A Night of Stars and Stripes
ACCJ members and partners celebrated 250 years of American independence.
ACCJ members and partners celebrated 250 years of American independence.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) hosted its annual Independence Day celebration on July 1 at Tokyo American Club to mark a huge milestone: the United States’ 250th birthday.
More than 430 members, guests, and partners from the US and Japanese governments gathered for a night of delicious food, inspiring music, and meaningful networking.
After emcee Connor Myers’s opening remarks and Japanese American recording artist Aisha’s rousing rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” ACCJ President Eric John welcomed everyone to the special evening.
“We are fortunate to be living and working in Japan in a period where US–Japan bilateral ties are the strongest they have ever been, and our relationship is also the most important alliance in the world,” said John, a retired US ambassador. “At the same time, our business ties are the healthiest they have been. In part, that is due to the tireless work of the US embassy in collaborating with our chamber and advocating on behalf of our incredible member companies.”
He also noted that the power of the ACCJ comes from its 3,000-plus members, including those who volunteer their time to serve on the Board of Governors and as committee leaders. “Our success is entirely due to the dedication of all of you. Now is the time to rethink and act together on what the business community can do to shape our shared future and strengthen our resilience.”
Minister-Counselor John Breidenstine from the commercial affairs section of the US Embassy, Tokyo gave the Independence Day address.
“Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of extraordinarily troublesome men gathered in Philadelphia and did something the world had never seen before. They argued, they debated, they exasperated one another, and in the end, they changed history,” he said. “America has never been a finished project. It is an ongoing argument, a continuing experiment, a promise being renewed in every generation. Tonight, in the company of friends, allies, and partners, both American and Japanese, we renew it again.”
Breidenstine then raised a glass and led everyone in a celebratory kampai, toasting not only America’s birthday but the bilateral partnerships, friendships, and collaborations represented in the room.
As food service opened up with a classic American barbecue-inspired menu paired with wine from the California Wine Institute, Fender Japan Director of Regional Sales Yasuhiko Yajima introduced the night’s headline performer, legendary American guitarist Marty Friedman. Well known as the lead guitarist of American thrash metal band Megadeth, Friedman moved to Japan in 2004 to pursue his love of the country, language, and a desire to perform with Japanese musicians. He was named an ambassador of Japanese heritage by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2016.
Following a spectacular performance by Friedman and his band, members and guests continued networking in the New York Ballroom and across the way in the RGA Music and Dessert Lounge, where Baskin-Robbins served up a special Fourth of July-themed ice cream sundae.
Also on display in the lounge were limited-edition commemorative Bluetooth speakers created by event partner ELAC exclusively for the ACCJ. Inspired by 250 years of American innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit and limited to 100 units, the collectible, which combines bold sound, timeless design, and a touch of patriotic flair, was part of the evening’s lucky draw giveaway.
Made possible by the generous support of Aflac, Boeing Japan, and Harley-Davidson, which contributed at the highest level as Stars and Stripes sponsors, along with Liberty Bell sponsors Uber for Business and the National Basketball Association, as well as Red, White, and Blue sponsors Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts, the evening was a fitting tribute to the enduring nature not only of the United States, but also to the dedication of the ACCJ and its members to ensuring that the country’s relationship with Japan continues to flourish for centuries to come.
Strategic Dialogue
ACCJ leaders visited Washington in June to discuss security, economic, and strategic partnerships.
ACCJ leaders visit Washington to discuss security, economic ties, and shared challenges.
The 2026 ACCJ DC Doorknock delegates gather in front of the US Capitol.
On June 23 and 24, a delegation of nine executives representing the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) visited Washington, DC, for the chamber’s annual DC Doorknock. The trip is an important part of the ACCJ’s advocacy efforts and strengthens US–Japan relations.
ACCJ President Eric John was joined by Chairman Christopher LaFleur, Executive Director Laura Younger, members of the Board of Governors, and Japan-based chief executives and country heads of US corporations.
As the voice of global business in Japan, the ACCJ provided strategic recommendations to address critical issues impacting US companies and outlined measures to expand the strong US–Japan economic alliance.
The delegation met with members of Congress and the administration for discussions on a range of topics, including the bilateral trade agreement, Japan’s $550 billion investment pledge, and ways to shape trade and economic policy outcomes in both the United States and Japan.
While welcoming progress under the 2025 US–Japan trade agreements to expand market access, the delegation emphasized that persistent nontariff barriers continue
to impede growth and innovation. The chamber reaffirmed its support for reducing these barriers, boosting investment, and enhancing regulatory transparency to strengthen bilateral trade and create shared economic benefits.
Over two days they met with Senators Bill Hagerty and Tammy Duckworth, Representative Joaquin Castro, and officials from key US government agencies, including the Department of Commerce, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the Department of State, and others.
The ACCJ’s recommendations target six critical sectors shaping the US–Japan economic alliance: healthcare, digital economy, aerospace and defense, financial services, energy, and automotive. The ACCJ urges both governments to address remaining trade barriers in these industries to strengthen a bilateral partnership that supported $324 billion in goods and services traded in 2025.
“This year’s DC Doorknock highlighted the continued strength and momentum of the US–Japan economic partnership and provided an important opportunity for the ACCJ to advance key priorities across our advocacy focus sectors,” said John. “We were encouraged by the strong recognition throughout the US government of the strategic importance of the US–Japan relationship and by the continued progress being made to deepen investment, strengthen economic ties, and address shared challenges.”
For more about the meetings, read the official press release in English or Japanese.
Creative Cures
Twelve innovators share their solutions at the ACCJ’s Healthcare x Digital Pitch Day Event.
Twelve innovators share their solutions at the ACCJ’s Healthcare x Digital Pitch Day Event.
Startups convened once again in Osaka on February 13 for a chance to get Japan’s healthcare research to the people who need it through the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Healthcare x Digital (HxD) initiative. Now in its sixth year, the program spearheaded by the ACCJ Kansai chapter connects startups, academics, corporations, and government to develop ideas for community healthcare and individual patient care.
The 2026 HxD Pitch Event took place at Osaka’s Nakanoshima Qross and featured a panel discussion followed by two rounds of pitches from healthcare startups competing for five awards.
The event was cohosted by Nakanoshima Qross and supported by the US Commercial Service, part of the US Consulate General Osaka-Kobe. The top prize was a complimentary trip to the 2026 SelectUSA Investment Summit, a US Department of Commerce program that has generated more than $250 billion in new investment to date. This year’s summit ran May 3–6 in National Harbor, Maryland.
