Ryan Watson Named an ACCJ 2023 Leader of the Year
Clickmark’s Ryan Watson was named one of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan’s 2023 Leaders of the Year. The recognition honours his work connecting next-generation leaders in Kansai and his continuing involvement with the community-based Healthy Urban Gardening (HUG) project.
About the ACCJ Leaders and Volunteers of the Year
Each year, the ACCJ recognises members who have given exceptional time and effort to improving their communities and advancing the chamber’s mission through philanthropy, advocacy, or engaging events. The 2023 honourees were recognised at the Leadership Forum on 19 December 2023. Read the official ACCJ Journal announcement for the full list of recipients and their contributions.
The work recognised by the ACCJ
In its announcement, the ACCJ highlighted Ryan’s role as co-chair of the Kansai Young Professionals Forum. From the early proposal through the group’s July launch event, the initiative created new opportunities for Japan’s next generation of leaders to build networks and engage with the ACCJ.
The ACCJ also recognised his leadership of the Healthy Urban Gardening (HUG) project. HUG combines hands-on community workshops with fundraising for Food Bank Kansai, encouraging sustainable gardening while helping address food insecurity and contribute to a greener, healthier Kansai.
- Connect emerging leaders: create opportunities to learn, meet, and participate in local and international business communities.
- Contribute to local challenges: use HUG workshops and support for Food Bank Kansai to take practical action in the community.
- Make participation more open: help new members and diverse voices find ways to engage with the ACCJ and the Kansai community.
Community participation creates value beyond the day job
Website and brand work is about helping organisations make their value and point of view clear. Underneath that work are relationships: how a company connects with people, its community, and the future it wants to help create. For Clickmark, participating in the international business community and in activities that support people living and working in Kansai is an important source of learning.
When people across nationalities, generations, and industries meet, share ideas, and work on local challenges, new perspectives emerge. Those perspectives also make us a better partner to our clients as we consider their websites, bilingual content, and communications.
About the ACCJ
Founded in 1948, the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan is a foreign chamber of commerce in Japan. It works to strengthen US–Japan economic relations, support members and member organisations, and improve Japan’s international business environment. Its events, committees, and regional chapters give members places to learn, exchange ideas, and take action.
Grateful for the recognition
We are deeply grateful to the ACCJ, our colleagues in Kansai, and everyone involved in these projects. Recognition like this is never the work of one person alone. It reflects the people who share an idea, attend an event, volunteer their time, and choose to contribute together.
Clickmark will continue to help people and organisations connect more effectively through website design, brand communication, and meaningful participation in the community.
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