ON August 24, 1948, the ACCJ was founded.
Over the past 77 years, the Chamber’s members and key partners have helped improve the international business environment and develop commerce between the United States and Japan.
TAKE A VISUAL journey THROUGH THE PAST SEVEN-plus DECADES.
1948–1957
1958–1967
U.S. Vice-President Richard M. Nixon delivers a major policy speech at a luncheon sponsored by the America-Japan Society and the ACCJ.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson speaks at an ACCJ luncheon in 1954: “I hope that relations of my country and the great country of Japan will continue to improve.”
ACCJ members attend the opening day at the Osaka Trade Fair, American Pavilion.
ACCJ members pose for a photo at the 1962 Inaugural Dinner at the Okura Hotel Tokyo.
1968–1977
The ACCJ Summer Festival takes place at the Tokyo Hilton Hotel on August 22, 1969.
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of China Walter P. McConaughy welcomes delegates to the Asia-Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC) meeting in Taipei.
1978–1987
The ACCJ is well represented at the APCAC meeting in Seoul in 1980.
Members of the ACCJ’s Invest in U.S.A. Committee seminar panel await their turn to speak at a seminar in Nagoya.
1988–1997
U.S. Vice President Al Gore leads a panel discussion at the ACCJ in 1997.
ACCJ Vice President Glen Fukushima, President Bill Beagles, and Board member Don Heckenberg field questions at a January 19, 1997, press conference.
1998–2007
U.S. President Bill Clinton speaks at the ACCJ Town Hall meeting on November 20, 1998.
The 1999 ACCJ Doorknock delegation meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary William Daley in his office in Washington, D.C.
2008–2017
ACCJ members pose for a group photo at a luncheon on September 29, 2017, welcoming U.S. Ambassador William F. Hagerty back to Japan.
U.S. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy is welcomed at a luncheon organized by the America-Japan Society and the ACCJ on November 27, 2013, at the Hotel Okura.
The 2017 Kansai Women in Business Summit was held on September 19 at Hilton Osaka.
2018–2023
The ACCJ celebrates the 247th Birthday of the United States with members of both the U.S. and Japanese Governments, including (from left to right) Ambassador Fujisaki, 2018 ACCJ Person of the Year recipient Mrs. Noobuko Sasae, U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Raymond Greene, and Ambassador Sasae.
The ACCJ’s 2024 A Night of Stars and Stripes Fourth of July celebration featured legendary American guitarist Marty Friedman, well known as the lead guitarist of American thrash metal band Megadeth. He was named an ambassador of Japanese heritage by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2016. The evening also marked the 75th anniversary of the chamber.
The ACCJ had the privilege of hosting State Representatives Tram Nguyen and Laura Williams as part of the Japan Center for International Exchange's US–Japan Women Leaders Dialogue. During their visit to the chamber’s office at CIC, they discussed business opportunities and challenges in Japan along with ways to encourage trade and investment with their home states of Massachusetts and Kansas.
Each year, the ACCJ honors members who have shown extraordinary dedication. On December 5, six recipients were recognized for their work during 2024 by ACCJ President Victor Osumi at the chamber’s year-end Networking for the Future event at the Hilton Tokyo in Shinjuku. The cocktail-style reception brought together more than 260 ACCJ members and guests not only to honor these dedicated leaders and volunteers but also to build new connections for 2025.
(From left to right) Eriko Asai, Om Prakash, Rahm Emanuel, and Laura Younger pose for photos at Ambassador Emanuel’s luncheon event in 2022.
In recognition of his strong support, the ACCJ named US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel its 2024 Person of the Year. Chamber members and guests honored him with a special event on October 23 at Tokyo American Club. Emanuel reflected on his experience as ambassador, shared thoughts on the road ahead, and took questions from members.
The ACCJ Chubu chapter hosted the 34th annual Walkathon on May 18 in Nagoya’s Meijo Park. Held each year in collaboration with Nagoya International School, the mission of the Chubu Walkathon is to support local charities and improve the lives of the less fortunate by creating an opportunity to increase awareness, recruit volunteers, and raise funds at a family-friendly, international outdoor event.
The Women in Business Forum marked International Women’s Day with a special event highlighting female diplomats driving women’s empowerment in global politics and business. The February 27 event at Tokyo American Club featured Ambassadors Mylene J. Garcia-Albano (the Philippines), Julia Longbottom (the United Kingdom), and Melba Pria (Mexico).
John R. Snedaker, former president of the ACCJ and chairman of the Olympic Fund Coordinating Committee presents, a check for ¥7,769,683 to finance the Japanese Olympic team’s trip to Melbourne.
ACCJ members mingle at the Inaugural Dinner Party on October 11, 1956 at the Nikkatsu Family Club.
Ambassador Edwin O. Reischauer presides over the monthly U.S. Embassy–ACCJ Board of Governors Conference on July 21, 1964.
Mr. Avery Brundage, President of the International Olympic Committee, traces Olympic Games history for ACCJ and America-Japan Society members on October 9, 1964, at the Hotel Okura Tokyo.
Members of the ACCJ Trade Expansion Committee take a tour of the Mitsui O.S.K. Lines container vessel, the America Maru.
