|
2002
Highlights of the Japan-America Society Year
The following constitute, in the order they occurred, the major highlights of the 2002 year.
Wireless in Japan: A Panel and Networking Reception
 An overflow crowd of 130 attended the March 13 program on Mobile Lifestyles: How Wireless Is Going to Change Your Life, a special late afternoon panel discussion featuring Akira Nishiumi, Director, KDDI Mobile Business Research Center; Matthew Feldman, President & CEO, Versaly Games Inc.; Scott Larson, VP-Strategic Development, InfoMove; Dr. Yasuhisa Nakamura, Senior Vice President, NTT DoCoMo USA; and moderated by David Keller, Director of the Japan-Western Americas Association U.S. Secretariat. Short presentations were followed by an open forum in this first program of many in 2002 concentrating on the opportunities for U.S. firms in the mature Japanese wireless market. A networking reception followed. This program was co-sponsored by Perkins-Coie LLP, WSA, and the Japanese Business Association of Seattle.
2002 Annual Meeting Featuring Japanese Ambassador to the U.S.
 The Japan-America Society held its 2002 Annual Meeting Dinner at the Westin Hotel Seattle on April 23. Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ryozo Kato, who assumed his post in November of last year, addressed the 300 members and their guests at the dinner. After the Ambassador's address, Board Chair Mic Dinsmore, Port of Seattle CEO, thanked the Ambassador for his country's support of the U.S. after the devastating attacks of September 11. The evening also saw members approving the new 2002-2003 Officers and new Board Directors of the Society. Sara Sandford, Managing Partner of the Seattle office of Garvey, Schubert & Barer, succeeded Dinsmore as Chair of the Board of Directors.
IT/Wireless Mission to Japan
 The Japan-America Society’s 2002 IT Mission ventured to Tokyo for three intensive days (May 19-22) of industry briefings and networking receptions that allowed participants the opportunity to learn from first hand, in-country observations and discussions with Japanese and foreign IT leaders. Delegates received briefings from leaders of new economy companies such as NTT DoCoMo, KDDI, J-Phone, Neoteny, and NetYear; leaders of older, more established Japanese high technology companies at a Keidanren-sponsored program; American Chamber of Commerce in Japan High Technology Committee business members; U.S. Embassy (Tokyo) Commercial Sector Staff Specialists in IT and Software; high technology writers and editors in Tokyo; received a Sun Bridge Venture Habitat briefing and tour; and participated in a reception and program with the International Computer Association of Japan.
Ambassador Clayton Yeutter on Business and Trade with Asia
 The Japan-America Society presented a luncheon program on June 5 featuring Ambassador Clayton Yeutter, a former U.S. Trade Representative to the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (now WTO) negotiations, a former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, and former president and CEO of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, on June 5 at the Washington Athletic Club. As U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Yeutter not only launched the Uruguay Round of GATT talks, but also negotiated the U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement and the original U.S.-Japan Semiconductor Arrangement. He also helped put in place provisions to protect U.S. intellectual property in Asia and Latin America. Now Of Counsel to the international law firm of Hogan & Hartson, Ambassador Yeutter served in cabinet and sub-cabinet posts for four U.S. Presidents. He has recently spoken to the members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan. This program was co-sponsored by the Weyerhaeuser Company, the Washington Council on International Trade, and the Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle.
42nd Annual Japan-America Society Golf Tournament
 The Japan-America Society's 2002 Annual Golf Tournament was played at Trophy Lake Golf and Casting in Port Orchard on August 13. 129 JAS members and their guests enjoyed glorious sunny skies and the camararderie of their fellow golfers at this year's 42nd Annual tournament. After playing the challenging terrain of the course, golfers were treated to an American-style barbeque dinner in Trophy Lake's outdoor pavilion. Awards and prizes followed the dinner. 2002 awards went to Low Men's Net winner Koichi Yamaguchi of Nissho Iwai American Corporation, Low Women's Net winner Mayumi Nakamura of Pacific Software Publishing, Low Men's Gross scorer Jeremy Lee of Ventree, and Low Women's Gross victor Deborah Bergh of Frank Russell Company. Northwest Airlines was the Event Sponsor for the 2002 Tournament.
Members Forum: Kono Taro on How to Change Japan
 One of Japan's most dynamic young politicians, Kono Taro, spoke to a Japan-America Society Members Forum on August 15. A two-term member of the Japanese Diet, Kono's presentation -- How to Change Japan -- was candid and to the point, emphasizing the need for a fundamental change in a number of Japanese institutions and ways of doing politics and business. Kono was elected to the House of Representatives in October 1996 and was re-elected in June 2000 from the Kanagawa Prefecture's 15th District. This year, Kono was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Public Management, the position responsible for administrative reforms, e-Government, policy evaluation, government personnel and its reforms, veterans' pension, and statistics.
ACCJ President Donald Kanak on Japan: Beyond the Headlines
Donald P. Kanak, President and CEO of the Japan and Korea operations of American International Group, Inc., one of the world's leading international insurance and financial services companies, and the new President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, by far the most influential foreign organization in Japan, looked beyond the headlines that shout the "demise of Japan" and spoke about the many business opportunities that exist in Japan in a variety of industries at a JAS luncheon on September 16. Aside from his involvement in the ACCJ, Kanak, who was born in Spokane, is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the America-Japan Society, the Society of Financial Services Professionals, and the Young Presidents’ Organization Inc. (YPO).
Partnering with Japan for Biotech Success
 This late afternoon panel discussion at The Harbour Club in Seattle on October 1 featured biotech professionals that are getting deals done in Japan: Dennis George, Senior Vice-President, Corporate Affairs, Dendreon Corporation; Kevin Kelly, Attorney, Shareholder, Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe LLP; Mike Martino, President, Sonus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Cliff Stocks, Vice-President, Business Development, ICOS Corporation; and was moderated by Ken Tracy, Global Health Sciences, Ernst & Young LLP. The program and the networking reception that followed, was sponsored by Ernst & Young LLP and was attended by over 100 individuals.
Welcome Luncheon for Consul-General Tadahiro Abe
 The Japan-America Society welcomed Consul-General Tadahiro Abe to Seattle at a luncheon in his honor on October 7 at the Rainier Club. Consul General Abe, who has a long and distinguished career of service in the Japanese Foreign Ministry, recently served as Minister at the Embassy of Japan in Hanoi, Vietnan. Consul-General Abe replaced Fumiko Saiga, who departed Seattle after nearly two years as Consul-General to assume her duties as Ambassador of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations in New York City. As Consul-General of Japan, Abe is an Honorary Vice-Chair of the Japan-America Society Board of Directors.
Annual Holiday Celebration Dinner and Auction
 The Japan-America Society’s Holiday Celebration Dinner and Auction on December 6 was attended by 440 members and their guests at the Westin Hotel's Grand Ballroom in downtown Seattle. The evening’s festivities began at 5:00 p.m. with a reception and Silent Auction featuring over 150 items. Dinner followed at 7:00 p.m. Attendees were welcomed by Japan-America Society Board Chair Sara Sandford and Consul-General Tadahiro Abe. Dinner attendees were also treated to a lively Japan in the Schools presentation by volunteers Bruce Robb and Junko Taylor and assisted by over 40 audience members. Concluding the evening was our traditional Sing-A-Long in both Japanese and English.
|
