TOKYO, Japan, January 1, 2014 - TOOL Corporation (headquarters in Tokyo Japan,) today announced that Hideaki Hontao has stepped down as the Company's President and Representative Director and became the Chairman and Representative Director. TOOL's newly appointed President and Representative Director is Hiromu Abiki.

Hontao joined Tool-sha Corporation, the predecessor of TOOL, in 1980 and took a role in software development. Since the foundation of TOOL in 2002, he had been responsible for the development and promotion of TOOL's original software as President and Representative Director. He will be partially responsible for financial affairs and will continue to go ahead with his own project and drive the business forward with Mr. Abiki.

Abiki joined Tool-sha Corporation (currently, TOOL) in 1995 and took an important role in the development of TOOL's flagship product, LAVIS (currently, LAVIS-plus) from the very beginning of its establishment. He became a board member of TOOL in March 2012, and as well as contributing to EDA product development and promotion, he had also been participating in management. He will be responsible for general management of TOOL and will provide the best solution to the customers with all the staff and our business partners.