AARON REIST

Woven by Toyota, Head of Professional Services

1. Name: Aaron Reist

2. Position / Business:  Head of Professional Services, Woven by Toyota, Technology 

3. Why I want to serve as Governor: I would be honoured to rejoin the CCCJ Board of Governors and contribute to the Chamber’s continued growth as a practical, high-impact platform for Canadian and Japanese business leaders. Having lived and worked in Japan for over 20 years, I care deeply about strengthening the trusted relationships that connect Canada and Japan. I believe the CCCJ is uniquely positioned to convene leaders across business, government, and the broader community, and to translate those connections into meaningful opportunities. I would like to help the Chamber further expand its impact in areas where Canada and Japan share strong strategic alignment, including innovation, mobility, AI, energy transition, talent development, and regional economic growth.

4. Previous CCCJ involvement: I previously served as a Governor of the CCCJ from 2020 to 2023. During that time, I created and chaired the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Committee, supporting the Chamber’s engagement around a major moment for Japan and the Canadian community. I also contributed to the publication of the Canada-Japan Investment Guide in 2020, helping promote stronger business understanding and investment ties between the two countries.

5. Proudest accomplishment:  My proudest contribution was helping the CCCJ navigate the COVID-19 pandemic while laying the foundation for the Chamber to emerge stronger, more resilient, and more relevant to its members. I was actively involved in efforts to restructure Board priorities, committees, events, and member engagement while much of the world was in lockdown. Through those efforts, the CCCJ maintained momentum, provided a safe and trusted environment for its activities, and earned a reputation as one of the most active and engaged foreign chambers in Japan during the pandemic.

6. Ideas and plans for the CCCJ:

  1. First, deepen executive-level programming around Canada–Japan innovation themes such as AI, mobility, energy, and advanced industries.
  2. Second, expand mentorship and networking for emerging Canadian and Japanese leaders.
  3. Third, leveraging the first two points, increase membership and capture the growth and momentum that I expect to see as Japan invests heavily in technology and international relations.