11th July, 2008, 18:30 to 21:00
Mitsubishi Shoji Building (21st Floor), 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

Mitsubishi Club is a private and very exclusive club which was founded in 1973 by the 29 Mitsubishi group companies to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the group. In this context, only VIP members of the 29 Mitsubishi group companies can use this club. On this occasion, Buhei Okumura (Trinity, Cambridge 1954), one of our honorary secretaries, kindly arranged for C&O members and their guests to be given access to Mitsubishi Club for our Society’s main July event.

Mitsubishi Club 2008 Group Photo
Mitsubishi Club is located on the 21st floor (the top floor, about 100 metres above ground level) of the new Mitsubishi Shoji Building. Mitsubishi Shoji (Mitsubishi Corporation) is one of the leading members of the Mitsubishi Club. The new Mitsubishi Shoji Building was completed on 31st March, 2006, and is located just behind the Marunouchi Building (Maru Biru) near Tokyo Station. When we entered the party room, which was a self-contained area of the Club, we were astonished by the spectacular view of the Imperial Palace.
Mitsubishi Club 2008 Group Photo 2
After half an hour or so of sociable conversation and of enjoying the wonderful views, Bu Okumura gave a speech of welcome, in which he briefly talked about Mitsubishi Club. Actually, 37 people had signed up for the party, but three of them failed to show up. Among the 34 attendees, there were 7 guests, including a young undergraduate, Mr Yuki Kato (a guest of Julian Culliford), who had just finished his first academic year at Trinity College, Cambridge, and is spending his summer holiday at home. Also, a member of the Harvard Club of Japan, Mr. Paul Greenberg, attended our party as a guest of Giovanni Bianchi (Christ Church, Oxford 2000). The assembled party enjoyed animated conversation over a buffet dinner, wine and other drinks. At the end of the party, Terry Nakamura (Worcester, Oxford 1964), Honorary Secretary, introduced a new member, John Yamamoto-Wilson (Magdalene, Cambridge 1971), and then Huw Williams (Clare, Cambridge 1980) spoke of a BBQ party planned on Saturday, 13 September 2008 at Odaiba.
Mitsubishi Club 2008 Group Photo 3
All in all, a very good time was shared by all who attended the buffet dinner. The party ended with a group photo shoot.

Hiroshi Kamimura Gonville & Caius, Cambridge 1974