Press Release

February 28, 2003

Advantage Partners’ Investment
into Seidensha Co. Ltd

Advantage Partners, Inc., (“AP”) (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Representatives: Taisuke Sasanuma and Richard L. Folsom) announced that it has invested into Seidensha Co. Ltd (”Seidensha”) (Head Office: Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Representative: Shingo Hirai), which filed for Minji-Saisei protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law, through Advantage Partners MBI Fund II, L.P.

MBI Fund II will hold approximately 90% of Seidensha stock as a result of this investment, in newly issued shares.

Seidensha developed its revival plan under support of Culture Convenience Club (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative: Muneaki Masuda), which became a sponsor after Seidensha filed for Minji-Saisei protection at Kobe District Court in January 2002, and this plan received approval by the Court in December 2002.

AP will utilize its management expertise, and will support Seidensha together with Matsuya Denki Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Representative: Masao Hirai), from which the CEO of Seidensha is seconded, and provides support in product procurement.