On April 1, NYK held a ceremony at its head office in Tokyo to welcome 56 employees joining the company. Below is a translation of the address provided by NYK president Hitoshi Nagasawa to the new staff members.

Congratulations on joining as new members of NYK. I sincerely welcome you all on behalf of the 52,000 people of the NYK Group working around the world.

Today, as you take your first steps as members of the NYK Group, I would like to talk to you as a senior member of the company.

NYK was founded in 1885, and Mr. Yataro Iwasaki and Mr. Eiichi Shibusawa, prominent businessmen of the Meiji era, were deeply involved in its establishment.

NYK is one of the source companies of the Mitsubishi Group, and this year marks the 137th anniversary of NYK’s founding. Looking back on our long history, we have contributed to the development of the global economy and supported people's lives while overcoming numerous difficulties.

One of the most notable examples of our history of hardship is World War II. During this war, we lost 172 ships of 1,020,000 tons and the precious lives of 5,312 employees.

In addition to this tragedy, we were forced to make a new start under difficult circumstances with no wartime compensation. However, thanks to the efforts of our predecessors, we managed to return to the international community. We have overcome various stormy seas, including sharp appreciation of the yen after the Plaza Accord and the turmoil after the Lehman bankruptcy.

Today, the NYK Group continues to support the world's logistics industry. How is it that we have been able to survive for 137 years?

This is because the NYK Group has always responded to the demands of society at any given time. In the Meiji era, we contributed to the modernization of Japan by opening oceangoing shipping routes to improve the country's international standing. In the postwar period, we have played an important role in supporting Japan's rapid economic growth in terms of trade.

When COVID-19 began to spread, causing great anxiety throughout the world, we put our bodies on the line to deliver medical supplies and daily necessities to the rest of the world, thereby protecting people's lifelines.

"Bringing value to life," the basic philosophy of the NYK Group, is an expression of our history and pride.

Since last year, under ESG management, we have added the E (Environment), S (Society), and G (Governance) criteria to our various decision-making processes to ensure that we continue to be chosen by society.

The NYK Group will continue to be a group that supports people's lives and fulfills our social responsibilities. I hope that you proud to be a part of our group's footprints and responsible business activities.

Turning to the current global situation, the disruption in international logistics caused by COVID-19 shows no sign of abating. In addition to this, the situation in Ukraine has developed into a situation that could shake the world order, and it is extremely uncertain what the future holds. In particular, the state of energy resources is expected to undergo complex changes due to the political speculation of various countries, which will have a significant impact on our group's businesses.

Although this is an extremely difficult situation, the most important thing is to calmly do what we can do for the people of the world, one thing at a time.

I am sure that you are anxious not only about the social situation but also about various other things as you start your lives as members of society. But please remember that you have not only your superiors, seniors, and colleagues but also many coworkers around the world to provide assistance and guidance. Communication is the most important factor in "doing a good job." Please try to communicate proactively, both inside and outside the company.

I would like you all to work with passion and vigor, never forgetting to express your gratitude to your family, friends, and those who have supported you.