Despite the deteriorating economic conditions, we now promote capital spending with the aim of expanding production capacity and building research and training centers in the near future. Now is a good time to invest, considering the low price of land and construction costs and low interest rates. We set up a subsidiary, Fancl International Inc., in Irvine, Calif., in July 1997 and are now conducting test marketing there, mainly among Japanese residents. We plan to begin full-scale marketing, including sales to Americans, in May 1998. I hope to enter the housing renovation business in the future, in line with the aging society.
Renovation is necessary in many houses so that the elderly can live comfortably.
For example, if I have to use a wheelchair in the future, my house, which was built five years ago, would be too inconvenient, as there are many floor levels. I also hope to enter the diet business. I won't stick just to the cosmetics business.