Forval Group's Nara Jimuki Changes Name to 'Forval Asuka Co., Ltd.' to Strengthen Regional Hands-on Support

Nara Jimuki Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nara City, Nara Prefecture; Representative Director: Satoshi Akahane; hereinafter "Nara Jimuki"), a consolidated subsidiary of Forval Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Masanori Nakajima; hereinafter "Forval"), announces that it has changed its company name to "Forval Asuka Co., Ltd." effective May 18, 2026.

About the Name Change to "Forval Asuka Co., Ltd."

With this name change, Forval Asuka aims to resolve the recognition gap between the traditional business domain evoked by the name "Nara Jimuki" and its future vision, evolving into a brand that accurately expresses the company's ideal state. While inheriting the trust and track record cultivated over 60 years since its founding, the company will further clarify its role as a partner that supports the growth of regional companies, going beyond the mere sales and maintenance of office equipment. Amidst significant changes in the environment surrounding local economies, such as population decline, lack of successors, and delayed digitalization, the company will strive to strengthen its sales capabilities and improve its recruitment competitiveness. Furthermore, through the promotion of ESG management and collaboration with local governments and financial institutions, it will contribute to regional revitalization and sustainable job creation.

New Company Name Forval Asuka Co., Ltd. (FORVAL ASUKA)

Date of Change May 18, 2026

About Forval Asuka Co., Ltd.

Asuka is the origin where Japanese history began to move. It is a place of reform where systems were born and the foundation of the nation was built. We do not view Nara merely as a business base. Working in tandem with industry, government, academia, and financial institutions, we position it as a "starting point for reform" that executes regional revitalization and the creation of next-generation talent through hands-on management support for local SMEs.

FORVAL has aimed to be an "indispensable presence" not only globally but alongside the growth of SMEs nationwide. It is a symbol of strategic knowledge and execution capabilities cultivated through hands-on support across the country. ASUKA is a symbol of beginning and reform. It is a word that encapsulates the intention to transform tomorrow and create the future of tomorrow. Building on 60 years of trust, we will establish a new regional reform model from Nara.

The new company name is a declaration of our resolve to evolve from an entity that supports the region to one that drives the region forward.

Company Overview Company Name: Forval Asuka Co., Ltd. (FORVAL ASUKA) Representative: Satoshi Akahane Established: September 1966 Location: 736-1 Kitanosho-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture URL: https://www.forval-asuka.co.jp/

About Forval Corporation

Forval Corporation (TSE Standard: 8275) has hands-on consulting for SMEs and micro-enterprises as its core business, expanding management support services in five areas: "Information and Communications," "Overseas," "Environment," "Human Resources and Education," and "Entrepreneurship and Business Succession." Through its unique "Corporate Doctor (Next-Generation Management Consultant)" model, it provides end-to-end services from visualizing management issues to proposing improvements and supporting execution, offering high-value-added support that contributes to corporate value enhancement, such as ESG management, human capital management, and DX/GX promotion.

Additionally, under the regional revitalization strategy "F-Japan Concept," it promotes the construction and horizontal expansion of regional co-creation models through collaboration with local governments, private companies, educational institutions, and financial institutions.

Company Overview Company Name: Forval Corporation Representative: Masanori Nakajima, President and CEO Established: September 18, 1980 Location: 14F Aoyama Oval Building, 5-52-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo