In the Metals Group, we handle a broad range of products, including iron and steel raw materials and products, and non-ferrous metal raw materials and products. We help create more affluent societies in countries around the world, by supplying essential materials to the entire industrial sphere that forms the primary market for these products.

These businesses are broadly divided into "resource investments" and "trading." These two functions have become inseparable and serve as a significant strength for us.

The Metals Group invests heavily in coal, iron ore, raw materials for stainless steel, copper, aluminum and other key metal resources. These investments ensure a stable supply of metal resources to Japan, which has very few mineral resources of its own.

Moving forward, we will continue to secure interests in these main metal resources. In tandem, we will also actively explore and mine metal resources that are rare and unevenly distributed around the world to secure a stable, long-term supply. These metal resources include rare metals such as platinum, and rare earth metals that are expected to be in increasing demand for manufacturing automobiles, home electronics and other consumer goods; and uranium and other metal resources that are expected to see greater demand in line with booming construction of nuclear power plants worldwide.