Leaders
Back to Business for Tohoku
Immediately following the emergency relief phase of the 11 March 2011 disasters, the BCCJ established the Back to Business (B2B) Initiative for Tohoku.
Remember, Remember the Month of November
I would like to say what a privilege and pleasure it is to be president of such a growing, vibrant and successful chamber.
Opportunity Knocks
The invitation to the BCCJ from UK Trade & Investment to join the government’s Strengthening Overseas Business Networks programme has created a great deal of excitement.
Strategic, Emotional Impact of the 2020 Tokyo Games
We were truly delighted to see Tokyo announced as the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games host city on 8 September.
A Meaningful Contribution
We are delighted to report that, after a summer of book drives organised by BCCJ member firms, our Books For Smiles (BFS) social responsibility initiative has now raised a total of ¥1,611,942!
Food, Glorious Food
Anyone who has spent any time in the UK over the last 20 years will acknowledge a revolution in British food.
The Importance of Sport
With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic bid now entering its final stretch, not to mention the tremendous excitement surrounding Andy Murray’s Wimbledon win, the British Lions’ victory in Australia, a great start to the Ashes, and Chris Froome lifting the Tour de France trophy, sport has not been far from my mind this month.
The Sounds of Success
In both Japan and the UK, summer now means music. The UK this year celebrated a magnificent Glastonbury Festival blessed with sunshine (a rarity) and the Rolling Stones’ first performance in the festival’s 43-year history. The festival headline band was, for the first time, English folk rock group Mumford & Sons.
From Dundee to MBE
Accompanied by my parents and brother, I collected my MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) at Buckingham Palace on 7 June.
Unleashing Creativity
The UK and Japan share a rich creative heritage that includes architects, musicians, filmmakers, video game developers, fashion designers and technologists across a broad range of industries.
A Great Year for Anniversaries
We will host 400 Night at the Conrad Tokyo on 18 July. The special event will celebrate the 400th anniversary of diplomatic, trading and cultural relations between the UK and Japan.
65 Years Young
Thank you to everyone who attended Professor Ian Neary’s fascinating talk on Shinzo Abe’s return, titled “A New Dynamism or a New Dead End”, at the Shangri-La hotel last month.
Our First Contested Election
In recent years, the BCCJ has enjoyed a measure of success and a number of new developments: membership has risen steadily and organically, attendance at our events has continued to grow, while online engagement across seven digital platforms is at an all-time high.
More of the Same … But Different
Welcome to another BCCJ year and thank you to everyone who has supported my re-election to the Executive Committee.
Honouring Heritage, Embracing the Future
Supported by the BCCJ’s Back to Business Initiative for Tohoku, Megumi Hikichi—a civil servant before the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami—has built a community-based enterprise in her hometown of Watari, Miyagi Prefecture.
Books for Smiles Update
Thank you to all those who have contributed so far to our Books for Smiles initiative.
BCCJ Organisational Plan for 2013
In addition to our monthly executive committee meeting in January, members of the executive committee were invited to the British Embassy Tokyo to participate in the BCCJ Away Day—a forum for exchanging ideas on this year’s organisational strategy.
Thank You for Your Help
Immediately on the heel of the Great East Japan Earthquake, we became a hub of information, disseminating to our extended networks requests from Japanese and foreign non-profit organisations, volunteers and survivors. We co-ordinated donations from individuals and firms here and abroad, with members showing great solidarity to the cause.
Stay in Touch!
The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan is now serving our membership through eight up-to-the-minute communications channels, which are designed to support, promote and engage with member firms and the greater UK–Japan relationship.
My Favourite Numbers
The BCCJ 2012 British Business Awards (BBA) were the culmination of months of hard work and careful planning.
Books for Smiles
To build on our record of executing impactful social responsibility (SR) initiatives, the BCCJ is creating a simple yet effective multi-stakeholder programme.
The British Chamber of Commerce (in Japan)
“In Japan”. The two words are part of the BCCJ name. However, they are two words that we often do not spend much time considering when we discuss the chamber.
And the Winner is … Great Britain!
What a year 2012 has been for the UK: the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, the record-breaking and, in my opinion, best ever Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the event everything has been leading up to ... the British Business Awards (BBA).
Moving Forward
I’m delighted to report that in August, after 18 happy years in Iidabashi’s Eigo Centre Building, the BCCJ office moved to a more convenient central Tokyo location: Mori Building Co., Ltd’s ARK Hills complex in Tameike-sanno.
British Business Awards
From the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, to the UK government’s GREAT campaign and the World Shakespeare Festival 2012—this year presents the UK with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase capabilities, enhance international relations and maximise global reach.
Diversity in Our DNA
"Two Wheels + Testosterone”, announced our July cover and, while I thoroughly enjoyed the fascinating article, I would like to point out that our members with oestrogen are equally welcome to enjoy Triumph’s superb motorbikes.
Uniting the UK and Japan
On 22 June, members of the BCCJ travelled to Aizumisato-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, to open a community centre in one of the area’s temporary housing complexes, accommodating 250 households who fled Naraha-machi due to the threat of radiation following the 3/11 disasters.
A Smoker's Last Stand
Health concerns tipped the balance and encourage the publisher to kick his smoking habit.
Events and Task Forces Behind BCCJ Strength
The BCCJ looks to another promising year.
