Establish a Joint Venture
Konami Corporation
19 January 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2006
KONAMI CORPORATION
2-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Kagemasa Kozuki
Representative Director and CEO
Stock code number: 9766 at TSE1
Contact: Noriaki Yamaguchi
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +81-3-5220-0573
Announcement on Konami and IIJ to Establish a Joint Venture
Company, to Operate Comprehensive Portal Sites
TOKYO, January 19, 2006 -- Konami Corporation (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, hereafter referred to as 'Konami')
and Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, hereafter referred to as 'IIJ') announced today
that the two companies had agreed to establish a joint venture company, 'Internet Revolution Inc.' (hereafter referred
to as 'i-revo'), to operate comprehensive portal sites.
'i-revo' will provide portal sites, merging Konami's expertise in developing digital entertainment content and IIJ's
cultivated and highly reliable technology for developing system and network operations.
For network society seeking convenience and efficiency, 'i-revo' will offer content and sites that target a wide range
of users from children to the elderly, through services focusing on 'relationships, sense of security, convenience of
use and impressions'.
The Internet has become inseparable from society, due to remarkable advances in digital technology and the development
of infrastructure. Internet has become an integral part of people's lives. In addition, in today's digitalized society,
'individuality' is attracting more attention and is becoming more widespread. 'i-revo' will provide online community
users comfort and warmth through comprehensive portal site feature stet linking together people's 'individuality'.
'i-revo' also will enhance the importance of the internet though its ideas and services.
1. Summary of the joint venture company
(1) Registered name Internet Revolution Inc
(2) Date of incorporation February 1, 2006
(3) Head office location 6-10-1, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Roppongi Hills)
(4) Capital 1,250 million yen
(5) Amount of investment 2,500 million yen
(6) Investment ratio Konami 70% IIJ 30%
*Internet Revolution Inc. will become a consolidated subsidiary of Konami and an equity method
affiliate of IIJ
(7) Main business Operating the Internet portal sites
(8) Directors
Representative Director: Kazuya Takahashi (President of Online Company, Konami)
Director: Hiroshi Nagaoka (Senior Manager of Online Company,
Konami)
Director: Takashi Taniguchi
(General Manager of System Engineering and Operation
Division, IIJ)
Director (External): Akira Tamai
(Corporate Officer and Division Director of Finance and
accounting, Konami)
Director (External): Hideshi Hojo
(Managing Director, General Manager of Sales Department,
IIJ)
2. Contents Summary
(1) Name: i-revo
(2) Commencement Date: Mid-March, 2006
(3) Contents: -New communication service
-Internet connectivity service
-Distribution of products related to music and video
-Distribution of games
-Search service
-Information service
-E-commerce
• Statement by Kagemasa Kozuki, President, Konami Corporation
Konami has strengthened its online business with its expertise in developing content and digital technologies in its
digital entertainment business. By establishing a joint venture company with IIJ, with proven Internet technology and
operations, we will offer portal sites which every user can enjoy with a sense of security.
We appreciate your continuing support.
• Statement by Koichi Suzuki, President and CEO, Internet Initiative Japan Inc.
IIJ has provided a highly reliable network solution as its core competence to mainly companies, government, other
public offices and carriers. We will contribute to the further realization of a safer and more user-friendly network
society through the provision of an integrated Internet service including new concepts and technologies with Konami
which has leading content in the world.
• Statement by Kazuya Takahashi, President, Internet Revolution Inc.
We will promote business which will bring revolutionary change to the Internet industry by taking advantage of Konami's
expertise in content services and IIJ's Internet technologies. We will provide services which match people's lives and
bring happiness and excitement to users. Though this, we aim to be a company valued by society. We hope that users will
feel the message, 'relationships, sense of security, use of convenience and impressions' through the services. As
always, we appreciate your support.
• KONAMI CORPORATION
Konami Corporation was established in1973. Konami has Digital Entertainment business, including 'Computer & Video
Games', 'Toy & Hobby', 'Amusement', 'Online' and 'Multi-Media', Health & Fitness business and Gaming & System business.
Konami is listed on the first section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Singapore, the London Stock
Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
• Internet Initiative Japan Inc.
Founded in 1992, Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI, Tokyo Stock Exchange Mothers: 3774) is one of
Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions providers. IIJ and its group of companies provide
total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. The company's services include high-quality
systems integration and security services, Internet access,
hosting/housing, and content design. Moreover, the company has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in
Japan, and between Japan and the United States. IIJ was listed on NASDAQ in 1999 and on the Mothers market of Tokyo
Stock Exchange in 2005. For more information about IIJ, visit the IIJ Web site at http://www.iij.ad.jp/en/.
For inquiries:
KONAMI CORPORATION Publicity Group
2-4-1, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-6330 Japan
Tel: +81-3-4332-0573 Fax: +81-3-5220-9905 Email: press@konami.com
www.konami.net
Internet Initiative Japan Inc.
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5259-6310 Fax: +81-3-5259-6311 E-mail: press@iij.ad.jp
www.iij.ad.jp
< President's Profile >
Kazuya Takahashi
President
Internet Revolution Inc.
(Will be established on February 1, 2006)
Born in 1969
April, 1990: Joined Konami Industries Co., Ltd. (currently KONAMI CORPORATION)
April, 2001: Appointed as Producer of Amusement Division
October, 2004: Appointed as Vice President of Konami Online, Inc.
April, 2005: Appointed as President of Online Company of Konami
February, 2006: Will be President of Internet Revolution Inc.
(President of Online Company of Konamij
Mr. Takahashi's representative product is the 'Dance Dance Revolution'. He has also developed the 'e-AMUSEMENT', Konami
Group's online network system for amusement arcades.
He serves as president of Online Company of Konami for expanding the online business since April, 2005.
Cautionary Statement with Respect to Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements made in this document with respect to our current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs, including the
above forecasts, are forward-looking statements about our future performance. These statements are based on
management's assumptions and beliefs in light of information currently available to it and, therefore, you should not
place undue reliance on them. A number of important factors could cause actual results to be materially different from
and worse than those discussed in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes
in economic conditions affecting our operations; (ii) fluctuations in currency exchange rates, particularly with
respect to the value of the Japanese yen, the U.S. dollar and the Euro; (iii) our ability to continue to win acceptance
of our products, which are offered in highly competitive markets characterized by the continuous introduction of new
products, rapid developments in technology and subjective and changing consumer preferences; (iv) our ability to
successfully expand internationally with a focus on our video game software business, card game business and gaming
machine business; (v) our ability to successfully expand the scope of our business and broaden our customer base
through our exercise entertainment business; (vi) regulatory developments and changes and our ability to respond and
adapt to those changes; (vii) our expectations with regard to further acquisitions and the integration of any companies
we may acquire; and (viii) the outcome of contingencies.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange