Independence from Any Particular Financial Group and a Bridge to the Capital Markets

「Under these circumstances, there are increasing opportunities for the Group’s strengths to be demonstrated as a fully independent advisor unaffiliated with any financial group, including its ability to respond rapidly and effectively in times of crisis, its unique data-oriented database, and its team of professionals with extensive expertise in proxy matters, TOBs and M&A. The Group believes that the need for its unique, highly specialized consulting services is once again becoming strongly recognized.」

「Amid these developments, the Group seeks to help turn expectations and external pressure from the stock market into sustainable growth for its listed-company clients. As an independent equity consulting and financial advisory group unaffiliated with a financial conglomerate, with proxy advisory that does not take the activist side as its core business, it will support the sustainable growth of Japanese listed companies through its two core businesses: shareholder-voting-rights consulting and M&A advisory relating to corporate control.」

「Since its founding, the Group has maintained its independence from any specific financial group and has focused on serving as the optimal bridge between listed companies and investors, including institutional and individual investors.」

「The fairness of the Company’s approach to FA services for MBO transactions has been recognized under the principles of improving the common interests of shareholders, with the protection of minority shareholders treated as paramount, and avoiding conflicts of interest by virtue of being independent, leading to an increase in mandates for large-scale projects.」

「Against this backdrop, the Company’s new equity consulting business, combining PA and FA services in a unique offering while maintaining its independence within Japan’s investment community, is rapidly expanding its performance by responding fully and accurately to the many sophisticated, complex, urgent and highly specialized matters requested by a diverse range of listed companies, from large-cap to mid- and small-cap companies, while remaining closely aligned with its clients.」

「Because carrying out this corporate mission requires, above all, fairness, the Company has maintained its independence from any specific financial group since its founding and has focused on serving as the optimal bridge between listed companies and investors, including institutional and individual investors.」

「In particular, the group’s research, consulting, and solution services for overseas and domestic institutional shareholders, with the group’s independence from financial institutions prominently emphasized and consistently covering approximately 5,850 proxy voting officers responsible for Japanese equities, are outstanding in terms of quality and speed, and the value of this research has become increasingly evident in cross-border M&A transactions.」

「Going forward, we will pursue further growth as a unique consulting partner connecting shareholders and listed companies, while strengthening our capabilities to accurately identify business opportunities.」

「Since its founding, the Company has maintained its independence from any specific financial group and has focused on serving as the optimal bridge between listed companies and investors, including institutional and individual investors.」