2026 ACCJ Shinnenkai

Events

Jan 28

Members and guests ushered in the Year of the Horse at celebrations in Tokyo and Kansai.

Photos by Yuuki Ide (Tokyo) and Ayah Helalat (Kansai)

The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) ushered in the Year of the Horse with two shinnenkai celebrations, one at the W Osaka on January 23 and another at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on January 27.

The events kicked off the New Year with the traditional kagami-biraki—the ceremonial cracking open of a sake barrel—followed by networking with fellow members, friends, and officials from the US and Japanese governments.

In Tokyo, a record 370 attendees filled the Imperial Hotel’s Hikari Room for an event emceed by Secure Digital Infrastructure Committee Vice-Chair David Parker that not only kicked off another year of business and networking but also the celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

After ACCJ President Eric John’s opening remarks, US Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Aaron D. Snipe shared an inspiring view of the enduring US–Japan alliance. They were then joined by ACCJ Chairman Christopher LaFleur and Executive Director Laura Younger as well as Norihiko Ishiguro, chairman and chief executive officer of the Japan External Trade Organization, for the kagami-biraki and a kampai with sake generously provided by Tokyo Port Brewery.

In Kansai, members and guests gathered for an evening of international connections co-hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce in Japan and officially endorsed by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan.

ACCJ Vice President–Kansai Jiro Kawakami welcomed everyone before special remarks from Richard N. Larsen, consul general at the US Consulate General Osaka-Kobe. This was Larsen’s first ACCJ event. ACCJ President Eric John gave a kampai speech and was then joined by Larsen, UK consul general Michael Blyth, and ACCJ-Kansai leaders for the kagami-biraki as the room erupted with cheers.