulfilling aspects of ACCJ membership is the opportunity to participate in the Chamber’s broad Community service activities. In the immediate aftermath of the march earthquake/tsunami, the Chamber undertook multiple initiatives focused on contributing to disaster remediation and the renewal of the tohoku region. As you may recall, we issued a call for cash contributions, resulting in over 50 million yen (and counting) being collected for tohoku-related projects. We’ve worked diligently to distribute those funds directly and transparently. I’d like to update our members this month on the distributions made to date.

The projects and organizations that the ACCJ is supporting fall into three broad categories: education, health, and SME/business support.

Educational initiatives:
• Establishing a scholarship fund for the 44 children in soma City who lost parents in the disasters.

• Replacing destroyed and damaged musical instruments at schools in Fukushima City.

• Working with schools directly as well as organizations such as Kids Earth Fund to enhance education opportunities through therapeutic art sessions and provision of English textbooks and games.

Health-focused aid:
• Specific assistance to the town of Otsuchi (where at
least 10 percent of the entire population is either dead or missing) in Iwate through the restoration of direly needed medical facilities.

Partnering with:
• CANNUS and Fair Trade Tohoku, which both provide care and support to the elderly. (Ryuichi Fuse, who leads Fair Trade Tohoku was selected by phRMA as one of its “Symbols of Hope.”)

• YMCA on grief counseling and therapeutic support to children.

• The Nippon Foundation to establish a safe and clean environment for post-natal care for mothers and newborns.

SME /business support:
• Entrepreneurial Training for Innovative Communities (ETIC) sends experienced volunteer managers to the devastated areas to help in initial recovery and the development of entrepreneurs.

• A project through Sophia University, which helps SMEs in tohoku leverage their businesses with the support of outside companies as part of their CSR or business activities.

• Partnering with the Tohoku New Business Conference to revive the devastated tourism industry.

The effort to distribute these funds was carried out by our Community service Advisory Council. I want to personally thank Tom Jordan, Kumi Sato, Tom Whitson, Tad Johnson, Jeff Shimamoto, Barry Bergmann and the rest of the members of CSAC for their professional and diligent work on this initiative. Members
of CSAC met with each of the recipients individually, analyzed each of the projects before agreeing to disburse funds, and are continuing to monitor the usage of our contributions. Over two thirds of the funds collected have already been distributed, with the remainder slated for distribution over the next few weeks. every yen collected by the Chamber will be distributed; nothing has been or will be deducted for expenses, administration, or for any other purpose.

Thank you to everyone who has contributed already. The fund is still active and the Chamber is continuing to accept donations. If you have a moment, please do consider contributing. If anyone would like additional information on any aspect of this very worthwhile initiative, please feel free to contact me at any time. Thank you all again for your support and efforts in support of our friends and neighbors to the North.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

Supporting Small Business in Tohoku

Over the past few months, the Chamber leadership team has been very engaged in initiatives related to the renewal of the Tohoku region. Small businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of the Tohoku economy and their recovery is critical to its future. I honestly believe that a key focus of the recovery process for SMEs should be encouraging them to take advantage of the cost savings and new markets opened up by the power of “cloud computing.”
Helping SMEs transition to the “cloud” can also save energy (though utilization of overseas data centers) and ensure business continuity by keeping business information and vital financial records in secure off-premise locations.

ACCJ members are ready to work with the Japanese government and industry to promote the greater utilization of cloud computing by SMEs in Tohoku through bringing their most innovative products and services to qualified firms in the region. In discussing this with our member firms, I’ve even gotten indications that in some cases this will be at little to no cost to the customer.

It’s clear to me that the success of such offers will depend on public and private efforts to promote adoption and resolve problems that arise as companies in Tohoku with mixed levels of technology literacy and experience make the transition to the cloud. Specifically, attention must go to ensuring that SMEs have access to the enterprise consulting services, employee training and the 24-hour “hotline” support needed to give them the confidence to take this big new step.

Elsewhere in Japan, this kind of support is generally provided by local vendors working either independently or in collaboration with Japanese national partners to ACCJ member firms. This network was weak in Tohoku and has been further damaged by the earthquake/tsunami. I see rebuilding and expanding this network as a chance for young IT professionals in and out of the region to offer their services, something that will stimulate growth and support new employment.

I’d like all of our members to be aware that the ACCJ is requesting, as a part of the government’s overall plan to support SMEs in Tohoku, funding in the third supplemental budget dedicated to supporting the introduction and expansion of cloud computing services among SMEs in Tohoku. I’m very confident that ACCJ members are ready to bring their services and expertise to Tohoku. The Chamber is ready, willing, and able to work with the Japanese government as a partner in this process. We anticipate that initial government support levels would be in the range of 40 oku yen ($50 million) for the period of the third supplemental budget. Further support would be contingent on success and need.

Concrete proposals such as this one are what’s really needed to help us make a difference in the Tohoku renewal effort. Please feel free to contact me with ideas, concepts, and feedback…let’s continue to make a meaningful contribution by bringing energy, innovation, and focus to bear in areas that matter.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

For this month’s ACCJ Journal, I thought I’d take a moment to update everyone on some of the notable initiatives that we’ve either recently completed or have currently underway in the Chamber.

First, the disasters of March 11 and ensuing nuclear crisis have challenged us in many ways; however, as with any crisis, they have also presented us with a valuable opportunity to learn. While the business and government responses to the crisis were solid, there are certainly areas where we can and must do better in the future.

With this in mind, I have established a working group within the Chamber to consider lessons learned from March 11 and invite your feedback in that regard.

The group’s objective will be to reflect on the disasters and issue a report to the U.S. government (and our members) on ways to improve a future disaster response, particularly as it relates to government-business communication during the crisis.

Our feedback will help the U.S. government better prepare for future disasters so I appreciate your contribution to this important initiative.
Next up, I’d like to talk about the recent Charity Walk-a-Thon organized by our Chubu Chapter. I had the great fortune to be able to attend this year’s event and I had a wonderful time, as did everyone I spoke with at the event.

Notwithstanding a minor monsoon, the spirit of the event prevailed and everyone I spoke with enjoyed the day. The final results are currently being tabulated, but I’m positive that we achieved our goal of raising ten million yen for charity. In addition, for the first time ever we had a “Golden Raffle,” which was a smashing success. The first prize was a Toyota Ractis. Almost 500 Golden tickets were sold at 10,000 yen per ticket and to make it even better, in the most sincere spirit of charitable giving, the winner of the raffle, Ms. Eiko Yamamoto from IMRA America K.K. donated the car to Tohoku. We had our largest turnout ever for this event, very appropriate given that this was the 20th year anniversary of the first Chubu Walk-a-Thon. There were over 300 volunteers and over 150 organizations involved making it a true community event. I’d like to especially thank our entire Chubu leadership team, led by ACCJ Vice President Chris Zarodkiewicz and Governor Jason Morgan for their extraordinary efforts in making this year’s Walk-a-Thon a fantastic success.

Lastly, by the time you’ve read this, we will have already had our June Board of Governors meeting. The Board decided to hold the meeting in Tohoku, both to show support for the affected citizens of that area and also to express our willingness to continue to contribute in the renewal effort currently underway. While the details are not yet finalized, we’ll be hosting an American style barbecue at one of the evacuation areas, connecting with U.S. military forces that are still in the region, meeting with local officials and residents, and of course conducting our standard ACCJ Board meeting. I’ll provide all the details in my next Journal article and would welcome feedback and suggestions from our members.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

I’d like to take this opportunity to update our members on an important new ACCJ initiative. In response to the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear power disaster affecting Japan, the ACCJ has created an early response team to undertake a project called the ACCJ Tohoku Earthquake Information Facilitation Project. The project aims to facilitate discussion among a diverse set of people with on the ground experiences in Japan regarding the best ideas for rebuilding Tohoku after the devastating earthquake and tsunami.

Through this initiative, the team envisions creating information sharing opportunities where members of the foreign community can partner with Japanese colleagues in sharing information and ideas on responses to the crisis, enabling us to rebuild with a shared vision for the future of Tohoku. It reflects a desire by the ACCJ to do more to help than just giving money to relief efforts. It enables us to share ideas and make things happen by putting a core group of dedicated and influential people together to brainstorm and act.

The following areas are the initial focus of the project:

• Compare and contrast the Hanshin and Tohoku earthquakes and apply lessons learned.

• Understand the impact of the rolling blackouts on business including any mitigating factors.

• Facilitate information on business continuity and disaster recovery.

• Enable business reconstruction and revitalization in the Tohoku region through efforts to promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

• Conduct short surveys of the Japanese and foreign business communities to understand evolving attitudes as well as possible differences of opinion on issues related to the earthquake.

Due to the urgency of the situation, we aim to complete the project work on an accelerated schedule by the end of May (so you’ll be reading this right around the time we’ve completed this phase of the initiative). Following the initial project, additional projects, initiatives or task forces may be created to, among other things, explore the inter-relationships between nuclear energy/environment issues, housing, transportation, and agricultural/fishing industry issues. This will not be part of the initial project slated for completion at the end of May.

If you have any suggestions for the project team or would like to get involved in any way, please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. Let’s continue to work together on this issue and make sure that we contribute absolutely as much as we possibly can to the Tohoku renewal effort.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

Speaking on behalf of The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), I wish to express my deepest sympathy for the people of Japan, especially the victims and their families, as we respond to the unprecedented March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The ACCJ, with its more than 60 year history in Japan, remains committed to Japan as we move from rescue to the daunting task of rebuilding those areas devastated by the earthquake and tsunami and to dealing with such challenges as ensuring a stable supply of electrical power. ACCJ companies have already donated tens of millions of dollars in financial and in-kind contributions, while the ACCJ itself has established a disaster recovery fund, which it is administering directly. More importantly, Chamber members are also contributing to Japan’s recovery by continuing to operate their businesses in Japan, providing Japanese consumers with top-quality, innovative goods and services and Japanese workers with well-paid jobs. We remain steadfast in our belief in the strength of Japan, its people, and its economy.

In addition to the dual natural disasters, Japan continues to confront such longstanding challenges as an aging population, low birthrate, and unprecedented public debt. The earthquake and tsunami have added to these challenges. As an organization deeply invested in Japan’s success, the ACCJ has long advocated that Japan undertake the fundamental domestic structural reform needed to achieve sustained economic growth amid the daunting challenges it faces (See, e.g., “Charting a New Course for Growth” and other ACCJ publications).

Indeed, structural reform is needed now more than ever. The ACCJ urges Japan—as it turns to the task of rebuilding and recovery—to embrace a robust reform agenda, leveraging the strength of the rapidly growing Asia Pacific economies. For example, engagement in TPP at the same level as other negotiating countries could help propel Japan’s recovery forward. It is in Japan’s interest to incorporate the growth of the Asia-Pacific economies into its recovery strategy, and participating in the TPP is the best way to do that. Japan will ultimately have to decide whether to join the TPP based on its own interests, not outside pressure, because joining would require tough political decisions domestically regarding agriculture and a broad range of other structural issues. However, this is a challenge confronting not just Japan, but all countries committed to the TPP process. I believe that the potential benefits in terms of increased trade and investment as well as growth in jobs and competitiveness, which are especially important during this time of rebuilding and recovery, are well worth the effort.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

I hope this message finds all of our members, their families, friends, and associates, safe and out of harm’s way. I’m writing this on March 15, four days since the initial earthquake and tsunami hit northern Japan. My heart goes out to those affected by the tragedy, the magnitude of which is so significant that the details are still not entirely clear. What is clear, however, is that the Chamber will do everything it can to make a positive difference. To that end, I’ve sent the following letter to all ACCJ Corporate member firms:

Dear [Member Name],
In response to the earthquakes and tsunamis that have devastated Northeastern Japan, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) has established a disaster relief fund to help those in need. We are looking to our leading members to make significant contributions and I am directly asking for your help.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to your generous contribution during this trying time.

Sincerely,
Mike Alfant
ACCJ President

Although I don’t have a crystal ball, I’m very confident that we will have met and even exceeded our fund raising target by the time you read this and will be well on our way towards mitigating the circumstances of our neighbors. We will stand together as a community and do absolutely everything possible to assist those in need. Regardless of any events that may have occurred since this was written, I know that we’ll have done the right thing because the true character of the membership of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan—honor, loyalty, integrity, courage, and compassion—will guide us, as it has for the past 63 years. Better times lie ahead.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

I’d like to use my column this month to advance the Chamber’s position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). The TPP is a multilateral free trade agreement that promotes economic integration among Asia-Pacific regional economies. The objective of the original agreement was to initially eliminate 90 percent of all tariffs between member countries initially, and to reduce all trade tariffs to zero by the year 2015. The original 2005 agreement was between the “Pacific-4” or “P-4” countries; Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore. Five additional countries (Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, United States and Peru) were also in formal negotiations to join the original four. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines, Canada, and even China, have all expressed varying levels of interest in participating.

The U.S. involvement in TPP began in final days of the Bush Administration when U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab announced that the U.S. would begin negotiations with the P-4 to join their free trade agreement, which soon became known as the TPP. This process was put on hold during the transition to a new administration, but in November 2009, President Obama committed the United States to the TPP negotiations—in fact, he did so right here in Tokyo at Suntory Hall. Many ACCJ members were there to see it in person. This commitment is part of the Administration’s efforts to enhance U.S. competitiveness and ensure the U.S.’ share of job-creating economic opportunities in the dynamic Asia-Pacific region. Throughout 2010, the U.S. and the eight other TPP participant countries conducted four rounds of negotiations, with five additional rounds scheduled for 2011. President Obama and the other TPP leaders agreed to target completion of basic TPP negotiations prior to the 2011 APEC Summit in his home town of Honolulu.

