May 16, 2003

Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Notice regarding Acquisition of the Company's own shares
(Acquisition of the Company's own shares pursuant to
the provisions of Article 210 of the Commercial Code of Japan)

OSAKA, JAPAN, May 16, 2003 --- Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd. ("Takeda") announced that its Board of Directors Meeting held on today resolved that the acquisition of its own shares pursuant to the provisions of Article 210 of the Commercial Code of Japan will be proposed at the 127th Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting scheduled on June 27, 2003.

Particulars

1.Reason for the acquisition of its own shares.

This proposal has objectives to improve capital efficiency and also to implement more flexible financial operations in response to the business environment.

2.Contents of proposal

Acquisition of its own shares.

(1)	Types of shares to be acquired	:	Shares of common stock
(2)	Total number of shares to be acquired	:	30 million shares (maximum) --- equivalent to 3.37% of
			a total of issued shares.
(3)	Total value of shares to be acquired	:	140 billion yen (maximum)

Note: The contents mentioned above will be subject to approval at the 127th Ordinary General Shareholders' Meeting scheduled on June 27, 2003.

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For further inquiries, please contact:
Corporate Communications Dept., Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.
TEL: +81-6-6204-2038 (Osaka), +81-3-3278-2039 (Tokyo)