Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) announced today
that, effective August 1, 2006, it has appointed Mr. Hisashi Hosokawa
as a Senior Advisor in Japan. Mr. Hosokawa has had a long and
distinguished career at Japan's Ministry of International Trade &
Industry(1) ("MITI"), rising to the position of Vice Minister for
International Economic Affairs in 1996, before becoming a Special
Advisor to MITI in 1997. He also acted as a Non-Executive Advisor to
the Long Term Credit Bank of Japan(2) in 1997 and 1998.
Henry R. Kravis, Founding Partner of KKR, said, "In every market
that KKR operates, it is crucial that we have access to top quality
advice and insights into local business practices and networks. To
this end we are delighted that Mr. Hosokawa has accepted the position
of Senior Advisor to KKR, and look forward to building our business in
Japan utilizing the invaluable assistance he can provide."
Joseph Y. Bae, a Member of the Firm who leads KKR's business in
Asia, added, "Mr. Hosokawa's extensive knowledge of Japanese business
and regulatory bodies and focus on reform and the recovery of Japanese
companies will add a significant further dimension to our operations
in this market. In addition, his experience will complement that of
the Japan team we currently have in place, headed by Tak Yamakawa."
Taketo Yamakawa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of
KKR Japan Ltd., commented, "We are delighted that Mr. Hosokawa has
agreed to join us as a Senior Advisor. His experience will prove
invaluable to us as we work to establish KKR as a leading partner for
Japanese firms, looking for growth, development, and in some cases,
overseas expansion."
Hisashi Hosokawa added, "I am excited about my new role as a
Senior Advisor with KKR in Japan. KKR's principles of partnering with
management in order to create value attracted me to the position. I
look forward to working with my colleagues at KKR to assist Japanese
companies as they look for opportunities to strengthen their
operations."
Mr. Hosokawa joined MITI in 1964, upon graduation from Kyoto
University with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During his career at
MITI he served in a number of areas, including the Directorate of
Science, Technology and Industry (seconded to the OECD), the Budget
Division, the Trade Policy Bureau, the Petroleum Department of the
Energy and Natural Resources Agency, the Commercial and Distribution
Affairs, and the Basic Industry Bureau. He was appointed as Vice
Minister for International Economic Affairs in 1996.
Since his retirement from the Ministry Mr. Hosokawa has served
either on the Boards of or as Advisor to a number of companies,
including Green ARM Co., Ltd., Hitachi Construction Machinery Co.,
Ltd., TERPL -- the Indian joint venture between Green ARM, Hitachi
Construction Machinery and Indian partners including a TATA Group
company, Nitto Denko Co., Ltd., and RESPECT LLP. In addition, Mr.
Hosokawa was Founder and Executive Partner of the Strategy Design
Institute, MSK Research Institute in 1999, and an Executive Advisor to
MSK Research Institute since 1997, as well as acting as the Chairing
Director of middle-sized business club, ECOFACTURE since 2004.
Mr. Hosokawa has also held a number of visiting professorships and
lectureships at universities, including Kwansei Gakuin University from
2001 to 2004, and the University of California, San Diego in 1998
amongst others. He also holds a Master in Public Administration from
the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University,
completed in 1969.
(1) Renamed Ministry of Economics, Trade & Industry in 2001
(2) Now Shinsei Bank, Limited
About KKR
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) is one of the world's oldest
and most experienced private equity firms specializing in management
buyouts. Founded in 1976, it has offices in New York, Menlo Park,
London, Paris, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
Throughout its history, KKR has brought a long-term investment
approach to its portfolio companies, focusing on working in
partnership with management teams and investing for future
competitiveness and growth. Over the past 30 years, KKR has invested
in approximately 141 transactions with a total value of over US$195
billion. For more information, please visit www.kkr.com.
