This year Kanematsu celebrates its 137th anniversary, a milestone reflecting not only longevity but holding profound significance in itself.
The true value of this achievement lies in our 137 years of discovery, choices, and efforts to forge a brighter future. The Kanematsu Group stands as a company that has built a history characterized by “choices and challenges.”
Founded in 1889 by a pioneer with an entrepreneurial spirit who broke new ground by pursuing trade with Australia, Kanematsu continues to grow by adapting to the ever-changing needs of society. From our earliest days, we have embraced imagination and ingenuity in service of social value creation, pairing these attributes with the courage to venture into uncharted territory. No matter the complexity of a given business environment, these two attributes remain deeply rooted within the Company’s core.
The Kanematsu Group is currently in the final year of its medium-term management plan and making steady progress toward achieving the plan’s goals. That said, our focus is much broader than merely numerical targets. What we are truly committed to right now is a “qualitative evolution” that enables every employee to reach their full potential and propels the entire organization to the next level.
This is embodied in the Mission, Vision, and Values (MVV) we established in August 2025. Conceived in the Meiji era, our founding purpose remains
a cherished value, however, social values have changed significantly since that time. We now live in an era in which value is placed on respect for diversity and variations in work styles and perspectives on life are recognized. Such changes are precisely why we were in need of a contemporary articulation of the MVV capable of uniting our employees under a common goal. By compiling feedback from a broad range of employees, we have rearticulated Kanematsu’s strengths as well as our commitment to the future in these new guiding principles.
Establishing the MVV not only clarified the Company’s decision-making criteria but also prompted a significant shift in the mindset of each and every employee. Employees are increasingly redefining their roles through the lens of our Mission and proactively considering the actions needed to realize our Vision. The behavioral guidelines outlined in our Values have become the core principles for determining the right course of action in daily work, naturally aligning individual behaviors toward a common goal. As a result, we are laying the groundwork for the entire Group to move forward with
a unified sense of purpose toward value creation.
Furthermore, the MVV framework effectively guides decision-making in new business ventures and investment decisions. It provides a common metric for assessing initiatives, indicating how each aligns with our Mission or contributes to the realization of our Vision. This significantly improved the speed and quality of decision-making. Cultivating a culture in which employees think independently, take the initiative, and embrace challenges is a critical shift that will underpin Kanematsu’s future growth.
Our vision for the future is clear: be a “solutions provider leading the transformation of efficient and sustainable supply chains.” Amid growing uncertainty, we approach societal changes as opportunities for growth. Kanematsu will continue to provide new social value while playing a vital supporting role in these changes.
Given that it has 137 years of history under its belt, some may expect Kanematsu to be kind of “old-fashioned.” But in truth, we are an enterprise that, while honoring its heritage, continues to move forward toward the future—with integrity and boldness. This commitment remains unchanged from our founding and we shall never waver.
May 2026
President & CEO
Yoshiya Miyabe
