Happy New Year! It is a great joy to welcome the new year together with everyone.

Last year, due to matters concerning our company group, we caused significant inconvenience and concern to many people. Reflecting on these issues, let us all work together to ensure that we become a company that is truly trusted by our customers and society by reliably implementing the measures we have formulated.

Our company will celebrate its 100th anniversary this December. This milestone is an important opportunity not only to reflect on our history but also to consider new challenges for the future. Embracing new challenges can create innovation while preserving tradition, leading to the growth and development of the company. We also wish to continue our new challenges while valuing our achievements in the past, embodying "tradition and innovation."

We have entered an age where invisible information, knowledge, and education are highly valued. It is becoming increasingly important to challenge oneself and discover what one loves and excels at. By fostering curiosity, one realizes that there are many opportunities to find "learning" and "expertise." Let’s challenge ourselves in various ways, following the inclinations of our hearts, and find what we love.
Things that were unimaginable a few years ago are now widely accepted. This is because we have accepted change and grown ourselves. Of course, anticipating the future may not be easy, but it is up to us to create a new era. Instead of surrendering to circumstances, it is important to think about "how I want to change" while valuing communication with those around us and living positively.

The purpose of the Nomura Group is to challenge the world together through the power of the financial capital markets and to realize a prosperous society. By each person continuing their own unique challenges, we should be able to look toward the future even amidst significant changes and move closer to the ideal state.
While taking care of our health, let's work together this year with smiles, pride in being ourselves, and unite our efforts.