May 2014 iNTOUCH

Issue 589 • May 2014

May 2014

T O K Y O A M E R I C A N C L U B

Musical Members on hustling for gigs in Tokyo

ThaT’senTerTainmenT

Dr FeelgoodStaying healthy

through happiness

The Perfect PourWine-preserving

technology at the Club

Fuji ViewsA guide to climbing Japan’s highest peak

iNTOUCHManagementTony CalaGeneral [email protected]

Lian ChangInformation Technology [email protected]

Darryl DudleyEngineering [email protected]

Brian MarcusFood & Beverage [email protected]

To advertise in iNTOUCH, contact Rie Hibino: [email protected] 03-4588-0976

For membership information, contact Mari Hori:[email protected] 03-4588-0687

Tokyo American Club2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8649

www.tokyoamericanclub.org

contents 2 Contacts

4 Events

6 Board of Governors

7 Management

8 Food & Beverage

12 Library

16 Video Library

17 Committees

18 Recreation

21 Women’s Group

22 Feature

28 Talking Heads

31 Frederick Harris Gallery

32 Cultural Insight

34 Member Services

36 Inside Japan

38 Out & About

40 Event Roundup

48 Back Words

Editor Nick Jones [email protected]

DesignersShane BusatoAnna Ishizuka

Production AssistantYuko Shiroki

Assistant Editor Nick Narigon

Shuji HirakawaHuman Resources [email protected]

Naoto OkutsuFinance [email protected]

Scott YahiroRecreation [email protected]

Aron Kremer Marketing & Communications Director [email protected]

FEAturE the Music MakersYoung musicians

with a passion to play

professionally can have a

difficult time making inroads

into the Japanese music

scene. Several Members,

with professional and

amateur onstage experience,

discuss what it takes to make

it in Tokyo.

12 LibrAryreaching the roof of JapanAhead of his lecture at the

Club this month, Canadian

Richard Reay talks about

why he decided to write a

definitive guide to climbing

Mount Fuji.

36 insiDE JAPAnMore than a single storyOne incident or story can

lead to lasting prejudices.

One Member shares her

experiences as an African

immigrant in hopes of

dispelling stereotypes.

28 tALking HEADs CD nationWith music sales on the

decline in Japan, Club

Member and music industry

insider Keith Cahoon explains

why the country is still in love

with the CD.

22

(clockwise from left) Cover photo of Donna Burke, Terry Christian, Jiro Makino, Paul Guilfoile and Bill Benfield by Yuuki Ide

Yuuk

i Ide

2 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Department/E-mail Phone

American Bar & Grill (03) [email protected]

Banquet Sales and Reservations (03) [email protected]

Beauty Salon (03) 4588-0685

Bowling Center (03) [email protected]

Café Med (03) [email protected]

Catering (03) [email protected]

Childcare Center (03) [email protected]

Communications (03) [email protected]

Decanter/FLATiRON (03) [email protected]

Engineering (03) [email protected]

Finance (03) 4588-0222 [email protected]

Fitness Center (03) 4588-0266 [email protected]

Food & Beverage Office (03) 4588-0245 [email protected]

Foreign Traders’ Bar (03) [email protected]

Guest Studios (03) [email protected]

Human Resources (03) 4588-0679

Information Technology (03) 4588-0690

Library (03) [email protected]

Management Office (03) [email protected]

Membership Office (03) [email protected]

Member Services (03) 4588-0670 [email protected]

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Rainbow Café (03) [email protected]

Recreation Desk (03) [email protected]

The Cellar (03) [email protected]

The Spa (03) [email protected]

Video Library (03) [email protected]

Weddings (03) [email protected]

Women’s Group Office (03) [email protected]

Getting in Touch

Words from the editor 3

contributors

Steve Kudlow was 9 years old when he received his first guitar. It was a present from his father. And so began a lifelong love of music that has featured its fair share of struggles and disappointment.

Even at such a young age, Kudlow knew where his future lay. “Back then, my mom would take me to guitar lessons, and I’d be showing the teacher some stuff I came up with and I quickly realized I was going to write my own stuff for the rest of my life,” he said years later in an interview with an online magazine.

The Toronto native eventually formed the heavy metal band Anvil with a friend in 1978, and he had a clear vision for the group. “It wasn’t about writing a hit single for me,” he said. “It was about making music that people really dug.”

There are a host of reasons why people start bands (not all of them as virtuous as Kudlow’s), but the songwriter’s single-mindedness has ensured his longevity (the band has released 15 studio albums) in an industry that is notoriously fickle. It’s this refusal to bow out that shone through in the 2008 documentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

This month’s Employee of the Month, as well as the Club Members featured in this issue’s cover story, “The Music Makers,” could, no doubt, relate to Kudlow. All musicians, with varying levels of experience and success, talk about how they first started playing music, the attraction of performing in front of groups of strangers and what it is that continues to draw them back to the stage.

As for Kudlow, as long as he can pick up his Gibson Flying V, he’ll keep playing: “Writing music is an endless process, and if you are a lifer then that’s what you do until you die.”

If you have any comments about anything you read in iNTOUCH, please e-mail them to [email protected], putting “Letter to the Editor” in the subject title of the mail.

from theeditor

TimHornyak

At the age of 20, Yuuki Ide left his native Nagano Prefecture for Rome, Italy, where he spent three years producing video and photography in the tourist industry. The experience inspired him to pursue photography as a career, and upon returning to Tokyo he worked for two years as an assistant in a photo studio. Now a full-time freelance photographer, Ide has collaborated on numerous advertising campaigns and conducted photo shoots for various magazines, focusing mainly on portraits and landscapes. For this month’s cover story, “The Music Makers,” Ide trained his lens on several musically talented Members.

Yuuki Ide

Originally from New York, Efrot Weiss is a cross-cultural corporate trainer, working with expatriates who move to Japan and Japanese who relocate overseas. She is fascinated by Japanese culture and seeks opportunities to learn and travel around the country whenever possible. Away from the Kanto sprawl, her favorite spots include Nozawa Onsen, Niseko, the Kiso Valley, Karuizawa and Nagasaki. A Member of the Club since 2002, she is a keen student of Japanese ink painting. For this month’s regular Cultural Insight column, she explains the phenomenon of Japan’s so-called “May sickness,” when the excitement of a new career or school begins to wears off.

Efrot Weiss

4 May 2014 iNTOUCH

11Mother’s Day Grand BuffetSpoil Mom with a feast in the New York Ballroom. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4:30–7 p.m. Adults (18 and above): ¥5,555; children (4–17 years): ¥2,700; infants (3 and under): free. Sign up online or by calling 03-4588-0308.

What’s on in May

Saturday

Friday

17

23

Open Mic NightStop by Traders’ Bar for a night of live music and good times. 7:30 pm. Read more about the Club’s musical Members on page 22.

Friday Book GroupThe Club’s band of book lovers meet at Café Med to discuss this month’s pick, Cinnamon Gardens

by Shyam Selvadurai. 11:30 a.m. For details, contact the Library.

Saturday–

Sunday

Monday–

Tuesday17–18 19–20Birth Preparation for CouplesExpectant parents prepare for the arrival of their bundles of joy during this Women’s Group class. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ¥36,000. Sign up at Member Services.

Gifu Cormorant Fishing and Shirakawago TourWatch a centuries-old form of fishing before taking in a rural village. 8 a.m. Women’s Group members: ¥51,000; non-Women’s Group members: ¥55,000. Sign up at Member Services.

17Dine and Discover: Burgundy NightExplore the exquisite whites and reds from the heart of one of France’s most revered wine regions. 7 p.m. Details on page 40.

Saturday

1–31dōTERRA Aromatherapy Facial TreatmentThe Spa is offering its new, soothing dōTERRA aromatherapy facial treatment all this month. The full details are on page 20.

2Mommy and Toddler TimeMeet fellow moms and toddlers while building your own support network at a fun, weekly get-together at the Childcare Center. 2 p.m. Free. Continues May 9, 16, 23 and 30.

Friday 3Kids’ Water Park OpeningThe Sky Pool’s play corner for pint-sized water lovers opens for another season.

Saturday

Friday 23Salvation Army Charity DriveDonate clean, gently worn clothing, linens and household goods to a worthy cause. 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Learn more on page 21.

Saturday

Mother’s Day TeaAhead of Mother’s Day, moms and their little ones enjoy an enchanting afternoon of tea and more. 2 p.m. Flip to page 20 for more.

Wednesday28Kimono and Obi Shopping ExpeditionThis annual Women’s Group trip ventures to a charming pocket of Tokyo, known for retaining an Edo-era atmosphere. 10 a.m. Women’s Group members: ¥2,000. Non-Women’s Group members: ¥2,200. Sign up at Member Services.

6Toddler TimeA fun, 30-minute session of engaging stories and activities awaits preschoolers at the Children’s Library. 4 p.m. Free. Continues May 13, 20 and 27.

TuesdayThursday–

Saturday

Wednesday28New Member OrientationThe Club’s newest Members learn about the Club and have a chance to mingle. 6:30 p.m. Washington and Lincoln rooms. Contact the Membership Office to reserve your spot at least one week in advance.

SaturdayThursday 3129Rice CampaignThe Women’s Group wraps up its annual campaign for Second Harvest Japan. Contact the Women’s Group Office for details.

Extraordinary General MeetingThe Club holds an Extraordinary General Meeting for Members to vote on amendments to the Club’s Articles of Association. 6 p.m. Page 11 has the details.

Sunday Sunday 11Mother’s Day YogaTreat Mom to a fun, invigorating yoga session that is suitable for all ages and ability levels. 4 p.m. Details on page 20.

10

Wednesday 21Toastmasters ClubOvercome stage fright while learning to speak and present with confidence at this engaging luncheon. 12 p.m. ¥2,200. Sign up online or at the Library.

Friday 23How to Stop Killing Yourself and Delegate President of Dale Carnegie Training Japan Greg Story explains how to reduce stress by delegating responsibility. 12 p.m. Check out the details on page 17.

(Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.)

Noteworthy dates for the month 5

EVENTS

Monday12Summer SippingTokyo’s steamy summer begs for a cool drink. Learn how to whip up refreshing cocktails during an afternoon with Food & Beverage Director Brian Marcus. 11:30 a.m. Find the full rundown on page 21.

Coming up in June

FridayWednesday 9First Friday: Cinco de MayoCelebrate the heritage of America’s southern neighbor by enjoying Mexican snacks and drinks in the Winter Garden. 6 p.m. ¥2,000.

7Toastmasters ClubStart losing your fear of public speaking and improve your leadership skills at this monthly event. 12 p.m. ¥2,200. Sign up online or at the Library.

Wednesday 21Piedmont Wine TastingSample varietals concocted from Italy’s most illustrious grapes and paired with some fine regional cuisine. 7 p.m. Learn more about this famous region on page 9.

Wednesday 21Meet the Author: Dr Shuichi TsujiConsultant and visionary sports guru Dr Shuichi Tsuji discusses how his philosophy can be applied to teambuilding and personal development. 6:30 p.m. Learn more about his ideas on page 18.

Saturday24A Day at the RacesTake in the galloping spectacle of the sport of kings from the royal enclosure of Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu. 8:45 a.m. Flip to page 17 to learn more.

Monday26Coffee ConnectionsWhether you’re new to Tokyo or want to meet new people, drop by this free Women’s Group gathering. Contact the Women’s Group Office to organize free childcare. 10:30 a.m.

14Essential Oils SeminarExperience how the aromatic compounds of plants can positively affect your health and mood at this Spa-sponsored dōTERRA seminar. 10 a.m. Details on page 20.

