{"id":1418,"date":"2026-10-13T22:39:48","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T13:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/?page_id=1418"},"modified":"2026-10-13T23:05:37","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T14:05:37","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Almost every confident speaker in our room started exactly where you are.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It Began<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In 2010, Ted Agatsuma was leading training at ExxonMobil Japan when his CEO asked him a hard question: how could talented colleagues gain the communication skills to lead across Asia? Ted, a Toastmaster since 1986, answered with one idea: start a club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It began as a plan for a company club, but it soon opened to everyone, because a mix of people makes a better room to learn in. Shinagawa Toastmasters Club was chartered on March 18, 2011, one week after the Great East Japan Earthquake. Our members kept meeting anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Milestones<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>2010:<\/strong> First demonstration meeting, held on December 8.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2011:<\/strong> Chartered as Shinagawa TMC with about 25 members, meeting on the 18th floor of ExxonMobil Japan&#8217;s Shinagawa office.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2014:<\/strong> Our host office moved to Otemachi and our founder retired in the same year. Members took over, moved the club and renamed it Otemachi Toastmasters Club.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2020:<\/strong> Moved online during the pandemic and kept meeting. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2023:<\/strong> Moved to St. Luke&#8217;s Tower in Tsukiji with support from NI+C, keeping the Otemachi name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2026:<\/strong> A member won the District 76 International Speech Contest and became the first contestant from Japan to reach the World Championship of Public Speaking Finals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2026:<\/strong> Recognized as a Smedley Distinguished Club, the highest level of Toastmasters&#8217; club recognition, held by only 6 of more than 200 clubs in Japan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What a Meeting Looks Like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We meet in English on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Each meeting has prepared speeches, Table Topics (short impromptu answers to a surprise question) and evaluations, where every speaker gets warm, specific feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guests are never pressured to speak. If you&#8217;re feeling brave, you&#8217;re welcome to try a Table Topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded is-style-rounded--1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1477\" height=\"1108\" data-id=\"1247\" src=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6600.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1247\" srcset=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6600.jpeg 1477w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6600-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6600-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6600-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1477px) 100vw, 1477px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-style-rounded is-style-rounded--2\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" data-id=\"1160\" src=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-2048x1536.jpeg 2048w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-1536x1152.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6189-768x576-1.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who We Are Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Our 27 members range from first-time speakers to Toastmasters with decades of experience. They include students, educators, engineers, business professionals, and our members&#8217; English fluency varies from basic to native. Some joined to work with overseas colleagues, some to practice leadership, and some simply to make friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In Our Members&#8217; Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\" style=\"font-size:clamp(1.092rem, 1.092rem + ((1vw - 0.2rem) * 1.013), 1.7rem);\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.86), 24px);\">You can make mistakes and you get friendly and constructive comments from other members.<\/p>\n<cite>Nobu<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.86), 24px);\">OTMC is the best place to get communication skills in English.<\/p>\n<cite>Max, engineer<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-style-default is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.86), 24px);\">Our club is the perfect place&#8230; to meet friendly peers, and just ENJOY your Wednesday nights!<\/p>\n<cite>Marie, member since 2015<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-14ad32f1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eef3f7;padding-top:2rem;padding-right:2rem;padding-bottom:2rem;padding-left:2rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">From Our Founder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-3a88641f wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-medium is-resized is-style-rounded is-style-rounded--4\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6538-300x225.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1191\" style=\"width:342px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6538-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6538-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6538-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_6538.jpeg 1477w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(15.747px, 0.984rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.86), 24px);\">OTMC is not about being a competent speaker from day one. It exists to provide an encouraging environment where everyday people can grow into confident leaders.<\/p>\n<cite>Ted Agatsuma, founder<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/our-founder\/\">Read the conversation with our founder<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Part of Something Bigger<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OTMC belongs to Toastmasters International, a nonprofit founded in 1924 with more than 16,600 clubs in 143 countries, and to District 76, which covers Japan. Members progress through Pathways, a self-paced program where you choose a path that fits your goals, from presentation skills to leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-14ad32f1 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"border-radius:12px;background-color:#eef3f7;padding-top:2rem;padding-right:2rem;padding-bottom:2rem;padding-left:2rem\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Come Visit Us<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guests are always welcome, and you can visit up to three times for free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When:<\/strong> 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Where:<\/strong> St. Luke&#8217;s Tower 15F, near Tsukiji Station, Tokyo<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Contact:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/FJyBQPHMZnNdaJ5P9\">Guest Registration form<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/FJyBQPHMZnNdaJ5P9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Plan Your Visit<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Almost every confident speaker in our room started exactly where you are. How It Began In 2010, Ted Agatsuma w [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1418","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1418","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1418"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1418\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1429,"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1418\/revisions\/1429"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/otemachi.blog\/toastmasters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1418"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}