Message from the President & COO

Thank you for your continued support of our operations.
I am Keita Ishii, the President & COO of ITOCHU Corporation.
I would like to say a few words as we start the new fiscal year.

We have now entered the final year of Brand-new Deal 2023, our Medium-term Management Plan. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine having no end in sight, worries over economic downturn in Europe and the United States due to inflation controls, and the COVID-19 pandemic still having some impact on people’s movements, the outlook of the global economy has become even more uncertain. Even so, we will continue striving to further strengthen and reinforce our earnings platform based on our basic policies, namely realizing business transformation by shifting to a market-oriented perspective, and enhancing our contribution to and engagement with the SDGs through business activities.

The way people live and work, and their awareness of the SDGs is now much different from what it once was due to a number of events, from our battle with COVID-19 to the effects of climate change seen in recent years. In a society different from what we once knew, trends such as DX have gained stronger momentum, and meanwhile innovations are emerging and new value is being created in every field and domain we face. Based on our market-oriented approach, ITOCHU will develop businesses that embody this new value by quickly understanding the new needs of customers and society.

Looking at the global situation, geopolitical risks have materialized in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, inducing soaring resource and material prices and a review of supply chains. It is even spilling over to security issues as a result. But at a time like this when the business environment is in turmoil, we will lean on the non-resource sector where our strength lies, fully utilizing our global network to achieve the steady growth of solid, down-to-earth businesses.

ITOCHU Group has passed down and will continue to pass on in the future its founding spirit of commerce, Sampo Yoshi: good for the buyer, good for the seller and good for society. To ensure peaceful, safe and secure economic and social activities for all, ITOCHU will respond to the expectations and trust of its business partners, shareholders, employees and various other stakeholders, and fulfill its responsibilities as a company.

I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks for your continued support.

Keita Ishii
President & Chief Operating Officer
April 1, 2023