The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ)
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan is a private sector, not-for-profit business organization founded in 1975 to promote the development of commerce between Canada and Japan.
Representing some 46 business sectors, the CCCJ is a member-driven, member-focused organization and is the longest serving Canadian Chamber in Asia. With over 400 member representatives, the CCCJ represents a broad cross-section of businesspersons and entrepreneurs from Canada, Japan and other countries. Membership is comprised of Canadian companies and individuals with ties to Japan and Japanese companies and individuals with ties to Canada.
The Chamber carries out its mandate in a variety of ways, including:
- Holding speaker luncheons, seminars and networking events
- Providing relevant and timely information through our website, quarterly magazine The Canadian, and annual membership directory Connections.
- Offering business promotion opportunities and timely information on launching and operating a business in Japan.
- Advocacy: the CCCJ creates press releases alone or in conjunction with other organizations on a range of issues important to Canadians in Japan and relevant to the Canada/Japan relationship. The CCCJ also meets with key Japanese policymakers and other stakeholders on issues of importance to the Canadian business community in Japan.
- Maintaining close ties with other foreign and domestic chambers of commerce in Japan and other Canadian chambers/business associations in Asia to broaden and deepen our information network.
Mandate of the CCCJ
The CCCJ:
- Promotes the development of commerce between Canada and Japan;
- Promotes measures to benefit and protect the interests in Japan of companies and citizens of Canada;
- Represents various opinions of the business community of Canada and Japan regarding trade, commerce, finance, industry and related matters;
- Collects and disseminates among its members statistical data and other information concerning commerce or other undertakings of interest to them;
- Associates and cooperates with other organizations sharing mutual interests;
- Promotes facilities for social networking among members and holds periodic functions of a social nature to promote friendship among Canadians and others in Japan; and
- Does any and all other things incidental or related to the above objectives.
In the mid-1970s, a small group of Canadians recognized a need to develop a more organized presence and greater visibility for Canadian business in Japan, and formed the Canadian Businessman's Association (known today as the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan). They never imagined that their association would grow into the second-largest Canadian chamber of commerce outside of Canada, with a thriving and active membership of over 400 members.
Over the years, the chamber has evolved into a strong and capable organization that plays a vital role in promoting trade and commerce between Canada and Japan.
Key historical events
| 2015 | Re-release of The Canadian and CCCJ becomes the first Chamber in Asia with a digital magazine app. CCCJ releases an open letter signed by five Canadian Chambers of Commerce in Asia advocating for the right to vote for Canadians Abroad to be restored. CCCJ celebrates the 40th anniversary of its partnership with Air Canada. AIU Insurance Company Japan, NEXCO and LIXIL Group join the CCCJ Network as corporate sustaining members. Hosts 50+ events such as: business seminars, casual networking mixers, joint chamber networking evenings, etc. |
|---|---|
| 2014 | CCCJ hosts major business events, the Public Private Partnerships Symposium, the Canada-Japan EPA Roundtable, and the Canadian Energy Round-up, all in partnership with the Embassy of Canada to Japan. Takes the lead on Joint Chamber briefing sessions on the 'Cool Japan Fund' with the participation of the HBA. |
| 2013 | The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the CCCJ and Keidanren, holds the 2013 Canada-Japan Trade Symposium in Toronto. |
| 2012 | Active in advocacy activities including roundtables with Keidanren committee on Canada as well as presenting to both Canadian and Japanese governments on opportunities and challenges to bilateral liberalized trade. |
| 2011 | Creates the strategic advisory group - the CCCJ Honorary Board of Advisors - providing connectivity of influential Japanese business and government leaders with ties to, and an active interest in Canada. |
| 2010 | CCCJ releases a Trade Policy paper, Capitalizing on Natural Synergies - Towards an EPA Agreement Between Japan & Canada |
| 2007 | CCCJ advocates Canada-Japan FTA as its guiding principle |
| 2005 | CCCJ celebrates 30th anniversary and for the first time brings band in from Canada for the Maple Leaf Ball; over 2,600 guests attend CCCJ events; CCCJ office moves to Aoyama |
| 2004 | New bi-monthly newspaper is introduced, replacing the quarterly magazine and monthly newsletter; CCCJ wins to act as official service provider of the Japan-Canada Working Holiday Program Maple Leaf Ball returns to the Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Chinzan-so after a nine year absence |
| 2003 | New bi-montly newspaper is introduced, replacing the quarterly magazine and monthly newsletter; CCCJ wins to act as official service provider of the Japan-Canada Working Holiday Program |
| 2001 | First Canada-Japan Business Awards; first CCCJ Cup Golf Tournament |
| 2000 | 25th anniversary of the CCCJ |
| 1999 | Canada-Asia Card launched; revised Trade Policy Paper released |
| 1997 | CCCJ-Kansai opens; website launched |
| 1996 | Trade Policy Paper released |
| 1995 | Connections membership directory published for the first time |
| 1994 | Doing Business in Japan published; Small Business and Professional member category introduced |
| 1993 | The CCCJ Bulletin monthly newsletter launched |
| 1992 | The Canadian produced entirely in-house for the first time |
| 1990 | Membership and number of events increase dramatically; The Canadian magazine is launched |
| 1985 | Chamber hires a manager and staff members |
| 1985 | CCCJ establishes first news publication, “The Chamber News” |
| 1985 | CCCJ begins to focus on business activities |
| 1981 | Name officially changes to Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) |
| 1976 | First Canadian Maple Leaf Ball |
| 1975 | CCCJ established as Canadian Businessman's Association |
Presidents of the CCCJ — past to present
*Presidential terms begin at the CCCJ Annual General Meeting in June
- Steve Kaufman
- F.M. Galbraith
- Derek Hood
- Mark Paetkau
- Ted Little
- Stan Einarson
- Vern Mckay
- Roger Otley
- Bob Fairweather
- John Powles, COFI (1993-1995)
- Robin Sears, Korn Ferry (1995)
- Tony Buckley
- Nick Rouse, Alcan Asia (1996-1997)
- Glen Bonderud, MacMillan Blodel (1997-1998)
- Gerry Cetkovski, Royal Bank of Canada (1998-2001)
- David B. Iwaasa, CWB (2001-2003)
- John D. Davis, Davis Law Office (2003-2005)
- Philip O'Neill, McGill Japan (2005-2007)
- Patricia Bader-Johnston, IBM (2007-2009)
- Eric De Groot, Forbo Flooring B.V. Japan (2009-2011)
- Wilf Wakely, Wakely Foreign Law Office (2011-2015)
- Ron Haigh, Toyota Corporation (2015-2017)
- Neil van Wouw, Vanten K.K. (2017-2021)
- David Anderson, Japan Transfers K.K. (2021-2023)
- Marc Bolduc, Intralox (Present)
