David Boling is a Principal at The Asia Group, based in Tokyo. He brings thirty years of experience from senior positions with the U.S government, non-profit organizations, and private sector businesses.
As Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan during the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations, David negotiated Japan-related provisions on agriculture and automobiles in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and also played a pivotal role in the U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement and U.S.-Japan Digital Trade Agreement signed in 2019, all while actively assisting U.S. firms tackle regulatory and trade barriers in the Japanese market.
Immediately before joining The Asia Group, David was Director for Japan and Asian Trade at Eurasia Group, a political risk consultancy, advising clients on Japanese political, economic, and foreign policy developments. His commentaries have appeared frequently in the Financial Times, New York Times, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and Wall Street Journal.
David began his career as a U.S. Department of Justice trial lawyer, where he was awarded the Mike Mansfield Fellowship to gain government work experience in Japan. As a Mansfield Fellow, David worked at Japan’s Fair Trade Commission, Ministry of Justice, and the Tokyo District Court. His first experience in Japan was as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, in Ibaraki Prefecture.
On Capitol Hill, David served as Chief of Staff to former U.S. Congressman Vic Snyder of Arkansas and as Antitrust Counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. He was also Vice President of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, a congressionally-created non-profit organization that focuses on Asia.
David holds a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Columbia University, with a focus on Japanese law and international trade law. He has passed the highest level of the official Japanese Language Proficiency Test.