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TOKYO AMERIC AN CLUB OCTOBER 2026

For Art’s Sake The FH Gallery invites Members to be part of its next chapter

VOICES MATTER FIT FOR FORM JOINING FORCES

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Contents

19 FOR ART’S SAKE

KAYO YAMAWAKI

Members of all ages are invited to share their art as the FH Gallery enters a new chapter.

LE ADERSHIP

DIGEST

AGENDA

ONE CLUB

FL AVORS

KAYO YAMAWAKI

The merging of two teams with similar names promises a seamless membership experience.

22 NEVER TO O L ATE

At 64, Member Naoki Isetani proved a competitive body can be built at any age.

INDEPTH GOVERNANCE

ART

MANAGEMENT

FITNESS

COMMUNITY WELLNESS

PURSUIT

HIGHLIGHTS

VOICE

Cover photo of Nina Godoy, Shannon Almadrones, and Yumiko Sai by Kayo Yamawaki

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TOKYO AMERIC AN CLUB

BOARD OF GOVERNORS Representative Governor Nils Plett (2026) First Vice President David Hackett (2026) Second Vice President Agnes Ouellette (2026) Secretar y Justin Negrón (2026) Treasurer Hiroshi Miyamasu (2026) Governors Vibhu Jain (2027), Geoffrey Kamizuru-Bowman (2026), Ren Kuroda (2027), Gregory Lyon (2027), Justin Negrón (2026), Dean Rogers (2026), Reiko Saito (2027), Douglas Schafer (2027), Christa Wallington (2027) Statutor y Auditors Alok Rakyan (2026), John Sasaki (2027) Parentheses denote term limit.

CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRS Centennial Anniversar y Jesse Green Compensation Justin Negrón Culture, Community & Enter tainment Matthew Tappenden (Vibhu Jain) Finance Dennis Hubbs (Hiroshi Miyamasu) House Mike Foley (Ren Kuroda) Long-Range Planning Monica Perez-Ilzarbe (Reiko Saito) Membership Yan Fan (Lin Shi) Nihonbashi Rike Wootten (Geoffrey Bowman) Nominating Steven Greenberg Recreation David Lee (Agnes Ouellette) Parentheses denote Board liaison.

GENERAL MANAGER Dustin McAvoy

ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER Nori Yamazaki

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER David O’Hern

DIRECTORS Brand Marketing & Communications Shane Busato Facilities Richard Woods Finance Naoto Okutsu Food & Beverage Gerard Bonenfant Human Resources Jason Dominici

JOINING TOKYO AMERICAN CLUB

Member Services Jonathan Allen

To arrange a tour of the facilities,

Membership Sara McCreadie

contact the Membership Office. Tokyo American Club 2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8649

Operations Thomas Zaleski Interim Recreation Menya Hinga

INTOUCH Managing Editor C Bryan Jones editor@tac-club.org Communications Editor Alec Jordan Social Media Specialist Avery Devlin

membership@tac-club.org 03-4588-0687 | tokyoamericanclub.org

Lead Designer Kohji Shiiki Suppor t Designers Aya Harada, Anna Wong

ADVERTISING IN INTOUCH

CONTRIBUTORS

Explore the Club’s range of advertising possibilities

Writers

by talking to the Club’s exclusive advertising agency,

Lloyd Danon, Chris O’Neal,

Custom Media.

Nils Plett, Laurel Stack

Custom Media CEO Robert Heldt Custom Media Publisher Simon Farrell Sales Director Edvard Vondra

Photographers Erven Deren, Avery Devlin, Jeff Goldberg, Yuuki Ide, Kayo Yamawaki Illustrator Tania Vicedo

adver tising@tac-club.org 03-4540-7730 | custom-media.com

INTOUCH

Tokyo American Club will not accept liability for any damages caused by the contents of INTOUCH, including, but not limited to, any omissions, errors, facts, or false statements. Opinions or advice expressed in INTOUCH are not necessarily those of Tokyo American Club. All prices referenced in INTOUCH include consumption tax.

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leadership

Choosing to Participate WORDS NILS PLETT IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

It’s not the clubhouse, it’s the people who make Tokyo American Club special! For nearly a century, generations of Members have shaped the Club we know and love today. Each generation inherited something from the one before it, decided what to keep and what to change, and passed the Club on to the generation that followed. Some of those choices fundamentally changed the Club, such as moving from Marunouchi to Azabudai and building the clubhouse we now enjoy. Others were less visible, but no less important. Together, they shaped the Club we’ve inherited and are now responsible for passing on. In January, I wrote about the importance of listening to what Members want. In May, I shared how the Long-Range Planning Committee (LRPC) was translating that feedback into clearer options and priorities in collaboration with the Board, committees, and management. Now it’s our turn. The LRPC’s work is reaching its final stages, with the Board considering the remaining points before sharing

the plan with the membership. Members will then have opportunities through Town Halls and Q&A sessions to learn more, ask questions, and share their views. That input will strengthen the plan and inform any final adjustments before Members are asked to make their choice. Every long-range plan requires choices about what to prioritize, what to preserve, and where we want the Club to go next. We are fortunate to be making those decisions from a position of strength, with the opportunity to look ahead deliberately rather than react to an immediate need or crisis. That makes this year’s election particularly relevant. The governors elected this November will listen to Member feedback, weigh the trade-offs, and help navigate the decisions that follow. The plan will define the choices ahead. The election gives Members a say in who they trust to help guide the Club through those choices. As Nominating Committee Chair Steven Greenberg explained in the June issue, you cannot vote unless you are a registered Voting Member, and registration does not happen automatically. With the candidate slate announced, take the time to read the candidate statements and attend the Meet the Candidates event on October 29 from 6:30 to 8pm in Prime 51 Bar & Lounge. You can also watch recorded video statements from the candidates at your leisure on the Club website. This broad access to the candidates and their views will help you make an informed choice. Participation isn’t limited to an election. It happens whenever a Member submits a Tell TAC, attends a Town Hall, asks a difficult question, or simply takes the time to understand the choices ahead. Choosing not to participate is also a choice. It simply means leaving those decisions to someone else. Register to vote. Come to a Town Hall. Ask questions. Be part of the conversation. The Club we enjoy today exists because previous generations chose to participate. What future generations inherit will depend on whether we do the same. Nils Plett is the Club’s representative governor.

“Every long-range plan requires choices about what to prioritize, what to preserve, and where we want the Club to go next.”

