UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 20-F

 


 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 20082009

 

Commission file number 1 - 6784

 


 

MATSUSHITA DENKI SANGYOPANASONIC KABUSHIKI KAISHA

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

 


 

Japan

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501, Japan

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

Yukitoshi Onda, +81-6-6906-1763, onda.yukitoshi@jp.panasonic.com, address is same as above

(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


American Depositary Shares*

New York Stock Exchange

Common Stock

Stock*
 New York Stock Exchange

 

*Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts. Each American Depositary Share represents one share of Common Stock.

 

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 (excluding treasury stock) of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.

 

   Outstanding as of

    Title of Class    


  March 31, 20082009
(Japan Time)


  March 31, 20082009
(New York Time)


Common Stock

  2,101,117,1562,070,641,621   

American Depositary Shares, each representing 1 share of Common Stock

     185,357,618122,815,684

 

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 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.    Yes  ¨    No  x.

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Company (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Company 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  ¨    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  ¨

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  ¨.

 

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.

 

This form contains 174147 pages.

 



CONTENTS

 

      Page

About the Company

  1

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

  1
   PART I  2

Item 1.

  

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

  32

Item 2.

  

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

  32

Item 3.

  

Key Information

  32
   

A. Selected Financial Data

2

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

  3
   

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

4

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

  43
   

D. Risk Factors

  43

Item 4.

  

Information on the Company

  118
   

A. History and Development of the Company

8

B. Business Overview

  11
   

B. Business OverviewC. Organizational Structure

  1620
   

C. Organizational Structure

35

D. Property, Plants and Equipment

  3723

Item 4A.

  

Unresolved Staff Comments

  3826

Item 5.

  

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

  3927
   

A. Operating Results

  3927
   

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources

  5438
   

C. Research and Development

  5741
   

D. Trend Information

  5842
   

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

  5943
   

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

  6044
   

G. Safe Harbor

  6044
   

H. Accounting Principles

  6145

Item 6.

  

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

  6749
   

A. Directors and Senior Management

  6749
   

B. Compensation

  7856
   

C. Board Practices

  7957
   

D. Employees

  7957
   

E. Share Ownership

  8057


      Page

Item 7.

  

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

  8158
   

A. Major Shareholders

  8158
   

B. Related Party Transactions

  8359
   

C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

  8359

Item 8.

  

Financial Information

  8359
   

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

  8359
   

B. Significant Changes

  8561

Item 9.

  

The Offer and Listing

  8661
   

A. Offer and Listing Details

  8661
   

B. Plan of Distribution

  8762
   

C. Markets

  8762
   

D. Selling Shareholders

  8762
   

E. Dilution

  8762
   

F. Expenses of the Issue

  8763

Item 10.

  

Additional Information

  8863
   

A. Share Capital

  8863
   

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

  8863
   

C. Material Contracts

  10274
   

D. Exchange Controls

  10274
   

E. Taxation

  10375
   

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

  11079
   

G. Statement by Experts

  11079
   

H. Documents on Display

  11079
   

I. Subsidiary Information

  110

J. Expenses of the Issue

11079

Item 11.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  11179

Item 12.

  

Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

  11382
   PART II  83

Item 13.

  

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

  11483

Item 14.

  

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

  11483

Item 15.

  

Controls and Procedures

  11483


      Page

Item 16A.

  

Audit Committee Financial Expert

  11584

Item 16B.

  

Code of Ethics

  11584

Item 16C.

  

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

  11584

Item 16D.

  

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

  11685

Item 16E.

  

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

  11786

Item 16F.

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

87

Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

87
   PART III  90

Item 17.

  

Financial Statements

  11990

Item 18.

  

Financial Statements

  11990

Item 19.

  

Exhibits

  172146


- 1 -

 

All information contained in this annual report is as of March 31, 20082009 or for the year ended March 31, 20082009 (fiscal 2008)2009) unless the context otherwise indicates.

 

The noon buying rate for yen in New York City as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on June 18, 200819, 2009 was 108.0596.15 yen = U.S.$1.

 

About the Company

 

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation (hereinafter, unless the context otherwise requires, “Matsushita,“Panasonic,” the “Matsushita“Panasonic Group” or the “Company” refers to Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries as a group), best known for its “Panasonic” brand name, is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of electronic and electric products for a wide range of consumer, business and industrial uses, as well as a wide variety of components. The shareholders of the Company resolved in June 2008 that the name of the Company will be changed to “Panasonic Corporation” asAs from October 1, 2008.2008, the Company changed its company name from “Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd.” to “Panasonic Corporation.” Based in Osaka, Japan, the Company recorded consolidated net sales of approximately 9,0697,766 billion yen for fiscal 2008.2009. Over the past eightnine decades, the Company has grown from a small domestic household electrical equipment manufacturer into a comprehensive electronic and electric equipment, systems and components manufacturer operating internationally. Of the fiscal 20082009 net sales, nearly one-half was represented by sales in Japan, with the rest by overseas sales.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This annual report includes forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) about Matsushita.Panasonic. To the extent that statements in this annual report do not relate to historical or current facts, they constitute forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the current assumptions and beliefs of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group in light of the information currently available to it, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors may cause the MatsushitaPanasonic Group’s actual results, performance, achievements or financial position to be materially different from any future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. MatsushitaPanasonic undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements after the date of this annual report (June 2008)2009). Investors are advised to consult any further disclosures by MatsushitaPanasonic in its subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and its other filings.


- 2 -

 

The risks, uncertainties and other factors referred to above include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, particularly consumer spending and corporate capital expenditures in the United States, Europe, Japan, China, and other Asian countries; volatility in demand for electronic equipment and components from business and industrial customers, as well as consumers in many product and geographical markets; currency rate fluctuations, notably between the yen, the U.S. dollar, the euro, the Chinese yuan, Asian currencies and other currencies in which the MatsushitaPanasonic Group operates businesses, or in which assets and liabilities of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group are denominated; the ability of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group to respond to rapid technological changes and changing consumer preferences with timely and cost-effective introductions of new products in markets that are highly competitive in terms of both price and technology; the possibility of not achieving expected results on the alliances or mergers and acquisitions; the ability of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group to achieve its business objectives through joint ventures and other collaborative agreements with other companies; the ability of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group to maintain competitive strength in many product and geographical areas; the possibility of incurring expenses resulting from any defects in products or services of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group; the possibility that the MatsushitaPanasonic Group may face intellectual property infringement claims by third parties; current and potential, direct and indirect restrictions imposed by other countries over trade, manufacturing, labor and operations; fluctuations in market prices of securities and other assets in which the MatsushitaPanasonic Group has holdings or changes in valuation of long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and goodwill, and deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions; future changes or revisions to accounting policies or accounting rules; as well as natural disasters including earthquakes and other events that may negatively impact business activities of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group. The factors listed above are not all-inclusive.


- 32 -

 

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

 

  Yen (billions), except per share amounts and yen exchange rates

  Yen (billions), except per share amounts and yen exchange rates

  Fiscal year ended March 31,

  Fiscal year ended March 31,

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2005

  2004

  2009

 2008

  2007

  2006

  2005

Income Statement Data:

               

Statements of Operations Data:

            

Net sales

  9,069  9,108  8,894  8,714  7,480  7,766   9,069  9,108  8,894  8,714

Income before income taxes

  435  439  371  247  171

Net income

  282  217  154  58  42

Income (loss) before income taxes

  (383 435  439  371  247

Net income (loss)

  (379 282  217  154  58

Per common share:

                           

Net income:

               

Net income (loss):

            

Basic

  132.90  99.50  69.48  25.49  18.15  (182.25 132.90  99.50  69.48  25.49

Diluted

  132.90  99.50  69.48  25.49  18.00  (182.25 132.90  99.50  69.48  25.49

Dividends

  32.50  25.00  17.50  15.25  12.50  40.00   32.50  25.00  17.50  15.25

Balance Sheet Data:

               

Balance Sheet Data:

            

Total assets

  7,444  7,897  7,965  8,057  7,438  6,403   7,444  7,897  7,965  8,057

Long-term debt

  232  227  264  477  461  651   232  227  264  477

Stockholders’ equity

  3,742  3,917  3,788  3,544  3,452  2,784   3,742  3,917  3,788  3,544

Common stock

  259  259  259  259  259  259   259  259  259  259

Number of shares issued at year-end (thousands)

  2,453,053  2,453,053  2,453,053  2,453,053  2,453,053  2,453,053   2,453,053  2,453,053  2,453,053  2,453,053

Number of shares issued and outstanding at year-end (thousands)

  2,101,117  2,146,284  2,209,532  2,258,358  2,318,408  2,070,642   2,101,117  2,146,284  2,209,532  2,258,358

Yen exchange rates per U.S. dollar:

               

Yen exchange rates per U.S. dollar:

            

Year-end

  99.85  117.56  117.48  107.22  104.18  99.15   99.85  117.56  117.48  107.22

Average

  114.31  116.92  113.15  107.49  113.07  100.62   114.31  116.92  113.15  107.49

High

  96.88  110.07  104.41  102.26  104.18  87.80   96.88  110.07  104.41  102.26

Low

  124.09  121.81  120.93  114.30  120.55  110.48   124.09  121.81  120.93  114.30

 

   Dec.
2007


    Jan.
2008


    Feb.
2008


    Mar.
2008


    Apr.
2008


    May
2008


Yen exchange rates for each month during the previous six months:

                            

High

  109.68    105.42    104.19    96.88    101.09    103.01

Low

  114.45    109.70    108.15    103.99    104.56    105.52

Note:Dividends per share reflect those paid during each fiscal year.
   Dec.
2008


    Jan.
2009


    Feb.
2009


    Mar.
2009


    Apr.
2009


    May
2009


Yen exchange rates for each month during the previous six months:

                            

High

  87.84    87.80    89.09    93.85    96.49    94.45

Low

  93.71    94.20    98.55    99.34    100.71    99.24
Note:  Dividends per share reflect those paid during each fiscal year.


- 43 -

 

 

B.Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not applicable

 

 

C.Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable

 

 

D.Risk Factors

 

Once a year, MatsushitaPanasonic implements a Groupwide risk assessment survey to identify potential risks in an integrated and comprehensive manner. By identifying, assessing, evaluating and prioritizing these risks, MatsushitaPanasonic specifies risks related toat the Corporate Headquarters, business domain companies and Group affiliates, takes countermeasures that correspond to the materiality of each risk, and seeks continuous improvements through the monitoring of the progress of such countermeasures. Primarily because of the business areas and geographical areas where it operates, and the highly competitive nature of the industry to which it belongs, MatsushitaPanasonic is exposed to a variety of risks and uncertainties in conducting its businesses, including, but not limited to, the following. These risks may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition. This section includes forward-looking statements and future expectations as of the date of this annual report.

 

Risks Related to Economic Conditions

 

Continued or further weakness in Japanese and global economies may cause reduced demand for Panasonic’s products

Weakness in Japanese and global economies may cause reduced demand for Matsushita’sPanasonic’s products

 

Demand for Matsushita’sPanasonic’s products and services may be affected by general economic trends in the countries or regions in which Matsushita’sPanasonic’s products and services are sold. Economic downturns and resulting declines in demand in Matsushita’sPanasonic’s major markets worldwide may thus adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition. Since the financial crisis occurred in 2008, Panasonic’s business environment has been rapidly deteriorating due to declines in global consumption and business activities and due to intensified price competition. Panasonic expects a decrease in profitability in fiscal 2010 because further deterioration of domestic and overseas market conditions will likely cause sales of Panasonic’s products to decline and Panasonic will incur increased costs for additional business restructuring in order to cope with the business environment. If global market conditions worsen beyond expectations, the business environment of Panasonic may deteriorate more than currently anticipated, which may adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Currency exchange rate fluctuations may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s operating results

 

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition, because its international business transactions and costs and prices of its products and services in overseas countries are affected by foreign exchange rate changes. In addition, foreign exchange rate changes can also affect the yen value of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s investments in overseas assets and liabilities because Matsushita’sPanasonic’s consolidated financial statements are presented in Japanese yen. Generally, an appreciation of the yen against other major currencies such as the U.S. dollar and the euro may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s operating results. Meanwhile, a depreciation of the yen against the aforementioned major currencies may have a favorable impact on Matsushita’sPanasonic’s operating results.


- 5 - The global financial crisis, which occurred in 2008, caused the rapid appreciation of the yen against other major currencies, which adversely and significantly affected Panasonic’s operating results in fiscal 2009. Any further or continued appreciation of the yen may adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s financial condition, etc.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is exposed to interest rate fluctuation risks which may affect the Company’s operational costs, interest expenses, interest income and the value of financial assets and liabilities. Accordingly, interest rate fluctuations may adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.


- 4 -

Continuation or deterioration of financial market turmoil may adversely affect Panasonic’s ability to raise funds or may increase the cost of fund raising

Panasonic raises funds for its business through methods such as borrowing from financial institutions and issuance of bonds and commercial papers. Where, among other events, financial market turmoil continues or deteriorates, financial institutions reduce lending to Panasonic, or rating agencies downgrade Panasonic’s credit ratings, Panasonic may not be able to raise funds in the time and amount necessary for Panasonic, or under conditions which Panasonic deems appropriate, and Panasonic may incur additional costs of raising funds, which may adversely affect the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Decreases in the value of Japanese stocks may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s financial results

 

MatsushitaPanasonic holds mostly Japanese stocks as part of its investment securities. The value of thesesuch stocks may drop substantiallydropped significantly due to the global financial crisis and economic conditions or other factors, resultingdownturn in Japan, causing Panasonic to record losses fromon the valuation declines of its investment securities. Suchsecurities in fiscal 2009. Further decreases in the value of stocks may occur, causing adverse effectscause additional losses due to Matsushita’sdecreases in the valuation of investment securities, thereby adversely affecting Panasonic’s operating results and financial condition. The decrease in the value of Japanese stocks may also reduce stockholders’ equity on the balance sheet, as unrealized holding gains (losses) of available-for-sale securities are included as part of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

 

Risks Related to Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Business

 

Competition in the industry may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s ability to maintain profitability

 

MatsushitaPanasonic develops, produces and sells a broad range of products and therefore faces many different types of competitors, from large international companies to relatively small, rapidly growing, and highly specialized organizations. MatsushitaPanasonic may choose not to fund or invest in one or more of its businesses to the same degree as its competitors in those businesses do, or it may not be able to do so in a timely manner or even at all. These competitors may have greater financial, technological, and marketing resources than MatsushitaPanasonic in the respective businesses in which they compete.

 

Rapid declines in product prices may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s financial condition

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business is subject to intense price competition worldwide, which makes it difficult for the Company to determine product prices and maintain adequate profits. Such intensified price competition may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s profits, especially in terms of possible decreases in demand. For the year ending March 31, 2009, Matsushita expects that itsAs global consumption has declined and demand has shifted to low-priced products, Panasonic’s product prices in consumer digital electronics and many other business areas will continue tomay decline as has been the case in recent years.


- 6 -significantly.

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business is, and will continue to be, subject to risks generally associated with international business operations

 

One of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business strategies is business expansion in overseas markets. In many of these markets, MatsushitaPanasonic may face risks generally associated with international manufacturing and other business operations, such as political instability, cultural and religious differences the spread of infectious diseases and labor relations, as well as economic uncertainty and foreign currency exchange risks. MatsushitaPanasonic may also face barriers in commercial and business customs in foreign countries, including difficulties in timely collection of accounts receivable or in building and expanding relationships with customers, subcontractors or parts suppliers. MatsushitaPanasonic may also experience various political, legal or other restrictions in investment, trade, manufacturing, labor or other aspects of operations, including restrictions on foreign investment or the repatriation of profits on invested capital, nationalization of local industry, changes in export or import restrictions or foreign exchange controls, and changes in the tax system or the rate of taxation in countries where MatsushitaPanasonic operates businesses. With respect to products exported overseas, tariffs, other barriers or shipping costs may make Matsushita’sPanasonic’s products less competitive in terms of price. Expanding its overseas business may require significant investments long before MatsushitaPanasonic realizes returns on such investments, and increased investments may result in expenses growing at a faster rate than revenues.


- 5 -

 

MatsushitaPanasonic may not be able to keep pace with technological changes and develop new products or services in a timely manner to remain competitive

 

MatsushitaPanasonic may fail to introduce new products or services in response to technological changes in a timely manner. Some of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s core businesses, such as consumer digital electronics and key components and devices, are concentrated in industries where technological innovation is the central competitive factor. MatsushitaPanasonic continuously faces the challenge of developing and introducing viable and innovative new products. MatsushitaPanasonic must predict with reasonable accuracy both future demand and new technologies that will be available to meet such demand. If MatsushitaPanasonic fails to do so, it will not be able to compete effectively in new markets.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic may not be able to develop product formats that can prevail as de facto standards

 

MatsushitaPanasonic has been forming alliances and partnerships with other major manufacturers to strengthen technologies and the development of product formats, such as next-generation home and mobile networking products, data storage devices, and software systems. Despite these efforts, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s competitors may succeed in developing de facto standards for future products before MatsushitaPanasonic can. In such cases, the Company’s competitive position, business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.


- 7 -

 

MatsushitaPanasonic may not be able to successfully recruit and retain skilled employees, particularly scientific, technical and management professionals

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s future success depends largely on its ability to attract and retain certain key personnel, including scientific, technical and management professionals. Matsushita anticipates that it will need to hire additional skilled personnel in all areas of its business. Industry demand for suchskilled employees, however, exceeds the number of personnel available, and the competition for attracting and retaining these employees is intense. Because of this intense competition for skilled employees, MatsushitaPanasonic may be unable to retain its existing personnel or attract additional qualified employees to keep up with future business needs. If this should happen, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

Alliances with, and strategic investments in, third parties, and mergers and acquisitions undertaken by MatsushitaPanasonic, may not produce positive results

 

MatsushitaPanasonic develops its business by forming alliances or joint ventures with, and making strategic investments in, other companies, including investments in start-up companies. Furthermore, the strategic importance of partnering with third parties is increasing. In some cases, such partnerships are crucial to Matsushita’sPanasonic’s goal of introducing new products and services, but MatsushitaPanasonic may not be able to successfully collaborate or achieve expected synergies with its partners. MatsushitaPanasonic does not, however, control these partners, who may make decisions regarding their business undertakings with MatsushitaPanasonic that may be contrary to Matsushita’sPanasonic’s interests. In addition, if these partners change their business strategies, MatsushitaPanasonic may fail to maintain these partnerships. Panasonic and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (“SANYO”), upon resolutions of meetings of their respective Boards of Directors held on December 19, 2008, entered into a Capital and Business Alliance Agreement. Panasonic aims to make SANYO its subsidiary through a tender offer (at a purchase price of 131 yen per share of common stock, 1,310 yen per share of Class A preferred stock and 1,310 yen per share of Class B preferred stock), which will be launched subject to, among other conditions, the completion of the procedures and measures that are required under domestic and overseas competition laws and regulations. However, Panasonic may not be able to promptly make SANYO its subsidiary and may fail to achieve the expected synergies with SANYO through the capital and business alliance. Furthermore, as a result of making SANYO its consolidated subsidiary, deterioration of SANYO’s operating results and financial condition may adversely affect Panasonic’s operating results and financial condition.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is dependent on the ability of third parties to deliver parts, components and services in adequate quality and quantity in a timely manner, and at a reasonable price

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s manufacturing operations depend on obtaining raw materials, parts and components, equipment and other supplies including services from reliable suppliers in adequate quality and quantity in a timely manner. It may be difficult for MatsushitaPanasonic to substitute one supplier for another, increase the number of suppliers or change one component for another in a timely manner or at all due to the interruption of supply caused by, among other conditions, the bankruptcy of suppliers or increased industry demand. This may adversely affect the MatsushitaPanasonic Group’s operations. Although MatsushitaPanasonic decides purchase prices by contract, the prices of raw materials including oil, parts and components, may increase due to changes in supply and demand. Some components are only available from a limited number of suppliers, which also may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition.


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MatsushitaPanasonic is exposed to the risk that its customers may encounter financial difficulties

 

Many of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s customers purchase products and services from MatsushitaPanasonic on payment terms that do not provide for immediate payment. If customers from whom MatsushitaPanasonic has substantial accounts receivable encounter financial difficulties and are unable to make payments on time, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.


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Risks Related to Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Management Plans

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is implementing its mid-term management plan called GP3 (announced on January 10, 2007), which will runruns from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2010. Under this plan, MatsushitaPanasonic aims to achieve sales of 10¥10 trillion yen and ROE of 10% in fiscal 2010 by achieving steady growth with profitability. Furthermore,Panasonic, in line with its twin corporate visions under this plan of “contributingan effort to realizing a ubiquitous networking society” and “coexistencecoexist with the global environment,” Matsushita also aims to earn the support of all its stakeholders worldwide by sustaining growth through continued innovation and ensuring sound business activities on a global basis. Another way is by settingachieve a target of reducing total global CO2 emissions during the plan by 300,000 tons in fiscal 2010 compared with fiscal 2007 at Matsushita’sPanasonic’s manufacturing operations worldwide through environmental initiatives.worldwide. Due mainly to various factors including, in particular, the various risk factors described in this section, Matsushita may notglobal recession resulting from the global financial crisis, it will be successful in achievingvery difficult for Panasonic to achieve all the goals set out in its mid-term management plan. In addition, Matsushita may not be able to improve efficiency or realize growth through these measures due to the increased costs arising from unexpected additional reorganization or restructuring, improper allocation of operational resources or other unpredictable factors. Also, MatsushitaPanasonic announced on April 28, 2008,May 15, 2009, its annual forecast and major initiatives for the year ending March 31, 2009.2010. However, MatsushitaPanasonic may not be successful in achieving all the targets or in realizing the expected benefits because of various external and internal factors.factors including, among other conditions, further deterioration of the business environment and increased costs of business restructuring such as additional business reorganization, the impairment of fixed assets and employment adjustment in order to cope with the business environment.

 

Risks Related to Legal Restrictions and Litigations

 

MatsushitaPanasonic may be subject to product liability or warranty claims that could result in significant direct or indirect costs

 

The occurrence of defects in MatsushitaPanasonic products could make MatsushitaPanasonic liable for damages not covered by product and completed operation liability insurance, whereby the Company could incur significant expenses. Due to negative publicity concerning these problems, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic may fail to protect its proprietary intellectual properties, or face claims of intellectual property infringement by a third party, and may lose its intellectual property rights on key technologies or be liable for significant damages

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s success depends on its ability to obtain intellectual property rights covering its products and product design. Patents may not be granted or may not be of sufficient scope or force to provide MatsushitaPanasonic with adequate protection or commercial advantage. In addition, effective copyright and trade secret protections may be unavailable or limited in some countries in which MatsushitaPanasonic operates. Competitors or other third parties may also develop technologies that are protected by patents and other intellectual property rights, which make such technologies unavailable or available only on terms unfavorable to Matsushita.Panasonic. The Company obtains licenses for intellectual property rights from other parties; however, such licenses may not be available at all or on acceptable terms in the future. Litigation may also be necessary to enforce Matsushita’sPanasonic’s intellectual property rights or to defend against intellectual property infringement claims brought against MatsushitaPanasonic by third parties. In such cases, MatsushitaPanasonic may incur significant expenses for such lawsuits. Furthermore, MatsushitaPanasonic may be prohibited from using certain important technologies or liable for damages in cases of admitted violations of intellectual property rights of others.


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Changes in accounting standards and tax systems may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s financial results and condition

 

Introduction of new accounting standards or tax systems, or changes thereof, which MatsushitaPanasonic cannot predict, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results and financial condition. In addition, if tax authorities have different opinions from MatsushitaPanasonic on the Company’s tax declarations, MatsushitaPanasonic may need to make larger tax payments than estimated.


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Payments or compensation related to environmental regulations or issues may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is subject to environmental regulations such as those relating to air pollution, water pollution, elimination of hazardous substances, waste management, product recycling, and soil and groundwater contamination, and may be held responsible for certain related payments or compensation. Furthermore, if these regulations become stricter and an additional duty of eliminating the use of environmentally hazardous materials is imposed, or if the Company determines that it is necessary and appropriate, from the viewpoint of corporate social responsibility, to respond to environmental issues, the payment of penalties for the violation of these regulations or voluntary payment of compensation for consolation to parties affected by such issues may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition.

 

Leaks of confidential information may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business

 

In the normal course of business, MatsushitaPanasonic holds confidential information mainly about customers regarding credit worthiness and other information, as well as confidential information about companies and other third parties. Such information may be leaked due to an accident or other inevitable cause, and any material leakage of confidential information may result in significant expense for related lawsuits and adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business and image. Moreover, there is a risk that Matsushita’sPanasonic’s trade secrets may be leaked by illegal conduct or by mere negligence of external parties, etc. If such is the case, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.

 

Governmental laws and regulations may limit Matsushita’sPanasonic’s activities or increase its operating costs

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is subject to governmental regulations in Japan and other countries in which it conducts its business, including governmental approvals required for conducting business and investments, laws and regulations governing the telecommunications businesses and electric product safety, national security-related laws and regulations and export/import laws and regulations, as well as commercial, antitrust, patent, product liability, environmental laws and regulations, consumer protection, financial and business taxation laws and regulations, and internal control regulations due to the implementation of stricter laws and regulations and stricter interpretations.

However, to the extent that MatsushitaPanasonic cannot comply with these laws and regulations from technical and economic perspectives, or if they become stricter and MatsushitaPanasonic determines that it would not be economical to continue to comply with them, MatsushitaPanasonic would need to limit its activities in the affected business areas. In addition, these laws and regulations could increase Matsushita’sPanasonic’s operating costs.


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Risks Related to Disasters or Unpredictable Events

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s facilities and information systems could be damaged as a result of disasters or unpredictable events, which could have an adverse effect on its business operations

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s headquarters and major facilities including manufacturing plants, sales offices and research and development centers are located in Japan. MatsushitaPanasonic also operates procurement, manufacturing, logistics, sales and research and development facilities all over the world. If major disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods, wars, terrorist attacks, computer viruses or other events occur, or Matsushita’sPanasonic’s information system or communications network breaks down or operates improperly as a result of such events, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s facilities may be seriously damaged, or the Company may have to stop or delay production and shipment. MatsushitaPanasonic may incur expenses relating to such damages. In addition, if an infectious disease, such as a new highly-pathogenic flu strain, becomes prevalent throughout the world, Panasonic’s manufacturing and sales may be materially disrupted.

 

Other Risks

 

External economic conditions may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s pension plans

 

MatsushitaPanasonic has contributory, funded benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees in Japan who meet eligibility requirements. A decline in interest rates may cause a decrease in the discount rate on benefit obligations. A decrease in the value of stocks may also affect the return on plan assets. As a result, the actuarial loss may increase, leading to an increase in future net periodic benefit costs of these pension plans.


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Some long-lived assets may not produce adequate returns

 

MatsushitaPanasonic has many long-lived assets, such as plant, property and equipment, and goodwill, that generate returns. The Company periodically reviews the recorded value of its long-lived assets to determine if the future cash flows to be derived from these propertiesfair value will be sufficient to recoversupport the remaining recorded asset values. If these long-lived assets do not generate sufficient cash flows, impairment losses will have to be recognized, adversely affecting Matsushita’sPanasonic’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

Realizability of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions may increase Matsushita’sPanasonic’s provision for income tax

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions based on the expected future generation of taxable income or assessed sustainability of uncertain tax positions, MatsushitaPanasonic considers whether it is more likely than not that any portion or all of the deferred tax assets or recognized tax position benefit will not be realized. If MatsushitaPanasonic determines that temporary differences and loss carryforwards or recognized tax benefits cannot be realized upon the generation of future taxable income during the deductible periods due to deteriorating business conditions or tax position benefits may not be realized upon settlement, valuation allowance against deferred tax assets or unrecognized tax benefit reserves could be recognized and Matsushita’sPanasonic’s provision for income tax may increase.


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Financial results and condition of associated companies may adversely affect Matsushita’sPanasonic’s operating results and financial condition

 

MatsushitaPanasonic holds equities of several associated companies. MatsushitaPanasonic can exercise influence over operating and financing policies of these companies. However, MatsushitaPanasonic does not have the right to make decisions for them since the companies operate independently. Some companies may record losses. If these associated companies do not generate profits, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business results and financial condition may be adversely affected.

 

American Depositary Share (ADS) holders have fewer rights than shareholders and may not be able to enforce judgments based on U.S. securities laws

 

The rights of shareholders under Japanese law to take actions, including exercising their voting rights, receiving dividends and distributions, bringing derivative actions, examining Matsushita’sPanasonic’s accounting books and records, and exercising appraisal rights are available only to shareholders of record. Because the depositary, through its nominee, is the record holder of the shares underlying the ADSs, only the depositary can exercise those rights in connection with the deposited shares. The depositary will make efforts to exercise their voting rights underlying ADSs in accordance with the instructions of ADS holders and will pay the dividends and distributions collected from Matsushita.Panasonic. However, ADS holders will not be able to bring a derivative action, examine Matsushita’sPanasonic’s accounting books and records, or exercise appraisal rights through the depositary.

 

Item 4.Information on the Company

 

A.History and Development of the Company

 

GENERAL

 

The Company was incorporated in Japan on December 15, 1935 under the laws of Japan as Matsushita Denki Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Address: 1006, Oaza Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka 571-8501, Japan. Phone :Phone: +81-6-6908-1121 / Agent :Agent: Mr. Yoichi Nagata, Director of Overseas Investor Relations of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.)Panasonic Corporation) as the successor to an unincorporated enterprise founded in 1918 by the late Konosuke Matsushita. Mr. Matsushita led the Company with his corporate philosophy of contributing to the peace, happiness and prosperity of humankind through the supply of quality consumer electric and electronic goods. The Company’s business expanded rapidly with the recovery and growth of the Japanese economy after World War II, as it met rising demand for consumer electric and electronic products, starting with washing machines, black-and-white TVs and refrigerators. During the 1950s, Matsushitathe Company expanded its operations by establishing mass production and mass sales structures to meet increasing domestic demand, while also creating subsidiaries, making acquisitions and forming alliances. During the 1960s, Matsushitathe Company expanded its overseas businesses, and its products started obtaining worldwide recognition.


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During the global recession caused by the first oil crisis in 1973, Matsushitathe Company strengthened its structure and overseas business relations. The advent and popularity of the video cassette recorder (VCR) from the late 1970s enabled Matsushitathe Company to receive worldwide recognition as a global consumer electronics manufacturer. In the 1980s, Matsushitathe Company further worked to evolve from a consumer products manufacturer to a comprehensive electronics products manufacturer, expanding its business in the areas of information and communications technology, industrial equipment and components and devices. Since the 1990s, Matsushitathe Company has been emphasizing technological development and the use of advanced technology in every phase of life. In particular, Matsushitathe Company has been expanding its development activities in such areas as next-generation audiovisual (AV) equipment, multimedia products, and advanced electronic components and devices, many of which incorporate digital technology.

 

Matsushita currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use based on sophisticated electronics and precision technology, expanding to building materials and equipment, and housing business. Most of the Company’s products are marketed under the “Panasonic” brand name worldwide, along with other product- or region-specific brand names, including “National” primarily for home appliances and household electric equipment sold in Japan and “Technics” for certain hi-fi products. Some of its subsidiaries also use their own brand names, such as “PanaHome.” To sustain the future growth in the forthcoming ubiquitous networking age, Matsushita continues to emphasize technological development and the creation of new businesses, concentrating on several priority areas, such as digital AV networking equipment, mobile communications, data storage devices, environmental systems and related key components and devices and software. The Company is also striving to develop new service-oriented businesses, such as systems solutions and engineering services, as areas of potential growth over the mid-term.

In June 1995, Matsushitathe Company sold an 80% equity interest in MCA (subsequently renamed Universal Studios, Inc.) which the Company purchased in December 1990, to The Seagram Company Ltd. (currently Vivendi Universal S.A.) for approximately U.S.$5.7 $5.7 billion, leaving the Company with a minority interest. And inIn February 2006, Matsushitathe Company sold the remaining shares to Vivendi Universal S.A.

In March 1998, the Company announced a package of new management initiatives aimed at better sharing of interests with shareholders. As part of this package, management implemented, with approval at the annual shareholders’ meeting in June 1998, repurchase of 50 million shares of the Company’s common stock, spending approximately 99 billion yen during fiscal 1999.

In October 1999, EPCOS AG, a German electronic components joint venture of the Company and Siemens AG of Germany, had its initial public offering, listing its shares on German and U.S. stock exchanges. Following EPCOS AG’s public offering, Matsushita’s 45% (held by a subsidiary) and Siemens AG’s 55% holdings in EPCOS AG were each reduced to nearly 12.5%. Matsushita realized a 59 billion yen gain from the sale of its shares in EPCOS AG in fiscal 2000. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita sold the remaining shares in the market.


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In April 2000, the Company made two of its majority-owned subsidiaries, Matsushita Refrigeration Company and Wakayama Precision Company, into wholly-owned subsidiaries by means of share exchanges. As a result of the share exchanges, Matsushitathe Company issued 16,321,187 shares of its common stock to shareholders of the respective companies.

 

In June 2000, Kunio Nakamura became President of Matsushitathe Company and, under his leadership, the Company implemented a new three-year business plan, called Value Creation 21, in April 2001. As the plan’s theme “Deconstruction and Creation” indicates, its objective was to transform Matsushita into a company that meets the needs of the 21st century through structural reforms and growth strategies with an emphasis on enhancing growth potential, profitability and capital efficiency, thereby ensuring the Company’s continued contribution to society.

 

In April 2001, the Company absorbed Matsushita Electronics Corporation, its wholly-owned subsidiary, by merger to implement unified operational management in such key device areas as semiconductors and display devices.

 

In April 2002, Matsushitathe Company and Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) separated their respective liquid crystal display (LCD) panel operations and established a joint venture company, Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd. (TMD), for the development, manufacture and sale of LCD panels and next-generation display devices. Of the new company’s initial stated capital of 10 billion yen, 60% was invested by Toshiba and 40% by Matsushita.the Company.

 

As a drastic structural reform aimed at achieving new growth, under the Value Creation 21 plan, MatsushitaCompany implemented share exchanges on October 1, 2002 with five of its majority-owned subsidiaries (Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd., Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd., Matsushita Seiko Co., Ltd., Matsushita Kotobuki Electronics Industries, Ltd. and Matsushita Graphic Communication Systems, Inc.) and transformed them into wholly-owned subsidiaries of Matsushita. Following the completion of the share exchanges, Matsushita implemented a comprehensive Groupwide business reorganization on January 1, 2003 via company splits, business combinations and business transfers among several Group companies, including the parent company’s internal divisional companies, whereby businesses of most of the Matsushita Group were reorganized into 14 new business domains.Company.

 

As an extension of this Groupwide reorganization, Matsushitathe Company transformed two of its majority-owned subsidiaries, Matsushita Electronic Components Co., Ltd. and Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd., into wholly-owned subsidiaries via share exchanges, effective April 1, 2003.

 

Upon the aforementioned Groupwide restructurings, in April 2003, to prepare a framework that enables each business domain company to implement autonomously responsible management, Matsushitathe Company established a new global consolidated management system that focuses on capital efficiency and cash flows.


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Also on April 1, 2003, Matsushitathe Company launched another joint venture company with Toshiba, upon separating their respective cathode ray tube (CRT) businesses with the exception of domestic CRT manufacturing operations. The Company formerly accounted for the investment in the new company, Matsushita Toshiba Picture Display Co., Ltd. (MTPD), aimed to maintain a competitive position in the global CRT market by integrating Matsushita and Toshiba’s advanced CRT technologies, as well as both companies’ product development and manufacturing capabilities. The Company formerly accounted for the investment in MTPD and its subsidiaries under the equity method, and began to consolidate MTPD on March 1, 2006 in accordance with FIN 46R,Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,”Entities” (FIN 46R), as a result of certain restructuring activities of MTPD. At March 31, 2006, the Company had a 64.5% equity interest in MTPD. At March 30, 2007, the Company acquired the remaining 35.5% equity interest in MTPD from Toshiba and MTPD was renamed MT Picture Display Co., Ltd.


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Since fiscal 2003, Matsushitathe Company has been gradually shifting its focus from restructuring to growth. MatsushitaThe Company made concerted efforts to enhance product competitiveness. V-products, which aim to capture leading shares in high-volume markets, made a significant contribution to overall business results.

 

In April 2003, Matsushitathe Company announced that it would position the Panasonic brand as a globally unified brand for overseas markets under the global brand slogan of “Panasonic ideas for life.” This new brand strategy conveys to customers all over the world a new image for the Company and its products, while further enhancing brand value.

 

In December 2003, Matsushitathe Company reached a basic agreement regarding a comprehensive business collaboration with its affiliate, MatsushitaPanasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (MEW)(PEW), after which Matsushitathe Company initiated a tender offer for additional shares of MEW.PEW. As a result of the tender offer in which the Company purchased an additional 140,550 thousand shares of common stock of MEWPEW at the total cost of 147 billion yen, MEW,PEW, PanaHome Corporation and their respective subsidiaries became consolidated subsidiaries of the Company in April 2004. Through collaboration, Matsushita and MEW aim for global excellence by maximizing synergy effects between the two companies to create new growth. Furthermore, Matsushita and MEW unified product designs, opened joint showrooms and introduced a series of Collaboration V-products that incorporate differentiated technologies of both companies, such as modular furniture systems, tank-less toilets, bathroom systems, high efficiency lighting systems and Integrated IP Network Platforms for building and area security management systems. For fiscal 2005, MatsushitaPanasonic and MEW alsoPEW integrated overlapping businesses in the area of electrical supplies, building materials and equipment, home appliances and industrial equipment, and reformed distribution channels to establish an optimized, customer-oriented operational structure. In fiscal 2006, Matsushitathe Company leveraged the strengths of both companies to achieve sales increases in Collaboration V-products including bathroom systems, modular kitchens and air purifiers. At the same time, sales of air conditioners and related products rose substantially through the effective use of MEW sales channels for electrical supplies and building materials in Japan.

 

In fiscal 2005, as part of business restructuring of the Matsushitaits Group companies, power distribution equipment and monitoring and control system operations of Matsushita Industrial Information Equipment Co., Ltd. (MIIE) were transferred to MEW,PEW, while MIIE’s information machine business was shifted to Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd. Subsequently, MIIE was absorbed by Matsushitathe Company in April 2005, and no longer operates as a separate entity.


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In June 2006, Fumio Ohtsubo became President of Matsushita.the Company. Under its new management, Matsushita will makeit has been making efforts to achieve global excellence, or in other words, to aim to earn the support of all its stakeholders worldwide by sustaining growth through continued innovation and ensuring sound business activities on a global basis.

 

In July 2007, each of Victor Company of Japan, Limited (“JVC”), a consolidated subsidiary of Matsushita,the Company, KENWOOD and SPARX International (Hong Kong) Limited, an investment management company which belongs to a group of companies headed by SPARX Group Co., Ltd. adopted resolutions for, or affirmed, JVC’s issuance of 107,693,000 new shares of its common stock through third party allotments, and the new shares were subscribed by KENWOOD and the several investment funds managed by SPARX International (Hong Kong) Limited. JVC issued and allocated the new shares to KENWOOD and the SPARX funds on August 10, 2007. As a result, the Company’s shareholding in JVC decreased from 52.4% to 36.8%, and JVC became an associated company under the equity method from a consolidated subsidiary in the fiscal 2008 second quarter.

 

MatsushitaIn February 2008, the Company finalized a definitive agreement on February 15, 2008 with Hitachi, Ltd. related to comprehensive LCD panel business alliance under which it willwould acquire a majority voting interest in IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd. (“IPS Alpha”), which was owned by Hitachi Displays, Ltd. once certain conditions are satisfied. As a result, IPS Alpha became a consolidated subsidiary of Matsushitathe Company on March 31, 2008, in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No.46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R).FIN 46R.

 

In April 2008, Matsushita Refrigeration Company was absorbed.absorbed, and in October 2008, Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd. was absorbed, by the Company.

 

In JuneOn October 1, 2008, the shareholders of the Company resolved that thechanged its name of the Company will be changedfrom “Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.” to “Panasonic Corporation” asand its ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange from October 1, 2008. Matsushita“MC” to “PC.” The Company will undertakecomplete its brand name change from the “National” brand, used for home appliances and housing equipment in Japan, and “Technics” brand, used for audio equipment, to the “Panasonic” brand by the end of fiscal 2010, ending March 31, 2010. Subsequently, the “National” brand will be abolished and the “Technics” brand will be used only for specific audio products. Accordingly, the corporate brands will be “Panasonic” and “PanaHome.”

 

On October 1, 2008, JVC and Kenwood integrated management by establishing JVC KENWOOD Holdings, Inc. (JVC KENWOOD HD) through a share transfer. The company has 24.4% of total issued shares of JVC KENWOOD HD.


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On December 19, 2008, Panasonic and SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (“SANYO”) entered into the capital and business alliance agreement. The Company will aim to acquire the majority of the voting rights of SANYO assuming full dilution (which takes into account conversion of Class A preferred stock and Class B preferred stock into common stock) by means of a public tender offer bid. Panasonic and SANYO will form a close alliance in business with the prospect of organizational restructurings of both companies.

In April 2009, Toshiba acquired all of Panasonic’s shares in TMD, a joint venture that develops, manufactures and sells liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light emitting displays (OLEDs).

CAPITAL INVESTMENT

 

Total capital investment amounted to 494 billion yen, 449 billion yen 418 billion yen and 346418 billion yen for fiscal 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, respectively. (For a reconciliation of capital investment to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures, see “Overview—Key performance indicators” in Section A of Item 5.) In these years, Matsushitathe Company curbed capital investment in a number of business areas, in line with an increased management emphasis on cash flows and capital efficiency. MatsushitaThe Company did, however, selectively invest in facilities for those product areas that are expected to drive future growth, including such key areas as flat-panel TVs, semiconductors, particularly advanced system LSIs PDPs and other strategic products.


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B.Business Overview

 

SALES BY BUSINESS SEGMENT

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is engaged in the production and sales of electronic and electric products in a broad array of business areas. The following table sets forth the Company’s sales breakdown by business segment for the last three fiscal years:

 

  Yen (billions) (%)

   Yen (billions) (%)

 
  Fiscal year ended March 31,

   Fiscal year ended March 31,

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

AVC Networks

  4,320  6% 4,064  1% 4,005  3%

Digital AVC Networks

  3,749   (13)%  4,320   6 4,064  

Home Appliances

  1,316  6  1,247  5  1,188  1   1,223   (7 1,316   6   1,247  

PEW and PanaHome

  1,766   (8 1,910   3   1,859  

Components and Devices

  1,399  2  1,378  1  1,368  (7)  1,127   (19 1,399   2   1,378  

MEW and PanaHome

  1,910  3  1,859  6  1,747  4 

Other

  1,072   (1 1,084   9   998  

JVC

  183  (72) 646  (8) 703  (4)        183   (72 646  

Other

  1,536  4  1,484  13  1,315  28 

Eliminations

  (1,595) —    (1,570) —    (1,432) —     (1,171    (1,143    (1,084
  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

Total

  9,069  0% 9,108  2% 8,894  2%  7,766   (14)%  9,069   0 9,108  
  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 *Percentage above reflectreflects the changes from the previous year.
 *JVC became an associated company underFrom fiscal 2009, the equity method from a consolidated subsidiary inname of “AVC Networks” was changed to “Digital AVC Networks.”
*The name of “MEW and PanaHome” was changed to “PEW and PanaHome” as of October 1, 2008.
*The Company has changed the transactions between Global Procurement Service Company and other segments since April 1, 2008. Accordingly, segment information for Other and eliminations for fiscal 2008 second quarter.have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for fiscal 2009.
 *The healthcare business was transferred to Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd. on April 1, 2007. Accordingly, the segment information for fiscal 2007 and 2006 has been reclassified to confirm with the presentation for the year ended March 31, 2008.
*JVC became an associated company under the equity method from a consolidated subsidiary in the fiscal 2008 second quarter.


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Digital AVC Networks

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s principal products in theDigital AVC Networks segment include video and audio equipment and information and communications equipment. Incorporating Matsushita’s cutting-edge technologies, AVC NetworksThis segment provides products,hardware, software, services and solutions built on cutting-edge technologies as a source of competitiveness. In addition to developing attractive products with the Company’s proprietary technology, Digital AVC Networks links together various equipment to offer consumers more secure and comfortable lifestyles. Moreover, this segment works actively on developing products that contribute to the realization ofwill help create a ubiquitous networking society. Associety, thereby driving Panasonic’s global growth.

In the digital AVC business, Panasonic is pursuing the creation of a leading manufacturerhigh definition product group containing a variety of AV, security, electronic, and Internet-enabled equipment that can be linked to a flat-panel VIERA TV and easily operated with a single remote. In fiscal 2009, in manya turbulent market, Panasonic stepped up measures to strengthen the competitiveness of each product linesas pillars of this business. In addition, it proposed consumers new lifestyles unique to the Panasonic brand through the further evolution of VIERA Link.

For flat-panel TVs, although growth in the AVC Networks segment, Matsushita has been striving to achieve newsales slowed and prices declined sharply, Panasonic posted steady sales growth by offering competitive digital and networkable products based on the Company’s proprietary technologies, designed to differentiate productsseamless and strengthen cost-competitiveness facilitated by the vertical integration by in-house productionvigorous promotion of key componentsboth plasma and devices.


- 17 -LCD TVs. Compared with fiscal 2008, flat-panel TV sales increased 1.3 times, recording 10 million units in fiscal 2009.

 

In large-screen flat-panelplasma TVs, globalthe Company strengthened sales of high-value-added sets, substantially enhancing its full HD models as well as launching a 46-inch model. The affordable price of HD models also drove high demand for these sets. Consequently, Panasonic remained the market share leader in many countries, exceeding unit sales units. In LCD TVs, the Company delivered high picture quality and performance by incorporating IPS alpha panels*, which demonstrate superior breadth of viewing angle and other outstanding properties. For personal users, Panasonic worked to expand its business by introducing a compact display, which is rapidly expanding, especiallyavailable in fiscal 2008 by more than 1.32 million units to reach 5.57 million in a wide range of colors, specifically for terrestrial digital broadcasting. As a result, LCD TV unit sales climbed in excess of 1.22 million units year on year, recording 4.47 million units.

* The In-Plane-Switching mode system utilizes horizontally oriented liquid crystal molecules to provide for wider viewing angles.

Meanwhile, Panasonic worked to establish its flat-panel TV production system to be ready for future expansion in demand for both plasma and LCD TVs. For plasma TVs, as leading products, Matsushita maintainsthe Company increased panel production efficiency by concentrating PDP production in the Amagasaki plants. For LCD TVs, the Company has started to construct an IPS Alpha plant in Himeji. Panasonic aims to establish a vertically integrated manufacturing structure from key components and devices, such as plasma display panel (PDP),flexible production system that can adjust to finished products.demand growth. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita realized full HD (2.07 million pixelslight of 1,920 horizontal and 1,080 vertical pixels) withrecent conditions, the Company has reduced its 65-inch plasma TV and developedplanned capital investment for construction of the world’s largest 103-inch full HD PDP. Responding to the growing demand for plasma TVs, Matsushita began operating its No. 3fifth domestic PDP plant in September 2005, thus increasing monthly production to 300 thousand units (based on 42-inch panels) worldwide in December 2005. In fiscal 2007,Amagasaki and the aforementioned No.3 domestic PDP plant came fully on stream in June 2006, realizing a global monthly production capacity of 460 thousand units. With the launch of its 103-inch model, the world’s largest, and other full HD compatible products in Japan and overseas, Matsushita created a more extensive lineup. In addition, the Company offered more distinct high-value-added functions creating a more user-friendly experience with products. These initiatives helped Matsushita to maintain the leading market share in plasma TVs in Japan, the United States and Europe in fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita released the world’s first full HD 42-inch models in an effort to expand its lineup of full HD models, thereby maintaining a leading market share in many countries. In addition, Matsushita developed three NeoPDP, representing a major technological innovation: a 42-inch PDP with twice the luminous efficiency of previous models (providing the same brightness at just half the power consumption)*1; a 50-inch PDP that is just 24.7mm*2 thick; and a 150-inch high definition PDP, the world’s largest*3. Looking forward, Matsushita will accelerate technological development in pursuit of even more advanced PDPs. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita began supplying Hitachi, Ltd. with 103- and 65-inch panels under an agreement whereby Matsushita and Hitachi supply each other with PDPs in an effort to strengthen cooperation in the plasma TV business. In terms of PDP production, the Company’s fourth domestic PDP plant came on stream in June 2007, realizing a global monthly production capacity of 790,000 units (based on 42-inch panels) as of the end of fiscal 2008. Construction of Matsushita’s fifth domestic plant, which is scheduled to be operational in May 2009, began in November 2007. This plant will further increase the Company’s PDP production capacity, already one of the largest in the world, enabling it to meet expanding global PDP demand.

*1. Compared to Matsushita’s former model (TH-42PZ750SK)

*2. Thickest point from the glass surface is 23.7mm

*3. As of January 8, 2008; Matsushita estimate.

Regarding LCDs, Matsushita and Toshiba Corporation (Toshiba) combined their respective LCD operations and jointly established Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd. in April 2002, which manufactures LCD panels for PCs, mobile phones and smaller screen TVs with screen sizes 20-inches and smaller. For LCD TVs with screen sizes of 26- to 32-inches, the Company jointly established IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd. with Hitachi Displays, Ltd.plant in Himeji and Toshiba in January 2005 and began mass production in May 2006 aiming to secure a stable supply of high-quality LCD panels for TVs. In fiscal 2007, LCD TV products which feature IPS technology to realize vivid color even from a wide angle have been well received in markets worldwide due to their high picture quality and performance. This helpedalso postponed the Company to capture around 20% of the domestic market for LCD TVs in the 26- to 32-inch range. In fiscal 2008, a 37-inch model was added to the product lineup to further boost sales. Matsushita has also concluded a comprehensive business alliance agreement with Hitachi, Ltd. and Canon Inc. in the area of LCD panels. This alliance will deepen Matsushita’s involvement in the operations of IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd., an IPS LCD panel design, manufacturing and sales company, providing the Company with a more stable supply of LCD panels, and giving further impetus to Matsushita’s aggressive vertical integration of its flat-panel TV business.


- 18 -start-up dates.

 

For digital cameras, amid the sharp downturn in global demand and severe price declines, sales of LUMIX digital cameras fell year on year in fiscal 2006, new technologies such as2009. However, Panasonic’s products were highly evaluated by the industry’s first EX optical x19 zoom functionmarket for their pursuit of high performance and ease of use. The Company launched the LUMIX G1, the world’s first 16:9 wide CCDmost compact and lightest* digital interchangeable lens camera which also achieves high performance and picture quality thanks to an unconventional mirror-less structure. The combination of compactness, light weight and ease of use has enabled the Company to attract new customers. Panasonic’s compact digital cameras were well-received and maintained one of the top sharesparticularly popular in the Japanese market. Overseas salesmarket, including models incorporating face recognition, an evolution from “face detection,” and models capable of digital cameras also increased, particularly in the European market. In fiscal 2007, cameras featuring a 28mm wide-angle lens and compact models with 10x zoom capability were particularly well received in the market. Moreover, with the launchlong periods of the Company’s first digital SLR camera, Matsushita has a stronger lineup to meet a wider range of customer needs. As a result, the Company recorded much higher sales of digital cameras in fiscal 2007, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. In fiscal 2008, popular products included those featuring the iA (Intelligent Auto) mode—a world first*—which automatically chooses settings optimal for each condition based on various information such as the presence of people’s faces and distance from the subject, as well as compact models with 10x optical zoom capability.HD moving picture recording.

* AsFor an interchangeable lens digital camera equipped with a movable LCD as of July 24, 2007.February 9, 2009

 

As for DVDs, Matsushita offers a wide range of DVD recorders and players. Since introducing the world’s first consumer-use DVD recorder in 2000, the Company has been the market forerunner in this segment. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita expanded a new series of DVD recorders with HD compatible models in the Japanese market and launched digital broadcast-ready models in Europe ahead of competitors. Furthermore, Matsushita enhanced user-friendliness by introducing new models which are compatible to different DVD formats, and by significantly shortening times required to display program guides and begin recording, as well as incorporating universal design concepts. Such innovations helped Matsushita maintain its top global share in DVD recorders. In fiscal 2007, the Company introduced Blu-ray disc (BD) players in the U.S., Europe and other markets in September 2006, andFor BD recorders in Japan in November 2006. In addition, Matsushita put particular emphasis on making AV equipment more user-friendly. As a result of these initiatives, Matsushita maintained its leading global share in the DVD recorder market. In fiscal 2008, sales of BD recorders and DVD recorders, increased, in particular HD-compatible modelsfiscal 2009, robust sales were recorded in the domestic market, amid rising demand for high-quality video recordingBD recorders, which were widely embraced by customers, due to the spread of digital HD broadcasting. Modelsbroadcasting and the unification of next-generation DVD standards. BD recorders that allowdrove sales included models capable of long recording periods for approximately four times more full HD recording time*1 than previousvideo and of transferring a recorded program onto an SD Memory Card allowing the user to view the program on “one-segment”-enabled mobile phones or VIERA One-Seg. These models and are the world’s thinnest*2 at only 59mm thick were particularly well received. The Company also focused on enhancing ease of use and network functionality through VIERA Link and other innovations. As a result of these initiatives, Matsushita maintainedhelped Panasonic maintain its leading globaltop share in the DVD recorderglobal market.

*1. During recording in HE mode (approx. 5.7Mbps). Compared to recording BS digital HD broadcasts in DR mode (approx. 24Mbps).


*2. As of February 20, 2008.- 13 -

 

For portable “One-Segment” TVs in Japan, demand for products that allow people to watch TV or listen to music in the bath is growing. To meet this demand, Panasonic developed VIERA One-Seg, a portable waterproof TV in fiscal 2009. This new product held the top market share for a portable “one-segment”-enabled AV device for nine consecutive months after its launch. The latest model has earned high marks not only by taking advantage of the technology developed for VIERA to provide high picture quality, but also by enabling content recorded on DIGA recorders to be transferred to an SD Memory Cards, the use of SD Memory Cards in PCs, mobile phones, car navigation systemsCard and other new products is rapidly increasing, in addition to their usage as a bridge media for flat-panel TVs and other digital AV products. These developments are solidifying the SD Memory Card’s position as the industry standard. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita launched a new 4GB SDHC Memory Card* to meet rising consumer needs related to the recording and storage of large volumes of data such as HD video. This product enables Matsushita to respond to demands for high-speed, reliable recording and large data storage capacity, which are required for HD movies and other applications. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita launched a 16GB SDHC Memory Card.viewed where one likes.


- 19 -

*SDHC (SD High-Capacity) Memory Cards are based on the new SD Memory Card Specifications (Version 2.00) which enable the development of SDHC Memory Cards with capacities up to 32GB.

 

For digital video cameras, in fiscal 2006, while expanding its lineups of DVD video cameras, Matsushita introduced the world’s smallest high-resolution SD Memory Card camcorder. In February 2006, the Company also launched the first 3CCD DVD camcorder for global markets. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita launched new products in December 2006 that can record HD video. SD Memory Card camcorders in particular2009, sales were populardown due to their high picture quality, compactdemand and rugged design,price declines, particularly in Europe and dust-resistance, leading to strong sales. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita launched newthe United States, and came in under last year’s figures. Nevertheless, the Company’s strengthened lineup of HD camcorders with better picture qualityregistered firm growth, mainly in Japan and a more compact design which were well received by the market. Particularly popular were models with the world’s first* “face detection” function, which automatically locates any faces in the picture and makes necessary adjustments when recording moving pictures. Other popular products included models with long recording times that allow recording on either HDDs or SD Memory Cards.Europe.

