Top business executives from India and Japan are joining the East-West Center board. 

The Honolulu-based institution said Monday former Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata and Lawson Inc. CEO Takeshi Niinami were elected to three year terms.  

Tata headed India’s best known company, Tata Group, until his retirement last year. He is still chairman emeritus of the Mumbai-based conglomerate. Tata is returning to the board, having previously served terms in in the 1990s and early 2000s. 

Niinami has been CEO of one of Japan’s largest convenience store chains since 2000. He advises Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a member of the Industrial Competitiveness Council of Japan.

The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the U.S., Asia and the Pacific. It is partially funded by the U.S. government.