Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha, Ltd. which operates the vessels used by the Institute of Cetacean Research (ICR) to carry out its whale research programs under the authority of the Government of Japan announced today that its shareholder structure is being changed.

  Five private companies which had been shareholders of Nihon Kyodo Hogei remained shareholders in the same proportion when Nihon Kyodo Hogei became Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha.

  However, in view of the scientific and public-interest nature of the activities now carried out by our company it has been decided, with the consent of our shareholders, that the shareholder composition of our company will be changed.

  Specifically, the shares of our company will be transferred to several public-interest corporations including the ICR, so that the share ownership will better reflect our activities. Although some time is required to finalize the transfer of the company’s shares to the new shareholder organizations, present shareholders will eventually be completely divested of their ownership.

  Under the new regime, we are committed to redouble our efforts so that we can better contribute to the further development of the research and promoting sustainable utilization of whale resources.

For further information:                        Makoto ITO
P.R. & Planning Division
Tel: 03-5547-1940