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digest

JEFF GOLDBERG

SU RV E YS

A New Approach to Member Feedback

Club Members now have an even more streamlined and efficient way to share feedback about their Club experiences. ClubIQ, a member experience platform used by leading private clubs around the world, uses short SurveyPolls sent to a small number of Members each day instead of a single long survey conducted once a year. This format allows Members to share thoughts on a continuous basis, helping Club management better understand your experiences and respond more quickly to your needs. If you haven’t yet received an email from feedback@tac-club.org, stay tuned. The surveys only take a few minutes to complete, and you’ll only be asked to complete one every five or six months. Your feedback helps to improve the Club experience for you and your fellow Members. AJ

CHARIT Y

A Season of Giving

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YUUKI IDE

This month’s Coffee Connections on October 28 marks the beginning of the yearly Angel Tree program, which has a tremendous impact on the lives of local children. During the event, the Club’s Connections group will welcome the Salvation Army’s Tamotsu Nishimura, Kazue Nishimura, and Ken Hanasaki to discuss the story behind the program as well as Connections’ support over the years. Angel Tree supports children living in care homes, ensuring that they feel the wonder and love of the holiday season. Members will see thank you letters received from children last year and learn how they can participate by purchasing gifts through the Amazon Wishlist or delivering shop-bought gifts to the Connections Office. Coffee Connections will take place on October 28 from 10 to 11:30am in the Shinoda Suite. AJ

L I B R A RY

From the Shelves I remember discovering Judy Blume through Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and the groundbreaking Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. What inspired your love of books?

Neither of my parents was a big reader, but they liked having physical books around the house. As a child, I had just as many picture books as toys, and I think that helped spark my love of escaping into stories. I also lived a short distance from our public library and spent hours browsing the stacks for something to bring home.

What genre do you most enjoy?

AVERY DEVLIN

Honestly, all of them! Until a few years ago, I would have said I read only fiction, but audiobooks changed that. I have started listening to more nonfiction and have discovered I enjoy learning about random topics. I really liked John Green’s Everything Is Tuberculosis and Dani Shapiro’s Inheritance, a memoir about discovering through a DNA website that the man who raised her was not her biological father. I also love memoirs read by the authors themselves.

What are you currently reading? Deanna Schmitt

An avid reader since elementary school, Member Deanna Schmitt always has a few books going at once. “I generally have one in hard copy or on Kindle that I read throughout the day, and a second on Audible so I can listen during workouts and walking.” When it’s time to refill the queue, she heads straight for the second-floor Library. What was your favorite childhood book?

I truly enjoy several genres, so it is impossible to choose one favorite. I loved fantasy books like The Chronicles of Narnia and Bridge to Terabithia. I tore through at least 100 Nancy Drew mysteries. And

I just finished Careless People on audiobook for the Book Lovers’ Group. It is about a former Facebook employee and her experience working for the company. Currently, I am tackling John Steinbeck’s East of Eden, since I somehow missed it during high school and college.

When were you last unable to put down a book?

Well, by now you know I can’t just pick one book! But if I must, in the past 12 to 18 months, one book that I could not stop reading is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, an epistolary novel about a 73-year-old retired attorney who reflects on her life, career, family, and grief through a lifelong habit of writing letters. The main character is fascinating, and the choice to tell her story through letters felt really creative.

FAC I L I T I E S

Getting Down to Business Opened at the end of August, the brand-new Workspace on the second floor has transformed the Presidents’ Suite area into the Club’s hub for productivity. Outfitted with a variety of open and semi-private seating options, the Workspace also features four Privacy Booths—including one that seats two people— and the spacious Boardroom, which can accommodate up to 16 people for larger-scale, in-person meetings. The facilities can be booked online, and their availability can be checked via tablets in the Workspace. Catering packages can also be arranged for meetings held in the Boardroom. Whether you’re looking to put the finishing touches on a presentation or hop onto a virtual meeting, drop in any time from 5:45am to 10pm. AJ

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digest R EC O G N I T I O N

SIPS

Always Glad You Came

Salud Argentina WORDS DEMIR SADIKOGLU

AVERY DEVLIN

IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

(l–r) Oshan Gunasekara and Mike Foley

The TV show Cheers famously opened each episode with scenes from a bar and the line, “Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name.” Member Mike Foley gets that feeling every time he visits Traders’ Bar and is welcomed by Oshan Gunasekara. The Sri Lanka native makes such a difference in his Club life, Foley singled him out for recognition in an online Tell TAC. “Oshan helps give Traders’ its personality,” Foley says. “He’s quickwitted, and doesn’t mind trading jabs and jokes. Oshan understands that exceptional service is about genuine human connection, not just taking an order, and he delivers that effortlessly. He really sets the tone. Everybody’s relaxed, whether it’s just me visiting or I’m there with friends.” Having a positive attitude is a must in service, Gunasekara notes. “Guests sense that we care about their needs and expectations.” Before joining the Club in 2019, he worked as event staff at Melbourne Cricket Ground for the AFL season while studying at the William Angliss Institute hospitality school in Victoria, Australia. “Staff members like Oshan are the backbone of the Club,” says Foley. “Their personalities makes a difference. He is a server, but he doesn’t just focus on food and beverages—he makes the whole experience enjoyable. That’s one of the best things about the Club and the culture that he helps bring. I’m sure he’s instilling some of his values in others now as a captain.” CBJ Members can recognize Club staff by submitting an online Tell TAC through the Club website.

Recently, we had an excellent evening of Argentinian wines and food with friends at the Nihonbashi Club. The success of the dinner compelled me to dedicate this month’s column to Argentina. Let’s start with a serious wine that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The 2021 Gran Enemigo Red Blend, Mendoza (¥14,500) is a beautifully polished Mendoza blend that delivers cassis, blueberry, and black cherry, with hints of violet, tobacco, and warm spice. Silky tannins and impressive freshness keep all that richness wonderfully composed. Elegant enough for a special dinner, but dangerously easy to keep pouring, it is a terrific partner for steak—and one worth lingering over after the plates disappear. If you’re looking to hang on to the hot weather, the 2024 Bodega Colomé Estate Torrontés, Valle Calchaquí, Salta (¥2,300) is summer in a glass. Bursting with jasmine, citrus, green apple, and exotic fruit, this highaltitude Torrontés is wonderfully aromatic yet crisp and dry rather than sweet. Refreshing, cheerful, and extraordinarily good value. Try it with ceviche, sushi, or spicy Asian dishes. Another high-altitude favorite is the 2023 Bodega Colomé Auténtico Malbec, Valle Calchaquí, Salta (¥5,400). This is Malbec with its hiking boots on. The fruit brings juicy blackberry and plum, violets, herbs, and a lovely mineral edge. Rich but energetic, with fine tannins and plenty of personality. Bring on the lamb—or the barbecue! Demir Sadikoglu is a member of the Club’s Wine & Beverage Subcommittee.