*As of January 9, 2008, for a function in a digital video camera that detects faces during recording of moving pictures and adjusts picture quality.

 

With respect to PCs, Matsushita has continuedin fiscal 2009, consumers and business users have given high marks to upgrade its notebook models over the last several years, concentrating on lightweight notebook PCsCompany’s Let’snote and ruggedized notebook PCs. In February 2006, Matsushita announced new models forTOUGHBOOK series, which have made strong advances under the domestic market, featuring the world’s longest battery running time and the lightest model in its class. Matsushita will continue to provide high value-added products in this segment to remain an industry leader. In fiscal 2007, salesconcept of notebook PCs continued to grow as lightweight products featuringintegrating high-performance, lightness, extended battery life, and rugged designs were well received in major markets includingtoughness. In particular, the U.S., Europe and Japan. In March 2007, Matsushita launched new notebook PCs that weighed less than previous models, were significantly better at withstanding shocks when dropped, and incorporated spill-resistant keyboards, a feature currently in high demand from customers. These kinds of features were well received, helpingTOUGHBOOK series has maintained the Company to maintain its leading sharetop position in the domestic mobile PC market in 2006. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita introduced the CF-52 Semi-Tough notebook PC, part of its Toughbook series. This model features a 15.4-inch widescreen LCD and improved cost performance. In addition, Matsushita enhanced basic performance in the Let’snote series launched in fall 2007. All models in the Let’snote series were made significantly more able to withstand shocks when dropped, and incorporate drip-proof keyboards which are high on the list of customer demands. Such proprietary enhancements were well received, helping the Company maintain its leading share in the worldwideglobal market for durable field notebooks and in the domestic mobile PC market during 2007.for seven consecutive years.

 

In the area of PC peripherals, Matsushita has been focusing on upgrading its optical disc drive lineup. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita’s slim products, including the industry’s thinnest (9.5 mm) DVD Super Multi Drive, maintained the No.1 share in the global market. In addition, Matsushita completed the development of a next-generation, high-capacity BD Drive. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita launched BD Drivesmobile communications business, Panasonic offers mobile phones incorporating advanced technologies, and continued to lead the industry in developing slimmer, lighter disc drives by building on its success with the DVD Super Multi Drive, the industry’s thinnest at just 9.5mm.communications infrastructure equipment such as base stations. In fiscal 2008, MatsushitaPanasonic launched an internal Blu-ray Disc Drive for personal computers, the world’s thinnest at just 9.5mm, as it continued to lead the industry in developing slimmer optical disk drives.


- 20 -

In the area of mobile communications equipment, in recent years Matsushita has developed and introduced a number of new mobile phones with advanced function, stylish design and ease-of-use. In fiscal 2006, new models released in Japan, such as a 3G mobile phone that enables users to watch terrestrial digital broadcasting with outstanding picture quality, led to favorable domestic results. Meanwhile, overseas mobile phone markets faced rapid price declines in 2.5G mobile phones, due to the ongoing shift in demand to 3G. Owing to these factors, the Company’s mobile phone business on the whole continued to struggle. In light of this situation, Matsushita announced that it will phase out overseas 2.5G mobile phone businesses, and subsequently restructure certain overseas business locations, including manufacturing operations in the Philippines and the Czech Republic. In fiscal 2007, mobile number portability (MNP) was introduced in Japan in October 2006, triggering more intense competition among mobile phone handset manufacturers. In this environment, Matsushita resumed shipments of handsets to SOFTBANK MOBILE Corporation and KDDI CORPORATION. The Company also launched new mobile phone handsets for NTT DoCoMo, Inc. such as the P903iTV handset compatible with “one-segment” terrestrial digital TV broadcasts that combines Matsushita’s high picture quality, high reception and energy-saving technologies, and the P703iµ, the world’s thinnest handset at just 11.4mm*1. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita increased sales by further enhancing its product lineup, including models that allow viewing of “one-segment” mobile TV broadcasts in high-quality video or that pushed the envelope in terms of thinness. For NTT DoCoMo, Inc., Matsushita launched products that included the P905i “VIERA Keitai.Keitai,This handsetwhich has a screen that can be opened vertically or horizontallyhorizontally. In fiscal 2009, the domestic mobile phone market shrank rapidly, due mainly to a change in handset sales incentives and the economic downturn. Nevertheless, the “VIERA Keitai” series firmly maintained its high market share. This mobile phone series allows viewing ofusers to view “one-segment” broadcasts thanks to Matsushita’s uniqueand features Panasonic’s high-quality image technology derived from the flat-panel VIERA TV. Also introduced was the P705iµ, the world’s thinnest*2 clamshell-type 3G mobile handset at just 9.8mm. For SOFTBANK MOBILE Corporation, the Company supplied the SoftBank 920P “VIERA Keitai,” as well as the SoftBank 822P, a slim straight-type handset just 8.9mm thick. For KDDI CORPORATION, Matsushita brought out the W61P, a 12.9mm thick handset with a sophisticated design that is compatible with “one-segment” broadcasts.

*1. As of February 2007; clamshell-type 3G (W-CDMA) phones.

*2. As of December 17, 2007; Matsushita estimate.TVs.

 

In the area of fixed-line communications in fiscal 2006, strong sales ofbusiness, Panasonic annually supplies households around the world with over 30 million telephones and facsimile machines led to an increased global market share for these products, while a newmachines. The Company is also developing its multi-function printers, electronic whiteboard, TV door intercom system, with wireless color monitor handsets, the first product of its type, received market acclaim. In the U.S. market, Matsushita launched a High Definition Power Line Communication (HD-PLC) adapter that enables high-speed data transmission over existing power lines by simply plugging the module into an electrical outlet. In full-color digital multifunction products (MFPs), Matsushita introduced new models boasting the world’s fastest start-up time (just 15 seconds), made possible through the Company’s unique induction-heating (IH) technology, which also contributes to significant energy savings.and PC optical disk drive operations. In fiscal 2007, in home networks, the aforementioned TV door intercom systems continued to be well received by Japanese consumers. In addition, MatsushitaPanasonic launched its HD-PLC adapter in Europe and Japan. In office networks, Matsushita maintainedfiscal 2009, Panasonic’s PLC technology, which is used in this HD-PLC adapter, was approved as one of the leading market sharesglobal standard baseline technologies for private branch exchange (PBX) products. This reflected strongbroadband over power line networks (IEEE P1901). The technology attracted considerable interest. As awareness of security and crime prevention increases, sales particularly overseas, of models that boast greater functionality and user-friendliness. Sales of new full-color digital MFPs were also favorable. In fiscal 2008, in home networks, TV door intercom systemsintercoms with wireless color monitor handsets continued tomonitors and sensor cameras that can be well supportedconnected by Japanese consumers. In addition, Matsushita recordedVIERA Link were strong sales of its HD-PLC adapters. In cordless telephones, by focusing on developing overseas markets, the Company achieved cumulative sales of 100 million units in North America in fall 2007, as well as cumulative sales of 10 million units in the CIS region. In office networks, sales remained robust for PBX products offering greater functionality and user-friendliness, enabling Matsushita to maintain one of the leading market shares.Japan.

 


- 21 -

Matsushita’sIn the automotive electronics business, encompasses two priority areas: automotive multimedia equipment such as car AV andPanasonic is developing operations in wide-ranging fields, from car navigation systems and components andto key devices that promote safety, environmental preservation and energy efficiency.such as engine control unit. In fiscal 2006, taking the lead in the introduction of new products, Matsushita continued robust domestic sales of its2009, Panasonic commercialized Strada series connectable to digital tuners that allow viewing of high-quality terrestrial digital TV broadcasts. Overseas, the Company launched the Strada series in China. Driven by strong sales, particularly in North America, Matsushita retained its leading global position in rear-seat entertainment systems. The Company also achieved the top position in Japan for its Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) terminals with voice confirmation functions. Moreover, the Company increased sales inF Class, a variety of electrical devices including batteries for hybrid vehicles, which continue to enjoy increased demand, car-mounted cameras and smart entry systems. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita recorded strong sales of the introduction of new Strada series with standard equipped terrestrial digital TV tuner in Japan, leading to a higher share in both the automaker and consumer markets. Meanwhile, with the growing popularity of ETC systems, Matsushita’s ETC terminals continued to be well received in the Japanese market. In components and devices, the Company also increased sales of a variety of products that improve environmental performance, safety and security. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita recorded strong sales of car navigation systems, centered on the Strada seriessystem equipped with a world-first*1 home-link feature, which let passengers view high-quality terrestrial digital TV broadcasts. Matsushita launched Portable Navigation Device (PND) products in Europe in October 2007 and thereafter progressively rolled out products in North America, Japan, and China, as it developed the Strada series globally and bolstered its product lineup. Sales of car audio equipment remained strong, particularly overseas sales of original equipment manufacturing (OEM) products.enables drivers to remotely control household appliances from their vehicles. Amid growing use of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems, whichPanasonic’s ETC terminal, the smallest in the world*2, was popular among car owners and retained a high market share. The ETC systems are now installed in more than 70%80%*3 of the cars passing through expressway toll booths in Japan, Matsushita launchedand this is easing traffic congestion at these bottlenecks, which is expected to reduce CO2 emissions.

*1 As of April 25, 2008; as a car navigation product for the industry’s smallest ETC terminal and held onto its strong shareconsumer market. Panasonic estimate.

*2 As of the domestic market.April 2008; as an antenna separation type on-board device. Panasonic estimate.

*3 As of June 2009

 

In the system solutions business, MatsushitaPanasonic conducts business in a variety of fields including security systems, broadcasting systems and business solutions. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita released2009, the Company promoted its security business to respond to a seriesvariety of systems and products that provide total building and areagrowing security solutions, utilizing an Integrated IP Network Platform developed in close collaboration with MEW. Within this product range, the Company’s megapixel network camera received market acclaim for its outstanding picture quality. With the establishment of an Integrated IP Network Platform Center in October 2005, Matsushita is accelerating the development of comprehensive security businesses. Other products, including payment terminals for logistics industries and product tracking systems, also contributed to increased sales. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita launched new security system products compatible with an integrated IP network platform, and a seriesneeds. Sales of security products. Megapixel networkand surveillance camera systems increased in China, where they were used at the Beijing Olympics, and in the emerging markets. Amid the growing popularity of HD video content, Panasonic introduced multi-format cameras that realize high picture quality sold particularlyand video editing equipment, which have been well in fiscal 2007. Meanwhile, amid the spread of terrestrial digital broadcastingreceived both in Japan Matsushita maintained its high market share in digital set-top boxes for cable TV. The Company also continued to win strong support for its HD cameras from TV broadcasters. Furthermore, the Company recorded higher sales of IC card verification and settlement systems, payment terminals for logistics industries, and wireless systems for business users. In fiscal 2008, in the security field, Matsushita posted firm sales of security systems centered on surveillance cameras, amid rising demand for video surveillance following an increase in concern about crime, strengthening of internal controls in companies, and other developments. In the broadcasting systems field, the Company secured a large market share for digital set-top boxes for cable TV broadcasts amid the spread of terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan, achieving a cumulative total of 3 million units shipped in December 2007. Matsushita was the first in the industry to reach this mark. It also continued to win strong support for its HD cameras from TV broadcasters. In the business solutions field, Matsushita saw an increase in sales of contactless IC card reader/writer units used in multiple applications, including electronic settlement via IC card or mobile phone.


- 22 -abroad.

 

Home Appliances

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s principal products in this segment include home appliances such as washing machines, vacuum cleaners, dishwasher/dryers, rice cookers, microwave ovens, induction-heating (IH) cooking equipment, refrigerators, room air conditioners, water heating systems, and compressors. This segment also includes healthcare systems, lighting business and environmental systems.


- 14 -

 

In home appliances, Matsushita strives to develop products based on environmental technologiesleveraging its many years of experience in insulation and universal design concepts that meet rapidly changing customer needs and growing interest in health and the environment.

In the area of electric household appliances, refrigeration and air conditioning equipment, in fiscal 2006, Matsushita introduced the world’s first model of tilted-drum washer/dryer to employ a heat-pump drying system that uses no electric heater or cooling water for the drying process. The Company’s refrigerators with 50% more freezer space were also well-received in the domestic market. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita maintained its dominant share of IH cooking equipment in the Japanese market by realizing high quality through its integrated production system including IH coils. Matsushita’s air conditioners captured the leading market share in Japan owing to automatic airflow control mechanism as well as the aforementioned automatic filter cleaning and dust removal functions. In addition, Matsushitatechnology, Panasonic developed the U-Vacua series of high-performance vacuum insulation boasting the world’s highest level of thermal insulation. Theinsulation in fiscal 2007. With this technology, the Company boosted the storage space of refrigerators with this technology, thereby securingand secured the leading market share in Japan. In fiscal 2008, in drum washer/dryers, Matsushita dramatically upgraded washing performance with2009, the Company marketed its “Dancing laundering & drying system” that features an energy-efficient heat-pump drying system. The Company also released thehome appliance products, such as room air conditioners, that automatically adjust air flows depending on people’s senserefrigerators, and tilted-drum washer/dryers, featuring improved energy-saving performance and a variety of temperature.new functions, under the Panasonic brand for the first time nationwide in Japan. The lineup of products for all-electric homes demonstrated the superiority of Panasonic’s product competitiveness and sales network. As a result, sales of “Eco Cute” natural-refrigerant water heating systems and induction-heating (IH) cooking equipment were steady. Panasonic has reached the 3-million mark in cumulative production of IH cooking units since Panasonic developed the first IH cooking unit for the mass market as a 200V model in 1990. In refrigerators, products equipped with “nano-e crispers,”the energy-generation business, which use nano-sized ionsaims to penetrate alllead the way in “eco ideas,” Panasonic became the first Company to the cellular level to keep cold-sensitive fruitsship a home-use fuel cell, “Ene Farm,” in July 2008. Overseas, Panasonic introduced new refrigerators and vegetables fresh for a long time, were well receivedwashing machines with cutting-edge technologies in Japan.


- 23 -Europe in March 2009.

 

In the lighting business, Matsushita significantly increased its market share in consumer-use fluorescent lamps with new models which extended its lifetimePanasonic is endeavoring to develop products that help to effectively conserve energy, utilize resources and spiral-shaped screw-in compact models in fiscal 2006. Meanwhile,reduce the Company outperformeduse of substances that may impact the industry in sales growth of LCD backlights. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita launched its Pa-look Ball Premier series, which significantly reduces electricity consumption and compares with the best in the industry in terms of energy efficiency and product lifetime. In fiscal 2008, sales rose in Japan of Matsushita’s Twin Pa-look Premier, which offers the longest life (approximately 16,000 hours) in the industry, and Pa-look Ball Premier, as household light bulbs are increasingly switched to energy-efficient ball-type fluorescent bulbs due to rising energy consciousness.

In the environmental systems business, the Company released a micro-mist sauna for the bathroom, attracting significant market acclaim in Japan, in fiscal 2006.environment. In addition, the Company launched an ion-generating air purifierhas maintained a top-class share of the general lighting and optical device markets in Japan, by combining the Company’s black-box technologies with those of MEW.developing highly-efficient and long-lasting lamps based on its nanotechnology. In fiscal 2007, micro-mist saunas that employ nanometer-size water particles recorded strong sales.2009, Panasonic was the first in the fluorescent lamp industry to eliminate the use of environmentally damaging lead, replacing all of its in-house manufactured products with non-lead glass. The Company rolled outalso increased its recycling of glass from used fluorescent lamps. Overseas, Panasonic developed energy-saving measures, primarily in China, such as promoting the industry’s first dehumidifieruse of high-frequency (Hf) fluorescent lamps. These lamps achieved significant reductions in power consumption as a result of greater efficiency when used in combination with intelligent hybrid control, which realizes optimal levelsspecial fixtures.

The environmental systems business aims to realize environmentally friendly and comfortable lifestyles and a recycling-oriented society through the purification of humidity for any season. Also, Matsushita’s strong domestic track recordair, water and technologies enabled it to win an order for an electronic dust collection system for a road tunnel in Madrid, Spain, as part of a highway extension project.soil. In fiscal 2008, sales were driven by a strong performance in bathroom heater/dryers with a micro-mist sauna function, stemming from rising interest in healthy and comfortable living. As a result, the overall ventilation systems business retained its top share of the global market (in monetary terms). Matsushita alsoCompany operated a new environmentally friendly factory with significantly reduced air conditioning costs due to an eco-friendly air conditioning system and the installation of thermal insulating material in the roof.

Components In fiscal 2009, Panasonic’s DC motor-driven ceiling mount ventilation fan, which was designed to save energy, be long-lasting and Devices

Matsushita develops and supplies components and devices used in various products ranging from AV equipment and information and communication devices to home appliances and industrial equipment. Since components and devices are increasingly important in helping equipment become more sophisticated, smaller and lighter, and morequiet, acquired a market acclaim for its energy efficient, Matsushita is facilitating even closer cooperation between component and device divisions and finished product divisions right from the development phase. This approach helps the Company to rapidly launch high-value-added products that meet the customer needs.

conservation. In the semiconductor business, Matsushita primarily focuses on products for digital TVs, optical discs, mobile communications equipment, image sensor application productshome environment systems field, humidifier/air purifiers featuring humidifiers combined with air purifiers to combat influenza and automotive devices. The Company provides total solutions for a wide range of semiconductor products such as system LSIs, image sensors, analog LSIs and discrete devices. Moreover, Matsushita supplies key devices founded on cutting-edge technologies to finished product divisions across the Group, and actively works to tap demand from external clients.

In fiscal 2006, Matsushita strengthened its UniPhier Integrated Platform that combines software and hardware resources across different product categories to improve R&D efficiency and design quality, and began incorporating this into SD camcorders and other products. In fiscal 2007, this platform was fully extended to digital product categories such as plasma TVs, DVD recorders and mobile phones. The wider use of UniPhier is allowing Matsushita to dramatically increase product development speed and reduce development costs. It is also playing a major role in realizing a high level of reliability thanks to the reuse of tried and tested software.


- 24 -

In addition to the system LSI field, distinct productshay fever were popular in the discrete device, analog LSI and image sensor fields also supported operations in the semiconductor business during the year under review. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita began mass-producing and shipping the industry’s smallest camera modules featuring a MOS image sensor with high image quality and low power consumption. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita was the first in the world to develop highly weather-resistant technology with no color fading or losses in sensitivity by using inorganic materials in the photo diode area, and dynamic range expansion technology that enables vivid pictures of subjects with significant light-dark contrast. These technologies will enable an image sensor to function normally even under severe conditions.

In terms of manufacturing, operations in both Japan and overseas have been strengthened and expanded. In order to advance process technology for system LSIs from the conventional 0.13-micrometer process, in fiscal 2006 Matsushita commenced mass production of 65-nanometer process system LSIs using 300mm wafers, thereby achieving significant improvements in production efficiency. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita began the full-scale mass production of these 65-nanometer process system LSIs using 300mm wafers at its new Uozu plant to meet accelerated demand for high-performance digital consumer products. Matsushita promoted to further increase the volume of discrete general-purpose devices and analog LSI manufacturing at overseas plantsmarket, as it works to create an optimal global manufacturing framework. In June 2007, the Company began mass production of cutting-edge 45-nanometer process system LSIs using 300mm wafers at the aforementioned Uozu plant, the first in the world. The UniPhier system LSI is used in Blu-ray disc recorders where it facilitates high-quality video recording and allows these recorders to be smaller and consume less power.

The electronic devices business operates globally with a focus on seven priority areas: capacitors, tuners, printed circuit boards, power supply products, circuit components, electromechanical components, and speakers. Aiming to meet customer needs for higher performance AV equipment, and more compact and thinner information and communication devices, Matsushita strives to develop high-value-added components. The Company is also strengthening its position in the automotive electronics field which continues to grow as cars are fitted with more electronic components. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita strengthened its lineup with products including digital TV tuners, high-fidelity speakers for flat-panel TVs, and the high-density printed circuit boards “ALIVH” (Any Layer Inner Via Hole) that help to realize more compact equipment. The Company also saw continued strong sales of circuit components for AV equipment and electromechanical components such as switches for automotive applications. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita continued to grow sales of digital TV tuners that enable exceptional picture quality, and specialty polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors that are compact and have a high noise reduction function. The Company’s angular rate sensors, which sustained a high market share as components that improve the accuracy of car navigation systems, were also incorporated in digital cameras. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita grew sales of specialty polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors that are compact and have a high noise reduction function. In addition, sales of power supply units for plasma TVs rose, as did sales of angular rate sensors used in car navigation systems and digital cameras and light touch switches for mobile phones. In the past, Matsushita’s Device Application Center, which has both development and sales functions, was located only in Japan, but now the Company has opened centers in the U.S., Europe, and China, to improve competitive total solutions for customers.


- 25 -

The battery business consists of primary batteries, including dry batteries, and rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries. Batteries are key devices that aid the development of a wide variety of more compact, thinner and lighter products. In addition to larger capacity and longer life, batteries today have to be even safer and more reliable. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita implemented global marketing initiatives for Oxyride dry batteries, which attracted significant market acclaim particularly for use in digital equipment. In rechargeable batteries, the Company developed new lithium-ion batteries with larger capacity and the industry’s highest energy density. In fiscal 2007, in primary batteries, the aforementioned Oxyride dry battery proved popular with customers, particularly for use in digital cameras and other digital AV equipment. In rechargeable batteries, the Company focused on boosting capacity and developing new safety technology in response to customer needs for more compact notebook PCs, mobile phones and other mobile equipmentdehumidifiers that can be used all year round. In the environmental engineering field, sales of ultra pure water manufacturing equipment, for extended periods. In fiscal 2008, responding to increasing demand for electronic equipment that consumes less electricity, Matsushita developed the EVOLTA dry alkaline battery, which offers long life in a wide range of products beyond just digital AV equipment. In rechargeable batteries, in response to customer needs for more compact notebook PCs, mobile phones, and other mobile equipment that can be used for extended periods, the Company focused on enhancing its high-capacity lithium-ion batteries, as well as pursuing even safer rechargeable batteries.

In electric motors, Matsushita supplies products that meet growing market needs in terms of efficiency, noise reduction and compact design. These motors are incorporated into various products, including home appliances, AV equipment and industrial equipment. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita facilitated close cooperation with finished product divisions, supplying motors foruse not only conventional products,in plasma and LCD panel but also new products such as tilted-drum washer/dryers and DVD recorders, as well as commencingsemiconductor production equipment, increased favorably. Sales of compressor motors in China. In fiscal 2007, sales of FA servo motors, motorspurification equipment for vacuum cleaners and compact brushless motors used in game consolescoating processes were strong. The electric motors business promoted the use of motors produced in-house in tilted-drum washer/dryers, optical disc drives and other new products. In fiscal 2008, strong sales were recorded in FA servo motors, small motors used in air conditioners, motors for vacuum cleaners, and compact brushless motors used in game consoles. The electric motors business also enhanced cooperation with finished product divisions, leading to the use of motors and motor drivers produced in-house in the Company’s tilted-drum washer/dryers, electronic component mounting machines, and other new products.steady.

 

MEWPEW and PanaHome

 

This segment includes MatsushitaPanasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (MEW)(PEW), PanaHome Corporation (PanaHome) and their respective subsidiaries.


- 26 -

 

MEWPEW manufactures, sells, installs and provides services related to a wide variety of products. These include electrical construction materials, home appliances, building products, electronic and plastic materials and automation controls. In fiscal 2006, MEW, through collaboration with Matsushita, attracted market acclaim with new Collaboration V-products in housing materials and equipment, including bathroom systems, modular kitchens and modular furniture systems for home theaters. In electrical construction materials, sales grew steadily in energy-efficient lighting fixtures featuring audio feedback functions, along with household fire alarm devices.

In fiscal 2007 MEW recorded sales gains for a number of products in electrical construction materials. In addition to a substantial increase in sales of home fire alarms, MEW saw strong sales of security equipment such as room access control systems, as well as atmospheric lighting and highly efficient lighting fixtures. In building products, sales of all-electric homes and interior furnishings such as modular furniture were robust, as were those of exterior finishing materials such as photocatalytic self-cleaning cladding. In home appliances, amid rising public interest in health and beauty, MEW reported particularly strong sales increases for the JOBA horseback-riding fitness machine and aesthetic products. In fiscal 2008, the electrical construction materials business unit at MEW recorded a rise in sales of home fire alarms, while salesin response to an increase of high-performance products, including wiring devices and home-use distribution panelboards designed for all-electric homes, were strong. Moreover, the Lifinity electrical facility networking system for home safety was popular with customers, as were energy-saving wiring devices outfitted with sensors. Other popular products include lighting devices sporting electrodeless light sources with 60,000-hour lifespans, as well as devices that provide the light of two conventional lamps via a new light source and a special inverter.public demand. In the home appliances business, aesthetic products such as nanocare facial ionic steamers won strong market acceptance. In building products, meanwhile, the self-cleaning A La Uno toilet, which is made from a new material that resists dirt, recorded higher sales, as did modular bathrooms systems for collective housing, which help create a pleasant living environment. In the electronic and plastic materials business, sales of environmentally friendly products like multilayer printed circuit board materials and semiconductor encapsulation materials grew significantly. Meanwhile,In fiscal 2009, the core construction-related business suffered from the domestic housing market downturn and curbs in private-sector capital expenditures. Furthermore, sales in electronic materials, automation controls business saw strongand other businesses fell under the impact of production declines across industry sectors. Since sales of automotive deviceshorseback-riding fitness machines and other products.health-related products were also weak, overall sales dropped. Nevertheless, new Panasonic brand products, including personal care products, such as men’s shavers and nanoparticle ion steamers, and fully automated cleaning toilet systems, received strong market acceptance. In addition, sales of home fire alarms, increasingly popular products for all-electric homes, and environmentally friendly lighting products including LED lighting showed steady growth.

 

PanaHome’s operations are primarily focused on detached housing, asset and property management, and home remodeling. In all these businesses, to provide living spaces that are friendly to both people and the environment, the company’sCompany’s product strategies are guided by the basic “Eco-life“Eco-Life Home” concept, which advocates all-electric homes with an emphasis on safety, security, health, comfort and high energy efficiency. In fiscal 2006, PanaHome began marketing an “Eco-life” Home which is particularly suited to cold weather regions. In the asset and property management business, PanaHome met the diversified needs of varied tenant segments, established a structure for providing design recommendations for rental homes, and enhanced its business proposals aimed at landowners. In fiscal 2007 in the detached housing business, PanaHome enhanced its lineup of EL SOLANA homes, aiming to realize environments where residents can live in health and comfort by offering a wider choice of equipment and fittings such as solar power generation systems and photocatalytic external wall tiles. In the home remodeling business, the company offered living spaces designed around its “Eco-life Reform” concept and took other steps to enhance its consulting-based sales approach.


- 15 -

In fiscal 2008, in the detached housing business, PanaHome released a variety of new products, all of which received high praise. These products included SOLANA Bianca, a “white tile home” made possible with photocatalytic tiles, and SOLANA eu Lucia, a home that is easy to keep clean and tidy and fun to live in due to an efficient design that facilitates ease of movement. In the asset and property management business, PanaHome became the first in the Japanese housing industry to offer an all-electric rental apartment homehouse series called EL MAISON NEXT,NEXT. In fiscal 2009, PanaHome proposed the “Kajiraku” plan, which has photocatalytic tiles on its exterior walls, ensuring thatwas designed from a woman’s perspective to make housekeeping easier by facilitating ease of movement. PanaHome also actively developed “Overnight-stay Model Homes” where customers can see, feel, and experience homes look as good as when they were built forby staying the night in a long time. They also boast impressive earthquake resistance. In addition, PanaHome created a framework enabling itmodel home. As environmental awareness increases, PanaHome’s achievements in contributing to handle all aspectsthe reduction of land asset utilization for its customers. At the same time, PanaHome restructured production and downsized its workforce as part of structural reforms geared toward optimizingCO2 emissions through the use of business resources in order to strengthen operations from a medium- to long-term standpoint.


- 27 -superior insulation and energy-saving features, such as solar power generation systems, have been given high marks.

 

JVCComponents and Devices

This business segment of Components and Devices supplies high-performance and high-value-added components and devices used in various products ranging from digital AV equipment and information and communication devices to home appliances and industrial equipment. Panasonic develops and strengthens the competitiveness of cutting-edge devices that help equipment become smaller, lighter, slimmer and more sophisticated. This business segment also contributes significantly to making finished products more energy efficient.

In the semiconductor business, Panasonic provides a wide range of semiconductor products as total solutions, such as system LSIs, image sensors, analog LSIs and discrete devices.

The UniPhier® Integrated Platform combines software and hardware resources across different product categories to improve R&D efficiency and design quality. In fiscal 2007, Panasonic began the full-scale mass production of 65-nanometer process system LSIs using 300mm wafers to meet accelerated demand for high-performance digital consumer products. This platform was fully extended to digital product categories such as plasma TVs, DVD recorders and mobile phones. In fiscal 2008, the Company began mass production of 45-nanometer process system LSIs using 300mm wafers. In fiscal 2009, the growth in sales of key finished products slumped under the global economic downturn, leading to a sharp slowdown in semiconductor demand and other severe business conditions. Under these circumstances, Panasonic proceeded with the commercialization of 45-nanometer process next-generation UniPhier® system LSIs. The Company also developed an application/transmission integrated LSI that combines one system LSI for the communications function of mobile phones and another system LSI for an application function in one UniPhier®. By the end of fiscal 2009, UniPhier® was applied in about 200 digital products. Amid the shift to full HD digital TVs, Panasonic has supplied optimal image-processing engines for a variety of flat-panel TV models. In producing semiconductors for cameras, Panasonic achieved higher picture quality and speed in digital interchangeable lens cameras by fusing the high-sensitivity technology of its image sensors with the high-speed technology of its system LSIs. The Company has also aggressively developed system LSIs in core business fields including optical disk devices and mobile phones, and accelerated the use of system LSIs in finished products.

 

The JVC segmentelectronic devices business utilizes a wide-ranging product group, including capacitors, printed circuit boards and electromechanical components.

To provide optimal key devices and total solutions worldwide to meet finished product concepts, Panasonic has developed high-value-added components mainly for Digital AV equipment, information and communication equipment, and automotive electronics equipment in recent years. In fiscal 2008, the Company opened Device Application Centers which have both development and sales functions, in the U.S., Europe and China, to improve competitive total solutions for its customers. In fiscal 2009, Panasonic maintained its leading global market share for angular rate sensors, which are used for increasing the precision of car navigation systems and for image stabilizers used in digital cameras. In addition, sales of power supplies for plasma TVs were relatively steady. However, sales of capacitors, electromechanical components and other products struggled due to deteriorating market conditions and inventory cutbacks at finished product manufacturers. Nevertheless, the Company focused on growing industries amid the economic downturn and actively endeavored to expand sales.

The battery business consists of businessesprimary batteries, including dry batteries and rechargeable batteries, such as lithium-ion batteries. In this business, besides creating safer batteries, Panasonic develops products that address market needs for higher capacity, longer life and batteries that are thinner, smaller and lighter, and more cost effective.


- 16 -

In fiscal 2008, responding to increasing demand for electronic equipment that consumes less electricity, Panasonic developed the EVOLTA dry alkaline battery, which offers long life in a wide range of Victorproducts beyond just digital AV equipment. In fiscal 2009, the Company of Japan, Ltd.started to sell the EVOLTA dry alkaline batteries and rechargeable EVOLTA batteries, expanding its group companies. In August 2007, Victor Company of Japan Ltd. and its consolidated subsidiaries became associated companies underlineup to meet diversified needs. Although battery sales decreased due to the equity method from Matsushita’s consolidated subsidiaries. Accordingly,economic slowdown, the accounting for JVC shareholdingsEVOLTA series were highly evaluated as an equity method investment iseco product combining both ecology and economy, thereby recording favorable sales.

The electric motors business provides products in a variety of fields, including home appliances, industrial equipment, and AV equipment and office products. It develops and supplies motors that meet such market needs as high efficiency and performance.

In fiscal 2007 and 2008, strong sales were recorded in equityFA servo motors, motors for vacuum cleaners and compact brushless motors used in earnings (losses)game consoles. During fiscal 2009, although sales declined due to a fall in demand, the electric motors business pushed ahead with efforts to accelerate collaboration with Panasonic’s finished product divisions by proceeding with the start up of associated companies.mass production of Dual DD motor for the “Dancing laundering & drying system” washer/dryer. Moreover, the electric motors business contributed to lower energy consumption in finished products by upgrading motor efficiency using design optimization that leverages analysis technology and other techniques.

 

Other

 

In the factory automation (FA) business, Matsushita aims to contributePanasonic is contributing to the developmentgreater sophistication of client businesses through innovative manufacturing processes in circuit manufacturing technology. As mobile phones, notebook PCs, digital AV equipment and other products get smaller, thinner, and more sophisticated, Matsushita is working to provide customerselectronic devices with the latest mounting processes and solutions, spanning everything from component insertion toits proprietary wafer processing, surface modification technologies, and flip chip mounting technologies. The Company also contributes to help increase productivity. In fiscal 2006, Matsushita reported continued steady sales growthhigh-quality mounting and increased productivity in the electronic component mounting business and semiconductor mounting business. In addition, Matsushita developed the Integrated Process Assembly Cell (IPAC), a modular line that combines electronic component and semiconductor mounting in one platform. In fiscal 2007, Matsushita enhanced its product lineup in the electronic component mounting business. This included upgrading its high-speed modular placement machines, introducing new ultra-high-speed models and providing more products for small- and medium-scale manufacturing. In the semiconductor mounting business, the Company launched high-speed die bonders and other products that feature both high precision and high productivity. printed circuit board production.

In fiscal 2008, the electronic component mounting business maintained a leading global position by enhancing its lineup of mainstay high-speed modular placement machines in response to various market needs. In the semiconductor mounting business, MatsushitaPanasonic released new products that enable multiple mounting and mounting of high-brightness LEDs. Moreover, as manufacturing-related needs continueIn fiscal 2009, although the mounting equipment market was stagnant due to diversify, the FA business createdglobal trend to reduce capital investment, Panasonic targeted a further increase in the performance of its core high-speed modular mounting machines. The Company developed a high-performance head and improved productivity and versatility in response to its client needs. “NPM (Next Production Modular)”, a new modular mounter announced in December 2008, achieves high area productivity by carrying out all processes, from printing and mounting to inspection using the same platform. In addition, “NPM” reduces equipment switching losses with changes in product type or production volume. Panasonic expanded its lineup of mounting equipment and maintained a global testing framework for supporting prototyping and production method development overseas to help it provide customers with optimized solutions.


- 28 -leading market share.

 

 

MARKETING CHANNELS

 

The table below shows a breakdown of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s net sales by geographical area for the periods indicated:

 

  Yen (billions) (%)

   Yen (billions) (%)

 
  Fiscal year ended March 31,

   Fiscal year ended March 31,

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Japan

  4,545  50% 4,616  51% 4,611  52%  4,082  53 4,545  50 4,616  51

North and South America

  1,251  14  1,381  15  1,387  16   997  13   1,251  14   1,381  15  

Europe

  1,213  13  1,218  13  1,114  12   963  12   1,213  13   1,218  13  

Asia and Others

  2,060  23  1,893  21  1,782  20   1,724  22   2,060  23   1,893  21  
  
  

 
  

 
  

  
  

 
  

 
  

Total

  9,069  100% 9,108  100% 8,894  100%  7,766  100 9,069  100 9,108  100
  
  

 
  

 
  

  
  

 
  

 
  

 

Sales and Distribution in Japan

 

In Japan, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s products are sold through several sales channels, each established according to the type of products or customers: Sales of consumer and household products are handled or coordinated by relevant corporate sales divisions, such as the Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic BrandDigital AVC Products and the CorporateHome Appliances and Wellness Products Marketing Division, for National Brand, while sales of general electronic components and certain other devices to manufacturers are handled by the Corporate Industrial Marketing & Sales Division, in each case to stay close to respective customers and meet their specific and ever-diversifying needs. For other products, there are also organizations under the direct control of business domain companies that conduct sales and marketing of their own products, mostly to non-consumer customers, such as industrial and business corporations, public institutions, construction companies and governments through their sales offices and subsidiaries or through outside agencies.

Of the above, the Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic Brand and the Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand were established in April 2001 as part of Matsushita’s domestic consumer sales and distribution structure reorganizations, whereby the former corporate consumer products sales divisions, sales functions within individual product divisions and the Advertising Division were integrated into the two new corporate marketing divisions to provide greater customer satisfaction by shortening the distance between factories and consumers.


- 2917 -

 

In fiscal 2005, MatsushitaPanasonic and MEWPEW integrated the sales functions of each of the electrical supplies, building materials and equipment, and home appliances businesses as a part of collaboration between the two companies. Regarding the electrical supplies business, in January 2005, the Corporate Electrical Supplies Sales Division of Matsushita was integrated into MEW and the Corporate Construction Business Promotion Division was newly established within Matsushita. In April 2005, in the building materials and equipment business, the Corporate Housing Equipment Sales Division of Matsushita, excluding the businesses for city gas companies and OEM sales of equipment and instruments, and the Matsushita Housing Equipment & Systems Corporation were transferred and integrated to MEW. Furthermore, in the home appliances business, MEW sales functions for beauty and health products were integrated into Matsushita, whereby Matsushita reorganized the integrated MEW’s sales functions and Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand of Matsushita into a new Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Home Appliances and Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Wellness Products. The Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Home Appliances handles such large electric appliances as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines, while the Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Wellness Products is responsible for products in fields such as beauty, health, batteries and lamps.

 

Overseas Operations

 

Worldwide, MatsushitaPanasonic has 556540 consolidated companies as well as 139182 companies which are accounted for by the equity method. International marketing and sales of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s products are handled mainly through its sales subsidiaries and affiliates located in respective countries or regions in coordination with business domain companies and regional headquarter companies. In some countries, however, marketing and sales are handled through independent agents or distributors, depending on regional characteristics. Additionally, certain products are also sold on an OEM basis and marketed under the brand names of third parties.

 

Overseas sales represented approximately 50%47% of the Company’s total consolidated sales in fiscal 2008.

In order to promote global business development, Matsushita has been expanding its overseas manufacturing operations. The Company’s overseas manufacturing is conducted by overseas manufacturing subsidiaries and affiliates under the control of business domain companies in coordination with regional headquarter companies.

In April 2003, a new business performance evaluation system (which had previously been applied at domestic companies only) was extended to overseas operations, whereby the performance of each business domain company is now evaluated based on Capital Cost Management (CCM), which measures capital efficiency, and cash flows, on a global consolidated basis, including overseas companies under its control. This provides incentive to each business domain company to further establish globally optimized operational structures.


- 30 -

In recent years, the Company established a globally optimized manufacturing structure, taking into consideration cost and proximity to market as well as social, political and environmental factors. Currently, the Company views Asia, China and Eastern Europe as critical to this structure. Specifically, Matsushita has focused on China as a large potential market and a production site to supply global, as well as Chinese markets. As such, the Company has been enhancing production capacity at its Chinese facilities for such borderless products as DVD players, microwave ovens, compressors and components, as well as such new growth products as PDPs.

Matsushita also places an emphasis on promoting localization of research and development of products and technologies to enhance competitiveness of overseas manufacturing sites. Such endeavors included establishment of a second R&D base in China in fiscal 2003 to speed up local-based product development and to build an optimum global R&D network. In January 2004, Matsushita established a software development site in China to minimize escalating software development costs in areas such as digital consumer electronics. In March 2005, Matsushita and MEW established the Chinese Lifestyle Research Center in Shanghai, China to strengthen product planning activity. In Asia, the Company established the Panasonic R&D Center Malaysia in October 2003 as a digital networking multi-media software development base.2009.

 

Overseas operations are expected to serve as a “growth engine” for the entire MatsushitaPanasonic Group. MatsushitaPanasonic will therefore further strengthen ties between manufacturing companies in various regions and business domain companies in Japan. MatsushitaPanasonic will also identify strategic products and sales channels for each region and country, and effectively allocate management resources in order to boost sales.achieve further progress and strengthen management structure. In addition to markets in Europe and the United States, MatsushitaPanasonic views the growing BRICs and Vietnam markets as a key to success overseas.

 

The Company established a Russia Division, India Coordination Department and Brazil Coordination Department in April 2007.

 

Customers

 

The largest markets for MatsushitaPanasonic have traditionally been consumer products. However, since the 1980s, the proportion of sales to non-consumer customers, such as industrial and business corporations, governments and other institutions, including large customers such as electric and electronic equipment manufacturers, automotive manufacturers and various other machinery makers, has been rising as MatsushitaPanasonic places increasing emphasis on industrial and commercial products and systems and electronic components. Matsushita’sPanasonic’s business is not materially dependent on any single customer.

 

 

SEASONALITY OF BUSINESS

 

The Company’s business has no significant seasonality in terms of sales or profits. However, for the consumer electronics business, the fiscal third quarter (October to December) is normally a peak period because it falls in the year-end shopping season in Japan and many overseas markets. Additionally, seasonal appliances, such as air conditioners and refrigerators, have different business cycles, sales of which peak in summer. These do not have a material effect upon the Company’s overall operations.


- 31 -

 

 

RAW MATERIALS AND SOURCE OF SUPPLY

 

MatsushitaPanasonic purchases a wide variety of parts and materials from various suppliers globally. The Company applies a multi-sourcing policy—not depending upon any one particular source of supply for most essential items. The Company has also been endeavoring to promote a policy of global optimum procurement by concentrating order placements to qualified suppliers from all over the world and purchasing the most competitive parts and materials.

 

In an attempt to improve operational efficiency and to reduce parts and materials costs, MatsushitaPanasonic has been increasing centralized purchasing at its headquarters for materials commonly used in many product divisions throughout Matsushita,Panasonic, such as steel, plastics, semiconductors and electronic components, while at the same time accelerating the initiatives to standardize parts and materials.grade unification of steel and resin. Such efforts are coordinated by the Global Sourcing Centre established in April 2003. At the business domain company level, an increasing focus has been put on centralized purchasing for parts and materials commonly used in factories within each business domain company.


- 18 -

 

To minimize the adverse effects of global price increasesincrease of raw materials, MatsushitaPanasonic further strengthened materials cost reduction initiatives including a reduction in the number of parts through the standardization of design, use of “Value Engineering” techniques, and additional cost reduction activities covering indirect materials.

 

With an increasing global awareness of CSR values, the Company recently decided to extend its commitment to social responsibility by requiring its suppliers to maintain environmental preservations, quality, safety, information security management, human rights and comply with the related laws and regulations.

 

To strengthen Panasonic eco ideas Declaration, Panasonic promotes joint activities with business partners to reduce impact of business activities on the global environment and accelerate PDCA management cycle effective from 2009.

By implementing above mentioned activities and strengthening partnership with excellent suppliers, MatsushitaPanasonic aims to reinforce its procurement activities.

 

 

PATENT LICENSE AGREEMENTS

 

MatsushitaPanasonic holds numerous Japanese and foreign patent registrations for its products, and shares technologies with a number of Japanese and foreign manufacturers. Its technical assistance, or licensing, to other manufacturers has been increasing year by year.

 

For example, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s patents related to MPEG2 technology, which is widely used in digital TVs, are licensed to other companies through MPEG LA LLC. Patents which are essential to DVD technology are licensed as a part of the joint licensing program operated by seven Japanese, U.S. and U.S.Korean companies. Furthermore, the Company’s patents relating to CD technology are licensed to many manufacturers. Further, MatsushitaPanasonic has non-exclusive cross-license agreements with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. for semiconductor technology and with Sharp Corporation for mobile phone technology.


- 32 -

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is a licensee under various license agreements which cover a wide range of products, including AV products, computers, communications equipment, semiconductors and other components. MatsushitaPanasonic has non-exclusive patent license agreements with, among others, Thomson Licensing Inc. and Thomson Licensing S.A. covering a broad range of products, including TVs, VCRs and DVD products. MatsushitaPanasonic has non-exclusive patent cross-license agreements with, among others, Texas Instruments Incorporated and International Business Machines Corporation, both covering semiconductors, information equipment and certain other related products. Further, MatsushitaPanasonic has a non-exclusive patent cross-license agreement with Eastman Kodak Company covering digital still camera, camcorder and mobile phones. Panasonic has a non-exclusive patent cross-license agreement with Ericsson covering mobile phones

 

The Company considers all of its technical exchange and license agreements beneficial to its operations.

 

 

COMPETITION

 

The markets in which the Company sells its products are highly competitive. Matsushita’sPanasonic’s principal competitors, across the full range of its products, consist of several large Japanese and overseas manufacturers and a number of smaller and more specialized companies. Advancements toward a borderless economy have also applied pressure to Japanese manufacturers, including Matsushita,Panasonic, in terms of global price competition, especially from Chinese and Korean manufacturers. To counter this, the Company is devising various measures to enhance its competitiveness, with a focus on the development of differentiated products, cost reduction and efficiency improvements. Such measures include the development of products with Matsushita’sPanasonic’s differentiated technologies, innovation of manufacturing processes through the use of information technology, increasing overseas production for optimum manufacturing allocation from a global perspective, and shortening production and distribution lead time through the expansion of supply chain management (SCM) in cooperation with several overseas and domestic mass-scale retailers and the introduction of cell-style production, as well as developing joint ventures and other cooperative agreements with domestic and overseas partners.

 

Also, with the development of digital and networking technologies, competition in terms of the so-called de facto standard has become crucial. In response, MatsushitaPanasonic has been strengthening its efforts toward alliances with leaders not only in the electronics industry but also the software, devices, broadcasting, communications services and other diverse industries.


- 3319 -

 

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

 

Like other electronics manufacturers, MatsushitaPanasonic is subject to governmentgovernmental regulations related to the environment issues.environmental preservation.

 

To comply with recycling laws both in Japan and other countries/regions, Matsushita isPanasonic has been actively taking measures. The Company has established an efficient system to collect and recycle used home appliances, comprising air conditioners, CRT TVs, flat-panel TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines and clothes dryers in compliance with the Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances in Japan effective April 1, 2001. AndAs one of its measures to contribute to the establishment of a recycling-oriented society, the Company established the MatsushitaPanasonic Eco Technology Center Co., Ltd. not only to dismantle used products and recyclingor recycle scrapped materials, but also to promote research and development of recycling technology.technologies. In Europe, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive designed to promote recycling came into force sincein August 2005. Preparing for mandatory recycling under the WEEE directive, MatsushitaPanasonic established Ecology Net Europe GmbH (ENE) in Germany in April 2005. The Company promotes construction of networks connecting manufacturers, recycling companies and hauling companies through ENE. In the U.S., Panasonic Corporation of North America, which is a regional company of MatsushitaPanasonic, has established a new electronic product recycling management company, Electronics Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM) with other manufacturers to satisfy requirements enacted in July 2007 in the state of Minnesota. Although MRM’s initial focus iswas to collectscollect products in Minnesota, plans are in developmenta scope of operation has been developing to expand its activities to other states with electronic product recycling mandates. Through these efforts, MatsushitaPanasonic is carrying out its compliance programs not only to meet the requirements demanded by legislations, but also to establish cost efficient systems that will further enhance its competitive edge.

 

In January 2003, the Company announced that disposed electric equipment that contained polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) might be buried in the ground of its four manufacturing facilities and one former manufacturing facility in Japan. The applicable laws in Japan require that PCB equipment be appropriately maintained and disposed of by July 2016. The Company has accrued estimated total cost of approximately 1112 billion yen by March 31, 20082009 for necessary actions, such as investigation on whether the PCB equipment is buried at the facilities by excavating, maintaining and disposing the PCB equipment that is already discovered, and soil remediation. Although it represents management’s best estimate or minimum of the cost, the payments are not considered to be fixed and determined.

 

To deal with climate change issues, various kinds of measures have been taken worldwide, especially those for energy efficiency of products. In Japan, the Energy Conservation Law was revised in 1999, and “top-runner standard”the Top-runner standard was introduced, which aims to continuously increase products’ energy consumption efficiency.efficiency performance on an industry-wide basis. The Program uses a value of the product with the highest energy consumption efficiency on a market at the time of the standard establishment process as a target value for a goal year. An area of targeted products has been expanding, and a standard gets stringentstricter if necessary. Other countries/regions, such as the European Union, the United States, China, Korea, and Australia also have regulations for energy conservation improvement (energy-saving standards and labeling systems) for home appliances and AV products. MatsushitaPanasonic takes a proactive measure to comply with these requirements, and further promotes development of energy-saving products.


- 34 -

 

Also, MatsushitaPanasonic is promoting its initiatives for directives relevant to chemical substances management. In Europe, the RoHS Directive that bans the sales of electrical and electronic equipment using six specified hazardous substances (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent chromium, Polybrominated biphenyls, Polybrominated diphenyl ethers) from the EU market has come into forcewas issued in February 2003. The Company completed initiatives for the non-use of the abovementioned six specified hazardous substances in its target products* (31,400 models) by the end of October 2005, in order to reduce possible contamination by these substances after products are disposed of. And the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances (REACH) came into force in June 2007. The REACH requires all chemicals of one ton or more in volume that are manufactured in or imported into the European Union each year to be testedevaluated for health and safety and registered with a central European authority.Chemical Agency. In Japan, the Law Concerning the Examination and Regulation of Manufacture, etc of Chemical Substances were introduced in 1973, and revised in 1986 and 2003. It aims for preventing pollution of the environment by chemical substances with persistent harmful properties by establishing a system of examination by regulating target substances manufactured, imported and used. In the revised Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources in Japan, it is required for manufacturers to disclose information about targeted chemical substances same as the EU RoHS substances contained in 7 specific products (air conditioners, refrigerators, television sets, personal computers, laundrywashing machines, microwaves, and clothing dryers) by attaching a label. In China, Management Methods on the Control of Pollution from Electronic Information Products, commonly known as “China RoHS,” took effect from March 1, 2007. This applies to electronic information products imported or manufactured in China, that are sold on the Chinese market. Restricted substances are the same as the 6 EU RoHS substances, and it is required to disclose information about substances contained in products by placing a label on a product packaging. MatsushitaPanasonic is carrying out its compliance programs to meet the requirements of relevant regulations.


- 20 -

 

The Company is subject to a number of other government regulations in Japan and overseas as mentioned above, but overall, it presently manages to operate its businesses without any significant difficulty or financial burden in coping with them.

 

 *Excluding products that use materials and components with no feasible alternatives or suppliers, for example products or material/components commonly used in other industries (e.g. housing materials, and bicycles). Also excluding components/materials for which applications to be exempted from the RoHS Directive have beenwere submitted to the EU by the end of October 2005.

 

 

REPORT ON KEROSENE FAN HEATER RECALL

AND COMPANY’S COUNTERMEASURES

 

In 2005, certain kerosene fan heaters, which were manufactured by MatsushitaPanasonic between 1985 and 1992, resulted in hospitalization, and in some cases death, due to exposure to carbon monoxide exhaust. To prevent a recurrence, in November 2005, the Company established a special committee led by President Nakamura to implement recall efforts, product inspections and repairs of affected models of kerosene fan heaters. Using various media, MatsushitaPanasonic notified customers of the risks involved in the use of these products, while sending out employees (approximately 200,000 in total) to distribute leaflets directly to users, and visit kerosene suppliers.


- 35 -

 

MatsushitaPanasonic has made all-out efforts to locate recalled kerosene fan heaters through the cooperation of various parties, and will continue efforts to identify the purchasers and users of all remaining recalled heaters. At the same time, to prevent a recurrence, the Company is carrying out a wide range of initiatives. On May 1, 2006, MatsushitaPanasonic reorganized the aforementioned special committee into a permanent organization, the Corporate FF Customer Support & Management Division, under which Matsushita will continuePanasonic has continued recall efforts through various public awareness campaigns. Furthermore, the Company will thoroughly reviewhas reviewed product safety in design and manufacturing processes. Specifically, Matsushita will undertakePanasonic has undertaken studies of material deterioration caused by long-term use, together with the development of technologies to prevent risks caused by complex factors involved in the extended use of certain products. Furthermore, the Company will establishhas established a new risk management system to enable prompt action in an emergency, in compliance with its primary principle, the customer comes first. The Company willhas also reinforcereinforced safety education programs for the presidents of all Group companies, the directors of all divisions and the managers responsible for specific operations (such as design, manufacturing, and quality control). In terms of product quality issues, in addition to its commitment to the idea that safety and quality come first from the product design stage, MatsushitaPanasonic will continue to take all possible measures, such as the analysis of product age-related degradation and user environments, to ensure the quality and safety of products.

 

 

C.Organizational Structure

 

In order to maintain production, sales and service activities effectively in broad business areas as a comprehensive electronics manufacturer, MatsushitaPanasonic has been operating under a decentralized divisional management structure with substantial delegation of authority to divisional companies and subsidiaries, with the headquarters focusing on Groupwide strategic functions. In January 2003, MatsushitaPanasonic launched a new business domain-based organizational structure, and introduced new Group management control systems from April 1, 2003. Under this new structure, each business domain company, either an internal divisional company of the parent company or a subsidiary, takes full responsibility in its own business area, thereby establishing an autonomous management structure that expedites self-completive business operations to accelerate growth. On April 1, 2004, MEW,PEW, PanaHome and their respective subsidiaries became consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. Accordingly, the Company successfully eliminated overlaps in R&D, manufacturing and sales, thereby creating an optimum Group structure that facilitates the effective use of management resources to achieve growth strategies. JVC (Victor Company of Japan Ltd. and its subsidiaries) became associated companies under the equity method from consolidated subsidiaries in August 2007.


- 3621 -

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 20082009 comprise the accounts of 556540 consolidated companies, with 139182 companies reflected by the equity method.

 

Principal divisional companies and subsidiaries as of March 31, 20082009 are as listed below:

 

 (1)Internal divisional companies of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.:Panasonic Corporation:

 

Name of internal divisional company


   

Panasonic AVC Networks Company

  

Panasonic Automotive Systems Company

  

Panasonic System Solutions Company

  

Matsushita Home Appliances Company

  

Lighting Company

  

Semiconductor Company

Energy Company

  

Motor Company

  

 

 (2)Principal domestic subsidiaries:

 

Name of company


  Percentage
owned


 

MatsushitaPanasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.

  52.1%

MatsushitaIPS Alpha Technology, Ltd.

44.9

Panasonic Plasma Display Panel Co., Ltd.

  75.0  

Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.

  100.0  

PanaHome Corporation

  54.6  

Panasonic Electronic Devices Co., Ltd.

  100.0  

Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.

  100.0  

Panasonic Factory Solutions Co., Ltd.

  100.0  

MatsushitaPanasonic Ecology Systems Co., Ltd.

100.0

Matsushita Refrigeration Company

100.0

Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd.

  100.0  

Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd.

  100.0  

IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd.


- 22 -

44.9

 

 (3)Principal overseas subsidiaries:

 

Name of company


  Country of
incorporation


  Percentage
owned


 

Panasonic Corporation of North America

  U.S.A.  100.0%

Panasonic Europe Ltd.

