October 2014 iNTOUCH Magazine

T O K Y O A M E R I C A N C L U B

October 2014

Print ParadiseThe Club hosts the

annual CWAJ Print Show

Roll of the DiceOne Member’s insight

on Japan’s gambling future

Mob TalesAuthor Jake Adelstein on life since Tokyo Vice

Can Member Hiroo Mori and other Tokyo business leaders help the city recapture its mojo?

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OCT 2014

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iNTOUCH ManagementAnthony L CalaGeneral Manager Wayne Hunter, DirectorGMO & Membership Business OperationsBrian MarcusAsst GM, Business Operations Scott Yahiro, DirectorRecreation Nori Yamazaki, DirectorFood & Beverage Jonathan Allen, DirectorMember Services & Guest Studios

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Tokyo American Club2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8649

www.tokyoamericanclub.org

contents 2 Contacts

4 Events

6 Board of Governors

7 Management

8 Food & Beverage

10 Library

14 Video Library

16 Recreation

20 Women’s Group

22 Feature

28 Talking Heads

30 Frederick Harris Gallery

32 Cultural Insight

34 Member Services

36 CWAJ Print Show

38 Inside Japan

40 Out & About

42 Event Roundup

48 Back Words

Editor Nick Jones [email protected]

DesignersAnna Ishizuka Ryan Mundt

Production AssistantYuko Shiroki

Assistant Editor Nick Narigon

Communications ManagerShane Busato

Business SupportLian ChangAsst GM, Business Support Darryl Dudley, DirectorEngineering Shuji Hirakawa, DirectorHuman Resources Naoto Okutsu, DirectorFinance Toby Lauer, DirectorInformation Technology

FEATURE Building a Business HubTokyo, the capital of the

world’s third-largest economy,

has watched investment and

talent flee to other cities in

the region over the years. In

hopes of reversing this trend,

political and business leaders

are introducing policies to

draw foreign investors and

firms back.

10 LIBRARYLife after ViceFormer Yomiuri Shimbun

crime reporter Jake

Adelstein reflects on how

his life changed following

the publication of his

searing memoir, Tokyo Vice.

38 INSIDE JAPANRolling with the PunchesAction star and Club Member

Kane Kosugi discusses what it

takes to forge a movie career

on both sides of the Pacific.

16 RECREATIONSwimming with SharksThe Club’s Mudsharks swim

programs for youngsters go

beyond effective swim strokes

and race-winning techniques.

22

Cover photo of Hiroo Mori by Benjamin Parks

Job Number 4UA442

Publication iNTOUCH

Event Language English

Trim 210 x 297mm

Bleed 3mm

Safety/Live 5mm

Client United

Art Director DC

Copywriter UA

Traffic MC

CMYK RGB B&W SPOT (PMS)

Vertical/PortraitHorizontal/Landscape

Headline Haneda to San Francisco-friendly

Ad Style SMILE - SFO

[email protected]

16858 Royal CrestHouston Texas 77058281-480-3660

OCT 2014

8/28/2014Full Page A4 bleed

2 October 2014 iNTOUCH

Department/E-mail Phone

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Getting in Touch

Words from the editor 3

When Yuji Yamamoto, Japan’s former financial services minister, toured the financial centers of New York and London, he was struck by their vibrancy and international outlook.

“That is when I realized the secret of Wall Street and the City success was their ability to attract money and talent from all over the world,” he said. That fact-finding trip in early 2007 was part of a government plan to transform Tokyo into a global financial capital.

The double whammy of 2008’s global financial crisis and the earthquake and tsunami of 2011 pushed that project onto the back burner and only exacerbated the country’s already floundering economy.

Under new national and city leadership, the blueprints for the ascendancy of Tokyo are out again. This time, the city aims to emulate the success of regional rivals Singapore and Hong Kong, where so many foreign firms have fled in recent years.

Working with local urban developers and investors, the metropolitan government, according to the city’s new governor, Yoichi Masuzoe, aims to “transform Tokyo into a global business center” and make it a hub for capital, talent and innovation, not just tourists (Tokyo was voted the world’s top travel destination in an online poll earlier this year).

In this month’s cover story, “Building a Business Hub,” my colleague, Nick Narigon, talks to economists, developers and businesspeople to assess the selling points and deficiencies of the Japanese capital. And many of them make the same point that while they welcome lower corporate tax rates and special zones in the city, the key to success is the potential of the market.

“If there is an active market, if there’s an opportunity to make money, if there are niches that are unfilled, if there is a reasonably level playing field,” says Club Member and entrepreneur Mike Alfant, “you will see entrepreneurship start to flourish.”

If you have any comments about anything you read in iNTOUCH, please e-mail them

to [email protected], putting “Letter to the Editor” in the subject title of the mail.

from theeditor

contributors

TimHornyak

Megan Waters is a Tokyo-based freelance editor and journalist who writes for a number of English-language publications and websites. A former editor in chief of the ACCJ

Journal magazine and deputy editor of BCCJ Acumen magazine, she has written on a range of subjects. In this month’s iNTOUCH, she talks to young swimmers about their experiences in the Club’s swim team program and heads out into the Japanese countryside in search of camping spots. Originally from South Africa, Waters relocated to Britain at 16 and studied linguistics and publishing at Oxford Brookes University. Two weeks after the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, she moved to a small town in Shizuoka Prefecture to teach English.

MeganWaters

Originally from Cedar Falls, Iowa, Nick Narigon followed his wife to Japan in 2012. An assistant editor in the Club’s Communications Department, he graduated from the University of Iowa School of Journalism and worked for five years as weeklies editor for the Des Moines Register. In addition to two years in New Jersey as the special sections editor for the Press of Atlantic City, he has contributed features to The Wall Street Journal Asia, Time Out Tokyo and Tokyo Art Beat. For this month’s iNTOUCH, Narigon examines Tokyo’s efforts to reenergize the city’s economy and talks to two vendors about their wares ahead of next month’s International Bazaar at the Club.

Nick Narigon


What’s on in October

Thursday

Monday

9

20

Squash Social NightThe Club’s squash players enjoy an evening of casual play and a chance to put their skills to the test against former national champion Hitoshi Ushiogi. 6:15 p.m. Continues on October 28.

Gallery Reception: Shigeki KudoThe Frederick Harris Gallery launches a new exhibition of this talented hegi artist, who finds intrinsic beauty and wonder embedded in wood. More on page 30.

Friday Friday10 10The Ultimate Lunch and Learn Workshop SeriesClub Member and president of Dale Carnegie Training Japan Dr Greg Story teaches how to recover from blunders. 12 p.m. Washington Room. ¥1,900. Sign up online or at Member Services.

Facial Treatment Special Members can receive a Sensibeautics facial treatment at The Spa from an Ella Baché Japan specialist. Flip to page 18 for the details.

8–9Taste of Asia: Thai and Vietnamese NightRainbow Café’s themed cuisine nights continue with a satisfying spread of fresh spring rolls, lotus root salad, pho noodles and other Asian eats. 5 p.m. Continues October 15–16.

Wednesday–

Thursday

1Toastmasters LuncheonStart losing your fear of public speaking and improve your leadership skills at this monthly event. 12 p.m. ¥2,200. Sign up online or at the Library. Continues October 15.

1–29Squash Team ChallengeAn annual Club tournament of fast-paced action, strategy and drinks. Every Wednesday. 7 p.m. ¥1,500 (includes post-game beer and drinks). Sign up at the Squash Courts.

Wednesday–

Wednesday 1–30Skin-Pampering Spa SpecialGive your skin a makeover with a new Spa treatment in October. Check out the rejuvenating details on page 18.

Wednesday–

Friday

Tuesday28Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner with Simone Horgan-FurlongLeeuwin Estate’s Simone Horgan-Furlong hosts a dinner of premium wines from the Margaret River region of Western Australia. 7 p.m. Find out how Leeuwin uses music to grow its market on page 8.

1–3030-Day Running ChallengeGet set for the Fitness Center’s annual treadmill competition. Do you have what it takes? Find out on page 18.

Wednesday–

Friday

Wednesday

Monday27Coffee ConnectionsWhether you’re new to Tokyo or you just want to meet new people, drop by this free Women’s Group gathering. Contact the Women’s Group Office to organize free childcare. 10:30 a.m.

FridayWednesday 3129Friday Feast FrenzyHook up with friends at a Café Med booth for all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and Tex-Mex treats. 5 p.m.

New Member OrientationThe Club’s newest Members learn about the Club while enjoying a chance to mingle. 6:30 p.m. Washington and Lincoln rooms. Contact the Membership Office to reserve your spot at least one week in advance.

Friday–

Sunday17–1959th CWAJ Print ShowThe Club hosts this annual three-day exhibition of highly regarded printmaking talent. Find out more about this year’s catalog cover artist on page 36.

(Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.)

4New Member OrientationThe Club’s newest Members learn about the Club while forging new friendships. 10 a.m. Washington and Lincoln rooms. Contact the Membership Office to reserve your spot at least one week in advance.

Saturday 4Kamakura Yabusame Archery CeremonyYabusame horseback archery has been performed annually in Kamakura since the 12th century. Take in this test of martial skills during an enlightening tour. Find out more at Member Services.

Saturday Saturday Saturday4 4Weekend WinnerMake a weekend of it with American Bar & Grill’s new brunch buffet. Every Saturday and Sunday. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. ¥3,950. Members ages 13 and above (teenagers must be accompanied by an adult).

First Saturday Wine FriendsGrab a favorite bottle from your cellar and join fellow oenophiles in Decanter for a fun evening of new wine experiences and chat. 5 p.m. ¥1,500 plus one bottle. Sign up online or at Members Services.

Noteworthy dates for the month 5

EVENTS

Monday–

Tuesday6–7Tokyo: Here & NowWhether you’ve lived here for three months or three years, get the scoop on what you need to know about living in Japan at this expert-led seminar. Sign up online or at Member Services.

Coming up in November

FridayThursday–

Thursday 3First Friday: OktoberfestCelebrate the German harvest with bier, currywurst, kartoffelsalat and an authentic oompah band in the Winter Garden. 6–8 p.m. ¥2,000. Adults only.

2–30Toddler TimeA fun, 30-minute session of engaging stories and activities awaits preschoolers at the Children’s Library. 11 a.m. Free. Continues every Thursday.

Thursday23Meet the Author: Jake AdelsteinFormer crime beat reporter for the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper Jake Adelstein drops by the Club to explain how life changed after the publication of his book, Tokyo Vice. Details on page 10.

Sunday26All-Comers Swim MeetAll Members, from children to adults, are invited to battle it out in the Sky Pool for medals and prizes. 2:30–6:30 p.m. ¥1,500. Sign up at the Sky Pool Office or on the Mudsharks swim team webpage.

8Sayama Tea and Mashiko Pottery The Women’s Group hosts a luncheon dedicated to Japanese green tea. Manhattan I. 11 a.m. WG members: ¥3,000. Non-WG members: ¥4,000. Sign up online or at Member Services by October 3.

WednesdayWednesday8220° Grand OpeningDecanter unveils its innovative take on modern teppanyaki, featuring five courses of seasonal ingredients and inspired flavors. Reserve at 03-4588-0734.

Wednesday15Great Value Wine TastingFind how to find quality wine that won’t break the bank at an evening of reasonably priced bottles, appetizers and chat. 7 p.m. Find out more on page 9.

4Mashiko Pottery Festival Tour

5Toastmasters Luncheon

5–6International Bazaar

8–9Family Photos

Friday24Library Book GroupThe Club’s band of book lovers meets at Café Med to discuss this month’s pick, Dear Life: Stories by Alice Munro. 11:30 a.m. For details, contact the Library.

Sunday–

Sunday12–26Ballroom DanceLearn to trip the light fantastic at a casual introduction to ballroom dance with world-renowned instructor Koji Hanaoka. Continues through December 14. Sign up at the Recreation Desk.

