Annual Report
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 26, 2015

 

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

 

 

¨ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OR (G) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

 

¨ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report

Commission file number: 1-31221

 

 

Kabushiki Kaisha NTT DOCOMO

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

NTT DOCOMO, INC.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

 

 

Japan  

Sanno Park Tower

11-1, Nagata-cho 2-chome

Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6150

Japan

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Address of principal executive offices)

 

 

Kenji Higashigaito, Ayano Tamada or Yu Kunita, Investor Relations

TEL: +81-3-5156-1111 / FAX: +81-3-5156-0271

Sanno Park Tower, 2-11-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6150 Japan

(Name, Telephone, E-mail and /or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock*   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.

None

 

(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.

None

 

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

As of March 31, 2015, 3,881,483,855 shares of common stock were outstanding, comprised of 3,859,718,543 shares and 21,765,312 ADSs.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  x    No  ¨

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer    x            Accelerated filer    ¨            Non-accelerated filer    ¨

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

U.S. GAAP  x    International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board    ¨    Other    ¨

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

Item 17  ¨             Item 18  ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

 

* Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of the American Depositary Shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
  PART I   

Item 1.

  Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers      4   

Item 2.

  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable      4   

Item 3.

  Key Information      4   

Item 4.

  Information on the Company      18   

Item 4A.

  Unresolved Staff Comments      39   

Item 5.

  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects      39   

Item 6.

  Directors, Senior Management and Employees      72   

Item 7.

  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions      82   

Item 8.

  Financial Information      83   

Item 9.

  The Offer and Listing      84   

Item 10.

  Additional Information      86   

Item 11.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk      99   

Item 12.

  Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities      101   
 

PART II

  

Item 13.

  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies      102   

Item 14.

  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds      102   

Item 15.

  Controls and Procedures      102   

Item 16A.

  Audit Committee Financial Expert      102   

Item 16B.

  Code of Ethics      103   

Item 16C.

  Principal Accountant Fees and Services      103   

Item 16D.

  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.      103   

Item 16E.

  Purchases of Equity Securities by Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers      105   

Item 16F.

  Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant      105   

Item 16G.

  Corporate Governance      105   

Item 16H.

  Mine Safety Disclosure      108   
 

PART III

  

Item 17.

  Financial Statements      109   

Item 18.

  Financial Statements      109   

Item 19.

  Exhibits      109   


Table of Contents

As used in this annual report, references to “DOCOMO,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “our group” and “us” are to NTT DOCOMO, INC. and its subsidiaries except as the context otherwise requires.

As used in this annual report, reference to “NTT” is to our parent company, NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION.

As used in this annual report, “Xi” refers to our LTE network service and “FOMA” refers to our W-CDMA network service.

Fiscal year 2014 refers to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, and other fiscal years are referred to in a corresponding manner.

 

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Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This annual report contains forward-looking statements such as forecasts of results of operations, management strategies, objectives and plans, forecasts of operational data such as the expected number of subscriptions, and the expected dividend payments. All forward-looking statements that are not historical facts are based on management’s current plans, expectations, assumptions and estimates based on the information currently available. Some of the projected numbers in this report were derived using certain assumptions that were indispensable for making such projections in addition to historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in or suggested by any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:

 

1. Changes in the market environment in the telecommunications industry, such as intensifying competition from other businesses or other technologies caused by Mobile Number Portability, development of appealing new handsets, new market entrants, mergers among other service providers and other factors, or the expansion of the areas of competition could limit the acquisition of new subscriptions and retention of existing subscriptions by our corporate group, or it may lead to ARPU diminishing at a greater than expected rate, an increase in our costs, or an inability to optimize costs as expected.

 

2. If current and new services, usage patterns, and sales schemes proposed and introduced by our corporate group cannot be developed as planned, or if unanticipated expenses arise the financial condition of our corporate group could be affected and our growth could be limited.

 

3. The introduction or change of various laws or regulations inside and outside of Japan, or the application of such laws and regulations to our corporate group, could restrict our business operations, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

4. Limitations in the amount of frequency spectrum or facilities made available to us could negatively affect our ability to maintain and improve our service quality and level of customer satisfaction and could increase our costs.

 

5. Other mobile service providers in the world may not adopt the technologies and the frequency bands that are compatible with those used by our corporate group’s mobile communications system on a continuing basis, which could affect our ability to sufficiently offer international services.

 

6. Our domestic and international investments, alliances and collaborations, as well as investments in new business fields, may not produce the returns or provide the opportunities we expect.

 

7. Malfunctions, defects or imperfections in our products and services or those of other parties may give rise to problems.

 

8. Social problems that could be caused by misuse or misunderstanding of our products and services may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image.

 

9. Inadequate handling of confidential business information including personal information by our corporate group, contractors and others may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image.

 

10. Owners of intellectual property rights that are essential for our business execution may not grant us a license or other use of such intellectual property rights, which may result in our inability to offer certain technologies, products and/or services, and our corporate group may also be held liable for damage compensation if we infringe the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, the illicit use by a third party of the intellectual property rights owned by our corporate group could reduce our license revenues actually obtained and may inhibit our competitive superiority.

 

11.

Events and incidents caused by natural disasters, social infrastructure paralysis such as power shortages, the proliferation of harmful substances, terror or other destructive acts, the malfunctioning of equipment, software bugs, deliberate incidents induced by computer viruses, cyber-attacks, equipment misconfiguration, hacking, unauthorized access and other problems could cause failure in our networks,

 

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  distribution channels, and/or other factors necessary for the provision of service, disrupting our ability to offer services to our subscribers and such incidents may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image, or lead to a reduction of revenues and/or increase of costs.

 

12. Concerns about adverse health effects arising from wireless telecommunications may spread and consequently adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

13. Our parent company, NTT, could exercise influence that may not be in the interests of our other shareholders.

Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than as described in the forward-looking statements. Important risks and factors that could have a material impact on our actual results are set forth in “D. Risk Factors” in Item 3 and elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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PART I

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not applicable.

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not applicable.

Item 3. Key Information

 

A. Selected Financial Data

The following tables include selected historical financial data as of and for each of the years ended March 31, 2011 through 2015. The data in the table is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The consolidated balance sheets for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years ended March 31, 2013 through 2015, and notes thereto appear elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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Selected Financial Data

 

    Millions of yen, except per share data  
    As of and for the year ended March 31,  
    2011     2012     2013     2014     2015  

Income Statement Data

         

Operating revenues:

         

Telecommunications services *1

  ¥ 3,361,235      ¥ 3,334,036      ¥ 3,176,931      ¥ 2,963,980      ¥ 2,747,155   

Equipment sales

    477,404        498,889        758,093        872,000        904,089   

Other operating revenues

    385,634        407,078        535,098        625,223        732,153   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    4,224,273        4,240,003        4,470,122        4,461,203        4,383,397   

Operating expenses

    3,379,544        3,365,543        3,632,942        3,642,004        3,744,326   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

    844,729        874,460        837,180        819,199        639,071   

Other income (expense) *2

    (9,391     2,498        (3,838     13,850        4,812   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates *2

    835,338        876,958        833,342        833,049        643,883   

Income taxes *2

    332,806        391,798        323,059        307,979        238,067   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before equity in net income of affiliates *2

    502,532        485,160        510,283        525,070        405,816   

Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates
(including impairment charges of investments in affiliates) *2*3

    (10,539     (24,208     (29,570     (69,117     (7,782

Net Income *2

    491,993        460,952        480,713        455,953        398,034   

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (1,508     2,960        10,313        8,776        12,059   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. *2

  ¥ 490,485      ¥ 463,912      ¥ 491,026      ¥ 464,729      ¥ 410,093   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per Share Data

         

Basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. *4

  ¥ 117.97      ¥ 111.87      ¥ 118.41      ¥ 112.07      ¥ 101.55   

Dividends declared and paid per share *4

  ¥ 52      ¥ 54      ¥ 58      ¥ 60      ¥ 65   

Dividends declared and paid per share *4*5

  $ 0.6283      $ 0.6553      $ 0. 6160      $ 0. 5826      $ 0.5418   

Weighted average common shares Outstanding—Basic and Diluted (shares) *4

    4,157,685,900        4,146,760,100        4,146,760,100        4,146,760,100        4,038,191,678   

Balance Sheet Data

         

Working capital *6

  ¥ 1,032,131      ¥ 1,204,258      ¥ 1,105,642      ¥ 1,320,776      ¥ 1,301,074   

Total property, plant and equipment, net

    2,523,319        2,536,297        2,560,284        2,557,766        2,511,067   

Total assets *2

    6,791,593        6,948,082        7,169,725        7,508,030        7,146,340   

Total debt *7

    428,378        256,680        253,766        230,346        222,651   

Total liabilities

    1,913,999        1,839,311        1,759,160        1,814,517        1,728,135   

Common stock

    949,680        949,680        949,680        949,680        949,680   

Total NTT DOCOMO, INC. shareholders’ equity *2

    4,850,436        5,062,527        5,368,475        5,643,366        5,380,072   

Total Equity *2

    4,877,594        5,108,771        5,410,565        5,678,644        5,402,616   

Other Financial Data

         

Depreciation and amortization expenses and loss on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment

    720,999        708,838        731,632        752,997        699,860   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,287,037        1,110,559        932,405        1,000,642        962,977   

Net cash used in investing activities

    (455,370     (974,585     (701,934     (703,580     (651,194

Net cash used in financing activities

    (421,969     (378,616     (260,967     (269,793     (734,257

Margins (percent of operating revenues):

         

Operating income margin

    20.0     20.6     18.7     18.4     14.6

Margin of net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. *2

    11.6     10.9     11.0     10.4     9.4

 

*1 As a result of reclassification in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, some elements (revenues from satellite mobile communications, cable television of overseas and other services) included in conventional “Other operating revenues” in the financial statements for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 have been retroactively reclassified into “Telecommunications services.” The amounts of the reclassification are ¥6.6 billion, ¥7.5 billion, ¥8.5 billion and ¥8.2 billion for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
*2 The consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 have been revised due to the reinstatement of the equity method for an investee.
*3 Includes impairment of investments in affiliates. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
*4 As we conducted a 1:100 stock split with an effective date of October 1, 2013, “Per Share Data” for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 to 2014 are based on the number of shares after the stock split, respectively.
*5 The dividends per share were translated into U.S. dollars at the relevant record date.
*6 Working capital was computed by subtracting total current liabilities from total current assets.
*7 Total debt includes total short-term debt (including commercial paper and current portion of long-term debt) and long-term debt.

 

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Exchange Rate Data

The following table shows the exchange rates for Japanese yen per $1.00 based upon the noon buying rate in New York City for cash transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York:

 

Fiscal Year ended March 31,

   High *1      Low *1      Average *2      Period-end  

2011

     94.24         80.48         85.00         82.76   

2012

     82.41         76.34         78.86         82.41   

2013

     94.16         77.92         83.26         94.16   

2014

     105.25         97.52         100.46         102.98   

2015

     119.96         101.28         110.78         119.96   

Calendar Year 2014

                           

December

     121.38         117.28         119.32         119.85   

Calendar Year 2015

                           

January

     120.20         116.78         118.25         117.44   

February

     120.38         117.33         118.76         119.72   

March

     121.50         119.01         120.39         119.96   

April

     120.36         118.80         119.51         119.86   

May

     124.18         119.09         120.80         123.98   

June (through June 5, 2015)

     125.58         124.06         124.61         125.58   

 

*1 For fiscal years, calculated from the highest and lowest of the exchange rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant year.
*2 For fiscal years, calculated from the average of the exchange rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant year. For calendar year months, calculated based on the average of daily closing exchange rates.

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not applicable.

 

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

 

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D. Risk Factors

Risks Relating to Our Business

This annual report contains forward-looking statements such as forecasts of results of operations, management strategies, objectives and plans, forecasts of operational data such as the expected number of subscription, and the expected dividend payments. All forward-looking statements that are not historical facts are based on management’s current plans, expectations, assumptions and estimates based on the information currently available. Some of the projected numbers in this report were derived using certain assumptions that are indispensable for making such projections in addition to historical facts. These forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in or suggested by any forward-looking statement. Potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following:

Changes in the market environment in the telecommunications industry, such as intensifying competition from other businesses or other technologies caused by Mobile Number Portability, development of appealing new handsets, new market entrants, mergers among other service providers and other factors, or the expansion of the areas of competition could limit the acquisition of new subscriptions and retention of existing subscriptions by our corporate group, or it may lead to ARPU diminishing at a greater than expected rate, an increase in our costs, or an inability to optimize costs as expected.

Mobile Number Portability (“MNP”), the development of appealing handsets, the entry of new service providers, mergers among other service providers and other factors are intensifying competition for our corporate group from other service providers in the telecommunications industry. For example, other mobile service providers have introduced handsets that keep up with the needs and desires of customers, including handsets that support high-speed services and music/video playback, new services such as music and video distribution services, and flat-rate services for voice communications and e-mail, as well as installment sales methods for devices. If, in the future, other providers offer services that are more convenient or handsets that are more appealing to customers in the future, we may be unable to respond in a timely and suitable manner. If we are unable to build a network having a certain area and quality within the anticipated period of time, while other service providers build mobile communications networks with an area and quality that exceeds ours, customer satisfaction with our network may decline.

At the same time, competition is intensifying as a result of the introduction of other new services and technologies, especially low-priced and flat-rate services, such as fixed-line or mobile IP phones (including services that use applications that run on our smartphones and tablets), high-speed broadband Internet service, digital broadcasting, public wireless LAN using Wi-Fi, free or low-priced services of OTT*1 service providers, the provision of SIM*2 cards, or a combination of these services.

In addition to competition from other service providers and technologies in the telecommunications industry, there are other factors increasing competition among mobile network operators, such as saturation in the Japanese mobile communications market, changes to business and market structures and the environment due to the expansion of the areas of competition arising from the entry of competitors in the market, including MVNOs*3 and competitors from other industries. With the use of open platform devices like smartphones and tablets becoming increasingly widespread, many businesses and others have entered the competition in service offerings on mobile phones, and in addition, NTT East and NTT West started a wholesale optical-fiber access service which enables a diverse group of market participants to provide services utilizing optical-fiber connections and set discounts for fixed and mobile network services, so it is possible that such businesses and others may eventually launch services that are more convenient for customers, and further intensify rate competition.

In this market environment, the decline in the number of net new subscriptions we acquire may accelerate in the future and the number of net new subscriptions we acquire may not reach the number we expect. Also, we

 

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may not be able to maintain existing subscriptions as customers migrate to other service providers due to increased competition. Furthermore, in order to capture new subscriptions and maintain existing subscriptions, there could be a greater-than-expected decline in ARPU and/or greater-than-expected costs. In this fierce market environment, in order to provide advanced services and increase convenience to our customers, we have made various revisions, such as in rates and the provision of discounted services. For example, we introduced the flat-rate domestic voice service to our subscribers and the packet flat-rate services for LTE (Xi) subscribers. We also introduced a fixed amount discount from monthly usage rates set for each equipment type. As additional new fee plans for flat-rate domestic voice services, we also introduced “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru,” which allows for the sharing of packet telecommunications data volume among family members or the same company or organization, “Zutto DOCOMO Wari,” a discount service for long-term customers, and “U25 Ouen Wari” a discount plan for customers 25 up to years of age. In addition, in connection with the commencement of our provision of the “docomo Hikari” optical-fiber broadband service, we launched “docomo Hikari Pack”, which provides the “docomo Hikari” optical-fiber broadband service together with smartphones or mobile phones, on March 1, 2015.

However, we cannot be certain that these rate revisions and discounted services will enable us to acquire new and maintain existing subscriptions. Also, the subscription ratio for various discount services or the trend in migration to flat-rate services may not be in line with the expectations of our corporate group, and our ARPU may decrease more than projected. Furthermore, if market growth slows or the market shrinks, ARPU may decrease even more than our forecast and we may not be able to capture new subscriptions or maintain the existing number of subscriptions at the level we expect. In addition, in order to reinforce our managerial structure, we are promoting increased efficiency related to our network, sales and services, research and development and narrowing our product line-up to concentrate resources. The push toward greater efficiency, however, may not proceed as expected, and costs may not be optimized as anticipated due to intense competition from other service providers and changes in the market environment.

These foregoing factors may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

 

*1 Abbreviation of Over The Top. A business that does not own the communications infrastructure required for delivering its services and that delivers content services using the communication infrastructure of other companies.
*2 Abbreviation of Subscriber Identity Module. An IC card inserted into a handset on which subscriber information is recorded, used to identify user.
*3 Abbreviation of Mobile Virtual Network Operator. A business that borrows the wireless communication infrastructure of other companies to provide services.

If current and new services, usage patterns, and sales schemes proposed and introduced by our corporate group cannot be developed as planned, or if unanticipated expenses arise the financial condition of our corporate group could be affected and our growth could be limited.

We view increases in revenue as an important factor in our future growth. We aim to increase revenue by, for instance, promoting the more widespread use of i-mode services, of smartphone services such as sp-mode, “dmenu” and “dmarket,” and of LTE (Xi) services, as well as the expansion of the use of packet communications and other data communications in relation to such services and cloud services like “Shabette-Concier” and the like. Moreover, we look to increase returns through initiatives in new business areas based on the convergence of various businesses and services, such as finance/payment, commerce, medical/healthcare, Machine-to-Machine (“M2M”)/IoT*1, environment/energy and education/learning with the aim of “realizing a smart life” as another important factor in future growth. However, a number of uncertainties may arise to prevent the development of these services and constrain our growth.

Furthermore, if market growth slows or the market shrinks, the services, forms of usage, and sales methods provided by us may not develop sufficiently which could affect our financial conditions and limit our growth. In particular, we cannot be certain as to whether or not the following can be achieved:

 

   

To develop the cooperative relationships as anticipated by our corporate group with the partners needed to provide the services and/or forms of usage that we offer, with the software vendors that provide the

 

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operating systems and applications necessary to promote the use of smartphone and other services, with handset manufacturers, content providers, and with stores that have installed equipment capable of handling e-wallet transactions;

 

   

To provide planned new services and forms of usage as scheduled and keep costs needed for the deployment and expansion of such services within budget;

 

   

The services, forms of usage, and installment sales and other methods that we offer and plan to offer will be attractive to current and potential subscribers and there will be sufficient demand for such services;

 

   

Manufacturers and content providers will steadily create and offer products including FOMA (W-CDMA) and LTE (Xi) handsets, handsets compatible with services we provide, software such as the operating systems and applications necessary to encourage the use of smartphone services, as well as content in a timely fashion and at appropriate prices;

 

   

Demand in the market for mobile handsets will be as we envision and, as a result, our handset procurement costs will be reduced, we will be able to offer our handsets at appropriate prices, and we will not hold excess inventory;

 

   

Our current and future services, including ISP services such as i-mode, sp-mode, fee plans and discounted services for use of voice and packet communications, intelligent services like “Shabette-Concier,” the storage services like photo collection, the services on “dmarket” such as “dTV,” “dhits” and “dmagazine,” and initiatives for new market creation through the convergence with various businesses, including financial and payment services like “DCMX,” commerce businesses run by OAK LAWN MARKETING, INC. and Radishbo-ya Co., Ltd. and medical/healthcare services run by docomo Health Care, Inc. and Nihon Ultmarc Inc. will be attractive to existing and potential subscribers and achieve continued or new growth;

 

   

As the foundation of our company’s strategy and services, the increase in the number of smartphone users and the larger customer base resulting from docomo ID will grow according to our business plans;

 

   

The services provided by our corporate group, based on an open platform system, will not be surpassed by more competitive and sought after services provided by other service providers;

 

   

To expand services with improved data communication speed enabled by LTE*2/LTE-Advanced*3 and other technology as planned; and

If the development of our corporate group’s new services or forms of use is limited or if development costs are more than anticipated, it may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

*1 Abbreviation for Internet of Things. A concept that describes a world in which everything is connected to the Internet, enabling remote control and management of devices, etc.
*2 Abbreviation for Long Term Evolution. A mobile communications protocol with specifications formulated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project.
*3 A more sophisticated mobile communication system, whose standardization to 3GPP, is progressing while maintaining technical compatibility with LTE.

The introduction or change of various laws or regulations inside and outside of Japan, or the application of such laws and regulations to our corporate group, could restrict our business operations, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The Japanese telecommunications industry has been undergoing regulatory reform in many areas, including rate regulation. Because we operate on radio spectrum allocated by the Japanese government, the mobile telecommunications industry in which we operate is particularly affected by the regulatory environment. Furthermore, in some cases, our group is subject to special regulations that are not imposed on other providers.

 

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Various governmental bodies have been recommending or considering changes that could affect the mobile telecommunications industry, and there may be continued reforms, including the introduction or revision of laws, regulations, or systems that could have an adverse effect on us. These include:

 

   

Regulations to accelerate competition in the handset area, such as SIM unlocking regulations;

 

   

Revision of the spectrum allocation system, such as reallocation of spectrum and introduction of an auction system;

 

   

Measures to open up some segments of telecommunication platform functions such as authentication and payment collection to other corporations;

 

   

Rules that could require us to open functions regarding our services, such as i-mode and sp-mode services, to platform providers, Internet service providers, content providers, etc.;

 

   

Regulations to prohibit or restrict certain content, transactions or mobile Internet services such as i-mode or sp-mode;

 

   

Regulations that would prohibit or restrict the provision of discounted services by our corporate group premised on continuous usage term agreements, including cancellation charges like that for the “Type Xi Ninen” and the like;

 

   

Introduction of a system allowing for the cancellation of mobile phone subscriptions early in the contract period;

 

   

Measures which would introduce new costs such as the designation of mobile phone communication as a universal service and other changes to the current universal service fund system;

 

   

Regulations on the sale, promotion, pricing and others for “docomo Hikari” and other optical-fiber services realized by the wholesale services of NTT East and NTT West;

 

   

Fair competition measures to promote new entry by MVNOs;

 

   

Introduction of new measures to promote competition based on a review of the designated telecommunications facilities system (dominant carrier regulation);

 

   

Review of the structure of the NTT group, which includes our group; and

 

   

Other measures, including the fair competition review system for promoting broadband dissemination directed toward us, NTT East and NTT West or the revision of the rules of access charge between operators to enhance competition that would restrict our business operations in the telecommunications industry.

In addition to the above proposed changes that may impact the mobile communications business, we may be impacted by a variety of laws, regulations, and systems inside and outside of Japan. For example, in response to an increase in the number of subscriptions or in the traffic* per subscriber, we have proceeded with the enhancement of our telecommunications facilities in order to ensure and improve our service quality. As a result, we are using an increasing amount of electricity. Moreover, we are implementing measures directed towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including deployment of low-power consumption devices and efficient power generators. However, with the implementation of regulations and other measures aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, our cost burdens may increase, and this may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Also, the financial condition and operating results of our corporate group may be adversely affected by the increased cost of maintaining and operating the facilities we require for providing our services on account of electricity cost increases due to high fuel prices. In July 2010 the “Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” was signed into law in the United States. Based on this, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission established rules in August 2012 requiring listed companies that use designated minerals in their products to disclose whether such minerals come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and adjoining countries. The implementation of these rules could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results in the form of higher costs arising from expense of conducting the research needed for regulatory compliance or from an increase in the prices of materials that use such minerals.

 

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Further still, in order to ensure new sources of revenue, we are pursuing initiatives to create new value through the convergence of mobile services with various services and industries, including finance/payment, commerce, medical/healthcare, M2M/IoT, environment/energy, education/learning and other fields through equity participation and partnerships. Therefore, we are vulnerable to the impact of laws, regulations and systems specific to new services, operations and areas of business, in addition to the laws, regulations and systems applicable to the mobile communications business. If such laws, regulations, or systems are implemented, they may work as constraints on our group’s business operations, and this may have an adverse effect on our group’s financial condition and corporate performance.

It is difficult to predict with certainty if any proposed changes impacting the mobile telecommunications business, or if any other relevant laws, regulations or systems will be drafted, and if they are implemented, the extent to which our business will be affected. However, if any one or more of the above proposed changes impacting the mobile telecommunications business occurs, or if laws, regulations or systems are introduced, reformed, or become applicable to us, we may experience constraints on the provision of our mobile communication services, which may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

* The total volume of transmissions.

Limitations in the amount of frequency spectrum or facilities made available to us could negatively affect our ability to maintain and improve our service quality and level of customer satisfaction and could increase our costs.

One of the principal limitations on a mobile communication network’s capacity is the available radio frequency spectrum we can use. There are limitations in the spectrum and facilities available to us to provide our services. As a result, in certain parts of metropolitan Tokyo and Osaka, such as areas near major train stations, our mobile communication network operates at or near the maximum capacity of its available spectrum during peak usage periods, which may cause reduced service quality.

Furthermore, with the number of subscriptions and traffic per subscriber increasing, our service quality may decline if we cannot obtain the necessary allocation of spectrum from the Japanese government for the smooth operation of our business.

Even though our corporate group plans to establish specified base stations to use the allocated 700MHz band as soon as the operating conditions are met, if measures for acceleration (acceleration measures for termination) of the transfer of existing FPU* and specified radio microphones that are currently using this spectrum do not proceed as anticipated, our corporate group may not be able to operate the mobile communication network smoothly, service quality may decline, and additional expenses may arise.

Although we are working to improve the efficiency of our spectrum use through technology such as LTE/LTE-Advanced, including migration to LTE and other measures and to acquire additional spectrum, we may be unable to avoid a reduced quality of services.

In addition, due to the limited processing capacity of our base stations, switching facilities, and other equipment necessary for providing services, the quality of the services we provide may also decrease during peak usage periods if our subscription base dramatically increases or the volume of content such as images and music provided through our networks significantly expands. Also, in relation to our FOMA and LTE (Xi) services, the growth in the number of service subscribers and traffic per subscriber could significantly exceed our expectations due to the proliferation of smartphones and tablets as well as data communication devices for PCs. Furthermore, some of the software that runs on smartphones and tablets could result in greater use of control signals (the signals exchanged between devices and the network) in order to establish and terminate communications, and could therefore put a greater-than-anticipated burden on our facilities. If it becomes impossible to process such traffic using our existing equipment, service quality may deteriorate, communication interruptions may arise and the cost of investing in equipment to address these issues could increase.

 

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We are endeavoring to reinforce the network foundation in order to cope with future increases in smartphone traffic. If unforeseen circumstances should arise, such as communication interruptions due to an increase in the number of subscribers and traffic and/or control signals per subscriber, and we are not able to address such problems sufficiently and in a timely manner, our ability to provide mobile communication services could be constrained or we could lose customers’ trust, and as a result, we could lose subscribers to our competitors. At the same time, the cost of investing in equipment to address these issues could increase, and this could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

* Abbreviation for Field Pickup Unit. A wireless relay system used for TV broadcasting of sports, news, and the like.

Other mobile service providers in the world may not adopt the technologies and the frequency bands that are compatible with those used by our corporate group’s mobile communications system on a continuing basis, which could affect our ability to sufficiently offer international services.

We are able to offer global roaming services on a worldwide basis on the condition that a sufficient number of other mobile service providers have adopted technologies and frequency bands that are compatible with those we use on our mobile communications systems. We expect that our overseas affiliates, strategic partners and many other mobile service providers will continue to use the technologies and the frequency bands that are compatible with ours, but there is no guarantee of this in the future.

If a sufficient number of mobile service providers do not adopt the technologies and the frequency bands that are compatible with ours, if mobile service providers switch to other technologies or frequency bands, or if there is a delay in the introduction and expansion of compatible technologies and frequency bands, we may not be able to offer international roaming or other services as expected, and we may not be able to offer our subscribers the convenience of overseas services.

Also, we cannot be sure that handset manufacturers or manufacturers of network equipment will be able to appropriately and promptly adjust their products if we need to change the handsets or network we currently use due to a change in the standard technology we adopt, resulting from the activities of standards organizations.

If such technologies and frequency bands compatible with those we have adopted do not develop as we expect and if we are not able to maintain or improve the quality of our overseas services, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

Our domestic and international investments, alliances and collaborations, as well as investments in new business fields, may not produce the returns or provide the opportunities we expect.

One of the major components of our strategy is to increase our corporate value through domestic and overseas investments, alliances and collaborations. We have entered into alliances and collaborations with other companies and organizations overseas which we believe can assist us in achieving this objective. We are also promoting this strategy by investing in, entering into alliances with, and collaborating with domestic companies and investing in new business fields.

However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain or enhance the value or performance of the past or future investments or joint ventures established, or that we will receive the returns or benefits we expect from these investments, alliances and collaborations. In our investments in new business fields outside of the mobile telecommunication business, such as finance/payment, commerce, medical/healthcare, M2M/IoT, environment/energy, education/learning and the like, anticipated synergies may not be realized due to uncertain and unforeseeable ancillary factors, as we have little experience in such new fields of business, and these factors may have an impact on our strategy. Furthermore, losses may arise due to dissolution or divestiture of investments, alliances and collaborations.

In recent years, the companies in which we have invested have experienced a variety of negative impacts, including severe competition, increased debt burdens, significant change in share prices and financial difficulties.

 

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To the extent that these investments are accounted for by the equity method and to the extent that the investee companies have net losses, our financial results will be adversely affected by our pro rata portion of these losses. If there is a loss in the value of our investment in any investee company and it is not regarded as a temporary decline, our corporate group may be required to adjust the book value and recognize an impairment loss for such investment. Also, a business combination or other similar transaction involving any of our investee companies could require us to realize impairment loss for any decline in the value of investment in such investee company. In either event, our financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Malfunctions, defects or imperfections in our products and services or those of other parties may give rise to problems.

Various functions are mounted on the mobile handsets we provide. Additionally, a large number of vendors, including our partners and other companies, provide services via the mobile handsets that we provide. If any problems arise due to the imperfection in a product or service provided by the Company or by another vendor such as technological problems in the handsets provided by us or by outside vendors or in software or systems, or if any other failures, defects, or losses arise, such problems could diminish our credibility or corporate image, lead to an increase in cancellations of subscriptions, or result in an increase in expenses for indemnity payments to subscribers, and our financial condition or results of operations may be affected. Furthermore in an effort to ensure new sources of revenue, we are pursuing initiatives toward the expansion of new businesses through the convergence of mobile service with various other services and industries, including finance/payment, commerce, medical/healthcare, M2M/IoT, environment/energy and education/learning. Should problems arise due to the imperfection in such products or services, they could diminish our credibility or corporate image and our financial condition or results of operations may be affected. Certain events may lead to a decrease in our credibility and corporate image, an increase in cancellations of subscriptions or increased costs. The following are possible examples of such events:

 

   

Malfunctions, defects or breakdowns in any of the various functions built into our handsets;

 

   

Malfunctions, defects or failures in the software and systems necessary for the services we provide;

 

   

Malfunctions, defects or failures in handsets or services originating from imperfection in services of other parties;

 

   

Leaks or losses of information, e-money, reward points, or content due to malfunctions, defects or failures in handsets, software, or systems or imperfection in services of other parties;

 

   

Improper use of information, e-money, credit functions and reward points by third parties due to a loss or theft of handsets;

 

   

Improper access or misuse of customer information/data stored on handsets or servers, such as usage histories and balances, by a third party;

 

   

Inadequate and inappropriate management of e-money, credit functions, reward points, or other data by companies with which we make alliances or collaborate;

 

   

Harm or losses to customers due to defects in products or services offered through an e-commerce business such as a home shopping service, or products and services offered on one of our platforms, such as “dmenu” or “dmarket”; or

 

   

Harm or loss to customers due to imperfections in products and services in the new fields such as finance/payment, commerce, medical/healthcare, M2M/IoT, environment/energy and education/learning that we provide as part of our effort to expand the new business fields.

Social problems that could be caused by misuse or misunderstanding of our products and services may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image.

We may face an increase in cancellations of subscriber contracts and difficulty in acquiring new subscriptions due to decreased credibility of our products and services and damaged corporate image caused by inappropriate use of our products and services by subscribers.

 

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For example, there are cases of unsolicited bulk e-mails being sent through our e-mail services, including docomo mail, sp-mode mail, i-mode mail and SMS. Despite our extensive efforts to address this issue caused by unsolicited bulk e-mails, including notifying our subscribers via various brochures, providing unsolicited bulk e-mail filtering functions with our handsets and suspending our services to companies which distribute large amounts of such unsolicited bulk e-mails, the problem has not yet been rooted out. If our subscribers receive a large amount of unsolicited e-mail, it may cause a decrease in customer satisfaction and may damage our corporate image, leading to a reduction in the number of sp-mode or i-mode subscriptions.

The mobile phones used in connection with crimes such as billing fraud are most often rental mobile phones. To combat these misuses of our services, we have introduced various measures such as refusing to provide services to unscrupulous mobile phone rental companies that violate the Mobile Phone Improper Use Prevention Act, such as by not confirming the identity of the individual at the time of rental. However, in the event that criminal usage increases, mobile phones may be regarded as a societal problem, which may lead to an increase in the cancellation of contracts.

In addition, problems have arisen from the fact that subscribers were charged fees for packet communication at higher levels than they anticipated as a result of using mobile phones without fully recognizing the increased volume and frequency of the use of packet communications as our handsets and services became more sophisticated. There have also been problems with high charges due to excessive use of paid content services, and problems due to an increasing amount of trouble and number of accidents caused by the use of mobile phones while driving, riding a bicycles or walking. Further, there are currently a variety of discussions concerning such issues as the pros and cons of elementary and junior high schools students having mobile phones, the sufficiency and accuracy of our access restriction service to screen harmful web sites (“filtering service”), which applies generally to subscribers under 20 years of age in accordance with the enactment of the Act on Establishment of Enhanced Environment for Youth’s Safe and Secure Internet Use, and the increase in harm caused by the use of CGM* by young people, as they increasingly have access to the Internet from their mobile phones. These issues may similarly damage our corporate image.

We believe that we have properly addressed the social issues involving mobile phones by providing various services such as a filtering service and access restriction services with user age authentication and cell phones specifically designed for young people. However, it is uncertain whether we will be able to continue to respond appropriately to those issues in the future. Should we fail to do so, we may experience an increase in the cancellation of existing subscriber contracts or fail to acquire new subscribers as expected, and this may affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

* Abbreviation for Consumer Generated Media. Media which is created by consumers over the Internet, such as Social Networking Services (“SNS”).

Inadequate handling of confidential business information including personal information by our corporate group, contractors and others, may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image.

We possess information on numerous subscribers in telecommunications, credit, catalog sales and other businesses, and to appropriately and promptly address the Law Concerning the Protection of Personal Information, we have put in place comprehensive company-wide security management that includes thorough management of confidential information such as personal information, employee education, supervision of subcontractors and the strengthening technological security.

However, in the event an information leak occurs despite these security measures, our credibility and corporate image may be significantly damaged and we may experience an increase in cancellation of subscriber contracts, an increase in indemnity costs and slower increase in additional subscriptions, and our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

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Owners of intellectual property rights that are essential for our business execution may not grant us a license or other use of such intellectual property rights, which may result in our inability to offer certain technologies, products and/or services, and our corporate group may also be held liable for damage compensation if we infringe the intellectual property rights of others. In addition, the illicit use by a third party of the intellectual property rights owned by our corporate group could reduce our license revenues actually obtained and may inhibit our competitive superiority.

For us and our business partners to carry out our business, it is necessary to obtain licenses and other rights to use the intellectual property rights of third parties. Currently, we are obtaining licenses from the holders of the rights concerned by concluding license agreements. We will obtain the licenses from the holders of the rights concerned if others have the rights to intellectual property necessary for us to operate our business in the future. However, if we cannot come to an agreement with the holders of the rights concerned or a mutual agreement concerning the granted rights cannot be maintained afterwards, there is a possibility that we or our business partners might not be able to provide our specific technologies, products or services. Also, if we receive claims of violation of intellectual property rights from others, we may be required to expend considerable time and expense to reach a resolution. If such claims are acknowledged, we may be liable to pay damages for infringement of the rights concerned, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Furthermore, the illicit use by a third party of the intellectual property rights owned by our corporate group could reduce our license revenues actually obtained and may inhibit our competitive superiority.

Events and incidents caused by natural disasters, social infrastructure paralysis such as power shortages, the proliferation of harmful substances, terror or other destructive acts, the malfunctioning of equipment, software bugs, deliberate incidents induced by computer viruses, cyberattacks, equipment misconfiguration, hacking, unauthorized access and other problems could cause failure in our networks, distribution channels, and/or other factors necessary for the provision of service, disrupting our ability to offer services to our subscribers, and such incidents may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image, or lead to a reduction of revenues and/or increase of costs.

We have built a nationwide network, including base stations, antennas, switching centers and transmission lines, and provide mobile communication service using this network. In order to operate our network systems in a safe and stable manner, we have various measures in place, such as duplicative systems. However, despite these measures, our system could fail for various reasons, including malfunctioning of system hardware and software, natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons and floods, paralysis of social infrastructure, such as power shortages, terrorism, and similar events and incidents, and the inability to sufficiently operate and maintain network facilities due to, for example, the proliferation of harmful substances or the spread of an epidemic. These system failures can require an extended time for repair and, as a result, may lead to decreased revenues and significant cost burdens, and our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

There have been instances in which tens of millions of computers worldwide were infected by viruses through fixed line Internet connections. As smartphones become more widespread, however, a growing number of viruses are also targeting mobile handsets. Similar incidents could occur on our networks, handsets, or other equipment. If such a virus entered our network or handsets or other equipment through such means as hacking, unauthorized access, or otherwise, or if there was a cyber -attack, our system could fail, the services we provide could become unusable service quality could be impacted and/or confidential information could be leaked. In such an instance, the credibility of our network, handsets and other equipment and customer satisfaction could decrease significantly. Although we have enhanced security measures including systems to block unauthorized access, remote downloading for mobile phones, and the provision of “Anshin Net Security,” an antivirus solution for smartphones in order to provide for unexpected events, such precautions may not make our system fully prepared for every contingency. Moreover, software bugs, incorrect equipment settings, and human errors that are not the result of malfeasance could also result in system failures, diminished service quality, or leaks of confidential information.

 

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In addition, events or incidents caused by natural disasters, social infrastructure paralysis, the proliferation of harmful substances, the spread of an epidemic, or any other event could force our offices or critical business partners, including sales agencies, to suffer constraints on business operations or to temporarily close their offices or stores. In such a case, we would lose the opportunity to sell or provide goods and services and also may not be able to respond appropriately to subscription applications and requests from subscribers, such as after-sales service requests.

If we are unable to properly respond to any such events, our credibility or corporate image may decrease, and we may experience a decrease in revenues as well as significant cost burdens, and if market growth slows or the market shrinks due to any such event, ARPU may decrease below our forecast, or we may not be able to gain new subscriptions or maintain the existing number of subscriptions at the level we expect. All of these factors may affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Concerns about adverse health effects arising from wireless telecommunications may spread and consequently adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Through various media sources and the internet, information has been disseminated indicating that there is concern about whether radio wave emissions from mobile handsets and other wireless telecommunications devices may adversely affect people’s health or may interfere with electronic medical devices including hearing aids and cardiac pacemakers. Such concerns about the possible risks associated with wireless telecommunication devices could adversely affect our corporate image, financial condition, and results of operations through increased cancellations by existing cellular subscribers, reduced subscriber growth, reduced usage per subscriber, and the introduction of new regulations or restrictions or litigation. The radio emissions from our cellular handsets and base stations comply with the electromagnetic safety guidelines established by the Japanese government, which are equivalent to the international guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, which are endorsed by the World Health Organization “WHO.” The WHO has also stated that if the level of the radio emissions from mobile devices is lower than the international guidelines, it will not affect the health of their users and others. Research and studies on the effect of radio wave emissions on people’s health are being conducted by foreign research institutes such as the WHO and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, or the MIC. While no evidence of an adverse effect on people’s health has been found as of yet, there can be no assurance that, going forward a link between radio wave emissions and health problems will not be identified in the results of future research or studies.

Furthermore, MIC and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Conference Japan have confirmed that electronic medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers can be affected by electromagnetic interference from cellular phones and other wireless equipment, and has created guidelines on safe usage to provide information to the general public. We are working to provide information to ensure that our subscribers are sufficiently aware of these precautions when using cellular phones. There is a possibility that modifications to regulations and new regulations or restrictions could limit our ability to expand our market or our subscription base or otherwise adversely affect us.

Our parent company, NTT, could exercise influence that may not be in the interests of our other shareholders.

As of March 31, 2015, NTT owned 66.65% of our outstanding voting shares. While being subject to the conditions for fair competition established by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (currently the MIC) in April 1992, NTT retains the right to control our management as a majority shareholder, including the right to appoint directors. Currently, although we conduct our day-to-day operations independently of NTT and its other subsidiaries, certain important matters are discussed with, or reported to, NTT. As such, NTT could take actions that are in its best interests but may not be in the interests of our other shareholders.

 

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Risks Relating to the Shares and the ADSs

Future sales of our shares by NTT or by us may adversely affect the trading price of our shares and ADSs.

As of March 31, 2015, NTT owned 66.65% of our outstanding voting shares. Under Japanese law, NTT, like any other shareholder, generally is able to dispose of our shares freely on the Tokyo Stock Exchange or otherwise. Additionally, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue 13,374,228,000 additional shares generally without any shareholder approval. The sale or issuance or the potential for sale or issuance of such shares could have an adverse impact on the market price of our shares.

There are restrictions on your ability to withdraw shares from the depositary receipt facility.

Each ADS represents the right to receive one share of common stock. Therefore, pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement with our depositary, The Bank of New York Mellon, in order to withdraw any shares, a holder of ADSs must surrender for cancellation and withdrawal of shares using ADRs (each of which evidences 1ADSs). As a result, holders of ADSs will be unable to withdraw fractions of shares from the depositary or receive any cash settlement in lieu of withdrawal of fractions of shares. In addition, although the ADSs themselves may be transferred in any lots pursuant to the deposit agreement, the ability to trade the underlying shares may be limited.

Holders of ADRs have fewer rights than shareholders and have to act through the depositary to exercise those rights.

Holders of ADRs do not have the same rights as shareholders and accordingly cannot exercise rights of shareholders against us. The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, through its custodian agent, is the registered shareholder of the deposited shares underlying the ADSs, and therefore only it can exercise the rights of shareholders in connection with the deposited shares. In certain cases, we may not ask The Bank of New York Mellon to ask holders of ADSs for instructions as to how they wish their shares voted. Even if we ask The Bank of New York Mellon to ask holders of ADSs for such instructions, it may not be possible for The Bank of New York Mellon to obtain these instructions from ADS holders in time for The Bank of New York Mellon to vote in accordance with such instructions. The Bank of New York Mellon is only obliged to try, as far as practical, and subject to Japanese law and our Articles of Incorporation, to vote or have its agents vote the deposited shares as holders of ADSs instruct. In your capacity as an ADS holder, you will not be able to bring a derivative action, examine the accounting books and records of the Company, or exercise appraisal rights.

U.S. investors may have difficulty in serving process or enforcing a judgment against us or our members of the board of directors, executive officers or audit & supervisory board members.

We are a limited liability, joint stock corporation incorporated under the laws of Japan. Most of our members of the board of directors, executive officers and audit & supervisory board members reside in Japan. All or substantially all of our assets and the assets of these persons are located in Japan and elsewhere outside the United States. It may not be possible, therefore, for U.S. investors to effect service of process within the United States upon us or these persons or to enforce against us or these persons judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the Federal securities laws of the United States. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Japan, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgment of U.S. courts, of liabilities predicated solely upon the federal securities laws of the United States.

Rights of shareholders under Japanese law may be different from rights of shareholders in jurisdictions within the United States.

Our Articles of Incorporation, Regulations of the Board of Directors and the Companies Act of Japan (Kaishaho, or Companies Act) govern our corporate affairs. Legal principles relating to such matters as the validity of corporate procedures, directors’ and officers’ fiduciary duties and liabilities, and shareholders’ rights under Japanese law may be different from those that would apply to a company incorporated in a jurisdiction

 

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within the United States. You may have more difficulty in asserting your rights as a shareholder than you would as a shareholder of a corporation organized in a jurisdiction within the United States.

Our shareholders of record on a record date may not receive the dividend they anticipate.

The customary dividend payout practice and relevant regulatory regime of publicly listed companies in Japan may differ from that followed in foreign markets. While we may announce forecasts of year-end and interim dividends prior to the record date, these forecasts are not legally binding. The actual payment of year-end dividends requires a resolution of our shareholders. If the shareholders adopt such a resolution, the year-end dividend payment is made to shareholders as of the applicable record date, which is currently specified as March 31 by our Articles of Incorporation. However, such a resolution of our shareholders is usually made at an ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June. The payment of interim dividends requires a resolution of our Board of Directors. If the board adopts such a resolution, the dividend payment is made to shareholders as of the applicable record date, which is currently specified as September 30 by our Articles of Incorporation. However, the board usually does not adopt a resolution with respect to an interim dividend until September 30.

Shareholders of record as of an applicable record date may sell shares after the record date in anticipation of receiving a certain dividend payment based on the previously announced forecasts. However, since these forecasts are not legally binding and resolutions to pay dividends are usually not adopted until after the record date, our shareholders of record on record dates for year-end or interim dividends may not receive the dividend they anticipate.

Item 4. Information on the Company

 

A. History and Development of the Company

We are a joint stock corporation organized under the Companies Act. We were incorporated and registered in August 1991 under the name of NTT Mobile Communications Planning Co., Ltd., and, in April 1992, we were renamed NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. We changed our name to NTT DoCoMo, Inc. on April 1, 2000 (NTT DOCOMO, INC. since June 2010). Our corporate head office is at Sanno Park Tower, 11-1, Nagata-cho 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6150, Japan. Our telephone number is 81-3-5156-1111. We have no agent in the United States in connection with this annual report.

Our parent company is NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (“NTT”), the holding company of NTT group. NTT group is one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. We were incorporated as a subsidiary of NTT in August 1991 and took over NTT’s wireless telecommunication operations in July 1992. In July 1993, in accordance with the agreement between NTT and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (currently the MIC), we transferred wireless telecommunication operations (other than those in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region which remained with us) to our 8 regional subsidiaries. However, the other 8 regional subsidiaries were merged into our company as the surviving company in July 2008.

For a discussion of recent and current capital expenditures, please see “B. Liquidity and Capital Resources—Capital Expenditures” in Item 5.

 

B. Business Overview

1. Business Overview

We are a mobile telecommunications carrier belonging to the NTT group, for which NTT serves as the holding company. We currently provide mobile telephone services over our LTE and W-CDMA networks. We have approximately 66,595 thousand subscribers and a domestic market share* of 43.6%.

 

* Domestic PHS services subscriptions are not included in the market share calculations.

 

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Together with our 173 subsidiaries and 31 affiliates, we conduct business as the NTT DOCOMO group. Our major subsidiaries and affiliates as of March 31, 2015 are listed below.

 

Name

   Percentage
Voting
Interest
 

Service Subsidiaries*1*2: 12

  

DOCOMO CS Chugoku, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Hokkaido, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Hokuriku, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Kansai, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Kyushu, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Shikoku, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Tohoku, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO CS Tokai, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO Support, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO Systems, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO Technology, Inc.

     100%   

Other Subsidiaries: 161

  

ABC Cooking Studio Co.,Ltd.

     51.0%   

Buongiorno S.p.A.

     100%   

DOCOMO ANIME STORE, INC.

     60.0%   

DOCOMO Capital, Inc.

     100%   

DOCOMO Communications Laboratories Europe GmbH

     100%   

DOCOMO Datacom, Inc.

     66.2%   

DOCOMO Deutschland GmbH

     100%   

docomo Healthcare, Inc.

     66.0%   

DOCOMO interTouch Pte. Ltd.

     100%   

DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC.

     100%   

D2C Inc.

     51.0%   

e Engineering, Inc.

     100%   

MAGASeek Corporation

     75.0%   

MCV Guam Holding Corp.

     100%   

mmbi, Inc.

     60.5%   

net mobile AG

     87.4%   

Nihon Ultmarc Inc.

     77.5%   

NTT DOCOMO USA, Inc.

     100%   

OAK LAWN MARKETING, INC.

     51.0%   

PacketVideo Corporation

     81.8%   

Radishbo-ya Co., Ltd.

     90.0%   

Tower Records Japan Inc.

     50.3%   

and other subsidiaries

  

Affiliates: 31

  

Avex Broadcasting & Communications Inc.

     30.0%   

FeliCa Networks, Inc.

     38.0%   

Hutchison Telephone Company Limited.

     24.1%   

Nippon Telecommunications Network Co., Ltd.

     37.4%   

NTT Broadband Platform, Inc.

     22.0%   

NTT Resonant Inc.

     33.3%   

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company

     8.6%   

Robi Axiata Limited

     8.4%   

 

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Name

   Percentage
Voting
Interest
 

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, Limited.

     34.0%   

Tata Teleservices Limited *3

     26.5%   

ZENRIN DataCom Co., Ltd.

     18.1%   

and other affiliates

  

 

*1 These service subsidiaries provide operational services such as call center and agency support operations, communication network construction, maintenance operations and corporate sales to NTT DOCOMO, INC.
*2 In efforts to further improve customer services provided locally, operational services which until now were provided by 25 business-entrusted subsidiaries across Japan reorganized in 12 subsidiaries including DOCOMO CS, Inc. as of July 1, 2014.
*3 On April 25, 2014, DOCOMO’s Board of Directors resolved to exercise its option to sell DOCOMO’s entire stake (1,248,974,378 shares, or about 26.5% of outstanding shares) in Tata Teleservices Limited (“TTSL”) as soon as the conditions for such exercise are met, and the options were exercised on July 7, 2014. Although repeatedly discussed, the failure to perform obligations according to the shareholder agreement led to a petition for arbitration based on an inter-shareholder agreement with Tata Sons Limited, which is the holding company of the Tata Group, as the respondent on January 3, 2015. For more details, please see “D. Trend Information” in Item 5.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we realigned our five operating segments—which consisted of a mobile phone business, credit services business, home shopping services business, internet connection services business for hotel facilities, and miscellaneous businesses—into three operating segments, which consist of telecommunications business, smart life business and other businesses in order to clearly define our business management of telecommunications domains, where we are taking steps to reinforce our competitiveness, and the smart life domains where we are striving for further expansion of revenue sources by making “Smart Life” a reality toward the establishment of a new path to grow.

The telecommunications business includes those from mobile phone services (LTE (Xi) services and FOMA services), optical-fiber broadband service, satellite mobile communications services, international services and equipment sales related to these services. Combined, this accounted for the greater part of our operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

The smart life business includes video and music distribution, electronic books and other services offered through DOCOMO’s “dmarket” portal, as well as finance/payment services, shopping services and various other services to support our customers’ daily lives.

The other businesses primarily includes “Mobile Device Protection Service,” as well as the development, sale and maintenance of IT systems.

We operate our business mainly in Japan, and do not generally experience significant seasonality.

Breakdown of Operating Revenues

 

     Millions of yen  
     Year ended March 31,  
     2013*      2014*      2015  

Telecommunications business

   ¥   3,923,754       ¥   3,827,328       ¥   3,654,565   

Smart life business

     294,156         356,783         436,997   

Other businesses

     272,440         302,224         319,815   

 

* The figures for 2013 and 2014 reflect the realignment of business segments effectuated during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

For more details of our business segment information, please see “A. Operating Results—Segment Information” in Item 5.

 

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Competitive Environment

In the Japanese mobile communications market, in addition to the rapid proliferation and expansion in use of smartphones, tablets and other function-rich mobile devices, due to the government’s policy of promoting of the spread of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (“MVNOs”) and other factors, various new market participants are expected to continue to enter the market and many new services are expected to continue to be invented.

There are presently three mobile network operators in Japan: DOCOMO, KDDI CORPORATION and its subsidiaries (“KDDI group”) and SoftBank Corp. and its subsidiaries (“SOFTBANK group”). As of March 31, 2015, we had a market share of 43.6%, KDDI group had a market share of 28.5% and SOFTBANK group had a market share of 27.9%.

As of March 31, 2015 we had approximately 66,595 thousand cellular subscribers, an increase of 3,490 thousand from the end of the previous fiscal year. Also, our cellular churn rate for March 2015 was 0.71%.

Although future growth of new subscribers for conventional voice use is expected to be limited as the penetration rate rises and the population declines, in recent years, the development of new markets for products such as demand for second devices such as tablets and mobile Wi-Fi routers, in addition to embedded communication modules, and rising numbers of subscribers due to an increase in corporate subscriptions, have helped drive growth in new subscriptions.

The number of cellular subscriptions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are as follows:

 

     Thousands  
     Year ended March 31,  
         2013             2014             2015      

Cellular subscriptions *1

     61,536        63,105        66,595   

LTE (Xi) subscriptions

     11,566        21,965        30,744   

FOMA subscriptions *1

     49,970        41,140        35,851   

Estimated market share of total subscriptions

     45.2     43.8     43.6

Subscription growth rate

     2.3     2.6     5.5

Average monthly churn rate *1*2

     0.82     0.87     0.71

 

*1 The number of cellular subscriptions and FOMA subscriptions includes communication module services subscriptions.
*2

In general, the term “churn rate” is defined as the percentage of customers who disconnect their service relative to the total subscription base. Our measurement of churn rates includes voluntary terminations in connection with handset upgrades or changes. The average monthly churn rate for each fiscal year is calculated by adding the number of cellular subscriber contract terminations in each month of that fiscal year and dividing that number by sum of the active cellular subscriptions* from April to March.

*active cellular subscriptions = (number of subscriptions at the end of previous month + number of subscriptions at the end of current month) / 2

Furthermore, Japan’s telecommunications sector has seen a dramatic change in its market structure.

In May 2014, NTT unveiled its “Hikari Collaboration Model”—a new wholesale business model for its fiber access services. As this enables telecommunications operators and a wide range of other market participants to provide services utilizing fiber connections, the competition in the market is expected to intensify even further, transcending the traditional boundaries of the telecommunications business.

Due to government regulations, we are prohibited from partnering exclusively within the NTT group, and we have been unable to partner with NTT group companies to provide packages of mobile phone and fixed communication services or offer discount services such as those which have become popular among rival companies in recent years.

 

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Meanwhile, by accepting the wholesaling of fiber access services provided by NTT East and NTT West, it has become possible to provide optical-fiber broadband service ourselves from March 2015, we launched the “docomo Hikari” service (DOCOMO’s optical-fiber broadband service) and “docomo Hikari Pack,” making the first step in our journey for offering new added value through the convergence of fixed-line and mobile communications services.

Although our business environment is severe, as stated above, due to the market environment, regulations and changes in our business model, we are endeavoring to strengthen our competitiveness based on the business strategy described below.

 

 

Business Strategy

We developed our corporate vision for 2020, “HEART: Pursuing Smart Innovation” to propel further growth and propose new values to society in anticipation of future social changes.

Also, under the banner of becoming a “Partner for smart life” of our customers, we tackled the challenge of “reinforcing our competitiveness in telecommunications business” and “stepped up our efforts in the smart life business and other businesses.”

In April 28, 2015, we announced our medium-term initiatives and the Business Management Policies for FY2015 (year ending March 31, 2016).

Initiatives for the medium-term

To respond to customer needs on an ongoing basis, we will implement initiatives for “co-creation”—an effort to create new added value together with various external partners by constantly evolving the format of collaboration.

 

  1) Roll-out of “+d”

As presented in “Medium-Term Vision 2015,” we have hitherto worked on new value creation centered on mobile communications by pursuing convergence with other industries and services. Going forward, we will further advance these undertakings and embark on a new initiative dubbed “+d”—a joint value creation initiative that we plan to promote together with partners, making available to our partners our own business assets, such as our payment platform and point program, etc. To further accelerate this initiative, we will standardize the names of the various services that we offer. In the new arrangement, our services will begin with the letter “d,” so customers can easily appreciate the various DOCOMO services that they can utilize.

 

  2) Co-Creation of Social Values

We will also work to offer new values to various partners, further evolving the forms of collaboration, which have so far been centered on value creation for consumers. Specifically, in the areas of “IoT,” “Regional Revitalization,” “2020*,” and “Solution of Social Issues,” we will strive to create new services and businesses in collaboration with partners utilizing the assets of both parties, with the goal of capturing new revenue opportunities in new domains that transcend the confines of our current industries or business formats.

Through the abovementioned initiatives, we will aim to expand the smart life business and other businesses while accommodating customer requirements.

 

* “2020” refers to the anticipated increase in tourism and general economic activity, between now and 2020 and the opportunity develop various new products and services to capture this anticipated increase in demand.

 

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FY2015 Business Management Policies

We developed our FY2015 Business Management Policies, positioning FY2015 as the year of making a solid step toward the achievement of our medium-term growth. Considering the attainment of operating income target a matter of utmost importance, we will take actions aimed at increasing our telecommunications services revenues, expanding the smart life business and other businesses and improving our cost efficiency.

 

  1) Actions Aimed at Increasing Telecommunications Services Revenues

 

  - Facilitate subscriptions to new billing plan and “docomo Hikari” service, and strengthen retention measures

 

  - Boost packet revenues by encouraging subscriber migration to larger data buckets

 

  2) Actions Aimed at Expansion of Smart Life Business and Other Businesses

 

  - Accelerate measures aimed at expanding the adoption of “dmarket” and other services, and expand our sphere of service by adding home offerings

 

  -

Cultivate new demand by stepping up enterprise sales, and step up B2B2C* offerings

 

  3) Cost Efficiency Improvement

 

  - Reinforcement of “PREMIUM 4G” service and more efficient use of capital expenditures

 

  - Rigorous cost efficiency improvements through structural reforms

We will continue to engage ourselves in co-creation of added value for customers in collaboration with partners, so that what is perceived as new today can be taken for granted in the future.

 

* Abbreviation for Business to Business to Consumer: a business arrangement in which an entity supports the consumer business of another company.

2. Networks

We currently provide our services mainly on LTE and W-CDMA networks.

 

 

LTE Development

In December 2010, we launched LTE service for data communications devices. In November 2011, we expanded the service to smartphones. We continue our efforts to take advantage of our experience and expertise as a LTE service pioneer to build a robust network pursuing “breadth,” “speed” and “convenience.” We are endeavoring to provide a high quality communications environment offering faster speeds and broader reach in future.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the total number of LTE base stations was increased to 97,400 stations from 55,300 stations as of March 31, 2014 to further improve the area coverage of our LTE service.

We offer high-speed LTE service that realizes a maximum download speed of 150Mbps in the Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka metropolitan areas. Also, in pursuit of further enhancement of transmission speeds, we increased the number of LTE base stations compatible with a maximum download speed of 100Mbps or higher to 57,700 stations from 3,500 stations as of March 31, 2014.

In March 2015, we launched the “PREMIUM 4G” service that delivers downlink speeds of up to 225Mbps using the LTE-Advanced system, which incorporates “carrier aggregation *1,” “advanced C-RAN *2” and other technologies that realize further speed/capacity enhancements over LTE service.

 

*1 Technology that achieves improvement of data transmission speed by aggregating multiple carriers
*2 Technology for increasing the utilization efficiency of frequencies by simultaneously controlling base stations covering broad areas and base stations covering localized areas.

 

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Spectrum Use Status

The MIC has allocated a total bandwidth of approximately 530MHz as radio frequencies available for use for LTE/W-CDMA networks (3.5GHz, 2GHz, 1.7GHz, 1.5GHz, 900MHz, 800MHz, 700MHz and 2GHzTDD). Of this, we have been allocated 6 frequency bands—3.5GHz, 2GHz, 1.7GHz, 1.5GHz, 800MHz and 700MHz—to operate our networks.

2GHz Band:

The 20MHz x 2 allocated in the 2GHz band is jointly used by our LTE and W-CDMA networks. A maximum 15MHz x 2 is used for our LTE network.

1.7GHx Band:

The 20MHz x 2 in the 1.7GHz band is jointly used by our LTE and W-CDMA networks in the Kanto, Kansai and Tokai areas. We also intend to expand use for the LTE network in the future.

1.5GHz Band:

The 15MHz x 2 allocated in the 1.5GHz band is used by our LTE network.

800MHz Band:

The 15MHz x 2 allocated in the 800MHz band is jointly used by our LTE and W-CDMA networks. The maximum 15MHz x 2 is used for our LTE network.

700MHz Band:

With regard to our plan to open specified base stations to be used for the 700MHz band, approval was received from the Minister of MIC in June 2012. In addition, the Association of 700MHz Frequency Promotion was established by 4 operators (NTT DOCOMO, Inc., KDDI Corporation, eAccess Ltd. (currently SoftBank Mobile Corp.) and Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company) that were approved at the same time. Together with the appropriate transfer of new frequency bands to existing licensees currently using the frequencies, receiver measures for overland digital TV broadcasts are being implemented. We plan to start providing LTE services as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 for the 10MHz x 2 allocated in the 700MHz band.

3.5GHz Band:

With regard to our plan to open specified base stations to be used for the 3.5GHz band, approval was received from the Minister of MIC in December 2014. We intend to commence the provision of TDD-format LTE services in the 40MHz (TDD) block allocated in the 3.5GHz band from October 2016.

 

 

Effort to Assure Stable Network Quality

For providing customers with a stable and comfortable communication environment, we moved ahead with the reinforcement of our network facilities to respond to the increase in data traffic resulting from the expanded adoption of smartphones. For example, we expanded the LTE network capacity, utilized transmission speed controls for data communication by especially heavy users for data communications and offloaded data to “docomo Wi-Fi.”

In addition, to prepare for possible large-scale disasters, such as an earthquake directly striking the Tokyo metropolitan area, we have taken various measures such as the dispersion of important communications facilities previously concentrated in the metropolitan area, securing emergency power sources, and making it possible to switch to power saving mode via remote control.

Furthermore, in order to establish and maintain our high-quality network economically and efficiently, we provide fair competitive opportunities, foster mutual understanding and build trusting relationships with suppliers, and purchase high-quality network equipment at low cost from suppliers inside and outside Japan in accordance with our procurement policies, which emphasize compliance with CSR and various laws.

 

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3. Products

We purchase products from vendors and then sell them to mainly our sales agency who sell these products to our subscribers.

To expand our smartphone user base and to facilitate the adoption of multiple devices by a single user in order to meet the diverse needs of customers, we have strived to enrich our product lineup. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we introduced 17 smartphone models, 9 tablet models, 8 feature phone models and 3 data communication device models, and sold approximately 23,751 thousand units. Sales of each type of device are discussed below.

 

 

Smartphones/Tablets

Our 2014 summer collection smartphones are equipped with various DOCOMO-specific features including voice calls using “VoLTE*1” technology and an emergency power-saving mode. The Android smartphones in our 2014-2015 winter/spring collection are all equipped with “VoLTE” compatibility. All handset models carry “high-resolution audio*2” featuring sound quality exceeding music CDs. In addition, we expanded the lineup of devices to meet the diverse needs of customers, including commencement of sales of the latest model of popular iPhone and iPad in September and October 2014 respectively.

As a result of the above, the number of smartphones and tablets sold was 14.6 million units, an increase of 0.81 million units over the number sold last term, reaching approximately 60% of total sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

 

*1 Abbreviation for Voice over LTE
*2 A generic term to describe music data and music player equipment that realize audio quality superior to general music CD.

 

 

Data Communications Devices

We offer a wide range of data communication devices for selection, depending on usage, including mobile Wi-Fi routers, USB data cards, and the like.

We introduced a USB data card as a part of our 2014 summer collection and also introduced two mobile Wi-Fi routers, as a part of our 2014-2015 winter/spring collection, that have built-in LTE Advanced capability, a technology that supports download speeds of up to 225 Mbps.

In addition, our communication modules can be used in various situations in everyday life and business situations, such as for managing taxi and bus operations, monitoring and controlling power and gas facility devices, distributing contents to information posting systems, managing inventory for vending machines and managing payment with mobile devices.

 

 

Other Communications Devices

As a “Partner for a Smart Life” for each and every customer, we offer a diverse range of communications devices to make customers’ lives more secure, safe, convenient and comfortable.

In December 2014, we launched a transmitter able to send the user’s heart rate to a smartphone by linking with a wearable training data measurement device utilizing a new material called “hitoe.”

In addition, in April 2015, we released the “Docotch,” a wearable device in the form of a wristwatch, enabling the condition of children and their surroundings to be checked. We have also released special devices for pets, etc.

 

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4. Services

By providing superior sound quality voice services through “VoLTE” and introducing the “docomo Hikari” optical-fiber broadband service, we are endeavoring to further increase the convenience of communication services and create value through the provision of new services combining “docomo Hikari” with smartphones and mobile phones. We also enriched our “dmarket” portal that offers a wide variety of convenient content, and pursued collaboration and alliances with external partners to provide new services in various sectors.

 

 

Telecommunications Services

Mobile Phone Services

We currently offer voice, data, and other value-added services through our LTE (Xi) and FOMA services.

As a result of our efforts to improve the contents and services for smartphones as well as expand the smartphone market, LTE (Xi) service subscriptions rose to approximately 30,744 thousand as of March 31, 2015.

In addition, other main services among mobile phone services include international services such as international calling service and international roaming service, public wireless LAN service “docomo Wi-Fi,” services for corporate customers such as “Office Link,” a service that allows mobile phones to be used as internal lines, “Business Mopera Anshin Manager,” which enables the unified control of corporate mobile phones, and a satellite cell phone service. A summary of the principal initiatives in other main services among mobile phone services implemented during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, is provided below:

 

   

In June 2014, we were the first telecommunication carrier in Japan to commence a new LTE-based voice communications service, “VoLTE” which delivers more stable and superior sound quality compared to conventional voice calling service.

 

   

We commenced the trial service of “docomo Wi-Fi for visitor” which enables foreign travelers visiting Japan to utilize “docomo Wi-Fi” service.

 

   

To enable overseas travelers to utilize LTE service even more comfortably, we worked on LTE international roaming coverage expansion and increased the number of LTE roaming destinations to 43 countries and regions as of March 31, 2015.

Optical-fiber Broadband Service

In order to provide broadband communications environment to allow users to enjoy high-speed service both indoors and outdoors, in March 2015, we commenced “docomo Hikari” service—our optical-fiber broadband service that enables high-speed access at speeds of up to 1Gbps, and simultaneously launched “docomo Hikari Pack”—a bundle package that allows users to use “docomo Hikari” broadband service and smartphones/docomo feature phones at affordable rates.

We provide one-stop service for the full range of services including optical-fiber broadband, Internet access and mobile phone services. Hence, we serve as a customer’s single point of contact for every need, from service-related inquiries to after-sales support, thereby enhancing customers’ convenience and comfort using high-speed communications services.

Furthermore, with the provision of “docomo Hikari,” we also began to provide Internet access service “docomo net,” and support services “Hikari Remote Support,” “Hikari On-site Support” which enables “docomo Hikari” to be used with a greater sense of security.

For more information, see Item 4.B-5 “Tariffs,” which contains the details of charges for “docomo Hikari” and “docomo Hikari Pack.”

 

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Initiatives to Become a “Partner for Smart Life”

Initiatives Aimed at “dmarket” Enrichment and Expansion of User Base

To expand the adoption of DOCOMO-operated content market, “dmarket” services among a broader range of users, we have added new content and implemented various initiatives aimed at increasing its subscriber base.

The principal actions we undertook during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 are summarized below:

 

   

We launched a new home food delivery service, “ddelivery.” With this service, users can search restaurants/menus and place orders using voice command via our “Shabette-Concier” voice agent service, and also make payments using docomo Points.

 

   

We launched “dmagazine” electronic magazine service, which provides users with unlimited access to wide-ranging genres of magazines and/or individual articles from smartphone/tablets for a flat monthly fee.

 

   

We extended the free trial period of “dvideo,” “danime store,” “dhits,” and “dmagazine,” to allow customers to try out and appreciate the attractiveness of these services offered through our “dmarket” portal.

As a result of the abovementioned measures, the combined number of “dmarket” store subscriptions* reached 10 million in January 2015, and grew further to 11.88 million as of March 31 2015. Furthermore, in May 2015, we launched “dGourmet” service, which provides basic cooking lessons, food-related information such as recipes and restaurant rankings, and coupons.

 

* Total number of users using “dvideo,” “danime store,” “dhits,” “dkids” and “dmagazine” services under a monthly subscription arrangement.

Lineup of “dmarket” services

 

Service

  

Service Overview

danime store

   Flat-rate animated video distribution service

dapple & review

   Site offering review of popular apps on Google Play

dkids

   Flat-rate distribution service of educational content for children

dcreators

   Online market enabling the sale and purchase of hand-made items

dGourmet*1

   Distribution service of information and coupons related to foods

dgame

   Site offering Web-based games*2 and app-based games

dshopping

   Online shopping service for food, daily necessities, electrical appliances and other goods

ddelivery

   Home food delivery service

dtravel

   Site for booking accommodation at hotels and Japanese inns

dhits

   Flat-rate music distribution service

dvideo*3

   Flat-rate video/movie distribution service

d fashion

   Fashion e-commerce site

dbook

   Electronic book store enabling viewing of manga, novels and how-to books

dmagazine

   Flat-rate electronic magazine distribution service

dmusic

   Music download service

 

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*1 Service started on May 28, 2015.
*2 Games that can be enjoyed anywhere with an Internet connection and without the need to install applications.
*3 Service name was changed from “dvideo” to “dTV” on April 22, 2015.

To deliver “Smart Life” experience, we aim to drive innovation and create new value and new markets through the convergence of mobile devices with various industries and services by collaborating with alliance partners, especially in fields that offer great synergy with our mobile business, including “dmarket.” In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we engaged in the following initiatives centered on lifestyle-related services.

 

   

We introduced a new service dubbed “Runtastic for docomo,” a training support service developed jointly with runtastic GmbH, which measures and manages user’s heart rate and other body data using the “hitoe” wearable measurement device in conjunction with a dedicated application.

 

   

DOCOMO, NTT Urban Development Corporation, NTT Data Corporation and NTT Facilities, Inc. pooled the management resources of the four companies to establish the joint venture “DOCOMO BIKESHARE, INC.,” which provides cycle sharing services, in February 2015.

 

   

We partnered with Japan Best Rescue System Co., Ltd. to launch “Home Anshin Partner,” which provides support for trouble in various aspects of everyday life such as plumbing and locks, in addition to housekeeping services, in March 2015.

 

   

The overseas version of “Hanashite Hon’yaku” automatic translation application for smartphones and tablet devices, which translates spoken Japanese into a number of foreign languages and vice versa, has been launched under the service name of “Jspeak,” targeting travelers from abroad visiting Japan.

 

   

DOCOMO, SYSTRAN INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd. and FueTrek Co., Ltd. established Mirai Translate, Inc., a joint venture to develop and market machine translation technology and services with the highest accuracy in the industry, in October 2014.

The actions we have undertaken in our principal business fields are as follows:

Finance/Payment Services

We are developing finance and payment businesses, utilizing the unique properties of mobile communications and credit functionality.

As principal initiatives, working in collaboration with affiliate Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd., we operate the credit brand “iD” that uses a contactless chip embedded in mobile phones/credit card. Furthermore, we also provide “DCMX mini,” payment service for mobile phones “iD” users, and “DCMX,” credit card payment service that operates on the “iD” platform.

Shopping Services(Commerce)

In addition to expanding “dmarket,” our subsidiaries are developing shopping services.

Overview of business of major subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

  

Business Overview

OAK LAWN MARKETING, INC.

   Mail order sales business using media centered on television

Radishbo-ya Co., Ltd.

   Member-based home delivery services offering organic and low-pesticide vegetables and additive-free foods

Tower Records Japan Inc.

   Sale of music software such as CDs and DVDs

 

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Services to Support Our Customers’ Daily Lives

We are developing life support business related to medical/healthcare, cuisine and dining, utilizing the unique properties of mobile communications.

Overview of business of major subsidiaries

 

Subsidiaries

  

Business Overview

docomo Healthcare, Inc.*

   Proposal of lifestyles based on data obtained through smartphones and health equipment, and creation of business opportunities in the healthcare service market by collaborating with partner companies on products

Nihon Ultmarc Inc.

   Provision of a medical database (MDB) relating to healthcare-related companies including pharmaceutical companies, authentication and information services to medical personnel

ABC Cooking Studio Co., Ltd.

   Operation of the ABC Cooking Studio cooking school and mail order sales of ingredients and cooking utensils

 

* Joint venture with OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.

Furthermore, to deliver “Smart Life” experience in other domain of the three above, we are operating “NOTTV,” Japan’s first broadcasting station for smartphones provided via storage-based broadcasting through our subsidiary mmbi and offer four real-time broadcasting channels (as of March 31, 2015) for interactive programs made up of 24-hour news, etc. and storage type broadcasting by combining broadcasting and communication.

Other Initiatives

 

   

As of September 2014, the combined total of subscriptions to the “Osusume Pack,” which bundles the “Sugotoku-Contents” and other recommended services that allow customers to utilize their smartphones in various convenient ways, and the “Anshin Pack,” which combines the “Mobile Device Protection Service” and various other services designed to ensure worry-free use of smartphones, broke through the 10 million mark.

 

   

We established the “gacco” site providing Japan’s first Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC*) and provided courses aimed at the development of data scientists. We also plan to offer courses enabling a broad range of learning spanning basic technology in information security to legal systems, and aim to develop human resources for fields with heightening social needs.

 

   

We are operating DOCOMO Innovation Village, a startup support program for venture companies and organizations with innovative service technologies. Additionally, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we established a new program purposed for the strengthen of the venture companies partnership, and strived to boost initiative.

 

* A form of open learning provided by universities, etc. in which anyone can participate at no cost via the Internet.

M2M/IoT Business

We are involved in businesses that install communication modules in cars, provide information services for car navigation and combine various types of equipment with mobile communications. A summary of the “M2M*1” services we implemented during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, is provided below:

 

   

We entered into an agreement with Tesla Motors, Inc. to provide the in-vehicle information/communication platform and data connectivity for its Model S electric vehicles marketed in Japan. In addition, we hosted “DOCOMO Automobile Business Solution Summit” and implemented other measures aimed at fostering and expanding new businesses through the convergence of automobiles and “IoT*2.”

 

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We entered into a basic agreement for business alliance with Vodafone Group Plc to address the delivery of M2M services with the aim of strengthening corporate marketing to global accounts.

 

   

As a SIM card to be embedded in M2M-enabled machines, we started offering Japan’s first eSIM*3 that can store not only DOCOMO’s phone number but also the phone number of overseas carriers.

The principal actions we have undertaken are as follows:

 

   

Through an alliance with Pioneer Corporation, which is a leading company in car electronics, we provide “Docomo DriveNet Navi,” a car navigation service for smartphone users, and “Docomo DriveNet Info,” a service for supporting car life.

 

   

Utilizing the platform of Jasper Technologies, we provide companies operating businesses inside and outside Japan with the “docomo M2M Platform,” which enables centralized management of docomo lines and overseas telecommunications carriers’ lines for communication modules embedded in vehicles, construction equipment and information devices.

 

*1 Abbreviation for Machine-to-Machine. A system that automatically handles the communication between servers or other equipment and various devices installed with communications capability such as vehicles, vending machines, and information appliances, etc.
*2 Abbreviation for Internet of Things. A concept that describes a world in which everything is connected to the Internet, enabling remote control and management of devices, etc.
*3 Abbreviation for Embedded Subscriber Identity Module.

Global Expansion

We make investments in and form partnerships with overseas mobile operators and various market participants in different business domains with the long-term aim of strengthening our global competitiveness.

In regards to investments in mobile operators, we aim to achieve financial returns by strengthening the business foundations of our investment partners through supporting their businesses and to achieve synergies with our partners. In addition, through investment in various overseas companies in recent years, we have been making efforts to build a global open platform and promote various services that fully take into consideration the special characteristics of countries and regions. Our recent efforts in the application layer are shown below.

Recent Investment in the application layer

 

Investment Target

   Investment Date   

Business Overview

net mobile AG

   November 2009    Mobile content delivery platform business and billing/payment business for telecommunications carriers mainly in Europe

VMG Media Joint Stock Company

   August 2011    Provision of content and content management platform in Vietnam

Buongiorno S.p.A.

   August 2012    Provision and operation of mobile content delivery and platform service

MCV Guam Holding Corp.

   May 2013    Cable television business, Internet access business and fixed telephone business in Guam

fine trade gmbh

   October 2013    Payment service for online sales

 

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5. Tariffs

 

 

Mobile Communications Charge

Our cellular services revenues are generated primarily from fixed basic monthly charges, voice communication charges for outgoing calls (in Japan the caller is usually charged), revenues from incoming calls, charges for data communication services and charges for optional value-added services and features. We set our own rates in accordance with the Telecommunications Business Act and guidelines set by the Japanese government, which currently allow mobile network operators to set their own tariffs without government’s approval.

Currently, monthly charges paid by our cellular subscribers who use our handsets with voice communication subscriptions consist mainly of (i) a basic monthly charge, (ii) voice communication charges (iii) data communication charges, (iv) a mobile ISP charge, and (v) other additional monthly service charges for miscellaneous value-added services. Monthly charges paid by our subscribers who use data communication dedicated plans, including tablets users, consist mainly of (iii) data communication charges, (iv) a mobile ISP charge, and (v) other additional monthly service charges for miscellaneous value-added services.

The details of the charges in connection with items (i) to (iii) are described below.

 

 

Basic Monthly Charge for Voice Communication Service and Voice Communication Charges

Since June 2014, we have offered a new billing plan, “Kake-hodai” for the LTE (Xi) service and FOMA service, which enables subscribers to make nationwide voice calls for a flat monthly rate regardless of the number or length of calls.

In addition, we continue to offer existing monthly pay-as-you-go rate plans to FOMA service subscribers, most of which include a certain amount of free communications. The rate differs depending on the plan selected by the customer.

 

 

Data Communication Charges

In June 2014, we began to offer a new billing plan for data services called “Pake-aeru,” which enables LTE (Xi) and FOMA customers to share monthly data quotas among the same group of family members or corporate users. By choosing “Pake-aeru” plan that corresponds to the estimated monthly data quantity to be used by a family or the corporate users, the service enables the division of the data usage among multiple contract lines.

The billing plan consists mainly of three plans for single users (2GB, 5GB and 8GB) and four plans for families (10GB, 15GB, 20GB and 30GB).

If the data usage in a month exceeds the monthly data quota, users can pay an additional set fee for each 1GB of data or transmission speed is lowered to 128kbps until the end of that month.

On the other hand, our previous LTE (Xi) flat-rate data plans, for which we already ceased to accept a new subscription, have data usage thresholds of 3GB or 7GB. If the data usage in a month exceeds the thresholds, users can pay an additional set fee for each 2GB of data or transmission speed is lowered to 128kbps until the end of that month.

The new billing plan has enjoyed favorable reviews from early on, with its total subscriptions topping 20 million in a year after its launch.

 

 

Optical-fiber Broadband Service Charge

In March 2015, we started an optical-fiber broadband service called “docomo Hikari,” which offers individuals and companies unlimited Internet connections through optical-fiber cables at speeds of up to 1Gbps.

 

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Currently, monthly charges paid by our optical-fiber broadband service subscribers consist mainly of (i) a basic monthly charge for optical-fiber broadband service, (ii) monthly ISP charges, and (iii) other additional monthly service charges for miscellaneous value-added services.

The details of the charges in connection with items (i) and (ii) are described below.

Two types of billing packages are available—ISP Charge-inclusive Package and Standalone Package. ISP Charge-inclusive Package includes Internet connection service of partner ISPs for selection by the subscriber. Customers also can select Standalone Package that only covers the “docomo Hikari,” optical-fiber broadband service, which requires an additional contract with any ISP for Internet access. In each plan, charges differ by residential type—either detached house or apartment.

We also introduced a new discount plan, called “docomo Hikari Pack,” which is bundled with existing mobile basic monthly charges, called “Kake-hodai Plan” and “Data Plan,” to provide mobile subscribers and subscribers of “docomo Hikari” with further discounts.

A wide range of discounts based on DOCOMO mobile users’ data quotas will be available, with especially attractive offers for those with higher data quotas.

In addition, we launched the “Hikari Sumaho Wari,” an additional discount offered to smartphones or tablets subscribers to the “Hikari Share Pack” in the “docomo Hikari Pack” in case they are new subscribers or subscribers switching from other carriers with the same number using mobile number portability (MNP). The discount is applied to the mobile basic monthly charge.

Furthermore, “Zutto DOCOMO Wari” discounts for subscribers who have been with DOCOMO for at least five years and “U25 Ouen Wari” discounts for customers up to age 25 can be applied to “docomo Hikari Pack” for further discounts.

6. Sales and Marketing

 

 

Sales Channels

We sell our products and services through a vast sales network covering the entire country of Japan. The shops that deal with our products and services are operated by various distributors, and as of March 31, 2015, there were 2,399 docomo Shops nationwide. In addition to docomo Shops, there are general distributors that handle the products and services of multiple operators such as mass merchandisers of consumer electronics and other stores that also sell our products. As of March 31, 2015, the number of such shops was approximately 4,300 (excluding docomo Shops). In addition to the face-to-face channel, we have established online shopping and 10 call-centers nationwide (as of March 31, 2015) and consider these channels to be important to improving convenience for our customers. For smartphones and “docomo Hikari,” we have established exclusive call centers and are enhancing the support system for customer care.

 

 

Sales Methods

We purchase mobile devices from manufacturers and then wholesale these to our sales agents. With the aims of gaining and keeping customers and encouraging the spread of our services through new contracts and handset upgrades, we pay these sales agents commissions that are linked to their sales.

We offer a “Monthly Support” program under which monthly usage charges are discounted by a fixed amount which is established for each device, if a smartphone or tablet is purchased. This is in addition to the discounted price of the device for customers that sign a new contract or when customers migrate from other companies. In addition, besides a lump sum payment of the price of the device, it is possible to make installment payments over 12 months or 24 months. Providing measures that hold down the initial expense or usage charge allows us to expeditiously create an environment in which customers can easily obtain smartphones.

 

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Customer Support

Customer Loyalty Program

As part of our efforts to provide enhanced customer services, we offer a customer loyalty program called “docomo Premier Club.” This reward program consists of a point accumulation service, complimentary services and after-sales services; depending on their monthly mobile phone usage, subscribers earn points, which can be applied to purchasing handsets, or exchanged for travel tickets, restaurant vouchers, etc.

After-sales Support

As described below, we have continually worked to strengthen our after-sales support with the aim of further improving customer satisfaction:

 

   

“Anshin Remote Support” service to provide customers with professional assistance concerning the operation or settings of smartphones or tablet devices from our call center staff who can monitor the handset operations from a remote location.

 

   

“Hikari Remote Support” providing support for operation and configuration of PCs, PC peripherals and software through dedicated operators and dedicated tools.

 

   

“Hikari On-site Support” in which dedicated staff visit the customer’s home to provide support for operation and configuration of PCs, PC peripherals and software.

 

   

Area quality improvements based on proposals and methods for improvement tailored to circumstances, in response to specific requests for area improvement from customers.

 

   

“Mobile Device Protection Service” and “Mobile Device Protection Service for iPhone & iPad” provide comprehensive coverage for problems related to mobile handsets such as water exposure, loss or malfunction.

The number of subscribers to “Anshin Remote Support” topped 10 million in February 2015.

7. Research and Development

In our base located in the Yokosuka Research Park, we engage in research and development of basic technology, mobile communication systems and a wide variety of new products and services. As part of our ongoing research and development and in order to continue to improve our devices, networks and services, each of our research and development departments collaborates with product development staff at other operating divisions. We are also working with major manufacturers of our products and network equipment.

In order to address technology innovations overseas, we have established research centers in the United States, Germany and China. Together with DOCOMO Capital, Inc. and DOCOMO Innovations, Inc., we are also aligned with venture companies in North America for the purpose of investing in ventures that develop advanced and innovative technologies that can be applied to mobile communication services.

Furthermore, we also conduct collaborative research with various universities inside and outside Japan. In the collaborative research field, we have been involved in technological exchanges in connection with 4G and 5G mobile communication systems and other advanced research.

The results of our recent development in addition to the development of “VoLTE,” and major technologies used in LTE-Advanced such as “carrier aggregation” and “Advanced C-RAN,” are as follows:

 

 

Technology Put to Practical Use During the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015

 

   

For “i-concier” and “Shabette-Concier,” we developed new functions such as a function to enable those applications to display more accurate information to a user by studying the user’s preferences, usage history and others or a function that allows to have uninterrupted smooth chat with “Shabette-Chara.”

 

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Technical Developments to be Implemented

 

   

We are the first mobile telecommunications carrier in Japan to succeed in substantiation experiments of VoLTE international roaming connections between Japan and Korea, and Japan and the United States.

 

   

To aim for commercial implementation by March 2016, we have begun experimentation and development of network virtualization technology, with six major global vendors, to improve network connection during peak times of network communication traffic.

 

   

We developed a small authentication device, the “portable SIM,” which connects to the network simply by being held over a smartphone or tablet.

 

   

We developed “Double Power Control” technology that controls power usage giving priority to surplus solar power and night-time power, and introduced it to green base stations used for field testing.

 

 

Future Technology Initiatives

 

   

In order to provide the most advanced communications network by 2020, we are engaged in 5G research in cooperation with the major global vendors with the aim of achieving mobile communications speed exceeding 10Gbps, an enhancement of LTE service to have about 1,000 times greater capacity, and handling of an increase in terminals with the permeation of IoT communications and of diverse services. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we succeeded in data communications of at least 5Gbps when receiving in indoor tests and at least 4.5Gbps when receiving in outdoor test.

 

   

In order to offer advice to our customers on the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases on an individual basis, we developed a wearable device for measuring the biological gas component (acetone) that is naturally emitted by the skin and serves as an indicator of combustion of body fat. Furthermore, in order to establish a method for the prevention and early detection of certain illnesses, we have begun joint research, with Tohoku University, which is the first of its kind to utilize our company’s mobile healthcare technology and analytic technology for genomes and the like owned by Tohoku University.

 

   

We have established a joint venture company, Mirai Translate, Inc., with SYSTRAN INTERNATIONAL Co., Ltd. and FueTrek Co., Ltd. We are proceeding with research with the aim of developing translation technology that has the world’s highest level of machine translation accuracy and the provision of software and services using this technology in order to realize a world free of language barriers to respond to the further increase in foreign visitors to Japan, overseas travel by Japanese and overseas expansion by Japanese companies expected to occur by 2020.

8. Regulations

The MIC is the primary regulatory body with responsibility for the telecommunications industry in Japan. We and other mobile telecommunication service providers are regulated by the MIC primarily under the Telecommunications Business Act. We and other mobile telecommunication service providers are also subject to the Radio Act. We, however, are not subject to regulation under the Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation. etc. (“NTT Act”).

 

 

The Telecommunications Business Act

Under the Telecommunications Business Act, we are subject to a registration requirement as telecommunications operators.

 

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The following table summarizes some of the major current regulatory requirements applicable to telecommunications carriers under the Telecommunications Business Act:

 

    

Regulation

a. Tariff settings, service offerings, etc.

  

Unregulated in principle (excluding universal service and certain designated telecommunication services).

 

Accountability to users concerning outline of terms and conditions of telecommunications service and proper and swift processing of complaints and inquiries from the users are required.

b. Business improvement order

   The Minister of MIC may order a telecommunications carrier to improve business activities to protect the interests of the public and users with regard to the secrecy of communications, unreasonably discriminatory treatment, ensuring important communications, tariff and other service conditions, etc.

c. Interconnection

  

Obligation, in principle, for interconnection with other telecommunications carriers that propose interconnection.

 

In the event a telecommunications carrier does not accept entering into a consultation despite the other carrier’s proposal to enter into an agreement to interconnect telecommunications facilities or if said consultation fails to come to an agreement, except for certain cases, the Minister of MIC may order such telecommunications carrier to start or resume consultation.

 

 

The Radio Act

The Radio Act was established to promote public welfare by ensuring the equitable and efficient utilization of radio waves. There are certain important provisions of the Radio Act applicable to us and other mobile phone service providers.

The Act states that the MIC must, in order to ensure convenience for those planning to build base station equipment, draw up and make available to the public a list of the frequencies that are available for allocation. Anyone who wishes to build base station equipment must submit an application form to the Minister of MIC together with documents in which required matters are stated, including the purpose of and reason for building base station equipment, the location of the facilities and its frequencies, and acquire a license. The Act also states that any telecommunications carrier who has obtained a license should obtain approval from the Minister of MIC in advance of any operational changes, such as a change in recipients of communications or the location of the facilities, or the intention to start any construction to modify the facilities.

 

 

Major Regulations and Guidelines

Category II-designated telecommunications facility system

Our telecommunications facilities have been designated as Category II-designated telecommunications facilities. Consequently, in interconnection with other telecommunications carriers, we are obligated to specify in advance fees to be obtained and terms of connection, etc. in the form of articles of agreement, and report these to the Minister of MIC and make them public. No agreements pertaining to the interconnection between Category II-designated telecommunications facilities and other telecommunications carriers may be entered into or amended without complying with those articles of agreement.

 

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By the revision of the Ordinance for Enforcement of the Telecommunications Business in 2012, the criteria for designating Category II telecommunications facilities were expanded to include those of carriers with a share of more than 10% (formerly 25%), and as a result SOFTBANK MOBILE was designated by the public notice of the MIC as a carrier who installs Category II telecommunications facilities in addition to KDDI and Okinawa Cellular in December 2012. In April 2015, SOFTBANK MOBILE, Softbank Telecom, Softbank BB and Y! Mobile merged into one entity called new “Softbank Mobile.” The new “Softbank Mobile” was designated as a carrier who installs Category II telecommunications facilities, resulting in all MNO*s currently providing services (excluding Broad band Wireless Access or Personal Handy-phone System operators) being designated as carriers who install Category II telecommunications facilities.

 

* MNO (Mobile Network Operator) refers to a business operator providing mobile telecommunications services by locating or operating radio stations for such services by themselves.

Method of Connection Charges Calculation

Regarding fees charged to the connecting carrier as a result of interconnection (connection charges), we are obligated to charge an amount consisting of appropriate costs plus a reasonable margin and accordingly need to calculate such an amount by the method specified in the “Guideline relating to operation of the Category II-designated telecommunications facility system” issued by the MIC, and submit the basis of the calculation to the MIC. We are also under an obligation to assemble and make public accounting information about the connection in accordance with the MIC Ordinance. The aforementioned Guideline was amended in March 2014, under which it is recommended to determine a provisional amount for packet connection charges payable by MVNOs by reference to reasonable and provisional amounts in lieu of the connection charges applicable in the previous year for the purpose of the improvement of MVNOs’ cash flows in the case where a substantial decrease in such amount is expected.

Regulations on the Prohibition of Anti-competitive Behavior

We are designated as a telecommunications carrier subject to the prohibition of anti-competitive behavior on the grounds that it is necessary to do so in consideration of the fact that our market share in terms of profits exceeds 25 percent, changes in this market share and other circumstances; and also, for the purpose of ensuring a fair environment of competition with other telecommunications carriers, we are accordingly prohibited from engaging in anti-competitive behavior such as:

 

   

Use of information of other mobile network operators obtained from such other mobile operators through interconnection for other purposes;

 

   

Unduly favorable treatment of specific telecommunication carriers; and

 

   

Undue discipline imposed on or interference with other carriers, manufacturers or suppliers of telecommunications equipment.

In December 2014, the Information and Communications Council of the MIC issued a report in which the Council concluded the regulation of prohibited activity on mobile telecommunication industry should be relaxed. In response to the report, an amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act was enacted and promulgated in May 2015. The amendment will become effective from a date to be designated within one year from the promulgation. Once the amendment comes into force, we believe we will be able to collaborate exclusively with specific business partners (excluding some of our group companies specified by the MIC separately) and to create diverse services through the utilization of information and communications technologies by coordinating with a variety of companies inside and outside Japan, which we expect will contribute to the improvement of convenience for customers and the improvement of our international competitiveness.

Obligation to provide MVNOs with telecommunications services

With a view toward a more dynamic mobile telecommunication market achieved by promoting new entry by MVNOs, the MIC has formulated “Guidelines regarding the application of the Telecommunications Business Act

 

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and the Radio Act to MVNO.” Under the Guidelines, whether wholesale telecommunications services are to be provided by an MNO to an MVNO, or whether there will be an interconnection between an MNO and MVNO are matters, in principle, to be decided by consultations between the parties, and when an MNO has had a request for connection from an MVNO, unless it has grounds to refuse, it must comply with such request.

Introduction of BodySAR regulations

Bearing in mind the penetration of wireless devices used for purposes other than voice communications, such as smart phones, among others, and the penetration of devices with multiple forms of wireless mechanisms that transmit radio waves at the same time, the MIC introduced a system that provides for expansion of the permissible limit of the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), which had previously been set mainly for the head area, to include almost the entire body in order to ensure the safety of these devices according to standardized international assessment methods.

9. Relationship with NTT

NTT is our parent company and owned 66.65% of our voting rights as of March 31, 2015. The government of Japan, in the name of the Minister of Finance, owned 34.91% of the voting rights of NTT as of the same date. The government of Japan, acting through the MIC, also regulates the activities of NTT.

The NTT group is the largest provider of fixed-line and wireless voice, data, Internet and related telecommunications services in Japan and operates one of the largest telecommunications networks in the world. The NTT group’s main business is providing nationwide telecommunications services including voice communication services, data communication services, leased circuit services, system integration services and other services. As a holding company, NTT is directly responsible for the overall strategy of the NTT group. NTT is also responsible for basic research and development for its group companies.

Although NTT owned 66.65% of our voting rights as of March 31, 2015, we conduct our day-to-day business operations independently of NTT and its other subsidiaries. All transactions between us and each of NTT and its subsidiaries and affiliates are conducted with fair and appropriate distance. In the year ended March 31, 2015, we had sales of ¥47,129 million to NTT and its subsidiaries and had cost of services, selling, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures of ¥221,906 million, ¥201,829 million and ¥59,925 million, respectively, to NTT and its other subsidiaries, compared to sales of ¥43,872 million and cost of services, selling, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures of ¥215,968 million, ¥198,288 million and ¥75,768 million, respectively, in the year ended March 31, 2014. We also had accounts receivable of ¥5,735 million from NTT and its subsidiaries and payables of ¥75,197 million to NTT and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015, compared to ¥5,058 million and ¥79,077 million as of March 31, 2014.

In order to ensure fair competition in the mobile telecommunication business, the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (currently the MIC) in April 1992 established the following conditions of separation on NTT, which was then operating fixed line telephone services, and us, which remain applicable:

 

   

To the extent possible, we must establish transmission lines for our network independent of NTT. In the event that we use NTT transmission lines, the terms and conditions for such use shall be the same as those for our competitors.

 

   

NTT must not favor us in any transactions between NTT and us. The terms and conditions for our use of NTT utility poles, access to NTT’s network, access to NTT research and development and similar matters should be the same as for our competitors.

 

   

All former NTT employees transferred to us were required to be permanent employees, rather than being seconded from NTT.

 

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We were to plan to have our shares listed and NTT’s ownership in us reduced approximately 5 years after incorporation.

 

   

We must not engage in joint procurement with NTT so as not to use NTT’s purchasing power with the objective of obtaining favorable treatment or pricing from its suppliers and manufacturers.

At the time of separation from NTT, all trademarks and service marks for our products developed by NTT, other than the “NTT DoCoMo” trademark, the “DoCoMo” trademark and the “NTT DoCoMo” service mark, were assigned to us. If NTT’s ownership of our shares is substantially reduced, we may not be able to continue to use the trademarks and service marks that include “NTT.” Patents, utility model rights and design rights are shared equally with NTT. While certain rights to programs concerning wireless telecommunication systems were assigned by NTT to us, NTT owns the rights to other programs concerning wireless telecommunication systems and grants us licenses to use such rights. Since the separation, NTT and we have each retained rights resulting from our own research and development. When we desire to use NTT’s technology, we are required to pay royalties equal to those other wireless telecommunication companies would pay for the use of such technology, and such technology is available equally to us and our competitors. We are also required to pay NTT certain basic research and development fees.

Although we operate independently of NTT, the following matters, among other things, relating to us are discussed directly with or reported to NTT: matters that are required to be voted on at shareholders’ meetings, including amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, mergers and consolidations, assignments and transfers of business, election and removal of member of the board of directors and audit & supervisory board members, and appropriation of dividends from retained earnings; increases in share capital; investments, including international investments; loans and guarantees; and establishment of businesses plans. In addition, Mr. Takashi Nakamura, a full-time employee of NTT, serves part-time on our board of directors.

To date, with respect to the stake in us held by NTT, such documents as the Deregulation Committee 1998 report, the 2000 opinion of the Regulatory Reform Committee, and the government’s “Three-year Program for Promoting Regulatory Reform” of 2001 have concluded that, from the perspective of promoting completion among NTT group companies, efforts should be made to further lower the stake. NTT has declared its view that its ownership of our shares does not have any adverse effects on fair competition and that it intends to maintain its ownership stake in us at 51% or above. Further, the Japanese government has not decided what action, if any, it will take with respect to NTT’s ownership of our shares.

NTT has entered into agreements with each of DOCOMO, NTT East and NTT West and certain other subsidiaries that provide for NTT to receive compensation for performing basic research and development and for providing management and administrative services. NTT also receives dividends when dividends are declared by its subsidiaries, including DOCOMO.

For information regarding certain transactions with NTT FINANCE CORPORATION (“NTT FINANCE”), in which NTT and its subsidiaries collectively own 99.9% of the voting interest, see Item 7.B. “Related Party Transactions” and Note 15 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Related Party Transactions.”

10. Legal Proceedings

We have initiated normal actions relating to the collection of telecommunications charges and other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business and are not involved in any litigation and have not been involved in other legal proceedings in the preceding 12 months from the date of this document that, if determined adversely to us, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our financial position or profitability.

 

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C.    Organizational Structure

As of March 31, 2015, NTT, our parent company, was our largest shareholder and owned 66.65% of our outstanding voting shares. We are the largest wireless telecommunication services provider in Japan based on the number of subscriptions.

There are no subsidiaries that are considered to be significant as of March 31, 2015.

