| The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) conducted 
                an inspection of Mizuho Securities Co., Ltd. (Mizuho) based on 
                provisions of the Securities and Exchange Law (SEL), and found 
                legal violations described below.
 Today, the SESC sent a recommendation to the Prime Minister 
                and the Commissioner of Financial Services Agency (FSA) to take 
                a disciplinary action against Mizuho pursuant to Article 20(1) 
                of the FSA Establishment Law. 
              Front running
 From January 2000 to February 2001, traders in Mizuho had been 
                  executing orders from customers as well as dealing business 
                  for Mizuho itself. As a result, Mizuho often carried out securities 
                  transactions of the stock ordered by customers, for its own 
                  account, at better prices, prior to customers' f orders were 
                  completed.
 
 (Violation of Article 42(1)(viii) of the SEL)
 
Selling underwriting securities to a parent company
 From August 1999 to November 2000, Mizuho sold securities underwritten 
                  by itself to parent companies within six months from the dates 
                  when Mizuho underwrote those securities.
 
 (Violation of Ministerial Ordinance, Article 45(3) of the SEL)
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