WednesdayMonday 12Gallery Reception: Nishijin FabricThe textile artisans of Hakusen launch an exhibition of their exquisite fabrics during a casual gathering at the Frederick Harris Gallery. 6:30 p.m. Learn more on page 31.

Wednesday–

Thursday14–15Greek NightFrom moussaka to fresh olives and feta, Café Med celebrates the Mediterranean cuisine of Greece. 5 p.m. Continues May 21–22.

Tuesday–

Wednesday20–21Mudsharks ChampionshipsSwimmers from the Club’s swim team take to the Sky Pool for an exciting evening of aquatic action. 5:45 p.m.

Friday9Early Mom’s Day Enoshima Spa Getaway TourPamper yourself with a day trip to Enoshima Island Spa. 9 a.m. Women’s Group members: ¥1,600. Non-Women’s Group members: ¥1,760. Sign up at Member Services.

Saturday10New Member OrientationThe Club’s newest Members learn about the Club and have a chance to mingle. 10 a.m. Washington and Lincoln rooms. Contact the Membership Office to reserve your spot at least one week in advance.

2Gallery Reception: DanDans

3Mudsharks End-of-Year Awards Dinner

4Meet the Author: Richard Reay

4–5Indonesian Night at Café Med

Sunday 25Club RecitalClub students of the violin, viola, piano and voice take to the stage. 10 a.m. Find more details on page 27.

Saturday24Early Pregnancy and Birth PlanningExpectant parents prepare for the arrival of their bundles of joy during this Women’s Group class. 10 a.m.–12 p.m. ¥7,000. Sign up at Member Services.

6First Friday: Summer Sippin’

20Sawara, Iris Festival in Little Edo Tour

Tuesday 20Nearly New SalePick up gently worn clothes, books, baby items and more during this popular Women’s Group shopping event. 10 a.m. New York Ballroom. Details on page 21.

6 May 2014 iNTOUCH

The title of this column might sound like the corporate slogan of a major Japanese corporation, but it sums

up well the theme of the Club’s Sports Awards in March, when two athletes, Koji Murofushi and Mami Sato, and Tokyo’s 2020 Olympic bid committee chiefs, Masato Mizuno and Tsunekazu Takeda, were honored.

Quite a few younger Members, including my 9-year-old son, Leon, attended the event. Each award recipient gave a short speech, which were as inspirational as the ones during Tokyo’s final bid presentation at last year’s International Olympic Committee vote in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The youngsters in the audience, in particular, must have been impressed by the dedication and accomplishments of each awardee.

BOARD OF GOVERNORS

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Contact Santa Fe Relocation Services Japan K.K.

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With Tokyo ramping up its preparations for the 2020 Olympics, I thank the committee for organizing such a memorable event.

According to Club Member Masato Mizuno, the organizers of the Tokyo Games plan to recruit approximately 80,000 so-called “Games makers,” a term coined for the 2012 London Olympics for the thousands of volunteers who help any Olympics run smoothly.

Organizers will begin recruiting Tokyo’s Games makers for a range of positions and jobs after the 2016 Rio Olympics. Training will take more than a year, with a special Games rehearsal to ensure that the 2020 Olympics proceed without a hitch.

The Club, with its international, multitalented Membership and history of contributing to the local community, would be an ideal pool from which to recruit some of the Games makers. There are many ways in which we can each get involved, and we as a multinational community can support the city as well.

The organizing committee says that the impact of the Games on Japan’s economy will be around ¥3 trillion. The Club is in an excellent position to host some of the Games sponsor-, organizer- and media-related events at its superb function facilities. I’m hopeful that we’ll see these kinds of events at the Club over the next few years, and we should

feel a real sense of association with the Tokyo Olympics.

The expected commercial success of the Games will also help the Club achieve its fiscal goals, as stipulated in the TAC 20/20 financial plan. The Board and management will be laying out plans to capitalize financially on this unique opportunity while enhancing the Olympic experience for all Members.

In his speech at the Club’s Sports Awards, Olympic hammer thrower Koji Murofushi said that the key ingredients for his success were a mentor, a supportive environment and, most importantly, enjoyment of the sport. Enjoying his sport, he said, meant that he could avoid the early burnout suffered by some elite athletes.

Meanwhile, Paralympic long jumper Mami Sato said that sports had helped her overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, such as the disaster that hit her Tohoku hometown on March 11, 2011, and losing her leg to cancer at a young age.

I believe that the Club can support these athletes and the Olympic community in achieving their goals. In doing so, we may be able to inspire the next generation of athletes who may be starting out in their sporting endeavors through the Club’s various youth programs. o

For photos from the Club’s Sports Awards, turn to page 46.

Inspire the Next

by Mark Miller

Board of Governors John Durkin (2014)—Representative Governor, Gregory Lyon (2014)—First Vice President, Brenda Bohn (2014)—Second Vice President, Per Knudsen (2014)—Secretary, Hiroshi Miyamasu (2015)—Treasurer, Ginger Griggs (2015), Lance E Lee (2014), Mark Miller (2015), Machi Nemoto (2014), Betsy Rogers (2015), Jerome Rosenberg (2014), Mark Henry Saft (2014), Sadashi Suzuki (2014), Kazuakira Nakajima—Statutory Auditor (2014)

Executive remarks 7

MANAGEMENT

Many people find climbing Mount Fuji the most difficult thing they have ever done in

their entire life and at the same time the most rewarding.” That was the first line of Richard Reay’s book, Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook, I read before meeting the author to discuss a possible seminar at the Club on climbing Japan’s highest mountain.

I have known Richard, a fellow Canadian, for a couple of years. One day, while he was overseeing the Club’s travel desk, he happened to ask me if I had ever climbed Fuji. To be honest, it’s always been in the back of my mind, just to say that I’ve done it. Stories of unpredictable weather, altitude sickness and grueling training regimens have all provided reasons not to do it, though.

A few years ago, a number of our personal trainers and Recreation staff headed out to tackle the 3,776-meter mountain. It was a clear day, but they ran into some terrible weather, including a snowstorm. Some of them were not well prepared and even a couple of the trainers succumbed to the effects of the altitude.

As one of the few non-Japanese, official mountain guides on Fuji, Richard has led parties of trekkers from all over the world. He has climbed all four main routes to the summit countless times and at various times of the day and night.

Although some people climb Fuji during the early summer or early fall, when there are fewer climbers on the mountain, the official climbing season runs from July 1 through the end of August. With this in mind, Richard will speak at a Meet the Author event at the Club on June 4. He will talk about his own experiences on Mount Fuji, offer advice on climbing the iconic peak and answer any questions. The timing of the talk will give Members considering a climb this summer plenty of time to train and prepare.

Richard told me that so long as the weather is good and you walk at a steady pace, without trying to climb too quickly, anyone should be able to make it to the top. To reassure me, he passed me a copy of his own guidebook.

I’ve read the book now, but am I feeling more confident about climbing Fuji? I may have to give it a try this summer—with Richard as my guide. o

Turn to page 12 to read how Richard Reay became inspired to write his book, Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook.

Practical Daily Conversation / Business Japanese / Test Preparation / Intensive Courses

Classes tailored to your needs • Home and office lessons available

Experienced Teachers | Supportive Counselors | Great Location and Atmosphere

3 minutes’ walk from Shibuya Station Tel: 03-5489-6480 www.we-japan.com

Trekking Tips for Fuji

by Scott YahiroRecreation Director

Richard told me that so long as the weather is good and you walk at a steady pace, without trying to climb too quickly, anyone should be able to make it to the top.”

“

When I talked to the few who made it to the top, they said they were glad to have done it but wouldn’t repeat the climb.

From the hottest concerts to sumo tournaments, the Club’s TAC-tix service is your gateway to Tokyo’s exciting entertainment scene.

Check out the latest event tickets and deals by visiting the TAC-tix page of the Club website or Member Services.

Member Services Daily: 7:30 a.m.–10 p.m. | Tel: 03-4588-0670 | E-mail: [email protected]

T his 21oz (600g) Certified Angus Beef bone-in rib eye, also known as a cowboy steak, is a tender cut with a robust beef flavor. The kitchen masters at Decanter add a dusting of salt

and pepper then brush the finished steak with a house-original glaze of butter and roasted bone marrow for a succulent finish.

“The bone in the cowboy steak keeps the meat moist and really makes the presentation on the plate a thing of beauty,” says Decanter chef Scott Kihara. “It’s something you can’t find too often in Tokyo, and it reminds people of dining in a steakhouse back in the States.” o

classiceats

Piedmont, Italy

Langhe hi

lls

Alba

Cuneo

Barolo

Barbaresco

Turin

Novara

Vercelli

Asti Alessandria

Acqui TermeBra

GaviOff the Chisholm Trail

21oz (600g) Certified Angus Beef cowboy rib eye is available only at

DECANTER for ¥12,000*.

(*Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.)

8 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Piedmont Wine TastingWednesday, May 217 p.m.Washington and Lincoln rooms¥11,000*Sign up online or at Member Services(* Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.)

FOOD & BEVERAGE

winetasting

by Ed Gilbert and Julia Spotswood

The Home of Slow

As the most fabled center of winemaking in Italy, Piedmont is home to an illustrious pantheon of wines, including

many great Barolos and Barbarescos. Piedmont is also the birthplace of the

Slow Food movement. Started in Bra, a town 50 kilometers south of Turin, in 1989, this approach to dining and living that advocates the preservation of traditional and regional cuisine has captured imaginations around the world.

At this month’s wine tasting, we will sample a number of Piedmont wines, matched with various dishes from the area, such as Parma ham.

We will start with an Asti Spumante, a sparkling white wine, sweet and low in alcohol and made from the Moscato Bianco grape. The evening will continue with two well-known whites: Gavi, a dry, Cortese grape-based wine, with crisp acidity and mineral and citrus flavors, and Arneis, another dry white, made from the grape of the same name.

Piedmont, though, is particularly recognized for its reds. The three main red grapes in the central winegrowing region around Alba are the Dolcetto grape, which produces light, fruity wines, with a hint of spice and limited acid and tannins; the Barbera grape, known for juicy, medium-

tannin wines; and Nebbiolo, the grape that gives us Barolo and Barbaresco.

Barolo is a DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) wine and famed for its bouquet of tar and roses. It ages well, taking on a rust-red tinge as it matures, while traditional examples have strong tannins that can take several years to soften for drinking. But modern winemakers are producing more accessible wines.

Barbaresco is another DOCG wine. Produced just 15 kilometers from the Barolo region, in a different part of the hilly Langhe area, it is softer, with more amenable tannins, making the younger vintages easier to enjoy.

Whether you’re an Italophile or not, don’t miss this exploration of the wines and food of this fascinating corner of northwest Italy. o

Gilbert and Spotswood are members of the Wine Committee.

Piedmont, Italy

Langhe hi

lls

Alba

Cuneo

Barolo

Barbaresco

Turin

Novara

Vercelli

Asti Alessandria

Acqui TermeBra

Gavi

Club wining and dining 9

bottletalk

2010 Antinori Cervaro della Sala, Umbria, ItalyCurrently offered by the glass with FLATiRON’s spring menu, this elegant blend of 90 percent Chardonnay and 10 percent Grechetto is often referred to as Italy’s “white Burgundy.” Aromas of apple, citrus and white flowers lead to savory mineral sensations on the palate and a finish of toasty notes and spice.

Food pairing recommendation: Decanter’s seared scallops or roasted Hokkaido black cod.

¥11,000* a bottle at Decanter.(*Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.)

Kelley’s Cellar Selection

by Kelley Michael Schaefer

Saying Sayonara to Spoilage

Serving wine by the glass is a calculated risk. Since opening a bottle means exposing the wine to the air, any leftover wine can

quickly spoil. Oxygen is the enemy here. It rapidly

ages the wine and eventually destroys the contents of the bottle. Imagine what happens when you cut an apple in half and leave it on the kitchen table. Over a relatively short period, the apple turns brown, affecting its smell and taste. Oxidation has a similar effect on wine.

If there has been one development in the wine world that has helped to reduce the amount of spoiled wine, it is the

Enomatic wine serving and preservation system. It was the world’s first automated dispenser, and Members will soon be enjoying glasses of wine from the Club’s own Enomatic machine. Located in the Winter Garden, it will dispense a wide variety of wines by the glass to Members in any of the Club restaurants.

So how does the Enomatic technology work?

By blanketing the leftover wine with inert nitrogen gas, the machine is able to protect any wine in an open bottle for more than three weeks, far longer than using a hand pump to extract air, for example. The machine can house up

to 16 temperature-controlled bottles at a time and dispense a number of different measured pours.

This system will allow us to offer some of the Club’s rare and older vintages, without the risk of spoilage. The dispenser will also feature an ever-changing selection of wines of different origin, style and price. And by using a rechargeable Enomatic “debit card,” Members will have easy access to the wines themselves.

This exciting development will give Members yet another reason to make the Club their home of wine. o

Schaefer is the Club’s wine program manager.

10 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Have Your SayVoting Members should be sure to vote on the amendments to the Articles of Association at this month’s Extraordinary General Meeting.

Thursday, May 297:30 p.m.

Washington and Lincoln rooms

Message from Club President John Durkin

As determined in the Articles of Association, governance is the process of decision making to operate the Club for the benefit of all Members.

The Board of Governors is elected by the Membership to decide policy and appoint management. Since the Board has fiduciary responsibility for the Club, it is of paramount importance that the Board is made up of highly qualified Members with a passionate concern for the prosperity of the Club.

The purpose of this month’s Extraordinary General Meeting is to reform the Club’s governance and election procedures to ensure the Club’s long-term success.

Voting Members will consider three measures: Item 1 will reduce the maximum number of governors from 18 to 14. This reform maintains the overall quality of the Board while enabling more robust debate by all governors at meetings and making it easier to obtain a quorum.

Item 2 on the ballot will amend the voting procedures to present each candidate separately and require a vote (yes, no or abstain) for each candidate. This will help candidates gain greater consideration from Voting Members and increase the transparency of the voting process.

Item 3 clarifies the Articles of Association to allow Voting Members to elect a new governor to serve out the term of any governor that resigns or any Board seat not filled at the Annual General Meeting.

The Board of Governors respectfully asks that Voting Members vote in favor of the amendments.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at [email protected].

Reaching theRoof of JapanSet to speak at the Club next month, Mount Fuji guide Richard Reay explains what compelled him to write his book, Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook.

12 May 2014 iNTOUCH

LIBRARY

Numerous travelers visit Japan for the sole purpose of climbing Mount Fuji, making it one of the most climbed mountains in the world. Every year an estimated 300,000

to 400,000 people trek to the top of the country’s highest peak. Of those, it is believed one-third are non-Japanese.

In 2008, I began working as a professional Mount Fuji mountain guide. As one of the few non-Japanese official guides on Fuji, I have been privileged to lead guests from a multitude of countries. I have trekked all four main routes to the 3,776-meter summit and have completed innumerable one-day and night climbs and “pilgrim” hikes from the base. I have also appeared on the NHK TV program “Japan’s 100 Most Famous Mountains.”

Over the years I have seen my fair share of mishaps on Fuji, ranging from emergency helicopter evacuations to hikers on incorrect trails. Many of these problems could have been prevented with a little planning.

Although there are a huge number of articles, blogs and websites on climbing Fuji, many have been written by people who have only climbed the mountain once or twice and consider themselves experts. There seemed to be a lack of reliable English-language literature, including guidebooks, to help foreign visitors to Fuji. I decided to change that.

My book, Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook, is the ultimate primer for climbing Fuji. It is designed to mentally and physically prepare climbers, provide advice on climbing techniques and equipment, and introduce trail and safety information.

Since Fuji was named a UNESCO World Heritage site last year, the trails have become even more congested. With the increase in foot traffic, the government decided to implement new regulations.

In an effort to clearly mark climbing routes up Fuji, Japan’s environment ministry created color codes for the four major hiking routes and placed safety location markers along the trails.

Also, to reduce the number of injuries during night climbs, officials have launched a campaign to dissuade people from setting out at night on so-called “bullet climbs.” It may not be long before night climb numbers are controlled or banned altogether.

Following a decision last year by prefectural governments, climbers will have to pay a ¥1,000 climbing fee, which will be collected 24 hours a day during the official climbing season, from July 1 to August 31, and into September.

Since about 80 percent of the climbers that summit Fuji take the easy-to-access Yoshida route on the Yamanashi Prefecture side of the mountain, I prefer the routes on the Shizuoka side and avoid

the Yoshida trail whenever possible. The Shizuoka trails are less developed, less crowded and still maintain that friendly mountain atmosphere that makes Fuji so special.

Many people find climbing to the top of Mount Fuji the most difficult thing they have ever done and, at the same time, the most rewarding. While it’s true that watching the sun emerge over a sea of clouds is the experience of a lifetime, nobody should underestimate the climb to the top to see it. o

Canadian Reay is the founder of the Tokyo-based travel service My Tokyo Guide.

Climbing Mt. Fuji: A Complete Guidebook is available at the Library and for sale at The Cellar.

Meet the Author: Richard ReayWednesday, June 47–8 p.m.Toko Shinoda Classroom¥1,500* (includes one drink) Sign up online or at the Library(* Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.)

Richard Reay

Literary gems at the Library 13

off theshelf

Nordic Noir

Erica sat down on the enclosed veranda and looked out over the islands and skerries. The view never failed to take

her breath away. Each new season brought its own spectacular scenery, and today it was bathed in bright sunshine that sent cascades of glittering light over the thick layer of ice on the sea. Her father would have loved a day like this.

She felt a catch in her throat…”After enticing the reader to this Swedish

coastal town in The Ice Princess, Camilla Läckberg continues:

“The air in the house all at once seemed stifling. She decided to go for a walk. The thermometer showed 15 degrees below zero, and she put on layer upon layer of clothing.”

The cold off the Baltic penetrates you as you read, making you think twice about a winter vacation to this intriguing town described. But maybe in the summer.

I traveled to New York and Boston this past winter and experienced temperatures well below freezing, and the never-ending snowfall seemed to follow me to Tokyo. Since I couldn’t escape the snow or cold, I embraced it by reacquainting myself with some Nordic noir.

Whether it’s the adrenaline-charged plots of Stieg Larsson (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first installment of his Millennium trilogy) or the meticulously twisting stories of Sweden’s Läckberg, these northern European thrillers can transport you to new and interesting places.

Icelandic author Arnaldur Indriðason joins this new generation of Nordic crime writers with his book Strange Shores (2013), which interweaves mysteries from the past and present. Other recommended Nordic thriller authors available in the Library include Sweden’s Henning Mankell (Inspector Kurt Wallander mystery The Man Who Smiled); Norway’s Jo Nesbø (The Redeemer); Danes Lene Kaaberbøl and Agnete Friis (Death of a Nightingale); and Denmark’s Jussi Adler-Olsen (The Keeper of Lost Causes).

Such authors have also introduced me to fascinating resort areas, such as the island of Gotland off the east coast of Sweden. Incidentally, Scandinavia refers to Sweden, Norway and Denmark, while Nordic is used to describe Scandinavia, together with Finland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

From the Disney hit Frozen and the History Channel series “Vikings” to BBC’s

“Wallander” series and the US adaptation of the Danish drama “The Killing,” Scandinavia and the region’s history seem to be everywhere in the English-speaking world these days.

Riding this wave of Nordic interest, several Scandinavian authors have developed an international reputation for evoking a nuanced Nordic noir appeal, mostly for suspense thrillers and crime novels. These authors tend to use parsimonious language to weave a fabric of detail that envelopes the reader. Descriptions of frigid weather in bleak settings are often contrasted with the humanity of eccentric and warm characters.

Paradoxically, Nordic countries are generally safe, secure societies. The increasing number of Nordic crime novels implies a world that doesn’t exist in reality. Maybe a stable society is a prerequisite for writing reflective thrillers and crime mysteries. Some admiring critics have pointed to the books’ “morally complex mood” as a key differentiator from other crime novels. In any case, they offer a chance to contemplate both human hope and frailty while enjoying a police procedural. o

Bohn is a member of the Library Committee.

by Jeffrey Bohn

14 May 2014 iNTOUCH

new

Member: Gio ParkTitle: The Mystery of Meerkat Hill by Alexander McCall Smith

What’s the book about?Two new kids, Teb and Pontsho, in school and a girl named Precious quickly become friends. One day, Teb and Pontsho’s family’s cow disappears.

What did you like about it?The characters were not sure, but they never gave up. I liked the pictures as well.

Why did you choose it?Because it is a mystery book about pets.

What other books would you recommend?Any Sakura Medal-winning picture book.

reads

LIBRARY

member’s choice

Strange Shores by Arnaldur IndriðasonA young woman disappears from a frozen Icelandic fjord and leaves a tempest of lies, betrayal and revenge in her wake. Decades later, Detective Erlendur pries the truth from reluctant family and friends, but sometimes wonders whether the past is best left undisturbed.

On Such a Full Sea by Chang-rae LeeIn future America, Fan, a female fish-tank diver, leaves her home in the B-Mor settlement (formerly Baltimore) when the man she loves disappears. Fan’s journey takes her through the anarchic Open Counties to a faraway charter village in a quest that will soon become legend to those she left behind.

The History Keepers: The Storm Begins by Damian DibbenAn antidote for those with Harry Potter withdrawal, the plot revolves around time travel, secret societies and double agents, with more comical and eccentric secondary characters than you can shake a wand at. With desperate chases, hair-raising escapes, snappy swordfights and complicated traps, the result is a page-turner.

The Bankers’ New Clothes: What’s Wrong with Banking and What to Do about It by Anat Admati and Martin HellwigAdmati and Hellwig argue the lessons from the global financial crisis have not been learned. They show that banks are as fragile as they are because they can get away with it. But the situation distorts the economy and exposes the public to unnecessary risks, and much can be done to create a better system.

Global Crisis: War, Climate Change and Catastrophe in the Seventeenth Century by Geoffrey ParkerRevolutions, droughts, famines, wars: the calamities of the mid-17th century were not only unprecedented, but widespread. Distinguished historian Parker deploys scientific evidence to show how climate change appears to have been a key driver of these catastrophes—a useful insight for the current debate.

The Climate Casino: Risk, Uncertainty, and Economics for a Warming World by William NordhausEconomist Nordhaus warns that we are rolling the global-warming dice. Using language accessible to any concerned citizen, he explains why earlier policies, such as the Kyoto Protocol, failed to slow CO2 emissions, how new approaches can succeed and which policy tools will most effectively reduce emissions.

Library & Children’s Library Daily: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Tel: 03-4588-0678 E-mail: [email protected] compiled by Library Committee member Jeffrey Bohn.

Literary gems at the Library 15

video LiBRARY

flick

Famous for dressing down to a pair of shorts and punching a canvas with boxing gloves dipped in paint,

eccentric artist Ushio Shinohara lives in a tiny Brooklyn apartment with his wife of 40 years, Noriko, an artist in her own right.

In the 2013 documentary Cutie and the Boxer, filmmaker Zachary Heinzerling captures the tender nuances of their close, yet strained relationship. The film, which earned Heinzerling a best director award at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, is available at the Video Library.

