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Effect of the Tohoku Pacific Earthquake on Kobe Steel

March 14, 2011

TOKYO, March 14, 2011 - Kobe Steel, Ltd. extends its sincere sympathy and deep condolences to the people caught in the disastrous Tohoku Pacific Earthquake, which hit northeastern Japan. Kobe Steel also hopes for an early recovery of the region.

Kobe Steel's damage situation is as follows:

There were no injuries or casualties among our employees in the March 11 earthquake.

In the neighboring Kanto region, which was also affected by the disaster, Kobe Steel has two production facilities. The Moka Plant makes aluminum flat products in Moka, Tochigi Prefecture. Fujisawa Industrial Operations manufactures welding consumables and other products in Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.

The quake has affected these two facilities as follows:

Moka Plant
Immediately after the earthquake struck, the Moka Plant suspended production and it is currently inspecting the equipment. The effect on production is undetermined at this time, as it depends on the power supply situation to the area.

Fujisawa Industrial Operations
Fujisawa Industrial Operations also suspended production when the earthquake hit on Friday. As inspection of the equipment found no problems, production was restarted today.