I am very happy to celebrate the new year. For my new year's greetings, I would like to send you all a brief message.

CSK Group is determined to make "e-Service No. 1" its group vision and has made every effort to fully support its clients' systems for a lifetime.
Two years ago, we began reorganizing group companies in order to concentrate our resources on BtoB business. As a part of the reorganization and to enhance our BtoB services, we opened an e-service data center in Chiba Prefecture in October 2002. As information-oriented societies progressed, the emergence of the Internet expanded the use of information systems. In the past, these systems were used primarily to enhance in-house productivity. These days, however, they are also used by our clients in their core businesses, forming a link with their customers and business partners. Accordingly, the IT service industry has expanded its service range, from back-office support to core-business support.
Amid such environmental changes, CSK Group has established a system that provides a full-line of IT services, from systems integration and systems management to business process outsourcing, that meets clients' need for the lifetime optimization of their systems. To make "e-Service No. 1" a reality, we shall continue managing the group in such a way that more value is added and synergy among group companies are created.

The future of Japan's economy remains unclear, and a lingering business depression continues to discourage IT investments, which were once looked upon as a kind of lifesaver. Companies are noticeably cutting down or postponing their IT investments, and among IT service companies that generally had steady growth, disparities can now be seen. I realize that competition has intensified in the information service industry as well and that the industry is entering an "age of selection."
Under such business circumstances, we established our business reform committee in 2002 to promote business reform and improved our cost structure by placing the proper staff in the proper department.
In this way, we have aggressively improved our corporate structure. Moreover, based on the belief that we must pursue true e-service, i.e., the integration of highly efficient computerization with the careful and fine-tuned services provided by people, we will make our services stand out from those of our competitors.

In 2002, our company was evaluated rather highly. CSK shares were newly included in the Nikkei Stock Average (Nikkei225), the rating of our corporate bond was raised, and we were listed among the world's leading IT companies. The information service industry was traditionally classified as part of the service industry in Japan's stock market. In 2003, however, the communications industry and the information service industry will merge into the information and communications industry, which means that the information service industry is now regarded as an independent industry both in name and reality.
Accordingly, the industry should now take on more important social responsibilities. Since its foundation, CSK strove to fulfill its social mission, which is a part of its management philosophy. We will continue to do our part as a leading company in the IT service industry, and I look forward to your extended guidance and encouragement in 2003.