Tokyo for Starbucks Japan's listing ceremony, Howard Schultz, chairman and chief global strategist of Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) commented, "Starbucks has demonstrated the unique power of the Starbucks brand on a global basis. We were able to complete the initial public offering of Starbucks Japan at a time when there is dramatic economic uncertainty in the capital markets around the world. Starbucks captured the imagination of Japanese consumers from day one and changed their coffee drinking habits. In a sense, we changed the cultural landscape. Starbucks became the 'Third Place' between home and work for our Japanese customers. Japan is the best performing market for Starbucks in the world and we accomplished this without advertising, but by once again creating trust in the Starbucks Experience."
Wick Simmons, Nasdaq chairman and chief executive officer said, "Nasdaq is honored that Starbucks Coffee Japan has chosen the Nasdaq Japan market to list its shares. We are especially proud that this listing enhances the services we provide our issuers by bringing us one step closer to global stock trading. Starbucks Coffee Company listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market in the United States in 1992 and is a component of the Nasdaq-100 Index. Nasdaq is going global because the companies listed on Nasdaq are increasingly international. Starbucks is a prime example."
Starbucks Coffee Japan opened its first retail store in Tokyo's Ginza district in August 1996. Since then it has grown to become a leading specialty coffee company in Japan. Located in 23 Japanese prefectures, it is Starbucks' best performing market outside of North America.
"Nasdaq Japan is the market for new ideas, innovative practices and concepts. It is the market for companies that are changing the way we live," said Ted Saeki, President and CEO of Nasdaq Japan, Inc. "We are delighted to welcome Starbucks Coffee Japan to the family of companies listed on the Nasdaq Japan Market, as its entrepreneurial and innovative business model is a perfect fit with the Nasdaq Japan concept."
Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd., was established in 1995 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee International, a wholly owned subsidiary of Starbucks Coffee Company, and Japanese retailer and restaurateur, SAZABY Inc. Starbucks Coffee Company, listed on Nasdaq in the U.S., is a major shareholder of Starbucks Japan.
The shares of Starbucks Japan common stock listed on Nasdaq Japan have not been registered in the United States under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and as a result may not be offered or sold in the United States or to United States persons unless the securities are registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available.
There are 71 companies listed on the Nasdaq Japan Market, which opened on June 19, 2000. Capturing 25 percent of the IPO market share in Japan since its opening, the Nasdaq Japan Market is a state-of-the-art electronic securities market for the growth of capital and globalization of the Japanese economy.