Documentaries are entertaining pieces of cinema that offer us an insight into rarely seen worlds, but I wasn’t much of a documentary watcher until I joined the Video Library Committee. Now I love them.

The Video Library has a collection of more than 400 documentaries, including the critically acclaimed The Act of Killing, which details the notorious death squads in 1960s Indonesia, and Blackfish, which focuses on the consequences of keeping killer whales in captivity through the story of Tilikum, an orca that killed three people.

For young animal lovers, Born to Be

Wild, narrated by Morgan Freeman, is a heartwarming film about orphaned orangutans and elephants and the bond they form with the extraordinary people who rescue them.

Not only runners will enjoy the inspiring story of Terry Hitchcock in My Run. After losing his wife to cancer, the 57-year-old ran 75 marathons in 75 consecutive days to raise awareness about the difficulties facing single-parent families.

For those interested in learning more about Japanese culture, take a look at Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo, a documentary that explores the cultural and historical ties underlying Japan’s deep fascination with insects, or Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a film about an 85-year-old sushi master in Ginza.

For the tweenager in your family, the Video Library also stocks documentaries on the boy band One Direction and Katy Perry.

With films on every interest and issue, chances are there will be something that meets your fancy. Just drop by the Video Library and ask the staff. o

Harris is a member of the Video Library Committee.

pick

Video Library Daily: 9 a.m.–8 p.m. Tel: 03-4588-0686 E-mail: [email protected] Reviews compiled by Nick Narigon.

by Diane Harris

newmovies

COMEDYAnchorman 2: The Legend ContinuesThe wacky hijinks of San Diego’s top-rated newsman, Ron Burgundy (Will Ferrell), continue into the ’80s, as he and his news team head to New York and the city’s first 24-hour news channel.

ANIMATIONThe Nut JobSearching for nuts to hoard for winter, the incorrigible squirrel Surly (voiced by Will Arnett) plans to raid a nut store, which happens to be the front for a gang of ruthless bank robbers.

Ride AlongWhen fast-talking, video game-loving security guard Ben (Kevin Hart) joins his future brother-in-law and Atlanta cop, James (Ice Cube), on a 24-hour patrol to prove himself, things turn hairy.

DRAMAAugust: Osage CountryA family crisis brings home to Oklahoma the women of the Weston family, and they must once again face the matriarch (Meryl Streep) who raised them. Also starring Julia Roberts, Sam Shepard and Juliette Lewis.

AC TION47 RoninFormer slave Kai (Keanu Reeves) and a band of outcast samurai set out to avenge the death of their master by a malevolent shogun. Also starring Hiroyuki Sanada and Rinko Kikuchi.

ADVENTUREThe Hobbit: The Desolation of SmaugIn this second installment of JRR Tolkien’s epic tale, Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen) continue their quest to help the dwarves reclaim their homeland from the dragon Smaug.

Did you know? You can browse the Video Library’s collection of films and TV shows online. Simply visit the Video Library page of the Club website.

Reel Life Stories

16 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Playingthe Ponies

T ake in the thrill of thoroughbred horses thundering around the racetrack while enjoying fine food and the odd wager or two during this month’s excursion to Tokyo Racecourse

in Fuchu. Members on this trip to Japan’s home of horseracing, which

was introduced to Japan in 1862, will soak up the pulsating atmosphere of the sport of kings from the royal enclosure.

Built in 1933, Tokyo Racecourse underwent seven years of renovations and was reopened in 2007. The ultramodern facility features multiple high-definition screens, including one of the largest in the world.

“You can inspect the horses close at hand at the paddock then go to the luxurious guest room and fill out the betting slips,” says Sachiko Terauchi of the Japan Racing Association.

Whether you’re an equestrian aficionado or novice, this cultural day out is sure to be a winner. o

A Day at the RacesSaturday, May 24 | 8:45 a.m.

¥7,870* (includes transport and lunch) | Adults only

Dress code: jackets and ties for men and equivalent attire for women

Sign up online or at Member Services

Sponsored by the Culture, Community and Entertainment Committee

(* Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.)

Lessons in Laissez-Faire Leadership

It will be faster if I do it myself.” Such ill-fated words inevitably mean long hours and endless stress for any leader or manager.

“Leadership is about building people and managing processes,” says Greg Story, Member and president of Dale Carnegie Training Japan. “Building people requires they garner the experiences required to prepare them for bigger jobs. Leaders who won’t release work to others because they can’t delegate find themselves bogged down in lower-value work and so their personal effectiveness is compromised.”

The second in a series of business-oriented workshops, this session will focus on how to delegate responsibility in a way that benefits everyone, including your organization. o

The Ultimate Lunch and Learn Workshop SeriesWorkshop Two: How to Stop Killing Yourself and Delegate

Friday, May 23

12–1:30 p.m.

Washington Room

¥1,900*

Sign up online or at Member Services

Presented by the Men’s Group and Dale Carnegie Training Japan

(* Excludes 8 percent consumption tax. )

Compensation Mark MillerCulture, Community & entertainment Daniel Smith (Lance Lee)

SubcommitteesCulture & Community JoAnn Yoneyamaentertainment Matthew KrcelicFrederick Harris Gallery Yumiko Sai

Finance Rodney Nussbaum(Hiroshi Miyamasu)

Food & Beverage Michael Alfant (Jerome Rosenberg)

SubcommitteeWine Stephen Romaine

House Jesse Green (Gregory Lyon) SubcommitteeFacilities Management GroupTomio Fukuda

Human Resources Jon Sparks (Per Knudsen)

Membership Alok Rakyan (Machi Nemoto) Nominating Steven GreenbergRecreation Samuel Rogan(Mark Miller)

SubcommitteesBowling Crystal Goodflieshvideo Abigail RadmilovichFitness Samuel RoganGolf John Breen

Library Alaine LeeLogan Room Christa RutterSquash Martin FluckSwim Alexander Jampel Youth Activities Narissara March

Joining a Committee

CoMMiTTeeS

Cornerstone of the Club 17

Nurturing Happy Hearts and Minds

Irwin W

ongDr Shuichi Tsuji

18 May 2014 iNTOUCH

RECREATION

My son recently quit his junior high basketball team after a year of trying to fit into an environment where endless drills were the rule, teammates delighted in

criticizing one another and having fun was the last thing on the agenda. Needless to say, the team lost most of its games.

I was therefore excited about meeting Dr Shuichi Tsuji, whose philosophy is often at odds with the way Japan sees sports. He has become famous for demonstrating how sports psychology can help not only teambuilding, but personal development as well.

Born into a family of Tokyo doctors in 1961, Tsuji admits that his first love was always sport. “I played basketball for 12 years, from junior high school until I finished medical college,” he says.

After graduating from Hokkaido University, Tsuji says he was inspired by Hunter “Patch” Adams, the American physician who believes people’s health is affected by their quality of life. “Most doctors focus on curing the sick,” he says. “For me, though, it’s more important to work on keeping people healthy through lifestyle management and condition support.”

Determined to combine his passion for sports with a hands-on, non-academic approach to psychology, Tsuji found his true calling while attending the Ohio Center for Sport Psychology’s annual conferences. There, he met people who were applying their theories not only to sport, but to other aspects of life.

Inspired by the author of the best-selling basketball-themed comic Slam Dunk, Takehiko Inoue, Tsuji wrote a book that sold 350,000 copies. While surprised at the book’s success, he felt convinced that people were ready for his ideas.

The so-called "Tsuji method" is based on a few hard-to-translate Japanese concepts. “In Japanese, we have two words: yuragi and toraware. Yuragi is usually translated as ‘fluctuation’ and may refer to an unstable state of mind, which negatively affects our self-image,” Tsuji explains. “The second keyword, toraware, in psychological terms has to do with being stuck with an idea and causes people to develop a fixation. For example, if you keep telling yourself you can’t miss the next shoot, you are probably going to miss it.”

In such situations in the West, positive thinking (PT) is an approach often used, but Tsuji says it doesn’t work well for Japanese. “According to PT, you have to turn every situation into a positive one. The problem with this approach is that it requires a lot of kiai, or fighting spirit, and eventually it drains you of mental energy and you feel exhausted,” he says. “Therefore, I have replaced this high-maintenance method with a more natural approach of ‘being here, now.’”

As president of the pro basketball team the Tokyo Excellence, Tsuji says his players have benefited from his method. “My team’s slogan is ‘No flow, no win,’ and it refers to the work of highly respected Hungarian psychology professor Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi,” he says. “According to Csikszentmihalyi, people are happiest when they are in a state of flow, [when] they are so absorbed in what they are doing that they forget about everything else. In sports, we have a similar idea, what we call

‘being in the zone.’ Unfortunately, the zone is very narrow. Many people stubbornly try to reach that ideal state of mind and, when they fail, they get caught in feelings of worthlessness. So I came up with a slightly different concept which provides an easier way to reach the state of flow: gokigen.”

The word, Tsuji says, refers to a feeling of contentment. “It’s like looking always at the sunny side of things, which is something few Japanese usually manage to do,” he says, breaking into a laugh. “My job is to infuse people’s activity, be it sport, business or whatever, with a more light-hearted, positive approach.”

Tsuji says that a positive-minded person is more likely to be physically healthy and have good relationships with others. “At team level, more trust means improved communication,” he says. “In the workplace, in particular, better performance results in higher employer and customer satisfaction, besides the fact that people are less likely to quit their job.”

With Tokyo set to host the Olympics in 2020, Tsuji says the country has to change its attitude to sports. “In Japan, differently from other countries, people think that sport and culture are two distinct things. Also, for most Japanese, sport equals blood, sweat and tears. I beg to differ. For me, it’s fun and play, first and foremost,” he says. “If you keep putting pressure on yourself, you end up like [figure skater Mao Asada] at the recent Winter Olympics. My mission is to change people’s mentality and raise awareness of the role that sport plays in enriching our life.” o

Simone is a Yokohama-based freelance journalist.

Ahead of his talk at the Club this month, motivational trainer and sports psychologist Dr Shuichi Tsuji explains why he wants Japanese to relax and be happy. by Gianni Simone

Irwin W

ong

Meet the Author: Dr Shuichi Tsuji Wednesday, May 217–8 p.m. | Toko Shinoda Classroom¥1,500* (includes one drink) | Sign up online or at the Library(* Excludes 8 percent consumption tax.)

Fitness and well-being 19

RECREATION

Aromatherapy Workshop

The Spa proudly uses products by

To book your next pampering session, contact The Spa at 03-4588-0714 or [email protected].

Experience how the natural, aromatic compounds of seeds, bark, flowers and even orange peel can positively affect your health and mood at a seminar by the American essential oils company dōTERRA.

Attendees receive 20 percent off the 60-minute dōTERRA aromatherapy facial treatment The Spa is offering this month.

Essential Oils SeminarWednesday, May 1410 a.m.–12 p.m.Beate Sirota Gordon Classroom¥1,500Sign up at 03-4588-0714 or [email protected]

dōTERRA Aromatherapy Facial TreatmentMay 1–31¥12,000

(Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.)

Time to BreatheEnergize your body and mind while meeting new people through one of the Club’s new group yoga classes.

Hatha YogaA widely practiced form of yoga that helps to make the spine supple and boosts circulation. Monday: 7:30–8:45 p.m.One yellow Fit-tix ticketInstructor: Marjorie Meyssignac

Power YogaA series of vigorous postures that enhances physical strength and endurance.Saturday: 2:30–3:30 p.m.One yellow Fit-tix ticket Instructor: Mika Saiki

H e a lt H Yo u t H Fa m i lY

Summer of FunThe summer is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or make new friends through the Club’s range of summer programs.

