First, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to our shareholders and investors for their support and patronage every day.

In the context of our aspiration to realize our Management Vision, UPDATE Odakyu — Becoming a Community-Based Value Creation Company, the most important roles that I have to play are to steadily carry out the measures stated in the medium-term management plan to achieve the targets of a return on equity (ROE) of 10% or more and operating income of ¥80 billion in FY2030 and to accelerate the implementation of management that is conscious of the cost of capital and the stock price. To achieve this, we will proactively invest in the Shinjuku West Gate Development Project and other real estate, the construction of new Romancecar trains to increase tourism revenue, the opening of new hotels and other growth areas. We will also control the balance sheet properly by increasing financial leverage, etc. to increase the ROE.

2027, a part of the period of rapid growth, will mark the 100th anniversary of opening of Odakyu Line from Shinjuku to Odawara. The line came into service in April 1927. Also, the completion of the Shinjuku West Gate Development Project is scheduled in FY2029. Shinjuku station is the largest in the world in terms of the number of passengers. It is Japan's largest commercial cluster. In addition, there are many other aspects to the area, including nightlife districts such as Kabukicho and parks. In this project, the construction of an iconic building of the Shinjuku area directly above the railway station is planned. It is our largest project and it will increase the value of the whole area, including the Odakyu Group's existing businesses. Further, we will develop Shinjuku into a tourism hub. In parallel with this, we will increase demand for transportation to Hakone, Shonan and other destinations along our railway lines via the Romancecar and other services to maximize the revenue of the Odakyu Group as a whole.

The year 2027, during our period of rapid growth, will mark​ the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Odakyu Line​ (between Shinjuku and Odawara) in April 1927. To make​ “irreplaceable times” and “rich and comfortable lifestyles” a​ reality for our customers, we actively undertake development​ along our lines that is closely connected to daily life, and we​ work to improve the appeal of tourist attractions along the​ line, such as Hakone and Enoshima, which create​ extraordinary experiences. We have grown to serve​ approximately 2 million passengers per day and 700 million​ people per year. In order to keep supporting community​ development in regional economies and growing together​ with local communities, it is also important that we be a​ performance-oriented company. In this period of rapid​ growth, the Odakyu Group will invest in further growth to​ realize our Management Vision, UPDATE Odakyu, and by​ earning a solid return on our investment, we will achieve​ growth as a company while giving back to the community​ and our shareholders. We aim to be a company that is​ trusted and supported by its stakeholders for a long time in​ the future.​