The ACCJ welcomes Japan’s interest in TPP and believes that Japan’s potential TPP participation presents an important opportunity for the U.S. and Japan to work together to bolster the global free-trade system, strengthen their international competitiveness, and overcome their shared challenges of achieving sustainable growth against a backdrop of aging populations, growing fiscal deficits, and rapid globalization.

Indeed, Japan’s addition to TPP would greatly increase the size and importance of the agreement, resulting in significant benefits for not only Japan and the United States, but all TPP member countries.

The TPP is being negotiated as a “21st century” free trade agreement designed to eliminate all tariffs in principle and address the stubborn non-tariff barriers and business environment issues that impede the smooth flow of trade and investment across the Asia-Pacific region. To be successful, Japan’s potential participation in TPP must be under the same terms and conditions as the other partners.

Whether or not to join the TPP is ultimately a decision that Japan must make based on its own interests, not outside pressure. Meeting the high standards of the agreement will not be easy and would require fundamental domestic structural reforms, including but not limited to such areas as agriculture. This is a challenge confronting not just Japan, but all countries committed to the TPP process. The ACCJ believes that the potential benefits in terms of increased trade and investment as well as growth in jobs and competitiveness, are well worth the effort.

In order to stay on top of this critical initiative we’ve created an ACCJ TPP Task Force, co-Chaired by ACCJ Vice Presidents Andrew Conrad and James Foster. Should you have any questions or would like additional information regarding the ACCJ and TPP, please feel free to contact either myself or the Task Force Chairs at any time.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

The ACCJ Shinnenkai was held at the Imperial Hotel on January 12. We were fortunate to have over 300 individuals attend, including U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos, 2010 ACCJ Person of the Year Kiyoshi Kurokawa, 2005 ACCJ Person of the Year Taizo Nishimuro, over a dozen Diet members, senior executives from many of the largest corporations operating in Japan, and of course a great number of ACCJ members.

I had the opportunity to deliver a short speech at the event and tried to outline a portion of my 2011 vision for the Chamber at that time. Given the amount of feedback I received referencing that speech, I thought it would be useful to recap some of the key points here.

One important focus of our activities in 2011 will be the support of entrepreneurship. As we learned last year during the ACCJ Growth Strategy Initiative, future economic vitality depends on our ability to produce a next generation of entrepreneurs and supply them with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to grow innovative and sustainable enterprises. In 2011, we’ll focus our energies on encouraging entrepreneurship and promoting an environment that celebrates and publicly recognizes entrepreneurs as prime drivers of economic and social prosperity.

Japan faces demographic challenges that will become even more pressing in the years to come. In 2011 the ACCJ will support and seek to create opportunities for women to maximize their potential in terms of employment opportunities and career development. Enabling these talented individuals to fully contribute will help Japan create an economy for the 21st century while boosting the country’s overall economic growth potential.

Finally, in addition to celebrating entrepreneurship and encouraging the full integration of women into the workforce, the ACCJ will promote practical English-language ability and encourage the international and Japanese business communities to afford their best and brightest young leaders with experience abroad through overseas assignments early in their careers.

It was really a great pleasure for me to address such a distinguished and diverse audience. While the points outlined above represent only a portion of what I know we can achieve in 2011, my feeling is that progress in any one of these areas will make a significant and positive impact.

I’m very much looking forward to working with each of you in 2011 to help achieve our common goals of bringing renewed and sustained economic growth and prosperity to Japan.

Michael Alfant
ACCJ President
malfant@accj.or.jp

I feel honored to have been elected as the 52nd President of the ACCJ. I want to take the opportunity of my first “President’s Message” to lay out some of our high-level objectives for 2011.

I will make it an absolute priority during my term as president to really focus on engaging new ACCJ members. We typically bring in around 600 new members each year, and more can be done to energize those members and teach them how to get the most out of their Chamber membership. My belief is that new members often find it difficult to contribute to the Chamber in a meaningful way. I’ll be emphasizing attendance at New Member Orientation events as part of a comprehensive “on boarding” process. The Membership Relations Committee (MRC) will play a pivotal role in helping to define and carry out this initiative. In addition, I view the implementation of an ACCJ SNS (Social Networking Site) as something that must happen in the first half of 2011. Our Communications Advisory Council will take the lead on the SNS. I envision increased engagement as a critical driver of membership value perception for both new and existing members.

We’ll also look at ways that the Chamber can help promote and facilitate entrepreneurship. Given my background as an entrepreneur in Japan these last 20 years, this is a topic near and dear to my heart. While I have some thoughts on this, I’d really love to hear from our members and get their ideas and concepts out on the table. Entrepreneurship can help drive growth in the Japanese economy, something that would serve the interests of all members. Working within the scope of our current Chamber activities, I will pursue every opportunity to promote the success of our SME member firms this year.

Quite a lot of time and energy will be spent in 2011 helping to support our advocacy efforts. Advocacy is the single most important activity we engage in at the ACCJ and refining our approach and resourcing might very well provide significant benefits on a long term basis. We’re very fortunate to have a fantastic policy team covering a diverse mix of industries and topics in a substantive and deep manner. We’ll continue to apply our energies across the board and build upon our existing body of work on the Growth Strategy Task Force, Internet Economy White Paper, APEC White Paper, and other advocacy projects. The Chamber is considered the “thought leader” on a wide range of business issues in the Asia Pacific region, a position we’ve earned through the consistent delivery of quality work spanning decades of investment. I’ll do everything I can this year to allow us to continue to play this vital role.

With your support, as president, I am confident that we can continue to address each of the constituencies represented in the Chamber in a forthright and transparent manner. I’m really looking forward to working with each of you in 2011 and wish you every success in your business and personal lives. It’s my intention to be as open and communicative as possible during my term. I invite everyone reading this to contact me to discuss any Chamber issues you feel might be relevant.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

Wow, what a year! The Chamber closes the year with its annual elections, the APEC Summit in Yokohama, our Growth Strategy Initiative Task Force paper “Charting a New Course for Growth: Recommendations for Japan’s Leaders,” and the Charity Ball on December 3. On December 10, the Joint Chamber bonenkai kicks off our immersion into Japanese holiday tradition which reaches its climax with the Kohaku Utagassen (Red-White Song Contest) that NHK airs on New Year’s Eve. This is a chance to see and hear singers from years past that you thought had passed away a long time ago. And it is a good warm-up before you venture out into the cold to perform hatsumode at your local shrine. Or, if you are really keen to see nearly all of your Japanese neighbors at the same time, you can join the crowds around the Meiji Jingu shrine.

I am pleased to report that ACCJ membership took a slight upturn late this year through some creative (and successful) membership campaigns in Chubu and Kansai. Next year’s Board will need to continue to address this issue. Although the ACCJ-sponsored APEC Gala Reception in Yokohama was a bargain and attracted hundreds of participants, we are still sensitive to member concerns about the cost of ACCJ events.

The ACCJ was very active in 2010 and member participation in our events and activities was very high. This tells me that members believe that ACCJ networking, information sharing, advocacy, and other activities have value for them in the current economic environment.

The Fall 2010 FCIJ Business Confidence Survey has just been released. Although foreign business people are not optimistic about the overall Japanese economy, they are upbeat about their own prospects and opportunities: 65 percent had improved sales performance in the last six months, 66 percent expect improved sales in the next six months, and 69 percent are working on growth strategies for their businesses in Japan. Only about one percent of respondents are considering withdrawal from the market. This reinforces our contention that foreign companies and FDI can be engines for future Japanese growth.

Our efforts over many years have increased the ACCJ’s profile in Japan. As a result, the ACCJ and the European Business Council were given seats at the Prime Minister’s Roundtable on Investment in Japan. METI sponsored this roundtable to get input from major Japanese organizations on how to stimulate investment and create jobs. Participants included senior representatives from Keidanren, Keizai Doyukai, even the rengo (labor unions) and nokyo (the farm block). Underscoring the importance of increased investment and growth, Prime Minister Naoto Kan attended each of the four sessions. All were concerned about the lack of economic growth and vitality. Amidst all the representatives of big business, both the EBC and ACCJ pointed out that much of the economic and employment growth in the last several years has come from new startup companies and foreign invested ventures. We pushed the ACCJ agenda of transparency, removing regulatory roadblocks, and ensuring a level playing field. All participants observed that Japan’s high corporate tax rates hurt its ability to compete for new investment in Asia. It was interesting to note that the participants represented the industries that built Japan’s post-war success, but not its current and future stars: Rakuten’s Mikitani, Softbank’s Son, and Uniqlo’s Yanai were not at the table.

In closing, I would like to thank the Chamber office staff for all of their hard work and all the ACCJ members who have contributed their time and efforts into making 2010 a successful year for the Chamber. I wish you and your families a healthy, happy Christmas and a bright New Year in 2011. Thank you.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

The ACCJ held its Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) at the Tokyo American Club on October 26 where we approved a slate of candidates for ACCJ offices, and we heard from candidates for ACCJ president. I am not a candidate and I have very mixed feelings about that.

The other important OGM matter was to review the State of the Chamber, including reports from the Treasurer and the Executive Director. I thought about what I had done in the last two years, and I concluded that it wasn’t much. That is not to say that I wasn’t busy. And I had a great time meeting really interesting people and getting good seats at Chamber events. But what did I do?

Our revenues and membership slid during my terms as president. Although they may have stabilized somewhat recently, I didn’t do anything to fix the declines. We did negotiate a new lease, reduce expenses, and operate in the black during my terms, but that was not me. That was the efforts of Sam Kidder and the Chamber office, BFAC led by Tad Johnson, and ACCJ Treasurer Nasir Majid.

The Membership Value Proposition Task Force raised a number of concerns about how we provide value for our members. The ACCJ office and the committees are taking up its recommendations. I didn’t do that. That was the Membership Value Proposition Task Force Chair Andrew Silberman and his Board Liaison Mike Alfant, with key observations and suggestions from Charles Lake.

Our APEC Task Force position paper was so well written and on point, that it was basically adopted by both the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers and the National Center for APEC. ACCJ members participated in many APEC events. The ACCJ sponsored the APEC Trade Ministers luncheon in Sapporo, and we plan an APEC reception November 11 in Yokohama. I didn’t do that. That was the APEC Task Force and its leaders Bruce Ellsworth, Tom Clark, and Alex Jampel.

Our 2009 white paper on the Internet Economy has sparked a number of discussions and forums where government and industry groups are forming policy on how the Internet will operate and contribute to Japan’s future economic growth. It amazes me that this white paper has had so much influence for such a long time. But I didn’t really have anything to do with it. That was the Internet Economy Task Force led by Yoshitaka Sugihara and Jim Foster.

We presented an economic analysis of strategies and drivers to grow the Japanese economy. I didn’t do that. That was professor Fukao and Kwon under the watchful eyes of the Growth Strategy Task Force and its leaders Nick Benes, Kumi Sato, and ACCJ Chairman Allan Smith. We are currently developing a white paper on Tokyo as a Global Financial Center. I didn’t do that. That was the Financial Services Forum and Chris LaFleur. We have a major Healthcare white paper on Prevention. I didn’t do that. That was the Healthcare Committee led by Bruce Ellsworth, Ira Wolf, and Bill Bishop.

The Kansai Chapter has spearheaded the One Kansai initiative to coordinate the efforts of the Kansai area prefectures to promote their region more effectively. I didn’t do that. That was the Kansai External Affairs Committee led by Jiri Mestecky and Kiran Sethi.

The Chamber office and other members with influence set up meetings with important U.S. officials including Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, and Senators Daniel Inouye and Jim Webb.

The ACCJ had Doorknocks in Tokyo and Washington. We had Bank of Japan Governor Shirakawa speak to us. I didn’t do this. That was the Government Relations Committee led by Arthur Mitchell. During the last two years, the ACCJ has raised and donated over 40 million yen to charities from our various fund raising events. During my terms, Tokyo decided (at last) to do a Walkathon, copying a really great idea from Chubu that Kansai had already adopted for its own community activities. I didn’t do that. That was Barry Bergmann’s Special Events Committee, Chubu leaders Steve Burson and Bryce Conlan, Kansai leaders Kojiro Dan and Mari Nogami, and all of their volunteers and sponsors.

In the end, I really didn’t do anything. But I have really enjoyed being the president of such a high profile, active, and committed organization with so many great people, most of whom I was not able to single out in this article. Even if I didn’t name you, you can be proud to be a member and a participant in such a great organization!

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

We are entering the last 3 months of the year and there are a lot of events we will need member support on. There should be something interesting for nearly everyone.

Our unofficial 2010 theme was “making APEC work for our members,” and I think that APEC Task Force leaders Bruce Ellsworth and Tom Clark effectively mobilized and coordinated the activities of interested companies, committees, and members. We developed an APEC paper that we used to great effect on our DC Doorknock and will use in our upcoming Diet Doorknock. We held various APEC meetings including the APEC Trade Ministers luncheon we sponsored in Sapporo, a joint symposium with Kankeiren in Osaka, and participated in the Life Science Innovation Forum in Sendai. Our talks on “Cloud Computing” with U.S. and Japanese governments and business leaders will take place on the sidelines of the Telecom Ministers meeting in Okinawa. We plan to hold an APEC event on November 11 in Yokohama for business and government leaders participating in the APEC summit.

Our APEC paper represents many long held ACCJ positions, but because its content is so clear and universal, both the Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers and the National Center for APEC are basing their own papers on it. Who said plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery?

This fall we have white papers due out from the Growth Strategy Task Force, from the Financial Services Forum on Tokyo as a Global Financial Center, and from the Healthcare Committee on Prevention and Wellness.

From the beginning of this year, my main concern was that a continuing decline in membership would erode our finances and prevent us from meeting ACCJ member expectations. BFAC and the Treasurer have been keeping a very close eye on our finances, and I expect we will end the year in the black before using excess funds for special initiatives. Membership numbers seem to be stabilizing (Thank you Eli Lilly!). The Membership Value Proposition task force has completed its work, and we have implemented changes in the way we engage new members to get them more involved from the beginning of their association with the ACCJ. The key is how we get the committees to reach out and involve new members. Committee leadership training is intensifying and we will try to apply some of the lessons we have learned about why members are active or inert. Our Kansai and Chubu chapters are doing well and have expanded their committee systems to allow their members more opportunities to connect with each other and push their agendas.

October starts with the Mercedes-Benz Japan Cup. The ACCJ Board will travel to Kobe on October 15 to have an onsite meeting in the western reaches of Honshu and participate in the Kansai Walk-A-Thon in Meriken Park, Kobe (a corruption of “American”?).

Our fall Diet Doorknock is scheduled for October 19-21. We will focus on the government’s policies in a number of areas that affect our businesses.

Please attend the ACCJ’s Ordinary General Meeting on October 26. There you will hear, for the last time, the ACCJ president’s lame excuses for his stewardship of your organization. Enjoy watching him try to put lipstick on a pig. More importantly, you will get to hear from the eager candidates who want to lead the ACCJ in 2011. And at the Charity Ball “Moonlight Matsuri” on December 3 you will find out who won the ACCJ elections. I look forward to seeing you all there.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

August is O-bon, the season when the spirits of Japanese ancestors return. It is also the season when Japan remembers the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

I was in high school when I first read John Hersey’s book “Hiroshima” with its horrifying descriptions of the pain and suffering the A-bomb victims went through. I found it very affecting. When I confronted my father about the sins of his generation, his answer was quick and sharp. He told me that in 1945, he was being trained as a junior naval officer to command a small landing craft for the invasion of Japan. Japanese resistance on Iwo Jima and Okinawa had been fierce. Military and civilian deaths on Okinawa were very high. Kamikaze attacks caused many U.S. Navy casualties. If the war had not ended so quickly as a result of the bombs, my father thought he would have had very poor chances of surviving the war to become my father.

Later, working with a Japanese colleague in Los Angeles, I expressed regret over the atomic bombings and was shocked by his response. He said he was alive today because of the atomic bomb!? He told me that at the end of the war, his family was starving. His sister had died of starvation and he was dying. The atomic bombs ended the war and allowed food to move around the country. The U.S. provided food aid and he survived. His personal story was touching and a much different view on the end of the war than I had ever expected to hear from a Japanese person.

In 1995, former ACCJ President George Purdy and I flew to Iwo Jima to attend the commemoration ceremonies for the 50th anniversary of that battle with a number of Japanese who had lost family members there. I also met three surviving Japanese veterans of that battle and heard their stories. Something like 95 percent of the Japanese soldiers on Iwo Jima died in that battle. I think that Clint Eastwood captured the death, terror and destruction of that battle in his movies, but what amazed me was how small the island was, only 4 by 7 kilometers at its widest points.

Japan’s quick surrender after the Nagasaki bombing undoubtedly saved the lives of millions of Japanese and Americans who would have continued dying into 1946 and maybe longer.

I have always felt that I had an obligation as an American to visit the atomic bomb memorials and learn about those events at ground level. The peace parks and the museums are important historical records of a most tragic and difficult period of U.S.-Japan relations. These moving exhibits offer lessons for today and for the future.

2010 is the 65th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. I was surprised to learn that a U.S. Ambassador had never attended the official commemoration ceremony. I am sure that the back channel protocol traffic was intense before the invitation was accepted. I understand that President Obama made the decision to recognize the event with a high level U.S. representative. I think that it was a good decision and I am pleased that the Ambassador attended. I think it shows a U.S. flexibility and a willingness to take positive steps to engage one of our most important allies on even the most awkward and emotional issues. And I hope it produces flexibility and constructive positions in all of the other discussions we are having with our Japanese government and business counterparts on a variety of important bilateral issues.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

Fukuzawa Yukichi (1835-1901) is best known as the founder of Keio Gijuku (now Keio University). But he is much, much more.

He was part of a group of late Tokugawa samurai who helped Japan understand and respond to the changes that arose from monumental internal and external pressures on nearly all of Japan’s institutions. The situation is similar today.

I knew that KPMG hired a lot of Keio grads, and I knew that I appreciated their practical, analytical approach to business problems. But until I read “The Autobiography of Yukichi Fukuzawa” translated by his grandson Eiichi Kiyooka, I didn’t realize the philosophy and world view that underlay the education that KPMG’s Keio grads brought to work at our firm.

Fukuzawa was born into a low ranking samurai family in a rigidly hierarchical feudal society. He spent his youth in the Nakatsu clan territory (Oita) and only started his education at 14 or 15 with the Chinese classics. In his book, he expressed his discontent with his station in life, his poverty, and his prospects. He resolved to change his future by going to Nagasaki to study Dutch. After five years of intense effort, he had mastered Dutch. But in 1859, when he visited Yokohama, he couldn’t read the signs or communicate with any of the foreigners he met there. For a fellow Dutch scholar/translator, the uselessness of what he had worked so hard to achieve, was crushing and he returned to Kyushu. However, Fukuzawa resolved to learn English and he succeeded. In 1860, he persuaded the captain of the first Japanese-officered transpacific ocean voyage to take him along as a servant. Fukuzawa mentions that once he was able to get an audience with the captain, he was quickly accepted since there were few volunteers for this risky voyage. Fukuzawa took many notes on American society and economy some of which became the basis for his later bestseller “Seiyo Jijo” (Things Western). Many of the Japanese had their pictures taken in San Francisco. Only Fukuzawa posed with the photographer’s daughter to create a unique historical photo.

