Over many years, Mr. Takeuchi has been involved in sales operations for delivering to consumers the products produced based on the "Yoki-Monozukuri"^* philosophy, and is therefore well acquainted with the actual sites of sales, including distribution and retail businesses operating on a global basis. Based on his considerable expertise in relation to both domestic and overseas sales business, he takes charge of management as Representative Director and President of Kao Group Customer Marketing Co., Ltd. which controls the sales and other related matters, while responding to changes in the distribution environment such as the emergence of e-commerce. He is familiar with the global competitive environment, changes of consumers and business partners, the expectations from stakeholders surrounding the Kao Group, and the strengths of and tasks facing the Kao Group concerning the same, and has been actively giving opinions and making proposals in deliberations of the Board of Directors concerning material matters in the management of the Kao Group, based on his considerable experience and expertise. The Company has determined that Mr. Takeuchi will be able to contribute to further enhancing the corporate value of the Kao Group by using his experience and expertise in the planning and deliberation of management strategies, etc. at the Board of Directors and supervision of execution, and for this reason appoints him as a Director.