  U.K.  100.0  

Panasonic AVC Networks Czech, s.r.o.

  Czech Republic  100.0  

Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

  Singapore  100.0  

Panasonic AVC Networks Singapore Pte. Ltd.

  Singapore  100.0  

Panasonic Communications Philippines Corporation

  Philippines  100.0  

Panasonic Taiwan Co., Ltd.

  Taiwan  69.8  

Panasonic Corporation of China

  China  100.0  

Panasonic Home Appliances Air-Conditioning (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd.

  China  67.8  


- 3723 -

 

D.Property, Plants and Equipment

 

The Company’s principal executive offices and key research laboratories are located in Kadoma, Osaka, Japan.

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s manufacturing plants are located principally in Japan, other countries in Asia, North and South America and Europe. The Company considers all of its factories well maintained and suitable for current production requirements. In addition to its manufacturing facilities, Panasonic’s properties all over the world include sales offices, research and development facilities, employee housing and welfare facilities, and administrative offices.

 

Substantially all of facilities are fully owned by the Company and its subsidiaries. The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 20082009 with respect to manufacturingthe Company-owned principal facilities:

 

Name and Principal Location


 

Floor Space
(thousands of
  square feet)  


  

Principal Products Manufactured or Functions


(The Company)

Kadoma Plant, Osaka

 10,6412,456    

Video and audio equipment

Ibaraki Plant, Osaka

818    

Video equipment

Sendai Plant, Miyagi

370    

Video and audio equipment

Yamagata Plant, Yamagata

425    

Video and audio equipment

Matsumoto Plant, Nagano

325    

Car AVC equipment

Kusatsu Plant, Shiga

3,624    

Room air-conditions and refrigerators

Kobe Plant, Hyogo

820    

Information equipment and cooking appliances

Yashiro Plant, Hyogo

381    

Rice cookers

Tsuyama Plant, Okayama

675    

Recordable media

Okayama Plant, Okayama

604    

Camcorders

Nara Plant, Nara

1,728    

Home appliances

Saedo Plant, Kanagawa

348    

Information equipment and car AVC equipment

Takatsuki Plant, Osaka

1,674    

Electric lamps

Nagaoka Plant, Kyoto

969    

Semiconductors

Arai Plant, Niigata

1,115    

Semiconductors

Uozu Plant, Toyama

1,492    

Semiconductors

Tonami Plant, Toyama

841    

Semiconductors

Osaka Plant, Osaka

1,474    

Batteries

Shonan Plant, Kanagawa

309    

Batteries

Wakayama Plant, Wakayama

329 ��  

Batteries

ULSI Process Technology Development Center, Kyoto

208    

Research and development functions

Living Environment Development Center etc., Osaka

804    

Research and development functions

Production Engineering Laboratory etc., Osaka

1,226    

Research and development functions

Advanced Technology Research Laboratories, Kyoto

243    

Research and development functions


- 24 -

Name and Principal Location


Floor Space
(thousands of
  square feet)  


Principal Products Manufactured or Functions


Branch Office and Sales Office, Osaka

582    

Sales functions

Head Office etc., Osaka

6,651    

Corporate administration, employee housing and welfare facilities

(Domestic subsidiaries)

Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd., Kanagawa

3,674    

Mobile communications and communications network-related equipment

Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., Fukuoka

1,991    

Telephones and multi-function printers

Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd., Ehime

2,664    

Healthcare equipment, optical pickup and other electro-optic devices

Panasonic Plasma Display Co., Ltd., Hyogo

4,671        

Plasma TVs DVD products, washing machines, other home appliances, information equipment, industrial equipment, components, batteries, kitchen fixtures, building products.and TV modules

ShigaIPS Alpha Technology, Ltd., Chiba

  6,1832,298        

Air conditioners, refrigerators, compressors, vacuum cleaners, other home appliances, building products, housing products.LCD panels

HyogoPanasonic Ecology Systems Co., Ltd., Aichi

  5,9991,491        

Plasma TVs, PCs, cooking appliances, components.Ventilation and air-conditioning equipment

ToyamaPanasonic Photo & Lighting Co., Ltd., Osaka

  2,478388    

Electric lamps

Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries, Osaka

34,165    

Lighting fixtures, wiring devices and automation controls

PanaHome Corporation and its subsidiaries, Osaka

4,112    

Detached housing and rental apartment housing

Panasonic Electronic Devices Co., Ltd., Osaka

3,030    

Components

Panasonic Electronic Devices Japan Co., Ltd., Osaka

3,033    

Components

Panasonic Semiconductor Discrete Devices Co., Ltd., Kyoto

846        

Semiconductors components.

OkayamaPanasonic Factory Solutions Co., Ltd., Osaka

  2,1161,020        

Camcorders, components.Electronic-components-mounting machines and industrial robot

KyotoPanasonic Welding Systems Co., Ltd., Osaka

  2,053386        

Semiconductors, components, lighting products.Welding equipment

IbarakiPanasonic Consumer Marketing Co., Ltd., Osaka

  2,0485        

Building products, housing products.Sales functions


- 25 -

TochigiName and Principal Location


Floor Space
(thousands of
  square feet)  


Principal Products Manufactured or Functions


(Overseas subsidiaries)

  1,925    

LCD TVs, building products.

Kanagawa

1,833    

Communications, car AV equipment, batteries.

Nara

1,731    

Home appliances, gas equipment.

Shikoku

3,016    

Video cameras, housing products.

Kyushu

4,002    

Information and communications equipment, components, industrial equipment, building products.

North America

3,037    

Plasma TVs, home appliances, DVD discs, car audio equipment, communications equipment, components, batteries, automation controls, lighting products.

Europe

3,462    

Plasma TVs, LCD TVs, car audio equipment, home appliances, components, information and communications equipment, automation controls, lighting products.

Asia
(excluding China)

21,783    

Plasma TVs, DVD products, audio equipment, air conditioners, refrigerators, other home appliances, components, semiconductors, information and communications equipment, industrial equipment, compressors, batteries, electronic and plastic materials, lighting products.

China

12,584    

Plasma TVs, DVD products, audio equipment, air conditioners, washing machines, other home appliances, car audio equipment, communications equipment, semiconductors, industrial equipment, compressors, components, batteries, automation controls, electronic and plastic materials.

Other

21,296    

LCD TVs, home appliances, industrial equipment, components, semiconductors, video and audio equipment, batteries, information and communications equipment, lighting products, automation controls, building products.


     

            TotalPanasonic Corporation of North America, U.S.A.

  106,1871,876        

Manufacture and sales, with regional headquarters functions

Panasonic Avionics Corporation, U.S.A.

  
420    
    

Airline AVC equipment

Panasonic Brazil Co., Ltd., Brazil

642    

Manufacture and sales functions

IPS Alpha Technology Europe, s.r.o., Czech Republic

420    

LCD panels

Panasonic AVC Networks Czech, s.r.o., Czech Republic

773    

Plasma and LCD TVs

Panasonic U.K. Ltd., U.K.

322    

Sales functions

Panasonic Electronic Devices Europe gmbh, Germany

349    

Components

Panasonic Semiconductor Asia Pte. Ltd., Singapore

462    

Semiconductors

Panasonic Refrigeration Devices Singapore Pte. Ltd., Singapore

724    

Refrigerators

Panasonic Electronic Devices Malaysia, Malaysia

1,134    

Components

Panasonic Taiwan Co., Ltd., Taiwan

1,478    

Manufacture and sales functions

Panasonic Wanbao Compressor (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., China

1,181    

Compressors

Panasonic Semiconductor (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., China

469    

Semiconductors

Panasonic Home Appliances (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd., China

883    

Compressors and washing machines

Panasonic Home Appliances Air-Conditioning (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd., China

1,102    

Air-conditioning equipment

Panasonic Corporation of China, China

—      

Sales with regional headquarters functions

 


- 38 -

Substantially all of the above facilities and properties are fully owned by the Company.

In addition to its manufacturingthe Company-owned facilities, Matsushita’s properties all over the world include sales offices located in various cities with an aggregate floor space of approximately 7.0 million square feet, research and development facilities with an aggregate floor space of approximately 6.4 million square feet, employee housing and welfare facilities with an aggregate floor space of approximately 10.0 million square feet, and administrative offices with an aggregate floor space of approximately 21.4 million square feet.

Asas of March 31, 2008, Matsushita2009, the Company and its subsidiaries shown in above table leased approximately 32.422.4 million square feet of floor space from third parties, most of which was for sales office space.

 

Substantially all of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s properties are free of material encumbrances and MatsushitaPanasonic believes such properties are in adequate condition for their purposes and suitably utilized. During fiscal 2008,2009, there was no material problem, regarding both the productive capacity and the extent of utilization of the Company’s properties.

 

In terms of environmental issues, all of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group’s properties operate in compliance with governmental and municipal laws and regulations. Furthermore, the Company established a number of internal environmental guidelines which are stricter than those provided by the authority.relevant authorities. In case any occasional non-compliance may take place, such as the previously mentioned PCB issue, MatsushitaPanasonic takes immediate and appropriate actions to meet the regulatory requirements and to ensure current good utilization standards.


- 26 -

 

 

Item 4A.Unresolved Staff Comments

 

The Company is a large accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. There are no written comments which have been provided by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the Company’s periodic reports under that Act not less than 180 days before the end of the fiscal year ended March 31, 20082009 and which remain unresolved as of the date of the filing of this Form 20-F with the Commission.


- 3927 -

 

 

Item 5.Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

 

A.Operating Results

 

Overview

 

MatsushitaPanasonic is one of the world’s leading producers of electronic and electric products. MatsushitaPanasonic currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use based on sophisticated electronics and precision technology, expanding to building materials and equipment, and housing business. MostAs of Matsushita’s products are marketed under “Panasonic,” its principle brand name, and several other brand names, including “National,” “Technics,” and “PanaHome.” However, upon resolution of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held in June 26,October 1, 2008, the Company decided to changechanged its company name from “Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.” to “Panasonic Corporation” as of October 1, 2008.Corporation.” Upon the company name change, Matsushita will undertakePanasonic implemented its brand name change from the “National” brand, used for home appliances and housing equipment in Japan, and “Technics” brand, used for audio equipment, to the “Panasonic” brand. This brand name change will be completed by the end of fiscal 2010, ending March 31, 2010. Subsequently, the “National” brand will be abolished and the “Technics” brand will be used only for specific audio products. Accordingly, the corporate brands will be “Panasonic” and “PanaHome.”

 

MatsushitaPanasonic divides its businesses into five segments: Digital AVC Networks, Home Appliances, PEW and PanaHome, Components and Devices, MEW and PanaHome and Other. “AVC“Digital AVC Networks” includes video and audio equipment, and information and communications equipment. “Home Appliances” includes household equipment. “Components and Devices” includes semiconductors, general electronic components, batteries and electric motors. “MEW“PEW and PanaHome” includes electrical supplies, home appliances, building materials and equipment, and housing business. “Components and Devices” includes semiconductors, general electronic components, batteries and electric motors. “Other” includes FA equipment and other industrial equipment.

 

JVC issued and allocated new shares of its common stock to third parties on August 10, 2007. As a result, Matsushita’sPanasonic’s shareholding of JVC decreased from 52.4% to 36.8%, and JVC and its subsidiaries became an associated company under the equity method from a consolidated subsidiary in the fiscal 2008 second quarter. On October 1, 2008, JVC and Kenwood integrated management by establishing JVC KENWOOD Holdings, Inc. (JVC KENWOOD HD) through a share transfer. The Company has 24.4% of total issued shares of JVC KENWOOD HD. Given JVC’s equity method investment status, the income statement and balance sheet impact of JVC is expected to decrease significantly in future periods and insignificant compared to both existing business segment reporting and consolidated income before income taxes. The provisions of SFAS No.131No. 131 in these circumstances are not applicable to insignificant entities and accordingly, sales and profit in the JVC segment are no longer reported subsequent to the date of deconsolidation.

 

Economic environment

 

The Japanese economy over the last three fiscal years continued steady growth. In the year ended March 31, 2006, the overall economic situation in Japan continued a moderate recovery trend due mainly to favorable exports and increased capital investment, as well as favorable consumer spending. In the year ended March 31, 2007, the Japanese economy maintained a recovery trend as a result of favorable exports and increased capital investment. In the year ended March 31, 2008, the Japanese economy for the first half maintainedcontinued a recovery trend toward recovery with an improvement in consumer spending, but for the second half the Japanese economy slowed down, as a result of negative factors such as rising prices for crude oil and raw materials, and a stronger yen against the U.S. dollar.


- 40 - In the year ended March 31, 2009, the Japanese economy encountered very severe conditions due to the global financial crisis and the sharply deteriorated world economy.

 

The overseas economy, in the year ended March 31, 2006, was favorable overall with strong growth in the U.S. and China. In the year ended March 31, 2007, the U.S. economy, despite a decrease in housing investment, continued growth with robust consumer spending and an increase in capital investment. Meanwhile, in major European countries, there was a trend toward moderate economic recovery with increased consumer spending. In Asia, the Chinese economy maintained a high growth.growth rate. In the year ended March 31, 2008, the U.S. economy proved sluggish in the second half of fiscal 2008 since the subprime loan problem in the U.S. led to downturns in both housing investment and consumer spending. Meanwhile, European economy, although economic growth continued for the first half, slowed down in the second half of fiscal 2008, due mainly to a downturn in consumer spending. In Asia, the Chinese economy maintained a high growth rate due mainly to favorable export. In the year ended March 31, 2009, the global financial crisis caused a rapid economic downturn worldwide, and this caused negative effects on the Japanese economy through a sharp decrease in exports and capital investment.


- 28 -

 

Condition of foreign currency exchange rates and Matsushita’sPanasonic’s policy

 

Foreign currency exchange rates fluctuated during the three-year period ended March 31, 2008.2009. In the year ended March 31, 2006, the Japanese yen was weak against the U.S. dollar and the euro. Meanwhile, in the year ended March 31, 2007, the Japanese yen continued to bewas weak against the U.S dollar and euro. In the year ended March 31, 2008, there was a sharp increase in the Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar. In the year ended March 31, 2009, there continued a sharp increase in the Japanese yen against the major currencies such as the U.S. dollar and euro. In order to alleviate the effects of currency-related transaction risks, MatsushitaPanasonic has traditionally used several currency risk hedging methods, such as forward foreign-exchange contracts and currency options contracts with leading banks. MatsushitaPanasonic has also increased matching of export and import exchange contracts. As a basic countermeasure against currency exchange risk, the Company has been strengthening production operations outside Japan to meet overseas demand, while reducing dependence on exports from Japan. The Company does not have any material unhedged monetary assets, liabilities or commitments denominated in currencies other than the individual operations’ functional currencies.

 

Initiatives implemented by Matsushita

Under the aforementioned economic environment, Matsushita worked to strengthen manufacturing as its basic approach for steady growth. In order to become a manufacturing-oriented company-one that combines all the business activities of the Group toward the launch of products and contributes to the creation of the customer value. Matsushita promoted wider collaboration across business fields and operating regions, and worked to reform the entire process of product creation, including design, quality control, procurement, logistics, overseas sales and other areas of its operations. Specifically, Matsushita continued to strengthen V-products, which are the core of its growth strategies and make a significant contribution to overall business results in order to boost their market shares. With regard to the strategic plasma display panel (PDP) business, Matsushita started operation of its fourth domestic PDP plant in June 2007, and began construction of its fifth in November 2007. In addition, Matsushita implemented initiatives to achieve double-digit growth in overseas sales of consumer products. To accelerate growth in emerging markets as well as the U.S. and Europe, the Company established a framework to boost sales in Russia, Brazil, and India, and also promoted cutting-edge products.


- 41 -

Summary of operations

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s consolidated sales and earnings results during the last three fiscal years, reflecting the aforementioned external and internal conditions, can be summarized as follows:

 

In fiscal 2006,2009, net sales increased 2%amounted to 8,8947,766 billion yen, leddown 14% from the previous year. Sales declined in all segments mainly as a result of a sharp deterioration of the world economy from October 2008. Regarding earnings, although the Company implemented thorough streamlining of material cost by favorablereducing number of components and improving material yield ratio and made all-out efforts to reduce fixed cost, the effect of a sharp sales of digital AV equipmentdecline including approximately 20-30% decrease in prices for flat-panel TVs and home appliances, especially V-products. The sales increase combined with comprehensive cost reduction efforts contributed to the profit gains, sufficient to offset the negative factors such as rising prices for crude oil and other raw materials prices and ever-intensified global price competition.on a yearly basis led to a decrease in earnings. In addition, the Company incurred 37 billion yen in expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs, 85 billion yen as impairment losses associated with the CRT TV-related subsidiaries which face sharp declines in global demand and other businesses and 25314 billion yen as expenses associated with a recall of certain kerosene fan heaters, which the Company manufactured and sold in Japan between 1985 and 1992. Meanwhile, the Company recorded a 79 billion yen gain on sale of securities and 23 billion yen gain related to the liquidation of a consolidated subsidiary, MEI Holding Inc. (MHI), a company holding Universal Studios-related shares. Reflecting all these factors, and the adverse effects of equity inimpairment losses of 51 billion yen mainly associated with CRT TV-related associated companies, the Company recorded a net income of 154 billion yen.

In fiscal 2007, net sales increased 2% to 9,108 billion yen, due mainly to an increase in sales of digital products such as flat-panel TVs in Japan and overseas. Regarding earnings, despite the effects from rising raw materials prices and ever-intensified global price competition, an increase in sales, cost rationalization and a weaker yen contributed to earnings gains. In addition, the Company recorded gains on the sale of the investments regarding cable broadcasting business and gains on sales of tangible fixed assets, and incurred restructuring expenses, including 14 billion yen associated with the implementation of early retirement programs, and 4953 billion yen as impairment losses. Reflecting all these factors,restructuring charges and the increases in provision for income taxes and minority interests due to increased profits in MEW and PanaHome, and the effect of one-time charge incurred in fiscal 2006 at certain subsidiaries, as well92 billion yen as a sharp increase in equity in earningswrite-down of associated companies mainly asinvestment securities. As a result of the consolidation of CRT TV-related associated companies on March 1, 2006, which incurred losses associated with the implementation of large-scale restructuring initiatives a year ago. Accordingly,these and other factors, the Company recordedincurred a pre-tax loss of 383 billion yen and a net incomeloss of 217379 billion yen.

 

In fiscal 2008, net sales amounted to 9,069 billion yen, mostly the same level from the previous year. In real terms except JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries), the Company cited sales gains in all segments, due mainly to favorable sales in digital AV products and white goods. Regarding earnings, despite the effects from rising prices for crude oil and other raw materials, and ever-intensified global price competition, sales gains excluding the effect of JVC and the cost reduction efforts including materials costs and fixed costs led to the earnings gains. In addition, the Company incurred 33 billion yen as expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs and 32 billion yen as impairment losses on the investments, as well as 45 billion yen as impairment losses from tangible fixed assets. Reflecting all these factors and a decrease in provision for income taxes, the Company recorded a net income of 282 billion yen, up 30% from the previous year.

In fiscal 2007, net sales increased 2% to 9,108 billion yen, due mainly to an increase in sales of digital products such as flat-panel TVs in Japan and overseas. Regarding earnings, despite the effects from rising raw materials prices and ever-intensified global price competition, an increase in sales, cost rationalization and a weaker yen contributed to earnings gains. In addition, the Company recorded gains on the sale of the investments regarding cable broadcasting business and gains on sales of tangible fixed assets, and incurred restructuring expenses, including 14 billion yen associated with the implementation of early retirement programs, and 49 billion yen as impairment losses. Accordingly, the Company recorded a net income of 217 billion yen.


- 4229 -

 

Key performance indicators

 

The following are performance measures that MatsushitaPanasonic believes are key indicators of its business results for the last three fiscal years.

 

  Yen (billions) (%)

   Yen (billions) (%)

 
  Fiscal year ended March 31,

   Fiscal year ended March 31,

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Net sales

  9,069  9,108  8,894   7,766   9,069   9,108  

Income before income taxes to net sales ratio

  4.8% 4.8% 4.2%

Income (loss) before income taxes to net sales ratio

  (4.9)%  4.8 4.8

Research and development costs to net sales ratio

  6.1% 6.3% 6.3%  6.7 6.1 6.3

Total assets

  7,444  7,897  7,965   6,403   7,444   7,897  

Stockholders’ equity

  3,742  3,917  3,788   2,784   3,742   3,917  

Stockholders’ equity to total assets ratio

  50.3% 49.6% 47.6%  43.5 50.3 49.6

Return on equity

  7.4% 5.6% 4.2%  (11.8)%  7.4 5.6

Capital investment

  449  418  346   494   449   418  

Free cash flow

  405  (35) 982   (353 405   (35

 

Note: Return on equity is calculated by dividing net income by the average of stock holders’ equity at the beginning and the end of each fiscal year.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic defines “Capital investment” as purchases of property, plant and equipment (PP&E) on an accrual basis which reflects the effects of timing differences between acquisition dates and payment dates. MatsushitaPanasonic has included the information concerning capital investment because its management uses this indicator to manage its capital expenditures and it believes that such indicator is useful to investors to present accrual basis capital investments in addition to the cash basis information in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s management also believes that this indicator provides useful information when it is compared with depreciation expenses, which are shown in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, for purposes of evaluating the replacement of PP&E. This indicator is, however, subject to the limitation that capital investments may not produce future returns (because current expenditures may not provide an efficient use of capital) and may also be subject to impairment. Also, this indicator is subject to the limitation that it may not represent the true cost of maintaining the Company’s portfolio of PP&E as it excludes expenditures for repairs and maintenance, operating leases, and intangible assets that may be integral to the use of PP&E. MatsushitaPanasonic compensates for these limitations by referring to this indicator together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures, such as capital expenditures, depreciation and amortization, shown in its consolidated statements of cash flows, to present an accurate and complete picture for purposes of capital expenditure analysis.


- 43 -

 

The following table shows a reconciliation of capital investment to purchases of property, plant and equipment:

 

  Yen (billions)

   Yen (billions)

  Fiscal year ended March 31,

   Fiscal year ended March 31,

  2008

  2007

  2006

   2009

 2008

  2007

Purchases of property, plant and equipment shown as capital expenditures in the consolidated statements of cash flows

  419  411  357   522   419  411

Effects of timing difference between acquisition dates and payment dates

  30  7  (11)  (28 30  7
  
  
  

  

 
  

Capital investment

  449  418  346   494   449  418
  
  
  

  

 
  


- 30 -

 

MatsushitaPanasonic defines “Free cash flow” as the sum of net cash provided by operating activities and net cash provided by investing activities. MatsushitaPanasonic has included the information concerning free cash flow because its management uses this indicator, and it believes that such indicator is useful to investors, to assess its cash availability after financing of its capital projects.

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s management also believes that this indicator is useful in understanding Matsushita’sPanasonic’s current liquidity and financing needs in light of its operating and investing activities, i.e., its ability to pay down and draw on available cash. It should be noted, however, that free cash flow MatsushitaPanasonic reports may not be comparable to free cash flow reported by other companies. It should also be noted that free cash flow should not be viewed in a manner that inappropriately implies that it represents the residual cash flow available for discretionary uses, since at any given time MatsushitaPanasonic may be subject to mandatory debt service requirements and may have other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from this indicator. MatsushitaPanasonic compensates for these limitations by referring to this indicator together with relevant U.S. GAAP financial measures shown in its consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated balance sheets, to present an accurate and complete picture for purposes of cash availability analysis.

 

The following table shows a reconciliation of free cash flow to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

   Yen (billions)

   Fiscal year ended March 31,

   2008

  2007

  2006

Net cash provided by operating activities

  466  533  575

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  (61) (568) 407
   

 

 

Free cash flow

  405  (35) 982
   

 

 


- 44 -

   Yen (billions)

 
   Fiscal year ended March 31,

 
   2009

  2008

  2007

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  117   466   533  

Net cash used in investing activities

  (470 (61 (568
   

 

 

Free cash flow

  (353 405   (35
   

 

 

 

Details of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s consolidated sales and earnings results were as follows:

Year ended March 31, 2009 compared with 2008

(1)Sales

Consolidated group sales for fiscal 2009 amounted to 7,766 billion yen, down 14% from 9,069 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. Explaining fiscal 2009 results, the Company cited sales declines in all business segments. (For further details, see “(10) Results of Operations by Business Segments” of this section.)

In fiscal 2009, the second year of the mid-term management plan GP3, Panasonic steadily implemented initiatives focused on four major themes: double-digit growth for overseas sales, four strategic businesses, manufacturing innovation and the eco ideas strategy. To achieve double-digit growth in overseas sales, the Company widened its target from affluent customers to upper-income customers in the strategic market regions of BRICs countries and Vietnam. With regard to the second theme, four strategic businesses—digital AV business, businesses providing comfortable living, semiconductors/components and devices business, and automotive electronics business—Panasonic launched various cross-group projects, established new strategies and implemented initiatives to expand sales in each business. As for manufacturing innovation, in addition to proactively promoting “Itakona” activities, which seek to standardize cost-reduction processes on a finer level, the Company established the New Business Promotion Subcommittee in April 2009 to strengthen cost-reduction activities. In terms of the eco ideas strategy, the Company made steady progress in reducing CO2 emissions.

Despite these measures, the Company’s performance differed markedly between the first and second half of fiscal 2009, due to a sharp deterioration in the business environment from September 2008, when the global financial crisis caused a rapid downturn in global demand and a sharp appreciation of the yen. In response to these business conditions, the Company accelerated business restructuring initiatives based on a policy of selection and concentration. These included integration and closure of manufacturing sites, from the view point of global optimal production, withdrawing from unprofitable businesses, and reassigning and downsizing of workforce. As a result of these and other factors, consolidated group sales for the period under review decreased compared with the previous year.


- 31 -

(2)Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

In fiscal 2009, cost of sales amounted to 5,667 billion yen, down from the previous year, and selling, general and administrative expenses amounted to 2,025 billion yen, down from the previous year. These results are due mainly to the effects of sharp sales declines.

(3)Interest Income, Dividends Received and Other Income

In fiscal 2009, interest income decreased 32% to 23 billion yen, and dividends received increased 11% to 11 billion yen. In other income, in addition to gains on sales of tangible fixed assets, the Company recorded 16 billion yen gain on the sale of the investment securities.

(4)Interest Expense, Goodwill Impairment and Other Deductions

Interest expense decreased 5% to 19 billion yen, owing primarily to a reduction in short-term borrowings. In other deductions, the Company incurred 314 billion yen as expenses associated with impairment losses of fixed assets, 53 billion yen as restructuring charges and 92 billion yen as a write-down of investment securities.(For further details, see Notes 3, 4, 6, and 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

(5)Income (loss) before Income Taxes

As a result of the above-mentioned factors, income (loss) before income taxes for fiscal 2009 amounted to a loss of 383 billion yen, compared with a profit of 435 billion yen in fiscal 2008.

(6)Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes for fiscal 2009 amounted to 37 billion yen, a significant decrease compared with 115 billion yen in the previous year. This result was due primarily to the fact that the Company increased the valuation allowances to deferred tax assets as a result of incurring the aforementioned impairment losses of fixed assets and restructuring charges. (For further details, see Notes 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

(7)Minority Interests

Minority interests amounted to a loss of 25 billion yen for fiscal 2009, compared with minority interests of 29 billion yen in fiscal 2008. This result was due mainly to decreased profits in Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. for the period and the consolidation of IPS Alpha Technology, Ltd.

(8)Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Associated Companies

In fiscal 2009, equity in earnings of associated companies amounted to gains of 16 billion yen, from the previous year’s losses of 10 billion yen. This result is due mainly to the consolidation of IPS Alpha Technology Ltd. and the improvement of earnings in its associated companies under the equity method in China.

(9)Net Income (Loss)

As a result of all the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, the Company recorded a net loss of 379 billion yen for fiscal 2009, a decrease of 661 billion yen from the previous year’s net income of 282 billion yen.


- 32 -

(10)Results of Operations by Business Segment

Results of operations by business segment for fiscal 2009, as compared with the previous fiscal year, were as follows:

   Yen (billions)

    
   2009

  2008

  Percent change

 

Sales:

          

Digital AVC Networks

  3,749   4,320   (13)% 

Home Appliances

  1,223   1,316   (7

PEW and PanaHome

  1,766   1,910   (8

Components and Devices

  1,127   1,399   (19

Other

  1,072   1,084   (1

JVC

  —     183   —    

Eliminations

  (1,171 (1,143 —    
   

 

 

Total

  7,766   9,069   (14)% 
   

 

 

Segment profit:

          

Digital AVC Networks

  3   252   (99)% 

Home Appliances

  49   87   (43

PEW and PanaHome

  40   96   (58

Components and Devices

  7   105   (93

Other

  24   64   (63

JVC

  —     (10 —    

Corporate and eliminations

  (50 (75 —    
   

 

 

Total

  73   519   (86)% 
   

 

 

*The Company has changed the internal business transaction between Global Procurement Service Company and other segments since April 1, 2008. Accordingly, segment information for Other and Corporate and eliminations of fiscal 2008 has been reclassified to conform to the presentation for fiscal 2009.
*The name of “AVC Networks” was changed to “Digital AVC Networks” from fiscal 2009.
*The name of “MEW and PanaHome” was changed to “PEW and PanaHome” as of October 1, 2008.

Digital AVC Networks sales decreased 13% to 3,749 billion yen, compared with 4,320 billion yen in the previous year. Within this segment, sales of video and audio equipment decreased, due mainly to weak sales of digital AV products, such as plasma TVs and digital cameras. Regarding flat-panel TVs, although sales of plasma TVs were lower than the previous year, LCD TVs recorded a double-digit increase in sales from the previous year, mainly as a result of expanding its product line-ups. Regarding digital cameras, although the world’s smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens cameras and products incorporating face recognition, an evolution from “face detection,” won market acclaim, weak demand particularly overseas led to a decrease in sales. Meanwhile, sales of information and communications equipment also decreased as a result of sluggish sales of automotive electronics and other products. This result was due mainly to further price erosion of car navigation system caused by the growing market share of low-priced Portable Navigation Devices (PND) in the domestic market, and sluggish sales of mobile phones due to a change in handsets sales incentives and economic downturn in Japan.

With respect to this segment, profit decreased 99% from 252 billion yen in fiscal 2008, to 3 billion yen for fiscal 2009, which is equivalent to 0.1% against sales. This decrease was attributable mainly to a decrease in sales as a result of a rapidly deteriorated market conditions, the negative effects of the appreciation of the yen and the effects of price declines. These factors led to a significant decrease in profit in this segment.

Sales of Home Appliances decreased 7% to 1,223 billion yen, compared with 1,316 billion yen in the previous year. Within Home Appliances, although induction-heating (IH) cooking equipment, “Eco Cute” natural-refrigerant water heating systems and other products for all-electric homes recorded strong sales, weak sales of air conditioners and compressors resulted in an overall sales decrease.


- 33 -

Profit in this segment decreased 43% from 87 billion yen in fiscal 2008, to 49 billion yen for fiscal 2009, or 4.0% of sales. Although there were the positive effects of various cost rationalization activities, a decrease in sales, the effects of price declines and rising costs for raw materials led to decreased earnings in this segment.

Sales of PEW and PanaHome decreased 8% to 1,766 billion yen, compared with 1,910 billion yen a year ago. At PEW and its subsidiaries, sluggish sales of electronic materials, automation controls and health-enhancing products led to a decrease in sales from the previous year. At PanaHome Corporation and its subsidiaries, a rapid deterioration sluggish housing market conditions after September 2008 led to a decrease in sales.

With respect to this segment, profit decreased 58% to 40 billion yen, which is equal to 2.3% of sales, from 96 billion yen in the previous year, as a result of the aforementioned decrease in sales and the effects of price declines.

Sales of Components and Devices decreased 19% to 1,127 billion yen, from the previous year’s 1,399 billion yen, mainly as a result of sluggish sales in semiconductors and general electronic components. In general electronic components, Panasonic maintained its leading global market share in angular rate sensors for car navigation systems and digital cameras. In addition, sales of power supplies for plasma TVs were relatively steady. However, sales of capacitors, electromechanical components and other products dropped sharply due to deteriorated market conditions and inventory cutbacks at finished product manufacturers. In the semiconductor business, sales fell as demand slowed for semiconductors for digital equipment. In batteries, weak sales of such products as alkaline dry batteries and car batteries led to an overall decrease in sales.

With respect to this segment, profit decreased 93% from 105 billion yen in fiscal 2008, to 7 billion yen for fiscal 2009, or 0.6% of sales. Although there were positive effects of cost rationalization, decreased sales and price declines resulted in decreased earnings in this segment.

Sales in the Other segment amounted to 1,072 billion yen, down 1% from 1,084 billion yen in the previous year. Although the Company expanded product line-ups of high-speed modular placement machines, sluggish sales of factory automation equipment as a result of sharply deteriorated market conditions led to a decrease in sales in this category.

With respect to this segment, profit was down 63% from 64 billion yen for fiscal 2008, to 24 billion yen, which were equivalent to 2.2% against sales in fiscal 2009. This result was due mainly to sales declines as a result of the aforementioned sales declines.

(11)Sales Results by Region

Sales results by region for fiscal 2009, as compared with the previous fiscal year, were as follows:

   Yen (billions)

    
   2009

  2008

  Percent change

 

Domestic Sales:

  4,082  4,545  (10)% 

Overseas Sales:

          

North and South America

  997  1,251  (20

Europe

  963  1,213  (21

Asia and Others

  1,724  2,060  (16
   
  
  

Total

  3,684  4,524  (19
   
  
  

Total

  7,766  9,069  (14)% 
   
  
  

Sales in Japan amounted to 4,082 billion yen, down 10% from 4,545 billion yen in fiscal 2008. Sales declined in all segments, and there were sharp sales declines particularly in automotive electronics equipment, mobile phones, semiconductors, general components and devices, and FA equipment.

Overseas sales amounted to 3,684 billion yen, down 19% from 4,524 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. Sales declined in all segments, and there were sharp sales declines particularly in business-use AV equipment, automotive electronics, PCs and peripherals, semiconductors, and general components and devices.


- 34 -

By region, sales in the Americas amounted to 997 billion, down 20% from 1,251 billion yen in fiscal 2008. Sales downturns in digital AV equipment, broadcast- and business-use AV equipment, automotive electronics, general components and other products led to decreased sales from the previous year for this region.

Sales in Europe amounted to 963 billion yen, down 21% from the previous year’s 1,213 billion yen. Sales for this region decreased, due mainly to weak sales in digital cameras, automotive electronics, white goods, general components and batteries.

In the Asia and Others region, sales decreased 16% to 1,724 billion yen, from the previous year’s 2,060 billion yen. In Asia (excluding China), sales decreased in PCs and peripherals, automotive electronics, compressors, as well as semiconductors and general components, resulting in overall sales declines. Meanwhile, in China, sales decreased mainly in PCs and peripherals, air-conditioners, compressors, and general components, resulting in overall decreased sales.

 

Year ended March 31, 2008 compared with 2007

 

(1)Sales

 

Consolidated group sales for fiscal 2008 amounted to 9,069 billion yen, mostly the same level from 9,108 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. Explaining fiscal 2008 results, the Company cited sales gains in all business segments except JVC (Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries), due mainly to favorable sales in digital AV products and white goods. (For further details, see “(10) Results of Operations by Business Segments” of this section.) The electronics industry in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 faced severe business conditions in Japan and overseas, due mainly to ever-rising prices for crude oil and other raw materials, and continued price declines caused by continuously intensifying global competition, mainly in digital products. Under these circumstances, the MatsushitaPanasonic Group worked to accelerate growth strategies in fiscal 2008, the first year of the new three-year mid-term management plan GP3. Specifically, MatsushitaPanasonic continued to strengthen V-products, which are the core of its growth strategies and make a significant contribution to overall business results in order to boost market shares. With regard to the strategic plasma display panel (PDP) business, MatsushitaPanasonic started operation of its fourth domestic PDP plant in June 2007, and began construction of its fifth in November 2007. In addition, MatsushitaPanasonic implemented initiatives to achieve double-digit growth in overseas sales of consumer products. To accelerate growth in emerging markets as well as the U.S. and Europe, the Company established a framework to boost sales in Russia, Brazil and India, and also promoted its cutting-edge products. These initiatives contributed to an increase in sales, as mentioned above.

 

Domestic sales amounted to 4,545 billion yen, down 2% from 4,6164,617 billion yen a year ago. Although favorable sales were recorded mainly in digital AV products as a result of a significant contribution of V-products, this result is due primarily to the effects of JVC as mentioned above. Overseas sales increased 1% to 4,524 billion yen, from 4,492 billion yen in fiscal 2007, ended March 31, 2007. Despite the effects of JVC, favorable sales in all business segments except JVC led to an increase in overseas sales.

 

(2)Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

In fiscal 2008, cost of sales amounted to 6,377 billion yen, mostly the same level from the previous year, while net sales remained the same level. Negative effects such as rising prices for raw materials were offset mainly as a result of the rationalization of materials costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses were down 4% to 2,172 billion yen compared to the previous year, due mainly to comprehensive cost reduction efforts.

 

(3)Interest Income, Dividends Received and Other Income

 

In fiscal 2008, interest income increased 12% to 34 billion yen, and dividends received increased 36% to 10 billion yen. In other income, in addition to gains on sales of tangible fixed assets, the Company recorded 15 billion yen gain on the sale of the investments.


- 4535 -

 

(4)Interest Expense, Goodwill Impairment and Other Deductions

 

Interest expense decreased 3% to 20 billion yen, owing primarily to a reduction in short-term borrowings. In other deductions, compared with 20 billion yen of restructuring charges in fiscal 2007, the Company incurred 40 billion yen including 33 billion yen as expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs, 32 billion yen as write-down of investment securities, and 45 billion yen as other impairment losses on long-lived assets related to fixed assets, compared with the previous year’s 49 billion yen including 19 billion yen as other impairment losses on long-lived assets and a loss of 30 billion yen as goodwill impairment. (For further details, see Notes 3, 4, 6, 7, and 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

(5)Income before Income Taxes

 

As a result of the above-mentioned factors, income before income taxes for fiscal 2008 decreased 1% to 435 billion yen, compared with 439 billion yen in fiscal 2007, while the ratio to net sales were 4.8%, the same level from the previous year.

 

(6)Provision for Income Taxes

 

Provision for income taxes for fiscal 2008 amounted to 115 billion yen, a significant improvement compared with 192 billion yen in the previous year. The effective tax rate to income before income taxes declined to 26.3%, down 17.4% from 43.7% a year ago. This improvement was due mainly to a strategic merger of domestic device businesses in order to reinforce manufacturing competitiveness such as strengthening of cost competitiveness by seeking streamlining and efficiency of operations which consequently resulted in the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards to which a deferred tax asset valuation allowance was provided for in previous years, an improvement in general profitability of certain subsidiaries which resulted in the reversal of a portion of deferred tax valuation allowance as improvement in future profitability is projected to allow for the utilization of net operating carryforwards in these subsidiaries, and a decrease in tax expenses associated with tax benefits generated through certain business reorganizations. This decrease in the effective rate is a non-recurring event. (For further details, see Notes 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

(7)Minority Interests

 

Minority interests amounted to 29 billion yen for fiscal 2008, compared with minority interests of 31 billion yen in fiscal 2007. This result was due mainly to decreased profits in Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries for the period when these companies were consolidated subsidiaries of Matsushita.Panasonic.

 

(8)Equity in Losses of Associated Companies

 

In fiscal 2008, equity in earnings of associated companies amounted to losses of 10 billion yen, from the previous year’s gains of 1 billion yen. This result is due mainly to losses in Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries which became associated companies under the equity method in August 2007, and lower profit in a joint-venture of LCD panels with Toshiba.


- 46 -

 

(9)Net Income

 

As a result of all the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, the Company recorded a net income of 282 billion yen for fiscal 2008, an increase of 30% from 217 billion yen in the previous year.


- 36 -

 

(10)Results of Operations by Business Segment

 

Results of operations by business segment for fiscal 2008, as compared with the previous fiscal year, were as follows:

 

  Yen (billions)

   Yen (billions)

 
 
  2008

 2007

 Percent change

   2008

 2007

 Percent change

 

Sales:

      

AVC Networks

  4,320  4,064  6%

Digital AVC Networks

  4,320  4,064  6%

Home Appliances

  1,316  1,247  6   1,316  1,247  6 

PEW and PanaHome

  1,910  1,859  3 

Components and Devices

  1,399  1,378  2   1,399  1,378  2 

MEW and PanaHome

  1,910  1,859  3 

Other

  1,084  998  9 

JVC

  183  646  (72)  183  646  (72)

Other

  1,536  1,484  4 

Eliminations

  (1,595) (1,570) —     (1,143) (1,084) —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  9,069  9,108  0%  9,069  9,108  0%
  

 

 

  

 

 

Segment profit:

      

AVC Networks

  252  220  15%

Digital AVC Networks

  252  220  15%

Home Appliances

  87  83  4   87  83  4 

PEW and PanaHome

  96  79  22 

Components and Devices

  105  100  5   105  100  5 

MEW and PanaHome

  96  79  22 

Other

  64  61  6 

JVC

  (10) (6) —     (10) (6) —   

Other

  64  61  6 

Corporate and eliminations

  (75) (77) —     (75) (77) —   
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  519  460  13%  519  460  13%
  

 

 

  

 

 

*From fiscal 2009, the name of “AVC Networks” was changed to “Digital AVC Networks.”
*The name of “MEW and PanaHome” was changed to “PEW and PanaHome” as of October 1, 2008.
*The Company has changed the transactions between Global Procurement Service Company and other segments since April 1, 2008. Accordingly, segment information for Other and eliminations for fiscal 2008 have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for fiscal 2009.
 *The healthcare business was transferred to Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd. on April 1, 2007. Accordingly, the segment information for fiscal 2007 has been reclassified to confirm with the presentation for the year ended March 31, 2008.
*JVC became an associated company under the equity method from a consolidated subsidiary in the fiscal 2008 second quarter.

 

Digital AVC Networks sales increased 6% to 4,320 billion yen, compared with 4,064 billion yen in the previous year. Within this segment, sales of video and audio equipment increased, due mainly to strong sales of digital AV products, such as flat-panel TVs and digital cameras. Regarding TVs, the VIERA series recorded a significant increase in sales from the previous year, due primarily to expanding demand for large-sized, full high-definition (HD) models amid the global progress of digital broadcasting. Sales of LUMIX series of digital cameras significantly increased, due mainly to strong sales of new models that feature an automatic iA (Intelligent Auto) mode, which include functions such as a “face detection” system that automatically chooses settings optimal for each condition. Meanwhile, sales of information and communications equipment also increased as a result of favorable sales of automotive electronics and mobile phones. Sales of automotive electronics such as car AV and the Strada series of car navigation systems remained strong, and sales of mobile phones significantly increased due mainly to strong demand for models with high-resolution screens for watching “One Segment” broadcasting.


- 47 -

 

With respect to this segment, profit improved 15% from 220 billion yen in fiscal 2007, to 252 billion yen for fiscal 2008, which is equivalent to 5.8% against sales. This increase was attributable mainly to expanded sales in flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, automotive electronics equipment and mobile phones, as well as cost rationalization effects. Particularly in plasma TVs, despite price declines under ever-intensified global competition, the Company expanded lineups of full HD models and comprehensive cost reduction efforts including curbing materials costs. These factors, as well as a significant improvement of profitability in mobile phones, led to double-digit profit growth in this segment.


- 37 -

 

Sales of Home Appliances increased 6% to 1,316 billion yen, compared with 1,247 billion yen in the previous year. Within Home Appliances, sales gains were recorded mainly in air conditioners and refrigerators, as a result of strong sales in high value-added products that leverage Matsushita’sPanasonic’s proprietary technologies. These products include air conditioners that automatically adjust air flows depending on people’s feeling of temperature and refrigerators featuring “nano-e crispers” that keep vegetables and other cold-sensitive foods fresh with nano-e technology.

 

Profit in this segment rose 4% from 83 billion yen in fiscal 2007, to 87 billion yen for fiscal 2008, or 6.6% of sales. Despite the adverse effects from rising costs for raw materials including plastic materials, double-digit growth in overseas sales in air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators as a result of a successful introduction of aforementioned unique products, as well as the effects of various cost rationalization activities, led to increased earnings in this segment.

Sales of PEW and PanaHome increased 3% to 1,910 billion yen, compared with 1,859 billion yen a year ago. Despite weak sales of building products as a result of a decrease in new residential construction, sales at PEW and its subsidiaries increased from the previous year. This result is due primarily to favorable sales in electrical construction materials such as home fire alarms and high energy-efficient lighting fixtures, and electronic and plastic materials such as semiconductor encapsulation materials. At PanaHome Corporation and its subsidiaries, sluggish housing market conditions led to a slight decrease in sales.

With respect to this segment, despite the adverse effects of rising prices for raw materials including coppers and nickels, profit increased 22% to 96 billion yen, which is equal to 5.0% of sales, from 79 billion yen in the previous year, as a result of the aforementioned sales gains in electrical construction materials and electronic and plastic materials, and the comprehensive cost rationalizations including a decrease of direct material costs and fixed costs.

 

Sales of Components and Devices increased 2% to 1,399 billion yen, from the previous year’s 1,378 billion yen, mainly as a result of favorable sales in general electronic components, semiconductors, batteries. In general electronic components, sales gains were recorded due mainly to favorable sales in angular rate sensors used for increasing precision of car navigation systems and digital cameras, specialty polymer aluminum electrolytic capacitors that are compact and have a high noise reduction function, and light touch switches used for mobile phones. In semiconductors, in addition to favorable sales of image sensors for digital cameras, a significant sales increase was recorded in system LSIs primarily for digital AV equipment. In batteries, although sales of lithium-ion batteries were weak, due mainly to a voluntary replacement of NOKIA brand lithium-ion battery pack units and a decrease in production capacity by the damage from fires in Japan, favorable sales of alkaline dry batteries led to increased sales overall.

 

With respect to this segment, profit increased 5% from 100 billion yen in fiscal 2007, to 105 billion yen for fiscal 2008, or 7.5% of sales. Despite the negative effects from rising prices for raw materials including copperscopper and aluminum, sales gains and cost rationalization efforts contributed to increased earnings in this segment. In particular, a significant profit growth was recorded in electronic components and devices, mainly as a result of strong sales in general electronic components for digital AV products and automotive electronics equipment.


- 48 -

Sales of MEW and PanaHome increased 3% to 1,910 billion yen, compared with 1,859 billion yen a year ago. Despite weak sales of building products as a result of a decrease in residential construction starts, sales at MEW and its subsidiaries increased from the previous year. This result is due primarily to favorable sales in electrical construction materials such as home fire alarms and high energy-efficient lighting fixtures, and electronic and plastic materials such as semiconductor encapsulation materials. At PanaHome Corporation and its subsidiaries, sluggish housing market conditions led to a slight decrease in sales.

With respect to this segment, despite the adverse effects of rising prices for raw materials including coppers and nickels, profit increased 22% to 96 billion yen, which is equal to 5.0% of sales, from 79 billion yen in the previous year, as a result of the aforementioned sales gains in electrical construction materials and electronic and plastic materials, and the comprehensive cost rationalizations including a decrease of direct material costs and fixed costs.

Sales of JVC were 183 billion yen, compared with 646 billion yen in the previous year. Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries became associated companies under the equity method from Matsushita’s consolidated subsidiaries in August 2007. Accordingly, JVC sales for the period from then on are not included in Matsushita’s consolidated results.

With respect to this segment, losses amounted to 10 billion yen, compared with losses of 6 billion yen in fiscal 2007.

 

Sales in the Other segment amounted to 1,5361,084 billion yen, up 4%9% from the previous year. Sales gain was recorded in factory automation equipment by expanding lineups of high-speed modular placement machines and providing optimal solutions for its customers.

 

With respect to this segment, profit was up 6% from 61 billion yen for fiscal 2007, to 64 billion yen, which werewas equivalent to 4.2% against5.9% of sales in fiscal 2008. Despite severe market conditions, this result was due mainly to sales gains and cost rationalization.

Sales of JVC were 183 billion yen, compared with 646 billion yen in the previous year. Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries became associated companies under the equity method from Panasonic’s consolidated subsidiaries in August 2007. Accordingly, JVC sales for the period from then on are not included in Panasonic’s consolidated results.

With respect to this segment, losses amounted to 10 billion yen, compared with losses of 6 billion yen in fiscal 2007.


- 38 -

 

(11)Sales Results by Region

 

Sales results by region for fiscal 2008, as compared with the previous fiscal year, were as follows:

 

   Yen (billions)

  Percent change

 
   2008

  2007

  

Domestic Sales:

  4,545  4,616  (2)%

Overseas Sales:

          

North and South America

  1,251  1,381  (9)

Europe

  1,213  1,218  0 

Asia and Others

  2,060  1,893  9 

Total

  4,524  4,492  1 

Total

  9,069  9,108  0%
   
  
  


- 49 -

   Yen (billions)

    
   2008

  2007

  Percent change

 

Domestic Sales:

  4,545  4,616  (2)%

Overseas Sales:

          

North and South America

  1,251  1,381  (9)

Europe

  1,213  1,218  0 

Asia and Others

  2,060  1,893  9 
   
  
  

Total

  4,524  4,492  1 
   
  
  

Total

  9,069  9,108  0%
   
  
  

 

Sales in Japan amounted to 4,545 billion yen, down 2% from 4,616 billion yen in fiscal 2007. However, the Company cited sales gains in all business segments except JVC, including favorable sales of digital AV products and automotive electronics equipment.

 

Overseas sales were up 1%, to 4,524 billion yen, from 4,492 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. This result, despite the effects of JVC, is due mainly to favorable sales in digital AV products and white goods.

 

By region, sales in the Americas amounted to 1,251 billion, down 9% from 1,381 billion yen in fiscal 2007. Although sales of flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, PCs and video broadcasting systems were favorable, sales downturns in automotive electronics and batteries, as well as the effects of JVC, led to decreased sales from the previous year for this region.

 

Sales in Europe amounted to 1,213 billion yen, mostly the same level from the previous year’s 1,218 billion yen. Despite the effectseffect of JVC, sales for this region increased, due mainly to favorable sales in flat-panel TVs, digital cameras and automotive electronics.electronics led to this sales results for this region.

 

In the Asia and Others region, sales increased 9% to 2,060 billion yen, from the previous year’s 1,893 billion yen. In Asia (excluding China), strong sales were recorded in flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, air-conditioners and compressors, as well as semiconductors, resulting in overall sales gains. Meanwhile, in China, sales gains were recorded mainly in flat-panel TVs, air-conditioners, semiconductors and electronic components and devices, resulting in overall increased sales.

 

Year ended March 31, 2007 compared with 2006

(1)Sales

Consolidated net sales for fiscal 2007 increased 2% to 9,108 billion yen, from 8,894 billion yen in the previous year, mainly contributed by a new series of competitive V-products. The electronics industry in the fiscal year under review faced severe business conditions in Japan and overseas, due mainly to rising prices for crude oil and other raw materials and continued price declines caused by ever-intensified global competition, mainly in digital products. Under these circumstances, Matsushita implemented initiatives to accelerate growth strategies and further strengthen management structures. First, Matsushita made all-out efforts to enhance product competitiveness centering on V-products, which were well received by the market and made a significant contribution to an increase in market share. Regarding plasma TVs in particular, the Company expanded its operations to meet a rapid increase in demand both in Japan and overseas, and succeeded in securing a high market share. In addition, the Company also endeavored to reduce fixed costs by implementing its company-wide cost reduction activities. Furthermore, the collaboration with Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (MEW) proved to be successful. The Company endeavored to integrate sales and manufacturing functions with MEW, and implement common brand strategies, as well as reinforce product competitiveness, thereby contributing to increased sales by generating synergies between the both companies. As a result of these initiatives, the Company cited sales gains due mainly to an increase in sales of digital products such as flat-panel TVs in Japan and overseas.


- 50 -

Domestic sales amounted to 4,616 billion yen, mostly unchanged from 4,611 billion yen a year ago. Despite sales downturns in mobile phones and JVC, sales gains were recorded mainly in automotive electronics equipment and digital AV products such as flat-panel TVs, whereby maintaining the same level from a year ago. Overseas sales were up by 5%, to 4,492 billion yen, compared with 4,283 billion yen in the previous fiscal year, due mainly to increased sales of digital AV products such as flat-panel TVs and digital cameras.

(2)Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

In fiscal 2007, cost of sales amounted to 6,394 billion yen, up 4% from the previous year mainly as a result of an increase in net sales. Selling, general and administrative expenses were down 3% to 2,254 billion yen compared to the previous year.

(3)Interest Income, Dividends Received and Other Income

In fiscal 2007, interest income increased 8% to 31 billion yen, and dividends received increased 16% to 8 billion yen. In other income, in addition to gains on sales of tangible fixed assets, the Company recorded 27 billion yen gain on the sale of the investments regarding cable broadcasting business.

(4)Interest Expense, Goodwill Impairment and Other Deductions

Interest expense decreased 4% to 21 billion yen, owing primarily to a reduction in short-term and long-term borrowings. In other deductions, compared with 49 billion yen of restructuring charges in fiscal 2006, the Company recorded 20 billion yen including 14 billion yen associated with the implementation of early retirement programs, and 30 billion yen as goodwill impairment compared with the previous year’s 50 billion yen, and 19 billion yen as other impairment losses on long-lived assets compared with 16 billion yen a year ago. (For further details, see Notes 3, 4, 6, 7 and 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

(5)Income before Income Taxes

As a result of the above-mentioned factors, as well as increased operating profit, income before income taxes for fiscal 2007 increased 18% to 439 billion yen, compared with 371 billion yen in fiscal 2006, while the ratio to net sales increased 0.6% to 4.8%, compared with 4.2% in the previous year.

(6)Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes for fiscal 2007 amounted to 192 billion yen, compared with 167 billion yen in the previous year. The effective tax rate to income before income taxes declined to 43.7%, from 45.0% a year ago. This is due mainly to a decrease in valuation allowance to deferred tax assets compared with fiscal 2006.

(7)Minority Interests

Minority interests (earnings) amounted to 31 billion yen for fiscal 2007, compared with minority interests (losses) of 1 billion yen in fiscal 2006. This result was due mainly to increased profits in MEW and PanaHome, and effect of one-time charge incurred in fiscal 2006 at certain subsidiaries.


- 51 -

(8)Equity in Losses of Associated Companies

In fiscal 2007, equity in earnings of associated companies amounted to 1 billion yen, from the previous year’s losses of 51 billion yen, mainly as a result of the consolidation of CRT TV-related associated companies on March 1, 2006, which incurred losses associated with the implementation of large-scale restructuring initiatives a year ago.

(9)Net Income

As a result of all the factors stated in the preceding paragraphs, the Company recorded a net income of 217 billion yen for fiscal 2007, an increase of 41% from 154 billion yen in the previous year.