D.    Property, Plant and Equipment

Our property includes buildings which contain wireless telecommunication equipment. As of March 31, 2015, we and our regional offices owned 3,741,558 square meters of land and 1,702,668 square meters of office space, buildings containing switching centers, company dormitories and warehouses throughout Japan. In addition, as of March 31, 2015, we leased 9,573,101 square meters of land mainly for base stations and transmission facilities.

We do not, directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, operate a coal or other mine subject to the U.S.  Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow conditions together with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this annual report.

This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including, but not limited to, those set forth under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this report.

We will discuss the following matters in this Item 5:

A. Operating Results

 

   

Overview

 

   

Market Trend

 

   

Operating Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015

 

   

Operating Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

 

   

Segment Information

 

   

Operating Trends and Prospects for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

   

Cash Requirements

 

   

Sources of Cash

C. Research and Development

 

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D. Trend Information

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

G. Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, and Recently issued Accounting Standards

A. Operating Results

Overview

We are the largest cellular network operator in Japan with a total subscription of 66.60 million, which represented 43.6% of all cellular subscriptions in Japan as of March 31, 2015. We earn revenues and generate cash primarily by offering mobile communications services and mobile handset sales. In mobile communications services, which account for the majority of our revenues, we provide voice communication services as well as data communication services via our packet communications network. In addition to mobile communications services and mobile handset sales, we provide telecommunications services such as optical-fiber broadband service, satellite communications services and international services. To make “Smart Life” a reality, we provide smart life services such as video and music distribution, electronic books and other services offered through our “dmarket” portal, finance/payment services, shopping services and various other services to support our customers’ daily lives. We also provide “Mobile Device Protection Service,” development, sales and maintenance of IT systems and others.

Japan’s telecommunications sector has seen dramatic change in its market structure.

In May 2014, NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (NTT) unveiled its “Hikari Collaboration Model”—a new wholesale business model for its fiber access service. As this enables telecommunications operators and a wide range of other players to provide services utilizing fiber connections, competition transcending the traditional boundaries of telecommunications market is starting.

Within the mobile communications market, the trend towards market entry by various players and the emergence of new services is expected to gather momentum due to the rapid proliferation and expanded use of smartphones, tablets and other function-rich mobile devices as well as the government’s pro-competition policy and other factors.

Amid these changes in the market environment, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, to strengthen our competitiveness in the mobile communications domains, we launched a new billing plan, “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru,” while continuing to enhance our network through LTE services and introducing highly functional and attractive devices (handsets). With respect to our efforts in the smart life business and other businesses, we strived to further enrich our “dmarket” portal, facilitated collaboration and alliances with various partners and expanded new services that are expected to sustain customers’ “smart life.” Meanwhile, we reorganized our corporate group and internal organizations to establish a structure that can deliver enhanced customer services, and shifting of human resources to high-priority areas (the smart life and enterprise businesses) in an effort to solidify our business foundation. As a result of these endeavors, we were awarded high scores for both our consumer and enterprise offerings in the customer satisfaction surveys conducted by external institutions, and improved our performance in the acquisition of net additions, churn rate and other indicators in mobile communications services.

Furthermore, in March 2015, toward the goals of “delivering one-stop service for both mobile and fixed-line communications,” “realizing smart home services” and “boosting the competitiveness of our core mobile business,” we launched the “docomo Hikari” service (our optical-fiber broadband service) and “docomo Hikari Pack,” a bundle package that allows users to use “docomo Hikari” and our mobile phone service at affordable rates, making the first step in our journey to offering new added value through the convergence of fixed-line and mobile communications services.

 

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For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, operating revenues decreased by ¥77.8 billion from the prior fiscal year to ¥4,383.4 billion due mainly to the expanded impact from the broadened uptake of the “Monthly Support” discount program and the negative impact caused by the “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru” new billing plan in the initial phase following its launch, which more than offset the increase in revenues from equipment sales, smart life business and other businesses.

Operating expenses increased by ¥102.3 billion from the prior fiscal year to ¥3,744.3 billion, due mainly to a rise in revenue-linked expenses such as cost of equipment sold and other factors despite our ongoing cost reduction efforts.

As a result of the foregoing we recorded operating income of ¥639.1 billion, a decrease of ¥180.1 billion from the prior fiscal year.

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates was ¥643.9 billion, and net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. was ¥410.1 billion, recording a decrease of ¥54.6 billion from the prior fiscal year.

We will continue to engage ourselves in co-creation of added value for customers in collaboration with partners, so that what is perceived as new today can be taken for granted in the future.

Market Trend

In the section below, Japan’s telecommunications sector are analyzed from the perspectives of the trends in the market, technical developments/services and regulatory environment.

Market

According to an announcement by the Telecommunications Carriers Association and cellular network operators, the mobile communications market in Japan saw a 8.68 million net increase in cellular subscriptions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The total number of cellular subscriptions in Japan grew to 152.70 million as of March 31, 2015, which represented a market penetration rate of approximately 120%. The growth prospect of new subscriptions to voice-enabled devices is expected to be limited given the rise in the penetration rate and decrease in future population. The recent increase in the total number of new subscriptions has been driven mainly by an increase in subscriptions achieved through stimulation of demand for secondary devices such as tablet devices and mobile Wi-Fi routers, the development of new markets such as embedded communication modules, and an increase in corporate subscriptions. Consequently, the annual growth rate of cellular subscriptions was 6.1%, 5.9% and 6.0% for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

As of March 31, 2015, cellular services were provided in Japan by three network operators, including us, and their group companies. In addition to providing cellular services, the network operators also procure mobile phones and other communications devices compatible with their communications services from manufacturers, and subsequently sell them to agent resellers and other retailers for sale to subscribers. As for cellular services, all network operators in Japan have introduced the LTE*1 system, a mobile communications standard developed as an extension to the third-generation mobile communications (3G) system and LTE subscribers including users shifting from 3G have been increasing rapidly. The total number of subscriptions to our LTE(Xi) service reached 30.74 million as of March 31, 2015, increasing sharply from 21.97 million as of March 31, 2014. In addition, driven by an increase in subscribers to LTE(Xi) services, the sales of smartphones have recorded a remarkable increase in recent years. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we sold a total of 14.60 million smartphone units, which accounted for over 60% of the total number of our annual device sales and approximately 90% of smartphone users enjoy LTE(Xi) services. We expect this trend of expanded subscriptions to our LTE(Xi) service and smartphone sales to continue going forward.

 

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While the growth prospects for Japan’s mobile phone market may be limited in terms of the number of subscriptions to devices used primarily for voice communication, data usage has been increasing owing to the expanded uptake of smartphones and offering various billing plans for packet access to meet customers’ diverse requirement and high-speed data services. Furthermore, new market opportunities are beginning to emerge in such areas as content and applications for smartphones. Meanwhile, promotion of penetration of MVNO*2 services is being advocated under government policies and we expect a diverse range of players to have plans to enter the market in the future as well. Mobile phone users are actively switching operators using the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) system commenced in 2006. In addition, with the use of open platform devices like smartphones and tablets becoming increasingly widespread, OTT*3 players, offer competitive services and thus the competition in the Japan’s mobile communications market is expected to remain fierce.

Demands on network operators to secure sufficient network capacity to accommodate the growing data traffic due to increasing use of smartphones have been mounting. As one way of addressing rising data traffic, it is expected that adoption of LTE-Advanced*4 technology enabling even higher speeds and capacities for LTE services will increase among network operators. We began providing LTE-Advanced services in March 2015 under the service name “PREMIUM 4G.”

 

*1 Abbreviation of Long Term Evolution. A mobile communications protocol with specifications formulated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”).
*2 Abbreviation of Mobile Virtual Network Operator. A business that borrows the wireless communication infrastructure of other companies to provide services.
*3 Abbreviation of Over The Top. A business that does not own the communications infrastructure required for delivering their services and that delivers content services using the communication infrastructure of other companies.
*4 A more sophisticated mobile communication system, whose standardization to 3GPP, is progressing while maintaining technical compatibility with LTE.

Technical developments/Services

In June 2014, amid challenging market conditions, to deliver a diverse range of advanced services and to improve the convenience of our subscribers, we began offering a new billing plan, “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru,” to our subscribers. This new billing plan consists of the four principal services of a flat-rate domestic voice calling plan, a plan to enable sharing of the packet data quota among family members, a discount service favoring long-term users with graduated discounts based on length of subscription, and a service providing discounts to users age 25 or younger. Price competition is expected to continue in the future, as other operators have introduced similar flat-rate domestic voice calling plans.

Innovations in internet technology may have a material impact on the mobile communications industry including ourselves. IP (Internet Protocol) telephony, which is a form of voice communications based on IP technology, has already become a popular means of communications in fixed-line services as a result of the broad penetration of local broadband access, and the use of applications that enable voice communication over IP technology on smartphones has also become prevalent. In addition, there are moves by some cellular operators to introduce voice over LTE networks (“VoLTE”) that enable voice communication over LTE technology and IP technology and we started offering Japan’s first VoLTE service in June 2014. Because VoLTE offers greater spectral efficiency and superior voice communications quality, the adoption of VoLTE may expand to full scale in the mobile communications industry in the future.

In addition, in response to the start of wholesaling of fiber access services by NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE EAST CORPORATION and NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION, we launched the “docomo Hikari” service (our optical-fiber broadband service) and “docomo Hikari Pack,” a bundle package that allows users to use “docomo Hikari” and our mobile phone service at affordable rates in March 2015. However, since it is possible for a diverse range of players, not just network operators, to provide similar services using optical-fiber and to offer discounts on bundles with mobile communications and fixed-line communications, the business environment could grow more competitive beyond the existing boundaries of the telecommunications market.

 

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Regulatory environment

We and other cellular network operators in Japan receive the allocation of radio spectrum from government entities and are subject to regulations under the Japanese Telecommunications Business Act, Radio Act and other applicable laws. Japan’s mobile communications industry, in recent years, has seen significant progress in deregulation on many fronts including tariff-related regulations. An amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act was enacted in May 2015. Once implemented, that amendment of the act would greatly ease the prohibitions that apply to NTT DOCOMO, INC. and it is expected that it would permit NTT DOCOMO, INC. to cooperate freely with various partners in the same way that other mobile network operators can. The amendments also would introduce rules intended to protect consumers. The consumer protection policies would apply to all communication businesses, not just us, and each company would be required to interact with consumers in accordance with those regulations. Further changes in the regulatory environment could significantly affect the revenue structures and business models of incumbent cellular network operators including ourselves.

While, as outlined above, the business environment in which we operate is a tough one in terms of market conditions, regulations, changes in business models, and other factors, we continue to strive to improve our competitive strength and increase earnings.

 

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Operating Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 

The following discussion includes analysis of our operating results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The tables below describe selected data from our consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

Breakdown of Financial Information

 

     Millions of yen  
     Years ended March 31  
     2014     2015     Increase
(Decrease)
    Change (%)  

Operating revenues:

        

Telecommunications services

   ¥   2,963,980      ¥   2,747,155      ¥   (216,825     (7.3)%   

Mobile communications services revenues

     2,955,788        2,736,649        (219,139     (7.4)%   

–Voice revenues (1)

     1,065,196        883,844        (181,352     (17.0)%   

–Packet communications revenues

     1,890,592        1,852,805        (37,787     (2.0)%   

Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues (2)

     8,192        10,506        2,314        28.2 %   

Equipment sales

     872,000        904,089        32,089        3.7 %   

Other operating revenues (2)

     625,223        732,153        106,930        17.1 %   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     4,461,203        4,383,397        (77,806     (1.7)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of services

     1,059,619        1,159,514        99,895        9.4 %   

Cost of equipment sold

     785,209        853,062        67,853        8.6 %   

Depreciation and amortization

     718,694        659,787        (58,907     (8.2)%   

Impairment loss

            30,161        30,161          

Selling, general and administrative

     1,078,482        1,041,802        (36,680     (3.4)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     3,642,004        3,744,326        102,322        2.8 %   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     819,199        639,071        (180,128     (22.0)%   

Other income (expense), net

     13,850        4,812        (9,038     (65.3)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     833,049        643,883        (189,166     (22.7)%   

Income taxes

     307,979        238,067        (69,912     (22.7)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     525,070        405,816        (119,254     (22.7)%   

Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates (including impairment charges of investments in affiliates)

     (69,117     (7,782     61,335        88.7 %   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     455,953        398,034        (57,919     (12.7)%   

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     8,776        12,059        3,283        37.4 %   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

   ¥ 464,729      ¥ 410,093      ¥ (54,636     (11.8)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications
(2) With the introduction of “Optical-fiber service and other telecommunications service revenues” in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, some elements (revenues from satellite mobile communications, cable television of overseas and other services) included in conventional “Other operating revenues” in the financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 have been retroactively reclassified into “Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues.” The amount of the reclassification is ¥8,192 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

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Analysis of operating results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

Operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, were ¥4,383.4 billion, a decrease of ¥77.8 billion or 1.7% from ¥4,461.2 billion for the prior fiscal year. Telecommunications services revenues were ¥2,747.2 billion, decreasing by ¥216.8 billion or 7.3% compared to ¥2,964.0 billion for the prior fiscal year. Of these, mobile communications services revenues decreased by ¥219.1 billion or 7.4%, from the previous year’s figure of ¥2,955.8 billion, to ¥2,736.6 billion. Voice revenues decreased by ¥181.4 billion or 17.0% year on year to ¥883.8 billion from ¥1,065.2 billion for the prior fiscal year. The decline in voice revenues includes the expanded impact of the “Monthly Support” discounts of ¥73.1 billion and the impact of the shift of some FOMA users to lower-rate plans. “Monthly Support” is a service that provides up to 24 months of discounts from monthly service charges, in fixed amounts depending on device purchased, to subscribers using devices such as smartphones and tablets whose subscriptions satisfy certain conditions. Packet communications revenues recorded a decrease of ¥37.8 billion or 2.0% to ¥1,852.8 billion from ¥1,890.6 billion for the prior fiscal year. This decrease was due to the fact that the positive effects on revenues from the increase in LTE(Xi) service subscribers and aggressive sales promotion of smartphones and other devices were outweighed by the negative effects on revenues of the expanded impact of “Monthly Support” discounts and the negative impact caused by our new billing plan in the initial phase following its launch because the migration of our customers to the plan grew faster than expected. The negative impact on revenue due to the expanded “Monthly Support” discounts was ¥43.9 billion. The total number of LTE(Xi) service subscriptions as of March 31, 2015 grew to 30.74 million, and the total number of smartphones sold during the 12-month period through March 31, 2015 reached 14.60 million. As a result, the voice ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 dropped ¥230 or 16.3% to ¥1,180 from ¥1,410 for the prior fiscal year. The packet ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was ¥2,600, down ¥100 or 3.7% from ¥2,700 for the prior fiscal year. Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues increased by ¥2.3 billion or 28.2% from ¥8.2 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥10.5 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Equipment sales revenues increased by ¥32.1 billion or 3.7% to ¥904.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 from ¥872.0 billion for the prior fiscal year, due to increased sales resulting from addition of new subscribers of devices, including smartphones, stimulation of demand for second devices through enhancement of the lineup of tablet devices and introduction of the new billing plan.

Other operating revenues increased by ¥106.9 billion or 17.1% from ¥625.2 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥732.2 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The primary items comprising other operating revenues include revenues derived from shopping service, services to support our customers’ daily lives, “Mobile Device Protection Service,” services offered through “dmarket” portal, and credit services. The increase was driven mainly by the full-year consolidation of sales revenues from ABC Cooking Studio Co., Ltd., a subsidiary that we acquired in January, 2014 in order to expand the smart life business, increased revenues from “Mobile Device Protection Service” due to growth in the number of protection contracts, and increased revenues from “dmarket” resulting from an increase in subscribers of monthly subscription services in “dmarket” and an increase in sales of pay-per-view or -use content services of “dmarket.”

Operating expenses increased by ¥102.3 billion or 2.8% from ¥3,642.0 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥3,744.3 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Cost of services, which represents the expenses we incur directly in connection with providing our customers with mobile communications services and/or other services offered by our subsidiaries, increased by ¥99.9 billion or 9.4% from ¥1,059.6 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥1,159.5 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, resulting from increased cost of services associated with increased revenues in the smart life business and other businesses, including the full-year consolidation of sales revenue from ABC Cooking Studio Co., Ltd., and an increase in charges for use of other companies’ telecommunications equipment in connection with a significant increase in the number of installations of LTE base stations in order to build a robust network.

 

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Cost of equipment sold, which arises mainly from our procurement of handsets for sale to our new or current subscribers through agent resellers, increased by ¥67.9 billion or 8.6% to ¥853.1 billion from ¥785.2 billion for the prior fiscal year primarily as a result of strong sales of smartphones and tablets, whose procurement costs per unit are higher than for feature phone.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by ¥58.9 billion or 8.2% to ¥659.8 billion from ¥718.7 billion for the prior fiscal year, resulting from the effects of a revision in the estimate of the expected useful life of certain software for telecommunications network and internal-use software as well as the effects of reduction in capital expenditures as a result of cost efficiency improvements.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by ¥36.7 billion or 3.4% to ¥1,041.8 billion from ¥1,078.5 billion for prior fiscal year. The primary components included in our selling, general and administrative expenses are expenses related to the acquisition of new subscribers and retention of current subscribers, which includes commissions paid to agent resellers and the expenses incurred in relation to “docomo Points Service” customer loyalty program. The decline of selling, general and administrative expenses was due mainly to a decrease of ¥41.9 billion in commissions paid to agent resellers, offsetting an increase in advertising expenses of ¥3.6 billion in connection with the introduction of the new billing plan.

Impairment loss totaled ¥30.2 billion, due to reduction of the carrying value of multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices assets to their fair value during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

As described above, the increases in operating expenses other than selling, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization expenses exceeded the decreases in selling, general and administrative expenses, and depreciation and amortization expenses, which resulted in an increase in operating expenses.

As a result of the foregoing, operating income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by ¥180.1 billion or 22.0% from ¥819.2 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥639.1 billion. Accordingly, the operating income margin dropped from 18.4% for the prior fiscal year to 14.6%.

Other income (expense) includes items such as interest expense, interest income, dividend income, foreign exchange gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairment losses and net realized gains (losses) on dispositions of marketable securities and other investments. We recognized ¥4.8 billion as other income, net for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, reflecting a decrease of ¥9.0 billion, or 65.3% from the figure of ¥13.9 billion in the prior fiscal year. This was due mainly to the fact that net realized gains (losses) on dispositions of investments in affiliates and of marketable securities and other investments decreased from net realized gains of ¥3.7 billion to net realized losses of ¥0.2 billion from the prior fiscal year and the fact that foreign exchange gains, net, which totaled ¥4.4 billion in the prior fiscal year, fell to foreign exchange losses, net, of ¥0.4 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

As a result, income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates decreased by ¥189.2 billion or 22.7% to ¥643.9 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 from ¥833.0 billion for the prior fiscal year.

Income taxes decreased by ¥69.9 billion or 22.7% from ¥308.0 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 to ¥238.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, resulting from a decrease in income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates. An effective income tax rate in both fiscal years is 37.0%.

For equity in net income (losses) of affiliates, our equity in the net losses of our affiliates decreased by ¥61.3 billion or 88.7% to ¥7.8 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 from ¥69.1 billion for the prior fiscal year. For both the fiscal years, the equity in losses of certain affiliates including Tata Teleservices Limited

 

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(“TTSL”) was offsetting against the equity in income of other affiliates including Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (“PLDT”). For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the equity loss of TTSL decreased from the previous year due mainly to the fact that an additional impairment charge on TTSL amounting to ¥51.2 billion had been recorded in the prior fiscal year but was not recorded for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. See Note 6 concerning financial information for TTSL.

As a result of the foregoing, we reported ¥410.1 billion in net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC., representing a decrease of ¥54.6 billion or 11.8% from ¥464.7 billion for the prior fiscal year.

Key Performance Indicators

The underlying operational data for the above-mentioned financial results for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 are provided below:

 

     Years ended March 31  
     2014      2015      Increase
(Decrease)
    Change (%)  

Cellular

          

Subscriptions (thousands)

     63,105         66,595         3,490        5.5 %   

LTE(Xi) services

     21,965         30,744         8,779        40.0 %   

FOMA services

     41,140         35,851         (5,289     (12.9)%   

New Billing Plan

             17,827         17,827          

Market Share (%) (1)(2)

     43.8         43.6         (0.2       

Aggregate ARPU (yen/month/subscription) (3)(6)

     4,610         4,370         (240     (5.2)%   

Voice ARPU (4)

     1,410         1,180         (230     (16.3)%   

Packet ARPU

     2,700         2,600         (100     (3.7)%   

Smart ARPU

     500         590         90        18.0 %   

MOU (minutes/month/subscription) (3)(5)(6)

     109         112         3        2.8 %   

Churn Rate (%) (2)

     0.87         0.71         (0.16       

 

(1) Source for other cellular telecommunications operators: Data announced by Telecommunications Carriers Association and cellular network operators
(2) Data calculated including Communication Module Services subscriptions
(3) Data are calculated excluding revenues and subscriptions from communication module services, “Phone Number Storage,” “Mail Address Storage,” “docomo Business Transceiver,” and wholesale telecommunications services and interconnecting telecommunications facilities that are provided to MVNOs.
(4) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications
(5) MOU (Minutes of Use): Average communication time per month per subscription
(6) Calculation Methods has been changed from the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015. (Accordingly, ARPU and MOU of the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2014 have also been changed.)

Definition of ARPU

 

Aggregate ARPU: 

  Voice ARPU + Packet ARPU + Smart ARPU

Voice ARPU:

  Voice ARPU Related Revenues (basic monthly usage charges, voice communication charges) / number of active subscriptions

Packet ARPU:

  Packet ARPU Related Revenues (basic monthly usage charges, packet communication charges) / number of active subscriptions

Smart ARPU:

  A part of other operating revenues (revenues from content, collection of charges, mobile phone insurance service, advertising and others) / number of active subscriptions

Number of active subscriptions used in ARPU calculations is as follows:

  Sum of number of active subscriptions for each month* during the relevant period from April to March

*  Active subscriptions for each month = (number of subscriptions at the end of previous month + number of subscriptions at the end of current month) / 2

 

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Operating Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

The following discussion includes analysis of our operating results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. The tables below describe selected data from our consolidated statement of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013:

Breakdown of Financial Information

 

     Millions of yen  
     Years ended March 31  
     2013     2014     Increase
(Decrease)
    Change
(%)
 

Operating revenues:

        

Telecommunications services

   ¥   3,176,931      ¥   2,963,980      ¥   (212,951     (6.7)%   

Mobile communications services revenues

     3,168,478        2,955,788        (212,690     (6.7)%   

–Voice revenues (1)

     1,274,584        1,065,196        (209,388     (16.4)%   

–Packet communications revenues

     1,893,894        1,890,592        (3,302     (0.2)%   

Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues (2)

     8,453        8,192        (261     (3.1)%   

Equipment sales

     758,093        872,000        113,907        15.0 %   

Other operating revenues (2)

     535,098        625,223        90,125        16.8 %   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     4,470,122        4,461,203        (8,919     (0.2)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

        

Cost of services

     1,003,497        1,059,619        56,122        5.6 %   

Cost of equipment sold

     767,536        785,209        17,673        2.3 %   

Depreciation and amortization

     699,754        718,694        18,940        2.7 %   

Impairment loss

     452               (452       

Selling, general and administrative

     1,161,703        1,078,482        (83,221     (7.2)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     3,632,942        3,642,004        9,062        0.2 %   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     837,180        819,199        (17,981     (2.1)%   

Other income (expense), net

     (3,838     13,850        17,688          
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     833,342        833,049        (293     (0.0)%   

Income taxes

     323,059        307,979        (15,080     (4.7)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     510,283        525,070        14,787        2.9 %   

Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates (including impairment charges of investments in affiliates)

     (29,570     (69,117     (39,547     (133.7)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     480,713        455,953        (24,760     (5.2)%   

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     10,313        8,776        (1,537     (14.9)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

   ¥ 491,026      ¥ 464,729      ¥ (26,297     (5.4)%   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications
(2) With the introduction of “Optical-fiber service and other telecommunications service revenues” in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, some elements (revenues from satellite mobile communications, cable television of overseas and other services) included in conventional “Other operating revenues” in the financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 have been retroactively reclassified into “Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues.” The amounts of the reclassification are ¥8,453 million and ¥8,192 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 and 2014.

 

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Analysis of operating results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

Operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, were ¥4,461.2 billion, a decrease of ¥8.9 billion or 0.2% from ¥4,470.1 billion for the prior fiscal year. Telecommunications services revenues were ¥2,964.0 billion, decreasing by ¥213.0 billion or 6.7% compared to ¥3,176.9 billion for the prior fiscal year. Of these, mobile communications services revenues were ¥2,955.8 billion, decreasing by ¥212.7 billion or 6.7% compared to ¥3,168.5 billion for the prior fiscal year. The year-on-year decrease in mobile communications services revenues was primarily attributable to the impact from the “Monthly Support” discount program. Voice revenues decreased by ¥209.4 billion or 16.4% year on year to ¥1,065.2 billion from ¥1,274.6 billion for the prior fiscal year. The decline in voice revenues excluding the impact of the “Monthly Support” discounts was ¥80.3 billion. Packet communications revenues recorded a decrease of ¥3.3 billion or 0.2% to ¥1,890.6 billion from ¥1,893.9 billion for the prior fiscal year. When calculated without the “Monthly Support” discount impact, packet communications revenues posted a growth of ¥121.2 billion. The growth of packet communications revenues (excluding the impact of “Monthly Support” discounts) was driven mainly by the increase in LTE(Xi) service subscriptions and expanded data usage resulting from aggressive sales promotion of smartphones and other devices. The total number of LTE(Xi) service subscriptions as of March 31, 2014 grew to 21.97 million, and the total number of smartphones sold during the 12-month period through March 31, 2014 reached 13.78 million. However, because the increase in packet communications revenues was not sufficient to completely offset the negative revenue impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program, which expanded by ¥253.6 billion over the prior fiscal year, the mobile communications services revenues recorded a year-on-year decrease. As a result, the voice ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 dropped ¥350 or 19.9% to ¥1,410 from ¥1,760 for the prior fiscal year. The packet ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 was ¥2,700, down ¥20 or 0.7% from ¥2,720 for the prior fiscal year. Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues decreased by ¥0.3 billion or 3.1% from ¥8.5 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥8.2 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Equipment sales revenues increased by ¥113.9 billion or 15.0% to ¥872.0 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 from ¥758.1 billion for the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a rise in sales price per- unit to resellers resulting from an increase in the ratio of the sales number of smartphones to the total as a result of commencement of sales of the popular iPhone*1 in September 2013 in addition to the Android Smartphones that we already sold.

Other operating revenues increased by ¥90.1 billion or 16.8% from ¥535.1 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥625.2 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. The increase in other operating revenues was mainly driven by an increase in revenues derived from the growth of subscriptions to various “dmarket” services which resulted in a significant increase in revenues from “dmarket” compared to the prior fiscal year. Full-year consolidations of sales revenues from Tower Records Japan Inc., and Buongiorno S.p.A. in Italy, subsidiaries that we acquired in July 2012 in order to expand the smart life business and other businesses, also contributed to this increase.

Operating expenses increased by ¥9.1 billion or 0.2% from ¥3,632.9 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥3,642.0 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Cost of services increased by ¥56.1 billion or 5.6% from ¥1,003.5 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥1,059.6 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 resulting from the rise in expenses for the expansion of smart life business and other businesses. Cost of equipment sold which arises mainly from our procurement of handsets for sale to our new or current subscribers through agent resellers, increased by ¥17.7 billion or 2.3% to ¥785.2 billion from ¥767.5 billion for the prior fiscal year primarily as a result of an increase in procurement cost per unit and the increase in the number of smartphones sold.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by ¥18.9 billion or 2.7% to ¥718.7 billion from ¥699.8 billion for the prior fiscal year resulting from a significant increase in the number of installations of base stations to improve the coverage of our LTE network and to reinforce our network facilities to accommodate the growth in data traffic.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by ¥83.2 billion or 7.2% to ¥1,078.5 billion from ¥1,161.7 billion for the prior fiscal year. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased overall as a result of cost efficiency improvement efforts aimed at further strengthening our management structure. In addition, “docomo Points Service”-related expenses, decreased by ¥9.2 billion as a result of the changes made to the terms of the “docomo Points Service,” commissions paid to agent resellers decreased by ¥11.3 billion and advertising expenses decreased by ¥8.9 billion, offsetting an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses which was driven primarily by consolidating full-year selling, general, and administrative expenses of Tower Records Japan Inc., and Buongiorno S.p.A. in Italy, subsidiaries that we acquired in July 2012.

Impairment losses decreased by ¥0.5 billion since none were recorded in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

As described above, the increases in cost of services, cost of equipment sold and depreciation and amortization expenses exceeded the decreases in selling, general and administrative expenses, and impairment loss, which result in an increase of operating expenses.

As a result of the foregoing, operating income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 decreased by ¥18.0 billion or 2.1% from ¥837.2 billion for the prior fiscal year to ¥819.2 billion. Accordingly, the operating income margin dropped from 18.7% for the prior fiscal year to 18.4%.

Other income (expense) includes items such as interest expense, interest income, dividend income, foreign exchange gains and losses and other-than-temporary impairment losses and net realized gains (losses) on dispositions of marketable securities and other investments. We recognized ¥13.9 billion as other income, net for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, achieving an increase after recognizing other expense, net of ¥3.8 billion in the prior fiscal year. This was because other-than-temporary impairment loss on marketable securities and other investments decreased to ¥3.1 billion from ¥10.9 billion and foreign exchange losses, net of ¥0.9 billion changed to foreign exchange gains, net of ¥4.4 billion.

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates decreased by ¥0.3 billion to ¥833.0 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 from ¥833.3 billion for the prior fiscal year.

Income taxes decreased by ¥15.1 billion to ¥308.0 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, from ¥323.1 billion for the prior fiscal year, representing effective income tax rates of 37.0% and 38.8% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively.

For equity in net income (losses) of affiliates, our equity in the net losses of our affiliates increased by ¥39.5 billion or 133.7% to ¥69.1 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 from ¥29.6 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. For both the fiscal years, the equity in losses of certain affiliates including TTSL offset against the equity in income of other affiliates including PLDT. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the equity loss of TTSL increased from the previous year due mainly to an additional impairment charge of TTSL amounting to ¥51.2 billion as a result of the growing business risk of mobile network operators including an increase in cost to maintain or acquire frequency spectrum due to a steep rise of the auction price of frequency spectrum in India. This resulted in a further downward revision of our estimated future cash flows of TTSL and we concluded that this further decline in value was other than temporary. Its decline in value was ¥6.8 billion in the previous year. The other reason for the increase in the equity loss of TTSL was attributable to an increase in the net loss of TTSL due mainly to an increase in its financial burden which was partially offset by the decrease in operating losses resulting from TTSL’s rationalization of the operation. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Impairment of investments” for further discussion and analysis of the impairment of TTSL and see Note 6. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the equity income of PLDT increased from the previous year resulting primarily from the appreciation of the Philippine Peso which was the local currency of PLDT, against Japanese Yen in weighted average used for the conversion of income statement items into Japanese Yen during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 as compared with the prior fiscal year.

 

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As a result of the foregoing, we reported ¥464.7 billion in net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC., representing a decrease of ¥26.3 billion or 5.4% from ¥491.0 billion for the prior fiscal year.

 

*1:

TM and © 2015 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. The iPhone trademark is used under a license from AIPHONE CO., LTD.

Key Performance Indicators

The underlying operational data for the above-mentioned financial results for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 are provided below:

 

     Years ended March 31  
     2013      2014      Increase
(Decrease)
    Change (%)  

Cellular

          

Subscriptions (thousands)

     61,536         63,105         1,569        2.6 %   

LTE(Xi) services

     11,566         21,965         10,399        89.9 %   

FOMA services

     49,970         41,140         (8,830     (17.7)%   

Market Share (%) (1)(2)

     45.2         43.8         (1.4       

Aggregate ARPU (yen/month/subscription) (3)(6)

     4,900         4,610         (290     (5.9)%   

Voice ARPU (4)

     1,760         1,410         (350     (19.9)%   

Packet ARPU

     2,720         2,700         (20     (0.7)%   

Smart ARPU

     420         500         80        19.0 %   

MOU (minutes/month/subscription) (3)(5)(6)

     118         109         (9     (7.6)%   

Churn Rate (%) (2)

     0.82         0.87         0.05          

 

(1) Source for other cellular telecommunications operators: Data announced by Telecommunications Carriers Association and cellular network operators.
(2) Data calculated including Communication Module Services subscriptions
(3) Data are calculated excluding revenues and subscriptions from communication module services, “Phone Number Storage,” “Mail Address Storage,” “docomo Business Transceiver,” and wholesale telecommunications services and interconnecting telecommunications facilities that are provided to MVNOs.
(4) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications
(5) MOU (Minutes of Use): Average communication time per month per subscription
(6) Calculation Methods has been changed from the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015. (Accordingly, ARPU and MOU of the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 have also been changed.)

Definition of ARPU

 

Aggregate ARPU: 

  Voice ARPU + Packet ARPU + Smart ARPU

Voice ARPU:

  Voice ARPU Related Revenues (basic monthly usage charges, voice communication charges) / number of active subscriptions

Packet ARPU:

  Packet ARPU Related Revenues (basic monthly usage charges, packet communication charges) / number of active subscriptions

Smart ARPU:

  A part of other operating revenues (revenues from content, collection of charges, mobile phone insurance service, advertising and others) / number of active subscriptions

Number of active subscriptions used in ARPU calculations is as follows:

  Sum of number of active subscriptions for each month* during the relevant period from April to March

*  Active subscriptions for each month = (number of subscriptions at the end of previous month + number of subscriptions at the end of current month) / 2

Segment Information

General

We realigned its conventional five operating segments, which consist of mobile phone business, credit services business, home shopping services business, internet connection services business for hotel facilities, and miscellaneous businesses into three operating segments, which consist of telecommunications business, smart life

 

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business and other businesses from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 in order to clarify the responsibilities of management of the telecommunications business where we are taking steps to reinforce its competitiveness, and the smart life business where we are striving for creating new revenue sources through convergence of our telecommunications businesses with various industries and services for making customers’ lifestyle and businesses more secure, safe, convenient and efficient by delivering new value to society and creating new market.

The telecommunications business includes mobile phone services (LTE(Xi) services and FOMA services), optical-fiber broadband service, satellite mobile communications services, international services and equipment sales related to these services. The smart life business includes video and music distribution, electronic books and other services offered through our “dmarket” portal, as well as finance/payment services, shopping services and various other services to support our customers’ daily lives. The other businesses primarily includes “Mobile Device Protection Service,” as well as development, sales and maintenance of IT systems.

Telecommunications business

 

     Millions of yen  
     Years ended March 31  
     2013      2014      2015      Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs 2013
    Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs 2014
 

Segment operating revenues

   ¥ 3,923,754       ¥ 3,827,328       ¥ 3,654,565       ¥ (96,426   ¥ (172,763

Segment operating expenses

     3,086,961         3,014,592         3,018,489         (72,369     3,897   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss)

   ¥ 836,793       ¥ 812,736       ¥ 636,076       ¥ (24,057   ¥ (176,660
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating revenues in the telecommunications business segment are mainly derived from telecommunications services and equipment sales. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, operating revenues from our telecommunications business segment decreased by ¥172.8 billion or 4.5% to ¥3,654.6 billion from ¥3,827.3 billion in the prior fiscal year. Telecommunications services revenues decreased by ¥218.0 billion or 7.4% to ¥2,714.4 billion from ¥2,932.5 billion in the prior fiscal year. Mobile communications service revenues, a part of telecommunications services revenues consisting of voice revenues and packet communications revenues, decreased by ¥220.2 or 7.5% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 to ¥2,704.4 billion from ¥2,924.7 billion in the prior fiscal year. The decrease was due primarily to a greater impact of the “Monthly Support” discounts than in the prior fiscal year and the introduction of the new billing plans, which had a negative impact on revenues, due in part to a shift to new plans by subscribers who found it beneficial to switch to the new billing plans, with the anticipated positive effects of such billing plans, such as further penetration of a flat-rate domestic voice calling plan, an increase in data usage as customers purchase additional devices (such as tablets) to take advantage of data sharing plans, a reduction in churn rate and the acquisition of additional young subscribers, not yet having a significant positive impact on revenues. In addition, optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues, which represent revenues from optical-fiber broadband service, satellite communications services, overseas cable television services, and other sources, increased by ¥2.2 billion or 28.0% to ¥10.0 billion from ¥7.8 billion in the prior fiscal year. Since provision of optical-fiber broadband service began only recently in March 2015, these services have only a slight impact on revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. At the same time, equipment sales revenues increased by ¥34.2 billion or 4.0% to ¥900.7 billion from ¥866.4 billion in the prior fiscal year, resulting from increasing equipment sales volume including sales of smartphones. Operating revenues of the telecommunications business segment represented 82.8% of total of segment operating revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and 85.3% in the prior fiscal year. Operating expenses in the telecommunications business segment increased by ¥3.9 billion or 0.1% to ¥3,018.5 billion from ¥3,014.6 billion in the prior fiscal year. This was due to an increase in cost of equipment sold in connection with an increase in strong sales of smartphones and tablets, whose procurement costs per unit are higher than for feature phones, and an increase in charges for other companies’ communications network in connection with a significant increase in the number of installations of our LTE base stations in order to build a

 

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robust network, even though depreciation and amortization expenses decreased due to a change in estimate of the expected useful life of certain software and commissions paid to agent resellers also decreased. As a result, the operating income of the telecommunications business segment in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 fell by ¥176.7 billion or 21.7% to ¥636.1 billion, from ¥812.7 billion in the prior fiscal year, due largely in part to the effects of the decrease in mobile communications service revenues.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, operating revenues from our telecommunications business segment decreased by ¥96.4 billion or 2.5% to ¥3,827.3 billion from ¥3,923.8 billion in the prior fiscal year. Telecommunications services revenues decreased by ¥127.3 billion or 4.2% to ¥2,932.5 billion from ¥3,059.8 billion in the prior fiscal year. Mobile communications services revenues, a part of telecommunications services revenues consisting of revenues from mobile-phone voice and packet communications, decreased by ¥129.6 billion or 4.2% to ¥2,924.7 billion from ¥3,054.3 billion in the prior fiscal year. The year-on-year decrease in mobile communications services revenues was mainly attributable to a decrease in voice revenues and the impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program. Equipment sales revenues increased by ¥118.9 billion or 15.9% to ¥866.4 billion from ¥747.5 billion in the prior fiscal year due to a rise in the per-unit sales to resellers resulting from an increase in the ratio of the sales number. Operating revenues from our telecommunications business segment represented 85.3% and 87.4% of total of segment operating revenues for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Operating expenses in our telecommunications business segment decreased by ¥72.4 billion or 2.3% to ¥3,014.6 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, from ¥3,087.0 billion in the prior fiscal year due to a decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses driven by a reduction in “docomo Points Service”-related expenses resulting from the changes made to the terms of the “docomo Points Service” and other ongoing cost reduction efforts, despite an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses related to the upgrade of equipment for the LTE(Xi) service network. As a result, operating income from our telecommunications business in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 decreased by ¥24.1 billion or 2.9% to ¥812.7 billion from ¥836.8 billion in the prior fiscal year.

Analysis of the changes in revenues and expenses of our telecommunications business segment is also presented in “Operating Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015,” “Operating Results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014” discussed above and “Operating Trends and Prospects for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016” in the following section.

Smart life business

 

     Millions of yen  
     Years ended March 31  
     2013      2014      2015     Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs 2013
    Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs 2014
 

Segment operating revenues

   ¥ 294,156       ¥ 356,783       ¥ 436,997      ¥ 62,627      ¥ 80,214   

Segment operating expenses

     279,018         344,978         440,893        65,960        95,915   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss)

   ¥ 15,138       ¥ 11,805       ¥ (3,896   ¥ (3,333   ¥ (15,701
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, operating revenues from smart life business segment increased by ¥80.2 billion or 22.5% to ¥437.0 billion from ¥356.8 billion in the prior fiscal year. The increase is primarily due to the fact that revenues for the entire fiscal year of ABC Cooking Studio Co., Ltd., which became a subsidiary in January 2014, were recorded for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, increase in revenues from the “Sugotoku-Contents” services due to growth in the number of subscribers, and increase in revenues from “dmarket” resulting from an increase in subscribers of monthly subscription services in “dmarket” and an increase in sales of pay-per-view or -use content services of “dmarket.” Operating revenues of the smart life business segment represented 9.9% of total of segment operating revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and 8.0% in the prior fiscal year. Operating expenses in the smart life business segment increased by ¥95.9 billion or 27.8% from ¥345.0 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥440.9 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, due to the full-year consolidation of operating expenses from ABC Cooking Studio Co., Ltd. for the fiscal year ended March 31,

 

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2015, an increase in revenue-linked expenses from the “Sugotoku-Contents,” “dmarket,” and other services, and impairment losses of ¥30.2 billion recorded in connection with multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices assets. As a result, the operating income (loss) of the smart life business segment in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 fell by ¥15.7 billion to an operating loss of ¥3.9 billion, from operating income of ¥11.8 billion in the prior fiscal year. When the impairment loss of multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices assets are excluded, the operating income of the smart life business segment increased by ¥14.5 billion or 122.5% from the prior fiscal year.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, operating revenues from our smart life business segment increased by ¥62.6 billion or 21.3% to ¥356.8 billion from ¥294.2 billion in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating revenues was primarily due to an increase in revenue from “dmarket” and the full-year consolidation of the operating revenues and operating expenses from Tower Records Japan Inc., acquired in July 2012, and other acquisitions to expand the smart life business. Operating revenues from our smart life business segment represented 8.0% and 6.6% of total of segment operating revenues for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Operating expenses in our smart life business segment increased by ¥66.0 billion or 23.6% to ¥345.0 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 from ¥279.0 billion in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to increases in expenses for enriching goods and services rendered in existing stores and expenses for launching new stores for “dmarket” portal in the initial phase following their launch. As a result, the operating income of the smart life business segment in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 decreased by ¥3.3 billion or 22.0% to ¥11.8 billion from ¥15.1 billion in the prior fiscal year.

Other businesses

 

     Millions of yen  
     Years ended March 31  
     2013     2014     2015      Increase
(Decrease)
2014 vs 2013
     Increase
(Decrease)
2015 vs 2014
 

Segment operating revenues

   ¥ 272,440      ¥ 302,224      ¥ 319,815       ¥ 29,784       ¥ 17,591   

Segment operating expenses

     287,191        307,566        312,924         20,375         5,358   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss)

   ¥ (14,751   ¥ (5,342   ¥ 6,891       ¥ 9,409       ¥ 12,233   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating revenues from other businesses segment increased by ¥17.6 billion or 5.8% from ¥302.2 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥319.8 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Operating revenues of the other businesses segment represented 7.2% of total of segment operating revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and 6.7% in the prior fiscal year. Operating expenses from other businesses segment increased by ¥5.4 billion or 1.7% from ¥307.6 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥312.9 billion. The increases in operating revenues and operating expenses were primarily due to an increase in subscribers to “Mobile Device Protection Service.” Consequently, operating income (loss) from the other businesses segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased by ¥12.2 billion to an operating income of ¥6.9 billion from an operating loss of ¥5.3 billion in the prior fiscal year.

Operating revenues from other businesses increased by ¥29.8 billion or 10.9% to ¥302.2 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, from ¥272.4 billion in the prior fiscal year. The increase in operating revenues was primarily due to an increase in subscribers to “Mobile Device Protection Service” and an increase in revenues from development, sales and maintenance of IT systems. Operating revenues from the other businesses segment represented 6.7% and 6.1% of total of segment operating revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Operating expenses from other businesses segment increased by ¥20.4 billion or 7.1% from ¥287.2 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥307.6 billion. The increase in operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in revenue-linked expenses. Operating loss from the other businesses segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by ¥9.4 billion from ¥14.8 billion in the prior fiscal year to ¥5.3 billion.

 

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Operating Trends and Prospects for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016

This section describes our operating trends from the perspectives of revenues and expenses as well as the prospects for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

Operating Revenues

(1) Telecommunications Services

Telecommunications services revenues consist of mobile communications service revenues and optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues. Mobile communications services revenues are earned from providing mobile phone services, and they consist of voice revenues and packet communications revenues. Voice revenues are derived from a combination of basic monthly charges for service and additional calling charges billed by connection time. Packet communications revenues are derived from a combination of basic monthly charges for service and additional usage charges billed by volume of data. Mobile communications services revenues are impacted by the changes in the total number of subscriptions, users’ usage behavior, pricing measures such as the discounts offered to customers and other factors.

Toward the goal of increasing the number of subscriptions, it is important to acquire a new subscription and retain existing customers. Although it is difficult to expect a significant increase in the number of new subscriptions given the high cellular penetration rate, we need to meet demand for various types of communication devices and services, e.g., smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, and Wi-Fi routers. Demand for higher transmission speeds has also been mounting in line with the expansion of data usage resulting from the proliferation of smartphones. Responding to these new demands in the market, we have worked to promote the sales of smartphones and expand the LTE network, with the aim of expanding the user base of our LTE(Xi) service. As a result, the total number of LTE(Xi) service subscriptions as of March 31, 2015 increased by 40.0% compared to the number for the prior fiscal year.

Our subscription churn rate is an important performance indicator for us to achieve our important goal of curbing contract terminations and retaining our current subscriptions. The churn has an impact on our number of subscriptions and in particular affects our number of net additional subscriptions for a given period. Efforts to reduce our churn rate through discount services and other customer incentive programs can increase our revenues by increasing our number of net additional subscriptions, but they can also have an adverse impact on our income by decreasing the average amount of revenues we are able to collect from each subscriber or by increasing our expenses. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we reduced our churn rate to 0.71% compared to 0.87% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and 0.82% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013. The acquisition of net additions for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased to 3.49 million from 1.57 million in the prior fiscal year. This resulted from the introduction of a new billing plan, “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru,” in June 2014 as an effort to improve our competitive strength along with other factors including network improvements achieved through offering LTE services and attractive, high-performance devices (handsets). Going forward, we will employ measures aimed at lowering the churn rate by increasing the number of subscribers who use the new billing plan, securing subscribers through bundling with the “docomo Hikari” service, and differentiating ourselves from our competitors by expanding our network and enriching our services.

As a result of these initiatives, the total number of our subscriptions as of March 31, 2015 had grown by 5.5% compared to the level for the prior fiscal year. We believe the total number of our subscriptions will continue to increase during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 as we strive to cultivate new market demand and take proactive measures to promote the sales of smartphones and expand the LTE network, aimed at expanding the user base of our LTE(Xi) service.

The mobile communications services revenues recorded a year-on-year decline in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 due to the significant impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program and new billing plan. “Monthly Support” is a discount program that we introduced in 2011 to provide customers purchasing a

 

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smartphone, tablet or other product under certain subscription conditions with prescribed amount of discounts, which vary by each model, on their monthly phone bill for up to 24 months. Because most of the customers purchasing a smartphone or tablet, etc., have opted to use “Monthly Support” discounts, the total number of “Monthly Support” discounts subscriptions has been growing in line with the spread of smartphones and other applicable devices. This has been one of the principal factors driving the decline in mobile communications revenues in recent years, and this trend will likely continue during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

The new “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan consists of the four principal services: a flat-rate domestic voice calling plan, a plan to enable sharing of the packet data quota among family members, a discount service favoring long-term users with graduated discounts based on length of subscription, and a service providing discounts to users of age 25 or younger. We began offering this plan in June 2014. The new plan has been well received, as the number of subscribers using the plan rose to more than 10 million in the four months after its introduction and had climbed to 17.83 million by March 31, 2015. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the new billing plan had a negative effect on revenues as subscribers found it beneficial to switch to the new plan at a faster pace than anticipated. We expect to reduce these negative effects in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 as the decrease in voice revenues stops and packet communications revenues increase through efforts to migrate subscribers to higher-end plans with higher monthly rates.

Voice revenues of the mobile communications services revenues recorded a year-on-year decrease of 17.0% during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, after declining by 16.4% in the prior fiscal year. The primary reasons behind the drop in voice revenues were the negative impacts on revenues from the increase in discounts from the “Monthly Support” discount program and the shift of some FOMA users to lower-rate plans. The downtrend of voice revenues is likely to continue in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 as the “Monthly Support” discount program continues to grow.

