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29th ANNUAL CHUBU WALKATHON
ACCJ members and delegates can still make a positive impact on the Chubu community by supporting the 29th annual Chubu Walkathon next month! The Walkathon will be livestreamed on Sunday, May 24, on the Chubu Walkathon Facebook page via Zoom. These local charities need our support more than ever, and with your help, we can make the Walkathon as successful for the community as in years past. Corporate sponsors can apply here. Individual donations are available through the ACCJ Member Data Center and the Walkathon website. T-shirt sales start on May 1. ACCJ sponsored charities are providing vital services to help communities in Japan combat the current health crisis. The following organizations have requested support from ACCJ members to help those most in need. If you'd like to donate, please contact the organizations at the e-mails below:
Tokyo Union Church: In need of volunteers and financial support Contact: Mr. Larry Mojumdar | 090-2216-1977 YouMeWe: In need of masks and alcohol spray Contact: Michael Clemons | michael@youmewenpo.org Second Harvest: In need of volunteers, financial funding, food, letters of encouragement Contact: Charles McJilton | charles@2hj.org YMCA: In need of meals for children and transportation services to transport food Contact: Hiroko Ohiwa | ohiwa.hiroko@japanymca.org 3/23/2020 Coronavirus: ACCJ Member Health & Safety / Important Updates to Events and Meetings CalendarRead Now UPDATED: March 23, 2020 at 10:45pm The ACCJ takes member health and safety seriously and is closely following developments related to the coronavirus. We are in close contact with the U.S. Embassy-Tokyo and will continue to provide updates to members and our community partners in the days and weeks to come. Important Updates to ACCJ Events and Meetings CalendarACCJ Meetings and Events
 ACCJ Activates Business Continuity NetworkAs a service to members, ACCJ has activated its Business Continuity Network to facilitate sharing of knowledge and best practices among member companies during this period of health and business challenges. ACCJ is hosting regular tele-conferences among HR and Business Continuity specialists at member organizations, and is sharing call summaries and periodic COVID-19 survey results with members. The ACCJ Business Continuity Network will evolve as needed based on member input as the current situation continues to develop. Member Survey: Best Practices Relating to COVID-19Between February 14-17, the ACCJ surveyed member companies to gather information on best practices in response to the Coronavirus. Survey results can be accessed in the Member Data Center. Contact membership@accj.or.jp for questions. See details below on how to access this document. 1. Log into the ACCJ Member Data Center 2. Go to the vertical menu on the left side of the page and click "Documents" 3. Click on the “Download” button next to “Novel Coronavirus Response: Key Findings from a Survey of US Companies in Japan” ResourcesWe encourage regular hand-washing and ask all members to use their best judgement during this time of elevated health risk. Please refer to the CDC's site to learn more about preventive measures. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html World Health Organization's Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) advice for the public: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public Embassy website with notices for U.S. citizens: https://jp.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/ Facebook for U.S. Citizens Services: https://www.facebook.com/ACSTokyo/ Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare information on Coronavirus (in English): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/newpage_00032.html Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare information on Coronavirus (in Japanese): 新型コロナウイルス感染症について https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/seisakunitsuite/bunya/0000164708_00001.html Tokyo Metropolitan Infectious Disease Surveillance Center (in Japanese): 東京都感染症情報センター http://idsc.tokyo-eiken.go.jp/diseases/2019-ncov/ JTA- Medical Institution Search Tool (English): https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html Coronavirus in Japan https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/alert/coronavirus-japan In response to member requests for alternate networking opportunities, and in response to COVID-19, The ACCJ Small and Medium Enterprise CEO Advisory Council has launched an enhanced Business & Services Directory. The goals of the Directory are to:
3/6/2020 ACCJ Taxation Committee Update: NTA extends declaration and payment deadlines to Thursday, April 16, 2020Read Now The ACCJ Taxation Committee would like to remind members that on February 27th, the Japan National Tax Agency (“NTA”) announced the deadline to file and pay the taxes for the 2019 individual income tax returns, consumption tax returns for individuals and sole proprietors, and gift tax returns would be extended to April 16, 2020. This measure is to prevent the potential for further spreading of the COVID-19 virus from large gatherings of people at the tax office trying to file their tax returns and pay their taxes by the original deadline. As the announcement does not contain details on the practical application and operation of the extension and there have been no further public announcements since the 27th, ACCJ members should consult with their Japan tax advisors to determine how this extension may or may not apply to their situations. Click here to read the announcement (in Japanese). We will post an English translation shortly.  Thanks to the support of our membership and sponsoring companies, the ACCJ was able to give over ¥7,000,000 to the 2019 ACCJ-supported charities at the Community Service Advisory Council's annual reception on February 19 at the ACCJ Tokyo Office. The ACCJ is committed to supporting the community in which we do business. That's why "community" is now an official ACCJ pillar. Look out for more information to follow on how ACCJ members contribute to the community over the coming months. For more information on the 2019 ACCJ-supported charities: https://www.accjcharityball.org/accj-community-service.html  The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) Kansai chapter is excited to announce a new partnership with WeWork. On January 8, the ACCJ-Kansai commenced operations two days a week at WeWork Sannomiya Plaza East in Kobe.
In addition, the ACCJ-Kansai has also started working out of WeWork Links Umeda in Osaka from February 5. The first ACCJ-Kansai event held in a WeWork location took place in Links Umeda on January 22nd. Over the next several months, the ACCJ-Kansai office will transition out of the Dojima Park location that has been our home base since 2007 and will operate full-time in the WeWork offices. Members interested in a tour and learning about our member support activities at WeWork should contact kansai@accj.or.jp. Stand by for future announcements about an open house, new member orientation, and networking events! Each year, the ACCJ honors members who have shown extraordinary dedication. ACCJ President Peter Fitzgerald presented certificates to those selected as Leaders and Volunteers of the Year on January 27.
12/12/2019 "Community" Added to ACCJ Core Pillars Codifying ACCJ Commitment to Responsible Corporate CitizenshipRead Now The ACCJ Board of Governors approved the addition of a fourth pillar to the ACCJ's core activities at its meeting on December 6, 2019. Complementing the long-standing pillars of Networking, Information-sharing, and Advocacy, and in line with the principles enshrined in the ACCJ Constitution, a fourth pillar called "Community" was added to emphasize the ACCJ's commitment to promoting and demonstrating responsible corporate citizenship in Japan. The ACCJ mission was also amended to codify this commitment.
The ACCJ and its members demonstrate good corporate citizenship through their companies’ own considerable efforts as well as through the ACCJ's support of local charities, an effort administered by the Community Service Advisory Council, the ACCJ’s efforts in relation to corporate governance, and the ACCJ's work on diversity and inclusion. The ACCJ will launch new activities in 2020 to showcase the efforts of its member companies. Going into 2020, we look forward to continuing to support the community in which we do business and working with all members to become exemplary corporate citizens. For more information about the ACCJ's commitment to the community or to apply to have your company's community-focused efforts highlight via ACCJ channels, please contact comms@accj.or.jp  On December 7, over 330 ACCJ members and guests spent an evening brimming with Olympic energy and excitement at 2019 ACCJ Charity Ball: A Gold Medal Evening! In the spirit of the 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, the gold medal theme channeled the camaraderie, pride, and community spirit of these inspiring sporting events—qualities ACCJ members embrace through their collaborative efforts to build a strong and connected business environment in Japan. In addition to its celebratory nature, the ACCJ Charity Ball is the Chamber’s primary avenue to give back to the communities in which we live and work. The ACCJ’s Community Service Advisory Council was established to ensure that philanthropy remains at the core of the Chamber’s values and how we conduct business in Japan. This year, the Council selected charities that support Japan’s children and homeless as the beneficiaries of your generosity. You can find more information on our charity partners here. The ACCJ wishes to thank our sponsors, individual donors, our members, and the Charity Ball Committee for making this evening and the resulting funds raised possible. Please see the full list of our generous sponsors below.   
