1

Press release: for immediate release (October 30, 2014 – Tokyo, Japan)

IOFT 2014 concluded successfully The 27th edition of Asia’s leading optical trade show - International Optical Trade Fair Tokyo (IOFT) http://www.ioft.jp/en/ was held last week at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. The show was organised by Reed Exhibitions Japan and the most influential trade association of the optical industry in Japan – Fukui Optical Association. From October 20 to October 22, the show gathered various brands, buyers, leaders from industry associations, organisations, press/media and other professionals of the optical industry from all over Japan, Asia and the World. To search for IOFT 2014 exhibitors and details of their exhibits http://www.ioft.jp/en/eguide/ To view the floor plan: http://www.ioft.jp/en/doc/floorplan/

Overall the show attracted 270 exhibitors and 13,934 professional visitors. Both the figures and overall atmosphere of IOFT seemed more bloomed this year. In comparison to the previous edition both the exhibitor and visitor number has increased (245 exhibitors and 13,801 professional visitors in 2013) and show ground was evidently more crowded throughout the 3 days. The atmosphere of the show ground was lively with buyers and brands discussing business in and out of the booths. The overall mood of the show was positive and bloomed.

Business and trend boosting events and projects Various events and newly launched projects were held throughout the show in order to boost on-site business. For instance, the Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony was held before the doors opened to the exhibition halls, gathering 46 Japanese and Asian chairmen of optical associations,

2

top executives of powerful optical stores, importers, wholesales, and mass retailers etc. to celebrate the opening of the 27th edition. (See List of Opening Ribbon Cutting Dignitaries for the full list of participants). Ichiro Kuroda, President of Fukui Optical Association gave the opening remark and expressed the need for participants to aggressively conduct business through the show in order to keep the industry healthy.

“The Abenomics effects are boosting the economy. Nevertheless, for small and medium companies in Fukui, the marketing conditions remain challenging. This year, 70 companies from Fukui are exhibiting at IOFT to increase their sales. As I say to our members, at a time like this, it is all the more important that we seize the opportunity to conduct business aggressively at IOFT. We hope the buyers will respond to our enthusiasm by actively placing orders.” (Excerpt from the opening remarks at the Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony) This encouraging speech may have been one of the factors that contributed the increasingly active atmosphere of the show. The synergistic effects of the show being held next to Japan’s largest international fashion trade show – FASHION WORLD TOKYO http://www.fashion-tokyo.jp/en/ may have been a contributor to the increase in the visitor numbers (as retailers, fashion boutiques, wholesalers, import/exporters and other fashion related buyers visiting FASHION WORLD TOKYO were able to enter both shows). But the quality as well as quantity of on-site business specific to optical may have been upped by newly launched events, projects and the match-making services arranged by Show Management. Boosting international business Theme Country: France In order to boost business for international brands interested in investing deeper into the Japanese and Asian markets, Show Management arranged a new theme country project, which specially promoted the exhibits and exhibitors from the selected country. France was the selected country for the launch year and through official show documents/materials and additional promotion via partnering Japanese press/media, the show’s social media, French brands and their products were featured. Exhibitors from France included TRACTION, CHAMBORELLE CREATION FRANCE, PIERRE EYEWEAR, FILAO etc. and exhibitors within the France Pavilion were: ANACOLE, MU VISION, OXIBIS, ELCE, GLANCE OF LENS, JEYES, LOOK VISION, LIBRA EYEWEAR etc. The show will continue to promote France through post show promotion, post show media promotion and post-show social media promotion.

3

For full details about the Theme Country project: www.ioft.jp/en/doc/theme_country/ Match-making services On-site match-making services were also arranged this year in order to facilitate new business between international brands and buyers from Japan and Asia. IOFT specially invited 144 powerful buyers from 64 leading Asian retailers, wholesalers importers etc. to the show arranging appointments with translation service with international exhibitors. Appointments were also arranged with Japanese buyers. Through the program, many purchases were made and some buyers purchased huge orders summing up to as much as USD 1,000,000 (excerpt from post-show questionnaire)

tide – The IOFT International Designers In addition to the events and services to boost international business, there was also a special exhibit area featuring the latest, edgy, stylish, overall fascinating eyewear at tide. Each year, this area attracts much attention from the industry and is the ultimate trend setting showcase for the coming year. This year, TRACTION, F&F, CHAMBORELLE CREATION FRANCE, FROST, FLEYE, HOET, Gold & Black, Blac, Freddi Wood, KRAA KRAA, OVVO OPTICS, RES/REI, ST.HUBERTUS, ALFRED KERBS, TENXION, SEESUN, etc. exhibited their latest, stylish and original eyewear. To search for tide exhibitors and exhibit information: http://www.ioft.jp/en/eguide/

