Top > Corporate Social Responsibility > Message from the Chairman
Doing it All to Help People “Live Well”
Soichiro Fukutake
Director and Chairman
The company name, “Benesse,” was taken from two Latin words that mean “live well” or “well-being.” This name epitomizes our corporate objectives; the Company operates businesses associated with education, language instruction, lifestyle and nursing care which seek to help customers “live well” by helping them address challenges and fostering their desire to improve themselves. To this end, Benesse strives to fulfill the three mission statements that define our business objectives: “provide services that we desire for ourselves and our own families,”“support the efforts of young and old alike to improve themselves from childhood to old age,”and “provide services that help people make their lives happier and more rewarding with each passing year.” By continuously communicating these messages to society through our business activities, and by fulfilling stakeholders'expectations, we seek to make ourselves indispensable to the regions and societies in which we operate, both now and in the future.
Last fall, the entire world was affected by a financial crisis, which had its roots in the United States but which spread to have serious effects even on some of the largest companies that drive the Japanese economy. Yet, at a time when many companies were struggling to work out how to proceed, Benesse was largely able to avoid the impact of short-term economic trends. This is because our business model is based on fundamental human activities which are a basic part of daily life regardless of the latest fad or fashion. Moreover, our business model reflects the lessons learned from the bankruptcy of one business that our founders originally operated. That is why Benesse can continue to register growth even during economic slumps. In order to ensure that this expansion continues, we strive to adhere strictly to the Benesse corporate philosophy, mission statement, and the message we convey to our customers, in all of our business activities. As the business environment, and society itself, changes and evolves, Benesse will continue working to develop a business model that addresses these changes.
Through the Group's educational and cultural foundations, Benesse actively supports activities which promote cultural vitality in the regions where the Company does business. I believe that all of the Company's activities, and the activities of its employees, should serve to benefit the local community. However, CSR activities provide a specific focus for this objective, as shown by the success of “Benesse Art Site Naoshima, ”a project that Benesse has been supporting for some 20 years, which has turned the island of Naoshima in Japan's Seto Inland Sea into a center of art activities. This small island of approx. 3,500 residents, which was facing the effects of a declining, aging population, now serves host to some 300,000 tourists a year from both Japan and overseas countries, and is the focus of interest from around the world. The blend of modern art and a traditional Japanese setting has helped to preserve the island's history and traditional activities while restoring the vitality and bringing joy to the island's older residents. In this way, Naoshima embodies the Benesse concept of “living well.” The Company intends to continue making this sort of contribution to regions throughout the country, helping to preserve the unique and distinctive local character of the regions that make up Japan.
In the future, Benesse will continue making efforts, both in the course of regular business activities and through local development efforts, to win as many loyal customers and “fans” as possible, and earn respect throughout the world. In this way, I believe that the Benesse Group will be able to maximize its corporate value.
The business environment affecting the Benesse Group is likely to continue changing in dramatic ways. However, by building on the same corporate philosophy that the Company has maintained from the start, and leveraging its business model and existing resources, I believe that Benesse will be able to adapt to the changes and continue to provide our stakeholders with value, in any business environment and any market, by helping people to “live well.” I want to thank all of our stakeholders for their continuing support.