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agenda

What’s on in

OCTOBER

First Friday: The Essence of Bollywood Every generation has its Bollywood. Over the years, different sounds and moods have shaped India’s cinematic spectacles. Retro classics, sweeping romances, Bhangra energy, contemporary beats. For more than a century, Bollywood has taken audiences on a journey through Indian music, and dance. Take a dazzling First Friday trip through Indian cinema filled with rhythm, choreography, costumes, and cuisine as the Club celebrates Bollywood’s evolution this month. Enjoy an electrifying performance by the talented dance group Abundance from Kobe, and show off your own moves as the one and only DJ PindDrop spins the hottest Bollywood tracks. Throughout the night, savor a gourmet

INTOUCH

spread of Indian delicacies worthy of a film-wrap party, from flavorful curries and decadent desserts to fusion cocktails. You’ll also have the chance to win exclusive prizes in a lucky drawing, including a luxurious stay at The Harbor Terrace, soothing treatments at The Spa, and much more. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening filled with the vibrant colors, cinematic décor, and electric energy that have made the world fall in love with Bollywood. CBJ • 7–10pm • New York Ballroom • ¥3,750 (walkins: ¥5,000); guests ¥7,500 (walk-ins: ¥10,000) • Limit 10 guests per Member • Adults only • Nihonbashi Members welcome • Sign up online

Movie Night Club kids enjoy pizza and flicks while moms and dads visit Bollywood for First Friday. • 6–9pm • Shinoda Suite • ¥2,750 (guests & walk-ins: ¥3,300) • Ages 5–12 • Sign up online

Cracking College Admissions: The Current US Landscape Students and parents learn about shifting trends in American college admissions from a former Ivy League admissions officer and a current Columbia University PhD candidate. • 1–2:30pm • Gordon Suite • Free • Students and parents welcome • Sign up online

Powerlifting Seminar Learn how to properly do the big three barbell lifts—squat, bench press, and dead lift—under the guidance of record-setting powerlifter Ren Kuroda. • 6:30–7:30pm • Gordon Suite • Free • Ages 16 & above • Sign up online

CWAJ Associate Show The College Women’s Association of Japan (CWAJ) returns to the FH Gallery this month with its 2026 Associate Show, which will present 38 original prints by Japanese artist Yokoo Tadanori. Spanning decades, the works reveal Tadanori’s artistic evolution, celebrating inventiveness, influence, and enduring relevance that continue to inspire audiences in Japan and around the world. For more than six decades, Tadanori has been a central figure in contemporary Japanese art. Working across graphic design, painting, printmaking, and literature, he has profoundly shaped Japan’s visual culture. Rising to prominence as a graphic designer in the 1960s, Tadanori challenged the conventional boundaries between commercial design and fine art through a richly layered visual language that fused Pop Art, psychedelia, profound spiritual imagery, ukiyo-e, and vernacular folk culture. His works, animated by an ever-shifting interplay of symbols and quotations, are in a constant state of transformation, never settling into a single style. Tadanori first participated in the CWAJ Print Show in 1974 and has contributed a total of 69 prints, consistently demonstrating the breadth of his imagination and creative energy. Now 90 years old, he continues to produce new work with undiminished enthusiasm and vitality. CBJ • Through November 9 • FH Gallery • Members are invited to attend the opening reception on October 20 at 6:30pm • Artworks available for purchase through Member Services • Details online

Fukutoku Shrine Shinkosai Festival Don a traditional hanten coat and prepare to shoulder a mikoshi float during the biennial parade. • 10:15am–2pm • ¥10,000 • Members only • Adults only • Sign up online

Introduction to Squash Club instructor Rico Cheung leads families through the basics. • 4:30–6:30pm • Squash Court 1 • Free • Members only • Ages 6 & above • Sign up online

Troop 51 Meeting Discover adventure and lifelong skills through the Club-sponsored Scouting troop. • 5–7pm • Activity Room • Free • Ages 11–17 • Details online YUUKI IDE

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agenda

6, 20 & 27 Flow Yoga

Unwind with invigorating yoga and thoughtful meditation in this weekday refresh led by Member Joey Wu. • 6:30–7:30pm • &Biz Fitness Studio • ¥2,750 (walk-ins: ¥3,250); guests: ¥3,300 (walk-ins: ¥3,800) • Sign up online

Culture Connections Join Sakura Tomita, owner and creative director of Hong Kong’s Sakura Jewellery for an inside look at the glittering world of diamonds. • 10–11:30am • Shinoda Suite • Free for Connections members (non-members: ¥1,000) • Details online

7 & 21

Toastmasters Luncheon

• 12–1:30pm • New York Bridge • ¥2,420 (guests: ¥2,900) • Sign up online

Business is Social Catch up with fellow Members at this intimate networking session. • 6–8pm • Winter Garden • ¥1,500 (guests: ¥2,000); includes one drink and a canapé • Adults only • Sign up online

Cocktail Connections Celebrate hump day at this fun evening of mingling over drinks. • 5–7pm • Prime 51 Bar & Lounge • Connections members: free (nonConnections members & guests: ¥1,000) • Details online

Seasonal Wine Taste-Off Sample a selection of more than 50 wines and help decide the Club’s next lineup of sips. • 5–7:30pm • Winter Garden • ¥4,000 (guests: ¥6,000) • Limit four guests per Member • Adults only • Details online

ERVEN DEREN

Hone your public speaking and presentation skills with the Club’s cohort of Toastmasters.