17Meet the SpousesFollowing the two-day Tokyo: Here & Now orientation program, friends and newcomers toast to the years of fun ahead. 6:30 p.m. Sign up online or at Member Services.

FridayWednesday15Beer and Bowling NightWhen the Men’s Group hosts an evening at the Bowling Center, expect strikes, spares, beer and spirited banter. 7 p.m. ¥5,000 (includes snacks and beer). Sign up online or at Member Services.

13The Best of Hong Kong Cultural and Shopping Tour

15Holiday Crafts

18Annual General Meeting and Recognition of Club Leadership

26Meet the Author: Mariko Nagai


I was about 10 or 11 years old. I came back home for dinner after playing with my friends to find a knife, fork and

spoon on the table. As I sat down on the tatami-matted floor, I felt confused. Why would I need these alien utensils to eat our usual dinner of rice, grilled fish, boiled vegetables and miso soup?

My mother said it was time for me to learn how to use these Western implements. She taught me how to manipulate them, and the “training” lasted about three months. At the same time, I learned about table manners and the correct way to behave while eating.

I also began taking a fork to school with my lunchbox. I felt so embarrassed in front of my classmates, who all used chopsticks, and word soon spread beyond my class

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

about my fork. After all these years, though, I still wonder why the correct way to eat rice (or peas, for that matter) with a fork is with the convex side. This was one of the hardest things to master. I actually don’t bother with this anymore and simply switch the fork to my right hand.

Beyond learning how to correctly use a knife and fork, I was taught manners for different situations, such as wiping around the sink after washing my face. When I put my elbows on the table, my father would tap the table to remind me to take them off. If I ever slurped my miso soup because it was hot, my mother would glare at me and tell me to wait for it to cool down. And if I ever put my legs on the low table while lying on the tatami, my grandmother would explode, “The table is not for your legs, it’s for people to eat and drink off.”

The essence of good manners and behavior, my grandparents often told me, was about not making others feel uncomfortable.

I often visit reciprocal clubs when traveling abroad and have visited clubs in New York, London, Paris, Hong Kong, Seoul and Jakarta. During my stays, I have never seen any signs reminding members to place their towels or used workout wear in the bins provided. I have also never seen members putting their legs on the table. I have never seen children running around the restaurant, either, or members

dressed in a T-shirt while eating lunch or dinner, even in the middle of summer. (This last point has been addressed in the Club’s recently updated dress code.)

In my policy statement for the 2009 Board election, I wrote that I hoped to see the Club return to its former vibrancy when it moved back to Azabudai. That has now been realized. Over the last two years, the number of Members has increased from about 3,200 to around 3,700, and there are Members enjoying the facilities every day.

The challenge for the Club now is ensuring that all Members behave in a way that reflects the nature and status of such an exclusive, private club. Somebody once accused me of being an exclusivist. I admit that I am, insomuch that I would like Tokyo American Club to be made up of Members with whom potential Members would like to associate. o

Board of GovernorsJohn Durkin (2014)—Representative Governor,

Gregory Lyon (2014)—First Vice President, Brenda

Bohn (2014)—Second Vice President, Per Knudsen

(2014)—Secretary, Hiroshi Miyamasu (2015)—

Treasurer, Ginger Griggs (2015), Lance E Lee (2014),

Mark Miller (2015), Machi Nemoto (2014), Betsy

Rogers (2015), Jerome Rosenberg (2014), Mark

Henry Saft (2014), Sadashi Suzuki (2014), Kazuakira

Nakajima—Statutory Auditor (2014)

Manners Maketh Member

by Kazuakira Nakajima

Executive remarks 7

MANAGEMENT

I t’s been a busy year for the Club, and I’m pleased to report that our Club ended fiscal year 2014 with

solid finances and outstanding program accomplishments. Our continued growth (new recruitment strategies brought in more than 400 Members), combined with our focus on Members, meant that we could deliver exceptional value to Members.

Member feedback is an important tool for helping us improve the Club, and throughout the year we sought input from Members on everything from Club dining and dress codes to recreation classes and the guest policy. Thanks to the ideas and comments we received, we implemented a number of changes, including offerings in restaurants and

operational hours, and we launched trials for various food services and a guest check-in process.

There were a number of successful Member-oriented events, such as the Ultimate Disco Party, First Friday get-togethers and a revamped Welcome Back Party. The Culture, Community and Entertainment Committee was also the driving force behind July’s Independence Day Celebration, the largest such event in recent memory. Attended by more than 600 Members and their guests, the festivities received rave reviews.

The Board of Governors launched the Members First! initiative, which brought many positive changes and increased opportunities for Members to enjoy the facilities and services. The Club’s social media platforms—Facebook, Twitter and Instagram—continued to garner followers, while John Durkin began to tweet in his capacity as Club president. This online presence allows Members to stay abreast of developments at the Club.

We will continue this trend of improvement over the coming fiscal year, and you can already see evidence of this. Members can enjoy wine by the glass from the state-of-the-art wine dispenser in the Winter Garden, while our new, pop-up dining spot, 220°,

opens on October 8. This modern take on teppanyaki replaces FLATiRON and promises to be a memorable, great- value experience.

In other enhancements, American Bar & Grill, with its Executive Breakfast Bar and weekend brunch, is now the best place to start the day. Traders’ Bar will expand its draft beer offerings, which will include some of the best craft beers available in Tokyo, and Decanter will see improvements early next year. Members can also expect to see new developments in the B1 Cellar retail space. Another new initiative is the Club’s reservations center, which allows Members to book various services through one number.

The Club could not have enjoyed this level of success without the support and untiring efforts of the volunteer members of the Board, committees and Women’s Group. Those committee members who lend their time, talents, enthusiasm and ideas have one goal in mind: to improve the Member experience.

I would also like to thank the staff for their continued dedication to serving Members and their families. I am confident that we are on the right track for continued success, and by working together we will deliver even more value to our Members over the coming year. o

Strategies for Success

by Tony CalaGeneral Manager

winedinner

by Wendi OnukiPhoto by Kayo Yamawaki

A Sensory Feast

In the summer of 1985, fledgling winery Leeuwin Estate arranged for the members of the London Philharmonic Orchestra to perform at its vineyard in

a bid to lure visitors to its secluded Western Australia location.

The colossal gamble paid off, and the annual event quickly became a much-anticipated social gathering for local business leaders, politicians and other visitors who made the pilgrimage to sip the winery’s lauded varietals while listening to such celebrated crooners as Ray Charles, Sting, Jack Johnson, Diana Ross and Carole King.

“The first concert was front-page news, it was sold out,” says Simone Horgan-Furlong, Leeuwin Estate’s joint chief executive and the host of a dinner at the Club this month. “I think it captured the imagination of everybody. Many of the guests have come back every year since.”

In addition to drawing tourists to the winery to sample its goods and tour the facilities, the venerable concert series has served to link the label with acclaimed artists and a cultured clientele. As many as 6,000 guests attend the concerts, with

a portion of the attendees invited to a sumptuous feast afterward while others mingle and picnic on the lawn.

Those enticing bottles of Shiraz, Chardonnay and other varietals, however, are notably not available for purchase to take home once the festivities end. Horgan-Furlong says that the concerts are “more about creating a beautiful experience” than selling wine.

The hope is that concertgoers, fresh from an evening of pleasurable wine, music and food, will turn into loyal customers. “We definitely see it as a long-term investment,” says 48-year-old Horgan-Furlong, the daughter of Leeuwin founders Denis and Tricia Horgan. “We don’t advertise our wine, we create events.”

Those events are designed with the objective of complementing the winery’s collection of esteemed vintages while “introducing Leeuwin wines to a large demographic of wine lovers,” she says.

The family-operated winery also houses a renowned restaurant to tantalize gourmands and, for the creative set, a gallery filled with more than 100 paintings and sculptures by Australian artists. The diverse works of art, many of which are commissioned by Leeuwin, are featured on its premium Art Series label.

All told, the diverse offerings help attract more than 120,000 visitors annually to the winery, which sits on a parcel of land identified by Napa Valley legend Robert Mondavi in 1972 as being well-suited for producing exquisite wine (Mondavi

by Wendi Onuki

Simone Horgan-Furlong


mentored the Horgans early on). A three-hour drive from Perth, the Margaret River region has since morphed into one of Australia’s top wine-producing areas and has become a far-flung tourist destination.

“We’re one of the world’s most isolated wine regions,” says Horgan-Furlong. “The best way to discover our wines is to come on-site and see how they’re made.”

For Leeuwin fans unable to make it to any upcoming musical celebrations, a seat at the upcoming dinner with Horgan-Furlong might just be the next best thing. o

Onuki is a Michigan-based freelance journalist.

Japan and, in particular, Tokyo are great for wine lovers. Since the domestic wine industry is comparatively small, a lot of wine is

imported from around the world. In fact, nearly 70 percent of all wine consumed in Japan is imported, according to a 2014 United States government report. This is fantastic, but the sheer volume of wine can be a bit daunting, especially when you want to find some great-value bottles.

So, it’s been a long week and all you want to do is head home, order a pizza and uncork a bottle of wine. But which one? It’s the kind of situation that calls for having a case of your own cheap-and-cheerful “house” wine on hand. It would also double as the weekend barbecue wine that everyone would assume is more expensive than it actually is.

But how do you locate these diamonds in the rough? You could spend hours perusing the shelves of Nissin or National supermarket, grab a number of candidates, try them at home and still not discover a

decent favorite. A better option, though, would be to attend this month’s Wine Committee tasting at the Club.

The committee has done all your homework for you and selected nearly a dozen wines, priced at ¥2,500 or less, to sample. These are all available at local shops or directly from a local importer.

This tasting promises to be a casual evening of great wine, chat, appetizers and insights into how to stock your cellar with inexpensive, quality bottles. o

Baxter is a member of the Wine Committee.

ValueVino

winetasting

Leeuwin Estate Wine Dinner with Simone Horgan-FurlongTuesday, October 287 p.m. Manhattan I¥12,000*Sign up online or at Member Services*Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.

FOOD & BEVERAGE

Great Value Wine Tasting Wednesday, October 157 p.m. Washington and Lincoln rooms¥8,000*Sign up online or at Member Services*Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.

by Mark Baxter

Exploring fine wine has never been easier. Delve into the menu of by-the-glass wines available in the Winter Garden.

Club wining and dining 9

Life after Vice

Ayano SatoJake Adelstein


LIBRARY

Meet the Author: Jake AdelsteinThursday, October 237–8 p.m.Toko Shinoda Classroom¥1,575* (includes one drink)Sign up online or at Member Services*Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.

Ahead of his talk at the Club this month, American author and journalist Jake Adelstein reflects on life after the publication of his 2009 book, Tokyo Vice.

T okyo feels like a ghost town to me these days. I wander around in a semi-corporeal state, sometimes a friendly spirit like Casper,

sometimes a poltergeist. Occasionally, I think I’ll leave, yet I stay like someone destined to haunt this megapolis until the end of time—or until the United States has public healthcare. Which means I’ll probably never leave Japan.

October 14 will mark five years since the publication of Tokyo Vice and six years since Japanese mafia boss Tadamasa Goto was banished from the Yamaguchi-gumi yakuza gang, partly because of a series of articles I wrote. He’s still alive and running shady businesses in Cambodia.

Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan is a memoir of my first 21 years in Japan, including 12 as a police reporter and staff writer for the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper. It’s also a cautionary tale of what happens when you try to do the right thing the wrong way. It may be the best thing I ever write—I’m fine with that. Everything I ever learned worth knowing is in that book somewhere.

A lot has happened since the book’s publication. Japan has significantly tackled its human trafficking problem. The thugs have turned to domestic trafficking, but the scale of the issue is nothing like it was.

The yakuza themselves are reeling from new anti-organized crime laws, rigorously enforced by the police. Known yakuza now can’t have bank accounts or insurance, rent apartments, check into hotels or even play golf. Their numbers have dropped to 60,000 from 80,000, and the days when they menaced ordinary citizens with impunity are fading.

