Dear Friends of Switzerland,
Can you believe we’re already in the second month of 2025? Time flies, and before we get too far into the year, I wanted to share some important updates about our club.
A Change in Leadership
After nearly five wonderful years as President of the Swiss Club Tokyo, I’ve decided that the time has come to pass the torch. With my 70th birthday approaching in June, I feel it’s the perfect moment to step aside and make room for fresh energy and new ideas.
I’m pleased to announce that Massimo Biondi has stepped forward as a candidate to take on the role of President. Many of you already know him, especially if you’ve attended our Stammtisch gatherings. Even without an official board position, he has actively contributed to our club life with initiatives like the Urban Walk Experience and the Stammtisch Südkurve, a gathering for our Kanagawa-based members. The final decision on the next President will be made at our Annual General Meeting in mid-June, where the election will take place.
In the meantime, I’ll let Massimo introduce himself:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Grüezi, I’m Massimo Biondi. Many of you may know me from Swiss Club Tokyo events over the years. For those I haven’t met yet—here’s a quick introduction!
As my greeting suggests, I’m from the German-speaking part of Switzerland—Zürich, to be precise. I grew up in the heart of the city, surrounded by banks (some of which no longer exist) and a beloved confectionery shop. Before settling in Tokyo, I also spent time living in Amsterdam and New York, though Zürich remains home, where I regularly visit family and friends.
My career began as a programmer (now called a software engineer), and while job titles have changed, my passion for technology remains. When I’m not buried in code, I love exploring Tokyo on foot, diving into its history, architecture, and design. And if you glance at my wrist, you might notice another passion—one that runs in my family.
There’s more to my story, and I’d love to share—just ask!
Motivation
The Swiss Club Tokyo has become an important link to my roots. When Peter announced his departure as president, I felt it was important to continue the great work he and his predecessors have done.
So, I’m stepping forward to offer my time and dedication as the next president. My goal is to strengthen the club as a vibrant community, welcoming all members.
I genuinely care about this community and want to help it grow. With your support, I hope to build on our strong foundation and make the Swiss Club Tokyo a lively and engaging home for all.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What’s Coming Up in 2025?
We’ve got an exciting lineup of events to look forward to:
Cherry Blossom Get-Together – Early April (still tentative, but fingers crossed!)
Family Picnic – May
Annual General Meeting – Mid-June
Swiss National Day Celebration – Sunday, July 27 at YCAC Yokohama
Year-End Party – November (exact date to be confirmed)
Outdoor Christmas Party with Samichlaus – First weekend of December at the Swiss Residence
And of course, our monthly Stammtisch will continue on the last Monday of each month at the usual location, with the occasional Stammtisch Südkurve in Yokohama.
I might also bring back some hiking outings around Kamakura, so stay tuned for more details!
A Historic First: Online Voting for the Council of the Swiss Abroad
Last but not least, I’d like to draw your attention to the upcoming election of a new delegate to the Council of the Swiss Abroad. For the first time, Swiss citizens living in Japan will be able to vote for their delegate online—a project initiated by the Organization of the Swiss Abroad.
Please keep an eye out for further details, including candidate introductions and voting procedures. We will keep you informed through the Embassy of Switzerland (to reach all Swiss registered in Japan), as well as via our newsletter and this website.