We are pleased to announce that our partner, Akira Kawamura has been elected as the next Vice-President of the International Bar Association (the "IBA"), effective January 2009. He will be the first East Asian national to hold this post and to serve the IBA at such a high rank.

Mr. Kawamura, currently the Secretary General of the IBA, has made a significant and lasting contribution to the operation of the IBA over a period of years.