Leader of the Year Award Winners
Ms. Yuka Nakamura – Kansai Chair of the Kansai Diversity & Inclusion Sub-committee Mr. Kevin Naylor – Tokyo Vice-Chair of the Charity Ball Committee Mr. Frank Packard – Tokyo Chair of the Alternative Investment Committee Volunteer of the Year Award Winners Mr. Ben Eichhorn – Chubu Ms. Tomoko Tagami – Kansai Mr. Tsugu Watanabe – Tokyo The leaders and volunteers of the year will be presented certificates at the January 2020 Leadership Forum (date to be confirmed). Stay tuned for more details on these awards and the recipients following the presentation ceremony in the New Year.
The ACCJ also wishes to congratulate ACCJ Honorary Member and former Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo James Zumwalt for being among the distinguished recipients of this award. See the full list of award recipients at this link.
Established in 1875, The Order of the Rising Sun Award is one of the most prestigious awards bestowed to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to promoting strong relations with Japan.
What are the real issues behind such terms as “data privacy,” “US-Japan trade,” or “drug pricing”? These sessions will help ACCJ members better understand timely business topics, increasing the Chamber-wide knowledge base. Industry experts will lead the briefings, which are designed for a general audience to walk away with five key points summarizing what all the “buzz” is about. The 2019 series will feature sessions on personal information protection, healthcare, and US-Japan trade (topics to be confirmed). The sessions are open to all ACCJ members. More information on the first two sessions in September are below. We look forward to seeing you at these special briefings. ************ Upcoming EA Briefing Sessions: Energy 101 Please join us for the first EA Briefing Series session of 2020 on the energy industry in Japan with Dr. Ken Haig, ACCJ Energy Committee Chair. Ken will give a presentation on energy policy and regulations, and why it is important for members and companies to be aware of recent changes in the energy industry. We look forward to seeing you there! Not familiar with this topic? That's exactly why you should join us! These sessions are designed for a general audience. After this session, you will walk away with five key points summarizing what all the “buzz” is about. Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 Time: 12:00–14:00 Venue: ACCJ Tokyo Office Board Room Member Fee: ¥2300 Guest Fee: ¥3300 Meal: Lunch included Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2020 12:00 (Noon) Registration: Click here to register ************ Competition Policy 101 The ACCJ External Affairs Department is committed to ensuring greater access to and understanding of the ACCJ's advocacy efforts. As part of this mission, we are continuing the EA Briefing Series, featuring “101” sessions on key advocacy topics. Please join us for the third session of this briefing series on Competition Policy with Mr. Eric Sedlak, ACCJ Vice President. He will discuss competition policy, and why it is important for companies of all sizes and across all industries to understand its impact on how they do business in the US, Japan and elsewhere. Not familiar with this topic? That's exactly why you should join us! These sessions are designed for a general audience. After this session, you will walk away with five key points summarizing what all the “buzz” is about. Date: Thursday, November 7, 2019 Time: 12:00–14:00 Venue: ACCJ Tokyo Office Board Room Member Fee: ¥2300 Guest Fee: ¥3300 Meal: Lunch included Registration/Cancellation Deadline: Friday, November 1, 2019 12:00 (Noon) ************ Personal Information Protection (Presentation in Japanese; no translation provided) Megumi Tsukamoto, Co-Chair of the Digital Economy Committee, will provide an overview of personal information protection policy and the ACCJ’s position on the topic. Date: Friday, September 6 Time: 12:00 – 14:00 Venue: ACCJ Boardroom Fee: ¥ 2,000 Guest Fee: ¥ 3,000 Language: Japanese ************ 2. Healthcare Reform 101 (Presentation in English) John W. Carlson III, Chair of the Healthcare Committee, will discuss medical fee and drug pricing reform and its impact on the innovative pharmaceutical & medical device industries. Date: Thursday, September 19 Time: 12:00 – 14:00 Venue: ACCJ Boardroom Fee: ¥ 2,000 Guest Fee: ¥ 3,000 Language: English
Tom was not only well known in Japan for his many contributions to the global business community, but also for his leadership, which was instrumental to the ACCJ's strategic pivot toward external engagement. He was a key driver in building the foundation of the ACCJ's current community service and external advocacy initiatives, which truly set the ACCJ apart from its counterparts in the region and enable more effective pursuit of the ACCJ's mission.
