TOKYO, April 16, 2009: Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd. (headquarter: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director/CEO : Maria Mercedes M. Corrales) announced today that Matsuo Iwata will join the company as chief executive officer (ceo) designate, effective April 23, 2009. Iwata will be officially proposed for appointment as ceo and representative director at the next Starbucks Coffee Japan General Shareholders’ Meeting in June, 2009.

Iwata brings extensive business and brand management experience to Starbucks Coffee Japan (SBJ). He joined Nissan Motors Co., Ltd. in 1982 and since then held key positions in leading corporations such as Gemini Consulting Japan, Coca Cola Japan Co., Ltd., Atlus Co. Ltd., and Takara Co., Ltd. Most recently, he served as president and ceo for AEON Forest, Company, Ltd., The Body Shop master franchisee in Japan. Under Iwata’s leadership from 2005 to March 2009, The Body Shop achieved very strong financial performance and increased its retail footprint by opening approximately 100 new locations in Japan.

“Iwata-san was the SBJ Board’s unanimous choice. We are truly excited to welcome him to SBJ and know that with his extensive business experience and knowledge of the market, he will continue to grow the business and sustain the Starbucks brand’s leadership position in the specialty coffee industry in Japan,” statement issued by Starbucks Coffee Japan Board of Directors. “With Iwata-san’s values and direction, we are confident that the unique Starbucks Experience, which brings nearly half a million people to our stores everyday will carry on.”

Maria Mercedes (Mercy) Corrales, currently ceo, coo and representative director of SBJ, will join Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ: SBUX), as senior vice president and president, Starbucks Coffee Asia Pacific, effective June 29, 2009. She will remain a member of the SBJ Board of Directors.

“We are thrilled to have Mercy join the Starbucks international leadership team as the head of our Asia Pacific region, and remain a director of SBJ,” said Martin Coles, executive vice president and president, Starbucks Coffee International. “She will provide tremendous support to Iwata-san and the SBJ business while contributing her in-depth global experience and perspective to guide Starbucks in the region.”

Matsuo Iwata
1958    June 2    Born in Japan
1982    Graduated from Osaka University, Bachelor of Art in Economics
1982    Joined Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
1992    Graduated from Anderson, UCLA, U.S.A., MBA in Finance & Accounting
1995    Joined Gemini Consulting Japan as Senior Consultant
1996    Joined Coca Cola Japan Co., Ltd. as Senior Executive Officer
2000    Joined Atlus Co., Ltd., and became President (CEO) in 2001
2003    Joined Takara Co., Ltd. as Director
2005    Joined AEON Forest. Co., Ltd., as President and CEO