News
Remembering Kikuko Ireton
The woman who introduced the world to Japanese film, Kikuko Ireton, passed away on January 26 at the age of 87.
Ireton joined the Club in 1953, the same year she and her husband, American Glenn Ireton, founded Far East Film News, the first English-language trade paper, later known as Movie/TV Marketing, covering the regional motion picture business.
The publishing pioneers were also instrumental in introducing Japanese films at major international festivals and hosted top Hollywood executives during their visits to Japan.
Kikuko Ireton continued consulting for the motion picture industry up until her death.
She is survived by her son, William, and daughter, Asia.
Gearing Up for Super Bowl LI
The Club is set to host another exciting morning of Super Bowl fun on February 6.
This season's climax sees the New England Patriots take on the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
It will be New England's seventh Super Bowl in 16 years and Atlanta's first appearance since the 1998 season.
Football fans and those just looking to soak up the Super Bowl atmosphere can join the Club's main event, complete with buffet breakfast and prizes, in the New York Ballroom or head to Traders' Bar for a more low-key affair.
A perennially popular event in the Club calendar, Super Bowl brings together Members for a memorable celebration of an all-American sporting tradition.
Women's Group to Donate ¥8.8 Million to Charities
The Club's Women's Group will distribute ¥8.8 million to local charities in 2017.
Of the funds to be donated, ¥2.3 million was raised through the International Bazaar (pictured), the group's annual three-day sale in November.
The organizations to receive monetary support include A Dream a Day in Tokyo, HELP women's shelter, Family House, Sanyukai homeless shelter, Second Harvest Japan, the Japan Association for UNHCR, the Asian Rural Institute and a College Women's Association of Japan scholarship program.
"These donations are very important, and we receive a lot of appreciation letters," said Tomomi Fujita, chair of the Women's Group's charities committee. "For example, we donate ¥100,000 to Sanyukai every year, which they use for over-the-counter drugs for the homeless."
The Women's Group's next fundraiser is its annual Carpet Auction on February 4.
CHOP to Renovate Bar
CHOP Steakhouse will open the doors to its remodeled bar on January 11.
The stylish, inviting space will feature a wood-topped bar counter with four chairs, along with bottle displays and beer taps.
Nathan Baggs, the Club's beverage director, says the bar design encourages socializing among Members while they enjoy a pre-dinner drink or casual midweek meal.
"The new CHOP Bar will provide a speedier service, more opportunities for Members to interact with one another and a sophisticated alternative to Traders’ Bar," he said.
The bar is designed by Tokyo-based design firm Scandinavian Modern.
Majority of Members Satisfied with Club
Nearly 90 percent of Members said they were either very satisfied or satisfied with the Club in the recent membership satisfaction survey.
The annual questionnaire was filled out by 1,262 Members, representing a 71 percent increase from last year.
Meanwhile, 69 percent of Members said they believed Club membership represented good value, a drop of 4 percent from 2015.
Elsewhere in the survey, Member and Concierge Services, the Fitness Center and the Library were the Club areas with the highest satisfaction rating, and the Fitness Center, Locker Rooms and Traders' Bar saw the biggest satisfaction rate improvement from last year.
The full survey results can be viewed on the Club Business Documents page.