Summer CampJune 16–August 22 (10 sessions)Big Kid (6–12 years) | Preschool A (4–5 years) | Preschool B (3–4 years)Big Kid Camp: ¥40,000 for Members (¥46,000 for non-Members)Preschool Camp: ¥37,000 for Members (¥42,550 for non-Members)Sign up at the Recreation Desk or e-mail [email protected]

Summer All-Star SportsJune 16–August 22 (10 sessions)Weekdays (except Thursdays)3:30–4:30 p.m.Ages 6–12¥10,000 for Members (¥11,500 for non-Members)For more information, contact the Recreation Desk at [email protected].

Summer Aikido for AdultsJune 10–July 10 Every Tuesday and Thursday7–8 p.m.¥28,000

Summer Intensive Aikido for KidsJune 16–27 Weekdays1–2 p.m.¥28,000Sign up online or at the Recreation Desk

An Afternoon with MomAhead of Mother’s Day on May 11, the magic of childhood tea parties is recreated at the Club, when moms and their little ones enjoy an enchanting afternoon of tea, finger food and photo keepsakes.

Mother’s Day TeaSaturday, May 102–4 p.m.Manhattan IAdults: ¥5,400Children (2–6 years): ¥2,700Infants (2 and under): freeSign up at the Recreation Desk or e-mail [email protected]

Downward Dog with MomCelebrate Mother’s Day with an invigorating session of yoga for moms, daughters and even grandmothers. This fun class for all ages and skill levels includes some partner work.

Mother’s Day YogaSunday, May 114–5:30 p.m.The Studio¥2,500 (or one yellow Fit-tix ticket)Sign up at the Recreation Desk or e-mail [email protected] (Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.)

20 May 2014 iNTOUCH

T he Club’s own garage sale returns this month and promises to be a haven of bargains and hidden treasures.

The sale, whose proceeds are used to support Women's Group and other Club programs, typically features an eclectic mix of items, from children’s clothes and books to handbags and sports equipment.

This is also an excellent opportunity for Members to collect any outgrown or neglected items and sell them.

With last year’s boxes of lightly used Manolo Blahnik shoes still fresh in the memory, who knows what might be unearthed this time. o

WOMEN’S GROUP

Bargain BingeNearly New SaleTuesday, May 20 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.New York BallroomFree Open to the publicNo children under 12 or strollers allowedMembers can reserve a vendor's table at Member Services

W hy not combine your spring cleaning with a donation to a worthy cause?

At the annual Salvation Army Charity Drive this month, the Women’s Group will accept clean, gently worn clothing, linens and household goods, which will be donated to the Salvation Army’s bazaar in Tokyo.

Items should be dropped off in plastic bags or boxes. Unfortunately, furniture, books, magazines, used shoes, underwear, dishes, bedding, strollers, toys, baby chairs and other bulky items are not accepted. o

W ith Tokyo’s sultry summer season set to begin, there is no better way to keep party guests refreshed than with a perfectly stirred (or shaken) cocktail.

During a jamboree of drink, Food & Beverage Director Brian Marcus will teach Members how to whip up some surprisingly easy beverages from bar staples, before they put their skills to the test in a cocktail challenge.

“New cocktails, a new contest and new reasons to spend the afternoon sipping,” says Marcus. “If you have been before, you know what we are in for, and if you haven’t, well you are in for a libation treat.” o

Declutter for Charity Stirring Up Fun

Salvation Army Charity DriveFriday, May 239–11:30 a.m. and 2–3:30 p.m.B1 Parking LotContact the Women’s Group Office for details

Summer SippingMonday, May 12Doors open: 11 a.m. | Program begins: 11:30 a.m. | Manhattan IWG Members: ¥3,000 | Non-WG Members: ¥4,000 | Adults only Sign up online or at Member Services(Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.)

An interactive community 21

22 May 2014 iNTOUCH

FEATURE

Japan might well be the world’s second-largest music market, but how easy is it to book a gig or make a living as a foreign musician in Tokyo? by Nick Narigon

The Music Makers 23

24 May 2014 iNTOUCH

It’s a Tuesday evening at the What the Dickens pub in Ebisu. Foreign businessmen in suits and Bill Cosby sweaters sip pints of ale and chat while leaning on the varnished wood bar. Up on the stage in the corner, a singer introduces his

band: “Billy Benfield on guitar!” To the delight of the crowd, the guitarist, who is strumming a jazz riff on his custom-built Fender Stratocaster, breaks into a solo.

During Japan’s economic bubble period of the 1980s, Club Member Bill Benfield could be found on a stage somewhere in the country nearly every night. He would lug his Fender Telecaster as far afield as

Fukuoka, in Kyushu, to play live venues, trade shows or corporate parties. And he was paid handsomely for it.

“There was so much work, it was just unbelievable,” says Benfield, now 61. “I was going all over Japan playing in blues bands, country and western bands. I used to keep a separate account just for all of the money I was making from gigs. This was just before the bubble burst.”

Co-owner of Dagmusic sound and voice studio, Benfield has witnessed immense change in the Tokyo music industry over the past few decades, especially for international musicians looking to eke out a living.

According to a 2013 report by the Australian Trade Commission, it is becoming increasingly difficult for foreign musicians to find a toehold in the world’s second-largest music market, mainly because young fans are losing interest in foreign music. Eighty-four percent of the Japanese market, the report says, is made up of domestic acts.

“Within the foreign product market, competition is increasingly fierce and in the majority of cases, non-Japanese musicians who are successfully able to secure licensing and distribution deals are those performers that have already proved themselves in another major market such as the US or the UK,” Austrade says. “A band with no domestic or overseas profile is very unlikely to attract the attention of Japanese labels, promoters or venues.”

A UK native, Benfield was part of the London music scene in the late 1970s, before moving to Japan to teach in the early ’80s. A blues and jazz guitarist by trade, he soon discovered that booking agents weren’t looking for original compositions, or non-Japanese musicians.

“One of the problems obviously is you can’t just pitch up in Japan and say, ‘I am a great musician.’ Who is going to sponsor you as a musician?” he says. “You have to go through the whole problematic phase of what do I do to earn money and get a visa? And while doing that, will that give me enough time to get out and meet people, show off my talent and pick up work if it’s there?”

Fellow Member and accomplished singer-songwriter Terry Christian has produced self-funded albums of original music in the United States, Jamaica, El Salvador, Colombia and Mauritius. The headmaster of Nishimachi International School, he arrived in Tokyo 10 years ago.

Christian has recorded two CDs with local musicians, but to play his original music live with his band, Cool Hand, the 63-year-old guitarist has to deal with Japan’s pay-to-play system, renting the venue and drawing his own crowd.

“In most other countries, if you are playing in bars, they will pay you. The owner of the bar says, ‘Here’s $20 each and you can have food and alcohol,’” he explains. “Mainly the bars here, if we played covers and songs that people know, we could probably get a little door money. I have played original music with some really good bands. We had people up singing, the audience was enthusiastic,

Terry ChrisTian

Yuuki Ide

FEATURE

The Music Makers 25

band. Drawn to the source of the music he was playing, Makino moved to Los Angeles for college but spent his tuition money on a vintage Ford. He also bought a Ludwig drum kit—the same set used by Ringo Starr—and by the age of 19 he was playing drums in LA’s hippest clubs.

While he dreamed of becoming a professional musician, he pursued a more lucrative business opportunity in New York City. He set aside the sticks for a few years until a Japanese band playing in the Big Apple asked him to sit in for their regular drummer. The experience motivated him to study at the Drummers Collective Institute.

He now plays with various bands in Tokyo. “I am always looking for new music venues,” he says. “I just go and I meet with other musicians, mostly session players. When possible, I join in and play with the bands.”

Playing with one set of musicians, Makino says, always leads to introductions to others. “As the drummer, we always get hired by the band and get paid a fee,” he says. “That’s the big difference for drummers, and many bass players are the same.”

Longtime Member and talented guitarist Paul Guilfoile never imagined himself as a rock ’n’ roll star. He’s content to jam on stage with top Japanese guitarists like Char and rent out venues for his 12-piece ensemble, The Vintage Mojo Band.

Guilfoile, 59, says his elder brother, David, was a particularly adept guitarist, playing with local groups as a teenager and even teaching other musicians. After years of perfecting BB King and Muddy Waters numbers with his sibling in his bedroom, Guilfoile played blues guitar in college bars in return for beer while a student in Wisconsin. That turned out to be the extent of his professional career.

“If my brother wasn’t going to become a pro, I was never going to,” he says. “I figured my brother was smart enough to know better.”

A collector of guitars (he has eight in his basement, including a rare 1941 J-35 Gibson), Guilfoile bought a 1967 Gibson ES-125 about 15 years ago. He received his wife’s blessing on the condition that he would play it on stage.

So the retired soft drinks company president collected a crop of top musicians to play alongside him at a friend’s restaurant. “I only went up to play one song, and that was ‘I Got My Mojo Working.’ Muddy Waters, bluesy, and it got people dancing,” he says. “When I tried to get off the stage, everyone insisted on an encore. So we did one more, ‘Route 66’ or something. I enjoyed it so much.”

Hooked, Guilfoile rented a club for his 50th birthday and never left the stage all night. He now plays five or six gigs a year with his band, including at a summer fundraiser for international school alumni associations.

“Anyone can get involved [in the Tokyo music scene], it’s just to become a star here is really, really tough,” he says. “One of the live shows I remember the most was a huge festival, and the stage was a real pro stage where the monitors worked so well that you could hear everything around you perfectly. It was totally different from playing at some local bar.”

but because it is original music they won’t have you back. On the other hand, I’ve seen very poor, sluggish bands playing covers. [They are] out of tune, not very good singers, really noisy, with over-the-top guitar playing, and the audiences and bar owners love that.”

At a recent Open Mic Night at Traders’ Bar, Christian, dressed entirely in black, stands in front of the microphone. “This song is dedicated to any man with a woman causing him trouble,” he says, before leading the house band in a rendition of Santana’s “Black Magic Woman.”

Sitting behind a silver Yamaha five-piece drum set is Member and drummer Jiro Makino. Having played in about every cover band imaginable, his repertoire runs from The Ventures to Procol Harum.

As a teenager in 1960s Tokyo, he played Little Richard tunes with his high school

Bill Benfield

26 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Christian says that playing at bars in Japan is quite different from elsewhere. Unsurprisingly, punctuality is one hallmark. “The thing that is really good about Tokyo is the vast majority of the places we play have really good sound systems. They have really good equipment. The cables will be perfectly rolled. Everything will be stowed neatly in its box. The stage is clean. Everything is all tipped out,” he says. “Whereas bars in the UK or the States, there will be wires hanging out, the snare drum doesn’t work, the amplifier has a hole in it, there are cigarette burns and beer stains all over the place.”

Japanese audiences are also distinctive. “They don’t just know the name of the album or the song, they’ll know who wrote the song [and] they know other people who have done versions of it,” Christian says. “If you go to a concert, as soon as the first note is hit, they know what song it is.”

Benfield says the clients they work with

at Dagmusic, specifically professionals who produce music for TV commercials, have a deep, meticulous understanding of musical genres and styles. Producers in Japan, he says, often look for musicians who can meet particular requests.

“There are people who are so good and established they are effectively working in the Japanese music scene, but they tend to be extremely high-level jazz musicians who can speak Japanese,” says Benfield. “We know people, Berklee [College of Music, in Boston, Massachusetts] graduates [and] high-level jazz musicians, who work very closely with Japanese musicians.”

