20-F 1 d134447d20f.htm ANNUAL REPORT ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 20-F

 

¨

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  or

x

 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016

  or

¨

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  or

¨

 

SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report: N/A

Commission file number 1-8910

 

 

NIPPON DENSHIN DENWA KABUSHIKI KAISHA

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

(Translation of Registrant’s Name into English)

JAPAN

(Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

OTEMACHI FIRST SQUARE, EAST TOWER, 5-1, OTEMACHI 1-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8116 JAPAN

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

YASUTAKE HORINOUCHI

OTEMACHI FIRST SQUARE, EAST TOWER, 5-1, OTEMACHI 1-CHOME, CHIYODA-KU, TOKYO 100-8116 JAPAN

TEL: +81(3)6838-5481

FACSIMILE NUMBER: +81(3)6838-5499

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

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

 

Title of each class

  

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock (“Shares”)

   New York Stock Exchange*

American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”),

each of which represents one Share

   New York Stock Exchange

 

* Not for trading but only in connection with the registration of ADSs pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

 

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

None

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

None

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

 

Common stock

   2,096,139,201 shares

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 registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x    No   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes  x    No   ¨

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

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

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

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

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

Item 17  ¨    Item 18  ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ¨    No   x

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

                   Page  
PART I   
ITEM   1          IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS      2   
ITEM   2          OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE      2   
ITEM   3          KEY INFORMATION      2   
ITEM   4          INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY      17   
ITEM   4A          UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS      43   
ITEM   5          OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS      43   
ITEM   6          DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES      91   
ITEM   7          MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS      106   
ITEM   8          FINANCIAL INFORMATION      107   
ITEM   9          THE OFFER AND LISTING      108   
ITEM   10          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION      109   
ITEM   11          QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK      124   
ITEM   12          DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES      126   
PART II   
ITEM   13          DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES      128   
ITEM   14          MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS      128   
ITEM   15          CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES      128   
ITEM   16A          AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT      129   
ITEM   16B          CODE OF ETHICS      129   
ITEM   16C          PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES      129   
ITEM   16D          EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES      130   
ITEM   16E          PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS      131   
ITEM   16F          CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT      131   
ITEM   16G          CORPORATE GOVERNANCE      131   
ITEM   16H          MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE      133   
PART III   
ITEM   17          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      134   
ITEM   18          FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      134   
ITEM   19          EXHIBITS      134   
      SIGNATURES      135   

 

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In this annual report, except as otherwise specified, “NTT” refers to Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (hereinafter also sometimes referred to as the “registrant”), “NTT Group” refers to NTT, its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies and any of their respective predecessors in business, and “NTT Public” refers to Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Public Corporation, which operated the business of NTT prior to April 1985. “NTT East,” “NTT West” and “NTT Communications” refer to NTT’s three wholly-owned subsidiaries, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation and NTT Communications Corporation, respectively. In addition, “Dimension Data” refers to Dimension Data Holdings plc, “NTT Plala” refers to NTT Plala Inc., “NTT DOCOMO” refers to NTT DOCOMO, INC., “NTT DATA” refers to NTT DATA CORPORATION, “NTT Urban Development” refers to NTT URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, “NTT Finance” refers to NTT FINANCE CORPORATION and “NTT FACILITIES” refers to NTT FACILITIES, INC. The Government of Japan is sometimes referred to herein as the “Government.”

References to fiscal years are to 12-month periods commencing in each case on April 1 of the prior year and ending on March 31 of the year indicated. References to years not specified as being fiscal years are to calendar years.

In this annual report, except as otherwise specified, the financial information is presented according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, referred to as “U.S. GAAP.”

Under the Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, etc. (“NTT Act,” Act No. 85 of December 25, 1984) and for Japanese reporting purposes, NTT calculates the percentage of its Shares owned by the Government based on the total number of issued Shares regardless of whether such Shares are outstanding for U.S. reporting purposes. In this annual report, where the percentage of total issued Shares differs from the percentage of outstanding Shares, the Government’s ownership of Shares is presented using both percentages.

 

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PART I

ITEM 1—IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 2—OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE

Not applicable.

ITEM 3—KEY INFORMATION

Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2012 through 2016 have been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, NTT’s audited consolidated financial statements. NTT’s audited consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, and for each of the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, appear elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME DATA

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

     Years ended March 31,  
     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016  
     (in millions of yen)  

Operating revenues

   ¥ 10,507,362      ¥ 10,700,740      ¥ 10,925,174      ¥ 11,095,317      ¥ 11,540,997   

Operating expenses

     9,284,396        9,498,772        9,711,521        10,010,751        10,192,848   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,222,966        1,201,968        1,213,653        1,084,566        1,348,149   

Other income (expenses)*1

     16,364        (4,321     80,542        (17,937     (18,890
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies*1

     1,239,330        1,197,647        1,294,195        1,066,629        1,329,259   

Income tax expenses*1

     583,227        473,954        486,546        397,349        354,825   

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies*1

     (7,552     (16,093     (50,792     5,889        5,772   

Net income*1

     648,551        707,600        756,857        675,169        980,206   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less—Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests*1

     180,850        185,668        171,384        157,103        242,468   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to NTT*1

   ¥ 467,701      ¥ 521,932      ¥ 585,473      ¥ 518,066      ¥ 737,738   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2012     2013     2014     2015     2016  
     (in yen, except share amounts)  

Per Share of common stock:

          

Net income attributable to NTT*1*2

   ¥ 183.34      ¥ 215.34      ¥ 254.61      ¥ 236.85      ¥ 350.34   

Cash dividends, applicable to earnings for the year*2

   ¥ 70.00      ¥ 80.00      ¥ 85.00      ¥ 90.00      ¥ 110.00   

Average number of Shares outstanding*2

     2,551,038,800        2,423,761,538        2,299,516,428        2,187,360,018        2,105,782,828   

 

*1 As a result of the application of the equity method for NTT Group’s investment in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company from the beginning of the three months ended June 30, 2013, the above figures for “Other income (expenses),” “Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies,” “Income tax expenses,” “Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies,” “Net income,” “Less—Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests,” “Net income attributable to NTT” and “Net income attributable to NTT Per Share of common stock” for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 have been revised retrospectively. For details, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
*2 NTT conducted a two-for-one stock split of its common stock with an effective date of July 1, 2015. Figures for “Net income attributable to NTT,” “Cash dividends, applicable to earnings for the year” and “Average number of Shares outstanding” under “Per Share of common stock” listed above have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the stock split as if the stock split had occurred at the beginning of the first fiscal year listed above.

 

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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation

and Subsidiaries

 

     As of March 31,  
     2012      2013      2014      2015      2016  
     (in millions of yen)  

Current assets

   ¥ 4,711,931       ¥ 4,669,288       ¥ 4,861,011       ¥ 4,957,228       ¥ 5,426,979   

Property, plant and equipment (net)

     9,806,356         9,776,687         9,839,688         9,801,470         9,551,921   

Total assets*

     19,389,699         19,549,067         20,284,949         20,702,427         21,035,931   

Current liabilities

     3,494,253         3,499,389         3,676,824         3,721,688         3,741,128   

Long-term liabilities

     5,847,717         5,527,675         5,657,407         5,902,657         6,009,624   

Capital stock (common stock plus additional paid-in capital)

     3,770,115         3,765,562         3,764,960         3,784,673         3,817,510   

NTT shareholders’ equity*

     7,882,587         8,231,439         8,511,354         8,681,860         8,833,806   

Total equity*

   ¥ 10,047,729       ¥ 10,522,003       ¥ 10,924,806       ¥ 11,049,810       ¥ 11,240,082   

 

* As a result of the application of the equity method for NTT Group’s investment in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company from the beginning of the three months ended June 30, 2013, the above figures for “Total assets,” “NTT shareholders’ equity” and “Total equity” for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 have been revised retrospectively. For details, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividends

NTT has paid dividends on Shares semiannually in respect of each fiscal year since its founding in 1985. NTT’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) recommends a year-end dividend, which is subject to approval by shareholders at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders and by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications (the “Minister”). Immediately following such approvals, NTT distributes dividends to shareholders or registered pledgees of shares entered or recorded on the register of shareholders and shareholders or pledgees of shares for whom all or part of their Shares were not entered or recorded in the register of shareholders pursuant to Article 6 of the NTT Act as of the preceding March 31 in proportion to their respective holdings of Shares at that date. Year-end dividends may be distributed either in cash or, with shareholder approval, in kind. In addition to year-end dividends, NTT may make cash distributions from its retained earnings to its shareholders or registered pledgees of shares entered or recorded on the register of shareholders and shareholders or pledgees of shares for whom all or part of their shares were not entered or recorded in the register of shareholders pursuant to Article 6 of the NTT Act as of September 30 of each year (interim dividends) provided that approvals are granted by its Board and the Minister.

For NTT’s dividend policy, see “Item 8—Financial Information—Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information—Dividend Policy.”

 

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The following table lists the respective shareholder (year-end dividend) and Board (interim dividend) approval dates, as applicable, payment dates and amount of dividends paid by NTT (expressed in Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar equivalents, which were calculated based on the Noon Buying Rate (as defined below under “—Exchange Rate Information”) for Japanese yen on the last date of each period set forth below) for each of the six-month periods indicated.

 

Record Date/Six Months Ended

   Approval Date    Payment Date   

Dividends per Share*

  

Dividends per Share*

               (in yen)    (in U.S. dollars)

September 30, 2011

   November 9, 2011    December 12, 2011    ¥35    $0.45

March 31, 2012

   June 22, 2012    June 25, 2012    ¥35    $0.42

September 30, 2012

   November 8, 2012    December 10, 2012    ¥40    $0.51

March 31, 2013

   June 25, 2013    June 26, 2013    ¥40    $0.42

September 30, 2013

   November 8, 2013    December 9, 2013    ¥40    $0.41

March 31, 2014

   June 26, 2014    June 27, 2014    ¥45    $0.44

September 30, 2014

   November 7, 2014    December 8, 2014    ¥45    $0.41

March 31, 2015

   June 26, 2015    June 29, 2015    ¥45    $0.38

September 30, 2015

   November 6, 2015    December 7, 2015    ¥50    $0.42

March 31, 2016

   June 24, 2016    June 27, 2016    ¥60    $0.53

 

* NTT conducted a two-for-one stock split of its common stock with an effective date of July 1, 2015. The figures for “Dividends per Share” listed above have been adjusted to reflect the impact of the stock split as if the stock split had occurred at the beginning of the first fiscal year listed above.

See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the Companies Act of Japan (the “Companies Act”) with respect to dividends.

Both the payment and the amount of dividends are subject to the level of NTT’s earnings, NTT’s financial condition and other factors, including applicable Government regulatory actions and approval by shareholders and the Board, as applicable, and the Minister.

Under Japanese foreign exchange controls currently in effect, dividends paid on Shares held by non-residents of Japan may be converted into any foreign currency and repatriated abroad. Under the terms of the deposit agreement pursuant to which American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), which evidence ownership interests in ADSs, are issued by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as depositary (the “Depositary”), the Depositary is required, to the extent that in its judgment it can convert Japanese yen into U.S. dollars on a reasonable basis and transfer the resulting dollars to the United States, to convert all cash dividends that it receives in respect of deposited Shares into U.S. dollars and to distribute amounts received (after deduction of applicable withholding taxes and expenses of the Depositary) to the holders of ADRs. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders.”

For a discussion of the tax treatment of dividends paid to U.S. holders of ADSs, see “Item 10—Additional Information—Taxation.”

Exchange Rate Information

In this annual report, all amounts are expressed in Japanese yen (“¥” or “yen”), except as otherwise specified.

On June 10, 2016, the Noon Buying Rate was US$1 = ¥107.06.

 

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The following table sets forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, certain information concerning the exchange rates for Japanese yen and U.S. dollars based on the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers payable in Japanese yen as announced for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Noon Buying Rate”):

 

Fiscal Years Ended March 31

   High(1)      Low(1)      Average(2)      Period  end(3)  
     (yen per dollar)  

2012

     82.41         76.34         78.86         82.41   

2013

     94.16         77.92         83.26         94.16   

2014

     105.25         97.52         100.46         102.98   

2015

     119.96         101.28         110.78         119.96   

2016

     123.98         112.42         120.13         112.42   

Months of 2016

   High(4)      Low(4)      Average(5)      Period end(6)  

January

     121.05         116.38         118.23         121.05   

February

     121.06         111.36         114.62         112.90   

March

     113.94         111.30         112.93         112.42   

April

     112.06         106.90         109.55         106.90   

May

     110.75         106.34         108.85         110.75   

June (through June 10, 2016)

     109.55         106.54         107.51         107.06   

 

(1) The highest and lowest of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant year.
(2) The average of the Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each month during the relevant year.
(3) The Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each relevant year.
(4) The highest and lowest of the Noon Buying Rates of each business day in the relevant month/period.
(5) The average of the Noon Buying Rates of each business day in the relevant month/period.
(6) The Noon Buying Rates on the last business day of each relevant month/period.

 

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Risk Factors

In addition to the other information contained in this annual report, prospective investors should carefully consider the risks described below related to NTT Group’s business environment, business strategy and operations, regulations to which NTT is subject and NTT’s relationship with the Government. Additional risks not currently known to NTT or that NTT now deems immaterial may also impair NTT Group’s business operations. This annual report also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. NTT Group’s actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks NTT Group faces as described below and elsewhere in this annual report.

Risks associated with the business environment and NTT Group’s corresponding business strategies

NTT Group’s business may be affected by both the global and Japanese economic situation.

NTT Group has operations all over the world, including Japan, North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania. An economic slowdown or deceleration in the economic growth of any of these countries and regions may have an adverse effect on the demand for the services that NTT Group provides or on its operations. Although the proportion of NTT Group’s overseas business is growing, the majority of its business revenues are derived from its business in Japan, and as a result, NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition may be heavily influenced by the state of the Japanese economy.

Of all of NTT Group’s businesses, there is a tendency in the solutions business in particular for customers to curb their IT investment when an economic slowdown results in a decline in corporate revenues as they require cost reductions in corporate IT investment and scrutinize the effectiveness of such investment. This may lead to declines in the sales prices and the volume of orders for systems and services provided by NTT Group.

In the finance business, an economic slowdown may adversely affect the economic circumstances of NTT Group companies’ counterparties more than anticipated by NTT Group’s credit management predictions, which could lead to unrecoverable loans. In the real estate business, there is a possibility that demand in the real estate leasing market or, as has historically been the case, the condominium sales market will decline as a result of an economic slowdown, which could reduce the profitability of real estate investments. If these risks were to occur, they could adversely impact NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

In addition, NTT Group evaluates various means of capital procurement, including issuing corporate bonds and obtaining loans, and is working toward securing low-interest financing and stable sources of capital. However, any substantial fluctuations in the financial markets may lead to increases in NTT Group’s financing costs.

NTT Group owns investment securities and other investment assets. If their asset value were to decline because of a recession in the stock and other financial markets, the resulting impairment losses may adversely affect NTT Group’s results of operations. NTT Group pension investments may also be adversely affected by the effect of a weakening economy on the capital markets.

NTT Group’s operating revenues may suffer from changes in market structure and increased competition.

With the growing popularity of smartphones, tablets and high-speed wireless broadband services, including Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”) (a wireless communication standard characterized by high speed, high capacity, the efficient use of signals and low latency, with specifications formulated by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project), the use of cloud services is expanding. At the same time, the structure of the telecommunications services market is changing dramatically as various new stakeholders join telecommunications operators in the market, services provided by over-the-top content (“OTT”) (a content distribution service utilizing other

 

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companies’ communications infrastructure, allowing a service provider to distribute services without owning its own communications infrastructure) providers expand, and competition increases on a global level. Additionally, the combination of fixed and mobile telecommunications services has accelerated the development of FMC (fixed-mobile convergence) services. Competition remains active among telecommunications providers, and the competitive environment in which NTT Group operates is becoming more rigorous. If NTT Group is unable to respond appropriately to increased competition and other changes in the structure of the telecommunications market, its operating revenues may decline.

In the fixed-line communications field, the continuing trend of decreasing fixed voice revenues as a result of the impact of fixed-rate voice services and free or low-cost telecommunications services provided by OTT operators has become an issue. In addition, growth in broadband services is slowing as the rate of penetration increases and the market matures. Furthermore, as a result of the increasing speeds of wireless broadband services, customers, particularly young adults who do not use fixed-line communications, are shifting towards exclusively using smartphones and other mobile devices as their sole method of communications.

In the mobile communications market, intense competition with other service providers continues with respect to charges (including handset prices), network quality, and the provision of services. In addition, competition resulting from structural changes in the market, including competition with free or low-cost communications services provided by OTT businesses, as well as the expansion of mobile virtual network operators (which provide wireless communications services over networks to which they gain access by paying mobile network operators for use of their infrastructure), is increasing.

Under these market conditions, in order to provide more advanced and wide-ranging services and increase customer convenience, NTT Group has provided a variety of new rate plans and services and has been working towards conversion to the B2B2X model, which aims to ensure sustainable growth in domestic operations in Japan.

Further, in addition to their traditional business model of providing fiber-optic access services directly to end users, NTT East and NTT West provide the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” a new business model in which they provide fiber-optic access services to a variety of players, and each player then combines fiber-optic access services with its own services to provide as their own new services to end users.

NTT DOCOMO provides the “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan, which enables subscribers to make domestic calls at a fixed monthly rate and to share packet communications data plans with family members. NTT DOCOMO also offers the Hikari Collaboration Model-utilizing fiber-optic broadband services “docomo Hikari” and “docomo Hikari Pack,” a bundle package that allows users to use “docomo Hikari” and smartphones/docomo feature phones service. In addition, NTT DOCOMO is continuing to work to increase revenues by expanding into new business areas resulting from the convergence of service areas with mobile communications such as finance/account settlement, commerce, business relating to everyday life, IoT (“Internet of Things,” the concept that all things are connected wirelessly and can be controlled via the Internet), environment/energy and education/learning.

However, NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition could still be adversely affected if, despite these efforts, the number of subscribers that NTT Group acquires or retains fails to meet expected levels or if subscription ratios for various fee/discount services, trends in the number of subscription transfers to flat-rate services, or other initiatives do not proceed as expected.