A Day at the Races When it comes to Japan’s horse racing circuit, Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu is the crown jewel. Opened in 1933, when racing relocated from Meguro, the venue has played host to some of the country’s most prestigious events, including the Japanese Derby and Japan Cup. Its 525.9-meter home straight is one of the course’s defining features, putting speed, stamina, and timing to the test as horses make their final charge to the finish. Members will have a chance to experience the excitement of the races this month as part of a special arrangement with the Japan Association for International Racing and Stud Book (JAIRS). Participants will watch seven to eight races from the private guest suite and its balcony, located on the upper level of the Memorial 60 Stand, and also enjoy a guided tour of the facilities, including the paddock. For those who enjoy a little game of chance, JRA officers will explain how to place bets. Then you can try your luck by wagering at the exclusive counter reserved for invited guests. Don’t miss this rare chance to get an inside look at horse racing in Japan and to experience the country’s preeminent racing venue—all while relaxing in the comfort and privacy of a dedicated VIP suite and enjoying a delicious bento box from Hotel Okura. CBJ • 10am–4:30pm • ¥4,400 • Members only • Adults only • Limited to 22 participants • Sign up online

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Halloween at the Club

Chef Nonaga Night in 1673 The celebrity chef returns to serve up a “new-type” washoku meal at the VIP space, paired with superlative wines.

Gather round, ghouls and goblins, young and old, for a frightfully delightful lineup of events in honor of All Hallows’ Eve. Whether you’re looking for spooky crafts and activities for little ones or an eldritch evening of drinks, bites, and beats for grown-ups, the Club has plenty of tricks and treats in store. AJ

• 6:30–9pm • With wine pairing: ¥35,000 (guests: ¥40,000) • Without wine pairing: ¥31,700 (guests: ¥36,200) • Limit three guests per Member • Sign up online

Halloween Candy Making Workshop

20 & 27

Conjure up some monstrous Halloween skull character confections in this tasty crafting session led by the one and only Mrs. Candy G.

Zen Shui Gong: Autumn Launch Series Discover the gentle power of moving like water, on the water, in these refreshing daytime sessions.

• 1–4:45pm • Gordon Suite • ¥2,640 (guests: ¥3,168) • Ages 3 & above • Sign up online

• 11am–12pm • Sky Pool • ¥3,500 (includes two sessions per month) • Ages 16 & above • Sign up online YUUKI IDE

18 & 25

Pumpkin Carving Grab your tools and show off your carving skills as you craft your own unique jack-o’-lantern. Basic tools are provided, but kids are encouraged to bring everything from ribbons to lights to add some flair to their creation. • 10am–5:30pm • Gymnasium • ¥4,400 (guests: ¥5,280) • Ages 6 & above • Sign up online

Nihonbashi Mixer: Elegant Halloween Enjoy a hauntingly refined evening of Halloween-themed libations and bites, courtesy of the Muromachi Lounge’s culinary wizards. • 6–7:30pm • Muromachi Lounge • ¥3,000 (walk-ins: ¥3,500); guests: ¥4,000 (walkins: ¥4,500) • Ages 20 & above • Limit two guests per Member • Sign up online

Halloween Splash-A-Round Young witches and warlocks fly off to the Sky Pool for aquatic excitement as they hunt for underwater treasure and treats. • 3–5:30pm • Sky Pool • ¥2,200 (guests: ¥2,750) • Ages 5–12 • Sign up online

Halloween Spooktacular Enjoy scary stories, activities, face painting, creepy crawlies, and more at sessions of Halloween fun. • 9am–3:45pm • Gymnasium • Ages 2–14: ¥3,300 (guests: ¥3,960) • Sign up online

Halloween Bowling: Trick or Strike Spend All Hallows’ Eve on the lanes as you try to scare up your best score—while dressed in your best costume, of course!

Powerlifting Competition Experience the sportsmanship and camaraderie of competitive lifting in this ultimate test of strength. • 2–5pm • Fitness Center • ¥3,300 • Ages 16 & above • Sign up online

Cocktail Hour Learn to craft a Grasshopper, a blend of mint liqueur, chocolate liqueur, and cream, under the guidance of a Muromachi Bar mixologist. • 5:30pm • Muromachi Bar • ¥2,200 • Members only • Sign up online

Xander Wine Dinner

• 12–9pm • Bowling Center • Junior game fee: ¥650; guests: ¥800; adult game fee: ¥750; guests: ¥1,000 • Sign up in person

Explore the marriage of California wine and Japanese cuisine over dinner with boutique winemaker and former Apple innovator Xander Soren.

• 6:30–9:30pm • Prime 51 (private dining room) • ¥27,500 • Limit one guest per Member • Sign up online

Halloween Night at Prime 51 Come wearing your ghastly finest and get ready for an unforgettably spooky night of great music, festive vibes, and plenty of Halloween spirit. • 7–10pm • Prime 51 • ¥3,750 (walk-ins: ¥5,000); guests ¥7,500 (walk-ins: ¥10,000) • Limit: four guests per Member • Adults only • Nihonbashi Members welcome • Sign up online

Check the Club website for the most up-to-date information on events and programs.

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adver torial

Busting the Myths About Japanese Leadership Executive coach and Club Member Paul Dupuis challenges conventional wisdom about Japanese leadership.

“

apanese companies don’t innovate. Decision-making in Japan takes forever. People resist change in Japan.” Paul Dupuis has heard these myths many times. After more than three decades leading businesses and developing leaders across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region (APAC), he believes many of these supposed cultural truths are assumptions that can become selffulfilling prophecies. “When leaders take on a role expecting that driving change will be difficult because of the local culture, they often lead more cautiously,” Dupuis says. “Frustration sets in, expectations are lowered, difficult conversations are avoided, and transformation comes to a halt. Eventually, the leader becomes cynical and their original assumptions are reinforced.” His advice is simple: “Understand the local culture, but don’t become a prisoner of it.” Dupuis speaks from experience. As former CEO and chairman of Randstad Japan, he led a $1 billion organization with 90 branch offices and more than 35,000 employees. Prior to that, he was CEO of Randstad India, leading a successful turnaround, and spent several years in Singapore guiding the APAC expansion of en world, a subsidiary of TSE-listed en Japan. Today, he is one of Japan’s most sought-after executive coaches, working with CEOs, senior executives, and leadership teams across APAC. A member of Marshall Goldsmith’s 100 Coaches

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community, Dupuis continues to draw inspiration from one of the world’s most renowned executive coaches. He is also the best-selling author of The E5 Movement, available in English and Japanese, and as an English-language audiobook. Dupuis believes the next leadership challenge is already here. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the workplace. But as technology becomes more powerful, distinctly human leadership skills become even more important. “AI can give us an abundance of information, but leaders add value by bringing wisdom and humanity,” he says.