On a personal level, I gained much after the release of the book. I lost some things as well, including a 3.4-centimeter piece of my liver in 2011. The irony of discovering I had liver cancer after the Tohoku disaster wasn’t lost on me. I’m glad I didn’t need a transplant.

In 2010, Goto published his own biography, in which he praised his thugs for slashing up film director Juzo Itami

while denying he ordered it. He was also nice enough to make a veiled threat toward me and so opened himself up to a lawsuit for slander.

I hired prosecutor-turned-lawyer Toshiro Igari, my mentor and a fierce enemy of Japan’s worst yakuza, especially Goto. Igari helped create the framework for the laws that are now putting them out of business. He came directly from Narita Airport to take my case after I wrote him. We met on a Sunday night. He was found dead 10 days later in Manila.

His death was written up as a suicide. The autopsy report I obtained from the Philippines says something different. I don’t know if there was a link between my request and his death. I don’t think so. He had a lot of enemies.

My good friend Michiel Brandt, who worked with me on the book for months, died from complications of a bone marrow transplant in 2012 at the age of 30. I think of her often, as I do police detective Chiaki Sekiguchi. Another friend of sorts, Takahiko Inoue, or the “Buddha of the Yakuza,” as he was known, “fell” to his death from a five-story building last year. He is missed.

I’ve gained two stalkers over the years. One is a former journalist who insists I was a celebrity gossip reporter because he mistranslated the word shakaimen. So be it. I’m still in a legal limbo with the mother of my children, but the relationship is amicable and the kids are well.

Tokyo Vice is set to be turned into a movie, starring British actor Daniel Radcliffe as me. The screenplay is finished and Dan is learning Japanese. It would be fantastic if it all plays out.

I eke out a decent living as a writer and sometimes as a private investigator and consultant. I don’t miss having a nine-to-nine job. Sometimes, I do some good for the world.

I recently turned in the draft of my second book, The Last Yakuza: A Life in the Japanese Underworld, which touches on the decline of the yakuza and their

code of honor. Admittedly, the yakuza have mostly paid lip service to the ideals they espouse, but there have always been some true believers. I have a certain respect for people who follow a set of values. I have my own code that keeps me tottering along the noble eightfold paths of this city.

A lot can happen in five years, but in some ways (perhaps because of the movie) I feel like I’ve arrived back after a long trip. If that’s a second chance to finish up what has been left undone, then I’ll take it. o

Adelstein is a Tokyo-based writer and investigative journalist.

Tokyo Vice is available at the Library.

Literary gems at the Library 11

off theshelf

Chronicles of a Divided Nation

T he American Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, represented the meltdown of a society torn

between old, agrarian values and the growth of manufacturing. It also pitched the ideologies of slavery and state government against those of universal freedom and federalism.

Today’s fractious US politics have a great deal in common with the collision of values 150 years ago. But it’s difficult for a reader to fully comprehend the opposing principles and philosophies that set the country on a course toward fratricide. Historical tomes, packed with chronologies of events, abound, but they are frequently dry and analytical.

The Shaara family trilogy is the exception. Brilliantly researched, these books of historical fiction present the personalities of the period’s soldiers, generals and politicians.

Michael and his son, Jeff, Shaara completed the trilogy over several decades. Michael taught literature at Florida State University and finally achieved commercial success with his detailed work Killer Angels, which centers on 1863’s Battle of Gettysburg. The book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1975.

Jeff published a prequel to his father’s book, called Gods and Generals, in 1996 and a sequel, The Last Full Measure, two years later. These fictions

by Ginny Orchard

bring to life the reserved Confederate commander Robert E Lee, the calm Union commanding general Ulysses S Grant and their many subordinates. Simply, the trilogy makes the Civil War a human tragedy.

More recently, Jeff has produced a trilogy of fiction novels (A Blaze of Glory, A Chain of Thunder and The Smoke at Dawn) that chronicles particular chapters and engagements in the bloody Civil War. o

Orchard is a member of the Library Committee.

The Library stocks a number of American Civil War-related titles.

DON’T MISS A BEAT.Follow the Club online.


new

Member: Sabrina MatsuiTitle: Divergent by Veronica Roth

What’s the book about?Beatrice Prior, the main character, chooses to join the Dauntless faction and finds out that someone has been killing Divergents. She is also Divergent, so decides to go and save other Divergents. Read it to find out more!

What did you like about it?I like the descriptions the author uses, and I like all the action and mystery.

Why did you choose it?Most people say that the books are better than the movies. I watched the movie first, so I thought I might as well try the book.

What other books would you recommend?I would recommend the rest of the Divergent series.

reads

LIBRARY

member’s choice

The Price of Silence: The Duke Lacrosse Scandal, the Power of the Elite, and the Corruption of Our Great Universities by William D CohenJournalist Cohen presents a powerful examination of one of the most controversial scandals to hit Duke University. This fascinating look at the relationship between the academic and athletic worlds of Ivy League schools reveals an alarming narrative of the social dynamics affecting the case and colleges today.

Subliminal: How Your Unconscious Mind Rules Your Behavior by Leonard MlodinowNeuroscientist Mlodinow tackles the realm of the unconscious mind and how human behavior is largely shaped by our subliminal thinking. He presents a number of surprising revelations that will change how we perceive the workings of the human mind.

The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina HenríquezThe Rivera family arrives in Delaware barely able to understand English and the world around them. Their daughter, Maribel, survives a horrible accident, but her parents realize she is no longer the same girl. Each chapter is told through a different character to combine for a compelling debut novel.

Have You Seen My Dragon? by Steve LightA young boy travels through the heart of New York City in search of his escaped dragon. Children will enjoy the challenge of finding the dragon on each page while learning how to count in this unique by-the-numbers book.

The Son by Jo NesboSonny Lofthus has been locked up for nearly half of his life. Under a corrupt system, the malleable, heroin-addicted Sonny is content to serve time for other people’s crimes. That is until he discovers a secret about his father and decides to make a daring escape.

Chu’s First Day of School by Neil Gaiman and Adam RexChu, the big-sneezing panda, returns in best-selling author Gaiman’s second installment of the series. Chu is nervous about his first day at a new school, but will his unique talent help him make new friends?

Library & Children’s Library Daily: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Tel: 03-4588-0678 E-mail: [email protected] compiled by librarian Finn Kanegae.

Literary gems at the Library 13

VIDEO LIBRARY

flick

Movies allow us to escape, relax, laugh, learn, empathize and feel entertained and even inspired.

Through cinema, our horizons are broadened and our eyes are opened to new and different perspectives.

In An Experiment in Criticism, the British writer CS Lewis describes art as a “window onto worlds unseen.” He writes, “We want to be more than ourselves. Each of us by nature sees the whole world from one point of view with a perspective and a selectiveness peculiar to himself….We want to see with other eyes, to imagine with other imaginations, to feel with other hearts, as well as with our own….We demand windows.”

Through the “windows” of film and the characters portrayed, we can discover new perspectives and enjoy the social aspect of discussing our views with friends and family. These perspectives, which we might never normally encounter in our lives, can enlighten us and, depending on the nature and weight of the film, enrich our lives. Movies show us that the possibilities

are endless and challenge and inspire us through our imagination and creativity.

Movies are an emotionally engaging art form. We laugh and feel uplifted by comedies, experience anxiety and fear through horror films and ponder moral dilemmas while watching dramas. We delight in the joy of music and dance while watching musicals, and animation and sci-fi movies offer us an imagined view of what could be.

Documentaries, meanwhile, make us reexamine history, society and our relationships with one another. Action films sensationalize the movie-watching experience through special effects that can make us jump out of our seats. And romance makes us feel that love is always possible.

Movies and other art forms are a welcome, reenergizing distraction from our daily lives and routines. So, whatever mood you’re in, drop by the Video Library and pick up a film for a chance to gaze upon “worlds unseen.” o

Perez is a member of the Video Library Committee.

pick

Video Library Daily: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Tel: 03-4588-0686 E-mail: [email protected] Reviews compiled by Nick Narigon.

by Isolda Perez

newmovies

AC TIONCaptain America: The Winter SoldierCaptain America (Chris Evans) joins forces with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) to uncover a conspiracy within the spy agency SHIELD and battle a mysterious assassin known as the Winter Soldier.

DOCUMENTARYFed UpNarrated by TV journalist Katie Couric, the film examines America’s obesity epidemic and addiction to unhealthy food while revealing that sugar in processed foods is at the root of the crisis.

THRILLERCold in JulyAfter accidentally killing an unarmed intruder, Richard Dane (Michael C Hall) must contend with the man’s vengeful father (Sam Shepard), but becomes entangled in a web of lies and violence.

Palo AltoBased on James Franco’s short story collection, this directorial debut from Gia Coppola is about a group of California teenagers who become swept up in illicit flirtation, unrequited love and adolescent recklessness.

DRAMAGod’s PocketIn one of his last roles, Philip Seymour Hoffman plays Mickey Scarpato, whose unhinged stepson is killed in a construction “accident.” But when a local newspaperman starts asking questions, things go from bad to worse for Mickey.

Decoding Annie ParkerIn this mostly true story, the life of the young and irrepressible Annie Parker (Samantha Morton) tragically becomes entwined with Mary-Claire King’s (Helen Hunt) personal crusade to cure breast cancer.

Did you know? If you don’t watch enough DVDs to commit to a monthly fee, à la carte membership allows you to rent movies for ¥400 a movie, or ¥200 for a short feature.

Portals of Possibility

FIVE COURSES OF SEASONAL INGREDIENTS AND INSPIRED FLAVORS

WEDNESDAY–SATURDAY | MEMBERS ONLYRESERVE AT 03-4588-0734

FROM OCTOBER 8


FIVE COURSES OF SEASONAL INGREDIENTS AND INSPIRED FLAVORS

WEDNESDAY–SATURDAY | MEMBERS ONLYRESERVE AT 03-4588-0734

FROM OCTOBER 8

The Club’s popular swim programs teach youngsters a lot more than just effective swim strokes.

Waris Mills is dreaming big. A keen member of the Mudsharks, the Club’s swim team program,

the 12-year-old has set her sights on the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires or possibly the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

Since joining the ranks of young swimmers at the Club, she says she has

become more competitive. “I like racing against other people because you can see where you rank and how others swim and stretch,” says Mills, who has swum in meets in Japan and elsewhere in Asia.

Of the many medals and trophies she has won, she says she’s particularly proud of the medal she picked up for her 100-meter freestyle performance at

the St Mary’s International School meet earlier this year.

After moving to Tokyo with her family more than two and a half years ago, she was placed in the Mudsharks’ intermediate-level group but now swims with the elite Tiger Sharks. With a passion for a number of sports, Mills says swimming makes her feel “free.”

“[Swimming] gives me a sense of routine and goals,” she says. “The class helps you to learn how to swim properly.”

Youngsters at the Club are able to start out in the Mudsharks kids’ group swim program before progressing to the Mudsharks swim team program, which is divided into five levels (more than 180 children take part in the two programs). The sessions are designed to improve swim technique and fitness, as well as focus on competitive swimming with a more intense training regime. Past members have gone on to represent their areas or regions in their home countries.

“Apart from the physical aspects of swimming, children build confidence,

by Megan Waters Photos by Kayo Yamawaki

Swimming with Sharks

(l–r) Anika Whitehead and Olivia Monteiro


develop social skills, learn about teamwork, as well as winning and losing,” says head coach Simon Hadlow.

While lower-level swimmers focus on technique and developing good swimming habits, higher-level members perform more complex drills and are introduced to competitive swimming.

“The Tiger Sharks have an intense training regime, with six sessions a week, and compete at meets with the Japanese Amateur Swimming Association and travel overseas once a year to compete with other Asian teams,” explains Australian Hadlow, who has been coaching at the Club for the past 14 years.

