Canon Names New U.S. Semiconductor Equipment Division Head; R&D Executive Will Apply Top-Level Technology Know-How to Mission of Customer Responsiveness.

Business Editors and High Tech Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 29, 2000

Canon U.S.A., Inc., Semiconductor Equipment Division today announced the appointment of Naoki Ayata as its vice president and general manager. Mr. Ayata, 53, was most recently a deputy director of Canon Optical Products Operations and the senior general manager of the Canon Semiconductor Production Equipment Development Center. He is replacing Mr. Noriharu "Harry" Hirai who is returning to Canon Japan after managing the U.S. division since 1995.

Commenting on the appointment from the headquarters of Canon Optical Products Operations in Utsunomiya, Japan, Mr. Akira Tajima, director and chief executive, said "Mr. Ayata's appointment is in response to our increasing need for close communication with U.S. chip technology leaders. It is now more important than ever to understand their requirements, to develop the right solutions at the right time."

"I am very enthused to have the opportunity to work directly with the fast-growing U.S. semiconductor industry," Mr. Ayata said. He noted that the work of his predecessor has made the division ready to provide integrated solution and technical support to customers through process development, demonstration and joint development with other supplier alliances. Mr. Ayata's appointment coincides with the division's recent move to its large new San Jose facility and the installation of Canon's latest high NA scanner and supporting equipment there.

Mr. Ayata will be responsible for the division's administrative operations, technical support and sales operations at regional offices throughout the United States, and for its extensive training program in San Jose. But, noting the Canon USA "Know How" marketing campaign, Mr. Ayata said that his immediate mission will be to interact closely with customers through technology information exchange, and to participate in technical forums and industrial consortia activities.

"Mr. Ayata is a familiar face with many of our customers here through his regular visits to the United States," commented Mr. Phil Ware, director and general manager of marketing for the division. "Especially they know his enthusiasm for customers' concerns. He is bringing his expertise in lithography technology just as we are experiencing strong demand for our current products and introducing our 300mm solutions," Mr. Ware said.

A native of Japan, Mr. Ayata earned his bachelor's degree in Physics from Hokkaido University. He has been involved in the development of Canon lithography systems from the beginning of his career, starting as an electrical engineer in 1969. He has held a variety of engineering management positions, including electrical and software development, and was the leader in the development of TV image processing alignment, used on Canon steppers and scanners. Mr. Ayata is residing in San Jose with his wife, Kazuyo.

Note to Editors

Canon's Semiconductor Production Equipment Group, in Utsunomiya, Japan, is part of the company's Optical Products Operations. The Semiconductor Equipment Division of Canon U.S.A., Inc., based in San Jose, Calif., supplies step-and-repeat and step-and-scan photolithography tools for making integrated circuits including MR and GMR thin film heads for hard disk drives, and large active matrix liquid crystal flat panel displays.

Canon U.S.A., Inc., is an industry leader in professional and consumer imaging solutions and, through its parent company, Canon Inc., is a top patent-holder of imaging technologies. Canon employs 12,000 people at more than 30 facilities throughout North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

Canon, Inc., comprising all Canon Group operations, is a $25-billion company with 78,000 employees.. Its headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan, with approximately 80 sales companies, manufacturing companies and R&D centers, worldwide.

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