Chairman Nakakita: It’s no longer ‘business as usual’

Dear Colleagues,

Unknowingly, we have spent the majority of our 2021 Mid-term Management Plan battling a pandemic that threw the world upside-down. I am very appreciative of your belief in me and the Hitachi management. Despite the evolving situation, I want to thank every Hitachi staff for staying strong during those difficult times. My thanks come especially after our FY2021 results have cemented Hitachi’s capabilities and proven everyone’s tenacity. Through this episode, I believe we will emerge stronger as One Hitachi.

Just as the world was beginning to recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19, the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in late February 2022 sending the rest of the world into yet another chaos.

Well, if you thought that the war would not affect us in this region, think again. The entire global economy will experience slower growth as the demand for food and energy will further push prices up. Already we are seeing signs of inflation as more uncertainty lies ahead. The uptick in business risks will undoubtedly affect the global economy and herein lies the delicate balance of risk and opportunity.

However, it is precisely due to the turmoil in Europe that now puts Asia in a strategic position to take on the mantle and lead the change we want to see happen. In the upcoming years, Asia will play a pivotal role in realising a more sustainable society as more opportunities in the areas of digital services, green energy and innovation arise. The world as we know it is no longer ‘business as usual’, so please be ready and react accordingly.

As this new fiscal year marks the new beginning of our new 2024 Mid-term Management Plan, there will be newer and higher expectations of us. And as your leader in this region, I want you to be prepared to take on challenging requests. Expand on Hitachi’s Social Innovation Business and think out-of-the-box. In Hitachi, we have been ingrained to do good and to deliver innovations that answer society’s challenges.

Remember that no matter where you are, we are all looking at the same moon. We are all connected and must stay united to overcome the tough times ahead. Grit and resilience are what we need, and we will pull through, like how we always have, as One Hitachi. Together, we can inspire the world.

Kojin Nakakita
Chairman
Hitachi Asia Ltd.