Tom is remembered with great fondness and will be missed by his many friends at the Chamber. We extend our gratitude and condolences to his family at this time. The ACCJ Journal will feature a special tribute to Tom in its October 2019 issue. If would like to contribute your remembrances and thoughts to this tribute, please contact comms@accj.or.jp by September 6.  On July 16, 2019, Ambassador William Hagerty announced his resignation as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The ACCJ and its members had numerous opportunities to work with Ambassador Hagerty during his tenure as US Ambassador to Japan and ACCJ Honorary President. We express our sincere appreciation to him for his many contributions to the American business community. On July 18, 2019, the ACCJ Board of Governors thanked Ambassador Hagerty on behalf of all ACCJ members during the U.S. Embassy's 4th of July Event at the Ambassador's residence. ACCJ President Peter Jennings presented Ambassador Hagerty with an official Certificate of Appreciation. See photos from the event in the gallery below.
Established in 1968, APCAC is the association of 28 American Chambers of Commerce in the Asia-Pacific region. APCAC’s collective membership represents over 15,000 businesses, over 50,000 overseas American workers and over 10 million employees.
Please click here for the full RFP and details on how to apply. The deadline for applications is July 22, 2019.
Following the constitutional process, James C. Feliciano, President, AbbVie GK, was identified as the next highest vote-winner in the November 2018 ACCJ Board of Governors election, and, according to the ACCJ Constitution, will serve the remainder of Alison's term as ACCJ Governor, ending December 31, 2019.
The ACCJ thanks Alison for her leadership throughout her time as an ACCJ member and Governor. Alison served as Vice Chair of the Transportation and Logistics committee as well as Co-Chair of the Communications Advisory Council. In addition, Alison has played a key role in the ACCJ's advocacy initiatives, attending the ACCJ's DC Doorknock for two consecutive years. The ACCJ welcomes James C. Feliciano to the Board and we look forward to his leadership and vision as a new Governor.
The ACCJ thanks Brett for all his support and friendship throughout his time as a member of the ACCJ, and the highly influential and constructive role he has played in strengthening US—Japan ties. His work has underlined the ACCJ as the premier business organization representing the U.S. and the international business community in Japan at a momentous time in the bilateral partnership.
The ACCJ welcomes Saori Kanno to the Board and looks forward to her leadership and vision as a new Governor. ACCJ President Sachin N. Shah discusses the upcoming talks on a US-Japan Trade Agreement and the importance of services and labor markets reform in an interview with Nikkei this weekend at (in Japanese): https://s.nikkei.com/2BvOPch
For more details, please click here.
