Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. ("NSG") is pleased to announce that Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. ("Seven-Eleven"), plans to install SPACIA®, NSG's unique double glazing glass with an air-evacuated in all new stores opening up in the Hokkaido region (the northern island of Japan). This is the first time that SPACIA® has been utilized in convenience stores.

Seven-Eleven maintains a long-standing position of active involvement in environmental issues. Seven-Eleven's decision to use SPACIA® validates the material's advanced insulation capabilities (four times the insulation capacity of regular single pane glass and two times of conventional double-glazed glass). Such superior insulation capacity eliminates the problems of condensation and frost on windows and also provides the energy conservation benefit of reducing air-conditioning and electricity consumption. Though initial costs incurred of to install SPACIA® are higher than those for regular glass, it is estimated that the initial investment can be recovered quickly by the lower electricity expenses and the tax incentive given for energy saving promotion in Japan.

The Kyoto Protocol, entered into force recently, stipulates a target for reducing CO2 emissions. The convenience store industry, which operates numerous retail outlets across the nation on a 24-hour basis, strives to achieve this CO2 emissions target by making energy conservation strategies a top priority. Seven-Eleven's introduction of SPACIA® will help to lower electricity consumption by reducing the usage of air-conditioning, which is an effective way to cut CO2 emissions. This bold move by the largest convenience store operator in Japan is bound to stimulate the environmental conservation efforts of the industry overall.

Seven-Eleven began using SPACIA® for pilot store construction at the end of last year and plans to make it standard in all new stores built in the Hokkaido region. Seven-Eleven is also considering the possibility of replacing regular windows with SPACIA® in existing Hokkaido stores, and has decided to apply its guidelines regarding SPACIA® to other regions with cold climates.

Contact
Corporate Communications Department, Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.