FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2005

A President's Tradition: Mitsui USA Leads The Nippon Club Again

Mr. Motokazu Yoshida, President & CEO of Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. (Mitsui USA) assumed the Presidency of The Nippon Club in New York City as of May 24, 2005.

As the appointed 35th president of this prestigious Club, Mr. Yoshida continues Mitsui USA's long-time tradition, joining eight predecessor Club presidents produced by Mitsui USA since the Company's incorporation in New York in 1966.

Throughout all of its years doing business in America, Mitsui USA presidents have proactively engaged in various leadership roles in a host of prominent New York-based civic organizations.

Mr. Yoshida, in addition to serving as President of The Nippon Club, also serves on various boards, councils, and committees, including: The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc.; The Japanese Educational Institute of New York; Japan Society; Partnership for New York City; Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc.; New York Philharmonic; Museum for African Art; and The Weissman Center for International Business of Baruch College, CUNY.

Founded in 1905, The Nippon Club remains for more than a century the center of the Japanese community, with its original mandate "to promote, establish, and maintain social and cultural relations, goodwill and understanding between the U.S. and Japan."

On April 28, 2005, the Club celebrated its 100th Anniversary, at Carnegie Hall, with distinguished guests such as Japan's Foreign Minister, Mr. Nobutaka Machimura, and former Mitsui & Co. President, Mr. Shinjiro Shimizu, among others. Mr. Shimizu, who delivered a well-received congratulatory speech at this celebration, was The Nippon Club's 32nd president during his tenure as Mitsui USA's President & CEO from 1998 to 2000.

Currently, The Club is housed in the Nippon Club Tower built in 1991 at 145 West 57th Street, New York City, where extensive cultural and educational programs are offered daily. For more on the Club see www.nipponclub.org

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