Message from an External Director

Kamino The Board of Directors, which includes External Directors, consists of members with diverse expertise, and its composition is appropriate from the perspectives of size and diversity.
n recent years, reports and proposals on medium- to longterm group strategies, healthcare strategies, digital transformation, and ESG are put on the agenda of the meetings of the Board of Directors on a timely basis for its lively discussions.

As it is important for the Board of Directors to pass resolutions after having discussions from multiple perspectives based on the diverse experience and insights of each Director, I make sure to actively state my opinions while sometimes encouraging internal members to speak up.
We also had much discussion on such topics as the opening and closing of stores, investment in human capital, and risk management based on various perspectives and objective evidence, such as numerical data that are relevant to each topic.
While the external environment surrounding corporate management is changing more rapidly than before, the Company will promote management that is sustainable over the long term in order to conform to its management philosophy that should not change while at the same time adapting to changes in the times under the spirit of “immutability and fluidity.”
To this end, I will endeavor to fulfill my responsibilities as External Director by supervising and supporting the steering of management while monitoring the actual conditions of the Company by site visits and other means.

Hayama Meeting materials are shared more in advance than before, and detailed explanations are provided by the Secretariat in advance through web meetings, etc. As a result, board members can understand each agenda sufficiently.
We have increasing opportunities to discuss high-level strategies. Although there are issues, such as TCFD and human capital initiatives, I appreciate that the Company is making great efforts to improve governance every fiscal year.

As the Company has many female customers and store employees, I expect the Company to put more effort into the development of female internal officers and managers and the Board of Directors to have active discussions also from the perspectives of women’s empowerment. Each External Director and Auditor has a different skill set and perspective.
Through active exchange of information and discussions among external officers, we would like to provide appropriate advice and make better proposals to the Company going forward.