Message from Chairman

It is no exaggeration to say that the events occurring within the realm of human society originate in the words and deeds of individual members of the human race. Simply stated, all aspects of human society are both created and conducted by each one of us, human beings. There is also no doubt that we are the individual units that comprise the very essence of this process.

In this way, the history of humanity is the evolution of the relationships between individual human beings. This is because, as social creatures, people cannot continue to live and prosper without maintaining constant linkage with others.

Within the 2006 edition of the Public Opinion Poll on Citizens Lives, an annual survey conducted by the Cabinet Office, one of the questions posed was: “What significance does the home hold for you?” The top four replies to this query were (in order): “A place for family harmony” (66.5 percent); “A place for rest and relaxation” (61.5 percent); “A place to strengthen family bonds” (54.9 percent); and “A place for parents and children to grow together” (38.5 percent).

Compared to the results of the previous poll in this series, increases were recorded in all four of these categories: “A place for family harmony” was up by 5.4 percent, “A place for rest and relaxation” was up by 6.0 percent, “A place to strengthen family bonds” was up by 8.7 percent, and “A place for parents and children to grow together” was up by 2.7 percent. The implications of this trend can be said to furnish proof of the accelerating importance of human relationships in people’s lives.

The substance of the family, the smallest unit of these human ties, is none other than the fruits, realized at certain points in time, of mutual cooperation undertaken by the individual members of those units. Life is in constant flow, and so is the family. For this very reason, steadfast efforts to sustain the health and progress of the family unit are critical to say the least.

Upon its foundation, RBA International proclaimed the following fundamental guiding spirit: “Individual growth and stability leading to growth and stability for the family, expanding to growth and stability for the society, and ultimately to the nation, the world, and the entire human race.” Rooted in this philosophy, over the past year we vigorously advanced a full slate of activities structured to support the individual members of each family unit. All of these efforts are subscribed to the “Equation of Growth and Stability”, as we strive to exert inspiration and influence through the actions of each and every individual involved in our activities.

As we enter the new year of 2008, RBA International is confident that there are those who will continue to lend a keen ear to our fervent efforts to contribute to progressive change, and be moved and motivated by our words and actions. Taking this support to heart, we pledge to carry on our pursuit of the virtues and the mission inherent in the aforementioned “Equation of Growth and Stability” throughout the year.

January 2008

Specified Nonprofit Corporation RBA International

Nobuhiro Kume, Chairman