While some swim schools group swimmers according to their age or school grade, the Mudsharks focuses on ability. “This means we have swimmers of different age groups working and interacting together,” Hadlow says. “In addition, the Club is a family organization and many of the parents of our swimmers are involved in adult swimming programs, too. This gives our team a real family atmosphere.”

Nine-year-old Olivia Monteiro joined the Mini Muddies at age 4 when her family moved to Japan from her native Brazil. After three years, she had progressed to the Juniors, accumulating plenty of friends along the way.

“Swimming is good exercise, great fun and the coaches are really good because they explain everything clearly,” says Monteiro, who admits that she’s not a fan of swimming in races.

One swimmer who thrives in the competitive environment is Anika Whitehead. The 8-year-old, who attends Nishimachi International School, joined the Mudsharks two years ago and now swims in the intermediate-level group and occasionally with the Tiger Sharks.

She says she enjoys taking part in meets and finds swimming “refreshing” at the end of the school day. “It’s a good feeling when you hop out of the pool after swimming class,” she says.

Since the various groups train alongside one another, swimmers can learn by watching their teammates, according to

Whitehead. “I can look at their stroke and it encourages me to get better,” she says. “TAC’s program helps you to swim well. It also teaches you about being nice to each other and about team spirit.”

Besides the weekly swim sessions, the program includes race meets, Club awards ceremonies and dinners. Meanwhile, the coaching staff keeps parents informed through a regular newsletter.

As a former competitive swimmer himself, Hadlow knows what it takes to be successful in the pool and says that swimmers have to be “focused, driven, self-disciplined and…able to set goals.” Judging by the smiles on the faces of the young swimmers in the Sky Pool each week, an ability to have fun is obviously another prerequisite. o

Waters is a Tokyo-based freelance journalist.

For more information on the Mudsharks and other swim programs, contact the Sky Pool Office at 03-4588-0700 or [email protected] or visit the Club website.

RECREATION

Fitness and well-being 17

RECREATION

Hoop DreamsThe Club’s professional coaches school teens in proper basketball technique and skill-specific training methods.

Intensive High School Basketball ProgramFriday, October 24, 5–7 p.m.Saturday, October 25, 5–7 p.m.Sunday, October 26, 2–4 p.m.Tuesday, October 28, 5–7 p.m.Gymnasium¥16,800*Sign up at the Recreation Desk For more information, contact [email protected]

Treadmill TestEarn endless bragging rights by running 120 kilometers—the distance from Tokyo to Nikko—in 30 days, as part of the Fitness Center’s annual treadmill challenge.

30-Day Running ChallengeOctober 1–30Fitness Center¥1,500*Sign up at the Fitness Center

F I T N E S S E D U C AT I O N

Skin-Pampering Special

The Spa proudly uses products by

Book an appointment at The Spa at 03-4588-0714 or [email protected]–Saturday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. | Sunday and national holidays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

This month, rejuvenate your skin with the new Ella Baché Sensibeautics facial treatment, specifically designed to reduce sensitivity and nourish the skin, for only ¥9,600 (regular price: ¥12,000).

Sensibeautics SpecialFriday, October 10An Ella Baché Japan specialist will be on hand at The Spa to offer the Sensibeautics facial treatment. Please reserve in advance.

Making the GradeThis month, the Club’s professional tutors offer guidance to high school juniors and seniors on the college admission process.

PSAT Cram SessionPrepare for the PSAT exam, which gives high school juniors a chance to qualify for National Merit Scholarship program.Sunday, October 53–7 p.m.Jean Pearce Classroom¥20,000*

Hybrid SAT-ACT ClassLearn essential test-taking strategies and skills for the college entrance exams in this eight-week course.

SAT Four-Week CourseOctober 12–November 2Every Sunday

ACT Four-Week CourseNovember 16–December 7Every Sunday

4–7 p.m.Beate Sirota Gordon Classroom¥80,000*

Sign up at the Recreation Desk or e-mail [email protected]

*Prices exclude 8 percent consumption tax.


HALLOWEEN READING PROGRAMOctober 1–November 30Embark on a journey of imagination and spooky stories this Halloween season by reading and collecting stamps to win swag. Recommended for children ages six to 12. Sign up at the Library.

PUMPKIN-CARVING CONTEST Show off your jack-o’-lantern design skills to win prizes.

Saturday, October 1810 a.m.–12 p.m.Toko Shinoda Classroom¥3,500 (walk-ins: ¥4,200)Sign up at the Recreation Desk

FRIGHT NIGHTSlither, slink or lurch your way to the Club for a Halloween bash of frighteningly good fun, including live music, DJ tunes, costume prizes and more.

Friday, October 247–11 p.m.New York Ballroom and Brooklyn Suite ¥6,000 (non-Members: ¥7,500)Dress code: Halloween costumeSign up online or at Member Services Sponsored by the Culture, Community and Entertainment Committee

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULARClub youngsters enjoy a day of frighteningly fun activities in celebration of the annual festival of ghouls and ghosts.

Saturday, October 2510 a.m.–3 p.m. (four sessions)Gymnasium¥2,500 (walk ins: ¥3,000) Sign up at Member Services

MONSTER MAKEUPWhether you see yourself as a princess or a zombie, our talented makeup artist will help you make it a Halloween to remember.

Saturday, October 259:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.The Studio¥1,000 (walk-ins: ¥1,200)Sign up at the Recreation Desk

FAMILY MONSTER MATCHDon a costume and hit the Club’s colorful lanes for a day of bowling, treats and games. Complete two games in one hour as a family for a chance to score some Halloween treats.

Saturday, October 253–8 p.m.¥1,200 per groupSign up at the Bowling Center

HALLOWEEN BUFFETOctober 25–26Rainbow Café presents spooky spreads of tasty Halloween cuisine for lunch (11 a.m.–5 p.m.) and dinner (5–8:30 p.m.). Diners are encouraged to dress for the occasion.

HALLOWEEN IN TRADERS’ BAROctober 27–31The Club’s watering hole creates an array of ghoulishly good cocktails for Halloween week.

Halloween at the Club 19

Curators of CraftsmanshipThe annual International Bazaar sees the New York Ballroom transform into a bustling marketplace.

(l–r) Janet Johnson and Chi Heng Kwan

by Nick NarigonPhotos by Benjamin Parks


For centuries, Japanese grandmothers lovingly embroidered colorful toy balls to present to their granddaughters on New Year’s Day. Made from straw, cotton or silk (depending

on the region), these temari were lightweight, slightly larger than a billiard ball and decorated with traditional images, such as chrysanthemums, cranes or clouds.

American Janet Johnson discovered temari almost 30 years ago. The Chicago native and recent college graduate arrived in Tokyo to study aikido and the local language. After discovering arts and crafts programs at a culture center in Shinjuku, she saw an advertisement for a temari class.

“I was hooked, absolutely hooked,” she says. “I had never embroidered in my life, not interested in embroidery at all, but in this you stitch a design and you come out with a wonderful ornament. I was in seventh heaven.”

Though her temari teacher has since passed away, Johnson stayed in touch with her classmates, all of whom have devoted their free time to the fading art of temari. For years (too many to count, according to Johnson), she has sold samples of their work at the Women’s Group’s International Bazaar.

“I fell in love with temari—the color combinations, the flowers, the design possibilities, from simple to intricate, they were just so exciting,” says Johnson. “I wanted to give temari to the world. I wanted temari to be a word in the English language, like sushi. It seemed that the easiest way to integrate temari into Western culture would be first of all as a Christmas tree ornament. Until people got the idea of what [a] temari is, if they saw it as an ornament, it has a lot of impact.”

Spreading her collection out on a table, Johnson picks up one temari, emblazoned with the face of a Kabuki actor. Another is in the shape of a pinecone. Johnson shows one of her first attempts at making a temari. Originally a star, one of her cohorts turned it into a cute Santa Claus figure.

“Unfortunately, I don’t see a lot of young blood. I don’t know if there is enough interest to keep it going,” says Johnson, who has been recognized by the Japanese Temari Association. “The ladies, they are in their 70s or 80s and they are still doing fantastic work and coming up with new designs all the time.”

C hi Heng Kwan hovers over a table in an ultramodern conference room in Ginza. The space glows in neon hues of pink, orange and blue while artistic photographs are

projected onto the walls. Kwan delicately lays out necklaces and bracelets, adorned with glittering Swarovski crystals, on a black felt cloth.

Created by New York designer Rodrigo Otazu, the jewelry is sold in Japan through Kwan’s agency, Rok Wan, and is available in just a few Tokyo department stores. This month, Kwan will open Rok Wan’s first permanent retail space in Takashimaya.

Otazu, who has designed jewelry for celebrities like Britney Spears, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and Madonna, as well as for the party scene in Sex and the City 2, will be in Tokyo for the launch of the Rok Wan flagship store in Ginza (Otazu has designed a piece especially for the store) and will host a seminar at next month’s International Bazaar.

A Club Member for nearly 20 years, Kwan gestures toward a glittering necklace on the table. “That was worn by Lady Gaga,” he says. “We have the one that she wore to the White House dinner.”

The 63-year-old is a relative newcomer to the jewelry business. He started Rok Wan with his business partner, Michie Takagi, after decades in the industrial coating and IT industries.

“I think I have something artistic in nature. I like beautiful things,” he says. “High-tech is interesting, but it is very complex. It takes a long time to get a product out. Here, we get to see customers who are happy instantaneously.”

Before entering the world of jewelry, Kwan says he identified a demographic, known as “accessory

refugees.” These 12 million women in their 40s and 50s have difficulty finding jewelry to

their liking in Tokyo department stores, according to Kwan. The colorful yet subtle Otazu line, he and Takagi believed, would be a natural fit for the market.

“We saw that we can bring more fashionable accessories at a reasonable

price into the Japanese market,” Kwan says. “Tastes will change, but good design

is timeless.” o

WOMEN’S GROUP

More than 50 vendors, selling everything from tapestries to flower arrangements to alpaca garments, will set up shop in the New York Ballroom next month for the International Bazaar,

JANET JOHNSON ROK WAN

International BazaarWednesday, November 5

10 a.m.–8 p.m.Thursday, November 6

10 a.m.–2 p.m.New York Ballroom

Open to the public (free entry)No children under 12 permitted

(baby carriers OK)Cash, credit card and Membership

card accepted

one of the Women’s Group’s biggest charity fundraisers. Ahead of the two-day sale that will feature a number of new

vendors, iNTOUCH talks to two merchants about their wares.

An interactive community 21

Before the world arrives to watch the Olympics in 2020, Tokyo is determined to reinvent itself as a global business center. by Nick Narigon

Benj

amin

Par

ks


FEATUREFEATUREFEATURE

Hiroo Mori

Building a Business Hub 23

Hiroo Mori glances over his shoulder and gestures toward the Tokyo cityscape beyond the floor-to-ceiling window. “Tokyo is becoming a global city,” says the executive vice president of urban developer Mori Building.

Mori is sitting on a stylish sofa in a 50th-floor suite of the Andaz Hotel in Mori’s latest development, Toranomon Hills. Below the building runs a recently opened four-lane trunk road, which snakes its way among the high-rises and TV towers of Shiodome.

The 1.4-kilometer section of Tokyo’s Loop Road No. 2, commonly known as Shintora Dori (though officials prefer to call it the “Olympic Road”), connects Toranomon Hills to Shinbashi and will serve as a major link between the athletes’ village and the event sites of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

When planning for the road started 68 years ago, however, the thoroughfare was called MacArthur Road after US General Douglas MacArthur. Its development would coincide with the prodigious growth of Mori Building. In 1955, economics professor Taikichiro Mori entered the real estate business and, in 1957, opened an office building in Toranomon, his family’s hometown.

“This location holds significance because the Toranomon area is where Mori Building originated,” says Mori, 53, dressed in a dark suit and blue tie. “Toranomon Hills is a triumph for Mori Building and for our efforts to help Tokyo become a more international city.”

