My name is Keita Ishii and I became President & COO of ITOCHU Corporation on April 1, 2021.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been raging for more than one year. This COVID crisis has triggered significant changes in the lifestyles and workstyles of people around the world and has accelerated the diversification of consumer needs. Social needs such as digitalization and decarbonization have also become even greater, giving rise to calls for solutions to issues from a medium to long term perspective as part of corporate activities, for the realization of a sustainable society.

I believe that, during such a major transition period, general trading companies which have contact points with many industries have an important role to play as leaders of Japanese industry. ITOCHU continues to provide new value to society from a "market-oriented" perspective, whilst always keeping in mind its Guideline of Conduct "I am One with Infinite Missions."

Recently, with SDGs becoming increasingly important in corporate management, we sometimes hear people say “sampo yoshi.” This phrase, which has roots in the management philosophy of founder Chubei Itoh, underpins our corporate mission. We have handed this down as the founding spirit and we will pass it on to future generations as our business motto. The Guideline of Conduct that we established to exercise the sampo yoshi spirit is represented as “I am One with Infinite Missions.”

ITOCHU was founded more than 160 years ago. Looking back, we have had our ups and downs but I believe that continued careful adherence to this management philosophy and Guideline of Conduct whatever the era has been the driver behind ITOCHU's growth. “I am One with Infinite Missions” is important for ITOCHU as it experiences a great turning point at this very moment.

Alongside the changes in the external environment, we, too, as general trading company must also change. I am looking forward to encountering business people with broad minds and a heightened perspective, who are curious and perceptive to change and have the flexible thinking required to be able to take on future challenges and create this next reincarnation of ITOCHU.