TOKYO, May 10, 2013 - Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) today reaffirmed its confidence in its Japan growth story, following a market visit by Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, president and ceo, where he met with Starbucks partners (employees) and customers. As Starbucks first international market outside of North America, Starbucks is on track to open its 1,000^th store in Japan this summer and is looking forward to further elevating the unique and locally-relevant Starbucks Experience in the market, as the company looks beyond its 1,000^th store milestone.