Members Shunsuke and Nana Nomoto help
Connections support Japan’s refugees
PURSUE PASSIONS
RUN FOR THE ROSES MAKE A SPLASH
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ENGAGING INTERESTS
Nihonbashi Club Members find common threads and community through lively special interest groups.
Former Club Member and Brave Blossoms assistant coach Steve Borthwick returns as head of England’s men’s senior national rugby team.
RENEWING LIVES
Connections and Club Members Shunsuke and Nana Nomoto are helping the Japan Association for Refugees give asylum-seekers a fresh start.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Representative Governor Jesse Green (2025)
First Vice President Reiko Saito (2025)
Second Vice President Ginger Griggs (2025)
Secretary Nils Plett (2025)
Treasurer Rune Sølvsteen (2025)
Governors Trista Bridges Bivens (2024), Justin Keyes (2024), Mihoko Manabe (2024), Tetsutaro Muraki (2024), Sam Rogan (2024), Dean R Rogers (2024), Edward Rogers (2024), Nathan Schmidt (2025), Vanessa Thomas—Connections president (2025)
Statutory Auditors Koichi Komoda (2024), Paul Kuo (2025)
Parentheses denote term limit.
CLUB COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Compensation Sam Rogan
Culture, Community & Entertainment Matthew Tappenden (Trista Bridges Bivens)
Finance Patrick McLeod (Rune Sølvsteen)
Food & Beverage Mark Spencer (Nathan Schmidt)
House Adam Donahue (Justin Keyes)
Human Resources Ken Cogger (Sam Rogan)
Membership Justin Negrón (Tetsutaro Muraki)
Nihonbashi Geoffrey Bowman (Ginger Griggs)
Nominating Grace Lee
Recreation Shinji Yamasaki (Nils Plett)
Risk Control Ren Kuroda (Mihoko Manabe)
Parentheses denote Board liaison.
GENERAL MANAGER
Darren Morrish
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER
Business Support Lian Chang
DIRECTORS
Facilities Toby Lauer
Finance Naoto Okutsu
Food & Beverage Suranga Hettige Don
Human Resources Jason Dominici
Marketing & Communications Shane Busato
Member Services Jonathan Allen
Nihonbashi Noriaki Yamazaki
Operations Thomas Zaleski
Recreation Susanna Yung
INTOUCH
Managing Editor C Bryan Jones
editor@tac-club.org
Communications Editor Alec Jordan
Assistant Editor Kathy Russo
Designer Kohji Shiiki
Designer/Photographer Clara Garcia
Proofreader Lidia Rényi
Production Administrator Yuko Shiroki
CONTRIBUTORS
Writers Kay Ravindran Adam
Patrick Balfe
Simon Hadlow
Andrew Heffernan
Tim Hornyak
Rune Sølvsteen
Photographers
Owen Belli
Yuuki Ide
Takumaru Suzuki
Kayo Yamawaki
Illustrator
Tania Vicedo
INTOUCH is printed on Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper, harvested from sustainably managed forests.
ADVERTISING IN INTOUCH
Explore the Club’s range of advertising possibilities by talking to the Club’s exclusive advertising agency, Custom Media.
Custom Media President Robert Heldt
Custom Media Publisher Simon Farrell advertising@tac-club.org 03-4540-7730 | custom-media.com
JOINING TOKYO AMERICAN CLUB
To arrange a tour of the facilities, contact the Membership Office.
Tokyo American Club 2-1-2 Azabudai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-8649
membership@tac-club.org 03-4588-0687 | tokyoamericanclub.org
All prices referenced in INTOUCH include consumption tax.
THE LUXURY WATCH EXPERTS
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many rare vintage Rolex models worth over ¥ 10 milli on. This expertise ensures that sellers will receive the highest value for the items they bring in. And as many of our c ustome rs come from overseas, we have staff members who speak English and Chinese on hand at all times. We look forward to welcoming you and providing you with unparalleled service.
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Being Carded Has Its Benefits
WORDS RUNE SØLVSTEEN IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI
As part of joining the Club , Members receive a Diners Club Japan Premium card free for the first year. This exclusive benefit allows you to easily settle payments in the Club’s facilities and provides a range of perks beyond the Azabudai and Nihonbashi clubhouses, such as an English-language travel concierge service, airport pickup and lounge access, as well as an exceptional points program.
The Diners Club card, which all new Members must apply for as part of the application process, is the only credit card that can be used to pay monthly membership fees and facility usage charges at the Club. While this may feel restrictive to some, it allows us to provide better service by making the billing and payment process straightforward for both Members and the Club.
And because Diners Club waives the merchant fee, channeling all charges through the card has real, tangible benefits that make a difference in the financial health of the Club. Last year, the savings totaled ¥42 million. That’s money the Club can reinvest into maintaining facilities and redeveloping areas to introduce new experiences, as we did in April with the opening of 51 East.
Another way in which the Diners Club card improves your membership is by ensuring that accounts are settled on time. The reality is that, because not all Members use the card, the Club often must remind them to pay.
This has resulted in a monthly average of ¥23 million in outstanding fees—a number that has grown 30 percent in the past two years.
As the facilities age and maintenance costs increase, we must ensure that sufficient funds are available on a continuous basis to address needs as they arise. Such instances have been occurring more often as the Club has gotten busier. And we never want Members to be caught off guard by fees they did not realize were outstanding, a situation that can result in loss of membership and, unfortunately, occurs regularly. The Diners Club card is a great asset in both respects.
While the Diners Club Japan Premium card is free for the first year, an annual fee will be charged at the start of the second year. Members who do not wish to pay the Premium card fee can downgrade to a standard card, which is only ¥24,200 annually.
We really do have a fantastic deal with Diners Club, and I encourage you to take advantage of the benefits if you don’t already—you’ll be keeping the Club’s finances healthy while enjoying the smoothest possible membership experience.
If you have any questions about the Club or our finances, please mail me any time at treasurer@tac-club.org.
Rune Sølvsteen is the Club’s treasurer.
“I encourage you to take advantage of the benefits if you don’t already—you’ll be keeping the Club’s finances healthy while enjoying the smoothest possible membership experience.”
Strong off the Blocks
Eighteen swimmers from the Club’s Mudsharks swim program competed in the Hong Kong Island Stingrays Invitational Meet over the weekend of May 24.
Among more than 20 teams and 500 swimmers, the Tokyo American Club Swim Team put up impressive results, bringing home 18 medals and the third-place trophy with the most points scored by a squad from outside China.
Our 13-and-under mixed-medley relay team scored a bronze medal and strong individual performers included Emily Schamisso (three silvers and one bronze), Max Asari (three bronzes) and Nyla Deshpande (bronze). Linea Furber won two golds, three silvers and a trophy for the third-highest points among girls aged 10 to 12.
The meet was a resounding success and an experience that all will certainly remember for a long time. Great work! SH
BRUNCH
Feast and Fun
Offering outstanding cuisine, activities for the young ones and a communal ambience, the 51 East Brunch has something for everyone.
Chef Francesco “Paco” La Monica’s sumptuous menu for adults features an antipasti plate for two and a choice of mains such as blue lobster rigatoni, snow-aged wagyu rib steak and Ora King salmon—perfect for pairing with the optional Moët Impérial free-flow champagne and mimosa bar. Young diners can enjoy a special menu before trying their hand at making tiramisu with the help of a 51 East chef.
As restaurant manager Matthieu Rigaud says, the brunches create an ideal environment for Members to share quality time. “What I want is for people to communicate and share a good moment together.”
Enjoy 51 East Brunch on the last Sunday of each month. AJ
KAYO YAMAWAKI
From the Shelves
When Member Helle Brysting was a young girl, a new library was built in her village just outside Copenhagen, Denmark. Already enamored with books, especially fiction, she started to bike there every Monday to borrow titles that her school didn’t have. As an adult, she has an easier route to those hard-to-get tomes. The Club’s second-floor Library makes it easy for Brysting to choose her next exciting journey through history.
What was your favorite early childhood book?
Being Danish, I want to of course mention my two favorite fairy tales by HC Andersen: “The Princess and the Pea” and “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” My greatest love, however, was the series Puk, about a young girl at
CAMPAIGN
Beachside Getaway
Summer break may be ending, but the sand and sun of Kanagawa Prefecture beckon for one last respite.
Introduce someone to the Club by August 31, and you could be heading to a stunning resort if they join. Contest sponsor The Harbor Terrace in Zushi is offering one lucky Member a one-night stay in a tastefully appointed suite room, complete with breakfast and beautiful ocean views.
Of course, the prize entry is in addition to the usual ¥40,000 Club voucher (¥20,000 for the Nihonbashi Club), and you will also be entered in a drawing for a dinner for two at 51 East.
New Members must be approved by the Board of Governors by the end of September. Winners will be notified after the September Board meeting. For full terms and conditions, visit the Club website or the Membership Office. AJ
a Danish boarding school having the most marvelous adventures! I guess most girls my age, at that time, dreamed of living Puk’s exciting life.
My first love when it comes to books in English was Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series. Before reading it, my mother and I had already watched every episode of the TV series. What inspired your love of books? Both my parents regularly read to me when I was a little girl. As soon as I knew the alphabet and could put together words, they encouraged me to look up things and places in our encyclopedia, and we would discuss their meanings together. I also had an amazing Danish teacher who often took us to the school’s small library. What genre do you most enjoy? Fiction and historical novels. The latter is, to me, the perfect opportunity to learn a bit of history without getting too lost in the details. What are you currently reading?
At the moment, I’m finishing up Violeta by Isabel Allende. Not long ago, I was enjoying The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese, a historical fiction book. When were you last unable to put down a book? Definitely Violeta. It’s just brilliant! I was also recently captivated by a fiction trilogy by the Danish author Hanne Vibeke-Holst, about the Danish political scene.
CLARA GARCIA
Image: Helle Brysting
Tailored Tips
When Balazs Laszlo saw a new machine in the Fitness Center, he noted its unusual look. Unsure how to use it, he asked trainer Aaron Bridge for some tips.
“I walked past the machine many times and never put two and two together,” he says of the Matrix S-Drive, a high-intensity interval trainer added to the lineup earlier this year. “So one day, I asked Aaron to tell me about it. He showed me all the nuances, and we did a nice interval training. After five minutes, I was drenched in sweat, huffing and puffing. It is a very, very efficient use of your time.”
Laszlo recognized Bridge for his help in an online Tell TAC.
As someone who trains extensively for weightlifting and basketball, he appreciated how Bridge picked up on his level of experience.
“I know exactly how I want to work out, which machines or free weights I want to use and how I want to use them. So, it’s kind of awkward to almost go back to being a beginner and ask, ‘What the heck is this?’ Aaron knew how to explain it to me.”
The England native, who joined the Club’s fitness team in February 2020, believes that providing great support starts with relatability and empathy. He tries to keep in mind a quote from poet Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
For Laszlo, that mindset shines through. “Aaron is such a nice guy. Very attentive, very caring. A really good-hearted person.” CBJ
Members can recognize Club staff by submitting an online Tell TAC through the Club website.
WINE
Sunny, with a Chance of Flowers
August is a month of matsuri, fireworks and trips to the beach. With temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius and humidity pushing past 90 percent, here are three wines to help you beat the heat.
Sunny with a chance of flowers isn’t just an appealing weather forecast, it’s also the name of a sustainably produced California sparkling rosé (¥2,800). Best served ice cold, this wine heads into the “smashable” territory with hints of watermelon, raspberries, cranberries and guava. Zero dosage means an extra-dry finish, and with just 9 percent alcohol, it’s a perfect poolside wine.
Jules Taylor’s 2022 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (¥2,760) is a tangy white from New Zealand praised for its aromatic profile—ripe with notes of passion fruit, guava, lime zest, gooseberry and Marlborough’s signature bell pepper characteristic. An impressive wine with purity and power at that price point.
On the serious side, the 2019 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon (¥14,500) defies Napa trends with its restrained house style. Lively, with lots of red currants, cherries and a hint of bitter chocolate, it demands pairing with barbecued steak in its youth but can be cellared for 20-plus years.
Andrew Heffernan is a member of the Club’s Wine & Beverage Committee.
For the month of August, receive a 10 percent discount on purchases of at least three bottles of any of these recommended Cellar wines.
WORDS ANDREW HEFFERNAN
IMAGE CLARA GARCIA
CLARA GARCIA
Image: (l–r) Aaron Bridge and Balazs Laszlo
AUGUST What’s on in
1–11
Paris 2024 Summer Olympics at Traders’
After the Olympics were revived in 1896, the first city beyond Athens to serve as host was Paris. The 1900 Games were a sprawling endeavor, played out over five months across makeshift venues that included wet fields and broken telephone poles doubling as hurdles. American athletes eventually slipped and slid their way to 51 medals, second only to France, and dominated track and field. By the time the competition returned to the City of Light in 1924, a more refined
version of the Games had settled into place. A century later, Paris again welcomes athletes from around the world to challenge their limits and battle it out for gold—this time for just 19 days.
Members can catch every electrifying moment at Traders’ Bar through August 11. Will the US men and women continue their basketball gold streaks? Will Japan pull off an upset in the rugby sevens?
While the athletes compete, indulge in a specially curated French-themed menu, including a selection of wines and cocktails that will lift your taste buds to the top of the medal count. CBJ
• Through August 11 • Traders’ Bar • Special menu: 3pm to last order • Details online
1
Summer Reading Challenge
The Library’s semiannual, page-turning read-a-thon enters its final stretch.
• Through August 14 • Library • Details online
1
Summer Camp Discovery
Club kids enjoy weeklong sessions of games, crafts, music, dance and fun.
• Through August 23 • 9am–3pm • Big Kids (ages 5–10): ¥55,000 per week; Preschoolers (ages 3–4): ¥49,500 per week • Sign up online
1
Body Sculpting
Eliminate love handles, saddlebags or cellulite with the help of The Spa’s noninvasive Cavi-Lipo treatment, which uses sound waves to shift stubborn areas. Save 10 percent through August 31.
• The Spa • Details online
3
Brunch Buffet
Enjoy an eye-popping selection of brunch classics and Club signatures.
• Weekends & holidays • 11am–3pm
• Rainbow Café • Adults: ¥4,200; ages 12–17: ¥3,400; ages 7–11: ¥1,600; ages 6 & under: free • Details online
4
Introduction to Squash Club instructor Rico Cheung leads families through the basics.
• 4:30–6:30pm • Squash Court 1 • Free • Members only • Ages 6 & above
• Sign up online
5
Ivy League/Oxbridge Admissions
Two former Ivy League admissions officers share insights on how young Members can secure a bright academic future.
• 7–8:30pm • Washington & Lincoln rooms • Free • Sign up online
7 & 15
Ladies’ Squash Clinic
Learn the fundamentals or boost your game with Club pro Rico Cheung.
• 9:30–11:30am • Squash Courts 1 & 2
• Free • Sign up online
4 Your Move: Play a Chess Grandmaster
It’s been more than a quarter century since IBM’s Deep Blue defeated world champion Garry Kasparov, marking an early milestone for artificial intelligence.
As AI now sweeps the world, Club Members will get a chance to pull off their own upset sans digital devices as they face off against Egyptian grandmaster Samy Shoker, who returns to the Club for another set of simultaneous matches.
Shoker earned the revered title a decade ago, at age 26, after meeting the International Chess Federation’s steep criteria, which include achieving a rating of 2,500 and competing in tournaments against grandmasters and international masters. Last August, he mentored aspiring grandmasters in sessions at the Club that then 6-year-old Kenzo Inagaki described as “super fun.”
Tips from Shoker also fueled Member Emma Hutchinson in her quest for chess greatness. “He told me not to trade pieces, to try to keep them, and to try to control the middle of the board early in the game,” she says.
Boost your game and learn from a grandmaster at this rare opportunity to share insights into the chess world and chess life. CBJ
• 5–8pm • Washington & Lincoln rooms • ¥4,400 (guests: ¥5,280) • Ages 6 & above • Sign up online
8 & 27
Squash Night
Enjoy casual games on the second Thursday and final Tuesday of the month.
• 5:30–7:30pm • Squash Courts
• Details online
9
Club Maintenance Day
The Club closes for annual maintenance and a staff recognition event. Facilities reopen on August 10.
13
Gallery Reception: Maja Laerkholm
Members welcome the Danish artist to the Frederick Harris Gallery and kick off her monthlong exhibition with an evening of complimentary wine and canapés.
• 6:30pm • Frederick Harris Gallery
• Free
15
Book Lovers’ Group
Join the Club’s band of bibliophiles for a discussion of Shehan Karunatilaka’s The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida .
• 11am–12:30pm • Free • Details online
20
Cocktail Connections
Head to the Club’s watering hole for this summer-infused mixer.
• 5–7pm • Traders’ Bar • Connections members: free (non-Connections members & guests: ¥1,000)
• Details online
20
TAC Talk: World Baseball Classic
MLB’s Jim Small takes Members inside the tournament won last year by Japan and Shohei Ohtani.
• 6–8pm • Washington & Lincoln rooms • ¥1,980 (guests: ¥2,480) • Sign up online
24
Toddler Bowling
Preschoolers get their first taste of the lanes at a fun morning of bowling and mingling for young families.
• 11am–12pm • Bowling Center • Free
• Sign up online
Summer Hoops Camp with Pro Michael Parker
Entering his fifth season with the Gunma Crane Thunders of Japan’s professional B.League, US-born power forward Michael Parker continues to be one of Japan’s top basketball players. Last season, he sank an exceptional 71.3 percent of his two-point shots.