The project is a cornerstone of Tokyo’s recent efforts to reenergize the city and make it a more attractive prospect for

investors over regional rivals like Hong Kong and Singapore. The city government began to revitalize the Toranomon district in the early 1990s and Mori Building signed on as a development partner in 2002. At 52 stories and 247 meters, Toranomon Hills opened in June.

Mori Building’s idea for Toranomon Hills was to create a “vertical garden city.” The 6,000 square meters of open space and greenery includes a grassy knoll that serves as an outdoor seating area for events. The complex houses upscale shops and restaurants, office space, conference facilities, high-end apartments and the Andaz Hotel, Hyatt’s first luxury boutique hotel in Japan.

“This is a multipurpose building, the first of its kind in Tokyo,” says Club Member Mori. “The ingenious design allows tenants to [have all of their needs met], without having to commute to other areas of the city.”

The office space in Toranomon Hills is almost at full occupancy and has attracted some of the world’s biggest corporate names. Partnering with local government and community leaders, Mori says the company will continue to develop the surrounding area, particularly along Shintora Dori, by adding outdoor cafés and

garden spaces reminiscent of Paris’ Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

“There are many opportunities to redevelop this area,” Mori says. “We have to add software, not hardware. Tokyo is a developed city with a well-established infrastructure. We need to improve the aesthetic appeal and add leisure amenities to attract people from around the world.”

Since the bursting of Japan’s economic bubble more than 20 years ago, Tokyo’s economy has struggled to ignite. The global financial crisis of 2008 and 2011’s triple disaster in Tohoku dealt further hammer blows to any growth.

In 1995, Japan topped the Fortune Global 500 list with 141 companies, including four financial firms in the top five. Today, just 57 companies are listed, with only automaker Toyota in the top 10, and Japan lags well behind China and the United States.

One upside to the years of deflation is that monthly office leasing costs in Tokyo are cheaper than Hong Kong and Singapore by an average of ¥10,000 per square meter. But lower taxes and more favorable economic policies have been drawing droves of foreign investors and manufacturers to these Asian hubs for years.

According to 2013 data from the Bank

“THEY NEED TO ATTRACT MORE FOREIGN COMPANIES HERE.

WITHOUT THEM, IT IS KIND OF A LONELY PLACE.”


FEATUREFEATUREFEATURE

of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, foreign firms make up just 0.3 percent of Tokyo’s market, compared with more than 5 percent in Hong Kong and nearly 40 percent in Singapore.

“Unfortunately, in the last few years, Japan has been shrinking in terms of foreign companies operating here because of the financial services meltdown,” says Club President John Durkin. “That hurt us quite a bit at Tokyo American Club. From the time of the Lehman shock in 2008 until a couple of years ago, we lost 700 foreign Members net. We’ve come back now. We’ve got many of those Members back because we have been actively recruiting outside of financial services. Still, we’re not really seeing a huge influx of foreign companies coming back to Japan.”

One thing Tokyo is lacking is tax incentives for foreign companies to set up shop, says Durkin. Last year, the Japanese government reduced the corporate tax rate from 38 to 35.6 percent, which is still more than double the 16.5 and 17 percent rates

of Hong Kong and Singapore, respectively.But Durkin argues that Tokyo’s selling

points (besides cheaper office space) are its superior infrastructure, lower levels of pollution, higher quality of life and the newly expanded Haneda Airport, which now has direct flights to nearly every continent.

“From that point of view, if you can get past the tax issues, Tokyo is actually a good place to live and a favorable place for people to come and do business,” says Durkin. “They need to attract more foreign companies here. Without them, it is kind of a lonely place.”

Japan’s leaders agree. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has set a goal to double Japan’s foreign direct investment (FDI) to ¥35 trillion by 2020. While the country’s economy is largely export driven, Japan’s current FDI is 4 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 12 percent for South Korea and 24 percent for China.

Tokyo’s governor, Yoichi Masuzoe, who took office in February, says he wants to attract more foreign businesses to the city

in an effort to make it globally competitive. At a July press conference at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan, Masuzoe touted Toranomon Hills as a symbol of Tokyo’s transformation.

“I wish to turn Tokyo into a city full of vibrancy,” he said. “We are implementing the first stages of [the] Tokyo Champs-Élysées project, which aims to transform Tokyo streets to pleasant and enjoyable spaces.”

A second urban development project will see an area about twice the size of New York’s Central Park around Shinagawa Station converted into a transportation hub. Shinagawa will become Tokyo’s main terminal for the maglev (magnetic levitation) bullet train, which will start running between the capital and Nagoya in 2027. The area will also be directly connected with Haneda through a new Yamanote Line station, set to open in 2020.

To further entice foreign companies and talent to relocate to Tokyo, Masuzoe has promised to amend the tax system and residential requirements.

Tokyo’s Special Zones for Asian Headquarters


One measure was set in motion two years ago. Toranomon Hills and Shinagawa Station sit inside two of the city’s five designated Special Zones for Asian Headquarters. The aim is to attract 500 foreign companies to these zones by 2016 by offering such financial incentives as subsidies and a reduced corporate tax rate of 26.9 percent.

To help it meet its target, the city hired consultancy firm Accenture Japan to recruit 50 foreign companies to establish their Asian regional headquarters or research and development (R&D) centers within the special zones.

Hiroshi Goto, managing director of health and public services for Accenture, says 11 companies have agreed to take advantage of this opportunity so far. He says his team sells Tokyo by stressing that it has the world’s highest population density. In addition, Goto says Tokyo’s gross metropolitan product is higher than that of most countries, including Mexico and South Korea.

“Tax subsidies, free consulting: that’s important and necessary, but it’s not sufficient, right?” he says. “The cheaper the tax is, the better for any company, but no companies come to Tokyo because taxes are cheaper, so market attractiveness is key.”

One company planning to open its Asian regional headquarters in one of Tokyo’s special economic zones is Big Smile Products, a US-based company that markets innovative consumer products, primarily from North America, throughout Asia.

Marc Bookman, chairman of Big Smile, says the company’s focus is Southeast Asia. In Thailand alone the company has launched six products, ranging from cosmetics to specialty apparel. It is also testing products for the Japanese market.

Sitting in his Nakameguro office, overlooking the Meguro River, Bookman explains how he and his colleagues evaluated different cities throughout Asia. He says they found Bangkok too unpredictable and Singapore too expensive. As a result, the company, which currently has 16 employees, chose Tokyo.

According to Bookman, Tokyo’s time zone makes it possible to conduct real-time business with developers in the US, which would be much more challenging from Bangkok. In addition, he says, Tokyo’s infrastructure far outstrips that of other Asian cities.

“You can ask 10, 20, 30 Americans, ‘Where would you want to live if you had to be in Asia,’ [and] you would see that many of them would say, ‘I want to be in Tokyo,’” says Bookman. “The cost and the

regulations and all the other things about doing business here are challenging, but I would say the time zone, the quality of life and the infrastructure definitely outweigh those negatives.”

Mike Alfant, CEO of Fusion Systems Japan and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, says that increasing Japan’s FDI, which is the lowest of any OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) country, and promoting entrepreneurship and business startups are essential to Japan’s long-term economic growth.

According to the chamber’s research, foreign companies and startups were the only two business areas that consistently increased employment in Japan between 1996 and 2006. Alfant says it is important for Japan to make itself more attractive as an FDI destination by implementing tax policies that provide incentives for startups and market entrants.

“Setting up a business anywhere is very hard. I think there are a lot of unique opportunities which present themselves in Japan,” says Club Member Alfant. “I Marc Bookman

Benjamin Parks

Mike Alfant

Kayo Yamazaki

"NO COMPANIES COME TO TOKYO BECAUSE TAXES ARE CHEAPER,

SO MARKET ATTRACTIVENESS IS KEY.”


FEATURE

think there is a pretty rich opportunity horizon for firms that are committed to the market. I don’t think Japan is a market that can be addressed opportunistically. Whether it’s a startup or a Fortune 100 firm, I think Japan is a market that demands strategic engagement.”

Fellow Member Jesper Koll, who is head of equity research at JP Morgan, says Japan is already rich in intellectual property and boasts an R&D spend that as a share of the national income is at more than 3 percent. Whether Japan can

turn that into something commercial is a different story, he says.

“I have everything that everybody else wants. I have brain power. I have innovation. I have patents. I think that aspect is very often overlooked,” says Koll of Japan’s strengths. “Outside of consumer electronics, could you please name one industry where Japan has lost competitiveness? Shipbuilding: I mean talk about an old industry. The Japanese have invested in the engineering. If you want

a ship paint that reduces the drag and therefore increases your energy efficiency, there are two Japanese companies that are the only companies in the world that can do this stuff. It’s true.”

When speaking with potential foreign investors or businesspeople, Koll says he promotes Tokyo as the only city in Asia with “clean air, no traffic jams and a banker who lends you 85 percent loan to value.”

“For you and I to invest in a country, the question is really what is the market potential and what is the market potential relevant to the rest of the world?” says Koll. “Pharmaceuticals, medical devices, healthcare services, that’s a great business in Japan because everybody else is getting older faster than me. I always tell people, if you give me $100 million to invest in Japan, I want to build the Louis Vuitton hospital chain of Japan because that’s the greatest tailwind you are going to get. The expenditure on healthcare is going to grow at least at twice the rate of GDP over the next 10 years.”

Koll says entrepreneurs don’t invest in a country because of its tax regime (“That’s why you have accountants”). Instead, they look at access to human capital, intellectual property and the regulatory environment.

“Singapore and Hong Kong are teeny. I am the biggest urban area in the world. I have a wonderful concentration across all industries, no matter what it is, whether it’s manufacturing, whether it’s construction, whether it’s media, whether it’s finance—everything takes place within an hour commute of where you and I are sitting,” says Koll. “Whether today or in five years’ time or in 15 years’ time, Tokyo will be one of the most exciting cities in Asia. There is no question about it.” o

GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS INDEXThe most competitive countries as defined by the set of institutions, policies and factors that determine the level of productivity.

2013 2012

Switzerland 1 1

Singapore 2 2

Finland 3 3

Germany 4 6

United States 5 7

Sweden 6 4

Hong Kong 7 9

Netherlands 8 5

Japan 9 10

UK 10 8

Source: World Economic Forum

THE 10 SMARTEST CITIES ON THE PLANETThe Cities in Motion Index ranks cities based on levels of innovation, sustainability and quality of life.

1. Tokyo

2. London

3. New York

4. Zürich

5. Paris

Source: IESE Business School in Spain

6. Geneva

7. Basel

8. Osaka

9. Seoul

10. Oslo

FEATUREFEATURE

Jesper Koll

Irwin W

ong

“OUTSIDE OF CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, COULD YOU PLEASE NAME ONE INDUSTRY WHERE JAPAN HAS

LOST COMPETITIVENESS?”


Sheldon Adelson is betting big on Japan. The American casino magnate is eagerly awaiting the

Japanese government to legalize casinos in the country and has promised to spend $10 million on a resort.

Following the reemergence of Macau as a gaming destination and Singapore’s more recent arrival on the casino scene, Japanese leaders have recognized the potential of so-called “integrated resorts” as a way to draw tourists from abroad.

Japan currently allows betting on horseracing, powerboat racing, motorbike speedway and keirin cycling. Lottery and scratch cards and soccer pools are legal

as well. Then there are the thousands of pachinko and pachislot parlors, where customers play machines similar to slot machines for prizes or tokens. These are then swapped for cash at a nearby exchange. It’s estimated that the industry is worth almost $200 billion.

Takashi Oya is president and COO of Fields, a distributor of pachinko and pachislot machines. iNTOUCH’s Nick Jones sat down with the Club Member at his Shibuya offices to talk about Japan’s gaming future. Excerpts:

iNTOUCH: How would you explain pachinko and pachislot to those who

may be confused over whether they constitute gambling?

