News

Remembering Isamu Kamata

Longtime Club Member Isamu Kamata passed away on January 3 at the age of 89.

Joining the Club in 1975, he was an enthusiastic member of the Club's Culture Committee for more than 25 years.

The Gakushuin University graduate was a close friend of Emperor Akihito and Crown Prince Naruhito.

His relationship with the imperial household was instrumental in ensuring the family's support of Club activities.

He discussed the future of Japan's imperial family in a 2012 interview with the Club's INTOUCH magazine.

Kamata-san is survived by his wife and daughter.

Driveway Repairs Underway

Repairs to the Club’s main entrance driveway have started and will continue through the end of February.

The much-needed work on the first-floor brick driveway is scheduled for weekdays (except national holidays), between 8am and 5pm.

While taxis still have access to the Club entrance during this period, first-floor parking is unavailable on weekdays.

The B1 parking area remains unaffected by the repair work.

Women's Group Offers Boost to Charities

The Club’s Women’s Group will donate ¥7.8 million to local charities over the coming year.

Raised through the group's various annual sales and events, the money will be distributed to eight causes, including the Sanyukai homeless shelter in Tokyo and Family House, a provider of temporary housing for families of children with serious illnesses.

“We count on everyone’s generosity to help us support charities that focus on children’s well-being, shelter and food security, and the advancement of women,” says Tomomi Fujita, the Women’s Group’s director of charity programs.

Photo: Sanyukai director Jean LeBeau

Members Elect New Governors

Seven Members were voted onto the Board of Governors in the Club's annual election.

The results of the ballot were announced at the Club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 21. 

At the first Board meeting following the AGM, Michael Alfant was selected as representative governor. It is Alfant's second consecutive one-year term as representative governor.

In other Board positions, Jesse Green and Alok Rakyan were named first and second vice president, respectively, with Machi Nemoto selected as secretary and Michael Benner as treasurer.

2017 Board Election
American Citizens

• Michael Alfant
• John Flanagan
• Sam Rogan
• Betsy Rogers

Japanese Citizens

• Kenji Ota

Other Nationalities

• Alok Rakyan

Women's Group Representative

• Chalice Markowitz

Winning Club House Wines Selected

Four wines have been crowned winners following the inaugural Seasonal Wine Taste-Off on November 14.

Around 100 Members sampled 13 white wines and 13 reds before voting for their favorites at an event in the Winter Garden.

The house wines for November to January are the 2016 Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc and the 2015 Oak Ridge OZV Old Vine Zinfandel, both from California.

Meanwhile, the chosen wines for February to April are the 2016 Babich Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, from New Zealand's Marlborough region, and the 2015 Three Thieves Pinot Noir, another California champion.