Why join the FCCJ?

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ) was founded in 1945 to provide housing and the opportunity to socialize for journalists reporting on events of post-war Japan. Today, the FCCJ is one of the world’s leading media collectives, the peer of institutions like the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Our membership includes about 500 journalists who represent most of the world’s leading media outlets as well as major Japanese media. Overall, we have about 1,800 members, including many well-known figures in business, government and the diplomatic corps.

 

Benefits:

Two Memberships for the Price of One

Members may designate their spouse, or spouse-equivalent, to receive a membership card for the use of club facilities and services on the member's account. The member is responsible for all charges incurred by their spouse/spouse-equivalent.

Tax Deduction

As a “Koeki Shadan Hojin” (Public-Interest Incorporated Association), initiation fees, monthly dues and special levies paid by Professional Associate & Associate members may be treated as donations. For such donations, the Club can issue tax deduction certificates, potentially enabling members to make a claim against the donations when submitting annual tax returns (or residential tax). Contact your tax accountant or local tax office for further information and to confirm your eligibility.

  • The applicable payment period is from January 1 - December 31, annually.
  • The tax deduction* is calculated as: (Total applicable payment** - 2,000 yen) x 40%

         *Upper limit: 25% of total income tax payment. **Upper limit: 40% of total income

Access to Members-Only Professional and Social Events

Access to press luncheons and conferences. Notable speakers from the past include General Douglas McArthur, the Dalai Lama, Jimmy Carter, George Bush Sr., Jacques Chirac, and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.  More recent speakers include the film director Oliver Stone, singer/songwriter Cyndi Lauper, Italian football star Roberto Baggio, Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Junichiro Koizumi, Shinzo Abe, Yuriko Koike, and almost every other influential Japanese government minister since the club was founded.

Associate Membership Transfer

Associate members who meet terms and conditions may transfer their membership to another individual in place of resigning from membership. Further, an Associate member who was the recipient of a membership transfer from their parent/parent-in-law may designate their parent/parent-in-law to receive a membership card for use of the club facilities.

Library Services

  • Extensive collection of books, journals, newspapers, and movies
  • Free access to premium databases including WSJ and Nikkei
  • Audio archives of press conferences and selected Club events
  • Work space for Regular Members and Guest Journalists only
  • Exclusive workroom
  • Research support and interview arrangements
  • Journalist Information Service informing Members about media events in Tokyo and the Kanto region

Dining and Parties

  • Various dining and event facilities available to members and guests
  • Main Bar: Casual venue with affordable prices and live music performances on Saturday nights
  • Pen & Quill: Fine dining with views of the Imperial Palace, featuring holiday-themed dinners
  • Masukomi Sushi Bar: Exquisite Japanese cuisine in modern atmosphere
  • Priority reservation and competitive rates on banquet and meeting facilities

Arts and Culture

  • Film screenings including exclusive sneak previews of new releases. One example was the first-ever Japan screening of The Cove that later won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2010.  Japanese film screenings include talks with directors and stars.
  • Award-winning monthly art and photo exhibitions
  • Events with famous authors, singers and artists
  • Periodically arranged golf tournaments

Special Events and Services

  • Press tours to locations such as Iwo Jima, automotive factories, and whale hunting villages
  • Industry roundtables
  • “Book Breaks” featuring talks by authors
  • The Deep Dive series offers in-depth perspectives from leading experts on key business and social issues
  • New website offering live streaming, connectivity to social media sites, and the Number 1 Shimbun with links to articles by Club Members. (Includes access to Members-only content.) 

 

Entertainment

  • Museum visits
  • “Saturday Lunch with Shakespeare,” including talks by scholars and media personalities
  • Discount tickets for theater and Broadway musicals with pre-performance brunch and champagne
  • Vaudeville-style traditional rakugo and pop culture events
  • Themed cuisine and entertainment such as Cuban Night, Hawaiian Night, Gourmet Evening and Beer Night
  • Wine and sake tastings

Other