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[2008/10/01]
JAPAN (Date) – Toei Animation, Co., Ltd. announced the expansion of its corporate management team, in conjunction with plans to increase co-production and digital media/mobile opportunities in the U.S. market. Effective October 1, the new team will include the following:
| 1. | Mr. Kozo Morishita has become Chairman and CEO of Toei Animation Inc. (Los Angels office) and doubled as Managing Director of Toei Animation Co., Ltd. In his new role, Mr. Morishita will be responsible for contents business and international business as well as exploring co-production opportunities. |
| 2. | Mr. Kanji Kazahaya has become President and COO of Toei Animation Inc. and doubled as Director of International Department of Toei Animation Co., Ltd.. |
| 3. | Mr. Hiroyuki Kinoshita has remained CFO, Secretary and Treasurer of Toei Animation Inc. and doubled as Director of Contents Business Department of Toei Animation Co., Ltd.. |
| 4. | Mr. Kenji Ebato has become Executive Vice President and General Manager of Toei Animation Inc. and doubled as Chief Manager of the Licensing team of International Department of Toei Animation Co., Ltd.. |
| 5. | Mr. Sae Song has been appointed to manage Toei Animation’s digital media and mobile content operations in the U.S. |
As part of the company’s new initiative, Toei Animation plans to develop a co-production program specifically for the U.S. market within the next two years. In addition, the new team also plans to roll out innovative, Japanese digital media/mobile contents in the U.S. and introduce U.S. contents to Japanese consumers and other global markets. Mr. Morishita, Mr. Kazahaya, Mr. Kinoshita and Mr. Ebato will operate Toei Animation Inc. (Los Angels office) and Mr. Song will manage operations of digital media and mobile contents for U.S. from Toei Animation ’s Los Angeles office.
About Toei Animation Co., Ltd.
With headquarters in Tokyo and sales offices in Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Paris, Toei Animation (Jasdaq: 4816) ranks amongst the world’s most prolific animation production studios. Toei Animation’s operations include animation development and production, and worldwide marketing and program licensing. Since its founding in 1956, Toei Animation has produced more than 9,000 episodes of TV series (189 titles) and 172 long feature films as of March, 2007.