Keito Ando, Representative Director of and Vet Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taito City, Tokyo; Representative Director: Keito Ando; hereinafter "our company") has been selected as one of the executives driving 2026 in the special project "REC AWARD" by Weekly Economist, published by Mainichi Shimbun Publishing. Mr. Keito Ando, our company's representative, has been selected for the Weekly Economist's "REC AWARD: 34 Executives Driving 2026." The Weekly Economist's "REC AWARD" highlights influential figures across various industries and delivers messages from executives expected to shape the year 2026. Mr. Ando's message is available on the dedicated REC AWARD webpage. Special Webpage (Top Page): https://www.weekly-economist.com/recaward2026/ Keito Ando's Feature Page: https://www.weekly-economist.com/recaward2026/keito_yasuoka/ Our company's selection stems from its rapid growth—expanding to five hospitals across the Kanto region within just a few years since its founding—as well as its strategic vision and pioneering efforts toward creating new models of work in the veterinary medical industry. ■ Background of Selection: Aiming to Be the First Company That Comes to Mind for Animal Care "Weekly Economist Special Edition REC AWARD 2026" focuses on visionary leaders who are advancing steadily through turbulent times. The reason for our company's selection lies in the vision of Representative Director Keito Ando—"to become the first company that comes to mind for anyone involved with animals"—and the management strategy to realize it. Since its founding, our company has rapidly grown into one of the industry's leading veterinary hospital groups, operating five hospitals across the Kanto region and employing over 70 professionals, including more than 20 veterinarians. This growth has been driven by initiatives addressing structural challenges in veterinary medicine, such as staffing shortages and harsh working conditions. By advocating new models of employment for veterinari