Thursday, October 8, 2020Around one hundred participants joined the Wharton Club of Japan (WCJ) Annual General Meeting through Zoom, that started at 8pm (JST) on October 8th, 2020.
After the Opening, Junichi Endo (WG93), President of WCJ, reported the FY19 activities and financials, showing good progress and healthy status of the Club.
The WCJ director election followed. The vote resulted to appoint two directors. Ernest M. Higa was elected as Director of WCJ again (2nd term). Masanori Kanda (WG92) became Director of WCJ for the first time, and made an impressive short speech, citing President Trump.
The second part started at 8:25pm, Prof. Franklin Allen’s special lecture. Prof. Allen reviewed the Abe administration’s economic policy and highly evaluated the Japan’s position relative to the rest of the world filled with significant issues, At the Q&A session moderated by Makiko Shinoda (WG99), ten questions were posted on the Zoom chat, displaying strong interests in the lecture.
Hiroshi Minoura (WG84), Chairman of WCJ, opened the third part. In the former half, we received messages and greetings from the following key persons of the School.
- Erika H. James, Dean of Wharton School (Video)
- Kelly Lauersen, Senior Associate Director, Alumni Relations and Global Clubs
- Alissa Lurie, Regional Director, International Relations
Then, from Philadelphia, Hiroki Maehara (WG21), President at Wharton Japan Club, the current MBA students in Philadelphia, reported the latest situation of the school and campus life under the pandemic. Online social activities and other survival attempts were introduced.
After welcoming the new alumni with So Yoshida (WG20)'s wonderful reflections on his Wharton life, Makoto Fukuhara (WG88), Secretary of WCJ, closed the event, which lasted a little over one hour and a half.
Although the pandemic prevented us to hold the real AGM, we took advantage of the nature of online event to invite speakers from Philadelphia. It became a new type of successful AGM. We appreciate all the participants and the School.
