CEO's Message

Enriching the Internet and making it easier to use

Since the GMO Internet Group began its internet related business in December 1995, we have striven to offer enriching and easy to use Internet related services under the motto “Internet for Everyone.”
Currently, we have Internet Infrastructure, Online Advertisement and Media, Internet Finance businesses, and Cryptoassets businesses.

In the Internet Infrastructure Segment, all products are the No. 1 market share in Japan. Other than that, the number of customers increased in Japan and abroad. As part of our efforts to expand our business domains.
In addition, as a security measure to accompany the progress of DX, online, and IoT, we are committed to "Secure and Safe Internet for Everyone" and provide services that allow everyone to use the Internet safely through the three pillars of “Cyber Security,” “Cryptographic Security,” and “Brand Security” to provide a safe and secure Internet experience.

As a result, the total number of customers of the Internet Infrastructure Segment, Finance businesses and Cryptoassets businesses reached about 17.75 million. And we have grown into a comprehensive Internet group made up of 112 group companies centered around 10 listed companies run by 7,525 group partners.

Toward the Second Half of the Internet Revolution

My first encounter with the Internet was a small article in a newspaper in 1994. The moment I read it, I strongly felt that “the Internet would change our lives and become a social infrastructure,” and I launched an Internet business in December 1995, launching a service that outstripped the competition in terms of both price and specifications. Then, in 1998, I formulated a long-term plan called the "55-Year Plan. This plan depicted the future growth of GMO Internet Group, based on the fact that industrial revolutions have progressed in approximately 55-year cycles.

Considering that the Internet Revolution began in 1995, when Windows 95 was launched, the year 2022 was exactly halfway through. In that year, Open AI released ChatGPT, which spread AI throughout society at a rapid pace and had such an impact that it overturned all conventional wisdom. I am convinced that AI will play a leading role in the second half of the Internet Revolution.

Becoming the No.1 Corporate Group Pioneering the Future with AI

Currently, GMO Internet Group is responding to the rapid development of AI and promoting the use of generative AI throughout the Group. We aim to become the " No.1 Corporate Group Pioneering the Future with AI" by focusing on "Time and cost savings", "Improvement in the quality of existing services" and "Offering new services to the AI industry" .We have already succeeded in reducing many work hours through generative AI, and we will continue to develop our own AI for faster decision making in anticipation of the coming age of AGI and ASI (*).

(*) AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) is AI that performs a variety of human-like tasks; ASI (Artificial Superintelligence) refers to AI that exceeds human intelligence in all aspects.

In June 2024, GMO AI & Robotics Corporation (GMO AIR) was established as a general trading company to support the introduction and utilization of AI, robots and drones. By giving AI a body, we will contribute to solving the social problem of Japan's declining population.

Furthermore, in January 2025, GMO Internet Group's business divisions and GMO AD Partners Inc., which handles Internet advertising, will be integrated into a holding company structure. This will accelerate the speed at which GMO AIR's business is promoted and the 55-year plan is realized, and will enable us to create a corporate group that will endure for 100 years.

Create smiles and excitement, and contribute to society and people

Currently, the world has been revolutionizing because of arrival of full-scale IoT age, automation utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), and economic activity that Cryptoassets brought about. New, easier to use services that enrich our lives will be created one after the other through the integration of the Internet and various industries.

With cutting-edge technology and speedy management, we will create services of our own, which will allow us to provide No.1 solutions and grow our customer base.

GMO Internet Group will continue to create smiles and excitement and will strive to contribute to society and people. We would like to ask for your continued support in our endeavors.

July 2024

Founder, Chairman and Group CEO

Masatoshi Kumagai