Reading about Fukuzawa’s keen interest everything that was going on around him and his perseverance in overcoming the shock of finding that his Dutch learning, which would have enhanced his status in the 17th and 18th centuries, was not what he needed as a 19th century man, has parallels today. What did we learn at university which is still useful or relevant today? Today our tools, our understanding of science and technology, and our ability to draw on so many new sources of information and knowledge are unimaginably different from what I learned at university. And I expect that we will see similar fast and furious changes in the future. Therefore, what we most need is mental flexibility, agility, and perseverance to overcome the limits of our backgrounds, our experience, and ourselves.

Many of today’s young Japanese are sophisticated, rich, healthy, educated and have unlimited opportunities. They can travel freely and challenge conventions—like Fukuzawa. They live in the most dynamic and exciting part of the world and are well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities it presents. I would like to see more young Japanese who challenge intellectual, political, and business tradition like Fukuzawa did 150 years ago.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

Hokkaido was the site of the first big APEC-related business event held in connection with the APEC Trade Ministers conference June 5-6. I had not been to Sapporo in the summer and it is clear that everyone in town is absolutely nuts about flowers. From the airport train through clean air under blue skies, every house had pots and beds of brightly colored flowers in great profusion. In Sapporo itself, the Lilac Festival was in full swing and the air was filled with lilac. It recalled childhood visits to Great Aunt Evelyn who greatly favored that strong floral scent. A huge chunk of central Sapporo is occupied by the Hokkaido University Botanic Gardens. Nature seemed to be running amuck everywhere.

Freshly cut grass along the rushing Toyohira River made a morning jog a completely different experience to running along a Tokyo canal whose waters are murky with heavy metals. Sapporo is a post-Tokugawa city laid out in grid square with some charming 19th century Victorian colonial style buildings. The main fire break through the center of the city has turned into Odori Park where the famous Snow Sculpture Festival is held. Maybe Sapporo is covered with snow most of the year, but June was beautiful and there is NO rainy season in Hokkaido!

As in Singapore last year, APEC-related business organizations including the U.S. APEC Business Coalition, the Support Council for ABAC-Japan, Nippon Keidanren and the ACCJ sponsored a business luncheon for the trade ministers following their last session. Nearly 200 ministers, SOMs, officials, and businesspeople attended. The centerpiece was a panel discussion moderated by former Deputy USTR Karan Bhatia with METI Minister Naoshima, MoFA State Secretary Takemasa, Singapore Trade Minister Lim, and Deputy USTR Marantis. The discussions and Q&A were open and interesting. This group has a bias towards free trade so it was nice to hear senior government officials giving vocal support to some of ACCJ’s most strongly held positions.

One thing that most impressed me, and the other supporting organizations, was how the APEC Task Force and the ACCJ Chamber Office drove this event. It was clear that even for (relatively) remote locations, ACCJ event planning and organization capabilities are really superb. I was impressed by the way ACCJ’s “General” Maruyama marshaled the hotel’s troops and deployed them for action. Our coordination with the working level staff of METI and MoFA should pay dividends in future opportunities to work together and to get access to their senior people. At the end of the program we presented each of the panelists with a framed certificate and photo (taken only minutes earlier) which greatly surprised the minister I was escorting. Interested members should contact the APEC Task Force to contribute to and participate in other APEC events through the Yokohama leaders meeting in November.

Government Relations Committee Co-Chair Vivian Tokai has resigned from the ACCJ and changed her name to Yukiko. Actually she is running in the July Upper House election for a seat in Tokyo. We have all appreciated Vivian (Yukiko)’s keen analysis and insight into Japanese government and personalities. The ACCJ doesn’t support parties or individuals, but as a friend and former ACCJ leader, we do wish her well and look forward to hearing about her campaign at a future ACCJ event.

In other election news, the 2010 Nominations Committee Chair William Swinton and Vice Chair Carolyn Gaskins hold their first meeting in July. I am not aware of a strong Tea Party movement in the ACCJ, but elections are a great opportunity to “throw the rascals out.” If you know a member whose judgment, experience, work ethic, and commitment to the ACCJ’s goals makes him/her a good candidate, please let the NomCom know. If you think that ideal governor candidate is you, send in your own name and see if the NomCom agrees with your self assessment. The year 2011 will bring new challenges and opportunities to the ACCJ. It is not too soon to think about who should lead the Chamber into the future.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

ACCJ’s CSR activities have grown since we set up the Community Service Fund after the Kobe Earthquake. The activities of each ACCJ Chapter reflect well on how we act on our corporate values and contribute to the communities that make our businesses possible. On May 23rd we kicked off the “charity and health” Chubu Walkathon. Smaller walkathons will follow in Tokyo (September 12) and in Kobe (October 17). These events involve our local government contacts and are a great way to get out and show a good ACCJ face to our Japanese neighbors.

Just before Golden Week, an ACCJ delegation visited Washington D.C. for our annual D.C. Doorknock. We reworked our presentation materials to focus on issues that would resonate with: 1) elected officials with a peripheral interest in trade matters, and 2) others who have a good understanding of Japan-U.S. issues. Perhaps because of the new DPJ government, the Futenma re-assessment, and the Toyota recalls, Washingtonians seemed much more interested in Japan than they appeared to be last year. We were fortunate to meet Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, Senators Inoue and Webb, and State Department Japan Desk Joe Donovan, among others.

I wish that I felt confident that Washington was as committed as the ACCJ is to: 1) free market principles, 2) level playing fields, and 3) transparent and fair regulatory processes. We made the point that the President’s National Export Initiative was very welcome, but that we believe passing free trade agreements and active U.S. participation in emerging Asian trade architectures will do a lot to help the U.S. achieve its goal of doubling exports in 5 years. The most knowledgeable people we spoke with in Washington were unanimous in agreeing that free trade agreements would significantly benefit the U.S. economy, but no one believed that Congress would pass the Korean, Colombian or Panama FTAs any time soon. Everyone was in favor of trade, but one person went so far as to inform us that there are people in Washington who believe that exports are good, but trade is somehow not necessarily good.

Part of our key message is that the U.S.-Japan trade pattern features two sophisticated economies trading complex high value goods and services with each other. It is important to remember that the U.S. has a significant positive trade balance in services with Japan and that we have key medical and high tech product areas where U.S. companies have enviable market shares in Japan.

There is significant interest in our involvement in APEC and our issues paper. We will be following up with our D.C. contacts on our APEC activities this year and we were asked to coordinate with certain U.S. groups who will be involved with APEC in 2011. In Japan, our preparation and willingness to engage other business and government organizations to help make APEC a success has increased our profile and should result in more opportunities for our member companies to engage with other Japanese groups where our interests are aligned.