“Curiosity, adaptability, critical thinking, empathy, and ambition are uniquely human leadership muscles. These are the capabilities required to lead into the future.” That philosophy sits at the heart of Dupuis’s executive coaching and interactive Future-Ready Leadership Gym workshop, where leadership teams challenge assumptions and build the capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. His goal is not to create a Japanese or Western leadership style. “Great leadership is timeless and borderless,” Dupuis says. “Culture should inform how we lead, not limit what we believe is possible.” To learn more about executive coaching and the Future-Ready Leadership Gym workshop, connect with Dupuis on LinkedIn or contact Take-5 Global.

To arrange a conversation with Dupuis, connect with him on LinkedIn or email: pauldupuis@take5-global.com

flavors

Burger Brilliance WORDS ALEC JORDAN IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

Prime 51’s launch didn’t just bring incredible steaks to the Club, but also an outstanding burger. Available for lunch at Prime 51 Bar & Lounge, the Prime 51 Signature Burger is all about balance. Made with freshly ground premium beef, carefully selected aged white cheddar, and a soft toasted bun that’s baked in house, it’s rich, juicy, and satisfying without feeling overcomplicated. If you’re looking for an elevated take on classic comfort food, make your way to the third-floor bar to try it for yourself. • Prime 51 Bar & Lounge • Lunch: 11:30am–3pm • ¥3,600

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This Is Thought Leadership Based on 40 years in Japan and Dale Carnegie Global Best Practice

Leadership. Sales. Presentations. Effective Communication. Human Relations Skills. Executive Coaching. Dr. Greg Story, President, Dale Carnegie Tokyo Training Dale Carnegie Training Tokyo, Japan Akasaka 2-chome Annex 5th Floor, 2-19-8 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 TEL: 0120-987-099 / 03-4563-1963. Available weekdays 9:00~18:00, closed Sat/Sun/Holidays FAX: 03-4563-1964

Full details on all courses and training schedules at DALECARNEGIE.CO.JP

AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON

indepth governance

MEET THE CANDIDATES

Curious to know more about the Members

who are running for the Board of Governors this year? Then you don’t want to miss the Club’s Meet the Candidates event on October 29. Head to Prime 51 Bar & Lounge for an informal session where you’ll be able to catch up with those in the running over drinks—which are free for registered Voting Members. So, make sure you’re registered now with the QR code provided. It’s the perfect way to mix and mingle with your fellow Members, learn about the candidates’ ideas, and take a step towards getting more involved in Club governance.

• October 29 • 6:30–8pm • Prime 51 Bar & Lounge • Free drinks for registered voters • Details online

YUUKI IDE

Meet the Candidates

Prime 51 Bar & Lounge

HANDS-ON MEMBERSHIP

WORDS LLOYD DANON

What led you to register to vote?

I originally registered because I wanted to participate more actively in the Club’s decision-making process. Having been a Voting Member for around 10 years, I have enjoyed contributing to the election of our Governors. Why did you then decide to get involved in committees?

I joined the Club in 2015, shortly after my son was born, and joined the Food & Beverage Committee in 2018. For the past three years, I have

worked with fellow Nominating Committee members to identify candidates with the experience, commitment, and perspectives needed to serve the Club and its diverse membership. Being involved showed me how Members can contribute their experience and ideas. What do you feel you’ve gained from being involved?

Through serving on several committees, I have learned how much time, thought, and dedication Club governance requires. Members may not always see the considerable work undertaken by current and former Governors and committee members. What do you feel are the most common misconceptions Members have about Club governance?

A common one is that individual Members have little influence. In fact, Members have a direct say by registering to vote and supporting the candidates they believe will best represent them. The elected Governors help shape the Club’s priorities and future direction. The more Members

KAYO YAMAWAKI

Nominating Committee Vice Chair Lloyd Danon reflects on being part of Club governance—and why you should get involved, too.

Lloyd Danon

who participate in the election, the more representative the result—and ultimately the Board—will be of the wider Club community. Why should Members register to vote and take an active role?

Registering to vote is one of the simplest and most important ways to make your voice heard. I encourage everyone eligible to register, learn about the candidates, and participate in November’s election. This is your Club, and your involvement matters.

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indepth ar t

FOR ART’S SAKE Members of all ages are invited to share their art as the FH Gallery enters a new chapter. WORDS THE FH GALLERY COMMITTEE IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

“I found I could say things with color and shapes

that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for,” American artist Georgia O’Keeffe once noted, reflecting on the voice she found through her brush. The Club invites Members and staff of all ages to explore their own artistic voice and be part of the Frederick Harris Gallery’s next chapter in an exhibition that will run from December 17 to January 12. Those who have recently visited the B1 Adult Lobby may have noticed that the Club’s artistic space has been refreshed. As part of the renewal, it has been rebranded the FH Gallery in a nod to our heritage while looking to the future with a simpler, more contemporary identity. The new name reflects the connection to Frederick Harris, who established the original Genkan Gallery when the Azabudai clubhouse was rebuilt in the 1970s. When the current clubhouse opened in 2011, the gallery was renamed in his honor. We now carry his legacy forward with the FH Gallery. To mark the occasion, we are pleased to announce the return of a popular exhibition: For Art’s Sake. Whereas the first exhibition in March 2023 displayed Member-owned art by creators such as Hamburg street artist Tona and Tokyobased illustrator Face Oka, Volume II will feature the works of Members themselves. And all ages are invited to take part. Applications are now being accepted. There are three age categories: • Adults (18 and over) • Youth (12–17) • Juniors (11 and under) The aim is simple: to encourage creativity within the Club. There will be no judging or sale of artworks. Adult and Youth Members may submit up to three original works for consideration, while Juniors may submit one. Templates for junior exhibitors can be picked up and submitted at the Recreation Desk. Applications and full exhibition details are available on the Club website, through the Club app, or by scanning the QR code on this page.

ENTRY DETAILS

The refreshed FH Gallery

To encourage our younger artists, prizes will be awarded in the Youth and Junior categories only. Rather than being judged, winners will be selected by lottery, giving every young artist an equal chance to receive a prize. We especially encourage our junior Members to participate. Artwork by our youngest artists will be displayed along the corridor outside the Gymnasium, creating a colorful display for everyone to enjoy. Members aged 18 and over are warmly invited to join us for the exhibition’s opening reception at 6:30 pm on December 17. Such receptions launch most exhibitions in the FH Gallery to introduce Members to the artists at the start of each show in a welcoming environment for socializing with both old and new friends. For Art’s Sake: Volume II will be an especially interesting chance to learn more about the artistic visions of fellow Members. We hope you will come along to celebrate the reveal of this year’s creations, meet our exhibiting artists, and enjoy the newly refreshed FH Gallery. Whether you’re exhibiting for the first time or you’ve been creating for years, we encourage you to take part. We look forward to seeing the gallery filled with artwork created by our own Members.

