Issue:
February 2025
The FCCJ marks the start of the year with the successful post-pandemic return of Hacks & Flacks
After a five-year hiatus the legendary Hacks & Flacks shinnenkai returned with a vengeance, attracting 250 people to celebrate the New Year, reconnect with old friends and make new ones.
First held in 2008, Hacks & Flacks paused during the pandemic, but was never forgotten. It has always been one of the early highlights of the year – a chance for journalists (the hacks) and PR professionals (the flacks) to connect with each other in a casual and festive atmosphere.
The event kicked off with a welcome speech by FCCJ President Dan Sloan, who shared his thoughts on the year ahead and welcomed a diverse crowd of members and their guests. He then introduced a surprise guest, Diet member Kono Taro, who reminded us that the new session of the Diet would start the following day, and to expect some drama.
Dan, Kono-san, and Kazuo Kodama, President of the Foreign Press Center Japan, cracked open a Born Sake barrel kindly provided by Katoukichibee Shouten. The festivities kicked off in style, with free-flowing drinks and tasty food prepared by ANAC.
With a full house, the energy was palpable. Lots of business cards were exhanged by people meeting for the first time, or in some cases, those who have changed jobs and were catching up after many years.
“Hacks & Flacks was a great chance to catch up with colleagues I haven't seen in a long time and make lots of new and interesting connections,” said journalist and Regular Member Dan Orlowitz. “I hope the organizing committees can keep the momentum going throughout the year.”
As the guests mingled, Dan brought The Yokohama Sisters, a quintet of singers, up to the stage for some musical entertainment with classic hits such as Hot Stuff, Dancing Queen and La Bamba.
It was great to see both hacks and flacks mingling “off the record” in a fun and casual atmosphere. We hope everyone who attended spread the word about how the FCCJ is a great place to relax and do business.
Although most of the attendees were journalists and PR professionals, there was also a good showing from Associate Members and invited guests, some of whom had never been to the Club before. We hope some of them will apply for membership.
Non-member guest Jeff Roah, president of Roah Consulting, said: “I was impressed by the both the facilities at FCCJ and the conviviality of the diverse group who gathered here tonight. The music was fun, as was watching some of the guests enjoying themselves on the dancefloor.”
Looking back at the event, Sloan said: "The party is our yearly community moment, when all the strengths of the FCCJ are on display – an excellent network of newsmakers and professionals, compelling infotainment that makes memories, and an undeniable value of membership. It's the night when our age is an asset."
Special thanks must go to the generous sponsors for the evening: Riedel Japan, Asahi Breweries, Katoukichibee Shouten (Born Sake), JVCKenwood, NIKKEI Asia, and ANA Catering Service. Congratulations, too, to the winners of the door prizes.
It was a great way to kick off the new year and, hopefully, the start of a new streak of Hacks & Flacks lasting many years into the future. See you there in January 2026!
Gary Bremermann is an Associate Member of FCCJ and a Tokyo-based recruiter and career coach.
