BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE SACCJ HAVE BEEN ELECTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON WEDNESDAY, 27 MAY 2020.   

The Chamber shall have a Board of Trustees consisting of one or more South Africans and one or more Japanese. Members of the Board of Trustees shall work for the long-term development and stability of the Chamber.  Members of the Board of Trustees were elected at the General Assembly and their term shall be for a period of three (3) years, although they may be re-elected

TRUSTEES  

Michael Coombs

A British and Irish citizen, fluent in English, French and Afrikaans, Michael Coombs holds an MBA from the University of South Florida, following a bachelor’s degree in Commerce & Accounting from the University of South Africa. He has 34 years of broad business experience and acumen acquired in the key markets of South Africa, the UK, France, Turkey and Japan. Mostly from within senior Finance roles, in recent years he has led various transformation and integration initiatives aimed at redesigning and equipping traditional organizations for greater success. 

Michael has a Japanese wife and currently resides in Japan.

Board of Director Tenures - Public Companies

Coca-Cola East Japan Co., Ltd. Representative Director, Vice President, CFO 2013-2016

Coca-Cola Central Japan Co., Ltd. Representative Director, President, CEO 2012-2013

Coca-Cola West Japan Co., Ltd. Non-Executive Director 2007-2009

Board of Director Tenures - non-Public Companies

Coca-Cola Japan Co. Representative Director, EVP, CFO 2005-2009

Tone Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President 2009-2012

Mikuni Wine Co., Ltd. Non-Executive Director 2014-2016

Other Tenures

Coca-Cola West Japan Co., Ltd. Advisory Board 2007-2009

South African Chamber of Commerce, Trustee 2008-2016

Hiroo Suzaki

Hiroo Suzaki was born in Kagawa Prefecture (Udon noodle-ken) , graduated from Kobe University in economics. He worked in TOMEN, one of Japanese leading trading firms.  His first job was marketing of Nickel metal, one of main supplier was Impala, SA. During TOMEN age, he worked in Tokyo, New York, Atlanta and Moscow offices.

He moved to Mitsui Corporation and then Impala Platinum Japan as president. It’s 100% subsidiary of Impala Platinum, SA, who is one of the leading Platinum Group Metal company. He enjoys playing golf and traveling hot spa area with wife. He visited SA 7times. He loves SA people and nature.

Suzaki has served as trustee of SACCJ since 2014.

Takako Yachida

Takako is helping a business company focused on South African wine for almost 7 years.
Currently she is working in recruiting & consulting industry for her own companies and trying to build up some business between Cape Town and Japan.
She is passionate about introducing the charms of South African wine and culture to people especially Japanese.
She drinks (only) South African wine EVERYDAY and she visits Cape Town every year.

Clinton Gass

This South African has spent more than half of his life in Japan. He holds a BSc in Building Management from The University of Natal, but it was the MBA from McGill, Japan, that propelled him into business, trading and marketing primarily South African food products into Japan. His main focus has been rooibos where he has played a key role in building Japan in to one of the most successful markets for this uniquely South African product. He manages the business through two companies, Gass Co., Ltd and Rooibos Marketing Ltd.

Clinton was a founding member of the SACCJ and has served several terms as a Director, Chairperson and then Trustee of the organization.