The Nasdaq Japan Market marks first year anniversary.

M2 PRESSWIRE-19 June 2001-NASDAQ: The Nasdaq Japan Market marks first year anniversary (C)1994-2001 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:19062001

* Total of 56 Companies Listed in First Year

* 25% IPO Market Share Gained in First Year

Tokyo, Osaka-Japan -- The Nasdaq Japan Market today celebrates its first year anniversary of trading. Since its debut one year ago with eight listed companies, Nasdaq Japan has facilitated the capital raising efforts of Japanese companies and offered investors a global, transparent and efficient market. Today, 56 companies representing a broad cross section of industries including software, retail, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and multimedia have listed their issues on the Nasdaq Japan Market.

Since its launch a year ago as a section of the Osaka Securities Exchange, Nasdaq Japan has set the groundwork for changing the financial markets landscape in Japan. For the first time in the history of Japan's financial markets, investors and companies were offered a broader choice in markets and investments. Nasdaq Japan has leveraged the strength of the Nasdaq brand to attract new issues by implementing rigorous listing and disclosure standards and providing listed companies with a range of value-added services. Nasdaq Japan also represents a key Nasdaq hub for a common technology platform linking Asia with markets in Europe and the United States giving issuers future access to global pools of liquidity.

During the past year, the market has enjoyed steady and continuous growth gaining significant ground in IPO market share. Since its launch on June 19th last year, the Nasdaq Japan Market listed a total of 56 companies of which 49 were new IPOs, giving Nasdaq Japan 25% of the new IPO market share, second behind the Over the Counter Market (OTC) at 43%. The market also distinguished itself in the first 5 months of 2001 by surpassing all markets in terms of market capitalization, taking 37% market share in this area.

"In its first year of operation, Nasdaq Japan has made a significant impact in the way companies can access capital for their future growth," stated President and CEO of Nasdaq Japan, Inc., Tatsuyuki Saeki. "The Nasdaq Japan Market is best suited to meet issuer and investor needs by providing a transparent and efficient state of the art market to attracting quality issues."

"It has been a year since the Nasdaq Japan Market was established," commented Goro Tatsumi, President and CEO, Osaka Securities Exchange, Co., Ltd. "I am very pleased with its steady growth in spite of the overall slowdown in Japanese markets. We look forward to developing Nasdaq Japan further and making it an attractive market for all market participants."

The Nasdaq Stock Market Chairman, Frank G. Zarb, in Tokyo to participate in anniversary celebrations stated, "This anniversary marks a year of building for Nasdaq Japan - building the foundation of our market and building for the long-term. In the next year, we plan to continue to grow our marketplace and be the launching point for more new companies that can help build the Japanese economy. We plan to introduce a new trading platform that should improve trading through the introduction of a dealer-based market making system. Also in the coming year, we are working to offer Nasdaq 100 companies on Nasdaq Japan, giving Japanese investors easy access to some of the world's most innovative and growth oriented companies."

Evolution of Nasdaq Japan January 1, 2000 Tatsuyuki Saeki, becomes President and CEO of the Nasdaq Japan Planning Company

January 11, 2000 The Nasdaq Stock Market announces the creation of IndigoMarkets, a joint venture with SSI Technologies of India. IndigoMarkets will create internet- based trading and market systems for Nasdaq global markets, including Nasdaq Japan and Nasdaq Europe stock markets.

March 15, 2000 Nasdaq Association of Japan is established and holds its first official meeting.

April 1, 2000 Nasdaq Japan Planning Company becomes Nasdaq Japan, Inc.

April 19, 2000 Nasdaq Japan and OSE sign business cooperation agreement to jointly operate the Nasdaq Japan Market.

May 8, 2000 The Nasdaq Japan Market is formally established and receives applications from eight companies seeking to list on its market on the first day of trading. The eight listing applicants are: Xnet Corp., Creek & River Co., Sugi Pharmacy Co., Digital Design Co., Digicube Co., Don Quijote Co., Honda Verno Tokai Co., and Zero Co. (former: Masternet Co.)

June 19, 2000 The Nasdaq Japan Market opens for its first day of trading.

October 26, 2000 Nasdaq Japan, Inc., completes Private Placement and 13 leading Japanese and foreign brokerages participate in capital increase.

November 7, 2000 The first Presidents Forum is held with NJ issuers' top executives.

December 31, 2000 A total of 40 companies are listed as of year-end, capturing a total market share of 22%.

February 20, 2001 Osaka Securities Exchange and Nasdaq Japan, Inc., appoint Citibank as the clearing agent for international stocks traded on The Nasdaq Japan Market.

February 28, 2001 AIU Insurance and Nasdaq Japan, Inc. sign marketing cooperation agreement to provide exclusive package of insurance products to Nasdaq Japan listed companies.

March 7, 2001 Nasdaq Japan, Inc. selects KDDI to provide data center and computer operations facilities for its next-generation, hybrid-trading platform.

March 30, 2001 A total of 49 companies are listed on the NJ market as of the close of the 1st quarter bringing NJ's market share to 31%. NJ captured market share from all other markets, ranking 2nd behind Jasdaq's 42% share, TSE 3%, Mothers 10% and 14% on other regional exchanges combined.

May 15, 2001 Osaka Securities Exchange Board of Directors approves outline of the Nasdaq Japan Market's new trading. The trading rules will be implemented as part of the new hybrid trading platform that will be based on the Market Maker system.

June 1, 2001 The new nasdaq-japan.com website tailored to the needs of issuers and investors is launched

June 19, 2001 Nasdaq Japan Market marks its First Year Anniversary of trading with a total of 56 listed companies.

Membership in the Nasdaq Japan Club reaches 6,800.

CONTACT: Gabriella Espinosa Tel: +81 3 5563 8222 Andrew MacMillan Tel: +1 212 858 4150

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