[gertman]

Here is a copy of part of the official press release:

Page 1

Press Information January 28, 2002

Introduction of Konami and Takara's business collaboration in 2002 Expanding the MICRO IR series and entering the capsule toy businessKonami Corporation Takara Co., Ltd. Takara Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Keita Satoh, hereinafter referred to as Takara) and Konami Corporation (President: Kagemasa Kozuki) have been working in collaboration since their strategic capital tie-up, which took place in June 2000. The main jointly developed project until last year is the MICRO IR series. In order to further enhance partnership and synergy, we are to extend the MICRO IR series and also enter the capsule toy business. The MICRO IR toys are equipped with KONAMI's newly developed remote-control system using infrared rays. They carry a high-spec micro CPU (central processing unit) that makes the new concept of high-end micro miniature toys possible. Takara released the first of the series, MICRO IR Digi-Q, developed in the motif of Takara's original miniature toy car Choro-Q. We will be strengthening and expanding collaboration for the MICRO IR series in 2002. This spring, Konami will be releasing the MICRO IR Digi-Q Train as the second project of the series. Following, Takara will launch the MICRO IR Digi-Q DIVER GEAR, a remote control submarine, and then the tank designed MICRO IR COMBAT Digi-Q from Konami. It is quite rare in the toy industry that two or more companies cooperate in developing products for one common series. We intend to reinforce name value and expand share in the toy market by selling MICRO IR products from both companies. One more important tie-up project is the capsule toy business. We will be casting the new type vending machine, DRAGON CUBE into the market. Reds Incorporated (President: Akitoshi Ashida, hereinafter referred to as Reds), which has an established reputation with figures, will be joining in as another partner. The three companies will enter the business together making use of their contents, product development, and brands in having various selections of capsule toys that both children and adults can enjoy. Pricing range for capsule toys have been ¥100 to ¥200 in the past but we have