Lotte's Syunsuke Kosaka President announced on the 5th that he had given a New Year's address to employees.
▼New Year's greeting from Syunsuke Kosaka President
"Happy New Year to everyone involved with Chiba Lotte Marines. I sincerely hope that 2026 will be a wonderful year for you and your families. Last year was a very disappointing season for us, as we finished last in the league despite setting forth our long-term goals as a team and organization. This was despite the support and encouragement of many fans and sponsors, and nearly doubling the team's budget compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic around 2019. The disappointment was very different from previous last-place finishes. We are now facing this result head-on, and the team department is working hard to fill the gaps in what we are lacking, so that we can use this failure as a learning experience for the future. We would like to work together as an organization to first win the league championship and to carry Manager Saburo on our shoulders in celebration at Zozo Marine Stadium, so we ask for your continued support."
Furthermore, from a business perspective, we are very grateful that in recent years the number of people who come to Zozo Marine Stadium and the number of fans who support Chiba Lotte Marines has increased significantly. This is an increase that is incomparable to before the COVID-19 pandemic, and even last year, despite finishing last, a great many people came to support us. However, we must also acknowledge that there are areas where we have not fully adapted to this increase and change. This year, we will take on various challenges to attract even more people to come and support us, and we will also work quickly to improve our operational processes.
Furthermore, last year we made two major decisions and declarations of intent. One was the decision to relocate our farm team facilities to Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture in 2030. The other was our declaration of intent to consider developing the new Marine Stadium, scheduled to open around 2034, as an indoor facility. These two decisions will greatly affect the future of Chiba Lotte Marines and the region. We will work closely with Kimitsu City, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, and various companies, financial institutions, and organizations to create a better future. Finally, I would like to express my gratitude once again to all the fans and sponsors surrounding Chiba Lotte Marines. First and foremost, let's work in our respective roles to address the challenges before us and prepare for the future, with the goal of winning the league championship. We look forward to your continued support this year.