4

Trend setting events and projects EYEWEAR OF THE YEAR 2015: This year’s edition of the annual trend setting eyewear award “EYEWEAR OF THE YEAR 2015 (EOY 2015)” was also held on the first day announcing the winners and Grand Prix winners of the 5 award categories: Men's Eyewear, Ladies' Eyewear, Kids Eyewear, Sunglasses, and Functions & Technologies. Below are the winners and Grand Prix winners of EOY 2015: Men’s Eyewear: ATELIER CINQ, USH by yuichi toyama, UF0-047 Tyler (Grand Prix) KEI SUGIMOTO, sugimotokei, KS-60 TANIGUCHI OPTICAL INC., TURNING Step, TP-315 Ladies' Eyewear: DJUAL CO., LTD., DJUAL, OH-09 (Grand Prix) KUJO LTD., RYO YAMASHITA I.B.Noir, RYO YAMASHITA I.B.Noir Maruyama/in.bk-s CHARMANT INC., Line Art CHARMANT, Duo Collection XL1097 Kids Eyewear: FLEYE LTD., FLEYE, Lenni (Grand Prix) EYEDEAS - Smart Optics, Specky, Specky / Puzzle FAITH OPTIC CO., LTD., gosh, gos-042 Sunglasses: BOSTON CLUB CO., LTD., BCPC, BS-046 (Grand Prix) ATELIER CINQ INC., USH by yuichi toyama, UF0-028-S Sean FAITH OPTIC CO., LTD., DILLON, LUKE Functions & Technologies: INOCO, KRAA KRAA, Nestor (Grand Prix) MATSUSEN BEKKO SEISAKUJYO, SENSUI, ICHIMATSU MOYOU Yun San Corporation, TENXION, TU-01

5

Below are the comments of the Grand Prix winners of EOY 2015 (excerpt and translated by Show Management from the winning speech at the awards ceremony):

“I have been working for this industry for 10 years, have been participating at IOFT since I was an employee at a different brand and 5 years ago launched this brand. So winning the Grand Prix means so much to me. We couldn’t have done this without the people around us” Men’s Eyewear Grand Prix Winner, ATELIER CINQ

“We are so pleasantly surprised to be able to win the Grand Prix 2 years in a row. For 5 years, we have continued to make our products focusing on the material. This product was created in that process. We will continue to make our products valuing the importance of creating products with a diverse mind” Ladies’ Eyewear Grand Prix Winner, DUAL

“I’m very happy and very proud. It is the fourth time winning the award but the first time winning the Grand Prix. So we are very happy that we have been here in Japan for the last ten years. I like to exhibit here and I like to sell to our very nice Japanese customers. Denmark is a very small country with only 5 million people. So we are quite proud that we can design something that the Japanese like because Japan for us is a country with nice taste and very very good design. ” Kids Eyewear Grand Prix Winner, FLEYE

“Thank you for the Grand Prix. This year Boston Club celebrates the 30th anniversary and I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in producing our products ” Sunglasses Eyewear Grand Prix Winner, BOSTON CLUB

6

“When we were working at the workshop, we wanted to make something special for carpenters and started this project. During the product development we met so many professionals, so many skillful people who shared the vision of the product. Without them, it would not have been possible. I want to thank working together with us. ” Function & Technologies Grand Prix Winner, INOCO/KRAA KRAA

For the details of the EOY 2015 winners and frame descriptions: http://www.ioft.jp/en/Concurrent-Events/Eoy-Awards/Winners/ Reception Party and Japan Best Dressed Eyes Award: IOFT also holds a reception for leaders of the industry to network and casually acquaint with one another on the first evening of the show. This year, 793 professionals attended the event and a toast was made by the president of one of the leading optical retailer in Japan and abroad - TOKYO OPTICAL: “As a retailer, we consider it our mission to constantly raise the Quality of Vision (QOV) of our customers. To do that, we must update ourselves with the latest technology, industry trend, and product information. With a history of 27 years, IOFT is the largest purchasing venue for us. IOFT is a comprehensive international trade show that caters for every need of optical retailers. On behalf of the retailer industry, I express our gratitude to Reed Japan, Fukui Optical Association and all involved your great efforts.” Souichi Shirayama, President, TOKYO OPTICAL (Excerpt and translated by Show Management from the toast at the VIP Reception Party)

As well as being a networking event, the reception holds the award ceremony for the media attracting award “Japan Best Dressed Eyes Award” which awards Japanese celebrities (including prominent politicians, actor/actresses, sports players, and other high profile figures) with outstanding eyewear fashion sense. This award is organised each year by Show Management in order to raise the public’s interest and awareness to wear and to enjoy eyewear. At the award ceremony, the award winners have shared their personal passion for eyewear and how they incorporate it into their lives and fashion:

“I own 11 pairs myself and also enjoy wearing sunglasses since I was a student. As I have won this award, I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to promote how fantastic eyewear is to everyone in Japan and the world” Akira Amari, Minister in charge of Economic Revitalization