Packet communications revenues of the mobile communications services revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by 2.0% from the prior fiscal year in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 due to the expanded negative impact on revenues from the increase in discounts from the “Monthly Support” discount program and the growing migration of our customers to our new billing plan, despite the growth in packet usage resulting from the growth of LTE(Xi) service subscriptions and the increase of smartphone/data plan users achieved through our active promotion of smartphones and other devices. On the other hand, packet communications revenues per smartphone user is high and the number of users of data dedicated equipment such as tablet devices continue to grow. Despite the increasing impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program, we believe that the decrease in our packet communications revenues will stop in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 as a result of our active endeavors to migrate subscriptions to higher-end plans with higher monthly rates and aggressive sales promotion of smartphones. The contribution of packet communications revenues to our mobile communications services revenues has increased every year and accounted for 67.7% of mobile communications services revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, as compared to 64.0% and 59.8% for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

We use the average monthly revenue per unit or ARPU as a performance indicator to measure average monthly revenues per subscription. ARPU consists of Voice ARPU, Packet ARPU and Smart ARPU. We believe that our ARPU figures provide certain level of useful information to analyze the trend of monthly average usage of our subscribers over time and the impact of changes in our billing arrangements. For Voice ARPU, revenue has been decreasing recently due to the aforementioned discount program, but we forecast that the rate of decrease will shrink for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. While the introduction of a flat-rate domestic voice calling plan, included in the new billing plan, has negatively impacted Voice ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31 2015, as many subscribers shift to the new plans, as they found it beneficial to switch to the new plan for this period, we expect that further penetration of the new billing plan will have positive impact on Voice ARPU for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. For Packet ARPU, though the negative impact of the aforementioned discount will continue, we expect that the rate of decrease will shrink for the fiscal year ending

 

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March 31, 2016 through our efforts to migrate subscriptions to higher-end plans with higher monthly rates. For Smart ARPU, we believe that the ARPU will continue to increase for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 due to the increase in revenue from smart life business including “dmarket.”

Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications services revenues represent revenues from optical-fiber broadband service, satellite mobile communications services, cable television services of overseas and other telecommunications services.

In March 2015, we launched the “docomo Hikari” service (our optical-fiber broadband service that enables high-speed access at speeds of up to 1Gbps) and “docomo Hikari Pack,” a bundle package that allows users to use “docomo Hikari” and smartphones/docomo feature phones service at affordable rates. By offering new added value through the convergence of fixed-line and mobile communications services, we expect to not only secure revenues from monthly optical-fiber broadband service charges but also to secure new subscriptions to our mobile phone services and prevent cancellations.

(2) Equipment Sales Revenues

We purchase handsets compatible with our mobile communications services from handset manufacturers, and then sell those handsets mainly to agent resellers for sale to our subscribers.

When a subscriber purchases a handset from agent resellers, the option to pay in installments is made available to the subscriber. If a subscriber chooses to pay in installments, under the agreement entered into among the subscriber, the agent resellers and us, we provide funds by paying for the purchased handset to the agent resellers and include the installment charge for the purchased handset in the monthly bill for network usage for the installment payment term. This agreement is separate from the mobile communications service contract entered into between the subscriber and us, or the equipment sales contract concluded between the agent reseller and subscriber. Because the revenues from equipment sales are recognized upon the delivery of handsets to agent resellers, cash collection of the installments receivable for the purchased handset from subscribers does not have an impact on any of our revenues, including equipment sales revenues.

We account for a portion of the sales commissions that we pay to agent resellers and incentives offered to subscribers as a reduction in equipment sales revenues. As a result, we experienced a period where the cost of equipment sold continuously exceeded equipment sales revenues. However, because of a rise in sales price per unit to resellers and the increase in the number of smartphones sold, equipment sales revenues exceeded the cost of equipment sold for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. Revenues from equipment sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased by 3.7% compared to the prior fiscal year due to the increase in the number of devices, including smartphones, sold. We expect this growth trend to continue in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 as we project further increase in the total smartphone sales.

Because impact from the trend of handset sales on our operating income is closely interrelated with the cost of handsets sold, please refer to the “Cost of Equipment Sold” section.

(3) Other Operating Revenues

The primary items comprising other operating revenues include the revenues from smart life business and other businesses such as “Mobile Device Protection Service” and “dmarket.” We set a goal to expand smart life business and other businesses through alliances with various companies. During the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, we will continue working toward the goal of expanding revenues from smart life business and other businesses.

“Mobile Device Protection Service” is a service that covers handset issues such as loss and water exposure and delivers a replacement handset of the same model and color as the original one directly to the customer with

 

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a simple telephone call. This service is available for a monthly fee prescribed for each handset model. The revenues generated from this service have been growing in line with the increase in its subscription count. We will continually strive to expand its user base in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

Furthermore, the revenues derived from “dmarket”—one of our cloud-based services launched in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011—have also expanded over the years. “dmarket” is a marketplace that resides on a cloud infrastructure, through which we offer a rich variety of digital contents including videos, music and electronic books as well as a wide array of physical merchandise such as groceries and other daily necessaries. The marketplace comprises a number of stores, e.g., “dvideo” (a distribution platform for movies, TV series, etc.; renamed “dTV” on April 22, 2015), “dgame” (platform for provision of games), “dhits” (music distribution service) and “dmagazine” (a magazine distribution service). During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we worked to offer even more compelling contents through each “dmarket” store. As a consequence, the combined subscriptions to “dvideo,” “dhits,” “danime store” “dkids” and “dmagazine” that offer contents for a prescribed monthly subscription fee grew to 11.88 million, and revenues from “dmarket” increased significantly compared to the prior fiscal year. “dmagazine,” introduced in June 20, 2014, is experiencing steady growth in its subscription count, rising to more than 1.9 million subscriptions as of March 31, 2015. The revenues provided through “dmarket” is projected to increase going forward.

As a result of the foregoing, other operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased by 17.1%, compared to the prior fiscal year. Other operating revenues for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 are projected to record year-on-year gains resulting from an increase in revenues derived from “dmarket” and an expansion of revenues from our subsidiaries, compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

We use Smart ARPU as a performance indicator that is specifically designed to reflect revenues from certain services in the smart life business segment and other businesses segment. Smart ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 grew to ¥590 from ¥500 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, driven by the expansion of smart life business and other businesses and we expect the amount of Smart ARPU will continue to increase going forward.

Accordingly, we expect that the operating revenues will grow in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

Operating Expenses

(1) Cost of Services

Cost of services represents the expenses we incur directly in connection with providing our customers with mobile communications services and/or other services offered by our subsidiaries. Cost of services includes the costs for using of other operators’ networks, maintenance of equipment or facilities, payroll for employees dedicated to the operations and maintenance of our mobile communications networks, insurance costs related to “Mobile Device Protection Service”-related service and other service related costs of our subsidiaries. Cost of services accounted for 31.0% of our total operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Major components of cost of services include facility maintenance expenses, which are incurred to maintain our network facilities, and communication network charges, which we pay for the usage of other operators’ networks or for access charges, accounting for 28.4% and 20.7% of the total cost of services, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The amount of our communication network charges is dependent on the rates set by other operators. Cost of services for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased by 9.4% from the prior fiscal year. This was primarily due to an increase in costs associated with the growth of sales revenues of our consolidated subsidiaries acquired in order to expand the smart life business segment. As we expect an increase in costs associated with the increase in revenues from new growth business areas such as “dmarket” and “Mobile Device Protection Service” in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, cost of services is expected to continue to rise in that fiscal year.

 

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(2) Cost of Equipment Sold

Cost of equipment sold arises mainly from our procurement of handsets for sale to our new or current subscribers through agent resellers, which is basically dependent on the number of handsets sold to agent resellers and the purchase price per handset. Cost of equipment sold represented 22.8% of our operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The cost of equipment sold for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased by 8.6% compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to strong sales of smartphones and tablets, whose procurement costs per unit are higher than for feature phones. While the growth in revenues from equipment sales from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was lower than the growth in cost of equipment sold over the same period, this was due to restraint on raising the per-unit sales of handsets to resellers for competitive reasons. As we expect a further increase in the per-unit cost of procurement due to a handset lineup of feature-rich models along with further expansion of smartphone sales and similar developments in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, cost of equipment sold is expected to continue to rise in that fiscal year.

(3) Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses accounted for 17.6% of our operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by 8.2% from the prior fiscal year. This was due to the effects of a revision of ¥51.3 billion in the estimate of the expected useful life of certain software for the telecommunications network and internal-use software as well as a decrease due to improved cost efficiency of capital expenditures, even though in the prior fiscal year and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 we increased capital expenditures to significantly increase the installations of base stations to improve the coverage of the LTE service network and to reinforce our network facilities to accommodate the growth in data traffic. In the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, depreciation and amortization expenses is expected to decrease slightly because we will continue to endeavor to enhance our cost efficiency through the integration of facilities/equipment and efficiency improvement of construction works, reduction of equipment procurement costs and other measures. For details concerning our capital expenditures, please refer to “Capital Expenditures” in the following section.

(4) Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses represented 27.8% of our total operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The primary components included in our selling, general and administrative expenses are expenses related to acquisition of new subscribers and retention of current subscribers, the most significant of which is commissions paid to agent resellers. While some of these commissions are linked to sales activities such as new subscriptions and handset upgrades, others result from non-sales activities such as processing of billing plan changes and handset repairs. A portion of the sales activities linked commissions paid to agent resellers is recognized as a deduction from equipment sales while the rest of commissions, both sales activities linked and non-sales activities linked is recognized, as selling, general and administrative expenses. The expenses incurred in relation to “docomo Points Service” customer loyalty program, handset repair and other after-sales support to customers are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Our total selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by 3.4% from the prior fiscal year as a result of a reduction in commissions paid to agent resellers. Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 are expected to see a decrease in commissions paid to agent resellers and in expenses related to the “docomo Points Service” program and an increase in expenses in new growth business areas such as “dmarket.”

Operating expenses for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 are therefore expected to increase compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 at a pace slower than the projected growth of operating revenues.

As a result of the foregoing, we expect operating income for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 to record a year-on-year increase over the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

 

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B.    Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Requirements

Our cash requirements for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 include cash needed to pay agent resellers to provide funds under the installment payment scheme, to expand our network, to invest in other facilities, to make repayments for interest bearing liabilities and other contractual obligations and to pay for strategic investments, acquisitions, joint ventures or other investments aimed at capturing business opportunities. We believe that cash generated from our operating activities, future borrowings from banks and other financial institutions or future offerings of debt or equity securities in the capital markets will provide sufficient financial resources to meet our currently anticipated capital and other expenditure requirements and to satisfy our debt service requirements. We believe we have enough financing ability supported by our high creditworthiness resulting from our stable financial performance and strong financial standing. Also, our management is of the opinion that the working capital is sufficient for our present requirements. When we determine the necessity for external financing, we take into consideration the amount of cash demand, timing of payments, available reserves of cash and cash equivalents, and expected cash flows from operations. If we determine that demand for cash exceeds the amount of available reserves of cash and cash equivalents and expected cash flows from operations, we plan on obtaining external financing through borrowing or the issuance of debt or equity securities. Additional debt, equity or other financing may be required if we underestimate our capital or other expenditure requirements, or overestimate our future cash flows. There can be no assurance that such external financing will be available on commercially acceptable terms or in a timely manner.

Capital Expenditures

The wireless telecommunications industry in general is highly capital intensive because significant capital expenditures are required for the construction of the wireless telecommunications network. Our capital requirements for our networks are determined by the nature of facility or equipment, the timing of its installation, the nature and the area of coverage desired, the number of subscribers served in the area and the expected volume of traffic. They are also influenced by the number of base stations required in the service area, the number of radio channels in the base stations and the switching equipment required. Capital expenditures are also required for information technology and servers for internet-related services. In recent years, the usage of data communications services has expanded remarkably as a result of a steady increase in the number of LTE(Xi) subscriptions, a rapid surge in the use of smartphones and other factors. Accordingly, we are required to respond to the rapid growth in demand for higher transmission speeds and a surge of traffic.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we made progress on building a robust network pursing “breadth,” “speed” and “convenience.” In doing so, we significantly increased installations of LTE base stations in order to further improve the area coverage of our LTE service. The number of indoor and outdoor LTE base stations increased by 42,100 from the end of the prior fiscal year, to a cumulative total of 97,400 base stations. Also, in pursuit of further enhancement of transmission speeds, we increased the number of LTE base stations compatible with a maximum download speed of 100Mbps or higher to 57,700 stations from 3,500 stations as of March 31, 2014. In March 2015, we launched the “PREMIUM 4G” service that delivers downlink speeds of up to 225Mbps using the LTE-Advanced*1 system, which incorporates “carrier aggregation*2,” “advanced C-RAN*3” and other technologies that realize further speed/capacity enhancements over LTE service.

Total capital expenditures for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were ¥661.8 billion, ¥703.1 billion and ¥753.7 billion, respectively. Our capital expenditures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 recorded a decrease of ¥41.4 billion or 5.9% compared to the prior fiscal year. This was achieved through pursuit of cost efficiency improvements for the wireless telecommunications network toward the goal of further strengthening our management foundation, through the integration and capacity expansion of equipment, improvements in the efficiency of construction, and reduction of equipment procurement costs and streamlining of our research and development item. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, 96.0% of capital expenditures

 

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were used for the telecommunications business, 2.6% for the smart life business, and 1.4% for other businesses. By comparison, in the prior fiscal year 93.6% of capital expenditures were used for the telecommunications business, 3.9% for the smart life business, and 2.4% for other businesses.

Our total capital expenditures for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 are estimated to decrease to ¥630.0 billion, as a result of our ongoing efforts to improve capital investment efficiency aimed at cost reduction even as we proceed with investments intended to secure competitive advantage in network quality through accommodating growth in data traffic and expanding coverage of our LTE-Advanced network as well as securing competitive strength through adoption of advanced technologies and other means. Of this figure, approximately, 95.4% will be appropriated for use in the telecommunications business, approximately 2.9% for the smart life business, and approximately 1.7% for other businesses.

Our actual level of capital expenditures may vary significantly from expected levels for a number of reasons. Capital expenditures for expansion and enhancement of our existing cellular network may be influenced by the growth in subscriptions and traffic, which is difficult to predict with certainty, the ability to identify and procure suitably located base station sites on commercially reasonable terms, competitive environments in particular regions and other factors. The nature, scale and timing of capital expenditures to reinforce our network may be materially different from our current plans due to demand for the services, delays in the construction of the network or in the introduction of services and changes in the variable cost of components for the network. We expect that these capital expenditures will be affected by market demand for data communications services, and by the state of our existing network expansion efforts that are being continued to satisfy these communication demands.

 

*1 A more sophisticated mobile communication system, whose standardization to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, is progressing while maintaining technical compatibility with LTE.
*2 Technology that achieves improvement of data transmission speed by aggregating multiple carriers.
*3 Technology for increasing the utilization efficiency of frequencies by simultaneously controlling base stations covering broad areas and base stations covering localized areas.

Long-term Debt and other Contractual Obligations

As of March 31, 2015, we had ¥220.6 billion in outstanding long-term debt including the current portion, primarily in corporate bonds and loans from financial institutions, compared to ¥220.9 billion as of March 31, 2014. We redeemed ¥70.0 billion of unsecured corporate bonds and issued an additional ¥50.0 billion of unsecured corporate bonds in order to finance the decrease in cash due to the redemption during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. We repaid ¥0.2 billion, ¥75.0 billion and ¥82.2 billion of long-term debt in the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Of our long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015, ¥0.6 billion, including the current portion, was financed by financial institutions, majority of which has fixed interest rates, with a weighted average interest rate of 0.9% per annum. The term of maturities is from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 through 2018. As of March 31, 2015, we also had ¥220.0 billion in bonds due from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018 to 2024 with a weighted average coupon rate of 1.2% per annum. As of March 31, 2015, we and our long-term debt obligations were rated by rating agencies as shown in the table below. Such ratings were issued by the rating agencies upon our requests. Rating agencies are able to upgrade, downgrade, reserve or withdraw their credit ratings on us anytime at their discretions. The rating is not a market rating or recommendation to buy, hold or sell our shares or any financial obligations of us.

 

Rating agencies

 

Type of rating

  Rating   Outlook

Moody’s

  Long-Term Obligation Rating   Aa3   Stable

Standard & Poor’s

  Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating   AA-   Stable

Standard & Poor’s

  Long-Term Senior Unsecured Debt Rating   AA-  

Japan Credit Rating Agency, Ltd.

  Long-Term Senior Debt Rating   AAA   Stable

Rating and Investment Information, Inc.

  Issuer Rating   AA+   Negative

 

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None of our debt obligations include a clause in which a downgrade of our credit rating could lead to a change in a payment term of such an obligation such as an acceleration of its maturity.

The following table summarizes our long-term debt, interest payments on long-term debt, lease obligations and other contractual obligations (including current portion) over the next several years.

 

             Millions of yen  
             Payments Due by Period  

Category of Obligations

   Total      1 year or less      1-3 years      3-5 years      After 5 years  

Long-Term Debt

              

Bonds

   ¥ 220,000       ¥       ¥ 60,000       ¥ 110,000       ¥ 50,000   

Loans

     603         203         400                   

Interest Payments on Long-Term Debt

     10,839         2,595         5,186         1,780         1,278   

Capital Leases

     3,603         1,413         1,671         506         13   

Operating Leases

     43,045         11,555         16,055         9,276         6,159   

Other Contractual Obligations (1)

     439,268         432,716         4,031         1,833         688   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥   717,358       ¥   448,482       ¥   87,343       ¥   123,395       ¥   58,138   

 

(1) The amount of contractual obligations which is immaterial in amount or uncertain in time of payment is not included in “Other Contractual Obligations” in the above table. We expect to contribute an amount of ¥1,166 million to the contract-type corporate pension plans and an amount of ¥2,129 million to the NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. Please also refer to Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements.

“Other Contractual Obligations” principally consisted of commitments to purchase property, plant and equipment for our cellular network, commitments to purchase inventories, mainly handsets, and commitments to purchase services. As of March 31, 2015, we had committed ¥26.0 billion for property, plant and equipment, ¥386.2 billion for inventories and ¥27.0 billion for other purchase commitments. The amounts of “Other Contractual Obligations” are estimates calculated based on given assumptions and do not represent our entire anticipated purchases in the future. Apart from the above purchase commitments, we purchase products and services as needed and we expect to make significant capital expenditures and/or inventories purchase on an ongoing basis for our LTE networks expansion, smartphone sales increase and for other purposes. Also, we consider potential opportunities for entry to new areas of business, merger and acquisitions, establishment of joint ventures, strategic investments or other arrangements primarily in Telecommunications business as needed. Currently, we have no contingent liabilities related to litigation or guarantees that could have a materially adverse effect on our financial position.

Sources of Cash

The following table sets forth certain information about our cash flows during the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

      Millions of yen  
      Years ended March 31  
      2013     2014     2015  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   ¥     932,405      ¥     1,000,642      ¥     962,977   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (701,934     (703,580     (651,194

Net cash used in financing activities

     (260,967     (269,793     (734,257
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (28,404     33,246        (421,367

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     522,078        493,674        526,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   ¥ 493,674      ¥ 526,920      ¥ 105,553   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Analysis of cash flows for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, net cash provided by operating activities was ¥963.0 billion, a decrease of ¥37.7 billion or 3.8% from the prior fiscal year. This was due mainly to a decrease in mobile communications services revenues and an increase in cash outflows resulting from an increase in the amount of accrued income taxes paid, despite an increase in cash inflows from customers in relation to collections of installment receivables for customers’ handset purchases.

Net cash used in investing activities was ¥651.2 billion, a decrease of ¥52.4 billion or 7.4% from the prior fiscal year. This was due mainly to decreases in cash outflows for purchases of property, plant and equipment as a result of efficient network construction.

Net cash used in financing activities was ¥734.3 billion, an increase of ¥464.5 billion or 172.2% from the prior fiscal year, due mainly to an increase in cash outflows resulting from an increase in payments to acquire treasury stock.

As a result of the foregoing, the balance of cash and cash equivalents was ¥105.6 billion as of March 31, 2015, a decrease of ¥421.4 billion or 80.0% from the prior fiscal year end. The balance of investments with original maturities of longer than three months, which were made to manage a part of our cash efficiently, was ¥243.8 billion as of March 31, 2015, compared to ¥259.6 billion as of March 31, 2014.

Analysis of cash flows for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, net cash provided by operating activities was ¥1,000.6 billion, an increase of ¥68.2 billion or 7.3% from the prior fiscal year, due mainly to an increase in cash inflows from customers in relation to the collection of installment receivables for customers’ handset purchases under the installment method, a decrease of commissions paid to resellers and a decrease of corporate tax payments.

Net cash used in investing activities was ¥703.6 billion, an increase of ¥1.6 billion or 0.2% from the prior fiscal year. This was due mainly to a decrease in cash inflows resulting from the redemption of short-term investments for cash management purpose, despite a decrease in purchases of property, plant and equipment as a result of efficient network construction, a decrease in cash outflows from purchases of short-term investments and a decrease in cash outflows resulting from purchases of long-term bailment for consumption to a related party.

Net cash used in financing activities was ¥269.8 billion, an increase of ¥8.8 billion or 3.4% from the prior fiscal year, due mainly to an increase in cash outflows resulting from repayments of short-term borrowings and dividends paid.

The balance of cash and cash equivalents was ¥526.9 billion as of March 31, 2014, an increase of ¥33.2 billion or 6.7% from the prior fiscal year end. The balance of investments with original maturities of longer than three months, which were made to manage a part of our cash efficiently, was ¥259.6 billion as of March 31, 2014, compared to ¥281.8 billion as of March 31, 2013.

Prospect of cash flows for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016

As for our sources of cash for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, we currently expect our net cash flows from operating activities to increase from the prior fiscal year due to factors including an increase in cash inflows from customers in connection with the collection of installment receivables for customers’ handset purchases under the installment method together with a projected decrease in corporate tax and other payments. Our net cash flow used in investing activities for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 is expected to be approximately ¥630.0 billion due to capital expenditures and other items. We do not include any items other than capital expenditures and other reasonably expected items in our forecast of net cash flows in investing activities, as it is difficult to estimate impacts of such items on cash flows in investing activities at this point.

 

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C.    Research and Development

Our research and development activities include development of new products and services, research and development related to next generation mobile communications (5G) aimed at the construction of economical network and the reinforcement of our telecommunications business, the construction of infrastructure for the provision of new services toward the expansion of smart life business and basic research aimed at driving innovation. Research and development costs are charged to expenses as incurred. We incurred ¥97.0 billion, ¥102.0 billion and ¥111.3 billion and as research and development expenses for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

D.    Trend Information

Information pertaining to the trends other than the discussion on the matters below can also be found in “Operating Trends and Prospects for the fiscal year ending March 31 2016.”

Issues Facing DOCOMO and Management’s Responses to Those Issues

We developed our corporate vision for 2020, “HEART: Pursuing Smart Innovation” to propel further growth and propose new values to society in anticipation of future social changes.

Also, under the banner of becoming a “Partner for smart life” of our customers, we tackled the challenge of “reinforcing our competitiveness in telecommunications business” and “stepped up our efforts in the smart life business and other businesses.”

In April 28, 2015, we announced our medium-term initiatives and the Business Management Policies for FY 2015 (year ending March 31, 2016).

Initiatives in the future for the medium-term

To respond to customer needs on an ongoing basis, we will implement initiatives for “co-creation”—an effort to create new added value together with various external partners by constantly evolving the format of collaboration.

 

(1) Roll-out of “+d”

As presented in “Medium-Term Vision 2015,” we have to date worked on new value creation centered on mobile communications by pursuing convergence with other industries and services. Going forward, we will further advance these undertakings and embark on a new initiative dubbed “+d”—a joint value creation initiative that we plan to promote together with partners, making available to our partners our own business assets, such as our payment platform and point program, etc. To further accelerate this initiative, we will standardize the names of the various services that we offer. In the new arrangement, our services will begin with the letter “d,” so customers can easily appreciate the various our services that they can utilize.

 

(2) Co-Creation of Social Values

We will also work to offer new values to various partners, further evolving the forms of collaboration, which have so far been centered on value creation for consumers. Specifically, in the areas of “IoT*1,” “Regional Revitalization,” “2020*2,” and “Solution of Social Issues,” we will strive to create new services and businesses in collaboration with partners utilizing the assets of both parties, with the goal of capturing new revenue opportunities in new domains that transcend the confines of our current industries or business formats.

FY2015 Business Management Policies

We developed our FY2015 Business Management Policies, positioning FY2015 as the year of making a solid step toward the achievement of our medium-term growth. Considering the attainment of operating income

 

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target a matter of utmost importance, we will take actions aimed at increasing our telecommunications services revenues, expanding the smart life business and other businesses and improving our cost efficiency.

 

(1) Actions Aimed at Increasing Telecommunications Services Revenues

 

  - Facilitate subscriptions to new billing plan and “docomo Hikari” service, and strengthen retention measures.

 

  - Boost packet revenues by encouraging subscriber migration to larger data buckets.

 

(2) Actions Aimed at Expansion of Smart Life Business and Other Businesses

 

  - Accelerate measures aimed at expanding the adoption of “dmarket” and other services, and expand our sphere of service by adding home offerings.

 

  -

Cultivate new demand by stepping up enterprise sales, and stepping up B2B2C*3 offerings.

 

(3) Cost Efficiency Improvement

 

  - Reinforcement of “PREMIUM 4G” service and more efficient use of capital expenditures.

 

  - Rigorous cost efficiency improvements through structural reforms.

We will continue to engage ourselves in co-creation of added value for customers in collaboration with partners, so that what is perceived as new today can be taken for granted in the future.

 

*1 Abbreviation for Internet of Things. A concept that describes a world in which everything is connected to the Internet, enabling remote control and management of devices, etc.
*2 “2020” refers to the anticipated increase in tourism and general economic activity, between now and 2020 and the opportunity to develop various new products and services to capture this anticipated increase in demand.
*3 Abbreviation for Business to Business to Consumer; a business arrangement in which an entity supports the consumer business of another company.

Decision to exercise option for sale of stake in TTSL

Tata Teleservices Limited (“TTSL”) is a telecommunication operator in India and a privately held company.

As of March 31, 2015, we held approximately 26.5% of the outstanding common shares of TTSL.

Under the shareholders agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into among TTSL, Tata Sons Limited (“Tata Sons”), the parent company of TTSL, and us, when we entered into a business alliance with TTSL in March 2009, we were granted certain shareholder rights including the right to require Tata Sons to find a suitable buyer for our entire stake (1,248,974,378 shares, or approximately 26.5% of outstanding shares) in TTSL for 50% of the our acquisition price, which amounts to 72.5 billion Indian rupees (or ¥141.4 billion*) or at fair value, whichever is higher, in the event that TTSL fails to achieve certain specified performance targets by March 31, 2014. The right became exercisable on May 30, 2014, and we exercised the right on July 7, 2014.

The obligation of Tata Sons under the Agreement was not fulfilled, although we repeatedly held discussions with Tata Sons in regards to the sale of its entire stake in TTSL, pursuant to the Agreement. Accordingly, we submitted its request for arbitration to the London Court of International Arbitration on January 3, 2015.

The sale of investment in TTSL has not been completed as Tata Sons has not fulfilled its obligation, and thus we have not accounted for the sales transaction for the year ended March 31, 2015. We continue to account for the investment in TTSL under the equity method as we continue to hold approximately 26.5% of the outstanding voting shares of TTSL and have representation on the board of directors of TTSL even after

 

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submitting the request for arbitration. The financial effect of this matter cannot be estimated at this time due to the aforementioned uncertainties surrounding this investment. We may recognize a gain or loss upon disposition of its TTSL shares or in the event that it becomes probable that the transaction as described above will not be carried out.

 

* 1 rupee = ¥1.95 as of May 29, 2015

E.    Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

F.    Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

Please refer to Item 5.B.

G.    Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, and Recently issued Accounting Standards

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires our management to make estimates about expected future cash flows and other matters that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements in accordance with accounting policies established by our management. Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements includes a summary of the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Certain accounting policies are particularly sensitive because of their significance to our reported results and because of the possibility that future events may differ significantly from the conditions and assumptions underlying the estimates used and judgments relating thereto made by our management in preparing our financial statements. Our management has discussed the selection and development of the accounting estimates and the following disclosure regarding the critical accounting policies with our independent registered public accounting firm as well as our audit & supervisory board members. The audit & supervisory board members attend meetings of the board of directors and certain executive meetings to express their opinion and are under a statutory duty to audit the administration of our affairs by our directors and to audit our financial statements. Our critical accounting policies are as follows.

Useful lives of property, plant and equipment, internal use software and other intangible assets

The values of our property, plant and equipment, such as the base stations, antennas, switching centers and transmission lines used by our telecommunications business, our internal-use software and our other intangible assets are recorded in our financial statements at acquisition or development cost and depreciated or amortized over their estimated useful lives. We estimate the useful lives of property, plant and equipment, internal-use software and other intangible assets in order to determine the amount of depreciation and amortization expenses to be recorded in each fiscal year. Our total depreciation and amortization expenses for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were ¥659.8 billion, ¥718.7 and ¥699.8 billion, respectively. We determine the useful lives of our assets at the time the assets are acquired and base our determinations on expected usage, experience with similar assets, established laws and regulations as well as taking into account anticipated technological or other changes. The estimated useful lives of our wireless telecommunications equipment are generally 8 to 16 years. The estimated useful life of our internal-use software is up to 7 years. If technological or other changes occur more rapidly or in a different form than anticipated, new laws or regulations are enacted, or the intended usage changes, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting in recognition of additional depreciation and amortization expenses or losses in future periods. Effective July 1, 2014, we revised our estimate of the expected useful life of certain software for telecommunications network and internal-use software based on the actual utilization of the software to reflect an extended expected maximum useful life from 5 years to 7 years. Due to this change, “Depreciation and amortization” in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, decreased by ¥51.3 billion.

 

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In the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, changes to the estimated useful lives of certain property, plant and equipment, internal-use software and other intangible assets did not have a material impact on our operating results or financial positions.

Impairment of long-lived assets

We perform an impairment review for our long-lived assets other than goodwill and intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives (“unamortizable intangible assets”) to be held and used, including fixed assets such as our property, plant and equipment and certain identifiable intangibles such as software for telecommunications network, internal-use software and rights to use telecommunications facilities of wire line network operators, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. This analysis is separate from our analysis of the useful lives of our assets, although it is affected by some similar factors. Factors that we consider important and that can trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, the following trends or conditions related to the business that utilizes a particular asset:

 

   

significant decline in the market value of an asset;

 

   

loss of operating cash flow in current period;

 

   

introduction of competitive technologies and services;

 

   

significant underperformance of expected or historical cash flows;

 

   

significant or continuing decline in subscriptions;

 

   

changes in the manner of usage of an asset; and

 

   

other negative industry or economic trends.

When we determine that the carrying amount of specific assets may not be recoverable based on the existence or occurrence of one or more of the above or other factors, we estimate the future cash inflows and outflows expected to be generated by the assets over their expected useful lives. We also estimate the sum of expected undiscounted future net cash flows based upon historical trends adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the carrying value of the assets exceeds the sum of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows, we record an impairment loss based on the fair values of the assets. Such fair values may be based on established markets, independent appraisals and valuations or discounted cash flows. If actual market and operating conditions under which assets are used are less favorable or subscriber numbers are less than those projected by management, either of which results in loss of cash flows, additional impairment charges for assets not previously written-off may be required. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015, we recorded an impairment loss of ¥30.2 billion on our multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices related long-lived assets. Please refer to Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for further information. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized impairment loss for a certain long-lived assets, of which the impact of the impairment on our financial results was insignificant.

Impairment of goodwill and unamortizable intangible assets

The majority of our goodwill was recognized when we purchased all the remaining non-controlling interests in our eight regional subsidiaries through share exchanges and made those subsidiaries wholly owned in November 2002. In addition, we have acquired majority equity stakes in a number of companies in recent years for the purpose of expanding into smart life domains, and the recognition of these majority investments resulted in an increase of goodwill. Consequently, the carrying amount of goodwill as of March 31, 2015 was ¥266.3 billion. The carrying amount of unamortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2015 was ¥16.4 billion.

We perform annually, usually as of March 31, and if an event or circumstances occurs that would imply impairment, an impairment test of goodwill and unamortizable intangible assets recognized as a result of

 

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business combinations. We apply a two-step test when assessing goodwill for impairment by reporting unit either at the operating segment level or one level below such segment. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). Fair value of the reporting unit is determined primarily through the discounted cash flow method. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and we perform the second step of the impairment test (measurement). Under the second step, based on a comparison of the fair value and carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the fair value of that goodwill. For the impairment test of unamortizable intangible assets, we compare the fair value and carrying value of the unamortizable intangible assets, and recognize impairment loss for any excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the applicable intangible asset. In determining the fair value, we estimate the future cash flows that are expected to be generated by the applicable reporting unit, based on the business plan and other factors of the reporting unit subject to impairment test of goodwill or indefinite intangible assets. If different estimates or assumptions are used in determining the discounted present value of future cash flows, it could result in different appraisal of goodwill, and may require additional impairment charges to be recognized in the future.

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, the most significant amount of recorded goodwill resided in the mobile business in Japan reporting unit, which is included in our mobile business segment. This reporting unit has recorded goodwill of ¥133.5 billion and has passed the first step of the impairment test by a substantial margin. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, we realigned its operating segments in order to reflect the change in the management of the businesses which resulted in a reorganization of our financial reporting structure of internal organization in a manner that caused the composition of its reportable segments to change. In addition, reporting units were also realigned accordingly and the goodwill were allocated to respective reporting units based on relative fair value. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the most significant amount of recorded goodwill resides in the telecommunications business in Japan reporting unit, which is included in our telecommunications business segment. This reporting unit has recorded goodwill of ¥127.3 billion since as of the date of the change in the reporting units and has passed the first step of the impairment test by a substantial margin. The fair value of the remaining goodwill which resides in other reporting units also exceeds the net carrying amount by a significant margin or is not considered significant for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Fair values of the reporting unit have primarily been estimated using the discounted cash flow method which is based upon the future business plan. The future business plan is supported by the historical operating results and our most recent views of our long term outlook. However, if operating income were to decline significantly in the future due to unforeseen events, it would adversely affect the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.

We did not recognize any goodwill impairment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. The amount of goodwill impairment charges for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 was ¥7.3 billion. The fair value of this reporting unit was measured using the discounted cash flow method in combination with a market approach.

Impairment of investments

We have made investments in certain domestic and foreign entities. These investments are accounted for under the equity method, cost method, or at fair value as appropriate based on various conditions such as ownership percentages, exercisable influence over the investments and marketability of the investments. In the past, we experienced material impairments in the value of our investments in equity method affiliates that were included in “Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates” in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for relevant years. It is possible that we could experience similar impairments with respect to our “Investments in affiliates” and “Marketable securities and other investments” again in the future. We may also experience material gains or losses on the sale of our investments. As of March 31, 2015, the total carrying value of “Investments in affiliates” was ¥439.1 billion, while the total carrying value for investments in “Marketable securities and other investments” was ¥195.0 billion. Our major investee companies are Sumitomo

 

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Mitsui Card Co., Ltd., Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company of the Philippines and TTSL (Tata Teleservices Limited) of India and these are classified as “Investments in affiliates” as of March 31, 2015.

Equity method and cost method accounting require that we assess if a decline in value or an associated event regarding any such investment has occurred and, if so, whether such decline is other than temporary. We perform a review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider important and that can trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

significant or continued declines in the market values of the investee;

 

   

loss of operating cash flow in current period;

 

   

significant underperformance of historical cash flows of the investee;

 

   

significant impairment losses or write-downs recorded by the investee;

 

   

significant changes in the quoted market price of public investee affiliates;

 

   

negative results of competitors of investee affiliates; and

 

   

other negative industry or economic trends.

In performing our evaluations, we utilize various information including discounted cash flow valuations, independent valuations and, if available, quoted market values. Determination of recoverable amounts sometimes requires estimates involving results of operations and financial position of the investee, changes in technology, capital expenditures, market growth and share, discount factors and terminal values. In the event we determine as a result of such evaluations that there are other than temporary declines in value of investment below its carrying value, we record an impairment charge. Such write-down to fair value establishes a new cost basis in the carrying amount of the investment. The impairment charge of “Investment in affiliates” is included in “Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates” while the impairment charge of “Marketable securities and other investments” is reflected in “Other income (expense)” in our consolidated statements of income. For the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recorded impairment charges accompanying other than temporary declines in the values of certain investee affiliates.

The impact of the impairment charges of “Investment in affiliates” on our results of operations and financial position for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was inconsequential.

The amounts of impairment charges on “Investments in affiliates” for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 were ¥51.3 billion and ¥25.9 billion, including TTSL respectively. In estimating the investment value of those equity method investees, we used the weighted average cost of capital of 12.6% mainly for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and 11.3% to 15.9% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 as a significant unobservable input.

We reviewed the business outlook of TTSL in order to determine if the value of the investment in TTSL has suffered a decline that was other than temporary because of the recent economic and financial environment surrounding its industry. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, our estimated future cash flows of TTSL were adjusted downward as a result of the intensifying tariff competition among mobile network operators in India and our views of our long term outlook at that time and we concluded that the recoverable amount was significantly below carrying value and that this impairment was other than temporary. Consequently, we recognized an impairment charge of ¥6.8 billion. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, our estimate of future cash flows of TTSL were further revised downward as a result of the growing business risk of mobile network operators in India, including an increase in the cost of maintaining or acquiring frequency spectrum due to a steep rise of the auction price of frequency spectrum in India. Reflecting growing business risk and recent operating results of TTSL, the weighted average cost of capital increased to 12.6%, which was applied to these

 

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revised estimated cash flows and we concluded that the further decline in value was other than temporary. Consequently, we recognized an additional impairment charge of ¥51.2 billion. As described in “D.Trend Information” of “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”, we plan to dispose of our entire investment in TTSL. We may recognize a gain or loss upon disposition of our TTSL shares or if the transaction as previously described above is not be carried out.

We recorded impairment charges on certain investments which were classified as “Marketable securities and other investments.” The amount of impairment charges on “Marketable securities and other investments” was ¥0.9 billion, ¥3.1 billion and ¥10.9 billion for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

While we believe that the remaining carrying values of our investments are nearly equal to their fair value, circumstances in which the value of an investment is below its carrying amount or changes in the estimated realizable value can require additional impairment charges to be recognized in the future.

Accrued liabilities for point programs

We offer “docomo Points Service,” which provides benefits, including discounts on handset, to customers in exchange for points that we grant customers based on the usage of cellular and other services and record “Accrued liabilities for point programs” relating to the points that customers earn. The total amount of accrued liabilities for point programs recognized as short-term and long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 was ¥91.6 billion and ¥116.4 billion, respectively. Point program expense for the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was ¥67.7 billion, ¥70.8 billion and ¥74.7 billion, respectively.

In determining the accrued liabilities for point programs, we estimate factors such as the point utilization rate reflecting the forfeitures by, among other things, cancellation of subscription. Higher-than-estimated utilization rate could result in the need for recognizing additional expenses or accrued liabilities in the future. In determining the accrued liabilities for point programs as of March 31, 2015, one percent raise in point utilization rate would result in an additional accrual of approximately ¥1.1 billion, if all the other factors are held constant.

Pension liabilities

We sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan which covers almost all of our employees called for contract-type corporate pension plan. We introduced NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s contract-type corporate pension plan to a defined contribution pension plan effective on and after April 1, 2014. NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s contract-type corporate pension plan continues to remain for the pension benefits earned up to March 31, 2014. We also participate in the NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“NTT CDBP”), a contributory defined benefit welfare pension plan sponsored by NTT group.

Calculation of the amount of pension cost and liabilities for retirement allowances requires us to make various judgments and assumptions including the discount rate, expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, long-term rate of salary increases and expected remaining service lives of our plan participants. We believe that the most significant of these assumptions in the calculations are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. We determine an appropriate discount rate based on current market interest rates on high-quality, fixed income debt securities that are currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefits. In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, we consider the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of the plan assets based on analysis of historical performances. The rates are reviewed annually and we review our assumptions in a timely manner when an event occurs that would have significant influence on the rates or the investment environment changes dramatically.

 

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The discount rates applied in determination of the projected benefit obligations as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets for the years ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

     Years ended March 31
     2014    2015

Contract-type corporate pension plan

     

Discount rate

   1.4%    1.0%

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

   2.0%    2.0%

Actual return on plan assets

   Approximately 9%    Approximately 3%

NTT CDBP

     

Discount rate

   1.4%    1.0%

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

   2.5%    2.5%

Actual return on plan assets

   Approximately 10%    Approximately 12%

The amount of projected benefit obligations of our contract-type corporate pension plan as of March 31, 2015 and 2014 was ¥218.0 billion and ¥206.1 billion, respectively. The amount of projected benefit obligations of the NTT CDBP as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, based on actuarial computations which covered only our employees’ participation, was ¥131.1 billion and ¥116.9 billion, respectively. The amount is subject to a substantial change due to differences in actual performance or changes in assumptions. In conjunction with the differences between estimates and the actual benefit obligations, net losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets are amortized from “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” over the expected average remaining service life of employees in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following table shows the sensitivity of our contract-type corporate pension plan and the NTT CDBP as of March 31, 2015 to the change in the discount rate or the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, while holding other assumptions constant.

 

     Billions of yen

Change in Assumptions

   Change in projected
benefit obligation
   Change in pension
cost, before
applicable taxes
   Accumulated other
comprehensive
income (loss), net
of applicable taxes

Contract-type corporate pension plan

        

0.5% increase/decrease in discount rate

    (9.8) / 10.3     0.6  / (0.6)    6.7 / (7.0)

0.5% increase/decrease in expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

      (0.4) /  0.5    

NTT CDBP

        

0.5% increase/decrease in discount rate

   (13.7) / 15.3     0.3  / (0.0)    9.4 / (9.5)

0.5% increase/decrease in expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

      (0.4) /  0.4    

Please also refer to Note 17 “Employees’ retirement benefits” to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Revenue recognition

We defer upfront activation fees and recognize them as revenues over the expected term of a subscription. Related direct cost to the extent of the activation fees amount are also being deferred and amortized over the same period. The reported amounts of revenue and cost of services are affected by the level of activation fees, related direct cost and the estimated length of the subscription period over which such fees and cost are amortized. Factors that affect our estimate of the subscription period over which such fees and cost are amortized include subscriber churn rate and newly introduced or anticipated competitive products, services and technology.

 

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The current amortization periods are based on an analysis of historical trends and our experiences. For the years ended March 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, we recognized as revenues deferred activation fees of ¥21.5 billion, ¥16.3 billion and ¥29.6 billion, respectively, as well as corresponding amounts of related deferred cost. As of March 31, 2015 and 2014, remaining unrecognized deferred activation fees were ¥90.1 billion and ¥72.7 billion, respectively.

Recently issued Accounting Standards

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which requires an entity to recognize the amount to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for us on April 1, 2017. On April 29, 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft to delay the effective date of the ASU by one year. In the event that the exposure draft goes into effect, the standard would be effective for us on April 1, 2018 and early application of the standard as of April 1, 2017 would also be permitted.

We are currently evaluating the effect that the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

A.    Directors and Senior Management

Directors, Corporate Executives and Audit & Supervisory Board Members

Our members of the board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for the administration of our affairs. Our Articles of Incorporation specify the number of members of the board of directors as not more than 15 directors are elected at a general meeting of shareholders from among those candidates nominated by the Board of Directors. The candidates may also be nominated by shareholders. The normal term of office of member of the board of directors is 2 years, although they may serve any number of consecutive terms. The Board of Directors elects from among member of the board of directors one or more representative directors, who have the authority individually to represent us. From among member of the board of directors, the Board of Directors also elects the president and may elect a chairman and one or more senior executive vice presidents and executive vice presidents.

We have an Audit & Supervisory Board as an organization that is independent from the Board of Directors. The Audit & Supervisory Board audits execution of duties by directors and carries out accounting audits. Our Articles of Incorporation provide for not more than 5 audit & supervisory board members. Under the Companies Act, the Audit & Supervisory Board is composed of all of our audit & supervisory board members. Audit & supervisory board members, more than half of whom must be from outside our company, are elected at a general meeting of shareholders from among those candidates nominated by the Board of Directors with the prior consent of our Audit & Supervisory Board. The candidates may also be nominated by shareholders. The Audit & Supervisory Board may, by its resolution, request that the Board of Directors submit to a general meeting of shareholders an item of business concerning election of audit & supervisory board members and/or proposed candidates of audit & supervisory board members. The normal term of office of an audit & supervisory board member is 4 years, although they may serve any number of consecutive terms. Audit & supervisory board members are under a statutory duty to audit the administration of our affairs by our member of the board of directors, to audit our financial statements and business reports submitted by our member of the board of directors to the general meetings of shareholders and to report to the shareholders the results of investigations regarding any actions by our member of the board of directors that are unreasonable or which are in violation or breach of laws, ordinances or the Articles of Incorporation of our company. They are obliged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and to express their opinions if they deem necessary, but they are not entitled to vote. It

 

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is a statutory duty for the Audit & Supervisory Board to prepare an audit report and for identified audit & supervisory board members to submit it to identified member of the board of directors each year. An audit & supervisory board member may note his or her opinion in the audit report if his or her opinion is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report. The Audit & Supervisory Board is empowered to decide audit policy, the methods of examination of our affairs and financial position and other matters concerning the execution of the audit & supervisory board members’ work duties.

In addition to audit & supervisory board members, we must appoint independent public accountants who have statutory duties to examine the financial statements to be submitted by the Board of Directors to the general meetings of shareholders, reporting thereon to audit & supervisory board members and members of the board of directors, and examining the financial statements to be filed with the director of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau of Japan. Since our incorporation, KPMG AZSA LLC, has acted as our independent public accountant.

We introduced an executive officer system in 2005 with the aim of clarifying the board’s managerial supervision function and further enhancing its business execution functions.

The following table sets forth our members of the board of directors and audit & supervisory board members as of June 26, 2015 and certain other information.

 

Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Member of the Board of Directors:

     

Kaoru Kato (2)

(May 20, 1951)

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

April 1977

 

July 2007

 

Entered NTT Public Corporation

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy Planning Department of NTT DoCoMo Kansai, Inc.

