FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFastest to Jump to Nationwide Sales Tokyo, March 10, 2006 --- Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) announced today that, at the beginning of April 2006, "Seven Stars Revo Ultra Lights Menthol Box" would become the fastest brand to go from a regional test market to nationwide sales since 2003 when the company began aggressively launching products in test markets. "Seven Stars Revo Ultra Lights Menthol Box," the third "D-spec" product in the Seven Stars brand family, was launched in Shizuoka prefecture in response to customer demands for a low tar, menthol and "D-spec" Seven Stars product. The product has thus far gained a 0.35 percent (as of February 2006) market share, well exceeding JT's targets for the new brand. It is because of this stellar performance that "Seven Stars Revo Ultra Lights Menthol Box" is being catapulted to nationwide sales so quickly. "The D-spec product category is each day becoming an increasingly important part of our total product portfolio," said Yasumasa Matsunaga, JT Senior Executive Vice President, who heads the Product Group of JT's Tobacco Business. "'Seven Stars Revo Ultra Lights Menthol Box' is yet another terrific accomplishment for the category and we look forward to bringing other successes to the category in the coming future." "D-spec," reduced odor products (known as "Less Smoke Smell" products abroad), incorporate the company's odor-reducing technology in response to customer demands for a reduction in the unpleasant smell of smoke. After six years of research and development efforts, JT introduced this new and innovative technology to mask only the unpleasant odors. And, in its latest medium-term management plan, "JT PLAN-V," JT stated that the company would, as part of its top-line growth strategies, create a new segment - reduced odor products. The total market share for the 12 "D-spec" products was 2.5 percent (as of January 2006). This shows that "D-spec" products have made solid in-roads into the market and now with the nationwide sales expansion of the "Seven Stars Revo Ultra Lights Menthol Box," eight "D-spec" products are available nationwide, while four will be offered in limited sales areas.
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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. |
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