Tokyo, Japan (July 1, 2004) -- In a move that highlights Morrison & Foerster's leadership in Japan, Morrison & Foerster announced today that Katsuhiko Fujihira, one of Tokyo's most highly regarded banking and financial transactions attorneys, and Yukako Wagatsuma, a highly respected corporate attorney, have joined its Tokyo office. Mr. Fujihira and Ms. Wagatsuma join Morrison & Foerster's Japanese joint venture, Ito & Mitomi, as partners. They were previously partners with Mitsui, Yasuda, Wani & Maeda, one of Japan's largest law firms.

Keith Wetmore, Chair of Morrison & Foerster, stated, "Mr. Fujihira's and Ms. Wagatsuma's arrival underscores the Firm's continued focus on the Japanese market. Japanese finance and securities markets are evolving very rapidly, and we have made it a priority to expand our local law capability, especially with respect to M&A and in-bound finance transactions. We welcome these outstanding attorneys to our Tokyo team."

Mr. Fujihira has approximately 20 years' experience on banking and finance transactions. He is a 1982 graduate of the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo, and he finished the Supreme Court's Legal Training and Research Institute in 1985. He received an LL.M. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1989.

Ms. Wagatsuma's practice focuses on M&A and corporate finance transactions, an area in which she has been practicing for over 15 years. She is a 1986 graduate of the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo, finished the Supreme Court's Legal Training and Research Institute in 1988, and received an LL.M. from New York University in 1992. She started her career with Nagashima & Ohno, joined Mitsui, Yasuda in 1998, and became a partner in that firm in 2001.

Ito & Mitomi, Morrison's joint enterprise in Japan, is led by Fuyuo Mitomi. Mr. Mitomi is one of Japan's leading securities lawyers. Ito & Mitomi works closely with Morrison & Foerster's Tokyo office to provide integrated U.S. and Japanese law advice on multi-jurisdictional transactional matters. Commenting on his new partners, Mr. Mitomi stated: "We are most pleased to have Mr. Fujihira and Ms. Wagatsuma join Ito & Mitomi and Morrison & Foerster as partners. With 16 Japanese attorneys, and the resources of a global firm, we have a unique opportunity to play a leading role in serving the domestic and international business community here in Japan."