Belmont, Calif., February 04, 2004 - Nikon Corporation announced today that it will build a new worldwide training center to meet the growing demand for training from English-speaking countries around the world. With the largest installed base of advanced lithography equipment in the world, and a significant increase in unit shipments in 2003, Nikon is planning to build a state-of-the-art training facility at its current US headquarters in Belmont, California.

The facility is being designed for a capacity of more than 500 classes per year. It will house several leading-edge steppers and scanners in an advanced cleanroom designed to meet the stringent particle and contamination levels required for sub 90 nm lithography applications. To ensure the quality of the training is world-class, all class rooms will be designed to use new computer-based training (CBT) technologies. Hands-on training will occur in the cleanroom using advanced lithography equipment valued at tens of millions of dollars. When completed, the training facilities in Belmont will have a value of more than $70 million.

Nikon plans to move equipment into the building by December of this year, with classes planned to start by February 2005.

“Nikon shipped substantially more new systems and introduced more new products than any other lithography company in 2003. We need to increase our training capacity to meet our customers’ growing requirements” stated Geoff Wild CEO of Nikon Precision Inc. He continued, “Nikon is committed to providing the industry’s best support for our customers. The investment in this new facility will help our customers to produce more output from their fabs”.

About Nikon
Since 1980, Nikon Corporation has been revolutionizing lithography with innovative products and technologies. The company is a worldwide leader in lithography equipment for the microelectronics manufacturing industry with more than 7,200 exposure systems installed worldwide. Nikon offers the most extensive selection of production-class steppers and scanners in the industry. These products serve the semiconductor, flat panel display (LCD) and thin-film magnetic head (TFH) industries. Nikon Precision Inc. provides service, training, applications and technical support, as well as sales and marketing for Nikon lithography equipment in North America.

This press release contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in condition, particularly those related to industry requirements and other risks. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information in this press release.

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Contact:
Bernie Wood
Director of Marketing
Nikon Precision Inc.
(650) 413-8533 phone
bwood@nikon.com