Press Releases (American Region)

Japan Airlines Appoints New CEO – The Americas

El Segundo, CA – April 15, 2009: Japan Airlines' American Region headquarters announced today the arrival of Atsuro Nishi, the carrier's new CEO – The Americas. Mr. Nishi succeeds Hisao Taguchi, who has returned to Japan to assume the position of Executive Officer and Regional Manager, Fukuoka and Kyushu.

Although most departments under Japan Airlines' American Region headquarters, including passenger marketing and airport operations, will remain in El Segundo, California, Mr. Nishi will make his home in New York City. "Most divisions under my responsibility are appropriately located in the West Coast area, given that they are involved with daily activities in most every time zone in the American Region from São Paulo to Honolulu," said Mr. Nishi. "Being based in the world's financial center, however, will provide me with the best vantage point for one of my primary objectives – to increase revenue in spite of these challenging economic times," he added.

Mr. Nishi joined Japan Airlines in 1975 after graduating from Kyushu University with a Bachelor of Law degree. His career with the airline has been predominantly on the operations side of the business, including a leadership role in the engineering and maintenance division. In 2001, Mr. Nishi was appointed Vice President General Affairs, overseeing all aspects of operations at Narita International Airport, the airline's global hub. In 2006, Mr. Nishi was promoted to Executive Officer, Associated Businesses for Japan Airlines System Corporation and Japan Airlines International.

Married with two grown children, Mr. Nishi enjoys reading and playing golf. His wife, Akiko, will also be moving to New York City as will their pet toy poodle, Kotarou.


About Japan Airlines

The JAL Group is Asia's biggest airline group in terms of sales revenues and 2nd largest in Asia in terms of passengers carried annually. JAL Group airlines serve 220 airports in 35 countries and territories, including nearly 60 airports in Japan. The JAL Group operates a fleet of some 270 aircraft including Boeing 747s and B777s and is now in the process of a major fleet renewal, introducing more fuel-efficient small and medium aircraft such as the B737 New Generation series and in the future the new high-tech Boeing 787 "Dreamliner".

From August 2008, JAL began introducing new B777-300ER four-class service onto its New York – Tokyo (JL005/006) and San Francisco – Tokyo flights offering luxurious suites in JAL First Class, the improved JAL Shell Flat NEO seat in JAL Executive Class, as well as the industry's first shell-shaped slide-down seat in JAL Premium Economy. A member of the oneworld® global alliance, JAL offers customers many benefits including the JAL Mileage Bank frequent flier program.
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For more information contact: carol.anderson@jal.com
Phone: (310)606-6609 / Facsimile: (310)606-6610

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