I would like to extend my congratulations to all of you.

Today, I am happy to welcome you as the newest members of the NAGASE Group.

We have nearly 100 new employees entering our Group today. Of those, about 40 percent will be joining our parent company; 60 percent will be joining different manufacturing companies and other entities in the NAGASE Group.

Right now, you are lined up according to company. But, please look to either side. You’ll see people who will be entering other companies. These people will be going into different markets, different regions, and different functions within our Group. You may never have the chance to see each other again. But today, you stand as peers in the same entering class. I hope you all remember and value those who are with you here today. If you ever have the chance to meet or work together in the future, be sure to cooperate with and help each other to the best of your abilities.

Along with those of you who graduated university and are entering your first work experience, there are many who are joining us from other companies this month. Overseas, we generally do not hire new graduates in groups like this, so new employees come on board throughout the year. I hope you take the chance to interact with your co-workers in our overseas group companies. By doing so, you will be able to learn from a diverse range of opinions and ideas. Our overseas staff is full of people with tremendous knowledge and language skills. There are those who are extremely ambitious and who are serious about making a contribution to their companies, to their society, and to the development of their countries. I think they have a lot to share with you, if you’re willing to listen.

At present, NAGASE Groups sales are almost equally divided between Japan and overseas. Each year, our overseas sales represent a greater ratio of our overall performance. Even if you don’t think your own job has anything to do with international business at first glance, be assured that your work is indeed tied to the world in some fashion. I want you all to keep in the back of your mind how and where your job fits into the global scheme, and how events in the world may affect your job.
Today, we see a number of bi-party and multi-country trade negotiations, including the TPP. The world is indeed becoming one of fewer fences where goods and information will flow much more quickly, and competition will become much more intense. We all must work together in creating new businesses, new models, and new rules. To do this, we must first learn the basics, master our jobs, be curious always, and continue to strive for new goals.

I look forward to seeing your contribution to the future growth of the NAGASE Group as global leaders.

Let us all work together, work happily, and work hard. Thank you.