Announcement of Completion of Sale of Shares of a
Sweetener (Aspartame) Production and Sales Subsidiary in France

TOKYO, October 16, 2015– Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (“Ajinomoto Co.”) announces that it has completed the procedures for the transfer of all issued and outstanding shares of Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe S.A.S. (“ASE”) of France, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ajinomoto Co., to HYET Holding B.V. (“HH”) of the Netherlands on October 15, 2015 (local time in France), in accordance with the details announced in “Announcement of Sale of Shares of a Sweetener (Aspartame) Production and Sales Subsidiary in France,” dated August 27, 2015.

In addition to concentrating its production bases for aspartame, Ajinomoto Co. will further reinforce the structure of its sweeteners business through cost reductions and other measures. At the same time, Ajinomoto Co. is further promoting specialty by expanding its product domains for Japanese and overseas consumers with the aim of providing products that are both delicious and low in calories.

Completion of the Share Transfer
Ajinomoto Co. completed the transfer of all issued and outstanding shares of ASE on October 15, 2015 (local time in France).

At a transfer price of EUR 1 (approximately JPY 135), Ajinomoto Co. expects to record an extraordinary loss from this sale of around JPY 7.0 billion, which has been incorporated in its most recent consolidated performance forecast for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, announced in “Revision to Consolidated Performance Forecast for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2016,” dated August 27, 2015.

Overview of Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe S.A.S.
(1) Name: Ajinomoto Sweeteners Europe S.A.S.
(2) Location: Gravelines, French Republic
(3) Representative: Satoshi Inamori, President
(4) Established: November 27, 1991
(5) Capital: EUR 70,006,000
(6) Equity ownership: Ajinomoto Co., Inc. 100%
(7) Business description: Manufacture and sale of aspartame
(8) Number of employees: Approximately 100 (as of July 2015)
(9) Net sales: Approximately EUR 36 million (fiscal year ended March 31, 2015)
Overview of HYET Holding B.V.
(1) Name: HYET Holding B.V.
(2) Location: Breda, North Brabant, Kingdom of the Netherlands
(3) President: Ad Timmermans
(4) Established: July 2015
(5) Capital: EUR 5,000
(6) Equity ownership STRATco B.V. 100%

Reference Material
Press release dated August 27, 2015
“Announcement of Sale of Shares of a Sweetener (Aspartame) Production and Sales Subsidiary in France” http://www.ajinomoto.co.jp/company/en/presscenter/press/detail/g2015_08_27_1.html


About Ajinomoto Co.
Ajinomoto Co. is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto Co. has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries and regions, Ajinomoto Co. had net sales of JPY 1,006.6 billion (USD 9.17 billion) in fiscal 2014. For more about Ajinomoto Co. (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

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