7

“It is unfortunate that the economic condition has not allowed us to express to the world how great the eyewear from Japan are. I feel there is a need to do so. I wish to share the different ways eyewear are created and sold to as many people as I can” Hiroko Ogiwara, Economic Journalist

“I love sunglasses and as I was born and raised in Fukui, eyewear has always been something special for me. I will promote how great eyewear and sunglasses are through fashion.” Angelica Michibata, Fashion Model

Press/media and social media exposure have vastly spread across Japan since the announcement of the winners and post-ceremony. Winners have also tweeted and shared photographs and comments related to eyewear and the award. For the details of the 27th Japan Best Dressed Eyes winner: http://www.ioft.jp/en/Concurrent-Events/27th-Japan-Best-Dressed-Eyes-Awards/ Sunglasses Collections 2014-2015: 140 brands were gathered at the newly launched Sunglasses Collection showcase area. As sunglasses are now increasingly becoming considered as an essential fashion item both by professional buyers and consumers in Japan, IOFT created this new gallery in order for exhibitors to show off their latest models. The gallery effectively attracted visitors and the gallery is planned to be powered up and return at next year’s edition. Lens Technology Seminar: There have been many requests received by IOFT participants in the past for new opportunities to be educated and be up-to-date with the latest lens technology during the show. To fulfill the needs of such show participants and to aid the sharing of latest technologies to the industry, Show Management will be opening a “Lens Technology Open Seminar”. 10 sessions were all together held

8

covering hot topics such as high curve lenses, Progressive Additional Lenses, how to choose order-made lenses etc. Experts from the lens technology field from KODAK LENS, HOYA, SEIKO OPTICAL PRODUCTS, TOKAI OPTICAL, Japanese Academy of Optometry and Ophthalmic Science, Progressive Glasses Science Lab etc. lead the sessions as speakers. “Know-how sharing sessions” for optical retail stores: There was also special seminar to aid the business for optical retail stores. The “Know-how sharing sessions for optical retail stores” gathered top representatives of 6 optical retail stores in Japan and each of them shared their stories about how they achieved success through special ideas and strategies. For instance, success stories about changing shop concepts, constructing a special gallery within their shops etc. On the whole, all the seminar sessions held during the show attracted 1542 attendees which is nearly a 3 fold increase from the previous year. In order for IOFT to create a show to match the needs of the visiting retailers, IOFT considers it important to provide a platform to seek useful information and trends which may aid communication with consumers as well as serving as a great purchasing platform (as evident from TOKYO OPTICS’s toast at the reception party, See above) IOFT will continue to hold such seminar sessions in order to cater for the needs of the visitors.

Future plans for IOFT In conclusion, the 27th edition of IOFT had been held successfully with a positive overall atmosphere, improved figures and good general feedback from participants. IOFT will continue to provide a firm, business generating platform for international brands to launch new products into Japan & Asia and aid networking with relevant professionals in the region. In order to aid stronger bonds between Japanese & Asian buyers and international brands, IOFT will continue to feature a country as the Theme country of the show. By increasing the exposure of the brands and the products of the theme country to Japanese & Asian buyers as well as consumers, IOFT aims to contribute to further business between the two parties. Becoming a comprehensive

9

and international business hub for the buyers is also a concept that IOFT will be devoted to push further so IOFT will also endure its efforts to hold various business aiding projects and events such as the ones mentioned previously. Continual innovation and evolution is key in supporting the industry so launching further new projects, events, concept building for next year or future editions may be a possibility also. The next edition of IOFT will be held from September 30 until October 2, 2015 at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan. For further information, visit the official show webpage http://www.ioft.jp/en/ or contact Show Management directly ioft-eng@reedexpo.co.jp IOFT Show Management/Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd. Attn: Ena MASUI (Ms.) Tel: +81-3-3349-8519 Fax: +81-3-3349-8530 Email: ioft_pr@reedexpo.co.jp

10

Note to Editors

Show Outline: Exhibition Name: 27th INTERNATIONAL OPTICAL FAIR TOKYO (IOFT 2014) Dates: October 20-22, 2014 Organised by: Reed Exhibitions Japan Ltd./Fukui Optical Association Official Webpage: http://www.ioft.jp/en/ To cover/report: Show coverage/media partnership inquiries >> ioft_pr@reedexpo.co.jp Attn: Ena MASUI To exhibit: Exhibiting inquiries >> ioft-eng@reedexpo.co.jp Attn: Akira KONO Request for exhibiting information request online >> http://www.ioft.jp/en/ex/ To visit: Visiting inquiries >> visitor-eng.ioft@reedexpo.co.jp Attn: Nozomi ESAKI / Mifa KIM Request for free invitation ticket online >> http://www.ioft.jp/en/inv/

11

List of Opening Ribbon Cut Dignitaries