WASHINGTON - The United States today announced eight U.S. business leaders chosen to join eight of their Japanese counterparts in developing economic reform recommendations for the U.S. and Japan. The group will meet with government officials from both sides on April 14 in Washington, D.C.

Business leaders are chosen annually to participate in the U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission which was launched on June 30, 2001 as an important component of the U.S.-Japan Economic Partnership for Growth by President Bush and Prime Minister Koizumi. The Commission is comprised of both U.S. and Japanese government and private sector representatives.

"We are extremely pleased with the caliber of this group of business leaders and believe their private sector expertise and experience will contribute significantly to helping us work with Japan to bolster reform and promote growth," said United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick.

"Economic stability is vital to the health and growth of both the U.S. and Japanese economy. This group of leaders will offer invaluable solutions to grow jobs, enhance productivity and improve the quality of lives in both countries," said Commerce Secretary Don Evans.

The topic for the 2003 Commission meeting is "Successfully Meeting Economic Challenges in the 21st Century," which would include discussions on increasing productivity, enhancing competitiveness, promoting growth and improving standards of living in our societies. Participants from the United States and Japan were selected by their respective governments. Attached is the line-up of private sector members from both the United States and Japan.

Private Sector Participants: 2003 U.S.-Japan Private Sector/Government Commission (in alphabetical order) UNITED STATES Timothy C. Collins Senior Managing Director & CEO Ripplewood Holdings LLC Stanley Fischer President Citigroup International Karen Katen President Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals Edward J. Ludwig Chairman of the Board, President & CEO Becton, Dickinson & Co Mark Norbom President & CEO General Electric Japan Ltd Michael Rawding President Microsoft Asia Ltd T. Timothy Ryan* Managing Director J.P. Morgan Chase & Co Robert G. Scott President & CEO Morgan Stanley * also served on the 2002 Commission   JAPAN Fujio Cho President Toyota Motor Corporation Nobuyuki Koga* Executive Vice President Nomura Securities Co., Ltd Taizo Nishimuro* Chairman of the Board Toshiba Corporation Masayuki Oku Senior Managing Director Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Motoatsu Sakurai Executive Vice President Mitsubishi Corporation Koichi Suzuki President & CEO Internet Initiative Japan, Inc. Kunio Takeda President & CEO Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd Shosaku Yasui Chairman Teijin