Starlight Engine Inc. Announces New Executive System

Starlight Engine Inc. (hereinafter, Starlight Engine) will launch a new executive system effective April 1, 2026. Under the new system, Kiyotaka Kikuchi, former Senior Managing Executive Officer at Mitsubishi Corporation, will assume the role of Representative Director, President & CEO, and Shuhei Azuma, who served two terms as Mayor of Shijonawate City, Osaka Prefecture, will become Vice President, Executive Officer & CSO (Chief Strategy Officer). With a team possessing strengths in project execution, strategy development, technology integration, and industry-government-academia collaboration, the company will advance its efforts towards the early social implementation of fusion energy.

New Executive System Effective April 1, 2026 Name New Position Kiyotaka Kikuchi Representative Director, President & CEO Shuhei Azuma Vice President, Executive Officer & CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) Yuto Yoshioka Executive Officer & COO (Chief Operating Officer) Kenzou Ibano Executive Officer & CTO (Chief Technology Officer)

Background and Objectives of the New Executive System Launch Fusion energy holds the potential to serve not only as a next-generation power source but also as a cornerstone industry supporting Japan's energy security, GX (Green Transformation) promotion, and industrial competitiveness. Positioned as one of the strategic fields for the government's "crisis management investment" and "growth investment"※1, and with trillions of yen in public-private investment anticipated by the Fusion Energy Working Group of the Japan Growth Strategy Council※2, fusion energy is regarded as a crucial area at the core of national strategy. Furthermore, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is establishing a Fusion Energy Division within the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy to accelerate initiatives related to fusion energy.