NTT Group expects the solutions business to be a major area of growth in the information services market, and hardware vendors and other players are also focused on this business. Moreover, the growth of information service companies in rapidly developing nations, such as India and China, is bringing about global competition. Intensified competition resulting from new competitors’ aggressive market entry may have an adverse effect on NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Moreover, NTT Group conducts a variety of business activities in markets outside of the information and communications sector, and it is possible that these operations will fail to achieve forecasted revenues, which may result in an adverse effect on NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

NTT Group’s growth in its global business may be lower than anticipated.

NTT Group is expanding its global business as a cornerstone of its operations, and has also implemented initiatives to accelerate profit creation in this area. In order to deliver consistent growth of sales in overseas business operations, NTT Group will strengthen its sales force and marketing efforts, such as by expanding its global accounts and further promoting its up-selling and cross-selling efforts, while strengthening the entire NTT Group’s services and products. Stringent cost-efficiency initiatives are also underway in each of the Group’s companies to, among other things, improve efficiency, optimize services and operations, and lower procurement costs.

However, if these efforts do not progress as anticipated, or the cloud services market does not grow as anticipated, or revenues do not grow as expected due to increased competition or other factors, NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

NTT Group may not achieve anticipated cost savings.

NTT Group is working to generate profits by increasing capital expenditure efficiencies and reducing costs in the domestic fixed-line and mobile communications markets, which are becoming saturated. To improve capital expenditure efficiencies, NTT Group is working to simplify and streamline the network in each company, as well as further its efficiency in using its existing facilities and reduce procurement costs. Efforts are also being made to promote standardization by utilizing the latest technology. Meanwhile, NTT Group is continuously working to reduce costs and is working to ensure simple yet highly productive business operations based on initiatives such as the conversion to the B2B2X model.

However, despite these initiatives to improve efficiencies in the domestic network business, it is possible that NTT Group will be unable to fully achieve the anticipated optimization of its capital expenditures or reductions in sales expenses, facility-related costs, and personnel and other costs due to changes in the competitive environment or due to the current state of progress in streamlining equipment or general business operations. Any such failure to achieve intended cost reductions could adversely impact NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

NTT Group’s international and domestic investments, acquisitions, alliances and corporate collaborations may not be successful, or NTT Group may be unable to exert the necessary control over its investments.

NTT Group actively engages in joint ventures, alliances and collaborations, both domestically and overseas, as well as acquisitions and other strategic investments in response to changes in market structure and customers’ needs. However, NTT Group may not be able to maintain or enhance the value or financial performance of, or achieve sufficient synergies with, the domestic or overseas operations in which it has invested or agreed to invest or that it may in the future acquire. In addition, there may be occasions when NTT Group will suffer potential losses resulting from the dissolution or disposition of its investments, partnerships or other cooperative initiatives.

NTT Group is proactively striving to expand its global business operations, and has worked to achieve expected returns from these endeavors by carrying out periodic post-acquisition monitoring of its investments. In addition, NTT Group is taking initiatives to enhance its group governance and risk management. However, the recent increase in the number of foreign subsidiaries within NTT Group may result in increased fragmentation within the group and render a common understanding difficult to achieve. There may be occasions when it is

 

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difficult for NTT to exert the control over its overseas subsidiaries necessary to oversee their business and operations. In addition, there is a risk that factors related to cross-border business, such as legal restrictions relating to investment and competition, differences in tax systems, differences in business customs including contract practices, labor relations, and international politics, may pose challenges to NTT Group’s management of its overseas business activities. If such risks materialize, NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

NTT Group may be unable to obtain the licenses for third-party intellectual property necessary for the operation of its business, may be subject to claims related to the infringement of the intellectual property from other companies, or may be unable to protect its own intellectual property rights, all of which could adversely affect its business operations and financial position.

In order for NTT Group and its business partners to carry out their business operations, they at times need to obtain licenses and other rights to use the intellectual property and other rights of third parties. NTT Group and its business partners have entered into the necessary intellectual property licenses, and based on their experience as well as industry practice, NTT Group believes that it will continue to be able to obtain such licenses on reasonable terms. However, if NTT Group is unable to reach or maintain agreements with the holders of such rights on commercially acceptable terms or at all, NTT Group and its business partners may not be able to provide certain technologies, products or services to its customers.

Further, as NTT Group’s global business expands, particularly through overseas acquisitions, claims of intellectual property infringement and other claims against NTT Group, particularly by foreign corporations in jurisdictions in which it has completed acquisitions, may increase as it develops new products, services and technologies, and acquires companies that may be subject to ongoing or future intellectual property litigation.

If NTT Group is subject to claims of infringement of intellectual property rights, it may be required to expend considerable time and costs to reach a resolution. If such claims are determined adversely to NTT Group, it may be required to pay substantial damages or royalties to third parties, or may be subject to a temporary or permanent injunction preventing certain NTT Group companies from offering certain products or services and required to develop non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenues from businesses related to such rights. Further, any improper use by third parties of NTT Group’s intellectual property and other rights could result in a decrease in NTT Group’s contemplated license revenues and compromise NTT Group’s competitive advantage.

The occurrence of any of these risks could adversely affect NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

NTT Group may be unable to hire or retain necessary personnel, which could have an adverse effect on NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

A number of companies both in Japan and abroad have entered the information and telecommunications market, in which the diversity and sophistication of services and technology has rapidly increased, and where changes in the market, with a focus on cloud services in particular, are expected to accelerate even further going forward. In this environment, NTT Group’s ability to hire and retain highly skilled personnel significantly affects the success of its business. If the hiring or retention of such key, highly skilled personnel by NTT Group does not proceed as expected, it could adversely affect NTT Group’s ability to develop new technologies, design new products, enhance its existing products and execute its growth strategy, which could negatively impact its results of operations and financial condition.

 

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Risks associated with business management

System disruptions, network disruptions, disruptions to business operations or issues with system architecture that occur as a result of natural disasters, software and hardware failure, or cyberattacks may affect NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

NTT Group has operations both domestically and abroad, and has implemented a variety of measures with respect to its networks and systems in order to ensure safe and reliable services, including strengthening the durability and water resistance of exchange offices and re-assessing its transmission lines. However, natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons and floods, pandemics such as new strains of influenza, and other issues including software and hardware failure, cyberattacks, terrorism, armed action, regional conflict and various other events could cause system and network failure or threaten the safety of NTT Group employees. As a result, there may be occasions when disruptions in NTT Group’s business operations make it impossible to provide reliable services, potentially damaging NTT Group’s credibility and corporate image.

A large-scale disaster in particular could not only severely damage NTT Group’s telecommunications networks, but could also harm NTT Group employees or cause damage to systems that could take a long time to restore, and the resulting emergency electricity use restrictions could hinder NTT Group’s ability to provide reliable services. These events may lead to reductions in income and substantial repair costs.

The number of NTT Group services and products that use advanced technology has increased, resulting in increased quality control risk. In particular, applications and other software that runs on smartphones and tablets contain elements which could increase the load on NTT Group’s network facilities beyond the level contemplated, such as communications applications that can secure or cut off connections, which cause an increase in control signals between devices and the network. While NTT Group is endeavoring to enhance quality and reliability by making capital investments in its network facilities to strengthen network resilience and to accelerate response time, if such traffic cannot be processed, there is a defect in an NTT Group service or product, or human error occurs, such as an error in equipment settings, NTT may be held liable for damages, and the reputation of NTT Group’s services and products may be affected.

In addition, in recent years, information security countermeasures for smartphones, cloud services and other new ICT services are becoming an increasing concern. In order to counter increasingly diverse cyberattacks, NTT Group developed more sophisticated security countermeasures, such as addressing targeted attacks and vulnerabilities. NTT Group also conducted group-wide exercises and promoted initiatives in human resources development using various educational methods. If, however, an unforeseeable event occurs, it is possible that there will be cases of service delays, decrease in service quality, or information leak, damage or loss caused by network intrusions from unauthorized access, causing customers’ trust in NTT Group to diminish and causing damage to NTT Group’s corporate image.

NTT Group also provides and delivers systems and services to customers in the system integration business, and there is a possibility that there could be disruptions and faults in these systems and services. Some of the systems and services provided by NTT Group constitute vital social infrastructure that significantly affects economic activities and daily life. In particular, if problems such as interruption, impairment, unauthorized access, virus infections and cyberattacks occur to these systems and services, in addition to the possible need to provide compensation for damages, NTT Group’s credibility and corporate image may suffer. Furthermore, the system integration business typically operates under a service contract model in which services are completed from the receipt of orders through the delivery dates. Under this model, NTT Group generally assumes full contractual responsibility at all stages, but there is a possibility that a deviation from initial estimates or problems in project management at the development stage could result in cost overruns or losses due to delivery delays.

Any of these risks could adversely affect NTT Group’s results of operation and financial condition.

 

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NTT’s reputation and credibility may be affected by fraud or misconduct in Japan or abroad, or by inappropriate use or leaks of confidential business information and personal information.

NTT Group is subject to a wide variety of laws and regulations, as the scope of its business encompasses a variety of products and services both in Japan and abroad. As a result, some of NTT Group’s business activities require licenses, notifications, and permit approvals. In addition, it is possible that NTT Group’s growing business operations outside of Japan could be subject to additional burdens stemming from, among other things, the local rules and regulations of the countries in which NTT operates, or the lack thereof, the unpredictable nature of commercial and judicial interpretations of such local laws, the adoption of new laws and the revision of existing laws.

NTT Group considers legal compliance to be an extremely important corporate responsibility. In light of the recent tightening of bribery and anti-corruption laws in foreign countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, NTT is working towards further strengthening its compliance systems. Although NTT Group has taken measures to strengthen its group-wide compliance regime, it may not always be possible to eliminate compliance and reputational risks, including, for example, in the case of an employee’s improper personal behavior.

In addition, NTT Group has historically made efforts to protect confidential information obtained in the course of its business, including its customers’ personal information, and NTT Group has also implemented the “NTT Group Information Security Policy,” which requires enhanced internal information management, training and awareness-raising for officers and employees. NTT Group expects to be able to ensure the proper management of confidential information in accordance with this policy. However, it is possible that NTT Group will be unable to completely eliminate the risk of a leak or other misuse of confidential information.

Such an event could adversely affect NTT Group’s business, including its reputation and credibility, as well as NTT Group’s ability to obtain new subscribers or its eligibility to secure governmental contracts, which could in turn adversely affect NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

Misuse of products and services offered by NTT Group may have an adverse impact on NTT Group’s credibility and corporate image and could expose NTT Group to liability.

Inappropriate use of NTT Group’s products and services by users may adversely affect the credibility of NTT Group’s products and services and tarnish NTT Group’s corporate image. For example, if cybercrimes, such as unsolicited bulk e-mails, illegal money transfers made through online banking, or bank transfer scams, are perpetrated using NTT Group’s services, or if NTT Group customers experience incidents of unsolicited bulk e-mails being sent through its servers, NTT Group customers may be harmed as a result of these actions. Further, there has been a wide range of debate regarding minors’ access to illegal or harmful websites, and the effectiveness of filtering services intended to restrict minors from accessing such harmful sites. These problems may adversely impact customer satisfaction and damage NTT Group’s corporate image, which may lead to an increase in the number of subscription cancellations.

In addition, there are also concerns over the increasing incidence of accidents caused by the use of mobile phones while operating vehicles or bicycles, as well as issues with increasing occurrence of problems caused by the use of mobile phones while walking. In addition, there are issues concerning the high fees charged for the excess use of paid content by subscribers and the leaking of private information by fraudulent applications and software. NTT Group believes that it has properly addressed these social issues by providing locks on smartphone use while users are walking, filtering and other functions, but it is not certain whether these functions will work as expected or whether NTT Group will be able to continue to carry out proper measures in the future. If NTT Group is unable to address these issues in an appropriate manner, this may result in an increasing number of cancellations among current subscribers and an inability to acquire the anticipated number of new subscribers, which may impact NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

 

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NTT Group may be subject to unfavorable decisions in litigation or other proceedings, which could have an adverse effect on its operations.

Because NTT Group operates through a large number of sites both domestically and abroad, and offers a wide array of goods and services, it is possible that NTT Group will become a party to various types of litigation, disputes, or claims for damages. If NTT Group were to become party to any such litigation, dispute, or claim for damages, in addition to the possibility of a potential financial burden, an unfavorable decision could harm NTT Group’s credibility and corporate image, and thereby adversely affect NTT Group’s results of operation and financial condition.

Risks associated with the Government, including rules, regulations and others

Changes or decisions regarding telecommunications regulations may affect NTT Group’s business.

The regulation of the Japanese telecommunications industry has evolved in many areas, including amendments to telecommunications laws aimed at promoting competition, protecting service users and other purposes. Decisions relating to Government regulations and the resulting changes in the telecommunications industry may affect NTT Group’s results of operations and financial condition.

For a summary of Government regulations currently under review, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations.”

The frequencies that NTT Group can use are limited, and it is possible that it will not be able to secure adequate frequency spectrum for its operations.

NTT Group has limited frequencies available for its services. For example, in areas such as major urban centers, mobile communications networks may suffer deteriorations of service quality at peak times, when use of available frequencies is at or near its limit.

In addition, while the number of subscribers and the traffic per subscriber are expected to increase in conjunction with the expanded use of devices, such as smartphones and tablet devices, if NTT Group were unable to obtain the frequency spectrum required for unhindered operation or if the start of operations on a different band frequency did not progress as planned, NTT Group may suffer degradation of service quality and incur additional costs. For details, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—Radio Act.”

NTT Group is working to obtain new frequencies and to improve the efficiency of frequency usage. However, there can be no assurance that NTT Group’s efforts will be sufficient to avoid deterioration in service quality. If NTT Group is unable to address such problems sufficiently and in a timely manner, it may face constraints in providing wireless services or lose subscribers to competitors, which could have a material adverse effect on NTT Group’s results of operations or financial condition.

NTT Group may be impacted by laws, regulations and systems relating to the environment, such as those relating to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

NTT Group is subject, both in Japan and overseas, to laws and regulations relating to the environment, such as those governing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy conservation, waste disposal and harmful substance removal. NTT Group has implemented a variety of measures, such as introducing highly efficient power supplies and reusing and recycling telecommunications facilities, in order to comply with such laws and regulations relating to the environment. In the event that stricter laws and regulations and societal demands with respect to the environment materialize in the future, or new laws and regulations are introduced, costs may increase, which may impact NTT Group’s financial condition and results of operations.

 

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The Government owns enough NTT Shares to give it considerable influence over whether resolutions at NTT shareholder meetings are adopted, and rules and regulations in Japan provide the Government with regulatory authority over NTT Group companies.

The Government, through the Minister of Finance, currently owns 35.21% of NTT’s issued Shares (35.21% of NTT’s outstanding Shares excluding treasury stock), which equates to 35.26% of the voting rights, calculated on the basis of issued Shares minus treasury stock and less-than-one-unit shares. The Government, in its capacity as a shareholder, votes at NTT shareholder meetings and, by virtue of its statutorily mandated position as the largest shareholder, has the power to exert considerable influence over decisions made at such meetings. In 1997, in a statement at the Diet, the Government stated that it did not intend to actively use its position as a shareholder to direct the management of NTT. In fact, the Government has not historically used its power as a shareholder to direct the management of NTT. For details regarding the regulatory authority the Government legally has with respect to NTT Group, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations.”

The issuance or sale of additional NTT Shares or concerns regarding additional supply of NTT Shares in the stock market may affect the trading price of NTT Shares and ADSs.

Until October 1986, the Government owned 100% of the issued Shares of NTT. As a result of sales of Shares by the Government to the public and sales of Shares by the Government to NTT as part of NTT’s Share repurchase programs, as of March 31, 2016, the Government’s ownership of Shares was 35.21% of NTT’s issued Shares (35.21% of NTT’s outstanding Shares excluding treasury stock). In the event the NTT Act is revised again in order to ease or repeal the requirements regarding Government ownership of Shares, or if NTT cancels a significant amount of its treasury stock, the number of Shares the Government is allowed to sell would increase.

The sale of Shares by the Government or the issuance, sale or other disposal of treasury stock by NTT (or the potential for such transactions) could have an impact on the market price of Shares and ADSs.

For details regarding NTT Group’s relationship with the Government, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Matters Relating to NTT’s Shares.”

Investors may have difficulty enforcing judgments under the laws of foreign countries, including the U.S. securities laws regarding the civil liabilities of NTT.

NTT is a limited liability, joint-stock corporation established under the laws of Japan. All of NTT’s directors and management reside in Japan. All or a substantial portion of the assets of such persons or NTT are located in Japan. As a result, it may not be possible for investors to effect legal service of process outside Japan upon such persons or NTT or to enforce against them judgments predicated upon the laws of foreign countries, including the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws, in federal or state courts in the United States or other foreign courts. NTT has been advised by its Japanese counsel that there is uncertainty as to the enforceability, in actions originated in Japan, of liabilities predicated solely upon the laws of foreign countries, including the U.S. securities laws, and as to the enforceability in Japan of judgments of federal or state courts in the United States or other foreign courts obtained in actions predicated upon the laws of foreign countries, including the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws.

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements made in this annual report are forward-looking statements. These include statements with respect to NTT’s plans, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those statements using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “could” or “should,” and words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of NTT Group’s future operations, financial performance, events or conditions. The statements are based on management’s

 

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assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. These assumptions and beliefs include information concerning NTT Group and the economy and telecommunications industry in Japan and overseas.

