Notice Regarding Merger of Sohgo-Industry K.K. and VitalAire Japan K.K.

Sohgo-Industry K.K. (“Sohgo-Industry”) and VitalAire Japan K.K. (“VitalAire Japan”), two of our consolidated subsidiaries resolved, at their respective recent shareholders meetings and meetings of the Board of Directors, to implement a merger (the “Merger”) in which Sohgo-Industry will be the surviving company and VitalAire Japan will be the absorbed company, effective as of July 1, 2020.

1. Purpose of the Merger
This Merger aims to improve further our services to patients amidst a growing demand for home healthcare in Japan, as well as to increase management efficiency.
Two years and eleven months have passed since Sohgo-Industry joined the Group. VitalAire Japan, which we established as a subsidiary, has engaged in the home healthcare business in Japan for over 20 years. As demand for home healthcare increases within Japan’s healthcare system, the merger of the two companies is expected to make a strong, significant contribution to the domestic healthcare system in terms of both home healthcare and medical gases.
As a member of the Air Liquide Group, the new company plans to maximize its global experience in developing a medical approach in Japan, and will contribute towards increasing the Japanese home healthcare service.

2. Merger Method
The Merger is an absorption-type merger in which Sohgo-Industry will be the surviving company and VitalAire Japan will be dissolved. Sohgo-Industry will change its trade name to VitalAire Japan K.K. at the time of the Merger.

3. Situation After the Merger
Trade name following the Merger: VitalAire Japan K.K.
Head Office address: 2-11-13 Omori-Minami, Ota-ku, Tokyo
Representative’s position and name: Representative Director and CEO, Hideaki Takahashi
There will be no changes to its business operations, paid-in capital or the fiscal year-end.