Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX) would like to express its deepest sympathy to all those affected by the Tohoku Pacific Offshore Earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011. In an update to the public announcement dated March 18, 2011, the Company would like to report briefly as follows.

The Status of Repairs to and Re-establishment of Natural Gas Pipeline Facilities Following the recent earthquake and tsunami, JAPEX identified damage to a portion of its ancillary Sendai Shinko Port pipeline facilities located along the Company's natural gas pipeline that runs between Niigata and Sendai. Having completed provisional repairs, the supply of natural gas, a feedstock of local distribution company, recommenced today through the re-established facilities. In re-establishing use of JAPEX's pipeline, it is understood that local distribution company will progressively recommence supply to Sendai City and surrounding areas.

In addition, ongoing evaluations have uncovered damage to the downstream side of the Sendai Shinko Port pipeline located along the Company's natural gas pipeline that runs between Niigata and Sendai as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. JAPEX will continue to investigate details.

Impact in Performance While the impact of the earthquake on the Company's performance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 is expected to be limited, JAPEX will disclose details in a timely manner should the Company anticipate any incidence of major importance.

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