News

Former Governor Ira Wolf Passes Away

Former Club governor Ira Wolf has passed away following an illness.

A longtime Japan resident, he twice served as a diplomat with the US Embassy and was a senior executive at various companies and organizations in Tokyo.

Besides serving on the Club's Board of Governors for three two-year terms, he was a member of the board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and served as vice chairman of the Japan-US Friendship Commission.

"Myself and the entire Tokyo American Club community are saddened to hear of Ira's passing," said Club President John Durkin. "The community is forever grateful to Ira for his contributions, and we will miss him very much. I personally found Ira's advice over the years to be thoughtful and wise. Ira's contribution to Tokyo American Club is one reason we are so successful today."

Ira is survived by his wife, Jeanne.

Membership Survey Winners

Congratulations to the four Members who were selected from the Membership satisfaction survey lucky draw.

Matthew Tappenden won catering for 20 people, Paul Hardisty will enjoy dinner for two at CHOP Steakhouse, Ralph Wintrode has the opportunity to unwind in one of the Guest Studios and Matthew Meritt won a massage at The Spa.

The extensive survey, which was conducted in September, revealed a significant improvement on the results of the last survey in 2013. 

In the most recent questionnaire, 39 percent of Members said they were very satisfied with the Club, more than double 2013’s figure, while 50 percent indicated they were satisfied. 

In addition, 73 percent of Members either strongly agreed or agreed when asked whether Club membership represented good value.

Review a summary of the results here.

Club Fund Receives Donation

Longtime Member Shizuko Tani donated ¥1 million to the Club's Jiro Matsumura Memorial Fund.

The late Matsumura was a Member for nearly 30 years and the fund in his name is used for a Club staff overseas internship program.

Most recently, CHOP Steakhouse's Kevin Nishino and Michiko Suzuki spent the month of September at the Jonathan Club in Los Angeles as part of the Jiro Matsumura Internship (JMI) program.

Tani, of Homat Homes, the company established by Matsumura, presented the check to the Club's general manager, Tony Cala.

American Bar & Grill to Launch New Dinner Menu

The Club's American Bar & Grill restaurant is set to offers dinners of exceptional Tsukiji-fresh seafood and prime rib from December 14.

Highlights of this surf 'n' turf-oriented menu include authentic San Francisco cioppino, a tomato, wine and crab broth with scallops, prawns, clams and fish, clam chowder in a sourdough bowl and salt- and herb-crusted Certified Angus Beef prime rib.

“We spent some time perfecting these recipes,” the Club's executive chef, Lindsay Gray, recently told iNTOUCH magazine. “We’ve already had a couple of US passport holders try the sourdough and say, ‘It feels like I am eating on Fisherman’s Wharf.’”

New Fitness and Pool Hours

From January 4, Members will have more opportunity to use the Club's hugely popular fitness facilities.

The Fitness Center, Sky Pool and fourth-floor locker rooms will open daily from 5:45am and close at 11pm.

Café Med will offer Members a place to refuel, relax or meet colleagues over breakfast from 7am on weekdays, while Rainbow Café will open from 7am on weekends and national holidays.

Before 6:30am, Members should use the B1 (Family side) or B3 entrance to access the Club.