(10)Results of Operations by Business Segment

Results of operations by business segment for fiscal 2007, as compared with the previous fiscal year, were as follows:

   Yen (billions)

  Percent change

 
   2007

  2006

  

Sales:

          

AVC Networks

  4,064  4,005  1%

Home Appliances

  1,247  1.188  5 

Components and Devices

  1,378  1,368  1 

MEW and PanaHome

  1,859  1,747  6 

JVC

  646  703  (8)

Other

  1,484  1,315  13 

Eliminations

  (1,570) (1,432) —   
   

 

 

Total

  9,108  8,894  2%
   

 

 

Segment profit:

          

AVC Networks

  220  193  14%

Home Appliances

  83  75  11 

Components and Devices

  100  81  23 

MEW and PanaHome

  79  73  9 

JVC

  (6) (6) —   

Other

  61  62  (3)

Corporate and eliminations

  (77) (64) —   
   

 

 

Total

  460  414  11%
   

 

 

*The healthcare business was transferred to Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd. on April 1, 2007. Accordingly, the segment information for fiscal 2007 and 2006 has been reclassified to confirm with the presentation for the year ended March 31, 2008.


- 52 -

AVC Networks sales increased 1% to 4,064 billion yen, compared with 4,005 billion yen in the previous year. Within this segment, sales of video and audio equipment increased, due mainly to strong sales of digital AV products, such as flat-panel TVs and digital cameras. Sales of information and communications equipment decreased as a result of sluggish sales in mobile phones, although sales of automotive electronics equipment were quite favorable.

With respect to this segment, profit improved 14% from 193 billion yen in fiscal 2006, to 220 billion yen for fiscal 2007, which is equivalent to 5.4% against sales. This increase was attributable mainly to expanded sales in flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, PCs and automotive electronics equipment, as well as cost rationalization effects. Particularly in plasma TVs, despite price declines under ever-intensified global competition, the Company accelerated the introduction of large-sized, full HD models and comprehensive cost reduction efforts including curbing materials costs, thereby achieving a profit growth.

Sales of Home Appliances increased 5% to 1,247 billion yen, compared with 1,188 billion yen in the previous year. Within Home Appliances, sales gains were recorded mainly in air conditioners and compressors.

Profit in this segment rose 11% from 75 billion yen in fiscal 2006, to 83 billion yen for fiscal 2007, or 6.7% of sales. Despite the adverse effects from rising costs for raw materials including plastic materials, the successful introduction of unique products, such as tilted-drum washer/dryers and air conditioners equipped with automatic filter cleaning and dust removal functions, and the effects of various cost rationalization activities, led to increased earnings in this segment.

Sales of Components and Devices increased 1% to 1,378 billion yen, from the previous year’s 1,368 billion yen. Although sales in semiconductors decreased in fiscal 2007, strong sales in electronic components and devices led to overall sales growth in this segment.

With respect to this segment, profit increased 23% from 81 billion yen in fiscal 2006, to 100 billion yen for fiscal 2007. Despite the negative effects from rising prices for raw materials including coppers and aluminum, profit against sales for this segment rose to 7.2% for fiscal 2007, due mainly to sales gains and cost rationalization efforts. In particular, a significant profit growth was recorded in electronic components and devices, mainly as a result of strong sales in components for digital AV products and automotive electronics equipment.

Sales of MEW and PanaHome increased 6% to 1,859 billion yen, compared with 1,747 billion yen a year ago. Sales at MEW and its subsidiaries increased from the previous year with favorable sales in electrical construction products such as high-performance wiring equipment and home fire alarms, and electronic and plastic materials such as multilayer printed circuit board materials and semiconductor encapsulation materials. At PanaHome Corporation and its subsidiaries, a sales decline in detached housing as a result of sluggish housing market conditions led to a decrease in overall sales.

With respect to this segment, despite the adverse effects of rising prices for raw materials including coppers and nickels, profit increased 9% to 79 billion yen, which is equal to 4.2% of sales, from 73 billion yen in the previous year, as a result of the aforementioned sales gains and cost rationalization efforts.


- 53 -

Sales of JVC were 646 billion yen, down 8% from 703 billion yen in the previous year. This result was due mainly to sales downturns in DVD recorders and audio equipment in Japan, as well as sluggish overseas sales of rear-projection TVs, resulting in overall decreased sales compared with a year ago.

With respect to this segment, losses amounted to 6 billion yen, mostly unchanged from losses of 6 billion yen in fiscal 2006. In the JVC segment, there has been a recent negative trend in segment profit. Although JVC has implemented measures to strengthen operational reforms and reinforce product strategies, JVC incurred losses in fiscal 2007, as a result of the aforementioned sales downturns and sharp price declines of digital AV products.

Sales in the Other segment amounted to 1,484 billion yen, up 13% from the previous year.

With respect to this segment, profit was down 3% from 62 billion yen for fiscal 2006, to 61 billion yen, which were equivalent to 4.1% against sales in fiscal 2007.

(11)Sales Results by Region

Sales results by region for fiscal 2007, as compared with the previous fiscal year, were as follows:

   Yen (billions)

    
   2007

  2006

  Percent change

 

Domestic Sales:

  4,616  4,611  0%

Overseas Sales:

          

North and South America

  1,381  1,387  0 

Europe

  1,218  1,114  9 

Asia and Others

  1,893  1,782  6 
   
  
  

Total

  4,492  4,283  5 

Total

  9,108  8,894  2%
   
  
  

Sales in Japan amounted to 4,616 billion yen, mostly unchanged from 4,611 billion yen in fiscal 2006. Despite sales downturns in mobile phones and JVC, sales gains were recorded mainly in automotive electronics equipment and digital AV products such as flat-panel TVs, whereby maintaining the same level from a year ago.

Overseas sales were up by 5%, to 4,492 billion yen, from 4,283 billion yen in the previous fiscal year.

By region, sales in the Americas amounted to 1,381 billion yen, mostly unchanged from 1,387 billion yen in fiscal 2006. Although sales decreased in automotive electronics equipment, a significant year-on-year growth was shown in home appliances, flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, PCs and video broadcasting systems. Accordingly, sales for this region resulted in the same level as the previous year.

Sales in Europe increased 9% to 1,218 billion yen, from the previous year’s 1,114 billion yen. Despite decreased sales of audio equipment and mobile phones, sales gains were recorded in flat-panel TVs, digital cameras, as well as microwave ovens, resulting in an overall increase in sales for this region.


- 54 -

In the Asia and Others region, sales increased 6% to 1,893 billion yen, from the previous year’s 1,782 billion yen. In Asia (excluding China), strong sales were recorded in flat-panel TVs and digital cameras, as well as air-conditioners, compressors, lighting equipment, general electronic components and batteries, sufficient to offset decreased sales in semiconductors, JVC and other products, resulting in overall sales gains. Meanwhile, in China, sales gains were recorded mainly for flat-panel TVs, air-conditioners, semiconductors and electronic components and devices, resulting in overall increased sales.

B.Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Policy on Financial Position and Liquidity

 

As its basic policy, MatsushitaPanasonic has long placed emphasis on maintaining sound balance sheets, and on generating as much available funding as possible from internal sources through efforts to raise the operational efficiency or asset turnover ratios, so as not to overly rely on external fund raising. This conservativeness is exemplified in the tradition of maintaining the ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets at a relatively high level and keeping large cash balance. The ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets as of March 31, 2008 rose to2009 was 43.5%, down from 50.3%, and in the previous year. The total of short-term borrowings and long-term debt amounted to 389746 billion yen as of March 31, 2008, down2009, up by 61357 billion yen from a year ago. Cash balance decreased to 1,163 billion yen (the total of cash and cash equivalents of 974 billion yen plus time deposits with a maturity of more than three months of 189 billion yen) as of March 31, 2009, compared with the previous year’s 1,285 billion yen (the total of cash and cash equivalents of 1,215 billion yen plus time deposits with a maturity of more than three months of 70 billion yen) as of March 31, 2008, compared with the previous year’s 1,462 billion yen (the total of cash and cash equivalents of 1,237 billion yen plus time deposits of 225 billion yen). This is due mainly to the repayments of short-term borrowings and repurchase of common stock.


- 39 -

 

In order to facilitate access to global capital markets, MatsushitaPanasonic obtains credit ratings from the world’s two leading credit rating agencies, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (Moody’s) and Standard & Poor’s Rating Services (S&P). In addition, MatsushitaPanasonic maintains credit ratings from Rating and Investment Information, Inc. (R&I), a rating agency nationally recognized in Japan, primarily for access to the Japanese capital markets. As of March 31, 2008, Matsushita’s2009, Panasonic’s debt ratings are: Moody’s: Aa2 (long-term), P-1 (short-term); S&P: AA- (long-term, outlook: stable), A-1+ (short-term); and R&I: AA+ (long-term), a-1+ (short-term).

 

Within the rating classification system of R&I, “a-1” is the highest of five categories for short-term debt and indicates “a strong degree of certainty regarding debt repayment,” with a plus (+) sign added to a rating in that category to indicate an especially high degree of certainty regarding debt repayment; and “AA” is the second highest of nine categories for long-term debt and indicates “a very high degree of certainty regarding debt repayment,” with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign added to a rating in that category to indicate its relative standing within that category.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic believes that its credit ratings include the rating agencies’ assessment of the general operating environment, its positions in the markets in which it competes, reputation, movements and volatility in its earnings, risk management policies, liquidity and capital management. An adverse change in any of these factors could result in a reduction of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s credit ratings, and that could, in turn, increase its borrowing costs and limit its access to the capital markets or require it to post additional collateral and permit counterparties to terminate transactions pursuant to certain contractual obligations.


- 55 -

 

With the above-mentioned cash balance, combined with the generally high credit ratings from leading credit rating agencies, MatsushitaPanasonic believes that it has sufficient sources of liquidity for either working capital or long-term investment needs.

 

As of March 31, 2008,2009, the outstanding balance of short-term borrowings totaled 15695 billion yen, and long-term debt was 233651 billion yen. Matsushita’sPanasonic’s borrowings are not significantly affected by seasonal factors. (For further details, see Note 8 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.) Most borrowings are at fixed rates.

 

In recent years, MatsushitaPanasonic has focused on raising capital efficiency upon review of its balance sheet. In fiscal 2007, to meet the needs of more sophisticated global operations, MatsushitaPanasonic established Panasonic Global Treasury Center B.V. in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, a new overseas financial subsidiary with in-house banking functions that facilitate various finance and foreign exchange transactions worldwide. Along with the establishment of the new company, MatsushitaPanasonic has implemented initiatives to further enhance the efficiency of group-wide treasury transactions by introducing a new round-the-clock treasury system.

 

Regarding cash flows, MatsushitaPanasonic uses free cash flow (see “Overview—Key performance indicators” in Section A of this Item 5) as an important indicator to evaluate its performance.

 

Regarding the use of financial instruments for hedging purposes, see Item 11.

 

Fiscal 20082009 Financial Position and Liquidity

 

The Company’s consolidated total assets as of the end of fiscal 20082009 decreased to 7,4446,403 billion yen, as compared with 7,8977,444 billion yen at the end of the last fiscal year. This result was due primarily to a decrease on trade receivables and a reduction of inventories affected by deteriorated market conditions, and a decrease in investments and advances and the deconsolidationaffected by a decline of JVC. A steep loss in value in the Japanese stock market in the second half of fiscal 2008 led to a decrease in unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities.price.

 

The Company’s consolidated total liabilities as of March 31, 2008 also decreased 2422009 amounted 3,191 billion yen, to 3,187 billion yen, attributable tomostly unchanged from the previous year. Although current liabilities decreased as a decrease in retirement and severance benefits and repaymentsresult of the repayment of short-term borrowings.borrowings and current liabilities including trade payables, an increase in noncurrent liabilities including long-term debt led to this result. (For further details, see NotesNote 8 and 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)


- 40 -

 

Minority interests increased 37decreased 86 billion yen, to 515429 billion yen.

 

Stockholders’ equity decreased 174958 billion yen to 3,7422,784 billion yen, from the previous year’s 3,9173,742 billion yen. Although retained earnings increased by 211 billion yen, total stockholders’ equity decreased by 174 billion yenThis decrease was due mainly to the repurchase of the Company’s own shares of 103 billion yen as part of Matsushita’s strategy to enhance shareholder value, as well as a decrease of 281469 billion yen in retained earnings and a decrease of 420 billion yen in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which reflects a decrease in pension liability adjustments, decreases in cumulative translation adjustments due primarily to the appreciation of the yen against the U.S. dollar and a decrease in unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities, amounting to 129242 billion yen, 113 billion yen and 11556 billion yen, respectively.


- 56 -

 

  Yen (billions)

  Yen (billions)

  Fiscal year ended March 31,

  Fiscal year ended March 31,

  2008

  2007

  2009

 2008

Purchases of property, plant and equipment shown as capital expenditures in the consolidated statements of cash flows

  419  411  522   419

Effects of timing difference between acquisition dates and payment dates

  30  7  (28 30
  
  
  

 

Capital investment

  449  418  494   449
  
  
  

 

 

Capital investment (excluding intangibles) during fiscal 20082009 totaled 449494 billion yen, up 7%10% from the previous fiscal year’s total of 418449 billion yen, as shown on the above table. The Company implemented capital investment primarily to increase production capacity in strategic business areas such as semiconductorsflat panel TVs and digital AV equipment, particularly plasma TVs,semiconductors, while curbing capital investment in a number of business areas, in line with increasing management emphasis on capital efficiency. Principal capital investments consisted of PDP manufacturing facilities for Plant No. 4 and Plant No. 5 in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan; LCD panel production facilities for the Himeji plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan; and semiconductor manufacturing facilities for the Uozu plant located in Toyama Prefecture, Japan.

 

Depreciation (excluding intangibles) during fiscal 20082009 amounted to 282326 billion yen, up 1%16% compared with 280282 billion yen in the previous fiscal year.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 20082009 amounted to 466117 billion yen, compared with 533466 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. This decrease, despite an increase in net income, was attributable mainlyprimarily to an increasedepreciation and a decrease in trade receivables, despite net loss and inventories.a decrease in trade payables. Net cash used in investing activities amounted to 61469 billion yen, compared with 56861 billion yen in fiscal 2007.2008. Despite cash outflows as a result of the purchase of shares of newly consolidated subsidiaries, this improvement is due mainly to a decrease in time deposits and an increase inhaving proceeds from disposition of investments and advances.advances, this was due primarily to capital expenditures for tangible fixed assets of 522 billion yen, mainly consisting of manufacturing facilities for priority business areas such as plasma and liquid crystal display panels, and semiconductors. Net cash used inprovided by financing activities was 204149 billion yen compared with 428cash outflow of 204 billion yen in fiscal 2007.2008. This was due primarilymainly to a decreasean increase in repayments of long-term debt a decrease in theby issuing unsecured straight bonds of 400 billion yen by Panasonic Corporation, despite repurchase of the Company’s own sharescommon stock of 72 billion yen and proceeds from issuancethe payment of shares by subsidiaries.cash dividends. All these activities, as well as a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents of 22336 billion yen associated with the effect of exchange rate changes and the effects that JVC and its subsidiaries became associated companies under the equity method from Matsushita’s consolidated subsidiaries,fluctuations, resulted in a net decrease of 22241 billion yen in cash and cash equivalents during fiscal 2008.2009. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of fiscal 20082009 totaled 1,215974 billion yen, compared with 1,2371,215 billion yen a year ago.

 

Free cash flow in fiscal 20082009 amounted to a cash outflow of 353 billion yen, compared with a cash inflow of 405 billion yen compared with a cash outflow of 35 billion yen in fiscal 2006.2008. This result was due mainly to a decrease in net income and an increase in capital expenditures. (For a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure and related discussion, see “Overview—Key performance indicators” in Section A of this Item 5.)


- 5741 -

 

Commitments for Capital Expenditures

 

As of March 31, 2008,2009, commitments outstanding for the purchase of property, plant and equipment amounted to 10879 billion yen.

 

C.Research and Development

 

In orderfiscal 2009, Panasonic executed initiatives to contributeaccelerate R&D with a focus on key development themes, to enhance R&D efficiency primarily by creating a ubiquitous networking societycommon platform for technologies straddling different products and coexistence with the global environment, Matsushitabusiness segments, and to develop energy-saving and environmental technologies.

Panasonic engages in a broad range of R&D activities,themes, including nanotechnologies and other advanced research; digital network software, technologies for AV equipmentdevice and next-generation mobile communications; component and device technologies such as plasma displays and system LSIs; environmental technologies such as fuel cell cogeneration systems; and various manufacturing technologies.

In fiscal 2008, Matsushita accelerated The Company has established R&D in priority areas including full HD plasma TVs, Blu-ray disc (BD) recorders, its Integrated Platform, and household fuel cell cogeneration systems. The Company’ssites at optimal locations globally as it builds an R&D activities aim to generate added value by maximizing synergiesstructure that optimally utilizes the personnel and technologies in a wide range of business fields. Matsushita pursues development of unique technologies via a high level of cooperation, not only through in-house production, but also through a sophisticated network of cooperation between materials, componentsJapan, North America, Europe, China and devices, and finished product divisions.the ASEAN region. For example, at the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory in plasma TVs, Matsushita made advancesNorth America, Panasonic has developed Blu-ray technologies in technology for achieving higher luminous efficiencycollaboration with movie studios. In Europe and forming ultra-large panels that has doubled luminous efficiency*1 and provides the same brightness while halving power consumption. It also developed a 150-inch PDP, the world’s largest*2, which features an 8.84 million-pixel resolution, far surpassing current HD resolution.

Matsushita is also working on a digital AV equipment platform strategy for the HD network era. The Company developed a new generation of Integrated Platform system LSIs compatible with MPEG4-AVC (H.264), and in fiscal 2008 these system LSIs were included in such products as BD recorders, HD camcorders, and VIERA mobile phones that receive “one-segment” terrestrial digital TV broadcasts.

Aiming to develop products that are both user- and environment-friendly, Matsushita also focused on R&D designed to provide consumers with greater comfort and energy efficiency. Based on research into human physiology and senses, the Company developed air conditioners that automatically adjust air flows depending on people’s feeling of temperature, which results in significantly improved energy efficiency.

Matsushita is also working to expand its global R&D network and optimize placement of its development resources. For example,China, meanwhile, the Company has established a new research facility in Vietnam while also strengthening thestrengthened its development of products such as refrigerators and air conditioners in China and other countries that are more adaptedtailored to local lifestyles.regional characteristics in terms of food, clothing and housing.

 

AtKey development themes during the same time, the Company aims to efficiently use technology resources by prioritizing R&D projects based on a medium- to long-term vision. It is also accelerating efforts to utilize technology from external sources, via measures like collaboration with academic institutions.


- 58 -fiscal year were as follows:

 

(1)Approximately 1-inch Thin Full-Flat Plasma TVs that Consume about 50% Less Electricity*1 Panasonic succeeded in nearly doubling the luminous efficiency*2 of its plasma TVs with a newly developed structure that uses wider electrodes along the front panel to expand the discharge area and with other advances. These plasma TVs also offer the world’s highest*3 moving picture resolution of 1,080 lines*4 while consuming approximately half the power. Thanks to the lower power consumption, heat problems have been alleviated. As a result, Panasonic has created a full-flat display that is only approximately 1-inch, or 24.7 mm*5, thin at its thickest part.

Research

(2)UniPhier® System LSI for Mobile Phones that Integrates Communication and Application Functions Tapping system LSI design technology to integrate approximately 280 million transistors on a single chip and 45nm semiconductor micro-processing technology, Panasonic reduced the chip area by around 40%*6. At the same time, Panasonic extended “one-segment” DTV broadcast viewing and audio playback times by approximately 25%*7. This was achieved by power consumption-reduction technologies that control the operating frequency for applications and communication, and by adopting power supply control architectures optimal for both times of operation and non-operation.

(3)Refrigerator with Top-Unit Compressor that Achieves the Best Energy Saving in the Industry*8 through Highly Effective Cooling Control Panasonic has employed a compressor with a highly efficient operating pattern and smaller control board components to limit electricity consumption. And with an efficient layout which concentrates frozen zones in the center and optimal placement of vacuum insulating materials, power consumption has been reduced by approximately 30%*9.

(4)Rechargeable EVOLTA Battery that Delivers the Highest Number of Recharges in the Industry*10 Panasonic developed an EVOLTA series battery that can be recharged and used approximately 1,200 times, an approximate 20% improvement*11. This development drew on technology that stops materials from degrading through a homogeneous distribution of hydrogen-absorbing alloy constituents; a proprietary technique to increase the capacity of the can; and technology that prevents surface deterioration to maintain high performance over an extended period.

Expenditures for research and development costs amounted to 518 billion yen, 555 billion yen 578 billion yen and 565578 billion yen for the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, respectively, representing 6.1%6.7%, 6.3%6.1% and 6.3% of Matsushita’sPanasonic’s total net sales for each of those periods.

(Notes)

 *1.  Compared to Matsushita’s former model (TH-42PZ750SK)Approximately 40% annual reduction in a 50-inch display and approximately 46% annual reduction in a 46-inch display compared with equivalent-sized models in Panasonic’s P Z800/85/80 series.
 *2.Compared with the Company’s 2007 models (PZ750 series, etc.)


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*3.As a plasma TV for the consumer market; as of February 3, 2009; Company estimates.
*4.Moving picture resolution indicates the motion display performance in TVs and displays that is measured using a formula developed by Advanced PDP Development Center Corporation.
*5.Only the display, excluding protrusions; 46-inch display, 49 mm thick.
*6.Compared with existing Company products.
*7.Compared with existing Company products.
*8.New NR-F503T, in a CFC-free refrigerator-freezer for Japanese households with a rated volume of at least 501 L.; as of September 12, 2008.
*9.Compared with the Company’s 2007 models (NR-F532T, NR-F472T)
*10.As of January 8, 2008; Matsushita estimate.August 28, 2008 for commercialized nickel-metal hydride batteries (AA batteries with a minimum capacity of 1,900 mAh, and AAA batteries with a minimum capacity of 750 mAh)

*11.Existing Company product (HHR-3MPS): Approximately 1,000 recharges.

 

D.Trend Information

 

ThePanasonic expects that the economic environment in fiscal 2010 will be more severe than the past fiscal year, as the global economic outlook for fiscal 2009, ending March 31, 2009, is uncertain. Although high growth is expectedrecession and shrinking demand triggered by the financial crisis coincide with changes in emerging economies, there are a variety of downside risks,market structure, including the subprime loan problem, rising pricesexpansion of emerging markets and a shift to lower-priced products. Responding to these business conditions, the Company will simultaneously rebuild its management structure while preparing and taking action for raw materials and energy, including crude oil, and currency rate fluctuations. Infuture growth. Fiscal 2010 is the electronics industry, while robust growth is expected due mainly to rising demand before the Beijing Olympics, there are uncertainties in the future business environment, such as larger than-expected price declines and prolonged sluggishness for the housing market in Japan and the U.S.

Under these circumstances, in fiscal 2009, the middlefinal year of the mid-termGP3 plan and although the current business environment is significantly different from the plan’s initial assumptions, Panasonic will continue to push ahead with initiatives set forth in the GP3 plan without changing it, and aims to ready itself to leap ahead when the market recovers.

In order to rebuild its management plan GP3, Matsushita hasstructure, Panasonic will implement drastic business structural reforms. Guided by the policies of selection and concentration and the strategic placement of overseas sites, Panasonic will strive for new growth by clarifying which businesses to produce successfulwithdraw from and shifting resources to growing businesses based on the results and work on getting growth on track. Theof its examinations. Furthermore, the Company will ensure “Itakona” becomes standard practice and accelerate initiatives to reduce procurement costs. It will also step up actions including implementing comprehensive cost rationalization efforts, curbing capital expenditures and reducing inventories.

Regarding preparations and actions for future growth, the cornerstone is strengthening products. The Company’s approach is to create products that are unique to Panasonic, products that link well with one another, have superior energy-efficiency and are based on universal design concepts. These products will incorporate its customer’s viewpoint, as well as excel in terms of safety, quality and environmental performance. On top of that, Panasonic will push steadily implement initiatives focused onahead with the four major themes:themes of the GP3 plan: double-digit growth for overseas sales, four strategic businesses, manufacturing innovation and the eco ideas strategy.

 

To achieve double-digit growthIn the digital AV business, one of the four strategic businesses, Panasonic has decided to reduce major capital investment for the 5th domestic PDP plant in overseas sales,Amagasaki and the Company will promote initiativesIPS Alpha plant in key markets such as the U.S. and Europe, while also working to accelerateHimeji, because of lower growth in the BRICs countries and Vietnam. In addition, Matsushita plans to spur demand relating toflat-panel TV markets caused by the Beijing Olympics and further expand its overseas sales of home appliances products. With regard to four strategic businesses, Matsushita will focus on its digital AV business, automotive electronics business, businesses providing comfortable living and semiconductors and other devices businesses. The Company will work to strengthen product competitiveness in each business, while also expanding synergies through collaboration between these businesses. In flat-panel TVs, in particular,economic recession. However, the Company will lead the large-screenaims to outgrow its competitors by strengthening product development to maintain growth momentum in its flat-panel TV market with its plasma TVs, and it also plans to begin construction of a LCD panel plant in Himeji, Japan in August 2008. This will help ensure stable procurement of LCD panels, and will also be another step in the transition to a vertically integrated LCD TV business model. As for manufacturing innovation, Matsushita will further pursue cost reductions processes while also strengthening its V-products. As part of its eco ideas strategy, the Company will create more products with industry-leading energy efficiency, while also working aggressively to reduce the CO2emissions in production activities. Moreover, Matsushita will work on a wide range of initiatives, in collaboration with local communities, to expand the scope of ecological activities.business.

 

In addition Matsushitato these activities, Panasonic will promote initiatives toward future growth with an eye tostart operating the next five to ten years. For sustainable growthNew Business Promotion Support System in the future, Matsushita has to create and fosterfiscal 2010. The Head Office will assist in creating new businesses by providing financial, technical and personnel assistance when the priority projects of business domain companies and Company-wide common projects are launched commercially.

Regarding the capital and business alliance with SANYO, a Collaboration Committee, which was set up to form a close alliance after completing the TOB, is looking at wide-ranging themes, while giving sufficient consideration to competition laws. Panasonic has positioned the energy business as wella business field with extremely high growth potential. Therefore, Panasonic intends to broaden this business as strengthening existing products and businesses. Specifically, Matsushita will aimits fifth strategic business to create new businesses derived from product progress or integration in areas that cut across business domains, such as automotive electronics, mobile AV equipment, and security. Furthermore, Matsushita will pursue new opportunities in areas such as networks, energy anddrive the environment, health and devices.Company’s future growth.


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Assuming that the Company obtains shareholder approval, Matsushita plans to change its name to Panasonic Corporation on October 1, 2008. The National brand, used in Japan for home appliances and housing equipment and systems, will be abolished by the end of fiscal 2010. From that time forward, all Company products will be sold under the Panasonic brand, even in Japan. This company name change and brand unification clearly indicate the Company’s strong will to become a true global company. Moreover, this will unite all employees under the Panasonic name in future efforts to improve global brand value.

From the perspective of shareholder-oriented management, Matsushita will continue to proactively return profits to shareholders. Specifically, the Company will comprehensively provide shareholder return in the form of cash dividends based on the results of the growth strategies, and its own share repurchases.

The discussion above includes forward-looking statements. For details about “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” see page 1.

 

E.Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

The Company established sale-leaseback arrangements for manufacturing machinery and equipment, and warehouses, and sale of receivables without recourse and with recourse, as off-balance sheet arrangements in order to reduce its total assets.

 

In fiscal 2008, Matsushita2009, Panasonic sold land, buildings, and machinery and equipment for 10917 billion yen, which are used in manufacturing semiconductors, and in warehouses, to Sumishin Matsushita Financial Services Co., Ltd. and other third parties. The assets are leased back to MatsushitaPanasonic over a period of one to tenfive years. MatsushitaPanasonic guarantees a specific value of the leased assets. These leases are classified as operating leases or capital leases for U.S. GAAP purposes. Including the above-mentioned, the amountsaggregate amount of future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating lease and capital lease are 212 billion yen and 126leases is 175 billion yen at March 31, 2008, respectively.2009. (For further details, see NotesNote 5 and 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

In fiscal 2008, Matsushita2009, Panasonic sold, without recourse, trade receivables of 443458 billion yen to independent third parties for proceeds of 442457 billion yen. In fiscal 2008, Matsushita2009, Panasonic sold, with recourse, trade receivables of 398412 billion yen to independent third parties for proceeds of 397411 billion yen. (For further details, see Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

In addition, the Company provides several types of guarantees and similar arrangements. (For further details, see Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)


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F.Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

The two tables below show Matsushita’sPanasonic’s cash payment obligations and guarantees and other commercial commitments, broken down by the payment amounts due for each of the periods specified below, as of March 31, 2008:2009:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  Payments Due by Period

  Payments Due by Period

  Total

  Less than
1 year


  1-3
years

  4-5
years

  After
5 years

  Total

  Less than
1 year


  1-3
years

  3-5
years

  After
5 years

Contractual Obligations:

                              

Long-Term Debt Obligations

  188,081  40,766  18,246  106,271  22,798  585,322  7,475  213,782  221,886  142,179

Interest Obligations

  9,280  2,707  4,649  1,665  259  45,383  9,051  16,265  10,230  9,837

Capital Lease Obligations

  122,267  37,236  50,436  19,868  14,727  112,331  38,868  51,667  12,693  9,103

Operating Lease Obligations

  212,056  55,530  105,762  48,239  2,525  174,929  56,444  92,466  21,394  4,625

Purchase Obligations

  108,148  108,148  —    —    —    79,068  79,068  —    —    —  

Defined benefit plan contribution

  158,882  158,882  —    —    —    73,823  73,823  —    —    —  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total Contractual Cash Obligations

  798,714  403,269  179,093  176,043  40,309  1,070,856  264,729  374,180  266,203  165,744
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Note : Contingent payments related to uncertain tax positions of 9 billion yen are excluded from the table above, as it is not possible to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of settlement or timing of payment.

Note : Contingent payments related to uncertain tax positions of 7 billion yen are excluded from the table above, as it is not possible to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of settlement or timing of payment.

Note : Contingent payments related to uncertain tax positions of 7 billion yen are excluded from the table above, as it is not possible to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of settlement or timing of payment.

  Yen (millions)

     Yen (millions)

   
  Total Amounts
Committed


    Total Amounts
Committed


  

Other Commercial Commitments:

          

Discounted exported bills

  75  

Guarantees

  16,112    33,434  
  
    
  

Total Commercial Commitments

  16,187    33,434  
  
    
   

 

Discounted exported bills generally have contractual lives of less than one year. Loan guarantees are principally provided on behalf of employees, associated companies and customers, and generally have long-term contractual lives coinciding with the maturities of the guaranteed obligations. (For further details, see Notes 5, 8, 9, 10 and 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

G.Safe Harbor

 

Not applicableSee “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”


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H.Accounting Principles

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company has identified the following critical accounting policies which are important to its financial condition and results of operations, and require management’s judgment.

 

Long-lived Assets

 

The useful lives of long-lived assets are summarized in Note 1(h) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report and reflect the estimated period that the Company expects to derive economic benefit from their use. In estimating the useful lives and determining whether subsequent revisions to the useful lives are necessary, the Company considers the likelihood of technological obsolescence, changes in demand for the products related to such assets, and other factors which may affect their utilization of the long-lived assets. The effect of any future changes to the estimated useful lives of the long-lived assets could be significant to the Company’s results of operations.

 

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less selling costs. Factors which may contribute to the need for future impairment charges include changes in the use of assets resulting from the Company’s restructuring initiatives, technological changes or any significant declines in the demand for related products.

 

Valuation of Investment Securities

 

The Company holds available-for-sale securities, equity method securities and cost method securities, included in short-term investments, and investments and advances. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes.


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Individual securities are reduced to net realizable value by a charge to earnings for other-than- temporaryother-than-temporary declines in fair value. Management regularly reviews each investment security for impairment based on criteria that includeincludes the extent to which cost exceeds market value, the duration of that market decline and the financial health of and specific prospects for the issuer. Because such specific information may become available after the Company makes the impairment evaluation, and whether the impairment is other-than-temporary depends upon future events that may or may not occur, the Company may be required to recognize an other-than-temporary impairment in the future. Determination of whether a decline in value is other-than-temporary requires judgment. At March 31, 2008,2009, the Company has recorded 527296 billion yen of available-for-sale securities, 3041 billion yen of cost method securities, 3113 billion yen of equity method securities that have market values, and 302204 billion yen of equity method securities that do not have market values, advances and others. These investments could be determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, in future periods, depending on changes to the current facts and assumptions. In fiscal 2008,2009, the Company recorded 3292 billion yen impairment losses on investment securities.

 

For further discussion on valuation of investment securities, see Notes 3 and 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.

 

Valuation of Inventory

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on a first-in, first-out basis, or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make a sale. The Company routinely reviews its inventories for their salability and for indications of obsolescence to determine if inventories should be written-down to net realizable value. Judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing such allowances in any accounting period. In estimating the net realizable value of its inventories, the Company considers the age of the inventories and the likelihood of spoilage or changes in market demand for its inventories.


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Warranties

 

The Company makes estimates of potential warranty claims related to its goods sold. The Company provides for such costs based upon historical experience and its estimate of the level of future claims. Management makes judgments and estimates in connection with establishing the warranty reserve in any accounting period. Differences may result in the amount and timing of its revenue for any period if management makes different judgments or utilizes different estimates. (For further details, see Note 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

Valuation of Accounts Receivable and Noncurrent Receivables

 

The Company reviews its accounts receivable on a periodic basis and provides an allowance for doubtful receivables based on historical loss experience and current economic conditions. In evaluating the collectibility of individual receivable balances, the Company considers the age of the balance, the customers’ historical payment history, their current credit-worthiness and adequacy of collateral.


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The Company records noncurrent receivables, representing loans from finance lease transactions, at cost, less the related allowance for impaired receivables. A loan is considered to be impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. When a loan is considered to be impaired, the amount of impairment is measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows or the fair value of the collateral. Cash receipts on impaired receivables are applied to reduce the principal amount of such receivables until the principal has been recovered and are recognized as interest income thereafter. Management’s judgment is required in making estimates of the future cash flows of an impaired loan. Such estimates are based on current economic conditions and the current and expected financial condition of the debtor. (For further details, see Schedule II of Item 18.)

 

Valuation of Goodwill

 

Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the goodwill may be impaired, such as an adverse change in business climate. Impairment is recorded if the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying amount. The fair value determination used in the impairment assessment requires estimates of the fair value of reporting units based on quoted market prices, prices of comparable businesses, present value or other valuation techniques, or a combination thereof, necessitating management to make subjective judgments and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions could result in significant differences to the amounts reported if underlying circumstances were to change. At March 31, 2008,2009, the Company has recorded 430411 billion yen of goodwill, part or all of which could be determined to be impaired in future periods, depending on changes to the current facts and assumptions. For further discussion on goodwill, and other intangible assets, see Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.

 

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets and RealizabilitySustainability of Uncertain Tax Positions

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions based on the expected future generation of taxable income or assessed sustainability of uncertain tax positions, MatsushitaPanasonic considers whether it is more likely than not that any portion or all of the deferred tax assets or recognized benefit under uncertain tax position benefit will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or dependent on assessed sustainability of uncertain tax positions. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment over the valuation of deferred tax assets.


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At March 31, 2008,2009, the Company has recorded gross deferred tax assets of 9381,264 billion yen with a total valuation allowance of 349478 billion yen. Included in the gross deferred tax assets is 242333 billion yen resulting from net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) of 685936 billion yen, which are available to offset future taxable income. In order to fully realize these NOLs, the Company will need to generate sufficient taxable income by the expiration of these NOLs. These NOLs of 601835 billion yen expire from fiscal 20092010 through 20152016 and the substantial majority of the remaining balance expire thereafter or do not expire. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowance at March 31, 20082009 based on available evidence. The Company could be required to increase the valuation allowance if such assumptions would change concluding that the Company would not be able to generate sufficient taxable income. At March 31, 2008,2009, the Company has recorded 97 billion yen of unrecognized tax benefits. For further discussion on valuation of deferred tax assets and realizability of uncertain tax positions, see Note 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report.


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Retirement and Severance Benefits

 

Retirement and severance benefits costs and obligations are dependent on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. The discount rate and expected return on assets are the most critical assumptions among others, including retirement rates, mortality rates and salary growth.

While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, actual results in any given year could differ from actuarial assumptions because of economic and other factors. The resulting difference is accumulated and amortized over future periods and therefore, generally affect the Company’s retirement and severance benefit costcosts and obligations.obligations in future period.

 

The Company determines discount rates by looking to rates of return on high-quality fixed income investments, and the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets by considering the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets.

Decreases in discount rates lead to increases in benefit obligations which, in turn, could lead to an increase in amortization cost through amortization of actuarial gain or loss, and vice versa. A decrease of 50 basis points in the discount rate is expected to increase the projected benefit obligation by approximately eight percent.

A decline in market stock values generally results in a lower expected rate of return on plan assets, which would result in an increase of future retirement and severance benefit costs.


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Accounting for Derivatives

 

The Company has limited involvement with derivative financial instruments and does not use them for trading purposes. The Company uses derivative instruments principally to manage foreign currency risks resulting from transactions denominated in currencies other than the Japanese yen. As discussed in Note 1(p) of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report, theThe Company recognizes all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at their fair values. Changes in the fair value of a derivative are reported in earnings or other comprehensive income (loss) depending on their use and whether they qualify for hedge accounting. The accounting for gains and losses associated with changes in the fair value of the derivative depends on its hedge designation and whether the hedge is highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. The Company evaluates and determines on a continuous basis if the derivative remains highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. If the derivative ceases to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively. Because the derivatives the Company uses are not complex, significant judgment is not required to determine their fair values. Fair values are determined principally by receiving quotations from banks or brokers.


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Loss Contingencies

 

Loss contingencies may from time to time arise from situations such as product liability claims, warranty claims, disputes over intellectual property rights, environmental remediation obligations, and other legal actions. Loss contingencies are recorded as liabilities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. Disclosure is required when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision. Contingent liabilities are often resolved over long time periods. In recording liabilities for probable losses, management is required to make estimates and judgments regarding the amount or range of the probable loss. Management continually assesses the adequacy of estimated loss contingencies and, if necessary, adjusts the amounts recorded as better information becomes known.


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New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158’s provisions regarding the change in the measurement date of postretirement benefit plans require the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations to be measured as of the date of the fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet and will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2008. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 158’s provisions regarding the change in the measurement date of postretirement benefit plans on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2008. In February 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which partially delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 by one year for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities. On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for all financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be recognized in earnings. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for However, the Company frequently utilized an entity specific fair values in calculating charges such as of April 1, 2008. Thecertain impairments on a continuous basis. With the adoption of SFAS No. 159 is not expected to157, a use of market participant fair values may have a material effectan impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.valuation of the various charges.

 

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141R,141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R) and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment to ARB No. 51.” SFAS No. 141R and No. 160 require most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with noncontrolling interest holders. SFAS No. 141R and No. 160 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. SFAS No. 141R will be applied to business combinations occurring after the effective date. SFAS No. 160 will be applied prospectively to all noncontorollingnoncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date.date and the disclosure requirement will be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 141R and No. 160 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In MarchDecember 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 132R-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (FSP FAS 132R-1). FSP FAS 132R-1 provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The disclosures about plan assets required by FSP FAS 132R-1 must be provided for the Company in periods beginning on or after April 1, 2009. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of FSP FAS 132R-1 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (FSP FAS 142-3). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161142. FSP FAS 142-3 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is currently in the process of evaluatingassessing the new disclosure requirements under SFAS No.161.impact of adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


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Item 6.Directors, Senior Management and Employees

 

A.Directors and Senior Management

 

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that the number of Directors of the Company shall be three or more and that of Corporate Auditors shall be three or more. Directors and Corporate Auditors shall be elected at the general meeting of shareholders.

 

The Board of Directors has ultimate responsibility for administration of the Company’s affairs and monitoring of the execution of business by Directors. Directors may, by resolution of the Board of Directors, appoint a Chairman of the Board of Directors, a Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, a President and Director, and one or more Executive Vice Presidents and Directors, Senior Managing Directors and Managing Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Director, Executive Vice Presidents and Directors, and Senior Managing Directors are Representative Directors and severally represent the Company. A Japanese joint stock corporation with corporate auditors, such as Matsushita,Panasonic, is not obliged under the Company Law of Japan and related laws and ordinances (collectively, the “Company Law”), to have any outside directors on its board of directors. However, MatsushitaPanasonic has two (2) outside Directors. An “outside director” is defined as a director of the company who does not engage or has nevernot engaged in the execution of business of the company or its subsidiaries as a director of any of these corporations, and who does not serve or has nevernot served as an executive officer, manager or in any other capacity as an employee of the company or its subsidiaries. The term of office of Directors shall, under the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, expire at the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the last business year ending within one year from their election.

 

Corporate Auditors of the Company are not required to be, and are not, certified public accountants. Corporate Auditors may not at the same time be Directors, accounting counselors, executive officers, managers or any other capacity as employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Under the Company Law, at least half of the Corporate Auditors shall be outside corporate auditors. An “outside corporate auditor” is defined as a corporate auditor of the company who has never been a director, accounting counselor, executive officer, manager or in any other capacity as an employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries. Each Corporate Auditor has the statutory duty to audit the non-consolidated and consolidated financial statements and business reports to be submitted by a Director to the general meeting of shareholders and, based on such audit and a report of an Accounting Auditor referred to below, to respectively prepare his or her audit report. Each Corporate Auditor also has the statutory duty to supervise Directors’ execution of their duties. The Corporate Auditors are required to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and express opinions, if necessary, at such meetings, but they are not entitled to vote. The terms of office shall expire at the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the last business year ending within four years from their election. However, they may serve any number of consecutive terms if re-elected.


- 68 -

 

Corporate Auditors constitute the Board of Corporate Auditors. The Board of Corporate Auditors has a statutory duty to, based on the reports prepared by respective Corporate Auditors, prepare and submit its audit report to Accounting Auditors and certain Directors designated to receive such report (if such Directors are not designated, the Directors who prepared the financial statements and the business report). A Corporate Auditor may note his or her opinion in the audit report if his or her opinion expressed in his or her audit report is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report of the Board of Corporate Auditors. The Board of Corporate Auditors shall elect one or more full-time Corporate Auditors from among its members. The Board of Corporate Auditors is empowered to establish auditing policies, the manner of investigation of the status of the corporate affairs and assets of the Company, and any other matters relating to the execution of the duties of Corporate Auditors. However, the Board of Corporate Auditors may not prevent each Corporate Auditor from exercising his or her powers.

 

In addition to Corporate Auditors, an independent certified public accountant or an independent audit corporation must be appointed by general meetings of shareholders as Accounting Auditor of the Company. Such Accounting Auditor has the duties to audit the consolidated and non-consolidated financial statements proposed to be submitted by a Director at general meetings of shareholders and to report their opinion thereon to certain Corporate Auditors designated by the Board of Corporate Auditors to receive such report (if such Corporate Auditors are not designated, all Corporate Auditors) and certain Directors designated to receive such report (if such Directors are not designated, the Directors who prepared the financial statements). The consolidated financial statement is prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and financial information on a non-consolidated (a parent company alone) basis is in conformity with Japanese regulations.


- 50 -

 

Under the Company Law and the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, the Company may, by a resolution of the Board of Directors, exempt Directors or Corporate Auditors, acting in good faith and without significant negligence, from their liabilities owed to the Company arising in connection with their failure to perform their duties to the extent permitted by the Company Law. In addition, the Company has entered into liability limitation agreements with each of the outside Directors and outside Corporate Auditors, acting in good faith and without significant negligence, which limit the maximum amount of their liabilities owed to the Company arising in connection with their failure to perform their duties to the extent permitted by the Company Law.

 

The Company implemented in fiscal 2004 a reform of its corporate management and governance structure by (i) reorganizing the role of the Board of Directors, (ii) introducing Matsushita’sPanasonic’s own Executive Officer system* in its Group and (iii) strengthening its Corporate Auditor system, all tailored to the Group’s new business domain-based, autonomous management structure.

 


*Matsushita’s Executive Officer (“Yakuin”) system is a non-statutory system and different from the corporate executive officer (“Shikkoyaku”) system that large Japanese corporations may adopt at their option under the statutory corporate governance system referred to as “Company with Committees” system stipulated in the Company Law.


- 69 -

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Executive Officer system was introduced to address the diversity of business operations over the entire Group through delegation of authority and to help integrate the comprehensive strengths of all Group companies in Japan and overseas. The Board of Directors appoints Executive Officers mainly from senior management personnel of business domain companies, such as internal divisional companies and subsidiaries, as well as from management personnel responsible for overseas subsidiaries and certain senior corporate staff. The Executive Officers assume responsibility as the Group’s executives regarding execution of business. The Executive Officers may be given such titles as Vice President Executive Officer, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Managing Executive Officer and Executive Officer, depending on the extent of responsibility and achievement of each individual. The terms of office of the Executive Officers shall expire at the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the last business year of the Company ending within one year from their election. Each of the Executive Officers has the authority to operate businesses for which such Executive Officer is responsible, under the supervision of the Board of Directors and in accordance with the Board of Directors’ decisions on the management of corporate affairs.

 

The Board of Directors has, at the same time, been reformed in order to concentrate on establishing corporate strategies and supervising the implementation thereof by the Executive Officers. The Company has reduced the number of Directors to facilitate more effective decision-making, and shortened their term of office to one year in order to clarify their responsibilities. Taking into consideration the diversified scope of the Company’s business operations, the Company has chosen to continue its policy of having management personnel, who are well-versed in day-to-day operations at operational fronts, be members of the Board of Directors, while outside Directors continue to fully participate in Board meetings.

 

Meanwhile, the non-statutory full-time Senior Auditors were newly appointed within the Company’s internal divisional companies in order to strengthen auditing functions at each business domain company. In addition, the Company has also launched the “Group Auditor’s Meeting” chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Corporate Auditors of the Company in order to promote collaboration among the Company’s Corporate Auditors, the non-statutory full-time Senior Auditors of the internal divisional companies and the corporate auditors of the Company’s subsidiaries and affiliates. Moreover, as a part of their audit duties, Corporate Auditors maintain a close working relationship with the Internal Audit Group of the Company to ensure effective audits. Furthermore, in order to enhance the effectiveness of audits conducted by Corporate Auditors and ensure the smooth implementation of audits, the Company has established a Corporate Auditor’s Office with full-time staff under the direct control of the Board of Corporate Auditors.


*Panasonic’s Executive Officer (“Yakuin”) system is a non-statutory system and different from the corporate executive officer (“Shikkoyaku”) system that large Japanese corporations may adopt at their option under the statutory corporate governance system referred to as “Company with Committees” system stipulated in the Company Law.


- 7051 -

 

The following table shows information about Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Directors and Corporate Auditors as of June 26, 2008,25, 2009, including their dates of birth, positions, responsibilities and brief personal records.

 

   

        Name          


  Positions,Position and responsibilities in the Company, and brief personal records

   (Date of birth)       
   

Kunio Nakamura

(Jul. 5, 1939)

  

Chairman of the Board of Directors

    -Jun. 1993  

Director of the Company;

-Jun. 1996

Managing Director of the Company;

-Jun. 1997

Senior Managing Director of the Company;

    -Jun. 2000  

President of the Company;

    -Jun. 2006  

Chairman of the Board of Directors.

   

Masayuki Matsushita     

(Oct. 16, 1945)

  

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

    -Feb. 1986  

Director of the Company;

    -Jun. 1990  

Managing Director of the Company;

    -Jun. 1992  

Senior Managing Director of the Company;

    -Jun. 1996  

Executive Vice President of the Company;

    -Jun. 2000  

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

   

Fumio Ohtsubo

(Sep. 5, 1945)

  

President and Director

    -Jun. 1998  

Director of the Company / Vice President, AVC Company;

    -Jun. 2000  

Managing Director of the Company;

    -Jun. 2003  

Senior Managing Director of the Company;

    -Jun. 2006  

President of the Company.

   

Susumu Koike

(Nov. 15, 1945)

  

Executive Vice President and Director

    -Jun. 1998  Director of the Company;Company / in charge of Semiconductor Technology;
    -Jun. 2000  

Managing Director of the Company;

-Apr. 2001

President, Semiconductor Company;

    -Jun. 2003  Senior Managing Director of the Company / in charge of Technology;
    -Apr. 2006  Executive Vice President of the Company / in charge of Semiconductor Company.


- 71 -

      Name      


Positions, responsibilities and brief personal records

(Date of birth)    

Shunzo Ushimaru

(May 5, 1944)

Executive Vice President and Director
-Jun. 2003Executive Officer of the Company;
-Jun. 2004Managing Executive Officer of the Company;
-Apr. 2006Senior Managing Executive Officer of the Company / in charge of Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic Brand, Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Home Appliances, Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Wellness Products, Corporate Sales Strategy Division for National/Panasonic Retailers, Commodity Sales, Electrical Supplies Sales, Project Sales and Building Products Sales, Advertising, Panasonic Center, Logistics, Corporate CS Division, Design / Chairman of Corporate Brand Committee and Showroom Strategic Committee;
-Jun. 2006Senior Managing Director of the Company;
-Apr. 2007Executive Vice President of the Company / in charge of Domestic Consumer Marketing.
   

Koshi Kitadai

(Oct. 1, 1945)

  

Executive Vice President and Director

    -Jun. 2000  

President, Matsushita Electronic Devices Co., Ltd.

(now Panasonic Electronic Devices Co., Ltd.);

    -Jun. 2003  

Managing Executive Officer of the Company;

    -Jun. 2005  

Senior Managing Executive Officer of the Company;

    -Apr. 2007  President, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company / in charge of Corporate Industrial Marketing and Sales.Sales;
    -Jun. 2007  

Senior Managing Director of the Company;

   -Apr.2008  

-Apr. 2008

Executive Vice President of the Company / in charge of the

Automotive Electronics Business

Business;
-Apr. 2009In charge of System Solutions Company and Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.
   

Toshihiro Sakamoto *

(Oct. 27, 1946)

  

Senior ManagingExecutive Vice President and Director

    -Jun. 2000  

Director of the Company / Vice President of AVC Company / in charge of Visual Products Group;

-Jun. 2003In charge of Corporate Planning;Company;

    -Jun. 2004  

Managing Director of the Company;

    -Apr. 2006  Senior Managing Director / President, Panasonic AVC Networks Company.Company;
-Apr. 2009Executive Vice President of the Company / in charge of Domestic Consumer Marketing and Design.
   

Takahiro Mori *

(Jun. 16, 1947)

  

Senior ManagingExecutive Vice President and Director

    -Jun. 2003  

Executive Officer of the Company;

    -Jun. 2005  Managing Director of the Company / in charge of Corporate Communications Division;
    -Apr. 2006  

In charge of Corporate Planning;

    -Apr. 2008  

Senior Managing Director of the Company.Company;

-Apr. 2009Executive Vice President of the Company / in charge of Corporate Division for Promoting System & Equipment Business, and Electrical Supplies Sales, Project Sales and Building Products Sales.


- 7252 -

 

   

        Name          


  Positions,Position and responsibilities in the Company, and brief personal records

   (Date of birth)       
   

Shinichi FukushimaYasuo Katsura *     

(Nov. 13, 1948)Sep. 19, 1947)

  

Senior Managing Director

-Jun. 2001

President, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd.;

    -Jun. 2003  Director of the Company / in charge of Personnel and General Affairs;
-Jun. 2005Managing Director of the Company;
-Apr. 2008Senior Managing Director of the Company / Representative in Kansai.

Yasuo Katsura *

(Sep. 19, 1947)

Managing Director
-Jun. 2001President, Matsushita Communication Industrial Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.);
-Jun. 2003Executive Officer of the Company;

    -Jun. 2004  Managing Executive Officer of the Company / Director of the Tokyo Branch;
    -Jun. 2007  

Managing Director of the Company.

Company;

    

Junji Esaka *

(Dec. 19, 1946)

-Apr. 2009
  Senior Managing Director
-Jun. 2003Executive Officer of the Company;
-Feb. 2006Managing Executive Officer of the Company / Representative in charge of Appliances BusinessTokyo / President of Matsushita Home Appliances Company / in charge of Lighting Company and Healthcare Business Company;
-Jun. 2006Managing Director, of the Company.Corporate Division for Government & Public Affairs.
   

Hitoshi Otsuki *

(Jun. 6, 1947)

  

Senior Managing Director

    -Jun. 2003  Executive Officer of the Company / Director of Europe Division / Chairman of Panasonic Europe Ltd.;
    -Apr. 2007  Managing Executive Officer of the Company / in charge of Overseas Operations;
    -Jun. 2007  

Managing Director of the Company;

-Apr. 2009

Senior Managing Director of the Company.

Ken Morita *

(Oct. 24, 1948)

Senior Managing Director

-Jun. 2005

Executive Officer of the Company;

-Apr. 2006Senior Vice President, Panasonic AVC Networks Company / Director, Visual Products and Display Devices Business Group;
-Apr. 2007

Managing Executive Officer of the Company;

-Apr. 2009Senior Managing Executive Officer of the Company / President, AVC Networks Company;
-Jun. 2009

Senior Managing Director of the Company.

   

Ikusaburo Kashima *

(Oct. 8, 1948)

  

Managing Director

    -Jul. 1999  Director General of Price Bureau of Economic Planning Agency;
    -Jun. 2003  

Vice Chairman, Information Technology Promotion Agency;

    -Jun. 2004  

Joined the Company as an Executive Counselor;

    -Jun. 2005  Director of the Company / Deputy Chief of Overseas Operations;
    -Apr. 2007  Managing Director of the Company / in charge of Legal Affairs, Corporate Risk Management, Corporate Information Security, Corporate Business Ethics, and Corporate International Affairs.Affairs;
-Apr. 2009

In charge of Intellectual Property.

Kazunori Takami *

(Jun. 12, 1954)

Managing Director

-Jun. 2002

Director, Matsushita Refrigeration Company;

-Apr. 2005In charge of Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Home Appliances and Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Wellness Products / Director, Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Home Appliances;
-Apr. 2006

Executive Officer of the Company;

-Apr. 2008

Managing Executive Officer of the Company;

-Apr. 2009President, Home Appliances Company / in charge of Lighting Company;
-Jun. 2009

Managing Director of the Company.

Junji Nomura *

(Apr. 10, 1947)

Managing Director

-Feb. 2002

Director, Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.;

-Dec. 2003Executive Senior Managing Director, Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.;
-Jun. 2005

Senior Managing Director, Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.;

-Jun. 2006

Executive Vice President, Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.;

-Jun. 2009

Managing Director of the Company / in charge of Special Task.

   

Ikuo Uno

(Jan. 4, 1935)

  

Director

-Jul. 1986Director, Nippon Life Insurance Company;

    -Apr. 1997  

President, Nippon Life Insurance Company;

    -Apr. 2005  

Chairman, Nippon Life Insurance Company;

    -Jun. 2005  

Director of the Company.


- 7353 -

 

   

        Name          


  Positions,Position and responsibilities in the Company, and brief personal records

   (Date of birth)       
   

Masayuki Oku

(Dec. 2, 1944)

  

Director

-Jun. 1994Director, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation;
-Jun. 2003Deputy President, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation;

    -Jun. 2005  President, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation / Chairman, Board of Directors of Mitsui Sumitomo Finance Group;
    -Jun. 2008  Director of the Company.
   

