NYK President Takaya Soga delivered his annual New Year’s address at a ceremony held on January 5 at the head office in Tokyo.

Happy New Year, everyone. Under clear skies, 2026 has begun. I am truly delighted to welcome the new year together with all of you in the NYK Group. Allow me to share a few words at the start of this year.

In my New Year’s address last year, I spoke about the meaning of the zodiac sign for the Year of the Snake, “Kinotomi,”* and emphasized the importance of responding flexibly to change and adversity while steadily driving multiple transformations. Indeed, last year began with the inauguration of the second Trump administration, followed by global turmoil over additional tariffs. Hopes for progress in the Russia–Ukraine conflict were dashed repeatedly, and the Israel–Hamas confrontation only deepened animosity beneath superficial peace efforts. Even here in Japan, where the first female prime minister in history took office amid high expectations for reform, we faced China’s hardline stance toward our country. It was a year marked by constant unpredictability.

Despite these challenges, all of you in the NYK Group stayed focused on your responsibilities and adapted flexibly. Thanks to your efforts, we achieved tangible progress in transformation and strengthened the foundations of each business. Moreover, through rigorous safety management at sea and in logistics operations, we avoided any major accidents. I extend my deepest respect and gratitude for your dedication.

Right at the start of the new year on January 3, there was a U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, though what lies ahead in 2026 remains uncertain.

As I have said before, even with the obstacle of additional tariffs and localized geopolitical tensions, the reason international shipping and logistics have not suffered catastrophic damage is mainly due to the strength of the U.S. economy and the resilience of the U.S. consumer purchasing power. For example, the number of loaded containers entering the U.S. from around the world remains unchanged compared to 2024, and slightly higher in some cases. While exports from China have declined, other countries have compensated, maintaining overall U.S. import volumes at a steady level. U.S. auto sales also remain robust at about 16 million units annually.

However, since late October, price increases for general consumer goods in the U.S. have become more pronounced, and criticism of the Trump administration’s economic policies is mounting. The key question is whether U.S. consumer purchasing power will hold. With midterm elections coming in November, the administration will likely roll out various domestic economic measures, and as tariff impacts have largely run their course, some analysts expect a gradual recovery in 2026. Still, the U.S. economy remains a critical factor for global trade — and for our business — so let us stay alert to shifting winds.

On the other hand, Japan–China relations remain uncertain. For those operating businesses in China — whether at NYK or group companies — please avoid undue fear, but proceed cautiously, anticipating potential impacts while maintaining strong ties with customers and local partners. If peace is truly achieved soon in the Russia–Ukraine conflict, which people all over the world are hoping for, the NYK Group will undoubtedly play a vital role in reconstruction efforts. Let us prepare thoroughly for both maritime transport and logistics.

Looking ahead to fiscal 2026, starting in April, this will be the final year of our current medium-term management plan and the 141st year since our founding. Over the past three years, we have strengthened our business foundations, executed strategic M&As and vessel investments for stable future returns, advanced decarbonization technologies and new businesses through collaborative initiatives across Japan, improved capital efficiency, and introduced systems and wage revisions to ensure employees can work with pride and vitality. Across AX, BX, CX, and EX, we have made steady progress. While fiscal 2026 marks a year of culmination, we should not be bound by this notion — let us continue with necessary actions beyond this timeframe.

Among our priorities, we will further accelerate digital transformation (DX). The Nikuman Project** successfully completed the migration of our core systems, and we now enter a critical phase: implementing concrete measures across the group to achieve significant process efficiencies and automated outputs for management. Regarding AI, beyond large-scale system applications, I urge each of you to adopt the principle I often share: “Let machines do what machines can.” Utilize AI at the individual level to enhance processes and drive grassroots initiatives. We plan to launch a special campaign this year to support these efforts.

Cybersecurity is another area requiring vigilance — not only at the organizational level but also individually, including on board. As seen in recent industry cases, once a breach occurs, repairing the damage demands enormous resources and risks loss of trust and business distribution. While we are building advanced defenses and standardizing security levels across the group, even small individual mistakes can create vulnerabilities. You are aware of the random training emails sent periodically. So, please exercise utmost caution when using company-issued or personal devices.

NYK marked its 140th anniversary last year. With a deep sense of history, we are implementing initiatives to express our gratitude to past and present employees, group companies, customers, partners, and shareholders who have supported us. In a world increasingly focused on national and economic security, where politics sometimes run counter to the free and open trade order built since World War II, let us reaffirm our mission and DNA — “Bringing value to life.” In 2026, our 141st year, I look forward to taking new steps forward together with all of you.

Finally, I wish all NYK Group employees and your families health and safety throughout the year, and I hope 2026 will be a year of steady growth and zero accidents for NYK and all group companies. Thank you for your attention.


* The combination of the 12 zodiac signs with the 10 heavenly stems. The zodiac “Mi” represents the snake, which symbolizes "regeneration and change," inspired by the image of the snake shedding its skin. The stem “Kinoto” represents "flexible growth despite challenges."

** An internal project aiming to transform businesses and create a new way of working.