Our advocacy work this year has smoothly folded into our Diet Doorknock, our D.C. Doorknock, our APEC Task Force activities, our Growth Strategy Initiative, and our Global Financial Center project. I very much appreciate the efforts of the ACCJ committees, individuals, and companies that have supported our activities to improve the business environment in Japan for our ACCJ member companies.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

Economist Jesper Koll was upbeat last month when he told us that Japanese CEOs were smiling because their greatly improved profits are beating estimates. So I asked Business and Financial Affairs Advisory Council head Tad Johnson and ACCJ Treasurer Nasir Majid if they had anything that would make me smile. I didn’t hear enough to make me smile, but it was better than a cold shower. The basic ACCJ numbers are sound and I am optimistic about trends for the rest of the year.

Curiously, the intense politics in Washington and the new government in Japan create more flux in policies and future directions than we have seen for a long time. As our ACCJ leaders realized that big changes might upset some of our past expectations about Japanese government behavior, we have developed a sense of urgency that has really energized ACCJ advocacy initiatives to make sure we get our positions out where we can make a difference. The ACCJ has a number of active Task Forces working this year.

The APEC Task Force has prepared a paper to summarize ACCJ member positions on APEC agenda items. The paper helps get our issues into APEC discussions. The Task Force is also working with various economic organizations and government agencies to set up side events at APEC ministerial meetings. An example is the Trade Ministerial in Sapporo in June where APEC Trade Ministers and private sector CEOs will exchange views on impediments to regional trade. Other meetings will cover Energy and the Environment, Small and Medium Enterprises, Agriculture and Finance, leading up to the summit featuring APEC leaders in November.

The Growth Strategy Task Force has commissioned an economic study to analyze the drivers of economic growth in Japan and its findings should suggest actions that Japan can take to increase FDI. Increasing FDI has broad support with the government of Japan and with our ACCJ members.

The Financial Services Forum has decided to update and reissue its Financial Center White Paper. The Japanese government is very interested in this issue and we expect to point out how Japan can improve its regulatory and infrastructure environment to support continued growth of the financial services sector.

Each of these initiatives is an opportunity for ACCJ members to volunteer and contribute their ideas and support in an atmosphere where they can learn more about regulation, business practices, and how Japan works.

The ACCJ’s Washington D.C. Doorknock is scheduled for April 28-30. It will be interesting to see what effect President Obama’s recent policy speech on Trade has had on congressional attitudes. We have made great efforts to tailor our message to our audience(s) and we hope to persuade elected representatives that trade is good for both countries. Statistics show that $1 billion of agriculture exports supports 9,000 U.S. jobs; $1 billion of service exports supports 14,000 U.S. jobs; and $1 billion of manufactured exports supports 16,000 U.S. jobs.

We aren’t convinced that Congress properly understands the benefits of trade. China is seen as a predatory exporter, but in many cases, China’s value add is limited and the profits accrue to the designers of the product (U.S.), makers of the key components (U.S.), and the companies who cleverly market them to wealthy consumers around the world (U.S.).

You are members of an exciting and involved organization. Take advantage of it!

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

These are exciting times in Japan. Spring and kafunshou (pollen allergies) affect different folks in different ways. Revisions to history are on the nightly news and revisions to GDP numbers raise questions about the prospects for a double-dip recession and longer term, “How do we pay for this huge stimulus package and why don’t I feel more stimulated?”

Economically, I am optimistic long term since Japan is in a nice neighborhood full of hard charging growth economies (China, Korea, Vietnam, etc.) and the USA has unique entrepreneurial capabilities. But I think we are all concerned that we can’t really see the vision from either country’s leadership for long-term, sustained growth.

There are a lot of backward-looking hearings and meetings to fix the blame for our current situation and less focus on changes needed now to prevent recurrence of the underlying problems that caused the global economic mess. What happened to the forward-looking mantra: “Fix the problem, not the blame”?

Jobs are a high priority, but a lot of rhetoric focuses on protecting jobs from foreign competition rather than through increases in trade, foreign investment, education and entrepreneurship. Jobs defended through subsidies or protectionism merely postpone that day when those employees must retrain for a different future. Protectionism misallocates resources and harms national efficiency and competitiveness. Department of Agriculture statistics show that each $1 billion of agricultural exports support 8,000 U.S. jobs. However, each $1 billion of manufactured goods exported supports 16,000 U.S. jobs.

Trade and Foreign Direct Investment are strongly linked. Trade booms when there is significant investment and they reinforce each other. Japan’s exports to the U.S. have not declined because of Japanese investment in U.S. factories, research facilities, and employees. Likewise, U.S. companies find that a large footprint in Japan greatly increases their ability to sell U.S. goods and services in the Japanese market.

The economic partnership between Japan and the U.S. is mature. Our companies trade sophisticated goods and services between the two countries. For some Japanese companies, the U.S. market is more important that their own. For some U.S. companies (Aflac, Prudential Financial), the Japanese market is more significant than their own. Both countries can benefit from further liberalization of mutual trade and investment. For these reasons, the ACCJ has long called for a robust free trade agreement. We have supported the Trans-Pacific Partnership and an Economic Partnership Agreement.

These are some of the themes that underlie the ACCJ’s Growth Strategy Initiative and our 2010 focus on getting our member issues onto as many APEC meeting agendas as we possibly can. Many of our Japanese government contacts have similar views and have approached us as a source of information on how to increase Japan’s influence in APEC, how to increase foreign direct investment and what policies or regulations help or hurt the employment, investment, and business climate in Japan.

The people of Japan voted for change last year and the elected officials recognize that they can take credit, even for successful ideas they did not originate.

The ACCJ wants to help Japan grow and succeed in the 21st century. And ACCJ members want to contribute to and benefit from that success.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

The outlook for the financial year ending 31 March 2010 has some bright spots.

If the economy is not booming, at least the economy is no longer shrinking. Resurgent economic Asian tigers are stimulating exports from Japan.

However, domestic demand remains weak despite the government stimulus. Massive auto recalls are damaging Japanese pride in its manufacturing prowess and raising concerns about its vaunted quality.

Nevertheless, Japanese automakers are pulling over, checking under the hood, and making needed repairs. I believe that they will soon be back on the highway and into higher gear.

The Japanese government is trying to find a path to renewed growth, but the disadvantages of a shrinking population, declining demand, and inefficient domestic businesses make it difficult to achieve the productivity improvements needed to achieve sustained economic growth.

Many governments choose to support industries where their nation does not really have enough of an edge to produce companies that can compete in global markets against all comers.

In many cases, the historical political power of certain companies distorts the investment that nations make in businesses that cannot compete on the world stage.

The ACCJ completed its Internet Economy White Paper in 2009 and has begun a Growth Strategy Initiative to provide ideas that can help offset Japanese structural disadvantages – such as shrinking population, etc. – with engines of high productivity.

The ACCJ believes that Japan’s sophisticated and educated population can and should use the internet as a powerful productivity multiplier.

