(The following is translation of the e-mail which was sent to Japanese customers.)

I'm Y from YOUYOUANG.

How are you doing?

With December approaching, we are in the midst of the busy season, and things are getting more and more hectic every day. 

It's already the time to give you a year-end greeting. How was your year?

For me, this past year has been a year of overcoming major hurdles.

In May, my father, who had been under medical treatment, passed away. We started talking to each other often when I was over 40, and he was very understanding about my work.

My father was a catcher for the Daimai Orions, a professional baseball team. When he retired, he returned to Gunma and started running a restaurant. He could not cook at all, but he loved good foods. 

When I was little, after school I would change out of my muddy clothes and head to the restaurant to watch "Star of the Giants", which was animated TV show of baseball, in the cook's break room. It was our family's educational program.

I was shown reruns over and over again. I think it was a very biased educational policy. (Laughs)

Thinking back to my father's time, it was a dream come true for a Japanese player to play an active role in the major league in USA.

I had hoped to go to the major league with my father someday, but my regret is that I could not make it happen. Don't postpone anything, and this time I learned it.

Not because of that (laugh) but I will do what I can do now! So, this winter vacation, I am going to climb a slightly higher mountain for five days. 

There is not much danger, and the only thing I am worried about is altitude sickness. I'm sure I'll be fine since I've been training. I will do my best to give you a good report.

We are planning a new project for next year as well. Samples will be ready soon.

I want to continue creating products that make people happy and say, "I want this." That is my wish.