U.S. companies that are not comfortable sharing in a public comment, can speak directly to USTR during this 30-day period. Please contact external@accj.or.jp to be connected to a USTR representative. My Fellow ACCJ Members,
Yesterday, the Board of Governors voted to approve a proposal presented under our key strategic initiative, member centricity, that addresses long-standing feedback from members, better aligns our sources of revenue to our member mix, and will modernize the way the ACCJ operates. The proposal:
Members will see improved value for money. In the proposal as it stands, a majority of members will see no change or reduced overall cost of membership. Importantly, the proposal does not involve any change to current member categories or the Constitution. Full specifics of the proposal are available here on the MVP website. These changes represent a big first step forward in meeting long-standing member feedback. With the recent announcement of bilateral trade discussions to begin between the U.S. and Japan, the enhanced member value proposition and modernization of the Chamber’s capabilities positions us to better focus on more relevant and stronger advocacy as the primary voice of American businesses in Japan. Thank you for what you do every day as members of the ACCJ. As always, please feel free to contact me at sshah@accj.or.jp. Sachin N. Shah ACCJ President Dear ACCJ Members,
Following an intense time of U.S.-Japan trade friction that many members will recall vividly, the U.S. and Japan economic partnership in recent years has become one of the strongest U.S. bilateral partnerships. Today, we are entering uncharted waters in U.S.-Japan economic relations as the two governments focus on areas to make bilateral trade more free, fair and reciprocal. With this as our backdrop, the Board identified relevant and strong advocacy as a strategic focus area with an emphasis on reinforcing the quality and agility of our advocacy efforts. To better enable and accelerate our advocacy efforts, the Board also sought to ensure we gave greater voice to and connect the “bottom-up” work of our committees with the CEOs of our member companies. Alongside the CEO Forum, we established the F500 CEO Advisory Council and the Small Company CEO Advisory Council earlier this year. By bringing our committees and CEOs to work together on vital issues, we are fostering closer engagement of committee leadership and senior leadership at member companies. This is strengthening the quality and agility of our advocacy efforts. Seat at the table These efforts to bring together our committees and our CEOs is already showing results. Earlier this summer, the Small Company CEO Advisory Council and the Taxation Committee identified an issue that has potential to have significant consequences on our small company members: the GILTI and Transition Tax, which were included in the 2017 US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Through their collaborative efforts, the ACCJ is now one of only a few organizations around the world that has identified this issue and drafted actionable recommendations to address it. Recognizing the need to act by presenting these recommendations to key policymakers, the Small Company CEO Advisory Council carried out its first Doorknock in Washington, D.C. September 13 and 14. In nearly 20 meetings with the US Congress and the US Department of the Treasury, Council Chair Harry Hill and Council Member Frank Packard represented Americans who own small businesses in Japan and abroad as they spoke to the reality of what these rules will mean for them and shared concrete recommendations to alleviate their impact. As a result of their efforts, the ACCJ is now working with the US Treasury to further explore a possible remedy. This Doorknock is a superb example of Chamber advocacy acting in its best form- quickly and effectively on behalf of our members. The achievement is best explained in an interview posted on the ACCJ website and our social media channels in which Frank shares how well the ACCJ delegation was received: “There is a lot of interest in what we have to say, what our Taxation Committee has to say. We have a seat at the table.” Relevant dialogue Work is also ongoing in our other cross-cutting advocacy themes. In response to the rise of work style reform on the Government of Japan’s agenda, the Chamber is once again playing an active role by sharing global best practices and presenting actionable recommendations on workforce productivity – a key advocacy theme across the Chamber. On September 19, the Human Resource Management Committee published its viewpoint on the business case for marriage equality, which has gained the support of four other foreign chambers of commerce and is sparking debate through press coverage on this issue. The ACCJ F500 CEO Advisory Council is also contributing to advocacy around workforce productivity and is set to release its recommendations on how Japan can continue to build upon the momentum created by the workstyle reform legislation passed by the Japanese Diet this summer. Member-driven Thanks to the expertise of our committees and CEO Councils, the ACCJ plays a critical and informative role through various mechanisms, including with Ambassador Hagerty, with visiting US government officials and door-knocks in Washington DC, and with Diet members in Tokyo. The strength and relevancy of our advocacy is driven by member involvement. From the nuts-and-bolts of researching and developing position papers, through extending insights and networks, to meeting with policymakers on topics of concern, you are critical to this process. Given the various opportunities the current political and economic climate present, consider the example of our Small Company CEO Advisory Council to think what difference you can bring to the Chamber’s capabilities. I encourage you to get involved and support our efforts to be an important voice in this new era of the US-Japan economic partnership. I welcome your feedback on this and any other matters. Please share your ideas with me at sshah@accj.or.jp Sachin N. Shah ACCJ President Frank Packard of the ACCJ’s Small Company CEO Advisory Council speaks about the Council's September 2018 Doorknock in DC. In nearly 20 meetings with Congress and the US Treasury, Frank and Council Chair Harry Hill brought attention to the GILTI and Transition Tax and their potentially significant impact on American-owned small businesses in Japan.