“The startups pitching today represent the best of Japan’s healthcare innovation,” Consul General Richard N. Larsen told the room at the opening of the event. “Your solutions address real challenges, and your willingness to compete on this stage demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit driving progress in this sector.”
Hirokazu Shimoda, senior director at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), previously worked at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan External Trade Organization’s San Francisco office. Leading the pre-event roundtable, he said that working groups are now operating across 17 fields to determine where Japan should concentrate its resources.
At the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference earlier this year, US investors kept asking him the same question: how AMED’s own subsidies could be used to coinvest in Japanese companies. He also pointed to Japan’s supporting industries—manufacturing, materials, robotics—as a real strength once paired with artificial intelligence (AI) and Japanese data, later noting that AMED’s funding is now extending to top-tier venture capital as well.
Japanese Healthcare: A Future Up for Debate
A panel discussion, moderated by Zimmer Biomet Director of Government Affairs Makoto Kawai, brought together Yasuhiko Iida, then of ACCJ President’s Circle member Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Dr. Okechi Oduori of Nakanoshima Qross, and Marisa Watanabe of the University of New South Wales, who joined remotely from Australia.
The conversation fell within HxD’s three standing focus areas: overcoming Japan’s urban–rural healthcare divide, reimagining the hospital of the future, and empowering patients to own their healthcare. As the discussion progressed, the topic turned to whether Japanese healthcare technology has to prove itself abroad before Japan’s own system will accept it.
Japan has strong basic research, Oduori said, but it isn’t as “gifted when it comes to social implementation,” which he described as getting high-quality research to the patients themselves.
Watanabe described a validation trap: Japanese corporate partners want proof of value before investing in technologies that first of all need investment to be tested.
“A lot of technologies worldwide are being lost because we just can’t get over that initial hurdle,” she said. One advantage, she noted, is already available: Australia’s approval process aligns closely with that of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), giving startups a faster on-ramp than the US process alone.
Japan’s acceptable margin of risk, Kawai argued, is effectively zero, which is why he told startups to prove themselves in other markets first.
Watanabe raised a second fix of her own for lower-risk categories. “[We need] a sandbox system where we can actually try to speed up approval processes for certain types of technologies that are less [of a] health risk,” she said, as an example pointing to fall-prevention technology that could be validated safely, given available countermeasures if something goes wrong, and processed faster as a result.
Oduori differed slightly, arguing that startups should work with regulators from day one. “There is always an opportunity that we can work closely with the regulatory authorities at the very beginning, incorporating them as you do your studies,” he said.
Kawai added: “It’s just easier for people to go outside, prove it, and come back with that proof. To get Japanese to jump off the boat, you tell them that everybody already has jumped off.”
The conversation ranged further, with L.E.K. Consulting Partner Christian Boettcher raising the long-standing tension between Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry over how fast to move on approvals. Eli Lilly Japan’s Iida argued that patients increasingly want quality of life rather than a fix for a disease, pointing to Asics as an example of a wellness-adjacent company with few avenues for talking to doctors or pharmaceutical companies.
A question from the floor turned to whether Japanese universities still favor publishing research over patenting it. Oduori said the situation has improved, with more universities now advising on intellectual property, but that patents held inside university walls still complicate industry collaboration.
By the end of the discussion, when an audience member asked who should actually guide a startup from concept to market, Oduori said that getting a startup to commercialization takes the same kind of cooperation that your fingers require when you eat with chopsticks.
“Know who is more important than know-how,” Kawai said, closing the panel.
ACCJ–Kansai Governor Kevin Yamaga-Karns, associate vice president of legal affairs at Eli Lilly Japan, then presented the panelists with certificates of appreciation.
Let the Games Begin
The pitch competition’s 12 healthcare startups presented their solutions to an expert panel of judges: Mari Ogihara of AstraZeneca K.K., Yasuhiko Iida of Eli Lilly Japan, Dr. Robert Brand of EY, Dr. Yu Moriguchi of Osaka University and Nakanoshima Qross, Akira Omae of The Kobe Shimbun and Anchor Kobe, and L.E.K. Consulting’s Boettcher. Competing this year were:
- SalivaTech Co., Ltd.
- Nonat Inc.
- I.W.G. Inc.
- PurinoScience
- Craif, Inc.
- MIG Inc.
- Heliex Inc.
- Quadlytics Inc.
- Ekei Labs
- Aman Wellness Solutions (AWS LLC)
- VisionPath
- Xupra
SalivaTech’s SalivaChecker, an AI-powered saliva test that screens for six cancers from a single sample, already serves more than 110,000 users. Chief Executive Officer Dr. Makoto Sunamura, a pancreatic surgeon at Tohoku University Hospital, framed the product as screening rather than diagnosis, with the company’s US launch built around CLIA-certified labs ahead of full FDA approval.
According to World Health Organization data cited by Nonat Inc., just 18 percent of high-risk pregnant women worldwide receive proper treatment. With that in mind, the company pitched a wearable device and an AI system for remote pregnancy monitoring.
I.W.G. Inc., founded by a team that previously scaled a medical AI startup to unicorn status—meaning a valuation of more than $1 billion—pitched two products: AI Referral, which standardizes referral and discharge data across formats, and DOCloud, a workflow and communications platform that the company said has already cut client data transfer time from four days to 40 seconds, alongside a 90 percent drop in human error. I.W.G. said it has been selected by the Mayo Clinic as the first and only Japanese company in that ecosystem.
No approved drug exists anywhere for sarcopenia, the natural loss of muscle tissue due to age, according to PurinoScience Chief Executive Officer Kotaro Hisamoto. He pitched an oral combination therapy built on a repurposed gout medication that Japanese research already links to lower sarcopenia rates combined with a marketed adenosine triphosphate, or ATP. According to cofounder Ken Okamoto, of the University of Tokyo, the precursor restores muscle energy through the body’s own purine salvage pathway.
Craif, Inc. brought a related pitch built on an already-proven distribution network: its urine-microRNA platform serves more than 50,000 users through some 2,000 clinics and 4,000 pharmacies, and its new product, miSignal Age, estimates biological age and cardiometabolic risk from the same single sample.
