The receipt of a request for document production from the U.S. judicial administrative authority

On October 16, 2017 (local time), Kobe Steel USA Inc., a U.S. subsidiary of Kobe Steel, Ltd. (the “Company”), received a document from the U.S. judicial administrative authority requesting the production of documents related to non-conformity with the specification of products sold by the Company, the U.S. subsidiary or our affiliated companies to U.S. customers. The Company and its subsidiaries will sincerely cooperate with the investigation.

The effect this incident will have on the Company’s business performance is unclear at this time. The Company plans to make another announcement when the extent of the impact becomes clear.