1. Okinawa Financial Group was established in 2021, but its roots go back much further. How would you describe the group’s mission and identity today?
Our origins go back to 1956, when Okinawa Bank was established during Okinawa’s postwar reconstruction. At that time, there was a strong need for a commercial bank to support economic development, and leaders from the local community came together to create one. That was nearly 70 years ago, and the philosophy established then continues to guide us today.
Our mission is to support the development of the local economy and contribute to the communities we serve. We work closely with local businesses, municipalities, and residents because we believe that our success is directly connected to the success of Okinawa itself. In 2021, we established Okinawa Financial Group as a holding company, creating a structure that allows us to generate greater synergies across our businesses and operate more effectively as a group. While the structure has evolved, our commitment remains the same. We believe that without the development of the local community, we cannot develop as a group either. Everything we do is rooted in that principle.
2. What is the Moonshot Plan, and why has it become such an important part of OFG’s growth strategy?
The Moonshot Plan was created shortly after I became CEO. The inspiration comes from President John F. Kennedy’s famous moonshot initiative, which was designed to achieve something that had never been accomplished before. The key idea behind our Moonshot Plan is that we do not want to be an extension of the past. We want to create something greater.
When we launched the plan, we set ambitious goals that significantly exceeded our historical performance. We aimed to increase ordinary income from approximately ¥54 billion to ¥60 billion and double net profit from ¥5 billion to ¥10 billion. To achieve this, we focused on optimizing resources, eliminating inefficiencies, and improving productivity throughout the organization.
The results have exceeded our expectations. We performed so well that we were able to revise our targets upward before reaching the original deadline. Our ordinary income target increased to ¥71 billion, our net profit target rose to ¥11 billion, and our ROE target was raised as well. This demonstrates that the strategy is working and that our people have embraced the challenge. I often draw inspiration from Shohei Ohtani because he continually achieves things that many people once thought impossible. That mindset is very similar to what we are trying to accomplish through our Moonshot Plan.
3. How has digital transformation contributed to OFG’s recent performance?
Digital transformation has been one of the key drivers of our growth. We have focused on making our operations more efficient through paperless and cashless initiatives, and these efforts are producing tangible results.
One of the most important outcomes is that we have been able to increase revenue without increasing headcount. By improving efficiency and streamlining processes, we can serve customers more effectively while maintaining a disciplined cost structure. Digital transformation is not simply about introducing new technology; it is about changing the way we work and improving productivity across the entire organization.
As a financial institution, we also see significant opportunities to collaborate with companies that possess advanced technology and expertise in digital transformation. We are always interested in partnerships that can help us strengthen our capabilities, improve customer experiences, and contribute to the long-term development of Okinawa’s economy.
4. What opportunities do you see for international partnerships with OFG?
We are very open to partnerships. Whether the opportunity involves financial services, technology transfer, joint ventures, M&A activities, or broader business collaboration, we are interested in exploring relationships that create value for both sides.
Digital transformation is one area where international collaboration could be particularly beneficial. We are actively working to expand our digital capabilities, and partnerships with companies that can support that objective would be very attractive. Tourism is another area of great interest. Tourism remains the core industry of Okinawa, and any partnership that helps attract more visitors to Okinawa or improves the overall tourism ecosystem would have a positive impact on the regional economy.
We believe successful partnerships are built on mutual benefit. We are not simply looking for outside investment; we are looking for partners who can grow alongside us and contribute to Okinawa’s future. As Okinawa continues to expand its role as a gateway to Asia, we believe there will be increasing opportunities for meaningful international collaboration.
5. What would you like global audiences to think of when they hear the name Okinawa Financial Group?
The answer is very simple: Okinawa.
The “O” in OFG stands for Okinawa, and we want people around the world to immediately associate our organization with the prefecture. Okinawa is known domestically for its beautiful natural environment, rich culture, and strong communities, but we believe its international recognition still has significant room to grow.
We are proud to be a company that is deeply connected to the local community. Our role extends beyond banking; we support businesses, families, and institutions that contribute to Okinawa’s development. We see ourselves as part of a broader ecosystem where everyone grows together.
That is why local development is so important to us. We believe there is a circular relationship between community prosperity and corporate success. If Okinawa grows, OFG grows. If the community becomes stronger, our organization becomes stronger as well. That connection is at the heart of our identity and remains one of our greatest strengths.
6. Why should investors pay attention to Okinawa Financial Group?
Investors should pay attention to OFG because we believe we are positioned for long-term growth. Our performance has already demonstrated that we can exceed ambitious targets, and we continue to see significant opportunities ahead.
One of the most important drivers of future growth is the Gateway 2050 initiative, a major regional development project designed to expand Okinawa’s economic output from approximately ¥4.9 trillion today to ¥11 trillion by 2050. OFG plays a central role in this initiative, and we believe it will unlock substantial opportunities across infrastructure, tourism, business development, and investment.
Tourism alone illustrates the region’s potential. Visitor numbers have already surpassed pre-pandemic levels, reaching approximately 10.75 million annually. Okinawa benefits from a mild climate, strong international connectivity, and strategic proximity to major Asian markets. Within a four-hour flight radius, businesses can access a market of roughly two billion people.
As Okinawa develops into a more prominent gateway between Japan and Asia, we believe OFG will be well positioned to participate in that growth. Investors can expect us to continue pursuing opportunities that strengthen both the regional economy and our own long-term performance.
7. What message would you like to share with international business leaders considering Japan as a destination for investment and partnership?
One of the greatest strengths of Japanese companies is loyalty. Employees tend to have a strong sense of belonging and commitment to their organizations, and that creates long-term stability and trust. At OFG, we see the same culture throughout our organization.
Japanese companies are known for honoring commitments and building lasting relationships. When a decision is made, there is a strong determination to follow through and deliver results. We believe this reliability remains one of Japan’s greatest advantages in the global marketplace.
For international companies, that means partnerships can be built on a foundation of trust, transparency, and mutual respect. As Japan continues to attract global attention and investment, we believe there are tremendous opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and shared growth. Okinawa, in particular, offers a unique platform through its strategic location, growing tourism sector, and strong connections across Asia. We look forward to working with partners who share our long-term vision and commitment to creating value together.
