General Trading Company

We are now in an era where it is difficult to grow through trading alone, and the key to survival is whether we can develop the next core business. Although we are exploring ways to expand the base of our business with the capital gained from trading, it cannot be denied that trading is still the mainstay. The way to expand the base lies in energy, digital, and human consumption behavior itself.

Frontline Topics

Investment activities across industry boundaries

Energy, B2C business, and digital sectors, each trading company is starting to differentiate its investment areas. While at the same time, the level of risk-taking among these companies is increasing.

Transition to next-generation energy

The company aims to smoothly shift away from an energy business dependent on fossil fuels by investing in a variety of renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, hydrogen, and ammonia.

Alliances involving trading companies

Together with leading players in each industry, the company will launch large-scale M&A and corporate restructuring, aiming to accelerate industrial transformation and create new industries.

Data Business and DX

Collect data from a wide range of existing assets and leverage it to create data businesses and DX businesses.

Issues

Expanding investment to broaden the scope

What to aim for a business portfolio by making aggressive investments for the next generation while obtaining capital from the trading business, and how to proceed with restructuring to reach that goal.

Strengthening resilience

How to build a resilient system for trade businesses against geopolitical risks and supply chain disruptions caused by natural disasters.

Sustainability

How to address reducing greenhouse gas emissions generated in the course of trade business, and what investments we should make to realize a sustainable society.

Maintaining economic security

How to ensure the sustainability of trade businesses, which play a vital role in economic security.

Cases

Formulation of New Downstream Strategy

We forecasted the timeline and extent of the spread of power supply combining renewable energy and storage batteries and formulated a corresponding strategy. In particular, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the Southeast Asian strategy.

Support for Development of Next-Generation Drive Systems

There are players currently developing innovative control methods for electronic control units that manage automobile drives. We were defining a partnership model to accelerate practical application and advancing partnership negotiations.

US Real Estate Business Opportunities and Risk Assessment

We assessed opportunities and risks for a client who had repeatedly entered and exited the US real estate market. Through qualitative and quantitative analysis, we reevaluated the business and contributed to the client's management decision-making.

BaHyperautomation in Back-Office Operationsck-office hyperautomation

Focusing on back-office operations, we combined AI, RPA, unstructured data infrastructure, and workflow management systems to enhance automation beyond previous levels.

Market Assessment and Strategy Planning for Mobility Services

We conducted a feasibility assessment of potential US partners for joint ventures (JV) in new business development within the MaaS field. We supported strategic decision-making by evaluating and selecting partners and formulating market entry plans.

Restructuring Investment Governance

We restructured investment governance by reviewing the roles and authority of both business divisions and headquarters departments within the general trading company. We designed a system that appropriately balances centralization and decentralization, ensuring that we do not miss out on attractive M&A opportunities.