0-20 193 13 rd 83Year 2013 ANNUAL REPORT 2013 ANNUAL REPORT Japan America Society of Chicago 20 N. Clark Street Suite 750 Chicago, IL 60602 Phone: 312.263.3049 Fax: 312.263.6120 www.jaschicago.org JAS-13003_2013AnnualReport_131118.indd 1-2 11/21/13 2:11 PM Our mission is to create and promote Japanese and American friendships. We do this through business, social, educational and cultural activities. We are the only organization in Chicago that touches all of these areas in American and Japanese relationships. The Japan America Society of Chicago is a nonprofit association made up of individuals and corporations interested in United States-Japan business, cultural, political and social relations. Founded in 1930 to foster mutual goodwill and friendship between the people of Japan and the United States, the Society enjoys a total membership of over 150 American and Japanese corporations and over 600 individuals throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. The Society sponsors over 50 public affairs and cultural programs annually, including business luncheons, evening lectures, cultural events and social/networking opportunities. All members receive discounts on program registration and invitations to special member-only events. The Society also has a Young Professionals Committee that organizes various evening lectures and social outings throughout the year for members in their twenties and thirties. In addition, the Society offers more than six levels of Japanese and English language courses. For membership information and other inquiries, visit www.jaschicago.org or contact the Society office. Design provided by Movéo Integrated Branding Cover Photo: Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan with reflection of the Chicago skyline JAS-13003_2013AnnualReport_131118.indd 3-4 11/21/13 2:11 PM LETTER FROM THE HONORARY CHAIRMAN LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN November, 2013 November 5, 2013 Dear friends, Dear Society Members, Before my arrival in Chicago last January, I heard so much about the Japan America Society of Chicago and its tremendous contribution to our I am happy to report that The Japan America Society of Chicago presented outstanding programs, increased membership and deepened our friendship. I've now seen firsthand that it's all that and more. relationship with the national Japan America Societies in 2012. JASC was well-represented at the Japan-U.S. Midwest Conference in Tokyo, where I served as U.S. Honorary Conference Chairman. I am most impressed by your wide variety of programs — from business presentations to cultural exchange and even Japanese language classes. Thanks to the Society and the shared purpose and commitment of it's members, Japan and Chicago now enjoy a very special The Society’s members and directors enthusiastically participated in and actively supported over 40 programs this year, covering issues partnership. in business, public affairs, culture and education. Tom Ricketts, Owner of The Chicago Cubs, gave a dynamic presentation at our Member Reception; Tatsuhiro Shindo, Chief Executive Director of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) updated us on the pace of economic This year, as in past years, the Society stands front and center in bringing us together. I would like to deeply thank Chairman Emeritus Adlai and social recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake; and our popular Annual Sake Tasting provided a casual environment for members to Stevenson, Chairman Michael Moskow, President J.D. Bindenagel, Executive Vice Presidents Robert Karr and Kenji Iijima, Executive Director socialize. Through these programs, we strive to further our mission of friendship and understanding between Japan and the United States. Mitsukunj Baba, as well as the other officers and members. With your tireless dedication, Japan and Chicago continue to become closer. We are pleased to report continued membership growth and a number of new company sponsors. Our corporate and individual members are We see this in many ways. Osaka and Chicago are now celebrating 40 wonderful years as sister cities. The Tokyo·Chicago commute is more essential to our success. The board of directors is strongly committed to our mission, and I am deeply appreciative of their contributions to the convenient than ever with many morning and late afternoon flights. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics will shine a bright spotlight on Japan that will Society. Each new class of incoming board members adds vigor to JASC, and we continue to recruit excellent individuals who generously share encourage more Chicagoans to visit. their time and talents with the Society. The outlook for our partnership is bright. Abenomics is already strengthening Japan's economy, and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is now We remain committed to providing both our members and the public at large with a wide variety of quality programs and events. With a being negotiated, will boost trade. Both of these will pave the way for Japan and Chicago to do even more business. dedicated and energized board, sound finances, loyal members, and the continuous support of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago as well as others, we are pleased to embark on the Society’s new year. I'm enthusiastic about the Japan America Society of Chicago and the many great things it will achieve this next year. I will continue to support you and cooperate with you in every way possible. 2013 was a great year for Japan and Chicago. Together, let's make 2014 even better. Thank you to our members for your continuous support, and a particular thank you to our directors and governors for your service. The Society’s future is bright, and I look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Sincerely, Masaharu Yoshida Consul General of Japan Michael H. Moskow Chairman JAS-13003_2013AnnualReport_131118.indd 5-6 11/21/13 2:11 PM LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT November, 2013 Dear Society Members, As Japan America Society of Chicago President, I am pleased to report to you on the progress of your Society as we start our 83rd anniversary I would also like to thank my counterparts Kenji Iijima and Bob Karr who currently serve as Executive Vice Presidents. Both Kenji and Bob provide year. I thank you and friends of the Society for the great support this past year. The purpose of the Japan America Society of Chicago is to distinguished and valued service to the Society. I thank them and all of our Directors, Officers and Governors for their dedicated service and create and promote friendship and understanding between Japan and the United States. Throughout the year, business, public affairs, social, outstanding efforts in advancing our mission. I would like to give special thanks to the committee co-chairs who also give generously of their educational and cultural programming contribute to greater Japanese-American understanding and friendship. Your support of the Society time and talents to the Society. furthers our important mission. Our staff Mitsukuni Baba, Executive Director and Erika Kono, quietly go about their work, delivering great programs and service for our Two key, essential elements of our success are membership and development. Numerous member companies and individual members have members, day in and day out. I personally thank them for their devotion and skill. provided direct financial support to our Society this past year, including many as event or program sponsors or contributors. We thank each one of you. We also depend upon our individual and corporate members and thank you all so much. In recognition of this support, we dedicate the While our Society continues to achieve our mission, we still face many challenges. To maintain our steady financial footing and continue our back of this annual report to our annual program underwriters, sponsors of individual programs, corporate members and donors. I invite you to robust programming, we have much hard work ahead of us. The worldwide economic crisis caused many to struggle and presented us with please note the organizations and individuals that have supported our Society. Their support, along with others, is so vital to our Society and we uncertainties for the future. I am confident with the strong support we have that we will continue on the path to success that we are on at the deeply appreciate our supporters. Society. Nevertheless, we will have to continue to deliver excellent programs and great member value in a financially careful fashion. We intend to do that. At the same time, I ask for your continuing input, participation and support. With that, we look forward to a highly productive year, Of course programming is the core of our activities in pursuit of our mission. Once again, we had a year of exciting and interesting programs, providing great value to you, our members. events and classes. Some of the speakers and programs that are representative of the full year’s slate include Yasokichi Konishiki, former sumo wrestler, who gave a telling account of his life as a world renowned competitor, and Osamu Nagata, Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Thank you again to all that have supported us so well. I am very excited about our new year. We very much look forward to working with you Manufacturing (Japan) who gave a presentation on Toyota America’s deep roots and extended future. These are just a few examples of our many and serving you going forward. outstanding programs from this past year, which are listed in the back of this annual report. Programming, membership and development continue to be the cornerstones and the engines of our Society, and are the three legs of the Sincerely, Society’s stability. We congratulate and thank these three committee members for their great efforts that contributed so much to the success of the Society. I also wish to especially recognize and thank some of the organizations that we work with continuously to develop, publicize and deliver our programming and other services to our members.