Roundtable Discussion: President and Outside Directors

Expectations of and Message to Employees

Higashi:When sharing the company’s vision with employees, I believe it is important to create opportunities for dialogue. In those moments, the key to fostering deeper understanding and empathy is to frame the message from the perspective of each individual—not from the company’s point of view. To close, could you share what you expect from our employees as we continue on the path toward sustainable growth?

President:Sustainability management is not something only executives strive for. It is something that employees and management must work on together, as one team. When employees take ownership of sustainability and put it into practice through their daily work and business activities, it becomes the foundation for shaping our future and earning the trust of our clients. At the heart of it all is the Shimizu brand, which we’ve built over many years, and I hope to work together with all of you to further strengthen its value.

Tamotsu Iwamoto

Iwamoto:This does not mean that every employee needs to fully grasp the terms “sustainability” or “sustainability management.” What truly matters is that the daily work and way of thinking naturally align with the principles of sustainability management. A company is not a standalone entity; it is made up of each and every one of its employees. That is why the growth of each individual employee is what ultimately drives the growth of the entire company. In that sense, I believe it is essential for the company to continue investing in its people and to foster an environment through various initiatives where employees truly feel that the company believes in and expects something from them.

Kawada:Shimizu has the ability to contribute to society’s progress by delivering value, beginning with construction and extending beyond. I hope every employee will take on their work with a strong sense of confidence and pride. While you may not explicitly use the word “sustainability,” its philosophy is embedded in the corporate credo, management principles, and long-term vision. I believe that as each employee fully understands and steadily puts these into practice through their daily work, Shimizu will naturally grow into a truly sustainable company. I encourage everyone to move forward with a positive and proactive mindset.

Tamura:While investment from the company is important, it is equally vital that employees take initiative and actively consider how they can contribute. Both sides play a crucial role. It is important to have the courage to take initiative and step forward unconstrained by conventional boundaries as Shimizu moves toward the direction it is aiming for. I believe that this kind of mindset fosters greater confidence, pride, fulfillment, and a true sense of accomplishment.

Jozuka:The most crucial element of sustainability management is the growth of our human resources. I hope the company will continue to enhance its support for developing our people, including creating a comfortable working environment, fostering a workplace with a sense of purpose, and providing training opportunities. On that foundation, I want all employees to seriously consider what they can achieve within the Shimizu framework and how they will advance their careers.

Higashi:Today, we had the privilege of hearing valuable insights and messages from our outside directors. To close, we would now like to invite the President to share a few words.

President:I believe the first step is helping employees realize that the work they do every day is already a part of sustainability management.
Our goal is to establish a strong and enduring Shimizu brand, and to do that, going back to the origins is key. In other words, I see grounding ourselves in our founding spirit and the teachings of The Analects and the Abacus as the very essence of sustainability management. I hope that conviction will be shared by all of our employees and that we can work together to further elevate the value of the Shimizu brand.

Yoshiki Higashi