Takashi Asayama Joins NERA`s Transfer Pricing Practice as Special Consultant

NERA Economic Consulting, a leading global provider of economic research and
analysis in business, legal, and regulatory matters, today announced that
Takashi Asayama has joined as a Special Consultant in the firm`s Los Angeles
office.

Mr. Asayama, a transfer pricing and tax specialist, has broad expertise in the
economic analysis of international tax concerns for multinational Japanese
firms. Project work for Mr. Asayama`s clients has included numerous US Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) examinations, and bilateral and unilateral advanced
pricing agreement programs between the US IRS and the Japanese National Tax
Administration.

"Takashi`s perspective as an expert in transfer pricing strategies and his
significant contributions to beneficially resolving disputes between the US and
Japanese tax authorities are a welcome addition to NERA`s transfer pricing
expertise," said Dr. Harlow Higinbotham, Senior Vice President and Head of
NERA`s Transfer Pricing Practice. "My colleagues and I are pleased that Takashi
has decided to join NERA`s Transfer Pricing team."

Prior to joining NERA, Mr. Asayama was a Partner with Ernst & Young LLP`s
International Tax Department and a Partner in KPMG`s Tax Corporation in Tokyo.
In addition to his position at NERA, Mr. Asayama is the managing director of his
own consulting firm, Global Tax Advisory Office.

Mr. Asayama is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a degree in economics
from Yokohama National University of Japan.

About NERA

NERA Economic Consulting is a global firm of experts dedicated to
applying economic, finance, and quantitative principles to complex business and
legal challenges. For nearly half a century, NERA's economists have been
creating strategies, studies, reports, expert testimony, and policy
recommendations for government authorities and the world's leading law firms and
corporations. We bring academic rigor, objectivity, and real world industry
experience to bear on issues arising from competition, regulation, public
policy, strategy, finance, and litigation.

NERA's clients value our ability to apply and communicate state-of-the-art
approaches clearly and convincingly, our commitment to deliver unbiased
findings, and our reputation for quality and independence. Our clients rely on
the integrity and skills of our unparalleled team of economists and other
experts backed by the resources and reliability of one of the world's largest
economic consultancies. With its main office in New York City, NERA serves
clients from over 20 offices across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.