Last Wednesday, the Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) honored Pillsbury at its 108th Anniversary Dinner and Gala Celebration. During the event, Pillsbury was recognized for its extensive support of the society for more than 60 years and received the JASSC’s International Citizen Award.

Pillsbury client Panasonic Corporation was honored as the “Japan” recipient of the award while Pillsbury was recognized as the “U.S.” recipient. The award recognizes “individuals, businesses or organizations that have substantively and significantly enhanced the Japan–United States relationship and that are committed to the strengthening of bonds between the two nations.”

“We are delighted to honor Pillsbury for its more than six-decades of support of the Japan America Society of Southern California and our mission of building meaningful relationships between Japanese and Americans,” said Douglas Erber, president of JASSC. “During that time, Pillsbury also built a preeminent Japan practice that represents many of our corporate members, including Panasonic.”

Pillsbury is the first law firm to receive the award. The firm joins past honorees that include AT&T, Boeing, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi Corporation, Bank of America and Disney. Previous individual honorees include Pillsbury’s own John McHose, the late former U.S. Ambassador to Japan James D. Hodgson, former Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, former California Governor Pete Wilson and former Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.