OK, so the name “Chamber of Commerce” doesn’t exactly make us sound like ‘more fun than a barrel of monkeys.’ But for 50 years now a key facet of the CCCJ’s mission has been to build a community, one that brings together Canadians in Japan and Japanese interested in Canada. And since nothing brings people together like a chance to have fun, that’s what our annual “Shin-nen-kai” is all about… well, with some serious professional networking as an excuse.

This year’s event was held on January 30th in Tokyo’s fashionable Daikanyama district at the memorably-named HyLife Pork Table Restaurant – brand ambassador in Japan for HyLife Pork, Manitoba’s leading producer. And they put on a fine spread indeed!

This year, 65 members and guests turned out – a full house but still plenty of elbow room. And even with animated conversations all over the room we could still manage to hear each other. Kudos to CCCJ Executive Director Noriko Ishida and her team for exemplary hosting!

Networking opportunities are an excellent reason to join the Chamber, especially at events like our Shinnenkai. For young Canadians newly arrived in Japan, or for those looking to transition from foot-in-the-door gigs like English teaching to career positions, this is where you may find your breakthrough. Same goes for Japanese seeking opportunities in Canada. 

You never know what intel will come your way at the Shinnenkai. For instance, when Kaori Tomita, a charming young lady, told me Fujitsu would soon transfer her to Toronto, I asked where she planned to live. Saying she didn’t know, she asked for recommendations. “Well, where’s your office?” I asked. Recently I got an email saying she had followed my advice and was about to move into an apartment in Liberty Village, west of downtown.

From the splendid shots taken by photographer Yamate Takuya, you can see that we had a wonderfully diverse crowd: Canadian and Japanese, male and female, young and, um… ‘fully mature.’ And people were indeed having fun.

From top left: Guests networking; Mariko Fumita hugging; Yuzo Okuno and guest approving; Two of our newest members: Hannah Edward and Liam de Seve.

Bottom: The Shinnenkai drew 65 lively members. If you can name everyone you deserve a prize. But that’s CCCJ Chair Marc Bolduc holding the mic.

Top left: Tad Furuta, Karl Pires, Joey Wu & Jim Zhang; Right: Trevor Kennedy gets a laugh from Noriko Ishida & Marc Bolduc; Center: HyLife Pork Table put on a sumptuous spread;

Above left: Asa Nakano, Events Committee Chair; Above: Joey Wu & Phil O’Neil, President of McGill Japan Alumni Assoc. take a selfie; Left: Veteran Patricia Bader-Johnston gives sage advice to new member Lina Faridian.