Ernfred "Ernie" Olsen Co-Chair	Thomas Clark Co-Chair	Junichi Maruyama Vice Chair

Follows industry developments, serves as a clearinghouse for information to Subcommittee members and the Committee leadership, and participates in advocacy regarding issues of interest to our members. Works with local industry groups, other international financial services organizations such as the IBA, and in particular with the Financial Attache’s office at the U.S. Embassy, representatives of the Departments of Commerce, Treasury and State, and the USTR, to ensure that issues of common concern are raised through a variety of the most effective channels with Japanese regulators and the government. Also reaches out directly to regulators such as the FSA and METI, and has made presentations to legislative Subcommittees on issues of importance to the banking and nonbanking finance sector.

Objectives

• Recommend and facilitate changes in the financial markets in Japan that will enable new products and services, open new distribution channels, promote enhanced efficiency and risk management, increase regulatory transparency and fairness, and protect consumers of financial products and services from questionable market practices
• Provide a forum for members to pursue their respective advocacy objectives and network with other members with similar objectives.
• Participate in briefings to U.S. government officials on issues of concern to ACCJ members, including matters relevant to the negotiation, implementation, and monitoring of trade agreements, and encourage appropriate involvement by such officials to promote identified issues in bilateral discussions with Japanese regulators.
• Reach out to related domestic Japanese industry groups to forge a dialogue on matters related to the regulatory and legislative agenda.
• Sponsor public forums and exchanges, often bringing together policy experts from Japan and the US, as well as other countries, to promote sensible regulatory policies and sharing of global best practices in the financial services sector.