2001 Press Releases

TOKYO, January 15, 2001 - Internet Initiative Japan Inc. ("IIJ", NASDAQ: IIJI) announced today that it brought its Okinawa Network Operation Center (NOC) on-line as of January 15. Having begun by IP service, other network services will be offered gradually. The Okinawa NOC becomes the firm's first NOC in the southwest islands area of Japan and the 24th such center nationwide.

IIJ supported Okinawa's information dispatch through its temporary Okinawa NOC by acting as the official Internet supplier for the July Kyushu-Okinawa Summit. The permanent Okinawa NOC is linked with the company's Fukuoka NOC by 6Mbps (3Mbps+3Mbps) lines. Users in and around Okinawa can now enjoy the full quality of IIJ's renowned network services.

About IIJ

Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI) is Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive Internet solution provider mainly targeting high-end corporate customers. Founded in 1992 as a pioneer of commercial Internet services in Japan, IIJ has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan as well as between Japan and the United States. IIJ and its group companies provide total solutions including: new generation network services over optical-fiber infrastructure optimized for data communications; construction of Asian-wide IP backbone networks, high-quality Internet access, security systems, hosting/housing, and content design; as well as systems integration.