Donna Burke, Benfield’s wife and founder of Dagmusic, has been able to establish herself as a full-time vocalist in Japan. Since moving to Tokyo 18 years ago, the Australian Member has sung at events, weddings and hotel lounges. She has even impersonated a Bulgarian sheep farmer for a car commercial.

Paul Guilfoile

donnaBurke

FEATURE

The Music Makers 27

oPen MiC niGhTMember Jiro Makino and the Traders’ Bar house band host an evening of cool vibes and opportunities for amateur performers to take to the stage for their moment in the spotlight.

Saturday, May 177:30 p.m.Traders’ BarFreeAdults only

CluB reCiTalClub students of the piano, violin, viola and voice—and their instructors—present their talents during an entertaining morning of music. Sunday, May 2510 a.m.–1 p.m.Washington and Lincoln roomsAdults: ¥1,500Children (3–12 years): ¥500 Infants (2 and under): freeSign up online or at the Recreation Desk(Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.)

“There are no promoters here for international singers. If you have this fantasy that you are going to get discovered in Japan, it won’t happen,” says Burke, 49. “But if you are nice and polite, professional and, of course, you have to sing well, it can snowball.”

Her career here has included recording children’s songs, TV commercials and soundtracks for the video game industry. “I made a fortune,” she says. “Not so much now.”

The live entertainment business was hit particularly hard by the double whammy of 2008’s global financial crisis and the triple disaster of 2011. “Nobody wanted to be seen spending money on parties. Music was the first to go. It was too swanky,” Burke says. “Dagmusic used to do a lot of events and then, in 2008, bang, overnight, awful. We had to close that part of the business down. It literally dried up overnight.”

Up until that time, Burke says there

were several venues where foreign musicians could play. Many, though, like The Fiddler in Takadanobaba and Cars in Roppongi have closed.

“If people show up as a musician, and they aren’t looking to make money, they just want to play music for fun, then there are some good sessions in Tokyo,” Benfield says. “There used to be more. Now there are not a lot of places on the Japanese scene where you could just go down and check out to see who’s playing.”

But with Tokyo preparing to host the 2020 Olympics, Burke says work is picking up, and she advises aspiring musicians in Tokyo to put together an impressive demo tape, join as many agencies as possible and to never turn down a job.

“Singing is coming back, thank God. Because of the Olympics the mood in Tokyo is much more positive than this time last year,” says Burke, who is set to sing with one of the top choirs in Japan and who has recorded a song for the latest installment of the Metal Gear video game series.

After finishing his set at What the Dickens, Benfield reflects on what music means to him and many other performers. “We aren’t aiming to set the world on fire,” he says. “It’s just for fun.” o

Jiro Makino

Yuuki Ide

Yuuk

i Ide

Japanese music might not be hugely popular around the world, but Japan’s music market is the second largest

after the United States. Homegrown artists like all-girl pop

group AKB48 and J-pop star Kyary Pamyu Pamyu help to drive the country’s lucrative music business. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, however, the market shrank nearly 17 percent to a little over $3 billion last year.

CD NationUnlike in the US or other major

markets, Japanese consumers still buy most of their music on CD, with digital sales making up only 20 percent of the country’s total music revenue.

Part of the reason why the digital market has been slow to take off in Japan is because many of the domestic music companies have been reluctant to strike deals with digital stores like iTunes for fear of cannibalizing their sales of physical music products.

Keith Cahoon (pictured above) is the founder of Hotwire, a Tokyo-based music publishing and promotion company. iNTOUCH’s Nick Jones spoke to the Club Member about the future of Japan’s music market. Excerpts:

iNTOUCH: Music sales in Japan shrank by almost 17 percent in 2013. Why?

Cahoon: While I do believe they are trending down, it’s not by such a huge amount. If you look at the last few years, Japan’s figures were extremely good, and I didn’t believe this, either. The Japanese music industry does not make information easy to gather. By design, real numbers are obscured. Japan does have problems going forward. In other countries, as CD sales declined, online sales and streaming grew and helped close some of the gap. In Japan, digital sales are still relatively weak, numerous companies and artists are not joining and streaming has still been largely blocked out. Japan’s declining birthrate is also a problem because the industry here is quite youth-oriented.

iNTOUCH: Why is Japan so attached to CDs, in particular?

Cahoon: Money, control and tradition. For CDs, the labels are getting ¥2,800 to ¥3,000 per unit for Japanese artists. For years, iTunes in the US sold everything at 99 cents a track, which can now be set by copyright holders at 69 cents, 99 cents or $1.29…so roughly ¥1,200 for an album. Japan copyright holders demanded—and got—a higher price point at ¥150, ¥200 and ¥250, so in Japan one pays roughly twice the price as the States for music. And some industry people still see this as too low. Also, the makers have a lot of influence over music retailers, but with online, they have less, which they really don’t like. On another level, lots of people like to have the packaged goods, with

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu

28 May 2014 iNTOUCH

TALKING HEADS

the lyrics and cover art, and Japanese packaging is considered the best in the world. For idol music, there are lots of photos and sometimes opportunities to attend special events.

iNTOUCH: Digital music sales accounted for only 20 percent of total revenue in Japan. How do you see this changing in the coming years?

Cahoon: Slowly. There are some executives in Japan who have sworn never to have their content on digital services. The current system is rigged to favor certain larger companies, and they do not want the system to change. But business will be pushed by young customers who don’t buy CDs and want their music on their devices.

iNTOUCH: How serious a problem has music piracy been in Japan?

Cahoon: Historically, not bad, and the Japanese music industry should be applauded for working with the government to stay on top of it. The Japanese people should be applauded as well, as most naturally acknowledge that piracy is theft and leave it alone. The problem for Japan is that the Japanese

copyrights are hugely abused all over the world, especially in Asia and particularly in China. I think the Digital Millennium Copyright Act is overdue for revision. It is a ridiculous system that supports piracy. Somebody uploads content. The copyright holder has to send a takedown notice. It gets taken down. Then the content goes up again in a few days and the cycle repeats. Search engines could help fix this, but they don’t want to lose their competitive edge.

iNTOUCH: What are your thoughts on music companies having control over the price of CDs here?

Cahoon: It doesn’t really bother me to tell the truth. It helps small CD retailers stay alive and helps makers make a wider range of product available. If you are a collector, based on availability, Japan is the best place to shop in the world. Lots of older jazz, blues, world and rock is available in Japan and not available in the country of origin. In America, big-box retailers used low-ball pricing to drive out competition. They killed off lots of record stores, even very good ones, and then only stocked top hits or items that they were paid marketing or shelving fees for. As a music consumer, I like to shop at record stores, and I like a wide variety of goods.

iNTOUCH: Along with South Korea, Japan was the only country in 2013 to have a top 10 album chart dominated by local artists. Why?

Cahoon: Isolation. Both countries focus on domestic artists intensely and largely ignore foreign artists. When I first came to Japan, there were shows like “Best Hits USA” and “Poppers MTV” that showed a lot of foreign music, but not now. There was a boom in domestic rock bands when the TV show “Ikaten” was popular. If one watches TV now, there is little shown except idols. It’s not that people stopped liking foreign music. The labels are just emphasizing domestic music because they make the most money from it.

iNTOUCH: How do you see Japan’s music industry changing over the coming years?

Cahoon: The music business is always a balance of music and business, and currently the Japanese music business is heavily weighted to the business side, but I think music will come back. The Internet opens up lanes for exposure and distribution. I think there is a lot of creativity in Japan. Japanese visuals are often great, and I wouldn’t be surprised if an international hit erupts from Japan, based on a video or linked to anime. o

AKB48

Member insights on Japan 29

Members can enjoy 10 percent off tickets for Blue Note Tokyo, the Cotton Club and Motion Blue Yokohama. Contact Member Services for details.

Exhibitions of Art 31

All exhibits in the Frederick Harris Gallery are for sale and can be purchased by Membership card at the Member Services Desk. Sales of works begin at 6 p.m. on the first day of the exhibition.

Members can enjoy 10 percent off tickets for Blue Note Tokyo, the Cotton Club and Motion Blue Yokohama. Contact Member Services for details.

by Nick Narigon

The refined weaves of Nishijin fabric, or Nishijin ori, have been used to craft exquisite kimono and obi sashes for hundreds of years, ever since Kyoto was established as the imperial capital in the eighth century.

In particular, the fabric’s vivid colors and intricate detail made it the brocade of choice for elite members of society.

Although demand dwindled during the Muromachi Period (1337–1573) and weavers were forced to flee Kyoto during the 10-year Onin War in the 15th century, artisans slowly began to return.

Nishijin refers to the area of Kyoto where the new textile workshops were set up. A short distance from Kinkakuji, the gold leaf-covered Zen temple and World Heritage site, the district continued to produce works for royalty and aristocrats. But during the Meiji period, fabrics started to be produced for common people in textile mills.

Traveling to the silk center of Lyon, in France, three Nishijin craftsmen brought back a Jacquard loom in 1873. While it helped improve weaving technique, fashion trends were changing rapidly and the popularity of the kimono was declining. No longer limited to kimono and obi, Nishijin ori is now used in handbags, shawls and ties.

The skilled artisans of Hakusen are committed to preserving and promoting the tradition of Nishijin fabric, and this month’s exhibit features the new nashi (pear) fabric, which is made using three weaving methods.

Through the work of organizations like Hakusen, a much-cherished piece of Japanese heritage appears very much alive.

ExhibitionMay 12–June 1

Gallery ReceptionMonday, May 126:30–8 p.m.Frederick Harris Gallery (B1 Formal Lobby)FreeOpen to invitees and Members only

Nishijin Fabric

FREDERICK HARRIS GALLERY

CULTURAL INSIGHT

As students and workers return to their routines after the Golden Week holidays, some will feel far from refreshed.by Efrot Weiss

Stressful Starts

T he incessant pressure to pass college entrance exams or secure a job with a top Japanese company leaves

many young Japanese burned out. The euphoria of April’s new beginnings

evaporates, leaving some college freshmen and recently graduated new employees feeling down and unable to sleep or eat properly.

Commonly known as gogatsu byo, or May sickness, the condition is characterized

as a temporary adjustment disorder that typically passes after a few months.

“It is normal to experience stress when making a big adjustment, such as graduating from high school, starting college or joining the workforce,” explains Vickie Skorji, the director of TELL Lifeline, a Tokyo telephone counseling and support service. “There is added pressure on the youth of today. The expectations placed on them by society, as well as their expectations of themselves, put them at risk for anxiety disorders.”

According to Skorji, Japanese youth are particularly susceptible to this worldwide phenomenon due to Japan’s academic and fiscal calendar, where these life adjustments all coincide within a period of four weeks. Unfortunately, during this transition, Japan and other countries witness a spike in suicide rates.

“Although early spring represents a whole new beginning for many Japanese, numerous people find themselves not feeling better,” says TELL’s clinical director, Linda Semlitz. “The usage rate of TELL’s counseling services in May reflects that this is a very stressful time. In fact, May is the busiest month of the year for TELL’s therapists, where roughly one-third of the patients are Japanese.”

Skorji says it’s important to develop some coping strategies during this time. “While many Japanese will soldier on, it is important to talk about it, be kind to oneself and give oneself time to adjust to the new situation,” she says, emphasizing the need for sleeping, eating well and exercising.

“Without identifying these stress busters,” adds Club Member Semlitz, “things may come screeching to a halt. The person affected will end up taking more days off from work if they don’t take care of themselves. When a person is stressed, it will impact their physical health, sense of well-being, concentration and judgment.”

Experts agree that any anxiety should recede after a few months, and the coping mechanisms can be used again during stressful periods. If the condition continues for more than three to six months, however, seeking professional help is crucial. o

Weiss has been a Club Member since 2002.