The assumptions also involve risks and uncertainties which may cause NTT Group’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include:

 

  (i) changes in economic conditions, fluctuations in exchange and interest rates, and volatility in securities and other financial markets in Japan and other countries;

 

  (ii) NTT Group’s fund procurement;

 

  (iii) the effects of changes in market structure and increased competition on NTT Group’s operating revenue;

 

  (iv) the pricing of services, including risks and uncertainties associated with the reduction in revenues that may result from changes in rates;

 

  (v) the ability of NTT Group to maintain growth and the success of new business models and services and businesses;

 

  (vi) projections of future usage of NTT Group’s networks, including broadband services, 3G mobile subscriber services, wireless broadband services through LTE and other Internet-related businesses;

 

  (vii) risks and uncertainties associated with the growth of NTT Group’s global businesses;

 

  (viii) technology substitution and changes in available technology;

 

  (ix) the progress of NTT Group’s efforts to reduce costs;

 

  (x) NTT Group’s international and domestic investments, alliances and collaborations;

 

  (xi) the ability of NTT Group to obtain licenses or other rights to use the intellectual properties of third parties that are necessary for NTT Group to conduct its business;

 

  (xii) the ability of NTT Group to hire or retain necessary personnel;

 

  (xiii) the effect on NTT Group’s financial condition and operating results of system/network failures and problems arising during system construction due to causes including: earthquakes, typhoons, other natural disasters and pandemics; power shortages, malfunctioning of equipment, hardware or software failures (including failures of systems or services that NTT Group provides or delivers to customers; cyberattacks, acts of terrorism, armed action, regional conflict, intentional wrongdoing and sabotage; and other similar natural disasters or acts of wrongdoing;

 

  (xiv) fraud or misconduct, such as the improper handling and leaking of confidential information obtained in the course of NTT Group’s business, such as customers’ personal information, in Japan and other countries;

 

  (xv) the occurrence of crime and other social problems resulting from improper use by certain users of products or services offered by NTT Group;

 

  (xvi) concerns over health risks and safety issues associated with the use of products and services offered by NTT Group;

 

  (xvii) the effect of ongoing or potential litigation, and the subsequent outcome or rulings of government agencies;

 

  (xviii) the effect of the introduction of, or changes to, various laws and regulations, including changes or decisions regarding telecommunications regulations, such as future decisions regarding the setting of interconnection rates and changes to the NTT Act;

 

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  (xix) the ability of NTT Group to add capacity to its existing networks; for example, the possibility that NTT DOCOMO is unable to secure the necessary frequency spectrum for operation or expand its facilities;

 

  (xx) the introduction of new laws and regulations, and the strengthening of existing laws and regulations, relating to the environment, such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and

 

  (xxi) any decision by the Government of Japan to exercise its power to exert influence over decisions made at NTT general meetings of shareholders.

Investors should not rely on any obligation of NTT Group to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, and NTT Group disclaims any such obligation.

NTT desires to qualify for the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

 

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ITEM 4—INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY

NTT Group

Operations and Segment Overview

 

LOGO

* Figures represent NTT’s equity interest, whether direct or indirect, in each of its subsidiaries as of March 31, 2016. NTT and its principal subsidiaries listed above are all incorporated in Japan, with the exception of Dimension Data, which is incorporated in the United Kingdom.

NTT Group is the largest provider of fixed and mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, telecommunications equipment, system integration and other telecommunications-related services in Japan and operates one of the largest telephone networks in the world. NTT Group consists of NTT (as the holding company), its 907 subsidiaries and its 122 affiliated companies (as of March 31, 2016). The principal business segments of NTT Group are its regional communications business, long distance and international communications business, mobile communications business, and data communications business. NTT Group also has an other business segment. Details of each principal business segment and the consolidated subsidiaries within each principal business segment are described below. NTT Group’s five business segments are described under Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The principal services in the regional communications business segment are intra-prefectural communications services and related ancillary services. NTT’s consolidated subsidiaries in the regional communications business segment are NTT East, NTT West, NTT EAST-MINAMIKANTO CORPORATION, NTT-ME CORPORATION, NTT INFRASTRUCTURE NETWORK CORPORATION, NTT EAST SERVICE CORPORATION, NTT BUSINESS SOLUTIONS CORPORATION, NTT NEOMEIT CORPORATION, NTT MARKETING ACT CORPORATION, NTT FIELDTECHNO CORPORATION, NTT DIRECTORY SERVICES Co., NTT Printing Corporation, TelWel East Japan Corporation, NTT Solco Corporation, NTT CARD SOLUTION CORP., NTT EAST PROPERTIES, INC., NTT SOLMARE CORPORATION, NTT WEST ASSET PLANNING CORPORATION, TelWel West Nippon Corporation, and 33 other companies.

The principal services in the long distance and international communications business segment are inter-prefectural communications services, services related to the international communications business, services related to the solutions business and related services. NTT’s consolidated subsidiaries in the long distance and international communications business segment are NTT COMMUNICATIONS, Dimension Data, NTT PC Communications Incorporated, NTT Plala Inc., NTT Resonant Inc., NTT America, Inc., NTT EUROPE LTD., NTT AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD., NTT Communications Deutschland AG(*1), NTT Com Security AG(*1), Virtela Technology Services Incorporated, RagingWire Data Centers, Inc., RW Holdco Inc., RW Midco Inc., Arkadin International SAS, GYRON INTERNET LIMITED, NETMAGIC SOLUTIONS PRIVATE LIMITED, NETMAGIC IT SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED, Lux e-shelter 1 S.a.r.l., Lux e-shelter 3 S.a.r.l., e-shelter Services Holding GmbH, e-shelter Properties Holding S.a.r.l., Spectrum Holdings Inc., Dimension Data Commerce Centre Limited, Dimension Data (U.S.) II, Inc., Dimension Data (U.S.) Inc., Dimension Data North America, Inc., Dimension Data International Limited, Dimension Data Holdings Nederland B.V., Dimension Data Australia Pty Limited, Dimension Data Cloud Solutions Australia Pty Ltd., Solutionary, Inc., NTT Innovation Institute, Inc., and 350 other companies.

 

(*1) NTT Com Security AG merged into NTT Communications Deutschland AG and changed its name to NTT Security AG on June 2, 2016.

 

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The principal services in the mobile communications business segment are mobile phone services and related services. NTT’s consolidated subsidiaries in the mobile communications business segment are NTT DOCOMO(*1), DOCOMO CS, Inc., DOCOMO Support, Inc., DOCOMO Systems, Inc., DOCOMO Technology, Inc., DOCOMO Guam Holdings, Inc., DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC.(*2), DOCOMO PACIFIC (SAIPAN), INC., D2C Inc., mmbi, Inc.(*3), OAK LAWN MARKETING, INC., Tower Records Japan Inc., NTT DOCOMO Ventures, Inc., ABC Cooking Studio Co.,Ltd, DOCOMO ANIME STORE, INC., docomo Healthcare, Inc., DOCOMO Digital GmbH(*4), Buongiorno S.p.A., net mobile AG, DOCOMO Innovations, Inc.(*5), DCM Reinsurance Company, Inc., and 104 other companies.

 

(*1) NTT DOCOMO was incorporated in Japan as a joint-stock company in 1991. As of March 31, 2016, NTT’s ownership interest in NTT DOCOMO was 65.67% (including shares owned indirectly).

 

(*2) MCV Guam Holding Corp. merged into DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC. on January 1, 2016.

 

(*3) mmbi, Inc. will be merged into NTT DOCOMO on July 1, 2016.

 

(*4) DOCOMO Deutschland GmbH changed its name to DOCOMO Digital GmbH on October 15, 2015.

 

(*5) DOCOMO Capital, Inc. merged with DOCOMO Innovations, Inc. and changed its name to DOCOMO Innovations, Inc. on October 1, 2015.

The principal services in the data communications business segment are system integration services and network system services. The consolidated subsidiaries in the data communications business segment are NTT DATA(*1), NTT DATA i CORPORATION, NTT DATA KANSAI CORPORATION, XNET Corporation, Japan Information Processing Service Co., Ltd., NTT DATA INTRAMART CORPORATION, JSOL CORPORATION, NJK Corporation, NTT DATA CUSTOMER SERVICE CORPORATION, NTT Data International L.L.C., NTT DATA EUROPE GmbH & CO. KG, itelligence AG, NTT DATA Deutschland GmbH, NTT DATA, Inc., NTT DATA EMEA LTD., NTT DATA Enterprise Services Holding, Inc., NTT DATA ASIA PACIFIC PTE. LTD., EVERIS PARTICIPACIONES, S.L.U., NTT DATA (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., LTD, Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc.(*2) and 238 other companies.

 

(*1) NTT DATA was incorporated in Japan as a joint-stock company in 1988. As of June 30, 2016, NTT’s ownership interest in NTT DATA was 54.21% (including shares owned indirectly).

 

(*2) Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc. changed its name to NTT DATA Consulting, Inc. on April 14, 2016.

The other business segment includes NTT’s operations, and its real estate, finance, construction and power, systems development and development of advanced technologies businesses. NTT’s consolidated subsidiaries in the other business segment are NTT Urban Development, UD EUROPE LIMITED, Downtown Properties Owner, LLC, NTT FINANCE, NTT FACILITIES, NTT COMWARE CORPORATION, NTT ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, NTT Electronics Corporation, NTT Software Corporation, NTT ADVERTISING, INC., InfoCom Research, Inc., NTT LEARNING SYSTEMS CORPORATION, NTT BUSINESS ASSOCIE Corporation, NTT LOGISCO Inc., NTT Broadband Platform, Inc., and 74 other companies.

Main Services

NTT Group provides fixed-line broadband and fixed-line telephone services through NTT East and NTT West, and is the largest provider of such services in Japan. As of March 31, 2016, the number of combined NTT East and NTT West broadband service subscriptions for Hikari Access services “and for ADSL services was 19,259 thousand subscriptions and 1,053 thousand subscriptions, respectively. Aggregate subscriber line subscriptions, which is the sum of fixed-line telephone service subscriptions and ISDN service subscriptions,

 

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totaled 22,718 thousand subscriptions. In addition, NTT Group provides internet service provider (“ISP”) services through NTT Communications and others. As of March 31, 2016, the number of ISP service subscriptions was 11,411 thousand subscriptions.

NTT Group provides mobile broadband and mobile voice communications services through NTT DOCOMO. This service is provided through two networks, LTE and W-CDMA. As of March 31, 2016, NTT DOCOMO had 70,964 thousand subscribers and was the largest provider of mobile phone services in Japan.

NTT Group provides data communications services through NTT DATA. NTT DATA is the leading provider of data communications systems and information systems using computer networks as a platform in Japan. NTT DATA primarily engages in strategic planning, designing, installing and operating data communications systems and computer network-based information systems, and providing IT services.

In addition, through its subsidiaries, NTT Group provides financial services, including issuing leases and credit cards, real estate services, including building rentals and apartment sales, systems development services, and construction-related services, including the design, construction and maintenance of buildings.

NTT’s Agent for U.S. Federal Securities Law Purposes

NTT’s agent for U.S. federal securities law purposes is NTT America, Inc., located at 757 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017. NTT is located at 5-1, Otemachi 1-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8116, Japan (Phone number: +81-3-6838-5481). NTT’s Internet website address is http://www.ntt.co.jp/index_e.html. The information on NTT’s website is not incorporated by reference into this document. This annual report will be placed on NTT’s Internet website concurrently with its filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

History

 

(1) Background

On August 1, 1952, pursuant to the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation Act (Act No. 250 of July 31, 1952), NTT Public was incorporated, with its capital stock wholly owned by the Government. On April 1, 1985, pursuant to the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Act (Act No. 85 of December 25, 1984), NTT was established, with its capital stock wholly owned by the Government. When NTT was established, it succeeded to all the rights and obligations of NTT Public.

 

(2) History

 

April 1985

   NTT was incorporated as a limited liability, joint-stock company.

February 1987

   NTT’s Shares were listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (the “TSE”) and other stock exchanges in Japan.

July 1988

   NTT’s DATA Communications Division was transferred to NTT DATA System Service Corporation.

April 1992

   Implemented organizational reform corresponding to the long distance and regional communications service divisions through a review of, and commitment to, a divisional system.

July 1992

   Business operations relating to car phones, mobile phones, maritime telephones, aircraft passenger telephones and radio paging were transferred to NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc.

December 1992

   NTT’s electricity, construction and building management operations were transferred to NTT FACILITIES.

September 1994

   NTT ADSs were listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).

 

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October 1994

   NTT’s Shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange.

April 1995

   NTT DATA System Service Corporation was listed on the TSE.

September 1997

   NTT transferred its software headquarters business to NTT COMMUNICATIONWARE CORPORATION.

August 1998

   NTT DATA System Service Corporation changed its business name to NTT DATA CORPORATION.

October 1998

   NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. was listed on the TSE.

July 1999

   Implemented a group reorganization by which NTT became a holding company. Operation of NTT’s intra-prefectural communications services was transferred to its two wholly owned subsidiaries, NTT East and NTT West, and inter-prefectural communications services were transferred to NTT COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION, also a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT.

April 2000

   NTT Mobile Communications Network, Inc. changed its business name to NTT DOCOMO, INC.

November 2000

   NTT COMMUNICATIONWARE CORPORATION changed its business name to NTT COMWARE CORPORATION.

March 2002

   NTT DOCOMO, INC. was listed on the London Stock Exchange and the NYSE.

November 2004

   NTT URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION was listed on the TSE.

January 2009

   NTT implemented a 100-for-1 common stock split.

July 2015

   NTT implemented a 2-for-1 common stock split.

Reorganization

On July 1, 1999, certain of NTT’s business activities were transferred to NTT’s wholly owned subsidiaries NTT East, NTT West and NTT Communications. Under the Act to Amend the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation Act promulgated in June 1997, NTT is required to hold 100% of the share capital of NTT East and NTT West. NTT East provides regional telecommunications and related services in the Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto and Shin-etsu regions of Japan. NTT West provides regional telecommunications and related services in the Tokai, Hokuriku, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu regions of Japan. NTT Communications provides domestic inter-prefectural telecommunications, data transmission services such as IP-VPN (Virtual private network) and OCN, and other network and ancillary services throughout Japan. NTT Communications also offers international telecommunications services and intra-city telecommunications services.

After the transfer of certain business activities in 1999, NTT began to operate primarily as a holding company. The principal sources of NTT’s revenues consist of the following three categories:

 

   

dividends from its subsidiaries;

 

   

payments for providing management services through contracts with its subsidiaries; and

 

   

payments for its fundamental research and development activities through contracts with each of its subsidiaries that benefit from NTT’s research and development activities.

NTT is directly responsible for formulating and promoting the overall strategy of NTT Group, setting financial targets for NTT Group and conducting fundamental research and development for NTT Group. The presidents of NTT East, NTT West, NTT Communications, NTT DOCOMO, NTT DATA and NTT meet from time to time to discuss the strategy of NTT Group. Generally, each of the companies within NTT Group operates autonomously. However, each company must discuss with, or report to, NTT certain fundamental business decisions relating to that company, including amendments to its articles of incorporation, mergers and consolidations, assignments and transfers of businesses, election and removal of directors and corporate auditors, appropriation of profits, increases in share capital, investments, including international investments, loans and guarantees, and the establishment of business operation plans.

 

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See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act” regarding recent developments concerning NTT Group’s managerial structure.

Business Operations of Subsidiaries

NTT Group has undertaken several initiatives to improve its management efficiency and promote cost savings. These include the transfer from NTT to its subsidiaries of certain functions, including telecommunications software and systems development, facility management and maintenance, equipment sales and directory assistance. In addition, NTT Group has begun making these services available not only to NTT Group companies but also to third parties, thereby creating new revenue sources. NTT expects its subsidiaries, as independent companies, to take greater responsibility for the profits or losses of their operations and to have a stronger incentive to boost revenues and cut costs as compared to when they were divisions of NTT. As of March 31, 2016, NTT had 1,029 subsidiaries and affiliated companies. The major changes to each NTT Group company’s business operation structure are as described below.

Reorganization of Business Operations Structures of NTT East and NTT West

In May 2002, NTT transferred an aggregate of approximately 100,000 NTT East and NTT West employees to approximately 100 regional outsourcing companies with specializations in three fields: facilities and equipment, sales and marketing, and administration and accounting.

In July 2005, NTT East consolidated the three fields of its regional outsourcing companies into prefectural units, and outsourced branch corporate marketing operations to these new companies as well.

In July 2014, NTT East revised its business management structure in response to the changing market and business environments in order to further enhance operational efficiency and promote service provision by working even more closely with local communities. Specifically, in order to further promote the efficiency of its 17 branch offices in each prefecture of the NTT East area, NTT East merged its branch offices into six business divisions and consolidated operations for efficiency where possible. To promote service provision in even closer conjunction with the local communities, NTT East established 29 branch offices as internal units within these business divisions, which divide the larger markets, namely the greater Tokyo metropolitan area (Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama) and Hokkaido.

In connection with these developments, NTT East reorganized its 17 regional subsidiaries in each prefecture of the NTT East area and NTT East Solutions Corporation, which had overseen corporate sales in the Tokyo area, into four companies. In addition, in order to further increase business efficiency and to promote greater consistency in, and improvement of, service levels, front office operations (including 116 call centers) that had previously been outsourced to multiple companies were re-established as NTT EAST JAPAN SERVICE CORPORATION to operate in a centralized manner.

In July 2006, NTT West modified the organization of its headquarters and reinforced its prefectural branch functions. In conjunction with these developments, NTT West also consolidated its facilities and equipment, sales and marketing, and administration and accounting subsidiaries. Furthermore, in April 2008, NTT West established six new companies, including NTT West-Home Techno Corporation, which commenced operations in July 2008.

In July 2012, in order to promote and expand strategic growth businesses and to further expand its business areas, NTT West consolidated the NTT West-Home Techno companies into the newly formed NTT Home Techno Corporation. In addition, in October 2013, NTT Business Solutions Corporation was established through the merger and name change of eight regional subsidiaries and six IT-MATE companies in response to the need for stronger sales capabilities in business markets including small- to medium-sized businesses, whose need for ICT use is expected to grow in the future. Services other than information and communications systems

 

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proposals, construction, and support for business users have been transferred from eight regional subsidiaries to NTT MARKETING ACT CORPORATION, NTT FIELDTECHNO (name changed from NTT HOMETECHNO), NTT NEOMEIT CORPORATION, and NTT BUSINESS ASSOCIE WEST Co., Ltd.

Reorganization of Business Operations Structure of NTT Communications

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, NTT Group conducted a review of its corporate businesses and upper layer businesses. Specifically, with respect to its corporate businesses, NTT Group also revised its customer accounts system. Since that time, NTT East and NTT West have been responsible for customers who require more locally oriented service, while NTT Communications has been responsible for other customers such as central government agencies, city banks, and trading companies. Further, with respect to upper layer businesses, companies that operate portal websites and provide Internet access services and video distribution services for television became subsidiaries of NTT Communications.

In May 2012, NTT Communications established NTT COM Marketing to consolidate NTT Group’s resources under a single company, with the goal of strengthening sales to small- and medium-sized businesses. NTT COM Marketing began operations in August 2012. NTT COM Marketing succeeded the sales business of NTT Com CHEO, including its marketing support operations, through an absorption-type company split.

Further, NTT Com Technology Corporation and NTT Com Solution & Engineering Corporation have worked to further strengthen the competitiveness of their solutions businesses and engineering businesses, and in conjunction with reviews of their respective business objectives and goals, changed their respective names to NTT Com Solutions Corporation and NTT Com Engineering Corporation in January 2015.

Reorganization of Business Operations Structure of NTT DOCOMO

In July 2008, NTT DOCOMO reorganized its group structure to merge its eight regional subsidiaries, including NTT DoCoMo Hokkaido, Inc., into NTT DOCOMO. Furthermore, in July 2014, NTT DOCOMO reorganized 25 business service subsidiaries nationwide into 12 companies, including DOCOMO CS Co. Ltd., in order to be able to make further improvements to the services it provides at the community level.

Reorganization of Business Operations Structure of NTT DATA

Since January 2012, NTT DATA has conducted its business operations largely through NTT DATA, Inc. in the U.S., NTT DATA EMEA Ltd. in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, NTT DATA (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., LTD. in China, and NTT DATA Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. in the Asia-Pacific region, in response to the accelerating global business needs of its customers, with the goals of both building a global-scale structure that provides an operational system supported by rapid service, and of strengthening the NTT DATA brand abroad. Further, in April 2012, NTT DATA changed its corporate logo to a globally uniform design and initiated business development under the new brand logo. Furthermore, NTT DATA’s acquisition of EVERIS PARTICIPACIONES, S.L.U. (“everis Group”) in January 2014, which has operations in Spain and major countries in Latin America, has enabled NTT to provide comprehensive IT services to customers in these regions.

Effective January 7, 2015, NTT DATA designated NTT DATA (CHINA) INVESTMENT Co., LTD. as its primary Chinese subsidiary and integrated and reorganized NTT DATA (CHINA) Co., LTD. and NTT DATA (CHINA) Information Technology Co., LTD. In July 2015, with a view to being able to respond to changes in the business environment in the medium- and long-term and to further promote business cooperation, NTT DATA revised its operating structure from a company system to a divisional system.

 

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Commencement of Billing and Collection Operations for Communications Services and Other Charges by NTT Finance

Starting in July 2012, NTT Finance commenced billing and collection operations with respect to communications services and other charges. The staff involved in billing and collection at NTT East, NTT West, NTT Communications and NTT DOCOMO were brought into NTT Finance as a team of specialists to carry out these operations. As a result, NTT Group was able to meet customer demand with respect to the ability to make one-stop payments, in response to the current environment in which individuals and households use multiple communications services, such as fixed-line telephones, mobile phones, broadband and ISP services. While each NTT Group company has heretofore taken initiatives to improve efficiency with respect to billing and collection operations for communications services, NTT Group is continually seeking further improvements in quality and efficiency.

Principal Business Activities

NTT Group’s businesses are segmented according to its five primary lines of business: regional communications business, long distance and international communications business, mobile communications business, data communications business, and other business. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements attached hereto.

The business results for each principal business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 are as follows:

Regional Communications Business Segment

In the regional communications business segment, NTT Group worked to develop its B2B2X business through the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the wholesale provision of fiber-optic access infrastructure services to various service providers.

 

[1] Details of Main Initiatives

With regard to the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the number of service providers providing wholesale service was around 350 companies at the end of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, as NTT Group promoted collaborative projects with not only mobile network operators and ISPs but also business operators in diverse industries including the energy industry, real estate industry, and security industry. In the cable television industry, new use cases were born, including the adoption of the “Hikari Collaboration Model” in the conversion of all service areas to fiber optics. As a result of these initiatives, the number of fiber-optic access service subscriptions using this model was 4.69 million.

With the development of the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” NTT Group achieved a large-scale reduction in marketing costs. Furthermore, by simplifying and streamlining networks and further increasing the usage of existing facilities, NTT Group worked to make capital investment more efficient.

As companies and local governments are proactively promoting the use of Wi-Fi as a powerful information service tool, in various regions, NTT Group implemented an initiative to improve convenience for the increasing number of visitors to Japan by expanding the coverage area of Wi-Fi. The number of Wi-Fi area owners reached 393, marking a large increase from the previous fiscal year.

 

[2] Number of Subscriptions for Major Services

 

   

FLET’S Hikari: 19.26 million subscriptions (an increase of 0.54 million subscriptions from the previous fiscal year)

(Included in the above) “Hikari Collaboration Model”: 4.69 million subscriptions (an increase of 4.42 million subscriptions from the previous fiscal year)

 

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Hikari Denwa: 17.37 million channels (an increase of 0.27 million channels from the previous fiscal year)

 

   

FLET’S TV: 1.43 million subscriptions (an increase of 0.09 million subscriptions from the previous fiscal year)

 

Note: The figures for “FLET’S Hikari,” “Hikari Denwa” and “FLET’S TV” include wholesale services provided to service providers by NTT East and NTT West.

Long Distance and International Communications Business Segment

In the long distance and international communications business segment, in addition to expanding its cloud computing platforms and enhancing its provision of seamless ICT solutions combining network and security, etc., NTT Group worked to enhance its service provision in growth areas such as cloud services and IT outsourcing.

 

[1] Details of Main Initiatives

In order to strengthen its ability to meet the demand for cloud services and data centers in various global regions, NTT Group began providing services at new data centers, that achieve high reliability through redundancy of electric power facilities and telecommunications equipment as well as enhanced security, in Sacramento in North America, Vienna in Europe, and Hong Kong, Mumbai, and Bangkok in Asia. Furthermore, NTT Group acquired one of the largest data center providers in Indonesia, PT. Cyber CSF (headquartered in Jakarta). As a result of efforts to proactively expand cloud computing platforms, NTT Group’s data centers were ranked as top class in the world in terms of both total floor area and potential server installation floor area according to a report by U.S. TeleGeography (published in October 2015).

Toward its goal of business expansion in growth fields such as cloud services and IT outsourcing, NTT Group strengthened its operational structure by securing personnel in various regions.

 

[2] Number of Subscriptions for Major Services

 

   

Number of customers for Cloud Services: 8,300 customers (an increase of 1,000 customers from the previous fiscal year)

 

   

Hikari TV: 3.05 million subscriptions (an increase of 0.04 million subscriptions from the previous fiscal year)

Mobile Communications Business Segment

In the mobile communications business segment, NTT Group has worked toward the promotion of sales of the new billing plan, “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru,” and “docomo Hikari,” promoting collaboration with various businesses partners and providing new value-added services to enhance profitability in the smart life area.

 

[1] Details of Main Initiatives

In addition to promoting the sales of its “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru,” as a new billing plan tailored to suit a customer’s stage of life that offers more affordable rates to long-term users, NTT Group newly launched the “Kake-hodai Light Plan” in September 2015, and the “Share pack 5” in March 2016. As a result, the number of subscriptions to “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru,” reached 29.70 million.

By utilizing the “Hikari Collaboration Model” from the Regional Communications Business Segment, NTT Group promoted the sales of the “docomo Hikari Pack,” which bundles fiber-optic access infrastructure services, internet access service, and mobile service. As a result, the number of subscriptions to “docomo Hikari” reached 1.57 million.

In order to strengthen profitability in the Smart Life area, in addition to content services, finance and settlement services, NTT Group pursued the “+d” initiative, which was aimed at creating new added value

 

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through collaboration with various business partners. Specifically, in addition to commencing testing of a revolutionary rice-planting management system in Niigata City, NTT Group began offering “d POINTs,” its new loyalty point program that can be used at convenience stores and fast food restaurants, etc.

Data Communications Business Segment

In the data communications business segment, NTT Group responded to the acceleration of its customers’ expansion in the global market and the diversification and increased sophistication of their needs by working to expand its business in the global market and to expand and reliably provide a range of IT services, such as system integration, that are responsive to the changes in the market.

 

[1] Details of Main Initiatives

To strengthen consulting services to the global financial services industry, NTT Group acquired Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc. (headquartered in the U.S.), a leading US provider of financial IT consulting and system deployment. To increase its presence through the acquisition of a North America-focused operating base and to enhance cloud services and BPO services using cutting-edge technology, NTT Group reached an agreement with Dell Inc. to acquire the Dell Services Division, a leading provider of digital solutions services tailored to the healthcare industry.

NTT Group participated in the development of a digital archive management of rare collections including the Spanish Royal Family library, which is managed by Patrimonio Nacional, a state institution responsible for preserving the assets of the Spanish Crown.

NTT Group started providing IoT platforms that collect and distribute the information of various “things” including electronic devices such as sensors and plants, and NTT Group promoted the development of IoT services for monitoring services for supply and waste water utility operators.

Other Business Segment

In the Other Business Segment, NTT Group mainly provided services related to the real estate business, finance business, construction and electric power business, and system development business.

Real Estate Business

NTT Group pursued its real estate leasing operations centered on office buildings and commercial facilities and its condominium operations principally through the “Wellith” brand. Furthermore, NTT Group utilized its know-how developed in these operations to pursue global and real estate fund businesses.

Finance Business

NTT Group provided financial services such as leasing, installation payment, and other finance areas concentrating on information-related equipment, billing and collection services for telecommunication service bills, and credit card transaction settlement services.

Construction and Electric Power Business

By combining and utilizing its technology in “ICT, energy, and construction” to the fullest extent, NTT Group designed and built large-scale solar power generation systems and data centers.

System Development Business

To provide optimized, high-quality ICT services, NTT Group worked to develop network operation systems and application services.

 

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Global Businesses

There is a transformation underway in the international information and communications market “towards the next stage.” Due to the development of the Internet, people are increasingly able to obtain an enormous variety of information over the Internet as well as use applications available over the Internet. Due to the introduction of, among other things, big data, IoT (Internet of Things), virtualization and HTML5, NTT anticipates that the convergence between real-world businesses and Internet-based services will lead to higher value-added services. Against the backdrop of surging growth in cloud computing, NTT expects that developed nations, where revolutionary new services that address sophisticated needs have been developed, will continue to be important markets. Going forward, however, these services will spread to emerging countries, too, which should lead to further growth of the ICT market.

NTT Group’s main efforts in the past few years relating to its global business operations have focused on its goal of expanding its global business operations for corporate customers. In October 2010, NTT acquired its subsidiary Dimension Data, based in the Republic of South Africa, which offers development, operation and maintenance of on-site IT infrastructure for corporate customers, such as network equipment, servers and other devices.

This acquisition has increased the competitiveness of both companies by integrating NTT’s strength in providing managed network services and data centers with Dimension Data’s strength in the development, operation and maintenance of IT infrastructure. NTT and Dimension Data are working to thereby increase their competitiveness and strengthen the structures through which they provide comprehensive ICT services. In addition, in October 2012, NTT acquired Centerstance, Inc., a U.S.-based consulting company that specializes in the analysis of important corporate business processes and cloud migration of existing systems, and provides integration services with Salesforce.com; Centerstance, Inc.’s stock was later transferred to NTT DATA in May 2015.

In April 2013, NTT established NTT Innovation Institute, Inc. (“NTT I3”) as a new R&D center in North America. NTT Group is strengthening the development of its Global Cloud services by promoting the development of services tailored to the North American market through research and development relating to security and cloud services. Additionally, in August 2013, NTT acquired Solutionary, Inc. (“Solutionary”), a U.S.-based managed security service provider (a service that provides outsourced operational support for security equipment installed at customer locations, and offers support in situations where it is difficult for customers to respond or make decisions themselves), in order to enhance NTT Group’s competitiveness in the managed security services market.

NTT Group, as its customers’ continued “Value Partner” of choice, is able to develop on a global scale and promote simple and secure Global Cloud services that encompass applications, networks, and cloud platforms as the cornerstone of its business, in order to provide support for the business model innovations of its corporate customers. NTT Group takes advantage of its ability to provide a full lineup of cloud services by virtue of collaboration between its individual companies, and its ability to consistently land orders for large cloud projects is one example of its record for success. As a result of these initiatives, overseas sales reached $15.65 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

Going forward, in order to generate greater profits from its international business, NTT Group will work to achieve stable growth in sales by strengthening its services, products, sales processes and marketing. NTT Group will also aim to promote cost efficiency by reducing procurement costs and streamlining and optimizing its services and operations.

 

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Other principal global investments of each material NTT Group company during the last three fiscal years include the following:

 

  (i) NTT Communications

NTT Communications is advancing its provision of seamless global business operations to offer the type of seamless ICT solutions to which a telecommunications carrier is best suited to add value. With customers migrating their ICT environments to the cloud and/or data centers, NTT Communications operates its services as a package, including network services, voice and similar applications and security, with globally consistent quality.

Arkadin International SAS

In January 2014, NTT Communications acquired France-based Arkadin International SAS, the world’s third-largest specialized provider of conferencing services, which provides collaboration services involving teleconference, Web conference and video conference services to 37,000 customers in 32 countries worldwide. NTT Communications plans to expand and improve the features of its communications services by incorporating Arkadin’s service infrastructure into its own. NTT Communications will also leverage Arkadin’s global customer base and its service capabilities to offer new total communications services, centered on conferencing solutions, for companies that are expanding their operations globally.

Virtela Technology Services Incorporated

In January 2014, NTT Communications acquired Virtela Technology Services Incorporated, a U.S.-based provider of network services and cloud-based managed network services in 196 countries and regions, with strengths in the areas of managed services and virtualization technologies. NTT Communications aims to take the lead position in the global market by combining NTT Communications’ service quality with Virtela’s innovative and efficient management know-how.

RagingWire Data Centers, Inc.

In January 2014, NTT Communications acquired RagingWire Data Centers, Inc., a U.S. data center operator. This acquisition significantly expands the high-quality data center server room floor space that the NTT Communications group is able to provide in the U.S., and enables NTT Communications to respond to customers’ increased demand for cloud and data center services. NTT Communications also plans to deploy RagingWire’s management know-how in its other data centers, in order to take advantage of RagingWire’s numerous technology patents in efficient data center design and operations.

Lux e-shelter 1 S.a.r.l.

In June 2015, NTT Communications completed the acquisition of German data center business Lux e-shelter 1 S.a.r.l. (“e-shelter”). Through this acquisition, NTT Communications Group greatly expanded the total area of its high-quality continental European data center server room space and enhanced its capability to respond to the strong demand for global seamless cloud data center services in Europe and elsewhere. Through new collaboration between e-shelter and NTT Communications Group companies, e-shelter will be able to expand its coverage to Asia, North America and elsewhere, and will also be able to provide even broader support for the global development needs of customers by using networks and cloud bases provided by NTT Communications. Furthermore, it will be possible to rapidly expand e-shelter’s business to increase its competitiveness within continental Europe.

PT. NTT Indonesia Nexcenter

In October 2015, NTT Communications completed its acquisition of PT. Cyber CSF, a data center service provider in Indonesia. In conjunction with the acquisition, PT Cyber CSF was renamed to “PT. NTT Indonesia Nexcenter.” The acquisition has enabled NTT Communications to acquire a high-quality data center located in the heart of Jakarta. By providing seamless ICT solutions that combine this data center with NTT

 

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Communications’ global network, security services and cloud services, PT. NTT Indonesia Nexcenter will support the promotion and development of business within Indonesia as well as the business development of companies abroad.

 

  (ii) Dimension Data

Dimension Data’s investment strategy is to grow its revenues and the size of its business and expand its geographic reach. It is focused on scaling in large, established markets, increasing its market share in the existing geographies in which it operates and expanding into new countries and areas.

NextiraOne

In February 2014, Dimension Data acquired NextiraOne, a multinational European company that designs, installs, maintains and supports ICT solutions and services for over 43,000 private and public sector clients across Europe. NextiraOne has 1,850 full-time employees and offices in 13 European countries (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom). NextiraOne has already been rebranded to Dimension Data and is in the process of taking the combined portfolios of both companies to the small- and medium-sized business, commercial and enterprise markets.

Nexus IS, Inc.

In April 2014, Dimension Data acquired 100% of Nexus IS, Inc. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Valencia, California, Nexus is a privately-owned provider of advanced IT solutions serving enterprises, mid-sized business and public sector clients, with industry specializations in education, retail, hospitality and healthcare. The acquisition of Nexus expands Dimension Data’s operations in the US by 40%, and significantly increases the company’s presence in the West, Southwest and Southeast regions of the country. As a result, clients have access to a deeper network of experts and a broader portfolio of solutions. Nexus has 19 offices in California, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and North Carolina. The acquisition of Nexus is a strategic step in enhancing the Group’s geographic coverage and depth of skills and capabilities to support its clients.

Oakton Limited

In November 2014, Dimension Data Australia announced the successful acquisition of technology and consulting services company Oakton Limited (“Oakton”). The acquisition of Oakton aligns with Dimension Data’s strategy to address the challenges that clients face as they transform to harness the opportunities of becoming digital enterprises. Oakton’s top-end consulting capability, combined with Dimension Data’s expertise across ICT infrastructure integration, cloud, and outsourcing services, enables Dimension Data to create, deliver and manage end-to-end business solutions for our clients. The acquisition will expand Dimension Data’s presence in Australia by over 60%, and significantly broaden the skills and capabilities. Dimension Data and Oakton have a complementary value proposition and footprint.

 

  (iii) NTT DOCOMO

NTT DOCOMO makes investments in and collaborates with overseas mobile service providers and other overseas business operators, with the long-term aim of strengthening its global competitiveness.

NTT DOCOMO’s strategy in the area of investments in mobile phone service providers is to support its investment partners’ businesses in order to strengthen their respective management platforms and thus achieve attractive financial returns. At the same time, NTT DOCOMO aims to achieve synergies with its investment partners, including service expansion, among other initiatives.

Further, in recent years, through investments and collaborations with various overseas business entities, NTT DOCOMO has worked to build a global open platform and develop services that adequately consider the unique characteristics of each country and region in which it operates.

 

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DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC.

In May 2013, NTT DOCOMO acquired MCV Guam Holding Corp., the largest cable television and Internet service provider in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This acquisition was intended to strengthen DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC.’s operational base by improving its market competitiveness. NTT DOCOMO used this acquisition as a platform to strengthen its telecommunications business in Guam.

In January 2016, MCV Guam Holding Corp. was merged into DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC.

DOCOMO PACIFIC (SAIPAN), INC.

In March 2016, MCV Guam CNMI Holding Corp., which had previously been a subsidiary of MCV Guam Holding Corp., changed its name to DOCOMO PACIFIC (SAIPAN), INC., as a subsidiary of DOCOMO PACIFIC, INC. DOCOMO PACIFIC (SAIPAN), INC. conducts business operations in the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

fine trade gmbh

In October 2013, NTT DOCOMO acquired fine trade gmbh, an Austrian payment services provider for online product sales. The acquisition helped NTT DOCOMO expand its financial/payments platform in Europe by adding fine trade’s online payment services for the online product sales market to Buongiorno S.p.A.’s and net mobile AG’s existing operator payment collection, credit card, and debit card payment services for digital content.

