OECD elects new fiscal affairs chairman

Asakawa's previous roles have included being deputy vice minister for international affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Finance, executive assistant to the prime mnister and director of the international tax policy division and tax bureau. He was co-chairman of the Forum on Harmful Tax Practices from 2002 to 2004 and is vice chairman of the Peer Review Group of the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes.

“Tax issues are implicated in some of the major challenges governments face: restoring growth, addressing climate change, fostering cross border trade and investment, spurring innovation, supporting sustainable development and statebuilding, countering money laundering and corruption," said Asakawa. The Committee has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to contribute to these issues.”

Asakawa replaces Paolo Ciocca and will formally begin his role in June 2011. The CFA, which consists of officials from the OECD's member states, decides on the Organisation's tax work programme and is also a forum where views on tax policy and administrative issues can be exchanged.