As the newly appointed President of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd., I would like to express my thanks for your continued support of our company, and I would also like to extend my greetings and a few words of introduction to all of you.Nihon Nohyaku was established in 1928 as Japan's first agrochemical manufacturer, and as a company dedicated to protecting food and the green environment, we have made technological innovations in our core business of developing and promoting agrochemicals. With the help of all of your support, on November 17, 2008, we were able to reach the milestone of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of our company. We owe this in part to the guidance, support, and cooperation we have received from all of you, and on behalf of all of our company officers and employees, I express our deep thanks.With the effects of the recent population expansion and global warming on crops as well as the increased demand for bioenergy, the business environment surrounding the agricultural industry has been undergoing a significant transformation. The proper way to handle global demand for food supplies has become a pressing issue, and in Japan as well as in other countries, debates concerning the expansion of productivity to raise the food self-sufficiency rate have intensified, and concern for the agricultural industry has been heightened to a new level.In addition, the scare with pesticides found in dumplings in China has sparked increased sensitivity in consumer awareness with regard to food safety and reliability. Under these conditions, as a research and development company, Nihon Nohyaku has been working to contribute to society by striving every day to make advances with the development of new technology and the creation of new products that are very safe and gentle to the environment.In addition, from the basis of our agrochemical research and development technology, we have worked aggressively to extend our reach into pharmaceuticals, veterinary drugs, organic intermediates, and other chemical-related fields.As we continue into the future as a research and development company, our fundamental principles are to ensure a safe and steady food supply while protecting nature and our green environment, and all of our employees all striving together in united efforts to meet these goals.In closing, I would like to thank you once again and ask for your continued understanding, guidance, and support.December 2008President Yohichi Kohyama