April 6, 2004Management

Asahi Glass Introduces New Management Policy "JIKKO"Execution for Excellence - Aiming to Be a Highly Profitable and Fast-Growing Global Enterprise -

Upon approval at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on March 30, 2004, Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. (AGC, Headquarters: Tokyo) revamped its management team and established a new structure under Masahiro Kadomatsu, who was recently appointed to the position of President & CEO.

Coinciding the change in management team, the AGC Group has introduced a new management policy "JIKKO"Execution for Excellence. The Group strives to excel as a highly profitable and fast- growing enterprise by steadily executing its growth strategies associated with FPD (Flat Panel Display) business as well as business development in emerging markets . At the same time, the Group seeks to boost customer satisfaction, bolster employee job satisfaction and pride in accomplishment, and fulfill corporate social responsibility (CSR), as it strives to continuously increase shareholder value.

Beginning in 1998, the Group implemented a series of structural reforms under President Ishizu's leadership through the "Shrink to Grow" initiatives. Specifically, as part of the Shrink policy, the Group streamlined personnel and closed various facilities, while restructuring the Chemicals as well as other less competitive businesses. Measures on the Grow side of the initiative included aggressive investment in the Display business and the establishment of a globally integrated management system. The figures bear out the Group's success. The Group's consolidated operating margin rose from 3.4% in fiscal 1999 to 6.7% in fiscal 2003 ended December 31. Also, during the "Shrink to Grow"initiatives, the Group has defined what it must do to achieve further growth.

The new management policy embodies the basic concepts of "Shrink to Grow ."By steadily implementing the growth strategies in the next stage, the Group believes that it is possible to be a global leading company. The Group has set a goal of achieving an operating margin of 10% or more.

Note:
Execution (n): a process in which you do something that has been carefully planned or agreed.
JIKKO (n): a Japanese word that means implementation, execution, performance, fulfillment, etc.




Summary of New Management Policy

1. Growth strategies under "JIKKO"Execution for Excellence

(1) Further expand high-growth FPD Glass operations
(2) Take full advantage of our globally integrated Glass operations
(3) Aggressively expand business in such fast-growing market as China, Southeast Asia, Central Europe and Russia.



2. AGC Group strengths

The AGC Group will steadily implement its growth strategies by leveraging Group strengths, outlined below.

(1) A strong technological base in glass and fluorine chemistry
(2) A business portfolio combining stability and growth potential
- Stable Glass business
(World-leading market shares in architectural and automotive glass)
- High-growth Display business
(3) A large presence in growth regions, having developed business on a global scale


3. Specific strategy implementation

(1) Glass
Boost profitability and generate cash flows by leveraging the Group's global management system to achieve operational excellence
(2) Electronics & Display
Aim for further growth through timely investment, increased productivity and technological development, particularly in respect of high-growth FPD business
(3) Chemicals
Controlling operating risks triggered by market fluctuations and further strengthen field of expertise, especially fluorochemicals
(4) Electronics & Energy

Work on the development of next-generation growth businesses

The Group will also accelerate business expansion in such rapidly growing markets as China, Southeast Asia, Central Europe and Russia.

For further information, please contact:
Shinichi Kawakami, General Manager, Corporate Communications Division, Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
Contact: Sakurai
TEL: +81-3-3218-5243
E-mail: info-pr@agc.co.jp