Japan as Only 1

 Since the new year began, many projects have started at once. There are big waves of change in every part of our group—so strong that even I can’t control them. This is the biggest change I have seen since I became president. I believe the main reason for this wave is simple: people have found the courage to leave their comfort zones. For me, the turning point was in 2020, the year COVID hit. Up until then, we had been working hard, but we were mostly playing it safe. We thought that as long as we avoided big mistakes, we could keep going. However, by avoiding big failures, we also missed out on great successes. When COVID happened, I took the time to clearly imagine my own dreams and the future goals for the company. From then on, I decided to always try new challenges that bring me closer to those dreams, and to avoid things that don’t. Of course, investing in the future and taking on new challenges isn’t always easy. It might look strange to others, and there are investments th...

 Since the beginning of the year, things have been rapidly moving forward in so many areas. The difference in business outlook between 2024 and 2025 is striking—it feels as if everything is shifting and evolving at once. Just the other day, I was pleased to confirm that someone I had high hopes for is genuinely thinking about their work with strong motivation. Additionally, we secured a partnership that will likely fill the missing pieces we needed. These are meaningful developments. However, it is precisely at times like this that we must remain cautious. The most exciting phase of any project is the planning stage—when everything exists as an idea, full of possibilities. The real challenges begin in the execution phase. Unexpected obstacles will arise, and unforeseen difficulties will stand in our way. What’s most important is not to stop when we hit those walls. Any new challenge comes with inevitable setbacks. But recognizing that as a natural part of the process is key. The fi...