Takashi Sensui Named General Manager of Microsoft’s Xbox Division in Japan

TOKYO — Feb. 16, 2006 — Microsoft today announced the promotion of Mr. Takashi Sensui to the position of general manager of the Xbox Division for Microsoft Co. Ltd. (Microsoft Japan). He succeeds Mr. Yoshihiro Maruyama, who has been appointed to a strategic position within Microsoft’s Entertainment and Devices Division.

“Mr. Maruyama played a key role in launching Xbox 360™ in Japan, and he secured vital partner relationships that are crucial to the long-term success of the business in the region. Having achieved this, Mr. Maruyama will transition to a new role where his unique vision and foresight will be applied in a strategic capacity within the Entertainment and Devices organization,” said Peter Moore, corporate vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “Now as we look ahead at the post-launch timeframe for Xbox 360, Mr. Sensui will lead the business forward in Japan to build momentum at a time when key Japanese-developed games for Xbox 360 will soon be available.”

“We acknowledge that achieving success in Japan will not come easily or quickly for Xbox®,” Mr. Sensui said. “But we are confident that because Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best content for Japanese gamers, enabled by the online capability of Xbox Live®, we will earn more of their business moving forward. I am excited and honored to take on this role.”

Mr. Sensui has more than two decades of IT and entertainment industry experience. Before taking his current position, he was director of the marketing department and game content group in Microsoft’s Xbox Division in Japan. In this role, Mr. Sensui worked closely with

Mr. Maruyama to secure the widespread support of every major third-party publisher in Japan for the Xbox 360 platform.

Mr. Sensui joined Microsoft in 2002 as director of marketing for Xbox in Japan. Before coming to Microsoft, Mr. Sensui was managing director of Internet Capital Group K.K., a subsidiary of the U.S. equity investment company Internet Capital Group Inc. Until 2000, he served as vice president of Marketing and Alliances at SAP Japan Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of the German enterprise application software company SAP AG.

About Xbox and Xbox 360

Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video games and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries. Microsoft introduced its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America. The system will be launched in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. Xbox 360 (http://www.xbox.com/xbox360) is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around gamers.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

Microsoft, Xbox 360, Xbox and Xbox Live are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

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