Integrated Report 2020

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LINTEC Integrated Report 202065I will strive to leverage my many years of experience as an outside officer at other companies and work diligently to fulfill my duties as an independent outside director by enhancing LINTEC’s governance. In recent years, LINTEC has taken steps to proactively strengthen and increase the transparency of the Board of Directors and the gover-nance function. These have included the transition to the Company with Audit & Supervisory Committee system of corporate governance and the establishment of the Corporate Governance Committee as an advisory body to the Board of Directors. In particular, in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, the Company promoted the separation of management decision-making and operational execution by signifi-cantly reducing the number of directors. As a result, the percentage of independent outside directors increased substantially, and the Company has nearly reached the standard of “at least one-third” for the percentage of independent outside directors, as recommended by the Corporate Governance Code. I believe that this series of reforms by the Company is worthy of a high evaluation. In addition, for further sustained growth, I think that what is more important than anything else is to have a sincere heart and move ahead in a creative manner, as in the Company’s motto — Sincerity and Creativity. I believe that this spirit is also the base of the long-term vision and the medium-term business plan. The business environment is expected to remain difficult for the time being, and I would like to see the entire Group work together to implement the long-term vision. Going forward, from my position as an independent outside director, I will endeavor to contribute to the sound growth of the Company from the perspective of governance. Targeting Sustained Growth, Continuing to Follow the Spirit of “Sincerity and Creativity” as We Move Forward The LINTEC Group is advancing the globalization of its operations, and in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, overseas sales accounted for about half of consolidated net sales. In rolling out global business activities, the governance of overseas subsidiaries is a major issue. LINTEC has increased the number of people in the Audit Office and is working to strengthen governance-related man-agement and support for overseas subsidiaries. These initiatives have recently begun to produce results, and the content of reports related to overseas subsidiaries has been enhanced. Moving for-ward, I would like to see further improvements, and I will strive to provide advice from the standpoint of corporate legal affairs, where I worked for many years.Currently, the world is undergoing dramatic changes, and I believe that there are many things that will not return to the way they were before. The Group will need to address these changes and conduct operational execution with a greater sense of speed, including in product development. Due to the streamlining of the Board of Directors, I expect that the Company will be able to act more rapidly to implement responses in line with circumstances. Also, the current trend of a focus on the environment will, of course, not stop. There are areas of the Company’s business that will be affected by natural disasters accompanying climate change, and, accordingly, I would like to see efforts from a long-term perspective, so the Company can supply society with products that have a low environmental burden.Further Strengthening Global Governance and Environmental MeasuresSatoshi OhokaOutside DirectorAudit & Supervisory Committee MemberIn 1975, joined the Japan Development Bank. Worked in guidance policy finance, including as Deputy Director General of the Development Bank of Japan. In addition, has worked in such positions as Professor at Nihon University, and has engaged in educational research at a number of universities. Became an Outside Director of the Company in 2012, and Outside Director (Audit & Supervisory Committee Member) in 2015. Since 2018, has worked concur-rently as chair of the Company’s Corporate Governance Committee.Kanako OsawaOutside DirectorAudit & Supervisory Committee MemberCertified as an attorney and joined Kajitani Law Offices in 1998. Admitted to practice law in the State of New York, U.S., in 2005. Involved in corporate law in Japan and overseas. Became an Outside Director of the Company (Audit & Supervisory Committee Member) in 2015. Since 2018, has worked concurrently as a member of the Company’s Corporate Governance Committee.Financial InformationStrategyOverviewFoundation