FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tokyo, January 28, 2020

Notice of Financing through Subordinated Loan

Japan Tobacco Inc. ("JT") (TSE: 2914) hereby announces that it today entered into a subordinated loan agreement ("Subordinated Loan") for an amount of JPY100 billion.

1. Objective and Significance of the Subordinated Loan

In order for sustainable profit growth in the mid-tolong-term, JT has adopted a financial policy to "maintain a strong financial base that secures stability in case of changes in business environment such as economic crises and flexibility enabling expeditious responses to business investment opportunities".

In accordance with the financial policy, JT has decided to raise funds through the Subordinated Loan in order to achieve financial soundness and improve capital efficiency.

While classified as debt, it has features similar to those of equity. As the Subordinated Loan is eligible for equity treatment from rating agencies to the certain extent, it contributes to strengthening our financial base without causing dilution of shares.

2. Overview of the Subordinated Loan

Total Loan Amount

JPY 100 billion

Loan Agreement Date

January 28, 2020

Drawdown Date

January 31, 2020

Use of Loan Proceeds

Repayment of existing debts and working capital

Maturity Date

January 31, 2080

JT may, however, make a prepayment on any Interest Payment

Date on or after the Interest Payment Date of January 2025.

Replacement

There is no contractual provision on replacement restrictions.

Restrictions

However, when making a prepayment for the Subordinated Loan,

it is assumed that refinancing will be performed with a product with

equity credit assigned by rating agencies to be equivalent to or

higher than the Subordinated Loan within the twelve months prior

to the prepayment date.*

Interest Deferral Clause

JT may defer the payment of interest at its own discretion.

Subordination Clause

The lender shall have the right of subordinated claim in liquidation

proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings, reorganization

proceedings, civil rehabilitation proceedings or any other

equivalent proceedings other than those under the laws of Japan.

No terms and conditions of the Subordinated Loan Agreement

may be amended in a manner detrimental in any way to any

creditors of JT other than the creditors of the subordinated

receivables.

Lenders

Mizuho Bank, Ltd., MUFG Bank, Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking

Corporation and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited

Evaluation of Equity

S&P Global Ratings Japan Inc.: Intermediate

Credit (expected)

Rating and Investment Information, Inc.: Class 3 - Equity Credit 50

  • JT may decide not to replace the Subordinated Loan with other financial instruments that have an equal or higher equity credit, if JT satisfies predefined financial requirements.

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Japan Tobacco Inc. is a leading international tobacco company with operations in more than 130 countries. With over 63,000 employees, it manufactures and sells some of the world's best-known brands including Winston, Camel, MEVIUS and LD. The JT Group is committed to investing in Reduced-Risk Products (RRP) and currently markets its tobacco vapor products under the Ploom brand and various e-cigarette products under the Logic brand. The Group is also present in the pharmaceutical and processed food businesses. For more information, visit https://www.jt.com/.

Contacts:

Dinesh Babu Thotakura, General Manager

Media and Investor Relations Division

Japan Tobacco Inc.

Tokyo: +81-3-5572-4292

E-mail: jt.media.relations@jt.com

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Japan Tobacco Inc. published this content on 28 January 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 28 January 2020 06:09:05 UTC