UPWARD APPOINTS EXECUTIVE OFFICER SHIMONO AS NEW DIRECTOR AND CFO

(LOCATION: CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO; PRESIDENT AND CEO: RYUSUKE KANEKI; HEREINAFTER "UPWARD") ANNOUNCES THAT HIROMASA SHIMONO, WHO HAS BEEN SERVING AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER, HAS BEEN NEWLY APPOINTED AS DIRECTOR AND CFO, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF STRENGTHENING MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEMS WITH A VIEW TO FUTURE IPO. THE NEW CFO WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS OPERATIONS.

NEW DIRECTOR CFO HIROMASA SHIMONO CAREER

Graduated from Hitotsubashi University with a degree in Economics, joined Mitsubishi UFJ Bank in 2005, working as a foreign exchange trader in Tokyo and Singapore. Then worked in Bangkok, responsible for the acquisition and integration of Ayutthaya Bank. Joined UPWARD in April 2022.

Hiromasa Shimono Comment

UPWARD'S MISSION IS TO "INNOVATE THE LAST MILE OF THE WORKPLACE," AN OFFLINE AREA THAT IS THE MOST DIFFICULT TO DIGITIZE, AND MANY OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE VALUE OF THIS MISSION. SINCE I JOINED UPWARD, I HAVE BEEN CONVINCED THAT THE INTUITIVE DX THAT UPWARD AIMS FOR IS A NECESSARY ELEMENT FOR THE FUTURE OF SOCIETY. AS A CATEGORY LEADER, UPWARD WILL CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO ENHANCE OUR CORPORATE VALUE TO FURTHER SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

RYUSUKE KANEKI, PRESIDENT AND CEO COMMENTS

WE ARE VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF HIROMASA SHIMONO TO OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS. SINCE JOINING UPWARD, MR. SHIMONO HAS TAKEN UPWARD TO THE NEXT STAGE OF BUSINESS BY TAKING FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL CORPORATE OPERATIONS, INCLUDING BUSINESS STRATEGY, FINANCE, AND HUMAN RESOURCES, WHILE FULLY UTILIZING THE STRATEGIC THINKING AND BUSINESS SKILLS HE HAS DEVELOPED OVER THE COURSE OF HIS CAREER. WITH MR. SHIMONO AS AN OFFICIAL MEMBER OF THE MANAGEMENT TEAM, WE WILL WORK AS ONE TO ACHIEVE FURTHER BUSINESS GROWTH AND INCREASE CORPORATE VALUE UNDER THE MISSION OF "INNOVATING THE LAST MILE ON THE FRONTLINE.

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