Announcement of New Representative Director and President Appointment

Rui Architects Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka / Ota-ku, Tokyo) announces that Yusuke Iwai has been newly appointed as Representative Director and President, effective Wednesday, April 1, 2026. Hiroshi Abe, who previously served as Representative Director and President, retired on the same date and will continue to contribute as a Special Advisor to the Board.

New Representative Director and President Yusuke Iwai

**Message from the New Representative Director and President** Rui Architects Co., Ltd. was founded in 1972 by six colleagues who shared the aspiration of "creating our own living spaces with our own hands." "Rui" signifies humanity itself and the connections between people. We believe that the value born from these "Rui" interrelationships is the true vitality that drives society, and we have expanded our endeavors from architectural design to education, farming, community co-creation, and maintenance businesses.

Half a century since our founding, I express my deepest gratitude as the new representative to all our clients who have shown us exceptional kindness, and to everyone who has walked alongside us.

For five years starting from fiscal year 2021, we have squarely faced a rapidly changing era and dedicated our full efforts to "establishing a management foundation" for our next leap forward. This period, during which we fundamentally re-examined the organization's structure based on the spirit of "all-employee management" built by our predecessors, was an extremely crucial regeneration process for us. And in April 2026, upon this foundation, we will finally embark on a new stage: "establishing a growth foundation."

What I value most in my inauguration is for Rui Architects to be a company that "creates together."

Our founding spirit of "creating with our own hands" is now evolving into a more open form. From now on, we aim to become an "open company" (an open corporate organization) that walks alongside many stakeholders, transcending the boundaries of employees, including clients, local residents, and students who will lead the next generation. A future where diverse aspirations gather, wisdom is shared, and a rich future is nurtured, much like a forest where life resonates—we are confident that the energy born from this "co-creation forest" will circulate new vitality throughout society.

And at the root of all this is "people."

We want the company to be not merely a place to pursue profit, but a "place where people gather and grow." A place where each individual, as a principal, confronts social issues, hones their skills with colleagues, and richly creates their own life. We believe that if it is such a place filled with the inherent joy of human beings, the value of "Rui" produced as a result will be deeper and more certain.

In January 2026, we established the "Institute for Vitality Co-creation" as a guiding principle. Based on solid fact-finding, we intend to envision "new ways of society" with all of you, looking 10 and 50 years ahead.

Assuming this historic and weighty responsibility, I am deeply humbled, but I will always learn humbly and faithfully fulfill my duties. We kindly ask for your continued guidance and encouragement for the journey of Rui Architects under its new structure.

**Biography** After completing his master's degree in Architectural Engineering at the Graduate School of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, he joined Rui Architects Co., Ltd. in 1996. He worked in the design and planning departments of the Design Division, and was appointed Head of the Tokyo Design Office in 2006. From 2025, he also served as General Manager of Management Control. On April 1, 2026, he was appointed Representative Director and President of Rui Architects Co., Ltd.

**Company Overview** Aiming for a vibrant society, Rui Architects Co., Ltd. (pronounced: Rui Sekkeishitsu) designs vibrant spaces as a strategic partner for clients leading the 21st century. Furthermore, from the perspective of "creating social vitality," we are also engaged in new education and agriculture.

<Company Profile> Mission: Design a vibrant society Company Name: Rui Architects Co., Ltd. Established: 1972 Representative Director and President: Yusuke Iwai Location: Rui Building, 4-3-2 Nishinakajima, Yodogawa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka (Osaka Headquarters) Kamata Asahi Building, 5-38-3 Kamata, Ota-ku, Tokyo (Tokyo Headquarters) Business Activities: We operate 5 business types and 6 businesses: Osaka Design Division, Tokyo Design Division, Maintenance Division, Education Division ("Rui Juku Plus," "Rui Gakusha," "Shizen Gakusha," "Shigoto Gakusha"), Farm Division (Rui Farm), and Community Co-creation Division (Rui Takuhai). URL: https://www.rui.ne.jp/