I would like to thank you for using our products and services. Your continued support is deeply appreciated.
Our beloved cherry blossoms are in full bloom here in Japan. It has coincided with the relaxation of the government's request to wear masks as a COVID-19 prevention measure, and for the first time in several years we see many people strolling around without masks, enjoying the blossoms. As our company has also adopted a policy in which personal decisions regarding mask-wearing in the workplace are respected, we are again seeing the cheerful smiles of employees.
This April, we welcomed a total of 143 new recruits. For the first time in four years, we were able to hold a face-to-face initiation ceremony, bringing everyone together and with no restrictions on admission to the venue. I expect our new employees to have a deep understanding of the meaning behind our management slogan "Made for Life", grasp the challenges facing healthcare in a changing environment, find solutions, and provide new value.