Held at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo last month, the Joint Chamber Bonenkai (year end party) saw the enthusiastic participation of over 275 representatives from the business community in Tokyo.
Highly powered and full of networking opportunities, the event is held yearly with the combined effort of several Chambers of Commerce in Japan.
This year’s event was a joint effort of the Canadian, American, Australian/New Zealand, British, French and Tokyo Chambers of Commerce.
A first timer might remark that the ¥9,000 (¥8,000 for Chamber members) charge per head for a two hour event seems a bit pricey, but anyone who has participated will tell you that the vast networking opportunities with business owners and representatives from high profile companies is well worth the investment– not to mention the generous spread of food and endless flow of alcoholic beverages.
Nick Masee, managing director of Asian Tiger, commented, “I have been attending the Joint Chamber Bonenkai almost every year for as long as I can remember. I find this year’s Bonenkai particularly enjoyable, however, as I have been able to connect and reconnect with more people than I ever have.”
Wilf Wakely, President of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (pictured above) started the evening with a short speech and a toast.
One of the highlights of the evening proved to be the raffles. Participants were encouraged to drop an extra name card into a glass box upon arrival, prizes of the raffle included bottles of Pomme de Glace and maple syrup, red and white wine, donated by the Délégation générale du Québec à Tokyo, British Columbia Trade & Investment Office and Heavenly Vines, a Canadian wine importer based in Ebisu.
Mr. Kyota Murai of Momokawa Sake distillers and a leader of TNB was exhibiting Aomori Sake and providing free samples in keeping with the ongoing CCCJ theme of promoting Tohoku Business.
For those who feel like they have missed out, the Executive Director of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, David Anderson remarked :
“The Joint Chamber Bonenkai is not an event to miss for the international business community in Tokyo, however if you have, no need to fret, its mid-year counterpart, The Joint Chamber Summer Cocktail, held annually in June packs the same punch!”
By Mary Rudow
(Photos courtesy of CCCJ)
For further information on Joint-Chamber and other upcoming events, please visit the CCCJ website at: www.cccj.or.jp
