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Kyocera Wireless Corp. Wins Environmental Protection Agency Award

Recycling efforts divert 60 percent of waste from landfills, generate $8.7 million in cost savings

SAN DIEGO -- December 17, 2001 -- Kyocera Wireless Corp., one of North America's largest manufacturers of wireless phones, received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 Environmental Award in recognition of its efforts to protect and preserve the environment in the year 2000. The company's achievements last year included recycling and redirecting more than 60 percent -- or 2 million pounds -- of its total waste material that otherwise would have been sent to landfills. Since 1997, the company's Target Teams for Recycling have generated more than $8.7 million in cost savings.

EPA regional administrator Wayne Nastri presented the award to Kyocera Wireless Corp. at the agency's third annual Environmental Awards Ceremony. Among its many conservation programs, Kyocera Wireless reduced consumer packaging unit volume and reclaimed more than 3 million batteries from wireless phones. The company's goal in 2001 is to increase recycling to 65 percent of total waste.

"Fundamental to Kyocera's corporate culture is the concept of 'harmonious coexistence' and that means an unceasing concern for environmental protection," said Skip Speaks, president and COO of Kyocera Wireless Corp. "Kyocera Wireless Corp.'s employees share the company's vision for improving our city through business prosperity and environmental responsibility."

The EPA award marks the third such award Kyocera Wireless Corp. has earned in 2001. In July the company announced it had received the Director's Recycling Award from the City of San Diego Environmental Services. In October the company received a Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) award from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state's primary recycling agency and a part of the California Environmental Protection Agency.

Kyocera Wireless is ISO 14001 certified for its systematic management approach to environmental concerns. ISO 14001 is an international standard that establishes requirements for prevention of pollution, protection of natural resources, waste reduction, and compliance with environmental legislation and regulations. Specifically, Kyocera Wireless' Environmental Management System is designed to minimize energy and water consumption, reduce chemical use and emissions, and recycle both hazardous and non-hazardous materials. KWC works closely with experts from the City of San Diego Environmental Services on recycling and energy conservation issues, and is an active member of the Industrial Environmental Association and City of San Diego Climate Wise/Energy Star Program.

About Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., which acquired QUALCOMM Inc.'s CDMA consumer wireless phone business in February 2000. Kyocera Wireless Corp. is a leading supplier of innovative, feature-rich CDMA handsets and accessories for customers worldwide. Based in San Diego, the company is ISO-14001 and ISO-9001 certified and has won city, state and federal awards for its environmentally friendly manufacturing and recycling practices. For more information, please visit the Kyocera Wireless Corp. Web site at http://www.kyocera-wireless.com.

Kyocera Corp., the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of advanced ceramics. By combining these engineered materials with metals and plastics, and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of telecommunications equipment, semiconductor packages, electronic components, cameras, laser printers, copiers, solar energy systems and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2001, Kyocera Corp.'s consolidated net sales totaled $10.2 billion with net income of $1.742 billion. Kyocera Corp. has been recognized by IndustryWeek magazine as one of "The World's 100 Best-Managed Companies."

NOTE: Kyocera is a registered trademark of Kyocera Corp. QCP is a trademark of Kyocera Wireless Corp. QUALCOMM is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Inc. All other marks are properties of their respective owners.

Contact:

Dana Knight, Kyocera Wireless Corp.
1-(858) 882-2338 (ph)
dknight@kyocera-wireless.com
or
John Chier, Fleishman-Hillard for Kyocera Wireless
619/235-9995 (ph)
chierj@fleishman.com