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4/30/2020

SUPPORT GREAT CHARITIES THROUGH THE VIRTUAL CHUBU WALKATHON

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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.

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4/28/2020

LOCAL CHARITIES NEED YOUR HELP TO COMBAT COVID-19

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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

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3/23/2020

Coronavirus: ACCJ Member Health & Safety / Important Updates to Events and Meetings Calendar

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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 Calendar

ACCJ Meetings and Events ​​
  • In light of recent announcements from the Japanese Government, we are implementing our events contingency plan from Monday, March 2. This plan requires the suspension of physical gatherings of people through March 31 or until the government signals otherwise.
ACCJ speaker and networking events: 
  • Events scheduled between now and March 31 are being postponed or cancelled. Please check the Events calendar for the most up-to-date information on events. No members will incur cancellation fees relating to these cancelled or postponed events.
  • ACCJ working committee meetings: ACCJ is working to ensure remote participation options for working meetings. Committee Leaders will communicate shortly with Committee members on the status of working meetings scheduled between March 2 and March 31. 
For events past March 31 and before April 15:
  • We continue to strongly encourage Committees and Councils to hold virtual events and continue to engage members by providing information and creating a virtual network for our members to interact.
  • Decisions regarding further calendar dates will be reviewed weekly and communicated to members. 

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ACCJ Activates Business Continuity Network

As 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-19

Between 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”

Resources

We 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

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3/11/2020

ACCJ Launches Enhanced Business & Services Directory

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​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:
  • Boost opportunities for growth through enhanced visibility within the ACCJ community and with the public;
  • Connect members with business opportunities;
  • Promote commercial memberships and their business achievements; and
  • Create online community for interaction.
​Over time, the Directory will evolve to include more information and features.

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3/6/2020

ACCJ Taxation Committee Update: NTA extends declaration and payment deadlines to Thursday, April 16, 2020

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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.

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2/20/2020

2020 CSAC Reception: Giving from the ACCJ

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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

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2/5/2020

ACCJ-Kansai Opens Shop at WeWork

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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!

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1/30/2020

2019 ACCJ Leaders of the Year and Volunteers of the Year

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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. 
LEADER OF THE YEAR (TOKYO)
Kevin Naylor

LEADER OF THE YEAR (TOKYO)
Frank Packard

LEADER OF THE YEAR (KANSAI)
Yuka Nakamura
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (TOKYO)
Tsugu Watanabe

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (CHUBU)
Ben Eichhorn

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (KANSAI)
Tomoko Tagami

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12/12/2019

"Community" Added to ACCJ Core Pillars Codifying ACCJ Commitment to Responsible Corporate Citizenship

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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

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12/10/2019

Special Thanks: 2019 ACCJ Charity Ball

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​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. 

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11/26/2019

​The 2019 Leader of the Year and Volunteer of the Year Awards

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​At the end of each year, the ACCJ honors members who have shown extraordinary dedication from across our Tokyo, Chubu, and Kansai chapters. We are proud to recognize the achievements made by our members and thank them for their contributions.
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.

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11/4/2019

ACCJ Chairman Christopher LaFleur Awarded The Order of the Rising Sun

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ACCJ Chairman and President Emeritus Christopher LaFleur has been selected to receive The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in recognition for his decades of service to the relationship and friendship between Japan and the U.S. Ambassador LaFleur, an ACCJ member and leader for over 20 years, is a cornerstone of the U.S.-Japan economic partnership. The ACCJ extends its most sincere congratulations to Ambassador LaFleur for this outstanding achievement. 
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.

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8/22/2019

The ​ACCJ Launches New External Affairs Briefing Series

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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 kicking off a new program called the EA Briefing Series, featuring “101” sessions on buzzword topics. 
​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.  

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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8/19/2019

Remembering former ACCJ President Tom Jordan

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The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) mourns the loss of Dr. Thomas Jordan, former ACCJ President and long-term member, who passed away earlier this month. 

Tom, former senior managing director of DuPont Japan, was a member of the ACCJ for over 30 years. His many leadership roles at the ACCJ include two terms as President and 15 years on the Board of Governors.
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.