Parker returns this month for a four-day workshop to help the Club’s aspiring young b-ballers make sure they’re on the right track to their own stellar numbers.
Through structured drills and practice games, the 2-meter-tall star will help players develop their overall skills, with particular focus on passing, dribbling and shooting.
“I enjoy the energy I get from coaching kids,” explains Parker. “They always have so many insights about the game. It’s fun talking to and learning from them.”
Past workshop participant Shosuke Yokoyama says Parker helped him become a high-percentage shooter, while Miu Sonoda credits the pro for helping her learn to push herself. “Michael not only teaches technique but also the ability to work with others and to try our hardest.” CBJ
• August 5: 3:30–5pm; August 6–8: 1:30–3pm • Gymnasium • ¥27,500 (guests: ¥33,000) • Ages 10–15 • Details online
13 Exhibition: Maja Laerkholm
When Maja Laerkholm and her family moved to Tokyo in December 2022, the Danish artist embraced the chance to expand her exploration of cardboard and paper as a canvas for expression.
Captivated by kintsugi, a 500-year-old Japanese technique used for mending broken pottery using lacquer and powdered gold, she found a guiding principle for an artistic vision she had practiced on a snowy balcony in Copenhagen.
Embracing this philosophy, Laerkholm began blending Danish minimalism with the intricate beauty of Japan’s cultural motifs. Her works have not only resonated with art enthusiasts, but have also found homes in collections across three continents, including in the Deloitte Denmark Headquarters and the Takanawa Gallery.
Members can explore her engaging visuals, which bring paper’s past into paintings as untamed stories that wish to be told, this month in the Frederick Harris Gallery. CBJ
Members are invited to the opening reception on August 13 at 6:30pm.
Moment I realized I wanted to become an artist.
For the past six years, art was my hobby, but the positive response to my exhibitions in Denmark inspired me to pursue it more seriously. What I would tell my 20-year-old self.
Dream big, dare to think outside the box and never stop working hard for what you think is fun.
My perfect creative environment. When everyone else is asleep and I have no one to interrupt me or expect anything from me.
Artist, living or dead, I’d most like to share a meal with.
[Danish artist] Kasper Eistrup.
• Through September 2 • Frederick Harris Gallery • Artworks available for purchase through Member Services • Details online
25
51 East Brunch
Enjoy elevated delights such as blue lobster rigatoni, snow-aged wagyu rib steak and Ora King salmon while kids try their hand at making tiramisu with the help of a 51 East chef.
• Last Sunday of each month
• 11am–3pm • 51 East • ¥8,000; ages 9–12: ¥4,000; ages 6–8: ¥2,000 (includes cooking activity for ages 6–12) • Details online
25
Art Attack
Unleash your creativity with a summer splash at this Artbar Tokyohosted exploration of canvas, paints and self-expression.
• 12–2pm • ¥4,400 (guests: ¥5,280)
• Toko Shinoda & Yukiko Maki classrooms • Sign up online
25
Swim Clinics with Olympians
Former Olympians Miguel and Bruno Ortiz-Cañavate turn Club swimmers into freestyle stars.
• 4:30–6pm • Sky Pool • ¥11,000 (¥8,800 for each additional sibling) per session • Sign up online
26
Coffee Connections
Expand your social circle over a morning cup of joe.
• 10–11:30am • Toko Shinoda & Yukiko Maki classrooms • Connections members: free (non-Connections members & guests: ¥1,000) • Details online
27
Cocktail Hour
Learn how to craft an Old Fashioned, a blend of Maker’s Mark, simple syrup and Angostura bitters, under the guidance of a Muromachi Bar mixologist.
• 5:30pm • Muromachi Bar • ¥2,200
• Members only • Sign up online
Check the Club website for the most up-to-date information on events and programs.
Buttery Bliss
WORDS C BRYAN JONES IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI
Often called the wagyu of the sea, Ora King salmon takes its name from Maori, one of New Zealand’s three official languages. Meaning “fresh and alive,” ora is an apt label for a fish prized for its succulent flavor, buttery texture and luscious orange-red flesh.
Farmed using a breeding process that pulls the best traits from 100-plus salmon families, a limited number of these unique fish are harvested each year by a master grader.
Chef Francesco “Paco” La Monica’s Italian-American spin on this New Zealand delight will leave Members with no doubt about why this fillet is so highly sought.
“We dry-age the Ora King salmon for five days, then grill it over charcoal and serve it with Calabrian ’nduja salami paste, buttermilk and fennel-orange salad,” explains La Monica. “It’s a fresh, summery dish that balances savory, sour and slightly spicy aromatic flavors.”
• Ora King Salmon • 51 East • ¥3,200
AQUATIC ARAKAKI
Drawn to water since childhood, one Member builds skills
to venture farther into the open sea.
WORDS C BRYAN JONES
IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI
When Member Michiko Arakaki first jumped into the Sky Pool, she felt that she couldn’t swim. Despite growing up in Okinawa with a love for the ocean, becoming adept in the water was something she had never gotten around to.
“I could only swim about 100 meters,” she admits.
Determined to change that, Arakaki eagerly joined instructor Marcin Nowakowski’s intermediate stroke development class after joining the Club in February 2021. An avid diver and snorkeler, her goal was to become more comfortable in open water.
“Marcin watches us so well and gives great tips,” she says. “I try to apply whatever he tells me, and I can always feel the difference. It’s instant improvement.”
When the Club introduced the Sky Pool Pass in January 2023, she began building on that progress. The all-inclusive pass allows Members unlimited access to all adult pool programs for a single price. Arakaki added classes like distance swim development and can now be found in the pool five days a week.
In addition to Nowakowski, she thanks coaches Bruno and Miguel Ortiz-Cañavate, brothers who represented
Spain at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, for helping her build strength and endurance. She takes part in their twice-weekly technique development classes.
Today, she regularly swims 1.6 to 2 kilometers during a lesson.
“I’m amazed at myself. To think that I now swim the same distance as from one end to the other of Kokusai Street in my hometown of Naha City,” she says, referring to the lively stretch in Okinawa also known as “The Miracle Mile.”
Another thing that keeps drawing her to the Sky Pool is the camaraderie with fellow swimmers. They encourage each other in the water and regularly meet outside or celebrate special occasions in Traders’ Bar. Some even went back in time together at last month’s ’80s-themed First Friday event.
Arakaki also appreciates how swimming has helped her achieve another elusive goal.
“For decades, I had wanted to be a morning person, but I could never make it happen,” she reveals. “When I started morning lessons, I had to wake up early to make it there by 7am. At first, I wondered if I could really do it. But once I committed, I just had to.” Now, not only is she an early bird, she feels more productive. “After swimming lessons in the morning, I have a clear mind.”
Arakaki says she has a long way to go until she can swim freely for longer distances in the ocean, the reason she first started classes two and a half years ago. “But I will keep practicing,” she adds. “It’s such a joy to be able to do something you were not able to do yesterday, or a year or two ago. For that, I am so grateful to my coaches for their constant support and motivation, and I thank my swim mates who inspire me a lot.”
Visit the Aquatics page of the Club website to learn about the Sky Pool Pass and its lineup of adult swim programs on offer.
Image: Michiko Arakaki
A SCHOOL WHERE LEARNING BLOSSOMS
Magnolia Tree Kindergarten and Elementary School at the International House of Waldorf Steiner is dedicated to educating children in the Steiner Method, which encourages students to develop a joy in learning, natural self-discipline, and other inner resources to enrich themselves individually and as citizens of the world. We embrace each child’s unique character and nurture them to become independent, thoughtful, and kind-hearted human beings. Teachers at our school collaborate closely with parents to create a holistic and inclusive learning environment that bridges the gap between home and school to set the stage for a lifetime of educational development.
4-8-10 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku 03-3400-1593 | ihousewaldorf@gmail.com www.waldorf-steiner.org
JOIN AND EXPERIENCE OUR OPEN HOUSES
Saturdays August 3, 10, 17, 24
Waldorf Preschool Class Program 13:30–15:00
Waldorf Elementary School Program 15:30–17:00
August 5–12
Waldorf Summer Program 9:00-16:00
ENGAGING INTERESTS
Nihonbashi Club Members find common threads and community through lively special interest groups.
WORDS
As the Nihonbashi Club membership grows , the mix of passions has become as satisfyingly complex as one of the Muromachi Bar’s signature cocktails. Stir in arts, fitness and a dash of history and you have a rich blend of special interest groups (SIGs) that offer something for everyone.
Less formal than committees and easy for anyone to start, SIGs have ignited new experiences and friendships at the Club’s downtown hub.
The first SIG, the Nihonbashi Community Group, was founded in March after the success of an outreach subcommittee formed in 2022 by Geoff Bowman, Bryan Jacop, Takuo Misaki and Kaori Koide. The goal is to develop ties between the Club and the local community.
“My passion for Nihonbashi is just so crazy that I decided everyone should know about this wonderful location,” explains Koide, a self-described “Nihonbashi history freak.” A native of Kobe, she moved to the area 14 years ago after living overseas. When the Club opened its first satellite location in the historic district in March 2021, she immediately joined.
As a founder of the Nihonbashi Community Group, Koide organizes many activities and leads the annual Bettara Matsuri Walking Tour, a 90-minute stroll around a market filled with booths offering bettara pickled radish, the star of a festival that dates back more than 300 years.
Each January, Miki Ohyama guides the Seven Lucky Gods Walking Tour, a “pilgrimage” to temples associated with Japan’s seven gods of good fortune—a chance for Members to usher in good luck for the new year.
Another popular function that builds bonds between the Club and community is the annual cleanup of Nihonbashi Bridge, the landmark built in 1603 that serves as the starting point from which all distances to and from Tokyo are measured.
There’s no cost for most SIG activities—the only fee is a desire to have fun and learn about Japan. And while the Nihonbashi Club itself is strictly for adults, outings such as the walks are open to Members and their families.
Although events like these require more organization, most SIG gatherings arise more spontaneously. While the groups put structure around specific interests, their informal nature allows for spur-of-the-moment planning.
SIG members and friends frequently interact through a group on the popular Line messaging app or via the Member area of the Club website. And the opportunities are expansive.
The success of the Nihonbashi Community Group has inspired other Members to form SIGs such as the Women and Work Group, Art Lovers Group, Community Group, Wine and Spirits Group, Investment Group, Fitness Group and Golf Association Group. There’s even a group for salty sailors.
Since no committee approval is required to form a SIG, any Member who wishes to start a group around their special interest is welcome to do so. “I’m loving this process and sense of making a new community,” says Koide with a smile.
To learn more about Nihonbashi SIGs, visit Groups in the Members’ area of the Club website.
C BRYAN JONES IMAGE YUUKI IDE
Image: (l–r) Jean-Louis Spotti, Kaori Koide, Misaki Otoshige, Ginger Griggs and Miki Ohyama
RUN FOR THE ROSES
Former Member and Brave Blossoms assistant Steve Borthwick returns as England’s head coach and shares youthful excitement with Club kids.
WORDS PATRICK BALFE
Images: Steve Borthwick; England hooker Gabriel Oghre (right)
As a group of young Members raced across the Gymnasium, a 102-kilo rugby star bearing down on them, one man looked on with glee.
“The kids were incredibly enthusiastic and energized. It was a joy to spend time with them,” says Steve Borthwick. The former Member was back at the Club on June 21 along with England’s national rugby union team, which he now leads. They were in town for a test match against the Brave Blossoms.
Borthwick took the reins of England 20 months ago, seven years after his stint as forwards coach for Japan’s national team. Since then, he and his young squad have been undergoing their own period of growth, and he’s bringing the lessons he learned in Japan to his new role.
INTOUCH spoke with Borthwick during a busy week for him and his team. They had just won England’s first-ever official test match in Japan en route to an equally historic tour of New Zealand. Despite a convincing 52–17 victory, Borthwick concedes that the result wasn’t guaranteed.
Having spent three years in Japan and five in England as the forwards coach under Eddie Jones, Borthwick found himself facing his former mentor at the National Stadium. Both coaches played a crucial role in Japan’s transformative victory against South Africa at the 2015 World Cup in England, making the Tokyo face-off particularly nostalgic. “It’s brilliant to be back in this amazing country,” Borthwick says. “We have incredible respect for Eddie Jones and what he’s done for rugby in England and Japan.”
While preparing for their match against Japan, Borthwick and his team made use of the Club’s recreation and dining facilities. They were also energized by spending time with Club kids the day before the game, conducting two rugby and fitness workshops along with a Q&A session.
“I have many happy memories of our time here in Tokyo, and with my young family at Tokyo American Club,” Borthwick shares. “It was delightful to be back and great to see some familiar faces.”
Invigorated by the Club and the big win over Japan, the team moved on to its New Zealand tour, which marked several firsts for England. Not only was it the debut tour for Borthwick as head coach, but also a baptism by fire for a large portion of his team.
“There’s potentially no bigger challenge in rugby than playing New Zealand at home,” Borthwick points out. “And for many of our players, it will be their first game against New Zealand.”
The matches were an opportunity for England to earn their first test victory in New Zealand since 2003, but it wasn’t just England looking to make a mark. With legendary flanker Scott Robertson taking the helm as the All Blacks head coach, the stakes were high for both teams in their first encounter since a 25–25 draw at Twickenham in 2022.
“The kids were incredibly enthusiastic and energized. It was a joy to spend time with them.”
“I thought the way Japan started that game, the speed with which they played, is a glimpse towards the future,” he says. “I was delighted that we managed to defend our lines through that period.”
England came into the match wanting to maintain momentum from their strong performance in the Six Nations Championship. Notably, five uncapped players form part of the 36-member tour squad, and many others have fewer than 10 caps. While this lack of experience has drawn media attention, Borthwick contends that it’s a promising phase.
“I think we have an exciting group of young players,” he explains. “We talk a lot about the importance of learning fast, and that’s exactly the type of environment we want to create—one in which we are constantly developing.”
Robertson held on for a 16–15 win on July 6 and put up a 24–17 victory on the 13th, but both matches showed that the English side is benefiting from strategies that Borthwick employed during his time in Japan. Under the guidance of Borthwick and Jones, the Brave Blossoms focused on speed and offense, ultimately leading to a series of historic victories in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
With the Pacific Nations Cup coming to Japan in September, Borthwick is enthusiastic about the future of rugby union, here and abroad. “I think we’re seeing in world rugby now a real growth in competitiveness. The gap between teams is much smaller than it ever has been. So, tournaments like this are brilliant. Eddie Jones has transformed Japanese rugby before, and I’ve no doubt they’re already starting a path to great success again.”
OWEN BELLI
RENEWING RENEWING
Support from Connections and Club Members
Shunsuke and Nana Nomoto is making a difference for refugees seeking a fresh start in Japan.
WORDS TIM HORNYAK IMAGE KAYO YAMAWAKI
On a backstreet in Tokyo’s Kanda district sits an aging office building that most people wouldn’t give a second look. But for some arrivals to Japan, it’s the first stop on the road to a new life.
The fourth floor is home to the Japan Association for Refugees (JAR), a nonprofit serving people applying for refugee status. In a lounge area, a weary-looking family rests as they begin a long waiting period while the government reviews their request. Suitcases line a wall next to consultation rooms and booths, where clients can get free clothing, daily necessities, books and toys for their children. From behind a counter, staff distribute Japanese, Western and halal foodstuffs.
Established in 1999, JAR depends on support from individuals and organizations like the Club’s Connections group, which is donating ¥1 million this year, for about 80 percent of its budget. As applicants face a nearly four-year wait for the results of their request, they need help with housing and work while living in legal limbo and trying to integrate into Japanese society.
“There are other groups aiding refugees in Japan, but we act as a one-stop shop,” says Shiho Tanaka, a spokesperson for JAR. “Our vision is to create a society in coexistence with refugees, ensuring their safety and dignity.”
Demand for JAR’s services is growing. In 2023, visits to its office were up sharply to about 600 per month. That coincided with the government granting asylum to a record 303 of 13,823 applicants. The news looked like a misprint in a country that typically admits fewer than 50 refugees a year out of tens of thousands of applications.
Even though it is a major donor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Japan is an immigration outlier among G7 countries. It has had a very strict definition of refugee and has admitted fewer than 2,000 since 1981. In contrast, the United States took in 60,014 refugees in fiscal 2023 alone, according to the State Department.
“Many have asked why Japan, a country lacking in human resources, has such a stance toward refugees— there’s no answer,” says Tanaka. “However, even though the main route is not really opening up, pathways to asylum in Japan are increasing.”
One is a 2023 revision to the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act that introduced “complementary protection,” a new status for people fleeing conflict. In the first three months of the year, Japan had granted this status to 647 applicants, mostly from Ukraine. As of March 2024, some 2,600 Ukrainian evacuees have received visas.
Image: Shunsuke and Nana Nomoto at their law office in Chiyoda Ward
LIVES LIVES
“I thought, we Japanese have to help these people.”
One refugee activist who understands how hard it can be to change attitudes in Japan is Club Member Shunsuke Nomoto. A lawyer for more than 50 years, he has served on the Subcommittee on International Human Rights for the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.
Nomoto became involved in refugee issues in the late 1970s as people fleeing persecution after the Vietnam War were arriving in Japan. He was in New York on a human rights study tour in 1978 when he noticed a New
York Times article describing the yearlong incarceration without charge of four Laotian refugees at the Yokohama Detention Center. At the time, Japan was ignoring the problem of so-called boat people and others from Southeast Asian countries taken over by communists.
“I thought, we Japanese have to help these people,” says Nomoto. “Along with Father Isamu Ando and nuns from Sophia University, our lawyers association reached out to these people who had overstayed their visas.”
