FCCJ ELECTION 2026
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND KANJI CANDIDATES
June 10, 2026
Below are the candidates for the 2026-2027 Board of Directors and Kanji election.
The six Regular member candidates and three Professional Associate or Associate member candidates with the largest number and a majority of votes shall be elected as Directors. In addition, one Regular Kanji and one Professional Associate or Associate Kanji will also be elected.
The election results will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on June 25.
*Alphabetical order
Candidates for Directors from Regular Members
1. Khaldon Azhari, PanOrient News
Nominated by Robert Whiting, seconded by Svendrini Kakuchi
2. Harry Dempsey, Financial Times
Nominated by Leo Lewis, seconded by David Keohane
3. Martin Fackler, Knopf Doubleday Publishing
Nominated by David McNeill, seconded by Robert Whiting
4. Chris Gilbert, Freelance
Nominated by Jake Adelstein, seconded by Elizabeth Beattie
5. Avi Gokool, Freelance
Nominated by Suvendrini Kakuchi, seconded by Chie Matsumoto
6. Michiyo Nakamoto, Freelance
Nominated by Anthony Rowley, seconded by Daniel Sloan
7. Peter Lyon, Forbes / Car & Driver
Nominated by Martin Fackler, seconded by Suvendrini Kakuchi
8. Daniel Sloan, Freelance
Nominated by Robert Whiting, seconded by Michiyo Nakamoto
Candidates for Directors from Associate and Professional Associate Members
1. John Flanagan, A+E Networks
Nominated by Simon Farrell, seconded by David M. Umeda
2. Kai Hielscher, Tokyo Holding LLC
Nominated by Simon Farrell, seconded by David M. Umeda
3. Milton Isa, Isa & Partners Co., Ltd.
Nominated by Joan Anderson, seconded by Taro Hashimoto
4. Michael King, King Enterprise GK
Nominated by Hiroshi Alley, seconded by Yukiko Matsushima
5. David M. Umeda, Freelance
Nominated by Simon Farrell, seconded by Gary Bremermann
6. Masayuki Watanabe, Miyake & Partners
Nominated by Simon Farrell, seconded by Yasuzo Takeno
Candidate for Kanji from Regular Members
1. Anthony Rowley, The South China Morning Post
Nominated by Khaldon Azhari, seconded by Michiyo Nakamoto
Candidate for Kanji from Professional Associate/Associate Members
1. Simon Farrell, Custom Media KK
Nominated by David M. Umeda, seconded by Shyam Bhardwa
The Board of Directors
Speak Out event 6:30 pm, Friday, June 12, 2026
FCCJ ELECTION NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS
May 7, 2026
Dear Members,
To prepare for the FCCJ Board of Directors election at the Annual General Membership Meeting in June, I've appointed an Election Committee comprising the following members:
* Yoshisuke Iinuma, Chair
* Hans Greimel
* Suvendrini Kakuchi
* Miho Ouyou
The committee supervises the election, ensures Club rules are followed, answers questions and counts votes.
The Election Committee will be sending out notices to inform all members of election procedures, deadlines and dates. Please watch for this in your inbox.
In addition, I encourage all members to consider running for office or serving on a Committee under the next Board of Directors.
If you have any questions about the election, please send an email to gmm2026@fccj.or.jp.
Dan Sloan
FCCJ President
