FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2005

Japanese Volunteers including Mitsui USA Held
a Cultural Orientation for the Special Olympians of New York
Embarking to the World Winter Games, Nagano, Japan, February 26, 2005

Yesterday evening, January 27, 2005, the Japanese members of the Advisory Board of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games (SO WWG), Nagano, Japan, held a cultural orientation for the New York Special Olympics athletes, volunteer coaches, and families who will be traveling to the Nagano Games next month, February 26 through March 5, 2005.

This occasion was hosted at The Nippon Club, West 57st Street, NYC, with the presence of H.E. Hiroyasu Ando, Ambassador & Consul General, Consulate General of Japan in New York; President & Mrs. Hiroshi Tada of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. (Mitsui USA); Mr. Hiroshi Hashimoto, Executive Coordinator, Corporate Communications, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.; and Mr. Tsutomu Karino, Executive VP & Secretary, The Nippon Club.

The orientation was held to help bridge two cultures by introducing Japanese cuisine, customs, etiquette, and language, as well as some traveling tips in Japan. Efforts were coordinated by SO WWG, assisted by the Japan National Tourist Organization, and endorsed by Special Olympics Inc., Washington, D.C., with all in attendance. Mitsui USA President & CEO H. Tada remarked, "My wife Hiroko and I would like the Special Olympians to feel at home as soon as they arrive in Japan. We're so pleased to be a part of tonight's endeavors to help accomplish a level of comfort for them."

The SO NY delegation consists of the 16 member floor hockey team, two alpine skiers, two Nordic skiers, and their three coaches, led by SO NY President & CEO Neal Johnson, who noted, "Tonight has been a wonderful opportunity for our athletes. We feel a part of a new family, ready to go for the Gold in Nagano. I want to give a very special thank you to Ambassador Ando, Mr. & Mrs. Tada, Mr. Karino, and Mr. Hashimoto for making this wonderful experience possible for our athletes and families. Domo arigato."

Special Olympics and Mitsui USA

In January 2004, Mitsui USA President & CEO Hiroshi Tada was asked and accepted a role as a member of the Advisory Board of the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games, Nagano, Japan. Mr. & Mrs. Tada have since supported the 2005 Nagano Games benefit galas in April 2004 and January 2005, and a golf fundraiser in June 2004. Specifically, to increase impact for the 2004 gala, Mr. Tada enlisted additional donation support from five Mitsui USA affiliates (Hydro Capital Corporation; Mitsui Steel Development Co., Inc.; Pacific Coast Recycling, LLC; Transfreight, LLC; and Tri-Net Logistics Management, Inc.), and "won" the bidding war for the benefit auction, gaining two New York Yankee jerseys (Godzilla and A-Rod) and an original oil painting ("Flower Tunnel" by Mizue).

Mitsui USA will be donating to help underwrite a documentary filming of the 2005 Nagano Games for Special Olympics Rhode Island by New England Cox Communications to help publicize Special Olympics in Japan and raise societal awareness. Currently, Mr. & Mrs. Tada are engaged in support efforts for Special Olympics athletes of New York and for the 2005 World Winter Games in Nagano, Japan. Special Olympics touches the hearts at Mitsui and support will be ongoing.

Special Olympics Athlete Oath, "Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt."

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