For Art’s Sake: Volume II • December 17–January 12 • FH Gallery • All ages welcome • Details available online and through the Club app

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indepth management

ONE CLUB The merging of two teams with similar names promises a seamless membership experience. WORDS C BRYAN JONES IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

There’s Membership and there’s Member Services.

Which to turn to for a given need? That’s a question Members no longer must ask now that the two teams are joining forces. “From a Member’s perspective, there shouldn’t be separate departments,” says new Membership Director Sara McCreadie. “There should simply be one Club.” That thinking is behind the decision to bring Member Services and Membership together, a move that McCreadie says will streamline service and support, from first inquiry about joining through years of membership. “Bringing Member Services and Membership together allows us to think about the Member journey as one continuous experience,” she explains. “When employees have the information, confidence, and support to help Members beyond the boundaries of a specific role, we can

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make things more seamless and personal.” McCreadie joins the Club after serving as director of membership at the Vancouver Club, and before that worked with the National Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks as an account executive in premium membership. While the two organizations are very different, she notes, her time with each taught her the same thing: understanding what people value is what builds lasting relationships. Andrea Ferrari, the Club’s new member services manager, spent several years in the private club industry in Canada before arriving in Tokyo. She started in member experience before becoming membership manager at the Calgary Winter Club. There, she worked on updating processes, digitizing information, and strengthening communication.

“From a Member’s perspective, there shouldn’t be separate departments, there should simply be one Club.”

(l–r) Katie Marple, Sara McCreadie, and Andrea Ferrari

“Coming to the Club is an exciting next step because I’m able to take that experience and apply it in a new environment,” she explains. “My hope is that the merger means an all-around more elevated experience for Members, with less having to figure out who to contact or where to go, and more feeling that there is one team working together with Members’ best interests top of mind.” “If something feels complicated internally,” she adds, “there’s a good chance it may feel complicated to a Member as well.” Katie Marple, the Club’s new membership manager, has built her career around communication and building community, working in education and corporate training, including as community director for the UK royal charity The Diana Award. Pursuing her passion for bringing

people together, she has also founded several women’s communities in Tokyo. The chance to help shape an established institution in the lead-up to its 100th anniversary is one thing that drew her to the Club. “That is incredibly exciting to me,” she says. About the merger of Membership and Member Services, she says bringing the two closer together creates an opportunity to look at the Member journey as one connected experience, rather than a series of separate touchpoints. “Ultimately, it’s about making it more seamless, personal, and Member-focused,” she explains. Marple is also excited about creating more opportunities for Members to connect with one another in the first few months of membership. “The sense of community is at the heart of what makes a private members’ club special,” she notes. For McCreadie, the merger brings greater collaboration and gives staff the chance to learn from one another, develop new skills, and take greater ownership of the experience they deliver. “An empowered and engaged team ultimately creates an empowered and engaged membership,” she says. “The best clubs become a ‘third place,’ somewhere beyond home and work where members feel a genuine sense of belonging.” She also notes that every Member joins initially for a specific reason. “What I find most rewarding is when their experience grows beyond that original reason, when they discover friendships, traditions, opportunities, or parts of the community they never expected.” As the trio settles into their roles at the Club, all three say their priority at the moment is listening. McCreadie, who is new to both the Club and Tokyo, hopes Members will stop her when they see her. “I’m really looking forward to getting to know our Members, hearing their stories, and learning what the Club means to them.” Marple says she is excited to get to know more about the Club community. “I’d encourage Members to share their ideas, feedback, and experiences. I believe the best Member experience comes from listening to the community and continually finding ways to make the Club even better.” And Ferrari, who is new to Japan, invites Members to help her wrap her head around the local language. “My team is trying to teach me a new word or saying each week, so please come teach me more or quiz me on what I do know. I love to learn!” “I consider myself to be in the business of smiles,” she adds. “My door is always open. So if you ever need a little extra joy in your day, come find me. I may have the perfect little something to brighten even the cloudiest days!”

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indepth fitness

At 64, Member Naoki Isetani proved a competitive body can be built at any age. WORDS CHRIS O’NEAL IMAGE YUUKI IDE

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Naoki Isetani joined the Nihonbashi Club in late 2021 with the Muromachi Bar & Lounge calling his name. For the first six or seven months, the Fitness Center didn’t even cross his mind. “I had been training in my house, because of Covid,” Isetani says. “I didn’t have the habit of going out to the gym.” Eventually, a visit to the Club’s facilities won out over 20 minutes on his living room floor. This past July, nearly five years later, he stood under the stage lights at a regional fitness competition, finishing third. At 64, his fitness competition career has just begun. Back then, Isetani says, he had no idea how to use the equipment, so he asked one of the Club’s trainers, Takuma Shuto, for help. Shuto assessed Isetani’s rounded shoulders and stiff hips, and spent nearly a year working with him on proper stretching before introducing the machines in earnest. By early 2023, the results were visible. Shuto suggested Isetani enter a fitness competition. “I said no way, no way,” Isetani recalls, but his trainer had a different kind of competition in mind. Unlike the bodybuilding style made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Best Body Japan rewards proportion and balance rather than sheer muscle mass, a standard achievable through training and diet alone. That persuaded him. Isetani entered the Kanto district competition’s Legends Class, for competitors aged 60 and above. The competition was held on July 18 in Chiba. Two months out, Isetani cut alcohol, trimmed fat from his diet, and trained daily. Not every part of the routine came easily. “The legs. The squat,” he says. “Everything is hard, really—there’s no easy training.” Still, he kept at it seven days a week, even reworking his own house into a backup gym. “I equipped my house so that even on Saturdays and Sundays, or days I can’t come to the gym, I can do it at my home,” he explains. “That will give me no excuse.” The competition also requires posing, which Isetani had never done. He rented a studio with mirrors, normally used by dancers and YouTubers, to rehearse his stage poses in private. “I’d never revealed these kinds of things to my wife and my daughters,” he says. As for the competition itself, he has mixed feelings about being recognized for it. “I don’t want to show off much, but do I want to keep it secret? No.”

