The Most Advanced Microscope with Atomic-Level Resolution
ORIX Rentec Begins Rental of a Cryo-Electron Microscope to Tohoku University

TOKYO, Japan - June 15, 2022 - ORIX Rentec Corporation (“ORIX Rentec”) today announced that it will rent a cryo-electron microscope^*1, which can analyze 3D protein and other structures at atomic resolutions, to Tohoku University within the framework of the L-Rental service.

A cryo-electron microscope freezes materials such as proteins so quickly that it enables observation of the native material structures. Tohoku University, which adopts a principle of "Research First", will develop an environment in which all materials from nano- to micro-scales can be visualized by using this device together with the Next Generation Synchrotron Radiation Facility, which will start operation in December 2023^*2. The university hopes to use these facilities to help clarify disease onset mechanisms and aid drug discovery research in the life science field, and to develop new materials that lead to energy saving in the green innovation field. In addition, shared use of this system with other universities and companies will contribute to innovative research and development in various fields.

ORIX Rentec was established in 1976 as Japan’s first measuring instrument rental company and, since then, it has focused on providing rental services for high-tech devices. Through our L-Rental service, customers can rent products for a period from 12 to 60 months on a monthly basis. This service is widely used by universities and public agencies, which generally have one-year contracts. The Competitive Research Funds ^*3 of the Cabinet Office can also be used and the service can be flexibly adapted to budget plans of universities and companies conducting state-of-the-art research and development.

While international competition in science and technology is heating up, Japanese universities are losing international competitiveness and their financial bases are weakening. The Japanese Government therefore established a law in May 2022 to support universities that are expected to achieve world-class research results, utilizing 10 trillion-yen scale university funds^*4. Furthermore, the sixth Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan^*5 enacted by the Cabinet in March 2021 requires the promotion of shared use of university facilities and the creation of new values through cooperation between industry, government, and academia.
ORIX Rentec makes use of its expertise garnered through long experience in rental services and promotes shared use of facilities for research and development^*6. We will contribute to the improvement of scientific and technological capabilities and industrial competitiveness of Japan.

*1 Cryo-electron microscopy was developed to observe biomolecules such as proteins with an electron microscope in solutions similar to the physiological environment. Samples are frozen and observed with an electron microscope. "Cryo-" means low temperatures.
*2 This high-quality research facility analyzes atom- or molecule-level structures and functions of materials using extremely bright synchrotron radiation light, which occurs when the direction of an electron, which has been accelerated to almost light speed, is bent. The facility will start operation in December 2023.
*3 Competitive Research Funds (Cabinet Office) (in Japanese)
*4 Toward reinforcement of research capabilities of universities - Basic policies concerning science and technology (The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) (in Japanese)
*5 The sixth Science, Technology, and Innovation Basic Plan - Science and technology policies – The Cabinet Office (cao.go.jp) (in Japanese)
*6 Environmental Test Facility Operation and Utilization Expanding Project Starts in JAXA Tsukuba Space Center Through Public-Private Partnership(June 12, 2020)

Contact Information:
Investor Relations and Sustainability Department
ORIX Corporation
Tel: +81-3-3435-3121

About ORIX:
ORIX Corporation (TSE: 8591; NYSE: IX) is a financial services group which provides innovative products and services to its customers by constantly pursuing new businesses.
Established in 1964, from its start in the leasing business, ORIX has advanced into neighboring fields and at present has expanded into lending, investment, life insurance, banking, asset management, automobile related, real estate and environment and energy related businesses. Since entering Hong Kong in 1971, ORIX has spread its businesses globally by establishing locations in 28 countries and regions across the world.
Going forward, ORIX intends to utilize its strengths and expertise, which generate new value, to establish an independent ORIX business model that continues to evolve perpetually. In this way, ORIX will engage in business activities that instill vitality in its companies and workforce, and thereby contribute to society. For more details, please visit our website: https://www.orix.co.jp/grp/en/
(As of March 31, 2022)

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements:
These documents may contain forward-looking statements about expected future events and financial results that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on our current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results that differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and under “(4) Risk Factors” of the “1. Summary of Consolidated Financial Results” of the “Consolidated Financial Results April 1, 2021 – March 31, 2022.”