Half the people in their forties and fifties, MIG Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Hidetaka Kai told judges, already show the first brain-cell changes of Alzheimer’s disease, with no symptoms at all. The startup’s solution to this is a six- to eight-minute virtual reality test. The results, Kai said, correlate closely with p-tau181, a blood biomarker for the disease. New Alzheimer’s drugs from companies such as Eisai, Biogen, and Eli Lilly exist, but patients often arrive at the hospital too late to use them, he said.
Heliex Inc., based in Akita Prefecture, pitched “health intelligence” based on CT scans for personal trainers and nutritionists.
Quadlytics Inc. built its pitch around the fact that an epilepsy diagnosis in Japan often means immediate loss of a driver’s license. The company’s development, the Epilepsy Alarm, is a wearable that reads heart-rate variability to predict a seizure one to 20 minutes before it occurs. The company cited more than $10 billion in annual US emergency costs tied to epilepsy hospitalizations.
Ekei Labs, based at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, pitched epigenetics chemistry paired with AI to predict drug trial success before a trial runs, claiming a 30 percent cut in trial costs, a 50 percent cut in trial failures, and 55 times more data per dollar spent than conventional methods.
Aman Wellness Solutions pitched a cross-border second-opinion platform connecting Japanese and US medical care. Founder Sahiora Nurujai was candid about a barrier few others mentioned, saying many Japanese hospitals are running deficits and so remain reluctant to devote domestic resources to foreign patients.
VisionPath Chief Executive Officer Jake Smith, a first-year student at Ritsumeikan University, pitched a smart walker inspired by his grandmother’s difficulty crossing a room for a glass of water. The company has not yet incorporated, but it has already secured a spring clinical trial with the city of Minoh.
Xupra closed the pitches with a foundational AI model built for pharmaceutical data, pitched through the story of a fictional drug rep, Yamada-san, coached before doctor visits and corrected after them. The company said it already runs a paid pilot with more than 400 users at a major pharmaceutical company.
And the Winners Are …
After deliberation, the judges announced five awards:
- SelectUSA Investment Summit Award: SalivaTech Co., Ltd.
- Anchor Kobe Award (Kobe City): Aman Wellness Solutions
- Nakanoshima Qross Award: PurinoScience
- Osaka Bio Headquarters Award (Osaka Prefecture): Quadlytics Inc.
- Osaka LifeScience Nexus Award: VisionPath
SalivaTech’s win secured its trip to the SelectUSA Investment Summit, following the path of past HxD winners such as Anaut Inc. and AMI Inc., both of which used their trips to Maryland to build connections with US investors and partners.
An Ongoing Effort
“This is not the last event,” Boettcher told the startups after announcing the results. “We had companies in the past that reapplied and then won. So, thank you for everybody’s efforts today, and congratulations to the winners.”
The next HxD event—Connected by Data, Powered by AI, Enabled by Technology: Reimagining People-Centered Care—is scheduled for October 30 at Nakanoshima Qross.
University Briefings
Through custom sessions, the chamber helps professors and students navigate the US–Japan business landscape.
Through custom sessions, the chamber helps professors and students navigate the US–Japan business landscape.
A delegation from the University of Michigan–Flint
Through tailored sessions, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) gives emerging US business leaders a direct view of Japan’s economy and the US–Japan commercial relationship.
For US students preparing for careers in global business, the ACCJ University Briefings program offers an executive-level perspective on Japan’s business environment and the bilateral relationship. The sessions examine the opportunities and challenges companies face in Japan and the role of the business community in strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
ACCJ Executive Director Laura Younger personally leads each briefing and tailors the discussion to the needs of the visiting group. The sessions connect Japan’s business environment to the wider bilateral agenda. Discussions have covered Japan’s regulatory and business environment, US–Japan economic relations, technology and artificial intelligence policy, demographic and workforce challenges, healthcare, and the importance of professional networks and long-term relationships in Japanese business.
To date, the ACCJ has conducted 50 briefings and reached more than 1,400 students from US universities. The program gives these emerging leaders an opportunity to test their classroom learning against practical perspectives from the ACCJ’s executive director.
The program also contributes to the wider US–Japan relationship. Educational exchange is an important form of soft diplomacy because it gives future US leaders a more informed understanding of Japan and encourages sustained bilateral engagement. By giving US students a more nuanced understanding of Japan’s economy, institutions, and business environment, the briefings prepare them to engage more effectively with Japan throughout their careers and strengthen the human foundations of bilateral commercial and policy cooperation.
Selahattin Imrohoroglu, a professor of finance and business economics at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, is among the educators who have brought their students to the ACCJ University Briefings program.
“Visiting the ACCJ was an excellent experience that gave our group a deeper appreciation of Japan’s business environment, professional culture, and the important role of international organizations in connecting business leaders, policymakers, and students,” he explained. “The briefing helped us better understand Japan’s current economic and demographic challenges, the opportunities for foreign companies, and the importance of cross-cultural communication and long-term relationship building in doing business in Japan.”
“The briefing helped us better understand Japan’s current economic and demographic challenges, the opportunities for foreign companies, and the importance of cross-cultural communication and long-term relationship building in doing business in Japan.”
The University of Arizona’s Justin Jarvis brought his executive MBA candidates to the ACCJ to learn how international companies navigate regulatory, cultural, and market differences. “I also hoped they would see how organizations like the ACCJ play a role in shaping dialogue between the private sector and government,” said the director of the school’s master’s studies. “The experience exceeded expectations. One of the biggest takeaways for me was just how different Japanese business culture is from that in the United States. While both countries are highly developed economies, the business environment, as well as the interpersonal and social dynamics of doing business, are meaningfully different.”
For Greg Laurence, 2026 marked the seventh time he has led a study-abroad group to Japan. As a professor of organizational behavior and human resources management, as well as chair of the University of Michigan-Flint Department of Management and Marketing, Laurence teaches a course on design thinking, namely, how organizations and the people in them solve problems.
“Many of our site visits are with very focused organizations,” he explained. “We wanted students to get a broad picture of business in Japan and how it relates to them in the United States. Japan can feel very far away. When visiting with boutique ceramics makers in Bizen [Okayama Prefecture], it is easy to lose sight of the US–Japan relationship, which matters to boutique ceramics makers in Bizen even if they don’t talk about it. The goal was to get that 10,000-meter view and to think about central design-thinking questions: Why does the ACCJ exist? What problems does it aim to solve and how?”
At least one student from each of Laurence’s past trips has made the move to Japan. “I think that is a pretty impressive testament to their experience there. Japan opens our students’ eyes to what is possible for them.”
Professor Arup Varma of Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business has been leading students on trips to various parts of the world for the past two decades. “In 2026, the students were keen on visiting Japan, and I must say we had an absolutely outstanding trip,” he explained. “We visited both Tokyo and Kyoto. One of the highlights was the initial visit to the ACCJ, which helped set the framework and the context. I was very excited because [chambers] typically have deep experience in a country, and their breadth of knowledge of the intricacies of doing business in that country helps set the stage for subsequent visits.”
Quinlan student Przemek Thomas Krydka said the visit gave him confidence that, should he ever seek to establish a business presence in Japan, the ACCJ would be an invaluable resource and trusted partner. “I came away from our meeting with a strong impression that the ACCJ can provide American businesses with the relationships, knowledge, and support needed to successfully establish a foothold in the Japanese market.”
Students from Baylor University’s McBride Worldwide program visit the ACCJ
Another student who found the University Briefing inspiring is Rhiannon Noel, who visited as part of Lynn University’s undergraduate delegation. Apart from business insights, she found her post-university vision energized. “Seeing interns who came from backgrounds other than Japanese gave me peace of mind that I would fit in if I decided to come back and also do an internship,” she said.
Since returning to Florida, Noel has given presentations and worked on projects related to Japan’s need for immigration, discussing topics such as the declining birth rate, the Highly Skilled Professional program, and the Specified Skilled Worker program, which is designed to address labor shortages in key sectors. “Japan remains one of my favorite places I’ve traveled to, and I am still planning to come and do an internship eventually after the conclusion of my degree.”
Baylor University undergraduate Max Fuller said he came to the University Briefing hoping to learn more about how businesses from outside Japan are able to succeed and adapt to Japan’s different culture.
“After meeting with Executive Director Laura Younger, I actually understand that it is not easy due to tax laws and regulations, and also how people interact,” he explained. “Laura used real-world examples. Through visiting the ACCJ, I have been able to hear firsthand experiences that you usually wouldn’t in a normal classroom setting.”
Younger’s deep experience and insights were also appreciated by Shizuka Modica, a lecturer at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business. Modica brought a delegation of MBA students to the ACCJ University Briefing as part of the school’s course titled Japan: Where Tradition Meets Innovation.
“Laura introduced ACCJ’s role in strengthening the US–Japan business environment and offered grounded, practical perspectives on how business is conducted in Japan,” she said. “Her lively, highly interactive presentation wove together economic and regulatory data with firsthand stories about pain points American executives commonly encounter and how the ACCJ helps them navigate those challenges. This brief but rich visit helped students process their new experiences and articulate deeper insights into Japan’s political, economic, and social challenges. We are deeply grateful to Laura and the ACCJ for their generosity and impact on our students’ learning.”
Walk of Ages
The Chubu Walkathon’s 35th anniversary event raised the bar for community support.
The Chubu Walkathon’s 35th anniversary event raised the bar for community support.
“It’s a beautiful day to make a change. Gonna lace up my shoes and be on my way. We’ll gather at Meijo Park, alright. And be home before the stars light up the night.”
Those are the opening words of the Chubu Walkathon 35th anniversary song, written by James Havens, and they perfectly sum up an event that has been making a difference in the local community for three and a half decades.
What began in 1992 as a small, collaborative effort between US businesses and local partners has grown into the region’s most visible international charity event—uniting thousands each year for a day of walking, food, entertainment, and community support. The annual event, cohosted by Nagoya International School (NIS), is supported or endorsed by the Aichi Prefectural Government, the City of Nagoya, the Nagoya City Board of Education, the Aichi America-Japan Society, and the Greater Nagoya Initiative Center.
Cofounder Robert Roche, now American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) vice president–Chubu and executive chairman of Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc., still remembers the first event. “Large corporations were coming to Nagoya saying, ‘It’s our culture in America to give back to the local community.’ They were the ones who showed us how to do business the right way. Their guidance in those early years gave us a solid foundation, and the relationships we built—with orphanages, schools, and local charities, as well as sponsors like Kondo Sanko—are the reason the Walkathon is still going strong 35 years later.”
Since then, the Walkathon has contributed more than ¥200 million to organizations across the Chubu region, supporting children in foster care, individuals with illnesses or disabilities, families affected by domestic violence, Tohoku earthquake and tsunami relief, and many others. Money is raised through corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and ticket sales for activities on the day of the event.
ACCJ members and the wider community descended on Nagoya’s Meijo Park on May 24 for a day of music, dance, international food, and nearly two dozen activities for kids and adults. After an opening ceremony featuring the Imperial Sound marching band and Cherry Blooming baton twirlers, walkers set out on a winding course through the park. Student volunteers greeted them at each of the nine way stations. Back at the stage, attendees enjoyed performances by NIS preschool and kindergarten students, the NIS high school choir, and more.
Over the years, the Walkathon has weathered many challenges—the Lehman shock of 2008, the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami of March 11, 2011, and Covid-19. During the pandemic that saw everyone huddled at home, organizers found a way to keep an event defined by in-person interaction going through creative thinking and hybrid approaches that incorporated virtual participation. Over the five years from 2019 to 2023, donations averaged more than ¥5 million per year.
This year’s 35th anniversary Walkathon marked not only a milestone in longevity but also a notable increase in the amount of money raised, making it the most successful outing since 2016’s astounding ¥25 million result that helped set the stage for the creation of the Chubu Children’s Fund.
“On behalf of the Chubu Walkathon Committee, we would like to sincerely thank you all for your continued support and invaluable contributions to this year’s event,” said Nao Geisler, chair of the ACCJ–Chubu Community Service Committee. “The 35th anniversary celebration was a tremendous success. We were delighted to welcome an increased number of participants, enjoy perfect weather, and showcase many charitable organizations and outstanding performances on stage. None of this would have been possible without your dedication and partnership.”
Vice-chair Bryce Conlan extended his gratitude to everyone who committed their time, energy, and resources. “Your generous support helps us make a meaningful impact in the lives of many individuals through the local charity organizations we support. We are deeply grateful for your commitment to this cause.”
On October 27, ¥7.7 million in proceeds from this year’s event will be presented at a ceremony hosted by Grade 10 Japanese language and literature students from NIS in the school’s 247-seat auditorium. The money will be distributed among 14 charitable organizations supported by the Walkathon, including ¥500,000 for International School Projects in Tokyo, Kansai, and Nagoya.
“Thank you once again for being part of this milestone event,” said Geisler. “We look forward to your continued support and hope to work together again for the 36th Chubu Walkathon!”
As we look ahead to another year of this enduring signature event, anniversary song composer Havens calls on everyone to continue their support: “Walkathon is here to stay. Sure was good to see you out here today! Let’s walk under the sun. Every step we take is for everyone!”
Two-Way Street
Young Professionals Forum events connect people across chambers and generations.
Young Professionals Forum events connect people across chambers and generations.
For young professionals, institutions such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) can sometimes feel difficult to access. Walking into a room of seasoned executives and established business leaders can be daunting, particularly early in a career when it is easy to wonder: “What do I have to offer?”
Helping lower that barrier is an important part of the ACCJ Young Professionals Forum (YPF) mission.
The YPF provides a platform for professionals aged 35 and under, including a growing number of student members, to engage through networking, information sharing, advocacy, mentorship, and peer-led programming. In Japan, where business remains deeply rooted in relationships and trust, those connections can be particularly valuable.
The YPF continues to build on two of its flagship programs. Speed Networking will soon enter its fourth iteration, while plans are also taking shape for a third Reverse Mentoring session with the ACCJ CEO Forum. The formats are different, but both are built around the same idea of lowering the barriers that can keep people, perspectives, and opportunities apart.
Making Networking Less Intimidating
The YPF Speed Networking event began in 2023 with a simple idea: Could we take the familiar format of speed networking and use it to create a more approachable, lower-barrier way for young professionals to connect?
Rather than asking young professionals to navigate a room and find their own way into conversations, the structured format gives everyone a reason to start talking. It makes that first introduction easier and creates space for the conversation to develop naturally.
That approach has shaped the event ever since.
Now beginning its fourth version, Speed Networking has grown into one of the YPF’s most anticipated and well-attended events. Last year, nearly a dozen international chambers of commerce joined the ACCJ as cohosts, bringing together young professionals from across Tokyo’s global business community. That level of cross-chamber collaboration is relatively rare and has helped make the event a unique opportunity to build connections well beyond any single chamber or professional circle.
Skyler Scofield, client services director at Covue Japan and a YPF vice-chair, remembers the inaugural event: “I was surprised, in the best way, to see so many young professionals gathered in one place. Beyond making business connections, I met people I connected with personally, some of whom I still keep in touch with today.”
Melynie Yoneda, sales director of Crimtan and a YPF co-chair, has led the event’s development and execution from the start. “It has been incredibly rewarding to see the event grow into a true representation of the YPF mission—to connect young professionals from different backgrounds and industries,” she said. “Each year brings together new people and new chambers, creating new connections that might never otherwise happen.”
Community in the Age of AI
That hunger for connection has only grown as more of our lives move online and become intertwined with artificial intelligence (AI).
“There’s a lot of talk about what AI means for the future of work,” said Fatim Diallo, a YPF vice-chair and a director at communications and public affairs advisory FGS Global. “Young professionals are already living that change, experimenting with new tools and sharing what actually works with each other. And yet, the more connected we are online, the more people seem to crave a room full of real people. That’s where the best conversations still happen.”
Reversing the Conversation
If Speed Networking is about lowering barriers among peers, our other returning flagship event addresses a different kind of distance: the gap that can exist between generations and levels of seniority within an organization.
Reverse Mentoring, co-created by the YPF and the CEO Forum, turns the traditional model on its head. CEOs and business leaders come prepared not primarily to advise but to ask questions and listen.
What makes these conversations compelling is how practical the questions often are. How should a manager give difficult feedback to someone who is earlier in their career? Is it better to save feedback for a formal review, or address a matter when it is most relevant? When young professionals choose between employers, how do they weigh compensation against purpose, flexibility, benefits, or opportunities for development?
Others have focused on navigating Japan’s high-context workplace. How can someone newly arriving in Japan understand what colleagues are really thinking? How can companies encourage employees to say what they might otherwise leave unsaid? What role does visible leadership play in normalizing parental leave, flexibility, or other workplace practices?
Jarrod Trusler, president of Dow Chemical Japan, Ltd. and co-chair of the CEO Forum, reflected on what he took away from the event: “The experience was a powerful reminder that younger professionals often see emerging workplace expectations and cultural shifts earlier than senior leaders. If we take the time to listen, these perspectives can challenge our assumptions and help us lead more effectively.”
The third Reverse Mentoring session is now being developed with the CEO Forum, with details to be announced soon.
What Should CEOs Know?
Perhaps that is the broader opportunity. Not only should young professionals be asking how they can gain access to senior leaders, organizations should also be asking how senior leaders gain access to the perspectives of their next generation of employees, customers, and leaders.
As we look ahead, we also want to take that conversation beyond the people who happen to be in the room. Ahead of the next session, we plan to ask our wider community one simple question: What is one thing you wish CEOs and senior executives understood about young professionals today? We hope to crowdsource those perspectives and bring them directly into the discussion.
Speed Networking creates opportunities for connections that might otherwise never happen. Reverse Mentoring creates space for perspectives that might otherwise go unheard. The formats are different, but the ambition is the same. We want to make it easier for people to meet, exchange ideas, and learn from one another across industries, chambers, and generations.
The next connection, idea, or opportunity may begin with a single introduction. We hope to see you there.
June and July 2026 Event Highlights
View a collection of photos from the ACCJ’s June and July 2026 events.
ACCJ leaders met with Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President & CEO Mary Daly on August 5 .
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan hosted a wide variety of events in June and July. Among these were:
- Navigating Labor Regulations and Evolving HR Practices
- Kansai International Meishi Exchange
- Earning Attention: Marketing Strategy in the Age of AI
- The Business of Creativity: How Art Shapes Space, Brand, and Experience in Japan
- How AI and Geopolitics Are Changing M&A
- Japan Tourism Trends and Challenges
- What’s Next for Japanese Stocks in 2026?
- A Night of Stars and Stripes: A Fourth of July Celebration
- Women in Business Open Forum and Networking
- Exploring Japan's Startup Ecosystem: Founder Pitches and Policy Perspectives
- The Science of Sports: Data, Performance, and the Future of Athlete Optimization
- Governing AI: A Global Conversation with KPMG’s Dean Grandy
Here are some of our favorite highlights.
April and May 2026 Event Highlights
View a collection of photos from the ACCJ’s April and May 2026 events.
