Making A Better Tokyo American Club (MABT)

Super Bowl morning at the Tokyo American Club is one of those rare moments when it really feels like home. Even though we’re thousands of miles from the stadium, the energy in the New York Ballroom is electric—everyone’s in jerseys, the TV’s tuned to English commentary, and the room is full of groans, cheers, and the occasional “Wait, what just happened?”

This year, the Seahawks versus the Patriots matchup is fun to watch, but honestly the best part is just being with other members who care about the game, the halftime show, and the commercials almost equally. There’s a full spread of breakfast food mixed with classic stadium snacks, cold local beers, and a cocktail bar that keeps things lively without feeling over the top.

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Tokyo American Club Members Welcome New General Manager Dustin McAvoy

The Tokyo American Club announced the appointment of Dustin McAvoy as its new General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, effective August 9, 2025. Dustin succeeds Darren Morrish, who set very high standards as one of TAC’s best General Managers.

Dustin brings more than 20 years of international hospitality experience to the Club, with leadership roles in Canada, Hong Kong.

We look forward to welcoming Dustin and to the continued energy and vision he will bring as the Club continues to evolve and serve its members in the years ahead.

Some of the great benefits of the club are the classes. Boxing, golf, personal trainers… the list goes on.

We’re glad to see that we finally have very able management in the saddle at TAC. In addition, we see a fresh volunteer board of governors that are doing their best to make the American Club a place for all members. Leadership change has proven to be a good thing.

We’re moving on. The disputed mRNA ‘vaccine’ center is a thing of the past. The controversial mask police are gone. Hopes are high that unilateral closings of our facility will never happen again. It time to forgive, forget, and be accountable to our members and staff. Good things are coming.

TAC can focus on what it is great at. What is our vision?

• To foster community amongst business professionals and their families
• To nourish the soul with quality food, great exercise facilities, and meetings that open our minds to life’s possibilities.
• To be one of Tokyo’s best places to work for all our wonderful club staff

What’s left? Maybe time to make masks optional for our great staff as well?

We’re looking forward to a year where great people can gather at a great place.

Today our very able general manager announced the end of forcing members to wear mask at Tokyo American Club.

Wearing masks at Tokyo American Club is now what it should be, OPTIONAL

Mask wearing at the time was an understandable attempt to prevent that sickness from spreading. It ended up becoming more of a tool of control and discrimination by both overzealous staff and some anxious members. Based on Japan infection counts, masks were not all that effective.

National governments around the world have been the most notorious for trying to control their citizens though masks and for what some see as forced experimental vaccinations. Some governments continue to try to control even now.

Sick people should stay home. For sick people, out and about, wearing masks is considerate and cultural in Japan.

It’s fabulous to see TAC lead by example. The Tokyo American Club is an international community. Members are considerate and don’t mind if a member wants to wear a mask, but it should NEVER forced upon us again. We should not be doing things the rest of the international community around the world has already tagged as meaningless and left far behind.

Great things happening at Tokyo American Club under a new member board but more importantly, under a seasoned general manager with years of experience. He has been entrusted to run the business 100%. He is respected by members and staff alike for doing the right things. Well done!

Members have received an email from a volunteer group of members seeking to plunge the Tokyo American Club into the SUSTAINABILITY black hole.

Of course, we must do our best to make sure we’re using our facilities efficiently and avoiding wastes that damage our environment. But as we’re a social club, spending money on corporate fads is not wise for the club.

The MABT members unanimously recommend that you respond to the survey with recommendations that they spend money on things that matter for the well-being of staff and members.

Let’s be great global citizens but NOT turn our club into a financially bleeding recycle center with more burdens on members and staff. Please let them know in their survey!

This group was formed under the old board. It should probably remain in the past. Let’s let it die with the other issues and focus on the future.

Here’s the note-

The controversial American news channel is not exactly the beacon of truth in the news the last few years. Many members grew up with CNN as good source of business news. However, in the earthquakes of 2011, many saw their motivations to sensationalize the truth. In 2011, CNN’s Anderson Cooper tried to get TAC members and business leaders to say, “people are dying in the streets in Tokyo” to make a more dramatic story. Of course it was not true, and those members threw CNN and Anderson out.

CNN has continued to decline in quality as well as viewership numbers. Members report, the Club pays somewhere around 5M JPY per year to pipe this channel as well as the Golf channel into our club.

As we need to be good managers of our money, it’s time to cancel CNN and use that 5M yen (or whatever the amount is) for something that benefits the members. Any suggestions for where to use that budget for helpful business news or maybe even something else?

