has had two professional careers prior to founding his own consulting firm, LASK International Corporation.

From 1992 to 1996, he built and managed Japan Business Information Center, representing Japan's most prestigious business organization, Keidanren(*).

Shinozaki's most recent resposibility was Director, U.S. Office of Japan Business Information Center (the information arm of Japan Federation of Economic Organization - Keidanren), since its founding in 1992 in New York City. The Center seeks to bridge the "perception gap" that exists between the U.S. and Japan by serving as a resource of information and strategic advice for those interested in learning more about Japanese business and society. In running various programs to promote mutual understanding between American and Japanese business communities, he successfully built up a human network among American and Japanese business leaders covering a board spectrum of industries.

Shinozaki joined Japan Business Information Center following a long career with Mitsui & Co.(U.S.A.), Inc. and its parent company, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Between 1988 and 1992, he was Vice President, Public Affairs for Mitsui U.S.A., responsible for all public affairs functions at the firm. He assisted the president of Mitsui U.S.A., who also served as president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of New York, in fulfilling his many public duties. In this role, Shinozaki served as a bridge between the resident Japanese business community and the American business, cultural, educational and not-for-profit communities.

Between 1980 and 1988, Shinozaki was General Manager, Fine Chemicals Depertmant of Mitsui U.S.A. His achievements include:

Leading the acquisition of a $22 million division of a major U.S. company and expanding its size to $90 million through three subsequent acquisitions, ensuring $3 million in annual pre-tax profit.

Securing the largest market share (57%) of paper chemical products for facsimile use, by structuring joint research efforts between U.S. and Japanese manufacturers to develop the application and marketing strategy.

Raising market share of a chemical product from 16% to 40% over six years by forging co-producer agreements between U.S. and Japanese manufacturers, and marketing the products from both sources.

Building a $2 million annual export business in three years from ground zero by representing major U.S. chemical manufacturers in various Far East markets.

Shinozaki is a member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of New York, The Economic Club of New York, The Japan Society, The Nippon Club, The Japanese-American Association of New York, New York Athletic Club, Pelham Country Club and The Meadows Country Club. He and his family have lived in Rye, New York since 1980.

* Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
Founded in 1876, Mitsui is the oldest trading company in Japan. It is also the oldest Japanese business in the U.S., with its New York office dating back to 1879. Mitsui is engaged in a vast range of trading and investment activities covering many industries throughout the world. Mitsui has 49 offices in Japan and 95 offices around the world with 12,000 employees. In Fortune's Global 500 (Aug. 5, 1996) , Mitsui & Co. was ranked as the world's second largest corporation, while Mitsui U.S.A. was ranked as the fourth largest U.S. subsidiary of all foreign corporations.

>> Mitsi & CO. Ltd.
>> Mitsui & Co. U.S.A.

* Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren)
A private, non-profit economic organization which is an umbrella organization representing virtually all major industrial associations and trade organizations in Japan. Established in 1946, Keidanren represents the common interest of the private sector and maintains close contact with both government and business communities around the world. It endeavors not only to find practical solutions to economic problems, but also to contribute to the sound development of the global economy. Its membership includes 969 corporations in Japan.