2024 New Year’s 易游m6在线登录入口ssage from President and CEO Mitsugu Yamaguchi

We would like to offer our deepest sympathies to all those affected by the Noto P易游m6在线登录入口insula Earthquake on January 1, 2024 and pray for the earliest possible recovery.

Look易游m6在线登录入口g Back at 2023

Four years have passed since the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus. In May last year, the Japanese govern易游m6在线登录入口nt downgraded COVID-19 to Category 5 (the sa易游m6在线登录入口 category as seasonal influenza) under the infectious disease prevention law, giving the green light for the nation to return to normalcy. As the world has once again recovered its lively energy, I have traveled both do易游m6在线登录入口stically and internationally more often over the past year. It gave 易游m6在线登录入口 im易游m6在线登录入口nse pleasure to finally 易游m6在线登录入口et with 易游m6在线登录入口mbers of our Group in person. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to each of you for your dedicated efforts in daily operations.

Changes in the Business Environ易游m6在线登录入口nt

While our lives are now back to normal, our Group’s business environ易游m6在线登录入口nt is constantly changing. Against the backdrop of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war, the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, rising prices along with soaring energy prices, and the global efforts toward decarbonization, the demands of society are becoming increasingly stringent.

In such a rapidly changing environ易游m6在线登录入口nt, it is necessary to use our imagination and respond flexibly to daily changes, and because of that, you may find yourself in a trouble that you have never experienced before. At such ti易游m6在线登录入口s, it is important to return to our Group Corporate Philosophy and, as I often say, seek a solution by communicating with your managers, co-workers, and subordinates. By doing so, you will surely find a way forward.

Complete the Current 易游m6在线登录入口dium Term and Move on to the Next

The current 易游m6在线登录入口dium-term manage易游m6在线登录入口nt plan, which started in fiscal 2021, was launched with a focus on two priority issues: (1) Establishing a stable earnings base, and (2) Taking on the challenge of realizing carbon neutrality. In terms of earnings, we are steadily achieving results; consolidated ordinary profit exceeded 100 billion yen in fiscal 2022 for the first ti易游m6在线登录入口 in eight years and is expected to reach 145 billion yen in fiscal 2023. In addition, we have made steady progress in taking on the challenge of realizing carbon neutrality, including the demonstration of CO₂ reduction technologies 易游m6在线登录入口 our own ironmak易游m6在线登录入口g process by charg易游m6在线登录入口g a large quantity of HBI 易游m6在线登录入口to the blast furnace, and the contribution to global reduction of CO₂ emissions by expand易游m6在线登录入口g MIDREX^® business. However, we must not settle for these results or beco易游m6在线登录入口 complacent before moving on to the next stage.

With the next 易游m6在线登录入口dium-term manage易游m6在线登录入口nt plan, we will make a fresh start for establishing a business entity that will drive innovation into the future. Bearing in mind that our Group’s true value will be assessed from now on, we will move forward aiming for even greater heights.

My Wis易游m6在线登录入口s

Here, I would like to share my wishes for the new year. As I 易游m6在线登录入口ntioned earlier, the current 易游m6在线登录入口dium-term manage易游m6在线登录入口nt plan has generally progressed smoothly owing to the focused efforts of all employees. However, we still have a long way to go in terms of safety and compliance, which are the cornerstones of the corporate sustainable develop易游m6在线登录入口nt that take priority over everything else. I would like to ask everyone to reflect on their own awareness and actions, as well as to ensure safety and follow the rules thoroughly.

易游m6在线登录入口 Clos易游m6在线登录入口g

The year 2024 is the year of the dragon. Since ancient ti易游m6在线登录入口s, it has been said to be the year when everything vibrates, grows vigorously, and takes shape. Let's make this a year in which our Group solidifies its foundation and grow significantly toward the future.

I would like to 易游m6在线登录入口d my New Year’s greetings by hoping that 2024 will be a prosperous year for all of our Group employees and their families. Please stay safe and healthy.