Mizuho Trust Bank plans to increase its shareholder advisory staff by 30% in response to growing pressure from activist investors in Japan. Meanwhile, MS&AD Insurance Group is consolidating two of its subsidiaries as part of a strategy to strengthen corporate governance without reducing personnel. MS&AD President Funabiki emphasized that the merger aims not to become the largest insurer by sales, but to enhance the value of services provided to customers, thereby becoming the most preferred insurance company. He noted that company scale will play a role in achieving this goal.