Hidetsugu OtsuruMasashi Makino *

(Aug. 20, 1943)1948)

  

Director

    -Jun. 1998-Apr.2003  Director, of the Company (resigned in March 1999);
-Apr. 1999President, Matsushita Electronics Corporation;
-Jun. 2001Managing Director of the Company;
-Jun. 2002In charge of Quality Administration and Environmental Affairs;Corporate Manufacturing Innovation Division;
    -Jun. 2003  In charge of Facility Management;
-Feb. 2006DirectorExecutive Officer of the Company;
    -May 2006-Apr. 2009  In charge of CorporateManufacturing Innovation, Facility Management, Quality Administration, FF Customer Support & Management, Division.Environmental Affairs and Recycling Business Promotion;
-Jun. 2009Director of the Company.
   

Makoto Uenoyama *

(Feb. 14, 1953)

  

Director

    -Jun. 2003  General Manager, Corporate Accounting Group;
    -Apr. 2006  Executive Officer of the Company;
    -Apr. 2007  In charge of Accounting and Finance;
    -Jun. 2007  Director of the Company.Company;
-Apr. 2009In charge of Information Systems.
   

Masatoshi Harada *

(Feb. 9, 1955)

  

Director

-Apr. 2001In charge of Personnel;

    -Jun. 2003  In charge of General Affairs and Social Relations;
    -Apr. 2008  Executive Officer of the Company / in charge of Personnel, General Affairs and General Affairs;Social Relations;
    -Jun. 2008  Director of the Company.
   

Masaharu Matsushita

(Sep. 17, 1912)

  

Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor

    -Oct. 1947  Director of the Company;
    -Jan. 1961  President of the Company;
    -Feb. 1977  Chairman, the Board of Directors;
    -Jun. 2000  Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor, Member of the Board.


- 74 -

      Name      


Positions, responsibilities and brief personal records

(Date of birth)    
   

Kenichi Hamada

(May 2, 1947)

  

Senior Corporate Auditor

    -Jun. 1999  Director of Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd. (now Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.), and/ in charge of accounting;
    -Jun. 2001  Managing Director, Kyushu Matsushita Electric Co., Ltd.;
    -Jun. 2003  Senior Managing Director, Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.;
    -Jun. 2005  Vice President, Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd., and in charge of accounting, compliance, legal affairs group, information systems group, public relations group, and information security (Resigned post on June 25, 2007);
    -Jun. 2007  Senior Corporate Auditor of the Company.
   

Masahiro Seyama

(Jul.18, 1949)

  

Senior Corporate Auditor

-Apr. 1999General Manager, Corporate Planning and Marketing at Corporate Management Division of Central and South America;

    -Feb. 2001  President, Panasonic do Brasil Ltda / President, Panasonic Components Electronics da Amazonia Ltda.;Ltda;
    -Jun. 2005  Director, Latin American operations / President, Panasonic Corporation of Latin America;
    -Apr. 2008Executive Senior Councilor in charge of Latin America (Resigned post on June 25, 2008);
-Jun. 2008  Senior Corporate Auditor of the Company.
   

Yasuo Yoshino

(Oct. 5, 1939)

  

Corporate Auditor

-Jul. 1988Director of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company;
-Jul. 1997Vice President of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company;

    -Jul. 2001  Chairman, of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company;
    -Jun. 2003  Corporate Auditor of the Company;
    -Jul. 2007  Advisory of Sumitomo Life Insurance Company.


- 54 -

        Name          


Position and responsibilities in the Company, and brief personal records

(Date of birth)    
   

Ikuo Hata

Corporate Auditor

(Aug. 6, 1931)

Corporate Auditor
  -Apr. 1992  

President, of Osaka District Court;

    -Sep. 1995  

Registered as Attorney at law (member of Osaka Bar Association);

    -Jun. 1998  

Deputy Director, Japan Association of Arbitrators;

    -Jul. 2001  Member of Supreme Court’s Building-Related Litigation Commission;
    -Jun. 2004  

Corporate Auditor of the Company;

-May 2005Head of Kinki Regional Office of Japan Lawyer’s Association.
Company.


- 75 -

      Name      


Positions, responsibilities and brief personal records


(Date of birth)    
   

Hiroyuki Takahashi

(Mar. 1, 1937)

  

Corporate Auditor

    

-Jun. 1993

1997
  Director, Director of Human Resources of

Corporate Auditor, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.;

    

-Jun. 1996

Executive Managing Officer of Mitsui & Co., Ltd.;

-Jun. 1997

Corporate Auditor of Mitsui & Co., Ltd.;

-Oct. 2000

  Executive Managing Director and Secretary-General, of Japan Corporate Auditors Association;
    

-Oct. 2005

Director of Japan Corporate Auditors Association (retired as Director on June 25, 2006);
-Jun. 2006  

-Jun. 2006

Corporate Auditor of the Company.

 

Asterisks (*) denote members of the Board of Directors who concurrently serve as Executive Officers, pursuant to the Executive Officer System which was introduced to facilitate the development of optimum corporate strategies that integrate the Panasonic Group’s comprehensive strengths.

 

Ikuo Uno and Masayuki Oku are outside directors as stipulated in the Company Law.

 

Yasuo Yoshino, Ikuo Hata and Hiroyuki Takahashi are outside corporate auditors as stipulated in the Company Law.

 

There are no family relationships among any Directors or Corporate Auditors except as described below:

 

Masayuki Matsushita, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors is the son of Masaharu Matsushita, Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor.

 

The following table shows information about Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Executive Officers as of June 26, 2008,25, 2009, including their positions and responsibilities.

 

   

      Name                


  

Positions and responsibilities


   

Yoshihiko Yamada

  

Managing Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for North America /

Chairman, Panasonic Corporation of North America

  

Ken MoritaKazuhiro Tsuga

Managing Executive Officer

President, Automotive Systems Company

Takumi Kajisha

Managing Executive Officer

In charge of Corporate Communications

Ikuo Miyamoto

Managing Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for Asia and Oceania /

President, Panasonic Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.

Yoshiiku Miyata

  

Managing Executive Officer

Senior Vice President, Panasonic AVC Networks Company /

Director, Visual Products and Display Devices Business Group

  

Yoshitaka HayashiYutaka Takehana

  

Managing Executive Officer

InRepresentative in Kansai / in charge of Global ProcurementCorporate Risk Management and Global LogisticsCorporate Information Security

  

Takae MakitaHideo Kawasaki

  

Managing Executive Officer

In charge of Information SystemsPresident, Semiconductor Company


- 7655 -

 

   

      Name      


  

Positions and responsibilities


Kazuhiro Tsuga

Managing Executive Officer

President, Panasonic Automotive Systems Company

  Takumi Kajisha  

Managing Executive Officer

In charge of Corporate Communications Division

Kazunori Takami

Managing Executive Officer

In charge of Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Home Appliances

and Corporate Marketing Division for National Brand Wellness Products

Masashi Makino

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Manufacturing Innovation Division

Joachim Reinhart

Executive Officer

COO, Panasonic Europe Ltd.

Ikuo Miyamoto

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for Asia and Oceania /

President, Panasonic Asia Pasific Pte. Ltd.

Hideo Kawasaki

Executive Officer

President, Semiconductor Company

Shigeru Omori

  

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Industrial Marketing &and Sales Division

  

Masaaki Fujita

  

Executive Officer

Senior Vice President, Panasonic AVC Networks Company /

Director, PDP TV Business Unit of Visual Products and Display Devices Business GroupCorporate Engineering Quality Administration Division

  

Yoshihisa Fukushima

  

Executive Officer

In charge of Intellectual Property

  Masatsugu Kondo

Naoto Noguchi

  

Executive Officer

In charge of AlternativePresident, Energy Generation TechnologyCompany

  Naoto Noguchi  

Executive Officer

President, Matsushita Battery Industrial Co., Ltd.

Osamu Waki

  

Executive Officer

President, Panasonic Mobile Communications Co., Ltd.

  

Toshiaki Kobayashi

  

Executive Officer

President, Panasonic Electronic Devices Co., Ltd.


- 77 -

  

    Name    


Positions and responsibilities


   

Joseph Taylor

  

Executive Officer

COO, Panasonic Corporation of North America

  

Yoshiiku Miyata

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for Europe /

Chairman, Panasonic Europe Ltd.

   

Takashi Toyama

  

Executive Officer

President, Panasonic System Solutions Company /

Director, Corporate Construction Business Promotion Division /

In charge of Corporate eNet Business Division

   

Jun Ishii

  

Executive Officer

Director, CorporateHome Appliances and Wellness Products Marketing Division /

In charge of Corporate CS Division /

Chairman, Showroom Strategic CommitteePresident, Panasonic Consumer Marketing Co., Ltd.

   

Toshiro Kisaka

  

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for China and NorthestNortheast Asia /

Chairman, Panasonic Corporation of China

  

Yutaka Takehana

Executive Officer

In charge of Corporate Risk Management Office,

Corporate Information Security Division and Corporate Business Ethics

   

Masato Tomita

  

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for the CIS, the Middle East and Africa

   

Hideaki Kawai

  

Executive Officer

General Manager, Corporate Finance & IR Group /

In charge of Financial Operations Center

   

Takeshi Uenoyama

  

Executive Officer

In charge of Device and Environmental Technology

   

Koji Itazaki

  

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Procurement Division /

Director,and Corporate Global Logistics Division

   

Shiro Nishiguchi

  

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Marketing Division for Panasonic BrandDigital AVC Products

   

Yoshiyuki Miyabe

  

Executive Officer

In charge of Digital Network & Software Technology

Laurent Abadie

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Management Division for Europe /

Chairman, Panasonic Europe Ltd.


- 7856 -

 

   

      Name      


  

Positions and responsibilities


  

Laurent Abadie              Yoshihisa Shiokawa

Executive Officer

COO, Panasonic Europe Ltd. / President, Panasonic Marketing Europe GmbH

Yoshio Ito

  

Executive Officer

President, Panasonic France S.A.Lighting Company

Hidetoshi Osawa

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Communications Division

Yoshiaki Nakagawa

Executive Officer

General Manager, Corporate Planning Group

Mamoru Yoshida

Executive Officer

Senior Vice President, AVC Networks Company /

Director, Network Business Group

Tsuyoshi Nomura

Executive Officer

Director, Corporate Manufacturing Innovation Division

 

(Directors who concurrently serve as Executive Officers are not included in the above list.)

 

 

B.Compensation

 

The aggregate amounts of remunerations, including equity compensation such as stock options, bonuses, and other financial benefits given in consideration of performance of duties (collectively, the “remunerations”), paid by the Company during fiscal 20082009 to all nineteen20 Directors and all five6 Corporate Auditors for services in all capacities were 1,077966 million yen and 9188 million yen, respectively.

 

Under the Company Law, the maximum amounts of remunerations of directors and corporate auditors of Japanese joint stock corporations, except for a “joint stock corporation with specified committees,” must be approved at a general meeting of shareholders if the articles of incorporation of the company do not provide items about remunerations of directors and corporate auditors. Companies must also obtain the approval at a general meeting of shareholders to change such maximum amounts. Therefore, the remuneration of the directors and corporate auditors are subject to the approval of shareholders if the articles of incorporation of the company do not prescribe such items. The maximum total amounts of remunerations for Directors and Corporate Auditors of the Company is therefore determined by a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders, because the Articles of Incorporation of the Company do not provide such items, and thus remunerations of Directors and Corporate Auditors of the Company are under the oversight of shareholders. The remuneration amount for each Director is determined by the Company’s Representative Directors who are delegated to do so by the Board of Directors, and the amount of remuneration for each Corporate Auditor is determined upon discussions amongst Corporate Auditors.

 

Since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, theThe amounts of the remuneration and bonuses of Directors have reflected each individual’sare linked to individual performance based on Capital Cost Management (CCM), sales and cash flows. From the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, in order to promote steady growth with profitability, the Company will adopt CCM and sales as indicators which represent profitability and growth, respectively.CO2 emissions (an environmental management indicator). By implementing this new performance evaluation criteria based on shareholder interest,interests, the Company intends to promote continuous growth and enhance profitability on a long-term basis for the MatsushitaPanasonic Group as a whole. In order to realize a remuneration system with a high level of transparency and acceptability, the Company terminated its retirement benefits for Directors and Corporate Auditors in June 2006. (For details of the Company’s stock option plans for Board members and select senior executives, see Section E of this Item 6.)


- 7957 -

 

C.Board Practices

 

For information on the Company’s Directors and Corporate Auditors, see Section A of this Item 6.

 

The Company has made available on the annual report delivered to ADR holders a general summary of the significant differences between its corporate governance practices and those followed by U.S. companies under the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listing standards. The general summary of the significant differences is also available for viewing in the electronic version of the annual report located at the Company’s web site below.

(http://panasonic.net/corporate/governance/index.html)

The rights of ADR holders, including their rights relating to corporate governance practices, are governed by the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement dated as of December 11, 2000, as amended by Amendment No.1 dated as of October 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to the Registration StatementStatements on Form F-6 (File No. 333-12694)Nos. 333-12694 and 333-133099) filed on October 4, 2000)2000 and September 30, 2008, respectively).

 

D.Employees

 

The following table lists the number of full-time employees of MatsushitaPanasonic as of March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006.2007.

 

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Employees:

                  

Domestic

  135,563  145,418  144,871  132,144  135,563  145,418

Overseas

  170,265  183,227  189,531  160,106  170,265  183,227
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

  305,828  328,645  334,402  292,250  305,828  328,645
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Most regular Company employees in Japan, except management personnel, are members of unions that belong to the Matsushita ElectricPanasonic Workers Unions. As is customary in Japan, the Company negotiates annually with the unions and revises annual wage. The annual bonuses of unionized employees are determined in consideration of the Company’s performance of the previous year. The Company also renews the terms and conditions of labor contracts, other than those relating to wages and bonuses, every other year. In recent years, the Company has introduced in Japan new comprehensive employment and personnel systems to satisfy the diverse needs of employees.

 

Such systems include an individual performance-oriented annual salary system, a regional-based employee remuneration system and an alternative payment system under which employees can receive retirement and fringe benefits up front in addition to their semiannual bonuses. During the last few years, the Company and its several subsidiaries have also implemented special early retirement programs for employees who wished to pursue careers outside the Company. For a quarter century, MatsushitaPanasonic has not experienced any major labor strikes or disputes. The Company considers its labor relations to be excellent.


- 80 -

 

E.Share Ownership

 

(1)The following table lists the number of shares owned by the Directors and Corporate Auditors of the Company as of June 26, 2008.25, 2009. The total is 18,045,56517,892,376 shares constituting 0.86% of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, excluding its own stock.

 

    Name    


    

        Position        


  Number of MatsushitaPanasonic Shares
Owned as of June 26, 200825, 2009


Kunio Nakamura    Chairman of the Board of Directors  64,000            72,200
Masayuki Matsushita    Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors  7,913,351            7,913,000
Fumio Ohtsubo    President and Director  38,000            47,200
Susumu Koike    Executive Vice President and Director  32,562            
Shunzo UshimaruExecutive Vice President and Director35,578            37,362
Koshi Kitadai    Executive Vice President and Director  23,041            28,441
Toshihiro SakamotoExecutive Vice President and Director30,478
Takahiro MoriExecutive Vice President and Director25,360
Yasuo Katsura    Senior Managing Director  25,278            20,316
Takahiro MoriHitoshi Otsuki    Senior Managing Director  18,060            13,500
Shinichi FukushimaKen Morita    Senior Managing Director  19,005            
Yasuo KatsuraManaging Director16,516            
Junji EsakaManaging Director176,000            
Hitoshi OtsukiManaging Director11,000            13,350
Ikusaburo Kashima    Managing Director  8,000            11,500
Kazunori TakamiManaging Director12,100
Junji NomuraManaging Director0
Ikuo Uno    Director  0
Hidetsugu OtsuruMasayuki Oku    Director  28,000            1,050
Masashi MakinoDirector12,400
Makoto Uenoyama    Director  11,000            
Masayuki OkuDirector1,000            18,900
Masatoshi Harada    Director  5,000            10,700
Masaharu Matsushita    Honorary Chairman of the Board of Directors and Executive Advisor  9,598,637            9,598,000
Kenichi Hamada    Senior Corporate Auditor  7,354            10,554
Masahiro Seyama    Senior Corporate Auditor  11,183            12,965
Yasuo Yoshino    Corporate Auditor  3,000
Ikuo Hata    Corporate Auditor  0
Hiroyuki Takahashi    Corporate Auditor  0
        

Total

       18,045,565            17,892,376
        


- 8158 -

In June 2002, the Company obtained approval at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders regarding the issue of stock acquisition rights as stock options for Board members and select Executive Counselors, pursuant to Articles 280-20 and 280-21 of the former Commercial Code of Japan then in effect. Upon the shareholders’ approval, the Board of Directors adopted resolutions to issue at no charge an aggregate of 116 stock acquisition rights, each representing a stock option to purchase 1,000 shares of common stock of the Company, to the then twenty-seven Directors and eight Executive Counselors. The stock acquisition rights are exercisable during the period from July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008. The amount to be paid by qualified persons upon exercise of each stock acquisition right is set at 1,734 yen per share of common stock, which was calculated by a formula approved by shareholders at the said ordinary general meeting of shareholders. As of March 31, 2008, out of the 116 stock acquisition rights, 12 are those which have not been exercised or waived.

In June 2003, the Company introduced new business performance evaluation standards (See Section A of this Item 6.) which affect compensation of Directors and Executive Officers. This new evaluation system is intended to encourage pursuit of sustained growth and enhanced profitability for the Group as a whole, thereby accomplishing the goal of increasing corporate value in the interest of shareholders. Upon the introduction of this incentive type compensation system, stock acquisition rights as stock options for Directors and select senior executives have not been offered since June 2003.

(For more details, see Note 11 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.)

 

(2)The full-time employees of the Company and its major subsidiaries in Japan are eligible to participate in the Matsushita ElectricPanasonic Corporation Employee Shareholding Association, whereby participating employees contribute a portion of their salaries to the Association and the Association purchases shares of the Company’s common stock on their behalf. The Company provides the subsidy in proportion to the number of points that each employee selects to exchange within certain limitations under the “Cafeteria Plan,” the Company’s flexible benefit plan. Under the Cafeteria Plan, each employee is allotted a certain number of points based on prescribed standards, which he or she may exchange for various benefits, including the Company’s subsidy for contributions to the Association, subsidies for rental housing, subsidies for asset building savings, educational assistance, hotel accommodations, etc. As of March 31, 2008,2009, the Association owned 33,86937,151 thousand shares of the Company’s common stock constituting 1.61%1.79% of all issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, excluding its owntreasury stock.

 

Item 7.Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

A.Major Shareholders

 

(1)To the knowledge of the Company, except as discussed below, no shareholders beneficially own more than five percent of the Company’s common stock, which is the only class of stock it has issued.


- 82 -

As explained in Section B of Item 10, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan and regulations thereunder (collectively, “FIL”) requires any person, regardless of his/her residence, who has become, beneficially and solely or jointly, a holder of more than five percent of the total issued shares of common stock of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange or whose shares are traded on the over-the-counter market in Japan, to file with the Director-General of a competent Local Finance Bureau of Ministry of Finance within five business days (or in the case of certain financial institutions prescribed by FIL, within certain longer periods prescribed by FIL) a report concerning such shareholdings. The Company is aware of the April 7, 2008 filing by Dodge & Cox (an investment advisory company), stating that, as of March 31, 2008, Dodge & Cox and its affiliates owned, beneficially or of record, 7.07% in total of the issued shares of the Company’s common stock as calculated pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Law of Japan.

 

The shareholders that owned more than five percent of the Company’s common stock on the register of shareholders as of March 31, 20082009 were Moxley & Co., and The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. (trust account) and Moxley & Co., which are securities processing services companies. The Company understands that these shareholders are not the beneficial owners of the Company’s common stock, but the Company does not have available further information concerning such beneficial ownership by these shareholders. The ten largest shareholders of record and their share holdings as of the end of the last fiscal year2009 are as follows:


- 59 -

 

Name


  Share ownership*
(in thousands of shares)


  Percentage of
total issued

shares

  Share ownership
(in thousands of shares)


  Percentage of
total issued
shares


The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. (trust account)

  132,211              6.38%    

Moxley & Co.

  185,959                7.58%  122,865              5.93       

The Master Trust Bank of Japan, Ltd. (trust account)

  134,450              5.48

Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd. (trust account)

  87,358              3.56  118,812              5.73       

Japan Trustee Services Bank, Ltd. (trust account 4G)

  113,446              5.47       

Nippon Life Insurance Company

  67,000              3.23       

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

  57,024              2.75       

Panasonic Employee Shareholding Association

  37,151              1.79       

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd.

  35,105              1.69       

State Street Bank and Trust Co.

  68,030              2.77  33,399              1.61       

Nippon Life Insurance Co.

  67,000              2.73

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation

  57,583              2.34

Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Co., Ltd.

  35,106              1.43

Matsushita Electric Employee Shareholding Association

  33,869              1.38

Sumitomo Life Insurance Co.

  31,382              1.27  31,382              1.51       

State Street Bank and Trust Co. 505103

  25,878              1.05

 

 *Holdings of less than 1,000 shares have been omitted.
*Percentage of total issued shares is calculated excluding the Company’s own shares (382,411,876).

 

(2)As of March 31, 2008,2009, approximately 16.74%13.80% of the Company’s common stock was owned by 183172 United States shareholders, including the ADR Depositary’s nominee, Moxley & Co., considered as one shareholder of record, owning approximately 7.58%5.93% of the total common stock.

 

(3)MatsushitaPanasonic is not, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by other corporations, by the Japanese government or any foreign government or by any natural or legal person or persons severally or jointly.

 

(4)As far as is known to the Company, there is no arrangement, the operation of which may at a subsequent date result in a change in control of Matsushita.Panasonic.


- 83 -

 

B.Related Party Transactions

 

In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, it has entered into transactions with certain of its related parties (as described in Item 7.B of Form 20-F), but none of such transactions that were entered into during the year ended March 31, 20082009 was material to the Company or to any such related party.

 

 

C.Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not applicable

 

 

Item 8.Financial Information

 

A.Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

(1)Consolidated Statements

 

Refer to Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (see Item 18).

 

Finished goods and materials sent out of Japan are mainly bound for consolidated subsidiaries of the MatsushitaPanasonic Group, and are not, therefore, recorded as exports on a consolidated basis. For this reason, the proportion of exports to total net sales is not significant.

 

(2)Legal Proceedings

 

There are some legal actions and administrative investigations against Matsushita.Panasonic. Management is of the opinion that damages, based on the information currently available, if any, resulting from these actions will not have a material effect on Matsushita’sPanasonic’s results of operations or financial position.


- 60 -

 

(3)Dividend Policy

 

Since its establishment, MatsushitaPanasonic has managed its businesses under the concept that returning profits to shareholders is one of its most important policies. AlongBased on this basic policy, along with the implementation of a mid-term growth strategy since fiscal 2005, the Company has implemented a proactive and comprehensive profit return to shareholders through dividend payments and own share repurchases, upon careful consideration of its consolidated business performance.

 

From the perspective of return on the capital investment made by shareholders, Matsushita,Panasonic, in principle, distributes profits to shareholders based on its consolidated business performance.

As the result of growth strategies in the Company’s mid-term management plan GP3, which runs from fiscal 2008 through fiscal 2010, Matsushita will aimperformance and is aiming for stable and continuous growth in dividends, based on consolidated net income. The Company is also targeting a dividend payout ratio of between 30% and 40% with respect to consolidated net income. Specifically, for fiscal 2008, ended March 31, 2008, Matsushita paid total cash dividends perRegarding share of 35.00 yen, comprising an interim dividend of 17.50 yen per share paid on November 30, 2007, and a year-end dividend of 17.50 yen per share. Regarding own share repurchases,buybacks, the Company plans to use cash flows generated by the GP3 plan to flexibly repurchaseis repurchasing its own shares in order to increase shareholder value per share and profitability on capital, while at the same timeas it considers appropriate, taking comprehensively into consideration strategic investments and the Company’s financial condition.

condition, with the aim of increasing shareholder value per share and return on capital.


- 84 -The Company paid an interim dividend of 22.50 yen per share on November 28, 2008. Regrettably, while the Company puts emphasis on returning profits to shareholders, it paid a year-end dividend of 7.50 yen per share, due mainly to the significant deterioration of consolidated financial results due to the global recession and shrinking demand, making a total annual cash dividend of 30.00 yen per share. In fiscal 2009, the Company repurchased some of its own shares at a cost of approximately 70 billion yen. Although Panasonic expects severe business conditions to continue, the Company will strive to improve its performance as soon as possible and distribute earnings to shareholders.

 

(4)Initiatives to Maximize Shareholder Value

 

On April 28, 2005, the Board of Directors resolved to adopt a policy related to a Large-scale Purchase of the Company’s shares called the Enhancement of Shareholder Value (ESV) Plan. The ESV Plan has been approved at every Board of Directors meeting since then. On April 27, 2007,May 15, 2009, the Board of Directors resolved to continue the ESV Plan. The Board of Directors also resolved to continue this ESV Plan on April 28, 2008.

 

With respect to a Large-scale Purchaser who intends to acquire 20% or more of all voting rights of the Company, this policy requires that (i) a Large-scale Purchaser provides sufficient information, such as its outline, purposes or conditions, the basis for determination of the purchase price and funds for purchase, and management policies and business plans which the Large-scale Purchaser intends to adopt after the completion of the Large-scale Purchase, to the Board of Directors before a Large-scale Purchase is to be conducted and (ii) after all required information is provided, the Board of Directors should be allowed a sufficient period of time (a sixty-day period or a ninety-day period) for consideration.

The Board of Directors intends to assess and examine any proposed Large-scale Purchase after the information on such purchase is provided, and subsequently to disclose the opinion of the Board of Directors in orderand any other information needed to assist shareholders in making their decisions. The Board of Directors may negotiate with the Large-scale Purchaser regarding purchase conditions or suggest alternative plans to shareholders, if it is deemed necessary.

 

If a Large-scale Purchaser does not comply with the rules laid out in the ESV Plan, Matsushita’sthe Company’s Board of Directors may take countermeasures against the Large-scale Purchaser to protect the interests of all shareholders. Countermeasures include the implementation of stock splits, issuance of stock acquisition rights (including allotment of share options without contribution) or any other measures that the Board of Directors is permitted to take under the Company Law in Japan, other laws and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation.

If a Large-scale Purchaser complies with the Large-scale Purchase rules, the Board of Directors does not intend to prevent the Large-scale Purchase at its own discretion, unless it is clear that such Large-scale Purchase will cause irreparable damage or loss to Matsushita.the Company.

 

The Board of Directors will make decisions relating to countermeasures by referring to advice from outside professionals, such as lawyers and financial advisers, and fully respectingrespect the opinions of outside directors and statutory corporate auditors.


- 61 -

 

IfWhen invoking the aforementioned countermeasures, if the Company’s Board of Directors decides after consideringthat it is appropriate to confirm the will of shareholders from the perspective of the interest of all shareholders, that it would be appropriate to confirm the desires of the shareholders before taking the countermeasures stated above, the Company will hold a general meeting of shareholders. If the Board of Directors decides to hold such a meeting, the Company will disclose the fact that a general meeting of shareholders will be held andheld. If the Company’s Board of Directors decides to hold a general meeting of shareholders, it will give notice to that effect as well as the reasons therefor.


- 85 -for such a meeting at that time.

 

The Board of Directors will adopt specific countermeasures which it deems appropriate at that time. If the Board of Directors elects to make a stock split for shareholders as of a certain record date, the maximum ratio of the stock split shall be five-for-one. If the Board of Directors elects to issue stock acquisition rights in a rights offering,to shareholders, the Company will issue one stock acquisition right for every share held by shareholders on a specified record date. One share shall be issued on the exercise of each stock acquisition right.

If the Board of Directors elects to issue stock acquisition rights as a countermeasure, it may determine the exercise period and exercise conditions of the stock acquisition rights, as well as the conditions that allow the Company to acquire stock acquisition rightsshare options by swapping Company stock with a party other than the Large-scale Purchaser, in consideration of the effectiveness thereof as a countermeasure, such as the condition that shareholders do not belong to a specific group of shareholders including a Large-scale Purchaser.

The Company recognizes that the aforementioned countermeasures may cause damage or loss, economic or otherwise, to a prospective Large-scale Purchaser who does not comply with the Large-scale Purchase Rules. Matsushita

The Company does not anticipate that taking such countermeasures will cause shareholders, other than the Large-scaleLargescale Purchaser, economic damage or loss of any rights, however,rights. However, in the event that the Board of Directors determines to take a specific countermeasure, the Board of Directors will disclose such countermeasure in a timely and appropriate manner, pursuant to relevant laws and stock exchange regulations.

 

The term of office of directorsfor all Directors is one year, and theyDirectors are elected at the annual general meetingOrdinary General Meeting of shareholdersShareholders held in June. Matsushita’sJune every year. The Company’s Board of Directors intends to review the Large-scale Purchase Rules, as necessary, for reasons including amendments to applicable legislation. Any such review would be conducted strictly in the interests of all shareholders.

 

For further details about the ESV Plan, please see the press release issued on April 28, 2008May 15, 2009 at the Company’s Web site:
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/en080428-3/en080428-3.htmlen090515-9/en090515-9-1.pdf

 

 

B.Significant Changes

 

No significant changes have occurred since the date of the annual financial statements included in this annual report.


- 86 -

 

Item 9.The Offer and Listing

 

A.Offer and Listing Details

 

The primary market for the Company’s common stock (Common Stock) is the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE). The Common Stock is traded on the First Section of the TSE and is also listed on two other stock exchanges (Osaka and Nagoya) in Japan. In the United States, the Company’s American Depositary Shares (ADSs) have been listed on and traded in the NYSE in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs). There may from time to time be a differential between the Common Stock’s price on exchanges outside the United States and the market price of ADSs in the United States.

 

MatsushitaPanasonic delisted its shares from Amsterdam Stock Exchange in June 2006 and Frankfurt Stock Exchange in August 2006.

 

ADRs were originally issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement dated as of April 28, 1970, as amended from time to time (Deposit Agreement), among the Company, the Depositary for ADRs, and the holders of ADRs. The current Depositary for ADRs is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., which succeeded to this business from Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York upon their merger. Effective December 11, 2000, MatsushitaPanasonic again revised its ADR Deposit Agreement and executed a 10:1 ADS ratio change. As a result, one ADS now represents one share of Common Stock. ADRs evidence ADSs that represent the underlying Common Stock deposited under the Deposit Agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, as agent of the Depositary.


- 62 -

 

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the reported high and low prices of the Company’s Common Stock on the TSE, and the reported high and low composite prices of the Company’s ADSs on the NYSE:

 

   Tokyo Stock Exchange

  New York Stock Exchange

   Price per Share of
Common Stock (yen)

  Price per American
Depositary Share (dollars)*

Fiscal Year ended March 31


      High    

      Low    

      High    

      Low    

2004

  1,660  860  15.72  7.33

2005

  1,694  1,372  16.17  12.45

2006

  2,650  1,485  22.68  14.19

2007

  2,870  2,080  25.14  17.70

2008

  2,585  1,912  22.59  16.63

2007

            

1st quarter

  2,870  2,155  25.14  18.96

2nd quarter

  2,550  2,080  21.66  17.70

3rd quarter

  2,670  2,150  22.15  18.52

4th quarter

  2,495  2,250  21.28  19.14

2008

            

1st quarter

  2,585  2,295  21.22  19.08

2nd quarter

  2,470  1,912  20.17  16.63

3rd quarter

  2,395  1,965  21.66  17.27

4th quarter

  2,380  1,960  22.59  18.23


- 87 -

   Tokyo Stock Exchange

  New York Stock Exchange

   Price per Share of
Common Stock (yen)

  Price per American
Depositary Share (dollars)*

Most recent 6 months


  High

  Low

  High

  Low

December 2007

  2,395  2,210  21.66  19.62

January 2008

  2,290  1,960  21.47  18.23

February 2008

  2,380  2,075  22.59  19.44

March 2008

  2,240  1,964  22.10  19.69

April 2008

  2,445  2,000  23.72  19.71

May 2008

  2,510  2,260  24.38  22.14
   Tokyo Stock Exchange

  New York Stock Exchange

   Price per Share of
Common Stock (yen)


  Price per American
Depositary Share (dollars)*


Fiscal Year ended March 31


      High    

      Low    

      High    

      Low    

2005

  1,694  1,372  16.17  12.45

2006

  2,650  1,485  22.68  14.19

2007

  2,870  2,080  25.14  17.70

2008

  2,585  1,912  22.59  16.63

2009

  2,515  1,000  24.38  10.60

2008

            

1st quarter

  2,585  2,295  21.22  19.08

2nd quarter

  2,470  1,912  20.17  16.63

3rd quarter

  2,395  1,965  21.66  17.27

4th quarter

  2,380  1,960  22.59  18.23

2009

            

1st quarter

  2,515  2,000  24.38  19.71

2nd quarter

  2,380  1,774  22.02  16.54

3rd quarter

  1,882  1,000  17.66  10.91

4th quarter

  1,322  1,016  13.74  10.60
   Tokyo Stock Exchange

  New York Stock Exchange

   Price per Share of
Common Stock (yen)


  Price per American
Depositary Share (dollars)*


Most recent 6 months


  High

  Low

  High

  Low

December 2008

  1,177  1,000  12.57  10.91

January 2009

  1,322  1,050  13.74  11.69

February 2009

  1,174  1,016  12.81  10.61

March 2009

  1,197  1,025  12.36  10.60

April 2009

  1,446  1,070  14.85  10.77

May 2009

  1,510  1,292  15.37  13.79

 

 *The prices of ADSs are based upon reports by the NYSE, with all fractional figures rounded up to the nearest two decimal points.

 

 

B.Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable

 

 

C.Markets

 

See Section A of this Item 9.

 

 

D.Selling Shareholders

 

Not applicable

 

 

E.Dilution

 

Not applicable


- 63 -

 

F.Expenses of the Issue

 

Not applicable


- 88 -

 

Item 10.Additional Information

 

A.Share Capital

 

Not applicable

 

 

B.Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

Organization

 

The Company is a joint stock corporation(kabushiki kaisha)incorporated in Japan under the Company Law(kaishaho)of Japan (Company Law). The Company is registered in the Commercial Register(shogyo tokibo)maintained by the Moriguchi Branch Office of the Osaka Legal Affairs Bureau.

 

Objects and purposes

 

Article 3 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides that its purpose is to engage in the following lines of business:

 

 1.manufacture and sale of electric machinery and equipment, communication and electronic equipment, as well as lighting equipment;

 

 2.manufacture and sale of gas, kerosene and kitchen equipment, as well as machinery and equipment for building and housing;

 

 3.manufacture and sale of machinery and equipment for office and transportation, as well as for sales activities;

 

 4.manufacture and sale of medical, health and hygienic equipment, apparatus and material;

 

 5.manufacture and sale of optical and precision machinery and equipment;

 

 6.manufacture and sale of batteries, battery-operated products, carbon and manganese and other chemical and metal products;

 

 7.manufacture and sale of air conditioning and anti-pollution equipment, as well as industrial machinery and equipment;

 

 8.manufacture and sale of other machinery and equipment;

 

 9.engineering and installation of machinery and equipment related to any of the preceding items as well as engineering and performance of and contracting for other construction work;

 

 10.production and sale of software;


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 11.sale of iron and steel, nonferrous metals, minerals, oil, gas, ceramics, paper, pulp, rubber, leather, fibre and their products;

 

 12.sale of foods, beverages, liquor and other alcoholics, agricultural, livestock, dairy and marine produces, animal feed and their raw materials;


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 13.manufacture and sale of drugs, quasi-drugs, cosmetics, fertilizer, poisonous and deleterious substance and other chemical products;

 

 14.manufacture and sale of buildings and other structures and components thereof;

 

 15.motion picture and musical entertainment business and promotion of sporting events;

 

 16.export and import of products, materials and software mentioned in each of the preceding items (other than item 9);

 

 17.providing repair and maintenance services for the products, goods and software mentioned in each of the preceding items for itself and on behalf of others;

 

 18.provision of information and communication services, and broadcasting business;

 

 19.provision of various services utilizing the Internet including Internet access and e-commerce;

 

 20.business related to publishing, printing, freight forwarding, security, maintenance of buildings, nursing care, dispatch of workers, general leasing, financing, non-life insurance agency and buying, selling, maintaining and leasing of real estate;

 

 21.investment in various businesses;

 

 22.accepting commission for investigations, research, development and consulting related to any of the preceding items; and

 

 23.all other business or businesses incidental or related to any of the preceding items.


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Directors

 

Each Director (other than an outside Director) has executive powers and duties to manage the affairs of the Company and each Representative Director, who is elected from among the Directors by the Board of Directors, has the statutory authority to represent the Company in all respects. Under the Company Law, the Directors must refrain from engaging in any business competing with the Company unless approved by the Board of Directors and any Director who has a special interest in the subject matter of a resolution to be taken by the Board of Directors cannot vote on such resolution. Under the Company Law, the maximum total amounts of remunerations must be approved at a general meeting of shareholders. The Company must also obtain the approval at a general meeting of shareholders to change such maximum amounts. Within such authorized amounts, the remuneration amount for each Director is determined by Representative Director who is delegated to do so by the Board of Directors, and the amount of remuneration for each Corporate Auditor is determined upon discussions amongst the Corporate Auditors.

 

Except as stated below, neither the Company Law nor the Company’s Articles of Incorporation make special provisions as to the Directors’ or Corporate Auditors’ power to vote in connection with their own compensation or retirement age, the borrowing power exercisable by a Representative Director (or a Director who is given power by a Representative Director to exercise such power), or requirements to hold any shares of Common Stock of the Company. Under the Company Law, the Company is required to obtain resolutions of the Board of Directors in specific circumstances, e.g. for a company to acquire or dispose of material assets; to borrow a substantial amount of money; to appoint or dismiss important employees and to establish, change or abolish material corporate organizations such as a branch office; to determine such material conditions for offering of corporate bonds as set forth in the ordinances of the Ministry of Justice; to establish and maintain the internal control system to secure legitimate performance of duties of Directors as set forth in the ordinances of the Ministry of Justice; and to exempt a Director or Corporate Auditor from the liability for his/her actions under Article 423, Paragraph 1 of the Company Law pursuant to Article 426, Paragraph 1 of the Company Law.

 

The Regulations of the Board of Directors of the Company require a resolution of the Board of Directors for the Company to borrow a large amount of money or to give a guarantee in a large amount. There is no statutory requirement as to what constitutes a “large” amount in these contexts. However, it has been the general practice of the Company’s Board of Directors to adopt a resolution for a borrowing in an amount not less than 10 billion yen or its equivalent.

 

Common Stock

 

General

 

Except as otherwise stated, set forth below is information relating to the Company’s Common Stock, including brief summaries of the relevant provisions of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations, as currently in effect, and of the Company Law and related legislation.regulations.

Effective on January 5, 2009, a new central book-entry transfer system for listed shares of Japanese companies was established pursuant to the Law Concerning Book-Entry Transfer of Corporate Bonds, Shares etc. and regulations thereunder (collectively, the “Book-entry Transfer Law”), and this system is applied to the shares of Common Stock of the Company. Under this system, shares of all Japanese companies listed on any Japanese stock exchange are dematerialized, and shareholders of listed shares must have accounts at account management institutions to hold their shares unless such shareholder has an account at Japan Securities Depository Center, Inc. (“JASDEC”), the only institution that is designated by the relevant authorities as a clearing house under the Book-entry Transfer Law. “Account management institutions” are financial instruments business operators (i.e., securities companies), banks, trust companies and certain other financial institutions which meet the requirements prescribed by the Book-entry Transfer Law. Transfer of the shares of Common Stock of the Company is effected exclusively through entry in the records maintained by JASDEC and the account management institutions, and title to the shares passes to the transferee at the time when the transfer of the shares is recorded at 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 holder of the shares recorded in such account.


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Under the Company Law generally, shares may be transferred only by delivering share certificates.

Inand the Book-entry Transfer Law, in order to assert shareholders’ rights to which shareholders as of record dates are entitled (such as the rights to vote at a general meeting of shareholders or receive dividends) against the Company, a shareholder must have its name and address registered onin the Company’s register of shareholders. Under the central book-entry transfer system, shareholders shall notify the relevant account management institutions of certain information prescribed under the Book-entry Transfer Law and the Company’s Share Handling Regulations, including their names and addresses, and the registration on the register of shareholders is made upon receipt by the Company of necessary information from JASDEC (as described in “– Record date”). On the other hand, in order to assert, directly against the Company, shareholders’ rights to which shareholders are entitled regardless of record dates such as minority shareholders’ rights including the right to propose a matter to be considered at a general meeting of shareholders, except for shareholders’ rights to request the Company to purchase or sell shares constituting less than a full unit (as described in “– Unit share system”), JASDEC shall, upon the shareholder’s request, issue a notice of certain information including the name and address of such shareholder to the Company. Thereafter, such shareholder is required to present the Company with a receipt of the request of the notice in accordance with the Company’s Share Handling Regulations. Under the Book-entry Transfer Law, the shareholder shall exercise such shareholders’ right within four weeks after the notice above has been given.

Non-resident shareholders are required to appoint a standing proxy in Japan or provide a mailing address in Japan. Each such shareholder must give notice of such standing proxy or mailing address to the relevant account management institution. Such notice will be forwarded to the Company through JASDEC. Japanese securities companies and commercial banks customarily act as standing proxies and provide related services for standard fees. Notices from the Company to non-resident shareholders are delivered to such standing proxies or mailing addresses.

The registered beneficial holder of deposited shares underlying the American Depositary Shares (ADSs) is the Depositary for the ADSs. Accordingly, holders of ADSs will not be able to directly assert shareholders’ rights against the Company.

A law to establish a new central clearing system for shares of listed companies and to eliminate the issuance and use of certificates for such shares was promulgated in June 2004 and the relevant part of the law will come into effect within five years of the date of the promulgation. Currently, the effective date has not yet been determined but is expected to be January 5, 2009. On the effective date, the new central clearing system will be established and the shares of all Japanese companies listed on any Japanese stock exchange, including the shares of common stock of the Company, will be subject to the new central clearing system. On the same day, the Company will be deemed to become a company which shall not issue share certificates for its shares and all existing share certificates will become null and void and the companies are not required to withdraw those share certificates from shareholders. Thereafter, the transfer of such shares will be effected through entry in the records maintained under the new central clearing system. Only shares deposited with Japan Securities Depository Center Inc. (JASDEC) will be immediately transferable under the new central clearing system. Upon the effective date, any requirement, reference and discussion relating to share certificates included in this section “Common stock” will not be applicable.

 

Authorized capital

 

Article 6 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provides that the total number of shares authorized to be issued by the Company is four billion nine hundred and fifty million (4,950,000,000) shares.

 

As of March 31, 2008,2009, 2,453,053,497 shares of Common Stock were issued. All shares of Common Stock of the Company have no par value. All issued shares of the Company are fully-paid and non-assessable.

 

Distribution of Surplus

 

Distribution of Surplus – General

 

Under the Company Law, dividends shall be paid by way of distribution of Surplus (“Surplus” is defined in “– Restriction on Distributions of Surplus”) in cash or in kind.


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The Company may make distributions of Surplus to the shareholders any number of times per business year, subject to certain limitations described in “– Restriction on Distributions of Surplus.” Distributions of Surplus need, in principle, to be declared by a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, but the Company may also authorize distributions of Surplus by a resolution of the Board of Directors as long as its non-consolidated annual financial statements for the last business year fairly present its assetassets and financial situation,profit or loss, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

 

Distributions of Surplus may be made in cash or in kind in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company held by respective shareholders. A resolution of a general meeting of shareholders or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, authorizing a distribution of Surplus must specify the kind and aggregate book value of the assets to be distributed, the manner of allocation of such assets to shareholders, and the effective date of the distribution. If a distribution of Surplus is to be made in kind, the Company may, pursuant to a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, grant a right to the shareholders to require the Company to make such distribution in cash instead of in kind. If no such right is granted to shareholders, the relevant distribution of Surplus must be approved by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders (see “Voting Rights” with respect to a “special resolution”).


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Under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, year-end dividends and interim dividends may be distributed to shareholders appearing in the Company’s register of the recordshareholders as of March 31 and September 30 each year respectively, in proportion to the number of shares of the Common Stock of the Company held by respective shareholders following approval by the general meeting of shareholders or the Board of Directors. The Company is not obliged to pay any dividends in cash which have not been received within three years from the commencement of payment thereof. In Japan, the ex-dividend date and the record date for dividends precede the date when the amount of the dividends to be paid is determined by the Company. The shares of common stock generally goesgo ex-dividend on the third business day prior to the record date for dividends.

 

Distribution of Surplus – Restriction on Distributions of Surplus

 

In making a distribution of Surplus, the Company must, until the sum of its additional paid-in capital and legal reserve reaches one-quarter of its stated capital, set aside to its additional paid-in capital and/or legal reserve an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of Surplus so distributed.


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The amount of Surplus at any given time must be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

 

A + B + C + D – (E + F + G)

 

In the above formula:

 

“A” =   the total amount of other capital surplus and other retained earnings, each such amount being that appearing on the non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last business year

 

“B” =   (if the Company has disposed of its treasury stock after the end of the last business year) the amount of the consideration for such treasury stock received by the Company less the book value thereof

 

“C” =   (if the Company has reduced its stated capital after the end of the last business year) the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to additional paid-in capital or legal reserve (if any)

 

“D” =   (if the Company has reduced its additional paid-in capital or legal reserve after the end of the last business year) the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to stated capital (if any)

 

“E” =   (if the Company has cancelled its treasury stock after the end of the last business year) the book value of such treasury stock

 

“F” =   (if the Company has distributed Surplus to its shareholders after the end of the last business year) the total book value of the Surplus so distributed

 

“G” =   certain other amounts set forth in ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, including (if the Company has reduced Surplus and thereby increased its stated capital, additional paid-in capital or legal reserve after the end of the last fiscal year) the amount of such reduction and (if the Company has distributed Surplus to the shareholders after the end of the last business year) the amount set aside from such Surplus to additional paid-in capital or legal reserve (if any) as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

 

The aggregate book value of Surplus to be distributed by the Company may not exceed a prescribed distributable amount (the “Distributable Amount”), as calculated on the effective date of such distribution. The Distributable Amount at any given time shall be equal to the amount of Surplus less the aggregate of the followings:

 

 (a)the book value of its treasury stock;

 

 (b)the amount of consideration for any of treasury stock disposed of by the Company after the end of the last business year; and


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 (c)certain other amounts set forth in ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, including (if the sum of one-half of goodwill and the deferred assets exceeds the total of stated capital, additional paid-in capital and legal reserve, each such amount being that appearing on the non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last business year) all or certain part of such exceeding amount as calculated in accordance with the ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

 

The Company, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008,2009, elected to become a company with respect to which consolidated balance sheets should be considered in the calculation of the DistributionDistributable Amount (renketsu haito kisei tekiyo kaisha) as described below. If a company has become at its option a company with respect to which consolidated balance sheets should also be considered in the calculation of the Distributable Amount, a company shall, in calculating the Distributable Amount, further deduct from the amount of Surplus the excess amount, if any, of (x) the total amount of stockholders’ equity appearing on the non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last business year and certain other amounts set forth by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice over (y) the total amount of stockholders’ equity and certain other amounts set forth by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice appearing on the consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last business year.

 

If the Company has prepared interim financial statements as described below, and if such interim financial statements have been approved by the board of directors or, if so required by the Company Law, by a general meeting of shareholders, then the Distributable Amount must be adjusted to take into account the amount of profit or loss, and the amount of consideration for any of the treasury stock disposed of by the Company, during the period in respect of which such interim financial statements have been prepared. The Company may prepare non-consolidated interim financial statements consisting of a balance sheet as of any date subsequent to the end of the last business year and an income statement for the period from the first day of the current business year to the date of such balance sheet. Interim financial statements so prepared by the Company must be audited by the Corporate Auditors and the Accounting Auditor, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.


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Stock splits

 

The Company may at any time split shares in issue into a greater number of shares by resolution of the Board of Directors, and may in principle amend its Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares to be issued in proportion to the relevant stock split pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors rather than a special shareholders resolution (as defined in “Voting Rights”) as is otherwise required for amending the Articles of Incorporation.

 

In the event of a stock split, generally, shareholders will not be required to exchange share certificates for new share certificates, but certificates representing the additional shares resulting from the stock split will be issued to shareholders. When a stock split is to be made, the Company must give public notice of the stock split, specifying the record date therefor, at least two weeks prior to such record date.


- 95 - Under the central book-entry transfer system operated by JASDEC, the Company must also give notice to JASDEC regarding a stock split at least two weeks prior to the relevant record date. On the effective date of the stock split, the number of shares recorded in all accounts held by the Company’s shareholders at account managing institutions or JASDEC will be increased in accordance with the applicable ratio.

 

Consolidation of shares

 

The Company may at any time consolidate shares in issue into a smaller number of shares by a special shareholders resolution (as defined in “—“– Voting Rights”). When a consolidation of shares is to be made, the Company must give public notice andor notice to each shareholder that, within a period of not less than one month specified in the notice, share certificates must be submittedat least two weeks prior to the effective date of the consolidation of shares. Under the central book-entry transfer system operated by JASDEC, the Company for exchange.must also give notice to JASDEC regarding a consolidation of shares at least two weeks prior to the effective date of the consolidation of shares. On the effective date of the consolidation of shares, the number of shares recorded in all accounts held by the Company’s shareholders at account managing institutions or JASDEC will be decreased in accordance with the applicable ratio. The Company must disclose the reason for the consolidation of shares at the general meeting of shareholders.

 

General meeting of shareholders

 

The ordinary general meeting of shareholders of the Company for each fiscal year is normally held in June in each year. In addition, the Company may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary by giving notice of convocation thereof at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting.

 

Notice of convocation of a shareholders’ meeting setting forth the place, time, purpose thereof and certain matters set forth in the Company Law and the ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, must be mailed to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to his or her standing proxy or mailing address in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting. Under the Company Law, such notice may be given to shareholders by electronic means, subject to the consent of the relevant shareholders. The record date for exercising voting rights at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders is March 31 of each year.

 

Any shareholder or group of shareholders of the Company holding at least three percent of the total number of voting rights for a period of six months or more may require the convocation of a general meeting of shareholders for a particular purpose by showing such a purpose and reason for convocation to a Representative Director. Unless such shareholders’ meeting is convened promptly or a convocation notice of a meeting which is to be held not later than eight weeks from the day of such demand is dispatched, the requiring shareholder may, upon obtaining a court approval, convene such shareholders’ meeting.

 

Any shareholder or group of shareholders of the Company holding at least 300 voting rights or one percent of the total number of voting rights for a period of six months or more may propose a matter to be considered at a general meeting of shareholders by showing such matter to a Representative Director at least eight weeks prior to the date of such meeting.


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Under the Company Law, any of minimum percentages, time periods and number of voting rights necessary for exercising the minority shareholder rights described above may be decreased or shortened if the articles of incorporation of a joint stock corporation so provide.


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Voting rights

 

So long as the Company maintains the unit share system (see “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association –Common StockUnit share system” below; currently 1,000100 shares constitute one unit) a holder of shares constituting one or more full units is entitled to one voting right per unit of shares subject to the limitations on voting rights set forth in the following two sentences. Any corporate or certain other entity, one-quarter or more of whose total voting rights are directly or indirectly owned by the Company, may not exercise its voting rights with respect to shares of Common Stock of the Company that it owns. In addition, the Company may not exercise its voting rights with respect to its shares that it owns. If the Company eliminates from its Articles of Incorporation the provisions relating to the unit of shares, holders of Common Stock will have one voting right for each share they hold. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the number of voting rights of all the shareholders entitled to exercise their voting rights represented at the meeting. The Company Law and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide, however, that the quorum for the election of Directors and Corporate Auditors shall not be less than one-third of the total number of voting rights of all the shareholders entitled to exercise their voting rights. The Company’s shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Directors. Shareholders may exercise their voting rights through proxies, provided that the proxies are also shareholders holding voting rights. The Company’s shareholders also may cast their votes in writing, or exercise their voting rights by electronic means pursuant to the method determined by the Board of Directors.

 

The Company Law and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation provide that in order to amend the Articles of Incorporation and in certain other instances, including:

 

 (1)acquisition of its own shares from a specific party other than its subsidiaries;

 

 (2)consolidation of shares;

 

 (3)any offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price (or any offering of stock acquisition rights to acquire shares of capital stock, or bonds with stock acquisition rights at “specially favorable” conditions) to any persons other than shareholders;

 

 (4)the removal of a Corporate Auditor;

 

 (5)the exemption of liability of a Director, Corporate Auditor or Accounting Auditor to a certain extent set forth in the Company Law;

 

 (6)a reduction of stated capital with certain exceptions in which just a usual resolution of shareholders is required or a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

 (7)a distribution of in-kind dividends which meets certain qualifications;

 

 (8)dissolution, liquidation, merger, consolidation, or corporate split with certain exceptions in which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

 (9)the transfer of the whole or a material part of the business;


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 (10)the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation with certain exceptions in which a shareholders’ resolution is not required; or

 

 (11)share exchange or share transfer for the purpose of establishing 100% parent-subsidiary relationships with certain exceptions in which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

the quorum shall be one-third of the total voting rights of all the shareholders and the approval by at least two-thirds of the voting rights of all the shareholders entitled to exercise their voting rights represented at the meeting is required (the “special shareholders resolutions”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement relating to American Depositing Receipts (ADRs) evidencing ADSs, each ADS representing one share of Common Stock of the Company, as soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting of shareholders of the Company, the Depositary (currently JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) will mail to the record holders of ADRs a notice which will contain the information in the notice of the meeting. The record holders of ADRs on a date specified by the Depositary will be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the shares of Common Stock of the Company represented by their ADSs. The Depositary will endeavor, in so far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company represented by such ADSs in accordance with such instructions. In the absence of such instructions, the Depositary has agreed to give a discretionary proxy to a person designated by the Company to vote in favor of any proposals or recommendations of the Company. However, such proxy may not be given with respect to any matter which the Company informs the Depositary that the Company does not wish such proxy given, or for any proposal that has, in the discretion of the Depositary, a materially adverse effect on the rights of shareholders of the Company.

 

Issue of additional shares

 

Holders of the Company’s shares of Common Stock have no pre-emptive rights under the Company Law. Authorized but unissued shares may be issued at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors determines, subject to the limitations as to the offering of new shares at a “specially favorable” price mentioned under “Voting rights” above. The Board of Directors may, however, determine that shareholders shall be given subscription rights regarding a particular issue of new shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all shareholders as at a record date at least two weeks prior to which public notice must be given. Each of the shareholders to whom such rights are given must also be given notice of the expiry thereof at least two weeks prior to the date on which such rights expire.


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Subject to certain conditions, the Company may issue stock acquisition rights or bonds with stock acquisition rights by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Holders of stock acquisition rights may exercise their rights to acquire a certain number of shares within the exercise period as prescribed in the terms of their stock acquisition rights. Upon the exercise of stock acquisition rights, the Company will be obliged to issue the relevant number of new shares or alternatively to transfer the necessary number of treasury stock held by it. The Company may determine by a resolution of the Board of Directors at the time of offerings that a transfer of the stock acquisition rights shall require the approval of the Company. Whether the Company will determine such a matter in future stock acquisition rights offerings will depend upon the circumstances at the time of such offerings.

 

Liquidation rights

 

In the event of a liquidation of the Company, the assets remaining after payment of all debts and liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among shareholders in proportion to the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock held.