 

  (iv) NTT DATA

With the objective of improving its presence in all regions of the world and to cultivate global synergies, NTT DATA is strengthening its competitiveness in major countries, gathering the strengths and resources of each group company, and promoting business collaboration to strengthen the entire group.

NTT DATA Enterprise Services, Inc.

In December 2013, NTT DATA acquired Optimal Solutions Integration, Inc. (“Optimal”), a leading North American SAP service provider. Optimal provides a broad range of services—from SAP-related strategic planning to consulting, evaluation, implementation, customization and maintenance services—and has large numbers of customers in many industries including consumer, retail, wholesale and distribution, mining, the public sector and manufacturing. This acquisition reinforces NTT DATA’s ability to offer SAP-related products in the North American market, such as SAP HANA, mobile, and analytics, helping it to meet the needs of its customers. NTT DATA intends to expand and improve its SAP-related system development framework, including its business system in India, and will bolster NTT DATA’s ability to handle large-scale projects.

In March 2014, Optimal Solutions Integration, Inc. changed its name to NTT DATA Enterprise Services, Inc.

EVERIS PARTICIPACIONES, S.L.U.

In January 2014, NTT DATA acquired EVERIS PARTICIPACIONES, S.L.U. (“everis Group”). everis Group provides a broad range of IT services, such as consulting, system integration and outsourcing, to customers including major banks, major insurance companies, major telecommunications carriers, government agencies, utilities, and major global manufacturers, mainly in Spain and six Latin American countries. This acquisition brings everis Group’s sizeable and stable customer base, sophisticated consulting capabilities, and talented personnel, who are knowledgeable in providing a variety of services such as system integration and outsourcing, into the NTT DATA group, providing NTT DATA with business platforms in Spain and Latin America and enabling it to provide comprehensive IT services, including consulting and outsourcing, to customers in these regions. Moreover, NTT DATA aims to further improve its price competitiveness and service quality by taking advantage of everis Group’s near-shore and offshore locations.

 

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NTT DATA Consulting, Inc.

In July 2015, NTT DATA acquired Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc., a U.S. provider of financial IT consulting services. As a result of this acquisition, by combining NTT DATA’s wide range of services and technology with Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc.’s specialized financial consulting expertise, it will become even more possible than before to develop services in areas that require industry-specific expertise, such as the banking and asset management and deployment sectors. The acquisition will also contribute to the growth of Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc.’s existing customers, by utilizing NTT DATA’s global delivery network to provide them with even higher value-added and cost-reduced services.

In April 2016, Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group, Inc. changed its name to NTT DATA Consulting, Inc.

iPay88 Sdn. Bhd

In September 2015, NTT DATA acquired iPay88 Sdn. Bhd (“iPay88”), which holds the largest market share in Malaysia’s PC- and mobile-based e-commerce online payment business. As a result of this acquisition, NTT DATA aims to establish a foothold in the growing Asia-Pacific e-commerce online payment business market and to provide a variety of cutting-edge and highly competitive electronic payment services that combine NTT DATA’s solutions and know-how in the payment field, acquired through CAFIS®, with iPay88’s strong customer base and reputed online payment service and payment solution systems for merchants and financial institutions. NTT DATA’s objective is to thereby further expand its payment business throughout the entire Asia-Pacific region, including Malaysia.

Dell Services

In March 2016, NTT DATA reached an agreement with Dell Inc. to acquire its Dell Services Division. The Dell Services Division includes the three companies Dell Systems Corporation, Dell Technology & Solutions Limited and Dell Services Pte. Ltd., and other IT services-related businesses primarily in North America. NTT DATA will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of the three companies from Dell Inc. (the parent company of the three companies). Through its acquisition of the Dell Services Division, NTT DATA aims to increase its presence throughout all industries in the North America region, and at the same time enhance its cloud and BPO services through the use of cutting-edge technology.

Competition

The implementation of the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984). in April 1985 first introduced competition into the telecommunications service industry in Japan. As a result of subsequent deregulation, NTT Group faces competition in all of its business segments, including its fixed-line regional communications business, long distance and international communications business, mobile communications business and data communications business.

The growing popularity of smartphones and tablets and the increasing speed of wireless broadband services, including LTE, are quickly re-centering the market’s focus onto mobile platforms. The telecommunications service market structure is also undergoing major changes, such as the market entry of a variety of business operators, including non-telecommunications operators, and intensifying global competition as a result of the widespread use of services provided by OTT operators. In addition, competition with existing carriers over charges and services has continued to intensify the competitive environment.

Growth in the fixed-line communications market in Japan is slowing due to the ongoing shift toward mobile communications. In addition to intensifying competition in broadband service facilities and services with respect to broadband services, there has been an increase in competition between the various services made possible by faster mobile connections.

 

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The downward trend in NTT Group’s revenues from fixed voice communications services continues as its telephone subscriptions and INS-Net subscriptions decline, due in large part to the increasing penetration of mobile telephones and applications, and continuing diversification in communication methods.

The environment surrounding the Japanese mobile communications market has undergone dramatic change due to the rapid proliferation of smartphones and tablet devices, developments related to the government’s competition policy (such as new market entry by Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), the obligation to unlock handset SIMs and the proposals by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Task Force on Service Verification from the Perspective of Consumers and Task Force on Mobile Phone Rates and Other Conditions for Service Offerings) and other factors.

There are presently three mobile phone operators in the market: NTT DOCOMO, the KDDI Group and the SoftBank Group. As of March 31, 2016, NTT DOCOMO had a market share of 45.3%, whereas the KDDI Group and the SoftBank Group had market shares of 29.3% and 25.3%, respectively. NTT Group believes that with the rising mobile phone penetration rate, the Japanese mobile communications market has largely matured, and as a result the competitive environment for acquiring new customers and further improving services remains difficult. The growth rates for mobile phone subscriptions for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were 5.5%, 5.5% and 6.6%, respectively. While growth in new subscriptions for conventional voice usage is expected to be limited going forward in view of the rising penetration rate and Japan’s decreasing population, recently, increased demand for a second tablet device, the development of new markets including embedded communication modules, and the increase in subscribers from the expansion of corporate contracts are contributing to the increase in new subscriptions.

The information and communications market is undergoing rapid structural changes. In addition to the existing business model under which NTT East and NTT West provide fiber-optic access services directly to end users, NTT East and NTT West offer the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” under which NTT East and NTT West provide fiber-optic access services to various service providers, allowing such service providers to combine their services with fiber optic access services and provide new services to their customers. In addition, NTT DOCOMO offers the “docomo Hikari Pack,” a customer-friendly rate package that provides a discount by combining the fiber-optic broadband service “docomo Hikari,” which utilizes the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” with smartphones or mobile phones. Going forward, there may be further acceleration in the expansion of integrated fixed-line and mobile phone services.

NTT Group expects the solutions business to be a major area of growth in the information services market. For similar reasons, hardware vendors and others are now shifting their focus to this business. Furthermore, the growth in information service companies in rapidly developing nations, such as India and China, is bringing about global competition. Specifically, in the cloud services market, in addition to system integrators and communications carriers, various types of businesses are entering the market, such as participants who were not originally IT service providers and cloud service businesses.

For risks associated with continued competition, see “Item 3—Key Information—Risk Factors—Risks associated with the business environment and NTT Group’s corresponding business strategies—NTT Group’s revenues may suffer from changes in market structure and increased competition.”

Regulations

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (the “MIC”) is the main regulatory body in Japan responsible for the information and telecommunications industry. The Telecommunications Business Act gives the Minister the authority to regulate telecommunications companies. The Telecommunications Business Act came into effect in 1985 at the same time that NTT was incorporated as a private company and significant changes in the legislative and regulatory framework for telecommunications in Japan opened the Japanese information and telecommunications services industry to competition. Since then, the Government has taken

 

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various measures to promote competition in the Japanese telecommunications market. As a result, NTT Group faces increasing competition in many of its business sectors from new companies that have entered or are about to enter the market.

NTT and certain of its subsidiaries are subject to regulations that affect their business under the NTT Act, the Radio Act (Act No. 131 of 1950), and the Telecommunications Business Act. A summary of these regulations is provided below. References in parentheses are to the applicable article of the law described, unless otherwise noted.

Telecommunications Business Act

Business Commencement/Termination

Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require start-up businesses that intend to provide telecommunications services to register with the Minister (Article 9). However, where the scale of the telecommunications circuit facilities which are to be installed and the scope of the area covered thereby do not exceed certain thresholds or fall within a certain category of radio facilities, only a notice to the Minister is required (Article 16). The Telecommunications Business Act also requires telecommunications companies to update their registration in the event that they conduct a merger, stock acquisition or other similar transaction (Article 12(2)). In addition, regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require businesses in the telecommunications sector to notify the Minister as well as their service subscribers if they suspend or discontinue their telecommunications business (Article 18).

Setting of Subscriber Rates and Other Terms of Service

Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require businesses in the telecommunications sector to notify the Minister of the terms of the basic telecommunications services they provide (Article 19). Specifically, one ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (the “MIC Ordinance”) requires basic telecommunications services to be provided across Japan because they are regarded as essential to the lives of people in Japan. These are known as “universal services.” These services include telephone subscriber lines (base rates) or optical IP telephones equivalent to telephone subscriber lines, Type 1 Public Telephones (public telephones installed pursuant to the MIC standards) and emergency numbers (110, 118, 119). In addition, the Telecommunications Business Act includes regulations relating to consumer protection, including provisions on pre-contract accountability (Article 26), document delivery obligations (Article 26(2)), systems for the termination of initial contracts (Article 26(3)), obligations to handle complaints and inquiries (Article 27), prohibitions on misstatements or on excessive solicitation (Article 27(2)), and measures applicable to business agents, such as trustees (Article 27(3)), among other provisions.

Interconnection

Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require businesses in the telecommunications sector to respond to the requests of other telecommunications carriers regarding the connection of telecommunications circuit facilities (Article 32).

Universal Service Fund (“USF”)

The USF is a system under which telecommunications carriers cover the costs and expenses necessary to provide universal services. In order to ensure the provision of universal services, the Minister designates a support organization to provide funds to cover a portion of such costs and expenses (Article 107). Grants are made to eligible telecommunications carriers (Article 108) that provide universal services, including in unprofitable regions. In connection with this system, each telecommunications carrier is obligated to make the appropriate amount of payments to cover the costs and expenses requested by the support organization (Article 110). This funding requirement is referred to as the universal service fund system. The designated

 

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support organization began providing services in 2006 in response to the MIC Ordinance being amended in April 2006 to determine the services applicable to the USF and to set the calculation method of grants and contributions.

Under the NTT Act, NTT East and NTT West became responsible for providing universal services and were designated as eligible telecommunications carriers by the Minister. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the aggregate amount of compensation to NTT East and NTT West in connection with the USF was ¥6.9 billion, and in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, the aggregate amount of compensation to NTT East and NTT West is expected to be ¥6.8 billion.

Regulations Imposed Only on NTT East and NTT West

Rates and Other Terms of Service

Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require NTT East and NTT West to notify the Minister of the terms and conditions of their rate warranty agreements for designated telecommunications services (Article 20). These regulations also require that rates and other terms of service for designated telecommunications services provided by Category I designated telecommunications facilities be established and submitted to the Minister.

The Telecommunications Business Act also provides for the regulation of rates for specified telecommunications services (Article 21) and for price cap regulations. The regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require that the Minister be notified whenever the service rates of a business are at or below the standard price index specified by the Minister, and approval of the Minister is required when a business proposes to increase rates above the standard price index.

 

   

“Category I designated telecommunications facilities” comprise fixed terminal transmission line facilities installed by a telecommunications carrier where the facilities that have been installed by such carrier in a prefecture represent one-half or more of the total number of such facilities in the prefecture, and other ancillary facilities installed together with these facilities whose connection with other telecommunications carriers is essential for improving convenience to subscribers, and for the comprehensive and reasonable development of telecommunications services (designated by the Minister). The main telecommunications facilities of NTT East and NTT West have been designated as Category I designated telecommunications facilities.

 

   

“Designated telecommunications services” are services that are provided by a telecommunications business using a Category I designated telecommunications facility established by such telecommunications business, and that have been designated as services for which “it is particularly necessary to protect the interests of customers by ensuring that the rates and other terms of service are fair and appropriate.” The determination of what constitutes a designated telecommunications service is based on a consideration of various factors, including whether alternative services are being adequately provided by other telecommunications carriers. Specifically, this refers to telephone subscriber line services, INS-Net, public telephones, dedicated services, FLET’S Hikari, Hikari Denwa and other services, but excludes services providing supplementary functions that have minimal beneficial impact on subscribers.

 

   

“Specified telecommunications services” are designated telecommunications services or services specified in the MIC Ordinance as having a significant beneficial impact on subscribers. Specifically, this refers to telephone subscriber services, INS-Net and public telephone services provided by NTT East and NTT West.

 

   

“Standard price index” refers to an index published by the Minister that shows the standard charges for each type of designated telecommunications service taking into consideration the appropriate costs and commodity prices to support efficient management.

 

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“Price cap regulation” is a system that sets maximum limits on rates. As the actual charge indexes for NTT East and NTT West are below the level of the standard charge index applicable to the one-year period beginning on October 1, 2015, no price adjustments pursuant to the price cap regulation have been made.

Interconnection

Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require NTT East and NTT West to obtain approval of all interconnection agreements from the Minister as holders of Category I designated telecommunications facilities (Article 33). The Minister’s approval is subject, among other things, to the condition that the interconnection rates be fair and proper according to the method stipulated in the MIC Ordinance for computing proper costs under efficient management. NTT East’s and NTT West’s respective interconnection agreements establish their interconnection rates and conditions for interconnection.

 

   

Telephone Line Interconnection Charges

In May 1998, in a joint status report on deregulation and competition policy issued by the governments of Japan and the United States, the Government stated its intention to introduce a Long-Run Incremental Cost (“LRIC”) Methodology. In May 2000, the Telecommunications Business Act was amended to include the introduction of an LRIC Methodology, which has since then brought about decreases in interconnection charges. As communication traffic declined significantly, in order to avoid an increase in communication rates through the increase of interconnection charges, it was decided that Non-Traffic Sensitive (“NTS”) costs (costs which do not vary according to the volume of communication traffic) would be removed from interconnection rate costs and be recovered instead through base rates (October 2004 report of the Telecommunications Council). In addition, with respect to a portion of NTS costs, when the USF was reviewed from the standpoint of restricting cost increases for users, it was decided that the cost burden resulting from narrowing the scope of USF subsidies would not be borne only by NTT East and NTT West, but would also be recovered in a fair and equitable manner from other carriers, and that a portion of NTS costs would therefore be reintroduced as interconnection rate costs.

The Telecommunications Council of 2013 determined, as a result of a review, that it would continue to apply the LRIC Methodology for interconnection charges for the period from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 until the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019.

 

   

Optical Fiber Line Interconnection Charges

NTT East and NTT West are obligated to lease their optical fiber to other carriers at regulated rates (referred to as “optical fiber interconnection charges”) because the optical fiber owned by NTT East and NTT West qualifies as Category I designated telecommunications facilities under the Telecommunications Business Act.

In order to maintain low barriers to entry by other carriers through the lowering of interconnection charges, NTT East and NTT West have employed a future cost method to calculate subscriber optical fiber interconnection charges. For these interconnection charges, NTT Group has introduced a cost difference adjustment system under which adjustments are made by adding the difference between the actual revenue from interconnection charges and the actual cost of interconnection charges for the following year and future years, which NTT believes will eliminate the risk of unrecoverable amounts.

The Information and Communications Council and Postal Services Council conducted an evaluation of the issue of setting per-unit interconnection charges for optical bifurcated lines in the passive optical network (Gigabit Ethernet-Passive Optical Network, or “GE-PON”) and determined that there remained issues that needed to be resolved (March 2012 report by the Information and Communications Council and Postal Services Council). To date, the Information and Communications Council has not set per-unit interconnection charges for optical bifurcated lines.

 

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Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require NTT East and NTT West to notify the Minister of (i) plans related to the functions of Category I designated telecommunications facilities, including any changes or additions to such functions (Article 36), (ii) any agreement to share Category I designated telecommunications facilities with other telecommunications carriers (Article 37), and, (iii) in the event that any wholesale telecommunications provision business utilizing Category I designated telecommunications facilities is started, modified, or terminated, NTT East and NTT West are required to notify the Minister of such start, modification, or termination, as well as the type of wholesale service, the fee applicable to certain wholesale businesses that meet certain conditions, and other information (Article 38(2)). Further, there are regulations governing the organization and publication of information furnished to or obtained by the Minister (Article 39(2)).

Prohibited Activities

NTT East and NTT West, as dominant businesses in the fixed voice and IP/packet communications markets, are prohibited from using interconnection information for other than its intended purposes and from giving unfair preferential treatment to any particular telecommunications carrier (Article 30). Officers of NTT East and NTT West are also prohibited from holding concurrent officer positions at NTT Communications, which was designated by the Minister as a specified relevant carrier (Article 31). NTT East and NTT West are required to carry out necessary and proper monitoring of the subsidiaries to which they outsource services to ensure that such subsidiaries do not participate in prohibited activities, and are also obligated to appropriately manage information relating to interconnection services and to establish an appropriate system to monitor the implementation status of interconnection services (Article 31). Accordingly, NTT Group’s ability to provide services exclusively in collaboration with telecommunications carriers within NTT Group is limited by these regulations. NTT intends to provide services in response to market needs while ensuring that all requirements for fair competition, including the regulations with respect to prohibited activities, are satisfied. However, these regulations may, for example, impede the timely provision of new services by NTT Group or have other adverse effects.

Regulations Imposed Only on NTT DOCOMO

Interconnection

Regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require NTT DOCOMO to submit to the Minister for approval any interconnection agreements relating to connection with Category II designated telecommunications facilities (Article 34).

NTT DOCOMO’s main telecommunications facilities for mobile phones were designated by the Minister as Category II designated telecommunications facilities requiring a reliable connection with other telecommunications businesses. NTT DOCOMO is required to establish its interconnection rates and terms of interconnection in its interconnection agreements and to submit them to the Minister. The standard for designation as Category II designated telecommunications facilities was revised in 2012 from facilities with a greater than 25% market share to facilities with a greater than 10% market share. As a result, in addition to the two companies other than NTT DOCOMO with a greater than 25% market share (KDDI Corporation and Okinawa Cellular Telephone Company), Softbank Mobile Corporation also became subject to the regulations for Category II designated communications facilities.

