CEO Commitment

Fulfilling our responsibility as a global company through bold new initiatives

We believe the most critical question that a corporation should ask itself is whether it is good for society. Globally expanding businesses should have a positive impact on the countries in which they operate and should be well-received by the people of these societies. From this perspective, the significance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) cannot be overstated. We always need to bear in mind our business goals and consider how we can contribute to society and clearly convey this information to the world. We also need to broadly proclaim that we act responsibly as members of society. This sincere approach is essential to our CSR.

Fast Retailing, in collaboration with Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, which was established by Nobel Peace Prize recipient Professor Muhammad Yunus, launched a social business in Bangladesh this year. This business aims to address the country's chronic social problems in such areas as poverty, sanitation and education. We start new businesses, create jobs, train people and share technology and technical expertise. All resulting profits will be reinvested in the social business to create an even greater force for positive social change. This project and the philosophy underpinning it have attracted attention as well as many talented individuals, who have felt compelled to join in our efforts.

At Fast Retailing we have embraced the challenge of pioneering a social business. We view it as the perfect opportunity to explore the power of clothing and appreciate anew the true value of a piece of clothing and the unlimited possibilities inherent in everyday attire. Clothing holds incredible power, and the value of clothing can change lives and steer society in better directions. I am certain that the success of the BoP* business (details are oultlined below) must be pursued through realizing this positive progression.

As an international corporation that operates internationally we must search for people and train them on a level that is global, and devise means of encouraging them to be active in their careers around the world. We can attract talented individuals and fully leverage our collective abilities only with a fair, transparent business platform that respects the individual. Our decision to make English our company's official language is one example of an approach based on this way of thinking.

The influence global companies have on the world will likely grow as we head into the future. In light of this we have made a bold decision. In order to breathe life into the slogan that embodies our business philosophy−"Changing clothes. Changing conventional wisdom. Change the world."−we have embarked on a new challenge to fulfill our responsibility toward global society in an increasingly clear and profound way.

*Base of the pyramid or BoP refers to the world's poorest socioeconomic demographic, principally found in the developing world. This term is derived from a graphical representation of the world's population as a pyramid. Each tier of the pyramid correlates to a level of income, with those having the lowest incomes represented at the bottom.