1928–1935: Yurakucho

Even from its inception, Tokyo American Club has never been an enclave isolated from its surroundings or from world events. While today the Club is known for cultivating international friendship, there was tension in the air when the first Members walked through its doors on May 23, 1928.

Four years earlier, the US government had passed the “Alien Exclusion Act,” barring Japanese and other Asians from immigrating to the United States. In that awkward atmosphere, 51 American members of the prestigious Tokyo Club decided to form their own organization.

It’s said that the political ramifications of the “Alien Exclusion Act” didn’t breach the walls of the Tokyo Club and probably was not a factor in forming the American Club. Whatever the case, the Americans who worked for major US companies had other reasons for what they did. According to reports at the time, they wanted to start a club as a place for expatriate American men to take their wives or girlfriends for evening drinks.

The charter Members paid $500 each to get things going, choosing the top three floors of the well-known Iwamoto Building as their Club’s first home. It was just across the street from the old Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Imperial Hotel in Kojimachi and had a view of the Imperial Palace grounds. Featuring the best in modern conveniences—including a heating system and a telephone—the first Club also boasted two restaurants, a general lounge, a ladies’ lounge, a ladies’ card room and a bar.

Within months, Membership hit 200 “active residents” and 75 “associate members.” Tapping a larger than expected demand, the Club outgrew its facilities before long and, after just seven years, it was looking for new quarters.