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7/25/2019

ACCJ Appreciation to U.S. Ambassador William F. Hagerty IV

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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.  

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7/9/2019

[Closed] Now Accepting Proposals for APCAC Secretariat​

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The Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) is requesting proposals from companies/individuals who are interested in serving as a new, elevated secretariat for the organization.

​Given the importance of Asia to American businesses, APCAC has committed to further enhancing its effectiveness by elevating its secretariat and support for its member Chambers. An elevated and more strategic APCAC will be a useful tool for its member AmChams and for American business in the region. ​​
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.

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6/26/2019

Welcome James C. Feliciano to the ACCJ Board of Governors

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This month, ACCJ Governor Alison Espley resigned her position on the ACCJ Board to transition to a new role as Managing Director, Product and Brand, for United Airlines, based at United's headquarters in the United States. 
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.

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6/4/2019

The ACCJ Welcomes Saori Kanno to the Board of Governors

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This month, ACCJ Governor Brett Gerry resigned his position on the ACCJ Board to transition to a new role as General Counsel for Boeing based in the United States. 

Following the constitutional process, Saori Kanno, General Manager and President, REVLON K.K., 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 Brett's term as ACCJ Governor, ending December 31, 2020.​
​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.

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11/26/2018

Nikkei interviews Sachin N. Shah

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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​

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10/26/2018

USTR Requests Comments from U.S. Companies on Japan Negotiating Objectives

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The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking input on what the U.S. should pursue in trade talks with Japan between October 26 and November 26, 2018.

Public comments on U.S. negotiating objectives should be provided in writing. There will also be a public hearing on December 10 in Washington, D.C, where comments can be provided in person. 

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. 

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10/17/2018

ACCJ President Message: Towards the next 70 years and beyond

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​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:
  • adds value to current membership categories through added benefits and optional packages, directly aligned with member needs;
  • rebalances dues to better align with the current membership mix; and,
  • launches a modernization plan to empower members, committees and leaders with digital capabilities.
 
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

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9/25/2018

ACCJ President Message: Relevant and Strong Advocacy

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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

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9/24/2018

2018 Small Company CEO Advisory Council D.C. Doorknock

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​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.

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9/13/2018

ACCJ President Message: Maximizing the Value of Member Contributions

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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:
  • extending voting rights to commercial representatives outside the Tokyo, Chubu, and Kansai chapters at whichever of the three they choose;
  • expanding time-limited commercial memberships to non-Japan resident companies, reflecting the renewed interest among U.S. companies in entering the Japanese market; 
  • guidelines for the conferral of Honorary Memberships;
  • simplifying the member resignation process; 
  • using e-signatures; and
  • simplifying use of the Chamber seal, Representative seal and Chamber bank seal.
 
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:
  • streamlining the administrative requirements of the Nominations Committee to focus the members' time spent in this important process; and,
  • requiring three seconding votes from voting members for nominations made at the OGM either in writing prior or from the floor, preserving this important and unique feature of the ACCJ’s election procedure.
 
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

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9/10/2018

ACCJ President Message: Member-centricity and the MVP

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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:

  • adds value to current member segments through added benefits and optional packages, directly aligned with member needs;
  • rebalances dues to better align with the current membership mix; and,
  • launches a modernization plan to empower members, committees and leaders with digital capabilities.

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:

  • membership satisfaction surveys;
  • focus groups with member segments;
  • a Company Membership segmentation study; and,
  • financial and competitive analyses.

The research told us that our highly diverse membership has varied needs and expectations of the ACCJ:

  • Members from larger companies want ease of service; greater special interest advocacy support, and high-level networking opportunities.
  • Members from small- and medium sized companies want expanded networking and information opportunities; and the ability to use the Chamber as a professional development tool for employees, and more effective advocacy for policy issues of specific concern to them. 
  • Our smallest company members say they are underserved in the Chamber, seek representation and support to address their needs, and express concern about the cost of membership.   
  • All members say they want a more modern Chamber, with digital tools to collaborate with peers, and that is easier to do business with.

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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