Oya: Some say pachinko and pachislot are a gambling gray area, but two years ago, Dynam, one of the biggest pachinko parlor chains in Japan, was listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange. So we can assume that this industry is not a gray area but a white area.

iNTOUCH: Would you like to see the law changed to classify this sector as gaming?

Oya: First, I have to say that pachinko is classified as entertainment and not

PlaceYour Bets


different. Recent pachinko parlors have around 1,000 machines and a staff of 20 to 30, whereas a casino in Las Vegas or Macau has to hire security and other staff so needs at least 300 employees. That’s why the casino needs customers to gamble more money to cover their higher fixed

costs. Pachinko and casino customers are very different. Pachinko customers and users of the slots in casinos spend about the same in a day, but there’s a big difference. Slot machines in Las Vegas or Macau are replaced about every five or 10 years, but pachinko machines are replaced about every year. Pachinko customers wouldn’t want to play the same machine every day for five or 10 years.

iNTOUCH: A recent Health Ministry-sponsored survey

found that around 5 percent of Japan’s adult population is addicted to gambling. This compares with around 1 percent in other developed

countries. What is your reaction?

Oya: This is obviously a problem, and we certainly don’t want to see anyone addicted to gambling. I think there are two types of customer in [pachinko]. The first type plays to win and the other type plays to kill time. One of the machines we launched in recent years didn’t pay out as much, but it

was really popular with customers.

iNTOUCH: Critics of gaming in Japan say there is little education about gambling and addiction here. Do you agree?

Oya: Yes, we need more education about gambling, pachinko and, potentially, casinos. There is also lots of betting-related advertising on TV.

iNTOUCH: Do you worry then that the introduction of

casinos in Japan could make this problem of gambling addiction even worse?

Oya: Education on gambling would be

crucial in the future. But there is also little education

on personal finance in Japan. Unfortunately, personal trading in stocks

and shares is seen as gambling here as well.

iNTOUCH: What are your thoughts on the idea of casinos in Japan?

Oya: The objectives for the Japanese government and the foreign casino operators seem very different. Those operators want Japanese people’s money. But the government is focused on overseas tourism, so wants foreign money. The government has hinted that Japanese people may have to pay an entrance fee to casinos [similar to Singapore], but the operators will hesitate to accept this. The two sides don’t yet have a shared goal, so I think it is unlikely we will see a conclusion reached anytime soon.

iNTOUCH: What are the benefits of having casinos in Japan?

Oya: I think there will be a big economic impact because each hotel would be able to employ thousands of people. The question will be where the money will come from to cover those costs—Japan or overseas? But the casino operators will find that there aren’t as many Japanese high rollers as Chinese high rollers, for example, and they don’t gamble as much, either. Overall, I don’t see a success story emerging from this project. o

TALKING HEADS

gaming in Japan. Since the prize tokens given are for small amounts of money, it seems unlikely it will ever be seen as part of the gaming sector. If the prizes increase in value, this might change. If the government agreed to classify this area as gaming, it would be a lot clearer. However, there is no debate going on at the moment, so it seems unlikely there will be any change soon. But my personal view is that it’s high time to clarify this industry’s status.

iNTOUCH: Could this proposed casino law prove to be a catalyst for wider change in the gambling laws?

Oya: Pachinko serves the people who live in Japan. For example, we saw after the Tohoku earthquake [in 2011] that people in that area congregated at pachinko parlors to meet and talk. They were like community centers, as well as a source of entertainment. If you look at casinos in somewhere like Las Vegas, they are about attracting tourists. Since the concept of casinos and pachinko is completely different, I don’t think this proposed law will have an effect on the pachinko sector.

iNTOUCH: With the hollowing out of rural Japan, what’s the state of the pachinko industry?

Oya: We’ve seen the number of people playing pachinko decline over the last five years. This trend is not because of a drop in the rural population, though. It’s because younger Japanese have been choosing to play social games and other kinds of high-tech entertainment. But the players in their 50s and 60s are still playing.

iNTOUCH: Do you worry that some of these players will start frequenting casinos if this bill is passed?

Oya: First of all, the business models of casinos and pachinko are completely

Takashi Oya

Member insights on Japan 29

L aunched with great fanfare in 2000 to commemorate the millennium and Japan’s hosting of the G8 summit in Okinawa, the ¥2,000 bill is rarely seen in circulation today.

The note, which features a gateway at Okinawa’s Shuri Castle on one side and a scene from Murasaki Shikibu’s classic 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji on the other, was the first bill to be issued since the ¥10,000 note in 1958. It was also the first postwar bill bearing the number two, and Keizo Obuchi, Japan’s prime minister at the time, highlighted the popularity of such notes in countries like the United States ($20 bill), Britain (£20 note) and Europe (€20 note).

There were high expectations for the bill. It was hoped that it would help stimulate the economy. Manufacturers of vending machines and other dispensers expected a spike in orders for updated machines, while Kyoto, the setting for The Tale of Genji, and Okinawa anticipated an influx of tourists.

Despite the excitement, the bill never gained widespread acceptance, perhaps because of its incompatibility with the country’s more than 5 million vending machines. Most ATMs

and train ticket machines don’t accept the bill and many cash registers reportedly don’t have a drawer for the note.

Some of those who do come into possession of a ¥2,000 bill complain that it’s difficult to distinguish it from the ¥1,000 and ¥5,000 bills. “The bill is so confusing, and it can’t be used in vending machines. I try my best to get rid of it,” says Club Member Naoko Yagura.

In addition, the public may have treated the bill as a rarity and something to be saved. “People viewed it as a collector’s item, figuring it would not be circulating forever, and collected it, effectively taking it out of circulation,” says Club Member and banker Tim Latimore.

Yutaka Nishiyama, a mathematician and professor at Osaka University of Economics, believes the bill’s underutilization is down to the Japanese penchant for odd numbers, citing the plethora of odd-numbered celebrations and holidays (the Seven-Five-Three festival, Girls’ Day on March 3 and Children’s Day on May 5), the number of fruit items typically offered at shrines (one or three) and the standard wedding gift (three or

five ¥10,000 notes). The number two, on the other hand, is often associated with separation.

Whatever the reason for the failure of the ¥2,000 note to be accepted in Japan, the Bank of Japan ceased printing it in 2004, at which point there were 513 million in circulation. By 2010, there were only 111 million in circulation. The rest are assumed to be held by the bank.

“I’ve never seen a used one,” says Yagura. “The bill is always so new that I am afraid that it will be considered counterfeit.” Ironically, the note has a number of sophisticated anti-counterfeiting features, including latent images and watermarks.

Yet the bill still enjoys tremendous popularity in Okinawa, where more than 3.5 million of them were in circulation in 2010. In fact, new, unwrinkled ¥2,000 bills are given as presents at New Year. o

Weiss has been a Club Member since 2002.

CULTURAL INSIGHT

Japan’s Vanishing BillAfter nearly 15 years in circulation, the ¥2,000 note remains as elusive as ever. by Efrot Weiss


Ensure you have a say in how your Club is run by registering to vote.

To vote in the Annual General Meeting on November 18 and upcoming Board of Governors election, be sure to register by October 30.

w w w . t o k y o a m e r i c a n c l u b . o r g

HAVE YOURVOICEHEARD

HAVE YOURVOICEHEARD

To �nd out more, visit Member Services or the Board of Governors page of the Club website.


All exhibits in the Frederick Harris Gallery are for sale and can be purchased by Membership card at the Member Services Desk. Sales of works begin at 6 p.m. on the first day of the exhibition.

by Nick Narigon

Followers of Shintoism once believed spirits called kodama resided in trees with distinctive features, such as a unique trunk or a face-like pattern in the bark. Similar to the dryad nymphs of Greek mythology, kodama sometimes took human form and could bring fortune—or hardship—to those they encountered.

Akin to a Japanese shaman of old, artist Shigeki Kudo finds intrinsic beauty and wonder embedded in wood. The 56-year-old, who experimented with lacquer while a student at Tokyo University of the Arts, uses the traditional technique of hegi to create boxes, plates and vases.

Using wood from a single tree, Kudo splits the lumber into thin layers before placing them on top of one another to form three-dimensional pieces that border on sculpture or craft. The joints are aligned seamlessly along the grain of the wood and lids are snugly fit, concealing any fissures.

“By following the fiber lines, beautiful forms are captured, without losing the strength of the wood,” says Kudo, who has held numerous solo exhibitions in Tokyo, as well as London.

As a finish, he uses the natural plant lacquer urushi to coat the surface. This technique dates back 9,000 years to the Jomon period. The inside of his works, which are hollowed out by hand, are coated in a similar style to household lacquerware, which makes them entirely waterproof.

In ancient Japan, it was said that the sound of a tree falling in a wood was actually the cry of a kodama. Kudo’s artwork is meant to elicit a more serene feeling, yet it embodies the same ethereal wonder.

Shigeki Kudo

ExhibitionOctober 20–November 9

Gallery ReceptionMonday, October 206:30–8 p.m.Frederick Harris Gallery (B1 Formal Lobby)FreeOpen to invitees and Members only

FREDERICK HARRIS GALLERY

Advertorial 31

ADVERTORIAL

Graham & Emi DaleyAustralia—Dow Chemical Japan Ltd.

Ganesh RamaniIndia—Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.

Michael & Lynne TaylorUnited States—HarbourVest Partner LLC

Benoit St. Georges & Alexandra Boaknin Canada—JP Morgan Securities Japan Co., Ltd.

Andrew & Joanna CoxAustralia—Meat & Livestock Australia Ltd.

Fiona MilneAustralia—Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.

Gregory JonesUnited States—Beacon Communications K.K.

Gaurav & Sawako ShuklaUnited States—Morgan Stanley Japan Group Co., Ltd.

Joel & Madoka WallaceUnited States—Genentech, Inc.

Dustin & Lyndsey OsgoodUnited States—PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata

Federica ConciItaly—Alcon Japan Ltd.

Jean-Louis Duponchel & Yoko TsudaFrance—Daiwa Securities Co., Ltd.

Erik & Kayoko PetersUnited States—TransVision Co., Ltd.

John & Phyllis Renee RolfsUnited States—The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo

Kyung Hwan Park & Young Su YunSouth Korea—Nexon Co, Ltd.

Chris & Sallie CornwallUnited States—PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata

Sarthak & Charuta RanadeIndia—Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.

Adrian & Amy GottschalkUnited States—Biogen Idec Japan Ltd.

Bud Roth & Amy TsuiUnited States—Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting K.K.

Lillian Lam & Wallace LeeHong Kong—Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd.

George Borovas & Mariam ChalabiUnited States—Shearman & Sterling

Nels HansenUnited States—Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Sarah McKensey & Michael SabeyAustralia—Johnson & Johnson K.K.

Christopher & Kie KobayashiUnited States—En World Japan K.K.

Philippe & Kayo LievreFrance—Novartis Pharma K.K.

Wayne & Kate Lewis United Kingdom—AIG Japan Holdings K.K.

David & Yuri ScottUnited States—Evolution Japan

Sami & Tomoko MianUnited Kingdom—Miyano LLC

Sung Ae Cho & Hiroya AmanoSouth Korea—Dentsu, Inc.

John & Michiko StarkCanada—SAP Japan Co., Ltd.

Masahiro & Keiko YamagataMinoru & Shigeko EndoGary & Lori WigmoreDavid Sbarro & Kyung Sook KimJoseph Michael & Pamela MolinaroHideto MasakiSimon & Elenice ReevesClement Tang & Patsy YuenDavid Junius & Rosemary HysonFrederico & Claudia MonteiroDavid & Kristine FreitasKenneth & Kathleen BunceJohn & Silvia BremnerGavin & Masami MargetsonMichael MisurelliEric & Elana BernabeiGiles & Nicola CrowleyMelody Sakazaki & Edmund DorseyJonathan & Ewa LawlorDarrell Hall & Miki Motegi-HallTakamitsu & Tamie MatsunagaLeslie Fosbrook & Maria Luisa Hernando CaroPeter McKeown & Muriell CastilloJason & Amy YoungToshiaki KurosakaBrey R & Ricky SloanTomohiko ItoEmily Hampton & Carsten FriesMichael Weening & Narda EllsmereJonathon & Tracey HadleyMark & Kuniko Ohashi DavidsonJason & Amy Heath

sayonara

yokoso

Stacks of Services at the Club

André Bernard Beauty SalonHair care for adults and kids, manicure, pedicure, waxing and more.Tel: 03-4588-0685 Family Area (B1)Tue–Sun9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Spica The Club’s professional shoe repair and polishing service. Tel: 03-4588-0670The Cellar (B1)Sat: 1–4:30 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Weekday drop-off: Member Services Desk

FedExTo find out more about the range of services and Member discounts, visit the FedEx counter. The Cellar (B1)Mon–Fri: 1–5 p.m. (closed Sun and national holidays)Sat: 12 p.m. (pickup only)

The Art of TravelDiscover Japan and beyond with help from the Club’s travel desk consultants. The Cellar (B1)Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Tel: 076-221-1586E-mail: [email protected]

Compensation Mark MillerCulture, Community & Entertainment Daniel Smith (Lance Lee)

SubcommitteesCulture & Community JoAnn YoneyamaEntertainment Matthew KrcelicFrederick Harris Gallery Yumiko Sai

Finance Rodney Nussbaum(Hiroshi Miyamasu)

Food & Beverage Michael Alfant (Jerome Rosenberg)

SubcommitteeWine Stephen Romaine

House Jesse Green (Gregory Lyon) SubcommitteeFacilities Management GroupTomio Fukuda

Human Resources Jon Sparks (Per Knudsen)

Membership Alok Rakyan (Machi Nemoto) Nominating Steven GreenbergRecreation Samuel Rogan(Mark Miller)

SubcommitteesBowling Crystal GoodflieshVideo Library Abigail RadmilovichFitness Samuel RoganGolf John Vaughan

Library Alaine LeeLogan Room Christa RutterSquash Martin FluckSwim Alexander Jampel Youth Activities Betsy Rogers

Joining a Committee


Why did you decide to join the Club?“Not only does the Club offer wonderful and diverse opportunities for our children, it gives us adults the chance to meet our social, fitness and networking goals as well, all in one beautiful facility. We have only been Members for a short time and we have already enjoyed new friendships, business connections and many of the amenities at the Club, with many more yet to discover. We think the Club will be a fulfilling addition to the life we have embraced here in Japan and a great fit for our family.”

(l–r) Rodney, August, Alaina and Mack Weimer

Why did you decide to join the Club?“While we truly enjoy the excitement of living in Tokyo, it is nice to have comforts of home for our family while we are here. The strong social, educational, recreational and business opportunities at Tokyo American Club will enhance our lives in Tokyo immensely. We are also very excited about having a safe and friendly environment for our children to enjoy after school and on the weekends. TAC offers everyone in our family a great way to stay active and meet new friends.”

(l–r) Lottie, Lila and Charlie Tinsley, Betsy Swanson and John Tinsley

New Member ProfileRodney & Alaina Weimer United States—Caterpillar East Japan

New Member ProfileJohn Tinsley & Betsy Swanson United States—Ernst & Young Transaction Advisory Services

T eaching kids can be tough. But teaching English to a gaggle of Japanese youngsters can require

superhuman reserves of energy (and an extensive repertoire of nursery rhymes and children’s songs).

After seven years of trekking across the Tokyo sprawl and to as far afield as Chiba and Yokohama to instruct, encourage and entertain rooms of children of varying ages, Anna Ishizuka’s energy levels were depleted. “It was tiring. I did enjoy it, but it takes a lot of energy,” she says. “I was teaching up to seven classes in a day—lots of singing and dancing, and I would sometimes lose my voice.”

Ishizuka, who earned a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, decided to return to her academic roots. “I really wanted to get back into the creative industry,” she says.

Joining the Club’s Communications Department as a graphic designer in January 2013, she now uses her creative skills across a range of projects, from Club promotions to brochures to the monthly magazine. “I like this team and I feel fortunate to work here,” says Ishizuka, who was named Employee of the Month for August.

Born and raised in Palos Verdes, a peninsula of breathtaking ocean views in southwest LA, Ishizuka’s parents had moved to California from Japan in the late 1970s with her father’s job. Growing up, Ishizuka’s links with the country on the other side of the Pacific were through holiday visits to relatives and Japanese school each Saturday.

In 2005, after a stint as a graphic designer at her alma mater and growing weary of the city, she decided to explore her parents’ homeland. “I was excited and sad at the same time [to leave LA],” says Ishizuka, who turns 34 this month. “I wanted to try something new.” o

MEMBER SERVICES

employeeof the month

AnnaIshizuka

by Nick Jones

Services and benefits for Members 35


This year’s CWAJ Print Show catalog cover

features a work by print master Tadashi

Nakayama.

Breathtaking Beauty

by Michiko Okubo

I will never forget my first encounter with Tadashi Nakayama’s magnificent work “Running in the Blue Afternoon.” The print, which adorns the cover of

the 59th CWAJ Print Show catalog, simply knocked the breath out of me. All I could do was stand and stare. I was afraid the divine horses might fly out of the frame if I so much as blinked.

The diagonal lines cutting across a blue sky seemed to propel the galloping

steeds. Were there three horses or four? So seamlessly had the artist blended the beasts, I couldn’t tell where one ended and the other began. The frame barely contained the powerful creatures, united in the sheer joy of running. Slowly, as I caught my breath, I began to notice the detail, the stunning composition, the vibrant shades of red, blue and green and elements reminiscent of both Byzantine and Japanese art.

CWAJ Print Show 37

Perhaps the horses are like the one Nakayama rode and loved as a boy. A boy who grew into a man dedicated to art and nature. The artist would roam the woods in the morning with his English pointer Nina, delighting in her obvious joy in freedom and marveling at her patience. In the afternoon, when the light was good, he would work in the studio of his house, Nina-so (named after his first and favorite pointer), built on a steep hill in the wooded highland of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. Nina-so has been his home since 1970.

Nakayama believes Nina taught him the patience he has needed to produce his detailed prints. Creating “Running in the Blue Afternoon” (1991), for example, required 14 blocks, carved on both sides to produce 28 plates. It involved 41 printings and 40 colors, including gold and silver.

A piece in the catalog for the 1996 Print Show offered a rare glimpse of Nakayama’s working process through a step-by-step explanation of how he produced “Road of the Butterflies [Spring],” a 1991 print that was exhibited at the show in 1996. According to Nakayama, who works alone on every stage of the printmaking process, the deep blue in that work inspired him to create “Running in the Blue Afternoon.”

Born in 1927 in Niigata Prefecture, Nakayama is largely self-taught. Although he briefly pursued an interest in botany and zoology (which later influenced his art), he eventually enrolled in Tama Art College (now Tama Art University) to study oil painting in 1945. Too accustomed to developing his own style, however, he dropped out. Nonetheless, he has

maintained ties with the school through his wife, whom he met as a student there.

Nakayama produced his first woodblock prints in 1951. While he also worked on lithograph for a few years, he has remained devoted to woodblock as a medium for his work.

In the 1960s, Nakayama traveled twice to Europe, stopping in India and Turkey en route. The visits engendered his interest in Byzantine and Persian art. In Europe, he admired the works of Paolo Uccello, the first Renaissance artist to paint dramatized horses.

The French Postimpressionist Pierre Bonnard’s pastoral scenes also left a strong impression on the young artist. Nakayama continued his self-study of ukiyoe at European museums and came away determined to delve deeper into the art form. He also acknowledges the influence of the late 18th-century ukiyoe artist Sharaku, whose use of mica inspired Nakayama to experiment with gold and silver leaf.

Clearly one of Nakayama’s favorite subjects, horses appear alone, as in his ema (votive horse tablet) prints, or in galloping groups. He renders them in many ways—realistically or highly stylized, simply or ornately.

Butterflies and girls feature widely in Nakayama’s work as well, including in “Road of the Butterflies [Spring],” a particular favorite of his, and “Like Butterfly,” in which he depicts a young girl in profile, silhouetted against a five-story pagoda, with a butterfly in her hair. He created this work in 1985 at the request of the Nobel committee in

Sweden to honor the late Nobel Prize-winning writer Yasunari Kawabata, who set his famous novel Snow Country not far from Nakayama’s home village.

Nakayama refuses to judge other people’s works or to have his judged by others. He belongs to no art associations and, despite frequent invitations, has entered few competitions. Yet not only has he exhibited at the CWAJ Print Show 43 times, he has repeatedly donated the proceeds from his works toward CWAJ scholarships. We are grateful beyond words for his longtime commitment to the CWAJ’s mission. o

Okubo is a member of the CWAJ Print Show organizing committee.

College Women’s Association of Japanwww.cwaj.org

¥1,140

¥1,430

¥1,900 ¥1,430

¥1,900

WEEKEND

Every Saturday and Sunday from October 4

11 a.m.–3 p.m.

American Bar & Grill

¥3,950* (includes brunch buffet and one main)

Open to Members ages 13 and above (teenagers

must be accompanied by an adult Member)

*Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.

WINNER Ease into the day with a dazzling spread of brunch favorites. Weekends will never be the same again.

CWAJ PRINT SHOW

Tadashi Nakayama (1997)

59th CWAJ Print ShowFriday, October 17, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.Saturday, October 18, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.Sunday, October 19, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.New York Ballroom and Frederick Harris GalleryFreeOpen to the public


Rolling with the Punches

Club Member and actor Kane Kosugi talks martial arts, aging and working with Jet Li.

by Rob Goss

A look at culture and society 39

the crossover: actors appearing in films, TV, adverts and variety shows. We didn’t have that in the States. I realized that there were so many things I wanted to try and I could do them in Japan. I love the variation you can have as an actor here.”

Over the next 12 years, Kosugi appeared in numerous Japanese movies, TV shows, such as the hugely popular sports entertainment special “Sasuke,” and even commercials, including as one-half of a thrill-seeking duo in a series of ads for an energy drink.

Turning 30 proved a watershed moment for Kosugi. He decided it was time to set his sights on Hollywood, but relocating back to the US brought new challenges.

“As a kid, I went to acting classes, but in Japan I learned just through working. When I started going to auditions in the US, it was so different to what I’d experienced in Asian films,” he says. “At every one I had to read lines before anyone would consider my martial arts. I realized I had to take acting more seriously, so I began studying it again.”

Kosugi admits that he still has much to learn in both acting and martial arts, and his main goal is always to make his next performance his best. Naturally, he draws inspiration from the best in the business.

“Jackie Chan’s movies inspired me to do 99 percent of my own stunts,” he explains. “The audience is smart, so it’s important to do as much as you can, although you have to know your limits and think about consequences. A strained muscle or bruising can affect the shoot. Now [that] I’m nearly 40, my training is focused on flexibility and staying injury-free. I spend more time stretching and warming up than I do on actual training.

I’m expecting Kane Kosugi to arrive for our interview with an ego and entourage in tow. After all, he’s a pretty well-known action and martial

arts movie actor, having performed alongside the likes of Jet Li and Jason Statham in 2007’s War and together with martial artist Scott Adkins in last year’s Ninja II: Shadow of a Tear.

Instead, he arrives at the Club one weekday afternoon alone, dressed in blue jeans and a light cotton shirt. Throughout our conversation, he’s humble, modest and, at times, almost shy about his achievements. Yet as he talks about his career, from the early influence of his father, legendary Japanese martial artist and actor Sho Kosugi, through to his upcoming debut as a film producer, his passion for his work becomes obvious.

