Issue:
The current FCCJ Board of Directors is winding down its tenure with elections scheduled for all offices at the end of this month; I sincerely hope if you are not running that you will consider joining or leading one of our many committees, whose work I always try to highlight. All members are welcome to join our General Membership Meeting at month’s end when the election results will be announced and key Club developments will be shared.
The FCCJ hosted the chair of the Committee to Protect Journalists and then held its annual Freedom of the Press Awards in late May. These events are essential to one of our core mandates in Japan - advancing the practice and freedom of journalism everywhere. This role can also be seen at our PAC events, and I would like to thank staff members Akiko Saikawa and Michiko Nukina, as well as co-chairs Martin Fackler and Eric Johnston, for their hard work in keeping our schedule interesting and timely. Among upcoming speakers to note are the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, former student leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Movement Wu'er Kaixi, the head of New Japan Pro Wrestling, and - hopefully - a recent prime minister of Japan. More on that soon.
We have begun our fundraising program in earnest, and I would like to deeply thank those members who have privately contacted the Club about donations, putting the FCCJ into their future estates, or indicated willingness to connect their organizations with us. These are the key first steps that will ensure the FCCJ is around for another 80 years with great guests and activities. Future boards will continue these efforts, but it was an essential first step launched this year.
Finally, I would like to share my appreciation for all members and staff for their efforts to make a better FCCJ. We’re not in a perfect place yet, but are making progress that I am certain will be continued by future Boards. It’s been a pleasure and honor to serve again, and I sincerely hope you had many chances to enjoy the Club and its many charms.
Best regards,
Dan Sloan
FCCJ President