Wounded U.S. Servicemen are entertained with a magic show provided through efforts of the ACCJ Civic Affairs Committee on November 19, 1968.
Winners of the Third Annual ACCJ Essay Contest pose with ACCJ President Harry Olsen (far left).
Three ACCJ members are recognized for their volunteer efforts at the Leadership Forum Dinner in November 1986.
Three ACCJ members are recognized for their volunteer efforts at the Leadership Forum Dinner in November 1996.
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich poses for a photo with ACCJ members at a 1997 meeting.
Diet Doorknockers pay a visit to Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi at his official residence.
ACCJ representatives meet with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi.
Keizai Doyukai Chairman Yoshimitsu Kobayashi, U.S. Ambassador William F. Hagerty, and ACCJ President Sachin N. Shah ring in the new year at the 2018 Shinnenkai on January 18 at the Imperial Hotel.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks at the ACCJ Women in Business Summit on June 29, 2015, at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo.
ACCJ President Sachin N. Shah celebrates the new year with members in Chubu at the Shinnenkai on January 30, 2018.
Members of the 2019 ACCJ D.C. Doorknock delegation meet with the former Ambassador to Japan and current Senator William Hagerty to discuss advocacy related to U.S.-Japan international relations.
The ACCJ offered hundred of virtual events starting in 2020 as the Chamber shifted to virtual during the pandemic. Virtual events are still a large part of the chamber’s events today.
On November 9, 2023, the ACCJ recognized Akio Mimura as the 2022 ACCJ Person of the Year. He was chosen for his efforts to bring the Japanese and international business communities closer together during his nine years as chairman of the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The person of the year is normally honored in spring of the following year, but the coronavirus pandemic caused a delay.
2024–2025
The ACCJ Kansai chapter celebrated a milestone in its advocacy efforts on November 21, 2024, at the 10th anniversary Diversity and Inclusion Summit, which took place at Oriental Hotel Kobe. The event featured a panel discussion with Amway Japan G.K. President Irina Menshikova, Haleon Japan K.K. President and Representative Director Mari Nogami, and ACCJ President Victor Osumi, moderated by Simone Thomsen, president and representative director of Eli Lilly Japan K.K. and ACCJ governor–Kansai.
The ACCJ and the America-Japan Society were delighted to welcome US Ambassador George Glass and Mrs. Mary Glass at a luncheon on June 6 at the Okura Hotel. The event was attended by more than 450 members representing leaders from the international business community in Japan. Ambassador Glass reaffirmed his commitment to a strong and enduring bilateral alliance built on shared values.
On August 19, 2025, the ACCJ hosted Osaka to Orbit at the USA Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The event featured a panel discussion with four space industry pioneers: Astroscale’s Nobu Okada, Space Walker’s Koichi Yonemoto, Aoki’s Osamu Aoki, and Axiom Space’s Koichi Wakata, who is also an astronaut. Together, they shined a spotlight on Japan’s growing role and ambitions in the space economy and shared their journeys and visions for the future.
Roy E. Larsen, president of Time Inc., speaks to the ACCJ on the state of American universal education on March 2, 1956. Education is truly “an investment in people,” he declared.
The ACCJ Board of Governors meet on May 6, 1952, at the Imperial Hotel.
Pan American World Airways Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Juan T. Trippe, addresses members of the America-Japan Society and the ACCJ during a joint luncheon on February 22, 1965.
A former Commanding Officer at Naval Air Station Atsugi, congratulates graduates of a rigorous 15-month course in English shorthand.
The ACCJ sponsors its first Annual Golf Tournament on June 14, 1968, at the Camp Drake Golf Club. More than 90 golfers comprising ACCJ members and their Japanese business associates turn out for the affair.
Lieutenant Governor Raymond J. Broderick addresses the ACCJ’s Kansai chapter at a luncheon in Osaka on May 8, 1968.
Henry Ford II (right) enjoys a pre-luncheon chat with Ambassador Nobuhiko Ushiba (center) and ACCJ Vice President Harry Olsen at Tokyo American Club on October 26, 1979.
ACCJ has a large and active delegation at the Sydney APCAC meeting.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin speaks to the ACCJ during his visit in 1997.
ACCJ President William E. Franklin (far right ) with U.S. Ambassador Michael H. Armacost and his wife Roberta Bray Armacost (second and third from right) in the receiving line to welcome the new U.S. Ambassador.
Speakers at the ACCJ Women in Finance conference engage in a panel discussion.
ACCJ President Glen Fukushima greets Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi during the Chamber’s 50th anniversary celebration.
ACCJ President Michael Alfant welcomes U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Thomas R. Nides at the 2012 APCAC U.S.-Asia Business Summit, hosted by the ACCJ and held in Tokyo.
The ACCJ/NIS Walkathon, held each year by the ACCJ’s Chubu chapter, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016, raising more than ¥27 million for 28 local charitable causes.
ACCJ President Christopher LaFleur introduces U.S. Vice President Mike Pence at a reception on April 19, 2017.
The ACCJ/NIS Walkathon celebrated its 27th anniversary in 2018, raising millions for local charitable causes in the Chubu area.