Video Message from MD Sasaki: Together we can power good!

Hello Hitachi Asia, I am Sasaki, your MD.

Time flies. It has been a year since I first came to Singapore. Shortly after I arrived, I recorded my first video message during Circuit Breaker in the Hotel. I remember it as if it were yesterday. Since then, people around the world have been anxious and tried to overcome the unprecedented situation.

Unfortunately, the number of infections in the world has been climbing. As at end March*, the total number of confirmed cases is more than 120 million. And the variant has been spreading globally. Although vaccination has started in some countries, the situation remains unpredictable. On top of that, there is also the coup in Myanmar, as well as the fierce confrontation between the U.S. and China.

During this period, all Hitachi Group Companies in ASEAN stayed united and stood by each other to overcome these difficulties. With your great effort and cooperation, we managed to survive and continued our business until now. So, I would like to say a big THANK YOU for your dedication to strive for the better. I am sure we have proven our resilience.

On the other hand, I feel that the sense of value has changed. The increased interest to social and environmental value is evident. And as you know, Hitachi recently announced its participation as the Principal Partner of COP26 this November. I think this is an important message that Hitachi is conveying to the world and a stand that we are proudly taking. Especially in ASEAN, there are vast business opportunities in terms of environment. As one of our core businesses, I would like to explore and materialize new business in this area with you moving forward.

During this pandemic, we have experienced many difficulties. Yet, we also achieved many significant results in our three strategic pillars namely, smart city, smart manufacturing, and smart public services. I am sure these results will lead to our business expansion and contribute to achieving the 2024 Mid-term Management Plan that we formed last year.

This is the final year of the 2021 Mid-term Management Plan. It is also the time for us to prepare our next strategy. So stay confident and press on to realise your activities. I am sure one day we will show the world the meaning of Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business with our very own success stories from ASEAN. Let`s strive towards this goal. Only then will we walk with pride knowing we belong to a great company that helps to realise a better society by providing social, economic, and environmental values.

Of course, this can only be achieved in collaboration with the Hitachi Group of Companies, as well as our customers. To make this happen, firstly, we have enhanced our organization structure and the management team. I assure you these changes are for the better as we accelerate our strategy and improve the synergy between inter-departments and even group companies.

Secondly, I request all of you to remember the things that are truly important. As I mentioned in my last video, sometimes we take things for granted. This pandemic has made us value the importance of our family, friends, and colleagues who have been there cheering us on. So, pay it forward and extend the same kindness and support to people around you. Only when this circle of support continues, we can demonstrate that we are a true global leader in powering good for the society.

This year, the Tokyo Olympic is slated to be held in July and the World Economic Forum in August. I hope these global events will be held safely as their success will encourage the world, signalling the dawn of a new world. Although we haven`t seen the prospect of recovery from COVID-19 yet, let us continue to stay strong and united. Together, we can power good and improve the quality of life for the people in ASEAN, and for the generations to come.

*Date of recording: 26 March 2021