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President aims to turn social dissonance into dynamic diversity in Japan President, general Rogers taps ACCJ’s energy counsel, director Jenifer Rogers is president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and general counsel Asia at Asurion. Fluent in Japanese, Rogers first came for a sustainable future to Japan with her parents in 1981, when her father was appointed president of Dow Chemical Japan. This encounter with Japan sparked a lifelong interest in director at Kawasaki Heavy Industries and a Japanese city.” international relations and cross-cultural Name: Jenifer Rogers Nissan. Rogers’ initial stay in Japan shaped her understanding. Title: President of the American When she is not running board meetings interest in international relations. She In addition to her duties at the ACCJ and Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) at the ACCJ or attending board meetings at had planned to go to nursing school after Asurion, Rogers serves as an external direc- URL: www.accj.or.jp some of Japan’s largest corporations, Rogers returning to the U.S., but her experiences tor at Mitsui & Co., Kawasaki Heavy Indus- Title 2: General Counsel Asia at serves as general counsel Asia at Asurion, a studying at Sophia University, where she tries and Nissan Motor Co. Before joining Asurion global tech services company. interacted with people of various nation- Asurion, she worked in senior legal roles URL 2: www.asurion.com Commenting on how she balances the alities and engaged with global issues, at Bank of America Merrill Lynch in various Hometown: Midland, Michigan responsibilities of her numerous positions, inspired her to shift her focus: “I started to cities across the world and worked as a Years in Japan: 16 Rogers noted her ability to compartmental- think about how to make a difference in legal consultant for the World Bank. ize. “Because I have so many interests and the world through cross-cultural under- She is a commission member and trea- everything sounds so fascinating, I have a standing in the international arena.” surer of the Japan-U.S. Educational Com- Leaders & Readers hard time saying no,” she told The Japan Propelled by her new passion, Rogers mission (Fulbright Japan), of JOE MUNTAL Times, speaking from the ACCJ office in returned to the U.S. to enter Georgetown the board of the Georgetown University CONTRIBUTING WRITER ’s Azabudai district. “I love everything University’s School of Foreign Service, Alumni Association, member of the board I’m doing, so one of my biggest challenges where she developed a foundation in eco- of the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan), founding Jenifer Rogers, president of the American is just to compartmentalize and focus on nomics and foreign policy. After graduat- member of the Asia Society Japan Center Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ), is a one thing at a time. I’m learning to embrace ing, she decided to enter the Georgetown and a member of its Arts Committee, as familiar face among the upper echelons of that, and I’m having a good time.” Law Center. “When you think about what well as a member of the Board of Coun- Japan’s corporate community. In 2015, she Rogers’ recent activities in Japan started you can change and how you can engage cilors of the Okinawa Institute of Science became the first foreign female director of in 2014, when she relocated from Hong internationally, and look at the institu- and Technology Graduate University. a Japanese trading company when she was Kong to Tokyo in her current position at tions, you realize everything relates to SHINSUKE KAMIOKA elected as external director of Mitsui & Co. Asurion. However, her relationship with law,” she said. “Law school was a way for and has since served as a non-executive Japan spans decades. In the 1980s, her me to combine my interests and prepare governance. It is also noteworthy that she women, a quarter of the level now. Japan’s the chamber’s interests, which are cen- father was president of Dow Chemical for a career abroad.” is one of only a few foreign female direc- aging demographics, compounded by the tered on four areas: U.S.-Japan partner- Japan, and it was this familial connection Rogers has since led a prolific interna- tors in Japan. Japan ranked 120th among effects of COVID-19, which have dispelled ship, digital transformation, health care & that led her to Japan for the first time in tional career. For 18 years she worked at 156 countries in gender equality in 2021, stigmas toward remote work, have also retirement and sustainability. With regard 1981. Bank of America Merrill Lynch (now BofA a disparity reflected in the mere 8% of contributed to this acceleration, she said. to sustainability, the chamber has offered Back then, Tokyo was not the interna- Securities), where she served in a variety board seats occupied by women at listed “Diversity is discomfort,” Rogers said. recommendations to the Japanese govern- tional city it is today. Rogers noted how of senior legal roles in New York, Dublin, companies in Japan. For comparison, as of “Japan is a harmony-based society that ment on how to reach its target of carbon difficult it was to get around as a non- Hong Kong, London, Tokyo and Mumbai. 2021, women occupied 45% of board seats emphasizes compromise, but you’re going neutrality by 2050 and is working with Japanese speaker. There were no bilingual She also worked as a legal consultant for at listed companies in France and 26% in to have debates when talking to people its members to ensure responsible supply signs, and if she got lost, her only option the World Bank, while obtaining her mas- the U.S. with different backgrounds. Turning that chains and ESG (environmental, social and was to ask for directions at the nearest ter’s degree in international public policy Despite Japan’s comparatively slow concept of constructive dissonance into governance) disclosure. koban (neighborhood police station). “It during a self-described “sabbatical.” progress toward gender equality, Rogers is something positive that can encourage “We have a lot in the pipeline, and I was a very different city,” she said. “I still Considering her expertise and fluent optimistic about the future. “I think you’re us to reach consensus in a more dynamic think sustainability is going to be one of “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing .” saw women in kimonos and there was Japanese abilities, it is no surprise that seeing an acceleration in the appreciation way is something that excites me.” our most exciting areas,” she said. “We This quote from Helen Keller is one Jenifer still a lot more of ‘traditional Japan.’ Don’t Japan’s business community looks to Rog- of diversity and inclusion,” she said, not- As president of the ACCJ, Rogers taps have so many ways we can contribute, Rogers has taken to heart. get me wrong, Tokyo was modernizing — ers for her perspective on various topics, ing that when she arrived in 2014, only into this excitement toward dynamic and we’re focused on harnessing the SHINSUKE KAMIOKA you still had the subways — but it was still including risk management and corporate about 2% of board seats were occupied by consensus-building when advocating for energy of our diverse members.”

Tonoya-Yo Reinvigorating rustic traditions with finesse and flair

ROBBIE SWINNERTON CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Tonoya-Yo, chef Yotaro Sasaki’s atmo- paddies and serves as the culmination of spheric inn and restaurant in the rural each meal. He has also created a cottage heartland of , is unlike any industry of brewing milky-white doburoku, other in Japan. Housed in a wooden rice the traditional rustic antecedent of mod- storehouse beautifully refurbished and fit- ern-day sake. ted out in a seamless blend of traditional Working in his kitchen with a single Address and contemporary style, it offers a full assistant, Sasaki only accepts one group of Tonoya-Yo immersion in the food culture of this little up to eight guests at each meal, and just six 2-17 Zaimoku-cho, visited corner of Japan. for overnight stays, ensuring that any visit Tono, Iwate Pref. 028- Sasaki was born into a family of innkeep- to Tonoya-Yo is an exclusive and highly 0521, Japan ers who have provided accommodation prized experience. http://tonoya-yo.com/ and sustenance for visitors to Tono for four generations. From his father he learned the hearty dishes that have sustained the TAKUYA TASSO TOSHIAKI HONDA local population through the centuries. But GOVERNOR OF IWATE PREFECTURE MAYOR OF TONO when it came to setting up his own restau- rant, he has honed a style entirely his own. It is with great delight It is my great pleasure to Grounded in the precepts of Kyoto’s that we have learned that announce that Tonoya-Yo refined multicourse cuisine, Sasaki’s cook- Tonoya-Yo was selected as has been selected as one of ing yet remains deeply based in the food one of The Japan Times’ Des- the restaurants featured in traditions of his hometown. It also borrows tination Restaurants 2021. the Destination Restaurant freely from outside influences. He prepares We hope that many people will be able list. We hope that people from all around nama-fu, a traditional wheat gluten cake to experience the fascinating food, history the world will enjoy the distinctive food with the texture of polenta, draping it with and culture of Iwate through the cuisine of of Tono. slivers of prosciutto that he cures himself. Tonoya-Yo. Chef Yotaro Sasaki’s passion for brewing, And he grates homemade cheese and hoya It has already been 10 years since the fermenting and maturing from the soil up (sea squirt) preserved like bottarga (salt Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. makes his dishes a unique experience. We roe) on top of the local type of wheat noo- We would like to express our gratitude for look forward to welcoming you to Tono, dle, hitsumi, as if it were lasagna. all the support we have received from Japan the home of eternal Japan and the coun- But the heart of his cuisine is the rice he and abroad and hope that you can come and try’s first special certified area for dobu- grows each year in his own 100% organic enjoy the many charms of Iwate. roku sake.

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