text: and now mid-sized and smaller companies 
  and now mid-sized and smaller companies 
  
  are moving into overseas markets too, 
  are moving into overseas markets too, 
  
  especially in Asia. 
  especially in Asia. 
  
  We believe this trend will pick up speed 
  We believe this trend will pick up speed 
  
  up in the future. And so, to service these 
  up in the future. And so, to service these 
  
  companies, SMFG also needs to take 
  companies, SMFG also needs to take 
  
  measures, as a mat ter of urgency, to 
  measures, as a mat ter of urgency, to 
  
  internationalize its operations. 
  internationalize its operations. 
  
  Focusing on practical language skills and 
  Focusing on practical language skills and 
  
  international awareness, SMBC is putting in 
  international awareness, SMBC is putting in 
  
  place frameworks to give impetus to the 
  place frameworks to give impetus to the 