''Pianissimo Precia Dia's Menthol'' to be launched nationwide from late July 2012

New 6 mg super slims with a sophisticated, mature elegance and splendor ''Pianissimo Precia Dia's Menthol'' to be launched nationwide from late July 2012

Tokyo, June 20, 2012 --- Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) (TSE: 2914) has announced a nationwide launch in late July 2012 of the strong menthol product Pianissimo Precia Dia's Menthol, a 6 mg tar cigarette in the 100 mm super slim category with an elegance and splendor for people with sophisticated and mature tastes.

First launched in 1995, Pianissimo boasts a product lineup offering a range of smoking feel, functionality, and designs to meet the needs of our consumers, making it one of the most popular menthol brands on the market.

100 mm super slim product with strong, crisp menthol sensation and solid, satisfying smoking experience

Pianissimo Precia Dia's Menthol has a strong, crisp menthol sensation and a solid, satisfying smoking experience, but like other cigarettes in the Pianissimo lineup, it is smooth and unassertive. D-spec(*1) technologies have also been incorporated to reduce unpleasant cigarette smells.

A package that embodies commanding strength and splendor

The package sports a refined diamond-studded pendant against a chic wine-red backdrop, embodying commanding strength and splendor. The super slim shape of the cigarettes makes it compact and easy to carry around despite containing a full pack of 20 cigarettes. The name Dia's comes from the word ''diamond,'' as diamonds are symbolic of inner strength and the elegance and splendor befitting mature tastes.

The launch of Pianissimo Precia Dia's Menthol will strengthen JT's menthol product lineup as the company evolves in its pursuit of further increasing consumer satisfaction.

(*1) D-spec: The collective name for products that, using JT technologies, have been engineered to lesson the unpleasant ''cigarette smell'' and instead give off pleasant aromas.

Product information of the Pianissimo brand as of July 30, 2012

Name	Launched	Price (Yen)	Tar	Nicotine
Pianissimo Aria Menthol	August 1995	440	1mg	0.1mg
Pianissimo Pétil Menthol One	July 2005	440	1mg	0.1mg
Pianissimo Fram Menthol One	October 2008	220	1mg	0.1mg
Pianissimo Lucia Menthol	February 2003	440	5mg	0.3mg
Pianissimo Icene Gracia	August 2002	440	5mg	0.4mg
Pianissimo Icene Crista	December 2009	440	1mg	0.1mg
Pianissimo Precia Menthol	November 2010	440	1mg	0.1mg
Pianissimo ViV Menthol	November 2011	440	6mg	0.5mg
Pianissimo Precia Dia's Menthol	July 2012	440	6mg	0.4mg

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Japan Tobacco Inc. is a leading international tobacco product company. Its products are sold in over 120 countries and its internationally recognized cigarette brands include Winston, Camel, Mild Seven and Benson & Hedges. With diversified operations, JT is also actively present in pharmaceuticals and foods. The company's revenue was JPY 2.034 trillion (US$24,745 million(*)) in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012.

* Translated at the rate of JPY 82.19 per $1, as of March 30, 2012