  34,500   June 2016   June 2008
   

 

June 2008

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department of the Company

     
   

 

April 2009

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department and Managing Director of Mobile Society Research Institute of the Company

     
   

 

July 2009

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department of the Company

     
    June 2012   President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company      

Kazuhiro Yoshizawa (2)

(Jun. 21, 1955)

 

Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Chief Information security Officer and

Chief Privacy Officer/ Responsible for Technology, Device and Information strategy

 

April 1979

 

June 2007

 

Entered NTT Public Corporation

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Department II of the Company

  18,700   June 2016   June 2011
   

 

June 2011

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Human Resources Management Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy & Planning Department, Responsible for Mobile Society Research Institute of the Company

     
   

 

July 2013

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy & Planning Department, Managing Director of Structural Reform Office, Responsible for Mobile Society Research Institute of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Chief Information security Officer and Chief Privacy Officer, Responsible for Technology, Device and Information strategy of the Company

     

 

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Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Yoshikiyo Sakai (2)

(Oct. 10, 1956)

 

Senior Executive Vice President/

Responsible

for Consumer

business, Marketing, Global

business and Corporate

 

April 1980

 

June 2005

 

Entered NTT Public Corporation

 

Managing Director of Investor Relations Department of the Company

  8,600   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Managing Director of Public Relations Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2009

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Public Relations Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Director of Finance and Accounting Department, Member of the Board of Directors of NTT

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Senior Executive Vice President, Responsible for Consumer business, Marketing, Global business and Corporate of the Company

     
     

 

(Effective from July 1, 2015)

     
     

 

Senior Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Sales and Marketing Division, Responsible for Global business and Corporate of the Company

     

Akira Terasaki (2)

(Jan. 20, 1952)

 

Senior Executive Vice

President/

Responsible

for

Corporate

business,

Improvement of business operations and CSR

  April 1976   Entered Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications   2,600   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination of the MIC

     
   

 

July 2010

 

 

Special Advisor to the MIC

     
   

 

October

2010

 

 

Professor, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology

     
   

 

July 2011

 

 

Advisor, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Senior Executive Vice President, Responsible for Corporate business, Improvement of business operations and CSR of the Company

     

Seizo Onoe (3)

(May 12, 1957)

 

Executive Vice President, Chief

Technology Officer/ Managing Director of

R&D Innovation Division

 

April 1982

 

July 2006

 

Entered NTT Public Corporation

 

Managing Director of Radio Access Network Development Department of the Company

  17,100   June 2016   June 2012
   

 

June 2008

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of R&D Strategy Department and Managing Director of Radio Access Network Development Department of the Company

     
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of R&D Strategy Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Managing Director of R&D Center of the Company

     
   

 

July 2014

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Managing Director of R&D Innovation Division of the Company

     

 

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Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Hirotaka Sato (3)

(Nov.18, 1958)

 

Executive Vice President, Chief

Financial Officer/ Managing

Director of Accounts and Finance

Department, Responsible for Finance

and Business alliance

 

April 1982

 

June 2005

 

Entered NTT Public Corporation

 

Senior Director of Accounts and Finance Department of the Company

  13,400   June 2016   June 2012
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Vice President of Finance and Accounting Department of NTT

     
   

 

June 2011

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Department I of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Accounts and Finance Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Managing Director of Accounts and Finance Department, Responsible for Finance and Business alliance of the Company

     

Kazuhiro Takagi (3)

(Jun. 29, 1956)

 

Executive Vice President/ Managing

Director of Corporate

Sales and Marketing

Division and Managing

Director of

TOHOKU Reconstruction Support Office

 

April 1982

 

May 2002

 

Entered NTT Public Corporation

 

Senior Director of Procurement and Supply Department of the Company

  8,600   June 2016   June 2012
   

 

July 2005

 

 

Senior Director of Human Resources Management Department of the Company

     
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Managing Director of Frontier Services Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Human Resources Management Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing Division and Managing Director of TOHOKU Reconstruction Support Office of the Company

     

Hiroyasu Asami (3)

(Sep. 8, 1956)

  Executive Vice President/Managing Director of Corporate Strategy& Planning Department Responsible for Broadband business   April 1980   Entered NTT Public Corporation   11,400   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Smart Communication Services Department, Engages in Multimedia of the Company

     
   

 

March 2013

 

 

Executive Vice President, Responsible for Multimedia Services of the Company

     
   

 

July 2013

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Smart-life Business Division of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy & Planning Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2015

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Strategy & Planning Department, Responsible for Broadband business of the Company

     

 

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Table of Contents

Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Kiyohiro Omatsuzawa (3)

(Jun. 22, 1957)

 

Executive

Vice President/

Managing

Director of Network Department, Responsible for Network and Preparation for 2020

  April 1981   Entered NTT Public Corporation   15,300   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

June 2006

 

 

Managing Director of Radio Access Network Engineering Department of the Company

     
   

 

July 2009

 

 

Managing Director of Procurement and Supply Department and Member of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2010

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Procurement and Supply Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Chugoku Regional Office of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Network Department, Responsible for Network and Preparation for 2020 of the Company

     
     

 

(Effective from July 1, 2015)

     
     

 

Executive Vice President, Responsible for Network and Preparation for 2020 of the Company

     

Toshiki Nakayama (3)

(Jan. 29, 1958)

 

Executive

Vice President/

Managing Director of

Smart-life Business Division

  April 1981   Entered NTT Public Corporation   5,600   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

June 2011

 

 

Senior Vice President of Strategic Business Development Division of NTT

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Frontier Services Department of the Company

     
   

 

July 2013

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Smart-life Solutions Department of the Company

     
   

 

January 2014

 

 

(Concurrent position) Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President of ABC Cooking Studio Co., Ltd. (To the present)

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Smart-life Business Division and Managing Director of Smart-life Solutions Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2015

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Smart-life Business Division of the Company

     

 

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Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Hajime Kii (3)

(Apr. 20, 1960)

  Executive Vice President/ Managing Director of Human Resources Management Department   April 1983   Entered NTT Public Corporation   5,300   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Deputy Managing Director of Global Business Division of the Company

     
   

 

June 2010

 

 

Managing Director of Global Business Division of the Company

     
   

 

June 2012

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Global Business Division of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Human Resources Management Department of the Company

     
   

 

June 2015

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Human Resources Management Department of the Company

     
     

 

(Principal Concurrent Positions)

     
     

 

Member of the Board of Tata Teleservices Limited (India)

     

Makoto Tani (3)

(Nov. 2, 1961)

  Senior Vice President/ Managing Director of General Affairs Department and Managing Director of Improvement Action Office   April 1984   Entered NTT Public Corporation   3,500   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

July 2006

 

 

Senior Director of Department V and Managing Director of Business Process Reform Office, Department V of NTT

     
   

 

June 2007

 

 

Senior Director of General Affairs Department of NTT

     
   

 

October 2009

 

 

Senior Director of President’s Office, General Affairs Department of NTT

     
   

 

August 2013

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Department II of the Company

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Senior Vice President, Managing Director of General Affairs Department and Managing Director of Improvement Action Office of the Company

     

Teruyasu Murakami (4)(7)

(Oct 15, 1945)

    April 1968   Entered Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (“NRI”)   6,000   June 2016   June 2013
   

 

April 2001

 

 

Representative Director, Executive Managing Director, Member of the Board of NRI

     
   

 

April 2002

 

 

Chief Corporate Counselor of NRI

     
   

 

June 2008

 

 

Independent Director of Benesse Holdings, Inc.

     
   

 

April 2012

 

 

Director of Research Institute for Industrial Strategy (To the present)

     
   

 

June 2013

 

 

Member of the Board of Directors of the Company

     
     

 

(Principal concurrent positions)

     
     

 

Director of Research Institute for Industrial Strategy

     

 

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Table of Contents

Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Takashi Nakamura (4)

(May 15, 1964)

    April 1987   Entered NTT   1,000   June 2016   June 2013
   

 

January 1999

 

 

Manager of Department IV, NTT-Holding Provisional Headquarters of NTT

     
   

 

October 2002

 

 

Senior Director of Department IV of NTT

     
   

 

April 2005

 

 

Senior Director of Accounts and Finance Department of NTT West

     
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Senior Director of Personnel Department of NTT West

     
   

 

July 2011

 

 

Senior Director of Finance and Accounting Department of NTT (To the present)

     
   

 

June 2013

 

 

Member of the Board of Directors of the Company

     
     

 

(Principal concurrent positions)

     
     

 

Senior Director of Finance and Accounting Department of NTT

     
Audit & Supervisory Board Member:  

Tooru Kobayashi (5)

(Aug. 8, 1952)

 

Full-time

Audit & Supervisory

Board Member

  April 1976   Entered NTT Public Corporation   17,700   June 2016   June 2014
   

 

July 2008

 

 

Executive Vice President, Managing Director of Tokai Regional Office of the Company

     
   

 

June 2011

 

 

Representative Director and Executive Vice President, Member of the Board of Directors of Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co. Ltd. (“SMCC”)

     
   

 

April 2012

 

 

Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President, Member of the Board of Directors of SMCC

     
   

 

June 2013

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Board of Directors of DOCOMO Service, Inc.

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Audit & Supervisory Board Member of the Company

     

Naoto Shiotsuka (5)(6)

(Jul. 15, 1952)

 

Full-time

Audit & Supervisory

Board Member

  April 1977   Entered NTT Public Corporation   4,700   June 2019   June 2013
   

 

June 2005

 

 

Senior Vice President, Senior Executive Manager of Finance Department of NTT DATA

     
   

 

June 2007

 

 

Director and Senior Vice President, Senior Executive Manager of Finance Department (Chief Financial Officer) of NTT DATA

     
   

 

June 2009

 

 

Director and Executive Vice President, Senior Executive Manager of Finance Department (Chief Financial Officer), In charge of CSR of NTT DATA

     
   

 

June 2011

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, NTT DATA MANAGEMENT SERVICE Corporation

     
   

 

June 2013

 

 

Audit & Supervisory Board Member of the Company

     

 

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Name

(Date of Birth)

 

Position/
Responsibility

 

History, Positions, Responsibilities and
Principal Concurrent Positions

 

Shares
Owned (1)

 

Date
Current
Terms
Ends

 

Initial
Appointment
Date

Toshimune Okihara (5)(6)

(Aug. 29, 1954)

 

Full-time

Audit & Supervisory Board Member

  April 1979   Entered NTT Public Corporation   2,400   June 2019   June 2014
   

 

June 2006

 

 

Senior Vice President, General Manager of System Engineering Department, Member of the Board of Directors of NTT Communications Corporation (“NTT Com”)

     
   

 

August 2006

 

 

Senior Vice President, General Manager of System Engineering Department, Enterprise Sales Division Member, Member of the Board of Directors of NTT Com

     
    June 2010  

 

Executive Vice President, General Manager of System Engineering Department, Enterprise Sales Division, Member of the Board of Directors of NTT Com

     
   

 

June 2011

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, Member of the Board of Directors of NTT Com Technology Corporation

     
   

 

June 2014

 

 

Audit & Supervisory Board Member of the Company

     

Yutaka Kawataki (5)(6)(7)

(Dec. 18, 1953)

 

Full-time

Audit & Supervisory Board Member

  April 1977   Entered The Board of Audit of Japan   1,000   June 2019   June 2015
   

 

March 2013

 

 

Deputy Secretary General of The Board of Audit of Japan

     
   

 

April 2014

 

 

 

Secretary General of The Board of Audit of Japan(Retired from the position in March 2015)

     
   

 

June 2015

 

 

Audit & Supervisory Board Member of the Company

     

Eiko Tsujiyama (6)(7)

(Dec. 11, 1947)

 

Audit & Supervisory

Board Member

  August 1980   Assistant Professor, Humanities Department, Ibaraki University   2,800   June 2019   June 2011
   

 

April 1985

 

 

Assistant Professor, Faculty of Economics, Musashi University

     
    April 1991   Professor, Faculty of Economics, Musashi University      
    April 2003   Professor of Accounting Faculty of Business & Commerce, Waseda University (To the present)      
    June 2011   Audit & Supervisory Board Member of the Company      
      (Principal concurrent positions)      
      Professor of Accounting Faculty of Business & Commerce, Waseda University      
      Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of Mitsubishi Corporation      
      Outside Member of the Board of Directors of ORIX Corporation      
      Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of Lawson, INC.      
      Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of Shiseido Company, Limited      

 

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(1) DOCOMO shares owned as of May 31, 2015
(2) Representative director
(3) Concurrently serves as an executive officer
(4) Outside member of the board of directors
(5) Full-time audit & supervisory board member
(6) Outside audit & supervisory board member
(7) Independent director/auditor

The following table shows information about our executive officers as of June 26, 2015, including their positions and responsibilities.

 

Name

  

Position

  

Responsibility

Kiyohito Nagata

   Executive Vice President    Managing Director of Kansai Regional Office

Syohei Sakaguchi

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Hokkaido Regional Office

Koji Aoyama

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Tohoku Regional Office

Kei Irie

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Tokai Regional Office

Ichiro Nishino

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Hokuriku Regional Office

Yohji Maruyama

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Chugoku Regional Office

Osamu Hirokado

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Shikoku Regional Office

Kazunori Yamamoto

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Kyusyu Regional Office

Tomohisa Ueno

   Senior Vice President    General Manager, Tokyo Branch

Kenichi Mori

   Senior Vice President    General Manager, Kanagawa Branch

Hiroshi Nakamura

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of R&D Strategy Department

Minoru Etoh

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Innovation Management Department

Kyoji Murakami

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Smart-life Solutions Department

Ken Yoshizaki

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Financial Business Department

Hozumi Tamura

   Senior Vice President   

Managing Director of Smart-life Planning Department

Managing Director of Global Service Planning Office

Seiji Maruyama

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Product Department

Shigeto Torizuka

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Sales Promotion Department

Kouji Furukawa

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing Department I

Eiichi Sakamoto

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Strategy Department

 

Note: Directors who concurrently serve as an executive officer are not included in the above list.

 

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B. Compensation

The aggregate compensation to the member of the board of directors and audit & supervisory board members during the year ended March 31, 2015 was as follows:

 

Position

   Total
Compensation
     Millions of yen      Number
of Persons
 
      Breakdown of Compensation     
      Base
Salary
     Stock
Option
     Bonus      Retirement
Bonus
    

Member of the board of directors *1

   ¥   515       ¥ 417                     —       ¥ 98                 20   

Audit & supervisory board member *2

   ¥ 37       ¥ 37                         —                 3   

Outside member of the board of director/ audit & supervisory board member

   ¥ 101       ¥ 101                                 5   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 654       ¥ 555               ¥ 98                 28   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(Notes)

1. Upper limits on compensation to members of the board of directors and audit & supervisory board members were set at ¥600 million annually for directors and ¥150 million annually for audit & supervisory board members at the 15th ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 20, 2006.
2. Member of the board of directors includes 7 directors who retired at the end of the 23rd ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 19, 2014.
3. Audit & supervisory board member includes 2 audit & supervisory board members who retired at the end of the 23rd ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 19, 2014.
*1 Excluding outside member(s) of the board of directors
*2 Excluding outside audit & supervisory board member(s)

 

C. Board Practices

Information required by this item is set forth in Items 6.A. and 6.B. of this annual report. We do not have any contracts with directors or audit & supervisory board members providing for severance benefits upon termination of employment.

In order to enable our directors (including former directors) and audit & supervisory board members (including former audit & supervisory board members) to fully perform the roles expected of them in the execution of their work duties, we are permitted, pursuant to the Companies Act and our Articles of Incorporation, to release directors and audit & supervisory board members from liability for damages resulting from neglect of duties, with such release to be made by resolution of the Board of Directors, and to be within the range permitted by law. Further, we can conclude agreements with members of the board of directors (excluding members of the board of directors with executive authority over operations, etc.) and audit & supervisory board members limiting their liability for damages resulting from neglect of duties. However, the liability limit pursuant to these agreements is the amount stipulated by law.

 

D. Employees

As of March 31, 2015, DOCOMO and its subsidiaries had 25,680 employees representing an increase of 820 employees since March 31, 2014. As of March 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 we had 24,860, 23,890, and 23,289 employees, respectively. The average number of temporary employees for the year ended March 31, 2015 was 11,732.

Of our 25,680 employees on March 31, 2015, 2,898 were staff in departments such as human resources, general affairs, management planning, accounting and finance, while the rest were engaged in business operations, such as sales, research and development and related matters. Also, as of March 31, 2015, 2,143 employees were working at overseas consolidated subsidiaries.

We consider our level of remuneration, non-wage benefits, including our employee share ownership program, working conditions and other allowances, including lump-sum payments and annuities to employees

 

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upon retirement, to be generally competitive with those offered in Japan by other large enterprises. We have an extensive training program for new employees. To increase incentives, the NTT group has implemented a bonus plan based on overall business performance and personal results. The general retirement age has been 60.

Most of our non-management employees are members of ALL NTT WORKERS UNION OF JAPAN. We consider our relationship with such unions to be excellent. We have never had a strike.

 

E. Share Ownership

Information required by this item is set forth in Item 6.A. of this annual report and below. We have not granted stock options to any of our members of the board of directors or audit & supervisory board members and we do not currently have any stock option plans approved pursuant to which they may be granted shares or stock options.

As of May 31, 2015, our members of the board of directors and audit & supervisory board members owned 180,200 of our shares. Currently, all of our full-time members of the board of directors and audit & supervisory board members participate in a director stock purchase plan, pursuant to which a plan administrator makes open market purchases of shares for the accounts of participating directors on a monthly basis.

Certain of our employees and certain other of our subsidiaries’ employees participate in an employee stock purchase plan, pursuant to which a plan administrator makes open market purchases of our shares for the accounts of participating employees on a monthly basis. Such purchases are made out of amounts deducted from each participating employee’s salary. In addition, if the employee chooses to participate in an optional benefit plan, we contribute a maximum of ¥80 for each ¥1,000 contributed by the employee.

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

A. Major Shareholders

As of March 31, 2015, NTT owned 2,587,008,900 shares, or 66.65% of our outstanding voting shares and 63.32% of our total issued shares. To the best of our knowledge, no other shareholder beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares (excluding treasury shares). The Japanese government, in the name of the Minister of Finance, owned 34.91% of the voting rights of NTT as of the same date. NTT does not have any special voting rights. For more information regarding our relationship with NTT, see Item 4.B-9 “Relationship with NTT.”

There was no change in NTT’s share ownership of our total issued shares in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

The ownership and distribution of the shares by category of shareholders according to our register of shareholders and register of beneficial shareholders as of March 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Category

   Number of
Shareholders
     Number of
Shares Held
     Issued
Voting Shares
 

Japanese financial institutions

     232         369,129,758         9.03   

Japanese securities companies

     45         91,297,355         2.23   

Other Japanese corporations

     1,827         2,634,279,038         64.47   

Foreign corporations and individuals

     965         541,138,994         13.24   

Japanese individuals, treasury shares and others

     279,490         449,926,855         11.01   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     282,559         4,085,772,000         100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

According to The Bank of New York Mellon, depositary for our ADSs, as of March 31, 2015, 21,765,312 shares of our common stock were held in the form of 21,765,312 ADRs. According to our register of shareholders, as of March 31, 2015, there were 282,559 holders of common stock of record worldwide. As of March 31, 2015, there were 230 group record holders of our common stock with addresses in the

 

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United States, whose shareholdings represented approximately 5.5% of the issued common stock on that date. Because some of these ADSs and shares were held by brokers or other nominees, the number of record holders with addresses in the United States may be fewer than the number of beneficial owners in the United States.

None of our shares of common stock entitles the holder to any preferential voting rights.

We know of no arrangements the operation of which may at a later time result in a change of control.

 

B. Related Party Transactions

We have entered into a number of different types of transactions with NTT, its other subsidiaries and its affiliated companies in the ordinary course of business. For information regarding our relationship with NTT, see Item 4.B-9 “Relationship with NTT.”

With NTT FINANCE, we have also entered into contracts for bailments of cash for consumption and a contract regarding the transfer of receivables based on a basic contract regarding the transfer of billing claims and account receivables relating to the company’s mobile communications services, installment receivables for subscribers’ equipment purchases and others. NTT and its subsidiaries collectively own 99.9% of the voting interest in NTT FINANCE as of March 31, 2015. For information regarding our transactions with NTT FINANCE, see Note 15 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Related Party Transactions.”

 

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not applicable.

Item 8. Financial Information

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

Financial Statements

Refer to “Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule” of this annual report.

Legal or Arbitration Proceedings

The information on legal or arbitration proceedings required by this item is set forth in Item 4.B-10 “Legal Proceedings” of this annual report.

Dividend Policy

We believe that providing adequate returns to shareholders is one of the most important issues in corporate management while raising corporate value through the growth and expansion of our businesses. We plan to pay dividends by taking into account our consolidated results, consolidated financial position and consolidated dividend payout ratio based on the principle of stable and sustainable dividend payments.

We expect to pay an annual dividend of ¥70 per share for the year ending March 31, 2016, which will consist of a ¥35 interim dividend and a ¥35 year-end dividend.

 

B. Significant Changes

Except as otherwise disclosed herein, there has been no significant change in our financial position since March 31, 2015, the date of our last audited financial statements.

 

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Item 9. The Offer and Listing

 

A. Offer and Listing Details

Price Ranges of Shares

Since October 1998, our shares have been listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”). On June 5, 2015, the closing sale price of our shares on the TSE was ¥2,304.5 per share. Our shares are also quoted and traded through the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). The following table lists the reported high and low sale prices of our shares on the TSE, highs and lows of Tokyo Stock Price Index (“TOPIX”) and Nikkei Stock Average for the periods indicated:

 

     TSE *1*2      TOPIX      Nikkei Stock Average  
     (Japanese yen)      (Points)      (Japanese yen)  

Fiscal Year ended March 31,

   High      Low      High      Low      High      Low  

2011

     1,590         1,280         1,001.77         725.90         11,408.17         8,227.63   

2012

     1,518         1,336         879.48         703.88         10,255.15         8,135.79   

2013

     1,497         1,119         1,061.75         692.18         12,650.26         8,238.96   

2014

     1,756         1,358         1,308.08         971.33         16,320.22         11,805.78   

1st Quarter

     1,666         1,358         1,289.77         971.33         15,942.60         11,805.78   

2nd Quarter

     1,670         1,473         1,232.02         1,103.94         14,953.29         13,188.14   

3rd Quarter

     1,730         1,506         1,302.87         1,138.75         16,320.22         13,748.94   

4th Quarter

     1,756         1,530         1,308.08         1,139.27         16,164.01         13,995.86   

2015

     2,252.5         1,515         1,594.71         1,121.50         19,778.60         13,885.11   

1st Quarter

     1,778         1,515         1,273.80         1,121.50         15,442.67         13,885.11   

2nd Quarter

     1,934.5         1,731         1,346.43         1,224.85         16,374.14         14,753.84   

3rd Quarter

     1,898         1,612.5         1,454.22         1,177.22         18,030.83         14,529.03   

4th Quarter

     2,252.5         1,731         1,594.71         1,343.29         19,778.60         16,592.57   

Calendar Year 2014

                                         

December

     1,893.5         1,752.5         1,454.22         1,346.37         18,030.83         16,672.94   

Calendar Year 2015

                                         

January

     2,047         1,731         1,433.35         1,343.29         17,850.59         16,592.57   

February

     2,150         1,955         1,529.20         1,387.38         18,865.39         17,271.87   

March

     2,252.5         2,085.5         1,594.71         1,504.45         19,778.60         18,577.06   

April

     2,296         2,040.5         1,633.81         1,519.41         20,252.12         18,927.95   

May

     2,273.5         2,100         1,680.39         1,571.43         20,655.33         19,257.85   

June (through June 5, 2015)

     2,364.5         2,228.5         1,683.19         1,658.99         20,619.61         20,363.18   

 

*1 As we conducted a 1:100 stock split with an effective date of October 1, 2013, figures provided for “TSE” are adjusted accordingly.
*2 Since TSE introduced the sub-yen tick sizes for TOPIX100 stocks on July 22, 2014 (¥0.5 tick sizes was introduced between ¥1,000 and ¥5,000), the stock prices from 2nd quarter of fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 contain decimals.

 

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Since March 2002, our American Depositary Shares have been listed on the NYSE. On June 5, 2015, the closing sale price of American Depositary Shares on the NYSE was $18.34 per share. The following table lists the reported high and low sale prices of our American Depositary Shares on the NYSE for the periods indicated:

 

     NYSE  
     (U.S. dollars)  

Fiscal Year ended March 31,

  

High

     Low  

2011

     19.23         14.47   

2012

     19.55         16.56   

2013

     17.49         13.81   

2014

     16.74         14.58   

1st Quarter

     16.58         14.58   

2nd Quarter

     16.74         14.95   

3rd Quarter

     16.51         15.64   

4th Quarter

     16.86         15.12   

2015

     18.64         14.42   

1st Quarter

     17.35         15.02   

2nd Quarter

     18.10         16.62   

3rd Quarter

     17.12         14.60   

4th Quarter

     18.64         14.42   

Calendar Year 2014

             

December

     15.79         14.60   

Calendar Year 2015

             

January

     17.02         14.42   

February

     18.03         16.64   

March

     18.64         17.39   

April

     19.22         17.24   

May

     18.56         17.49   

June (through June 5, 2015)

     18.87         18.11   

 

B. Plan of Distribution

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets

See “A. Offer and Listing Details” in Item 9 of this annual report for information on the markets on which our common stock is listed or quoted.

 

D. Selling Shareholders

Not applicable.

 

E. Dilution

Not applicable.

 

F. Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable.

 

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Item 10. Additional Information

 

A. Share Capital

Not applicable.

 

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

1. Objects and Purposes in Our Articles of Incorporation

Article 2 of our Articles of Incorporation, which are attached as an exhibit to this annual report, state our purposes, which include engaging in the telecommunications business, other businesses related to the operation of a wireless telecommunication services provider and non-related businesses.

2. Provisions Regarding Our Directors

There is no provision in our Articles of Incorporation as to a member of the board of director’s power to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which a member of the board of director is materially interested, but, under the Companies Act, a director is required to refrain from voting on such matters at meetings of the Board of Directors.

The Companies Act provides that compensation for members of the board of directors is fixed by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders of a company. Within the upper limit approved by the shareholders’ meeting, the Board of Directors will determine the amount of compensation for each member of the board of directors. The Board of Directors may, by its resolution, leave such decision to the discretion of the Company’s president.

The Companies Act provides that the incurrence by a company of a significant loan from a third party should be approved by a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors. Our Regulations of the Board of Directors have adopted this policy.

There is no mandatory retirement age for our members of the board of directors under the Companies Act or our Articles of Incorporation.

There is no requirement concerning the number of shares one individual must hold in order to qualify him or her as a member of the board of directors of NTT DOCOMO, INC. under the Companies Act or our Articles of Incorporation.

3. Holding of Our Shares by Foreign Investors

There are no limitations on the rights of non-residents or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares imposed by the Companies Act or our Articles of Incorporation or our other constituent documents.

4. Rights of Our Shareholders

The following section contains certain information relating to the shares, including summaries of certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations and of the Companies Act relating to joint stock corporations.

 

   

General

At present, our authorized share capital is 17,460,000,000 shares with no par value of which 4,085,772,000 shares have been issued. All issued shares are fully paid and non-assessable.

On January 5, 2009, a new central clearing system for shares of Japanese listed companies was established pursuant to the Act on Book-Entry of Company Bonds, Shares, etc. of Japan (including the cabinet order and ministerial ordinances promulgated thereunder; the “Act on Book-Entry”), and since then the shares of all Japanese companies listed on any Japanese financial instruments exchange, including our shares, have become

 

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subject to this new system. On the same day, all existing shares were dematerialized and all existing share certificates for such shares became null and void. At present, the Japan Securities Depository Center, Incorporated (“JASDEC”) is the sole institution that is designated by the relevant authorities as a book-entry transfer institution which is permitted to engage in the clearing operations of shares of Japanese listed companies under the Act on Book-Entry, under the new clearing system, in order for any person to hold, sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Japanese listed companies, such person must have an account at an account management institution unless such person has an account directly at JASDEC. “Account management institutions” are, in general, financial instruments firms engaged in type 1 financial instruments business (i.e., securities brokers/dealers), banks, trust companies and certain other financial institutions which meet the requirements prescribed by the Act on Book-Entry.

Under the Act on Book-Entry, any transfer of shares is effected through book entry, and title to the shares passes to the transferee at the time when the number of the shares to be transferred is, by an application for book entry, recorded in the transferee’s account at an account management institution. The holder of an account at an account management institution is presumed to be the legal owner of the shares recorded in such account.

Under the Companies Act and the Act on Book-Entry, in order to assert shareholders’ rights against us, a shareholder must have its name and address registered in the register of shareholders, except in limited circumstances. Although, in general, holders of an account with shares recorded are to be registered in the register of shareholders on the basis of information notified by JASDEC to us at certain prescribed time, in order to exercise minority shareholders’ rights (other than those for which the record dates are fixed) against us, a holder of an account with shares needs to make an application though an account management institution to JASDEC, which will then give a notice of the name and address of such holder, the number of shares held by such holder and other requisite information to us, and to exercise rights within 4 weeks from such notice.

The registered beneficial holder of deposited shares underlying the ADSs is the depositary for the ADSs. Accordingly, holders of ADSs will not be able to directly assert shareholders’ rights against us.

 

   

Dividends

Dividends on our shares are generally distributed in proportion to the number of shares owned by each shareholder.

In Japan, the ex-dividend date and the record date for any dividend precede the date of determination of the amount of the dividend to be paid. Generally, the ex-dividend date is 2 business days prior to the record date.

Under the Companies Act, we are permitted to make distributions of surplus to our shareholders any number of times per fiscal year pursuant to resolutions of our general meeting of shareholders, subject to certain limitations described below. Distributions of surplus are required, in principle, to be authorized by a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders. In an exception to the above rule, we are permitted to make distributions of surplus in cash to our shareholders by board resolution once per fiscal year if our Articles of Incorporation so provide. Currently, our Articles of Incorporation so provide. This exception is intended to make it possible to distribute an interim dividend.

We are also permitted to make distributions of surplus pursuant to a board resolution if certain requirements under the Companies Act are met, including that our Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of Directors may determine to distribute surplus. Currently, our Articles of Incorporation do not so provide. Accordingly, distributions of our surplus must be approved by a general meeting of shareholders.

Distributions of surplus may be made in cash or in-kind in proportion to the number of shares held by each shareholder. If a distribution of surplus is to be made in-kind, we may, pursuant to a general meeting of shareholders resolution, or as the case may be, a board resolution, grant our shareholders a right to require us to

 

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make the distribution in cash instead of in-kind. If no such right is granted, the relevant distribution must be approved by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders (see “Voting Rights”). Currently, we do not have any concrete plan to make a distribution of surplus in-kind.

Under the Companies Act, when we make a distribution of surplus, we must set aside in our additional paid-in capital or legal reserves an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of surplus so distributed, until the sum of our additional paid-in capital and legal reserves reaches one-quarter of our stated capital as required by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice.

Under the Companies Act, we may distribute any dividends up to the amount of the aggregate of (a) and (b) below, less the aggregate of (c) through (f) below, on an unconsolidated basis, as of the effective date of such distribution, if our net assets are not less than ¥3,000,000:

 

  (a) the amount of surplus, as described below;

 

  (b) in the event that extraordinary financial statements as of, or for a period from the beginning of the fiscal year to, the specified date are approved, the aggregate amount of (i) the amount of the current net income for such period described in the profit and loss statement included in the extraordinary financial statements and (ii) the amount of consideration that we received for the treasury stock that we disposed of during such period;

 

  (c) the book value of our treasury stock;

 

  (d) in the event that we disposed of treasury stock after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount of consideration that we received for such treasury stock;

 

  (e) in the event of that which is described in (b) in this paragraph, the aggregate amount of current net loss for such period described in the profit and loss statement included in the extraordinary financial statements; and

 

  (f) the aggregate amount of accounts provided for in an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice.

For the purposes of this section, the amount of surplus is the excess of the aggregate of I. through IV. below, less the aggregate of V. through VII. below, on an unconsolidated basis:

 

  I. the total amount of (x) assets and (y) the book value of treasury stock less the total amount of (i) liabilities, (ii) stated capital, (iii) additional paid-in capital, (iv) legal reserve and (v) certain other amounts set forth in an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice;

 

  II. in the event that we disposed of treasury stock after the end of the previous fiscal year, the difference between the book value of such treasury stock and the consideration that we received for such treasury stock;

 

  III. in the event that we reduced our stated capital after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to additional paid-in capital and/or the legal reserve (if any);

 

  IV. in the event that additional paid-in capital and/or legal reserves were reduced after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to stated capital (if any);

 

  V. in the event that we canceled treasury stock after the end of the previous fiscal year, the book value of such treasury stock;

 

  VI. in the event that we distributed dividends after the end of the previous fiscal year, the aggregate of the following amounts:

a.    the aggregate amount of the book value of the distributed assets, excluding the book value of such assets that would be distributed to shareholders for their exercise of the right to receive dividends in cash instead of dividends in kind;

 

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b.    the aggregate amount of cash distributed to shareholders who exercised the right to receive dividends in cash instead of dividends in kind; and

c.    the aggregate amount of cash paid to shareholders holding fewer shares that was required in order to receive dividends in kind;

 

  VII. the aggregate amounts of a. through d. below, less e. and f. below:

a.    in the event that the amount of surplus was reduced and transferred to additional paid-in capital, the legal reserve and/or stated capital after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount so reduced;

b.    in the event that we distributed dividends after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount set aside in additional paid-in capital and/or legal reserve;

c.    in the event that we disposed of treasury stock in the process of (x) a merger in which we succeeded all rights and obligations of a merged company, (y) a corporate split in which we succeeded all or a part of the rights and obligations of a split company or (z) a share exchange in which we acquired all shares of a company after the end of the previous fiscal year, the difference between the book value of such treasury stock and the consideration that we received for such treasury stock;

d.    in the event that we reduced the amount of surplus in the process of a corporate split (including absorption-type corporate split and incorporation-type corporate split) in which we became a split company after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount so reduced;

e.    in the event that we made (x) a merger in which we succeeded all rights and obligations of a merged company, (y) a corporate split in which we succeeded all or a part of the rights and obligations of a split company or (z) a share exchange in which we acquired all shares of a company after the end of the previous fiscal year, the aggregate amount of (i) the amount of our capital surplus after such merger, corporate split or share exchange, less the amount of our capital surplus before such merger, corporate split or share exchange, and (ii) the amount of our retained earnings after such merger, corporate split or share exchange, less the amount of our retained earnings before such merger, corporate split or share exchange; and

f.    in the event that the amount of capital surplus increased in accordance with the provisions of an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice after the end of the previous fiscal year, such increased amount.

Under the Companies Act, we will be permitted to prepare non-consolidated extraordinary financial statements consisting of a balance sheet as of any date subsequent to the end of the previous fiscal year and an income statement for the period from the first day of the current fiscal year to the date of such balance sheet. If we prepare such extraordinary financial statements, special provisions may apply to the calculation of distributable amount.

We plan to make distributions of surplus twice per fiscal year, if possible. The record date for annual dividends is March 31 and the record date for interim dividends is September 30. Under the Act on Book-Entry, holders of account with shares recorded as of the respective record dates are deemed to be registered in the register of shareholders as of such record dates on the basis of information notified by JASDEC to us.

For information as to Japanese taxes on dividends, see “Taxation—Japanese Taxation” in Item 10.

 

   

Capital and Reserves

An increase in our authorized share capital is only possible pursuant to an amendment of our articles of incorporation.

 

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The entire paid-in amount of new shares is required to be accounted for as stated capital, although we may account for an amount not exceeding one-half of such paid-in amount as additional paid-in capital. We may at any time reduce the whole or any part of our additional paid-in capital and legal reserve or transfer them to stated capital by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders.

 

   

Stock Splits

We may at any time split our issued shares into a greater number of shares by resolution of the Board of Directors. So long as the shares are our only class of issued shares, we may increase the number of authorized shares in the same ratio as that of any stock split by amending our Articles of Incorporation, which amendment may be effected by board resolution without shareholder’s approval.

Under the Act on Book-Entry, we must give notice to JASDEC regarding a stock split at least 2 weeks prior to the relevant record date. On the effective date of the stock split, the numbers of shares recorded in all accounts held by our shareholders at account management institutions or at JASDEC will be increased in accordance with the applicable ratio.

 

   

Consolidation of Shares

Generally, we may consolidate shares into a smaller number of shares by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders. A company that conducts a consolidation of shares is required by the Companies Act to give public notice to its shareholders in order to inform them of the ratio and effective date of the consolidation of shares.

Under the Act on Book-Entry, we must give notice to JASDEC regarding a consolidation of shares at least 2 weeks prior to the relevant record date. On the effective date of the consolidation of shares, the number of shares recorded in all accounts held by our shareholders at account management institutions or at JASDEC will be decreased in accordance with the applicable ratio.

 

   

Unit Share System

Effective from October 1, 2013, the unit share system has been introduced pursuant to the amendments to our articles of incorporation that were approved by a resolution of the Board of Directors of April 26, 2013 and 100 shares constitute one unit of shares. Under the unit share system, shareholders have, at general meetings of shareholders, one vote for each unit of shares held by them, and shares constituting less than a full unit carry no voting rights. Our articles of incorporation provide that holders of shares constituting less than a full unit do not have shareholder rights, except for those specified in the Companies Act or an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice which include rights (i) to receive dividends, (ii) to receive cash or other assets in the case of a consolidation or split of shares, share exchange (kabushiki-kokan), share transfer (kabushiki-iten), or merger and (iii) to be allotted rights to subscribe for new shares and stock acquisition rights for free when such rights are granted to shareholders. Holders of shares constituting less than a full unit may at any time request that we purchase such shares constituting less than a full unit at their market price in accordance with our share handling regulations. In addition, holders of shares constituting less than a full unit may require that we sell them such number of shares, that, when combined with the number of shares already held by such holder, constitute a whole unit of shares; provided that we be obliged to comply with such request only when there is a sufficient number of treasury shares to accommodate such request. As prescribed in the share handling regulations, such requests must be made through an account management institution and JASDEC pursuant to the rules set by JASDEC without going through the notification procedure required for the exercise of shareholders’ rights to which shareholders are entitled regardless of record dates. The Board of Directors may reduce the number of shares constituting one unit or cease to use the unit share system by amendments to the articles of incorporation without shareholders’ approval even though amendments to the articles of incorporation generally require a special resolution adopted at the general meeting of shareholders.

 

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Under the new book-entry transfer system described above, shares constituting less than a full unit are transferable. Under the rules of the Japanese financial instruments exchanges, however, shares constituting less than a full unit do not comprise a trading unit, except in limited circumstances, and accordingly may not be sold on the Japanese financial instruments exchanges.

 

   

General Meeting of Shareholders

The ordinary general meeting of our shareholders is usually held in June of each fiscal year in Tokyo. In addition, we may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary. Notice of a shareholders’ meeting stating the purpose thereof and a summary of the matters to be acted upon must be dispatched to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to his or her mailing address or standing proxy in Japan) at least 2 weeks prior to the date set for the meeting. The record date for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders is March 31.

Under the Companies Act and our Articles of Incorporation, any shareholder of record as of the relevant record date who is holding 300 or more voting rights or 1 percent or more of the total number of voting rights for 6 months or longer may propose a matter to be considered at a general meeting of shareholders by submitting a written request to our director at least 8 weeks prior to the date of such meeting. To the contrary, under the Act on Book-Entry, such shareholder is not required to be registered in the register of shareholders when exercising the right of proposal, but such shareholder is required to make an application though an account management institution to JASDEC, which will then give us notice of the name and address of such shareholder, the number of shares held by such shareholder and other requisite information, and to exercise the right of proposal within 4 weeks from such notice.

 

   

Voting Rights

Generally, a holder of our shares is entitled to one vote for each one unit of shares (100 shares). Except as otherwise provided in law and our Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a meeting of shareholders by shareholders holding a majority of our shares having voting rights represented at such meeting. Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights through proxies, provided that a proxy is one of our shareholders or that in the case of a shareholder being a government or a juridical person, its proxy may be its employee. Shareholders who intend to be absent from the shareholders’ meeting may exercise their voting rights in writing or by electronic means. The Companies Act and our Articles of Incorporation provide that the quorum for appointment of directors and audit & supervisory board members shall not be less than one-third of the total number of the voting rights represented at the meeting. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that shares may not be voted cumulatively for the appointment of directors.

Under the Companies Act and our Articles of Incorporation, certain corporate actions must be approved by a “special resolution” of our meeting of shareholders, when the quorum is one-third of the total number of shares having voting rights and the approval of the holders of not less than two-thirds of our shares having voting rights represented at the meeting is required. Examples of corporate actions that require a special resolution are:

 

   

any amendment of our articles of incorporation (except for amendments that may be authorized solely by the Board of Directors under the Companies Act);

 

   

a reduction of stated capital (except for a reduction of stated capital for the purpose of replenishing capital deficiencies at the day of the ordinary general meeting);

 

   

a distribution by us of surplus in-kind, if we do not grant shareholders the right to require us to effect the distribution in cash, instead of in-kind;

 

   

a dissolution or a merger, subject to a certain exception under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

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the transfer of the whole or an important part of the business, except for the transfer of an important part of the business in which the book value of transferred assets does not exceed 20% of that of the Company’s total assets;

 

   

the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation;

 

   

a share exchange or share transfer for the purpose of establishing a parent and wholly owned subsidiary relationship, subject to a certain exception under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

   

a company split, subject to a certain exception under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

   

the offering of shares at a “specially favorable” price and any offering of stock acquisition rights or bonds with stock acquisition rights at a “specially favorable” price or in a “specially favorable” condition to any persons other than shareholders; and

 

   

any purchase of the Company’s own shares from a certain person.

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are exercised by the depositary based on instructions from those holders. With respect to voting by holders of ADSs, please see Exhibit 1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-134940) filed on September 16, 2013.

 

   

Liquidation Rights

In the event of our liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all taxes, liquidation expenses and debts will be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to the respective number of shares which they hold.

 

   

Issue of Additional Shares and Pre-emptive Rights

Shareholders have no pre-emptive rights. Authorized but unissued shares may be issued at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors determines, by its resolution subject to the limitations as to the offering of shares at a “specially favorable” price mentioned above. Under the Companies Act, the Board of Directors may, however, determine to grant shareholders subscription rights in connection with a particular issue of shares. Any such subscription rights must be granted on uniform terms to all shareholders on a pro rata basis. In addition, we are required to notify each shareholder of certain matters regarding such subscription rights, as well as the date by which shareholders need to exercise such rights.

We may issue stock acquisition rights or bonds with stock acquisition rights in relation to which stock acquisition rights are non-separable. Except where the issue of stock acquisition rights would be on “specially favorable” terms or price, the issue of stock acquisition rights or of bonds with stock acquisition rights may be authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Upon exercise of the stock acquisition rights, the holder of such rights may, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, either acquire shares by paying the applicable exercise price or, if so determined by a resolution of the Board of Directors, by making a substitute payment, such as having bonds redeemed without payment to the holder in lieu of the exercise price.

 

   

Dilution

It is possible that, in the future, market conditions and other factors might make subscription rights allocated to shareholders desirable at a subscription price substantially below their current market price, in which case shareholders who do not exercise and are unable otherwise to realize the full value of their subscription rights will suffer dilution of their equity interest in us. As of March 31, 2015, we have not issued stock acquisition rights or bond with stock acquisition rights.

 

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Report to Shareholders

We furnish to our shareholders notices of shareholders’ meetings, annual business reports, including non-consolidated and consolidated financial reports, and notices of resolutions adopted at the shareholders’ meetings, in Japanese and English translation. Such notices as described above may be given by electronic means to those shareholders who have agreed to such method of notice.

 

   

Record Date

In addition to the record dates for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders and annual and interim dividends which are provided for in our Articles of Incorporation, by a resolution of the Board of Directors and after giving at least 2 weeks’ prior public notice, we may at any time set a record date in order to determine shareholders who are entitled to certain rights pertaining to the shares.

Under the Act on Book-Entry, we are required to give notice of each record date to JASDEC at least 2 weeks prior to such record date. JASDEC is required to promptly give us notice of the names and addresses of all of our shareholders of record, the numbers of shares held by them and other relevant information as of such record date.

 

   

Repurchase of our Own Shares

Under the Companies Act, we are generally required to obtain authorization for any acquisition of our own shares by means of:

 

  (i) a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders;

 

  (ii) a resolution of the Board of Directors if the acquisition is in accordance with our Articles of Incorporation; or

 

  (iii) a resolution of the Board of Directors if the acquisition is to purchase our shares from a subsidiary.

We may only dispose of shares we may so acquire in accordance with the procedures applicable to a new share issuance under the Companies Act.

Upon due authorization, we may acquire our own shares:

 

   

in the case of (i) and (ii) above:

 

   

through the stock exchanges on which the shares are listed or the over-the-counter markets on which the shares are traded; or

 

   

by way of tender offer;

 

   

in the case of (i) above, from a specific person, but only if our shareholders approve this acquisition by special resolution; and

 

   

in the case of (iii) above, from the subsidiary.

In the event we are to acquire our own shares from a specific person other than a subsidiary at the price which exceeds market price, each other shareholder may request us to acquire the shares held by such shareholder as well.

Acquisitions described in (i) and (ii) above must satisfy certain other requirements, including that the total amount of the purchase price may not exceed the distributable amount.

 

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Shareholders of Unknown Location

We are not required to send a notice to a shareholder if a notice to such shareholder fails to arrive at the registered address of the shareholder in our register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us continuously for 5 years or more.

In addition, we may dispose of the shares at the then market price of the shares and hold or deposit the proceeds for such shareholder, the location of which is unknown, (i) notices to the shareholders fails to arrive continuously for 5 years or more at the registered address of the shareholder in our register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us, and (ii) the shareholder fails to receive dividends on the shares continuously for 5 years or more at the address registered in our register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us.

 

   

American Depositary Receipts

The current ADS/share ratio is one ADS per each share of common stock.

For further information regarding our American Depositary Receipt program, please refer to Exhibit 1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No.333-134940) filed on September 16, 2013.

 

  * We changed the ratio of ADS to underlying shares in accordance with the stock split effectuated on October 1, 2013, where each of our common shares were split at a ratio of 1:100 as of the effective date.

 

   

Reporting of Substantial Shareholdings

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan and its related regulations require any person who has become, solely or jointly, a holder of more than 5% of the total issued shares of a company that is listed on any Japanese financial instruments exchange, to file a report with the director of the competent Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance within 5 business days from the date of becoming such holder. With certain exceptions, a similar report must also be filed in respect of any subsequent change of 1% or more in the holding or of any change specified in the ordinance in material matters set out in any previously-filed reports. For this purpose, shares issuable upon exercise of stock acquisition rights are taken into account in determining both the number of shares held by the holder and the issuer’s total issued shares. Copies of each report must also be furnished to the issuer of the shares and to all Japanese financial instruments exchanges on which the shares are listed. These reports are made available for public inspection.

 

   

Daily Price Fluctuation Limits under Japanese Financial Instruments Exchange Rules

Share prices on Japanese financial instruments exchanges are determined on a real-time basis by the equilibrium between bids and offers. These exchanges set daily price limits, which limit the maximum range of fluctuation within a single trading day. Daily price limits are set according to the previous day’s closing price or special quote. Although transactions may continue at the upward or downward limit price if the limit price is reached on a particular trading day, no transactions may take place outside these limits. Consequently, an investor wishing to sell at a price above or below the relevant daily limit may not be able to sell his or her shares at such price on a particular trading day, or at all.

On June 5, 2015, the closing price of our shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was ¥2,304.5 per share. The following table shows the daily price limit for a stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with a closing price of between ¥2,000 and ¥3,000 per share, as well as the daily price limit if our per share price were to rise to between ¥3,000 and ¥5,000, or fall to between ¥1,500 and ¥2,000.

 

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Selected Daily Price Limits

 

Previous Day’s Closing Price or Special Quote

     Maximum Daily Price
Movement
 

Over

   ¥  1,500       Less than    ¥  2,000       ¥ 400   

Over

     2,000       Less than      3,000         500   

Over

     3,000       Less than      5,000         700   

For a history of the trading price of our shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, see Item 9.A.

 

C. Material Contracts

We have not entered into any material contracts (which would present any significant impact on our financial condition), other than in the ordinary course of business.

 

D. Exchange Controls

There are no laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation which materially affect our ability to import or export capital for our use or our ability to pay dividends to nonresident holders of our shares.

 

E. Taxation

1. United States Federal Income Taxation

This section describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of owning shares or ADSs. It applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder (as defined below) and hold your shares or ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes. This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including:

 

   

a dealer in securities;

 

   

a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

   

a life insurance company;

 

   

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

a person that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of our voting stock;

 

   

a person that holds shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or a conversion transaction;

 

   

a person that purchases or sells shares or ADSs as part of a wash sale for tax purposes; or

 

   

a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, as well as on the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income (“the Treaty”). These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this section is based in part upon the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

If a partnership holds shares or ADSs, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend on the status of the partner and the tax treatment of the partnership. A partner in a partnership holding the shares or ADSs should consult its tax advisor with regard to the United States federal income tax treatment of an investment in shares or ADSs.

 

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In general, and taking into account the earlier assumptions, for United States federal income tax purposes, if you hold ADRs evidencing ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the shares represented by those ADRs. Exchanges of shares for ADRs, and ADRs for shares, generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax.

For purposes of United States federal income taxation, you are treated as a U.S. holder if 1) you are a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs and 2) you are, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a domestic corporation;

 

   

an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state and local and the Japanese and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares and ADSs in your particular circumstances.

2. Taxation of Dividends

Under the United States federal income tax laws, and subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder, the gross amount of any dividend paid by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) is subject to United States federal income taxation. If you are a non-corporate U.S. holder, dividends that constitute qualified dividend income will be taxable to you at the preferential rates applicable to long-term capital gains provided that you hold the shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date and meet other holding period requirements. Dividends paid by us with respect to our shares or ADSs generally will be qualified dividend income. You must include any Japanese tax withheld from the dividend payment in this gross amount even though you do not in fact receive it. The dividend is taxable to you when you, in the case of shares, or the depositary, in the case of ADSs, receive the dividend, actually or constructively. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from other United States corporations. The amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the Japanese yen payments made, determined at the spot Japanese yen/U.S. dollar rate on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. In general, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date you include the dividend payment in income to the date you convert the payment into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income. The gain or loss generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain. However we do not expect to calculate earnings and profits in accordance with United States federal income tax principles. Accordingly, you should expect to generally treat distributions we make as dividends.

Subject to certain limitations, the Japanese tax withheld in accordance with the Treaty and paid over to Japan will be creditable or deductible against your United States federal income tax liability. To the extent a refund of the tax withheld is available to you under Japanese law or under the Treaty, the amount of tax that is refundable will not be eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability. Please see “Japanese Taxation,” below, for the procedures for obtaining a reduced rate of withholding under the Treaty or a tax refund. Special rules apply in determining the foreign tax credit limitation with respect to dividends that are

 

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subject to the preferential tax rates. Dividends will generally be income from sources outside the United States and will, depending on your circumstances, generally be either “passive” or “general” income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you.

Distributions of additional shares to you with respect to shares or ADSs that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax. Your basis in the new shares or ADSs received will be determined by allocating your basis in the shares or ADSs you held at the time of the distribution between the new shares or ADSs and the shares or ADSs you held at the time of the distribution based on their relative fair market values on the date of the distribution.

 

   

Taxation of Capital Gains

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder and you sell or otherwise dispose of your shares or ADSs, you will recognize capital gain or loss for the United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount that you realize and your tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in your shares or ADSs. Capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. holder is generally taxed at preferential rates where the property is held for more than one year. The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

 

   

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

We believe that our shares and ADSs should not be treated as stock of a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC,” for United States federal income tax purposes, but this conclusion is a factual determination that is made annually and thus may be subject to change. If we were to be treated as a PFIC, unless a U.S. holder were to elect to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to the shares or ADSs, gain realized on the sale or other disposition of your shares or ADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain. Instead, if you are a U.S. holder, you would be treated as if you had realized such gain and certain “excess distributions” ratably over your holding period for the shares or ADSs and would generally be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year to which the gain was allocated, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. With certain exceptions, your shares or ADSs will be treated as stock in a PFIC if we were a PFIC at any time during your holding period in your shares or ADSs. In addition, dividends that you receive from us will not be eligible for the special tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income if we are treated as a PFIC either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but instead will be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income.

