Thank you very much for visiting the Nippon Paint Web Site at the start of the New Year. I would first like to extend best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy and prosperous 2007.
In 2006, we celebrated the 125th anniversary of the company's foundation, during which we made strategic moves toward ensuring the achievement of the goals of our long-term management plan. This plan targeted the year 2010, which was launched last April. Specific steps included, among others, the review of our capital contribution ratio for a joint venture in Asia and the acquisition of a North American business specializing in coatings for plastics. During this new year, as we take fresh strides toward our next milestone, namely, the 130th anniversary of Nippon Paint's foundation, we are?determined to make 2007 the year of another major leap forward by integrating the efforts of some 4,000 Nippon Paint Group employees.
Also, with a sense of deep gratitude for having allowed us to continue in business for 125 years and being fully aware that we must repay society for this, we believe that the social obligation that Nippon Paint shoulders as a leader in the paint and coating industry is to set a good example by taking the initiative in protecting the environment. In the year before last, when I was named president of Nippon Paint, I declared my determination to make our products 100% environment-friendly by 2010 under our slogan of "Preserving the Beautiful and Irreplaceable Earth for Future Generations." We will strive to accelerate our concerted efforts to realize this goal.
Our desire is "To Preserve the Beautiful and Irreplaceable Earth for Future Generations." Please look forward to what Nippon Paint Group creates and offers throughout this year.
