What are your thoughts on future growth and the future vision of the Company, also considering the possibility of relisting?

We will steadily implement “TOPCON 2.0” by leveraging Japan’s craftsmanship as a competitive strength to achieve further global success. We will explore various possibilities, including re-listing, in the process.

What was your clients’ reaction to the announced MBO?

We received positive reactions. We have provided clear explanations since the announcement and believe that we have gained their understanding.

Regarding the background of the planned MBO, in what way is your recognition of external factors such as economic cycles different from before?

We believe that the stock market environment is different from before. Based on this understanding, we engaged in extensive dialogue with investors and ultimately made this decision at a Board of Directors meeting.

What is the outlook for the business environment in FY2025?

We expect the external environment, including the US housing market, to remain challenging. We believe it is important to generate profits even under these circumstances. We will respond flexibly to policy developments such as US tariffs.

Is there a possibility that the camera and LiDAR technologies used in autonomous driving will compete with machine control and automatic steering technologies in the future?

We believe that new technologies utilizing e.g., cameras do not currently meet the accuracy requirements of the market. Therefore, we do not expect them to become immediate competitors. We believe that incorporating new technologies and effectively utilizing acquired data will be key challenges going forward.

What is the outlook for the business environment in FY2025?

The Eye Care Business is expected to continue performing well regardless of external factors. As with the Positioning Business, we will respond flexibly to policy developments such as US tariffs.

What factors contributed to the significant recovery in the fourth quarter?

A major strategic project for a large ophthalmologist group in North America contributed significantly. In addition, some projects scheduled for the third quarter were postponed to the fourth quarter. As a result, we achieved record-high sales and operating income for the full year.