All that the ACCJ has been able to accomplish over the last 70 years is due to the efforts of its members: you give your time, your expertise and your relationships to enable the Chamber to achieve its important mission. Recognizing the value and impact of members’ contributions at the Chamber, the Board of Governors made operational excellence a strategic focus area to ensure member and office resources are used efficiently to advance our shared mission.
With this in mind and with careful review after input from members, the Internal Affairs Advisory Council (IAAC) has proposed amendments to the Constitution and conforming changes to the Bylaws. The proposals are intended to make the Chamber easier to do business with and continue improving our governance in line with similar organizations in Japan and around the region. Today, the Board discussed the proposals and approved them to go forward to a membership vote at the Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) on October 23. The IAAC’s proposed amendments broadly fall into two categories: those focused on membership & operations and those focused on election & nominations procedures. Membership & Operations The following proposals aim to make the Chamber easier to do business with, while also ensuring fairness and parity among members:
Election & Nominations We have already made progress around the nominations process this year in defining and sharing clear criteria, and starting the process much earlier. The following proposals are aimed at further improving this process, while also bringing the ACCJ up to a standard consistent with organizations in Japan and American chambers around the region:
Together, the IAAC’s proposals will improve the way the Chamber operates and help to maximize the ACCJ’s value for members in line with our mission. I will follow-up with you well-ahead of the OGM with the full details of the IAAC’s proposed amendments. I look forward to your comments and questions ahead of the OGM on October 23. Sachin N. Shah President The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan At its core, the ACCJ is a member-driven organization: we are a community with a shared mission of increasing commercial opportunities and improving the business environment in Japan. As founding ACCJ President Dennis McEvoy said in his 1948 address, when we carry out this important mission we can be “an active, powerful force for the good.” That is why member centricity is one of our key strategic priorities.
Today I would like to provide an important update on a key strategic initiative under the banner of member centricity: the Membership Value Project (MVP). The Board of Governors is considering a fact-based proposal to address feedback from members, better align our sources of revenue to our member mix, and modernize the way the ACCJ operates. The proposal:
Members will see improved value for money. In the proposal as it stands, a majority of members will see no change or reduced overall cost of membership. Importantly, the proposal does not involve any change to current member categories or the constitution. Why MVP? In recent years, the number and composition of members has changed significantly. Between 2010-2017, total member numbers grew 26%, driven by a 122% increase in the number of members from Corporate Sustaining Members. This was partially offset by a decline of 28% in members from Company Memberships. While member numbers are now at a record high, sources of membership revenues do not reflect the new membership mix. Importantly we have had consistently positive net margins, driven by good expense management but also by challenges in filling open staff positions. This has strained the Chamber’s ability to deliver services to meet the needs of a larger member and committee base. In addition, the Chamber has not kept pace with digital technology, leaving it more exposed to competition from alternatives. This shift has happened in tandem with changes to Japan’s economy and the US-Japan relationship which present new advocacy challenges and opportunities. The Board initiated MVP in response to these changes. The MVP project brought together legacy efforts from the last several years and initiated new research to gain a comprehensive view of our members’ priorities, including:
The research told us that our highly diverse membership has varied needs and expectations of the ACCJ:
The Board has been fully engaged in the MVP process since the start of the year, with healthy dialogue about how to ensure we provide value for all ACCJ members, reflecting the full spectrum of member businesses. In the case of small company members, we are proposing benefits to address the very specific needs of this segment and support the important role they play. These major decisions are, naturally, of great interest to all members. Throughout the process, member centricity and input have guided all of our decisions. Right now, members are being consulted as part of the Board’s due diligence prior to approval of the proposal. You will be hearing more about these exciting changes in the near future. Sachin N. Shah President The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan |
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