December 4, 2007 -- BICSI announced the establishment of its second affiliate agreement with its Japan district. The affiliation agreement recognizes that BICSI Japan has met qualifying criteria to be a self-supporting not-for-profit organization in Japan.
BICSI Japan operates from Tokyo with Manager Kazuo Kato servicing the needs of more than 280 members. Under the affiliation agreement, BICSI Japan can make decisions that meet the needs of the local membership.
"The need to localize BICSI and put its ownership and success into the members' hands is increasingly important in the global marketplace," notes John Bakowski, RCDD/NTS/OSP/WD specialist and BICSI president.
BICSI was first introduced to the Japanese ITS industry in 1998 at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Suntelephone Company, Ltd. Nearly a year later, six companies -- AMP Japan (Tyco Electronics), Fluke Japan, ID Networks (Japanese company), Lucent Technology Japan, Panduit Japan, and Suntelephone (Japanese company) -- participated in the development of BICSI Japan. Dick Powell, former BICSI president, and Jay Warmke, former BICSI executive director, visited Japan in April 2001, when BICSI Japan reached 100 members and became a district.
"Now with an affiliation agreement, Japanese members are fully supportive of BICSI's global outreach and of being recognized by BICSI headquarters," comments Keiji Casey Yamanishi, district chair, BICSI Japan. "We understand that we have been given the responsibility and right as a formal BICSI district and are determined to strive to become a Region by increasing Japanese membership. Our sincere appreciation to BICSI's president John Bakowski, executive director David Cranmer, all of the board members, and especially to Jan Lewis, director of international operations, for all of the efforts and kind understanding which enabled this affiliate agreement to its conclusion."
Via the Japan district, BICSI expects that members will find value in having a greater voice through their local leadership on issues that affect them, whether it is partnerships with other local organizations, local legislative initiatives affecting the industry, or educational and networking opportunities such as conferences and regional events.
BICSI Japan members receive essential services from BICSI headquarters including credentialing management, database administration and forums, educational materials, member publications, annual conferences, BICSI Gear merchandise and BICSI Connect Web-based training.
