The Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Chicago (JCCC) was founded in 1966 to promote good will and understanding between the Japanese and American business communities in the Chicago area. In the 40 years since its founding, the membership of JCCC has grown from a small group of 64 companies to more than 350 corporate members . JCCC members are proud of their efforts to support local commerce and industry by creating business and employment opportunities in the State of Illinois. The mission of the JCCC is to deepen mutual understanding and improve relations between Japanese and U.S. businesses through a wide variety of cultural, educational, and charitable programs. To meet its mission, the JCCC organizes a series of programs that fall into the following three categories: (1) promotion of exchange between businesses, (2) support of the Japanese community, and (3) reaching out to the community at large.		The JCCC also has a strong commitment to education that is reflected in its active involvement in local schools. The JCCC is the founder and a supporter of the Chicago Futabakai Japanese School in Arlington Heights, and organizes the annual JCCC Educational Exchange Program (JEEP), which sends local educators to Japan to view the Japanese educational system and exchange ideas with Japanese educators. In addition to promoting business exchange and supporting the Japanese community, the JCCC operates a major Japanese philanthropy, the JCCC Foundation. Established in 1991, the Foundation has awarded more than $2,000,000 in grants, the majority of which has gone to local schools and non-profit organizations involved in education, culture, and the community. Chamber members are also involved in various volunteer activities coordinated by the JCCC.