On competition day, Isetani says he didn’t have time to be nervous. His trainer kept him busy with push-ups while he waited his turn. The thought of stepping onto the stage in his trunks in front of a crowd never bothered him. “The lights were so bright that I couldn’t see the audience,” he says. In his first competition, Isetani finished third. Now he has set his sights on qualifying for the nationals before he turns 70. Isetani’s fitness career overlaps with a second act of his professional life. He worked at a bank before semiretiring around age 58. He now does his own financial advisory work, splitting his week between offices in Yaesu and Marunouchi. Training, he says, fills a need that his career transition left behind. Unlike golf or tennis, which typically require companions, training at the Club’s gym is a solitary endeavor for him, which he sees as a feature rather than a drawback. “You have plenty of time to think about anything in your mind,” he says. He credits much of his progress to the Club’s community. Beyond his sessions with Shuto, Isetani says, other Members and staff around Nihonbashi’s gym were quick to help whenever he struggled with a machine or a routine. His advice to fellow Members considering a similar path is patience over intensity. “Just relax and start, at your own pace,” he says. “In my case, it took three or four years.” Results, he adds, follow those willing to wait for them. In that light, Isetani doesn’t buy the idea that 60 is too late to start. “When I was 30, if I looked at some of the old guys doing this kind of thing, I thought, ‘Oh no, no, that will damage your body,’ but it’s not true,” Isetani says. “Even when you get old, still, your muscles can grow … if you do the training properly, you can train your muscles naturally, slowly, and gradually.” For Members considering the Club’s Fitness Center, Isetani says that the only thing standing in the way is motivation. “People always say, ‘It’s raining, I don’t want to go outside.’ Well, you have the equipment here—no excuse,” he says. “People say they’re too busy, but can you spare an hour? Can you do your Zoom calls until five, then go to the gym for 30 or 40 minutes?”

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community wellness

I didn’t take up running because I loved

Victor Osumi

The Long Run Member and former Air Force pilot Victor Osumi explains why he keeps coming back to the start line.

it. In the military, it was a must. If you didn’t stay fit, you got grounded. That didn't worry me, though. I was a youngster, and a half marathon was no problem. Then I went into the hotel business and was transferred to Hawaii. There you have breakfast with clients, lunch with clients, dinner with clients. I didn’t notice the impact of that until I hit almost 80 kilograms. When I returned to Tokyo in 1998, the station stairs and the squeeze on the trains made me sick. I thought, “I need to be fit enough just to get to work.” So I started jogging around my house. When I joined Marriott in 2002, they wanted everybody to be healthy, so we started a committee in the Tokyo office and named it Hashiro-kai—the “Let’s Run Club.” We would run up to the Imperial Palace, around it and back, about 10 kilometers. That’s when I learned the real benefits of running. I worked for a long time in Minato-ku, but when you always arrive by car, you forget what you're missing. You live in Tokyo, but how often do you really explore the city? On foot, you see one building coming down and a new one going up. You find where the Hanzomon Gate really is, and that there’s a story behind it. A few of us from the running club entered the Honolulu Marathon, and I’ve gone back most years since. It’s held in December, which suits me. You cross the finish line and both the race and the year are done, and you have something to show for it. I take my annual leave and get there ahead of the race. I fly a Cessna for a couple of hours to keep my pilot’s license current, and I trace the course from the air. Training starts in June, and the first thing that hits you is the heat. The Club’s sauna is a good place to get used to it. I also use the machines in the Fitness Center for chest and core work—running needs a balanced upper body—and I do squats for my back and legs. Distance training comes later. From September, I do 20 to 30 kilometers every Saturday, and I do 40 once in October. Running also helps me focus on my work. For years I ran home from my office in Akasaka to my house in Maihama—two and a half hours with all the traffic lights. I could go through my week, and by the time I opened my front door, my report was written in my head. That focus matters. You have to be strong in your mind to finish 42.195 kilometers. And in those last two, with strangers calling out, I get tears in my eyes. Maybe I become more sentimental as I get older, but at the finish line, I think, “Yup, let me do that again.” As told to INTOUCH’s C Bryan Jones.

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Known. Challenged. Inspired. “One Team” is not a slogan; it is a promise, carried for 162 years and renewed with every generation of students who call this place their second home. As we enter a new era, our commitment does not change: bold leadership, world-class learning, and an unwavering dedication to raising young people of integrity, resilience, and purpose. For families abroad entrusting us with their most precious gift, this is more than an education. It is a community that becomes family, where every student is known, supported, and given the foundation to lead a life of meaning. There has never been a more exciting time to become part of our story.

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Average Class Size

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Dorm Activities Per Month

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Upper School Athletic Teams

To learn more, scan or visit iolani.org.

New Member Offer Present this ad at the information counter and sign up as a new member to receive a ¥1,000 coupon. 2-32-13 Higashi-Azabu Minato Ward, Tokyo 106-0044 Tel: 03-3583-4586 nissin-world-delicatessen.jp

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community pursuit

Skills for Life IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI

Program

Scouting For many parents, memories of their childhood experiences in the Scouts inform how they help their children build the skills they need to be self-sufficient. From its early 20th-century roots in Britain, Scouting aimed to develop boys into good citizens with initiative and outdoor skills. Decades later, around 57 million young people—boys and girls—from more than 200 countries and territories are involved in the movement. Since 1975, the Club has offered young Members a chance to grow through Troop 51. Open to ages 11–17, the group meets one Sunday per month, does at least one outing each month, and takes trips abroad to places such as Thailand, Mongolia, and Nepal. For ages 5–11, there’s Cub Scout Pack 51, which meets on the second Friday of each month. Pack 51 was set up in the 1970s and originally met in the gym of the old Azabudai Club. Today, meetups at the Club are complemented with outdoor activities like camping, skiing, fishing, and hiking. Other seasonal highlights include a “raingutter regatta” race of small boats on the Club’s rooftop terrace, which is coming up on November 13, and the pinewood derby, set for next February, where Cub Scouts build and race miniature wooden cars.

