New Year’s Greetings for 2026

I would like to express my warmest New Year’s greetings to you all.

I am also deeply grateful for your exceptional support and kindness throughout the past year.

At the beginning of 2026, I would like to extend my greetings as follows:

The world is currently undergoing rapid transformations. Amidst geopolitical risks, economic uncertainty, environmental issues, and the increasing diversification of lifestyles, companies are required to respond with greater flexibility and sustainability. In such times, we feel a renewed and profound sense of mission to stay close to our consumers and provide them with peace of mind and comfort.

In 2025, we introduced our corporate brand essence, “Love Your Possibilities” (If Together, Can do Anything. Anytime, Forever.) Through our products and services, we have worked to solve social issues and enhance brand value, offering ways to expand the potential inherent in every individual.

A specific example of this is the “RefF (Recycle for the Future) Project,” which promotes the horizontal recycling of used disposable diapers. In 2025, we launched “Deosand RefF,” a paper-based cat litter using recycled super absorbent polymers as part of its raw material. Through this, we established the technology to recycle and reuse all three major materials: pulp, plastic, and super absorbent polymers.

Furthermore, “Sofy Be,” a menstrual management app launched in 2024 that tracks the relationship between hormones and physical condition, has seen a steady increase in users. The data accumulated here has become a source for creating new value. For instance, records provided by users revealed that concerns regarding “sleep” and “fatigue” associated with menstruation were far more serious than we had initially anticipated. Based on these insights, we launched the “Sofy Menstrual Blood Iron Deficiency Check Kit” in 2025, an easy way to check for iron deficiency using menstrual blood to address “invisible discomfort.” In this way, we are establishing a positive cycle where new products and services are born from data and voices of consumers.

Regarding our overseas operations, we are establishing a joint venture in Kenya to mark our full-scale entry into the African market. While continuing to prioritize China, ASEAN, and the Middle East, we will strengthen our presence in India, Africa, and South America to pursue sustainable global growth.

In 2026, Unicharm celebrates its 65^th anniversary. Looking back on our journey, we have always faced the changes of the times and continued to take on new challenges.

In our 13^th Medium-Term Management Plan, “Project-Renaissance,” which begins this year, we have intentionally chosen the theme of “Returning to Our Roots.” Why “Renaissance” (rebirth) and “Roots” now? It is precisely because digital technologies like AI are advancing so rapidly that we must return to our founding philosophy of being “human centric.” We do not view technology as an end in itself; rather, by utilizing AI and data, we can move closer to the deep-seated psychological insights of consumers and capture minute changes in their minds and bodies.

Reflecting these goals, I have chosen the letter “R” as the keyword to represent our determination for 2026, standing for Renaissance, Rebirth, and Resonance.

(1) Renaissance

Through the process of “Shu-Ha-Ri” (preserving, breaking and transcending traditions), we will use the scientific power of AI as a lens to increase the resolution of our consumer understanding. We will return to human centric value creation by using our sensitivity to discover hidden discomforts and desires.

(2) Rebirth

We will stay close to all forms of life – from infants to the elderly and even pets – and transform our business model from a manufacturer into a “Lifetime Partner.”

(3) Resonance

Starting with “Sofy-Be,” our platform for enhancing women’s well-being, we will co-create value with consumers and practice “Management with Resonance.”

We look forward to your continued guidance and encouragement throughout the coming year.