Please replace the release with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions. The corrected release reads: OBAYASHI CORPORATION ACQUIRES NORTH CAROLINA-BASED JOHN S. CLARK COMPANY, INC. Obayashi Corporation, a $13 billion Japanese construction company, announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire John S. Clark Company, Inc., a North Carolina-based construction firm. The acquisition is scheduled to close on November 25th. Mr. Ryuichi Irahara, the Managing Officer who heads the Overseas Building Construction Division of Obayashi said, "This acquisition will help us grow our building construction presence in the United States." Obayashi Corporation has engaged in a number of notable civil engineering projects throughout the country including the completed San Antonio River/San Pedro Creek Flood Control Project and the, currently under construction, Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge. Beyond the projects Obayashi handles directly, its building operations are managed by E.W. Howell Co., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary in New York, and James E. Roberts-Obayashi Corporation, an affiliate in Northern California. Mr. Irahara continued, "Obayashi is planning to aggressively expand its construction activities in the United States to take advantage of the country's thriving construction and real estate environment. We expect this to be the first of several acquisitions." "John S. Clark Company, Inc. has a wonderful reputation servicing clients in North Carolina and the neighboring states," said Mr. Seiji Aoyagi, President of Obayashi USA, LLC. "The Company is focused on light industrial, retail, health services, technology, and institutional projects, which is in alignment with our corporate structure and mission." Mr. Aoyagi continued, "We are thrilled with the prospect of welcoming John S. Clark Company into the Obayashi family. Further, this is a very important development in our achievement of the Obayashi strategic plan. The principals of John S. Clark Company will continue to manage the Company and handle the daily operations." Richard Vaughn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John S. Clark Company, expressed excitement over the transaction saying "Obayashi Corporation has a stellar reputation in the United States and around the globe. This acquisition is the next phase of our development and growth as a company and offers us enhanced financial strength." James M. Walker, President of Clark added, "Our many customers in the retail markets, including drug stores, food stores, big box retailers, and shopping center developers will continue to see the strong support that has led John S. Clark Company, Inc. to be the 11th largest builder of retail shell space in the country. Clark will also continue its growth in the multi-family market and remain a significant player in the construction of the new logistics and distribution facilities. The current management team will receive the full support necessary to grow the local and regional business strategies, combined with considerable resources to support the needs and growth of our customer base. We are delighted that Clark will remain a locally managed and responsive business partner in our communities." About Obayashi Corporation (www.obayashi.co.jp) Obayashi Corporation is a construction company based in Tokyo, Japan, which was founded in 1892 and has nearly 10,000 employees worldwide. With projects spanning 30 countries around the globe, Obayashi builds office, industrial, commercial, medical, and residential projects, as well as roads, bridges, railways, dams, power plants, and water treatment facilities. Obayashi's more notable projects include Beverly Hills Hotel renovation, Walt Disney Concert Hall garage, Roppongi Hills Mori Tower -- the largest office building in Japan, and the Tokyo Bay Bridge. The Company was first introduced to the U.S. market in 1967 when it built the Surfrider Hotel in Hawaii. Obayashi's U.S. building operations, now under Obayashi USA, LLC, include E.W. Howell Co., Inc., J.E. Roberts-Obayashi Corporation, Obayashi Construction, Inc., and OC Real Estate Management, LLC. About John S. Clark Company, Inc. (www.jsclark.com) John S. Clark Company, Inc. is a southeastern general construction firm with solid construction professionals, strategic alliances, and local networks to service its clients. Established in 1958, it provides integrated construction-related services in 22 states from New Hampshire to Texas. With offices in Mt. Airy, Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Wilmington, North Carolina, John S. Clark Company focuses on industrial, commercial, retail, health sciences, and technology design and construction. The company has over 300 employees and was awarded the highest builder safety status by the State of North Carolina and has one of the lowest workers' compensation rates in the United States.