Masai Takako, member of the board of directors and chairperson of the Research Institute Board at the SBI Financial and Economic Research Institute (second right) with (from left) ACCJ Alternative and Foreign Direct Investment Committee (AFDIC) Vice-chair Jason Topaz, CEO Forum Co-chair Sarah Bader, Executive Director Laura Younger; and Alternative and Foreign Direct Investment Committee Chair Paul Lee at an AFDIC event on May 19 at Tokyo American Club.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan hosted a wide variety of events in April and May. Among these were:
- Spring Meet and Greet at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo
- Legal Services and IP Committee Networking: An April Fools’ Special! No Joke!
- A Day in the Life: Tourism and Hospitality
- Trends in Venture Capital in Japan and the United States
- Destination Management Best Practices
- Fireside Chat with Takako Masai, former Bank of Japan Board Member
- Now You Know Your GHIs
- The 35th ACCJ/NIS Chubu Walkathon
- Women’s Health in the Workplace: How Life-Stage Understanding Drives Performance, Career, and Culture
Here are some memorable moments from these events …
2026 ACCJ Shinnenkai
Members and guests ushered in the Year of the Horse at celebrations in Kansai on January 23 and Tokyo on the 27th.
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.
Here’s to a year of collaboration with our members and partners as we continue the strong and vibrant US–Japan partnership in 2026 and beyond!
An Evening of Connection and Appreciation
Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and their guests gathered in the Hilton Tokyo’s Kiku Ballroom on December 11 to close out 2025 with its final signature event of the year.
The ACCJ closes out 2025 with a festive night of networking and honors.
Photos by Miki Kawaguchi/LIFE.14
Members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and their guests gathered in the Hilton Tokyo’s Kiku Ballroom on December 11 to close out 2025 with its final signature event of the year.
ACCJ President Victor Osumi took to the stage against a starry backdrop to welcome everyone to An Evening of Connection and Appreciation, a formal cocktail-style reception that brought together nearly 300 ACCJ members and guests.
“As we gather tonight, it is an opportunity to reflect on a year filled with remarkable achievements,” Osumi said. “It is a chance to reflect on a tremendous year of activity at the chamber, thanks to the support of our members’ collective efforts. We want to celebrate this spirit of collaboration and excellence.”
Next, to mark the incredible dedication of chamber members, ACCJ Vice President Arthur Mitchell joined Osumi on stage to present the 2025 ACCJ Leaders and Volunteers of the Year awards.
Also joining the festivities was 2025 ACCJ Person of the Year Ambassador William E. Grayson. He was honored for his leadership in advancing the US–Japan partnership as commissioner general of the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai.
“To receive this award from all of you brings an incredible amount of joy and happiness,” said Grayson, who shares more about the six-month experience of welcoming visitors to the USA Pavilion.
With formalities concluded, attendees indulged in the Hilton Tokyo’s culinary artistry and smooth jazz while making new connections for 2026.
Welcoming a New Era of Omotenashi
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike headlines a special ACCJ event on the future of tourism.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike headlines a special ACCJ event on the future of tourism.
Photos Miki Kawaguchi/LIFE.14
From left: ACCJ Tourism and Hospitality Committee Vice-chair Mayumi Birt, Executive Director Laura Younger, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, ACCJ President Victor Osumi, and Tourism and Hospitality Committee Chair Stephen Zurcher
On October 8, more than 120 attendees joined the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) at the new JW Marriott Tokyo, part of the East Japan Railway Company’s Takanawa Gateway City development, for a discussion about ways to reimagine Japan’s inbound tourism.
Hosted by the ACCJ Tourism and Hospitality Committee, the event kicked off with a keynote by Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike, who highlighted how the city is leading the way as a global tourism destination under its Tokyo 2050 Strategy.
Following Koike’s extensive presentation, committee Chair Stephen Zurcher moderated a thought-provoking discussion on the future of tourism in Japan with three tourism and hospitality leaders:
Dr. Tadayuki Hara associate professor and senior research fellow at the University of Central Florida’s Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies
Yoshiya Amanai, manager of the marketing headquarters for the East Japan Railway Company’s Shinagawa Community Development Division
Christopher Clark, general manager of JW Marriott Tokyo
With Japan welcoming 28.38 million visitors for the year through August, and a target of 60 million annual visitors by 2030, this event came at a critical point for the country’s hospitality and tourism industry.
Key themes discussed include:
Melding traditional omotenashi hospitality with data-driven, connected-city strategies.
Cross-sector collaboration among hospitality, rail, and urban planning.
Leveraging Japan’s existing rail network to expand tourism beyond the Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka “Golden Route.”
A focus on high-value, experience-driven tourism and repeat visitors.
Practical ways to fill critical staffing gaps and cultivate multilingual, digitally fluent teams.
The ACCJ extends a sincere thank-you to Governor Koike, our distinguished panelists, and all the attendees, as well as JW Marriott Tokyo for its support of this event.
Osaka to Orbit
Japan’s space sector charts a bold course at Expo 2025.
Japan’s space sector charts a bold course at Expo 2025.
Photos Andy Boone
On August 19, 2025, the Kansai chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) hosted a landmark panel discussion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. Members, guests, and the general public gathered inside the USA Pavilion for “Osaka to Orbit,” an event at which four distinguished leaders from Japan’s space industry explored the nation’s expanding role in low earth orbit commercialization, orbital sustainability, and aerospace innovation in a panel discussion moderated by Toshio Ono of Boeing Research & Technology Japan.
Voices from the Final Frontier
The discussion opened with remarks from Dr. Koichi Wakata, chief technology officer at Axiom Space and Japan’s most experienced astronaut. Wakata, who has spent more than 500 days in space and served as the first Japanese commander of the International Space Station (ISS) reflected on his early fascination with space, sparked by a 1973 Gakken children’s encyclopedia, and traced Japan’s evolution from a peripheral player in space exploration to a central contributor to the future of orbital infrastructure. He introduced Axiom’s ambitious plan to construct the world’s first commercial space station, which will succeed the aging ISS. The Axiom Station is designed to support microgravity research, in-space manufacturing, and orbital data centers, offering a platform for both scientific advancement and commercial enterprise. Wakata emphasized that Japan’s technical expertise and international partnerships position it to play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of human spaceflight.
