News Releases

Tetsuo Takemura Takes Over at a Time of Strong Growth in Hitachi's U.S. Telecommunications Businesses

BRISBANE, CA

BUSINESS WIRE

May 25, 1999 00:00 AM

Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), today announced the appointment of Tetsuo Takemura as president of its Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc. subsidiary in Norcross, Ga.

Mr. Takemura succeeds Masakatsu Toiya, who returns to a new assignment in Japan. Mr. Toiya has been with Hitachi Telecom (USA), Inc. for eight years, and as its president since 1997. The change was effective on May 25, 1999.

In making the announcement, Tomoharu Shimayama, president and CEO of Hitachi America, Ltd., said, "Mr. Takemura joins Hitachi Telecom at an important point in the company's evolution and in a market that is seeing strong growth. We are pleased that he has joined Hitachi Telecom to further enhance Hitachi's presence in North America."

Not a newcomer to Hitachi Telecom, Mr. Takemura previously served as the company's chief technical officer and vice president of strategic planning. Prior to that he was involved in the development of switching and transmission products for both the U.S. and Japan markets. Mr. Takemura holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology. He joined Hitachi's Telecommunication Systems Group in Yokohama, Japan, in 1975.

"I am fortunate to come to this new position at a very exciting time, both for Hitachi Telecom and for the industry in general," stated Mr. Takemura. "My predecessor, Mr. Toiya, has built a very strong foundation for continuing business growth in the United States.

Under Mr. Toiya's leadership Hitachi has made great strides in the public network market, including the recent order from Frontier Communications for Hitachi's OC-192 transmission equipment, and in the customer premises market with the signing in March of an agreement with Bass Hotels and Resorts for our PBX product. Telecommunications is one of the most dynamic growth fields of today, in both business and technology aspects. Hitachi intends to continue and enhance its role as an industry technology leader."

Mr. Toiya will return to Japan and will join Hitachi Communications Systems, Inc. as board director. Mr. Toiya stated, "I would like to thank my colleagues at Hitachi Telecom, our customers and partners for the support you have given me during this period of rapid growth for our company."