In 2009, the effects of the economic slump that enmeshed the world due to the Lehman shock of fall 2008 intensified and for Japan the economic environment became extremely harsh. Deflationary conditions expanded further at home, and the restaurant industry was one among many that experienced a year caught up in that enormous vortex.
The past year also saw us face the new threat of the H1N1 flu virus, which had a major impact on the restaurant industry.
Yet, in the spirit of the rallying cries we issued at the start of the year to "See change, shifts, and risk as an opportunity" and "Work and grow together, through times both good and hard, "I had the sense that amid all this, the entire company did join together as one and we succeeded in surmounting difficult times. As a result, operating income rose 21.1 percent on the previous year, and net income recovered from having fallen into the red the previous year to reach 200 million yen in the black.
I believe 2010 will be a second dramatic year. We must boldly climb the steps to take our company into new settings.
We have not been complacent about current levels of awareness with restaurants operating under the Maido Ookini Shokudo* brand. We have made progress on revitalizing existing establishments by refurbishing them, reassessing menus, and improving the support we give to each affiliate.
Furthermore, our Kushiya Monogatari and Tsurumaru restaurants represent two categories into which we will be devoting our energies so that they may provide us with a second foundation for further growth following on from Maido Ookini Shokudo. Kushiya Monogatari restaurants serve Osaka's unique kushiage cuisine (breaded and skewered bits of fish, meats, and vegetables deep-fried) in a buffet cook-yourself style; this unconventional approach makes for a completely unique type of restaurant that, among commercial establishments, is winning overwhelming favor particularly from families. In 2010, we will also open branches across the whole of Japan.
Plans are also afoot not just for the Kansai region, but also for the Kyushu, Tokai and Kanto regions to open Tsurumaru restaurants-a chain focused on udon noodles that allows customers to choose their own toppings. A restaurant opened in Tokyo's Shinbashi district in February 2010 and has won rave reviews from office workers in this downtown neighborhood.
We've made advances in our overseas operations, too, pushing forward with preparations to take another step forward in expansion around Asia with our sights set not only on Shanghai, but also Hong Kong, Thailand, and Vietnam amongst others.

Fujio Food System has been able to grow steadily without forgetting its roots in the business of casual home-style cuisine. We hope that our group will continue to benefit as ever from your support.