Regarding the damage situation to KIMOTO facilities by the Earthquake in Tohoku area

I heartily express my sympathy to all people who suffered in the big earthquake of March 11.

I would like to report regarding the situation of my own experience and the damage situation of company facilities of the day.

I met with the earthquake during driving the car by myself on the way back to Tokyo from Narita airport after arriving from the overseas business trip.
I thought it was the effect of a strong side wind, but I finally pulled over the car to the shoulder thinking I may have a flat tire because of the uncontrollable steering wheel. The car was shaking like twisting after pulling over, so I was very worried about the chance of a landslide disaster.
Soon after I re-stared driving back on the Highway after the 1st earthquake hit, I felt another big earthquake, and then I pulled over the car again. I saw the lighting pole was bending like a bow, and waving like a pendulum of a metronome.

I could not get communication with the company through the mobile phone, however the safety information system of KIMOTO began to send e-mails with the safety confirmation. I was able to find out the safety report of all employees and the report of any situation being suffered by each branch and factory after I arrived at the  headquarters in Shinjuku, Tokyo within approximately 2 hours. The report includes that part of the building of the Ibaraki factory was damaged, but the damage was not severe.

We are currently trying to find out the situation of the clients and the employees’ family today, and have begun preparations and arrangement to relieve any suffering in whatever way we can.

We may be limited in what we can do, however I believe that it is the best way to help Japan by contributing our maximum effort.

March 14, 2011
President, Kazunobu Kimoto