The Sojitz Group was essentially formed through the business integration between Nichimen Corporation and Nissho Iwai Corporation, two companies with over a century of history. This business integration took shape in December 2002 and was followed on April 1, 2003, by the incorporation of a joint holding company. As a public listed company, this holding company was incorporated to pursue business integration, management supervision and comprehensive disclosure. Heralding a new era, the principal operating arms of the Group, Nichimen Corporation and Nissho Iwai Corporation were merged to form a new single entity, Sojitz Corporation on April 1, 2004.

On October 1, 2005, we completed the final phase of business integration through the merger of the holding company and Sojitz Corporation. Under the name Sojitz Corporation, we will continue to establish a structure to facilitate efficient and prompt decision making, and a highly transparent management framework befitting an innovative functionoriented trading company. As a sogo shosha actively engaged in global business, we will endeavor to further increase Group corporate value.