At the JCCI's Annual Meeting on April 24, 2013, Mr. Mitsuhiko Kawai, President & CEO, Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc., was elected to succeed Mr. Seiei Ono as President of the Chamber.

Message from the President:

I am honored to be elected as the 27th President of JCCI, after serving as an Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors.

This year is the Chamber's 81st year and it has been reaching out to the Japanese business community in the NY area as well as the local community in many ways. The Chamber will continue to strengthen Japanese companies' presence in the United States, contribute to the local community and promote business activities.

I greatly appreciate your continued support of the Chamber and its activities.

Mitsuhiko Kawai
President
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc.

About Mr. Kawai:

Mr. Kawai is a graduate of Keio University (B.A. Economics). He joined Mitsui & Co., Ltd. in 1976 and has since built his career mainly in the Company's energy business area, which involves global trade and investment activities. Prior to his current appointment, Mr. Kawai was Mitsui & Co.'s Managing Officer and the Chief Operating Officer of its Financial Markets Business Unit.
Previously, Mr. Kawai served in overseas posts three times in: Houston and New York Offices of Mitsui USA (1981-1990); Melbourne, Australia, with Japan Australia LNG (MIMI), Pty., Ltd. (1996-2000); and London, UK, as Deputy Managing Director of Mitsui & Co. Europe Plc. and Managing Director of Mitsui & Co., UK plc. (2006-2008). Mr. Kawai became President and CEO of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. in April 2011.