Dear members

It has been my honor, after a near two-decade hiatus, to serve as president of our organization again. This was my third time in the role, and please know that despite our considerable challenges, we continue to have the greatest Press Club in the world, as well as a tremendous group of volunteers and staff dedicated to its success. Over the last 11 months, the Board of Directors has done its best to ensure that the FCCJ has greater value for you, and to secure its future in public and Club service.

This month we will hold our annual FCCJ elections, and I encourage everyone interested to run for office or raise your hand to join or lead a committee. We often rely on the same individuals to lead this organization or its teams, but an inflow of new members would be welcome and likely provide greater perspective on what remains to be done.

In that vein, I want to share a planned next step for our organization: a capital campaign to ensure our financial stability and longer-term opportunities. It has been clear from our changing member demographics and patterns of utilization that we must launch a fundraising initiative, as its success will have existential consequences for our venerable organization.

Frankly, the FCCJ is new to this endeavor, as we have always worried that direct marketing would compromise our journalistic integrity, even in appearance. However, considering the example of publicly funded media entities in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the need to ensure the club’s future, we will soon begin soliciting donations and sponsors who will forgo any direct editorial or managerial role to support the best and most vital journalistic organization in Japan.

We would welcome all ideas on how to make this campaign a winner in this, our 80th year, and anyone whom you think might be vital to its goals. Also, to commemorate this historic year, we will hold a fall anniversary gala in addition to hosting a number of speakers and events. The next president will be selecting chairpersons to spearhead our anniversary celebrations, and more on plans will be coming soon.

I would be remiss if I did not note the existential challenges that journalism itself is facing, which have been chronicled at PAC and film events, in the Number 1 Shimbun, as well as at our Freedom of the Press Awards ceremony in late May. These awards are part of the FCCJ’s efforts to promote free speech and informational exchange, including statements condemning censorship, harassment, or unlawful detention.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 2024 was the deadliest year to be a journalist in the organization’s history. The loss of life globally has not slowed so far this year. The FCCJ stands with those putting their futures on the line, as well as the many who in a very challenging professional environment provide vital information and content to keep the world in the know. May it always be so.

Thank you again for the opportunity to serve again.

Dan Sloan