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Record date

 

As mentioned above (see “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association –Common StockDistribution of Surplus – Distribution of Surplus – General”), March 31 is the record date for the Company’s year-end dividends. So long as the Company maintains the unit share system, the shareholders and beneficial shareholders who are registered as the holders of one or more units of shares in the Company’s registers of shareholders and/or that of beneficial shareholders at the end of each March 31 are entitled to exercise shareholders’ rights at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders with respect to the business year ending on such March 31. September 30 is the record date for interim dividends. In addition, the Company may set a record date for determining the shareholders and/or beneficial shareholders entitled to other rights and for other purposes by giving at least two weeks’ prior public notice. Under the Book-entry Transfer Law, JASDEC is required to give the Company a notice of the names and addresses of the shareholders, the number of shares held by them and other relevant information as of each such record date, and the Company’s register of shareholders shall be updated accordingly.

 

The shares generally goes ex-dividends or ex-rights on Japanese stock exchanges on the third business day prior to a record date (or if the record date is not a business day, the fourth business day prior thereto), for the purpose of dividends or rights offerings.


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Acquisition by the company of its common stock

 

Under the Company Law and the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, the Company may acquire its own shares of Common Stock (i) from a specific shareholder other than any of its subsidiaries (pursuant to a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders)shareholders resolution), (ii) from any of its subsidiaries (pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors), or (iii) by way of purchase on any Japanese stock exchange on which the Company’s shares of Common Stock are listed or by way of tender offer (as long as its non-consolidated annual financial statements and certain documents for the last business year fairly present its asset and profit or loss status, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice) (in either case pursuant to an ordinary resolution of a general meeting of shareholders or a resolution of the Board of Directors). In the case of (i) above, any other shareholder may make a request to the Company that such other shareholder be included as a seller in the proposed purchase, provided that no such right will be available if the purchase price or any other consideration to be received by the relevant specific shareholder will not exceed the last trading price of the shares on the relevant stock exchange on the day immediately preceding the date on which the resolution mentioned in (i)(ii) above was adopted (or, if there is no trading in the shares on the stock exchange or if the stock exchange is not open on such day, the price at which the shares are first traded on such stock exchange thereafter).

 

Shares acquired by the Company may be held for any period or may be cancelled by a resolution of the Board of Directors. The Company may also transfer such shares to any person, subject to a resolution of the Board of Directors and to other requirements similar to those applicable to the issuance of new shares, as described in “Issue of additional shares and pre-emptive rights” above. The Company may also utilize its treasury stock for the purpose of transfer to any person upon exercise of stock acquisition rights or for the purpose of acquiring another company by way of merger, share exchange or corporate split through exchange of treasury stock for shares or assets of the acquired company.

 

Unit share system

 

The Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that 1,000100 shares constitute one unit of shares of Common Stock. Although the number of shares constituting one unit is included in the Articles of Incorporation, any amendment to the Articles of Incorporation reducing (but not increasing) the number of shares constituting one unit or eliminating the provisions for the unit of shares may be made by a resolution of the Board of Directors rather than by a special shareholders resolution, which is otherwise required for amending the Articles of Incorporation. The number of shares constituting one unit, however, cannot exceed 1,000. In May 2008, the Board of Directors resolved to amend the Articles of Incorporation of the Company, reducing the number of shares consisting one unit from 1,000 shares to 100 shares, with effect as from February 1, 2009.

 

Under the unit share system, shareholders shall have one voting right for each unit of shares that they hold. Any number of shares less than a full unit will carry no voting rights.


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UnlessUnder the Company’s Board of Directors adopts a resolution to eliminate the provision for the unit shares from the Articles of Incorporation or the shareholders amend the Articles of Incorporationcentral book-entry transfer system operated by a special shareholders resolution to eliminate the provision not to issue share certificates for less than a unit of shares, a share certificate for any number ofJASDEC, shares constituting less than one unit will in general not be issued. Asare generally transferable. Under the transfer of shares normally requires the deliveryrules of the share certificates therefore,Japanese stock exchanges, however, shares constituting less than one unit for which no share certificates are issued isdo not transferable.comprise a trading unit, except in limited circumstances, and accordingly may not be sold on the Japanese stock exchanges.

 

A holder of shares constituting less than one unit may require the Company to purchase such shares at their market value in accordance with the provisions of the Share Handling Regulations of the Company. In addition, the Articles of Incorporation of the Company provide that a holder of shares constituting less than one unit may request the Company to sell to such holder such amount of shares which will, when added together with the shares constituting less than one unit held by such holder, constitute one unit of stock, in accordance with the provisions of the Share Handling Regulations of the Company. As prescribed in the Share Handling Regulations, such requests shall 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 entitled regardless of record dates as described in “–General”.


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A holder who owns ADRs evidencing less than 1,000 ADSs or, 100 ADSs on and after February 1, 2009, will indirectly own less than one full unit of shares of Common Stock. Although, as discussed above, under the unit share system holders of less than one unit have the right to require the Company to purchase their shares or sell shares held by the Company to such holders, holders of ADRs evidencing ADSs that represent other than integral multiples of units are unable to withdraw the underlying shares of Common Stock representing less than one unit and, therefore, are unable, as a practical matter, to exercise the rights to require the Company to purchase such underlying shares or sell shares held by the Company to such holders unless the Company’s Articles of Incorporation are amended to eliminate the provision not to issue share certificates for the numbers of shares less than a unit.holders. As a result, access to the Japanese markets by holders of ADRs through the withdrawal mechanism will not be available for dispositions of shares of Common Stock in lots less than one unit. The unit share system does not affect the transferability of ADSs, which may be transferred in lots of any size.

 

Sale by the Company of shares held by shareholders whose location is unknown

 

The Company is 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 the Company’s register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to the Company continuously for five years or more.

 

In addition, the Company may sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock for which the location of the shareholder is unknown. Generally, if (i) notices to a shareholder fail to arrive continuously for five years or more at the shareholder’s registered address in the Company’s register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to the Company, and (ii) the shareholder fails to receive distribution of Surplus on the shares continuously for five years or more at the address registered in the Company’s register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to the Company, the Company may sell or otherwise dispose of the shareholder’s shares by a resolution of the Board of Directors and after giving at least three months’ prior public and individual notice, and hold or deposit the proceeds of such sale or disposal of shares at the then market price of the shares for the shareholder, the location of which is unknown.


- 101 -

 

Reporting of substantial shareholdings, etc.

 

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan and regulations thereunder requires any person, regardless of his/her residence, who has become, beneficially and solely or jointly, a holder of more than five percent of the total issued shares with voting rights of common stock of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange or whose shares are traded on the over-the-counter market in Japan, to file with the Director-General of a competent Local Finance Bureau of Ministry of Finance within five business days a report concerning such shareholdings.

 

A similar report must also be filed in respect to any subsequent change of one percent or more in any such holding or any change in material matters set out in reports previously filed, with certain exceptions. For this purpose, shares issuable to such person upon conversion of convertible securities or exercise of share subscription warrants or stock acquisition rights are taken into account in determining both the number of shares with voting rights held by such holder and the issuer’s total issued share capital with voting rights. Any such report shall be filed with the Director General of the relevant Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance through the Electronic Disclosure for Investors’ Network (EDINET) system. Copies of such report must also be furnished to the issuer of such shares.

 

Except for the general limitations under Japanese anti-trust and anti-monopoly regulations on holding shares of common stock of a Japanese corporation which leads or may lead to a restraint of trade or a monopoly, except for the limitations under the Foreign Exchange Regulations as described in “D. Exchange Controls” below, and except for general limitations under the Company Law or the Company’s Articles of Incorporation on the rights of shareholders applicable regardless of residence or nationality, there is practically no limitation under Japanese laws and regulations applicable to the Company or under its Articles of Incorporation on the rights of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold the shares of Common Stock of the Company or exercise voting rights thereon.


- 74 -

 

There is no provision in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company and that would operate only with respect to merger, consolidation, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving the Company. However, the Board of Directors resolved to adopt the ESV Plan which provides certain rules which a Large-scale Purchaser who intends to acquire 20% or more of all voting rights of the Company must comply with. (For details, please see “(4) Initiatives to Maximize Shareholder Value” in Section A of Item 8.)


- 102 -

 

Daily price fluctuation limits under Japanese stock exchange rules

 

Stock prices on Japanese stock exchanges are determined on a real-time basis by the balance between bids and offers. These stock exchanges are order-driven markets without specialists or market makers to guide price formation. In order to prevent excessive volatility, these stock exchanges set daily upward and downward price range limitations for each listed stock, based on the previous day’s closing price. 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 on these stock exchanges may not be able to effect a sale at such price on a particular trading day, or at all.

 

 

C.Material Contracts

 

All contracts concluded by the Company during the two years preceding the date of this annual report were entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

 

D.Exchange Controls

 

The Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Law of Japan and its related cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances (the “Foreign Exchange Regulations”) govern the acquisition and holding of shares of Common Stock of the Company by “exchange non-residents” and by “foreign investors.” The Foreign Exchange Regulations currently in effect may affect transactions between exchange non-residents to purchase or sell shares in certain circumstances, even if such transactions are being made outside Japan using currencies other than Japanese yen.

 

Exchange non-residents are:

 

 (i)individuals who do not reside in Japan; and

 

 (ii)corporations whose principal offices are located outside Japan.

 

Generally, branches and other offices of non-resident corporations that are located within Japan are regarded as residents of Japan. Conversely, branches and other offices of Japanese corporations located outside Japan are regarded as exchange non-residents.

 

Foreign investors are:

 

 (i)individuals who are exchange non-residents;

 

 (ii)corporations that are organized under the laws of foreign countries or whose principal offices are located outside of Japan; and


- 75 -

 

 (iii)corporations (1) of which 50% or more of their shares are held by individuals who are exchange non-residentsnonresidents and/or corporations (a) that are organized under the laws of foreign countries or (b) whose principal offices are located outside of Japan or (2) a majority of whose officers, or officers having the power of representation, are individuals who are exchange non-residents.


- 103 -

 

In general, the acquisition of shares of a Japanese company (such as the shares of Common Stock of the Company) by an exchange non-resident from a resident of Japan is not subject to any prior filing requirements. In certain circumstances, however, the Minister of Finance may require prior approval of an acquisition of this type. While prior approval, as described above, is not required, in the case where a resident of Japan transfers shares of a Japanese company (such as the shares of Common Stock of the Company) for consideration exceeding 100 million yen to an exchange non-resident, the resident of Japan who transfers the shares is required to report the transfer to the Minister of Finance within 20 days from the date of the transfer, unless the transfer was made through a bank or financial instruments firms licensed under Japanese law.

 

If a foreign investor acquires shares of a Japanese company that is listed on a Japanese stock exchange (such as the shares of Common Stock of the Company) or that is traded on an over-the-counter market in Japan and, as a result of the acquisition, the foreign investor, in combination with any existing holdings, directly or indirectly holds 10% or more of the issued shares of the relevant company, the foreign investor must file a report of the acquisition with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers having jurisdiction over that Japanese company within 15 days from and including the date of the acquisition. However, in certain circumstances, such as where a business of a Japanese company falls under any business related to the national security of Japan or to maintenance of public safety, etc. which is listed in a schedule included in the Foreign Exchange Regulations, or where the foreign investor is in a country that is not listed in an exemption schedule included in the Foreign Exchange Regulations, a prior notification of the acquisition must be filed with, and the proposed acquisition must be subject to an examination process by, the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers, who may then modify or prohibit the proposed acquisition. In such circumstances, the foreign investor must wait until the examination process is completed, which ordinarily takes 30 days after the filing in principle although such waiting period may be shortened or extended to up to 5 months. The Company believes that certain businesses of the Company fall under businesses listed in the above-mentioned schedule in the Foreign Exchange Regulation, and thus, a foreign investor must file a prior notification of the acquisition with, and must be subject to an examination process by, the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers.

 

Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, dividends paid on and the proceeds from the sale in Japan of shares of Common Stock of the Company held by non-residents of Japan may generally be converted into any foreign currency and repatriated abroad.

 

 

E.Taxation

 

The discussion below is not intended to constitute a complete analysis of all tax consequences relating to the ownership and disposition of shares of Common Stock and ADSs. Prospective purchasers and holders of the shares of Common Stock or ADSs should consult their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of their particular situations.


- 104 -

 

The following is a summary of the principal Japanese national and U.S. federal tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADSs by an Eligible U.S. Holder and a U.S. Holder (each as defined below), as the case may be, that holds those shares or ADSs as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This summary does not purport to address all material tax consequences that may be relevant to holders of shares of Common Stock or ADSs, and does not take into account the specific circumstances of any particular investors, some of which (such as tax-exempt entities, banks, insurance companies, broker-dealers, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, investors liable for alternative minimum tax, investors that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of the Company’s voting stock, investors that hold shares of Common Stock or ADSs as part of a straddle, hedge, conversion or constructive sale transaction or other integrated transaction, personsinvestors that hold shares of Common Stock or ADSs through a partnership or other pass-through entity and Eligible U.S. Holders and U.S. Holders, as the case may be,investors whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar) may be subject to special tax rules. This summary is based on the national or federal tax laws of Japan and of the United States as in effect on the date hereof, as well as on the current income tax convention between the United States and Japan (the “Treaty”), all of which are subject to change (possibly with retroactive effect) and to differing interpretations.


- 76 -

 

In addition, this summary is based in part upon the representations of the Depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the Deposit Agreement for ADSs and in any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. Holder” is any beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock or ADSs that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is:

 

 (i)a citizen or individual resident of the United States;

 

 (ii)a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes organized in or under the laws of the United States, any State, or the District of Columbia;

 

 (iii)an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax without regard to its source; or

 

 (iv)a trust that is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and the control of one or more U.S. persons, or that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.


- 105 -

 

An “Eligible U.S. Holder” is a U.S. Holder that:

 

 (i)is a resident of the United States for purposes of the Treaty;

 

 (ii)does not maintain a permanent establishment in Japan (a) with which shares of Common Stock or ADSs are effectively connected or (b) of which shares of Common Stock or ADSs form part of the business property; and

 

 (iii)is eligible for benefits under the Treaty, with respect to income and gain derived in connection with the shares of Common Stock or ADSs.

 

This summary does not address any aspects of U.S. federal tax law other than income taxation, and does not discuss any aspects of Japanese tax law other than national income taxation, inheritance and gift taxation. Investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal, state and local and Japanese and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares of Common Stock or ADSs. In particular, where relevant, investors are urged to confirm their status as Eligible U.S. Holders with their tax advisors and to discuss with their tax advisors any possible consequences of their failure to qualify as Eligible U.S. Holders. In general, taking into account the earlier assumption, for purposes of the Treaty and for U.S. federal income and Japanese income tax purposes, beneficial owners of ADRs evidencing ADSs will be treated as the owners of the shares of Common Stock represented by those ADSs, and exchanges of shares of Common Stock for ADRs, and exchanges of ADRs for shares of Common Stock, will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or Japanese income tax.

 

Japanese taxation

 

The following is a summary of the principal Japanese tax consequences (limited to national taxes) to non-residentsnonresidents of Japan or non-Japanese corporations without permanent establishments in Japan (“non-resident Holders”) who are holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company or of ADRs evidencing ADSs representing shares of Common Stock of the Company.

 

Generally, non-resident Holders of Japan or a non-Japanese corporation are subject to Japanese withholding tax on dividends paid by a Japanese corporation. The Company withholdsSuch taxes fromare withheld prior to payment of dividends it pays as required by Japanese law. Stock splits in themselves are not subject to Japanese income tax in general.

 

In the absence of an applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax or allowing exemption from Japanese withholding tax, the rate of Japanese withholding tax applicable to dividends paid by Japanese corporations to non-resident Holders is 20%. However, with respect to dividends paid on listed shares issued by a Japanese corporation (such as the shares of Common Stock of the Company) to non-resident Holders, except for any individual shareholder who holds 5% or more of the total issued shares of the relevant Japanese corporation, the aforementioned


- 77 -

20% withholding tax rate is reduced to (i) 7% for dividends due and payable on or before MarchDecember 31, 2009,2011, and (ii) 15% for dividends due and payable on or after AprilJanuary 1, 2009.2012. At the date of this annual report, Japan has income tax treaties, conventions or agreements whereby the above-mentioned withholding tax rate is reduced, in most cases to 15% or 10% for portfolio investors (15% under the income tax treaties with, among other countries, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, and 10% under the income tax treaties with Australia, France, the U.K. and the United States).


- 106 -States.)

 

Under the Treaty, the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax which may be imposed on dividends paid by a Japanese corporation to an Eligible U.S. Holder that is a portfolio investor is generally limited to 10% of the gross amount actually distributed, and dividends paid by a Japanese corporation to an Eligible U.S. Holder that is a pension fund isare exempt from Japanese 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 fund.

 

If the maximum tax rate provided for in the income tax treaty applicable to dividends paid by the Company to any particular non-resident Holder is lower than the withholding tax rate otherwise applicable under Japanese tax law, or if any particular non-resident Holder is exempt from Japanese income tax with respect to such dividends under the income tax treaty applicable to such particular non-resident Holder, such non-resident Holder who is entitled to a reduced rate of or exemption from Japanese withholding tax on payment of dividends on the Company’s shares of Common Stock is required to submit an Application Form for Income Tax Convention Regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax on Dividends in advance through the Companywithholding agent to the relevant tax authority before such payment of dividends. A standing proxy for non-residentnonresident Holders of a Japanese corporation may provide this application service. With respect to ADSs, this reduced rate or exemption is applicable if the Depositary or its agent submits two Application Forms (one before payment of dividends, the other within eight months after the Company’s fiscal year-end or semi-fiscal year-end)record date concerning such payment of dividends) to the Japanese tax authorities. To claim this reduced rate or exemption, any relevant non-resident Holder of ADSs will be required to file a proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable) and to provide other information or documents as may be required by the Depositary. A non-residentnonresident Holder who is entitled, under an applicable income tax treaty, to a reduced treaty rate lower than the withholding tax rate otherwise applicable under Japanese tax law or an exemption from the withholding tax, but failed to submit the required application in advance will be entitled to claim the refund of withholding taxes withheld in excess of the rate under an applicable tax treaty (if such non-resident Holder is entitled to a reduced treaty rate under the applicable income tax treaty) or the whole of the withholding tax withheld (if such non-resident Holder is entitled to an exemption under the applicable income tax treaty) from the relevant Japanese tax authority.authority, by complying with a certain subsequent filing procedure. The Company does not assume any responsibility to ensure withholding at the reduced treaty rate or not withholding for shareholders who would be so eligible under an applicable tax treaty but do not follow the required procedures as stated above.

 

Gains derived from the sale of shares of Common Stock or ADSs outside Japan by a non-resident Holder holding such shares or ADSs as a portfolio investor are, in general, not subject to Japanese income or corporation tax. Eligible U.S. Holders are not subject to Japanese income or corporation tax with respect to such gains under the Treaty, subject to a certain filing requirement under Japanese law.

 

Japanese inheritance and gift taxes at progressive rates may be payable by an individual who has acquired from an individual shares of Common Stock or ADSs as a legatee, heir or donee even though neither the acquiring individual nor the deceased nor donor is a Japanese resident.


- 107 -

 

Holders of shares of Common Stock of the Company or ADSs should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of these taxes and, in the case of U.S. Holders, the possible application of the Estate and Gift Tax Treaty between the U.S. and Japan.

 

U.S. federal income taxation

 

The following is a summary of certain United States federal income tax consequences of the ownership of shares of Common Stock or ADSs by a U.S. Holder. This summary is based on United States tax laws, including the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and on the Treaty all of which are subject to change possibly with retroactive effect.

 

This section does not apply to a person who is a member of a 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 its 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 the voting stock of the Company, a person that holds shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction, or a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

This summary is not a comprehensive description of all the tax considerations that may be relevant with respect to a U.S. holder’s shares or ADSs. Each beneficial owner of shares or ADSs should consult its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal, state and local and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares and ADSs in its particular circumstances.


- 10878 -

 

Taxation of dividends

 

Under the United States federal income tax laws, and subject to the passive foreign investment company (PFIC) rules discussed below, the gross amount of any dividends received by a U.S. Holder (before reduction for Japanese withholding taxes) to the extent paid out of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) will be subject to U.S. federal taxation. Dividends paid to non-corporate U.S. Holders in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 that constitute qualified dividend income will be taxable at a maximum tax rate of 15% provided that the U.S. Holders held the shares of Common Stock 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 the Company pays with respect to the shares of Common Stock or ADSs generally will be qualified dividend income. The U.S. Holder must include any Japanese tax withheld from the dividend payment in this gross amount even though it does not in fact receive it. The dividend is taxable to the U.S. Holder when the U.S. Holder, in the case of shares of Common Stock, or the Depositary, in the case of ADSs, receives 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 the U.S. Holder must include in its income 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 is includible in the U.S. Holder’s income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the period from the date the U.S. Holder includes the dividend payment in income to the date the U.S. Holder converts 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 non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the U.S. Holder’s basis in the shares of Common Stock or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain.

 

Subject to certain limitations, the Japanese tax withheld in accordance with the Treaty will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s United States federal income tax liability. Special rules apply in determining the foreign tax credit limitation with respect to dividends that are subject to the maximum 15% tax rate. For foreign tax credit limitation purposes, the dividend will be income from sources outside the United States. Dividends paid in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2007 generally will be “passive” or “financial services” income,States and dividends paid in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006 will, depending on the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, be “passive”either “passive income” or “general” income which, in either case, is treated separately from other types of income“general income” for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to a U.S. Holder.


- 109 -

 

Taxation of capital gains

 

Subject to the PFIC rules discussed below, upon a sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADSs, a U.S. Holder will recognize gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized and the U.S. Holder’s tax basis (determined in U.S. dollars) in such shares of Common Stock or ADSs. Generally, such gain or loss will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding period for such shares of Common Stock or ADSs is greater than 1 year. Long-term capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. Holder that is recognized in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15%. Any such gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

 

Transfers of retained earnings and sales of shares of Common Stock to the Company

 

A transfer of retained earnings or legal reserve to stated capital is generally treated as a dividend payment for Japanese tax purposes subject to withholding tax. A sale of shares of Common Stock or ADSs to the Company results in a deemed dividend for Japanese tax purpose to the selling shareholders to the extent that the sales price exceeds the aggregate of the stated capital and the capital surplus attributable to the shares sold. Transfers of retained earnings or legal reserves to stated capital and deemed dividends that may result from sales of shares of Common Stock to the Company are not generally taxable events that give rise to foreign source income for U.S. federal income tax purposes and U.S. Holders would not be able to use the foreign tax credit arising from any Japanese withholding tax imposed on such transactions unless they can apply the credit (subject to limitations) against U.S. tax due on other foreign source income in the appropriate category for foreign tax credit purposes.


- 79 -

 

Passive foreign investment company considerations

 

The Company believes that shares of Common Stock and ADSs should not be treated as stock of a PFIC for United States federal income tax purposes, but this conclusion is a factual determination made annually and thus may be subject to change. If the Company were to be treated as a PFIC (unless a U.S. Holder elects to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to the shares of Common Stock or ADSs), gain realized on the sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock or ADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain, and a U.S. Holder would be treated as if such holder had realized such gain and certain “excess distributions” ratably over the holder’s holding period for the shares of Common Stock or ADSs and would 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, shares of Common stock or ADSs will be treated as stock in a PFIC if the Company were a PFIC at any time during the U.S. Holder’s holding period in the shares of Common Stock or ADSs.

 

Dividends that such U.S. Holder receives from the Company will not be eligible for the special tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income if the Company is treated as a PFIC with respect to such U.S. Holder either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but instead will be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income.


- 110 -

 

 

F.Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Not applicable

 

 

G.Statement by Experts

 

Not applicable

 

 

H.Documents on Display

 

According to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company is subject to the requirements of informational disclosure. The Company files various reports and other information, including its annual report on Form 20-F, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports and other information may be inspected at the public reference room at the Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549. You can also obtain a copy of such material by mail from the public reference room of the Securities and Exchange Commission at prescribed fees. You may obtain information on the operation of the Securities and Exchange Commission public reference room by calling the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330.

 

Also, documents filed via the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system (EDGAR) are available at the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (http://www.sec.gov).

 

 

I.Subsidiary Information

 

Not applicable

 

 

J.Expenses of the Issue

Not applicable


- 111 -

Item 11.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

The Company is exposed to market risk, including changes of foreign exchange rates, interest rates and prices of marketable securities and commodities. In order to hedge the risks of changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices, the Company uses derivative financial instruments. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Although the use of derivative financial instruments exposes the Company to the risk of credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties, the Company believes that such risk is minor because of the high credit rating of the counterparties.


- 80 -

 

Equity Price Risk

 

The Company holds available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments and investments and advances. In general, highly-liquid and low risk instruments are preferred in the portfolio. Available-for-sale securities included in investments and advances are held as longer term investments. The Company does not hold marketable securities for trading purposes.

 

Maturities costs and fair values of investments in available-for-sale securities were as follows at March 31, 2009 and 2008 and 2007:are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

  Cost

  Fair
value


  Cost

  Fair
value


  Cost

  Fair
value


  Cost

  Fair
value


Due within one year

  47,262  47,414  93,089  93,179  1,972  1,998  47,262  47,414

Due after one year through five years

  34,991  35,456  82,799  83,226  9,782  9,910  34,991  35,456

Due after five years through ten years

  2,200  2,197  3,922  3,994  —    —    2,200  2,197

Equity securities

  333,057  441,839  293,314  607,271  269,735  284,356  333,057  441,839
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

  417,510  526,906  473,124  787,670  281,489  296,264  417,510  526,906
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Foreign Exchange Risk

 

The primary purpose of the Company’s foreign currency hedging activities is to protect against the volatility associated with foreign currency transactions. The Company primarily utilizes forward exchange contracts and options with a duration of less than a few months. The Company also enters into foreign exchange contracts from time to time to hedge the risk of fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates associated with long-term debt that is denominated in foreign currencies. Foreign exchange contracts related to such long-term debt have the same maturity as the underlying debt.

 

The following table provides the contract amounts and fair values of foreign exchange contracts, primarily hedging U.S. dollar and euro revenues, at March 31, 20082009 and 2007.2008. Amounts related to foreign exchange contracts entered into in connection with long-term debt denominated in foreign currencies which eliminate all foreign currency exposures, are shown in the table of “Interest Rate Risk.”


- 112 -

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 
  Contract
amount


  Fair
    value    


 Contract
amount


  Fair
    value    


   Contract
amount


  Fair
    value    


 Contract
amount


  Fair
    value    


 

Forward:

                  

To sell foreign currencies

  312,390  11,682  409,216  (842)  334,586  (9,902 312,390  11,682  

To buy foreign currencies

  185,267  (2,388) 323,478  (706)  190,495  2,503   185,267  (2,388

Cross currency swaps

  32,717  (874) 14,388  (159)  33,953  1,535   32,717  (874

 

Commodity Price Risk

 

The Company is exposed to market risk of changes in prices of commodities including various non-ferrous metals used in the manufacturing of electronic components and devices.various products. The Company enters into commodity future contracts to offset such exposure.

 

The following table provides the contract amounts and fair values of commodity futures at March 31, 20082009 and 2007.2008.

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 
  Contract
amount


  Fair
  value  


 Contract
amount


  Fair
  value  


   Contract
amount


  Fair
    value    


 Contract
amount


  Fair
    value    


 

Commodity futures:

                  

To sell commodity

  129,425  (9,746) 86,023  (11,243)  48,858  13,955   129,425  (9,746

To buy commodity

  294,884  28,325  210,890  33,996   168,527  (57,720 294,884  28,325  


- 81 -

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates principally to its debt obligations. The Company has long-term debt primarily with fixed rates. Fixed-rate debt obligations expose the Company to variability in their fair values due to changes in interest rates. To manage the variability in the fair values caused by interest rate changes, the Company enters into interest rate swaps when it is determined to be appropriate based on market conditions. Interest rate swaps change fixed-rate debt obligations to variable-rate debt obligations by entering into fixed-receiving, variable-paying interest rate swap contracts. The hedging relationship between interest rate swaps and hedged debt obligations is highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair values resulting from interest rate risk. The following tables provide information about the Company’s derivative financial instruments and other financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates at March 31, 20082009 and 2007.2008. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows by expected maturity dates, related weighted average interest rates and fair values of financial instruments. For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional principal amounts and weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates. Notional principal amounts are used to calculate the contractual payments to be exchanged under the contracts.


- 113 -

 

Long-term debt, including current portion:

 

   Average
interest
rate


 Yen (millions)

    Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2008)

    Total

  2009

  2010

  2011

  2012

  2013

  There-
after


  Fair
value


Straight bond

  1.6% 100,000           100,000        101,944

Straight bonds issued by subsidiaries

  1.0% 50,150  30,000        150     20,000  50,410

Unsecured loans

  2.0% 33,920  10,410  8,895  8,937  4,180  1,498     34,042

Secured yen loans by subsidiaries

  2.6% 4,011  356  216  198  232  211  2,798  4,011
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

    188,081    40,766      9,111      9,135  104,562      1,709    22,798  190,407
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   Average
interest
rate


 Yen (millions)

   Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2009)

   Total

  2010

  2011

  2012

  2013

  2014

  There-
after


  Fair
value


Unsecured Straight bonds

  1.5% 500,000        200,000     200,000  100,000  500,791

Unsecured Straight bonds issued by subsidiaries

  1.6% 60,143        150     20,000  39,993  60,171

Unsecured bank loans

  1.6% 22,043  7,446  7,531  5,560  1,347  159     22,073

Secured yen bank loans by subsidiaries

  2.5% 3,136  29  344  197  187  193  2,186  3,136
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

      585,322      7,475      7,875  205,907      1,534  220,352    142,179  586,171
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

   Average
interest
rate


 Yen (millions)

    Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2007)

    Total

  2008

  2009

  2010

  2011

  2012

  There-
after


  Fair
value


Straight bond

  1.6% 100,000              100,000     101,345

Straight bonds issued by subsidiaries

  1.3% 80,000  10,000  30,000  20,000        20,000  80,165

Unsecured loans

  1.2% 30,580  16,596  11,243  2,658  58  20  5  30,516

Secured yen loans by subsidiaries

  2.1% 4,681  22  561  221  274  236  3,367  4,681
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

    215,261    26,618    41,804    22,879         332  100,256      23,372  216,707
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

   Average
interest
rate


 Yen (millions)

    Carrying amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2008)

    Total

  2009

  2010

  2011

  2012

  2013

  There-
after


  Fair
value


Unsecured Straight bond

  1.6% 100,000           100,000        101,944

Unsecured Straight bonds issued by subsidiaries

  1.0% 50,150  30,000        150     20,000  50,410

Unsecured bank loans

  2.0% 33,920  10,410  8,895  8,937  4,180  1,498     34,042

Secured yen bank loans by subsidiaries

  2.6% 4,011  356  216  198  232  211  2,798  4,011
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

      188,081      40,766      9,111      9,135  104,562    1,709    22,798    190,407
     
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Interest rate swaps:


- 82 -

 

      Yen (millions)

      Notional amount and maturity date (as of March 31, 2007)

Average
receive
      rate      


  

           Average pay rate          


  2008

      2009    

      2010    

      2011    

      2012    

    There-  
after

  Fair
value


3.82%  3.93%      6,136                  

Item 12.Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities

 

Not applicable


- 11483 -

 

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

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management, with the participation of its principal executive and principal financial officers, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2008.2009. Based on that evaluation, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

The Company’sPanasonic’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequateeffective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. 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

(iii) 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 formay not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the Company. Management,risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or because the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The management of the Company, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, evaluatedconducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting (as definedas of March 31, 2009 based on the frame work in Rules 13a-15(f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) using the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework“Internal Control-Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO)(“COSO”). Based on this evaluation,the assessment, the management of the Company concluded that the internal control over financial reporting of the Company was effective as of March 31, 2009.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG AZSA & Co., has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of March 31, 2008. KPMG AZSA & Co., an independent registered public accounting firm, which audited the Company’s financial statements included herein, has issued an auditstated in their report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is also included herein.


- 84 -

 

Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

 

No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the year ended March 31, 20082009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


- 115 -

 

 

Item 16A.Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Matsushita’sPanasonic’s Board of Corporate Auditors has determined that Kenichi Hamada, a Senior Corporate Auditor of Matsushita,Panasonic, is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined by Item 16A of Form 20-F. Mr. Hamada meets the independence requirements imposed on corporate auditors under the Company Law of Japan.

 

 

Item 16B.Code of Ethics

 

MatsushitaPanasonic has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and other Executive Officers. The Code of Ethics is attached as an exhibit to the annual report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004 on Form 20-F.(exhibit 11.1).

 

 

Item 16C.Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Fees and services by the Company’s principal accountant

 

The following table shows the aggregate fees accrued or paid to KPMG AZSA & Co. and its member firms (KPMG), the Company’s principal accountant for the years ended March 31, 20082009 and 2007:2008:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

Audit fees

  2,635  2,910  2,439  2,635

Audit-related fees

  541  582  330  541

Tax fees

  148  278  220  148

All other fees

  27  148  4  27
  
  
  
  

Total

  3,351  3,918  2,993  3,351
  
  
  
  

 

Audit fees are fees for professional services for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. Audit-related fees are fees for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under the Audit fees category, such as assistance in review of internal controls related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,financial due diligence and issuance of certificated documents.service. Tax fees are fees for professional services rendered mainly for tax compliance, tax advice, tax consulting associated with international transfer prices and expatriate employee tax services. All other fees are fees for those services not reported under the Audit fees, Audit-related fees, and Tax fees categories, such as professional advices related to environmental regulations.categories.

 

No services were provided for which pre-approval was waived pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.


- 116 -

 

Policy of the Company’s Board of Corporate Auditors on pre-approval of audit or non-audit services

 

In accordance with paragraph (c)(7)(i) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X and the related adopting release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company’s Board of Corporate Auditors must pre-approve the engagement of the Company’s principal accountant, currently KPMG AZSA & Co., by MatsushitaPanasonic or its subsidiaries to render audit or non-audit services. Also, paragraph (c)(4) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X provides that an accountant is not independent from an audit client if the accountant provides certain non-audit services to the audit client. Under the policy adopted by the Company’s Board of Corporate Auditors, all audit or non-audit services provided by KPMG AZSA & Co. must be specifically pre-approved by the Board of Corporate Auditors. Such pre-approval is considered at the monthly meetings of the Board of Corporate Auditors. Any service that either falls into a category of services that are not permitted by the applicable law or regulation or is otherwise deemed by the Board of Corporate Auditors to be inconsistent with the maintenance of the principal accountant’s independence is rejected. Management’s requests for proposed engagement of the principal accountant to render services that require immediate approval, if considered necessary, are pre-approved by a designated member of the Board of Corporate Auditors, and then reported to the Board of Corporate Auditors at its next meeting.


- 85 -

 

Item 16D.    Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit CommitteesExemptions 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 the Company through Section 303A.06 of the New York Stock Exchange’s Listed Company Manual, the Company relies on an exemption provided by paragraph (c)(3) of that Rule available to foreign private issuers with boards of corporate auditors meeting certain requirements. For a New York Stock Exchange-listed Japanese company with a board of corporate auditors, the requirements for relying on paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 are as follows:

 

The board of corporate auditors must be established, and its members must be selected, pursuant to Japanese law expressly requiring such a board for Japanese companies that elect to have a corporate governance system with corporate auditors.

 

Japanese law must and does require the board of corporate auditors to be separate from the board of directors.

 

None of the members of the board of corporate auditors is elected by management, and none of the listed company’s executive officers is a member of the board of corporate auditors.

 

Japanese law must and does set forth standards for the independence of the members of the board of corporate auditors from the listed company or its management.

 

The board of corporate auditors, in accordance with Japanese law or the listed company’s governing documents, must be responsible, to 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.


- 117 -

 

To the extent permitted by Japanese law:

 

 the board of corporate auditors 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 board of corporate auditors 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 board of corporate auditors, 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 board of corporate auditors, and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the board of corporate auditors that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

 

In the Company’s assessment, its Board of Corporate Auditors, which meets the requirements for reliance on the exemption in paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 described above, is not materially less effective than 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.


- 86 -

 

Item 16E.    Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated PurchasersPurchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

 

The following table sets forth, for each of the months indicated, the total number of shares purchased by or on behalf of the Company or any affiliated purchaser, the average price paid per share, the number of shares purchased as part of the repurchase plan announced on April 27, 200728, 2008 as described above and the maximum number of shares or approximate Japanese Yen value that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs.


- 118 -

 

  Period  


    (a) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
(Shares)


  (b) Average
Price Paid per
Share*

(Yen)

  (c) Total
Number of Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plan
(Shares)


  (d) Maximum
Number of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan

(Shares)

April 1 - 30, 2007

    92,107  2,403     50,000,000

May 1 - 31, 2007

    4,225,006  2,435  4,107,000  45,893,000

June 1 - 30, 2007

    12,071,930  2,536  11,828,000  34,065,000

July 1 - 31, 2007

    229,650  2,367      

August 1 - 31, 2007

    9,675,271  2,085  9,591,000  24,474,000

September 1 - 30, 2007

    42,885  2,020      

October 1 - 31, 2007

    79,243  2,079      

November 1 - 30, 2007

    9,241,899  2,219  9,006,000  15,468,000

December 1 - 31, 2007

    125,733  2,310      

January 1 - 31, 2008

    90,413  2,171      

February 1 - 29, 2008

    68,361  2,262      

March 1 - 31, 2008

    9,464,648  2,125  9,412,000  6,056,000
     
  
  
  

Total

    45,407,146  2,276  43,944,000   
     
  
  
   

  Period  


    (a) Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
(Shares)


  (b) Average
Price Paid

per Share*
(Yen)


  (c) Total
Number of Shares
Purchased as

Part of Publicly
Announced Plan
(Shares)


  (d) Maximum
Number of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plan
(Shares)


April 1 - 30, 2008

    52,620  2,111     50,000,000

May 1 - 31, 2008

    124,144  2,388      

June 1 - 30, 2008

    16,820,196  2,405  16,635,000  33,365,000

July 1 - 31, 2008

    6,690,049  2,296  6,529,000  26,836,000

August 1 - 31, 2008

    6,609,166  2,318  6,470,000  20,366,000

September 1 - 30, 2008

    117,475  2,116      

October 1 - 31, 2008

    79,016  1,594      

November 1 - 30, 2008

    250,267  1,787      

December 1 - 31, 2008

    197,626  1,082      

January 1 - 31, 2009

    44,376  1,079      

February 1 - 29, 2009

    41,942  1,131      

March 1 - 31, 2009

    31,409  1,158      
     
  
  
  

Total

    31,058,286  2,341  29,634,000   
     
  
  
   

*The amounts less than yen are rounded to the nearest whole of a yen.

 

On April 27, 2007,28, 2008, the Company announced that the Board of Directors resolved to repurchase its own shares from the market, pursuant to Article 459, Paragraph 1, Item 1 of the Company Law of Japan as follows:

 

Class of shares

    

: Common stock

Aggregate number of shares to be repurchased

    

: Up to 50 million shares

Aggregate amount to be repurchased

    

: Up to 100 billion yen

Period of repurchase

    

: Between May 1, 2007April 30, 2008 and late March 20082009

 

Under the Company Law of Japan, a holder of shares consisting less than a full unit may require the Company to purchase such shares at their market value (see “Common Stock—Unit share system” in Section B of Item 10). During the year ended March 31, 2008,2009, the Company purchased 1,178,9121,057,208 shares for a total purchase price of 2,744,835,1852,069,369,133 yen upon such requests from holders of shares consisting less than one full unit.

 

The Directors, Corporate Auditors, Executive Officers and Executive Counselors in Japan are eligible to participate in the Matsushita ElectricPanasonic Corporation Directors and Executive Officers Shareholding Association, which is an affiliated purchaser, and the Association purchases shares of the Company’s common stock on their behalf. During the year ended March 31, 2008,2009, the Association purchased 112,234183,078 shares for a total purchase price of 249,990,520287,341,005 yen.

 

The information for the period “November 1 – 30, 2007”2008” in the above table includes the purchase by the Company of 172,000184,000 shares of its common stock from a certain shareholder at a price of 2,1551,900 yen per share in November 2007.2008. This purchase relates to the merger of a wholly-owned Japanese subsidiary into the Company, which was conducted through the procedures provided under the Company Law of Japan and became effective on October 1, 2007.2008. This shareholder followed the procedures provided under the Company Law to require the Company to purchase his shares of its common stock.


- 11987 -

Item 16F.Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not applicable

Item 16G.Corporate Governance

Companies listed on the NYSE must comply with certain standards regarding corporate governance under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. However, listed companies that are foreign private issuers, such as Panasonic, are permitted to follow home country practice in lieu of certain provisions of Section 303A.

The following table shows the significant differences between the corporate governance practices followed by U.S. listed companies under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual and those followed by Panasonic.

Corporate Governance Practices Followed by NYSE- listed U.S. companies

Corporate Governance Practices Followed by Panasonic
A NYSE-listed U.S. company must have a majority of directors meeting the independence requirements under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

The Company Law does not require independent directors on the board of directors. The Company Law has provisions for an “outside director,” whose definition is similar to, but not the same as, an independent director under the NYSE Listed Company Manual. An “outside director” is defined as a director of the company who does not engage or has not engaged in the execution of business of the company or its subsidiaries as a director of any of these corporations, and who does not serve or has not served as an executive officer, manager or in any other capacity as an employee of the company or its subsidiaries. A Japanese joint stock corporation with corporate auditors, such as Panasonic, is not obliged under the Company Law to have any outside directors on its board of directors.

However, Panasonic had two (2) outside Directors as of June 25, 2009. The tasks of supervising the administration of the Company’s affairs are assigned not only to the Board of Directors but also to Corporate Auditors, as more fully described below.

A NYSE-listed U.S. company must have an audit committee with responsibilities described under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual, including those imposed by Rule 10A-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The audit committee must be composed entirely of independent directors, and the audit committee must have at least three members and satisfy the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

A Japanese joint stock corporation is not required to have any audit, nominating and compensation committees, except for a “joint stock corporation with specified committees,” which is a corporate governance system that may be adopted by Japanese joint stock corporations meeting certain criteria.

Most Japanese joint stock corporations, including Panasonic, employ a corporate governance system based on corporate auditors. With this system, the tasks of supervising the administration of the company’s affairs conducted by directors are assigned not only to the board of directors but also to corporate auditors who are appointed at a general meeting of shareholders, and who are separate and independent from the board of directors. All corporate auditors must meet certain independence requirements under the Company Law. Under the Company Law, Panasonic is required to appoint at least three (3) Corporate Auditors, and at least half of Panasonic’s Corporate Auditors are required to be “Outside Corporate Auditors” who must meet additional independence requirements. An “outside corporate auditor” is defined as a corporate auditor of the Company who has never been as a director, accounting counselor, executive officer, manager or in any other capacity as an employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries prior to the appointment. Under the Company Law, Panasonic is required to establish a Board of Corporate Auditors, comprising all the Company’s Corporate Auditors.


- 88 -

As of June 25, 2009, Panasonic had five (5) Corporate Auditors, of which three (3) were Outside Corporate Auditors. Each Corporate Auditor of Panasonic has a four-year term. In contrast, the term of each Director of Panasonic is one year. Corporate Auditors are obliged to attend the meetings of the Board of Directors and express their opinion at the meetings if necessary. The Board of Corporate Auditors and Corporate Auditors have a statutory duty to supervise the administration of the Company’s affairs by Directors. The Board of Corporate Auditors has a statutory duty to, based on the reports prepared by respective Corporate Auditors, prepare and submit its audit report to Accounting Auditors and the Directors who prepared the financial statements and the business report. A copy of the audit report is included in the appendix to the convocation notice of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders.

A Corporate Auditor also has a statutory duty to examine the financial statements of Panasonic, and receives auditors’ reports from an accounting auditor (a certified public accountant or an accounting firm). The Board of Corporate Auditors has the power to request that Panasonic’s Directors submit a proposal for dismissal of an accounting auditor to a general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Corporate Auditors also has the power to directly dismiss an accounting auditor under certain conditions. Panasonic’s Directors must obtain the consent of its Board of Corporate Auditors in order to submit a proposal for election, dismissal and/or non-reelection of an accounting auditor to a general meeting of shareholders.

With respect to the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to listed company audit committees, Panasonic relies on an exemption under that rule which is available to foreign private issuers with a board of corporate auditors meeting certain requirements.

A NYSE-listed U.S. company must have a nominating/corporate governance committee with responsibilities described under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The nominating/corporate governance committee must be composed entirely of independent directors.

Under the Company Law, Panasonic’s Directors must be elected and/or dismissed at a general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors nominates Director candidates and submits a proposal for election of directors to a general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Directors does not have the power to fill vacancies thereon.

Panasonic’s Corporate Auditors must also be elected and/or dismissed at a general meeting of shareholders. Panasonic’s Directors must obtain the consent of the Board of Corporate Auditors in order to submit a proposal for election and/or dismissal of a Corporate Auditor to a general meeting of shareholders. Each of the Corporate Auditors has the right to state his/her opinion concerning the election, dismissal and/or resignation of any Corporate Auditor, including himself/herself, at a general meeting of shareholders. The Board of Corporate Auditors is also empowered to request Directors to submit a proposal for election of a specific person as a Corporate Auditor to a general meeting of shareholders.


- 89 -

A NYSE-listed U.S. company must have a compensation committee with responsibilities described under Section 303A of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. The compensation committee must be composed entirely of independent directors.

Under the Company Law, the maximum amounts of remunerations, including equity compensation such as stock options, bonuses, and other financial benefits given in consideration of performance of duties (collectively, the “remunerations”) of directors and corporate auditors of Japanese joint stock corporations, except for a “joint stock corporation with specified committees,” must be approved at a general meeting of shareholders. Companies must also obtain the approval at a general meeting of shareholders to change such maximum amounts. Therefore, the remunerations of the directors and corporate auditors are subject to the approval of shareholders.

The maximum total amounts of remunerations for Directors and Corporate Auditors of Panasonic is therefore determined by a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders, and thus remunerations of the Directors and Corporate Auditors of Panasonic are under the oversight of shareholders. The remuneration amount for each Director is determined by Panasonic’s Representative Directors who are delegated to make such determination by the Board of Directors, and the amount of remuneration for each Corporate Auditor is determined upon discussions amongst the Corporate Auditors.

A NYSE-listed U.S. company must generally obtain shareholder approval with respect to any equity compensation plan.

Pursuant to the Company Law, if a Japanese joint stock corporation, such as Panasonic, 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 shareholders on a pro rata basis), such plan must be approved by a “special resolution” of a general meeting of shareholders that satisfies the prescribed quorum. (In the case of Panasonic, such 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 as provided by Panasonic’s Articles of Incorporation pursuant to the Company Law.)


- 90 -

 

PART III

 

 

Item 17.Financial Statements

 

 

Not applicable

 

 

Item 18.Financial Statements

 

 

Index of Consolidated Financial Statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and Subsidiaries:

 

   Page

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

  12091

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 20082009 and 20072008

  12293

Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

  12495

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

  12596

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

  12798

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  129100

 

Schedule for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006:2007:

 

Schedule II      Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

  171145

 

All other schedules are omitted as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission as the required information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto, or the schedules are not applicable.


- 12091 -

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.:Panasonic Corporation:

 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation 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 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2008,2009, 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 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), Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008,2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria), and our report dated June 30, 20082009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

KPMG AZSA & Co.

 

Osaka, Japan

June 30, 20082009


- 12192 -

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.:Panasonic Corporation:

 

We have audited Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and subsidiaries’ Internal Control over Financial Reporting as of March 31, 2008,2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). The Company’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. 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 U.S. 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 U.S. 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, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2008,2009, based on the COSO criteria.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement schedule of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, and the results of their operations and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2008,2009, and our report dated June 30, 20082009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

 

 

KPMG AZSA & Co.

 

Osaka, Japan

June 30, 20082009


- 12293 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

March 31, 20082009 and 20072008

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 

Assets


  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Current assets:

      

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 8)

  1,214,816  1,236,639   973,867   1,214,816  

Time deposits (Note 8)

  70,108  225,458   189,288   70,108  

Short-term investments (Notes 4 and 17)

  47,414  93,179   1,998   47,414  

Trade receivables (Note 15):

      

Related companies (Note 3)

  33,874  29,114   16,178   33,874  

Notes

  58,484  68,472   42,582   58,484  

Accounts

  1,013,693  1,072,485   727,504   1,013,693  

Allowance for doubtful receivables

  (20,868) (29,061)  (21,131 (20,868
  

 

  

 

Net trade receivables

  1,085,183  1,141,010   765,133   1,085,183  
  

 

  

 

Inventories (Note 2)

  864,264  949,399   771,137   864,264  

Other current assets (Notes 6, 10 and 17)

  517,409  553,164 

Other current assets (Notes 10, 16 and 17)

  493,271   517,409  
  

 

  

 

Total current assets

  3,799,194  4,198,849   3,194,694   3,799,194  
  

 

  

 

Investments and advances:

      

Associated companies (Note 3)

  153,668  143,201 

Associated companies (Notes 3 and 17)

  123,959   153,668  

Other investments and advances (Notes 4, 8 and 17)

  688,488  1,062,881   427,792   688,488  
  

 

  

 

Total investments and advances

  842,156  1,206,082   551,751   842,156  
  

 

  

 

Property, plant and equipment (Notes 5, 6 and 8):

      

Land

  308,365  371,154   298,346   308,365  

Buildings

  1,559,357  1,633,747   1,532,359   1,559,357  

Machinery and equipment

  2,592,229  3,126,397   2,229,123   2,592,229  

Construction in progress

  120,026  105,487   213,617   120,026  
  

 

  

 

  4,579,977  5,236,785   4,273,445   4,579,977  

Less accumulated depreciation

  2,822,604  3,594,492   2,698,615   2,822,604  
  

 

  

 

Net property, plant and equipment

  1,757,373  1,642,293   1,574,830   1,757,373  
  

 

  

 

Other assets:

      

Goodwill (Note 7)

  429,902  379,324   410,792   429,902  

Intangible assets (Note 7)

  128,917  115,631 

Intangible assets (Notes 6 and 7)

  120,712   128,917  

Other assets (Notes 9 and 10)

  486,072  354,779   550,537   486,072  
  

 

  

 

Total other assets

  1,044,891  849,734   1,082,041   1,044,891  
  

 

  

 

  7,443,614  7,896,958   6,403,316   7,443,614  
  

 

  

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 12394 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

March 31, 20082009 and 20072008

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 

Liabilities, Minority Interests and Stockholders’ Equity


  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Current liabilities:

      

Short-term borrowings, including current portion of long-term debt (Notes 5, 8 and 17)

  156,260  223,190   94,355   156,260  

Trade payables:

      

Related companies (Note 3)

  71,384  86,799   58,315   71,384  

Notes

  37,172  51,588   38,196   37,172  

Accounts

  831,998  796,590   582,857   831,998  
  

 

  

 

Total trade payables

  940,554  934,977   679,368   940,554  
  

 

  

 

Accrued income taxes (Note 10)

  58,943  61,524   26,139   58,943  

Accrued payroll

  134,255  139,719   115,845   134,255  

Other accrued expenses (Note 18)

  784,538  863,428   672,836   784,538  

Deposits and advances from customers

  78,494  83,676   60,935   78,494  

Employees’ deposits

  355  406   269   355  

Other current liabilities (Notes 9, 10 and 17)

  407,560  434,947 

Other current liabilities (Notes 9, 10, 16 and 17)

  350,681   407,560  
  

 

  

 

Total current liabilities

  2,560,959  2,741,867   2,000,428   2,560,959  
  

 

  

 

Noncurrent liabilities:

      

Long-term debt (Notes 5, 8 and 17)

  232,346  226,780   651,310   232,346  

Retirement and severance benefits (Note 9)

  238,396  280,958   404,367   238,396  

Other liabilities (Note 10)

  154,964  179,458   134,630   154,964  
  

 

  

 

Total noncurrent liabilities

  625,706  687,196   1,190,307   625,706  
  

 

  

 

Minority interests

  514,620  551,154   428,601   514,620  

Stockholders’ equity:

      

Common stock (Note 11):

      

Authorized -4,950,000,000 shares

Issued -2,453,053,497 shares (2,453,053,497 shares in 2007)

  258,740  258,740 

Authorized - 4,950,000,000 shares

   

Issued - 2,453,053,497 shares (2,453,053,497 shares in 2008)

  258,740   258,740  

Capital surplus (Note 11)

  1,217,865  1,220,967   1,217,764   1,217,865  

Legal reserve (Note 11)

  90,129  88,588   92,726   90,129  

Retained earnings (Note 11)

  2,948,065  2,737,024   2,479,416   2,948,065  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Notes 4, 9, 12 and 16):

      

Cumulative translation adjustments

  (228,792) (99,538)  (341,592 (228,792

Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities

  45,442  160,831 

Unrealized gains of derivative instruments

  4,326  862 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) of available-for-sale securities

  (10,563 45,442  

Unrealized gains (losses) of derivative instruments

  (4,889 4,326  

Pension liability adjustments

  5,127  44,942   (237,333 5,127  
  

 

  

 

Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

  (173,897) 107,097 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (594,377 (173,897
  

 

  

 

Treasury stock, at cost (Note 11):

      

351,936,341 shares (306,769,039 shares in 2007)

  (598,573) (495,675)

382,411,876 shares (351,936,341 shares in 2008)

  (670,289 (598,573
  

 

  

 

Total stockholders’ equity

  3,742,329  3,916,741   2,783,980   3,742,329  

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 18)

      
  

 

  

 

  7,443,614  7,896,958   6,403,316   7,443,614  
  

 

  

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 12495 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of IncomeOperations

 

Years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Revenues, costs and expenses:

      

Net sales:

      

Related companies (Note 3)

  371,216  250,863  204,740   223,231   371,216   250,863  

Other

  8,697,712  8,857,307  8,689,589   7,542,276   8,697,712   8,857,307  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total net sales

  9,068,928  9,108,170  8,894,329   7,765,507   9,068,928   9,108,170  

Cost of sales (Notes 3 and 15)

  (6,377,240) (6,394,418) (6,155,297)

Cost of sales (Notes 3, 15 and 16)

  (5,667,287 (6,377,240 (6,394,418

Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 15)

  (2,172,207) (2,254,211) (2,324,759)  (2,025,347 (2,172,207 (2,254,211

Interest income

  34,371  30,553  28,216   23,477   34,371   30,553  

Dividends received

  10,317  7,597  6,567   11,486   10,317   7,597  

Other income (Notes 4, 5 and 16)

  70,460  114,545  147,399   52,709   70,460   114,545  

Interest expense

  (20,357) (20,906) (21,686)  (19,386 (20,357 (20,906

Goodwill impairment (Note 7)

  —    (30,496) (50,050)

Other deductions (Notes 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 15 and 16)

  (179,279) (121,690) (153,407)

Goodwill impairment

  —     —     (30,496

Other deductions (Notes 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16 and 17)

  (523,793 (179,279 (121,690
  

 

 

  

 

 

Income before income taxes

  434,993  439,144  371,312 

Income (loss) before income taxes

  (382,634 434,993   439,144  

Provision for income taxes (Note 10):

      

Current

  128,181  119,465  96,341   61,840   128,181   119,465  

Deferred

  (13,608) 72,398  70,748   (24,482 (13,608 72,398  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  114,573  191,863  167,089   37,358   114,573   191,863  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Income before minority interests and equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies

  320,420  247,281  204,223 

Income (loss) before minority interests and equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies

  (419,992 320,420   247,281  

Minority interests

  28,637  31,131  (987)  (24,882 28,637   31,131  

Equity in earnings (losses) of associated companies (Note 3)

  (9,906) 1,035  (50,800)  16,149   (9,906 1,035  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net income

  281,877  217,185  154,410 

Net income (loss)

  (378,961 281,877   217,185  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  Yen

   Yen

 

Net income per share of common stock (Note 13):

   

Net income (loss) per share of common stock (Note 13):

   

Basic

  132.90  99.50  69.48   (182.25 132.90   99.50  

Diluted

  132.90  99.50  69.48   (182.25 132.90   99.50  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 12596 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

Years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Common stock (Note 11):

      

Balance at beginning of year

  258,740  258,740  258,740   258,740   258,740   258,740  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of year

  258,740  258,740  258,740   258,740   258,740   258,740  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Capital surplus (Note 11):

      

Balance at beginning of year

  1,220,967  1,234,289  1,230,701   1,217,865   1,220,967   1,234,289  

Transfer from legal reserve and retained earnings due to merger of a subsidiary

  —    —    798 

Sale of treasury stock

  59  96  62   (101 59   96  

Increase in capital surplus and transfer to minority interests arising on conversion of bonds by a subsidiary

  —    —    2,728 

Decrease from issuance of new shares by a subsidiary

  (3,161) —    —     —     (3,161 —    

Other

  —    (13,418) —     —     —     (13,418
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of year

  1,217,865  1,220,967  1,234,289   1,217,764   1,217,865   1,220,967  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Legal reserve (Note 11):

      

Balance at beginning of year

  88,588  87,526  87,838   90,129   88,588   87,526  

Transfer from retained earnings

  1,541  1,062  438   2,597   1,541   1,062  

Transfer to capital surplus due to merger of a subsidiary

  —    —    (750)
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of year

  90,129  88,588  87,526   92,726   90,129   88,588  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Retained earnings (Note 11):

      

Balance at beginning of year

  2,737,024  2,575,890  2,461,071 

Net income

  281,877  217,185  154,410 

Balance at beginning of year prior to adjustment

  2,948,065   2,737,024   2,575,890  

Effects of changing the pension plan measurement date pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No.158 (Note 9)

  (3,727 —     —    
  

 

 

Balance at beginning of year as adjusted

  2,944,338   2,737,024   2,575,890  

Net income (loss)

  (378,961 281,877   217,185  

Cash dividends

  (69,295) (54,989) (39,105)  (83,364 (69,295 (54,989

Transfer to legal reserve

  (1,541) (1,062) (438)  (2,597 (1,541 (1,062

Transfer to capital surplus due to merger of a subsidiary

  —    —    (48)
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of year

  2,948,065  2,737,024  2,575,890   2,479,416   2,948,065   2,737,024  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 12):

      

Balance at beginning of year

  107,097  (26,119) (238,377)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

  (280,994) 72,085  212,258 

Balance at beginning of year prior to adjustment

  (173,897 107,097   (26,119

Effects of changing the pension plan measurement date pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No.158, net of tax (Note 9)

  (73,571 —     —    
  

 

 

Balance at beginning of year as adjusted

  (247,468 107,097   (26,119

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

  (346,909 (280,994 72,085  

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No.158, net of tax

  —    61,131  —     —     —     61,131  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of year

  (173,897) 107,097  (26,119)  (594,377 (173,897 107,097  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Continued)


- 12697 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

 

Years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Treasury stock (Note 11):

      

Balance at beginning of year

  (495,675) (342,705) (255,721)  (598,573 (495,675 (342,705

Repurchase of common stock

  (103,112) (153,179) (87,150)  (72,416 (103,112 (153,179

Sale of treasury stock

  214  209  166   700   214   209  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of year

  (598,573) (495,675) (342,705)  (670,289 (598,573 (495,675
  

 

 

  

 

 

Disclosure of comprehensive income (loss) (Note 12):

      

Net income

  281,877  217,185  154,410 

Net income (loss)

  (378,961 281,877   217,185  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

      

Translation adjustments

  (129,254) 62,793  83,311   (112,800 (129,254 62,793  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) of available-for-sale securities

  (115,389) 15,525  72,698   (56,005 (115,389 15,525  

Unrealized gains (losses) of derivative instruments

  3,464  (464) (5,077)  (9,215 3,464   (464

Minimum pension liability adjustments

  —    (5,769) 61,326   —     —     (5,769

Pension liability adjustments

  (39,815) —    —     (168,889 (39,815 —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total comprehensive income

  883  289,270  366,668 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

  (725,870 883   289,270  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 12798 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities (Note 15):

      

Net income

  281,877  217,185  154,410 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Net income (loss)

  (378,961 281,877   217,185  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

   

Depreciation and amortization

  320,534  317,685  309,399   364,806   320,534   317,685  

Net gain on sale of investments

  (14,402) (40,154) (47,449)  (13,512 (14,402 (40,154

Provision for doubtful receivables

  6,008  3,203  8,409   10,538   6,008   3,203  

Deferred income taxes

  (13,608) 72,398  70,748   (24,482 (13,608 72,398  

Write-down of investment securities (Notes 3 and 4)

  31,842  3,148  35,292 

Write-down of investment securities (Notes 3, 4 and 17)

  92,016   31,842   3,148  

Impairment loss on long-lived assets (Notes 6 and 7)

  44,627  49,175  66,378   313,466   44,627   49,175  

Minority interests

  28,637  31,131  (987)  (24,882 28,637   31,131  

(Increase) decrease in trade receivables

  (56,677) 50,012  (31,042)  249,123   (56,677 50,012  

(Increase) decrease in inventories

  (37,372) 474  36,498   21,011   (37,372 474  

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

  39,602  64,074  (57,990)  30,279   39,602   64,074  

Increase (decrease) in trade payables

  (41,568) (61,630) 112,340   (199,176 (41,568 (61,630

Increase (decrease) in accrued income taxes

  5,765  9,773  3,872   (33,358 5,765   9,773  

Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities

  9,973  (39,774) 37,108   (157,660 9,973   (39,774

Increase (decrease) in retirement and severance benefits

  (128,937) (108,559) (73,180)  (107,196 (128,937 (108,559

Increase (decrease) in deposits and advances from customers

  (15,915) (12,223) (13,304)  (21,191 (15,915 (12,223

Other

  5,672  (23,361) (35,084)  (4,174 5,672   (23,361
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  466,058  532,557  575,418   116,647   466,058   532,557  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities (Note 15):

      

Proceeds from sale of short-term investments

  697  31,014  41,867   —     697   31,014  

Purchase of short-term investments

  —    (4,509) (54,967)  —     —     (4,509

Proceeds from disposition of investments and advances

  313,947  142,074  849,409   221,127   313,947   142,074  

Increase in investments and advances

  (160,423) (290,046) (385,865)  (34,749 (160,423 (290,046

Capital expenditures

  (418,730) (411,309) (356,751)  (521,580 (418,730 (411,309

Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment

  151,279  182,892  168,631   40,476   151,279   182,892  

(Increase) decrease in time deposits

  166,750  (223,801) 141,289   (136,248 166,750   (223,801

Purchase of shares of newly consolidated subsidiaries

  (68,309) —    —     —     (68,309 —    

Proceeds from sale of shares of subsidiaries and dividends received

  —    40,548  63,083   —     —     40,548  

Other

  (46,582) (34,671) (59,605)  (38,503 (46,582 (34,671
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

  (61,371) (567,808) 407,091 

Net cash used in investing activities

  (469,477 (61,371 (567,808
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

(Continued)


- 12899 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Cash flows from financing activities (Note 15):

      

Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

  (5,815) (5,826) 15,037   (34,476 (5,815 (5,826

Increase (decrease) in employees’ deposits

  (252) (13,951) (104,835)  (86 (252 (13,951

Proceeds from long-term debt

  1,344  33,636  30,653   442,515   1,344   33,636  

Repayments of long-term debt

  (46,750) (217,414) (328,243)  (83,257 (46,750 (217,414

Dividends paid

  (69,295) (54,989) (39,105)

Dividends paid (Note 11)

  (83,364 (69,295 (54,989

Dividends paid to minority interests

  (19,807) (16,285) (16,281)  (20,803 (19,807 (16,285

Repurchase of common stock (Note 11)

  (103,112) (153,179) (87,150)  (72,416 (103,112 (153,179

Sale of treasury stock (Note 11)

  273  305  228   599   273   305  

Proceeds from issuance of shares by subsidiaries

  39,866  —    —     —     39,866   —    

Other

  —    —    5,128 
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

  (203,548) (427,703) (524,568)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  148,712   (203,548 (427,703
  

 

 

  

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

  (129,521) 32,197  39,699   (36,831 (129,521 32,197  

Effect of changes in consolidated subsidiaries (Note 15)

  (93,441) —    —     —     (93,441 —    
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

  (21,823) (430,757) 497,640   (240,949 (21,823 (430,757

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

�� 1,236,639  1,667,396  1,169,756   1,214,816   1,236,639   1,667,396  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  1,214,816  1,236,639  1,667,396   973,867   1,214,816   1,236,639  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


- 129100 -

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

(1)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

 

 (a)Description of Business

 

From October 1, 2008, the name of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. was changed to Panasonic Corporation. Panasonic Corporation (hereinafter, the “Company,” including consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires) is one of the world’s leading producers of electronic and electric products. The Company currently offers a comprehensive range of products, systems and components for consumer, business and industrial use based on sophisticated electronics and precision technology, expanding to building materials and equipment, and housing business. Most of the Company’s products are marketed under “Panasonic” and several other trade names, including “National,” “Technics” and “PanaHome.” Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. and its subsidiaries became associated companies under the equity method from August 2007. “Victor” and “JVC” were not included in the above trade names.

 

Sales by product category in fiscal 20082009 were as follows: Digital AVC Networks—44%45%, Home Appliances—14%15%, PEW and PanaHome*—20%, Components and Devices—13%, MEW and PanaHome*—19%, JVC—2%12%, and Other—8%. A sales breakdown in fiscal 20082009 by geographical market was as follows: Japan50%Japan—53%, North and South America—14%13%, Europe13%Europe—12%, and Asia and Others23%Others—22%.

 

The Company is not dependent on a single supplier, and has no significant difficulty in obtaining raw materials from suppliers.

 

MEWPEW stands for MatsushitaPanasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. and PanaHome stands for PanaHome Corporation. From October 1, 2008, the name of Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (MEW) was changed to Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (PEW).

 

 (b)Basis of Presentation of Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries maintain their books of account in conformity with financial accounting standards of Japan, and its foreign subsidiaries in conformity with those of the countries of their domicile.

 

The consolidated financial statements presented herein have been prepared in a manner and reflect adjustments which are necessary to conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 (c)Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned, controlled subsidiaries. The Company also consolidates entities in which controlling interest exists through variable interests in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46 (revised December 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (FIN 46R). Investments in companies and joint ventures over which we havethe Company has the ability to exercise significant influence (generally through an ownershipa voting interest of between 20% to 50%) are included in “Investments and advances—Associated companies” in the consolidated balance sheets. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


- 130101 -

 

 (d)Revenue Recognition

 

The Company generates revenue principally through the sale of consumer and industrial products, equipment, and supplies. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, and title and risk of loss have been transferred to the customer or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured.

 

Revenue from sales of products is generally recognized when the products are received by customers. Revenue from sales of certain products with customer acceptance provisions related to their functionality is recognized when the product is received by the customer and the specific criteria of the product functionality are successfully tested and demonstrated.

 

The Company enters into arrangements with multiple elements, which may include any combination of products, equipment, installation and maintenance. The Company allocates revenue to each element based on its relative fair value if such element meets the criteria for treatment as a separate unit of accounting as prescribed in the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Product revenue is generally recognized upon completion of installation or upon shipment if installation is not required. Maintenance revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the maintenance agreement.

 

The Company’s policy is to accept product returns only in the case that the products are defective. The Company issues contractual product warranties under which it guarantees the performance of products delivered and services rendered for a certain period of time. A liability for the estimated product warranty related cost is established at the time revenue is recognized, and is included in “Other accrued expenses.” Estimates for accrued warranty cost are primarily based on historical experience and current information on repair cost.

 

Historically, the Company has made certain allowances related to sales to its consumer business distributors. Such allowances are generally provided to compensate the distributors for a decline in the product’s value, and are classified as a reduction of revenue on the consolidated statements of income.operations. Estimated price adjustments are accrued when the related sales are recognized. The estimate is made based primarily on the historical experience or specific arrangements made with the distributors.

 

The Company also occasionally offers incentive programs to its distributors in the form of rebates. These rebates are accrued at the later of the date at which the related revenue is recognized or the date at which the incentive is offered, and are recorded as reductions of sales in accordance with EITF Issue 01-09, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products).”

 

Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are excluded from revenues in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

 (e)Leases (See Note 5)

 

The Company accounts for leases in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 13, “Accounting for Leases.” Leases of the assets under certain conditions are recorded as capital leases in property, plant and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets.


- 131102 -

 

 (f)Inventories (See Note 2)

 

Finished goods and work in process are stated at the lower of cost (average) or market. Raw materials are stated at cost, principally on a first-in, first-out basis, not in excess of current replacement cost.

 

 (g)Foreign Currency Translation (See Note 12)

 

Foreign currency financial statements are translated in accordance with SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation,” under which all assets and liabilities are translated into yen at year-end rates and income and expense accounts are translated at weighted-average rates. Adjustments resulting from the translation of financial statements are reflected under the caption, “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” a separate component of stockholders’ equity.

 

 (h)Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily using the declining balance method based on the following estimated useful lives:

 

Buildings .....................................................................

  5 to 50 years

Machinery and equipment ..........................................

  2 to 10 years

 

 (i)Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (See NoteNotes 6 and 7)

 

Goodwill represents the excess of costs over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. The Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Goodwill and Intangibleintangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, and are instead reviewed for impairment at least annually based on assessment of current estimated fair value of the intangible asset. The goodwill impairment test is a two-step test. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the enterprise must perform the second step of the impairment test (measurement). If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the second step does not need to be performed. 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 in business combinations. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. SFAS No. 142 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment based on an assessment of the undiscounted cash flows expected by the asset. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.


- 132103 -

 

 (j)Investments and Advances (See Notes 3, 4, 12 and 12)17)

 

Investments and advances primarily consist of investments in and advances to associated companies, cost method investments, available-for-sale securities, and long-term deposits. Cost method investments and long-term deposits are recorded at historical cost.

 

The equity method is used to account for investments in associated companies in which the Company exerts significant influence, generally having a 20% to 50% ownershipvoting interest, and corporate joint ventures. The Company also uses the equity method for some subsidiariescertain investees if the minority shareholders have substantive participating rights. Under the equity method of accounting, investments are stated at their underlying net equity value after elimination of intercompany profits. The cost method is used when the Company does not have significant influence.

 

The excess of cost of the stock of the associated companies over the Company’s share of their net assets at the acquisition date, included in the equity investment balance, is recognized as equity method goodwill. Such equity method goodwill is not being amortized and is instead tested for impairment as part of the equity method investment.

 

The Company accounts for debt and marketable equity securities in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities.”

 

SFAS No. 115 requires that certain investments in debt and marketable equity securities be classified as held-to-maturity, trading, or available-for-sale securities. The Company classifies its existing marketable equity securities other than investments in associated companies and all debt securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes.

 

Realized gains and losses are determined on the average cost method and reflected in earnings.

 

On a continuous basis, but no less frequently than at the end of each semi-annual period, the Company evaluates the carrying amount of each of the investments in associated companies, cost method investments and available-for-sale securities for possible other-than-temporary impairment. Factors considered in assessing whether an indication of other-than-temporary impairment exists include the period of time the fair value has been below the carrying amount or cost basis of investment, financial condition and prospects of each investee, and other relevant factors.

 

Investments in associated companies, cost method investments and available-for-sale securities are reduced to fair value by a charge to earnings when impairment is considered to be other than temporary. Impairment is measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount or cost basis of the investment exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined based on quoted market prices, discounted cash flows or other valuation techniques as appropriate.

 

 (k)Allowance for Doubtful Receivables

 

An allowance for doubtful trade receivables and advances is provided at an amount calculated based on historical experience, while specific allowances for doubtful trade receivables and advances are provided for the estimated amounts considered to be uncollectible after reviewing individual collectibility.


- 133104 -

 

 (l)Income Taxes (See Note 10)

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. 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 carryforwards.

 

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 on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

The Company accounts for the accounting uncertainty in tax positions in accordance with FASB Interpretationinterpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretationInterpretation of SFAS No. 109” (FIN 48) from April 1, 2007. The Company 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 period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interests and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in “Provision for income taxes—Current” in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

 (m)Advertising (See Note 15)

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

 

 (n)Net Income (loss) per Share (See Notes 11 and 13)

 

The Company accounts for net income (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share.” This statement establishes standards for computing net income (loss) per share and requires dual presentation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share on the face of the statements of incomeoperation for all entities with complex capital structures.

 

Under SFAS No. 128, basic net income (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period, and diluted net income (loss) per share assumes 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.

 

 (o)Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents include all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less.


- 134105 -

 

 (p)Derivative Financial Instruments (See Notes 12, 16 and 17)

 

Derivative financial instruments utilized by the Company are comprised principally of foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and commodity futures used to hedge currency risk, interest rate risk and commodity price risk.

 

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended. The Company recognizes derivatives in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair value in “Other current assets,” “Other assets,” “Other current liabilities” or “Other liabilities.” On the date the derivative contract is entered into, the Company ordinarily designates the derivative as either a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment (“fair-value” hedge), a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (“cash-flow” hedge), or a foreign-currency fair-value or cash-flow hedge (“foreign-currency” hedge). The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. The Company does not offset fair value of contracts in gain and loss positions.

 

Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a fair-value hedge, along with the loss or gain on the hedged asset or liability or unrecognized firm commitment of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash-flow hedge are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), until earnings are affected by the variability in cash flows of the designated hedged item. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are highly effective as hedges and that are designated and qualify as foreign-currency hedges are recorded in either earnings or other comprehensive income (loss), depending on whether the hedge transaction is a fair-value hedge or a cash-flow hedge. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative instrument that qualifies as either a fair-value hedge or a cash-flow hedge is reported in earnings.

 

 (q)Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (See Note 6)

 

The Company accounts for impairment or disposition of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” In accordance with SFAS No. 144, long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.


- 135106 -

 

 (r)Restructuring Charges (See Note 14)

 

The Company accounts for costs associated with exit or disposal activities in accordance with SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities.” Pursuant to SFAS No. 146, liabilities for restructuring costs are recognized when the liability is incurred, which may be subsequent to the date when the Company has committed to a restructuring plan.

 

 (s)Stock-Based Compensation (See Note 11)

 

SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS No. 123R) addresses accounting and disclosure requirements with measurement of the cost of employee service using a fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans.

The Company had continuously applied the intrinsic-based-method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations to account for this stock option plans until fiscal 2006. The Company accounted for the disclosure in accordance with SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” and SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation—Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of SFAS No. 123,” until fiscal 2006. The Company adopted SFAS No. 123R for the year ended March 31, 2007. The effect of adopting SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective method for the year ended March 31, 2007 was not material.

 

 (t)Segment Information (See Note 19)

 

The Company accounts for segment information in accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” Pursuant to SFAS No. 131, the reporting segments are the components of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker of the Company in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

 

 (u)Use of Estimates

 

ManagementThe preparation of the Company has made a number ofconsolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating tothat affect the reportingreported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare theseat the date of the consolidated financial statements, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions are reflected in valuation and disclosure of revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful receivables, valuation of inventories, impairment of long-lived assets, environmental liabilities, valuation of deferred tax assets, uncertain tax positions and employee retirement and severance benefit plans.

 

 (v)New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158’s provisions regarding the change in the measurement date of postretirement benefit plans require the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations to be measured as of the date of the fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet and will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2008. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 158’s provisions regarding the change in the measurement date of postretirement benefit plans on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


- 136 -

 

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2008. In February 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” which partially delays the effective date of SFAS No. 157 by one year for certain nonfinancial assets and liabilities. On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for all financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On April 1, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 for all nonfinancial assets and liabilities is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected will be recognized in earnings. SFAS No. 159 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.


- 107 -

 

In December 2007, FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS No. 141R) and SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements—an amendment to ARB No. 51.” SFAS No. 141R and No. 160 require most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with noncontrolling interest holders. SFAS No. 141R and No. 160 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. SFAS No. 141R will be applied to business combinations occurring after the effective date. SFAS No. 160 will be applied prospectively to all noncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date and the disclosure requirement will be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 141R and No. 160 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In MarchDecember 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 132R-1, “Employers’ Disclosures about Postretirement Benefit Plan Assets” (FSP FAS 132R-1). FSP FAS 132R-1 provides guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The disclosures about plan assets required by FSP FAS 132R-1 must be provided for the Company in periods beginning on or after April 1, 2009. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of FSP FAS 132R-1 on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position FAS 142-3, “Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets” (FSP FAS 142-3). FSP FAS 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS No. 161142. FSP FAS 142-3 will be effective for the Company as of April 1, 2009. The Company is currently in the process of evaluatingassessing the new disclosure requirements under SFAS No. 161.

(w)Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made toimpact of adoption of FSP FAS 142-3 on the prior years’ notes toCompany’s consolidated financial statements in order to conform with the presentation used for the year ended March 31, 2008.statements.


- 137108 -

 

(2)Inventories

 

Inventories at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are summarized as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

Finished goods

  499,316  576,401  439,747  499,316

Work in process

  132,894  126,134  129,949  132,894

Raw materials

  232,054  246,864  201,441  232,054
  
  
  
  
  864,264  949,399  771,137  864,264
  
  
  
  

 

(3)Investments in and Advances to, and Transactions with Associated Companies

 

Certain financial information in respect of associated companies in aggregate at March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, and for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 is shown below. The most significant of these associated companies as of March 31, 2009 are Victor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC)JVC KENWOOD Holdings, Inc. (JVC KENWOOD HD), Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology Co., Ltd. (TMD) and Sumishin Matsushita Financial Services Co., Ltd. (SMFC). At March 31, 2008,2009, the Company has a 36.8%24.4% equity ownership in JVC KENWOOD HD, a 40.0% equity ownership in TMD and a 34.0% equity ownership in SMFC.

 

The Company formerly consolidated JVCVictor Company of Japan, Ltd. (JVC) and its subsidiaries. On August 10, 2007, JVC issued and allocated new shares of its common stock to third parties. As a result, the Company’s shareholding of JVC decreased from 52.4% to 36.8%, and JVC and its subsidiaries became associated companies under equity method. On October 1, 2008, JVC is engagedand Kenwood Corporation integrated management by establishing JVC KENWOOD HD through a share transfer. As a result, the Company has 24.4% shareholding of JVC KENWOOD HD.

On April 1, 2009, the Company concluded an agreement with Toshiba Corporation to sell all of its shares in both hardware and entertainment software businesses. Financial information associated with JVC subsequent to the date of deconsolidation is included in the aggregate information below, however, financial information through the date of deconsolidation is not included.TMD. The sale was finalized on April 28, 2009.

 

The Company formerly accounted for the investment in IPS Alpha technology, Ltd. (IPS) and its subsidiary under the equity method, and began to consolidate IPS and its subsidiary on March 31, 2008, in accordance with FIN 46R, as a result of modification of Joint-Venture agreement. IPS, a variable interest entity, is engaged in manufacturing LCD panels. At March 31, 2008, the amount of total assets of IPS and its subsidiary is 237,259 million yen and the Company has a 44.9% equity ownership interest in IPS. Financial information associated with IPS for the year ended March 31, 2008 and as of and for the year ended March 31, 2007 is included in the aggregate information below, however, financial information as of March 31, 2008 is not included.

The Company formerly accounted for the investment in MT Picture Display Co., Ltd. (MTPD) and its subsidiaries under the equity method, and began to consolidate MTPD on March 1, 2006 in accordance with FIN 46R, as a result of certain restructuring activities of MTPD. On March 30, 2007, the Company acquired a 35.5% equity interest of MTPD from Toshiba Corporation for a nominal value and as a result, the Company has a 100% voting interest in MTPD. MTPD is engaged in manufacturing and distributing cathode ray tubes. The impact of consolidating MTPD is not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Financial information associated with MTPD through February 28, 2006 is included in the aggregate information below, however, financial information as of and for the yearsyear ended March 31, 20082009, and 2007, and for the one month endedas of March 31, 20062008 is not included.

   Yen (millions)

   2009

  2008

Current assets

  1,012,194  1,082,483

Other assets

  526,722  584,566
   
  
   1,538,916  1,667,049

Current liabilities

  961,503  809,544

Other liabilities

  292,788  417,241
   
  

Net assets

  284,625  440,264
   
  

Company’s equity in net assets

  102,966  170,330


- 138109 -

 

   Yen (millions)

   2008

  2007

Current assets

  1,082,483  918,573

Other assets

  584,566  632,511
   
  
   1,667,049  1,551,084

Current liabilities

  809,544  765,051

Other liabilities

  417,241  345,855
   
  

Net assets

  440,264  440,178
   
  

Company’s equity in net assets

  170,330  165,778

   Yen (millions)

 
   2008

  2007

  2006

 

Net sales

  1,968,527  1,352,107  1,227,057 

Gross profit

  377,989  216,002  195,141 

Net loss

  (52,915) (7,595) (70,381)

Purchases and dividends received from associated companies for the three years ended March 31, 2008 are as follows:

   Yen (millions)

   2008

  2007

  2006

Purchases from

  424,242  301,859  261,458

Dividends received

  5,434  3,365  1,496
     Yen (millions)

 
     2009

  2008

  2007

 
  

Net sales

  1,568,499   1,968,527   1,352,107  
  

Gross profit

  292,589   377,989   216,002  
  

Net loss

  (70,779 (52,915 (7,595
Purchases and dividends received from associated companies for the three years ended March 31, 2009 are as follows:   
     Yen (millions)

 
     2009

  2008

  2007

 
  

Purchases from

  315,829   424,242   301,859  
  

Dividends received

  4,528   5,434   3,365  

 

Retained earnings include undistributed earnings of associated companies in the amount of 32,51936,594 million yen and 30,55732,519 million yen, as of March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, respectively.

 

During the years ended March 31, 20082009 and 2006,2008, the Company incurred a write-down of 23,66818,121 million yen and 30,68123,668 million yen, respectively, for other-than-temporary impairment of investments and advances in associated companies. The fair values of the investments and advances in associated companies were based on quoted market price or discounted cash flows by using appropriate discounted rate based on our cost of capital rate. An impairment charge was recorded to reduce the carrying value of the assets to fair value. The write-down is included in other deductions in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

Investments in associated companies include equity securities which have quoted market values at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 compared with related carrying amounts as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

Carrying amount

      30,644      3,311      12,825      30,644

Market value

  35,921  6,129  11,093  35,921


- 139110 -

 

(4)Investments in Securities

 

The Company classifies its existing marketable equity securities other than investments in associated companies and all debt securities as available-for-sale.

 

The cost, fair value, gross unrealized holding gains and gross unrealized holding losses of available-for-sale securities included in short-term investments, and other investments and advances at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2009

  Cost

  Fair
value


  Gross
unrealized
holding
gains


  Gross
unrealized
holding
losses


  Cost

  Fair
value


  Gross
unrealized
holding
gains


  Gross
unrealized
holding
losses


Current:

                        

Japanese and foreign government bonds

  40,002  40,140  138  —  

Convertible and straight bonds

  7,010  7,024  14  —    1,972  1,998  26  —  

Other debt securities

  250  250  —    —  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  47,262  47,414  152  —    1,972  1,998  26  —  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Noncurrent:

                        

Equity securities

  333,057  441,839  124,342  15,560  269,735  284,356  32,510  17,889

Japanese and foreign government bonds

  24,745  25,151  406  —  

Convertible and straight bonds

  6,843  6,992  177  28  4,290  4,395  110  5

Other debt securities

  5,603  5,510  —    93  5,492  5,515  23  —  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  370,248  479,492  124,925  15,681  279,517  294,266  32,643  17,894
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2007

  2008

  Cost

  Fair
value


  Gross
unrealized
holding
gains


  Gross
unrealized
holding
losses


  Cost

  Fair
value


  Gross
unrealized
holding
gains


  Gross
unrealized
holding
losses


Current:

                        

Japanese and foreign government bonds

  64,836  64,882  46  —    40,002  40,140  138  —  

Convertible and straight bonds

  18,004  18,048  44  —    7,010  7,024  14  —  

Other debt securities

  10,249  10,249  —    —    250  250  —    —  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  93,089  93,179  90  —    47,262  47,414  152  —  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Noncurrent:

                        

Equity securities

  293,314  607,271  314,488  531  333,057  441,839  124,342  15,560

Japanese and foreign government bonds

  64,614  64,904  296  6  24,745  25,151  406  —  

Convertible and straight bonds

  15,392  15,464  85  13  6,843  6,992  177  28

Other debt securities

  6,715  6,852  137  —    5,603  5,510  —    93
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  380,035  694,491  315,006  550  370,248  479,492  124,925  15,681
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  


- 140111 -

 

Maturities of investments in available-for-sale securities at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

  Cost

  Fair
value


  Cost

  Fair
value


  Cost

  Fair
value


  Cost

  Fair
value


Due within one year

  47,262  47,414  93,089  93,179  1,972  1,998  47,262  47,414

Due after one year through five years

  34,991  35,456  82,799  83,226  9,782  9,910  34,991  35,456

Due after five years through ten years

  2,200  2,197  3,922  3,994  —    —    2,200  2,197

Equity securities

  333,057  441,839  293,314  607,271  269,735  284,356  333,057  441,839
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  417,510  526,906  473,124  787,670  281,489  296,264  417,510  526,906
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale securities for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2006 were 73,782 million yen, 106,466 million yen 84,806 million yen and 135,90784,806 million yen, respectively. The gross realized gains on sale of available-for-sale securities for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2006 were 797 million yen, 7,415 million yen 12,452 million yen and 63,75712,452 million yen, respectively. The gross realized losses on sale of available-for-sale securities for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2006 were 11 million yen, 148 million yen 313 million yen and 199313 million yen, respectively. The cost of securities sold in computing gross realized gains and losses is determined by the average cost method.

 

During the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, the Company incurred a write-down of 73,861 million yen, 8,002 million yen 939 million yen and 458939 million yen, respectively, for other-than-temporary impairment of available-for-sale securities, mainly reflecting the aggravated market condition of certain industries in Japan. The write-down is included in other deductions in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

 

Gross unrealized holding losses on investment securities and the fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, are as follows:


- 141112 -

 

  Yen (millions)

  2009

  Less than 12 months

  12 months or more

  Total

  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


Equity securities

  105,647  17,889  —    —    105,647  17,889

Convertible and straight bonds

  1,780  5  —    —    1,780  5
  
  
  
  
  
  
  107,427  17,894  —    —    107,427  17,894
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2008

  Less than 12 months

  12 months or more

  Total

  Less than 12 months

  12 months or more

  Total

  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


Equity securities

  82,481  15,560  —    —    82,481  15,560  82,481  15,560  —    —    82,481  15,560

Convertible and straight bonds

  1,824  28  —    —    1,824  28  1,824  28  —    —    1,824  28

Other debt securities

  5,407  93  —    —    5,407  93  5,407  93  —    —    5,407  93
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  89,712  15,681  —    —    89,712  15,681  89,712  15,681  —    —    89,712  15,681
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  2007

  Less than 12 months

  12 months or more

  Total

  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


  Fair
value


  Unrealized
losses


Equity securities

  9,229  531  —    —    9,229  531

Japanese and foreign government bonds

  19,977  6  —    —    19,977  6

Convertible and straight bonds

  1,839  13  —    —    1,839  13
  
  
  
  
  
  
  31,045  550  —    —    31,045  550
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

The gross unrealized loss position has been continuing for a relatively short period of time. Based on this and other relevant factors, management has determined that these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company hasdid not held unrealized losseshave investment securities that had been in a continuous loss position for twelve months or more at March 31, 20082009 and 2007.2008.

 

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cost method investments totaled 29,83740,755 million yen and 31,46529,837 million yen at March 31, 20082009 and 2007.2008. For substantially all such investments, with an aggregate cost of 29,814 million yen and 29,639 million yen at March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, the Company estimated that the fair value exceeded the carrying amounts of investments (that is, the investments were not impaired). For the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, and 2006, the remainingcertain investments were considered other-than-temporarily impaired, resulting in a write-down of 34 million yen, 172 million yen 2,209 million yen and 4,1532,209 million yen, respectively.

 

At March 31, 2009 and 2008, equity securities with a book value of 13,333 million yen and 19,880 million yen waswere pledged as collateral for the deferred payments of certain taxes based on the Japanese Custom Act and Consumption Tax Law.


- 142113 -

 

(5)Leases

 

The Company has capital and operating leases for certain land, buildings, and machinery and equipment with SMFC and other third parties.

 

During the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, the Company sold and leased back certain land, buildings, and machinery and equipment for 16,582 million yen, 109,311 million yen 73,578 million yen and 115,32673,578 million yen, respectively. The base lease term is 1 to 10 years. The resulting leases are being accounted for as operating leases or capital leases. The resulting gains of these transactions, included in other income in the consolidated statements of income,operations, were not significant. Regarding certain leased assets, the Company has options to purchase the leased assets, or to terminate the leases and guarantee a specified value of the leased assets thereof, subject to certain conditions, during or at the end of the lease term. Regarding leased land and buildings, there are no future commitments, obligations, provisions, or circumstances that require or result in the Company’s continuing involvement.

 

At March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, the gross book value of land, buildings, and machinery and equipment under capital leases, including the above-mentioned sale-leaseback transactions was 207,999136,445 million yen and 151,920207,999 million yen, and the related accumulated depreciation recorded was 89,97765,001 million yen and 93,48889,977 million yen, respectively.

 

Rental expenses for operating leases, including the above-mentioned sale-leaseback transactions were 63,490 million yen, 59,886 million yen 47,094 million yen and 41,30247,094 million yen for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, respectively.

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable capital leases and operating leases at March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

Year ending March 31  Capital
leases


  Operating
leases


  Capital
leases


  Operating
leases


2009

  38,778  55,530

2010

  28,956  45,624  40,312  56,444

2011

  22,500  60,138  31,216  62,809

2012

  13,071  35,501  22,463  29,657

2013

  7,280  12,738  9,741  13,606

2014

  3,446  7,788

Thereafter

  15,542  2,525  9,458  4,625
  
  
  
  

Total minimum lease payments

  126,127  212,056  116,636  174,929
     
     

Less amount representing interest

  3,860     4,305   
  
     
   

Present value of net minimum lease payments

  122,267     112,331   

Less current portion

  37,236     38,868   
  
     
   

Long-term capital lease obligations

  85,031     73,463   
  
     
   

 

(6)Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company periodically reviews the recorded value of its long-lived assets to determine if the future cash flows to be derived from these assets or related asset group will be sufficient to recover the remaining recorded asset values. As discussed in Note 1 (q), the Company accounts for impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144. Impairment losses are included in other deductions in the consolidated statements of income,operations, and are not charged to segment profit.


- 143 -

 

The Company recognized impairment losses in the aggregate of 42,689313,466 million yen of property, plantlong-lived assets during fiscal 2009.

The Company recorded impairment losses for certain buildings, machinery and equipmentfinite-lived intangible assets related to domestic liquid crystal display panel manufacturing facilities. As a result of the substantial decline of product prices due to the significant market downturn, the Company estimated that the carrying amounts would not be recoverable through future cash flows. The fair value of buildings and remaining assets, respectively, was determined through an appraisal based on the comparable sales method and the discounted estimated cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets.


- 114 -

The Company also recorded impairment losses for certain buildings, machinery and finite-lived intangible assets related to domestic and overseas plasma display panel manufacturing facilities. As a result of the substantial decline of product prices due to the significant market downturn, the Company estimated that the carrying amounts would not be recoverable through future cash flows. The fair value of buildings and remaining assets, respectively, was determined through an appraisal based on the comparable sales method and the orderly liquidation value.

Impairment losses of 252,372 million yen, 18,131 million yen, 19,077 million yen, 18,747 million yen and 5,139 million yen were related to “Digital AVC Networks,” “Home Appliances,” “PEW and PanaHome,” “Components and Devices” and the remaining segments, respectively.

The Company recognized impairment losses in the aggregate of 44,554 million yen of long-lived assets during fiscal 2008.

 

The Company recorded impairment losses related to manufacturing facilities used in its domestic semiconductors business. As the profitability of domestic business was getting low,declined, the Company estimated that the carrying amounts would not be recovered by the future cash flows. The fair value of manufacturing facilities was based on the discounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of them.

 

The Company also recorded impairment losses related to certain buildings and manufacturing facilities used in its device business at an overseas subsidiary. Due to the downsizing of business, the Company wrote down the carrying amounts of these assets to the recoverable amount.fair value. The fair value was based on the discounted estimated future cash flow.flows.

 

Impairment losses of 1,1201,167 million yen, 2,2302,231 million yen, 37,67339,490 million yen and 1,666 million yen were related to “AVC“Digital AVC Networks,” “Home Appliances,” “Components and Devices” and the remaining segments, respectively.

 

The Company recognized impairment losses in the aggregate of 18,32418,440 million yen of property, plant and equipmentlong-lived assets during fiscal 2007.

 

The Company closed a domestic factory that manufactured air conditioner devices and recorded an impairment loss related to buildings, and machinery and equipment, as the Company estimated that the carrying amounts would not be recovered by the discounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from their eventual disposition.

 

The Company also recorded impairment losses related to buildings, and machinery and equipment, usedand finite-lived intangible assets in building equipment, and electronic and plastic materials of some domestic and overseas subsidiaries. The profitability of each subsidiary was expected to be low in the future and the Company estimated the carrying amounts would not be recovered by the future cash flows.

 

Impairment losses of 1,416 million yen, 3,90110,279 million yen, 10,1633,901 million yen, 1,571 million yen and 1,273 million yen were related to “Home Appliances, “ “Components” “PEW and Devices, “ “MEW and PanaHome, “ “Other” and the remaining segments, respectively.

The Company recognized impairment losses in the aggregate of 16,230 million yen of property, plant and equipment during fiscal 2006.

The Company decided to sell certain land and buildings, and classified those land and buildings as assets held for sale. These assets are included in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheet and the Company recognized an impairment loss. The fair value of the land and buildings was determined by using a purchase price offered by a third party.

The Company also recorded impairment losses related to impairment of land and buildings used in connection with the manufacture of certain information and communications equipment at a domestic subsidiary. As a result of plans to carry out selection and concentration of businesses, the Company estimated the carrying amounts would not be recovered by the future cash flows. The fair value of land was determined by specific appraisal. The fair value of buildings was determined based on the discounted estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the buildings and their eventual disposition.

Impairment losses of 4,260 million yen, 2,771 million yen, 2,488 million yen, 2,754 million yen and 3,957 million yen were related to “AVC Networks,” “Components and Devices,” “MEW and PanaHome,” “Other” and the remaining segments, respectively.


- 144115 -

 

(7)Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by business segment for the years ended March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

   Yen (millions)

 
   AVC
Networks


  Home
Appliances


  Components
and Devices


  MEW and
PanaHome


  JVC

  Other

  Total

 

Balance at March 31, 2006

  261,871  22,535  71,123  43,515  3,197  10,896  413,137 

Goodwill acquired during the year

  40  —    116  2,443  —    4,202  6,801 

Goodwill written off related to disposals during the year

  (8) (8) —    —    —    (2,137) (2,153)

Goodwill impaired during the year

  (27,299) —    —    —    (3,197) —    (30,496)

Other

  289  (8,254) —    —    —    —    (7,965)
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

  234,893  14,273  71,239  45,958  —    12,961  379,324 

Goodwill acquired during the year

  7,711  1,405  574  45,906  —    29  55,625 

Goodwill written off related to disposals during the year

  (561) (922) (111) (1,923) —    —    (3,517)

Other

  —    —    (1,530) —    —    —    (1,530)
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2008

  242,043  14,756  70,172  89,941  —    12,990  429,902 
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company recognized an impairment loss of 27,299 million yen during fiscal 2007 related to goodwill of a mobile communication subsidiary. This impairment is due to a decrease in the estimated fair value of the reporting unit caused by lack of anticipated demand generated by the number portability in Japan, unanticipated loss in cellular phone market share and intensification of domestic competition.

The Company recognized an impairment loss of 3,197 million yen during fiscal 2007 related to goodwill of JVC due primarily to profit performance in JVC’s consumer electronics business being lower than the Company’s expectation.

The fair value was determined by using the estimated present fair value of future cash flows or quoted market prices.


- 145 -

   Yen (millions)

 
   Digital
AVC
Networks


  Home
Appliances


  PEW and
PanaHome


  Components
and Devices


  Other

  Total

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

  234,893  14,273  45,958  71,239  12,961  379,324 

Goodwill acquired during the year

  7,711  1,405  45,906  574  29  55,625 

Goodwill written off related to disposals during the year

  (561) (922) (1,923) (111) —    (3,517)

Other

  —    —    —    (1,530) —    (1,530)
   

 

 

 

 
  

Balance at March 31, 2008

  242,043  14,756  89,941  70,172  12,990  429,902 

Goodwill acquired during the year

  702  —    262  —    30  994 

Translation adjustments

  —    —    (10,583) —    —    (10,583)

Other

  (3,780) —    (5,741) —    —    (9,521)
   

 

 

 

 
  

Balance at March 31, 2009

  238,965  14,756  73,879  70,172  13,020  410,792 
   

 

 

 

 
  

 

Acquired intangible assets, excluding goodwill, at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

     Yen (millions)

   
  2008

  2007

     2009

  2008

   
  Gross
carrying
amount


  Accumulated
amortization


  Gross
carrying
amount


  Accumulated
amortization


  Average
amortization
period


  Gross
carrying
amount


  Accumulated
amortization


  Gross
carrying
amount


  Accumulated
amortization


  Average
amortization
period


Amortizing intangible assets:

               

Finite-lived intangible assets:

               

Patents

  61,654  36,782  53,339  33,447  8 years  60,317  41,063  61,654  36,782  8 years

Software

  233,375  162,946  221,023  148,537  4 years  257,859  188,439  233,375  162,946  4 years

Other

  42,706  13,985  37,705  15,394  21 years  56,040  28,059  42,706  13,985  18 years
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
   
  337,735  213,713  312,067  197,378     374,216  257,561  337,735  213,713   
  
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
   

 

   Yen (millions)

   2008

  2007

Non-amortizing intangible assets

  4,895  942
   Yen (millions)

       2009    

      2008    

Indefinite-lived intangible assets

  4,057  4,895

 

Aggregate amortization expense for amortizingfinite-lived intangible assets for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2006 was 38,903 million yen, 38,343 million yen 37,337 million yen and 33,91837,337 million yen, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

 

Year ending March 31  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

2009

  32,764

2010

  22,807  30,791

2011

  15,342  23,904

2012

  10,120  16,479

2013

  6,898  10,956

2014

  7,945

 

The Company recorded anrecognized impairment loss of 1,865 million yen and 116 million yen of amortizing intangible assets in fiscal 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company estimated the carrying amounts would not be recovered by the future cash flows, due to severe competition in the domestic market. The Company also recognized an impairment losslosses of 73 million yen and 239 million yen and 98 million yen of non-amortizingindefinite-lived intangible assets, in connection with the decline of their marketfair value during fiscal 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, respectively. The impairment loss islosses are included in other deductions in the consolidated statements of income.operations.

Impairment losses of finite-lived intangible assets that are being amortized are included in impairment losses of long-lived assets discussed in Note 6.


- 146116 -

 

(8)Long-term Debt and Short-term Borrowings

 

Long-term debt at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 is set forth below:

 

   Yen (millions)

   2008

  2007

Straight bond, due 2011, interest 1.64%

  100,000  100,000

Straight bonds issued by subsidiaries, due 2007 - 2013, interest 0.6% - 2.02%

  50,150  80,000

Unsecured loans, due 2007 - 2013, effective interest 2.0% in 2008 and 1.2% in 2007

  33,920  30,580

Secured yen loans by subsidiaries, due 2007 - 2027, effective interest 2.55% in 2008 and 2.16% in 2007

  4,011  4,681

Capital lease obligations

  122,267  65,602
   
  
   310,348  280,863

Less current portion

  78,002  54,083
   
  
   232,346  226,780
   
  
   Yen (millions)

   2009

  2008

Unsecured Straight bond, due 2011, interest 1.64%

  100,000  100,000

Unsecured Straight bond, due 2012, interest 1.14%

  100,000  —  

Unsecured Straight bond, due 2014, interest 1.404%

  200,000  —  

Unsecured Straight bond, due 2019, interest 2.05%

  100,000  —  

Unsecured Straight bonds issued by subsidiaries, due 2008 - 2015, interest 0.6% - 2.02%

  60,143  50,150

Unsecured bank loans, due 2008 - 2013, effective interest 1.6% in fiscal 2009 and 2.0% in fiscal 2008

  22,043  33,920

Secured yen bank loans by subsidiaries, due 2008 - 2027, effective interest 2.51% in fiscal 2009 and 2.55% in fiscal 2008

  3,136  4,011

Capital lease obligations

  112,331  122,267
   
  
   697,653  310,348

Less current portion

  46,343  78,002
   
  
   651,310  232,346
   
  

 

The aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt after March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

Year ending March 31  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

2009

  78,002

2010

  37,570  46,343

2011

  31,112  37,921

2012

  117,323  227,528

2013 and thereafter

  46,341

2013

  10,910

2014

  223,669

2015 and thereafter

  151,282

 

As is customary in Japan, short-term and long-term bank loans are made under general agreements which provide that security and guarantees for future and present indebtedness will be given upon request of the bank, and that the bank shall have the right, as the obligations become due, or in the event of their default, to offset cash deposits against such obligations due to the bank.

 

Each of the loan agreements grants the lender the right to request additional security or mortgages on certain assets. At March 31, 2009 and 2008, and 2007,other investments and advances, and property, plant and equipment with a book value of 6,2184,967 million yen and 6,0616,218 million yen respectively, was pledged as collateral by subsidiaries for secured yen loans from banks. At March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, short-term loans subject to such general agreements amounted to 15,1567,130 million yen and 39,87615,156 million yen, respectively. The balance of short-term loans also includes borrowings under acceptances and short-term loans of foreign subsidiaries. The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at March 31, 2009 and 2008 was 3.5% and 2007 was 4.6% and 5.1%, respectively.


- 147117 -

 

(9)Retirement and Severance Benefits

 

The Company and certain subsidiaries have contributory, funded benefit pension plans covering substantially all employees who meet eligibility requirements. Benefits under the plans are primarily based on the combination of years of service and compensation.

 

In addition to the plans described above, upon retirement or termination of employment for reasons other than dismissal, employees are entitled to lump-sum payments based on the current rate of pay and length of service. If the termination is involuntary or caused by death, the severance payment is greater than in the case of voluntary termination. The lump-sum payment plans are not funded.

 

Effective April 1, 2002, the Company and some of the above-mentioned subsidiaries amended their benefit pension plans by introducing a “point-based benefits system,” and their lump-sum payment plans to cash balance pension plans. Under point-based benefits system, benefits are calculated based on accumulated points allocated to employees each year according to their job classification and years of service. Under the cash balance pension plans, each participant has an account which is credited yearly based on the current rate of pay and market-related interest rate.

 

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for the majority of its benefit plans.

On March 31, 2007, the Company adopted the recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158.158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statement No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R).” SFAS No. 158 required the Company to recognize the funded status (i.e., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligations) of its pension plans in the March 31, 2007 consolidated balance sheet, with a corresponding adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at adoption represents the unrecognized prior service benefit and unrecognized actuarial loss, both of which were previously netted against the plans’ funded status in the consolidated balance sheet pursuant to the provisions of SFAS No. 87.87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions.” These amounts will be subsequently recognizedamortized as net periodic benefit cost pursuant to the Company’s historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts.cost. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and that are not recognized as net periodic benefit cost in the same periods will be recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Those amounts will be subsequently recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost on the same basis as the amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at adoption of SFAS No. 158.


- 148 -During the year ended March 31, 2009, the Company changed the measurement date to March 31 for those postretirement benefit plans with a December 31 measurement date in conformity with the measurement date provisions of SFAS No. 158. The benefit obligations and plan assets of these plans were remeasured as of April 1, 2008. Net periodic benefit cost, net of tax, for the period from January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008, in the amount of 3,727 million yen has been recorded as a reduction of beginning fiscal 2009 balance of “retained earnings.” Changes in fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations during the same transition period has been recorded, as a reduction of beginning fiscal 2009 balance of “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” in the amount of 73,571 million yen, net of tax of 44,726 million yen.

 

Reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of the benefit obligations of the contributory, funded benefit pension plans, the unfunded lump-sum payment plans, and the cash balance pension plans, and the fair value of the plan assets at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:


- 118 -

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Change in benefit obligations:

      

Benefit obligations at beginning of year

  1,955,007  1,930,073 

Benefit obligations at beginning of year prior to adjustment

  1,828,803   1,955,007  

SFAS No. 158 measurement date adjustment

  4,378 �� —    
  

 

Benefit obligations at beginning of year as adjusted

  1,833,181   1,955,007  

Service cost

  52,830  59,415   49,660   52,830  

Interest cost

  50,667  52,659   50,114   50,667  

Prior service benefit

  (1,930) (3,269)  (666 (1,930

Actuarial (gain) loss

  (14,173) 9,013   (6,150 (14,173

Benefits paid

  (94,130) (96,278)  (85,073 (94,130

Effect of changes in consolidated subsidiaries

  (108,636) —     (5,560 (108,636

Foreign currency exchange impact

  (10,832) 3,394   (13,569 (10,832
  

 

  

 

Benefit obligations at end of year

  1,828,803  1,955,007   1,821,937   1,828,803  
  

 

  

 

Change in plan assets:

      

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

  1,813,616  1,612,410   1,737,634   1,813,616  

SFAS No. 158 measurement date adjustment

  (118,514 —    
  

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year as adjusted

  1,619,120   1,813,616  

Actual return on plan assets

  (40,591) 119,382   (268,049 (40,591

Employer contributions

  157,798  155,986   153,161   157,798  

Benefits paid

  (79,511) (76,744)  (77,682 (79,511

Effect of changes in consolidated subsidiaries

  (105,459) —     —     (105,459

Foreign currency exchange impact

  (8,219) 2,582   (12,904 (8,219
  

 

  

 

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

  1,737,634  1,813,616   1,413,646   1,737,634  
  

 

  

 

Funded status

  (91,169) (141,391)  (408,291 (91,169
  

 

  

 

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the pension plans was 1,817,2221,814,118 million yen and 1,945,0201,817,222 million yen at March 31, 20082009 and 2007,2008, respectively.

 

The projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets, and the accumulated benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets for the pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:

            

Projected benefit obligations

  840,967  823,421  1,821,937  840,967

Fair value of plan assets

  598,369  533,814  1,413,646  598,369

Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:

            

Accumulated benefit obligations

  805,235  817,849  1,814,118  805,235

Fair value of plan assets

  569,587  533,814  1,413,646  569,587


- 149119 -

 

Accounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 consist of:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Other assets

  151,430  148,216   —     151,430  

Other current liabilities

  (4,203) (8,649)  (3,924 (4,203

Retirement and severance benefits

  (238,396) (280,958)  (404,367 (238,396
  

 

  

 

  (91,169) (141,391)  (408,291 (91,169
  

 

  

 

 

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(loss) at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 consist of:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Prior service benefit

  (251,718) (295,419)  (222,519 (251,718

Actuarial loss

  248,918  206,106   641,371   248,918  
  

 

  

 

  (2,800) (89,313)  418,852   (2,800
  

 

  

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost for the contributory, funded benefit pension plans, the unfunded lump-sum payment plans, and the cash balance pension plans of the Company for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 consist of the following components:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Service cost – benefits earned during the year

  52,830  59,415  63,787   49,660   52,830   59,415  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

  50,667  52,659  51,131   50,114   50,667   52,659  

Expected return on plan assets

  (52,861) (50,069) (37,088)  (48,659 (52,861 (50,069

Amortization of prior service benefit

  (27,046) (25,201) (26,376)  (24,606 (27,046 (25,201

Recognized actuarial loss

  15,448  18,407  43,145   22,391   15,448   18,407  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

  39,038  55,211  94,599   48,900   39,038   55,211  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The estimated prior service benefit and actuarial loss for the defined benefit pension plans that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)(loss) into net periodic benefit cost for fiscal 20092010 are gain of 25,87424,786 million yen and loss of 22,48737,519 million yen, respectively.

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Discount rate

  2.7% 2.7%   2.7% 2.7% 

Rate of compensation increase

  1.7% 1.6%   1.7% 1.7% 


- 150120 -

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Discount rate

  2.7%  2.7%  2.7%  2.7%  2.7%  2.7%

Expected return on plan assets

  3.1%  3.3%  3.0%  3.1%  3.1%  3.3%

Rate of compensation increase

  1.6%  1.6%  1.8%  1.7%  1.6%  1.6%

 

The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the portfolio as a whole and not on the sum of the returns on individual asset categories, considering long-term historical returns, asset allocation, and future estimates of long-term investment returns.

 

The weighted-average asset allocations of the Company’s pension plans at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Asset category:

        

Equity securities

    43%   45%     35%   43% 

Debt securities

    44      43        50      44    

Life insurance company general accounts

      9        7        11        9    

Other

      4        5          4        4    
  
 
   
 
 

Total

  100% 100%   100% 100% 
  
 
   
 
 

 

Each plan of the Company has a different investment policy, which is designed to ensure sufficient plan assets are available to provide future payments of pension benefits to the eligible plan participants and is individually monitored for compliance and appropriateness on an on-going basis. Considering the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, each plan of the Company establishes a “basic” portfolio comprised of the optimal combination of equity securities and debt securities. Plan assets are invested in individual equity and debt securities using the guidelines of the “basic” portfolio in order to generate a total return that will satisfy the expected return on a mid-term to long-term basis. The Company evaluates the difference between expected return and actual return of invested plan assets on an annual basis to determine if such differences necessitate a revision in the formulation of the “basic” portfolio. The Company revises the “basic” portfolio when and to the extent considered necessary to achieve the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.

 

The Company expects to contribute 158,88273,823 million yen to its defined benefit plans in fiscal 2009.2010.

 

The benefits expected to be paid from the defined pension plans in each fiscal year 20092010 - 20132014 are 90,69299,237 million yen, 94,45795,421 million yen, 98,65599,861 million yen, 103,060101,830 million yen and 105,865101,584 million yen, respectively. The aggregate benefits expected to be paid in the five years from fiscal 20142015 - - 20182019 are 543,416538,968 million yen. The expected benefits are based on the same assumptions used to measure the Company’s benefit obligation at DecemberMarch 31 and include estimated future employee service.


