In Akashi City, we have established a new "Decarbonization Management Promotion Support System" starting this fiscal year. The purpose of this system is to promote the decarbonization of businesses within the city, improve the management of local businesses, and expand the decarbonization market, thereby creating a positive cycle between the local environment and industry. We will collaborate with various support organizations (supporters) from academia, government, and finance to provide detailed support for the decarbonization management of local businesses.

This year's Noritz Report (i.e., integrated report) features the thermal solution business as a new initiative addressing energy issues. Specifically, it can be found on pages 13 and 14, as well as page 18. There is also an interview article with the head of the business division, which provides insights into how this strategically expanding business at Noritz Corporation was developed and its future direction. If you are interested, please take a moment to read it.

Energy costs that pressure management. In the era of carbon neutrality, balancing CO₂ emission reduction and energy conservation is an essential challenge for corporate management. Noritz Corporation's thermal solution business utilizes core technologies developed through gas water heater development to effectively utilize unused heat, such as waste heat and natural energy.

Noritz's "Heat Solution Business" Features ■ Core technologies cultivated through water heater development ■ Solution-oriented business model ■ A system that provides solutions in a one-stop manner <Overview> We will fully launch our "Heat Solution Business," which supports the effective utilization of industrial waste heat and unused heat from renewable energy in a one-stop manner. This business targets non-human operators such as factories, plant facilities, agriculture, and fisheries, and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy costs through the utilization of unused heat based on core technologies developed in water heater development. We are establishing our first solution-oriented business model as Noritz and will make a full entry into the non-residential sector's non-human domain. In this business, we will propose solutions for heat utilization systems in non-human facilities by leveraging our technical knowledge cultivated through water heater development, including three core technologies: "combustion control," "heat exchange," and "fluid control." By conducting hearings with customers, we will assess the status of unused heat in existing equipment and design systems to effectively utilize that unused heat for each project. We will provide a one-stop service from packaged system delivery to construction, and after implementation, we will conduct system improvements through effect measurement and offer after-support, ensuring continuous assistance.