2 0 1 0 ANNUAL REPORT Cover: Photo & design provided by Movéo Integrated Branding Photo: Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan with reflection of the Chicago skyline 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. 8 0 T h A n n I v E r sa r Y pia n o C o n ce r T Ingrid Fuzjko hemming, Pianist LETTER FROM THE HONORARY CHAIRMAN September 30, 2010 As the Japan America Society of Chicago now begins another year, we can celebrate its many remarkable achievements during the last 12 months, and we can enthusiastically anticipate new opportunities to bring Japan and Chicago even closer together. one of my most important initiatives has been for the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago to cooperate very closely with the Society. We are a great team that has brought Japan at its finest to Chicago through many diverse events. Last December, the second annual “Saturday night Fever” disco-style party at my official residence promoted networking between the Society’s Young Professionals Committee members and JET Program alumni. In March, Japan’s passion for high-speed railway culture was shared by Professor naoyuki Agawa and Professor Tetsuo Fukuda at the “Shall We Train-Travel?” event. Also in March, young Japanese language students were most impressive at the 24th Annual Japanese Speech Contest. In April, the Chicago Japan America Society Friendship Dinner helped foster new cooperation between Society members and prominent Chicago business and political leaders. In June, the Society celebrated its 80th anniversary with a wonderful dinner, Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki shared his insights on our Japan-U.S. partnership, and Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata spoke about his remarkable experience in space. September brought the refined beauty of the Urasenke Japanese Tea Ceremony and Flower demonstration. These events and many others achieved success thanks to President Ed Grant, Executive vice Presidents William Florida and Tetsu hayashi, Executive Director Mitsukuni Baba, the Board of Directors, officers, and members. For their commitment to excellence and hard work, they have my deepest gratitude. Much of our cooperation occurs behind the scenes. The 17th Annual Midwest Forum, held at the Japan Information Center in September, was a great opportunity for Japan-related organizations around the Midwest to share ideas. I believe that this year’s meeting accomplished much to strengthen our cultural exchange in Chicago and across the region. As the honorary Chairman of the Society, I am most enthusiastic to cooperate with all of you in bringing even more first-class events to Chicago in the coming year. Let’s make it the best year ever! Best regards, George hisaeda Consul General of Japan at Chicago LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN September 30, 2010 Dear Society Members, It is with much pleasure and some measure of pride that I write to you, our members, during this, our 80th anniversary year for the Society. I believe that there is much that we all should be proud of in this important year. First, 2010 was a year of progress. We have continued our strong momentum in membership growth, adding as members several Chicago area marquee companies, including Boeing, United Airlines, Baxter healthcare, Marubeni America and WW Grainger, together with many other excellent new member companies. This expression of support of the Society is heartening. on the program side, the Society has continued to expand our robust and excellent programming. I have asked Ed Grant, our President, to comment further on our programs in his message to our members in this annual report. And finally, we have made important progress in securing the financial position of our Society. Much of the improvement in this area is due to the financial support that you, our members, have made to the Society throughout the year. This has also been a year of celebration, as we celebrate our 80th anniversary. This anniversary has been a feature of much of our programming during the year and cause for much festivity. And rightly so. I congratulate the Society for achieving this important milestone. Later in this report, you will find a brief history of our Society, which I hope you find interesting. Also, this has been a year of recognition. Clyde Dickey, our long serving Director, Governor and a former President, was awarded the order of the rising Sun, Gold rays with rosette, by the Emperor of Japan. This well deserved honor was bestowed upon Clyde for his contributions to the promotion of exchange and mutual understanding in economy and culture between Japan and the United States. Congratulations Clyde. The Society itself received the Foreign Minister Katsuya okada’s 2010 Commendation awarded to individuals and groups to acknowledge their contribution to the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and other countries. The Society was one of 39 organizations worldwide to receive this 2010 Commendation. We thank all of our members for your participation and support in achieving this recognition. We look forward to continuing to provide both members and the public with a wide variety of quality programs and events. our financial condition remains sound. With a committed board, loyal members, and the continuing support of Japan’s Consulate at Chicago under the leadership of Consul General George hisaeda, I can happily report that the Society is looking forward to completing a successful 80th anniversary year, with many fine years to follow. I thank all of you for your support of the Society. The Society’s future is bright, and I look forward to working with you. Sincerely, Michael h. Moskow Chairman LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT September 30, 2010 Dear Society Members, I am pleased to once again report to you on the progress of our Society. our 80th anniversary year is a very special cause for celebration. I thank you and others for your exceptional support of the Society during this past year. The purpose of the Japan America Society of Chicago is to create and promote friendship and understanding between Japan and the United States. We do this through business, social, educational and cultural programming. All of your support of the Society furthers this high and important purpose. I have to begin with thanking many people. We have great Directors and Governors and a superb staff. I am also particularly grateful to The honorable Michael Moskow for serving as our Chairman; The honorable George hisaeda, Consul General of Japan at Chicago, for serving as our honorary Chairman; and to Senator Adlai Stevenson, for his continuing service as our Chairman Emeritus. I thank all for their efforts and results in advancing our purpose. numerous companies and individuals also have provided direct financial support to our Society, including many as event or program sponsors or contributors. We thank each of you. In the back of this annual report, you will find a listing of our programs during the past year and the sponsors for many of those programs and also a list of donors. I invite you to please look at those programs and sponsors and donors that have supported our programs. Their support is so vital to our Society. We once again had a year of wonderful programs, events and classes. They are the primary vehicle by which we pursue our mission. I will briefly cite some of the speakers and programs that are representative of the full year’s slate: Marshall Bouton, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs spoke about Japan and America and the global order after the great recession; noboru hatakeyama, CEo of the Japan Economic Foundation spoke about U.S.-Japan free trade agreements; Beate Sirota Gordon spoke about her role in drafting the women’s rights clauses in the Japan constitution as a member of MacArthur’s staff; Ichiro Fujisaki, Japan Ambassador to the U.S. spoke about challenges facing our two countries; Yasuchika hasegawa, CEo of Takeda Pharmaceutical, spoke about challenges and opportunities for Japan; Fuzjko hemming, Pianist, performed an 80th Anniversary Concert; and Dr. Yoichiro nambu, nobel Laureate, spoke about his personal life as a physicist. These are just some examples of our great presenters from this past year. Please take a look at them all in the program listing in the back of this annual report. Programming, membership and development are the cornerstones and engines of our Society. We congratulate and thank these committees, and all that contributed to their successes, for their great efforts and results on behalf of the Society. I also wish to recognize and thank some of the organizations that we routinely work with in developing, publicizing and delivering our programming and other services to our members.