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Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC) has signed an agreement with Inmarsat to manufacture and deliver maritime terminals for its forthcoming Global Xpress™ Ka-band broadband service.

JRC is one of the world’s longest-established companies in the field of marine electronics, and a pioneer in global mobile L-band satellite communications as Inmarsat’s longest-serving manufacturing partner.

As one of the initial launch partners for Global Xpress, Inmarsat’s visionary response to the rapidly-changing broadband needs of international shipping, JRC will ensure the availability of high-quality maritime terminals at service introduction, planned for 2013.

“JRC has a well earned reputation of providing top-quality maritime equipment, backed up by the highest caliber of service,” said Frank Coles, President – Maritime, Inmarsat. “We are extremely pleased to have JRC contributing to the success of the Global Xpress service. This now completes the range of leading manufacturers supporting GX.”

JRC’s terminals operating over Inmarsat’s new fleet of Inmarsat-5 Ka-Band satellites, will provide seafarers with greatly enhanced levels of communications speed, quality and service.

From the beginnings of the satellite communications era JRC has invested heavily in research and development year-on-year. This investment will continue so as to offer creative solutions to the marine industry, through a new design of compact Ka-Band terminal and antenna delivering enhanced connectivity in response to user demands.

“Our Global Xpress terminals will complement the suite of Inmarsat marine products we have available today,” said Mr. Tamiho Shinya, Executive of Marine Division, JRC. “We are using the experience and expertise gained through our rich heritage of delivering successful Inmarsat products to ensure that our new product range for use with Inmarsat’s Global Xpress will provide customers with JRC’s renowned quality and reliability at a competitive price and with full global support.”

About JRC

Established in 1915, JRC has built and maintained a hard-earned reputation in the marine business for reliable and innovative engineering backed up by an extensive global customer support network. Our products are valued in the market because they provide modern affordable services which work dependably. JRC’s engineering standards are matched by the rigour of our Quality Assurance process -- our brand and our reputation are critical to our continued success.

Marine Electronics comprises some 30% of our activities. JRC worldwide has over 3500 employees (including subsidiaries) working in 41 locations in Japan and 13 overseas offices, with the main marine service centres being in Tokyo, Amsterdam and Seattle as our hubs for global coverage. In FY2010, ended March 31, 2011, the JRC Group posted consolidated net sales of JPY107,705 million($1.295.3 million). For more information, please visit www.jrc.co.jp/eng/ir/annual/2011/annual11.pdf

About Inmarsat

Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organizations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,500 staff in more than 40 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. For the year ended 31st December 2010, Inmarsat plc had total revenue of US$1,171.6 million (2009: US$1,038.1 million) and an EBITDA of US$696.1 million (2009: US$594.2 million). Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE:ISAT.L). For more information, please visit www.inmarsat.com.

For further information please contact:

Japan Radio Co.,Ltd
Marine Electronics Division
Tel No.: 81-(0)3-6832-1814
Email: marine-contact@jrc.co.jp

John Warehand
Inmarsat
Tel No: 44 7739 778128
Email: john_warehand@inmarsat.com

It is now one year since the IMO amendment to SOLAS came into force on 1st January 2011, and JRC is pleased to provide an update on our activities to date.

As a world leader in the design and manufacture of marine electronics, this latest new IMO requirement has been a lot longer in the making than many others, with the first pioneering models designed as far back as 1995 when IMO adopted the initial ECDIS performance standard. Since then JRC has delivered nearly 5,000 IMO compliant ECDIS systems worldwide, with approximately half that number made up of the current ECDIS product line.

Even with the IMO vessel specific installation deadlines still to enter into force, this shows ship owners demonstrating their own pioneering spirit by fitting early, great signs that ECDIS is already a natural fit on today's and tomorrow’s bridge.