3. Japanese Taxation

The following is a summary of the principal Japanese tax consequences to owners of our shares or ADSs who are non-resident individuals or non-Japanese corporations without a permanent establishment in Japan to which income from our shares is taxable. The tax treatment is subject to possible changes in the applicable Japanese laws or double taxation conventions occurring after the date of this annual report. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations that may apply to a particular investor. Potential investors should consult their own tax advisors as to:

 

   

the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs, including specifically the tax consequences under Japanese law;

 

   

the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are resident; and

 

   

any tax treaty between Japan and their country of residence.

Generally, a non-resident individual or a non-Japanese corporation as a holder of shares or ADSs is subject to Japanese withholding tax on dividends paid by us. In the absence of any applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of withholding tax, the rate of Japanese withholding tax applicable to

 

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dividends paid by us to a non-resident individual of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation is 20.42% (up to December 31, 2037, which rate of Japanese withholding tax includes the Special Reconstruction Income Tax, which is described below) and will be 20% after December 31, 2037. With respect to dividends paid on listed shares issued by a Japanese corporation (such as our shares) to a non-resident individual of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation, the aforementioned 20.42% or 20% withholding tax rate is reduced to (i) 15.315% for dividends to be due and payable on or before December 31, 2037, and (ii) 15% for dividends to be due and payable thereafter. This tax reduction is not available for a non-resident individual who holds 3% or more of the issued shares of a Japanese corporation. For the purpose of this paragraph, the Special Reconstruction Income Tax is a special surtax at the rate of 2.1% imposed on individuals and corporations (whether residents or non-residents of Japan, or Japanese corporations or non-Japanese corporations) up to December 31, 2037 for reconstruction funding after the Great East Japan Earthquake. This special surtax is applicable to various income taxes including withholding tax on dividends and the amount of such special surtax is calculated by multiplying the amount of the original income tax by the surtax rate of 2.1%. In consequence, the amount of the aggregate withholding tax on dividends will be the original amount of such withholding tax plus the original amount multiplied by the surtax rate (i.e. 102.1% of the original amount). Japan has income tax treaties whereby the withholding tax rate is provided not to exceed the prescribed rate, which is generally 15% or 10%, for portfolio investors. 15% is applied under the income tax treaties with, among others, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore and Spain, and 10% is applied under the income tax treaties with Australia, France, Hong Kong, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and United Arab Emirates. In addition, under the income tax treaty between the United States and Japan, dividends paid to pension funds of qualified United States residents eligible to enjoy treaty benefits are exempt from Japanese income taxation by way of withholding or otherwise unless such dividends are derived from the carrying on of a business, directly or indirectly, by such pension funds. Under the income tax treaties between Japan and the United Kingdom, The Netherland, and Switzerland, similar treatment will be applied to dividends. Under Japanese tax law, any reduced maximum rate applicable under a tax treaty shall be available when such maximum rate is below the rate otherwise applicable under the Japanese tax law referred to in the preceding paragraph with respect to the dividends to be paid by us on the shares.

Non-resident holders who are entitled to a reduced rate of Japanese withholding tax on payments of dividends on the shares by us are required to submit an Application Form for the Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax on Dividends in advance through us to the relevant tax authority before the payment of dividends. A standing proxy for non-resident holders may provide the application. In this regard, a certain simplified special filing procedure is available for non-resident holders of listed shares to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese withholding tax, with respect to dividends to be due and payable on or after January 1, 2014, by submitting a Special Application Form for Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction on Dividends of Listed Stocks. With respect to ADSs, this reduced rate is applicable if the depositary or its agent submits in duplicate two Application Forms for Income Tax Convention (one is FORM 4 subtitled “Extension of Time for Withholding of Tax on Dividends with respect to Foreign Depositary Receipt” to the payer of dividends, who has to file the original with the district director of tax office for the place where the payer resides, by the day before the payment of dividends and the other is FORM 5 subtitled “Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction on Dividends with respect to Foreign Depositary Receipt” to the district director of tax office through the payer of Dividends in 8 months from the day following the base date of payment of dividends for application purposes for which FORM 4 has been submitted). To claim this reduced rate, a non-resident holder of ADSs will be required to file proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable) and to provide other information or documents as may be required by the depositary. Non-resident holders who do not submit an application in advance will generally be entitled to claim a refund from the relevant Japanese tax authority of withholding taxes withheld in excess of the rate of an applicable tax treaty.

 

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Gains derived from the sale of shares or ADSs outside Japan, or from the sale of shares within Japan by a non-resident holder, generally are not subject to Japanese income or corporation taxes provided that such gains are from portfolio investments where the shareholding ratio is within certain prescribed level.

Japanese inheritance and gift taxes at progressive rates may be payable by an individual who has acquired shares or ADSs as a legatee, heir or donee, even if the individual is not a Japanese resident.

 

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

Not applicable.

 

G. Statement by Experts

Not applicable.

 

H. Documents on Display

We have filed with the SEC this annual report on Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to our shares and ADSs.

You may review a copy of the annual report and other information without charge at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of all or any portion of the annual report from the public reference room. For information regarding the procedures of the public reference room, please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders.

 

I. Subsidiary Information

Not applicable.

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are primarily exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and stock prices. The fair value of our assets and liabilities, our earnings and cash flows may be negatively impacted by these market risks.

To manage these risks, we use derivative instruments such as interest rate swap agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency option contracts, etc. as needed. The derivative instruments are executed with creditworthy financial institutions and our management believes that there is little risk of default by these counterparties. We set and follow internal regulations that establish conditions to enter into derivative contracts and procedures for approving and monitoring such contracts.

No specific hedging activities are taken against the fluctuations in prices of marketable securities.

Interest rate risk

We may use interest rate swap transactions from time to time in certain cases, under which we receive fixed rate interest payments and pay floating rate interest payments, to hedge the changes in fair value of certain debt as a part of our asset-liability management.

 

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We were not a counterparty to any interest rate swap arrangements designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 and did not enter into any interest rate swaps designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015.

The following table below provides information about financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates:

 

     Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
(per annum)
    Millions of yen  
       Expected Maturity     Fair
value
3/31/15
 
       Year ending March 31,    
           2016         2017     2018     2019         2020         Thereafter           Total          

DEBT

                  

Corporate bonds

                  

Japanese Yen Bonds

     1.2                 ¥ 60,000      ¥ 110,000             ¥ 50,000      ¥ 220,000      ¥ 228,073   

Borrowings from banks and others

                  

Japanese Yen Loans

     0.9     203        200        200                             603        605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long term debt, including current portion Total

     ¥ 203      ¥ 200      ¥ 60,200      ¥ 110,000             ¥ 50,000      ¥ 220,603      ¥ 228,678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign exchange risk

In order to mitigate foreign currency risks we engage in foreign currency hedge and option transactions. As of March 31, 2015, the foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding totaled ¥100 million, with an unrealized loss of ¥0 million. As of March 31, 2015, the foreign currency option contracts outstanding totaled ¥48,740 million, with an unrealized gain of ¥394 million.

Investment price risk

The fair values of certain investments of ours, primarily in marketable securities, expose us to fluctuation risks of securities prices. In general, we have invested in highly-liquid and low-risk instruments, which are not held for trading purposes. These investments are subject to changes in the market prices of the securities. The following table below provides information about our market sensitive marketable securities:

 

     Millions of yen  
     March 31, 2015  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair Value  

Equity securities available-for-sale

   ¥ 181,824       ¥ 181,824   

Debt securities available-for-sale

     6         6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 181,830       ¥ 181,830   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Concentrations of credit risk

As of March 31, 2015, the amount of other receivables resulting from the sale of receivables to NTT FINANCE was ¥259,218 million, and the amount of receivables held for sale was ¥1,149,081 million. For information regarding our transactions with NTT FINANCE, see Note 15 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—Related Party Transactions.”

 

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Item 12. Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

Fees payable by ADR Holders

The following table shows the fees and charges that a holder of our ADR may have to pay, either directly or indirectly:

 

Services

  

Fees[USD]

Taxes and other governmental charges

   As applicable

Such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of transfers of Shares generally on the Share register of the Issuer or Foreign Registrar and applicable to transfers of Shares to the name of the Depositary or its nominee or the Custodian or its nominee on the making of deposits or withdrawals hereunder

   As applicable

Such cable, telex and facsimile transmission expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement

   As applicable

Such expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of Foreign Currency

   As applicable

The execution and delivery of Receipts and the surrender of Receipts

   $5.00 or less per 100 ADS

Any cash distribution made pursuant to the Deposit Agreement

   $0.02 or less per ADS

The distribution of securities, such fee being in an amount equal to the fee for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Shares referred to above which would have been charged as a results of the deposit of such securities, but which securities are instead distributed by the Depositary to Owners.

   As applicable

Fees paid to DOCOMO by the Depositary

The Bank of New York Mellon, as Depositary, has reimbursed DOCOMO for the New York Stock Exchange listing fees of $42,000 for the calendar year 2014. Furthermore, from April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, the Bank of New York Mellon has waived a total of $134,000 in fees associated with the administration of the ADR program, investor relations expenses and administrative fees for routine corporate actions such as, among others, proxy process fees and cash distribution process fees, in addition to their standard fees for providing investor relations information services.

 

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PART II

Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

None.

Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 15. Controls and Procedures

1. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2015 pursuant to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2015 were effective.

2. Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Internal control over financial reporting of the Company is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Because of its inherent limitations, however, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. In addition, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of internal control to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015 by using the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based upon this evaluation, our management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015 was effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, which appears on page F-3 of this annual report on Form 20-F.

3. Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended March 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our Audit & Supervisory Board has resolved to elect Ms. Eiko Tsujiyama as “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, Ms. Tsujiyama is an outside audit & supervisory board member under the Companies Act and is independent from us.

 

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Item 16B. Code of Ethics

We have a code of ethics that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other senior officers in order to promote honesty, integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in such persons’ performance of their management responsibilities. Our code of ethics, as of June 26, 2015, is attached to this annual report on Form 20-F as exhibit 11.1.

Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Fees Paid to the Independent Auditor

The Company and its subsidiaries engaged KPMG AZSA LLC to perform an annual audit of the Company’s financial statements.

The following table presents information concerning fees paid to KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates for the years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015.

 

     Millions of yen  
      Year ended March 31,  
          2014              2015      

Audit fees (1)

   ¥                 1,072       ¥               1,122   

Audit-related fees (2)

     4         3   

Tax-related fees (3)

     39         48   

All other fees (4)

     16         10   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,131       ¥ 1,183   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) These are fees for professional services performed by KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates for the audit of the Company and its subsidiaries’ annual financial statements and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
(2) These are fees for assurance and related services rendered by these accountants that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ financial statements and are not reported under audit fees.
(3) These are fees for professional services rendered by KPMG for tax returns and tax consultation services.
(4) These are fees for the services provided by KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates, other than the fees reported in paragraphs (1) through (3), such as providing guidance and counsel on International Financial Reporting Standards.

Pre-Approval of Services Provided by KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates

The Company and its subsidiaries have adopted policies and procedures for the Company’s Board of Directors’ and the Audit & Supervisory Board’s pre-approving all audit and non-audit work performed by KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates. Specifically, the policies and procedures prohibit KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates from performing any services for the Company or its subsidiaries without the prior approval of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Audit & Supervisory Board.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, all of the services provided by KPMG AZSA LLC and its affiliates were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Audit & Supervisory Board pursuant to the approval policies described above, and none of such services were approved pursuant to the procedures described in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X, which waives the general requirement for pre-approval in certain circumstances.

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

With respect to the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to listed company audit committees, which apply to us through Section 303A.06 of the New York Stock Exchange’s Listed Company Manual, we rely on an exemption provided by paragraph (c)(3) of that Rule available to foreign

 

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private issuers with audit & supervisory board members meeting certain requirements. For a New York Stock Exchange-listed Japanese company with an Audit & Supervisory Board, the requirements for relying on paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 are as follows:

 

  The Audit & Supervisory Board must be established, and its members must be selected, pursuant to Japanese law requiring such a board for Japanese companies that elect to have a corporate governance system with audit & supervisory board members.

 

  Japanese law must and does require the Audit & Supervisory Board to be separate from the Board of Directors.

 

  None of the members of the Audit & Supervisory Board may be elected by management, and none of the listed company’s executive officers may be a member of the Audit & Supervisory Board.

 

  Japanese law must and does set forth standards for the independence of the members of the Audit & Supervisory Board from the listed company or its management.

 

  The Audit & Supervisory Board, in accordance with Japanese law or the listed company’s governing documents (such as Articles of Incorporation, Regulations of the Board of Directors and etc.), must be responsible, to the election of independent auditor and the extent permitted by Japanese law, for the appointment, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged (including, to the extent permitted by Japanese law, the resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the listed company, including its principal accountant which audits its consolidated financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 20-F.

 

  To the extent permitted by Japanese law:

 

   

the Audit & Supervisory Board must establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the listed company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by the listed company’s employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

   

the Audit & Supervisory Board must have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties; and

 

   

the listed company must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by its Audit & Supervisory Board, for payment of (i) compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the listed company, (ii) compensation to any advisers employed by the Audit & Supervisory Board, and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the audit & supervisory board member that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

In our assessment, our Audit & Supervisory Board, which meets the requirements for reliance on the exemption in paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 described above, is not significantly different from an audit committee meeting all the requirements of paragraph (b) of Rule 10A-3 (without relying on any exemption provided by that Rule) at acting independently of management and performing the functions of an audit committee as contemplated therein.

 

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Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

   (a) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased*
     (b) Average
Price Paid
per Share

(Yen)
     (c) Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
     (d) Maximum
Number of
Shares that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
 

April 1 to 30, 2014

     0                 0         0   

May 1 to 31, 2014

     0                 0         0   

June 1 to 30, 2014

     0                 0         0   

July 1 to 31, 2014

     0                 0         0   

August 1 to 31, 2014

     0                 0         0   

September 1 to 30, 2014

     181,530,121         1,695         181,530,121         138,469,879   

October 1 to 31, 2014

     74         1,693         0         0   

November 1 to 30, 2014

     17,548,500         1,839         17,548,500         120,921,379   

December 1 to 31, 2014

     16,197,500         1,835         16,197,500         104,723,879   

January 1 to 31, 2015

     13,300,000         1,903         13,300,000         91,423,879   

February 1 to 28, 2015

     18,050,000         2,049         18,050,000         73,373,879   

March 1 to 31, 2015

     18,650,050         2,201         18,650,000         54,723,879   

Total

     265,276,245         1,783         265,276,121           

 

* Shares purchased include compulsory acquisition of less-than-one-unit shares purchased from time to time

 

Note: On April 25, 2014, the Board of Directors resolved that NTT DOCOMO, INC. may repurchase up to 320 million outstanding shares of its common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥500,000 million during the period from April 26, 2014 through March 31, 2015. To be more specific, repurchase by a tender offer (up to 206,489,675 outstanding shares of its common stock at an amount in total not exceeding ¥350,000 million, ¥1,695 per common share from during the period from August 7, 2014 through September 3, 2014) resolved at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 6, 2014, and share repurchase (up to 138,469,879 outstanding shares of its common stock at an amount in total not exceeding ¥192,306 million from during the period from November 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015) resolved at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on October 31, 2014.

Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable.

Item 16G. Corporate Governance

 

   

Committees

Under the Companies Act, Japanese joint stock corporations (kabushiki kaisha) above a certain size whose shares are transferable without the approval of such corporations, including the Company, may elect to structure their corporate governance system as either, a company with an audit & supervisory board (kansayakukai secchigaisha), a company with nominating committees or similar (shimei iinkaitou secchikaisha), or a company with audit and supervisory committees (kansatou iinkai secchikaisha). The company with audit or similar committees is a new corporate governance system introduced by the Companies Act amendment enacted as of May 1st, 2015. The Company is currently a company with an audit & supervisory board.

As a company with an audit & supervisory board, the Company is not required under the Companies Act to have any outside member of the board of directors.

However, due to the amendment described above, new rules to promote the establishment of outside member of the board of directors are established and if a listed company greater than a certain scale does not have any outside member of the board of directors appointed, the Company is obligated to explain why it is not appropriate to appoint an outside member of the board of directors at the annual general meeting of shareholders.

 

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Also, the definition of outside member of the board of directors has been revised in this amendment of the Companies Act and outside member of the board of directors are now defined as those who fulfill all of the conditions below:

 

   

A person who is not an Executive Director, Executive Officer, manager or other employee (hereafter, “Executive Director, etc.”) of the Company or its subsidiaries and have not been an Executive Director, etc. of the Company or its subsidiaries in the 10 years prior to appointment as an outside member of the board of directors;

 

   

A person who has been a member of the board of directors, accounting advisor or audit & supervisory board member of the Company or its subsidiaries at any time in the 10 years prior to appointment as an outside member of the board of directors, those who have not been an executive director, etc. of the Company or its subsidiaries in the 10 years prior to the appointment to the said position;

 

   

A person who is not a Parent Company, etc. of the Company (limited to a natural person) or a member of the board of directors, executive officer, manager or other employee of a Parent Company, etc.;

 

   

A person who is not an Executive Director, etc. of a subsidiary, etc. of the Parent Company, etc. of the Company (excluding the Company and its subsidiaries); and

 

   

A person who is not a spouse or relative within the second degree of kinship of a member of the board of directors, executive officer, manager or other important employee of the Company, nor its Parent Company, etc (limited to a natural person).

The tasks of auditing the performance of its members of the board of directors and auditing the Company’s financial statements are assigned to the Company’s audit & supervisory board members, who are separate from the Company’s member of the board of directors. Under the Companies Act, at least one half of a company’s audit & supervisory board members are required to be outside audit & supervisory board members who must meet certain requirements. Due to the amendment to the Companies Act, the definition of outside audit & supervisory board members has also been revised, and outside audit & supervisory board members are defined as those who meet all of the following requirements:

 

   

A person who has not been a member of the board of directors, accounting advisor, executive officer, manager or other employee of the Company or its subsidiaries within the 10 years prior to the appointment;

 

   

A person who has been an audit & supervisory board member of the Company or its subsidiaries at any time in the 10 years prior to this appointment, the person who has not been a member of the board of directors, accounting advisor, executive officer, manager or employee of the Company or its subsidiaries in the 10 years prior to the appointment to the said audit & supervisory board member position;

 

   

A person who is not a Parent Company, etc. of the Company (limited to a natural person) or a member of the board of directors, audit & supervisory board member, executive officer, manager or other employee of a Parent Company, etc.;

 

   

A person who is not an Executive Director, etc. of a subsidiary, etc. of Parent Company, etc. (excluding the Company and its subsidiaries); and

 

   

A person who is not the spouse or a relative within the second degree of kinship of a member of the board of directors, manager or other important employee of the Company, nor its Parent Company, etc. (limited to a natural person).

In addition, the Securities Listing Regulations of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (“TSE”) requires the Company as a TSE-listed company to designate at least one independent director/auditor. Further, the regulations state that companies must take efforts to secure at least one independent director/auditor who is a member of the board of directors. An independent director/auditor is defined as an outside member of the board of directors/audit & supervisory board member who is unlikely to have conflicts of interest with general investors. As of June 2015,

 

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we have appointed one outside member of the board of directors and two outside audit & supervisory board members as independent director/auditor. These outside member of the board of directors and outside audit & supervisory board members meet the revised criteria for outside member of the board of directors or outside audit & supervisory board members under the aforementioned Companies Act amendment.

Furthermore, the TSE formulated as an appendix to its rules titled Japan’s Corporate Governance Code applicable to all listed companies on the TSE, which was issued on June 1, 2015. The TSE requires all listed companies to adopt the Corporate Governance Code or explain the reasons for not adopting the Corporate Governance Code in their corporate governance reports. The Corporate Governance Code establishes fundamental principles for effective corporate governance, consisting of i) securing the rights and equal treatment of shareholders, ii) appropriate cooperation with various stakeholders other than shareholders, iii) ensuring appropriate information disclosure and transparency, iv) responsibilities of the Board of Directors and v) constructive dialogue with shareholders.

 

   

Audit & Supervisory Board

Under the audit & supervisory board member system that the Company employs, the Audit & Supervisory Board is a legally separate and independent body from the Board of Directors. The function of the Audit & Supervisory Board and each audit & supervisory board member is similar to that of independent directors, including those who are members of the audit committee, of a U.S. company: to audit the performance of the member of the board of directors, and express an opinion if it is the opinion of the Audit & Supervisory Board that the method, or the results of the audit report by the Company’s accounting firm is not suitable and express the reason for such opinion, for the protection of the Company’s shareholders. Further, due to the aforementioned amendments to the Companies Act, agenda items for shareholder’s meetings in relation to the selection, termination or discontinuation of accounting auditors will be determined by the Audit & Supervisory Board.

Under the Companies Act, the Company is required to have not less than 3 audit & supervisory board members. The Articles of Incorporation of the Company permit it to have up to 5 audit & supervisory board members. Currently, 5 audit & supervisory board members of the Company have been elected. The term of office of each audit & supervisory board member is up to 4 years after his/her election, whereas the term of office of each director is up to 2 years after his/her election.

With respect to the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, relating to listed company audit committees, the Company relies on an exemption under that rule which is available to foreign private issuers with audit & supervisory boards meeting certain criteria.

 

   

Directors

The Company’s member of the board of directors must be elected at a general meeting of shareholders. Its Board of Directors does not have the power to fill vacancies thereon.

The Company’s audit & supervisory board members must also be elected at a general meeting of shareholders. The Company’s Board of Directors must obtain the consent of its Audit & Supervisory Board in order to submit a proposal for election of an audit & supervisory board member to a general meeting of shareholders. The audit & supervisory board is empowered to request that the Company’s member of the board of directors submit a proposal for election of an audit & supervisory board member to a general meeting of shareholders. All audit & supervisory board members have the right to state their opinion concerning the election of an audit & supervisory board member at the general meeting of shareholders.

 

   

Compensation

The maximum aggregate compensation amount for the Company’s member of the board of directors and that of the Company’s audit & supervisory board members must be, and accordingly has been, approved at a general meeting of shareholders.

 

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The Company must also obtain the approval at a general meeting of shareholders if the Company desires to change such maximum amount of compensation.

The compensation amount for each member of the board of directors is determined by the Company’s President or another member of the board of directors who is delegated to do so by the Board of Directors, and that for each audit & supervisory board member is determined upon consultation among the audit & supervisory board members.

There are no procedural or disclosure requirements with respect to the use of compensation consultants, independent legal counsel or other advisors.

 

   

Shareholder Approval with respect to any Equity Compensation Plan

Pursuant to the Companies Act, if the Company desires to adopt an equity compensation plan under which stock acquisition rights are granted on specially favorable conditions (except where such rights are granted to all of its shareholders on a pro rata basis), the Company must approve the said plan by a “special resolution” of a general meeting of shareholders, where the quorum is one-third of the total number of voting rights and the approval of at least two-thirds of the voting rights represented at the meeting is required.

Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

Item 17. Financial Statements

Not applicable.

Item 18. Financial Statements

Refer to “Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule” of this annual reports.

Item 19. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

  1.1    Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (English translation)
  1.2    Share Handling Regulations of the registrant (English translation) *1
  1.3    Regulations of the Board of Directors of the registrant (English translation)
  1.4    Regulations of the Audit & Supervisory Board of the registrant (English translation)
  2.1    Form of Deposit Agreement among the registrant, The Bank of New York Mellon as Depositary and all owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-134940) filed on September 16, 2013)
 8.1    List of Significant Subsidiaries (See “Business Overview” in Item 4.B of this Form 20-F)
11.1    Code of Ethics (English translation) *2
12.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
13.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
   101.INS     XBRL Instance Document
   101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
   101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
   101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
   101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
   101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

*1 Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2014 and herein incorporated by reference.
*2 Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2006 and herein incorporated by reference.

We have not included as exhibits certain instruments with respect to our long-term debt. The amount of debt authorized under each such debt instrument does not exceed 10% of our total assets. We agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.

 

 

Google, Android, Google Play are trademarks or registered trademarks of Google Inc.

Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

TM and © 2015 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. The iPhone trademark is used under a license from AIPHONE CO., LTD.

hitoe is a registered trademark of Toray industries, Inc. and NTT.

NOTTV is a registered trademark of mmbi, Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

     Page  

Reports of independent registered public accounting firm

     F-2   

Consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015

     F-4   

Consolidated statements of income for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-6   

Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-7   

Consolidated statements of changes in equity for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-8   

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

     F-9   

Notes to consolidated financial statements

     F-10   

Financial statement schedule for the years ended March  31, 2013, 2014 and 2015:
Schedule II—Valuation and qualifying accounts

     F-72   

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

NTT DOCOMO, INC.:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of NTT DOCOMO, INC. and subsidiaries as listed in the accompanying index. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NTT DOCOMO, INC. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated June 26, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

(signed) KPMG AZSA LLC

Tokyo, Japan

June 26, 2015

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

NTT DOCOMO, INC.:

We have audited NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, NTT DOCOMO, INC. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of NTT DOCOMO, INC. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2015, and our report dated June 26, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

(signed) KPMG AZSA LLC

Tokyo, Japan

June 26, 2015

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

MARCH 31, 2014 and 2015

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014     2015  
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 526,920      ¥ 105,553   

Short-term investments

    

Third parties

     19,561        3,757   

Related parties

            240,000   

Accounts receivable

    

Third parties

     276,409        258,761   

Related parties

     5,100        5,830   

Receivables held for sale

     787,459        897,999   

Credit card receivables

     220,979        234,412   

Other receivables

    

Third parties

     34,127        30,576   

Related parties

     281,835        296,699   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accounts receivable, receivables held for sale, credit card receivables and other receivables

     1,605,909        1,724,277   

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (15,078     (14,100
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total accounts receivable, receivables held for sale, credit card receivables and other receivables, net

     1,590,831        1,710,177   

Inventories

     232,126        186,275   

Deferred tax assets

     61,592        61,512   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    

Third parties

     86,991        98,618   

Related parties

     8,741        9,484   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     2,526,762        2,415,376   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment:

    

Wireless telecommunications equipment

     4,975,826        5,027,390   

Buildings and structures

     897,759        890,382   

Tools, furniture and fixtures

     553,497        508,810   

Land

     201,121        200,736   

Construction in progress

     158,173        193,497   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     6,786,376        6,820,815   

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (4,228,610     (4,309,748
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property, plant and equipment, net

     2,557,766        2,511,067   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current investments and other assets:

    

Investments in affiliates

     424,531        439,070   

Marketable securities and other investments

     171,875        195,047   

Intangible assets, net

     665,960        636,319   

Goodwill

     262,462        266,311   

Other assets

    

Third parties

     369,593        430,633   

Related parties

     259,581        15,090   

Deferred tax assets

     269,500        237,427   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-current investments and other assets

     2,423,502        2,219,897   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   ¥ 7,508,030      ¥ 7,146,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)

MARCH 31, 2014 and 2015

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014     2015  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term debt

   ¥ 248      ¥ 203   

Short-term borrowings

     9,495        2,048   

Accounts payable, trade

    

Third parties

     643,822        664,945   

Related parties

     154,493        146,854   

Accrued payroll

     54,294        54,955   

Accrued income taxes

     175,683        68,563   

Other current liabilities

    

Third parties

     160,066        169,631   

Related parties

     7,885        7,103   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     1,205,986        1,114,302   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities:

    

Long-term debt (exclusive of current portion)

     220,603        220,400   

Accrued liabilities for point programs

     113,001        89,929   

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

     160,666        173,872   

Other long-term liabilities

    

Third parties

     112,558        127,932   

Related parties

     1,703        1,700   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     608,531        613,833   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,814,517        1,728,135   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

     14,869        15,589   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity:

    

NTT DOCOMO, INC. shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock, without a stated value—

    

Authorized shares

    

17,460,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2014 and 2015

    

Issued shares

    

4,365,000,000 shares as of March 31, 2014

    

4,085,772,000 shares as of March 31, 2015

    

Outstanding shares

    

4,146,760,100 shares as of March 31, 2014

    

3,881,483,855 shares as of March 31, 2015

     949,680        949,680   

Additional paid-in capital

     732,875        339,783   

Retained earnings

     4,328,389        4,397,228   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     9,590        52,599   

Treasury stock

    

218,239,900 shares as of March 31, 2014

    

204,288,145 shares as of March 31, 2015

     (377,168     (359,218
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total NTT DOCOMO, INC. shareholders’ equity

     5,643,366        5,380,072   

Noncontrolling interests

     35,278        22,544   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     5,678,644        5,402,616   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Total liabilities and equity

   ¥ 7,508,030      ¥ 7,146,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Operating revenues:

      

Telecommunications services

      

Third parties

   ¥ 3,155,984      ¥ 2,942,847      ¥ 2,727,891   

Related parties

     20,947        21,133        19,264   

Equipment sales

      

Third parties

     754,521        870,597        903,231   

Related parties

     3,572        1,403        858   

Other operating revenues

      

Third parties

     499,999        582,938        682,967   

Related parties

     35,099        42,285        49,186   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

     4,470,122        4,461,203        4,383,397   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

      

Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)

      

Third parties

     782,352        805,685        892,178   

Related parties

     221,145        253,934        267,336   

Cost of equipment sold (exclusive of items shown separately below)

     767,536        785,209        853,062   

Depreciation and amortization

     699,754        718,694        659,787   

Impairment loss

     452               30,161   

Selling, general and administrative

      

Third parties

     940,002        879,323        838,423   

Related parties

     221,701        199,159        203,379   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     3,632,942        3,642,004        3,744,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     837,180        819,199        639,071   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

      

Interest expense

     (1,786     (1,211     (797

Interest income

     1,587        1,680        1,283   

Other, net

     (3,639     13,381        4,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense)

     (3,838     13,850        4,812   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     833,342        833,049        643,883   

Income taxes:

      

Current

     305,026        319,683        218,552   

Deferred

     18,033        (11,704     19,515   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income taxes

     323,059        307,979        238,067   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     510,283        525,070        405,816   

Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates (including impairment charges of investments in affiliates)

     (29,570     (69,117     (7,782
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     480,713        455,953        398,034   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     10,313        8,776        12,059   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

   ¥ 491,026      ¥ 464,729      ¥ 410,093   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data:

      

Weighted average common shares outstanding—Basic and Diluted

     4,146,760,100        4,146,760,100        4,038,191,678   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic and Diluted earnings per share attributable to
NTT DOCOMO, INC.

   ¥ 118.41      ¥ 112.07      ¥ 101.55   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Net income

   ¥ 480,713      ¥ 455,953      ¥ 398,034   

Other comprehensive income (loss):

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of applicable taxes

     20,680        8,751        22,468   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes included in net income

     6,109        (84     120   

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of applicable taxes

     31        (76     (20

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes included in net income

            59        16   

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of applicable taxes

     34,041        31,653        29,678   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes included in net income

     155        6,010          

Pension liability adjustment, net of applicable taxes

      

Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period, net

     (5,895     11,929        (9,159

Prior service cost arising during period, net

            3,361          

Less: Amortization of prior service cost

     (1,458     (1,457     (894

Less: Curtailment gain

            (3,294       

Less: Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

     1,805        1,963        1,104   

Less: Amortization of transition obligation

     80        80        72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     55,548        58,895        43,385   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

     536,261        514,848        441,419   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

     10,182        8,583        11,683   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

   ¥ 546,443      ¥ 523,431      ¥ 453,102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

    Millions of yen  
    NTT DOCOMO, INC. shareholders’ equity                    
    Common
stock
    Additional
paid-in
capital
    Retained
earnings
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
    Treasury
stock
    Total NTT
DOCOMO, INC.
shareholders’
equity
    Noncontrolling
interests
    Total equity  

Balance as of March 31, 2012

  ¥ 949,680     ¥ 732,592     ¥ 3,861,952      ¥ (104,529 )   ¥ (377,168 )   ¥ 5,062,527      ¥ 46,244     ¥ 5,108,771   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared (¥58 per share)

        (240,512         (240,512       (240,512

Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests

                     (4     (4

Acquisition of new subsidiaries

                     6,957        6,957   

Changes in interest in subsidiaries

      17              17        (1,045     (1,028

Others

                     120        120   

Net income

        491,026            491,026        (10,313     480,713   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          55,417          55,417        131        55,548   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2013

  ¥ 949,680      ¥ 732,609      ¥ 4,112,466      ¥ (49,112   ¥ (377,168   ¥ 5,368,475      ¥ 42,090      ¥ 5,410,565   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash dividends declared (¥60 per share)

        (248,806         (248,806       (248,806

Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests

                     (1,032     (1,032

Acquisition of new subsidiaries

                     2,588        2,588   

Changes in interest in subsidiaries

      266              266          266   

Others

                     215        215   

Net income

        464,729            464,729        (8,776     455,953   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          58,702          58,702        193        58,895   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2014

  ¥ 949,680      ¥ 732,875      ¥ 4,328,389      ¥ 9,590      ¥ (377,168   ¥ 5,643,366      ¥ 35,278      ¥ 5,678,644   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Purchase of treasury stock

            (473,036     (473,036       (473,036

Retirement of treasury stock

      (393,092     (97,894       490,986                   

Cash dividends declared (¥60 per share)

        (243,360         (243,360       (243,360

Cash distributions to noncontrolling interests

                     (1,061     (1,061

Acquisition of new subsidiaries

                     732        732   

Others

                     (2     (2

Net income

        410,093            410,093        (12,777     397,316   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          43,009          43,009        374        43,383   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2015

  ¥ 949,680      ¥ 339,783      ¥ 4,397,228      ¥ 52,599      ¥ (359,218   ¥ 5,380,072      ¥ 22,544      ¥ 5,402,616   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

* Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are not included in the table.

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Net income

   ¥ 480,713      ¥ 455,953      ¥ 398,034   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities—

      

Depreciation and amortization

     699,754        718,694        659,787   

Deferred taxes

     18,033        (11,704     19,515   

Loss on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment

     31,878        34,303        40,073   

Inventory write-downs

     12,662        4,415        13,716   

Impairment loss

     452               30,161   

Impairment loss on marketable securities and other investments

     10,928        3,055        902   

Equity in net (income) losses of affiliates (including impairment charges of investments in affiliates)

     29,570        69,117        7,782   

Dividends from affiliates

     15,899        17,415        17,591   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

(Increase) / decrease in accounts receivable

     706,742        (9,269     17,489   

(Increase) / decrease in receivables held for sale

     (638,149     (149,310     (110,540

(Increase) / decrease in credit card receivables

     (8,646     (13,849     (7,497

(Increase) / decrease in other receivables

     (229,252     (21,875     (13,467

Increase / (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts

     (7,024     (2,815     2,931   

(Increase) / decrease in inventories

     (35,037     (55,264     32,270   

(Increase) / decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (12,564     (7,661     (10,565

(Increase) / decrease in non-current installment receivable for handsets

     88,075                 

(Increase) / decrease in non-current receivables held for sale

     (149,972     (53,276     (55,468

Increase / (decrease) in accounts payable, trade

     (39,377     65,083        5,278   

Increase / (decrease) in accrued income taxes

     (15,844     39,691        (107,166

Increase / (decrease) in other current liabilities

     10,805        (40,422     16,964   

Increase / (decrease) in accrued liabilities for point programs

     (32,281     (27,854     (23,072

Increase / (decrease) in liability for employees’ retirement benefits

     9,539        (10,732     13,209   

Increase / (decrease) in other long-term liabilities

     (34,215     (32,977     11,925   

Other, net

     19,716        29,924        3,125   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     932,405        1,000,642        962,977   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

     (535,999     (498,668     (493,189

Purchases of intangible and other assets

     (242,918     (213,508     (170,203

Purchases of non-current investments

     (7,444     (16,186     (5,107

Proceeds from sale of non-current investments

     1,731        5,235        1,753   

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired

     (17,886     (19,213       

Purchases of short-term investments

     (665,223     (39,084     (34,613

Redemption of short-term investments

     915,105        68,937        50,806   

Long-term bailment for consumption to a related party

     (240,000              

Proceeds from redemption of long-term bailment for consumption to a related party

            10,000          

Short-term bailment for consumption to a related party

            (70,000       

Proceeds from redemption of short-term bailment for consumption to a related party

     90,000        70,000          

Other, net

     700        (1,093     (641
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (701,934     (703,580     (651,194
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from long-term debt

     60,000        50,000          

Repayment of long-term debt

     (82,181     (74,989     (248

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

     20,750        13,740        221,606   

Repayment of short-term borrowings

     (15,599     (26,132     (229,065

Principal payments under capital lease obligations

     (2,801     (2,128     (1,729

Payments to acquire treasury stock

                   (473,036

Dividends paid

     (240,388     (248,814     (243,349

Other, net

     (748     18,530        (8,436
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (260,967     (269,793     (734,257
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     2,092        5,977        1,107   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (28,404     33,246        (421,367

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     522,078        493,674        526,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   ¥ 493,674      ¥ 526,920      ¥ 105,553   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

      

Cash received during the fiscal year for:

      

Income tax refunds

   ¥ 1,017      ¥ 886      ¥ 1,539   

Cash paid during the fiscal year for:

      

Interest, net of amount capitalized

     1,840        1,578        876   

Income taxes

     321,453        280,434        326,107   

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

      

Assets acquired through capital lease obligations

     1,931        1,513        940   

Assets of wireless telecommunications equipment acquired through exchanges of similar equipment

                   3,605   

Retirement of treasury stock

                   490,986   

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Nature of operations:

NTT DOCOMO, INC. and subsidiaries (“DOCOMO”) is a joint stock corporation that was incorporated under the laws of Japan in August 1991 as the wireless telecommunications arm of NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION (“NTT”). NTT, 32.47% of which is owned by the Japanese government, owns 63.32% of NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s issued stock and 66.65% of NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s voting stock outstanding as of March 31, 2015.

DOCOMO mainly provides its subscribers with mobile communications services such as LTE(Xi) services and FOMA services. In addition, DOCOMO sells handsets and related equipment primarily to agent resellers who in turn sell such equipment to subscribers.

2. Summary of significant accounting and reporting policies:

(a) Significant accounting policies

Principles of consolidation—

The consolidated financial statements include accounts of NTT DOCOMO, INC. and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

DOCOMO also evaluates whether DOCOMO has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and should consolidate the entity. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, DOCOMO had no variable interest entities to be consolidated or disclosed.

Use of estimates—

The preparation of DOCOMO’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. DOCOMO has identified the following areas where it believes estimates and assumptions are particularly critical to the consolidated financial statements. These are determination of useful lives of property, plant and equipment, internal use software and other intangible assets, impairment of goodwill and unamortizable intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of investments, accrued liabilities for point programs, pension liabilities and revenue recognition.

Effective July 1, 2014, DOCOMO revised its estimate of the expected useful life of certain software for telecommunications network and internal-use software based on the actual utilization of the software to reflect an extended expected maximum useful life from 5 years to 7 years. This modification will be applied prospectively as a change in accounting estimate.

The impact from this change in accounting estimate on the consolidated statements of income is increases in “Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates,” “Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.” and “Basic and Diluted earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.” of ¥51,307 million, ¥32,939 million and ¥8.16, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Cash and cash equivalents—

DOCOMO considers cash in banks and short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of 3 months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Short-term investments—

Highly liquid investments, which have original maturities of longer than 3 months at the date of purchase and remaining maturities of 1 year or less at the end of fiscal year, are considered to be short-term investments.

Receivables held for sale—

The accounts receivable for DOCOMO’s telecommunications services, installment receivables for subscribers’ equipment purchases and others (“receivables for telecommunications services”) which DOCOMO decides to sell are reclassified to “Receivables held for sale” and “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheet.

Receivables held for sale are measured at the lower of cost or fair value and the amount by which cost exceeds fair value was ¥7,064 million and ¥7,635 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively, and was recorded as a valuation allowance in “Allowance for doubtful accounts” and “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets.

In addition, the aggregated amount of losses on sales of “receivables for telecommunications services” and adjustments to record the receivables held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value was ¥65,280 million, ¥64,789 million and ¥67,327 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively, and was recorded as “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The fair value of receivables held for sale is measured based on the estimated future discounted cash flows.

Allowance for doubtful accounts—

The allowance for doubtful accounts is computed based on historical bad debt experience and the estimated uncollectible amount based on the analysis of certain individual accounts, including claims in bankruptcy.

Inventories—

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of equipment sold is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Inventories consist primarily of handsets and accessories. DOCOMO evaluates its inventory mainly for obsolescence on a periodic basis and records valuation adjustments as required. Due to the rapid technological changes associated with the wireless telecommunications business, DOCOMO recognized losses on write-downs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 resulting in losses totaling ¥12,662 million, ¥4,415 million and ¥13,716 million, respectively, which were included in “Cost of equipment sold” in the consolidated statements of income.

Property, plant and equipment—

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and include interest cost incurred during construction, as discussed below in “Capitalized interest.” Property, plant and equipment under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. Depreciation is computed by the declining-balance method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the respective assets with the exception of buildings, which are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Useful lives are determined at the time the asset is acquired and are based on its expected use, past experience with similar assets and anticipated technological or other changes. If technological or other changes occur more or less rapidly or in a different form than anticipated or the intended use changes, the useful lives assigned to these assets are adjusted as appropriate. Property, plant and equipment held under capital leases and leasehold improvements are amortized using either the straight-line method or the declining-balance method, depending on the type of the assets, over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The estimated useful lives of major depreciable assets are as follows:

 

Major wireless telecommunications equipment

     8 to 16 years   

Steel towers and poles for antenna equipment

     30 to 40 years   

Reinforced concrete buildings

     42 to 56 years   

Tools, furniture and fixtures

     4 to 15 years   

Depreciation and amortization expenses of property, plant and equipment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were ¥477,311 million, ¥480,836 million and ¥481,971 million, respectively.

When depreciable telecommunications equipment is retired or abandoned in the normal course of business, the amounts of such telecommunications equipment and its accumulated depreciation are deducted from the respective accounts. Any remaining balance is charged to expense immediately. DOCOMO estimates the fair values of its asset retirement obligations to restore certain leased land and buildings used for DOCOMO’s wireless telecommunications equipment to their original states. The aggregate fair value of its asset retirement obligations does not have a material impact on DOCOMO’s results of operations or financial position.

Expenditures for replacements and betterments are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Assets under construction are not depreciated until placed in service. The rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period are expensed.

Capitalized interest—

DOCOMO capitalizes interest related to the construction of property, plant and equipment over the period of construction. DOCOMO also capitalizes interest associated with the development of internal-use software. DOCOMO amortizes such capitalized interest over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.

Investments in affiliates—

The equity method of accounting is applied to investments in affiliates where DOCOMO is able to exercise significant influence over the investee, but does not have a controlling financial interest. Under the equity method of accounting, DOCOMO records its share of income and losses of the affiliate and adjusts its carrying amount. DOCOMO periodically reviews the facts and circumstances related thereto to determine whether or not it can exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the affiliate. For some investees accounted for under the equity method, DOCOMO records its share of income or losses of such investees with up to a 3 month lag in its consolidated statements of income.

DOCOMO evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its investments in affiliates, which includes investor level goodwill, when there are indicators that a decline in value below its carrying amount may be other than temporary. In performing its evaluations, DOCOMO utilizes various information including cash flow projections, independent valuations and, as applicable, quoted market values to determine recoverable amounts and the length of time an investment’s carrying value exceeds its estimated current recoverable amount. In the event of a determination that a decline in value is other than temporary, a charge to earnings is recorded for the loss, and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Marketable securities and other investments—

Marketable securities consist of debt and equity securities. DOCOMO determines the appropriate classification of its investment securities at the time of purchase. DOCOMO periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its marketable securities for impairments that are other than temporary. If this evaluation indicates that a decline in value is other than temporary, the security is written down to its estimated fair value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine whether a decline in value is other than temporary, DOCOMO considers whether DOCOMO has the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and considers whether evidence indicating the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. Evidence considered in this assessment includes the reasons for the decline in value, the severity and duration of the decline, changes in value subsequent to year-end, forecasted earnings performance of the investee and the general market condition in the geographic area or industry the investee operates in.

Equity securities held by DOCOMO, whose fair values are readily determinable, are classified as available-for-sale securities. Available-for-sale equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses, net of applicable taxes, included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Realized gains and losses are determined using the average cost method and are reflected currently in earnings.

Debt securities held by DOCOMO, which DOCOMO has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity, and the other debt securities that may be sold before maturity are classified as available-for-sale securities. Held-to-maturity debt securities are carried at amortized cost. Available-for-sale debt securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses, net of applicable taxes, included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).” Realized gains and losses are determined using the first-in, first-out cost method and are reflected currently in earnings. Highly liquid debt securities with original maturities of 3 months or less at the date of purchase are recorded as “Cash and cash equivalents,” while debt securities that are not recorded as “Cash and cash equivalents” with remaining maturities of 1 year or less at the end of fiscal year are recorded as “Short-term investments” in the consolidated balance sheets.

DOCOMO did not hold or transact any trading securities during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Other investments include equity securities whose fair values are not readily determinable. Equity securities whose fair values are not readily determinable are carried at cost. Other-than-temporary declines in value are charged to earnings. Realized gains and losses are determined using the average cost method and are reflected currently in earnings.

Goodwill and other intangible assets—

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Other intangible assets primarily consist of software for telecommunications network, internal-use software, software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets and rights to use certain telecommunications facilities of wireline operators.

DOCOMO does not amortize either goodwill, including investor level goodwill related to the investments accounted for under the equity method, or other intangible assets determined to have an indefinite useful life. However, (1) goodwill, except those related to equity method investments, and (2) other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested annually for impairment mainly as of March 31 and the assets are also tested between the annual tests if an event or circumstances occurs that would imply impairment.

 

F-13


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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

DOCOMO applies a two-step test when assessing goodwill for impairment. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using mainly discounted cash flow method. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and DOCOMO performs the second step of the impairment test (measurement). Under the second step, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the second step does not need to be performed.

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, the most significant amount of recorded goodwill resided in the mobile business in Japan reporting units, which was included in DOCOMO’s mobile business segment. The reporting unit had recorded goodwill of ¥133,505 million and had passed the first step of the impairment test by a substantial margin.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, DOCOMO realigned its operating segments. This realignment was due to a change in the management of DOCOMO’s businesses, which led DOCOMO to reorganize the internal organization of its financial reporting structure in a manner that caused the composition of DOCOMO’s reporting segments to change. DOCOMO realigned its reporting units in accordance with the realignment of its reporting segments and goodwill was allocated to reporting units based on their relative fair value.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the most significant amount of recorded goodwill resides in the telecommunications business in Japan reporting unit, which is included in DOCOMO’s telecommunications business segment. This reporting unit has recorded goodwill of ¥127,272 million since as of the date of the change in the reporting units and has passed the first step of the impairment tests by a substantial margin. The fair value of the remaining goodwill which resides in other reporting units also exceeds the net carrying amount by a significant margin or is not considered significant for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Fair values have primarily been estimated using the discounted cash flow method which is based upon the future business plan. The future business plan is supported by the historical operating results and DOCOMO’s most recent views of the long term outlook. However, if operating income were to decline significantly in the future due to now unforeseen events, it would adversely affect the estimated fair value of the reporting unit.

For the goodwill impairment losses recorded during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, see Note 8 “Goodwill and other intangible assets.”

Goodwill related to equity method investments is tested for impairment as a part of the other-than-temporary impairment assessment of the equity method investment as a whole.

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives, consisting primarily of software for telecommunications network, internal-use software, software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets and rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives.

DOCOMO capitalizes the cost of internal-use software which has a useful life in excess of 1 year. Subsequent costs for additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that the software is able to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets is capitalized if the technological feasibility of the handset to be ultimately marketed has been established at the time of acquisition. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software costs are amortized over up to 7 years.

 

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Amounts capitalized related to rights to use certain telecommunications assets of wireline operators, primarily NTT, are amortized over 20 years.

Impairment of long-lived assets—

DOCOMO’s long-lived assets other than goodwill, such as property, plant and equipment, software and amortizable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held for use is evaluated by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset with future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the asset (or asset group) is determined to be impaired, the loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset (or asset group) exceeds its fair value as measured through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow methods, quoted market value and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Hedging activities—

DOCOMO uses derivative instruments, including interest rate swap agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts, non-deliverable forward contracts (NDF) and foreign currency option contracts, and other financial instruments in order to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. DOCOMO does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes. These financial instruments are effective in meeting the risk reduction objectives of DOCOMO by generating either transaction gains or losses which offset transaction gains or losses of the hedged items or cash flows which offset the cash flows related to the underlying position in respect of amount and timing.

All derivative instruments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The recorded fair values of derivative instruments represent the amounts that DOCOMO would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at each fiscal year end. For derivative instruments that qualify as fair value hedge instruments, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings, which offset the changes in fair value of the related hedged assets or liabilities that are also recognized in earnings of the period. For derivative instruments that qualify as cash flow hedge instruments, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are initially recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and reclassified into earnings when the relevant hedged transaction is realized. For derivative instruments that do not qualify as hedging instruments, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings.

