I trust that all our members had a pleasant summer break in Canada, Japan… or elsewhere. But no matter which side of the Pacific, the heat was hard to escape, with a summer that has been hotter and longer than average. Here in Japan we also saw several unusually large storms that underscored that climate change is a reality that affects us all. Now, as we enter the autumn – my favourite season – as a business community we need to consider how to contribute to our changing landscape as best we can.

This fall, the CCCJ will continue our series of events related to Net Zero. The next event will feature some of the leading players in innovation, trade and investments in the critical minerals sector. This is an economic sector that can directly contribute to lessening our carbon footprint.

Canada can provide many of the critical minerals needed to facilitate our energy transition, but the collaboration of Japan and other countries is essential, especially with direct investments into the next generation of processing facilities.

I look forward to listening to our panel of experts and the reactions of our members in the networking event that follows. We will certainly continue this series in the new year and look forward to hearing from our members on related topics.

In other news, the Japanese media have been buzzing with discussion of the audacious offer to acquire 7&I Holdings by Quebec’s own Les Aliments Couche Tard (ACT). Being from Montreal, I am very familiar with this company and how they have succeeded in growing their business in global markets. So it’s no surprise to me that ACT is looking at opportunities in the Japanese market. No matter what the outcome, it’s good to see this increase in corporate interest between our two economies. I would certainly love to see more Japanese food items show up on the shelves of Couche Tard/Max outlets in Canada. After all, as ramen is now part of the Canadian vocabulary in both official languages, I am certain that onigiri would stand a chance to wow our multicultural Canadian palettes.

On a social note, our CCCJ will finish the year with some notable networking events – both in Osaka and Tokyo. This resharpened presence in the Kansai area will gradually set the stage for Canada’s participation in Osaka’s Expo 2025.

And let’s not forget that our Canadian Alumni Mixer will return this fall. What a great way to bring a diverse range of business people to the CCCJ. We hope that these events will help to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in our business community.

Last but not least, the Maple Leaf Gala 2024 will finish our year in style. All indications are that the Okura Hotel will welcome a full house of people from our community. I am so pleased to see that our community has embraced the return of this kind of VIP event. Not only does it give us the opportunity to celebrate our achievements in recent months, it will help us to set the stage for an important upcoming year, which will feature the 50th anniversary of the CCCJ.

So I encourage everyone to sign up as soon as possible for this very elegant evening, which I believe is the best gala among our foreign chambers in Japan.

“This fall, the CCCJ will continue our series of events related to Net Zero.  Canada can provide many of the critical minerals needed to facilitate our energy transition, but the collaboration of Japan and other countries is essential”