The ACCJ’s 2010 Growth Strategy Initiative is intended to document how foreign direct investment, which is lower in Japan than any other OECD nation, can be another powerful engine of growth for Japan’s future.

The ACCJ believes that vigorous high-level Japanese and U.S. efforts to advance free trade are vital. Passage of the Republic of Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and engagement through the Trans Pacific Partnership are critical.

An Economic Partnership Agreement or a Free Trade Agreement between our countries would unleash billions of dollars of economic growth and the benefits to the U.S. in trade in services would be tremendous.

The Keidanren has joined us to advocate such an agreement. We understand that sensitive issues like beef, rice and autos must be resolved, but we believe these challenges should not prevent us all from benefiting from the opportunities that a rigorous, high quality FTA offers.

The Koreans have signed an agreement with the EU and we are concerned that Japanese and U.S. companies will miss out on the economic benefits if we don’t move on this.

The current Japanese government was elected on a platform of change. They seem willing to consider different approaches to economic problems and want to change some of the old ways of doing business.

There are issues that we disagree on and proposals that worry us. But we believe that the government is open to discussion and interested in what we think might be the effects of some of their policy proposals.

We have had many lively exchanges of views and have picked up some themes that we will develop before we go on our Washington Door Knock later this year. I am optimistic that the ACCJ’s message of free and fair competition and a transparent process of financial system regulation and reform still resonate with leaders on both sides of the Pacific.

I think that our message of formalized bilateral economic dialogue at various levels of government working towards greater U.S.-Japan economic integration will lead to more opportunities for our member companies and an eventual free trade agreement between Japan and the U.S.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

The ACCJ held its extended Board Planning session on January 15th to outline the leadership lineup, inform (or remind) Board members about their responsibilities and, most importantly, to discuss priorities and agree on our direction and activities for 2010. The 2010 Board has a mix of new and experienced people and represents a good cross-section of our membership.

In retrospect, if we were to put a theme to 2009, it would be “Quick Reactions to Unpleasant Realities,” or in Japanese, it was maybe “背水の陣.” Looking forward, our theme for 2010 will be “making the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) work for our members.”

This emphasizes Japan’s 2010 hosting of APEC as a focus for our advocacy, networking and information-sharing activities. We have established an APEC Task Force led by Bruce Ellsworth and Tom Clark to coordinate the work of our committees who have issues that we want to get on the APEC agenda. Bruce, Tom and others are familiar with the APEC process and can help keep us involved in the various APEC events in 2010. If you or your company wants to participate, please talk to them and volunteer.

My overriding 2010 concerns are Membership and Finances. These are inextricably linked and will determine whether we will finish 2010 as a stronger organization or not. Although we finished 2009 in the black and have funds to spend on special projects or other purposes, our membership has slid in all categories and the full financial effect of our 2009 membership losses will wash over us in 2010. Our Treasurer, BFAC (Business and Financial Affairs Advisory Council) and the Chamber office are all committed to monitoring our fiscal results and recommending action, drastic if necessary, to protect our fiscal soundness.

Membership is the measure of our strength as an organization and the key to our success. Although ACCJ members are generally quite satisfied today, we need to consider the preliminary findings of the Membership Value Proposition Task Force and re-evaluate how we treat different membership categories to develop programs that will make ACCJ membership a more compelling proposition. We think that this will attract more new members to our organization and make it easier for current ACCJ members to decide to upgrade their memberships.

Our Chubu and Kansai Chapters have bought into these efforts and are planning activities that will further raise the ACCJ profile in those areas.

Vice Presidents Andy Conrad and Jim Foster will lead our External Affairs Advisory Council which coordinates our external advocacy activities. Although I think that our basic principles of free and fair competition, a transparent process of financial system regulation, and reform are still valid, we need to take a close look at our vocabulary and our advocacy viewpoints and make changes to ensure that we are relevant in the changed political environment.

I think that we are finding it challenging to communicate with Japanese and U.S. governments that are intensely focused on other issues they consider more pressing. We need to speak to them in a language they are ready to hear. A great example of “new language” is the Insurance Committee’s statistics which show that foreign insurers employ an increasing number of Japanese and pay a greater percent of income taxes than their market share would indicate.

With these points in mind, I think that this is a good time to focus on the fundamentals and a great time to be an ACCJ member.

Tom Whitson
ACCJ President
twhitson@accj.or.jp

Akemashite omedeto gozaimasu! 2009 is finished, over, and done with! 2010 is a brand new year and ours to make something of for ourselves, our companies, and our communities. In early January we will have a Board planning session to develop our priorities and major initiatives for the year. We welcome member input to this process. Please submit any ideas, issues or concerns to the Chamber office so we can consider them in the Planning Session or later through a committee.

We have a new Board of Governors including new Tokyo vice presidents Andy Conrad, Jim Foster, and Jay Ponazecki. New Tokyo governors include Nick Benes, Jeff Bernier, Randy Krieger, Jeffrey Shimamoto, and Ira Wolf. The new Kansai leaders include vice president Jiri Mestecky, governor Alfonso Zulueta, and treasurer Richard Carlow. They join an experienced group of incumbents and re-elected leaders.

Our Diet DoorKnock, December 1-3, had over 70 ACCJ members meet more than 60 Diet members and government officials. Japanese government interest in meeting and discussing issues with the ACCJ is at a record high. We emphasized our desire for a Japanese financial recovery and the commitment of our member companies to the Japanese economy and society. Diet members seemed impressed with the number of Japanese jobs and Japanese taxes that ACCJ members are responsible for.

Our counterparts reaffirmed the importance of the Japan – U.S. relationship and the tone of the meetings was very positive. The Japanese government faces many challenges but the ACCJ is pleased to be an organization that they feel comfortable exchanging views with.

We have some exciting programs planned for 2010 in the areas of the environment, women’s issues, dialogue on economic competitiveness, and APEC. I believe that labor and employment issues are a priority of the new government and we will need to see how government proposals in this area are likely to affect our businesses. We will continue to develop and share information that our members need to do business better in the Japan market. Please join a committee that focuses on your business interests. We will also provide forums where our members can showcase their products and services, meet potential customers and suppliers, and network with businesspeople who can enrich their personal and corporate lives. If it isn’t planned and you think it is a good idea, let us know and we will see if we can make it happen.

We will not forget the ACCJ’s commitment to CSR activities in 2010. The 2009 Charity Ball was a success and raised significant funds for our designated charities. Now that we have walkathons in each of our three chapters, we can build on that concept of health, fun, and charity to heighten the profile of our organization. We will continue our efforts to make contributions to improve our communities and Japanese society.

I look forward positively to an exciting year in 2010 and hope that through our collective efforts, the ACCJ can make a difference and contribute to a richer life for our members, their companies, and the Japanese nation where we live and work.