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14
To Our Stakeholders
Message from the Chairman
Corporate Governance Inspiring the “Working
Together as One” Spirit
Due to the global economic downturn that began
in the second half of fiscal 2008, the Omron
Group confronted an unprecedented decline in
performance. Nevertheless, we achieved a return
to profitability thanks to our flexible implementa-
tion of swiftly formulated emergency measures
and structural reforms. I believe our ability to
inspire “Working Together as One” amid a shared
sense of crisis was due to the corporate gover-
nance system that we have developed.
Amid ongoing globalization and advances in infor-
mation and communication technologies, it is
impossible to predict what will happen next. Here, we
are in a “survival of the fittest” situation, in which a
keen sensitivity to change and a commitment to self-
transformation represent the key to our continued
existence. Omron will continue pursuing corporate
governance of the highest quality based on common
global values, while carefully determining what needs
preserving and what needs changing, keeping a close
eye on changes in society.
Renewed Growth Sustained by the “Creation of
Social Needs”
The growth of China and other emerging countries
is astounding. These countries are achieving expan-
sion in much shorter time spans than today’s
advanced nations did years ago when they followed
the path to industrialization. Emerging economies are
even leading the world in fields of mass-produced
and mass-marketed, cutting-edge finished goods,
such as flat panel display televisions (including 3D
models) and electric vehicles. The factory automation
markets are also expected to grow as emerging
countries pursue increased production efficiency.
Meanwhile, the economies of advanced nations
are recovering with the help of external demand gen-
erated by the growth of emerging economies. In the
medium and long terms, however, I believe the driver
of growth will shift to domestic demand. This will
depend on how efficiently and effectively we can man-
age various issues—such as the environment, energy,
safety, security, and health—in regional or city-based
units. Meanwhile, the integration of smart grids (next-
generation electricity networks) and other information
and communication technologies with social infra-
structures will bring about “social innovations” that
will lead to significant changes in our industrial struc-
ture. In the process, we can expect expansion of
In fiscal 2009, ended March 31, 2010, the Omron Group achieved a return
to profitability. This positive result is attributable to the Group’s “Working
Together as One,” as well as emergency measures and structural reforms
implemented to address the rapid deterioration in its performance from
the second half of fiscal 2008. Here, Omron’s corporate governance
worked to highlight the “Working Together as One” spirit by sharing a
sense of crisis across the entire Group. We have designated fiscal 2010,
ending March 31, 2011, the inaugural year of our “Push for Renewed
Growth” as we set our sights on global growth.