The economic environment is currently undergoing drastic changes. In order to achieve a quantum leap in growth as a corporate group that continues to provide value to customers, we are moving forward with quick execution to effectively harness the entire Group for the creation of new synergies. The Kirin Group has launched “Kirin Group 2015 (KV2015),” a long-term operating framework for navigating this difficult market environment, and moved to a unified holding company management structure in the company’s centenary year of 2007.

Moreover, as stated in our Group slogan, “tastes that make you smile,” our aim is to provide value that brings smiles to as many of our customers as possible. By pursuing great taste, and by contributing to happiness through all our products and services in alcohol, soft drinks, foods and pharmaceuticals, we aim to build widespread customer loyalty for Kirin as an attractive brand that represents trust and vitality.

Through new partnerships, such as those with the Kyowa Hakko Group and National Foods (Australia), we are accelerating the creation of a solid business foundation. The Kirin Group intends to ensure that these new links lead to new synergies, and to realize the independent growth of Group companies and allocate resources dynamically to growth domains. Based on these three growth strategies, the Group will pursue unified management. Furthermore, by implementing reforms that shift from expanding quantity to enriching quality, the Kirin Group aims to become a leading company in the Asia-Oceania region.

To fullfill our responsibility to society as a group whose corporate philosophy is “the joy of food and health,” we will introduce initiatives based on our medium- to long-term group-wide goal of becoming a “low carbon corporate group.” Moreover, we will work to gain the public’s trust as a good corporate citizen through our dedication to actively promoting CSR, including efforts to solve global environmental problems and various activities that positively contribute to society.

At the Kirin Group, it is our aim to forge various links with our customers while meeting their expectations and offering them the joy of food and health.

Thank you very much.