Troop 51 Meeting • October 4 • 5–7pm • Activity Room • Details online

Cub Scout Pack 51 Meeting • October 9 • 6:30–8pm • Shinoda Suite • Details online (l–r) Dan Altherr, Wolfie Pendleton, and Jerom Westerink during their Pack 51 days

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communit y register

New Members AZABUDAI

Shinsuke & Yuri Konoha

US A

Sei Kosaka

Oliver & Nobue Matthew Credit Agricole CIB Tokyo Richard & Jacqueline McLaughlin Dell Computer Corporation Kyle & Samantha Milgram PwC Japan LLC Lisa & Hirokuni Nakagawa Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. Casey Payne Stereotaxis, Inc. Scott & Shiho Tilley The Walt Disney Company Michael & Ai Uruma BentallGreenOak K.K.

P&G Japan G.K.

James Campbell & Ayami Sano Herbert Smith Management Services K.K. Peter McKeown & Muriell Amelia Castillo Manulife Life Insurance Company Yue (Johnson) Sun & Shuyue (Erin) Mao Amazon Japan G.K.

Mihori Makita Romanee Corporation Yuki & Yuki Morooka Juntendo University Masanori & Kayoko Morooka

Xu Huang & Manfei Ren Intel K.K.

Tokyo Tatsuei Co., Ltd.

UNITED KINGDOM Thomas Henton & Natalia Nadal Estrada Jera Global Markets Joseph & Yukiko Matthews Capital Servicing Co., Ltd.

FMG Inc. Yuji & Ayaka Nakagawa

NIHONBASHI

Union Gate Group, Inc. Takahide Nihongi Prometric Japan Co., Ltd. Taito & Saori Oe

US A Christopher Gerdes Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Fortec Architects, Inc. Mayo & Takashi Okamura

Takashi & Miki Omoto Newtown-kita Eye Clinic Hirotaka & Rumi Sato

JA PA N Daijiro Eguchi Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. Wakana Nihei Mitsui Fudosan Retail Management Co., Ltd.

Hirotaka SATO Architects Kei & Mio Tamura Takt Pharma, Inc. Ayumi & Makoto Tateishi Link Next, Inc.

CHINA

Yu Tien Juan & Cheng Ju Chuang

Komatsu Store Co., Ltd.

Okamura Jimusho

C A N A DA

TA I WA N

Shigehiro & Ayako Tominaga Baudroie, Inc.

STAYCATION IN STYLE

Katsunori Ueda & Hyejeong Park Nihon Enterprise Co., Ltd.

GERMANY Henrik Warm Correns Corporation

IRELAND Shane Daly & Jemily Iniesta Lopez Regeneron Japan K.K.

JA PA N Takahiro Furukawa

Taku & Mariko Yamamoto Love & Peace, Inc.

NEW ZEALAND Jong Hyun (Jon) Lee & Shiori Nishizaki (Lee) 4G Clinical

N O RWAY Jon Tarjei & Lillian Kraakenes Wallenius Wilhelmsen

Corning Japan K.K. Yuko Ikeda & Olutayo Soremekun Prudential Holdings of Japan, Inc. Nobunori Iwama Nippon Chokuhan Souhonsha Co., Ltd.

S O U T H KO R E A Mirim & Hojoon Lee Subete Co., Ltd.

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Ring in 2027 with a Gourmet Celebration

Details online Offering a delectable symphony of flavors, Limited to 100 sets; first 50 orders receive a ¥10,000 dining voucher

the Club’s osechi boxes put a contemporary twist on a timeless New Year tradition. ¥59,000 (includes a bottle of Piper-Heidsieck Champagne)

community highlights

August 17 Trivia Night Team Better Late Than Clever took the top spot during an evening of fiendish brainteasers. IMAGES KAYO YAMAWAKI

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community highlights

September 4 First Friday: Shonan Endless Summer Members kicked off a new season of Club life with a night of yacht rock, delectable bites, and a free flow of cold Asahi Super Dry. IMAGES YUUKI IDE

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community highlights

September 10 Prime 51 Grand Opening Party The Club’s new third-floor all-American steak house launched with a menu of premium beef and delectable sides. IMAGES YUUKI IDE

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community voice

Love You! Bye! WORDS L AUREL STACK ILLUSTRATION TANIA VICEDO

My parents were visiting when they heard my collegeage son say that title phrase to a female friend as he got off the phone. “Does he have a girlfriend?” my mother excitedly whispered, glancing at me sideways. We all giggled. Then I explained that it’s a common closing remark among his age group, on the rare occasions when they use their vocal cords to actually “talk” on the phone. It’s nice to hear it spoken aloud, and I appreciate hearing my kids say those beautiful words, even in a casual moment. I’ve only known my new friends in Tokyo for a few years, but sometimes I want to launch into that same kind of overfamiliarity as we part. Love you! Bye! In that case, “love you” may convey gratitude for saving me from a lonely day of navigating this town I now call home. Or it may be thanks for helping me fill out a form. Or for sharing a weekend travel itinerary. Or for including me in a group sport or game. It may even mean thank you for inviting me to attend a fundraiser that felt familiar and delightfully friendly. That would be the 2023 International Bazaar, and the conversations I had with fellow shoppers and vendors during that first month in Tokyo were warm, welcoming,

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and foundational to many friendships I now cherish. My other home of Cleveland has lost many brick-andmortar stores. Holiday shopping often means squinting at small pictures on a blue-light screen. Ultimately, as gift-givers, we are all striving for that moment that sparks joy. I have experienced such serendipitous moments as I roamed the Club’s annual International Bazaar. Of course, you can donate directly to this year’s worthy charities, but if you come to the International Bazaar in person, you will enjoy the lively holiday atmosphere and the interesting vendors who make it all possible. In doing so, you will be participating in one of Tokyo’s best-known charity events and the Club’s primary philanthropic outreach initiative. If that matters to you, please come. In the New York Ballroom, you will witness these dedicated vendors preserving the traditions of their craft and the charm of personal selling. Many are passionate artisans who endure long days standing behind their booths, waiting to share the stories behind their creations. They are experts at meticulously packing their cars to take their show on the road, and they embrace the chaos of setup and breakdown. If you look closely and ask a question or two, you will see the twinkle in their eyes as they light up to tell their story. When you buy a gift, a portion of the sale goes to organizations that protect and support children in Tokyo so they may flourish and develop their own gifts. We all need more personal connection, more opportunities to spark joy, and events such as the International Bazaar are a perfect place to find both. We look forward to seeing you there, November 8 to 10. Love you! Bye! Laurel Stack is a Member of the Club and co-chair of the International Bazaar Fundraising Committee.

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