TOKYO, JAPAN -- Tokyo Electron (TEL), today announced the promotion of Kiyoshi (Ken) Sato to president and CEO of the company. Effective April 1, 2003, Sato will assume the role of Senior Executive, president's office and following the company's shareholders meeting in late June, will become TEL President and CEO. Tetsuro (Terry) Higashi, TEL's current president and CEO, will become Chairman of the Board and Tetsuo (Tom) Tsuneishi, current Executive Vice President, will become Vice Chairman.

Sato, a graduate from Waseda University, has worked for TEL since 1979. He has held a variety of senior management positions including Vice President of Etch Systems, Vice President of Sales Promotion for North America, Vice President of Integrated Process Control, and most recently as General Manager for the company's Clean Track Business Unit.

Kiyoshi (Ken) Sato has a proven track record of accomplishments coupled with a broad range of experience in our industry. "His deep understanding of TEL's internal operations, as well as the issues facing our industry today and the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow, will ensure our continued success and market leadership." stated Tetsuro (Terry) Higashi. "I am looking forward to working with Ken to make TEL an even stronger company."