News

Board Approves Election Slate

At its August meeting, the Board of Governors approved the Nominating Committee’s proposed slate for this year’s Board of Governors election (see below).

Nominations for other candidates to run in the election closed at 5pm on September 9.

The results of the election will be announced at the Annual General Meeting on November 15.

Approved Slate
US Citizens (five to be selected)               
Michael Benner
Jesse Green
David Hackett
Sandra Isaka
Matthew Krcelic
Gregory Lyon
Jerry Rosenberg
Michael Van Zandt

Japanese Citizens (one to be selected)                
Machi Nemoto
Kenji Ota                           

Other Nationalities (one to be selected)               
Wolfgang Bierer
Anthony Moore

Remembering Richard Cropp

Former Club President Richard Cropp passed away in Tokyo on August 13 at the age of 85.

Joining the Club in 1972, he served on the Board and a number of committees before becoming president in 1990.

The longtime Japan resident and Florida Military Academy alumnus reflected on his two years as Club president in an interview with iNTOUCH magazine in 2011.

Richard was also director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan from 1980 to 1990.

He is survived by his wife, two children, two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Koichi Wakata to Receive Club Award

The Club will honor Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata with its Distinguished Achievement Award at an event on September 14.

Qualifying as a mission specialist in 1993, Wakata has racked up 347 days in space over four missions.

Most recently, he spent six months aboard the International Space Station, from November 2013 to May 2014, which included a stint as station commander.

“[This award] is quite an honor, but it would have been impossible to receive it without the teamwork I was lucky to be a part of," Wakata said. "I really appreciate my team members and mentors who have helped me take on the challenges of human spaceflight."

Established in 1995, the Distinguished Achievement Award celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to society and international relations, especially between the United States and Japan.

Past recipients include print artist Toko Shinoda, scholar Edward Seidensticker and astronaut Mamoru Mohri.

Relief Fund Raises Over ¥1.2 Million

The Club raised more than ¥1.2 million for its Kumamoto relief fund.

The fund, which concluded with the Kumamoto Charity Wine Dinner on July 1, will be used for recovery work in parts of Kyushu struck by a series of earthquakes earlier this year.

Donations will go to support the relief efforts of Second Harvest Japan, a Tokyo-based charity that is working with Food Bank Kagoshima to help those in affected areas.

Club Surpasses Relief Fund Goal

The Club has exceeded its Kumamoto relief fund target of ¥1 million.

Following the earthquakes that struck parts of Kyushu, the Club's Culture, Community & Entertainment Committee set up the Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund, which has received contributions from Members through the Club website and Members Services.

The fundraising campaign wraps up on July 1 with the Kumamoto Charity Wine Dinner.

Donations will go to support the relief efforts of Second Harvest Japan, a Tokyo-based charity that is working with Food Bank Kagoshima to help those in affected areas.