Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JT Wishes the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team Another World
Championship in the Company's Final Year of Sponsorship

Tokyo, January 31, 2006 --- Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) noted today that it looks forward to another great year of racing and wishes the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team well in this final year of the company's Formula One (F1) sponsorship, when the team unveiled its new car - R26 - in Monte Carlo.

JT originally ventured into F1 sponsorship in 1992, before embarking upon title sponsorship with Mild Seven, now the world's second best selling cigarette brand, with the Benetton Team in 1994. The company continued its sponsorship with Renault when it returned to F1 in 2002, making Mild Seven's continuous title sponsorship the longest one in F1 history.

In 2005, the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team was applauded when it became the Constructor's Champion, while Spaniard Fernando Alonso became the youngest driver to take home the Driver's Championship title. This double glory was the company's second achievement since 1995 with the Mild Seven Benetton Renault team and its driver Michael Schumacher.

It now is JT's hope that the team will crown its final year of sponsorship with another perfection, while the company maintains its pledge to end its motor sports sponsorship in compliance with the "International Tobacco Products Marketing Standards (IMS) ," of which JT is one of the co-authors.

Press Release on the IMS.

"It has always been our greatest pleasure to work with such a committed partner as the Renault F1 Team. Thanks to the team's remarkable achievements, with their expertise and cutting-edge technologies, the Mild Seven brand name and its Blue Wind logo are now among the most recognizable brands in the world," said Seigo Nishizawa, JT Executive Deputy President and President of the Tobacco Business. "I wish the team the greatest successes with us in 2006 and also for many years to come."

###

[JT's F1 Sponsorship History]

Year	Team	Result	Driver				Japanese Driver Personal Support
Year	Team	Result	Name	Result	Name	Result	Japanese Driver Personal Support
1992	-	-	-	-	-	-	Ukyo Katayama (Venturi-Larrouss) by Cabin
1993	-	-	-	-	-	-	Ukyo Katayama (Tyrrell) by Cabin
1994	Mild Seven Benetton Ford	2	Michael Schumacher	1	Jos Verstappen	10	Ukyo Katayama (Tyrrell) by Mild Seven
1995	Mild Seven Benetton Renault	1	Michael Schumacher	1	Johnny Herbert	4	Ukyo Katayama (Tyrrell) by Mild Seven
1996	Mild Seven Benetton Renault	3	Jean Alesi	4	Gerhard Berger	6	Ukyo Katayama (Tyrrell) by Mild Seven
1997	Mild Seven Benetton Renault	3	Jean Alesi	3	Gerhard Berger	5	Ukyo Katayama (Minardi) by Mild Seven
1998	Mild Seven Benetton Playlife	5	Giancarlo Fisichella	9	Alexander Wurz	7	Toranosuke Takagi (Tyrrell) by Mild Seven
1999	Mild Seven Benetton Playlife	6	Giancarlo Fisichella	9	Alexander Wurz	13	-
2000	Mild Seven Benetton Playlife	4	Giancarlo Fisichella	6	Alexander Wurz	15	-
2001	Mild Seven Benetton Powered by Renault Sport	7	Giancarlo Fisichella	11	Jenson Button	17	-
2002	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team	4	Jenson Button	7	Jarno Trulli	8	-
2003	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team	4	Jarno Trulli	8	Fernando Alonso	6	-
2004	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team	3	Jarno Trulli	6	Fernando Alonso	4	-
2005	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team	1	Fernando Alonso	1	Giancarlo Fisichella	5	-
2006	Mild Seven Renault F1 Team		Fernando Alonso		Giancarlo Fisichella		-

Japan Tobacco Inc. is the world's third largest international manufacturer of tobacco products. The company manufactures internationally recognized cigarette brands including Camel, Winston, Mild Seven and Salem. Since its privatization in 1985, JT has actively diversified its operations into pharmaceuticals and foods. The company's net sales were JPY 4.664 trillion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005.