Emerald Elegance
The Club’s banquet spaces set the stage for unforgettable events, as the Ireland Funds Japan discovered at their annual gala.
Among the many options in the world’s largest city, Tokyo American Club stands out as a favorite for those hosting events large and small.
The standout setting, cuisine, service, and planning draw a wide range of guests looking to ensure that their special occasions shine.
The Ireland Funds Japan is one such group. Its 29th Emerald Ball charity gala and dinner was held in the chic New York Ballroom on March 15, marking a change in venue after four years at the Hotel Gajoen Tokyo.
The annual gala supports the Ireland Funds, a global philanthropic network established in 1976 to promote and support peace, culture, education, and community development throughout the island of Ireland as well as Irish-related causes around the world.
“The Emerald Ball is our most prestigious event each year, and we are excited to host members of the Japanese royal family, high-ranking Irish government ministers, local dignitaries, and over 300 guests,” explains Ireland Funds Japan President and Club Member Matthew Connolly. “Everybody joins us for the party and stays for the mission.”
Irish Ambassador to Japan Damien Cole
He says that working with Mutsumi Sekiai, the Club’s senior banquet sales and event manager, and the whole banquets team was a real pleasure—a sentiment shared by Emerald Ball Co-Chair Sibyl Kane. “They were unbelievably responsive and so resourceful,” says the Member. “Even though Japan is known for customer service, when you try to do things even slightly outside the box, Japan is basically ‘start from no.’ But the Club banquets team is ‘start from yes.’”
That attitude, Sekiai explains, comes not just from the banquets team but the Club culture. “Of course there are times when it is difficult to respond but, even in those cases, we always try to propose alternatives rather than just say ‘no.’”
Kane was impressed with the attention to detail.
“At our tasting dinner, we found that they had decorated the table in the colors of the Irish flag. It might seem like a small thing, but we hadn’t asked for it. When you see that, it gives you a lot of confidence in the team; you know they really are paying attention to the details, even if you’re not drawing attention to them. They did the same with the menu. They made soda bread and the dessert featured the colors of the Irish flag.”
Touches like this come naturally, notes Sales and Events Executive Manager Reina Collins. “We always try to make our guests happy no matter the occasion. Especially when we know the theme, we prepare table settings and other items accordingly, even if it has not been specified.”
Beyond the aesthetic and culinary touches, the Club also delivered a more convenient and comfortable environment—something noticed by both guests and sponsors.
“It was a huge improvement over the hotel, where it was a very long walk from the front door to the ballroom and difficult to easily and securely bring in diplomats and VIPs, such as the visiting minister from the Irish government and Princess Takamado,” she explains. “The Club felt so much more secure. First of all, it’s Members only, so people can’t just wander in off the streets. That already felt way above the security level of a hotel.”
When the night arrived, the Emerald Ball came off seamlessly.
Leading up to the start, Kane was in frequent contact with Sekiai, who she notes either already had her concern taken care of or quickly resolved it. Osamu Miyagi, the banquet operations assistant manager, was in charge on the floor.
“He was absolutely brilliant,” Kane exudes. “He came up and introduced himself and made sure I knew that he was the point person. I was panicked that the flowers weren’t going to be where they needed to be for the ambassador to give to the princess when she left. I told him that, and it was completely seamless. Somehow he was always around when I needed him, but also always in the back making things work. I don’t know how he did that.”
Organizers can expect even more from the Club at future events. This summer, the banquet floor will be reborn with a sophisticated and refined new look. “To give our Members and guests an exclusive first look at the renovated space, we will be hosting a Banquet Fair on September 3,” says Sekiai. “We would like to invite them to experience our unique style in this newly transformed and captivating setting.” The event will feature a variety of settings in the various Manhattan and Brooklyn spaces along with canapés and beverages.
The improvements mean the Ireland Funds can look forward to even more refined touches when the organization’s 50th year and the gala’s 30th anniversary roll around.
“An Irish ball is always going to be fun,” says Connolly, “but the Club allowed us to bring it to another level. We are looking forward already to next March when we will hold our Emerald Ball there again.”
Banquet Fair
September 3 | 12–2pm
Words: C Bryan Jones
Images: LIFE.14
Top Image: The Emerald Ball Committee: Michiko Yamada, Richard Devereaux, Sibyl Kane, Jodi Meenan, and John Byrne
August 2025
