Using the ACCJ's Influence to Move Japanese Policymaking
The specialized, in-depth knowledge and skills of our ACCJ membership empower the ACCJ to influence the Japanese policymaking process. If you have a point that needs to be made and will benefit everyone in your industry, ACCJ advocacy is a proven and effective way to get your message across. All ACCJ members are welcome and encouraged to get involved in advocacy. Working together, ACCJ members can move the Japanese government. Here's how:
Advocates, Not Lobbyists
The ACCJ is an advocate, not a lobbyist. Lobbyists use money and votes to bolster their influence. The ACCJ uses only information--the informed views of our members who do business in Japan--to influence the course of and bring about desired changes in targeted rules, regulations, and policies.
Committees Identify The Issues
The ACCJ represents the collective interests of its members. To take up an issue, a committee--usually composed of members from several different and often competing companies--must develop a consensus on the issue. This ensures that ACCJ positions are for the benefit of an industry as a whole, not any single member or company. If the ACCJ comes out with a position on an issue, you can be sure it is important and compelling, and of mutual interest and benefit.
How can you get involved? ACCJ members can join any of our more than sixty committees, subcommittees, and task forces, which are broken down by sectoral issues (Financial Services, Healthcare, Transportation and Logistics, Food and Agriculture, Legal Services, and so on). See the Committees section of this website for a full listing.
Viewpoint Advocacy Papers
Having identified an issue and agreed on the desired changes sought, a committee will often write a very brief Viewpoint position paper on the subject. Viewpoints are written in a standardized format, first providing a recommendation to resolve a specific problem, then describing the issue by concisely explaining the factors contributing to the creation of the problem, the negative effects of the problem, and how our recommendation will resolve those negative effects. Viewpoint drafts are often vetted with other committees having an interest in the issue before undergoing a thorough review and approval process. Once completed, Viewpoints are translated into Japanese, a time-consuming but important step to ensure that the message gets through to its intended audience.
Getting The Word Out
With a well-vetted and approved Viewpoint in hand, committees work with the ACCJ’s External Affairs staff to arrange meetings and consultations to discuss the issues: the Manager for Japanese Government Affairs arranges meetings with Japanese Diet members and Cabinet and ministry officials; the Manager for U.S. Government Affairs arranges meetings with the U.S. Embassy, visiting U.S. government officials, and with Administration and congressional contacts in Washington. Copies of Viewpoints are also delivered to the press, and the leaders of the sponsoring committee(s) usually make themselves available for press interviews.
Results
ACCJ advocacy efforts have a proven track record of effectiveness. The development of rules against broker churning, the introduction of defined contribution pension plans, improved attitudes toward foreign direct investment in Japan, and the extension of re-entry permits for foreign workers--all can be traced back to an ACCJ Viewpoint and subsequent proactive ACCJ advocacy activity.
For more information on how you can get involved in the ACCJ’s advocacy efforts, please contact the (03 3433 7358).
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