In the lead up to our centenary on December 25, 2025, we are releasing a series of videos highlighting Nomura’s history on our 100th Anniversary Website.
Episode 8, the final installment in the series—"The Next 100 Years: Continuing to Take on New Challenges”— covers the period from 2020 to 2025.
After his appointment as Group CEO in April 2020, Kentaro Okuda set out a strategy to take Nomura to the “next stage of growth” under the management vision of “achieving sustainable growth by helping solve social issues.” Amid the upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic and the changes that followed, Nomura transformed its business model, implemented significant organizational reforms, announced its Group Purpose and strengthened its global strategy.
As digitalization gained momentum and the UN Sustainable Development Goals shaped the sustainability agenda, the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, rapidly changing workstyles, client interactions and business operations. As a result of this unprecedented crisis, Nomura accelerated its green (GX) and digital (DX) transformations. To create new value, the firm also forged alliances with regional financial institutions in Japan, launched Nomura Greentech overseas, and established the Content Company, the Digital Company, and the Investment Management Division. These initiatives have strengthened Nomura’s ability to address evolving social issues and laid the foundation for the next stage of growth.
After he became Group CEO in 2020, Kentaro Okuda made expanding Nomura’s presence in private markets to complement its public market businesses a central strategy, outlining a plan to take Nomura to the “next stage of growth.” He emphasized the need to transform the business model and stabilize the revenue base to deliver tailor-made products and services that exceed each client's expectations. The video also introduces specific initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable growth and delivering differentiated value.
In 2021, Nomura launched the Purpose Journey, bringing together more than 10,000 employees over three years to discuss and define the firm’s Purpose.
As a result, Nomura announced its Group Purpose in 2024— “We aspire to create a better world by harnessing the power of financial markets”— adopting it as the Group’s new guiding principle.
In the video, Nomura Group CEO Kentaro Okuda explains why the Purpose was needed, how each employee makes it personal, and how it shapes their actions and day-to-day work.
Group CEO Kentaro Okuda describes Nomura’s centenary as a "new starting point." He says the renovation and redevelopment of the former Nihonbashi headquarters symbolize the coexistence of tradition and innovation. Over the next decade, Nomura will accelerate its strategic goals as it moves toward its 110th anniversary, while pursuing sustainable growth and taking on challenges that will carry the firm into the next 100 years.
Watch below to learn more.
Previous episodes:
Episode 1: Tokushichi Nomura II and Nomura’s founding
Episode 2: Nomura Under GHQ: Protecting our Name and Values
Episode 3: Democratizing Investment: One Million Ryo Saving Boxes
Episode 4: Strategic Focus: Research, Product Development, and Globalization
Episode 5: Japan’s Meteoric Rise and Dramatic Descent
Episode 6: Establishing Nomura Holdings: Strengthening Governance, Laying the Business Foundations for Future Growth
Episode 7: Lehman Brothers Acquisition: Transforming into a Truly Global Player
