As I explained earlier, JR East is a company that operates a vital part of social infrastructure. Above all, we must reliably perform all of the roles that the public expects of us and fulfill our missions. We have three missions that are always the same irrespective of how our operating environment changes: achieving "extreme safety levels," enacting "service quality reform" and "collaborating with local communities." As we fulfill these missions, I also want to draw on the skills and ambition of our employees to pursue the "unlimited potential" of JR East. The triggers for realizing this potential are "technical innovation," "globalization" and "tourism." By seeking opportunities in new business fields, we will create an open and energetic corporate culture. In addition, I want to make JR East a powerful organization that is open to ideas and opportunities in Japan and around the world.

My goal is to drive the "evolution" of JR East by using the collective strength of each and every employee so they can rise to the challenge of "innovation." Accomplishing this goal will require that everyone in our group, including me, continue to move forward as a unified team. I am convinced that adopting this stance will further increase our corporate value and allow us to meet the expectations of investors.