August 2026

It is a pleasure to introduce myself. My name is Yoichi Kassai, and I joined Nikon in April 2024. I am the General Manager of Group Governance & Administration, and have also been serving as Chief Risk Management Officer (CRO) since April 2025. As CRO, I am responsible for strengthening risk management and governance across the Nikon Group, as well as formulating and executing our sustainability strategy.
Over the past 30 years, I have worked in the financial industry, engaging in investment banking, business strategy development, and investments in new business ventures. Through these experiences, I have been closely involved in corporate decision-making and resource allocation. It has taught me that corporate value is shaped not only by the pursuit of growth opportunities, but also by how effectively an organization addresses uncertainty.
At Nikon, I believe that risk management should not be limited to a defensive function. Rather, it should evolve into a foundation that supports management decision-making.

Nikon has created value to society through a diverse portfolio of businesses built on its core technology of applied optics. Today, under our new Medium-Term Management Plan, we are redefining our business portfolio and advancing a more focused allocation of management resources.
In this process, what matters most is not the investment decision itself, but how we incorporate risk and uncertainty into the assumptions behind that decision.
Every challenge undertaken in pursuit of business growth involves risk. Rather than seeking to avoid risk altogether, it is essential to clearly define the assumptions on which decisions are based and to understand which uncertainties we are prepared to accept.
At Nikon, we are strengthening a process in which each business unit identifies and evaluates its key assumptions and risks and discusses them as an integral part of strategy development. By viewing risk not merely as a constraint, but as a fundamental premise for achieving our plans, we are improving the quality of management decision-making.

Uncertainty continues to grow due to rapid advances in AI, geopolitical developments, and the restructuring of global supply chains. In such an environment, risk is not only a source of potential threats but also a starting point for creating new value.
At Nikon, we view risk from both perspectives—as a threat and opportunity—and promote its identification and discussion by considering mid- to long-term structural changes. We believe that reexamining the assumptions that shape the future from a risk-based perspective, and incorporating those insights into management dialogue, are essential to achieving sustainable growth.
Risk management is not merely about control; it is a discipline that helps shape decision-making itself. As CRO, I am committed to identifying early signs of change and providing the perspectives needed to support important decisions.

At Nikon, we place sustainability at the core of our management approach and pursue sustainable growth through the creation of social value generated by our businesses.
Under our Medium-Term Management Plan, we have identified four key contribution areas through which we seek to create value in co-creation with our customers and partners.
While the expansion of these collaborative initiatives creates new opportunities, it also brings increasing complexity to risks related to supply chains, information security, and product quality. As CRO, I believe it is essential to appropriately visualize these risks while establishing mechanisms that enable sustainable value creation through the enhancement of trust.
At the same time, we are committed to maximizing the capabilities of our people and organization. By advancing governance and risk management in an integrated manner to support value creation, we will build a business foundation grounded in trust and fulfill our responsibilities as a member of a sustainable society.

Sustainable growth requires a strong and resilient management foundation.
At Nikon, we are strengthening the key foundations that support our business, including human capital, manufacturing, digital transformation (DX), executive management, and sustainability strategy.
What is particularly important is achieving the right balance between robust governance and the resilience needed to adapt to change. As risks increasingly transcend organizational and geographic boundaries, we are developing systems that enable visualizing information and faster decision-making across the Group.
In addition to serving as CRO, I also serve as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), overseeing information security and cyber risk management. These are not simply areas of control; they are fundamental to business continuity and competitiveness. To ensure that the value we create through the power of light is delivered to society safely and sustainably, we are committed to strengthening both our control and our organizational resilience.
Furthermore, our efforts in areas such as the environment, human rights, and corporate disclosure form the foundation of society’s trust in Nikon. By advancing these initiatives in close alignment with risk management, we will help prevent the erosion of corporate value and further strengthen the foundations that support sustainable growth.

Risk management is not simply a means of preventing losses; it is a vital source that supports corporate decision-making and resource allocation.
As Nikon continues to embrace new challenges in a changing world, striving to remain a trusted company in society and sustainably enhance corporate value, I am committed, as CRO, to steadily strengthen the company’s foundations through the advancement of risk management and information security.
In an era defined by uncertainty, I believe the role of risk management is to support management in achieving both sustainability and growth.
We sincerely appreciate the continued understanding and support of all our stakeholders.