Toastmasters International District 76 Japan(English Site)

Japan's start with Toastmasters was in Fukuoka and Tokyo. Although Fukuoka was the first to hold meetings, the Tokyo Club was the first officially chartered club in Japan in 1954.

After several clubs had been chartered in Japan, the "Japan Toastmasters Council" (or JTC) was formed. This was created as a way to coordinate the activities of the various clubs around Japan. JTC also organized officer training seminars and workshops. ALL the clubs officers in Japan went to the same, one location for these officer trainings.

After MANY years of only the JTC, Japan finally had enough clubs to become a Provisional District known as "District 76P." This was in July 2000.

After becoming a Provisional District, our goal was clear. In order to become a Full District (without the "P" at the end of "76P"), Japan had to have more than 60 active and chartered clubs. The race was on!!! Everyone worked very, very hard to start chartering more and more clubs. From the time of Provisional District (2000) until becoming a full District (2004), 5 new clubs were added each year. Since that time, the District has continued to charter and add 5 (or more) clubs per year.

Finally, in February 2004 Japan was approved as a full-fledged District.

What is the significance of this? Why is becoming a full-fledged District so important? Here is the reason: Before Japan became a full-fledged District, all speech contests were internal (that is: within District 76P [Japan]). The top speakers went through the Club contests, the Area contests, (and later the Division contests), and finally the All Japan contest in the Spring. However, that is where they stopped. Without being a full-fledged District, the winners of the All Japan contest could not continue onward to compete at the International Convention’s World Championship Speech Contest.

Also, before becoming a full District, the past District Governors of Japan (or other Toastmasters leaders in Japan with experience) were not eligible to become International Directors.

Once Japan completed its requirements to become a full district in 2004, Speakers could compete on the International level and Toastmasters leaders in Japan were now eligible to become International Directors. This is the significance of the struggle to become a full-fledged District.

As of July 2009, District 76 has grown to 96 clubs.