Kuraray Co., Ltd., a supplier of Hydrogenated Styrenic Block Copolymers and other Specialty Materials, will raise the prices of SEPTON™, HYBRAR™ and TU-Polymer in Japan effective August 1st, 2008.

<SEPTON™, HYBRAR™ and TU-Polymer>
    JPY 52 per KG

Crude oil and naphtha prices continue to rise sharply, and prices for basic raw materials that are primary components of Kuraray products - isoprene monomer, styrene monomer, butadiene monomer and urethane material - are also hovering at high levels. Because of rising prices for these chief materials, Kuraray has implemented several price revisions for elastomer-related products in recent years. However, against the backdrop of active demand from the Asian market, raw material prices continue on an upward trend, and operating margins for these products has been rapidly deteriorating.

Given these factors, and in order to maintain a steady supply and improve profitability, Kuraray has decided to implement this price revision.