Society Appoints New General Counsel

The Japan-America Society is pleased to announce that Ms Akemi Kawano, an attorney at Alston Bird, has agreed to serve as the Society's new General Counsel. She replaces Jeff Lepon, who has provided the Society with many year of outstanding service. Mr. Lepon will continue to serve as the Chairman of the Society's National Japan Bowl.

Ms. Kawano is an associate in the International Tax Group in the Washington, DC office. She focuses her practice on transfer pricing matters and the federal income tax consequences of domestic and cross-border transactions. She has been involved in negotiations of Advance Pricing Agreements and the resolution of transfer pricing disputes for multinational
corporations.

Prior to attending law school, Ms. Kawano performed as a pianist in numerous solo, chamber music, and orchestral performances in the United States and Europe. She received her bachelors and masters degrees in piano performance from the Juilliard School and a doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music.

Ms. Kawano received her law degree from the George Washington University Law School in 2002, with honors. She is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar, and the Tax Section of the American Bar Association.

Ms. Kawano and Alston Bird will provide legal support to the Society on a pro bono basis, and the Board of Trustees and Society express their great appreciation to her and Alston Bird.