As we welcome the year 2026, I extend my heartfelt New Year's greetings.
　First and foremost, allow me to offer my sincere gratitude to our member organizations and all related parties for your continued exceptional support and cooperation with our association.

　From February to March last year, a large-scale wildfire broke out in Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, forcing many residents to evacuate. August saw torrential rains in Kyushu, and in September, Typhoon No. 15 traversed the Pacific coast, causing extensive damage from heavy rain and strong winds across wide areas. Shizuoka Prefecture also experienced one of the largest tornadoes ever recorded, resulting in numerous injuries and damage to buildings. Additionally, in December, damage was caused by an earthquake with its epicenter off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture.
　I once again extend my deepest sympathies to all those affected by the frequent natural disasters occurring across the country.

　Last year, the International Year of Cooperatives, we launched a special IYC2025 website on our association website to raise awareness of cooperatives and Kyosai. This site disseminated updates on our association's activities and member organizations while also featuring web advertisements related to IYC2025. Furthermore, we held JCIA seminars as part of the 2025 Initiative for International Year of Cooperatives. The March seminars on the themes of "The Significance of IYC2025" and "Contemporary Cooperative Insurance Organizations from ICMIF's Global Perspective," while the September seminar addressed the theme of "What is the Value of Cooperatives? Considering the Role Cooperative Kyosai should Play." We believe these seminars provided an opportunity to reaffirm the direction cooperative and Kyosai businesses should take.

　The research journal "Cooperative and Commercial Insurance," previously published in booklet form, transitioned entirely to a web-based format starting last April, reflecting the dramatic evolution of information and communication technology and the era's trend toward resource conservation. Furthermore, we have made it freely accessible to anyone. We hope many people will visit our association's website to view the latest results of research on cooperative associations and Kyosai business.

　In recent years, the environment surrounding Kyosai business operations has undergone significant changes, including declining birthrates and an ageing population, population decline, heightened disaster risks, and the advancement of digitalization. It is precisely because we live in such times that it is essential to cherish the founding principle of Kyosai - the philosophy of "mutual aid" - and engage in activities that support our association members.
　Amidst these circumstances, we are determined to further fulfill our mission: to promote the sound development of Kyosai business and contribute to the stability of livelihoods and the enhancement of welfare for agricultural, forestry and fisheries workers, laborers, small and medium-sized enterprises, and others within local communities with the support of our member organizations.

　We remain committed to working in step with our member organizations to further strengthen the cooperative Kyosai network. To this end, we will dedicate our efforts to hosting research seminars and training sessions tailored to member needs, addressing policy issues related to cooperative legislation, handling consultations and complaints regarding Kyosai business, and serving as an accredited ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) support organization
　I sincerely ask for the continued understanding and support of our member organizations and all parties concerned for the activities of our association this year too.

　In closing, I sincerely wish that 2026 will be a bright, hopeful, and wonderful year for all of you.