TELLwww.telljp.com

Shane Busato

32 May 2014 iNTOUCH

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Tel: 03-5447-6112 (English)Tel (from May 12): 03-5766-7727 (English)E-mail: [email protected] p-v-b.com

David & Kamonthip Plotz United States—Citigroup Global Markets Japan, Inc.

Kayvon Pirestani United States—Morgan Stanley MUFG Securities Co., Ltd.

David & Yuko Buerge United States—BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd.

Caiya Kawasaki United States—Sky Corporation

Shoichiro IchitaniJapan—Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

Chris Inouye & Toshiko Nishimoto United States—Marsh Japan, Inc.

Emma Cuthbertson United Kingdom—Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Tax Co.

Willy Van Esch & Karine ScheysBelgium—Coca-Cola Japan Co., Ltd.

Ronald Haigh & Etsuko Takamaru Haigh Canada—Toyota Motor Corporation

Yutaka Kobayashi Japan—H&R, Inc.

Yuki & Ayagi SatoJapan—MKC Associates Co., Ltd.

Seiji & Eiko TakashitaJapan—Taka Enterprise Ltd.

Gennosuke TakahashiJapan—Credit Suisse Securities Japan Ltd.

Matthew & Mamiko Sansom United Kingdom—Senna Capital K.K.

Masami & Shigehiro Nishi Japan—West Coast, Inc.

Masayuki & Chikako Yamakawa Japan—The Clinic

Scott & Joanna Carr New Zealand—Air New Zealand

Yumiko & Hiroshi AdachiJapan—Adachi Koryo Co.

Yuki & Noriko NaitoJapan—Drecom Co., Ltd.

Misa Suzuki & Michio KondoJapan—Sumitomo Realty & Development Co., Ltd.

Tetsuo & Yumiko Hoshiya Japan—ING Bank NV, Tokyo Branch

Charles & Norika Kobayashi United States—Blue Mountain Capital Partners (Tokyo), Ltd.

Aki Kanazawa Japan—Olympic Building

JP La ForestUnited States—Perceptron Asia Pacific Ltd.

Harald Printz & Lin Zhao-PrintzGermany—Bayer CropScience K.K.

Masashi & Shizue IchimaruJapan—Ichimaru Jewelry Co., Ltd.

Brian Dinardo United States—Foresight Group International AG

Archibald & Yoko CiganerFrance—T. Rowe Price International Ltd.

Angela KingMitsutoshi & Itsuki NakamotoHidehiko & Aya ShimaYutaka & Yuka SammoriJohn & Azusa Lay

Vikram Cardozo & Shilpa VitayanScott & Kanako McCaskieGary & Kathleen WinerEmmanuel & Christine BlinCartinal Pun

Anthony & Susan MelchioneLeonard & Katheleen BellafioreJames & Christine Klanac

sayonara

yokoso

Stacks of Services at the Club

André Bernard Beauty SalonHair care for adults and kids, manicure, pedicure, waxing and more.Tel: 03-4588-0685 Family Area (B1)Tue–Sun9 a.m.–6 p.m.

Spica The Club’s professional shoe repair and polishing service. Tel: 03-4588-0670The Cellar (B1)Sat: 1–4:30 p.m. Sun: 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.Weekday drop-off: Member Services Desk

FedExTo find out more about the range of services and Member discounts, visit the FedEx counter. The Cellar (B1)Mon–Fri: 1–5 p.m. (closed Sun and national holidays)Sat: 12 p.m. (pickup only)

The Art of TravelDiscover Japan and beyond with help from the Club’s travel desk consultants. The Cellar (B1)Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Tel: 076-221-1586E-mail: [email protected]

34 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Looks can be deceiving. There is nothing about Yukari Watanabe in her immaculate jacket and neck scarf that might indicate

a fondness for country and western music. But the Guest Relations concierge says the stage is where she feels most at home.

“It feels natural to be myself on stage and see people smiling,” she says. “When I’m on stage singing or dancing, that’s the real me.”

With a love for the music of country stars Dolly Parton and Tammy Wynette, Watanabe used to perform once a month at Nashville, a well-established country and western bar among the bright lights and high-end boutiques of Ginza.

Taking a break from her regular appearances at Nashville leaves her with more time to concentrate on her other passion: performing with her 100-member dance troupe. “It’s really interesting and like a big spectacle or short musical,” she says of the highly choreographed routines. Next month she heads to Hokkaido for an event.

The Tohoku native started dancing while studying landscape design at Tokyo University of Agriculture. “I really enjoyed the classes at university, but the [landscape design] business is not so big here,” she says. “At the same time, I had a part-time job at a restaurant.”

Choosing the hospitality industry over planning parks, Watanabe, who was named Employee of the Month for March, worked at a number of exclusive restaurants and a Ginza department store before joining the Club in May 2011. She now looks after guests staying at the Club’s Guest Studios, which have been enjoying high occupancy since the end of last year.

“There are a lot of people who come back often. They say the staff are good. I’m really happy when I hear that,” she says. “I was so nervous at first, but I feel really comfortable with taking care of Members now.” Her years in the spotlight likely helped. o

MEMBER SERVICES

Why did you decide to join the Club?“We joined TAC as it offers a multicultural, English-speaking, American environment and an opportunity to meet new people and make friends, as well as superb cultural, recreational and sports activities and a range of dining options. The Club also provides an opportunity for my wife to participate in Women’s Group activities.”

(l–r) Mohammad Ali, Asmah, Asad and Ramsha Khan

Why did you decide to join the Club?“We are so delighted to be Members of TAC. I believe the Club can provide us with a great social life and chances to spend quality time with family and friends. I also want to give my children opportunities to experience different cultures in an international atmosphere. We’re looking forward to enjoying Club life.”

(l–r) Daijiro, Shigeru, Takayo and Shotaro Uehara

New Member ProfileAsad Khan & Asmah Asadullah KhanPakistan—Coca-Cola (Japan) Co., Ltd.

New Member ProfileShigeru & Takayo UeharaJapan—Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

employeeof the month

Yukari Watanabe

by Nick Jones

Services and benefits for Members 35

36 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Lately, I have read a number of newspaper articles about intolerance towards African immigrants. These pieces are at times difficult to read because they often include unkind

stereotypes and generalizations: that Africans are unattractive because of their darker skin, promiscuous and prone to commit crime.

Nigerians are most often singled out as drug peddlers, touts and fraudsters. In a January opinion piece in The New York Times, titled “A Racist Turn in India,” Indian journalist and literary critic Nilanjana S Roy wrote about some of the prejudices Africans face in India:

“…a Nigerian national, rumored to have been in the drug trade, was found dead in Goa. Nigerians in the coastal state protested his murder as an act of racism, while posters read: ‘We want peace in Goa. Say no to Nigerians. Say no to drugs.’ One state minister threatened to throw out Nigerians living illegally. Another equated them with a cancer.”

As an American citizen, who was born in Nigeria, studied in Britain and the United States and is now living in Tokyo as an expat, Roy’s article really struck a chord with me. It reminded me of a 2009 TED talk by the young Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie, who coined the phrase “single story.” In “The Danger of a Single Story,” Adichie explained how one story about a people or nation leads to ignorance and creates stereotypes.

“The problem with stereotypes is not that they are untrue, but that they are incomplete,” she said. “They make one story become the only story.” I’m not saying that African immigrants do not commit crime, but it’s not the only story about them as a group.

I am not a spokesperson for all African immigrants, but the truth is the vast majority of us are honest,

More than a Single StoryWhile many Western countries fiercely debate the issue of immigration, one Club Member warns of the dangers of stereotyping.by Chizoba Obi

hardworking and law-abiding. You will also find that most strongly believe that a good education is the only way to a better life.

My siblings and I were sent to boarding school in the UK to receive a proper English education. I was only 12 years old at the time. Today, two of my siblings are British citizens and one is Canadian. My younger sibling is a law graduate who later pursued a career in journalism, lived in Italy and speaks fluent Italian. The other elder sibling, now a pathologist in Canada, studied medicine in Britain, Bulgaria and the US. My youngest sibling, who holds a master’s degree, works for a recruitment company in the UK.

My father studied law at the London School of Economics in the 1950s and would have been one of the few black students in his graduating class. He returned to Nigeria to start a successful law practice.

My husband arrived in America from Nigeria in his teens with only two semesters’ worth of schools fees and $1,000, thanks to the generosity of a family friend. He worked three jobs while attending school full-time and eventually earned a bachelor’s degree, MBA, CPA qualification and JD law degree. These are the stories of most African immigrants I know.

In the book, Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America, Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Eugene Robinson wrote, “Half or more of the black students entering elite universities such as Harvard, Princeton, and Duke these days are the sons and daughters of African immigrants. This makes sense when you consider that their parents are the best-educated immigrant group in America, with more advanced degrees than the Asians, the Europeans, you name it. (They’re far better educated than native-born Americans, black or white.)”

I enjoy travelling with my family, and meeting people from different cultures is a vital part of the expat experience. Most often, we travel to places where people are not used to seeing darker skin or braided hair. People often stop and stare at us on the streets, and most times they smile and are friendly.

I know that prejudice towards people with darker skin exists in most cultures, including Africa, but I don’t like to dwell on it, as I can easily imagine where it doesn’t exist. The lesson we hope to pass on to our children through travel is that people are people, no matter where they live or how they look. o

Obi has been a Club Member since last year. Irwin

Won

g

INSIDE JAPAN

Chizoba Obi

A look at culture and society 37

Paradise FoundOkinawa’s Yaeyama islands offer sun, sea and magical sand, not to mention jungles and rare wild cats.by Lauren Scharf

If the name “Okinawa” means “a rope in the open sea,” then the 10 Yaeyama islands are distant knots in the western Pacific, much closer to

Taiwan (and the Tropic of Cancer) than Kyushu, and so far south of Naha they have their own language and customs. Fortunately, the locals speak mainland Japanese and many also have a solid grasp of English. Just remember “Hai sai,” the standard Okinawan greeting, and you’ll be set.

Three of the Yaeyama islands capture the lion’s share of annual visitors: Ishigaki, Iriomote and Taketomi. And while they may share a physical proximity, each island has its own unique charms and attractions, and travelers should make time for all three.

Ishigaki, thanks to its modern new airport, is the main point of access. Yet despite its convenience, the island remains unspoiled, even as far as Kabira Bay, a designated place of scenic beauty and the

2009 recipient of three Michelin stars. As swimming and diving are not allowed, glass-bottomed boats are a passive means to observe the aquatic wonders below the turquoise waters, particularly the schools of manta rays.

Swimming, snorkeling and diving are encouraged at most of the island’s other beaches, including the popular Yonehara Beach, known for its coral-strewn sands, and Sukiji Beach, which boasts a section surrounded by a large net to protect swimmers from jellyfish (most prevalent between June and October). Shiraho is renowned for its rainbow-colored coral, while Uganzaki offers unparalleled views.

Ishigaki’s rivers, meanwhile, present opportunities to kayak, and the hilly island is home to Okinawa’s highest mountain, the 526-meter Mount Omotedate, which is accessible via the hiking trails that wend throughout the central island. Ishigaki is also known for its sugarcane industry, as well as a sizeable palm

forest, where the stately Yaeyama palm—a designated national natural monument—can be found.

While passing through town, take a look at Miyara Dunchi, one of the few remaining samurai homes built in the early part of the 19th century. Although you can’t enter the house, visitors can wander around the perimeter and through the garden.

It’s a 30- to 50-minute ferry ride over to Iriomote, the largest of the three islands. It is nearly covered with virgin subtropical jungle, including Japan’s few remaining mangrove swamps—ideal for exploring by kayak or river cruise.

