The Nichirei Logistics Group has continued to expand its overseas business since its establishment in Rotterdam, the Netherlands in 1988.

Of the Nichirei Logistics Group's overseas business sales, "European operations" account for nearly 90%.

Source: Nichirei Logistics Group FY2024 business report meeting materials

It is the expatriates working in the region who oversee and promote the European business.

So what role do expatriates play in the region?
Let's take a closer look at the work of expatriates in Europe.

Career Summary: Joined the company in 2007; stationed in the Netherlands from 2008 to 2014 and from 2020 to 2025, returning in July 2025. Currently, as an advisor in the Overseas Business Promotion Department, he is involved in local follow-up and training of young human resources. He has lived in the Netherlands for 26 years, having also been posted to the Netherlands in his previous position.

Our main role as expatriates is to monitor the performance and business of each European company and to draw up medium- to long-term growth strategies for the European business as a whole, while maintaining close communication with each company.

In order to achieve sustainable business growth throughout Europe, we act as a bridge between Japan and the region, supporting local M&A and horizontal cooperation among group companies.

For expatriates, it is also important to go to the local market and see things for themselves.
In addition to visiting and monitoring European subsidiaries, we also conduct market research in the food field, checking on locally preferred foods and the economic situation in each country as needed, and reflect this information in our business strategies.

In addition, at Godfroy in France, where many of our customers are hotels and restaurants, we sometimes visit their restaurants as a customer and have a meal in order to understand the current situation.

However, this is just part of the research, so we are not simply going out to eat good food (laughs).

As an expatriate, I believe that going to an untapped area of the Nichirei Logistics Group and building a business there is like painting on a white canvas.

I myself was involved in the M&A of a UK forwarding company before the Nichirei Logistics Group's acquisition of a UK refrigerator company in 2021, and the process of building a business from scratch in a foreign country was very exciting.

There are many countries in Europe, and business manners and values differ from one country to another.

It is, of course, a challenge to understand these differences and communicate in a way that is appropriate for each country, but I feel that this is one of the most interesting aspects of the work of an expatriate.

The Netherlands, also known as "the gateway to Europe," is home to many Japanese companies, including the Nichirei Logistics Group.

In fact, looking at the cumulative amount of Japanese investment overseas, the Netherlands ranks second only to the United States*. In other words, the Netherlands is such an important partner for Japan.

On the other hand, an important point for the relevant authorities in the Netherlands is "how many jobs are created by Japanese companies.
Among them, Nichirei Logistics Group is one of the companies that create a lot of jobs in the Netherlands.
As a Japanese company that has created many jobs in the Netherlands, it has established good relationships with the local government and administrative agencies.

*Source: JETRO, Japanese Trade and Investment Statistics

Overseas business, including Europe, is one of the key pillars of the Nichirei Logistics Group's growth strategy. I believe there are many things we can do to continue to expand this overseas business.

For example, we will develop areas in Europe that we have not yet entered one by one and fill in the pieces.
We will continue to take on new challenges, such as creating a more functional organization for Europe as a whole.

I hope if you will find some interest in the work of our expatriate staff.

Finally, if any of you, whether you are employees or job hunters, are interested in the work of expatriates, please don’t hesitate to raise your hand.
I am sure there are many things you won't understand unless you actually go and experience it!