Akira Akamatsu, Ph.D. (Hitotsubashi University), is a registered Japanese tax attorney (Zeirishi).  He was formerly an official of the Japanese National Tax Agency (NTA).  His positions in the NTA include the following:  Chief, International Examination Division (1989-1990); Examination Division member in charge of transfer pricing, anti-tax haven measures, foreign tax credit and information exchange under treaties (1984-1987).

As well as assisting Japanese corporations in regard to foreign tax controversies, including relevant Japanese procedures, a significant portion of his practice involves advising foreign-affiliated companies in Japan in regard to transfer pricing and other international tax issues.

Mr. Akamatsu is currently a part-time lecturer at Hitotsubashi University's Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy and at Keio University's Faculty of Law (International Tax Law).  He has published articles in major Japanese and international tax journals and has lectured widely in Japan and the United States on Japanese taxation in general and on all aspects of Japan's transfer pricing system.  His book "International Tax Principles and Japanese International Tax Law" (published by Zeimu Kenkyukai) earned him a special award from the Japanese Tax Research Institute in 2002.