Tokyo, Japan, October 13, 2003 - JCB International is pleased to host 106 participants from 45 corporate partners throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa at the 2003 JCB EMEA regional conference to be held in Malta, 12-14 of October. At this conference, JCB International will elaborate on JCB's International Vision and EMEA Expansion. It represents a tremendous opportunity for JCB partners to learn more about JCB's brand strategy and long-term ambitions for the region.

Kunio Yoshizawa, President and COO of JCBI commented, "We are very pleased to be able to welcome so many of our EMEA partners to this meaningful conference. We will be communicating our strategies for expanding the merchant network and concrete proposals for issuing in EMEA, as well as strengthening our ties with our partners. Malta, with its long history as a crossroads of international relations, is a truly appropriate venue."

In addition to presentations by JCBI executives, representatives of JCB partners in Malta, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic will speak about JCB business in their respective local markets, sharing information and expertise.

The JCB EMEA conference is held in order to strengthen JCB brand marketing and to meet the need for agreement on policy and strategy for the region. This is a key component of JCBI's promotion of its international brand business in cooperation with its partners in the EMEA.