Dear members,

I write this note a day after our 80th anniversary party, when over 330 people came to the club and enjoyed a wonderful night with fantastic food, beverages, entertainment and prizes, and special guests from the world of journalism as well as Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.

The event was a testament to how deeply people value our organization and how even at our creaky age we can still throw a great party - check out the photographs. Special thanks goes to our hard-working staff and vendor ANAC, our General Manager Wayne Hunter, and to everyone who attended and helped us celebrate a big birthday. Thid issue of the Number 1 Shimbun has even more on the event and its importance, so please have a read.

In December, we are entering another busy month of club events and, I ‘m sure, members’ bonenkai. On the FCCJ’s schedule are PAC speakers on AI and the media, Japanese labor, Akita’s governor on the wave of bear attacks in the region, a rugby outing, as well as a screening and press conference with Shiori Ito and director Eric Nyari on their documentary Black Box Diaries. Even more will be added in coming days, so stay tuned and make your reservations early.

This board’s tenure is nearly at its halfway point, and we are still wrestling with how to leave the organization in a better place than the one we inherited. Fundraising is at the center of our mission. As Anthony Rowley, our treasurer, noted at the anniversary party, progress on this front is essential to a sustainable future for the club. If you or your organization are interested in assisting us in this process or even contributing, please contact any board member or the general manager. We would welcome your support, whatever for it takes.

We will have more to share on next steps at our Extraordinary General Membership Meeting in January, so please make plans to join us then. As with earlier meetings, all members, regardless of their classification, are welcome to attend.

Dan Sloan
President, FCCJ

Thank You!

The FCCJ gratefully acknowledges the following members and companies for support of the club’s 80th anniversary party.

  • Air New Zealand
  • Embassy of Egypt
  • Euro Box
  • Fuji Denko Company
  • Hakuhodo Inc.
  • Hayakawa Publishing Corporation
  • Hotel New Otani Tokyo
  • Inoue Public Relations Inc.
  • Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition
  • Japan-Afghanistan Association
  • Katoukichibee Shouten (Born Sake)
  • Mr. Katsunori Makino
  • Mr. Pema Gyalpo
  • Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
  • Shu-Chu Publishing Co.
  • Sunstar Inc.
  • Terene Inc.
  • TBS Television Inc.