CHRISTIAN ORTON

Watson Farley & Williams, Counsel

1. Name: Christian Orton

2. Position / Business: Counsel at international law firm, Watson Farley & Williams (Tokyo), specializing in global infrastructure and cross-border transactions.

3. Why I want to serve as Governor: I am committed to strengthening the Canadian business community in Japan. The CCCJ is a vital platform for advocacy, dialogue, and collaboration. As a Governor, I intend to leverage my professional experience to expand member engagement, elevate our thought leadership, and promote the chamber as an indispensable resource for established enterprises and emerging professionals.

4. Previous CCCJ involvement: I have been an active contributor to the CCCJ for several years, primarily through the Energy Committee. Having served on its executive for three years and as Chair for the past two, I have facilitated high-level knowledge sharing and championed stronger business ties. I am now eager to transition into a broader Board role to apply this collaborative approach across the chamber’s entire committee network.

5. Proudest accomplishment as a volunteer: I am most proud of the sustained growth and impact of the Energy Committee. By curating a series of high-caliber, timely forums, we have engaged members, elevated the profile of our corporate members, and attracted new members to the Chamber. Highlights include:

  • First Nations Engagement as a Competitive Advantage (Feb 2026)
  • LNG Canada: Narrow Road to the Deep North (Oct 2025)
  • Canada’s New Energy Strategy: A Post-Election Debrief (Jun 2025)
  • Net Zero Forum: Essential Canadian Resources for Japan’s Energy Transition (Sep 2024)

These initiatives reflect my commitment to delivering practical, impactful programming that serves our members' professional needs.

6. Ideas and plans for the CCCJ:

  1. Enhance Member Engagement: Support the development of sector-specific engagements and networking events across committees to promote the interests and objectives of CCCJ members.
  2. Elevate Thought Leadership: Promote high-quality engagement on key business issues and policy developments affecting Canada–Japan relations. Already a powerful forum for the promotion of business interests, CCCJ thought leadership can and should be be enhanced to the benefit of our members.