Actually though, my heart is in another place as well: Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. I lived there from 1997 to 2000 as an expatriate worker, while also attending university to study Arabic. There I learned the importance of international exchange and the means to achieve it, and focused on learning the language. And what I attained was the dream of becoming a bridge linking Japan with Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and the world. I’m convinced that the only way for Japan to carry on in the future, and to ensure world peace and welfare for humanity, is to bolster trade and value international exchange. I studied here in Mita at Keio University. Yukichi Fukuzawa, the university founder, embraced a worldview idealizing global development, peace and welfare, all enhanced through human interaction, exchange among societies both large and small, and the expansion of ties among fellow nations. The Mita Kosan Group, with real estate leasing company Mita Kosan Co., Ltd. at its foundation and together with trading company Idemitsu Shokai Co., Ltd. and insurance agency Powerlink Co., Ltd., will spread its wings from Mita to the world, contributing to world peace, well-being, and the environment.
I have added “environment” to the phrase “contributing to world peace and welfare,” which my grandfather Sazo Idemitsu always used to emphasize in his later years. I have gained a wealth of experience in my working years to date, and have witnessed various changes during the times we live in. From my experiences to date, both personal or otherwise, I am convinced that the cornerstone of running our business is founded on implementing my grandfather's philosophy. His management philosophy has many facets, but starts with the “samurai spirit and business acumen” that he learned at Kobe Kosho (now Kobe University). When founding the company I wanted especially to carry on my grandfather's philosophy, practicing his three fundamental principles: “respect for people,” “Family-We are more than colleagues ; we are a family.” and “customer orientation.” Under this foundational management philosophy, we will do our utmost to develop our business with a focus on our home Mita, valuing the “spirit of harmony” and “magokoro” unique to Japan, and continuing to contribute for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Although I am still a relatively young man, I am earnest in my endeavor to live up to my grandfather's name.