Issue:
Regular Member
Jessica Sier
The Australian Financial Review
Jessica Sier is the North Asia Correspondent for The Australian Financial Review, based in Tokyo Japan. Jessica covers geopolitics and macroeconomics across Japan, China and South Korea. Prior to her posting in Japan, Jessica was a technology journalist and has previously covered capital markets and economics.
Associate Member
Dobie Wing Kit Cheung
Masuya Corporation
My name is Dobie Wing Kit Cheung, commonly known as Dobie. After a long career in fintech and banking in Tokyo, I transitioned in a later chapter of my professional life to focus on sustainable design and documenting the topics that deeply resonate with me. I am currently a Green Rater for the USGBC, specializing in LEED Certification for building design.
In parallel with my professional work in sustainable building design, I actively pursue my deep passion for photography, with a particular focus on studio and street photography. I also engage in short film-making, documenting daily life and diverse perspectives through my dedicated channel, "On the Street Level." This platform reflects my commitment to capturing authentic narratives and shedding light on often unseen aspects of everyday life.
Furthermore, the preservation of Japanese Kominka is a continuous and significant activity for me. As a dedicated member of the Japan Minka Revival Association, I am committed to reviving these vital cultural assets and preventing their destruction. Documenting the restoration and preservation efforts undertaken by like-minded individuals forms a crucial part of my passionate work. Through a storytelling approach utilizing photography and documentary film-making, I aim to raise awareness and encourage the preservation and appreciation of these important cultural assets.
As a prospective press and journalism member of the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan (FCCJ), I hope to contribute actively to the Club's fundamental role as a platform for unfettered reporting and journalistic inquiry across a diverse range of topics. My experience in visual storytelling and my commitment to documenting authentic narratives align directly with the principles of journalism.
I reside in Tokyo with my Japanese family.
Education & Credentials:
● BS in Engineering (USA)
● MS in MBA and Japanese Architectural Design (UK)
● Graduate of the New York Institute of Photography
● USGBC Green Rater for Home Design
● Licensed Architect in Japan
Recent Activities:
● Participant in "Hot Shots" Arts Exhibition, M Place, Tokyo
● Columnist for the Japan Minka Revival Association
Associate Member
David Macdonald
DJMAC GK
David Macdonald, Representative of DJMAC GK, is an independent consultant specializing in cross-cultural solutions for media and tech companies. With over 25 years of experience, he facilitates media production and distribution to and from Japan, using technology to develop new business models.
Macdonald's understanding of Japanese business practices began at NTT DoCoMo's i-mode service. He further developed his skills at Disney, YouTube, Discovery, Warner Bros. Discovery, and as an independent director of KADOKAWA Corporation.
At YouTube, he developed the creator ecosystem across Asia and established YouTube Spaces, which served as testbeds for emerging production technologies. As head of Discovery Japan, he led the company's transformation into a multiplatform content provider. He's particularly interested in Generative AI's potential to revolutionize content creation.
He holds degrees from the Royal Military College of Canada and the University of Sheffield, with executive education from INSEAD, Wharton, and Cornell. A long-time resident of Japan, David lives in Urayasu with his family. His journey in Japan began in Aomori, through the JET Program, an experience that sparked his enduring passion for the country.
Associate Member
Naoko Honma
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
I have seven years of experience in a PR company specializing in digital media, where I was involved in promoting theatrical releases. At Avex Entertainment Inc., I worked on digital promotions for movies, TV anime, DVDs, and artists. At Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., I was responsible for digital marketing for theatrical releases. After resuming work when my child turned one, I served as a promotional producer for stage productions at Avex Pictures Inc. In 2019, I joined Dentsu Inc.'s 11th Business Produce Division as a business producer, handling multiple clients. I Joined Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. in 2024. Currently, I am in charge of global public relations at Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
Yamaha Motor (TOKYO: 7272) aims to offer new excitement and a more fulfilling life for people all over the world under its corporate mission to be a Kando Creating Company. Since our founding in July 1955, we have called on our core competencies of powertrains, chassis and hulls, electronic control, and manufacturing in order to deliver to customers across the globe a wide variety of Kando-creating products born of our unique sense and technologies. Today, we are engaged in a multitude of businesses: the Land Mobility business encompasses our trademark motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, electrically power-assisted bicycles, and other vehicles; the Marine Products business offers boats, outboard motors, and more; the Robotics business handles surface mounters, drones, and other industrial machinery; and the Financial Services business provides product financing and other similar services. Yamaha Motor conducts development, production, and sales through approximately 130 group companies located in 30 countries and regions around the world to bring our products to customers in over 180 countries and territories. Accordingly, more than 90% of our consolidated sales revenue is generated overseas
I am eager to expand the network of global media in Japan. If I have the chance to meet you, I would love to say hello.
Associate Member
Kenichi Ihata
Daihatsu Co., Ltd.