Nobu Okada, founder and chief executive officer of Astroscale Holdings, addressed the increasingly urgent issue of space debris. “As there was no existing market, I took on the challenge,” he explained. Examples of about 1,600 new pieces of debris created by major rocket and satellite fragmentations in the second half of 2024 alone were shown. While Astroscale focuses on large debris, NASA estimates more than 100 million objects of one millimeter or smaller exist. In some cases, they can collide with other objects at over 100 times the speed of a bullet. Okada presented Astroscale’s suite of on-orbit servicing technologies, including debris removal, satellite life extension, and inspection capabilities. Okada framed space sustainability not only as a technical challenge but also as a moral and generational imperative. He called on younger innovators to view orbital cleanup as both a societal responsibility and a viable business model, stressing that the long-term viability of space commerce depends on maintaining a safe and navigable orbital environment.
Koichi Yonemoto, cofounder and chief technology officer of Space Walker Inc., introduced Japan’s first reusable suborbital spaceplane initiative. With a similar silhouette to the US space shuttle, more reusable parts would save time and costs. With technical leadership drawn from the Kyushu Institute of Technology and the Tokyo University of Science, Space Walker aims to democratize access to space through tourism, scientific payload delivery, and small satellite launches. Yonemoto outlined a phased development timeline leading to orbital missions and even space tourism over the next 10 to 20 years, supported by strategic partnerships with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Toray Industries, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, better known as JAXA. He emphasized that the company’s regional manufacturing base in Fukushima and its planned launch operations in Hokkaido position Space Walker as a catalyst for regional revitalization and industrial diversification.
Osamu Aoki, president and chief executive officer of Aoki Co., Ltd., provided a grounded perspective from Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. Aoki’s company, based in Higashi-Osaka, supplies precision components for Astroscale’s servicing satellites and Space Walker’s vehicles. As the smallest Boeing-certified factory in the world, Aoki proudly underscored the value of craftsmanship, proposal-driven engineering, and workforce development. He described his company’s approach to manufacturing as deeply rooted in monozukuri—the Japanese philosophy of making things with spirit and precision. Aoki challenged the audience to recognize the strategic importance of Japan’s SME ecosystem in sustaining a competitive and resilient space economy.
The panel concluded with a lively Q&A session, during which audience members engaged with the speakers on topics ranging from launch site strategy and international collaboration to the role of public–private partnerships in accelerating innovation. The discussion revealed a shared optimism about Japan’s trajectory in space and a collective commitment to ensuring that its contributions are both technologically advanced and socially responsible.
Future Visions
The sold-out Osaka to Orbit event offered a vivid glimpse into Japan’s vision for space—a domain with no boundaries or limits—thanks to the efforts of the ACCJ–Kansai Business Programs, the ACCJ–Chubu Aerospace and Mobility, and the ACCJ Aerospace and Defense Committees, as well as the support of the US Consulate General Osaka–Kobe. From astronauts and entrepreneurs to engineers and machinists, the panelists embodied a unified vision: that space is no longer a distant aspiration but a tangible frontier—one that begins in Osaka and extends far beyond. The ACCJ also thanks Electroimpact, Takata International, MGM Resorts, and Jupiter International Corporation for their generous support, enabling the chamber to take part in Expo 2025’s showcase of global innovation and affirming that Japan’s space sector is not only ready to participate in the next era of exploration but to help lead it.
Chubu Walkathon 2025
The ACCJ Chubu chapter hosted the 34th annual Walkathon on May 18 in Nagoya’s Meijo Park to support local charities and improve the lives of the less fortunate.
ACCJ members and guests gather in Nagoya’s Meijo Park to benefit local charities.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Chubu chapter hosted the 34th annual Walkathon on May 18 in Nagoya’s Meijo Park.
Held each year in collaboration with Nagoya International School, the mission of the Chubu Walkathon is to support local charities and improve the lives of the less fortunate by creating an opportunity to increase awareness, recruit volunteers, and raise funds at a family-friendly, international outdoor event.
“Your contributions help transform and support the lives of many individuals through the charitable organizations we assist, including individuals living with illness or disabilities, mothers and children affected by domestic violence, and children in need of educational support,” said Nao Geisler, chair of the 34th Chubu Walkathon Planning Committee and the ACCJ–Chubu Community Service Committee (pictured below, top center).
“This year’s event was a tremendous success, offering a meaningful opportunity for many attendees to create memories with their families and friends. We deeply appreciate your continued support and look forward to welcoming you again at next year’s 35th Anniversary Walkathon.”
2025 ACCJ Shinnenkai
ACCJ members and guests ushered in the Year of the Snake with two Shinnenkai celebrations, one at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on January 23 and another at the InterContinental Osaka on January 31.
Members and guests ushered in the Year of the Snake at celebrations in Tokyo and Kansai.
Photos by Shiomi Toru/LIFE.14 (Tokyo) and Rie Watson/Clickmark (Kansai)
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) ushered in the Year of the Snake with two Shinnenkai celebrations, one at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on January 23 and another at the InterContinental Osaka on January 31.
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 Japanese and US governments.
In Tokyo, ACCJ President Victor Osumi gave opening remarks, followed by Alan Turley, minister-counselor for commercial affairs from the US Embassy Tokyo. They were then joined by Japan-US Business Council Chairman and Keidanren Vice-Chair Jun Sawada, ACCJ Chairman Christopher LaFleur, and ACCJ Executive Director Laura Younger to give the kampai, with sake kindly provided by Suigei Brewery.
In Kansai, ACCJ Vice President–Kansai Jiro Kawakami delivered opening remarks before a ceremony to hand Food Bank Kansai (FBK) the key to a van donated through the ACCJ Community Service Fund in January. The van is used to deliver food to those in need. The handover included remarks from ACCJ Governor–Kansai Simone Thomsen, who is also president and representative director of Eli Lilly Japan, and a thank-you message from FBK’s Maki Nakashima.
Jason Cubas, consul general at the US Consulate General Osaka-Kobe, gave a kampai speech before the room erupted with cheer during the kagami-biraki, joined by Kobe Tourism Bureau Chairman Motoi Oyama and ACCJ-Kansai leaders.
Here’s to a year of collaboration with our members and partners as we continue the strong and vibrant US–Japan partnership in 2025 and beyond!
Networking for Tomorrow
The ACCJ closed out 2024 with its final signature event of the year, an exciting night of networking and honors in the Hilton Tokyo's Kiku Ballroom.