From 1978 to 1982, Nomoto provided legal advice to about 100 asylum seekers while raising public awareness about the issue. He wrote an op-ed in The Japan Times in 1980 calling for Japan to allow refugees to stay in the country for three years and then be given permanent residency. The following year, Japan joined the 1951 Refugee Convention. After that, Nomoto continued providing advice to migrants on problems such as employers who failed to pay and landlords who tried to evict them. He also hosted them for barbecues at his cottage in Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture.
“My impression is that Japan is still very strict with refugee applicants, as it investigates the claims of each one, whereas other countries take them on their word,” Nomoto explains. “This may be government policy, but it seems to reflect the will of the silent majority.”
Nomoto’s Taiwan-born wife Nana feels attitudes have been changing, however, since she acquired Japanese citizenship 37 years ago. As a Club Member, she has taken pride in helping the community through various Connections activities and is assisting the group with its support of JAR.
“Japan has become much more open,” she says. “Although incidents of discrimination still happen in places like schools and parks, I think it’s a lot easier to live here as a foreigner now because Japan is more accepting.”
Visit the Connections page of the Club website for details on the group’s support of local charities.
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Rising Receiver
Driven by dreams of gridiron glory, 19-year-old Member Kento Abe is training hard to lead his team to victory.
I started playing American football when I was 9. It’s sort of a niche sport in Japan, but a friend from Hawaii introduced me to it, and I really liked the style.
I enjoy contact sports, so American football was an ideal fit for me. But I didn’t get to play the full-contact game at first. In Japan, we don’t do that until high school, so I started with flag football. As I got older and moved up to Hosei University Daini Senior High School, I kept my flag game going but finally got to experience what first attracted me to the sport.
After I graduated and joined the Orange—that’s our team name at Hosei University—I learned how the game differs at the next level, just as it does in the US. I knew that I needed to get stronger and keep improving. So, I decided to focus on one position and really hone my skills.
In high school, I played both ways, like Deion Sanders did with the Dallas Cowboys. I played linebacker on defense and wide receiver on offense. But I’ve chosen to stick to receiver in university. I’m especially inspired by AJ Brown. He set the Eagles’ single-season record for receiving yards in 2022, when Philadelphia made it to the Super Bowl against Kansas City.
If I’m going to reach those heights, I really have to train hard. During the season, I lift weights five times a week, focusing on building strength with squats and bench presses. In the off-season, I shift my focus to shoulder, arm
and chest exercises, lifting weights three to four times a week to maintain my agility and speed. The Club Fitness Center has been a great place for me to do that.
The training has really paid off. I can feel the improvements in my body and performance on the field. I like to bring my love of contact to the offensive side of the ball. My team’s defensive backs are very strong, so I have to get aggressive and physical.
In May, we played in the Hyotan Bowl, the third-oldest bowl game in Japan. We have a very young team and fought hard, but came up short. We lost to the Ritsumeikan Panthers 34–19.
Despite the loss, I was very honored to be named Best Back. I feel pride in the training that I do and the recognition really motivates me as I head into my sophomore year. I’m optimistic about our fall season, which kicks off at the end of August. My teammates and I are working hard, lifting weights together and pushing each other to be better.
Right now, my goal is to lead my team to a championship in November. Beyond university, I want to play professionally in Japan’s X League. The Fujitsu Frontiers is a very strong team. I’d love to play there.
As told to INTOUCH’s C Bryan Jones.
Image: Kento Abe, Hosei Orange
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New Members
AZABUDAI
UK | Alexander Penrose & Whitney Raven
DMG Mori Co., Ltd.
“Having been expats in Tokyo for over five years, we always knew about the Club and the services and facilities it offers. After far too much procrastination—and aided by our daughter, who goes to the British School across the street— we finally bit the bullet and joined. Almost immediately, it changed our life in Tokyo. The ability to escape the hustle and bustle, whether it be for a swim, a quick bite or a workout, is just too valuable!”
Image: (l-r) Alexander Penrose, Sophie Penrose, Whitney Raven and Frankie Penrose
AZABUDAI
USA
Christopher Clay & Ayano Saito
Herbert Smith Freehills Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi Jimusho
Yuuta Kevin Fujikawa
Amazon Japan G.K.
Bryan & Yuko Koslow Professionals Japan
Michael & Yuka Sloyer
Upbuild Executive Coaching
Clark Uemura Tele Planning International
AUSTRALIA
Jeremy & Mary Fox
Guy Carpenter Japan Inc.
CHINA
Jie Cao & Kei Toki
New Century Capital Co., Ltd.
Xianglin Du (Ryusuke Takagi) & Kei Igawa
Forest Garden Co., Ltd.
Yao Lu & Wenxin
(Morgan) Huang
SBI Holdings
GERMANY
Sascha Boeckle & Terumi Miyazaki
Sascha Inc.
Niklas & Anne Essing
BMW Japan Corporation
HONG KONG
Louis Pong
Lifestyle Federation Japan K.K.
Liang Si Toyotomi Holdings
INDIA
Kapil & Nikita Mithal Mithals Co., Ltd.
JAPAN
Shunsuke & Mizuki Fujii
SMBC Nikko Securities
Kohei & Mariko Otani
Bain Capital Private Equity Japan, LLC
Satoru Tomita
Team Tomita Co., Ltd.
Hideki & Hiroko Yoshimura
Midas Capital
NIHONBASHI
JAPAN | Osamu Funatsu
DNX Ventures
“I’ve had several opportunities to visit the Azabudai facility through alumni events at my alma mater, and I learned about the Nihonbashi facility recently from the person I played golf with. I’ve already participated in mixers and golf events and am excited to meet other wonderful Members through various activities.”