It’s not for nothing Iriomote has been called the “Galapagos of the Pacific.” Fifty percent of the island is comprised of the Iriomote National Park, a haven for dozens of protected species. Perhaps most famous among these is the Iriomote mountain cat, a subspecies of leopard discovered in 1965 and now numbering

Kabira Bay

38 May 2014 iNTOUCH

OUT & ABOUT

Yubu Island

☛ Around 3 hours, 10 minutes from Haneda Airport to Ishigaki Airport.

☛ Eco Village Iriomote http://eco-village.jp

☛ Hoshinoya Okinawa http://global.hoshinoresort.com/ hoshinoya_okinawa

☛ Ishigaki www.ishigaki-japan.com

☛ Taketomi Island www.taketomijima.jp

☛ Iriomote www.iriomote.com (Japanese only)

☛ Iriomote Guided Tours http://english.iriomote-osanpo.com

fewer than 100. Though the odds of seeing one in the wild are slim, the Iriomote Wildlife Center boasts a fairly realistic display, along with other exhibits of the island’s unrivaled flora and fauna.

Iriomote also has more than its share of gorgeous beaches, including the extraordinary Hoshizuna no Hama or “star-sand beach.” Rather than the uniform grains found on most beaches, Hoshizuna’s sand is formed from the tiny star-shaped skeletons of one-celled organisms living in the sea grass.

For visitors with a fascination with water buffalo, the short trip across to nearby Yubu Island is a must. Home to just a dozen residents, Yubu offers beautiful botanical gardens, a butterfly house and a small zoo. Best of all? The only access is by water buffalo-driven carts, departing twice every hour with impressive regularity.

Last, but far from least, is tiny Taketomi, a 10-minute ferry ride from

Ishigaki. At around 5 square kilometers, it’s one of Okinawa’s smallest islands, yet it has much to offer. Above all is the island’s adherence to ancient customs and traditions. Listed as a heritage site, homes and buildings are all built in the traditional Ryukyuan style, with low stone walls and red-tile roofs, while the roads are sandy coral. The local population hovers around 320 (plus approximately 450 cows), most of who have been there for generations.

Ubiquitous around the island is the shisa, a mythical, menacing-looking, lion-like creature perched on rooftops to protect homes from evil sprits. Keep an eye out for them while exploring the area by rental bicycle (although buffalo cart is a pleasant alternative). Also be alert for the low-walled utaki, or places of worship, which are not open to the public.

Before heading to Taketomi’s star-sand beaches, stop by the Mingeikan

to learn about the island’s rich cultural history. Weaving, in particular, has played an important role and is still done on traditional wooden looms, using organic dyes and banana leaf fibers.

While most people just come for a half-day visit, consider staying over at one of the local minshuku inns or, for a bit of luxury, experience Hoshinoya Okinawa. Steeped in local tradition but sparing no comfort, it fully embraces the best of local cuisine, including a vast array of seafood and local Ishigaki pork and beef.

Regardless of where you stay or how long you’re there, the Yaeyamas offer something for everyone and are an excellent way to experience another culture while never quite leaving Japan. o

Scharf is editorial director with the Club’s travel

service, The Art of Travel (turn to page 48

for details).

TOKYO

YaeYama Islands

Explorations beyond the Club 39

Burgundy Night

DINE ANDDISCOVER

Featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from some of the world’s supreme winegrowing appellations, including Chablis, Meursault, Gevrey-Chambertin and Nuits-Saint-Georges, matched with an exquisite Decanter menu, this dinner is a Burgundy lover’s dream.

Saturday, May 177 p.m.

New York Bridge, Decanter¥21,000*

Adults onlyReserve your seat at

03-4588-0675 or [email protected]

(* Exclusive of 8 percent consumption tax.)

MAY 17

EVENT ROUNDUP

First Friday: St Patrick’s DayMarch 7

Ahead of Ireland’s celebration of its patron saint,

Members paid homage to the Emerald Isle with drinks,

snacks and some Gaelic music in the Winter Garden.

Photos by Yuuki Ide

1. (l–r) Rika and Quinn Riordan and Yuki Tanaka 2. Women's Group

President Linda Schnetzer and Keiko Kaburagi

1

2

Snapshots from Club occasions 41

For more photos from some events displayed in these pages,visit the Event Image Gallery (under News & Info) on the Club website.

Winter Sprinter Swim Meet March 9

The Sky Pool hosted another successful afternoon of

friendly competition and aqua fun, as Club swimmers

battled it out in a number of events for a chance to take

home a medal.

Photos by Kayo Yamawaki

1. Uta Givens 2. (l–r) Sabrina Satterwhite, Isabella Ouellette and

Mana Kitazawa 3. (l–r) Mattias Lindell, Nicola Lindell, Agnes

Ouellette, Kirk Ouellette, Nicholas Popov and Wolfgang Bierer

4. (l–r) Naomi LeDell, Anokhi Ashwin and Calyn Markwick Smith

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42 May 2014 iNTOUCH

Barbecue party packages start from ¥6,900 per person (minimum: 20 people). To book your summer bash, call 03-4588-0308 or e-mail [email protected].

CELEBRATE THE SUMMER WITH THE PERFECT PARTY.

We’ll take care of the spectacular roof-top venue, sumptuous barbecued food

and free-flow drink, so all you’ll need to organize is the eager partygoers.

Terms and ConditionsRequested dates are not guaranteed. Date changes are treated as a cancellation. A credit card number or Membership number is required to confirm and guarantee any booking. This offer cannot be used with any other promotion. Prices do not include 8 percent consumption tax.

EARLYBIRD OFFERSave 10 percent on the cost of your party by booking it at least 30 days in advance.


Hakkaisan Sake Brewery TourMarch 8

On this annual excursion west to the mountains of

Niigata Prefecture, a band of culture-loving Members

enjoyed a behind-the-scenes peek at how sake is made

at the highly regarded Hakkaisan Sake Brewery.

Photos provided by Miki Ohyama

Open Mic NightMarch 15

Traders’ Bar hosted an entertaining evening of foot-

tapping tunes. Find out more about two members of

the house band on page 22.

Photo by Yuuki Ide

Front row: (l–r) Ellie Suzuki, Demir Sadikoglu, Ai Nagumo, Richard

Butler, Richard Bliah, Rosanna Kubodera and Miki Ohyama

Middle row: (l–r) Makiko McLellan, Naoko Sadikoglu, Claudine Bliah,

Samuel Gordon, Linda Schnetzer, Erin Waitkus and Jun Yaoita

Back Row: (l–r) Danyal Qazi, Yasuyoshi Kubodera, Elizabeth Butler,

Hakkaisan CEO Jiro Nagumo, Kazumasa Ohyama, Renee Waitkus,

Dean Schnetzer, Robert Waitkus and Tyler Waitkus

2. (l–r) Erin, Tyler, Renee and Robert Waitkus 3. (l–r) Claudine and

Richard Bliah, Ellie Suzuki and Demir and Naoko Sadikoglu

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44 May 2014 iNTOUCH

YOUR PLACEOR OURS?

Decanter and American Bar & Grill now o er a selection of their exquisite menus for home delivery.

Weekends and national holidaysAmerican Bar & Grill

5–9 p.m.Order at 03-4588-0676

WeekdaysDecanter

6–9:30 p.m.Order at 03-4588-0675

Select delivery menu available online | Delivery fee based on distance

Even if you can’t make it to ours, let us bring dinner to yours.


Club Sports AwardsMarch 14

The Club honored Olympic hammer thrower Koji

Murofushi, Paralympic long jumper Mami Sato and

Tokyo 2020 bid committee chiefs Masato Mizuno and

Tsunekazu Takeda with its 2014 sports awards at a

special ceremony.

Photos by Yuuki Ide

1. (l–r) Toshiko Ohta, Koji Murofushi and Yushin, Kenshin and

Yoshikazu Ohta 2. Jonathan Kushner 3. Club President John

Durkin and Koji Murofushi 4. Club President John Durkin and

Mami Sato 5. Club President John Durkin and Tsunekazu Takeda

6. Club President John Durkin and Masato Mizuno

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46 May 2014 iNTOUCH

EVENT ROUNDUP

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Snapshots from Club occasions 47

48 May 2014 iNTOUCH

I f you’re interested in Japanese humor, you’ll want to take a look at manzai, a traditional style of comedy. As other forms of comedy have come and gone

over the centuries, manzai has continued to find laughs among Japanese audiences.

Manzai probably owes its longevity to its simplicity, which has allowed it to adapt its brand of humor to successive generations. In this stripped-down style of comedy, two performers stand in front of a single microphone and simply have a conversation, often without acknowledging the audience.

One comedian plays the boke, or funny man, while the other is the tsukkomi, or straight man. In a standard sketch, the boke might tell an improbable story, as the tsukkomi listens incredulously, delivering cutting remarks at intervals. Think Abbott and Costello. And like that classic American duo, manzai often draws laughs from the funny man’s propensity to misinterpret or misremember.

But manzai has crucial differences from stand-up comedy in the West,

BACK WORDS Whatever the story, anecdote, fictitious tale, rant, cultural observation or Club commentary, now’s your chance to take it to the world…well, Membership, anyway. E-mail your submission (no more than 700 words) to [email protected].

by Akihiko Kubo

A Laughing Matter

where jokes can be highly referential or intellectual and draw upon potentially sensitive topics like religion and politics. These kinds of gags aren’t as common in manzai, where the subject of discussion is of little or no importance. A skilled boke and tsukkomi routine can hold audiences spellbound, as barbs are exchanged on topics as banal as the weather or what one of them had for breakfast.

Part of the manzai appeal lies in the Kansai dialect that so many performers use. The fact is people from the Kansai region are perceived to be a bit more rowdy than Tokyoites, and this distinction is ref lected in how locals from the two areas talk. Jokes delivered in Kansai-ben, with its tendency to slur and fondness for contractions, simply sound funnier than those told in standard Tokyo Japanese. Manzai comedians manipulate Kansai-ben like a pair of brush-wielding painters—inserting puns here, chopping off syllables there—to the delight of viewers. Just listening to this repartee is amusing.

This connection between the two performers, rather than between the performer and the audience, reveals a lot about humor in Japan. Formal social relationships have relaxed quite a bit here, but it’s still uncommon in many situations to joke with people you don’t know well. The icebreaker one-liner, for example, just isn’t widely used. We can’t be sure of what other people find funny, or even if they

Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The Cellar (B1)

Tel: 03-4588-0516/076-221-1586E-mail: [email protected]

Countless destinations. Infinite possibilities.

w w w. t h e a r t o f t r a v e l . n e t

like joking, so we’re often cautious until we know where everyone stands.

That’s why Western-style stand-up comedy, where a performer engages directly with the audience and works through a range of material, would probably fall flat in Japan. Instead, we’ve got manzai. It may lack the cerebral humor of American stand-up, but it’ll still leave you slapping your knee. It just takes a different route to get there. o

Club Member Kubo is president of the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather Japan Group.

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Issue 588 • April 2014

April 2014

T O K Y O A M E R I C A N C L U B

Rocket WomanOne Japanese astronaut offers a glimpse of life in space

Pure and Simple Ceramist Taizo Kuroda on his quest for beauty

Cellar Picks The Club’s wine pros uncork their favorite bottles

Club Member Kazuo Matsui reflects on seven years in the majors and a winning return to Japan

A TALE Of TwO LEAgUEs

毎月一回一日発行　

第四十七巻五八八号　

トウキョウアメリカンクラブ

インタッチマガジン二〇一四年四月一日発行　

平成三年十二月二十日第三種郵便物許可定価八００円

本体七七七円

Documents

May 2014 iNTOUCH