This year has marked a truly golden milestone in the CCCJ’s history: our 50th Anniversary. Since its founding in 1975 the Chamber has served as the cornerstone of the Canada-Japan business relationship, growing from a small collective of businesspeople into a thriving and influential non-profit organization that embodies the depth of the economic and cultural ties between our two nations.

The CCCJ’s journey over the past five decades is testament to sustained collaboration and a shared pursuit of prosperity. Our core mission has always been clear: to foster a dynamic and inclusive business environment, provide a unified voice for Canadian interests and advocate policies that benefit our diverse membership. Through periods of rapid technological change, global economic shifts and evolving regional pressures, the Chamber has consistently adapted to play a pivotal role in shaping the bilateral relationship.

This year we have had several notable achievements, starting with participation in various events related to the Osaka Expo, supported by our newly created Kansai Committee. We attended the Canada in Asia Conference in Singapore and hosted 17 fellow Indo-Pacific Canadian Chambers in Osaka.

We also continued to present highly successful event series, such as the Net-Zero Forums spotlighting Canada’s role in supporting Japan’s energy security and transition. Plus, the outstanding series of events led by our Global Diversity Management Committee led by Governors Tomoko Ebine and Ai Nakagawa.

The Golden Maple Leaf Gala 2025

The pinnacle of our 50th-anniversary celebrations was our Gala, held on November 14th at the new Fairmont Tokyo. Attended by 220 guests, this year’s edition of the annual Gala was a glittering commemoration of the Chamber’s legacy. Its theme, “Celebrating our legacy, embracing our future,” perfectly captured the spirit of the evening.

Guests enjoyed an evening of fine dining and entertainment along with a congratulatory address by Ambassador Ian McKay and a toast led by yours truly. One highlight was the awarding of the CCCJ’s Business Legacy Award to Ken Theriault, retiring head of Costco Japan, in honor of his outstanding support for the Canadian community in Japan.

This year we were gratified to receive many generous sponsorships, including two business-class tickets to Canada from Platinum Sponsor Air Canada. I would like to thank all our Platinum, Gold, Diamond, VIP Reception, Ruby, Cocktail Reception and Pearl Sponsors (listed on P.15) for their kind support. Thanks no less to our Gala Committee led by Governors Riyo Whitney and Donovan Gordon. Their hard work paid off with an outstanding celebration.

Looking ahead at the next 50 years

As we look ahead beyond our 50th anniversary, we can be proud of our achievements as we rededicate ourselves to the Chamber’s foundational mandate, fostering connections in crucial areas: trade, investment, culture and education. Our recently elected and more diverse Board of Governors, with the support of our newly hired Office Manager, Meabh Reidy, is poised to lead the CCCJ into its next chapter, ensuring continued transparency, accountability and innovation in serving the Canada-Japan business community.

Speaking of whom, we are delighted to welcome our new Office Manager, Meabh Reidy, who hails from Limerick Ireland and who has links to our most Irish of provinces, Newfoundland. I hope all members have a chance to meet her. And by the way, her first name rhymes with “wave.”

Finally, our 50th anniversary is more than a chronological benchmark. It is a profound celebration of a half-century of friendship, shared enterprise and mutual prosperity between Canada and Japan, setting the stage for an even more collaborative future.