“Growing up, everybody knew my dad, but it’s never been a negative for me. It’s because of him that I started martial arts [at 18 months old] and was able to get into this business, appearing as a kid in some of his movies. And I love doing this job,” says Kosugi, who turns 40 this month. “After I graduated high school in the States, it was also my dad who suggested I go and experience Japan for a while.”

Kosugi’s first months in Japan proved to be a steep learning curve. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he spoke no Japanese when he arrived. He was also living alone for the first time. Home was a five-tatami-mat apartment in Tokyo that he paid for by working part-time jobs.

“As well as [part-time jobs], I had a small role in a Japanese TV drama that my dad had a small role in. I was watching a lot of other Japanese TV, too,” he says. “It was interesting to see

I’ve hyperextended both kneecaps snowboarding and dislocated a shoulder break-dancing, but I’ve been fortunate not to have any serious injuries while filming.”

Kosugi says he also learned the technical side of shooting films, such as camera angles and editing, from Hong Kong movie legend Chan. And working with Chinese star Li, he says, taught him how less can be more.

“Older guys know how not to overexert themselves,” he says. “When I shot a fight scene with Jet Li [in War], he came in and studied the set for a while and then just said, ‘Let’s go.’ He knew where everything was. He wasn’t moving extremely quickly, but when I saw his movements played back, everything looked so fast and smooth. The timing was perfect.”

His enthusiasm for self-improvement has led him to study a host of disciplines, including wushu, karate, taekwondo, judo, kendo and even break-dancing. His latest project, Maxx, sees him take a role both in front of the camera as the lead and behind it as a producer.

Due for release next summer, the movie, according to Kosugi, is about an assassin who is “kind of like an Asian Jason Bourne.” In preparation for the role, he says he researched hundreds of real-life mafia hits from news reports to build a history for the character that would subtly reveal itself on screen.

“I want the story to be the main focus, with the action secondary, and so the backstory to the character is very important,” he says. “If I know everything about him, it will show in my performance.” o

Goss is a Tokyo-based freelance journalist.

INSIDE JAPAN

Kane Kosugi

A Breathof Fresh Air

The fall in Japan offers the perfect time to take in the great outdoors and sleep under canvas.

by Megan Waters

I f you have ever strapped on a rucksack to tour Europe, South America or other far-flung spots around the world, the chances

are, at some point, you pitched a tent. Campground facilities vary greatly from country to country, and Japan is no different.

“Japan is Asia’s premier four-season destination. Each season is draped in different sights, sounds and colors and this makes Japan an amazing place for camping,” says Gardner Robinson, editor in chief of Outdoor Japan Traveler magazine. “There are mountains in every direction, as well as beaches and lakes if you get out of the city and

look around. Autocamping is also quite popular and makes for a hassle-free way to get away with the family.”

Some 3,000 campgrounds are scattered all over the country, while campsites where vehicles can be parked alongside tents are common. Mostly owned and managed by public bodies, Japanese campsites are generally well equipped, clean and offer various facilities and equipment, from showers, cooking utensils and rental tents to tennis courts and kids’ playgrounds.

While camping spots differ, they are often located close to hot springs and in picturesque surroundings. Robinson recommends grounds in Shizuoka’s Izu Peninsula, Nokonoshima, a “fun little island” in Fukuoka, and Sado, during the annual Earth Celebration music festival on the Niigata island.

“I've always enjoyed camping next to water. There’s something special about waking up next to the ocean and getting up to go surfing or swimming,” says Robinson. “I’ve also really enjoyed camping by some beautiful lakes,

such as Inawashirako in Fukushima, Kizakiko or Aokiko near Hakuba in Nagano or Akanko in Hokkaido. Exploring the lakes is a great way to spend the day or get out and do some wakeboarding or waterskiing. You can do all of that here in Japan if you look around a bit.”

The majority of campsites are accessible by bus, but some require a car to reach. If driving isn’t possible, it may be worth choosing a campground within walking or cycling distance from a train station. And if you’re unsure about access, try calling the local information center for advice and recommendations.

Although reasonable, daily charges at campsites range considerably. While a nightly fee is more common, some places include a charge per person. Expect to pay between ¥500 and ¥2,500 a night. Some sites, though, are completely free of charge.

Easily accessible from Tokyo for a weekend trip is Hikawa Campsite—just five minutes from Okutama Station


OUT & ABOUT

on the western reaches of the capital. Fish, kayak or swim in the Tama River or hike around the many mountains that surround Lake Okutama. Open all year-round, one night’s accommodation costs just ¥700 per person.

An alternative for a weekend getaway is Lake Ashi Camping Village in Hakone, a popular destination for city-worn Tokyoites. A 45-minute bus ride from Hakone-Yumoto Station on the Odakyu Line, you can enjoy boating and fishing on the lake, as well as hiking in the surrounding mountains. It’s well worth the stay for ¥1,575 per tent.

For campers who don’t like the idea of roughing it, the thrill of the great outdoors has been repackaged at Wild Magic. The urban outdoor park near Toyosu Station in Tokyo, with views of Tokyo Skytree, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo Tower, provides barbecue facilities, a café and a special area

CAMPSITES

Hikawa Campsitewww.okutamas.co.jp/hikawa (Japanese only)

Lake Ashi Camping Village http://campmura.com (Japanese only)

Wild Magic Urban Outdoor Parkwww.wildmagic.jp (Japanese only)

Mongolia Village Tengerwww.tenger.jp (Japanese only)

Mapple Campsite Guidewww.mapple.net/camp (Japanese only)

Hatinosu Campsite Guidewww.hatinosu.net/camp/ (Japanese only)

for events and workshops. Expect to pay for this glamping (glamorous camping) adventure.

A camping experience that won’t easily be forgotten is Mongolia Village Tenger, in Tochigi Prefecture. This site offers accommodation in yurts, the circular, domed tents used by nomads in Mongolia, Turkey and Siberia. Well furnished, with carpets, curtains, beds and heating, yurts are still technically camping.

Immerse yourself in Mongolian culture by taking in the on-site traditional song and dance performances. You can also try your hand at archery, or, if the nomadic lifestyle takes your fancy, yurt-making classes.

Whatever your camping preference, head out for some nights under the stars this fall. o

Waters is a Tokyo-based freelance journalist.

Mongolia Village Tenger

Lake Ashi Camping Village

Hikawa Campsite

Explorations beyond the Club 41

First Friday: Bon OdoriAugust 1

Members celebrated Japan’s summer festival season with

an evening of traditional Japanese food and drinks and

the music of talented local singer-songwriter Sayulee.

Photos by Yuuki Ide


Yatai NightAugust 15

Hundreds of Members headed to Rainbow Café’s terrace

for its annual festival of fun, which featured traditional

summer matsuri games, face painting and a lineup of

mouthwatering festival staples.

Photos by Nyoman Colinx Sundra

1. Eva and Tamao Balogh

1


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August 2014

On Land and Sea�e secret of one Member’s triathlon success

Fiery FestivalsObon’s centuries-old carnivals of �re and light

Pantsuits and DiapersJapan’s struggle to support working moms

Plates of PerfectionA behind-the-scenes look at the making of Club culinary magic


July 2014

I WANTYOU TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY AT THE CLUB

FLAVORS FROM PARADISEA weeklong tribute to modern Hawaii

CONSERVING CRAFTSMANSHIPOne Member’s lifeline for Japanese design

DOWN ON THE FARM Nurturing Club-supported rural leaders

June 2014 T O K Y O A M E R I C A N C L U B

Helpings of HopsAn evening of

Japanese cra� brews

Tohoku ReturnOne Member assesses

recovery in Kesennuma

Hidden PeaksHikes and excursionsin Tokyo’s backyard

MEMBERS LOOK AHEAD TO

THE WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL

SOCCER

SPECTACLE

Issue 589 • May 2014

May 2014


Musical Members on hustling for gigs in Tokyo

THAT’SENTERTAINMENT

May 2014


Dr FeelgoodStaying healthy

through happiness

The Perfect PourWine-preserving

technology at the Club

Fuji ViewsA guide to climbingJapan’s highest peak

Art of the SamuraiGoing inside the dojo

Future of FoodJapan embraces the organic movement

Court’s in Session� e fast-paced

action of squash

Breaking theLanguage BarrierMastering Japanese is a herculean task, but a handful of Members show how it can be done

For more photos from some events displayed in these pages,visit the Event Image Gallery (under News & Info) on the Club website.

Recreation Open HouseAugust 30

The Gymnasium hosted its annual showcase of

recreational programs for the coming semester,

including the Brazilian martial art of capoeira and

TRX (total resistance exercise). Members were able

to meet instructors, try out fitness equipment, watch

demonstrations and even take part in “taster” classes.

Photos by Yuuki Ide

1. (l–r) Max Lebrun, Shelley Sacks and Moko Igarashi 2. Valentina

Seward and Yoshiki Jinguji

1


EVENT ROUNDUP

2

Snapshots from Club occasions 47


T here’s an old adage in the advertising business that to ensure an emotional connection with your target

audience, you must first figure out the group’s mean age then use whatever was the hit song when they were 19 as the backing track for your commercial.

Nineteen is a life-molding age, marked by such transformative events as your first serious love, leaving school, entering college or the world of work, becoming an adult and, naturally, endless partying. And music is a constant during this emotionally charged period of upheaval.

There’s a lot of nostalgia wrapped up in what seemed like simpler times, which is why baby boomer (dankai) icons can more than comfortably live off the buyout contracts of their aging hits.

I recently read in an American marketing journal about some new academic research that confirms that nostalgia sells. Sure, dreams sell, too, but like so many conservative politicians the world over who espouse values from a bygone era, companies today can find marketing success by encouraging people to look back. This works especially well

BACK WORDS Whatever the story, anecdote, fictitious tale, rant, cultural observation or Club commentary, now’s your chance to take it to the world…well, Membership, anyway. E-mail your submission (no more than 700 words) to [email protected].

when the present appears a little troubled. Earlier this year, the American drinks

giant Coca-Cola used this connection between music and nostalgia in an advertising campaign. People were encouraged to buy a drink, which enabled them to access a website of hit songs from the past few decades and download a song at a special price. If you bought enough Cokes, you could create your life’s soundtrack.

Meanwhile, another drinks brand, Orangina, parodied the hugely popular “Tora-san” movie series, Otoko wa Tsurai yo (It’s Tough Being a Man), in a French-inspired commercial with Richard Gere called “It’s Tough Being Monsieur.”

It’s obvious then that pop culture staples like movies and TV shows are imbued with nostalgia as well. After all, the American detective series “Columbo,” starring Peter Falk, seems to run eternally on Japanese TV.

The German auto firm Mercedes-Benz updated its nostalgic reference point for a recent campaign in Japan for its CUV. Targeting drivers in their 40s, the company used Mario, the protagonist of the hugely popular Super Mario Bros.

Kishyo Ginza HontenRoyal Crystal Bldg. 4F5-4-6 GinzaTel: 03-6251-8191

http://kishyo.comENGLISH

The essence of JapanMeticulously crafted Japanese cuisine, discreet hospitality

and traditionally refined surroundings.

video game franchise of the 1980s. There are, no doubt, plenty of middle-aged guys with treasured memories of playing those games in their formative years.

None of this is new, of course. Inspiring dreams of yesteryear has been a commercial tool for a long time. Japan just seems awash with it. From old TV series and sentimental music specials to centuries-old community festivals and the revival of traditional clothes like yukata kimono and geta wooden sandals, nostalgia is everywhere and reveals how we enjoy reminiscing just as much as contemplating the future. o

Club Member McCaughan is managing director with the advertising agency McCann Worldgroup Hong Kong.

The Power of Nostalgiaby Dave McCaughan

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Issue 593 • September 2014

Art of the SamuraiGoing inside the dojo

Future of FoodJapan embraces the organic movement

Court’s in SessionThe fast-paced

action of squash

Breaking theLanguage BarrierMastering Japanese is a herculean task, but a handful of Members show how it can be done

October 2014 iNTOUCH Magazine

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