Ever since its foundation, the JTB has won the trust of a multitude of customers and of society, and its growth has matched that of Japan’s tourism industry. Now we are approaching, in 2012, the 100th anniversary of our foundation.

 The century encompassing the history of our business activities has seen many major social changes including, in recent years, the advent of an informa­tion-oriented society born of information technology, a society that is changing structurally under the demo­graphic pressures of fewer children and an ageing population even as customer needs are diversifying. We have also seen government and business cooperating in moves to make Japan a nation based on tourism while international participation in cultural exchanges has greatly expanded. Society has increasingly high expectations of tourism and the travel industry.

 In this environment, we must further enhance the brands we have created over the years and we ourselves must also continue to evolve from a global perspective.

 In 2006, the JTB Group underwent a major structural reform in which its travel business was split up into different areas and specialties, creating an organization in which the individual companies can respond appropriately far faster than ever before to the customer’s voice.

 From now on, the JTB Group will be seeking to make full use of the five inherent strengths of travel (those of culture and cultural exchanges, and its strengths in finance, education and health), and to take up the challenge of evolving into a cultural-exchange business. In addressing this chal­lenge, we will be seeking to create new values, helping our customers to make their dreams come true. We will also be supporting the progress of local society, activities to preserve the environment, and cultural activities. I invite you to look to the JTB Group as it continues to take up further challenges.