Showa Denko decided at its board meeting held on May 8, 2015, the changes in representative director. Akira Koinuma, Director, Senior Managing Corporate Officer, and Chief Technology Officer (Officer in charge of Production Technology, Energy & Electricity, SPS Innovation, and CSR departments; Chairman, Safety Measures Committee) has been appointed Representative Director, effective immediately. Meanwhile, Shinji Sakai, Representative Director and Executive Vice President (Officer in charge of Ceramics and Carbons divisions; Yokohama, Shiojiri, and Omachi plants; and Corporate R&D and Corporate Strategy departments) will resign as Representative Director effective May 31, 2015.

Sakai expressed his intention to resign as Representative Director, and Director, for personal reasons, and the company accepted his resignation. He will resign as Corporate Officer as well on May 31, 2015.