News

On July 3, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) welcomed members to its 2026 Annual General Meeting at the Embassy of Canada to Japan, providing an opportunity to reflect on another successful year for the Chamber, review our progress, and welcome our Board of Governors for the 2026–2028 term.

Building on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in March 2026, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) was proud to participate in the Team Canada Trade Mission on June 24, bringing together leaders from Canada and Japan to explore trade, partnership, and strengthening economic resilience across the Indo-Pacific.

On Saturday, June 6, nearly 30 participants gathered at the Embassy of Canada to Japan for our third Move, Eat & Chill event, in partnership with the Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BLCCJ). Participants enjoyed a refreshing morning of movement, wellness, and networking in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.

116 golfers. A record-breaking day. And Canada’s own Ambassador to Japan leading the charge — at least for most of the round.

Last week, the CCCJ Golf Scramble returned to the stunning Tsutsujigaoka Country Club in Tochigi, and it didn’t disappoint. Ambassador Ian McKay had his team in close contention right to the end, but it was Yusuke Ito, Joe Odell, Greg Rozitis, and Yoshiji Matsuda who took home the top honours — including the traditional Canadian championship toques (wool beanies) to ‘top off’ their incredible win!

On March 17th, 2026, the Professional Development and Education Committee of the CCCJ hosted the ever-so-popular Canadian Universities Alumni Mixer, Leprechaun Edition, at Coaster Shimokitazawa.

It’s election time once again, and we invite you to take part by either nominating a fellow member, or putting your own name forward, for the Board of Governors of the CCCJ.

Serving on the Board is a valuable opportunity to help shape the Chamber’s direction while deepening your involvement in the Canada–Japan business community.

“Leaders cast a very big shadow.” With that powerful observation, the CCCJ Global Diversity Management Committee’s second Effective Communication Series event set the tone for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion at the Embassy of Canada.

The panel brought together four distinguished leaders from across industries: Sarah Casanova, former Director and Chair of McDonald’s Japan and Honorary Board Advisor to the CCCJ; Mitsuru Irie, Co-founder & CEO of MI-6 Ltd.; Aaron Reist, Head of Professional Services at Woven by Toyota; and Mayu Isoi, Senior Director at Chapman CG. Drawing from experiences in global corporations, startups, and cross-cultural teams, they explored what leadership empowerment looks like in practice.

On November 14th, 222 people dressed in beautifully coloured dresses, kimonos and black ties gathered at the newly opened The Fairmont Tokyo for the annual Maple Leaf Gala, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the CCCJ. Pre-festivities started with receptions on both the 43rd and 4th floors, each offering stunning views of the Rainbow Bridge, generously sponsored by Northleaf Japan and Funeral Support Services respectively.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan is delighted to announce the Golden Maple Leaf Gala 2025, marking a truly special milestone — the Chamber’s 50th anniversary.

This year’s Gala will be hosted at the newly opened Fairmont Tokyo, a stunning venue that combines timeless elegance with contemporary luxury, providing the perfect setting for this momentous occasion. Guests will enjoy an evening of fine dining, live entertainment, and meaningful connections among leaders of the Canadian and Japanese business communities.

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ) hosted the seminar Effective Communication: A Key Driver of Career Growth at the Marunouchi Nijubashi Building in Tokyo. This seminar was organised by the Global Diversity Management Committee as part of the CCCJ’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. The hybrid event welcomed professionals both in-person and online, offering practical insights into how effective communication influences leadership, collaboration, and career advancement.

The seminar featured Philippe Godbout, Managing Director at Dassault Systèmes Japan, and Sarah Casanova, Honorary Board of Advisor at the CCCJ, who shared personal experience, strategic frameworks, and actionable tips to enhance communication skills.The seminar was moderated by Tomoko Ebine, Chair of the Global Diversity Management Committee, CCCJ Governor, and Ai Nakagawa, Governor and Treasurer of CCCJ.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan (CCCJ), through the generous support of DLA Piper’s Tokyo office, hosted an exclusive roundtable titled “LNG Canada – A Narrow Road to the Deep North”, spotlighting the evolving energy partnership between Canada and Japan. Moderated by Peter Armstrong, CCCJ Vice-Chair and DLA Piper's ENR Sector Head, Asia, the event convened senior representatives from government and industry, including Mitsubishi Corporation, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Natural Resources Canada, and Trade & Invest British Columbia. 

The discussion traced the development journey of LNG Canada, emphasized British Columbia’s strategic role as a gateway to Asia, and highlighted Canada’s potential as a long-term energy supplier to Japan. The panel also explored LNG’s role in supporting Japan’s energy transition and decarbonization goals, reinforcing the importance of cross-border collaboration in shaping a sustainable energy future.

The spring 2025 edition of the Canadian Universities Alumni Mixer was held on Thursday, April 17th, at Hobgoblin Shibuya. Once again, participants — around 50 Canadian alumni and friends — enjoyed a cheerful and “beer-full” evening making new connections and revitalizing past acquaintances. A huge “thank you” to Hobgoblin Pub for donating a complimentary drink for each participant! We enjoyed the popular trivia game with prizes donated by Adria (Wine) International -- thank you, Asa! Many had extremely favourable comments about the event as being fun, accessible, and easy to meet new people. Several newcomers expressed interest in joining the CCCJ, so the organizers in the Pro-D and Education Committee will follow-up.