2003 Press Releases

TOKYO, May 9, 2003 -- Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ, Nasdaq: IIJI), Japan's leading Internet access and comprehensive network solutions provider, today announced that its 26.7% affiliate Asia Internet Holding Co., Ltd. (AIH) has reached an agreement with TMNet Sdn. Bhd. (TMNet, Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, CEO: Baharum Salleh) that TMNet will upgrade its A-Bone connectivity to STM-1x2 (310Mbps) from 45Mbps.

This upgrade, the first 310Mbps Internet backbone connection to Japan, enables the enterprises deploying in Japan and Malaysia to enjoy more reliable services through "A-Bone VPN Service". In order to support Malaysia and other Asian countries' ever expanding growth of Internet, A-Bone will continue to sharpen its competitive edge as the region's central piece of Internet infrastructure of the Asia-Pacific and contribute to facilitate faster and more-reliable transmission of data communications in the region.

About TMNet:

TMnet Sdn. Bhd. (TMNet) was formed to spearhead all Internet related services in Telekom Malaysia Berhad following the company's appointment as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in Malaysia. In essence, TMnet refers to the computer network developed by Telekom Malaysia Berhad to facilitate the provision of access to the Internet for the entire nation. At present the network comprises of more than 155Mbps for local peering, more than 45Mbps to the Asian region and more than 300Mbps to the U.S.A.
Website: http://www.tm.net.my

About AIH:

Asia Internet Holding Co., Ltd. (AIH) was established in 1995, to construct and operate "A-Bone", the Internet backbone network covering the Asia Pacific region. A-Bone directly links countries in the region with high-speed and large-capacity circuits, which enables intra-Asian information traffic to be routed effectively. AIH is supported by shareholders in the region such as Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI; share holding ratio: 26.69%), Sumitomo Corporation (31.61%), NTT Communications, Itochu Corporation, Telekom Malaysia and Communications Authority of Thailand.
Website: http://www.abone.net/

About IIJ

Founded in 1992, Internet Initiative Japan Inc. (IIJ, NASDAQ: IIJI) is Japan's leading Internet-access and comprehensive network solutions provider. The company has built one of the largest Internet backbone networks in Japan, and between Japan and the United States. IIJ and its group of companies provide total network solutions that mainly cater to high-end corporate customers. Services range from the delivery of new generation network services over an optical-fiber infrastructure that is optimized for data communications, to the construction of pan-Asian IP backbone networks. The company also offers high-quality systems integration and security services, Internet access, hosting/housing, and content design.

The statements within this release contain forward-looking statements about our future plans that involve risk and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Internet Initiative Japan Inc. with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports on Forms 20-F and 6-K, which identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements.