Mitsubishi Club Reception — July 2008
Mitsubishi Shoji Building (21st Floor), 2-3-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Mitsubishi Club is a private and exceptionally exclusive members’ club, founded in 1973 by the 29 Mitsubishi group companies to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the group’s founding. Only VIP members of these companies may use the Club. For this special July gathering, Buhei Okumura (Trinity, Cambridge 1954), one of our honorary secretaries, kindly arranged access for C&O members and guests.
Located on the 21st floor of the new Mitsubishi Shoji Building—completed in March 2006 and positioned just behind the Marunouchi Building—the Club offers a remarkable view of the Imperial Palace and surrounding gardens. Guests were immediately struck by the spectacular scenery upon entering the private reception suite reserved for the Society.
After half an hour of lively conversation and admiring the panoramic views, Bu Okumura delivered a warm welcome speech, including a brief history of the Club. Although 37 members and guests had signed up, 34 ultimately attended, including seven guests.
Among the attendees was Mr Yuki Kato, a guest of Julian Culliford, who had just completed his first year at Trinity College, Cambridge, and was back in Japan for the summer. We were also joined by Mr Paul Greenberg of the Harvard Club of Japan, a guest of Giovanni Bianchi (Christ Church, Oxford 2000).
The evening unfolded over an excellent buffet dinner with wine and drinks, accompanied by animated conversation and quiet appreciation of the elegant venue. Toward the end of the night, Terry Nakamura (Worcester, Oxford 1964), Honorary Secretary, introduced a new member, John Yamamoto-Wilson (Magdalene, Cambridge 1971). Huw Williams (Clare, Cambridge 1980) then announced the Society’s upcoming BBQ event on 13 September at Odaiba.
The party concluded with a group photograph—an excellent reminder of an elegant and memorable evening enjoyed by all.
— Hiroshi Kamimura (Gonville & Caius, Cambridge 1974)