DOCOMO discontinues hedge accounting when it is determined that the derivative instruments or other financial instruments are no longer highly effective as a hedge or when DOCOMO decides to discontinue the hedging relationship.

Cash flows from derivative instruments that are designated as qualifying hedges are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows under the same categories as the cash flows from the relevant assets, liabilities or anticipated transactions.

Accrued liabilities for point programs—

DOCOMO offers “docomo Points Service,” which provides benefits, including discount on handset, to customers in exchange for points that DOCOMO grants customers based on the usage of cellular and other services and record “Accrued liabilities for point programs” relating to the points that customers earn. In determining the accrued liabilities for point programs, DOCOMO estimates such factors as the point utilization rate reflecting the forfeitures by, among other things, cancellation of subscription.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Employees’ retirement benefit plans—

DOCOMO recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit plans, measured as the difference between the plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, in the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the funded status are recognized as changes in comprehensive income during the fiscal period in which such changes occur.

Pension benefits earned during the year as well as interest on projected benefit obligations are accrued currently. Actuarial losses (gains) in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets and prior service cost due to the changes of benefit plans, both of which are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” are amortized to earnings over the expected average remaining service period of employees on a straight-line basis.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests—

A portion of noncontrolling interests of a subsidiary can be put to DOCOMO upon certain events. As redemption of the noncontrolling interests is not solely in the control of DOCOMO, it is considered as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” and presented in between Liabilities and Equity in the consolidated balance sheets.

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015, DOCOMO believes that subsequent fair value adjustment of redeemable noncontrolling interests is not required because these are not currently redeemable or it is not probable that these will become redeemable. DOCOMO will reassess the probability of redemption annually.

Revenue recognition—

DOCOMO primarily generates revenues from two sources—mobile communications services and equipment sales. These revenue sources are separate and distinct earnings processes. Mobile communications service is sold to the subscriber directly or through third-party resellers who act as agents, while equipment, including handsets, are sold principally to agent resellers.

DOCOMO sets its mobile communications services rates in accordance with the Japanese Telecommunications Business Act and government guidelines, which currently allow wireless telecommunications operators to set their own tariffs without government approval. Mobile communications service revenues primarily consist of basic monthly charges, airtime charges and fees for activation. Basic monthly charges and airtime charges are recognized as revenues at the time the service is provided to the subscribers. DOCOMO’s monthly billing plans for cellular (FOMA) services generally include a certain amount of allowances (free minutes and/or packets), and the used amount of the allowances is subtracted from total usage in calculating the airtime revenue from a subscriber for the month. DOCOMO offers billing arrangements called “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” (2 month carry-over) and “Packet Kurikoshi,” in which unused allowances are automatically carried over.

“Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” is a billing arrangement, in which the unused allowances of the monthly free minutes and/or packets are automatically carried over for up to the following two months. In addition, DOCOMO offers an arrangement which enables the unused allowances that were carried over for the two months to be automatically used to cover the airtime and/or packet charges exceeding the allowances of the other subscriptions in the “Family Discount” group, a discount billing arrangement for families. Out of the unused allowance in a month, DOCOMO defers the revenues based on the portion which is estimated to be used in the following two months. As for the portion which is estimated to expire, DOCOMO recognizes the revenue attributable to such portion of allowances ratably as the remaining allowances are utilized, in addition to the revenue recognized when subscribers make calls or utilize data transmissions.

 

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“Packet Kurikoshi” is a billing arrangement, in which the unused allowances of the monthly packet data which can be used without speed cap are automatically carried over for up to the following month. DOCOMO defers revenues based on the portion of unused allowances that are estimated to be utilized in the next month. As DOCOMO does not have sufficient empirical evidence to reasonably estimate unused allowances that will be utilized in the next month, DOCOMO deducts and defers all amounts allocated to unused allowances from revenues. The deferred revenues are recognized as revenues in the next month.

Equipment sales are recognized as revenues when equipment is accepted mainly by agent resellers, and all inventory risk is transferred mainly to agent resellers from DOCOMO. Certain commissions paid to agent resellers and incentives offered to subscribers are recognized as a reduction of revenue upon delivery of the equipment to such agent resellers.

From the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, DOCOMO commenced a new incentive program which provides certain discounts for subscribers who purchase qualified smartphones under the installment payment arrangement. Under the incentive program, DOCOMO provides subscribers the discounts depending on the number of installment payments upon certain events including replacement of the original smartphones. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, DOCOMO recorded a reduction of revenues based on the maximum potential discount amount of installment receivables as no sufficient empirical evidence was available to reasonably estimate such amounts. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, DOCOMO has recognized estimated future discount amount as a reduction of revenue since DOCOMO developed sufficient empirical evidence such as an analysis of the historical churn rate and replacement rate of the qualified and other smartphones to reasonably estimate the future discount amount.

DOCOMO enables subscribers to select installment payments for the purchase of the handset over a period of 12 or 24 months. When installment payments are selected, under agreements entered into among DOCOMO, subscribers and agent resellers, DOCOMO provides financing by providing funds for the purchase of the handset by the subscribers. DOCOMO then includes current installments for the receivable for the purchased handset with basic monthly charges and airtime charges for the installment payment term. This is a separate contract from the mobile communications services contract between DOCOMO and the subscriber or the handset purchase agreement between the agent resellers and the subscriber, and cash collection from the subscriber is the recovery of the cash payment. Therefore, cash collection from subscribers for the purchased handsets does not have an impact on DOCOMO’s revenue.

Non-recurring upfront fees such as activation fees are deferred and recognized as revenues over the estimated average period of the subscription for each service. The related direct costs are also deferred to the extent of the related upfront fee amount and are amortized over the same period.

On March 1, 2015, DOCOMO commenced an optical-fiber broadband service, “docomo Hikari,” by utilizing the wholesale optical-fiber access service of NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE EAST CORPORATION and NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE WEST CORPORATION, subsidiaries of NTT. Since the “docomo Hikari” started from March 1, 2015, the revenue of “docomo Hikari” service included in telecommunications services on the consolidated statements of income for the year ended March 31, 2015 was immaterial.

In addition to the above, DOCOMO sells a variety of goods and digital media contents, such as video and music distribution, electronic books and other services offered through DOCOMO’s “dmarket” portal, and renders services such as “Mobile Device Protection Service,” of which revenues are included in other operating

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

revenues on the consolidated statements of income. DOCOMO recognizes the related revenues when the following criteria are met. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement or contract exists, delivery has occurred or service has been rendered, the selling price is fixed and collection is reasonably assured.

In addition, DOCOMO evaluates whether it is appropriate to record the gross amount of the revenues and related costs for those goods and services by considering a number of factors, including, but not limited to, whether DOCOMO is the primary obligor under the arrangement or contract, has the inventory risk and has latitude in establishing prices. As DOCOMO generally is the primary obligor with the inventory risk, latitude in establishing prices and/or credit risks, the related revenues are presented on a gross basis.

Contrarily, for certain transactions on the “dmarket,” DOCOMO is not considered the primary obligor, does not take or take little inventory risk, has no latitude in establishing prices and/or credit risk. DOCOMO is considered an agent for such transactions and related revenues are presented on a net basis.

The deferred revenue and deferred charges as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

          Millions of yen  
     Locations    2014      2015  

Current deferred revenue

   Other current liabilities    ¥     53,720       ¥     64,796   

Long-term deferred revenue

   Other long-term liabilities      55,841         79,610   

Current deferred charges

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets      16,847         17,293   

Long-term deferred charges

   Other assets      55,841         72,801   

Selling, general and administrative expenses—

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include commissions paid to sales agents, expenses associated with point programs, advertising expenses, as well as other expenses such as payroll and related benefit costs of personnel not directly involved in the service operations and maintenance process.

Income taxes—

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

DOCOMO recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the fiscal year in which the change in judgment occurs. DOCOMO has elected to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if and when required, as a part of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.—

Basic earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. include no dilution and are computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock

 

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outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. assume the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock.

DOCOMO did not issue dilutive securities during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, and therefore there is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

Foreign currency translation—

All asset and liability accounts of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into Japanese yen at appropriate year-end current rates and all income and expense accounts are translated at rates that approximate those rates prevailing at the time of the transactions. The accompanying translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).”

Foreign currency receivables and payables of DOCOMO are translated at appropriate year-end current rates and the accompanying translation gains or losses are included in earnings currently.

The effects of exchange rate fluctuations from the initial transaction date to the settlement date are recorded as exchange gain or loss, which are included in “Other income (expense)” in the consolidated statements of income.

(b) Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior periods’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the presentation used for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

(c) Recently issued Accounting Standards

Revenue from Contracts with Customers—

On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”, which requires an entity to recognize the amount to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for DOCOMO on April 1, 2017. On April 29, 2015, the FASB issued an exposure draft to delay the effective date of the ASU by one year. In the event that the exposure draft goes into effect, the standard would be effective for DOCOMO on April 1, 2018 and early adoption of the standard as of April 1, 2017 would also be permitted.

DOCOMO is currently evaluating the effect that the ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

3. Cash and cash equivalents:

“Cash and cash equivalents” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Cash

   ¥ 157,650       ¥ 92,821   

Certificates of deposit

     20,000           

Commercial paper

     2,212         802   

Bailment for consumption

     346,911         11,930   

Other

     147           
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 526,920       ¥ 105,553   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The aggregate amount of commercial paper as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 was ¥2,212 million and ¥802 million, respectively, all of which were included in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the consolidated balance sheet. The commercial paper as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 was classified as available-for-sale securities, fair value of which approximates their amortized amounts.

The aggregate amount of certificates of deposit as of March 31, 2014 were ¥20,000 million, all of which were recorded in “Cash and cash equivalents” in the consolidated balance sheet.

Information regarding “Bailment for consumption” is disclosed in Note 15 “Related party transactions.”

4. Inventories:

“Inventories” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Finished goods

   ¥ 229,473       ¥ 183,325   

Materials and supplies

     2,653         2,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 232,126       ¥ 186,275   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5. Impairment of long-lived assets:

Impairment of multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices assets—

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, DOCOMO failed to meet the forecasted revenues of the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices of DOCOMO’s smart life business segment due to new competition in content streaming services provided through smart phones and other devices, resulting in a significant increase in uncertainty over the likelihood of future significant improvement of the profitability of this business. This triggered, DOCOMO to conduct a recoverability assessment for its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, of the multimedia broadcasting business for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

The estimated undiscounted future cash flows generated by such long-lived assets were less than their carrying amounts. The fair value of long-lived assets related to the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices was estimated primarily based on the discounted cash flow method. As the discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the long-lived assets would be a negative, DOCOMO recorded an impairment for the entire carrying amount of these assets.

 

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In addition, DOCOMO estimated the fair value of certain equipment related to the multimedia broadcasting business based on the observable market transactions of comparable assets, such as the orderly liquidation value of each asset.

Consequently, a reduction of the carrying amounts to fair value was necessary resulting in DOCOMO recording a non-cash impairment loss of ¥30,161 million as “Impairment loss” in the consolidated statements of income, which included an impairment loss for the intangible assets of ¥6,365 million.

6. Investments in affiliates:

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd.—

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. (“Sumitomo Mitsui Card”) is a credit card operator in Japan and a privately held company.

As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, DOCOMO held 34% of the outstanding common shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Card. DOCOMO entered into an agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Card, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation to jointly promote credit transaction services which use mobile phones compatible with the “Osaifu-Keitai” (wallet-phone) service.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company—

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (“PLDT”) is a telecommunication operator in the Philippines and a public company listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

DOCOMO held approximately 15% of PLDT’s outstanding common shares and approximately 9% of voting interest in PLDT as of March 31, 2014 and 2015. The ratio of outstanding common shares and voting interest in PLDT held by DOCOMO as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 are different because PLDT issued voting preferred stock in October, 2012 as below.

On March 14, 2006, DOCOMO acquired approximately 7% of PLDT’s outstanding common shares from NTT Communications Corporation (“NTT Com”), a subsidiary of NTT. From March 2007 to February 2008, DOCOMO acquired approximately an additional 7% of PLDT’s outstanding common shares in the market. As a result, DOCOMO and NTT Com held approximately 15% and 6%, respectively, of PLDT’s outstanding common shares. Together with the PLDT common shares continued to be held by NTT Com, on a consolidated basis NTT held approximately 20% of the total outstanding common shares of PLDT.

As a result of the foregoing, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, DOCOMO determined to apply the equity method of accounting for the investment in PLDT retrospectively from the date of the initial acquisition of PLDT shares, as DOCOMO obtained the ability to exercise significant influence over PLDT with facts that DOCOMO had the board representation and the right to exercise the voting rights associated with the ownership interest collectively held by DOCOMO and NTT Com in accordance with an agreement between PLDT and its major shareholders, including NTT Com and DOCOMO.

In October 2012, PLDT issued voting preferred stocks in order to dilute the foreign ownership interest in PLDT to less than the 40%, as a decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines increased the foreign ownership percentage of PLDT in excess of 40% limit, which conflicts with a restriction on a foreign ownership in the Philippines. As a result, DOCOMO’s voting interest in PLDT decreased to approximately 9% from 15%.

 

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At that time, the guidelines of foreign ownership requirements were not clearly finalized yet, and therefore there was uncertainty about the foreign ownership requirements. As a consequence, DOCOMO determined it no longer had the ability to exercise significant influence over PLDT during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 and discontinued the application of the equity method of accounting for the investment in PLDT.

In May 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Philippines announced a memorandum to clarify the guideline of foreign ownership requirements. DOCOMO has determined it has the ability to exercise significant influence over PLDT, and therefore, DOCOMO has reinstated the equity method of accounting retrospectively for its investment in PLDT.

Consequently, the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 have been revised for this reinstatement. The effects on the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 due to the revisions are as follows.

Effects on consolidated statement of income

 

                                                                                   
     Millions of yen  

Line items

   As previously reported     Adjustments     As revised  

Total other income (expense)

   ¥ 4,478      ¥   (8,316   ¥ (3,838

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     841,658        (8,316     833,342   

Income taxes

     325,628        (2,569     323,059   

Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

     (30,710     1,140        (29,570

Net income

     485,320        (4,607     480,713   

Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

     495,633        (4,607     491,026   

Effects on consolidated statement of comprehensive income

 

                                                                                   
     Millions of yen  

Line items

   As previously reported     Adjustments     As revised  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of applicable taxes

   ¥ 75,614      ¥ (48,825   ¥ 26,789   

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of applicable taxes

     45        (14     31   

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of applicable taxes

     39,124        (4,928     34,196   

Pension liability adjustment, net of applicable taxes

     (4,742     (726     (5,468

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     110,041        (54,493     55,548   

Comprehensive income

     595,361        (59,100     536,261   

Comprehensive income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

     605,543        (59,100     546,443   

Effect on per share data

 

                                                                                   
     Yen  

Line items

   As previously reported      Adjustments     As revised  

Basic and Diluted earnings per share attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

   ¥   119.52       ¥      (1.11   ¥   118.41   

 

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DOCOMO’s carrying amount of its investment in PLDT was ¥130,815 million and ¥143,819 million as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. The aggregate market price of the PLDT shares owned by DOCOMO was ¥197,354 million and ¥240,522 million as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Tata Teleservices Limited—

Tata Teleservices Limited (“TTSL”) is a telecommunication operator in India and a privately held company.

As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, DOCOMO held approximately 26.5% of the outstanding common shares of TTSL.

On November 12, 2008, DOCOMO entered into a capital alliance with TTSL and Tata Sons Limited (“Tata Sons”), the parent company of TTSL. On March 25, 2009, DOCOMO acquired approximately 26% of the outstanding common shares of TTSL pursuant to the capital alliance and accounted for the investment by applying the equity method.

DOCOMO made additional investments in response to a rights offering that TTSL commenced in March and May, 2011. TTSL has used the capital increase to strengthen the quality of the 3G network in India’s market. As a result of its participation in the rights offering, DOCOMO’s equity interest in TTSL slightly increased to approximately 26.5%.

DOCOMO determined that the decline in value below carrying amount was other-than-temporary and recognized impairment charges of ¥6,813 million and ¥51,244 million related to its investment in TTSL for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.

Under the shareholders agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into among TTSL, Tata Sons and DOCOMO, when DOCOMO entered into a business alliance with TTSL in March 2009, DOCOMO shall have certain shareholder rights including the right to require Tata Sons to find a suitable buyer for DOCOMO’s entire stake (1,248,974,378 shares, or approximately 26.5% of outstanding shares) in TTSL for 50% of the DOCOMO’s acquisition price, which amounts to 72.5 billion Indian rupees (or ¥141.4 billion*) or at fair value, whichever is higher, in the event that TTSL fails to achieve certain specified performance targets by March 31, 2014. The right became exercisable on May 30, 2014, and DOCOMO exercised the right on July 7, 2014.

The obligation of Tata Sons under the Agreement was not fulfilled, although DOCOMO repeatedly held discussions with Tata Sons in regards to the sale of its entire stake in TTSL, pursuant to the Agreement. Accordingly, DOCOMO submitted its request for arbitration to the London Court of International Arbitration on January 3, 2015.

The sale of investment in TTSL has not been completed as Tata Sons has not fulfilled its obligation, and thus DOCOMO has not accounted for the sales transaction for the year ended March 31, 2015. DOCOMO continues to account for the investment in TTSL under the equity method as DOCOMO continues to hold approximately 26.5% of the outstanding voting shares of TTSL and have the representation on the board of directors of TTSL, even after submitting the request for arbitration. The financial effect of this matter cannot be estimated at this time due to the aforementioned uncertainties surrounding this investment. DOCOMO may recognize a gain or loss upon disposition of its TTSL shares or in the event that it becomes probable that the transaction as described above will not be carried out.

 

* 1 rupee = ¥1.95 as of May 29, 2015

 

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Impairment—

DOCOMO evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its investments in affiliates including those mentioned above when there are indications that a decline in value below carrying amount may be other than temporary.

DOCOMO determined that there were other-than-temporary declines in values, of certain investments and recognized impairment charges for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014, DOCOMO recognized impairment charges on certain investments including TTSL aggregating ¥25,913 million and ¥51,279 million, respectively. The impairment charges are included in “Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates” in the consolidated statements of income.

DOCOMO reviewed the business outlook of TTSL in order to determine if the value of the investment in TTSL has suffered a decline that was other than temporary because of the recent economic and financial environment surrounding its industry.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, DOCOMO’s estimated future cash flows of TTSL were adjusted downward as a result of the intensifying tariff competition among mobile network operators in India and DOCOMO’s views of its long term outlook at that time and DOCOMO concluded that the recoverable amount was significantly below carrying value and that this impairment was other than temporary. Consequently, DOCOMO recognized an impairment charge of ¥6,813 million.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, DOCOMO’s estimate of future cash flows of TTSL were further revised downward as a result of the growing business risk of mobile network operators in India, including an increase in the cost of maintaining or acquiring frequency spectrum due to a steep rise of the auction price of frequency spectrum in India. Reflecting growing business risk and recent operating results of TTSL, the weighted average cost of capital increased to 12.6%, which was applied to these revised estimated cash flows and DOCOMO concluded that the further decline in value was other than temporary. Consequently, DOCOMO recognized an additional impairment charge of ¥51,244 million.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, DOCOMO determined that the value of the investment in TTSL had not suffered a decline that was other than temporary. As previously described, DOCOMO plans to dispose of DOCOMO’s entire investment in TTSL. DOCOMO may recognize a gain or loss upon disposition of DOCOMO’s TTSL shares or if the transaction as previously described above is not carried out. In addition, DOCOMO recorded impairment charges for other than temporary declines on investments in certain affiliates for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Those impairment charges do not have a material impact on DOCOMO’s results of operations or financial position.

DOCOMO believes that the estimated fair values of each of its investments in affiliates as of March 31, 2015 are equal to or exceed the related carrying values on an individual basis.

Others—

All of the significant affiliates, except for PLDT, are privately held companies as of March 31, 2015.

DOCOMO’s shares of undistributed earnings of its affiliates included in its consolidated retained earnings were ¥30,311 million, ¥36,111 million and ¥44,367 million, as of March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. DOCOMO does not have significant business transactions with its affiliates.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The total carrying value of DOCOMO’s “Investments in affiliates” in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 was greater by ¥264,751 million and ¥280,140 million, respectively, than its aggregate underlying equity in net assets of such affiliates as of the date of the most recent available financial statements of the investees. The differences mainly consist of investor level goodwill and fair value adjustments for amortizable intangible assets.

The following represents summarized financial information for DOCOMO’s affiliates.

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013  
     TTSL      Others  

Operating information

     

Operating revenues

   ¥ 210,092       ¥ 820,708   

Operating income (loss)

     (33,477      156,955   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (72,301      136,382   

Net income (loss)

     (72,301      136,382   

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders’ of the affiliates

     (70,858      119,567   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     TTSL      Others  

Balance sheet information

     

Current assets

   ¥ 55,080       ¥ 1,372,867   

Non-current assets

     457,960         1,444,558   

Current liabilities

     201,407         1,148,036   

Long-term liabilities

     454,612         717,908   

Equity

     (142,979      951,481   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

     1,433           

Redeemable common stock

             555   

Noncontrolling interests

     21,277         1,639   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     TTSL      Others  

Operating information

     

Operating revenues

   ¥ 227,582       ¥ 911,020   

Operating income (loss)

     (28,683      171,193   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (85,026      122,511   

Net income (loss)

     (85,026      122,511   

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders’ of the affiliates

     (84,613      122,324   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     TTSL      Others  

Balance sheet information

     

Current assets

   ¥ 76,869       ¥ 1,415,618   

Non-current assets

     468,569         1,766,763   

Current liabilities

     141,608         1,234,202   

Long-term liabilities

     601,880         843,066   

Equity

     (198,050      1,105,113   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Redeemable preferred stock

     48,964           

Noncontrolling interests

     22,920         2,212   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     TTSL      Others  

Operating information

     

Operating revenues

   ¥ 238,040       ¥ 991,113   

Operating income (loss)

     (19,853      168,368   

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (79,390      127,466   

Net income (loss)

     (79,390      127,466   

Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders’ of the affiliates

     (78,742      127,468   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. Marketable securities and other investments:

“Marketable securities and other investments” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Marketable securities:

     

Available-for-sale

   ¥ 158,775       ¥ 181,830   

Other investments

     13,100         13,217   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Marketable securities and other investments (Non-current)

   ¥ 171,875       ¥ 195,047   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The carrying amount and fair value of debt securities classified as available-for-sale included in “Marketable securities and other investments” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, aggregated by maturities, were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  
     Carrying
amount
     Fair
value
     Carrying
amount
     Fair
value
 

Due after 1 year through 5 years

   ¥         5       ¥         5       ¥         6       ¥         6   

Due after 5 years through 10 years

                               

Due after 10 years

                               
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 5       ¥ 5       ¥ 6       ¥ 6   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The cost, gross unrealized holding gains and losses and fair value as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, aggregated by type of available-for-sale securities included in “Marketable securities and other investments,” were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Cost /Amortized
cost
     Gross unrealized
holding gains
     Gross unrealized
holding losses
     Fair value  

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

   ¥ 105,482       ¥ 53,498       ¥ 210       ¥ 158,770   

Debt securities

     5                 0         5   

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Cost /Amortized
cost
     Gross unrealized
holding gains
     Gross unrealized
holding losses
     Fair value  

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

   ¥ 105,396       ¥ 76,662       ¥ 234       ¥ 181,824   

Debt securities

     5         1                 6   

The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) from the sale of available-for-sale securities and other investments for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Proceeds

   ¥   1,723      ¥   2,729      ¥   1,003   

Gross realized gains

     836        1,846        609   

Gross realized losses

     (44     (44     (734

The fair value of and gross unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities and cost method investments included in other investments as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, aggregated by investment category and length of time during which individual securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position, were as follows:

 

    Millions of yen  
    2014  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
    Fair value     Gross unrealized
holding losses
    Fair value     Gross unrealized
holding losses
    Fair value     Gross unrealized
holding losses
 

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

  ¥ 6,816      ¥ 210      ¥      ¥      ¥ 6,816      ¥ 210   

Debt securities

    5        0                      5        0   

Cost method investments

    16        110        326        1,674        342        1,784   

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

    Millions of yen  
    2015  
    Less than 12 months     12 months or longer     Total  
    Fair value     Gross unrealized
holding losses
    Fair value     Gross unrealized
holding losses
    Fair value     Gross unrealized
holding losses
 

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

  ¥ 3,094      ¥ 234      ¥      ¥      ¥ 3,094      ¥ 234   

Cost method investments

                  192        1,935        192        1,935   

Other investments include long-term investments in various privately held companies.

For long-term investments in various privately held companies for which there are no quoted market prices, a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs. Accordingly, DOCOMO believes that it is not practicable to disclose estimated fair values of these cost method investments. Unless DOCOMO identifies events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments, the fair value of such cost method investments is not estimated.

The aggregate carrying amount of cost method investments included in other investments and the aggregate carrying amount of investments whose fair values were not evaluated for impairment as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Cost method investments included in other investments

   ¥ 13,061       ¥ 13,178   

Including: Investments whose fair values were not evaluated for impairment

     10,836         11,050   

The amount of other-than-temporary impairment of “marketable securities and other investments” is disclosed in Note 14 “Other income (expense).”

8. Goodwill and other intangible assets:

Goodwill—

The majority of DOCOMO’s goodwill was recognized when DOCOMO purchased all the remaining noncontrolling interests in its eight regional subsidiaries through share exchanges and made these subsidiaries wholly owned in November 2002.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Telecommunications
business
     Smart life
business
     Other
businesses
    Consolidated  

Balance at beginning of year

          

Gross goodwill

   ¥ 132,116       ¥ 46,512       ¥ 52,603      ¥ 231,231   

Accumulated impairment losses

                     (13,591     (13,591
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     132,116         46,512         39,012        217,640   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired during the year

     8,657         24,095         2,060        34,812   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     1,052         56         8,902        10,010   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

          

Gross goodwill

     141,825         70,663         63,565        276,053   

Accumulated impairment losses

                     (13,591     (13,591
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   ¥ 141,825       ¥ 70,663       ¥ 49,974      ¥ 262,462   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Telecommunications
business
     Smart life
business
     Other
businesses
    Consolidated  

Balance at beginning of year

          

Gross goodwill

   ¥ 141,825       ¥ 70,663       ¥ 63,565      ¥ 276,053   

Accumulated impairment losses

                     (13,591     (13,591
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     141,825         70,663         49,974        262,462   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     2,093         84         2,492        4,669   

Other

             6         (826     (820
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

          

Gross goodwill

     143,918         70,753         65,231        279,902   

Accumulated impairment losses

                     (13,591     (13,591
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
   ¥ 143,918       ¥ 70,753       ¥ 51,640      ¥ 266,311   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment information is disclosed in Note 16 “Segment reporting.”

The main components of goodwill acquired for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 was associated with the acquisition of 51% shares of ABC Cooking Studio Co. Ltd.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, DOCOMO recognized a ¥7,281 million impairment charge. The amount of this impairment loss was included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the consolidated statement of income.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other intangible assets—

Other intangible assets, as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Gross carrying
amount
     Accumulated
amortization
     Net carrying
amount
 

Amortizable intangible assets:

        

Software for telecommunications network

   ¥ 1,042,875       ¥ 758,399       ¥ 284,476   

Internal-use software

     1,340,963         1,073,233         267,730   

Software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets

     240,366         175,441         64,925   

Rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators

     17,259         6,545         10,714   

Other

     56,774         32,173         24,601   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total amortizable intangible assets

   ¥ 2,698,237       ¥ 2,045,791       ¥ 652,446   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unamortizable intangible assets:

        

Trademarks and trade names

  

   ¥ 13,514   
        

 

 

 

Total unamortizable intangible assets

  

   ¥ 13,514   
        

 

 

 

Total

  

   ¥ 665,960   
        

 

 

 

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Gross carrying
amount
     Accumulated
amortization
     Net carrying
amount
 

Amortizable intangible assets:

        

Software for telecommunications network

   ¥ 1,084,746       ¥ 802,180       ¥ 282,566   

Internal-use software

     1,387,249         1,131,005         256,244   

Software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets

     250,022         201,021         49,001   

Rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators

     18,271         7,276         10,995   

Other

     56,959         35,852         21,107   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total amortizable intangible assets

   ¥ 2,797,247       ¥ 2,177,334       ¥ 619,913   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unamortizable intangible assets:

        

Trademarks and trade names

  

   ¥ 13,210   

Other

  

     3,196   
        

 

 

 

Total unamortizable intangible assets

  

   ¥ 16,406   
        

 

 

 

Total

  

   ¥ 636,319   
        

 

 

 

Effective July 1, 2014, DOCOMO revised its estimate of the expected useful life of a part of the software for telecommunications network and internal-use software based on the actual utilization of the software to reflect an extended expected maximum useful life from 5 years to 7 years.

The amount of amortizable intangible assets acquired during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was ¥154,682 million, the main components of which were software for telecommunications network in the amount of ¥70,428 million and internal-use software in the amount of ¥71,086 million. The weighted-average amortization period of such software for telecommunications network and internal-use software is 6.7 years and 5.9 years, respectively.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Amortization of intangible assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 was ¥222,443 million, ¥237,858 million and ¥177,816 million, respectively. Estimated amortization of existing intangible assets for fiscal years ending March 31, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 is ¥157,622 million, ¥134,924 million, ¥108,876 million, ¥81,936 million and ¥52,827 million, respectively. The weighted-average amortization period of the intangible assets acquired during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 is 6.3 years.

9. Other assets:

“Other assets” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Deposits

   ¥ 83,627       ¥ 82,731   

Deferred customer activation costs

     55,841         72,801   

Receivables held for sale (Non-current)

     203,249         258,717   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (1,395      (5,402

Long-term bailment for consumption to a related party

     240,000           

Other

     47,852         36,876   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 629,174       ¥ 445,723   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Information regarding “Long-term bailment for consumption to a related party” is disclosed in Note 15 “Related party transactions.”

10. Short-term borrowings and long-term debt:

Short-term borrowings, excluding the current portion of long-term debt as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

         Millions of yen      
     2014      2015  

Short-term borrowings denominated in Japanese Yen:

     

Unsecured short-term loans from financial institutions

   ¥ 7,700       ¥ 400   

(Year ended March 31, 2014—weighted-average rate per annum :
0.5% as of March 31, 2014)

     

(Year ended March 31, 2015—weighted-average rate per annum :
0.7% as of March 31, 2015)

     

Short-term borrowings denominated in Euro:

     

Unsecured short-term loans from financial institutions

     1,795         1,648   

(Year ended March 31, 2014—weighted-average rate per annum :
1.3% as of March 31, 2014)

     

(Year ended March 31, 2015—weighted-average rate per annum :
1.3% as of March 31, 2015)

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total short-term borrowings

   ¥   9,495       ¥ 2,048   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Long-term debt as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Debt denominated in Japanese Yen:

     

Unsecured corporate bonds

   ¥ 220,000       ¥ 220,000   

(Year ended March 31, 2014—interest rates per annum : 0.2%-2.0%, due : years ending March 31, 2018-2024)

     

(Year ended March 31, 2015—interest rates per annum : 0.2%-2.0%, due : years ending March 31, 2018-2024)

     

Unsecured indebtedness to financial institutions

     836         603   

(Year ended March 31, 2014—interest rates per annum : 0.9%-1.2%, due : years ending March 31, 2015-2018)

     

(Year ended March 31, 2015—interest rates per annum : 0.9%-1.2%, due : years ending March 31, 2016-2018)

     

Debt denominated in Euro:

     

Unsecured indebtedness to financial institutions

     15           

(Year ended March 31, 2014—interest rates per annum : 7.5%, due : year ending March 31, 2018)

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Sub-total

   ¥ 220,851       ¥ 220,603   

Less: Current portion

     (248      (203
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   ¥ 220,603       ¥ 220,400   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, DOCOMO redeemed ¥70,000 million unsecured corporate bonds and issued an additional ¥50,000 million of unsecured corporate bonds at 0.73% per annum maturing in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, DOCOMO did not redeem or issue corporate bonds.

Interest rates on DOCOMO’s debts are mainly fixed. DOCOMO may use interest rate swap agreements, under which DOCOMO receives fixed rate interest payments and pays floating rate interest payments, to hedge the changes in fair value of certain debt as a part of its asset-liability management (ALM). Information relating to interest rate swap agreements is disclosed in Note 21 “Financial instruments.” DOCOMO did not enter into any interest rate swaps agreements designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015. DOCOMO was not a counterparty to any interest rate swap agreements designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value as of March 31, 2014 and 2015.

Interest costs related to short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 totaled ¥3,916 million, ¥3,096 million and ¥2,790 million, respectively. “Interest expense” in the consolidated statements of income excludes the amounts of capitalized interest.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The aggregate amounts of annual maturities of long-term debt as of March 31, 2015, were as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,

   Millions of yen  

2016

   ¥ 203   

2017

     200   

2018

     60,200   

2019

     110,000   

2020

       

Thereafter

     50,000   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 220,603   
  

 

 

 

11. Redeemable noncontrolling interest

Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Balance at beginning of year

   ¥       ¥ 14,869   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Acquisition of new subsidiary

     14,869           

Comprehensive income

     

Net income

             718   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of applicable taxes

             2   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   ¥ 14,869       ¥ 15,589   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

12. Equity:

(a) Dividends

The Companies Act of Japan (“Companies Act”) provides that (i) dividends of earnings require approval at a general meeting of shareholders, (ii) interim cash dividends can be distributed upon the approval of the board of directors, if the articles of incorporation provide for such interim cash dividends and (iii) an amount equal to at least 10% of decrease in retained earnings by dividends payment be appropriated from retained earnings to a legal reserve up to 25% of capital stock. The legal reserve is available for distribution upon approval of the shareholders.

The distributable amount available for the payments of dividends to shareholders as of March 31, 2015 was ¥3,830,140 million and was included in “Additional paid-in capital” and “Retained earnings.”

In the general meeting of shareholders held on June 18, 2015, the shareholders approved cash dividends of ¥135,852 million or ¥35 per share, payable to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2015, which were declared by the board of directors on April 28, 2015.

(b) Issued shares and treasury stock

With regard to the acquisition of treasury stock, the Companies Act provides that (i) it can be done according to the resolution of the general meeting of shareholders, and (ii) the acquisition of treasury stock

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

through open market transactions can be done according to the resolution of the board of directors if the articles of incorporation contain such a provision. The provision is stipulated in NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s articles of incorporation. In accordance with the above (ii), the provision that NTT DOCOMO, INC. may repurchase treasury stock through open market transactions by a resolution of the Board of Directors is stipulated in NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s articles of incorporation in order to improve capital efficiency and to implement flexible capital policies in accordance with the business environment.

On April 26, 2013, the board of directors approved a stock split and the adoption of a unit share system from October 1, 2013. Based on the intent of the “Action Plan for Consolidating Trading Units” announced by stock exchanges of Japan in November 2007, NTT DOCOMO, INC. conducted the 1:100 stock split and adopted the unit share system which sets 100 shares as a share–trading unit. There was no effective change to the investment units due to the stock split and adoption of the unit share system.

Public notice date of record date, record date and effective date were September 13, 2013, September 30, 2013 and October 1, 2013, respectively.

NTT DOCOMO, INC. has reflected the effect of this split in the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements.

On April 25, 2014, the board of directors resolved that NTT DOCOMO, INC. may repurchase up to 320 million outstanding shares of its common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥500,000 million during the period from April 26, 2014 through March 31, 2015. NTT DOCOMO, INC. also carries out compulsory acquisition of less-than-one-unit shares upon request.

The changes in the number of issued shares and treasury stock were as follows. NTT DOCOMO, INC. has not issued shares other than shares of its common stock.

 

     Number of
issued shares
    Number of
treasury stock
 

As of March 31, 2012

     4,365,000,000        218,239,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2013

     4,365,000,000        218,239,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2014

     4,365,000,000        218,239,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Acquisition of treasury stock based on the resolution of the board of directors

            265,276,121   

Acquisition of treasury stock through purchase of less-than-one-unit shares

            124   

Retirement of treasury stock

     (279,228,000     (279,228,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2015

     4,085,772,000        204,288,145   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On August 6, 2014, the board of directors resolved that NTT DOCOMO, INC. may repurchase up to 206,489,675 outstanding shares of its common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥350,000 million from during the period from August 7, 2014 through September 3, 2014. Based on this resolution, NTT DOCOMO, INC. repurchased 181,530,121 shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of ¥307,694 million between August 2014 and September 2014.

On October 31, 2014, the board of directors resolved that NTT DOCOMO, INC. may repurchase up to 138,469,879 outstanding shares of its common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥192,306 million from during the period from November 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015. Based on this resolution, NTT DOCOMO, INC. repurchased 83,746,000 shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of ¥165,342 million between November 2014 and March 2015.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The aggregate number and price of shares repurchased from NTT DOCOMO, INC. parent company, NTT, were 176,991,100 shares and ¥300,000 million, respectively for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

The aggregate number and price of shares repurchased for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Year ended March 31,

   Shares      Millions of yen  

2015

     265,276,245       ¥ 473,036   

Based on the resolution of the board of directors, NTT DOCOMO, INC. retired its own shares held as treasury stock as shown in the following table for the fiscal year ended March 31 2015.

 

Date of the resolution of the board of directors

   Shares      Millions of yen  

March 27, 2015

     279,228,000       ¥ 490,986   

The Companies Act and related ordinance provide that in case the aggregate purchase price of the retired shares exceeds the balance of “Additional paid-in capital,” “Additional paid-in capital” shall be reduced to zero and the remaining balance shall be deducted from the balance of “Retained earnings” on non-consolidated balance sheet.

The share retirement for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 resulted in decreases of “Additional paid-in capital” by ¥393,092 million and “Retained earnings” by ¥97,894 million on the consolidated balance sheets in response to the treatment described above. There were no changes in the number of authorized shares.

(c) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) —

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

    Millions of yen  
  2013  
    Unrealized holding
gains (losses) on
available-for-sale
securities
    Unrealized gains
(losses) on cash
flow hedges
    Foreign currency
translation
adjustment
    Pension liability
adjustment
    Total  

Balance as of March 31, 2012

  ¥ 9,586      ¥ (111   ¥ (83,973   ¥ (30,031   ¥ (104,529
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    26,786        31        34,066        (5,466     55,417   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2013

  ¥ 36,372      ¥ (80   ¥ (49,907   ¥ (35,497   ¥ (49,112
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

    Millions of yen  
  2014  
    Unrealized holding
gains (losses) on
available-for-sale
securities
    Unrealized gains
(losses) on cash
flow hedges
    Foreign currency
translation
adjustment
    Pension liability
adjustment
    Total  

Balance as of March 31, 2013

  ¥ 36,372      ¥ (80   ¥ (49,907   ¥ (35,497   ¥ (49,112
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    8,751        (76     31,653        15,290        55,618   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    (84     59        6,010        (2,708     3,277   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    8,667        (17     37,663        12,582        58,895   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (1            (193     1        (193
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2014

  ¥ 45,038      ¥ (97   ¥ (12,437   ¥ (22,914   ¥ 9,590   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    Millions of yen  
  2015  
    Unrealized holding
gains (losses) on
available-for-sale
securities
    Unrealized gains
(losses) on cash
flow hedges
    Foreign currency
translation
adjustment
    Pension liability
adjustment
    Total  

Balance as of March 31, 2014

  ¥ 45,038      ¥ (97   ¥ (12,437   ¥ (22,914   ¥ 9,590   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    22,468        (20     29,678        (9,159     42,967   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    120        16               282        418   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    22,588        (4     29,678        (8,877     43,385   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: other comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (6            (370            (376
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance as of March 31, 2015

  ¥ 67,620      ¥ (101   ¥ 16,871      ¥ (31,791   ¥ 52,599   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income—

Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income and affected line items in the consolidated statement of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen
     Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income  (loss) (*1)  
     2014     2015    

Affected line items in the consolidated

statements of income

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

   ¥ (492   ¥ 14      “Other, net” of “Other income (expense)”
     657        (201   “Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates”
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     165        (187   Pre-tax amount
     (81     67      Tax benefit (expense)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     84        (120   Net-of-tax amount
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

     (92     (25   “Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates”
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (92     (25   Pre-tax amount
     33        9      Tax benefit (expense)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (59     (16   Net-of-tax amount
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     (6          “Other, net” of “Other income (expense)”
     (9,483          “Equity in net income (losses) of affiliates”
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (9,489          Pre-tax amount
     3,479             Tax benefit (expense)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     (6,010          Net-of-tax amount
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pension liability adjustment

     4,218        (439   (*2)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     4,218        (439   Pre-tax amount
     (1,510     157      Tax benefit (expense)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   
     2,708        (282   Net-of-tax amount
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total reclassified amounts

   ¥ (3,277   ¥ (418   Net-of-tax amount
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(*1) Amounts in parentheses indicate decreased effects on net income.
(*2) Amounts reclassified out of pension liability adjustment are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.

See Note 17 “Employees’ retirement benefits” for additional details.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Tax effects on other comprehensive income (loss) —

Tax effects allocated to each component of other comprehensive income (loss), including amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013  
     Pre-tax
amount
    Tax benefit /
(expense)
    Net-of-tax
amount
 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

   ¥ 32,172      ¥ (11,492   ¥ 20,680   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     9,890        (3,781     6,109   

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

     48        (17     31   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     45,531        (11,490     34,041   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     241        (86     155   

Pension liability adjustment

      

Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period, net

     (9,172     3,277        (5,895

Less: Amortization of prior service cost

     (2,271     813        (1,458

Less: Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

     2,812        (1,007     1,805   

Less: Amortization of transition obligation

     125        (45     80   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

   ¥ 79,376      ¥ (23,828   ¥ 55,548   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, foreign currency translation gains and actuarial losses, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests were ¥3 million, ¥130 million and ¥(2) million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Pre-tax
amount
    Tax benefit /
(expense)
    Net-of-tax
amount
 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

   ¥ 13,574      ¥ (4,823   ¥ 8,751   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     (165     81        (84

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

     (119     43        (76

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     92        (33     59   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     36,447        (4,794     31,653   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     9,489        (3,479     6,010   

Pension liability adjustment

      

Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period, net

     18,585        (6,656     11,929   

Prior service cost arising during period, net

     5,235        (1,874     3,361   

Less: Amortization of prior service cost

     (2,270     813        (1,457

Less: Curtailment gain

     (5,131     1,837        (3,294

Less: Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

     3,058        (1,095     1,963   

Less: Amortization of transition obligation

     125        (45     80   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

   ¥ 78,920      ¥ (20,025   ¥ 58,895   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, foreign currency translation gains and actuarial losses, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests were ¥1 million, ¥193 million and ¥(1) million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

    Millions of yen  
    2015  
    Pre-tax
amount
    Tax benefit /
(expense)
    Net-of-tax
amount
 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

  ¥ 34,890      ¥ (12,422   ¥ 22,468   

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

    187        (67     120   

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

    (31     11        (20

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

    25        (9     16   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    37,371        (7,693     29,678   

Pension liability adjustment

     

Actuarial gains (losses) arising during period, net

    (14,258     5,099        (9,159

Less: Amortization of prior service cost

    (1,392     498        (894

Less: Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

    1,719        (615     1,104   

Less: Amortization of transition obligation

    112        (40     72   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

  ¥ 58,623      ¥ (15,238   ¥ 43,385   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities and foreign currency translation gains, net of tax, attributable to noncontrolling interests were ¥6 million and ¥370 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

13. Research and development expenses and advertising expenses:

Research and development expenses—

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development expenses are included primarily in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses and amounted to ¥111,294 million, ¥102,039 million and ¥96,997 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Advertising expenses—

Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred. Advertising expenses are included primarily in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses and amounted to ¥69,969 million, ¥67,128 million and ¥69,129 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

14. Other income (expense):

Other income (expense) included in “Other, net” in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Net realized gains (losses) on dispositions of investments in affiliates

   ¥ (3   ¥ 1,888      ¥ (46

Net realized gains (losses) on dispositions of marketable securities and other investments

     792        1,802        (125

Other-than-temporary impairment loss on marketable securities and other investments

     (10,928     (3,055     (902

Foreign exchange gains (losses), net

     (913     4,409        (409

Rental revenue received

     2,378        1,270        1,447   

Dividends income

     5,649        3,999        3,675   

Penalties and compensation for damages

     2,173        1,840        1,460   

Bad debt expenses

     (2,454     (35     (1

Other, net

     (333     1,263        (773
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ (3,639   ¥ 13,381      ¥ 4,326   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

15. Related party transactions:

DOCOMO is majority-owned by NTT, which is a holding company for more than 1,000 companies comprising the NTT group.

DOCOMO has entered into a number of different types of transactions with NTT, its subsidiaries and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business. DOCOMO’s transactions with NTT group companies include purchases of wireline telecommunications services (i.e. for DOCOMO’s offices and operations facilities) based on actual usage, leasing of various telecommunications facilities and sales of DOCOMO’s various wireless telecommunications services. As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, the balances of “Accounts payable, trade” attributable to transactions with related parties primarily consisted of accounts payable relating to a number of different types of transactions with NTT group companies and Sumitomo Mitsui Card, which is DOCOMO’s affiliate. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, DOCOMO purchased capital equipment from NTT group companies in the amount of ¥93,207 million, ¥75,768 million and ¥59,925 million, respectively.

NTT DOCOMO, INC. repurchased its common stock from NTT during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Information regarding the acquisition of treasury stock is disclosed in Note 12 “Equity.”

NTT and its subsidiaries collectively own 99.99% of the voting interests in NTT FINANCE CORPORATION (“NTT FINANCE”), of which DOCOMO owned 2.92% as of March 31, 2015. Accordingly, NTT FINANCE is a related party of DOCOMO. DOCOMO has carried out the following transactions with NTT FINANCE.

DOCOMO has entered into contracts for bailments of cash for consumption with NTT FINANCE for cash management purposes. Under the terms of the contracts, excess cash generated at DOCOMO is bailed to NTT FINANCE and NTT FINANCE manages the funds on behalf of DOCOMO. DOCOMO can withdraw the funds upon its demand and receives relevant interest from NTT FINANCE. The funds are accounted for as “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Short-term investments,” or “Other assets” depending on the initial contract periods.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The balance of bailments was ¥586,911 million as of March 31, 2014. The assets related to the contracts were recorded as “Cash and cash equivalents” of ¥346,911 million and “Other assets” of ¥240,000 million in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014. The contracts had remaining terms to maturity ranging less than 2 years with an average interest rate of 0.2% per annum as of March 31, 2014.

The balance of bailments was ¥251,930 million as of March 31, 2015. The assets related to the contracts were recorded as “Cash and cash equivalents” of ¥11,930 million and “Short-term investments” of ¥240,000 million in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015. The contracts had remaining terms to maturity ranging less than 1 year with an average interest rate of 0.1% per annum as of March 31, 2015.

The average balances of the contracts for bailments that expired during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were ¥67,836 million, ¥99,206 million and ¥111,077 million, respectively. The amount of interest derived from the contracts was recorded as “Interest income” of ¥248 million, ¥796 million and ¥589 million in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

In May, 2012, DOCOMO and NTT FINANCE entered into a basic contract regarding the transfer of DOCOMO’s “receivables for telecommunications services” for the convenience of DOCOMO’s customers. In June, 2012, DOCOMO and NTT FINANCE entered into an individual contract regarding the transfers of receivables.

Under the contracts, “receivables for telecommunications services” which DOCOMO decides to sell are reclassified to receivables held for sale and are sold to NTT FINANCE at fair value on a monthly basis. By the end of the month following the month of sale, the entire amount sold is paid to DOCOMO by NTT FINANCE. DOCOMO has no further involvement with the receivables sold.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, the amount of “receivables for telecommunications services” that DOCOMO sold to NTT FINANCE was ¥2,741,252 million and the aggregated amount of losses on sales of receivables and adjustments to recognize the receivables held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value was ¥65,280 million and was included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the consolidated statement of income. The amount DOCOMO has not collected from NTT FINANCE, as of March 31, 2013, was ¥240,205 million and was included in “Other receivables” in its consolidated balance sheet.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the amount of “receivables for telecommunications services” that DOCOMO sold to NTT FINANCE was ¥3,717,135 million and the aggregated amount of losses on sales of receivables and adjustments to recognize the receivables held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value was ¥64,789 million and was included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the consolidated statement of income. The amount DOCOMO has not collected from NTT FINANCE, as of March 31, 2014, was ¥248,732 million and was included in “Other receivables” in its consolidated balance sheet.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the amount of “receivables for telecommunications services” that DOCOMO sold to NTT FINANCE was ¥3,862,878 million and the aggregated amount of losses on sales of receivables and adjustments to recognize the receivables held for sale at the lower of cost or fair value was ¥67,327 million and was included in “Selling, general and administrative” expenses in the consolidated statement of income. The amount DOCOMO has not collected from NTT FINANCE, as of March 31, 2015, was ¥259,218 million and was included in “Other receivables” in its consolidated balance sheet.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

16. Segment reporting:

DOCOMO’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) is its board of directors. The CODM evaluates the performance and makes resource allocations of its segments based on the information provided by DOCOMO’s internal management reports.

