News

Refurbished Guest Studio to Open

Surf, the Club’s refurbished Guest Studio, opens its doors to guests from May 6.

With its ocean-themed interior, designed by the Tokyo-based firm Plus Furniture Company, Surf replaces Fitness in the lineup of seven overnight rooms.

Surf is the first Guest Studio to feature two queen-size beds, a detail that is bound to prove popular with guests, particularly those with children.

Club Calls for Award Nominations

The Club is asking Members to suggest candidates to receive its various awards.

For more than 25 years, the Club has been honoring individuals for their achievements in different fields.
 
Until May 31, Members can nominate possible awardees online for the Distinguished Achievement, Sports Lifetime Achievement, Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year awards.

The likes of tennis player Kei Nishikori (2015 Sportsman of the Year Award), skater Mao Asada (2010 Sportswoman of the Year Award), baseball coach Bobby Valentine (2005 Sports Lifetime Achievement Award) and astronaut Mamoru Mohri (1998 Distinguished Achievement Award) are part of a long list of illustrious recipients. 

The Culture, Community and Entertainment Committee will review all nominations and offer its suggestions to the Board of Governors for approval.

Club Sets Up Earthquake Relief Fund

The Club has established a relief fund to help survivors of the devastating earthquakes that struck Kumamoto and other parts of Kyushu earlier this month.

Donations will go to support the relief efforts of Second Harvest Japan.

The Tokyo-based charity is working with its partner, Food Bank Kagoshima, to help those in affected areas.

Members can donate to the Club's Kumamoto Earthquake Relief Fund through a dedicated fund page or in person at Member Services.

Women's Group to Help Earthquake Victims

The Club's Women's Group will donate ¥2 million to Second Harvest Japan for the charity's relief efforts in Kyushu.

The Tokyo-based nonprofit is working with its partner Food Bank Kagoshima to help victims of the recent earthquakes that struck Kumamoto and other areas in Kyushu.

Therese Cowled of the Women's Group's charities committee says the organization is a longtime supporter of Second Harvest's regular work and disaster relief efforts.

"Through its efforts on the ground and its food bank network, Second Harvest Japan is able to quickly assess the needs of those in the disaster areas and immediately begin delivering the necessary supplies," she says.

One of the Women's Group's key fundraisers, the two-day Asian Home Furnishings Sale in early April, raised around ¥1.6 million for local charities.

Club President Message on Kyushu Disaster

Club President John Durkin informed Members in a message that no Members or Club staff had been caught up in the devastating earthquakes in Kyushu, including, in particular, the Kumamoto area.

He also emphasized the integrity of the Club's building, which opened in January 2011. "While Japan experiences frequent seismic activity, some of it violent, I would like to reassure you that the Club facility was constructed with a high degree of earthquake-proof engineering and design measures," he wrote.

In the coming days, he added, the Club would be looking at how it can help the people of Kumamoto and other affected areas.