I would first like to express my deepest gratitude for your continued patronage of our company and our company's products.
While an economic turnaround was trumpeted last year, upon entering the second half of the year, economic activities have faltered and, as a result, the consumption tax increase to 10% was postponed, the House of Representatives was dissolved and a general election held, making for a busy and hurried end to the year. This year, I hope that the economic recovery will proceed at a steady pace and that we will be able to really feel the economy take a turn for the better.
On the other hand, we in the beauty industry still have various problems to tackle, and at the same time, it appears we have reached a big turning point. Formerly, with the advent of the so-called “charismatic hairdresser boom”, there was a period when the hairdressing industry was thrust firmly into the limelight, however time has passed since then and there has been generational change, with the central figures who were in the mainstream at that time being replaced by the next wave. However, the next direction in which we should proceed has not been determined, and I believe we are “wandering off course” to the left and right creating a confusing state of affairs.
In the midst of such a state, what we need to consider beyond an awareness of the present situation, is ascertaining a clear direction that should be taken to move forward. For this purpose, we need to plan to improve business skills while cultivating the power to grasp things and to see the big picture.
Learning how to judge correctly and being able to look at matters calmly allows us to recognize the problem and find the best solution. Also, it will be possible to turn crisis into opportunity. There are certainly problems in the hairdressing industry, however there is always an upside and a downside to things and by no means can we say that all is problematic. For instance, with the advance of the aging population, in the field of beauty, the need for older customers to “be youthful and beautiful forever” has become apparent and answering these needs prompts the creation and expansion of new markets. If we look at this phenomenon, it seems certain that the hairdressing industry will also have to play an increasingly important role in the future.
In four years, our company will reach our 60th year since foundation. From our 60th anniversary, we will rank as “3rd foundation” and I would like to revolutionize our ideas about things and strive to tackle a variety of things. This year, as the first step toward this, I would like to use what little power I have to help create a virtuous cycle for the industry itself, while at the same time maintaining our necessity to society into the future as an industry vigorously brimming with appeal so that the people who work in the industry can feel their worth and hold their dreams. I would like to ask you all sincerely to give our company your increased support.

NAKANO SEIYAKU Co.,Ltd. President