First, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our shareholders for their ongoing support.

We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 and express our sincerest sympathies to those who have suffered from the virus and everyone who has been affected by the pandemic. I would also like to express our deep gratitude for the hard work of all the healthcare professionals and others working to prevent the further spread of the disease.

While the end of the pandemic is eagerly awaited, the Okabe Group develops its core businesses, the construction-related products business and automotive products business, based on its management philosophy of "Contributing to society by providing safety and security," while ensuring the health and safety of its business partners and employees. The Group has developed a medium-term management plan, NEXT100-PHASE 2.1, in July 2021. Under the plan, the Group is addressing three key policies: addressing the SDGs through management, including decarbonization initiatives, actively utilizing digital transformation (DX), and accelerating global expansion in the United States and ASEAN countries.

In October last year, the Group acquired a building materials manufacturing business from a US-based building materials manufacturer and has established a structure to tap into demand for the infrastructure development that is expected in the United States.

We will continue to strive to achieve sustainable growth and enhance corporate value, while swiftly responding to a range of changes in the business environment.

The Company's basic dividend policy is continuing to pay stable dividends, aiming for a payout ratio of 30% or more, to return sufficient profits to shareholders.

For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, annual dividends are forecast to be 22 yen per share (20 yen in the previous fiscal year), interim dividends of 11 yen (10 yen) and year-end dividends of 11 yen (10 yen).

We sincerely ask that our shareholders provide us with continued support and guidance.