Focusing on reinforcement of Toray Group's corporate structure, NT21 reforms were designed to extricate Toray Group as quickly as possible from the crisis we faced in the fiscal year ended March 2002 and to lay the groundwork for our revival as a highly profitable business group. The fundamental concept behind this reform package (designed to establish a management policy of strengthening and preserving corporate structure) was to "immediately improve profits through radical steps to strengthen corporate structure based on a shared sense of crisis."

By contrast, NT-II builds on the results achieved under the NT21 project. This stage of reform is designed to achieve further progress in transforming Toray Group into a business group with a highly profitable corporate structure through decisive business structure reform that will push the Group firmly ahead toward the steady, solid profits that characterize an outstanding business group. Specifically, NT-II is a package of reform (designed to establish a management policy grounded in an offensive footing) based on the fundamental concept of "a major drive to become a highly profitable business group through constant reinforcement of the corporate structure and further reform of the business structure."

One core component that should form the driving force behind our efforts to meet these objectives is the expansion of profits from established businesses through comprehensive profit management by product. Another component of this driving force should be the dramatic expansion and strengthening of all aspects of business in the three areas illustrated in the above figure, businesses that are valuable assets we are proud to have developed over many years.

A management issue of the highest priority is the firm establishment of profit-driven management at all levels and in all departments of the Group through expanding profits from established businesses as outlined above, as well as the expansion and reinforcement of businesses in the three areas illustrated above. A parallel focus on safety, accident prevention, and environmental preservation is a management issue of equal priority. Toray Group is also actively promoting a strong approach to business ethics, legal and regulatory compliance, and other aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR).