Louis K. Ito

Louis K. Ito is well-known in the Los Angeles business and legal communities for his many years of service to Japanese-American businesses. He served as Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County from 1970 through 1994, where his major assignments were with the Central Operations Trials Division, Organized Crime Division, Special Investigation Division, Consumer Protection Division and the Antitrust Division. Throughout his career as a prosecutor, his work on international criminal cases, and his fluency in Japanese, brought him in contact with many officials in the Japanese Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs.

In April 2003, Mr. Ito received a Declaration from the Government of Japan for his work in the investigation and prosecution of international criminal cases and providing legal assistance to the law enforcement authorities of Japan. For his role in furthering Japan’s understanding of the American legal system and promoting exchange between the two countries, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. This Imperial Medal of Honor was conferred to him at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo where he had an audience with the Emperor.

Mr. Ito has also served as General Counsel to Yamagata Studio in Malibu, with responsibility for all legal work related to the corporate and business matters, including international business transactions. He was a charter member of the Japanese American Bar Association of Southern California, and is a member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California and the Japan America Society.