Review of Workforce Structure Through a Voluntary Retirement Program

「The number of employees decreased by 519 from the end of the previous consolidated fiscal year. The main reasons were the downsizing and withdrawal from low-profit businesses and other operations, and the restructuring and streamlining of Group companies and production sites, in line with the business reform policy.」

「To maintain the Group’s strong competitive advantages and productivity and achieve sustained high growth and high profitability, it is necessary to pursue the growth strategy, business reforms and production reforms set out in the Value-Up Plan’s basic policies and vision. To achieve these objectives, we will review our workforce structure, including through transfers, and have decided to implement a voluntary retirement program to support each employee’s life plan based on their individual values. The program is open to approximately 170 eligible employees designated by the Company among employees belonging to the Tohoku Plant, Kyushu Plant and Kumamoto Processing Center. The application period is from 10 February 2026 to 17 April 2026, and the planned retirement date is 30 June 2026.」