Bangalore, December 22nd, 2006 – Hitachi Data Systems, provider of Application Optimized Storage™ solutions and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), today announced the appointment of Michael Heitz as Senior Director for its Channel Business in Asia Pacific. He will oversee all of Hitachi Data Systems’ existing channels and strategic partnership functions in the Asia Pacific region.

Mr. Heitz will work with Hitachi Data Systems’ channel organization and channel partners to bring enterprise-class solutions to large and small organizations in the Asia Pacific region. He will also adapt and implement the global channel strategy within the region to ensure alignment between regional goals and overall company strategy and to position the APAC channel business optimally for further growth and success.

Heitz brings to the role a proven track record in Hitachi’s Australian and New Zealand business, where he made the company one of the leading channel organizations in the industry. Prior to joining Hitachi, Michael had extensive experience in building channel businesses and leading teams across Europe and Australia as well as introducing advanced technologies into both the SMB and enterprise markets.

“Hitachi Data Systems’ partnership model gains us a time-to-market advantage over our competition, as well as delivers customer-focused solutions that are already proven best-in-class,” said Karen Sigman, vice president, Global Channels, Hitachi Data Systems. “With Michael’s appointment, we will continue this successful approach to increase market share in the enterprise and SMB segments in Asia Pacific.”

Said Michael Cremen, senior vice President and general manager, Asia Pacific, Hitachi Data Systems, “Our channel strategy remains key as we continue to build success in the enterprise and grow our business in the mid-market. We are certain that with Michael Heitz’s leadership, our reliable partnership networks, our sales support teams and proven solutions, organizations of all sizes in the region will reap the benefits of Hitachi’s enterprise-class application optimized storage solutions.”

Said Michael Heitz, “Our network of partners and distributors has been instrumental in helping us garner market share in the Asia Pacific market. I look forward to further developing Hitachi Data Systems’ success in the region through our channels organization.”