Image: Osamu Funatsu
SOUTH AFRICA
Anna Elizabeth Schroeder & Bradley Ross-Jones
South African Embassy
SOUTH KOREA
Hyung Suk Kim & Eun Young Ju
British American Tobacco Japan
UK
Sam Lin
Quantum Solutions
Max Smith & Kaori Yamada
JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. Tokyo Branch
NIHONBASHI
JAPAN
Yutaka & Kaoru Nishigaki Bank of Japan
Takashi (Jack) Wada
Gifu Nisseki Co., Ltd.
STAYCATION IN STYLE
David Stanley Hewett is one of the most well-known artists in Japan. He rst came to Japan in 1988, and his love for its arts and culture motivated him to study the country’s ceramics, traditional painting, obi design and, most notably, the technique for making traditional screens. Hewett is best known for his Bushido Series of paintings which thematically draw on Japanese history and are full of energy and passion, featuring gold leaf, bright colors, and sweeping arcs of thrown paint.
In March 2024, he opened a major joint exhibition with Living National Treasure Inoue Manji at the Onishi Gallery in New York to great acclaim.
In November 2017, Hewett’s painting, Majime, was selected as the gi from Akie Abe, the wife of Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe, to the
First Lady of the United States. In 2019, the painting was inducted into the National Archives Collection of the United States of America.
His paintings can be seen in the permanent collections of prominent hotels, The United States Embassy Tokyo, and many other public and private collections around the world.
In 2008, he designed the #1 selling obi in Japan for Takashimaya, and since 2018, has been designing wine glasses and decanters for the world’s most famous wine glass maker, Riedel.
Hewett is passionate about promoting Japanese art and culture and sharing the country’s craftsmanship excellence with the world.
Time to Play
Classes Kinder Club
Young Members set out on a funfilled voyage with free activities led by the Club’s Childcare Center and Library staff.
Explore delightful and amusing tales of wonder and adventure that inspire a lifelong love of reading in Story at Four. Bring literary adventures to life through song and dance in Story Craft. Set out on a shared adventure with Mommy and Me. And invite dads and grandparents on an enchanting musical journey during Sing-along. Feel like knocking things down? Strike it big with a free round of tenpins on the Club’s six vibrant lanes. Come aboard and make new connections and lasting memories!
Students Chloe and Hugo Takagi
Among the many Club kids who take part in Kinder Club, Chloe and Hugo enjoy seeing friends and teachers in the Childcare Center and are inspired by being able to play with other kids of various ages.
Their mom, Aiko, has high praise for Joyce Mensah, the Club’s recreation programs leader for kids and youth. “Ms Joyce is fair and full of love to everyone, and is like a mother not only to the children but also to us parents,” she says. “All the other staff are warmhearted and loved by the children, too. I feel comfortable leaving my children here. I cannot imagine raising my children without them.”
Kinder Club
• Times, days and facility vary by class
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IMAGE CLARA GARCIA
Image: (l-r) Hugo Takagi, Joyce Mensah and Chloe Takagi
SETOUCHI
June 7
First Friday: Back to the ’80s
Iconic tunes, arcade excitement and a DeLorean’s worth of premium wines had Members shouting “I want my MTV!”
IMAGES YUUKI IDE
June
15
Embassy Nights: One Love
Members raised a glass of Ambassador Shorna-Kay Richards’ secret-recipe rum punch to honor 60 years of Japan–Jamaica friendship.
IMAGES YUUKI IDE
June 21
England National Rugby Team Workshop
Young Members enjoyed rugby thrills and scored insider tips with England Coach Steve Borthwick and the men’s senior national team.
IMAGES OWEN BELLI
July
6
Independence Day at the Club
Epic games, lip-smacking bites and a light show finale marked a celebration of America’s 248th birthday for the ages.
IMAGES TAKUMARU SUZUKI & YUUKI IDE
Scentsational Parenting
WORDS KAY RAVINDRAN ADAM ILLUSTRATION TANIA VICEDO
As a parent , do you ever find yourself reminiscing about the good old days? Back when your little bundle of joy arrived and you were a nervous wreck, wondering how you were going to step into this new role and care for them?
If you’re like me, a retinue of self-appointed advisers showed up to shower you with advice and opinions. Friends, relatives, neighbors and even the occasional stranger were certain that they knew exactly what you should and shouldn’t do.
While not all the tips were winners, some helped you settle into your new role and, in time, you figured out what it means to be Mom.
But then something happened. Your little bundle of joy wasn’t so little anymore. And despite the sheer volume of early advice, none of it prepared you for a teenager. Perhaps that motley crew of sages believed in the old adage involving a man and a fish, or maybe they just thought you’d figure it out as you went. Either way, time has whizzed by and here you are, at a loss and with nary a soothsayer to be found.
All you want is to feel connected to your teen, so you turn to parents’ workshops and self-help books; but nothing has made a dent.
In your teen’s defense, they may be at a bit of a loss, too. They’re on the precipice of adulthood and are going through physical and psychological changes. They’re also under a lot of stress. Social and academic pressures can be quite difficult to handle even without a nagging, intruding,
demanding parent thrown into the mix.
Stress is what led me to a solution. It was staring me in the face. I recalled how I feel when I walk into a spa and the smell of lavender or rose washes over me. I immediately smile and feel relaxed. Might this also work on a teen’s spirit?
I decided to give it a try. Step one was to scent our home. I was hoping to pique my teen’s curiosity, maybe even elicit a question. If I was really lucky, I thought, I might get a smile. That part was easy.
With our home now as fragrant as a spa, it was time to put step two in motion. This could prove a bit trickier. I wanted to get him to try essential oils on his palms or soles. That always works for me. If you have a wannabe Sybarite teen, you might be in luck. If not, that intruding parent vibe might come through. Either way, offer them a hand or foot massage. Chances are you’ll get a “whatever” or a shrug. But if you do get a few drops of bergamot, coconut or olive oil on the case, you’ll find your teen more relaxed and perhaps less grumpy.
That’s how I closed the gap on the missing knowledge of how to deal with some of the most challenging years of parenting. If you face the same challenges, give it a try. You just might find smiles, and even hugs, coming your way more often.
Kay Ravindran Adam is a Club Member.
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