DOCOMO realigned its formerly five operating segments, which had consisted of its mobile phone business, credit services business, home shopping services business, internet connection services business for hotel facilities, and miscellaneous businesses into three operating segments, which consist of its telecommunications business, smart life business and other businesses from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 in order to clarify the responsibilities of management of the telecommunications business where DOCOMO is taking steps to reinforce its competitiveness and the smart life business where DOCOMO is striving for further expansion of revenue sources.

The telecommunications business includes mobile phone services (LTE(Xi) services and FOMA services), optical-fiber broadband service, satellite mobile communications services, international services and the equipment sales related to these services. The smart life business includes video and music distribution, electronic books and other services offered through DOCOMO’s “dmarket” portal, as well as finance/payment services, shopping services and various other services to support our customers’ daily lives. The other businesses primarily includes “Mobile Device Protection Service,” as well as development, sales and maintenance of IT systems.

In connection with this realignment, segment information for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 has been restated to conform to the presentation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Accounting policies used to determine segment operating revenues and operating income (loss) are consistent with those used to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Assets by segment are not included in the management reports which are reported to the CODM, however, they are disclosed herein only to provide additional information. The “Corporate” row in the tables below is included to reflect the recorded amounts of common assets which are not allocated to any segments, and assets in “Corporate” primarily include cash and cash equivalents, securities and investments in affiliates. DOCOMO allocates amounts of assets and related depreciation and amortization expenses to common assets, such as buildings for telecommunications purposes and common facilities, on a systematic and rational basis based on the proportionate amount of network assets to each segment.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Segment operating revenues:

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013     2014     2015  

Telecommunications business-

      

External customers

   ¥ 3,921,187      ¥ 3,825,429      ¥ 3,653,344   

Intersegment

     2,567        1,899        1,221   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,923,754        3,827,328        3,654,565   

Smart life business-

      

External customers

     286,274        345,504        421,384   

Intersegment

     7,882        11,279        15,613   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     294,156        356,783        436,997   

Other businesses-

      

External customers

     262,661        290,270        308,669   

Intersegment

     9,779        11,954        11,146   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

     272,440        302,224        319,815   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment total

     4,490,350        4,486,335        4,411,377   

Elimination

     (20,228     (25,132     (27,980
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥   4,470,122      ¥   4,461,203      ¥   4,383,397   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment operating income (loss):

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013     2014     2015  

Segment operating income (loss) -

      

Telecommunications business

   ¥ 836,793      ¥ 812,736      ¥ 636,076   

Smart life business

     15,138        11,805        (3,896

Other businesses

     (14,751     (5,342     6,891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

     837,180        819,199        639,071   

Other income (expenses)

     (3,838     13,850        4,812   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in net income (losses) of affiliates

   ¥      833,342      ¥      833,049      ¥      643,883   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment assets:

 

     Millions of yen  

As of March 31

   2013     2014     2015  

Segment assets -

      

Telecommunications business

   ¥ 5,063,554      ¥ 5,256,976      ¥ 5,275,952   

Smart life business

     434,477        540,164        546,997   

Other businesses

     174,630        210,214        235,255   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment total

     5,672,661        6,007,354        6,058,204   

Elimination

     (2,036     (2,263     (1,875
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Corporate

     1,499,100        1,502,939        1,090,011   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥   7,169,725      ¥   7,508,030      ¥   7,146,340   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other Significant items:

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013      2014      2015  

Depreciation and amortization-

        

Telecommunications business

   ¥ 657,892       ¥ 669,495       ¥ 614,821   

Smart life business

     20,021         20,779         24,252   

Other businesses

     21,841         28,420         20,714   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥   699,754       ¥   718,694       ¥   659,787   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013      2014      2015  

Capital expenditures-

        

Telecommunications business

   ¥ 713,023       ¥ 658,427       ¥ 635,445   

Smart life business

     27,891         27,494         17,195   

Other businesses

     12,746         17,203         9,125   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥   753,660       ¥   703,124       ¥   661,765   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013     2014     2015  

Point program expenses-

      

Telecommunications business

   ¥ 65,547      ¥ 59,959      ¥ 60,971   

Smart life business

     9,443        11,215        6,945   

Other businesses

                     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Segment total

     74,990        71,174        67,916   

Elimination

     (340     (337     (211
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥     74,650      ¥     70,837      ¥     67,705   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013      2014      2015  

Impairment losses of goodwill-

        

Telecommunications business

   ¥       ¥       ¥   

Smart life business

                       

Other businesses

     7,281                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥       7,281       ¥            —       ¥            —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Millions of yen  

Year Ended March 31

   2013      2014      2015  

Impairment loss of long-lived assets-

        

Telecommunications business

   ¥       ¥       ¥   

Smart life business

                     30,161   

Other businesses

     452                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated

   ¥          452       ¥            —       ¥     30,161   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Segment operating income (loss) is segment operating revenues less segment operating expenses.

As indicated in “Use of estimates” under Note 2. (b) “Significant accounting policies” effective July 1, 2014, DOCOMO has revised its estimate of the useful life of certain software related to its telecommunications network and certain internal-use software based on the actual utilization of the software. As a result, compared with the method used prior to July 1, 2014, segment operating income for the Telecommunications business segment, Smart life business segment, and Other businesses segment increased by ¥46,927 million, ¥1,251 million and ¥3,129 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Furthermore, the amortization expenses decreased by the same amounts for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Impairment loss of long-lived assets relates to the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices that is included in the smart life business segment.

DOCOMO does not disclose geographical information because the amounts of operating revenues generated and long-lived assets owned outside Japan are immaterial.

There were no sales and operating revenue from transactions with a single external customer amounting to 10% or more of DOCOMO’s revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Operating revenues from products and services were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  

Year ended March 31,

   2013      2014      2015  

Telecommunications business

   ¥ 3,176,931       ¥ 2,963,980       ¥ 2,747,155   

Mobile communications services

     3,168,478         2,955,788         2,736,649   

— Voice revenues

     1,274,584         1,065,196         883,844   

— Packet communications revenues

     1,893,894         1,890,592         1,852,805   

Optical-fiber broadband service and other telecommunications service

     8,453         8,192         10,506   

Equipment sales

     758,093         872,000         904,089   

Other operating revenues

     535,098         625,223         732,153   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating revenues

   ¥   4,470,122       ¥   4,461,203       ¥   4,383,397   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

17. Employees’ retirement benefits:

Severance payments and contract-type corporate pension plans (Defined Benefit Pension Plans)—

Employees whose services with DOCOMO are terminated are normally entitled to lump-sum severance or retirement payments and pension benefits based on internal labor regulations. The amounts are determined by a combination of factors such as the employee’s salary eligibility, length of service and other conditions. The pension benefit is covered by the contract-type corporate pension plans, which are the non-contributory defined benefit pension plans, sponsored by DOCOMO.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, DOCOMO decided to transition from NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s contract-type corporate pension plan to a defined contribution pension plan effective on and after April 1, 2014. NTT DOCOMO, INC.’s contract-type corporate pension plan continues to remain for the pension benefit earned up to March 31, 2014. Upon a curtailment of this pension plan, NTT DOCOMO, INC. fully amortized its prior service cost and recognized a curtailment gain of ¥5,131 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents reconciliations and changes in the contract-type corporate pension plans’ projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015. DOCOMO uses a measurement date of March 31 for its contract-type corporate pension plans.

 

     Millions of yen  
      2014      2015  

Change in benefit obligations:

     

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year

   ¥ 214,805       ¥ 206,055   

Service cost

     10,435         8,562   

Interest cost

     3,171         2,821   

Actuarial (gain) loss

     (11,418      9,408   

Transfer of liability from contract-type corporate pension plans of the NTT group

     504         195   

Benefit payments

     (11,442      (9,091
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation, end of year

   ¥    206,055       ¥    217,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets:

     

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   ¥ 90,345       ¥ 98,840   

Actual return on plan assets

     8,258         2,529   

Employer contributions

     3,765         1,248   

Transfer of plan assets from contract-type corporate pension plans of the NTT group

     118         36   

Benefit payments

     (3,646      (3,672
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

   ¥ 98,840       ¥ 98,981   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of March 31:

     

Funded status

   ¥ (107,215    ¥ (118,969
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
      2014      2015  

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ (120,296    ¥ (129,189

Asset for employees’ retirement benefits

     13,081         10,220   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   ¥   (107,215    ¥   (118,969
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Asset for employees’ retirement benefits is included in “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets.

Amounts recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
      2014      2015  

Actuarial gains (losses), net

   ¥ (25,338    ¥ (33,386

Prior service cost, net

     1,919         1,068   

Transition obligation

     (564      (452
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥     (23,983    ¥     (32,770
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the contract-type corporate pension plans was ¥206,052 million and ¥217,949 million as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

The projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets in the pension plans with the projected or accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the plan assets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
      2014      2015  

Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

     

Projected benefit obligation

   ¥   205,939       ¥   216,552   

Fair value of plan assets

     98,670         97,323   

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

     

Accumulated benefit obligation

   ¥ 205,937       ¥ 216,550   

Fair value of plan assets

     98,670         97,323   

The net periodic pension cost for the contract-type corporate pension plans for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
      2013     2014     2015  

Service cost

   ¥ 9,879      ¥ 10,435      ¥ 8,562   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     3,789        3,171        2,821   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,617     (1,791     (2,003

Amortization of prior service cost

       (1,898     (1,635     (851

Curtailment gain

            (5,131       

Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

     1,667        1,704        834   

Amortization of transition obligation

     123        123        112   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   ¥ 11,943      ¥    6,876      ¥     9,475   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations of the contract-type corporate pension plans recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)”:

      

Actuarial (gains) losses arising during period, net

   ¥ 3,352      ¥ (17,885   ¥ 8,882   

Amortization of prior service cost

     1,898        1,635        851   

Curtailment gain

            5,131          

Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

       (1,667     (1,704     (834

Amortization of transition obligation

     (123     (123     (112
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)”

   ¥ 3,460      ¥ (12,946   ¥     8,787   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in net periodic pension cost and “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” was ¥15,403 million, ¥(6,070) million and ¥18,262 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The amount of actuarial losses, transition obligation and prior service cost, which are expected to be amortized and reclassified from “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” to net pension cost during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 is ¥1,121 million, ¥49 million and ¥(782) million, respectively.

The assumptions used in determination of the contract-type corporate pension plans’ projected benefit obligations as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2014     2015  

Discount rate

     1.4     1.0

Long-term rate of salary increases

     2.9        2.9   

The assumptions used in determination of the net periodic pension cost for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  

Discount rate

     1.9     1.5     1.4

Long-term rate of salary increases

     2.9        2.9        2.9   

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

     2.0        2.0        2.0   

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, DOCOMO considers the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of the plan assets based on analysis of historical results.

The following table presents the fair values of DOCOMO’s pension plan assets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015. Descriptions of fair value hierarchy and the inputs used in measuring fair value are presented in Note 20 “Fair value measurements.”

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 356       ¥ 356       ¥       ¥   

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     20,138         19,868         270           

Domestic corporate bonds

     6,507                 6,507           

Foreign government bonds

     5,296         5,224         72           

Foreign corporate bonds

     147         36         111           

Equity securities

           

Domestic stocks

     7,346         7,346                   

Foreign stocks

     5,709         5,709                   

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic debt securities

     829                 829           

Domestic equity securities

     718                 718           

Foreign debt securities

     541                 541           

Foreign equity securities

     725                 725           

Pooled funds

     33,319                 33,319           

Life insurance company general accounts

     15,036                 15,036           

Other

     2,173                 0         2,173   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 98,840       ¥ 38,539       ¥ 58,128       ¥ 2,173   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 340       ¥ 340       ¥       ¥   

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     22,378         22,036         342           

Domestic corporate bonds

     7,205                 7,205           

Foreign government bonds

     5,865         5,816         49           

Foreign corporate bonds

     121         28         93           

Equity securities

           

Domestic stocks

     8,088         8,087         1           

Foreign stocks

     5,635         5,635                   

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic debt securities

     923                 923           

Domestic equity securities

     778                 778           

Foreign debt securities

     580                 580           

Foreign equity securities

     766                 766           

Pooled funds

     30,324                 30,324           

Life insurance company general accounts

     14,386                 14,386           

Other

     1,592                 0         1,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 98,981       ¥ 41,942       ¥ 55,447       ¥ 1,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include foreign currency deposits and call loans, and are all classified as Level 1.

Debt securities

Debt securities include Japanese government bonds and local government bonds, domestic corporate bonds, foreign government bonds and foreign corporate bonds. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

Equity securities

Equity securities include domestic stocks and foreign stocks. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2. Fair value measured by inputs derived from unobservable data is classified as Level 3.

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates include bond investment trusts and foreign stock investment trusts. Fair values of securities investment trust beneficiary certificates are measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions. Therefore, they are classified as Level 2.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Pooled funds

Pooled funds include government bonds, local government bonds, domestic stocks and foreign stocks. Pooled funds are measured based on the fair value as reported by the trust operator, and are classified as Level 2.

Life insurance company general accounts

Life insurance company general accounts are the financial assets which guarantee an expected rate of return and a principal and they are all classified as Level 2.

Other

Other mainly includes fund of hedge funds. Fair value measured by inputs derived from unobservable data is classified as Level 3.

A Level 3 reconciliation is not disclosed since the amounts in Level 3 are immaterial.

The contract-type corporate pension plans’ policy toward plan asset management is formulated with the ultimate objective of ensuring the steady disbursement of pension benefits in future periods. The long-term objective of asset management, therefore, is to secure the total profits deemed necessary to ensure the financial soundness of the plan assets. To achieve this, DOCOMO selects various investments and takes into consideration their expected returns and risks and the correlation among the investments. DOCOMO then sets a target allocation ratio for the plan assets and endeavors to maintain that ratio. The target ratio is formulated from a mid- to long-term perspective and reviewed annually. In the event that the investment environment changes dramatically, DOCOMO will review the asset allocation as necessary. The target ratio in March 2015 was: domestic bonds, 47.0%; domestic stocks, 13.0%; foreign bonds, 10.0%; foreign stocks, 10.0%; and life insurance company general accounts, 20.0%.

As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, securities owned by the contract-type corporate pension plans as its plan assets included the stock of NTT and the NTT group companies listed in Japan including DOCOMO in the amount of ¥283 million (0.3% of total plan assets) and ¥231 million (0.2% of total plan assets), respectively.

DOCOMO expects to contribute ¥1,166 million to the contract-type corporate pension plans in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

The benefit payments, which reflect expected future service under the contract-type corporate pension plans, are expected to be as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,

   Millions of yen  

2016

   ¥ 12,885   

2017

     12,513   

2018

     12,914   

2019

     12,381   

2020

     12,326   

2021-2025

     65,416   

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Defined contribution pension plan

NTT DOCOMO, INC. recognized ¥2,060 million of retirement benefit expenses related to DOCOMO’s defined contribution benefit plan in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Social welfare pension scheme and NTT Kigyou-Nenkin-Kikin (NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan)—

DOCOMO participates in the national welfare pension plan (“National Plan”) and a contributory defined benefit pension plan sponsored by the NTT group (NTT Kigyou-Nenkin-Kikin or NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan, “NTT CDBP”). The National Plan is a government-regulated social welfare pension plan under the Japanese Employees’ Pension Insurance Act and both NTT group and its employees provide contributions to such plan every year. The National Plan is considered a multi-employer plan and contributions to such plan are recognized as expenses. The total amount of contributions by DOCOMO was ¥16,044 million, ¥15,982 million and ¥16,168 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. In addition, the National Plan is a social welfare pension scheme, and because the information required by its accounting standards is limited, additional quantitative information relating to participation in the multi-employer plan is not disclosed.

Both NTT group, including DOCOMO, and its employees provide contributions to the NTT CDBP to supplement the pension benefits to which the employees are entitled under the National Plan. The NTT CDBP is regulated under the Defined-Benefit Corporate Pension Act. The NTT CDBP is considered a defined benefit pension plan. The participation by DOCOMO and its subsidiaries in the NTT CDBP is accounted for as a single employer plan. The number of DOCOMO’s employees covered by the NTT CDBP as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 represented approximately 10.7% and 10.9% of the total members, respectively.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents reconciliations and changes in the NTT CDBP’s projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015. The amount in the table is based on actuarial computations which covered only DOCOMO employees’ participation in the NTT CDBP. The funded status was recognized as “Liability for employees’ retirement benefits” in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015.

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014     2015  

Change in benefit obligations:

    

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year

   ¥ 116,939      ¥ 116,898   

Service cost

     4,067        3,905   

Interest cost

     1,690        1,613   

Actuarial (gain) loss

     1,424        10,630   

Plan amendment

     (5,235       

Internal adjustment due to transfer of employees within the NTT group

     30        21   

Other

     27        (72

Benefit payments

     (2,044     (1,853
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation, end of year

   ¥ 116,898      ¥ 131,142   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   ¥ 70,235      ¥ 76,528   

Actual return on plan assets

     7,031        9,309   

Employer contributions

     863        2,136   

Employee contributions

     406        432   

Internal adjustment due to transfer of employees within the NTT group

     10        (21

Other

     27        (72

Benefit payments

     (2,044     (1,853
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

   ¥ 76,528      ¥ 86,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31:

    

Funded status

   ¥ (40,370   ¥ (44,683
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Actuarial gains (losses), net

   ¥ (17,807    ¥  (20,334

Prior service cost, net

     4,973         4,448   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ (12,834    ¥ (15,886
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the NTT CDBP regarding DOCOMO employees was ¥90,418 million and ¥100,386 million as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets in the pension plans with the projected or accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the plan assets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014      2015  

Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

     

Projected benefit obligation

   ¥ 116,898       ¥ 131,142   

Fair value of plan assets

     76,528         86,459   

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:

     

Accumulated benefit obligation

   ¥ 90,294       ¥ 100,219   

Fair value of plan assets

     76,393         86,283   

The net periodic pension cost for the NTT CDBP regarding DOCOMO employees for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Service cost

   ¥ 3,585      ¥ 4,067      ¥ 3,905   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     1,891        1,690        1,613   

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,523     (1,719     (1,892

Amortization of prior service cost

     (356     (618     (525

Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

     1,077        1,288        686   

Contribution from employees

     (420     (406     (432
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost

   ¥ 4,254      ¥ 4,302      ¥ 3,355   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations of the NTT CDBP regarding DOCOMO employees recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013     2014     2015  

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)”:

      

Prior service cost arising during period

   ¥      ¥ (5,235   ¥   

Actuarial (gains) losses arising during period, net

     4,928        (3,888      3,213   

Amortization of prior service cost

     356        618        525   

Amortization of actuarial gains and losses

     (1,077     (1,288     (686
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)”

   ¥ 4,207      ¥ (9,793   ¥ 3,052   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total recognized in net periodic pension cost and “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” was ¥8,461 million, ¥(5,491) million and ¥6,407 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.

The amount of actuarial losses and prior service cost, which are expected to be amortized and reclassified from “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” to net periodic pension cost during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 is ¥771 million and ¥(524) million, respectively.

 

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The assumptions used in determining the NTT CDBP’s projected benefit obligations, based on actuarial computations which covered only DOCOMO employees’ participation in the NTT CDBP, as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2014     2015  

Discount rate

     1.4     1.0

Long-term rate of salary increases

     3.4        3.4   

The assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension cost, based on actuarial computations which covered only DOCOMO employees’ participation in the NTT CDBP, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     2013     2014     2015  

Discount rate

     1.9     1.5     1.4

Long-term rate of salary increases

     3.3        3.9        3.4   

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

     2.5        2.5        2.5   

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the NTT CDBP considers the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of the plan assets based on analysis of historical results.

The following table presents the fair values of NTT CDBP’s pension plan assets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015. Descriptions of fair value hierarchy and the inputs used in measuring fair value are presented in Note 20 “Fair value measurements.”

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 568       ¥ 568       ¥       ¥   

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     21,576         21,210         366           

Domestic corporate bonds

     5,843                 5,843           

Foreign government bonds

     5,541         5,475         66           

Foreign corporate bonds

     92         12         80           

Equity securities

           

Domestic stocks

     13,477         13,477                   

Foreign stocks

     8,284         8,284                 0   

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic debt securities

     1,295                 1,295           

Domestic equity securities

     1,871                 1,871           

Foreign debt securities

     1,298                 1,298           

Foreign equity securities

     1,194                 1,194           

Pooled funds

     6,704                 6,704           

Life insurance company general accounts

     8,564                 8,564           

Other

     221                 2         219   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 76,528       ¥ 49,026       ¥ 27,283       ¥ 219   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 664       ¥ 664       ¥       ¥   

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     24,043         23,681         362           

Domestic corporate bonds

     6,771                 6,771           

Foreign government bonds

     6,108         6,062         46           

Foreign corporate bonds

     88         26         62           

Equity securities

           

Domestic stocks

     15,955         15,953         2           

Foreign stocks

     9,227         9,227                 0   

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic debt securities

     1,500                 1,500           

Domestic equity securities

     2,143                 2,143           

Foreign debt securities

     1,463                 1,463           

Foreign equity securities

     1,359                 1,359           

Pooled funds

     6,987                 6,987           

Life insurance company general accounts

     9,971                 9,971           

Other

     180                 0         180   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 86,459       ¥ 55,613       ¥ 30,666       ¥ 180   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include foreign currency deposits and call loans, and are all classified as Level 1.

Debt securities

Debt securities include Japanese government bonds and local government bonds, domestic corporate bonds, foreign government bonds and foreign corporate bonds. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

Equity securities

Equity securities include domestic stocks and foreign stocks. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2. Fair value measured by inputs derived from unobservable data is classified as Level 3.

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates include bond investment trusts and foreign stock investment trusts. Fair values of securities investment trust beneficiary certificates are measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions. Therefore, they are classified as Level 2.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Pooled funds

Pooled funds include government bonds, local government bonds, domestic stocks and foreign stocks. Pooled funds are measured based on the fair value as reported by the trust operator, and are classified as Level 2.

Life insurance company general accounts

Life insurance company general accounts are the financial assets which guarantee an expected rate of return and a principal and they are all classified as Level 2.

Other

Other includes loans to employees and lease receivables. Fair value measured by inputs derived from unobservable data is classified as Level 3.

A Level 3 reconciliation is not disclosed since the amounts in Level 3 are immaterial.

The NTT CDBP’s policy toward plan asset management is formulated with the ultimate objective of ensuring the steady disbursement of pension benefits in future periods. The long-term objective of asset management, therefore, is to secure the total profits deemed necessary to ensure the financial soundness of the plan assets. To achieve this, the NTT CDBP selects various investments and takes into consideration their expected returns and risks and the correlation among the investments. The NTT CDBP then sets a target allocation ratio for the plan assets and endeavors to maintain that ratio. The target ratio is formulated from a mid- to long-term perspective and reviewed annually. In the event that the investment environment changes dramatically, the NTT CDBP will review the asset allocation as necessary. The weighted average target ratio in March 2015 was: domestic bonds, 42.8%; domestic stocks, 20.8%; foreign bonds, 10.0%; foreign stocks, 14.4%; and life insurance company general accounts, 12.0%.

As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, domestic stock owned by the NTT CDBP as its plan assets included common stock of NTT and the NTT group companies listed in Japan including DOCOMO in the amount of ¥4,278 million (0.4% of total plan assets) and ¥4,453 million (0.4% of total plan assets), respectively.

DOCOMO expects to contribute ¥2,129 million to the NTT CDBP in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016.

The benefit payments, which reflect expected future service under the NTT CDBP, based on actuarial computations which covered only DOCOMO employees are expected to be as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,

   Millions of yen  

2016

   ¥ 1,876   

2017

     1,996   

2018

     2,113   

2019

     2,183   

2020

     2,210   

2021-2025

     11,999   

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

18. Income taxes:

Total income taxes for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013      2014      2015  

Income from continuing operations

   ¥   323,059       ¥   307,979       ¥   238,067   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     23,828         20,025         15,238   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total income taxes

   ¥ 346,887       ¥ 328,004       ¥ 253,305   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, NTT DOCOMO, INC. and its domestic subsidiaries were subject to a National Corporate Tax of 28.05%, 28.05%, and 25.5%, respectively, a Corporate Inhabitant Tax of approximately 5% and a deductible Corporate Enterprise Tax and Special Local Corporate Tax of approximately 8%. The rate of the Corporate Inhabitant Tax and Corporate Enterprise Tax differs depending on the municipality.

The aggregate statutory income tax rates for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 38.1%, 38.1% and 35.8%, respectively. The actual effective income tax rates for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were 38.8%, 37.0% and 37.0%, respectively.

Reconciliation of the difference of the actual effective income tax rate and the statutory income tax rate of DOCOMO is as follows:

 

         2013             2014             2015      

Statutory income tax rate

     38.1     38.1     35.8

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

     0.4        0.1        0.3   

Research and other credits

     (0.9     (0.8     (0.7

Tax credits of investment in productivity improvement facilities

                   (3.6

Change in valuation allowance

     1.5        1.1        2.0   

Effect of enacted changes in tax laws and rates

     0.3        1.0        3.9   

Effect of consolidation of affiliates

     0.3                 

Effect of outside basis differences of equity method investment

     (1.4     (3.1     (0.6

Other

     0.5        0.6        (0.1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Actual effective income tax rate

     38.8     37.0     37.0
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amendments to the Japanese Corporate Tax Law were enacted on March 20, 2014, and the corporate tax rate was changed effectively from April 1, 2014. The aggregate statutory income tax rate declined from 38.1% to 35.8% to be used in measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities after the enactment date, resulting from temporary differences that are expected to be recovered or settled during the fiscal year from April 1, 2014 and thereafter. The impact of the change in the enacted tax rate on DOCOMO’s financial results was insignificant for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Amendments to the Japanese Corporate Tax Law were enacted on March 31, 2015, and the corporate tax rate has been changed effective from April 1, 2015 and will be changed again effective from April 1, 2016. The aggregate statutory income tax rate to be used in measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities after the enactment date declined from 35.8% to 33.4%, and 32.8%, resulting from temporary differences that are expected to be recovered or settled during the fiscal years from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 and April 1, 2016 and

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

thereafter, respectively. Due to the change in the enacted tax rates, net deferred tax assets as of enactment date decreased by ¥25,040 million, and the effect of this adjustment is recorded in the “Income taxes-deferred” on the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Net income attributable to NTT DOCOMO, INC. decreased by ¥25,264 million as of enacted date.

According to amendments to the Japanese Corporate Tax Law enacted on March 20, 2014, new deductible special depreciation or tax credits for the investments of productivity improvement facilities were introduced. DOCOMO applied the tax credit for the investments of these eligible investments. The tax credit for investments in productivity improvement facilities amounted to ¥23,435 million for NTT DOCOMO, INC. and its domestic subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Under the Japanese Corporate Tax Law, the investment tax credit does not reduce any tax basis of the related assets. DOCOMO recognized the entire tax benefit from this investment tax credit as a reduction to current income tax expense based on the Flow-Through Method. There was no unused investment tax credit as of March 31, 2015.

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014     2015  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Investments in affiliates

   ¥ 108,244      ¥ 102,665   

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

     74,996        84,347   

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

     57,662        56,590   

Accrued liabilities for loyalty programs

     55,409        39,363   

Operating loss carry-forwards

     37,566        39,031   

Marketable securities and other investments

     11,255        11,358   

Deferred revenues regarding “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” and “Packet Kurikoshi”

     13,000        10,723   

Compensated absences

     11,156        10,621   

Accrued enterprise tax

     11,754        6,970   

Inventories

     3,373        6,328   

Accrued bonus

     6,263        5,703   

Receivables held for sale

     10,276        5,434   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     506        3,654   

Accrued commissions to agent resellers

     3,104        1,945   

Asset retirement obligations

     1,893        1,755   

Other

     12,039        13,551   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total deferred tax assets

   ¥ 418,496      ¥ 400,038   

Less: Valuation allowance

     (39,641     (48,701
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

   ¥ 378,855      ¥ 351,337   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Investments in affiliates

   ¥ 22,980      ¥ 26,692   

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities

     19,284        26,204   

Identifiable intangible assets

     10,033        8,590   

Other

     4,963        3,473   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

   ¥ 57,260      ¥ 64,959   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   ¥ 321,595      ¥ 286,378   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The components of net deferred tax assets included in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014     2015  

Deferred tax assets (Current assets)

   ¥ 61,592      ¥ 61,512   

Deferred tax assets (Non-current investments and other assets)

     269,500        237,427   

Other current liabilities

     (199     (29

Other long-term liabilities

     (9,298     (12,532
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥   321,595      ¥ 286,378   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2015, certain subsidiaries of DOCOMO had operating loss carry-forwards for tax purposes of ¥142,955 million, which may be used as a deduction in determining taxable income in future periods. The period available to offset future taxable income varies in each tax jurisdiction as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  

Within 5 years

   ¥ 11,986   

6 to 20 years

     104,724   

Indefinite periods

     26,245   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 142,955   
  

 

 

 

As of and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, DOCOMO had no material unrecognized tax benefits. DOCOMO does not believe that there will be any significant increases or decreases in reserve for unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. The total amounts of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 are immaterial.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, DOCOMO considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and tax loss carry-forwards become deductible. DOCOMO considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The realizability of all of DOCOMO’s deferred tax assets is substantially dependent upon the generation of future book income and DOCOMO anticipates continuing to generate substantial book income.

The net changes in the total valuation allowance were an increase of ¥17,478 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, and an increase of ¥11,483 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, and an increase of ¥9,060 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, respectively. DOCOMO believes that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets less valuation allowances of certain subsidiaries will be realized; however, that assessment could change in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry-forward period are reduced.

DOCOMO mainly files income tax returns in Japan. DOCOMO is no longer subject to regular income tax examination by the tax authority for and before the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013.

DOCOMO does not disclose amounts applicable to foreign income taxes separately because amounts applicable to foreign income from continuing operations and to foreign income taxes are immaterial.

 

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Other taxes—

The consumption tax rate for all taxable goods and services, with minor exceptions, was 5% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2014 and 8% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Consumption tax payable or receivable is determined based on consumption taxes levied on operating revenues offset by consumption taxes directly incurred by DOCOMO when purchasing goods and services.

19. Commitments and contingencies:

(a) Leases

DOCOMO leases certain facilities and equipment under capital leases or operating leases.

Assets covered under capital leases as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  

Class of property

   2014      2015  

Machinery, vessels and equipment

   ¥ 7,100       ¥ 5,571   

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (4,699      (3,708
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 2,401       ¥ 1,863   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Future minimum lease payments by year under capital leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of March 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Years ending March 31,

   Millions of yen  

2016

   ¥ 1,413   

2017

     1,012   

2018

     659   

2019

     378   

2020

     128   

Thereafter

     13   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     3,603   

Less: Amount representing interest

     (180
  

 

 

 

Present value of net minimum lease payments

     3,423   

Less: Amounts representing estimated executory costs

     (535
  

 

 

 

Net minimum lease payments

     2,888   

Less: Current obligation

     (1,109
  

 

 

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

   ¥ 1,779   
  

 

 

 

The above obligations are classified as part of “Other current liabilities” and “Other long-term liabilities” as appropriate.

 

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The minimum rent payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of March 31, 2015 were as follows:

 

Years ending March 31,

   Millions of yen  

2016

   ¥ 11,555   

2017

     9,009   

2018

     7,046   

2019

     5,550   

2020

     3,726   

Thereafter

     6,159   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum rent payments

   ¥ 43,045   
  

 

 

 

Total rent expense for all operating leases except those with terms of 1 month or less that were not renewed for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2013      2014      2015  

Rent expense

   ¥ 74,636       ¥ 76,429       ¥ 79,634   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

(b) Litigation

DOCOMO is involved in litigation and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. DOCOMO believes that none of the litigation or claims outstanding, pending or threatened against DOCOMO would have a materially adverse effect on DOCOMO’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

(c) Purchase commitments

DOCOMO has entered into various contracts for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, inventories (primarily handsets) and services. Commitments outstanding as of March 31, 2015 were ¥25,996 million (of which ¥926 million are with related parties) for property, plant and equipment, ¥386,233 million (of which none are with related parties) for inventories and ¥27,039 million (of which ¥18,779 million are with related parties) for the other purchase commitments.

The amounts of purchase commitments are estimates calculated based on given assumptions and do not represent DOCOMO’s entire anticipated purchases in the future.

(d) Loan commitments

DOCOMO conducts the cash advance service accompanying credit business. Total outstanding credit lines regarding loan commitments of the cash advance service as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were ¥127,710 million and ¥131,401 million, respectively.

Credit lines are not necessarily executed to the maximum amount because these contracts contain a clause to lower the credit lines if there are reasonable grounds.

 

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(e) Guarantees

DOCOMO enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide guarantees for counterparties. These counterparties include subscribers, related parties, foreign wireless telecommunications service providers and other business partners.

DOCOMO provides subscribers with guarantees for product defects of cellular phone handsets sold by DOCOMO, but DOCOMO is provided with similar guarantees by the handset vendors and no liabilities were recognized for these guarantees.

Though the guarantees or indemnifications provided in transactions other than those with the subscribers are different in each contract, the likelihood of almost all of the performance of these guarantees or indemnifications are remote and amount of payments DOCOMO could be claimed for is not specified in almost all of the contracts. Historically, DOCOMO has not made any significant guarantee or indemnification payments under such agreements. DOCOMO estimates the fair value of the obligations related to these agreements is not significant. Accordingly, no liabilities were recognized for these obligations.

 

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20. Fair value measurements:

Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.” U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value according to observability. The inputs are described as follows:

Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2—inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability

Level 3—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability

DOCOMO also distinguishes assets and liabilities measured at fair value every period on a recurring basis from those measured on a nonrecurring basis in certain circumstances.

(a) Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

DOCOMO’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include available-for-sale securities and derivatives.

DOCOMO’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Available-for-sale securities

           

Equity securities (domestic)

   ¥ 81,598       ¥ 81,598       ¥       ¥         —   

Equity securities (foreign)

     77,172         77,172                   

Debt securities (foreign)

     5         5                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   ¥ 158,775       ¥ 158,775       ¥       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives

           

Interest rate swap agreements

   ¥ 25       ¥       ¥ 25       ¥   

Foreign currency option contracts

     272                 272           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives

     297                 297           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 159,072       ¥ 158,775       ¥     297       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivatives

           

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   ¥ 2       ¥       ¥ 2       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives

     2                 2           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 2       ¥       ¥ 2       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
           

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

 

F-63


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets:

           

Available-for-sale securities

           

Equity securities (domestic)

   ¥ 88,675       ¥ 88,675       ¥       ¥   

Equity securities (foreign)

     93,149         93,149                   

Debt securities (foreign)

     6         6                   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total available-for-sale securities

   ¥ 181,830       ¥ 181,830       ¥       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives

           

Foreign currency option contracts

   ¥ 474       ¥       ¥ 474       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives

     474                 474           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 182,304       ¥ 181,830       ¥ 474       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities:

           

Derivatives

           

Foreign currency option contracts

   ¥ 80       ¥       ¥ 80       ¥   

Foreign exchange forward contracts

     0                 0           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives

     80                 80           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 80       ¥       ¥ 80       ¥   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

Available-for-sale securities

Available-for-sale securities include marketable equity securities and debt securities, which are valued using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Therefore, they are classified as Level 1.

Derivatives

Derivative instruments are interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency option contracts and foreign exchange forward contracts, which are valued based on observable market data, and are classified as Level 2. The valuation of such derivatives is periodically validated using observable market data, such as exchange rates.

(b) Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in certain circumstances.

DOCOMO may be required to measure fair value of receivables held for sale, long-lived assets, equity securities whose fair values are not readily determinable, and other assets or liabilities on a nonrecurring basis.

DOCOMO uses valuation methods such as a discounted cash flow method and market approach techniques in order to determine the fair value of its assets and liabilities classified as Level 3. DOCOMO selects a valuation method which best reflects the nature, characteristics, and risks of each asset and liability, and also determines the unobservable inputs using the best and most relevant data available. DOCOMO verifies the appropriateness of valuation methods and unobservable inputs, and may use third-party pricing information to evaluate the appropriateness of DOCOMO’s valuation during the verification processes.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

DOCOMO’s assets that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Gains (losses)
(before  taxes)
 

Assets:

              

Receivables held for sale

   ¥ 836,638       ¥       ¥ 836,638       ¥       ¥ (6,630

Investments in affiliates

     44,968                         44,968         (51,279

Receivables held for sale

Receivables held for sale are measured at the lower of cost or fair value.

Receivables held for sale are classified as Level 2. DOCOMO measures the fair value of the receivables held for sale by discounting, at LIBOR-based discount rates, estimated future cash flows while taking into account factors such as default probabilities and loss severity of similar trade receivables.

Investments in affiliates

The fair value of investments in affiliates, including TTSL, is measured based on discounted cash flow method using unobservable inputs. Therefore, they are classified as Level 3.

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Gains (losses)
(before  taxes)
 

Assets:

              

Receivables held for sale

   ¥ 935,648       ¥       ¥ 935,648       ¥       ¥ (6,866

long-lived assets

     107                 107                 (30,161

Receivables held for sale

Receivables held for sale are measured at the lower of cost or fair value.

Receivables held for sale are classified as Level 2. DOCOMO measures the fair value of the receivables held for sale by discounting, at LIBOR-based discount rates, estimated future cash flows while taking into account factors such as default probabilities and loss severity of similar trade receivables.

Long-lived assets

The fair value of certain equipment related to the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices is measured based on observable market transactions involving sales of comparable assets and are classified as Level 2. In addition, the fair value of other long-lived assets related to the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices is measured based on the discounted cash flow method and are classified as Level 3. Since the future cash flows expected to be generated by such assets would be negative, the fair value in Level 3 is zero, as described in Note 5.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used to develop measurements of main assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in Level 3 were as follows.

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Fair value      Valuation technique      Significant Unobservable
input
     Input
value
 

Assets:

           

Investments in affiliates

   ¥   44,826        
 
Discounted cash
flow method
  
  
    
 
Weighted average
cost of capital
  
  
     12.6%   

21. Financial instruments:

(a) Risk management

The fair values of DOCOMO’s assets and liabilities and DOCOMO’s cash flows may be negatively impacted by fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. To manage these risks, DOCOMO uses derivative instruments such as interest rate swap agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts, non-deliverable forward contracts (NDF) and foreign currency option contracts as needed. The financial instruments are executed with creditworthy financial institutions and DOCOMO believes that there is little risk of default by these counterparties. DOCOMO sets and follows internal regulations that establish conditions to enter into derivative contracts and procedures of approving and monitoring such contracts.

(b) Concentration of credit risk

As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, the amount of other receivables resulting from the sale of receivables to NTT FINANCE was ¥248,732 million and ¥259,218 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014 and 2015, the amount of receivables held for sale was ¥983,644 million and ¥1,149,081 million, respectively.

Information regarding the transaction with NTT FINANCE is disclosed in Note 15 “Related party transactions.”

(c) Fair value of financial instruments

Financial instruments—

Carrying amounts of “Cash and cash equivalents,” “Short-term investments,” “Accounts receivable,” “Receivables held for sale,” “Credit card receivables,” “Other receivables,” “Accounts payable, trade” and certain other financial instruments approximate their fair values except the items separately referred to below.

Long-term debt including current portion—

The fair value of long-term debt including current portion is estimated based on the discounted amounts of future cash flows using DOCOMO’s current incremental borrowings rates for similar liabilities.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of long-term debt including current portion as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows. The fair value is valued and validated periodically based on observable market data. Therefore, it is classified as Level 2.

 

Millions of yen
2014   

2015

Carrying amount   

Fair value

  

Carrying amount

  

Fair value

¥                               220,851    ¥                            229,053    ¥                            220,603    ¥                           228,678

Derivative instruments—

(i) Fair value hedge

DOCOMO may use interest rate swap agreements, under which DOCOMO receives fixed rate interest payments and pays floating rate interest payments, to hedge the changes in fair value of certain debt as a part of its asset-liability management (ALM).

DOCOMO was not a counterparty to any interest rate swap agreements designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 and did not enter into any interest rate swap agreements designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014 and 2015.

(ii) Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

DOCOMO had interest rate swap agreements, foreign exchange forward contracts, non-deliverable forward contracts (NDF) and foreign currency option contracts to hedge the risk of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. DOCOMO did not designate such derivative instruments as hedging instruments.

The contract amounts as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  

Instruments

   2014      2015  

Interest rate swap agreements

   ¥ 4,500       ¥   

Foreign exchange forward contracts

     474         100   

Foreign currency option contracts

     85,338         48,740   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 90,312       ¥ 48,840   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(iii) The effect on the consolidated balance sheets

The locations and fair values of the derivative instruments as of March 31, 2014 and 2015, recorded in the consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:

Asset derivatives

 

          Millions of yen  

Instruments

  

Locations

   2014      2015  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

        

Interest rate swap agreements

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets    ¥ 11       ¥   
   Other assets      14           

Foreign currency option contracts

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets      64           
   Other assets      208         474   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      ¥   297       ¥   474   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 
Liability derivatives      
          Millions of yen  

Instruments

  

Locations

   2014      2015  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

        

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Other current liabilities    ¥ 2       ¥ 0   

Foreign currency option contracts

   Other long-term liabilities              80   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

      ¥     2       ¥     80   
     

 

 

    

 

 

 

The fair values of derivative instruments were valued and validated periodically based on observable market data and represent the amount that DOCOMO could have settled with the counterparties to terminate the contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and 2015.

(iv) The effect on the consolidated statements of income

The locations and gain (loss) amounts of the derivative instruments for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015, recognized in the consolidated statements of income, were as follows:

 

         Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative  
         Millions of yen  

Instruments

   Locations   2013     2014     2015  

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

        

Interest rate swap agreements

   Other, net*   ¥      ¥ 25      ¥   

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Other, net*     (487     713        (26

Non-deliverable forward contracts (NDF)

   Other, net*     (6     (29     0   

Foreign currency option contracts

   Other, net*     104        1,549        1,520   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     ¥ (389   ¥ 2,258      ¥ 1,494   
    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* “Other, net” was included in “Other income (expense).”

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(v) Contingent features in derivatives

As of March 31, 2015, DOCOMO had no derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features.

Other—

Information regarding investments in affiliates and marketable securities and other investments is disclosed in Note 6 “Investments in affiliates” and Note 7 “Marketable securities and other investments,” respectively.

22. Financing receivables:

DOCOMO has financing receivables including installment receivables, credit card receivables and receivables due to transfers. Installment receivables arise from providing funds for the subscribers’ handset purchase from agent resellers. Credit card receivables arise from usage of credit services by the customers. Receivables due to transfers arise from selling DOCOMO’s “receivables for telecommunications services” to NTT FINANCE. These receivables generally do not bear interest.

DOCOMO appropriately extends credit to customers upon these transactions and manages credit risks. When entering into installment payment, credit card contracts, or the contract regarding transfers of receivables with NTT FINANCE, DOCOMO performs credit check and manages the credit exposure thereafter by monitoring payment delays. The amounts per transaction for handset purchases and credit card usage are generally low and the billing cycle is also short, generally one month. Therefore, DOCOMO is able to maintain accurate past due information on a timely basis. Most of those customers utilize automated payment system to make cash payments, which mitigates the risk of uncollected receivables significantly. Besides, in relation to receivables due to transfers, the billing cycle is short, or generally two month, therefore, DOCOMO is able to maintain accurate past due information on a timely basis and the risk of uncollected receivables is mitigated. Because of the nature of the business and its effective credit control system, DOCOMO believes that a credit risk in its business is low. As a result, historical losses of installment receivables and credit card receivables have not been significant. There have been no historical losses of receivables due to transfers.

Allowance for doubtful accounts is computed based on historical bad debt experience and the estimated uncollectible amount based on the analysis of certain individual accounts, including claims in bankruptcy. When it is determined that there is little possibility of collection based on the debtor’s solvency, such receivables are written off. Since DOCOMO appropriately extends credits, manages credit risks and writes off uncollectible receivables, the amount of past due receivables is not significant.

 

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NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Financing receivables and related allowance for doubtful accounts as of March 31, 2014 and 2015 were as follows:

 

     Millions of yen  
     2014  
     Installment
receivables
    Credit card
receivables
    Receivables
due to
transfers
     Other     Total  

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

           

Balance as of March 31, 2013

   ¥ 1,347      ¥ 2,380      ¥       ¥ 461      ¥ 4,188   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision

            1,260                4,319        5,579   

Charge-offs

     (1,144     (1,496             (13     (2,653

Balance as of March 31, 2014

   ¥ 203      ¥ 2,144      ¥       ¥ 4,767      ¥ 7,114   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

     203        2,144                359        2,706   

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

                           4,408        4,408   

Financing receivables:

           

Balance as of March 31, 2014

   ¥ 462      ¥     220,979      ¥     248,732       ¥     20,073      ¥     490,246   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

     462        220,979        248,732         15,500        485,673   

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

                           4,573        4,573   

The cost of installment receivables and credit card receivables which were sold for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 were ¥504,827 million and ¥57,261 million, respectively. The balance of receivables held for sale as of March 31, 2014 which was reclassified from installment receivables and credit card receivables were ¥711,283 million and ¥4,691 million, respectively.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Millions of yen  
     2015  
     Installment
receivables
    Credit card
receivables
    Receivables
due to
transfers
     Other     Total  

Allowance for doubtful accounts:

           

Balance as of March 31, 2014

   ¥ 203      ¥ 2,144      ¥       ¥ 4,767      ¥ 7,114   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Provision

            5,714                (543     5,171   

Charge-offs

     (128     (1,744             (33     (1,905

Balance as of March 31, 2015

   ¥ 75      ¥ 6,114      ¥       ¥ 4,191      ¥ 10,380   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

     75        6,114                22        6,211   

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

                           4,169        4,169   

Financing receivables:

           

Balance as of March 31, 2015

   ¥ 411      ¥ 234,412      ¥ 259,218       ¥ 12,748      ¥ 506,789   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment

     411        234,412        259,218         8,550        502,591   

Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment

                           4,198        4,198   

The cost of installment receivables and credit card receivables which were sold for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 were ¥663,102 million and ¥51,792 million, respectively. The balance of receivables held for sale as of March 31, 2015 which was reclassified from installment receivables and credit card receivables were ¥873,983 million and ¥4,101 million, respectively.

 

F-71


Table of Contents

NTT DOCOMO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

     Millions of yen  
     Balance as of
beginning of
year
     Charged to
expenses
    Deductions     Balance as of end
of year
 
          Written-off     Other*    

2013

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 25,080       ¥ (463   ¥ (12,688   ¥ (2,239   ¥ 9,690   

2014

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 9,690       ¥ 6,323      ¥ (6,604   ¥      ¥ 9,409   

2015

           

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 9,409       ¥ 3,531      ¥ (1,073   ¥      ¥ 11,867   

 

* The decrease in allowance for doubtful accounts due to reclassifications to receivables held for sale from DOCOMO’s “receivables for telecommunications services.”

 

     Millions of yen  
     Balance as of
beginning of
year
     Charged to
expenses
     Deductions*     Balance as of end
of year
 

2013

          

Valuation allowance for receivables held for sale

   ¥       ¥ 9,079       ¥      ¥ 9,079   

2014

          

Valuation allowance for receivables held for sale

   ¥ 9,079       ¥ 5,984       ¥ (7,999   ¥ 7,064   

2015

          

Valuation allowance for receivables held for sale

   ¥ 7,064       ¥ 6,898       ¥ (6,327   ¥ 7,635   

 

* The decrease in valuation allowance for receivables held for sale due to sale of receivables held for sale.

 

    Millions of yen  
    Balance as of
beginning of
year
    Additions     Deductions*     Balance as of end
of year
 
      Charged to
expenses
    Foreign
currency
translation
adjustment
    Business
combinations
     

2013

           

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

  ¥ 10,680      ¥ 11,147      ¥ 1,027      ¥ 5,328      ¥ (24   ¥ 28,158   

2014

           

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

  ¥ 28,158      ¥ 9,954      ¥ 2,226      ¥      ¥ (697   ¥ 39,641   

2015

           

Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

  ¥ 39,641      ¥ 11,041      ¥ 925      ¥      ¥ (2,906   ¥ 48,701   

 

* The decrease in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets due to expiration of operating loss carry-forwards.

 

F-72


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

NTT DOCOMO, INC.

 

By

 

/s/    Kaoru Kato

  Kaoru Kato
  President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 26, 2015


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit
Number

 

Description

    1.1   Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (English translation)
    1.2   Share Handling Regulations of the registrant (English translation)*1
    1.3   Regulations of the Board of Directors of the registrant (English translation)
    1.4  

Regulations of the Audit & Supervisory Board of the registrant (English translation)

    2.1   Form of Deposit Agreement among the registrant, The Bank of New York Mellon as Depositary and all owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-134940) filed on September 16, 2013)
    8.1   List of Significant Subsidiaries (See “Business Overview” in Item 4.B of this Form 20-F)
  11.1   Code of Ethics (English translation)*2
  12.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  12.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  13.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
  13.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101.INS   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

 

*1 Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2014 and herein incorporated by reference.
*2 Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2006 and herein incorporated by reference.