Happy New Year! How are you all doing as we welcome the new year? I hope you are all celebrating with renewed spirit and in good health.

As we enter the 8th year of Reiwa (2026), I would like to take a moment to reflect on the changes we are experiencing. In recent years, the evolution of AI and digital technology has been remarkable, bringing about major changes in our lives and work. While people now routinely gather information from the internet and use it in their daily lives, things were different not long ago. I believe that the use of AI will be similar. AI will soon become an integral part of people's lives, and life without it will become unimaginable. I do not believe at all that "AI will take away people's jobs." On the contrary, I believe that AI not only brings convenience but also opens up new possibilities, allowing people to spend their time on the things they truly want to do, the things they should be doing, and the things they are creatively pursuing.

On the other hand, there are still leaders in the world who cling to old values and the use of power. However, times are certainly changing, and we are meeting these changes with new values and flexible thinking. Someone I respect once taught me, "Follow the Kingly Way, not the Hegemonic Way." He taught us that we should choose politics and a way of life that values virtue, righteousness, and the happiness of the people, rather than the Hegemonic Way, which rules through force and cunning. I am concerned that current world leaders seem to be pushing the Hegemonic Way, but I hope that Japan's leaders will face these challenges head-on as a peaceful nation that has not been at war with any country for over 80 years, without hesitation.

At Ark Tategamori, we hope to continue to embrace the new era and take positive steps together with everyone.

Thank you for your continued support in the year.

Representative Director Shinei Hashimoto

Ark Tategamori "Shining Hill" first sunrise