Japan Advertising Agents Association (JAAA) Holds Regular General Meeting

The Japan Advertising Agents Association (JAAA) held its 2014 Annual General Meeting at Tokyo Kaikan in Marunouchi on May 30. The meeting deliberated and approved the FY2013 business and financial reports, the FY2014 business plan and budget proposal, and the election of directors. Following the General Meeting, a commemorative ceremony was held to present awards for the 43rd Prize Essay Contest and the 2013 Creator of the Year Award, along with the presentation of the 49th Hideo Yoshida Memorial Award.

For FY2013 activities, reports were given on the work of various committees, including "Association Management," "PR for Advertising and the Advertising Industry," "Education and Research," and "Transaction Rationalization."

Regarding association management, activities included the election of directors, the holding of the "Advertising-Related Legal Affairs Workshop," and disseminating the "Human Rights Guidelines for Survey Operations" created by the Osaka Advertising Agencies Association to member companies.

For Advertising and PR for the Advertising Industry, the Association produced "Advertisements for Advertising." These were published in advertising-related newspapers and magazines with the cooperation of member companies such as the Japan Newspaper Publishers & Editors Association and the Japan Magazine Publishers Association. The "Function and Role of Advertising" Research Subcommittee, part of the PR Committee, held a panel discussion on the theme "How to Design Communication that Moves People."

In education and research, seminars on "Personal Information Protection," "Color Perception Diversity and Advertising/Human Rights," and creative workshops were held. Activities also included a study tour to SPIKES Asia 2013 and the solicitation and awarding of "Environmental Moral Awareness Posters."

Regarding transaction rationalization, three committees—Transaction Rationalization, Media, and Creative—handled related matters.

Entering its third year as a general incorporated association, the association completed its public interest expenditure plan in fiscal year 2013. In fiscal year 2014, it will further promote common benefit projects efficiently and effectively to "foster benefits common to members." Amidst the rapidly changing environment surrounding the advertising business, it aims to communicate with other advertising-related organizations to contribute to the development of the advertising industry and, ultimately, to the economic development of Japan and the world.

Finally, Chairman Takashi Takashima (Chairman of Dentsu Inc.) took the stage and stated, "Thanks to the economic recovery trend and the efforts of our member companies, Japan's advertising expenditure has exceeded the previous year's level for two consecutive years. The association views the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in six years as a medium-term goal. To address the various challenges leading up to that event, we will work together with all stakeholders to contribute to the development of the advertising industry and the Japanese economy."

Chairman Takashima delivering remarks

At the commemorative ceremony following the general meeting, winners and finalists of the essay contest themed "Tomorrow's Advertising Business" were honored. Gold Prize winner Hiroki Wani (Hakuhodo), Silver Prize winner Tadayoshi Inoue (Dentsu Inc.), and Bronze Prize winner Yumiko Umezu (Dentsu Inc.) took the stage.

Winners and finalists of the essay contest

Subsequently, awards were presented to Takuma Takasaki (Dentsu Inc.), who won Creator of the Year, and Isao Takano (former President of Daiko Advertising), who received the Hideo Yoshida Memorial Award.

Takasaki		Mr. Takano