Committees

Associate Members Liaison

Chairs: Simon Farrell & David Umeda
Board Liaison: Simon Farrell

The Associate Members Liaison Committee promotes the integration of the 1,600 Associate Members and Professional Associates with the main journalistic and professional activities of the Club. The transition to a Public Interest Association included the election in 2014 of three Associates to the Board of Directors to also widen the overall management expertise at the FCCJ.

DeRoy Memorial Scholarship Committee

Chairs: Martin Fackler
Board Liaison: Suvendrini Kakuchi

The DeRoy Memorial Scholarship Committee advises the board on disposition of the Club's scholarship fund, organizes workshops for students with an interest in journalism, meets with student members of the FCCJ, holds a fundraising party and the DeRoy Memorial Scholarship Contest. We celebrate our anniversary each year to remind us of our beginnings and to raise money for the DeRoy Scholarship Fund which provides support for young aspiring journalists.

Election (2024-2025)

Chairs: Yoshisuke Iinuma
Board Liaison: Suvendrini Kakuchi

The Election Committee acts as a neutral body to supervise all arrangements and procedures for the annual election, including verification of the eligibility of candidates, supervision of electioneering material, distribution of ballots in hard copy or electronically, provision of a ballot box or electronic voting mechanism, counting of ballots cast, and announcement of results.

Entertainment

Chairs: Simon Farrell & Jake Adelstein
Board Liaison: Simon Farrell

The Entertainment Committee provides eclectic programs including cultural, musical, and educational offerings, as well as gourmet nights of international cuisine and sake tasting events that bring together and satisfy the divergent FCCJ membership.

Film

Chair: Karen Severns
Board Liaison: Dan Sloan

The Film Committee screens the only ongoing series of English/Japanese subtitled| sneak previews in Japan, a carefully curated lineup of award-winning films featuring hard-hitting social documentaries, hardcore indie releases and crowd-pleasing commercial titles, with a range of high-profile guests and invaluable filmmaker Q&A sessions.

Finance

Chair: Anthony Rowley
Board Liaison: Anthony Rowley

Assists the Board and General Manager regarding Club finances.

Food & Beverage

Chairs: Shuri Fukunaga & Michiyo Nakamoto
Board Liaison: Shuri Fukunaga

The Food & Beverage Committee is dedicated to bringing the best in food and beverages to the Club, served at the Main Bar, the Pen and Quill, and the Masukomi Sushi Bar. 

Freedom of Press

Chair: David McNeill
Board Liaison: Randy Schmidt

The Freedom of Press Committee’s task is defined by Article 3 of the Articles of Association, which declares the FCCJ was established “to defend the freedom of the press and free exchange of information and, in so doing, to maintain and increase friendly relations and sympathetic understanding between Japan and other countries."

House & Property

Chair: Khaldon Azhari
Board Liaison: Khaldon Azhari

The House & Property Committee is one of the standing committees of the FCCJ, chaired by the first vice-president of the club. It deals with most aspects of our facility management, except for IT equipment.

Human Resources

Chair: Randy Schmidt
Board Liaison: Randy Schmidt

The Human Resources Committee assists the board and general manager regarding personnel and related matters, with the 2nd vice president as chair, understanding that all staff report to the general manager who implements all personnel policies and who reports to the board. The committee also acts as a grievance panel in staff disputes.

Information Technology (Web)

Chairs: Yusuke Wada & Hinza Asif
Board Liaison: Khaldon Azhari

Oversees the non-web related tech, including POS, accounting, the membership Database, PCs, servers and networks.

Maintaining, updating and making improvements to the Club's website, in coordination with the Publications Committee.

Library, Archives & Workroom

Chairs: Robert Whiting & Suvendrini Kakuchi
Board Liaison: Suvendrini Kakuchi

The Library Committee provides one of the most important services of the FCCJ-- organizing Book Break events on a monthly basis, inviting distinguished authors writing in English and Japanese, and compiling news resources and research.

Membership

Chairs: Randy Schmidt & TBD
Board Liaison: Randy Schmidt

The Membership Committee considers all applications for all categories of membership of the Club. It conducts regular reviews of all memberships to ensure members' qualifications are consistent with their status. The committee is actively concerned with maintaining and increasing membership and liaises closely with the Membership Marketing Committee.

Professional Activities (PAC)

Chairs: Tetsuo Jimbo, Martin Koelling
Board Liaison: Dan Sloan

The PAC Committee organizes press conferences and other events at the Club. Future events are decided by a group of working journalists that rotates every year.

Publications (No.1 Shimbun)

Chair: Justin McCurry
Board Liaison: David Umeda

The Publications Committee is responsible to supervise Club publications in any format. The Club's primary publication is the Number 1 Shimbun – available in print and online – showcasing articles by members of the Club on everything from global politics to Club news and activities.