It is expected that tens of thousands of vessels will be required to install and adopt ECDIS carriage over the next 6 years, both for newly built vessels and those existing. With a minimum of one ECDIS system being required per vessel and two systems to go “paperless”, this represents a significant number of what will be a major manufactured item. With the number of units already delivered, JRC has clearly demonstrated it has the capability and the capacity to meet the demand.

The final long term commitment that JRC offers is after sales service and support. Even after the carriage requirement has been effected by all specified vessels, JRC’s support philosophy and global service network will always be at the ship owner’s disposal for many years to come.

Set sail for JRC to see the latest line of new generation multi function and navigation information displays. Featuring an aesthetic and harmonized design, the 4.5-inch displays are a natural addition to JRC’s comprehensive product line.

In keeping with the company’s philosophy of an easy to use Man Machine Interface, the new displays have allowed JRC’s engineers to develop an exciting new software approach.

The 4.5-inch display can be used as a multi-function display (MFD), speed log, (D)GPS and GPS compass. The cost-effective approach allows full NMEA data share for up to 10 displays. The same applies for dimmer share. By changing the intensity on one of the units, it automatically shares the new display settings through all.

The keys are solid and backlit allowing for precise operation while easy to operate in low-light settings on the bridge.

Also new is power distribution. When powering one of the displays, it has the option to distribute power to two additional units, which allows for a flexible installation approach in confined spaces.

JRC also introduces a new 4.5-inch Class A AIS in line with the common display series mentioned above. The AIS can “see around corners” allowing avoidance of dangers before visual or radar contact has been established. The JRC AIS is renowned as best choice for long-range detection.

JRC’s advantage of long-range detection has been the basis for the new model. Outside the antenna will be the same, but the inner parts are completely renewed and RoHS compliant.

This will result in a cost-effective AIS system with uniform design and MMI approach while keeping the same technical advantages in place.

We expect to introduce all 4.5-inch displays gradually through the first six months of 2012.

Also on display at the exhibition will be the new JLR-21 GPS compass, which reaches a new level of performance and stability with many new features and enhancements. This system is also known as a 3D Dynamic Sensor™ which, besides giving heading information, is designed to provide highly accurate information of the ships movement in all axis.

JRC will show its JMA-5300Mk2 and JMA-9100 radar which integrates the Tornado™ radar processor.

Developed exclusively by JRC’s engineers, the Tornado™ radar processor has brought a new level of performance and reliability to radar operation. This capability allows the radars to easily perform the complex tasks associated with the company’s other in-house developed technologies, Constaview™ and Target Enhancement Function, TEF™ .

We will also show the new all-in-one radar JMA-3300 with a 10.4-inch ultra bright glass-bonded LCD (1000 candelas) integrating our new System-on-Chip technology. It features a clear radar picture with True Trails in Head-up mode, semi-Constaview™ and it has the option to easily view required data, such as own ship and/or cursor data in a transparent window. The radar has 50 AIS and 10 tracked MARPA targets as standard and is available in a 4, 6 and 10kW version (including high speed models for 6 and 10 kW).

Get to see all our products at (Alphatron) stand 3406.

Japan Radio Co., Ltd. (JRC) is pleased to announce it has delivered its 15,000th Tornado™ radar from the Mitaka factory in Tokyo, Japan.

Developed exclusively by JRC’s engineers, the Tornado™ radar processor has brought a new level of performance and reliability to radar operation. Found in the JMA-5200 through to the JMA-9100 series, this new capability allowed the radars to easily perform the complex tasks associated with the company’s other in-house developed technologies, Constaview™ and Target Enhancement Function (TEF™).

JRC’s Constaview™ allows full processing of data within milliseconds, generating a smooth and continuous (radar) image rotation. TEF™ allows target enhancement relative to the target size, resulting in a proportional enhancement where the relative enhancement of smaller targets is greater than applied to larger targets.

