Issue:
Regular member
Dan Orlowitz
Freelance
Dan Orlowitz has written about Japanese soccer since the spring of 2007, when he became a long-suffering FC Tokyo fan following the first of countless games he's attended at Ajinomoto Stadium.
He began his career as a blogger before transitioning to writing, editing and photography work at several international and domestic web outlets.
Most recently, he spent five years at the Japan Times sports desk, where the scope of his work expanded to include written and multimedia coverage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and a variety of other events and disciplines.
Dan frequently appears on English-language radio, television and online outlets as an expert commentator, and strives to convey the importance of sports to the world's understanding of Japanese culture and society.
He earned his interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in 2006 from Bard College at Simon's Rock. A Philadelphia native, he enjoys gaming (both tabletop and video), maker culture and other creative pursuits.
Associate member
Simon Astley
BAE Systems Japan GK
Simon leads Communications for BAE Systems across Asia promoting the company to stakeholders in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia. This includes building relationships with the media and organising BAE Systems' presence at promotional events and exhibitions. Simon served as Head of Communications for Asia from 2015-18 and returned to the role in 2022.
A PR professional with over 30 years' experience, his other roles at BAE Systems include Head of Communications for continental Europe, South America and Canada and Director of UK Parliamentary Relations. Simon was Head of Government Relations for Airbus Helicopters in the UK and prior to BAE Systems worked for 10 years in public affairs in front line politics and the construction industry.
Simon believes that building relationships is the key to his role and joined the JFCC to try and meet new friends and colleagues. BAE Systems is a global defence, security and aerospace company active across 80 countries providing the full spectrum of defence equipment and capability from the depths of the oceans to space, including cyber security.
Associate Member
Takeshi Komazawa
CEO, Sakura Sake Shop, Inc.
2002-2003: Exchange student at the Australian National University
2005-2007: Worked as a bartender in Hong Kong
2007-2013: Worked at Hasegawa Saketen in Tokyo
2013: Founded Sakura Sake Shop Inc.
Inspired by his exchange program in Australia, Komazawa was driven by a passion to share Japanese culture abroad. Together with his university classmate, he founded the sake specialty shop in 2013. Today, he exports premium sake to 20 countries and regions around the world. Additionally, he regularly hosts sake events at the FCCJ's Masukomi Sushi Bar. He holds a WSET Level 3 Sake qualification and is a kikisake-shi (Certified Sake Sommelier).