The ACCJ closes out 2024 with an evening of honors and connections
The Kiku Ballroom at the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku erupted on December 5 with vivid lights, pulsing sounds, and the chatter of future business deals being made as the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) closed out 2024 with its final signature event of the year.
ACCJ President Victor Osumi took to the stage to the beats of the Top Gun theme as he welcomed everyone to Bridging to the Future: Networking for Tomorrow, a cocktail-style reception that brought together more than 260 ACCJ members and guests.
“This event is a moment to recognize our achievements, strengthen our network, and express gratitude to all of you here—and also those not here tonight—who made 2024 a success,” said Osumi.
Next, to mark the incredible achievements of chamber members, ACCJ Vice President Sarah Bader, Vice President–Kansai Jiro Kawakami, and Vice President–Chubu Robert Roche joined Osumi on stage to present the 2024 ACCJ Leaders and Volunteers of the Year awards (more on page 13).
“It has been a tremendous year full of accomplishments and connections,” said Osumi as he closed out the presentation segment of the evening. “As we look to the future, let’s continue to forge partnerships and bring progress and grace to a future of excellence.”
With formalities concluded, attendees indulged in the Hilton Tokyo’s culinary artistry while enjoying the beats of DJ Milky B and forming new connections in Japan’s vibrant business community.
May 2024 Event Highlights
View a collection of photos from the ACCJ’s May 2024 events.
From left: Alternative Foreign and Direct Investment (AFDI) Committee Chair Paul Lee, ACCJ President Victor Osumi, Director-General of the Office of Foreign Direction Investment Promotion at the Cabinet Office Mitsuru Myochin, and Special Adviser Jennifer Rogers are seen together after the AFDI event on May 27 at Tokyo American Club.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan hosted a wide variety of events in May. Among these were:
- How Intensified US-China Strategic Competition Is Reshaping Indo-Pacific Economic Interdependence
- Preparing for the AI Revolution: Executive Business Briefing with Joe Hart, Dale Carnegie President and CEO
- Breakfast in the Boardroom: Breaking Barriers in Japan’s Corporate Leadership
- International Spring Meet and Greet in Kobe
- The 33rd ACCJ/NIS Chubu Walkathon
- PMDA’s International Vision in New Midterm Targets
- Promoting FDI in Japan: A Discussion with Mitsuru Myochin, Director-General, Office of FDI Promotion, Cabinet Office
- IBM’s Compliance Landscape: Building a Culture of Trust and Integrity in a Global Organization
Here are some of our favorite highlights.
2024 DC Doorknock
During the 2024 DC Doorknock, ACCJ delegates met with leaders in Washington, DC, to discuss security, economic, and strategic partnerships.
The 2024 ACCJ DC Doorknock delegates gather in front of the US Capitol.
From June 3 to 6, American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) leaders made their visit to Washington, DC, as part of the chamber’s annual DC Doorknock visits. These trips are an important part of the ACCJ’s advocacy efforts and strengthen US–Japan relations.
ACCJ President Victor Osumi was joined by Special Advisor Steve Briggs, Governor Hans Klemm, Chairman Christopher LaFleur, Executive Director Laura Younger, and Bank of America's Tamao Sasada.
April 2024 Event Highlights
View a collection of photos from the ACCJ’s April 2024 events.
ACCJ President Victor Osumi, CEO Forum members, Young Professionals Forum leaders, and speakers from the Learning from Executives event after the CEO Forum x YPF Collaboration event at the Otemachi One Tower on April 24.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan hosted a wide variety of events in April. Among these were:
- Navigating Cybersecurity Staffing Challenges in Japan
- It’s a Small World: A Multinational Networking Event
- Marketing Teams that Drive Transformation: Lessons from Panasonic Connect
- Ten Points on Business Dinner with Jim Weisser
- Earth Day 2024
- ACCJ/NAJAS Business Leaders Series with Steve Briggs, Kraft Heinz president for Northeast Asia
- Law Enforcement and Foreign Residents: A Look at the Tokyo Bar Association Study
- Learning from Executives Series (CEO Forum x YPF Collaboration Event)
Here are some of our favorite highlights.
March 2024 Event Highlights
View a collection of photos from the ACCJ’s March 2024 events.
ACCJ leaders and inspirational mentors Sarah Bader, Ginger Griggs, Elizabeth Handover, Deborah Hayden, Azusa Koike, Mari Matthews, and Catherine Ohura shared lessons on career-building and more at an event honoring International Women’s Day on March 13 event at Tokyo American Club.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan hosted a wide variety of events in March. Among these were:
- The Evolving Healthcare Landscape: Trends in the Use of Medicines and Customer Engagement in Japan
- Executive Perspectives on the Post-Covid Workplace
- Japan Fintech Festival x ACCJ FinTech Panel
- Miracles through Partnership: Improving Japanese Healthcare through Collaboration and Entrepreneurship
- Speed Mentoring to Celebrate International Women’s Day
- How Can Successful M&A Unlock the Potential of Companies in Japan?
- The Likability Advantage
- The Future of Television: Streaming and Disruption in the Media Industry
- Cybersecurity Lessons from Ukraine
- Business Strategy Series: From Nada to the World: Learning from Hakutsuru Shuzo's Overseas Strategy
Here are some of our favorite highlights.
February 2024 Event Highlights
View a collection of photos from the ACCJ’s February 2024 events.
The Women in Business and Kansai Diversity & Inclusion Committees held the WIB Learn from Examples Series: Unveiling the Power of DEI in Corporate Success at Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim (NBI) Co., Ltd.’s Kobe Pharma Research Institute on February 15.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan a hosted wide variety of events in February 2024. Among these were:
- From Import Niche to Mainstream Hit: How Haribo Goldbears Cracked Japan’s Convenience Stores and Reached No. 1
- Entrepreneurs vs. Corporate Giants: A Look Ahead at Japan’s Economic Future
- WIB Learn from Examples Series: Unveiling the Power of DEI in Corporate Success at Nippon Boehringer Ingelheim Co., Ltd.
- Unlocking Sustainable Futures: A Deep Dive into Carbon Accounting
- Fireside Chat with Hiroyuki Otsuka, founder and chief executive officer of Newton Investment Partners (former deputy head of Carlyle Japan)
- Chubu Children’s Fund Charity Lunch
- Regulatory Innovation in the Cloud: Accelerating Critical Therapies to Citizens of the World
- Kansai CEO Series: Canvas to Corporation: Unleashing the Power of Art in Business
Here are some of our favorite highlights.