In the event that any wholesale telecommunications provision business utilizing Category II designated telecommunications facilities is started, modified, or terminated, regulations promulgated under the Telecommunications Business Act require NTT DOCOMO to notify the Minister of such start, modification, or termination, as well as the type of wholesale service, the fee applicable to certain wholesale businesses that meet certain conditions, and other information (Article 38(2)). Further, there are regulations governing the organization and publication of information furnished to or obtained by the Minister (Article 39(2)).

 

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Regulations related to Category II designated telecommunications facilities are applicable to all telecommunications companies who install Category II designated telecommunications equipment, including but not limited to NTT DOCOMO.

Prohibited Activities

NTT DOCOMO, as a dominant business in the mobile communications market, is prohibited from using interconnection information for other than its intended purposes and from giving unfair preferential treatment to other NTT Group companies as designated by the Minister (Article 30). “Category II designated telecommunications facilities” consist of (a) transmission line facilities connected to mobile phones installed by telecommunications businesses which (i) are installed by the same telecommunications businesses, and (ii) represent ten percent or more of the total number of transmission line facilities in the entire service area, and (b) telecommunications facilities which were installed specifically to provide such telecommunications services for reliable connection with other telecommunications businesses designated by the Minister.

Future Developments

In December 2014, the Telecommunications Council issued a report on the “State of Information and Communication Policies for the 2020s.” In light of the report, and in order to promote a fair, competitive environment in the telecommunications business and protect telecommunications service users, the partial amendment to the Telecommunications Business Act enabling the provision of wholesale fiber optics services by NTT East and NTT West and allowing subscribers an option to terminate contracts during an agreed period of time at the beginning of a contractual period became effective starting from May 2016. The potential impact of such revisions on NTT Group is expected to be limited.

Further, the amendment requires the government to assess the status of the implementation of the amendment after three years, and if deemed necessary, to determine what further measures should be taken on the basis of its assessment. The potential impact on NTT Group has not yet been determined at this time.

NTT Act

The Supplementary Provisions of the Act to Amend the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Company Act were promulgated in June 1997 and came into effect in July 1999. As a result, the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Company Act was re-titled the “Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, etc.” and NTT was reorganized as a holding company. This Act has been revised by the Act to Amend the Telecommunications Business Act, which was promulgated in June 2001 and took effect in November 2001, and by other subsequent amendments.

Purpose

The NTT Act requires NTT to own all of the shares issued by NTT East and NTT West, to ensure appropriate and reliable provision of telecommunications services by these companies, and to engage in research activities relating to telecommunications technologies that form the foundation for telecommunications in Japan.

The NTT Act also requires NTT East and NTT West to manage regional telecommunications businesses as joint-stock companies.

Business Activities

The NTT Act requires NTT to engage in the following business activities: (i) subscribing for and holding the shares issued by NTT East and NTT West and exercising rights as a shareholder of such shares; (ii) providing necessary advice, assistance and other related support to NTT East and NTT West; (iii) engaging in research

 

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activities relating to telecommunications technologies that form the foundation for telecommunications; and (iv) engaging in business activities incidental to the business activities set forth in (i), (ii) and (iii) above.

In addition to these business activities, the NTT Act provides that NTT may engage in actions necessary to complete such business activities after notifying the Minister.

The NTT Act requires that NTT East and NTT West engage in regional telecommunications business activities (activities conducted by establishing telecommunications facilities without using the facilities of other telecommunications business carriers) in prefectures in the following regions:

 

   

for NTT East: Hokkaido Prefecture, Aomori Prefecture, Iwate Prefecture, Miyagi Prefecture, Akita Prefecture, Yamagata Prefecture, Fukushima Prefecture, Ibaraki Prefecture, Tochigi Prefecture, Gunma Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, Chiba Prefecture, Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Yamanashi Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture; and

 

   

for NTT West: Kyoto Prefecture, Osaka Prefecture and all other prefectures not listed above.

The NTT Act also requires NTT East and NTT West to engage in business activities incidental to those set forth above.

Upon notification to the Minister, the NTT Act permits NTT East and NTT West to engage in business activities necessary to achieve their respective purposes and in regional telecommunications business activities in any region or prefecture not otherwise designated. In addition, upon notification to the Minister, NTT East and NTT West may engage in telecommunications businesses and other business activities utilizing their equipment, technology or employees, to the extent that there is no interference with the smooth implementation of their regional telecommunications business activities and the maintenance of fair competition in regional telecommunications business activities.

Responsibilities

Pursuant to the NTT Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the management of NTT, NTT East and NTT West are required to give consideration to each company’s contribution to securing the appropriate, fair, and reliable provision of telephone services throughout Japan that are indispensable to civil life, and to the innovative and advanced development of telecommunications in Japan through the promotion of research relating to telecommunications technologies and the dissemination of the results thereof. The NTT Act also requires that each company promote public welfare, in view of the important role that telecommunications services play in contributing to societal and economic development.

Other Matters

Matters Requiring the Approval of the Minister

The NTT Act requires that the Minister approve the following actions of NTT, NTT East or NTT West, as applicable:

 

   

Issuing new shares or bonds with share acquisition rights (Articles 4 and 5). Under the NTT Act, NTT may issue new shares upon notification to the Minister, and may continue to do so until the number of issued shares reaches a certain threshold specified in the applicable ministerial ordinance of the MIC, even if approval is not obtained (Supplementary Provisions, Article 14).

 

   

Adopting resolutions on the appointment or dismissal of corporate directors or corporate auditors of NTT (Article 10). Under the NTT Act, non-Japanese citizens cannot be appointed as corporate directors or corporate auditors of NTT, NTT East or NTT West.

 

   

Adopting resolutions to change the respective articles of incorporation of NTT, NTT East or NTT West, to merge or dissolve each company, or to appropriate any surplus (Article 11).

 

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Changing the business operation plans of NTT, NTT East or NTT West (Article 12).

 

   

Transferring or mortgaging any significant telecommunications facilities of NTT East or NTT West (Article 14).

In addition to the foregoing, the NTT Act imposes several additional duties on NTT, NTT East and NTT West, including: (i) a duty to submit balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and business reports to the Minister (Article 13); (ii) a duty to abide by orders issued by the Minister (Article 16); and (iii) a duty to comply with requests to submit reports on business activities (Article 17).

Radio Act

Under the Radio Act, any establishment of a radio station requires a license from the Minister (Article 4) and changes to the purpose of the radio station, intended audience and topics of communication require approval from the Minister (Article 17).

Mobile communications businesses are required to have a license from the MIC to use radio frequency spectrum. Spectrum band allocations are governed by the Radio Act and related statutes and regulations.

Matters Relating to NTT’s Shares

Restrictions on the Ratio of Foreign Ownership of the Voting Rights of NTT’s Shares

If the ratio of foreign ownership of voting rights to the total voting rights of NTT’s Shares would equal or exceed one-third, NTT is prohibited from recording the names and addresses of such foreign owners on its shareholder registry and registering such foreign ownership. For purposes of calculating the ratio of foreign ownership, voting rights owned by the following are considered to be voting rights under foreign ownership: (1) any person who is not of Japanese nationality; (2) any foreign government or any of its representatives; (3) any foreign juridical person or association; or (4) subject to the applicable ministerial ordinance of the MIC, any juridical person or association 10% or more of the voting rights of which are directly owned by entities listed in clauses (1) through (3) above.

NTT’s Articles of Incorporation provide that NTT may distribute dividends to its shareholders or registered pledgees of shares entered or recorded on the register of shareholders and shareholders or pledgees of shares for whom all or part of their shares were not entered or recorded in the register of shareholders pursuant to Article 6 of the NTT Act.

Government Ownership and Sales of NTT Shares

The NTT Act requires the Government, at all times, to own one-third or more of the total number of issued Shares of NTT. The NTT Act sets forth special provisions regarding the method for calculating the total number of issued Shares of NTT for this purpose (NTT Act, Supplementary Provisions, Article 13), including: (i) if Shares are issued through new Share issuances or the exercise of stock acquisition rights, or in exchange for the acquisition of shares subject to call or put options, the increase in the number of Shares as a result thereof (“Shares Not to be Included in Calculation”) will not be included in the total number of issued Shares; and (ii) if there is a stock split or combination of Shares after the increase in Shares described in clause (i), the number obtained by multiplying the ratio of the stock split or the combination of Shares (if there is a stock split or combination of Shares in two or more stages, the ratio is equal to the product of the ratios for all stages) with the Shares Not to be Included in Calculation would not be included in the total number of issued Shares.

As of March 31, 2016, the total number of issued Shares of NTT was 2,096,394,470, of which the Government owned 738,123,976 Shares or 35.21% of the issued Shares (35.21% of outstanding Shares excluding treasury stock). In December 2000, NTT issued 300,000 new Shares (equal to 60 million Shares after a 100-for-1

 

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stock split in 2009 and a 2-for-1 stock split in 2015) in a public offering. These Shares are not included in the total number of issued Shares when calculating the percentage of Government-owned Shares. The total number of Government-owned Shares includes Shares which are unregistered because of a failure in the transfer of title, and such Shares are therefore not actually owned by the Government. These Shares are nominally owned by the Government but are excluded from the total number of Shares owned by the Government when calculating the percentage of Government-owned Shares. If these conditions are taken into account, the percentage of Government-owned Shares is 36.23%.

NTT Group’s transactions with Government divisions and agencies are arm’s-length transactions, with the relevant division or agency acting as an individual customer. In its capacity as a shareholder, the Government is entitled to exercise voting rights at NTT general shareholders meetings, and as the largest shareholder, theoretically has the power to have a material impact on a large majority of shareholder meeting resolutions. However, the Government historically has not exercised this authority and has not been directly involved in NTT’s management.

Government Dispositions of NTT Shares

The NTT Act requires that any disposition of the Government’s NTT’s Shares must be within the limits determined by the Diet in the relevant annual budget (NTT Act, Article 7).

Background of Sales and Sale Policy

NTT was established with 15.6 million issued Shares; of the 10.4 million Shares that the Government was allowed to sell (the numbers of Shares held less the 5.2 million Shares representing the one-third of issued Shares that the Government was obligated to hold), the Government sold 5.4 million Shares from 1986 to 1988.

In addition, on December 17, 1990, the Ministry of Finance promulgated a sale policy under which, with respect to the 5.0 million Shares that remained unsold at that point: (a) 2.5 million Shares would systematically be sold at an approximate rate of 500,000 Shares per year; (b) if in later years the market environment allowed it, such sales would be carried out earlier than scheduled; and (c) sales of the remaining 2.5 million Shares would be frozen for a period of time. (However, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, no sales were actually carried out, due to the market environment and other factors.)

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1999, the Government sold one million Shares in December 1998.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2000, the Government designated one million Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 48,000 Shares as treasury stock, and the Government sold the remaining 952,000 Shares in November 1999. The above sale policy announced in December 1990 has expired.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001, the Government sold one million Shares in November 2000.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2003, the Government designated one million Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 91,800 Shares as treasury stock on October 8, 2002.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, the Government designated one million Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 85,157 Shares as treasury stock on October 15, 2003.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, the Government designated one million Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 800,000 Shares as treasury stock on November 26, 2004.

 

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For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, the Government designated 1,123,043 Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; NTT repurchased all 1,123,043 Shares as treasury stock on September 6, 2005.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, the Government designated 99,334,255 Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 57,513,600 Shares as treasury stock on July 5, 2011 and an additional 41,820,600 Shares as treasury stock on February 8, 2012.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, the Government designated 62,166,721 Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 26,010,000 Shares as treasury stock on March 7, 2014.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, the Government designated 36,156,721 Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; of these, NTT repurchased 35,088,600 Shares as treasury stock on November 14, 2014 and an additional 1,068,100 Shares as treasury stock on November 28, 2014.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, the Government designated 59,000,043 Shares as the maximum number of Shares that it would sell; NTT repurchased 59,000,000 Shares as treasury stock on June 14, 2016.

Capital Investments

NTT Group’s capital investments for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are shown in the table below:

 

     Year ended March 31,  
     2014      2015      2016  
     (in millions of yen)  

Regional communications business

   ¥ 722,829       ¥ 666,164       ¥ 622,131   

Long distance and international communications business

     168,413         198,112         227,564   

Mobile communications business

     703,124         661,765         595,216   

Data communications business

     147,725         140,900         134,030   

Other business

     150,672         150,582         108,265   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,892,763       ¥ 1,817,523       ¥ 1,687,206   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NTT Group used the capital investment amounts shown above, determined on an accrual basis, to acquire tangibles and intangibles. The table below presents the difference between the amount of capital investments shown above and the amount presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows under “Payments for property, plant and equipment” and “Payments for intangibles.”

 

     Year ended March 31,  
     2014      2015     2016  
     (in millions of yen)  

Payments for property, plant and equipment

   ¥ 1,486,651       ¥ 1,444,917      ¥ 1,265,622   

Payments for intangibles

     416,583         358,209        371,924   

Total

     1,903,234         1,803,126        1,637,546   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Difference in capital investment amounts

   ¥ 10,471       ¥ (14,397   ¥ (49,660
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital investment for each principal business segment in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was as follows:

In the regional communications business segment, NTT Group’s emphasis has been on improving customer service and reducing costs, while responding to customer demand for fiber-optic service and making capital

 

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investments with the aim of providing high-quality, stable universal services for fixed-line telephone services and other services. NTT Group also worked to increase the efficiency of capital investments by increasing the usage of existing facilities.

In the long distance and international communications business segment, NTT Group made capital investments aimed at domestic and international data center- and cloud network-related growth, among other things.

In the mobile communications business segment, NTT Group made capital investments in the concerted development of “PREMIUM 4G”-compatible base stations in urban areas and further increasing the number of LTE base stations. NTT Group also implemented measures to consolidate and increase the capacity of its facilities by using the latest technology and by installing new equipment, making construction more efficient and reducing procurement expenses, thereby streamlining its capital investments.

In the data communications business segment, NTT Group made capital investments primarily in the financial and the Enterprise & Solutions sectors.

NTT Group records its physical plant assets as follows:

 

     As of March 31, 2016  
     Telecom
Facilities
     Land      Buildings      Other      Total  
     (in millions of yen)  

Regional communications business

   ¥ 3,366,820       ¥ 423,273       ¥ 834,201       ¥ 316,105       ¥ 4,940,399   

Long distance and international communications business

     198,861         61,195         263,445         1,001,493         1,524,994   

Mobile communications business

     1,555,138         198,252         323,081         1,260,683         3,337,154   

Data communications business

     89,306         60,523         84,818         613,935         848,582   

Other business

     —          529,966         468,980         275,667         1,274,613   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 5,210,125       ¥ 1,273,209       ¥ 1,974,525       ¥ 3,467,883       ¥ 11,925,742   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NTT Group forecasts about ¥1,720.0 billion in capital investments for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, slightly above the levels from the previous fiscal year, as a result of its plans to continue improving the efficiency of domestic capital investments, increase capital investments for data center and cloud network-related growth and for the expansion of the data communications business. The following is a breakdown of expected investments by principal business segment:

 

     Year ending March 31,  
     2017  
     (in millions of yen)  

Total

   ¥ 1,720,000   
  

 

 

 

Principal business segments:

  

Regional communications business

   ¥ 589,000   

Long distance and international communications business

     239,000   

Mobile communications business

     585,000   

Data communications business

     150,000   

 

Notes:

  (1)   The above figures do not include consumption tax.
  (2)   NTT Group plans to procure the required funds from cash on hand, the issuance of corporate bonds and long-term debt.

Property, Plants and Equipment

The properties of NTT Group are used to provide nationwide telecommunications services in Japan and are generally in good operating condition.

 

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As of March 31, 2016, the total balance sheet amount of NTT Group’s fixed assets was ¥37,178.6 billion. The breakdown of these fixed assets is 31.2% telecommunications equipment (primarily central office equipment including switching installations); 42.7% telecommunications service lines; 16.3% building and structures; 5.4% machinery, vehicles and tools (vehicles, office equipment, fixtures, etc.); 3.4% land; and 1.0% construction in progress.

NTT Group networks are continually being updated, and NTT Group believes that its networks are appropriate for its present operations. In response to the rapid expansion of broadband services, NTT Group will increase capital investments for data center and cloud network-related growth, while continuing to make efficient domestic capital investments.

Procurement

As part of its strategy to strengthen its corporate competitiveness and to meet the demands of today’s rapidly developing information and communications sector, NTT Group is making an effort to increase management efficiency and provide superior services to its customers. To realize this goal, NTT Group provides fair and competitive opportunities to a wide range of both domestic and foreign suppliers, and seeks economically rational procurement of competitive products and services that meet its business needs.

To continue to fulfill its social responsibility goals, NTT Group is taking steps to avoid the use of conflict minerals, to comply with the disclosure requirements of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act regarding such use and also to promote product procurement that reflects the consideration of environmental, human rights and other issues.

Research and Development

Pursuant to its Medium-Term Management Strategy “Towards the Next Stage 2.0,” NTT Group promoted various initiatives including cutting-edge research with a view towards the future. Furthermore, in order to commercialize the results of development, NTT Group developed business plans tailored to market trends based on its System for Commercializing R & D Results and worked to promote development for practical use.

Core Technological Development to Place the Entire Group on a Profit Growth Track

In order to counter new and increasingly sophisticated cyberattacks, NTT Group pursued research and development in security orchestration technology using virtualization technologies to automatically detect attacks on a network, take appropriate countermeasures and automatically restore the network itself. NTT Group pursued the development of edge computing technology which places servers on the periphery of the network and facilitates the real-time capability and reduced terminal loads required by IoT. NTT Group developed “R-env:TM” a cloud-responsive interaction control technology which easily allows the flexible combination of robots and other IoT devices with applications and facilitates the development of new services, pursuing open innovation activities such as hackathons. With respect to AI, where there is a growing interest in recent years as a prime driver of social revolution, NTT Group promoted the development of “corevoTM,” which is a collective term for the technology that aims “to compensate for and draw out human being’s capabilities.”

Initiatives to Improve Efficiency and Enhance Profitability of Domestic Network Businesses

To realize the “NetroSphere concept,” which makes it possible to create a variety of services by modularizing network functions and flexibly assembling these modules, NTT Group pursued joint research with various ICT vendors and providers and built a testing environment to conduct technological evaluation. In order to reduce inspection costs and improve the safety of its iron covers of 680,000 manholes in Japan, NTT Group supported the introduction and commercialization of technology that utilizes images taken by digital cameras to estimate the levels of unevenness and degrees of deterioration. To reduce cases where optical fiber cables cannot

 

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be used because of aesthetic issues, NTT has developed a “transparent optical fiber,” which is thin and transparent like a fishing line, to help blend in with various wall surfaces and prevent it from standing out.

Promoting the Creation of New Value through Collaboration

NTT Group collaborated with Panasonic Corporation with the aim of creating a service that allows intuitive operations where information is displayed simply by swiping a simple portable device, which is equipped with a transparent type display. In collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation and Preferred Networks, Inc., NTT Group demonstrated the “crashless car” concept using edge computing and deep learning technology. NTT Group contributed to the development of the “Study Panel for Inter-Industry Human Resources Development on Cyber Security” which has more than 40 companies as members primarily from the key areas of the infrastructure industry, by defining the type of personnel needed in the industry and identifying discussion points. NTT Group began a joint research project with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. relating to cyber security technology for Application in Critical Infrastructure Control Systems.

Research and Development in Technologies that Enable Highly Immersive New Experiences

NTT Group successfully provided real-time broadcasting on a specifically identified individual through simulated 3D that utilizes “Kirari!” technology, which provides ultra-high-presence “as if you were there” experiences. NTT Group developed the “Visual Explorer” technology that enables users to download relevant information by simply holding up their smartphone and tested it at Haneda Airport. NTT Group allowed visitors to the “NTT R&D Forum 2016” to experience the “Visual Explorer” and the “Real-time Crowded Map” application, which offers a visual image of the state of congestion in public facilities. NTT Group developed composition and display technology that can be applied in sports training by providing highly realistic views using a head-mounted display. This technology virtually recreates difficult-to-capture images such as the view from an athlete’s eyes during a game.

Promoting Cutting-edge Research

NTT Group was recognized as number one worldwide in recognition precision in an international technological evaluation of mobile voice recognition technology in noisy public areas such as an urban district. Aiming to realize AI that interprets mental indicators and physical actions that humans are not aware of as data to offer “comfortable circumstances for humans,” NTT Group developed technology that reads subliminal mental fluctuations in humans from eye movement. In order to deliver a simple and highly efficient quantum cryptography system, NTT Group developed technology that makes it unnecessary to install an error rate monitor between the sender and receiver.

ITEM 4A—UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 5—OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS

Overview of Business Results

NTT Group formulated and announced its Medium-Term Management Strategy “Towards the Next Stage 2.0,” in May 2015, accelerated its self-transformation as a “Value Partner” and worked to place the entire NTT Group towards a profit growth track.

Status of Initiatives to Expand Global Business and Increase Overseas Profit Generation

NTT Group seeks to establish and expand its global cloud service as a cornerstone of its business operations, and strengthened its efforts to accelerate overseas profit generation through the following initiatives.

 

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In order to further strengthen its ability to provide full-stack and full-life-cycle services, NTT Group pursued M&A and worked to expand its cloud computing platform through establishing data centers.

NTT Group promoted cross-selling through collaboration among group companies through its global network, cloud migration, and IT outsourcing projects, and received orders from leading companies in various industries including manufacturing and finance.

NTT Group has been thoroughly engaged in streamlining and optimizing its services and operations in its global cloud business while implementing thorough cost reduction measures by reducing procurement costs across group companies.

Status of Initiatives to Improve Efficiency and Enhance Profitability of Domestic Network Businesses

NTT Group worked to enhance profitability by creating high value-added services as well as optimizing capital investments and reducing costs for its domestic network businesses.

Through its efforts with the “Hikari Collaboration Model” and “+d” to promote collaboration among various businesses, NTT Group worked to create high value-added services.

In addition to simplifying and streamlining networks, NTT Group worked to increase the efficiency of capital investment by increasing the usage of existing facilities and reducing procurement costs.

NTT Group worked to reduce costs by controlling marketing costs through the development of the “Hikari Collaboration Model” and by increasing business efficiency.

In addition, in order to support the above initiatives, NTT Group worked to increase the transparency of information regarding group management, further standardize the group’s accounting principles, and bolster cash management including overseas subsidiaries. Furthermore, project teams were formed to review various topics and initiatives aimed at cost reduction and generating profits.

Status of Initiative to Expand B2B2X Business

The Japanese government has been developing and implementing a variety of policies centered on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Japanese government’s “Vitalization of Local Economies” initiative. NTT Group plans to make use of these opportunities to accelerate migration to the B2B2X model and, together with businesses in other fields and local governments, strengthen measures aimed at creating services that will become the standards of the next generation.

Based on its mission to help resolve the many issues that exist in various regions and help build communities through ICT, NTT Group concluded comprehensive partnership agreements with Fukuoka City and Sapporo City.

With the aim of achieving “visual service innovations” and an “evolution of user experience” toward 2020 and beyond, NTT and Panasonic Corporation have agreed to enter into a business alliance.

In order to contribute to the “vitalization of local economies,” NTT entered into a business alliance with Hitachi, Ltd. to develop services utilizing ICT such as Big Data, and IoT aimed to assist in developing and maintaining a safe, secure, comfortable and efficient urban infrastructure.

 

Note: NTT, NTT East, NTT West, NTT Communications, and NTT DOCOMO are Gold Partners (Telecommunications Services) for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

 

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Status of Efforts to Promote Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”)

In order to contribute to society and to promote growth of its business, NTT Group has been revising its “NTT Group CSR Charter” and “NTT Group Priority Activities.” Furthermore, in order to contribute to the sustainable development of society, NTT Group companies undertook a range of activities and engaged in proactive information disclosure.

Enrich Social Communication

In order to provide an ICT environment and services that anyone can use easily, NTT Group began providing a text entry application, “Move & Flick,” with the aim of promoting the use of smartphones by individuals with visual disabilities. The application allows smartphones to be used without being mindful of the starting position for text entry.

Protect the Global Environment

Through the “Total Power Revolution (TPR) movement,” which is aimed at promoting the reduction of electrical power consumption, etc., NTT Group worked to reduce the CO2 emissions generated by its own business activities. Furthermore, by expanding the service area of cycle sharing utilizing ICT and building solar power generation systems, NTT Group worked to reduce the environmental impact of society as a whole.

Ensure Reliable Communications

In order to secure high levels of stability and reliability as key infrastructure, NTT Group implemented group-wide disaster drills and entered into agreements, such as ones with the Japan Post Group and the Petroleum Association of Japan, to enable cooperation when natural disasters occur and information sharing in normal circumstances. Furthermore, in order to counter increasingly diverse and large-scale cyberattacks, while conducting exercises, NTT Group developed more sophisticated security policies through countermeasures against targeted attacks and vulnerable areas, and promoted various initiatives in human resources development using various educational methods.

Unite the Energies of Team NTT

NTT Group worked to create awareness among employees on sexual minorities such as LGBT persons and persons with disabilities, and promote the creation of a work environment that ensures a broad range of personnel can demonstrate their talents, holding diversity workshops.

In light of the foregoing and other similar endeavors, NTT Group was selected as one of the Asia-Pacific Region index companies of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI), a global index for socially responsible investing, for the second consecutive year.

Consolidated Operating Revenues, Operating Expenses, Operating Income, Income before Income Taxes and Net Income Attributable to NTT

As a result of the above efforts, NTT Group’s consolidated operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 were ¥11,541.0 billion (an increase of 4.0% from the previous fiscal year) and consolidated operating expenses were ¥10,192.8 billion (an increase of 1.8% from the previous fiscal year). As a result, consolidated operating income was ¥1,348.1 billion (an increase of 24.3% from the previous fiscal year), consolidated income before income taxes was ¥1,329.3 billion (an increase of 24.6% from the previous fiscal year), and consolidated net income attributable to NTT was ¥737.7 billion (an increase of 42.4% from the previous fiscal year).

 

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Business Outlook

Business Development Pursuant to the Medium-Term Management Strategy

In line with its Medium-Term Management Strategy “Towards the Next Stage 2.0,” NTT Group will continue to work to reform its business structure.

—Initiatives to Expand Global Business and Increase Overseas Profit Generation—

To realize solid sales growth in its overseas business, NTT Group will work to further enhance its services and products as well as its global business promotion system. Furthermore, by expanding its global accounts and promoting up-selling and cross-selling, NTT Group will work to enhance its sales and marketing. Additionally, NTT Group will work to maximize cost efficiency and strengthen group governance and risk management.

—Initiatives to Improve Efficiency and Enhanced Profitability of Domestic Network Business—

In the highly competitive domestic fixed-line communications market and mobile communications market, NTT Group is making efforts toward profit generation through increased efficiency in capital investment and cost reductions.

Specifically, in relation to the increased efficiency in capital investment, NTT Group will work to make networks simplified and streamlined, to utilize the results of research and development including software control technology, to further increase the usage efficiency of existing facilities, and to unify specifications of procured goods and narrow down model types in order to cut procurement costs. Additionally, NTT Group will work to make its IT systems more efficient through the use of the latest technology, including virtualization as well as shared platforms.

With regard to cost reductions, NTT Group will continue to reduce marketing costs through the development of the “Hikari Collaboration Model” and to strengthen its efforts. NTT Group will boost the competitiveness of its products and services and improve its user service through cost reductions, while simultaneously working to establish simple, efficient business operations based on its transition to the B2B2X model and other initiatives.

—Initiatives to Expand B2B2X Business—

NTT Group is currently supporting the communications services field as a Gold Partner (Telecommunications Services) for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games promoted through a public-private partnership, and sees “Vitalization of Local Economies” as a great opportunity to utilize its collective strength and organically use its national-scale fixed-line and mobile broadband networks, as well as its technology, know-how, and assets in the information systems field. In particular, through collaborations with businesses in other fields and local governments, NTT Group will promote the transition to the B2B2X model and work to create high value-added services. Through the above efforts, NTT Group will create services that will be inherited as the standard of the next generation and connect to sustained growth in its domestic business.

In addition to continuing and strengthening initiatives pursuant to its Medium-Term Management Strategy “Towards the Next Stage 2.0,” NTT Group reviewed the financial targets of its medium-term management strategies to reflect the impact of adopting the straight-line method, effective beginning the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, as the method for depreciating property, plant and equipment, which previously, as a general rule, had been depreciated by the declining balance method.

Through these efforts, while focusing mainly on profit growth, by continuing to increase its capital efficiency through stock repurchases, NTT Group aims to grow its EPS (Earnings Per Share) to ¥400 or more by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.

 

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—Promotion of Fundamental Research & Development—

NTT Group will develop the core technologies required for the achievement of its Medium-Term Management Strategy, including cloud, security, AI, and IoT, and in order to contribute to the acceleration of profit creation. NTT Group will also develop technology to create common parts for network equipment and reduce the time required for network building, maintenance, and operations, contributing to cost reductions. Simultaneously, through the promotion of collaboration with other companies toward the creation of new value, NTT Group will consistently transform output of research and development into new businesses and proactively expand both in Japan and abroad.

—Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)—

In order to help resolve the many social issues that exist both in and outside Japan, NTT Group will continue to make a collective effort to promote CSR in accordance with the guidelines set out in the “NTT Group CSR Charter,” and will also work to increase management transparency by further enhancing the content of, for example, its Annual Report and Sustainability Report, and by promoting information disclosure.

With respect to environmental issues, which are a global concern, NTT Group will contribute to reducing the environmental burden on society as a whole through the utilization of ICT services and the services and technology provided by NTT Group, and work to reduce the environmental burden across all of its business activities. At the same time, NTT Group will promote initiatives, such as those for environmental protection, that engage the cooperation of all stakeholders, such as NTT Group employees, business partners and local communities.

Furthermore, to secure high levels of stability and reliability in its communications services, NTT Group will work to provide even safer and more secure services through the implementation of disaster drills based on its collaborative framework with external agencies. In addition, in order to counter increasingly diverse and large-scale cyber-attacks, NTT Group will promote the introduction of research and development results as well as strengthen training efforts to produce cybersecurity experts that possess more advanced skills.

Additionally, NTT Group respects and utilizes personnel with diverse values and individuality, creating a work environment that ensures a broad range of personnel can demonstrate their talents, irrespective of gender, age, race, nationality, disability status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

 

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Results of Operations

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015

Telecommunications Circuit Facilities

In order to provide high-quality telecommunications services, NTT Group owns and operates a wide range of telecommunications circuit facilities. The following table lists the number of lines, circuits, channels or subscribers, as the case may be, for NTT Group’s major services as of March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016:

(Thousands, except for Public Telephones)

 

     As of Mar. 31,
2015
     As of Mar. 31,
2016
     Change     Percent Change  

Telephone Subscriber Lines(1)

     21,286         19,943         (1,343     (6.3 )% 

NTT East

     10,492         9,875         (618     (5.9 )% 

NTT West

     10,794         10,068         (726     (6.7 )% 

INS-Net(2)

     3,058         2,776         (282     (9.2 )% 

NTT East

     1,559         1,414         (144     (9.3 )% 

NTT West

     1,499         1,361         (137     (9.2 )% 

Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net

     24,344         22,718         (1,625     (6.7 )% 

NTT East

     12,051         11,289         (762     (6.3 )% 

NTT West

     12,293         11,429         (863     (7.0 )% 

Public Telephones

     183,655         171,179         (12,476     (6.8 )% 

NTT East

     87,785         78,199         (9,586     (10.9 )% 

NTT West

     95,870         92,980         (2,890     (3.0 )% 

FLET’S ISDN

     95         85         (10     (10.4 )% 

NTT East

     42         37         (5     (10.8 )% 

NTT West

     53         48         (5     (10.1 )% 

FLET’S ADSL

     1,219         1,053         (167     (13.7 )% 

NTT East

     550         475         (75     (13.6 )% 

NTT West

     669         577         (92     (13.7 )% 

FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model)(3)

     18,716         19,259         543        2.9

NTT East

     10,403         10,666         264        2.5

NTT West

     8,313         8,593         280        3.4

Hikari Collaboration Model

     270         4,691         4,421        1,634.6

NTT East

     190         3,077         2,886        1,517.2

NTT West

     80         1,615         1,534        1,913.1

Hikari Denwa(4)

     17,108         17,374         267        1.6

NTT East

     9,032         9,123         91        1.0

NTT West

     8,076         8,252         176        2.2

Conventional Leased Circuit Services

     241         232         (8     (3.5 )% 

NTT East

     117         113         (4     (3.5 )% 

NTT West

     124         120         (4     (3.4 )% 

High Speed Digital Services

     127         115         (12     (9.5 )% 

NTT East

     66         59         (7     (10.2 )% 

NTT West

     62         56         (5     (8.8 )% 

NTT Group Major ISPs(5)

     11,586         11,411         (175     (1.5 )% 

OCN

     8,282         8,046         (236     (2.9 )% 

Plala

     2,960         3,005         45        1.5

Hikari TV

     3,014         3,052         38        1.2

FLET’S TV Transmission Services(4)

     1,345         1,432         87        6.5

NTT East

     877         910         33        3.7

NTT West

     468         522         54        11.6

 

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     As of Mar. 31,
2015
     As of Mar. 31,
2016
     Change     Percent Change  

Mobile(6)

     66,595         70,964         4,368        6.6

(included in the above) New Billing Plan

     17,827         29,704         11,877        66.6

LTE (“Xi”)

       30,744           38,679         7,934        25.8

FOMA(7)

     35,851         32,285         (3,566     (9.9 )% 

sp-mode

     28,160         32,463            4,303             15.3

i-mode

     22,338         18,770         (3,569     (16.0 )% 

 

(1) Number of Telephone Subscriber Lines is the total of individual lines and central station lines (including lines under the Subscriber Telephone Light Plan).

 

(2) INS-Net includes INS-Net 64 and INS-Net 1500. In terms of the number of channels, transmission rate, and line use rate (base rate), INS-Net 1500 is in all cases roughly ten times greater than INS-Net 64. For this reason, one INS-Net 1500 subscription is calculated as ten INS-Net 64 subscriptions (including INS-Net 64 Lite Plan subscriptions).

 

(3) Number of FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model) subscribers includes subscribers to “B FLET’S,” “FLET’S Hikari Next,” “FLET’S Hikari Light,” “FLET’S Hikari Lightplus” and “FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access” provided by NTT East, subscribers to “B FLET’S,” “FLET’S Hikari Premium,” “FLET’S Hikari Mytown,” “FLET’S Hikari Next,” “FLET’S Hikari Light” and “FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access” provided by NTT West, and the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the wholesale provision of services by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.

 

(4) “Hikari Denwa” and “FLET’S TV Transmission Services” include wholesale services provided by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.

 

(5) NTT Group Major ISPs includes WAKWAK and InfoSphere, in addition to OCN and Plala.

 

(6) Number of Mobile (including LTE (“Xi”) and FOMA) service subscribers includes communication module service subscribers.

 

(7) Effective March 3, 2008, FOMA services became mandatory for subscription to “2in1” services. Such FOMA service subscriptions to “2in1” services are included in the number of Mobile service subscribers and also in the number of FOMA service subscribers.

 

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Operating Results

 

     Year Ended March 31,              
     2015     2016     Change     Percent Change  
     (in billions of yen)        

Operating revenues:

     11,095.3        11,541.0        445.7        4.0

Fixed voice related services

     1,441.4        1,330.0        (111.4     (7.7 )% 

Mobile voice related services

     872.1        837.8        (34.2     (3.9 )% 

IP/Packet communications services

     3,672.2        3,757.8        85.7        2.3

Sales of telecommunications equipment

     997.0        953.0        (44.0     (4.4 )% 

System integration

     2,691.8        3,063.5        371.7        13.8

Other

     1,421.0        1,598.8        177.9        12.5

Operating expenses

     10,010.8        10,192.8        182.1        1.8

Operating income

     1,084.6        1,348.1        263.6        24.3

Other income (expenses)

     (17.9     (18.9     (1.0     (5.3 )% 

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

     1,066.6        1,329.3        262.6        24.6

Income tax expense (benefit)

     397.3        354.8        (42.5     (10.7 )% 

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

     5.9        5.8        (0.1     (2.0 )% 

Net income

     675.2        980.2        305.0        45.2

Less—net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     157.1        242.5        85.4        54.3

Net income attributable to NTT

     518.1        737.7        219.7        42.4

Operating Revenues

NTT Group’s operating revenues are divided into six service categories, comprising fixed voice related services, mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment, system integration and other services.

Operating revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 4.0% from the previous fiscal year to ¥11,541.0 billion. This increase was due to such factors as an increase in domestic business revenues as a result of the increase in mobile communications and system integration revenues, in addition to the growth in overseas business.

