The ALMA Directors Council meeting was held by the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ) in Tokyo from February 17 to 18, with the participation of the directors of the three regional executives on behalf of East Asia, Europe and North America, and the director of the Joint ALMA Observatory in Chile. The council holds face-to-face meetings several times a year and monthly teleconferences to discuss important issues for the entire ALMA project.

The picture shows (from left): Masahiko Hayashi (next NAOJ Director General); Shoken Miyama (NAOJ Director General); T. de Zeeuw (ESO Director General); L. Ball (JAO Deputy Director); T. de Graauw (JAO Director); P. Bocaz (JAO Executive Officer); F. Lo (NRAO Director).