Lincoln International establishes Japan Advisory Board and named Yoichiro Furuse and Chieko Matsuda as Senior Advisors

August 1, 2011 Tokyo – Lincoln International, a leading global mid-market investment bank, has announced Yoichiro Furuse and Chieko Matsuda have joined its Tokyo office as Senior Advisors. Mr. Furuse and Ms. Matsuda also serve as active members of the newly created Japan Advisory Board which is chaired by Keiji Miyakawa, Managing Director & Chairman of Lincoln-Japan.

Having opened offices in Moscow and Mumbai this year, Lincoln International now operates 12 offices in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Since being launched in 2008 as Lincoln International’s first office in Asia, the Tokyo office (“Lincoln-Japan”) has played a key role in the truly integrated international advisory firm. Recently completed transactions in 2011 include:

1. The acquisition of Genzyme Diagnostics by Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.,
2. The sale of Acomon AG by Auctus Capital Partners to Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. and
3. The sale of actuators operations by Freudenberg & Co. KG. to Eagle Industry Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based publicly listed global sealing and valve products supplier.

In response to increasing cross-border M&A activities involving Japanese companies, Lincoln-Japan moved to larger offices in March 2011 and hired Hajimu Sato, a Vice President, from GCA Savvian in April 2011. With 2 junior bankers joining by September, Lincoln-Japan will have a staff of 10 people.

Yoichiro Furuse is currently the President of Evanston, management consulting firm based in Tokyo, a Non-Executive Director of Nitto Denko Corporation, a leading diversified materials manufacturer, and a senior executive of several non-profit organizations.. Previously, Mr. Furuse was a Managing Director of Sumitomo Banking Corporation, a Managing Director of Mazda Motor Corporation, a global automobile manufacturer, and an Executive Vice President & CFO of Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd., a world leader in rechargeable battery technology. Mr. Furuse has well-diverse network among senior management in both financial and industry communities. Mr. Furuse received his MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, and BA in laws from Osaka University.

Chieko Matsuda is a Professor of Graduate School for Business Administration, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Started her career with The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan, Ms. Matsuda previously held positions including an Analyst at Moody’s, and a Partner at Booz & Company, a global management and strategy consulting firm. She also is a member of several governmental committees, including the Industrial Finance Committee by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; M&A Research Committee by the Cabinet Office; and Working Team for Reform of Governmental Finance by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Ms. Matsuda is an active speaker at various conferences and published number of books on corporate strategy and M&A. Chieko received her MBA from Ecole Nationale de Pont et Chausse in France, and BA from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

“Lincoln-Japan is successful and growing. The formation of the Japan Advisory Board and appointment of Yoichiro and Chieko as Senior Advisors demonstrates our commitment to further grow our business in Japan. Establishing a strong presence in the key global economies is one of core strategies of Lincoln International. Japan is clearly one of the leading global economies, both now and for the foreseeable future. Therefore Japan is an important market for us,” said Jim Lawson, Chairman of Lincoln International.

Keiji Miyakawa, Managing Director & Chairman of Lincoln-Japan and Chairman of the Japan Advisory Board, said, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Furuse and Ms. Matsuda on board. Based on their broad network among the senior management of Japanese corporates and deep insight on what Japanese corporates expect from M&A advisors, they will help expand the number of companies where Lincoln International is a trusted advisor acting for the best interest of clients.”

Tetsuya Fujii, CEO & Managing Director of Lincoln-Japan, commented, “Yoichiro and Chieko have so-called Lincoln International DNA. Yoichiro studied at Kellogg Graduate School of Management, a major graduate school in Chicago area where Lincoln International has the origin, and Chieko worked for The Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan which founders of Lincoln International in the U.S. and Japan have history with. We continue building a strong team in Japan.”

About Lincoln International

Lincoln International specializes in merger and acquisition advisory services, debt advisory services, private capital raising and restructuring advice on mid-market transactions. Lincoln International also provides fairness opinions, valuations and pension advisory services on a wide range of transaction sizes. With twelve offices: three in the Americas, two in Asia, and seven in Europe, and strategic partnerships with leading institutions in China and Korea, Lincoln International has strong local knowledge and contacts in the key global economies. The firm provides clients with senior-level attention, in-depth industry expertise and integrated resources. By being focused and independent, Lincoln International serves its clients without conflicts of interest.