Issue 4 2025

This year has marked a truly golden milestone in the CCCJ’s history: our 50th Anniversary. Since its founding in 1975 the Chamber has served as the cornerstone of the Canada-Japan business relationship, growing from a small collective of businesspeople into a thriving and influential non-profit organization that embodies the depth of the economic and cultural ties between our two nations.

As we enter 2026, Canada and Japan stand at a pivotal moment in our partnership. The past year strengthened our friendship and expanded our cooperation, but the year ahead will be defined by how we respond together to a rapidly changing global environment.

Sometimes, making this magazine is fun. Like November 14 when I got to attend the Chamber’s Gala, thanks to Paul Braganza who kindly gifted me the ticket he couldn’t use. I had a great time… but it was a very long day.

Just before the Gala I was privileged to join the sayonara party for Ken Theriault, the retiring head of Costco Japan. Held in a huge ballroom packed with Costco…

Since the 1980s our Maple Leaf Gala has been the Chamber’s signature event and a focal point that brings together members of Canada’s business community, their ‘significant others’ and friends. Always an elegant event, with many guests clad in tuxedos, ballgowns or kimonos, it is a night to celebrate with fine food and drink, a variety of entertainment, music and dancing.

A…

When the Chamber was founded in 1975, Wilf Wakely was already a noted figure in Canada-Japan relations. Expo pavilion host, Japanese TV comedian, diplomat, lawyer – Wilf wore many hats, not least his pivotal role as Chair in our second quarter-century. Sadly, Wilf died in 2021 after a difficult illness, leaving behind his wife, Takako, and children Conan and Tara.

Below, Greg…

Throughout the CCCJ’s second quarter-century, the achievements of one Canadian businessperson in Japan stand out as exceptional. Ken Theriault from Saskatoon opened Japan’s first Costco warehouse in 1999, and has run Costco Japan for all but three years since. Against all odds, Ken has built the Japan operation to 37 warehouses nationwide, making it one of Japan’s leading retailers.
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For anyone who aspires to a leadership role in business or public service, there is surely no skill more critical than effective communication. Whether written or oral, to colleagues, customers or even a court of law, a true leader must be able to deliver a coherent and persuasive message. Equally or perhaps even more important is the flip side of communication: listening – especially to…

カナダと日本：2026年に向けて

イアン・マッケイ駐日カナダ大使よりご挨拶

2026年を迎えるにあたり、カナダと日本のパートナーシップは重要な転機を迎えています。この1年で両国の友情と協力は着実に深化しましたが、地政学的変化や技術革新が進む国際環境の 中で、両国が今後どのように連携し対応していくかが問われる年となります。

インド太平洋地域はカナダの将来にとって重要であり、世界第4位の経済大国である日本は、その取り組みを支える礎となっています。両国間の貿易額は年間360億ドルを超え、日本はカナダにとって第4位の外国投資国でもあります。しかし重要なのは、その規模以上に、関係をどのように深化・多様化させていくかです。

両国は相互補完的な強みを生かし、エネルギー、食料、重要鉱物…