Associate Member
Junko Kawano
Sofia Law Office
Junko Kawano, born on January 1, 1958, graduated from Chuo University's Faculty of Law in March 1980 and completed the Supreme Court Legal Training and Research Institute in March 1985. In April 1985, she was admitted to the Tokyo Bar Association and joined Cosmo Law Office (formerly Hayakawa & Associates). In October 1988, she became a Partner at the firm. In July 1997, Kawano established Sophia Law Office, where she continues to practice.
Kawano specializes in domestic law. Her practice areas are diverse, encompassing general corporate law, servicer directorship, debt collection, real estate transactions, construction disputes, public employee accident compensation, and family-related cases like inheritance and adult guardianship.
She also serves as an independet director of AKEBONO Servicer Co., Ltd. Her public positions include serving as Member of the Personal Information Protection Council for Nishitokyo (October 2007 - Present) and Machida (October 2013 - June 2016), Member of the Mitaka City Board of Education (May 2010 - May 2014), and Hearing Examiner for Sumida Ward (April 2016 - Present).
In her spare time, Kawano enjoys traveling and documents her visits to courts around the world (Asia, Europe, the United States, Peru, Istanbul, etc.) on her office's website.
Associate Member
Masatoshi Miyamoto
JVCKENWOOD Corporation
Associate Member
Kaoru Matsuo
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.
Kaoru Matsuo joined Yamaha Motor in 2020 after graduating from Fukuoka Jogakuin University with a degree in International Studies. During sophomore year of college, studied abroad at the University of Tennessee in Tennessee, USA.
Kaoru has over five years of experience in public relations, including corporate PR as well as product PR for eBikes. Currently resides in Shizuoka Prefecture, where Yamaha Motor is headquartered, and has been in charge of global public relations since 2025. As a global company with more than 90% of its consolidated sales overseas, Kaoru feels the importance of global public relations for Yamaha Motor and is working to expand the Yamaha brand in cooperation with the public relations departments of Yamaha Motor's overseas offices.
Outside of work, Kaoru has a currently interest in shrine and temples and enjoys go hiking and skiing.
Associate Member
Natsuko Matsumura
Lua Na Clinic
Dr. Natsuko Matsumura is the founder and director of Lua Na Clinic, located a short distance from Higashi-Ginza Station. She is a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon by the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (JSPRS), with extensive clinical experience in both university hospitals and private aesthetic clinics.
Dr. Matsumura established Lua Na Clinic with the intention of providing comprehensive, patient-centered care tailored to individuals across all life stages-from infants to the elderly. The clinic's name, derived from the Hawaiian term "Lua Na," meaning "to gather, enjoy, and be healed," reflects her vision of a space that is both therapeutic and welcoming.
The clinic offers a wide range of services, including minimally invasive surgical procedures, laser treatments, and pediatric dermatology, with a particular focus on the treatment of congenital skin conditions such as birthmarks. Dr. Matsumura places great emphasis on attentive communication, individualized care, and clinical excellence.
With a refined interior design and an emphasis on privacy and comfort, Lua Na Clinic strives to provide not only high-quality medical treatment, but also a restorative experience that supports both the physical and emotional well-being of each patient.
Associate Member
Shunsuke Nishimura
the Development Bank of Japan
Shunsuke Nishimura began his career at the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) in 2005. During his 20-year tenure at DBJ, he gained experience in corporate debt and equity financing, research, risk management, and internal business process planning. After earning his MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management in 2016, he was stationed in New York from 2016 to 2019, where he led financing for energy projects in the Americas and spearheaded a project to establish a local U.S. subsidiary.
Upon returning to Japan, Nishimura was appointed as an account manager at a local branch in his hometown of Hokuriku in 2021. From 2022 to 2023, he was seconded to Tateyama Kurobe Kanko (TKK), a tourism operator in Toyama Prefecture, where he led organizational transformation and improved the profit and loss structure as the head of the corporate planning department.
In 2023, he returned to DBJ to serve as Chief of Staff before transitioning to his current role as a manager of the Regional Investment Department in 2024. In this position, he manages an investment fund focused on the growth and business succession of mid-sized companies in Japan's regional areas. Additionally, he serves as an outside director for several investment companies.
Outside of work, Nishimura enjoys watching soccer, jogging, and cycling. With his children now grown, he recently took up golf and is practicing diligently.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Commerce from Hitotsubashi University (2005) and an MBA from the Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2016).
Reinstatement (Associate)
Shoichiro Eguchi
JVCKENWOOD Corporation
Reinstatement (Associate)
Makoto Honjo
Self Employed
I am an alumnus of Sumitomo Corporation, a sogo shosha I worked for 40 years. I was the FCCJ Kanji between 2016-2020, and retired from the Club subsequent to the publication of the 2020 Kanji report to concentrate on the care of my wife Ann Sado. Some of you would probably remember Ann. I have re-joined the Club partly because Ann passed away in July last year and I have more time on my hands, but also because of the press conferences and other activities that the Club organizes and provides.
