Morimura Brothers Inc. can trace its roots directly to Morimura Gumi, an international trading company established in 1876, during the turbulent closing years of the Tokugawa Shogunate, by Ichizaemon Morimura VI, a man deeply concerned about the disadvantageous foreign exchange rates of the time and one-way trade. Ichizaemon MorimuraVI wrote that the raison d'etre of the company was "To promote the brotherhood of man, world peace, universal happiness, justice and humanity through foreign trade". For more than 100 years we have been active in the foreign trade area and helped to foster global economic development and to enrich the lives of people throughout the world. We are especially proud of the major role Morimura has played in the establishment of Japan's ceramics industry—an industry which has become the bedrock of today's Morimura. We have set up a number of ceramics—related companies, including TOTO LTD., NGK INSULATORS, LTD., NGK SPARK PLUG CO., LTD., and the nucleus of this group, Noritake Co., Limited. We have assisted these affiliates, and the industry as a whole, by importing raw materials and introducing advanced technologies from overseas. Today, with our feet firmly planted on the ground we are developing our company based on the trust, achievements, experience, and knowledge accumulated by our predecessors. Our finger is on the pulse of the Japanese economy and we closely monitor the increasingly diversified needs of the public which enables us to forecast trends and enter emerging new fields swiftly and decisively to expand our business operations. Today, at the dawning of the 21st century, dramatic advances in information and telecommunications technology are completely transforming the social and economic structures of society. Morimura will continue to develop and upgrade capabilities as a trading company, in response to emerging needs and the changing environment of the times. We shall provide products and services that enable industry to enrich the everyday lives of people. Yusuke Morimura (President & C. E. O.)