Mr.Takahashi retired in May of 2007 following an ambitious career in office. Managing Director Hisorhi Sakata was appointed as the new company President.

In the foundation day ceremony, he said, "our future role would be to research and develop products that can coexist with nature and contribute to a better global enviroment".He introduced the executive officer system to invigorate the organization.

In addition, he divided the Domestic Sales Division into the Domestic Wholesale Sales & Marketing Division and the Domestic Retail Sales & Margeting Division.

Facing the next 100 years

The Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 resulted in significant damage to Japan's eastern seaboard. The company's YLC inTochigi and subsidiaries were severely damaged but a quick recovery was possible thanks to the determined efforts of employees.

Thinking that the company's strengths in flowers and plants were the best way to support the affected region, the company established the project "Cheer up Japan with the power of Flowers!! Shall we sow Flower seeds for HOPE!!" which was a one-year campaign started on June 1, 2011, whereby one percentage of packets of flower seed sales was donated to charitable organizations.

The seed and seedling industry has started reorganizing internationally towards increased oligopolization and Japanese seed and seedling companies have not been unaffected. It is against this backdrop that the company operates nine research stations and is producing seeds through 32 bases of operations at related companies in 19 countries. Sakata's seeds are being exported to around 170 countries. As a result of international expansion through the development of this global network, approximately 40% of the company's consolidated total sales are overseas, and more than 60% are seeds sales alone.