Get Involved

Volunteering to sit on a Chamber committee offers an excellent opportunity to have hands-on involvement in the development of the CCCJ and Canada-Japan business relations. Your input will influence Chamber programs, activities and policies, and the tangible results can offer great personal and professional satisfaction. Subcommittees are also periodically established to work on specific projects or tasks. Members are encouraged to participate on any committee of interest. Enthusiasm is the only prerequisite!

Feel free to contact the CCCJ office at info@cccj.or.jp

Standing Committees

Executive Committee

Mandate includes providing strategic leadership, governance, and cross-committee alignment to advance member value and the Chamber’s mission.

• Chair: Marc Bolduc
• Vice Chair: Peter Armstrong
• Corporate Secretary: Riyo Whitney

• Treasurer: Ai Nakagawa

   

Membership Committee

Mandate includes growing, engaging, and retaining a diverse membership by delivering clear value, strong onboarding, and meaningful connections, including regional membership outreach.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: Seiji Omote

Finance and Administration Committee

Mandate includes ensuring financial sustainability, transparency, and efficient operations, including office space management, that enable high-impact member services.

• Chair: Ai Nakagawa
• Governor Liaison: Ai Nakagawa

Events Committee

Mandate includes coordinating events as well as designing and delivering high-quality, revenue-positive major events that foster networking and business opportunities.

• Chair:Brian Ashenfelder
• Governor Liaison: Riyo Whitney

Publications and Communications Committee

Mandate includes strengthening the Chamber’s voice by delivering relevant, consistent, and member-driven content across all channels, and management of technology.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: Kayo Ito

Trade and Investment Committee

Mandate includes promoting bilateral trade and investment by identifying opportunities, sharing insights, and connecting members with key stakeholders.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: 

People and Planet Strategy Committee

Mandate includes advancing inclusive, sustainable, and people-centered business practices and knowledge exchanges that enhance member competitiveness and impact.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: 

Government and Advocacy Committee

Mandate includes representing member interests through policy dialogue, advocacy, and engagement with Japanese and Canadian stakeholders.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: 
   

Regional

Mandate includes expanding member engagement beyond Kanto by supporting local programming, partnerships, and regional business connectivity.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: 

Sub-Committees

CSR Committee

The mission of our CSR team is to make the “soft power” connection of Canadian business people with Japan. This takes many forms depending on the volunteers we gather and the opportunities we find. We have enjoyed great success supporting important activities and regions of Japan where we made a difference with virtually no budget. As a result we have spent a lot of time in Tohoku in the past 10 years. Going forward there is an opportunity to provide our members with plug and play ESG opportunities that are increasingly essential for large and small companies alike. CSR is an area of strength for Canada and for the CCCJ. You would be amazed how much leverage it can provide your “small” idea to make Japan or the world, a better place.

Chair: Christian Howes, Neil van Wouw

Global Diversity Management Committee

The goal of the committee is to bring together business people from the CCCJ's membership as well as the greater international chamber network to learn from one another and discuss gender, racial, sexual and cultural diversity as well as equality in Japan. Increased diversity in corporations have been proven by numerous studies, such as a 2015 report by McKinsey and Company, to have higher profits, success, and employee satisfaction. By creating an environment of diversity in Japan, the CCCJ will facilitate the growth of Japanese firms’ talent that can apply themselves around the world and thus create higher returns.

The work of the Global Diversity Management Committee will strengthen the CCCJ’s brand and ultimately increase our membership.

• Chair:

• Governor Liaison: Tomoko Ebine

   

Investment and Business Committee

This committee provides direction and consultation for investment opportunities as a result of CPTPP and other trade agreements. The key product is the annual Investment Business Guide.

• Chair: Aaron Reist
• Governor Liaison: 

Emerging Technologies Committee

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: Paul Braganza

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) 

• Chair: Paul Lee
• Governor Liaison: Peter Armstrong

Wellness Committee

• Chair: Joey Wu
• Governor Liaison: Greg Rozitis

Team Canada Committee

• Chair: Tadamichi Furuta
• Governor Liaison:

Professional Development & Education Committee (Pro-D & E)

The Professional Development & Education Committee of the CCCJ supports the growth of the business community by providing high-quality learning opportunities, practical skills development, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing programs. The committee’s mandate is to equip members with tools to advance their careers, strengthen leadership capabilities, and foster continuous professional growth within the Canada–Japan business environment. This Committee is particularly interested in connecting young professionals with seasoned leaders in various industries. Our flagship quarterly events are the Canadian Universities Alumni (and friends) socials and Speed Mentoring sessions.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: Riyo Whitney

Golf Committee

Our goals are to connect CCCJ members with the business community in Japan to develop strong relationships through golf. Currently we promote the CCCJ Golf Scramble, a 4-person team event that regularly sells out months before the first tee time. Thanks to the team format, many non-golfers join and enjoy social golf. Many participants have confided that this is the most fun golf tourney in Tokyo. If you’r interested, please join the committee or the next Scramble!

• Chair: Warren Arbuckle
• Governor Liaison: Seiji Omote

Gala Committee

The CCCJ Gala Committee is a great place where members can come together; and use their imagination once a year to create amazing “Soirées” (Evening Parties)
Our main goal is to top the Event from the previous year, so everyone will always look forward to the next one.
These events are not only for the enjoyment of our members and their guests, but also for raising funds for the Chamber and various charities.
If you wish to join the Gala Committee, please contact the CCCJ office E.D. We welcome all to join. See you at the next one.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: Riyo Whitney

Sustainability Committee

Mission: lead The Canadian Chamber of Commerce towards better sustainable practices while supporting the larger business community to becoming sustainable advocates.
Vision: to be the leading voice for sustainability with the international chamber of commerce community.

• Chair:
• Governor Liaison: 

Energy Committee

• Chair: Christian Orton
• Governor Liaison: Peter Armstrong, Greg Rozitis.

Real Estate Committee

The Real Estate Committee’s mission is to provide useful and timely information on real estate matters as it relates to the Japan-Canada business community. Our seminars and events will allow members to connect to those in the industry to exchange ideas and engage in dialogue on important real estate related topics to the membership. If there are specific areas of interest we welcome you to let us know.

• Chair: Gordon Hatton, Ai Nakagawa
• Governor Liaison: Ai Nakagawa

Market Access Advisory Committee

The purpose of Market Access Advisory Committee (MAAC) is to deliver on CCCJ’s key objective “Promote the development of commerce between Canada and Japan” and in doing so, also enhance the business & activity for its current and potential members.

• The MAAC aims to deliver this by providing advice, network connections, and guidance via event series/webinars on matters relevant for Market Access & Expansion in Japan and Canada, by and for Canadian & Japanese businesses (Large enterprises, SMEs, Individuals).
• There is huge potential for Canadian businesses and entrepreneurs to access the Japan market, the third largest economy offering an opportunity to reach 126 million consumers.

- A key hurdle for business to enter Japan is knowledge and understanding of the market, regulations, trade channels, business culture, and network of knowledge base. Despite seeming like a challenge, right understanding & network can help unlock this potential market for Canadian businesses.

• For Japanese businesses, Canada is a potential to be tapped. Several Japanese businesses already operate in Canada. There are numerous other Japanese businesses who have strategic objectives to expand beyond Japan, they could benefit from accessing Canadian consumers.
• The MAAC aims to  assist with this endeavor. The committee is composed of interested members who contribute their own expertise during the events and/or invite professionals and experts in their network on areas of Business Models, Sales Channels, Marketing, Legal & Regulatory, M&A, GTM Strategy, Innovation, Supply Chain & Logistics, People, Talent , Cultural understanding  and other areas of interests related to market access.
• The committee also aims to provide a platform for its members to help make the connections in order to:

1. Increase existing CCCJ member business activity –attract more business
2. Increase Membership by making it attractive for firms & individuals to join CCCJ
3. Drive higher participation of current members in CCCJ

• Chair :
• Governor Liaison: