Tokyo - (June 4, 2003) -- Morrison & Foerster LLP today announced that it has continued the strategic expansion of its practice in Japan with the addition of Ryugo Yoshimura to its Japanese joint venture, Ito & Mitomi. Mr. Yoshimura was previously a partner with the Japanese law firm of Anderson Mori. He joins Morrison's Corporate Group as a partner resident in the Tokyo office. Mr. Yoshimura's practice will focus on mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions.

Ito & Mitomi, formed in 2001, is Morrison's joint enterprise partner and works closely with Morrison & Foerster to provide integrated U.S. and Japanese law advice.

"Mr. Yoshimura will be a key contributor to the firm, bringing invaluable transactional expertise and adding depth to our capabilities here," said Ken Siegel, Managing Partner of the firm's Tokyo office. "With close to 50 attorneys resident in Tokyo, including ten attorneys admitted in Japan, our Tokyo office - together with Ito & Mitomi -- is uniquely positioned to advise on complex transactions and commercial disputes. Mr. Yoshimura adds to this platform, bringing broad experience, including a history advising on some of Japan's most high-profile recent transactions."

Fuyuo Mitomi, the head of Ito & Mitomi, added: "We are thrilled to have Mr. Yoshimura join Ito & Mitomi and Morrison & Foerster as a partner. With ten Japanese practitioners, and the resources of a global firm, we have an unprecedented opportunity to provide integrated help to our Japanese and international clients as they become involved in complex transactions and disputes that involve both Japanese and non-Japanese legal issues."

Mr. Yoshimura has experience in a broad range of business transactions, particularly in the fields of M&A, private equity, restructuring, and acquisition-related financing. He also advises Japanese and foreign corporations in the high-tech, life sciences and Internet sectors on IPO, technology and venture capital transactions.

"Despite the uncertainties in the international economy, our Asia practice is flourishing," stated Keith Wetmore , Chair of Morrison & Foerster. "Mr. Yoshimura is an exceptional attorney and his addition illustrates our continued commitment to expansion in Japan and the region."

Morrison & Foerster was one of the first U.S. law firms to set up operations in Japan when the country changed its laws in 1987 to permit foreign lawyers to practice. The firm represents such leading Japanese and U.S. companies as Fujitsu, Hitachi, Toshiba, SOFTBANK, Goldman Sachs, Nikko Citigroup Ltd., General Electric, and Sumitomo Corporation on a wide range of matters, including mergers and acquisitions, securities, structured and project finance, and litigation.

Mr. Yoshimura began his legal career with Anderson Mori in 1990 and went on to receive an LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1994. He then spent a year with Brown & Wood LLP in New York as a foreign extern from 1994 to 1995. Upon returning to Tokyo, Mr. Yoshimura joined the legal department of Morgan Stanley, where he worked until 2000, before rejoining Anderson Mori, where he became a partner in 2001. Mr. Yoshimura received his LL.B. from Tokyo University in 1988, and graduated from the Legal Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan in 1990. Mr. Yoshimura is a Bengoshi admitted to practice in Japan.