EX-10.4 6 tm2318720d1_ex10-4.htm EXHIBIT 10.4

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

FORM OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of [●], 2023, is made and entered into by and among JEPLAN Holdings, Inc., a Japanese corporation (kabushiki kaisha) incorporated under the laws of Japan (“PubCo”), AP Sponsor LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Founder”), each of the persons and entities listed on Exhibit A hereto (each, a “SPAC Holder”), and each of the persons and entities listed on Exhibit B hereto (each, a “Company Holder” and, collectively with the Founder, SPAC Holders and any other person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Business Combination Agreement (as defined below).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, PubCo is a party to that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2023 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among PubCo, SPAC, the Company, and JEPLAN MS, Inc., an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands and a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of PubCo (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, among other things, on or about the date hereof, (a) PubCo and the Company shall implement and consummate the Pre-Merger Reorganization, upon which the Company shall become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of PubCo and all Company Shareholders shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Business Combination Agreement, become holders of the PubCo Common Shares, (b) following the Pre-Merger Reorganization, Merger Sub shall merge with and into SPAC, with SPAC being the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned Subsidiary of PubCo, and (c) pursuant to the Warrant Amendment Agreement, each outstanding PubCo Warrant shall represent the right to acquire, from and after the Closing Date, PubCo Common Shares in the form of PubCo ADSs, pursuant to the terms and conditions of the PubCo Warrant Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Founder, the SPAC Holders and SPAC are parties to that certain Registration and Shareholder Rights Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2021 (the “Prior Agreement”), which Prior Agreement will terminate with respect to the Founder and the other parties thereto upon execution and delivery of this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Founder is acquiring PubCo Common Shares (including the PubCo Common Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any other equity security issued to the Founder pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, including the Private Placement Warrants) on or about the date hereof pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, each SPAC Holder is acquiring PubCo Common Shares (including the PubCo Common Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any other equity security issued to a SPAC Holder pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, including the PubCo Warrants) on or about the date hereof pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement; and

 

 

 

 

WHEREAS, in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, PubCo and the Holders desire to enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which PubCo will grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of PubCo, as set forth in this Agreement.

 

NOWTHEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

 

Article I
Definitions

 

1.1             Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

 

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer, principal financial officer of PubCo or the Board, after consultation with counsel to PubCo, (a) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (b) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, and (c) PubCo has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

 

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Block Trade” means an offering and/or sale of Registrable Securities by any Holder on a block trade or underwritten basis (whether firm commitment or otherwise) without substantial marketing efforts prior to pricing, including, without limitation, a same day trade, overnight trade or similar transaction.

 

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of PubCo.

 

Business Combination Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Closing Date” shall mean the date of this Agreement.

 

Commission” shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Company” shall mean JEPLAN, Inc., a Japanese corporation (kabushiki kaisha) incorporated under the laws of Japan.

 

Company Holders” shall have the meaning given in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

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Demanding Holder” shall mean any Holder or group of Holders making a written demand for the Registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1.3.

 

Effectiveness Period” shall have the meaning given in subsection 3.1.1.

 

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

 

Founder” shall have the meaning given in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not misleading.

 

Permitted Transferees” shall mean a person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the applicable lock-up period for such Holder under such applicable agreement between such Holder and PubCo, and to any transferee thereafter.

 

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.2.1.

 

Private Placement Warrants” shall mean the 10,625,000 warrants exercisable for SPAC Class A Ordinary Shares purchased by the Founder in a private placement on December 21, 2021 and assumed by PubCo and replaced by warrants to purchase PubCo Common Shares.

 

Prior Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

 

Pro Rata” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.4.

 

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

 

PubCo” shall have the meaning given in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

PubCo Common Shares” means the common shares of PubCo.

 

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) the Private Placement Warrants (including any PubCo Common Shares issuable upon the exercise of any such Private Placement Warrants), (b) any outstanding PubCo Common Shares or any other equity security (including PubCo Common Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any other equity security) of PubCo held by a Holder as of the date of this Agreement, (c) any PubCo equity securities (including the PubCo Common Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise, exchange or conversion of any such equity security) of PubCo issuable upon conversion of any working capital loans in an amount up to $1,500,000 made to PubCo by the Founder or certain of PubCo’s officers or directors, as the case may be, and (d) any other equity security of PubCo issued or issuable with respect to any such PubCo Common Shares by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or reorganization; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Securities, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when: (i) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement; (ii) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred, new certificates for such securities not bearing a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by PubCo and subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; or (iv) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction. For the purpose of clarification, any reference to “PubCo Common Shares” in this definition shall include PubCo Common Shares represented by PubCo ADSs.

 

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Registration” shall mean a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

 

Registration Expenses” shall mean the out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a)          all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) and any securities exchange on which the PubCo ADSs or PubCo Common Shares is then listed;

 

(b)          fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

 

(c)         printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

 

(d)         reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for PubCo;

 

(e)         reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of PubCo incurred specifically in connection with such Registration;

 

(f)          reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Demand (including, without limitation, a Block Trade), or Holders of Registrable Securities participating in a Piggyback Registration, to be registered for offer and sale in the applicable Underwritten Offering; and

 

(g)         issuance fees with respect to PubCo ADSs.

 

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement under the Securities Act that covers the Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

 

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Requesting Holder” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.

 

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

 

Shelf Registration” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.1.

 

SPAC” shall mean AP Acquisition Corp, an exempted company limited by shares incorporated under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

 

SPAC Holder” shall have the meaning given in the preamble to this Agreement.

 

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

 

Underwritten Demand” shall have the meaning given in subsection 2.1.3.

 

Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of PubCo are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

 

Article II
Registrations

 

2.1            Registration.

 

2.1.1            Shelf Registration. PubCo agrees that, within thirty (30) calendar days after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, PubCo will file with the Commission (at PubCo’s sole cost and expense) a Registration Statement registering the resale of all Holders’ Registrable Securities (a “Shelf Registration”). PubCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement in accordance with Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

 

2.1.2            Effective Registration. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection 2.1.1 above or any other part of this Agreement, a Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration shall not count as a Registration unless and until (a) the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to a Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration has been declared effective by the Commission and (b) PubCo has complied with all of its obligations under this Agreement with respect thereto. Subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement, PubCo shall effect any Shelf Registration on such appropriate registration form of the Commission (i) as shall be selected by PubCo and (ii) as shall permit the resale of the Registrable Securities by the Holders.

 

2.1.3            Underwritten Offering. Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.1.4 and Section 2.3 hereof, (a) the Founder, SPAC Holders and/or their Permitted Transferees that hold at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities initially held by the Founder and SPAC Holders and (b) Company Holders and/or their Permitted Transferees that hold at least a majority in interest of the then-outstanding number of Registrable Securities initially held by the Company Holders may make a written demand to PubCo for an Underwritten Offering, including a Block Trade, pursuant to a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in accordance with Section 2.1.1 (an “Underwritten Demand”). PubCo shall, within ten (10) days of PubCo’s receipt of the Underwritten Demand, notify, in writing, all other Holders of Registrable Securities of such demand, and each such Holder who thereafter wishes to include all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand (each such Holder that includes all or a portion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering, a “Requesting Holder”) shall so notify PubCo, in writing, within five (5) days (two (2) days if such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) after the receipt by the Holder of the notice from PubCo, including the portion of the Registrable Securities held by such Holder to be included in such Underwritten Offering, or, in the case of a Block Trade, as provided in Section 2.4. Upon receipt by PubCo of any such written notification from a Requesting Holder(s), such Requesting Holder(s) shall be entitled to have their designated portion of Registrable Securities included in the Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.1.3 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by the Demanding Holders initiating the Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding the foregoing, PubCo is not obligated to effect more than an aggregate of three (3) Underwritten Offerings pursuant to this subsection 2.1.3 and is not obligated to effect an Underwritten Offering pursuant to this subsection 2.1.3 within ninety (90) days after the closing of an Underwritten Offering.

 

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2.1.4            Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand, in good faith, advises PubCo, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities that PubCo desires to sell, and PubCo Common Shares, if any, as to which inclusion has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders who desire to sell, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then PubCo shall include in such Underwritten Offering, as follows: (a) first, the Registrable Securities of the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder and Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering relative to the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Offering (such proportion is referred to herein as “Pro Rata”)) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (b) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (a), PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities that PubCo desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (c) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (a) and (b), PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities of other persons or entities that PubCo is obligated to include pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities and that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

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2.2            Piggyback Registration.

 

2.2.1            Piggyback Rights. If PubCo proposes to (a) file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to an offering of equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of PubCo other than the Holders, other than a Registration Statement filed in connection with (i) any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii)  an exchange offer or offering of securities solely to PubCo’s existing stockholders, (iii)  an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of PubCo or (iv)  a dividend reinvestment plan, or (b) consummate an Underwritten Offering for its own account or for the account of stockholders of PubCo other than the Holders, then PubCo shall give written notice of such proposed action to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable (but in the case of filing a Registration Statement not less than twenty (20) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement), which notice shall (i) describe the amount and type of securities to be included, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, and (ii) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to register the sale of such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within ten (10) days in the case of filing a Registration Statement and five (5) days in the case of an Underwritten Offering (unless such offering is an overnight or bought Underwritten Offering, then one (1) day), in each case, after receipt of such written notice (or, in the case of a Block Trade, within two (2) business days) (such Registration a “Piggyback Registration”). PubCo shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and shall use its best efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of a proposed Underwritten Offering to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this subsection 2.2.1 to be included in a Piggyback Registration on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of PubCo included in such Registration and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. All such Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through an Underwritten Offering under this subsection 2.2.1 shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering by PubCo.

 

2.2.2            Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises PubCo and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of PubCo Common Shares that PubCo desires to sell, taken together with (a) PubCo Common Shares, if any, as to which the Underwritten Offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (b) the Registrable Securities as to which inclusion has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (c) PubCo Common Shares, if any, as to which inclusion has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of PubCo, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:

 

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(a)            If the Underwritten Offering is undertaken for PubCo’s account, PubCo shall include in any such Underwritten Offering (i) first, the PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities that PubCo desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to include their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1 hereof, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), PubCo Common Shares, if any, as to which inclusion has been requested pursuant to written contractual piggy-back registration rights of other stockholders of PubCo, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and

 

(b)            If the Underwritten Offering is pursuant to a request by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then PubCo shall include in any such Underwritten Offering (i) first, PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to include their Registrable Securities pursuant to subsection 2.2.1, Pro Rata, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (iii) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities that PubCo desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (iv) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), PubCo Common Shares or other equity securities for the account of other persons or entities that PubCo is obligated to include pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with such persons or entities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.

 

2.2.3            Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to PubCo and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or the launch of the Underwritten Offering with respect to such Piggyback Registration. PubCo (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or abandon an Underwritten Offering in connection with a Piggyback Registration at any time prior to the launch of such Underwritten Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, PubCo shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this subsection 2.2.3.

 

2.2.4            Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, any Underwritten Offering effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand effected under Section 2.1 hereof.

 

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2.3            Restrictions on Registration Rights. If (a) the Holders of Registrable Securities have requested an Underwritten Offering pursuant to an Underwritten Demand and PubCo and the Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite the offering; or (b) in the good faith judgment of the Board a Registration or Underwritten Offering would be seriously detrimental to PubCo and the Board concludes as a result that it is essential to defer the filing of the applicable Registration Statement or the undertaking of such Underwritten Offering at such time, then in each case PubCo shall furnish to such Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board it would be seriously detrimental to PubCo for such Registration Statement to be filed or to undertake such Underwritten Offering in the near future and that it is therefore essential to defer the filing of such Registration Statement or undertaking of such Underwritten Offering. In such event, PubCo shall have the right to defer such filing or offering for a period of not more than thirty (30) days; provided, however, that PubCo shall not defer its obligation in this manner more than once in any twelve (12)-month period.

 

2.4           Block Trades. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Sections 2.3 and 3.4, if the Holders desire to effect a Block Trade, then, notwithstanding any other time periods in this Article II, the Holders shall provide written notice to PubCo at least five (5) business days prior to the date such Block Trade will commence. As expeditiously as possible, PubCo shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade. The Holders shall use reasonable best efforts to work with PubCo and the Underwriters (including by disclosing the maximum number of Registrable Securities proposed to be the subject of such Block Trade) in order to facilitate preparation of the Registration Statement, Prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade and any related due diligence and comfort procedures. In the event of a Block Trade, and after consultation with PubCo, the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) shall determine the Maximum Number of Securities, the underwriter or underwriters and the share price of such offering.

 

Article III
Company Procedures

 

3.1            General Procedures. In connection with any Registration contemplated herein, PubCo shall use its reasonable best efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto, PubCo shall, as expeditiously as possible:

 

3.1.1            prepare and file with the Commission within the time frame required by Section 2.1.1 a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective, including filing a replacement Registration Statement, if necessary, until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have been sold or are no longer outstanding (the “Effectiveness Period”);

 

3.1.2            prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by the Holders of Registrable Securities or any Underwriter(s) of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by PubCo or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or are no longer outstanding;

 

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3.1.3            prior to filing a Registration Statement or prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriter(s), if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided, that PubCo will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system;

 

3.1.4            prior to any Underwritten Offering of Registrable Securities, use its best efforts to (a) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request and to keep such registration or qualification in effect for so long as such Registration Statement remains in effect and (b) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of PubCo, and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that PubCo shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

 

3.1.5            cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each securities exchange or automated quotation system on which similar securities issued by PubCo are then listed;

 

3.1.6            provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

 

3.1.7            advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of any request by the Commission that the PubCo amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus or the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its reasonable best efforts to amend or supplement such Registration Statement or Prospectus or prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

 

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3.1.8            during the Effectiveness Period, at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus or any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel; provided, that PubCo will not have any obligation to provide any document pursuant to this clause that is available on the Commission’s EDGAR system;

 

3.1.9            notify the Holders of Registrable Securities at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, or in the opinion of counsel for the Company it is necessary to supplement or amend such Prospectus to comply with law, and then to correct such Misstatement or include such information as is necessary to comply with law, in each case as set forth in Section 3.4 hereof;

 

3.1.10            permit a representative of the Holders of Registrable Securities (such representative to be selected by a majority of the participating Holders), the Underwriters, if any, and any attorney or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause PubCo’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives or Underwriters enter into a confidentiality agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to PubCo, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information; and provided further, PubCo may not include the name of any Holder or Underwriter or any information regarding any Holder or Underwriter in any Registration Statement or Prospectus, any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus, any document that is to be incorporated by reference into such Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any response to any comment letter, without the prior written consent of such Holder or Underwriter and providing each such Holder or Underwriter a reasonable amount of time to review and comment on such applicable document, which comments PubCo shall include unless contrary to applicable law;

 

3.1.11            obtain a “cold comfort” letter from PubCo’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

 

3.1.12            on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion and negative assurance letters, dated such date, of counsel representing PubCo for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the Holders of such Registrable Securities, the placement agent or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion and negative assurance letters are being given as the Holders, placement agent, sales agent, or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority in interest of the participating Holders, it being understood that no negative assurance letter shall be provided by Japanese counsel to PubCo;

 

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3.1.13            in the event of any Underwritten Offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter of such offering;

 

3.1.14            otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and to make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of PubCo’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission);

 

3.1.15            use its reasonable best efforts to make available senior executives of PubCo to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering.

 

3.1.16            otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested, the Holders of Registrable Securities in connection with such Registration; and

 

3.1.17            assist the Depository Bank to maintain an effective registration of the PubCo ADSs on Form F-6 in accordance with the Deposit Agreement and cooperate with the Depositary Bank in filing amendments to such Form F-6 sufficient to allow the Holders to exercise their rights hereunder and under the Deposit Agreement to cover the Registerable Securities then outstanding.

 

3.2            Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by PubCo. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

 

3.3            Requirements for Participation in Underwritten Offerings. No person may participate in any Underwritten Offering initiated by PubCo hereunder unless such person (a) agrees to sell such person’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by PubCo and (b) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements. The Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to ensure that no Underwriter shall require any Holder to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Company or the Underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Holder and such Holder’s intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law, and if, despite the Company’s commercially reasonable efforts, an Underwriter requires any Holder to make additional representation or warranties to or agreements with such Underwriter, such Holder may elect not to participate in such Underwritten Offering (but shall not have any claims against the Company as a result of such election). Any liability of such Holder to any Underwriter or other person under such underwriting agreement shall be limited to an amount equal to the proceeds (net of expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions) that it derives from such registration.

 

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3.4            Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure. Upon receipt of written notice from PubCo that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, or in the opinion of counsel for the Company it is necessary to supplement or amend such Prospectus to comply with law, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until he, she or it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement or including the information counsel for the Company believes to be necessary to comply with law (it being understood that PubCo hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice such that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as so amended or supplemented, as applicable, will not include a Misstatement and complies with law), or until he, she or it is advised in writing by PubCo that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed. If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration or Underwritten Offering at any time would require PubCo to make an Adverse Disclosure or would require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to PubCo for reasons beyond PubCo’s control, PubCo may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time, but in no event more than thirty (30) days, determined in good faith by PubCo to be necessary for such purpose; provided, however, that PubCo shall not have the right to exercise the rights set forth in this Section 3.4 for more than 90 consecutive days or more than 120 days, in any such case, in any 12-month period. In the event PubCo exercises its rights under the preceding sentence, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities. PubCo shall immediately notify the Holders of the expiration of any period during which it exercised its rights under this Section 3.4.

 

3.5            Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, PubCo, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by PubCo after the date hereof pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. PubCo further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder of Registrable Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Registrable Securities held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule promulgated thereafter by the Commission), including providing any legal opinions. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities, PubCo shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

 

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Article IV
Indemnification and Contribution

 

4.1            Indemnification.

 

4.1.1            PubCo agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers and directors and each person who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) caused by any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information furnished in writing to PubCo by such Holder expressly for use therein. PubCo shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.

 

4.1.2            In connection with any Registration Statement for a Registration in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish to PubCo in writing such information and affidavits as PubCo reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus and, to the extent permitted by law, shall, severally and not jointly, indemnify PubCo, its directors and officers and agents and each person who controls PubCo (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue statement of material fact contained in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of PubCo.

 

4.1.3            Any person entitled to indemnification herein shall (a) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (b) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim or there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel (plus local counsel) for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

 

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4.1.4            The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of Registrable Securities.

 

4.1.5            If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 hereof from the indemnifying party is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall to the extent permitted by law contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by, or relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this subsection 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this subsection 4.1.5. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this subsection 4.1.5 from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

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Article V
Miscellaneous

 

5.1            Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (a) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (b) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (c) transmission by hand delivery, facsimile or email. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, facsimile or email, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if PubCo, to: [____________] and, if to any Holders, to the address of such Holder as it appears in the applicable register for Registrable Securities or such other address as may be designated in writing by such Holder (including on the signature pages hereto). Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

 

5.2            Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

 

5.2.1            This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of PubCo hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by PubCo in whole or in part.

 

5.2.2            Prior to the expiration of the applicable lock-up period for a Holder, no Holder may assign or delegate such Holder’s rights, duties or obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, except in connection with a transfer of Registrable Securities by such Holder to a Permitted Transferee, to an affiliate or as otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of such applicable lock-up period for such Holder.

 

5.2.3            This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the applicable Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

 

5.2.4            This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2 hereof.

 

5.2.5            No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate PubCo unless and until PubCo shall have received (a) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (b) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to PubCo, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

 

5.3            Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced. A signed copy of this Agreement delivered by facsimile, e-mail or other means of electronic transmission shall be deemed to have the same legal effect as delivery of an original signed copy of this Agreement.

 

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5.4            Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG NEW YORK RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO THE CONFLICT OF LAW PROVISIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

 

5.5            Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of PubCo and the Holders of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities at the time in question, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in his, her or its capacity as a holder of the Registrable Securities, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or PubCo and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or PubCo in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or PubCo. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

 

5.6            Other Registration Rights. PubCo represents and warrants that no person, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require PubCo to register any securities of PubCo for sale or to include such securities of PubCo in any Registration filed by PubCo for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person. Further, PubCo represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.

 

5.7            Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon the earlier of (a) the tenth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (b) the date as of which the Holders cease to hold any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article V shall survive any termination.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  PUBCO:
   
  JEPLAN Holdings, Inc.
   
  By:               
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

  FOUNDER:
   
  AP Sponsor LLC
   
  By:                
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

 

  HOLDERS:
   
  [•]
   
  By:             
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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