Since its founding, Mizuno has grown its business guided by one enduring corporate philosophy: contributing to society through the advancement of sporting goods and the promotion of sports. Even in areas where profitability is limited, we stand by the conviction that the social significance of sports and the trust of our customers are what matter most. At the same time, we recognize that steadily improving profitability in these areas is essential if we are to grow sustainably and meet the expectations of our shareholders and other stakeholders. Our business has always upheld the belief of "Justice above profit." Building on this founding belief, we aim to achieve sustainable growth by integrating principle and profit: the principle of contributing to solutions for social challenges by leveraging our comprehensive capabilities, including the application of our distinctive technologies and services across multiple fields, and the profit needed to appropriately meet the expectations of our shareholders.

Sustained corporate growth requires a steady commitment to investments for the future. We look beyond short-term results to consider whether each investment will contribute to future growth, while making a comprehensive assessment of its potential returns and associated risks. I believe another important part of my role is to support the sustainable enhancement of corporate value by consistently generating profits, reinvesting those gains toward future growth, and nurturing relationships of trust with our diverse stakeholders.

That said, it is not enough to simply create new business opportunities; we must also respond appropriately to the associated risks. The spirit of “Fair Play” has defined Mizuno since its founding. We are committed to responsible business practices, including respect for human rights, consideration for working conditions, and fair business dealings. From a financial perspective, it is also critically important to prevent these risks from materializing, and we will approach our work with an even greater sense of vigilance.

Alongside investment for future growth, we are committed to disciplined capital allocation that reflects our responsibilities to a broad range of stakeholders. This includes fair dealings with suppliers and retailers, sharing the benefits of growth with employees, and providing returns to shareholders. With the integration of principle and profit at the heart of our approach, we will continue to grow responsibly and work alongside all our stakeholders to build a sustainable future.