- 151121 -

 

(10)Income Taxes

 

Income (loss) before income taxes and income taxes for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 are summarized as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  Domestic

 Foreign

 Total

 

For the year ended March 31, 2009

   

Income (loss) before income taxes

  (345,776 (36,858 (382,634

Income taxes:

   

Current

  38,297   23,543   61,840  

Deferred

  (10,232 (14,250 (24,482
  

 

 

Total income taxes

  28,065   9,293   37,358  
  Domestic

 Foreign

  Total

   

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2008

         

Income before income taxes

  266,972  168,021  434,993   266,972   168,021   434,993  

Income taxes:

         

Current

  85,009  43,172  128,181   85,009   43,172   128,181  

Deferred

  (16,068) 2,460  (13,608)  (16,068 2,460   (13,608
  

 
  

  

 

 

Total income taxes

  68,941  45,632  114,573   68,941   45,632   114,573  
  

 
  

  

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2007

         

Income before income taxes

  317,007  122,137  439,144   317,007   122,137   439,144  

Income taxes:

         

Current

  84,012  35,453  119,465   84,012   35,453   119,465  

Deferred

  67,984  4,414  72,398   67,984   4,414   72,398  
  

 
  

  

 

 

Total income taxes

  151,996  39,867  191,863   151,996   39,867   191,863  
  

 
  

  

 

 

For the year ended March 31, 2006

      

Income before income taxes

  292,083  79,229  371,312 

Income taxes:

      

Current

  63,966  32,375  96,341 

Deferred

  66,377  4,371  70,748 
  

 
  

Total income taxes

  130,343  36,746  167,089 
  

 
  

 

The Company and its subsidiaries in Japan are subject to a National tax of 30%, an Inhabitant tax of approximately 20.5%, and a deductible Enterprise tax of approximately 7.4% varying by local jurisdiction, which, in aggregate, resulted in a combined statutory tax rate in Japan of approximately 40.5% for the three years ended March 31, 2008.2009.


- 152122 -

 

The effective tax rates for the years differ from the combined statutory tax rates for the following reasons:

 

  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Combined statutory tax rate

  40.5% 40.5% 40.5%  (40.5)%  40.5 40.5

Tax credit related to research expenses

  (1.2) (2.2) (1.5)  (0.1 (1.2 (2.2

Lower tax rates of overseas subsidiaries

  (6.9) (4.2) (3.7)  (1.1 (6.9 (4.2

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

  0.7  0.8  3.6   0.8   0.7   0.8  

Change in valuation allowance allocated to income tax expenses

  (5.4) 9.8  15.7   41.8   (5.4 9.8  

Tax effects attributable to investments in subsidiaries

  (4.8) 0.5  (12.0)  5.8   (4.8 0.5  

Other

  3.4  (1.5) 2.4   3.1   3.4   (1.5
  

 

 

  

 

 

Effective tax rate

  26.3% 43.7% 45.0%  9.8 26.3 43.7
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The significant components of deferred income tax expenses for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Deferred tax expense (exclusive of the effects of other components listed below)

  16,898  114,132  89,824   94,250   16,898   114,132  

Benefits of net operating loss carryforwards

  (30,506) (41,734) (19,076)  (118,732 (30,506 (41,734
  

 

 

  

 

 

  (13,608) 72,398  70,748   (24,482 (13,608 72,398  
  

 

 

  

 

 


- 153123 -

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are presented below:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Deferred tax assets:

      

Inventory valuation

  87,441  94,489   78,930   87,441  

Expenses accrued for financial statement purposes but not currently included in taxable income

  186,633  251,194   138,580   186,633  

Property, plant and equipment

  168,886  167,089   246,276   168,886  

Retirement and severance benefits

  72,803  76,604   233,924   72,803  

Tax loss carryforwards

  242,474  249,356   333,383   242,474  

Other

  179,672  150,306   232,994   179,672  
  

 

  

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

  937,909  989,038   1,264,087   937,909  

Less valuation allowance

  348,570  438,837   477,997   348,570  
  

 

  

 

Net deferred tax assets

  589,339  550,201   786,090   589,339  
  

 

  

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

      

Net unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities

  (44,018) (127,588)  (5,882 (44,018

Other

  (53,810) (50,067)  (41,814 (53,810
  

 

  

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

  (97,828) (177,655)  (47,696 (97,828
  

 

  

 

Net deferred tax assets

  491,511  372,546   738,394   491,511  
  

 

  

 

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management 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 loss carryforwards become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences and loss carryforwards, net of the existing valuation allowances at March 31, 2008.2009.

 

The net change in total valuation allowance for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2006 was an increase of 129,427 million yen, a decrease of 90,267 million yen and a decrease of 25,263 million yen and an increase of 152,947 million yen, respectively.

 

At March 31, 2008,2009, the Company had, for income tax purposes, net operating loss carryforwards of approximately 684,553936,060 million yen, of which 600,961835,152 million yen expire from fiscal 20092010 through 20152016 and the substantial majority of the remaining balance will expire thereafter or do not expire.


- 154124 -

 

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Other current assets

  232,248  298,878   227,059   232,248  

Other assets

  292,457  154,467   547,580   292,457  

Other current liabilities

  (1,082) (1,413)  (1,168 (1,082

Other liabilities

  (32,112) (79,386)  (35,077 (32,112
  

 

  

 

Net deferred tax assets

  491,511  372,546   738,394   491,511  
  

 

  

 

 

The Company has not recognized a deferred tax liability for the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries and foreign corporate joint ventures of 846,319750,123 million yen as of March 31, 2008,2009, because the Company currently does not expect those unremitted earnings to reverse and become taxable to the Company in the foreseeable future. A deferred tax liability will be recognized when the Company no longer plans to permanentlyindefinitely reinvest undistributed earnings. CalculationThe calculation of related unrecognized deferred tax liability is not practicable.

The Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on April 1, 2007. The implementation of FIN 48 did not require a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the yearyears ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, is as follows:

 

Yen (millions)

Balance at April 1, 2007

(4,281)

Increase related to prior year tax positions

(4,657)

Decrease related to prior year tax positions

82

Increase related to current year tax positions

(2,023)

Settlements

1,552


Balance at March 31, 2008

(9,327)


   Yen (millions)

 
   2009

  2008

 

Balance at beginning of year

  (9,327 (4,281

Increase related to prior year tax positions

  (1,835 (4,657

Decrease related to prior year tax positions

  3,561   82  

Increase related to current year tax positions

  (484 (2,023

Settlements

  60   1,552  

Translation adjustments

  838   —    
   

 

Balance at end of year

  (7,187 (9,327
   

 

 

AtAs of March 31, 2009 and 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits recorded in the consolidated balance sheet is 9,327are 7,187 million yen and of that amount, 8,287 million yen, respectively, that if recognized, would reduce the effective tax rate. The Company does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months. The Company accrueshas accrued interests and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and the amount of interest and penalties included in provision for income taxes and cumulative amount accrued arewere not material as of and for the yearyears ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

The Company files income tax returns in Japan and various foreign tax jurisdictions. There are a number of subsidiaries which operate within each of the Company’s major jurisdictions resulting in a range of open tax years. The open tax years for the Company and its significant subsidiaries in Japan, the United States of America, the United Kingdom and China range betweenfrom fiscal 2004 and fiscal 2007.thereafter.


- 155125 -

 

(11)Stockholders’ Equity

 

The Company may repurchase its common stock from the market pursuant to the former Japanese Commercial Code and the Company Law of Japan. For the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, 30,875,208, 45,294,912 and 2006, respectively, 45,294,912, 63,385,266 and 48,945,141 shares were repurchased for the aggregate cost of approximately 72,416 million yen, 103,112 million yen 153,179 million yen and 87,150153,179 million yen, respectively, primarily with the intensionintention to hold as treasury stock to improve capital efficiency.

 

The Company sold 399,673, 127,610 137,733 and 119,422137,733 shares of its treasury stock for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, respectively. The difference between sales price and book value was charged to capital surplus in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company Law of Japan provides that an amount equal to 10% of appropriations be appropriated as a capital reserve or legal reserve until the aggregated amount of capital reserve and legal reserve equals 25% of stated capital. The capital reserve and legal reserve are not available for dividends but may be transferred to capital surplus or retained earnings or stated capital upon approval of the shareholders’ meeting.

 

Cash dividends and transfers to the legal reserve charged to retained earnings during the three years ended March 31, 20082009 represent dividends paid out during the periods and related appropriation to the legal reserve. Cash dividends per share paid during the three years ended March 31, 20082009 amounted to 40.00 yen, 32.50 yen 25.00 yen and 17.5025.00 yen, respectively. The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include any provisions for the year-end dividend of 17.507.50 yen per share, totaling approximately 36,77015,530 million yen in respect of the year ended March 31, 2008,2009 approved by the board of directors in April 2008.May 2009.

 

In accordance with the Company Law of Japan, there are certain restrictions on payment of dividends in connection with the treasury stock repurchased. As a result of restrictions on the treasury stock repurchased, retained earnings of 599,466671,182 million yen at March 31, 20082009 were restricted as to the payment of cash dividends.

 

The Company’s directors and certain senior executives were granted options to purchase the Company’s common stock. All stock options become fully exercisable two years from the date of grant and have a four-year term. Information with respect to stock options is as follows:

 

  Number
of shares


 Weighted-average
exercise price (Yen)


Balance at March 31, 2005

  319,000  2,204

Exercised

  (54,000) 2,001

Forfeited

  (97,000) 2,186
  

 
  Number of
shares


 Weighted-average
exercise price (Yen)


Balance at March 31, 2006

  168,000  2,280  168,000   2,280

Exercised

  (48,000) 1,922  (48,000 1,922

Forfeited

  (73,000) 2,690  (73,000 2,690
  

 
  

 

Balance at March 31, 2007

  47,000  2,008  47,000   2,008

Exercised

  (8,000) 1,895  (8,000 1,895

Forfeited

  (27,000) 2,163  (27,000 2,163
  

 
  

 

Balance at March 31, 2008,
weighted-average remaining life – 0.25 years

  12,000  1,734

Balance at March 31, 2008

  12,000   1,734

Forfeited

  (12,000 1,734
  

 
  

 

Balance at March 31, 2009

  —     —  
  

 

 

Treasury stock reserved for options at March 31, 2007 was 30,000 shares.


- 156126 -

 

(12)Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Components of other comprehensive income (loss) for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  Pre-tax
amount


 Tax
expense


 Net-of-tax
amount


   Pre-tax
amount


 Tax
expense


 Net-of-tax
amount


 

For the year ended March 31, 2008

   

For the year ended March 31, 2009

   

Translation adjustments:

      

Translation adjustments arising during the period

  (128,047) —    (128,047)  (116,738 —     (116,738

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  (1,207) —    (1,207)

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)

  3,938   —     3,938  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net translation adjustments

  (129,254) —    (129,254)  (112,800 —     (112,800
  

 

 

  

 

 

Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) of available-for-sale securities:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  (199,198) 83,370  (115,828)  (167,397 67,907   (99,490

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  735  (296) 439 

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)

  73,075   (29,590 43,485  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  (198,463) 83,074  (115,389)  (94,322 38,317   (56,005
  

 

 

  

 

 

Unrealized holding gains of derivative instruments:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) of derivative instruments:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  5,014  (1,914) 3,100   (4,043 1,565   (2,478

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  612  (248) 364 

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income (loss)

  (10,855 4,118   (6,737
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  5,626  (2,162) 3,464   (14,898 5,683   (9,215
  

 

 

  

 

 

Pension liability adjustments:

      

Prior service benefit arising during the period

  1,954  (6) 1,948   345   (140 205  

Less: Amortization of prior service benefit included in net periodic benefit cost

  (24,197) 7,806  (16,391)  (22,727 7,742   (14,985
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net prior service benefit

  (22,243) 7,800  (14,443)  (22,382 7,602   (14,780
  

 

 

  

 

 

Actuarial loss arising during the period

  (62,744) 27,095  (35,649)  (273,853 100,104   (173,749

Less: Amortization of actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost

  13,660  (3,383) 10,277   26,422   (6,782 19,640  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net actuarial loss

  (49,084) 23,712  (25,372)  (247,431 93,322   (154,109
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net pension liability adjustments

  (71,327) 31,512  (39,815)  (269,813 100,924   (168,889
  

 

 

  

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  (393,418) 112,424  (280,994)  (491,833 144,924   (346,909
  

 

 

  

 

 


- 157127 -

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  Pre-tax
amount


 Tax
expense


 Net-of-tax
amount


   Pre-tax
amount


 Tax
expense


 Net-of-tax
amount


 

For the year ended March 31, 2007

   

For the year ended March 31, 2008

   

Translation adjustments:

      

Translation adjustments arising during the period

  57,312  —    57,312   (128,047 —     (128,047

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  5,481  —    5,481   (1,207 —     (1,207
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net translation adjustments

  62,793  —    62,793   (129,254 —     (129,254
  

 

 

  

 

 

Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities:

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  36,467  (12,232) 24,235   (199,198 83,370   (115,828

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  (11,200) 2,490  (8,710)  735   (296 439  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  25,267  (9,742) 15,525   (198,463 83,074   (115,389
  

 

 

  

 

 

Unrealized holding gains of derivative instruments:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) of derivative instruments:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  (19,778) 7,900  (11,878)  5,014   (1,914 3,100  

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  19,183  (7,769) 11,414   612   (248 364  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  (595) 131  (464)  5,626   (2,162 3,464  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Minimum pension liability adjustments

  (5,722) (47) (5,769)

Pension liability adjustments:

   

Prior service benefit arising during the period

  1,954   (6 1,948  

Less: Amortization of prior service benefit included in net periodic benefit cost

  (24,197 7,806   (16,391
  

 

 

Net prior service benefit

  (22,243 7,800   (14,443
  

 

 

Actuarial loss arising during the period

  (62,744 27,095   (35,649

Less: Amortization of actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost

  13,660   (3,383 10,277  
  

 

 

Net actuarial loss

  (49,084 23,712   (25,372
  

 

 

Net pension liability adjustments

  (71,327 31,512   (39,815
  

 

 

  

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  81,743  (9,658) 72,085   (393,418 112,424   (280,994
  

 

 

  

 

 


- 158128 -

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  Pre-tax
amount


 Tax
expense


 Net-of-tax
amount


   Pre-tax
amount


 Tax
expense


 Net-of-tax
amount


 

For the year ended March 31, 2006

   

For the year ended March 31, 2007

   

Translation adjustments:

      

Translation adjustments arising during the period

  134,943  —    134,943   57,312   —     57,312  

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  (51,632) —    (51,632)  5,481   —     5,481  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net translation adjustments

  83,311  —    83,311   62,793   —     62,793  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Unrealized holding gains of available-for-sale securities:

      

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  188,915  (78,609) 110,306   36,467   (12,232 24,235  

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  (63,100) 25,492  (37,608)  (11,200 2,490   (8,710
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  125,815  (53,117) 72,698   25,267   (9,742 15,525  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Unrealized holding gains of derivative instruments:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) of derivative instruments:

   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

  (25,581) 10,412  (15,169)  (19,778 7,900   (11,878

Less: Reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income

  16,961  (6,869) 10,092   19,183   (7,769 11,414  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Net unrealized gains (losses)

  (8,620) 3,543  (5,077)  (595 131   (464
  

 

 

  

 

 

Minimum pension liability adjustments

  101,805  (40,479) 61,326   (5,722 (47 (5,769
  

 

 

  

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  302,311  (90,053) 212,258   81,743   (9,658 72,085  
  

 

 

  

 

 


- 159129 -

 

(13)Net Income (loss) per Share

 

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net income (loss) per share computation for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 is as follows:

 

   Yen (millions)

       2008    

      2007    

      2006    

Net income

  281,877  217,185  154,410
   Yen (millions)

       2009    

      2008    

      2007    

Net income (loss)

  (378,961 281,877  217,185

 

  Number of shares

  Number of shares

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Average common shares outstanding

  2,120,986,052  2,182,791,138  2,222,376,333  2,079,296,525  2,120,986,052  2,182,791,138

Dilutive effect:

                  

Stock options

  3,818  13,858  11,909  —    3,818  13,858
  
  
  
  
  
  

Diluted common shares outstanding

  2,120,989,870  2,182,804,996  2,222,388,242  2,079,296,525  2,120,989,870  2,182,804,996
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

  Yen

  Yen

      2008    

      2007    

      2006    

      2009    

     2008    

      2007    

Net income per share:

         

Net income (loss) per share:

      

Basic

      132.90      99.50      69.48  (182.25     132.90      99.50

Diluted

      132.90      99.50      69.48  (182.25     132.90      99.50

The effect of stock options was not included in the calculation of diluted net loss per share for the year ended March 31, 2009 as the effect would be antidilutive due to the net loss incurred for the year.

 

 

(14)Restructuring Charges

 

In connection with the reorganization of the Company’s operations, the Company has incurred certain restructuring charges. Components and related amounts of the restructuring charges, before the related tax effects, for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs:

                  

Domestic

  27,050  8,733  31,446  26,452  27,050  8,733

Overseas

  5,594  5,465  5,573  11,899  5,594  5,465
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total

  32,644  14,198  37,019  38,351  32,644  14,198

Expenses associated with the closure and integration of locations

  6,922  5,376  11,956  15,049  6,922  5,376
  
  
  
  
  
  

Total restructuring charges

  39,566  19,574  48,975  53,400  39,566  19,574
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

These restructuring charges are included in other deductions in the consolidated statements of income.operations.


- 160130 -

 

The Company has provided early retirement programs to those employees voluntarily leaving the Company. The accrued early retirement programs are recognized when the employees accept the offer and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Expenses associated with the closure and integration of locations include amounts such as moving expenseexpenses of facilities and costs to terminate leasing contracts incurred at domestic and overseas manufacturing plants and sales offices. An analysis of the accrued restructuring charges for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007 is as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Balance at beginning of the year

  10,020  1,335  3,407 

Balance at beginning of year

  4,761   10,020   1,335  

New charges

  39,566  19,574  48,975   53,400   39,566   19,574  

Cash payments

  (44,825) (10,889) (51,047)  (25,638 (44,825 (10,889
  

 

 

  

 

 

Balance at end of the year

  4,761  10,020  1,335 

Balance at end of year

  32,523   4,761   10,020  
  

 

 

  

 

 

 

The following representrepresents significant restructuring activities for the year ended March 31, 20082009 by business segment:

 

Digital AVC Networks

Digital AVC Networks segment restructured mainly to accelerate selection and concentration of its businesses for improving its cost competitiveness. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs in Japan.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 34,748 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 29,029 million yen.

Home Appliances

Home Appliances segment restructured its operations to accelerate concentration of its business for strengthening its management structure. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of integrations in Japan.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,206 million yen.

PEW and PanaHome

PEW and PanaHome segment restructured mainly its housing business in Japan.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 5,673 million yen.

Components and Devices

Components and Devices segment restructured mainly to improve efficiency in its components business.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,957 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 3,277 million yen.

Other

Other segment restructured mainly to improve efficiency in overseas sales companies.

The restructuring charges amounted to 5,816 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 4,145 million yen.

The following represents significant restructuring activities for the year ended March 31, 2008 by business segment:

Digital AVC Networks

Digital AVC Networks segment restructured mainly to accelerate selection and concentration of its businesses for improving its cost competitiveness. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs in Japan.


- 131 -

 

Total restructuring charges amounted to 15,356 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 14,168 million yen.

 

Home Appliances

Home Appliances segment restructured its operations to accelerate concentration of its business for strengthening its management structure. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of integrations in Japan.

 

Total restructuring charges amounted to 8,375 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 5,611 million yen.

 

Components and Devices

Components and Devices segment restructured mainly to improve efficiency in its battery business.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,128 million yen.

MEWPEW and PanaHome

MEWPEW and PanaHome segment mainly restructured mainly its housing business in Japan. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs.

 

Total restructuring charges amounted to 11,581 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 8,888 million yen.


Components and Devices

- 161 -Components and Devices segment restructured mainly to improve efficiency in its battery business.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,128 million yen.

 

JVC

JVC segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 750 million yen in its domestic entertainment business.

 

Other

Other segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 376 million yen mainly in overseas sales companies.

 

The following representrepresents significant restructuring activities for the year ended March 31, 2007 by business segment:

 

Digital AVC Networks

Digital AVC Networks segment restructured mainly to accelerate selection and concentration of its businesses for strengthening its management structure. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs in Japan and Europe.

 

Total restructuring charges amounted to 11,909 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 10,440 million yen.

 

Home Appliances

Home Appliances segment restructured its operations. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of closure and integrations in Japan.

 

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,113 million yen.

 

PEW and PanaHome

PEW and PanaHome segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 328 million yen mainly in Japan.


- 132 -

Components and Devices

Components and Devices segment restructured mainly to enhance cost competitiveness as well as to address continuous price declines. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programprograms in Asia for electronic devices business.

 

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,468 million yen.

MEW and PanaHome

MEW and PanaHome segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 328 million yen mainly in Japan.

 

JVC

JVC segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 531 million yen mainly in Asia.

 

Other

Other segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 225 million yen mainly in domestic sales companies.

 

The following represent significant restructuring activities for the year ended March 31, 2006 by business segment:

AVC Networks

AVC Networks segment restructured mainly to address price declines in digital AV products. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 3,447 million yen.


- 162 -

Home Appliances

Home Appliances segment restructured its operations. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of closure and integration of locations in Japan.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 2,655 million yen.

Components and Devices

Components and Devices segment restructured mainly to enhance cost competitiveness as well as to address sharp price declines. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs in Japan for semiconductor business.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 21,510 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 20,183 million yen.

MEW and PanaHome

MEW and PanaHome segment restructured to strengthen its management structures by realigning its organization. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs and closure and integration of manufacturing plants and sales offices.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 9,385 million yen, including expenses associated with the implementation of early retirement programs of 4,832 million yen.

JVC

JVC segment restructured to strengthen its company-wide organizational and employment structure. The restructuring activities mainly consisted of the implementation of early retirement programs.

Total restructuring charges amounted to 8,891 million yen.

Other

Other segment incurred restructuring charges in the amount of 3,087 million yen mainly in overseas sales companies.

(15)Supplementary Information to the Statements of IncomeOperations and Cash Flows

 

Research and development costs, advertising costs, shipping and handling costs and depreciation charged to income for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Research and development costs

  554,538  578,087  564,781  517,913  554,538  578,087

Advertising costs

  200,890  199,155  181,235  174,939  200,890  199,155

Shipping and handling costs

  159,418  170,311  170,469  146,920  159,418  170,311

Depreciation

  282,102  280,177  275,213  325,835  282,102  280,177

 

Foreign exchange gains and losses included in other deductions for the years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and 2006 are losses of7,501 million yen, 11,492 million yen 18,950 million yen and 13,47518,950 million yen, respectively.

 

Shipping and handling costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.operations.


- 163133 -

Included in other deductions for the year ended March 31, 2006 are claim expenses of 34,340 million yen which is principally related to losses associated with kerosene fan heaters in the amount of 24,905 million yen. Losses from kerosene fan heaters represent costs associated with customer notification through various media channels, leaflet printing, travel, and inspection and repair costs.

 

In fiscal 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, the Company sold, without recourse, trade receivables of 458,321 million yen, 443,464 million yen 315,329 million yen and 193,974315,329 million yen to independent third parties for proceeds of 456,870 million yen, 441,778 million yen 314,265 million yen and 193,415314,265 million yen, and recorded losses on the sale of trade receivables of 1,451 million yen, 1,686 million yen 1,064 million yen and 5591,064 million yen, respectively. In fiscal 2009, 2008 2007 and 2006,2007, the Company sold, with recourse, trade receivables of 411,778 million yen, 397,796 million yen 303,769 million yen and 69,308303,769 million yen to independent third parties for proceeds of 411,022 million yen, 397,421 million yen 303,561 million yen and 69,261303,561 million yen, and recorded losses on the sale of trade receivables of 756 million yen, 375 million yen 208 million yen and 47208 million yen, respectively. Those losses are mainly included in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company is responsible for servicing the receivables. Included in trade notes receivable and trade accounts receivable at March 31, 20082009 are amounts of 50,19237,962 million yen without recourse and 33,73228,394 million yen with recourse scheduled to be sold to independent third parties.

The sale of trade receivables was accounted for under SFAS No. 140, “Accounting for Transfer and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities.Liabilities, which provides accounting and reporting standards for transfer and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities.

 

Interest expenses and income taxes paid, and noncash investing and financing activities for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Cash paid:

                  

Interest

  20,911  22,202  21,853  19,627  20,911  22,202

Income taxes

  122,416  109,692  92,469  95,198  122,416  109,692

Noncash investing and financing activities:

                  

Conversion of bonds

  —    —    20,330

Capital leases

  36,330  27,803  22,935  12,235  36,330  27,803

 

JVC and its subsidiaries became associated companies under equity method from consolidated companies in August, 2007. Certain financial information of JVC and its subsidiaries at the date of deconsolidation is as follows:

 

   Yen (millions)

Assets:

   

Current assets

  311,080

Other assets

  115,546
   

Total

  426,626
   

Liabilities:

   

Current liabilities

  242,336

Other liabilities

  36,149
   

Total

  278,485
   


- 164134 -

 

(16)Derivatives and Hedging Activities

 

The Company operates internationally, giving rise to significant exposure to market risks arising from changes in foreign exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices. The Company assesses these risks by continually monitoring changes in these exposures and by evaluating hedging opportunities. Derivative financial instruments utilized by the Company to hedge these risks are comprised principally of foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and commodity derivatives. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for any purposes other than hedging.trading purpose.

 

Gains and losses related to derivative instruments are classified in other income (deductions) and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.operations. The amount of the hedging ineffectiveness and net gain or loss excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness is not material for the three years ended March 31, 2008.2009. Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at March 31, 20082009 are expected to be recognized in earnings principally over the next twelve months. The maximum term over which the Company is hedging exposures to the variability of cash flows for foreign currency exchange risk is approximately five months.

 

The Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of non-performance by counterparties to the derivative contracts, but such risk is considered mitigated by the high credit rating of the counterparties.

 

The contract amounts of foreign exchange contracts, interest rate swaps, cross currency swaps and commodity futures at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2009

  2008

Forward:

            

To sell foreign currencies

  312,390  409,216  334,586  312,390

To buy foreign currencies

  185,267  323,478  190,495  185,267

Variable-paying interest rate swaps

  —    6,136

Cross currency swaps

  32,717  14,388  33,953  32,717

Commodity futures:

            

To sell commodity

  129,425  86,023  48,858  129,425

To buy commodity

  294,884  210,890  168,527  294,884

From the interim reporting period for the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company adopted SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities—an amendment of FASB statement No. 133.” SFAS No. 161 requires disclosures of how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.

The fair values of derivative instruments at March 31, 2009 are as follows:

   Yen (millions)

 
   Asset derivatives

  Liability derivatives

 
   Consolidated balance
sheet location


  Fair
value


  Consolidated balance
sheet location


  Fair
value


 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133:

             

Foreign exchange

    contracts

  Other current assets  2,299  Other current liabilities  (9,094

Cross currency swaps

  Other current assets  275  Other current liabilities  —    

Commodity futures

  Other current assets  9,285  Other current liabilities  (53,050
      
     

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133

     11,859     (62,144
      
     

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133:

             

Foreign exchange contracts

  Other current assets  204  Other current liabilities  (808

Cross currency swaps

  Other current assets  1,260  Other current liabilities  —    

Commodity futures

  Other current assets  4,670  Other current liabilities  (4,670
      
     

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133

     6,134     (5,478
      
     

Total derivatives

     17,993     (67,622
      
     


- 135 -

The effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2009 is as follows:

Derivatives in SFAS No. 133
fair value hedging relationships


Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in operations on derivative


Amount of gain or (loss) recognized
in operations on derivative


Commodity futures

Other income (deductions)5,700

Total

5,700

Derivatives in SFAS No. 133 

cash flow hedging relationships


  

Amount of gain or
(loss) recognized in OCI
on derivative
(effective portion)


  

Location of gain or (loss)
reclassified from
accumulated OCI
into operations
(effective portion)


  

Amount of gain or (loss)
reclassified from
accumulated OCI
into operations
(effective portion)


Foreign exchange contracts

  (9,251)  Other income (deductions)      2,355

Cross currency swaps

       (90)  Other income (deductions)          (16)

Commodity futures

  2,484  Cost of sales     (1,879)
   
     

Total

  (6,857)           460
   
     

Derivatives in SFAS No. 133

cash flow hedging relationships


Location of gain or (loss) recognized

in operations on derivative

(ineffective portion and amount
excluded from effectiveness testing)


Amount of gain or (loss) recognized in
operations on derivative

(ineffective portion and amount
excluded from effectiveness testing)


Foreign exchange contracts

Other income (deductions)(1,226)

Cross currency swaps

—  —  

Commodity futures

—  —  

Total

(1,226)

Derivatives not designated as
hedging instruments
under SFAS No. 133


Location of gain or (loss) recognized
in operations on derivative


Amount of gain or (loss) recognized

in operations on derivative


Foreign exchange contracts

Other income (deductions)   814

Cross currency swaps

Other income (deductions)1,624

Commodity futures

Other income (deductions)       0

Total

2,438


- 136 -

 

(17)Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value:

 

Cash and cash equivalents, Time deposits, Trade receivables, Short-term borrowings, Trade payables and Accrued expenses

The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

 

Short-term investments

The fair value of short-term investments is estimated based on quoted market prices.

 

Investments and advances

The fair value of investments and advances is estimated based on quoted market prices or the present value of future cash flows using appropriate current discount rates.


- 165 -

 

Long-term debt

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on quoted market prices or the present value of future cash flows using appropriate current discount rates.


- 137 -

 

Derivative financial instruments

The fair value of derivative financial instruments, all of which are used for hedging purposes, are estimated by obtaining quotes from brokers.

 

The estimated fair values of financial instruments, all of which are held or issued for purposes other than trading, at March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 
  Carrying
amount


 Fair
value


 Carrying
amount


 Fair
value

   Carrying
amount


 Fair
value


 Carrying
amount


 Fair
value


 

Non-derivatives:

      

Assets:

      

Short-term investments

  47,414  47,414  93,179  93,179   1,998   1,998   47,414   47,414  

Other investments and advances

  686,510  686,575  1,056,515  1,056,401   424,237   423,223   686,510   686,575  

Liabilities:

      

Long-term debt, including current portion

  (310,348) (312,674) (280,863) (282,309)  (697,653 (698,502 (310,348 (312,674

Derivatives:

      

Other current assets:

      

Forward:

      

To sell foreign currencies

  11,682  11,682  —    —     —     —     11,682   11,682  

Commodity futures to buy commodity

  28,325  28,325  33,996  33,996 

To buy foreign currencies

  2,503   2,503   —     —    

Cross currency swaps

  1,535   1,535   —     —    

Commodity futures:

   

To sell commodity

  13,955   13,955   —     —    

To buy commodity

  —     —     28,325   28,325  

Other current liabilities:

      

Forward:

      

To sell foreign currencies

  —    —    (842) (842)  (9,902 (9,902 —     —    

To buy foreign currencies

  (2,388) (2,388) (706) (706)  —     —     (2,388 (2,388

Cross currency swaps

  (874) (874) (159) (159)  —     —     (874 (874

Commodity futures to sell commodity

  (9,746) (9,746) (11,243) (11,243)

Commodity futures:

   

To sell commodity

  —     —     (9,746 (9,746

To buy commodity

  (57,720 (57,720 —     —    

 

Limitations

Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and information about the financial instruments. These estimates are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgements and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.

On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” SFAS No. 157 defines fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 —Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets.
Level 2 —Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3 —Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The following table presents assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2009:


- 138 -

   Yen (millions)

 
   2009

 
   Level 1

  Level 2

  Level 3

  Total

 

Assets:

             

Available-for-sale securities

  284,356   11,908   —    296,264  

Derivatives

  9,285   8,708   —    17,993  
   

 

 
  

Total

  293,641   20,616   —    314,257  
   

 

 
  

Liabilities:

             

Derivatives

  (57,720 (9,902 —    (67,622
   

 

 
  

Total

  (57,720 (9,902 —    (67,622
   

 

 
  

The Company’s existing marketable equity securities and commodity futures are included in Level 1, which are valued using an unadjusted quoted market price in active markets with sufficient volume and frequency of transactions.

Level 2 available-for-sale securities include all debt securities, which are valued using inputs other than quoted prices that are observable. Foreign exchange contracts and commodity futures included in Level 2 derivatives are valued using quotes obtained from brokers, which are periodically validated by pricing models using observable market inputs, such as foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.

The Company recorded a write-down of 18,121 million yen of securities under investments and advances in associated companies with a carrying value of 29,598 million yen, to the estimated fair value of 11,477 million yen for other-than-temporary impairment. The Company classified the impaired security, representing a substantial portion of the write-down, in Level 1 as the Company used an unadjusted quoted market price in active markets as input to value the investment. The remaining impaired security is classified in Level 3 as the Company used unobservable inputs to value the investment.

 

(18)Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

 

The Company provides guarantees to third parties mainly on bank loans provided to associated companies and customers. The guarantees are made to enhance their credit. For each guarantee provided, the Company is required to perform under the guarantee if the guaranteed party defaults on a payment. Also, as discussed in Note 15, the Company sold certain trade receivables to independent third parties, some of which are with recourse. If the collectibility of those receivables with recourse becomes doubtful, the Company is obligated to assume the liabilities. At March 31, 2008,2009, the maximum amount of undiscounted payments the Company would have to make in the event of default is 16,11233,434 million yen. The carrying amount of the liabilities recognized for the Company’s obligations as a guarantor under those guarantees at March 31, 2009 and 2008 and 2007 was insignificant.


- 166 -immaterial.

 

As discussed in Note 5, in connection with the sale and lease backleaseback of certain machinery and equipment, the Company guarantees a specific value of the leased assets. For each guarantee provided, the Company is required to perform under the guarantee if certain conditions are met during or at the end of the lease term. At March 31, 2008,2009, the maximum amount of undiscounted payments the Company would have to make in the event that these conditions are met is 35,22832,613 million yen. The carrying amount of the liabilities recognized for the Company’s obligations as guarantors under those guarantees at March 31, 2009 and 2008 and 2007 was insignificant.immaterial.

 

The Company issues contractual product warranties under which it generally guarantees the performance of products delivered and services rendered for a certain period or term. The change in accrued warranty costs for the years ended March 31, 20082009 and 20072008 are summarized as follows:


- 139 -

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

   2009

 2008

 

Balance at beginning of year

  38,079  37,436   36,178   38,079  

Change in consolidated subsidiaries

  (5,189) —     —     (5,189

Liabilities accrued for warranties issued during the period

  42,178  48,068   51,526   42,178  

Warranty claims paid during the period

  (37,016) (47,153)  (45,797 (37,016

Changes in liabilities for pre-existing warranties during the period, including expirations

  (1,874) (272)  (429 (1,874
  

 

  

 

Balance at end of year

  36,178  38,079   41,478   36,178  
  

 

  

 

 

At March 31, 2008,2009, commitments outstanding for the purchase of property, plant and equipment approximated 108,148 million yen. Contingent liabilities at March 31, 2008 for discounted export bills of exchange amounted to 7579,068 million yen.

 

Liabilities for environmental remediation costs are recorded when it is probable that obligations have been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. In January 2003, the Company announced that disposed electric equipment that contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB equipment) might be buried in the ground of its four manufacturing facilities and one former manufacturing facility. The applicable laws require that PCB equipment be appropriately maintained and disposed of by July 2016. The Company has accrued estimated total cost of 11,45312,147 million yen for necessary actions such as investigating whether the PCB equipment is buried at the facilities, including excavations, maintaining and disposing the PCB equipment that is already discovered, and soil remediation, since it represents management’s best estimate or minimum of the cost, but the payments are not considered to be fixed and reliably determinable.

 

There are a number of legal actions against the Company and certain subsidiaries. Management is of the opinion that damages, if any, resulting from these actions will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

(19)Segment Information

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” the segments reported below are the components of the Company for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker of the Company in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.


- 167 -

 

Business segments correspond to categories of activity classified primarily by markets, products and brand names. “AVC“Digital AVC Networks” includes video and audio equipment, and information and communications equipment. “Home Appliances” includes household equipment. “Components and Devices” includes electronic components, semiconductors, electric motors and batteries. “MEW“PEW and PanaHome” includes electrical supplies, electric products, building materials and equipment, and housing business. “JVC”“Components and Devices” includes products marketed under the brand name of JVC or Victor.electronic components, semiconductors, electric motors and batteries. “Other” includes electronic-parts-mounting machines, industrial robots and industrial equipment.

 

The healthcareCompany has changed the internal business was transferred to Panasonic Shikoku Electronics Co., Ltd. attransactions between Global Procurement Service Company and other segments since April 1, 2007. As a result of the transfer, the2008. Accordingly, segment information for Other and Corporate and eliminations of all prior periods presentedfiscal 2008 has been reclassified to conform withto the presentation for the year ended March 31, 2008.fiscal 2009.

 

Victor CompanyFrom April 1, 2008, the name of Japan,“AVC Networks” was changed to “Digital AVC Networks.” From October 1, 2008, the name of Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. and its subsidiaries became associated companies under the equity method from August, 2007.(MEW) was changed to Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. (PEW).

 

Information by segment for the three years ended March 31, 20082009 is shown in the tables below:


- 140 -

 

By Business Segment:

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Sales:

      

AVC Networks:

   

Digital AVC Networks:

   

Customers

  4,267,217  4,005,005  3,946,952   3,701,996   4,267,217   4,005,005  

Intersegment

  52,377  59,106  57,746   46,961   52,377   59,106  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  4,319,594  4,064,111  4,004,698   3,748,957   4,319,594   4,064,111  

Home Appliances:

      

Customers

  1,126,037  1,063,033  1,016,604   1,009,958   1,126,037   1,063,033  

Intersegment

  190,365  184,103  171,668   212,992   190,365   184,103  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  1,316,402  1,247,136  1,188,272   1,222,950   1,316,402   1,247,136  

PEW and PanaHome:

   

Customers

  1,717,168   1,854,023   1,809,503  

Intersegment

  49,094   56,269   49,210  
  

 

 

Total

  1,766,262   1,910,292   1,858,713  

Components and Devices:

      

Customers

  989,414  987,933  954,011   779,761   989,414   987,933  

Intersegment

  409,270  389,824  414,247   347,509   409,270   389,824  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  1,398,684  1,377,757  1,368,258   1,127,270   1,398,684   1,377,757  

MEW and PanaHome:

   

Other:

   

Customers

  1,854,023  1,809,503  1,695,949   556,624   650,941   601,950  

Intersegment

  56,269  49,210  51,258   515,114   433,313   395,853  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  1,910,292  1,858,713  1,747,207   1,071,738   1,084,254   997,803  

JVC:

      

Customers

  181,296  640,746  697,150   —     181,296   640,746  

Intersegment

  1,846  5,833  5,966   —     1,846   5,833  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  183,142  646,579  703,116   —     183,142   646,579  

Other:

   

Customers

  650,941  601,950  583,663 

Intersegment

  885,189  882,026  731,629 
  

 

 

Total

  1,536,130  1,483,976  1,315,292 

Eliminations

  (1,595,316) (1,570,102) (1,432,514)  (1,171,670 (1,143,440 (1,083,929
  

 

 

  

 

 

Consolidated total

  9,068,928  9,108,170  8,894,329   7,765,507   9,068,928   9,108,170  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Segment profit (loss):

   

Digital AVC Networks

  3,176   252,239   220,080  

Home Appliances

  48,980   86,412   83,084  

PEW and PanaHome

  40,081   96,405   78,889  

Components and Devices

  7,107   104,989   99,884  

Other

  23,927   64,205   60,500  

JVC

  —     (9,672 (5,659

Corporate and eliminations

  (50,398 (75,097 (77,237
  

 

 

Total segment profit

  72,873   519,481   459,541  
  

 

 

Interest income

  23,477   34,371   30,553  

Dividends received

  11,486   10,317   7,597  

Other income

  52,709   70,460   114,545  

Interest expense

  (19,386 (20,357 (20,906

Goodwill impairment

  —     —     (30,496

Other deductions

  (523,793 (179,279 (121,690
  

 

 

Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes

  (382,634 434,993   439,144  
  

 

 


- 168141 -

 

   Yen (millions)

 
   2008

  2007

  2006

 

Segment profit:

          

AVC Networks

  252,239  220,080  192,955 

Home Appliances

  86,412  83,084  75,065 

Components and Devices

  104,989  99,884  81,111 

MEW and PanaHome

  96,405  78,889  72,694 

JVC

  (9,672) (5,659) (5,782)

Other

  64,205  60,500  62,225 

Corporate and eliminations

  (75,097) (77,237) (63,995)
   

 

 

Total segment profit

  519,481  459,541  414,273 
   

 

 

Interest income

  34,371  30,553  28,216 

Dividends received

  10,317  7,597  6,567 

Other income

  70,460  114,545  147,399 

Interest expense

  (20,357) (20,906) (21,686)

Goodwill impairment

  —    (30,496) (50,050)

Other deductions

  (179,279) (121,690) (153,407)
   

 

 

Consolidated income before income taxes

  434,993  439,144  371,312 
   

 

 

Identifiable assets:

          

AVC Networks

  2,592,856  2,341,967  2,284,139 

Home Appliances

  758,976  715,481  630,369 

Components and Devices

  1,013,522  989,293  966,684 

MEW and PanaHome

  1,356,588  1,354,679  1,371,405 

JVC

  —    419,980  438,456 

Other

  416,217  461,884  503,798 

Corporate and eliminations

  1,305,455  1,613,674  1,769,789 
   

 

 

Consolidated total

  7,443,614  7,896,958  7,964,640 
   

 

 

Depreciation (including intangibles other than goodwill):

          

AVC Networks

  91,607  79,803  76,470 

Home Appliances

  37,457  31,918  29,299 

Components and Devices

  89,799  85,300  88,717 

MEW and PanaHome

  44,124  48,487  46,575 

JVC

  6,008  17,844  17,759 

Other

  14,835  15,561  38,253 

Corporate and eliminations

  36,615  38,601  12,058 
   

 

 

Consolidated total

  320,445  317,514  309,131 
   

 

 

Capital investment (including intangibles other than goodwill):

          

AVC Networks

  228,358  168,448  127,040 

Home Appliances

  48,925  49,040  44,644 

Components and Devices

  139,003  138,930  124,219 

MEW and PanaHome

  51,676  47,558  44,849 

JVC

  3,542  15,478  16,994 

Other

  13,331  17,325  12,092 

Corporate and eliminations

  18,625  39,479  16,688 
   

 

 

Consolidated total

  503,460  476,258  386,526 
   

 

 


- 169 -

   Yen (millions)

   2009

  2008

  2007

Identifiable assets:

         

Digital AVC Networks

  2,016,112  2,592,856  2,341,967

Home Appliances

  689,111  758,976  715,481

PEW and PanaHome

  1,258,465  1,356,588  1,354,679

Components and Devices

  926,897  1,013,522  989,293

Other

  216,411  416,217  461,884

JVC

  —    —    419,980

Corporate and eliminations

  1,296,320  1,305,455  1,613,674
   
  
  

Consolidated total

  6,403,316  7,443,614  7,896,958
   
  
  

Depreciation (including intangibles other than goodwill):

         

Digital AVC Networks

  142,026  91,607  79,803

Home Appliances

  34,891  37,457  31,918

PEW and PanaHome

  51,906  44,124  48,487

Components and Devices

  97,177  89,799  85,300

Other

  14,176  14,835  15,561

JVC

  —    6,008  17,844

Corporate and eliminations

  24,562  36,615  38,601
   
  
  

Consolidated total

  364,738  320,445  317,514
   
  
  

Capital investment (including intangibles other than goodwill):

         

Digital AVC Networks

  250,891  228,358  168,448

Home Appliances

  56,206  48,925  49,040

PEW and PanaHome

  45,059  51,676  47,558

Components and Devices

  141,974  139,003  138,930

Other

  12,262  13,331  17,325

JVC

  —    3,542  15,478

Corporate and eliminations

  27,652  18,625  39,479
   
  
  

Consolidated total

  534,044  503,460  476,258
   
  
  

 

Corporate expenses include certain corporate R&D expenditures and general corporate expenses.

 

Corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, time deposits, marketable securities in short-term investments, investments and advances and other assets related to unallocated expenses.

 

Intangibles mainly represent patents and software.


- 142 -

 

By Geographical Area:

 

Sales attributed to countries based upon the customer’s location and property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

  Yen (millions)

  Yen (millions)

  2008

  2007

  2006

  2009

  2008

  2007

Sales:

                  

Japan

  4,544,772  4,616,520  4,611,440  4,082,233  4,544,772  4,616,520

North and South America

  1,250,677  1,381,104  1,387,424  996,647  1,250,677  1,381,104

Europe

  1,212,971  1,217,931  1,113,556  962,981  1,212,971  1,217,931

Asia and Others

  2,060,508  1,892,615  1,781,909  1,723,646  2,060,508  1,892,615
  
  
  
  
  
  

Consolidated total

  9,068,928  9,108,170  8,894,329  7,765,507  9,068,928  9,108,170
  
  
  
  
  
  

United States of America included in North and South America

  1,081,183  1,213,867  1,206,357

United States included in North and South America

  857,896  1,081,183  1,213,867

China included in Asia and Others

  855,352  941,685  824,465

Property, plant and equipment:

                  

Japan

  1,353,421  1,171,223  1,201,266  1,230,868  1,353,421  1,171,223

North and South America

  34,260  53,317  58,003  31,694  34,260  53,317

Europe

  69,844  71,594  66,084  48,398  69,844  71,594

Asia and Others

  299,848  346,159  306,986  263,870  299,848  346,159
  
  
  
  
  
  

Consolidated total

  1,757,373  1,642,293  1,632,339  1,574,830  1,757,373  1,642,293
  
  
  
  
  
  

 

There are no individually material countries which should be separately disclosed in North and South America, Europe, and Asia and Others, except for the United States of America and China on sales. Transfers between business segments or geographic segments are made at arms-length prices. There are no sales to a single external major customer for the three years ended March 31, 2008.2009.

 

The following information shows sales, geographical profit and identifiable assets which are attributed to geographic areas based on the country location of the Company or its subsidiaries for the three years ended March 31, 2008.2009. In addition to the disclosure requirements under SFAS No. 131, the Company discloses this information as supplemental information in light of the disclosure requirements of the Japanese Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, which a Japanese public company is subject to:


- 170143 -

 

  Yen (millions)

   Yen (millions)

 
  2008

 2007

 2006

   2009

 2008

 2007

 

Sales:

      

Japan:

      

Customers

  4,908,850  4,941,413  4,945,802   4,435,587   4,908,850   4,941,413  

Intersegment

  1,880,654  2,029,589  1,944,537   1,617,969   1,880,654   2,029,589  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  6,789,504  6,971,002  6,890,339   6,053,556   6,789,504   6,971,002  

North and South America:

      

Customers

  1,196,419  1,335,631  1,340,352   946,098   1,196,419   1,335,631  

Intersegment

  16,646  21,654  26,185   18,639   16,646   21,654  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  1,213,065  1,357,285  1,366,537   964,737   1,213,065   1,357,285  

Europe:

      

Customers

  1,170,932  1,162,795  1,067,306   934,525   1,170,932   1,162,795  

Intersegment

  47,300  47,201  20,361   34,977   47,300   47,201  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  1,218,232  1,209,996  1,087,667   969,502   1,218,232   1,209,996  

Asia and Others:

      

Customers

  1,792,727  1,668,331  1,540,869   1,449,297   1,792,727   1,668,331  

Intersegment

  1,167,322  1,206,340  1,175,492   1,008,345   1,167,322   1,206,340  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Total

  2,960,049  2,874,671  2,716,361   2,457,642   2,960,049   2,874,671  

Eliminations

  (3,111,922) (3,304,784) (3,166,575)  (2,679,930 (3,111,922 (3,304,784
  

 

 

  

 

 

Consolidated total

  9,068,928  9,108,170  8,894,329   7,765,507   9,068,928   9,108,170  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Geographical profit:

   

Geographical profit (loss):

   

Japan

  422,071  409,395  374,129   72,673   422,071   409,395  

North and South America

  22,136  22,500  16,773   (2,783 22,136   22,500  

Europe

  20,438  13,903  4,511   (30,451 20,438   13,903  

Asia and Others

  125,056  89,460  81,337   82,611   125,056   89,460  

Corporate and eliminations

  (70,220) (75,717) (62,477)  (49,177 (70,220 (75,717
  

 

 

  

 

 

Consolidated total

  519,481  459,541  414,273   72,873   519,481   459,541  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Identifiable assets:

      

Japan

  4,410,600  4,416,586  4,442,776   3,957,637   4,410,600   4,416,586  

North and South America

  320,487  455,216  443,432   285,039   320,487   455,216  

Europe

  430,149  452,924  412,948   272,513   430,149   452,924  

Asia and Others

  1,208,534  1,265,170  1,235,438   935,440   1,208,534   1,265,170  

Corporate and eliminations

  1,073,844  1,307,062  1,430,046   952,687   1,073,844   1,307,062  
  

 

 

  

 

 

Consolidated total

  7,443,614  7,896,958  7,964,640   6,403,316   7,443,614   7,896,958  
  

 

 

  

 

 


- 171144 -

By Business Field:

In a new phase of further growth, the Company has been accelerating initiatives to achieve global excellence. From April 1, 2008, in order to further clarify its business fields for investors, the Company discloses three business fields. This represents a voluntary and supplementary disclosure by the Company to further enhance readers’ understanding of the Company’s strategy, financial condition and results of operations. This disclosure is not intended to substitute for the segment disclosures as required by SFAS No. 131. The business fields are comprised of the Company’s five segments as follows:

Business fields


Business segments


Digital AVC Networks Solution

Digital AVC Networks

Solutions for the Environment and Comfortable Living

Home Appliances, PEW and PanaHome

Devices and Industry Solution

Components and Devices, Other

Yen (millions)

2009

Sales:

Digital AVC Networks Solution:

Digital AVC Networks

3,748,957


Total

3,748,957

Solutions for the Environment and Comfortable Living:

Home Appliances

1,222,950

PEW and PanaHome

1,766,262


Total

2,989,212

Devices and Industry Solution:

Components and Devices

1,127,270

Other

1,071,738


Total

2,199,008

Eliminations

(1,171,670


Consolidated total

7,765,507


Profit by business field:

Digital AVC Networks Solution:

Digital AVC Networks

3,176


Total

3,176

Solutions for the Environment and Comfortable Living:

Home Appliances

48,980

PEW and PanaHome

40,081


Total

89,061

Devices and Industry Solution:

Components and Devices

7,107

Other

23,927


Total

31,034

Corporate and eliminations

(50,398


Consolidated total

72,873



- 145 -

 

Schedule II

 

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

(In millions of yen)

 

Years ended March 31, 2009, 2008 2007 and 20062007

 

  Balance at
beginning
of period


  Add

  Deduct

  Add
(deduct)

 Balance
at end
of period


  Balance at
beginning of
period


  Add

  Deduct

  Add
(deduct)

 Balance
at end of
period


  Charged
to
income


  Change in
consolidated
subsidiaries


  Bad debts
written
off


  Reversal

  Cumulative
translation
adjustments


    Charged
to
income


  Change in
consolidated
subsidiaries


  Bad debts
written
off


  Reversal

  Cumulative
translation
adjustments


 

Allowance for doubtful receivables:

                  

Allowance for

doubtful

receivables:

  

  

  

 

2009

  20,868  10,538    3,246  5,436  (1,593 21,131

2008

  29,061  6,008  4,378  5,109  3,542  (1,172) 20,868  29,061  6,008  4,378  5,109  3,542  (1,172 20,868

2007

  37,400  3,203    7,002  5,012  472  29,061  37,400  3,203    7,002  5,012  472   29,061

2006

  43,836  8,409  4,657  4,868  6,465  1,145  37,400


- 172146 -

 

Item 19.Exhibits

 

Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report are as follows:

 

1.1  Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (English translation)
1.2  Share Handling Regulations of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]
1.3  Regulations of the Board of Directors of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]
1.4  Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 12, 2005]
2.1Specimen common stock certificates of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]
2.2  Form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (now JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) 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 the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-12694) filed on October 4, 2000] and form of Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement among such parties, including the form of American Depositary Receipt [incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-133099) filed on September 29, 2008]
4.1  

Liability Limitation Agreement (English translation)

[Matsushita and Ikuo Uno entered into a Liability Limitation Agreement, dated June 29, 2005, in the form of this Exhibit.] [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 12, 2005]

[Matsushita and Masayuki Oku entered into a Liability Limitation Agreement, dated June 26, 2008, in the form of this Exhibit.]

[incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on June 30, 2008]

[Matsushita and each of Yasuo Yoshino, Ikuo Hata and Hiroyuki Takahashi, entered into a Liability Limitation Agreement, each dated June 28, 2006, in the form of this Exhibit.] [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]

8.1  Subsidiaries of the Registrant [List of significant subsidiaries (see Section C of Item 4)]
11.1  Code of Ethics for Directors and Executive Officers (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 13, 2004]
12.1  Certification of the principal executive officer of the Company required by Rule 13a-14(a)
12.2  Certification of the principal financial officer of the Company required by Rule 13a-14(a)
13.1  Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code
15.1  Continuation of Policy toward Large-scale Purchases of MatsushitaPanasonic Shares
15.2Financial statements of Matsushita Toshiba Picture Display Co., Ltd. [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]


- 173 -

The Company has not included as exhibits certain instruments with respect to its long-term debt, the amount of debt authorized under each of which does not exceed 10% of its total assets, and it agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.


- 174147 -

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

          

MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.PANASONIC CORPORATION

          (Registrant)

Date: June 30, 20082009

    By  /s/    Yukitoshi Onda
          Yukitoshi Onda
          Attorney-in-Fact
          General Manager of Investor Relations
          Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Panasonic Corporation


Index to Exhibits

 

Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report are as follows:

 

1.1  Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (English translation)
1.2  Share Handling Regulations of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]
1.3  Regulations of the Board of Directors of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]
1.4  Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 12, 2005]
2.1Specimen common stock certificates of the Registrant (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]
2.2  Form of Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York (now JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) 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 the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-12694) filed on October 4, 2000] and form of Amendment No.1 to Deposit Agreement among such parties, including the form of American Depositary Receipt [incorporated by reference to Post-effective Amendment No.1 to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-133099) filed on September 29, 2008]
4.1  

Liability Limitation Agreement (English translation)

[Matsushita and Ikuo Uno entered into a Liability Limitation Agreement, dated June 29, 2005, in the form of this Exhibit.] [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 12, 2005]

[Matsushita and Masayuki Oku entered into a Liability Limitation Agreement, dated June 26, 2008, in the form of this Exhibit.]

[incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on June 30, 2008]

[Matsushita and each of Yasuo Yoshino, Ikuo Hata and Hiroyuki Takahashi, entered into a Liability Limitation Agreement, each dated June 28, 2006, in the form of this Exhibit.] [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]

8.1  Subsidiaries of the Registrant [List of significant subsidiaries (see Section C of Item 4)]
11.1  Code of Ethics for Directors and Executive Officers (English translation) [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 13, 2004]
12.1  Certification of the principal executive officer of the Company required by Rule 13a-14(a)
12.2  Certification of the principal financial officer of the Company required by Rule 13a-14(a)
13.1  Certification required by Rule 13a-14(a) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code
15.1  Continuation of Policy toward Large-scale Purchases of MatsushitaPanasonic Shares
15.2Financial statements of Matsushita Toshiba Picture Display Co., Ltd. [incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 1-06784) filed on September 11, 2006]