Since the first JMA-5300 Tornado™ radar was shipped in 2004, JRC has delivered an average of 6 per day to reach this 15,000 milestone. Mr. Tamiho Shinya, Executive Officer of the Marine Division commented, “We are thrilled to have delivered so many radars around the world and even more pleased to see that so many of our customers are able to take full advantage of our systems.“

JRC is pleased to announce the first JMA-5300Mk2 radars installed on board a modern Superyacht, the MY Sea Horse.

Comprising of one 25kW X-Band ARPA and one 30kW S-Band ARPA, the radars were a retrofit installation onboard the 52m vessel, with Captain Anthony Priest the Project Manager. They were supplied in “black box” configuration, which allowed the use of Hatteland monitors for the bridge displays.

Commenting on the installation, Mr. Andy Naito, General Manager of JRC’s Seattle branch office said; “JRC is well known in the commercial shipping industry as one of the most comprehensive manufacturers of marine electronics. It is such a natural thought to us that significant vessels as these Superyachts should benefit from the same superior performance and reliability that the commercial operators clearly acknowledge.”

The radars were sold and installed by Paradise Marine of Fort Lauderdale and they quickly proved themselves during sea trials on the vessel’s way to Italy, stopping in Bermuda for fuel and then a 17-day sailing passage to Rome.

“We are extremely grateful to the MY Sea Horse and Paradise Marine for this opportunity to demonstrate that JRC can be a natural partner within this fine Superyacht industry,” concluded Mr. Naito.

Set sail to the JRC – ProNav stand at Nor-Shipping this year to discover the newest-generation products featuring a beautiful and harmonized design. Our products exhibited include, among others, the new JLR-21 GPS compass, which reaches a new level of performance and stability with many new features and enhancements. This system is also known as a 3D Dynamic Sensor™ which, besides giving heading information, is designed to provide highly accurate information of the ships movement in all axis.

We will also show the new all-in-one radar JMA-3300 with a 10.4-inch ultra bright LCD (1000 candelas) integrating our new System-on-Chip technology. It features a clear radar picture with True Trails in Head-up mode semi-Constaview™ and it has the option to easily view required data, such as own ship and/or cursor data in a transparent window. The radar has 50 AIS and 10 tracked MARPA targets as standard and is available in a 4, 6 and 10kW version (including high speed models for 6 and 10 kW).

The Remote Maintenance System (RMS) will also be shown which allows for cost-effective monitoring of performance and functionality of your onboard equipment while at sea, significantly reducing downtime and maintenance costs. JRC accredited technicians can remotely link to the equipment onboard the vessel to inspect, analyze, resolve or determine what actions are necessary at the vessels next port in order to quickly return the equipment to a full operational status.

We wish to express our sympathy to the people of Japan whose lives have been affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on 11 March 2011.

Japan Radio Company (JRC) would like to inform you about the effect on our local establishments. Damage to our buildings and facilities in Sendai and Hachinohe, located in the north-east part of Japan, has been confirmed. Our office in Sendai has resumed regular operations, however, Hachinohe office still has suspended operations due to serious damages to buildings and facilities. The maritime division of Sendai office is taking care of operations on behalf of Hachinohe office until further notice.

At this stage JRC has committed to a contribution of 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society in order to assist those who have been affected by this disaster and to aid in the recovery. JRC will also put effort into dispatching manpower and lending wireless applications where possible.

JRC sincerely hopes for quick recovery of the people and areas in Japan that have been affected by this terrible tragedy.

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), a world-leading shipbuilding company from Korea, have awarded Japan Radio Company (JRC), one of the world’s longest established companies in the field of marine electronics, the prestigious Samsung-Q Mark Gold. This award is presented to the company selected from hundreds of manufacturers worldwide with the best quality performance. In 2011 JRC was chosen the best-qualified manufacturer of radio & navigation equipment.

In 2002 SHI started this program to achieve the highest rate of customer satisfaction. Since the start of the program, JRC has received consecutively in 2002, 2005 and 2008 the Samsung-Q Mark Silver and this year received the highest Samsung-Q Mark award Gold. SHI is focused on providing vessels with zero-defects, and JRC quality assurance, materials control, after-sales service and production management is proven world class. We will continue providing products with the utmost performance and services.
 

Mr. J.W. Nam, Vice President of SHI commented “As the result of your company’s prominent system for high quality management, JRC is awarded Q-Mark Gold and would like to express profound gratitude for your company been supplying high quality equipments to SHI”

Mr. Kazuaki Uchino, Vice Executive of JRC Marine Electronics Division, commented “We are honored to receive this prominent award. It is a great recognition for our policy to achieve the highest rate of customer satisfaction”.

About Samsung-Q Mark

At SHI, the decision-making power is focused on providing vessels with zero-defects and a high customer satisfaction rate. It is essential to cooperate with the best partners in the industry, providing high-quality materials and marine equipment in order to achieve the maximum performance. In dealing with this aspect, SHI has designed and introduced the Samsung-Q Mark to sub-contractors with superior quality to enhance quality systems as well as sub-contractor level.

An evaluation of sub-contractor quality systems is held annually to find companies with superior quality for the Samsung-Q Mark certificate. Sub-contractors that have achieved good quality performance and have met all the requirements according to SHI quality standards can be awarded, which is valid for three years.

Japan Radio Company Limited (JRC), the global leader of marine electronics. announces the establishment of the new subsidiary, JRC (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. in Shanghai, China on the date of 6 January 2011. The new subsidiary starts operation at new premises from 1 April 2011.

JRC opened the first representative office in 2007 to enhance product support for the customers in China working together with the agents. By upgrading this representative office to corporation, JRC intends to organize the locally suited sales and service network closely working with customers and expects to gain a higher level of customer satisfaction.

JRC(Shanghai) Co., Ltd., headed by Tamiho Shinya, executive officer of JRC Marine Division, aims to promote New Buildings of Highseas, work boat and fishery market by continuously improving technical support and delivery of JRC products to the customers of the biggest ship building country in the world.

In total 7 specialists from JRC Tokyo will be moving to JRC(Shanghai) who are all well-experienced in Sales and Technical field of Marine business. This would lead to building a robust foundation for future expansion cooperating with dedicated Chinese specialists of JRC(Shanghai) to support the customers efficiently covering geographically wide market.

To our valued customers,

You may already be aware of the news that Nisshinbo Holdings Inc, who is our major shareholder, executed a Take over Bid (TOB) of JRC stocks. With this bid, Nisshinbo Holdings Inc is planning to raise its stake in JRC to 64.3% from their previous holding of 34.0%.

The purpose of this TOB is to integrate Nisshinbo Holdings Inc groups. and Japan Radio Co Ltd groups in an equal partnership to ensure future development and mutual growth.

Moreover, in the press release of Nisshinbo Holdings Inc, it is clearly stated that they plan “To respect the independent management of our listed company” and “there is no plan to seriously change the overall structure of JRC”

Upon receiving the proposal from Nisshinbo Holdings Inc, JRC examined the proposal, taking into account the various points of view, and after careful deliberation, JRC has decided to agree to the proposal. It is judged that the advantage to us and our customers is great when considering our future development.

More importantly it is felt that:

- It will now become possible to offer the customer a novel product that contributes to the technical development of environmental improvement and energy efficiency.

- The satisfaction of the customer can be further improved by the concentration of effort formed by this powerful new cooperative business partnership.

Because our business is going to continue much as before, this TOB will not influence the relation between our company and you, our customer. Our company will further try to make the best use of this momentous event as a chance to revolutionize and improve our product quality and further enhance our currently offered services.

It is the situation in which a severe economic environment continues. However with the promised cooperation of all members we plan to push onwards with the further development of the business. We therefore hope you will favour us with your continued patronage.

Yours sincerely.


9 November 2010

Yorihisa Suwa
President