I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to those affected by the earthquake on March 11.

　I will report on my own situation and the damage to the company's facilities on that day.

　I returned from an overseas business trip at 2 PM on March 11.
　 I drove home from Narita Airport, but encountered the earthquake while on the highway. At first, I thought it was strong crosswinds, but the steering was so unresponsive that I suspected a flat tire and pulled over to the shoulder. Other cars also began pulling over one after another. Even after stopping, the car shook as if it were twisting, and I became worried about landslides around me.

　After what felt like a very long earthquake subsided, I started driving again but had to stop once more due to a second large tremor. The poles supporting the streetlights on the shoulder bent like bows, resembling the pendulum of a metronome.

　I was unable to contact the company on my mobile phone, but the KIMOTO Disaster Response System began to send me information on the safety of various places by e-mail. After arriving at the head office in Shinjuku, we confirmed the safety of all employees (it took about two hours) and received a report on the damage situation at each site. TheIbaraki Plantbuilding was partially damaged, but other than that, there was no major damage.

　Today, we will grasp the damage situation of employees' families and business partners, and start preparing to do everything we can.

　There are limits to what we can do, but we believe that doing everything we can will help in the recovery of Japan, and we will do our best to be of assistance.

March 14, 2011

President and Representative Director Kazunobu Kimoto