Time to cancel CNN at Tokyo American Club.

If there is anything we learned from the virus, it has been how to stay fit and healthy. Your health is your responsibility so you must

• Eat non-processed foods (TAC serves great food!)
• Exercise regularly (We’ve got two great gyms and many other ‘Jims’)
• Make sure you get a good rest (You’ll have to do this one at home)

If you aren’t feeling well, club members are intelligent and know that they should stay home or wear a mask if they have to go out.

The virus was a massive overreaction, in the opinion of many, but undoubtedly damaged our economies around the world. One area that hurt us as a club were the restrictions of constant temperature checking and forcing paying members to wear a face mask. This unwelcoming environment pushed members away with some not coming and others quitting their memberships all together.

Now that the government’s ‘State of Emergencies’ are done, it’s time for the club to welcome back members and encourage the great social environment we have. Its TIME to

• Get rid of the temperature readers at the doors
• MAKE masks optional for those who WANT to wear them

The Tokyo American Club is made up of great leaders in business, politics, and culture. With a wonderful new general manager and new board, let’s show our leadership and help lead our society back to normal and prosperity for all

Member initiated call for meeting petition passes. Many members have not been so satisfied with board members, the information they disclose, and their decision making at the club over the last year. Several groups of members organized and did the work to get a members meeting called to make things more transparent by getting members to sign a petition.

Below is the announcement from the current representative governor.

If you have positive, thoughtful things you would like to contribute, or would just like to observe, please come to this member initiated event. Thanks to all that initiated and those who signed the petition to call a meeting for members to voice their concerns and give productive suggestions. Don’t miss your chance.

October 26 Extraordinary General Meeting Update

Dear Member, 

As we notified you by e-mail on October 9, after receiving a petition signed by 83 Members, the Board of Governors will convene an Extraordinary General Meeting(EGM) on October 26. 

The primary resolution in the petition seeks to prevent a Board-approved proposal to amend governor term limits from being placed on the agenda at next month’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). A secondary resolution calls for a delay to the AGM, if necessary.

Information regarding the petition itself and the Board-approved proposal to amend governor term limits (and to provide guidelines for filling a governor position vacated mid-term) are now available on the Club website (log-in required). 

The Board fully supports transparency in all areas of governance and welcomes any questions Members may wish to pose in advance of the EGM or during the EGM when the petition is voted on.

Members should be aware that with the addition of the EGM, the Club has two upcoming general meetings requiring a vote of the membership: the EGM on October 26 and the AGM, which includes the election of the Board of Governors, on November 16. 

The Board strongly encourages all eligible Members to register to become a Voting Member and reminds current Voting Members of the requirement to vote at each general meeting to maintain Voting Member status. Failure to vote will result in the loss of Voting Member status and the inability to reregister for 13 months.

A Voting Member who fails to vote in the EGM on October 26 will be ineligible to vote in next month’s AGM and the Board election.

If you are unsure whether you are a Voting Member, you can check your status through the Club website. After logging in, click on My Account and then Edit Profile under Account. If you are a registered Voting Member, you will see the Voting Member box checked. You can also check who is eligible to become a Voting Member, and other frequently asked questions here. 

If you are not a Voting Member, registration by October 19 (in person at B1 Member Services only) will enable you to vote in person or by proxy in the upcoming EGM and online in all subsequent general meetings. Registration from October 20 enables online voting in the AGM and all subsequent general meetings.

If you have any questions on any of these matters, please email

Thank you for participating in the governance of your Club. 

Michael Benner 
Representative Governor 
Tokyo American Club 

With a background that spans Japan, South Korea, China, the Asia Pacific region, and his native Australia, Darren has held senior leadership roles in some of the region’s most respected hotels and resorts. His first general?manager position came at the age of 25, when he led a boutique hotel in the Adelaide Hills. Most recently, he served as General Manager of the ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort in Okinawa, where he oversaw operations at a large beachfront resort with extensive conference and leisure facilities.

Darren is a chef by trade, holding a degree in Culinary Arts from TAFE New South Wales, and has built a successful career in hospitality management from the kitchen floor up. His experience includes working in major hotels and large?scale conference venues, including one of South Korea’s biggest conferencing complexes, which featured a casino and extensive event facilities.

Beyond his professional achievements, Darren is an avid motorsports fan who closely follows racing in Japan and around the world. His passion for people, service, and continuous improvement aligns perfectly with the Club’s mission to provide an exceptional experience for our diverse, international membership.

Please join us in giving Darren a warm welcome as he continues to lead the Tokyo American Club into its next chapter.

Mr Darren Morrish