Operating revenues for each service category for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 are summarized as follows:

Fixed Voice Related Services

NTT Group’s fixed voice related services include a portion of the services it provides in the regional communications business segment and long distance and international communications business segment, such as telephone subscriber lines, INS-Net, conventional leased circuits and high speed digital.

Fixed voice related revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased 7.7% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,330.0 billion, accounting for 11.5% of total operating revenues. This was due to a continued decline in the number of subscriptions for telephone subscriber lines and INS-Net caused by the increased popularization of mobile phones and optical IP telephones, and an increase in free or low-priced communications services offered by OTT operators (content distribution services utilizing other companies’ communications infrastructure, allowing a service provider to distribute services without owning its own communications infrastructure).

 

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Mobile Voice Related Services

Mobile voice related services include a portion of the services NTT Group provides in the mobile communications business segment, such as LTE (“Xi”).

Mobile voice related revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased 3.9% from the previous fiscal year to ¥837.8 billion, accounting for 7.3% of total operating revenues. This was due to, among other things, the discount effect of the “Monthly Support” discount program.

IP/Packet Communications Services

NTT Group’s IP/packet communications services include a portion of the services it provides in the regional communications business segment, such as FLET’S Hikari, a portion of the services it provides in the long distance and international communications business segment, such as Arcstar Universal One, IP-VPN, and OCN, as well as a portion of the services it provides in the mobile communications business segment, such as LTE (“Xi”) packet communications services.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, revenues from IP/packet communications services increased 2.3% from the previous fiscal year to ¥3,757.8 billion, accounting for 32.6% of total operating revenues. This increase was due to, among other things, an increase in subscriptions for FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model) in the regional communications business segment and the promotion of upgrades to higher-level plans of the “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan.

Sales of Telecommunications Equipment

This category includes a portion of the services NTT Group provides in the regional communications business segment and the mobile communications business segment.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, revenues from telecommunications equipment sales decreased 4.4% from the previous fiscal year to ¥953.0 billion, accounting for 8.3% of total operating revenues. This decrease was due to a decrease in the number of wholesale sales of handsets, such as smartphones, in the mobile communications business segment.

System Integration

NTT Group’s system integration services include its data communications business segment and a portion of the services it provides in the long distance and international communications business segment and the regional communications business segment.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, revenues from system integration increased 13.8% from the previous fiscal year to ¥3,063.5 billion, accounting for 26.5% of total operating revenues. This increase was due to factors such as the growth in both domestic and overseas business.

Other

Other services principally comprise building maintenance, real estate rentals, systems development, leasing activities and research and development.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, revenues from other services increased 12.5% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,598.8 billion, accounting for 13.9% of total operating revenues. This increase was due mainly to an increase in revenues associated with operations in the Smart Life business in the mobile communications business segment and an increase in revenues in the real estate business.

 

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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 1.8% from the previous fiscal year to ¥10,192.8 billion. The reasons for the increase are discussed below. Personnel expenses and expenses for purchase of goods and services and other expenses, described below, are included in cost of services, cost of equipment sold, cost of system integration, and selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Personnel Expenses

Personnel expenses in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 0.9% from the previous fiscal year to ¥2,299.7 billion. This increase was mainly due to an increase in personnel expenses due to the increase in consolidated overseas subsidiaries and the increase in overseas business operations, despite the focus on reducing the number of personnel employed in the regional communications business segment.

Expenses for Purchase of Goods and Services and Other Expenses

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, expenses for purchase of goods and services and other expenses increased 4.1% from the previous fiscal year to ¥5,675.9 billion. Efforts to improve operational efficiency led to reduced expenses in the regional communications business segment, long distance and international communications business segment and mobile communications business segment. However, overall expenses increased compared with the previous fiscal year as a result of, among other things, an increase in the number of consolidated overseas subsidiaries.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased 3.4% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,766.3 billion. This decrease was mainly due to a reduction in investments as a result of making more efficient capital investments in the regional communications business and mobile communications business, which offset the increase in depreciation and amortization expenses due to the increase in capital investments for data centers and other investments in the long distance and international communications business segment.

Operating Income

As a result of the foregoing, operating income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 24.3% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,348.1 billion.

Other Operating Revenues and Expenses

Other Income (Expenses)

Other income (expenses) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 slightly decreased to ¥(18.9) billion, from ¥(17.9) billion in the previous fiscal year.

Income before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Affiliated Companies

Net income before income taxes in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 24.6% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,329.3 billion for the reasons discussed above.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, income tax expense decreased 10.7% from the previous fiscal year to ¥354.8 billion. This decrease in income tax expense was primarily due to the decrease of the valuation

 

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allowance resulting from the change in the estimate of realizability of deferred tax assets by NTT West and NTT DOCOMO. As a result, effective tax rates for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 were 37.25%, and 26.69%, respectively.

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was approximately equivalent to the previous fiscal year, decreasing slightly to ¥5.8 billion compared to ¥5.9 billion for the previous fiscal year.

Net Income and Net Income Attributable to NTT

As a result, net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 45.2% from the previous fiscal year to ¥980.2 billion. Net income attributable to NTT (excluding the portion attributable to non-controlling interests) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 42.4% from the previous fiscal year to ¥737.7 billion.

Segment Information

NTT Group has five business segments: regional communications business, long distance and international communications business, mobile communications business, data communications business and other business. (For further details, see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

The regional communications business segment comprises fixed voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment, system integration services and other services.

The long distance and international communications business segment principally comprises fixed voice related services, IP/packet communications services, system integration services and other services.

The mobile communications business segment comprises mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment and other services.

The data communications business segment comprises system integration services.

The other business segment principally comprises building maintenance, real estate rentals, systems development, leasing activities and other services related to research and development.

 

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An overview of the operational results for each business segment is as follows (intersegment revenues are included in the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating income of operational results for each business segment):

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015

 

      Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2016  

Service Types

   Operating
Revenues
(billions of yen)
     Comparison
with Previous
Fiscal Year (%)
 

Regional communications business

   Fixed voice related services      1,298.0         (7.7 )% 
   IP/packet communications services      1,564.4         1.1
   System integration services      161.2         (1.4 )% 
   Other services      384.2         (1.3 )% 
  

Total (including intersegment revenues)

     3,407.9         (2.8 )% 
  

Intersegment

     499.6         5.6
  

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

     2,908.2         (4.1 )% 

Long distance and international communications business

   Fixed voice related services      285.1         (7.2 )% 
   IP/packet communications services      371.9         2.7
   System integration services      1,425.3         22.9
   Other services      168.6         (0.7 )% 
  

Total (including intersegment revenues)

     2,250.9         12.6
  

Intersegment

     89.5         (2.5 )% 
  

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

     2,161.4         13.4

Mobile communications business

   Mobile voice related services      849.4         (3.9 )% 
   IP/packet communications services      1,954.8         5.5
   Other services      1,722.9         4.6
  

Total (including intersegment revenues)

     4,527.1         3.3
  

Intersegment

     43.5         0.9
  

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

     4,483.7         3.3

Data communications business

   System integration services (including intersegment revenues)      1,616.8         7.0
  

Intersegment

     104.0         (5.2 )% 
  

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

     1,512.8         8.0

Other business

   Other services (including intersegment revenues)      1,294.5         1.7
  

Intersegment

     819.6         (4.4 )% 
  

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

     474.8         14.5

Total Consolidated Operating Revenues

     11,541.0         4.0

 

Note: The above figures do not include consumption tax or other taxes.

 

  (1) Regional Communications Business Segment

Despite an increase in IP/packet communications revenues attributable to the increase in “FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model)” subscriptions, operating revenues in the regional communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased to ¥3,407.9 billion (a decrease of 2.8% from the previous fiscal year) due to a decrease in fixed voice related revenues resulting from the decline in fixed-line telephone subscriptions. On the other hand, operating expenses decreased to ¥3,142.9 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 (a decrease of 5.8% from the previous fiscal year), as a result of reducing expenses by controlling marketing costs through the development of the Hikari Collaboration Model and by

 

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sustained operational efficiency, as well as a decrease in personnel expenses resulting from a decrease in the number of employees and a decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses resulting from making more efficient capital investments.

As a result, segment operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 56.9% to ¥265.0 billion.

The state of operations for each service in the regional communications business segment was as follows:

(Fixed Voice Related Services)

Fixed voice related revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 in this segment decreased to ¥1,298.0 billion (a decrease of ¥107.8 billion (7.7%) from the previous fiscal year), primarily due to the reasons below.

As a result of the shift in customer demand to mobile telephones, IP phones and broadband access services and to free or low-priced communications services offered by OTT operators, the aggregate number of fixed line subscriptions (fixed-line telephone & INS-Net) as of March 31, 2016 stood at 22,718 thousand, a decrease of 1,625 thousand from the previous fiscal year.

The numbers of fixed-line telephone and INS-Net subscriptions were as follows:

 

     As of March 31,               
     2015      2016      Change     Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

NTT East:

          

Telephone subscriptions

     10,492         9,875         (618     (5.9 )% 

INS-Net subscriptions

     1,559         1,414         (144     (9.3 )% 

NTT West:

          

Telephone subscriptions

     10,794         10,068         (726     (6.7 )% 

INS-Net subscriptions

     1,499         1,361         (137     (9.2 )% 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, aggregate fixed-line ARPU (telephone subscriber lines plus INS-Net subscriber lines) was ¥2,650 for NTT East and ¥2,610 for NTT West, a decrease of ¥50 (1.9%) and ¥40 (1.5%), respectively, from the corresponding figures in the previous fiscal year. This decline was due to, among other factors, the shift by high-volume users to IP telephone services and the migration of users from fixed-line services to mobile phone services.

See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015—Footnote 2, ‘ARPU: Average monthly revenue per unit’” for a description of ARPU, and “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015—Footnote 3, ‘Method of calculating ARPU—(a) NTT East, NTT West’” for a description of how aggregate fixed-line ARPU is calculated.

The numbers of registrations to MYLINE, a phone company selection service, were as follows:

 

     As of March 31,        
       2015         2016       Change  

Intra-city:

      

NTT East

     56.5     57.3     0.8

NTT West

     53.8     54.7     0.9

NTT Communications

     32.7     32.2     (0.5 )% 

Intra-prefectural and inter-city:

      

NTT East

     52.9     53.8     0.9

NTT West

     50.6     51.5     0.9

NTT Communications

     33.6     33.1     (0.5 )% 

 

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Access charges for functions subject to calculation under the LRIC Methodology (which is applied to the majority of public network usage) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 were ¥5.78 per three minutes for GC interconnection charges and ¥7.22 per three minutes for IC interconnection charges. Revenues (including subsidies to NTT East and NTT West) from these access charges for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased by ¥3.9 billion from the previous fiscal year to ¥51.1 billion for NTT East and by ¥5.4 billion from the previous fiscal year to ¥55.8 billion for NTT West.

Although NTT offers dedicated fixed-rate, high-quality access services for business users, as a result of the provision of services such as “Business Ether WIDE,” which utilizes the NGN, and other Ethernet services suited to low-cost and highly reliable local area network (“LAN”) communications, as well as the shift in demand for IP system services such as “FLET’S VPN WIDE,” the decreasing trend in the number of subscribers to leased circuit services is continuing.

The number of subscriptions for leased circuit services in the regional communications business segment was as follows:

 

     As of March 31,               
     2015      2016      Change     Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

NTT East:

          

Conventional leased circuits

     117         113         (4     (3.5 )% 

High-speed digital circuits

     66         59         (7     (10.2 )% 

NTT West:

          

Conventional leased circuits

     124         120         (4     (3.4 )% 

High-speed digital circuits

     62         56         (5     (8.8 )% 

(IP/Packet Communications Services)

Revenues for IP/Packet Communications Services in this segment increased to ¥1,564.4 billion (an increase of ¥17.3 billion (1.1%) from the previous fiscal year), primarily due to the reasons below.

In February 2015, NTT began providing its “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the world’s first full-fledged wholesale provision of fiber-optic access services, in order to rejuvenate the ICT market by promoting the creation of new value through the use of fiber-optic access services by diverse service providers in a wide variety of industries. NTT continued to implement measures to expand B2B2X business through the Model throughout the fiscal year.

NTT promoted collaborative projects with mobile network operators and ISPs, in addition to business operators in diverse industries including the energy industry, real estate industry, and security industry. As a result, the number of service providers providing wholesale service was 350 at the end of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. In the cable television industry, new use cases were born, including the adoption of the Hikari Collaboration Model in the conversion of all service areas to fiber optics. As a result of these initiatives, the number of fiber-optic access service subscriptions using this model was 4.69 million.

As a result of these initiatives, as of March 31, 2016, the number of FLET’S Hikari subscriptions (including the Hikari Collaboration Model) had risen to 19,259 thousand channels, an increase of 543 thousand (2.9%) compared to the previous fiscal year; the number of Hikari Denwa subscriptions increased to 17,374 thousand channels, an increase of 267 thousand channels (1.6%) compared to the previous fiscal year; and the number of FLET’S TV subscriptions increased to 1,432 thousand channels, an increase of 87 thousand channels (6.5%) compared to the previous fiscal year.

 

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The numbers of subscriptions for “FLET’S Hikari (including the Hikari Collaboration Model),” “FLET’S ADSL,” “Hikari Denwa,” the IP telephone service, and “FLET’S TV Transmission Service” were as follows:

 

    As of March 31,              
    2015     2016     Change     Percent Change  
    (in thousands)        

NTT East:

       

FLET’S Hikari (including the Hikari Collaboration Model)(1)

    10,403        10,666        264        2.5

FLET’S ADSL

    550        475        (75     (13.6 )% 

Hikari Denwa (channels)(2)

    9,032        9,123        91        1.0

FLET’S TV Transmission Service(2)

    877        910        33        3.7

NTT West:

       

FLET’S Hikari (including the Hikari Collaboration Model)(1)

    8,313        8,593        280        3.4

FLET’S ADSL

    669        577        (92     (13.7 )% 

Hikari Denwa (channels)(2)

    8,076        8,252        176        2.2

FLET’S TV Transmission Service(2)

    468        522        54        11.6

 

(1) FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model) includes B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light, FLET’S Hikari Lightplus and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT East, B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Premium, FLET’S Hikari Mytown, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT West, and the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the wholesale provision of services by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.
(2) The figures for “Hikari Denwa” and “FLET’S TV Transmission Service” include wholesale services provided to service providers by NTT East and NTT West.

FLET’S Hikari ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was ¥5,510 for NTT East, ¥20 (0.4%) higher than in the previous fiscal year. This slight increase was due to, among other things, a decrease in various discount services. FLET’S Hikari ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 for NTT West was ¥5,470, ¥210 (3.7%) lower than in the previous fiscal year. The main reason for this decrease is the continued impact of discount programs.

See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015—Footnote 3, ‘Method of calculating ARPU—(a) NTT East, NTT West’” for a description of how FLET’S Hikari ARPU is calculated.

(Other Services)

With respect to system integration and other services, NTT Group worked to advance business model proposals that effectively promote “vitalization of local economics” through ICT by utilizing the strengths of each locality’s business structures and by focusing on understanding the issues and needs of each local government.

Specifically, in the tourism sector, there is increasingly widespread movement amongst local governments and shopping districts for quick installation of public Wi-Fi in tourist areas in response to the increasing number of foreign tourists. In order to meet this demand, NTT Group has provided support for the installation and operation of Wi-Fi in Fukuoka City and Sapporo City.

(2) Long Distance and International Communications Business Segment

Despite a decline in domestic fixed voice related revenues, operating revenues in the long distance and international communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥2,250.9 billion (an increase of 12.6% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in system integration revenues as a result of the expansion of consolidated subsidiaries. On the other hand, operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥2,154.2 billion (an increase of 14.3% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in personnel expenses and other costs as a

 

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result of an increase in the number of consolidated subsidiaries. As a result, segment operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased to ¥96.7 billion (a decrease of 14.9% from the previous fiscal year).

Operations for each service in the long distance and international communications business segment were as follows:

(Fixed Voice Related Services)

Revenues for fixed voice-related services in this segment decreased to ¥285.1 billion (a decrease of ¥22.0 billion (7.2%) from the previous fiscal year). This decrease was primarily due to, among other things, a decrease in the number of fixed telephone subscriptions due to the increasing popularization of mobile phones and optical IP phones and the increase in the number of free or low-priced communications services offered by OTT operators, despite NTT Group’s continued support of a variety of customer needs, including, among other things, revising the rates for the “PL@TINUM LINE” telephone service.

The following table shows the market share of MYLINE registrations in the long distance and international communications business segment:

 

     As of March 31,        
       2015         2016         Change    

Inter-prefectural

     82.6     83.1     0.5

International

     81.3     81.7     0.4

(IP/Packet Communications Services)

Revenues for IP/packet communications services in this segment increased to ¥371.9 billion (an increase of ¥9.9 billion (2.7%) from the previous fiscal year). This increase was primarily due to the initiatives described below.

In terms of products for individual customers, for “OCN mobile ONE,” an LTE-compatible mobile data communications service, NTT Communications substantially increased the number of its subscribers by working to strengthen its sales structure, such as by offering a nationwide same-day delivery counter for “voice-enabled SIM cards,” which allow users to make voice calls.

For enterprise customers, NTT Communications worked to increase the number of subscriptions for “Arcstar Universal One,” a corporate network service currently provided in 196 countries and regions, by launching a number of advanced functions. For example, NTT Communications launched “Multi-Cloud Connect,” an optional service which allows speedy, flexible and lower-cost multi-cloud environments to be built by connecting with a wide array of cloud services, including the company’s own cloud services.

The following table shows the number of subscriptions for IP/packet communications-related services in the long distance and international communications business segment:

 

     As of March 31               
     2015      2016      Change     Percent change  
     (in thousands)        

Network Services (VPN)*1

     303         339         37        12.0

OCN (ISP)

     8,282         8,046         (236     (2.9 )% 

Plala (ISP)*2

     2,960         3,005         45        1.5

Hikari TV*2

     3,014         3,052         38        1.2

 

*1 “Network Services (VPN)” includes Arcstar Universal One and Arcstar Global IP-VPN.
*2 Revenues from Plala and Hikari TV are included in “Other services” of the Long distance and international communications business described in the operational results table for each business segment above.

 

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(System Integration Services)

Revenues for systems integration services in this segment increased to ¥1,425.3 billion (an increase of ¥265.6 billion (22.9%) from the previous fiscal year). This increase was due to strengthened efforts to expand global cloud services as the foundation of the business for the entire NTT Group. Specifically, NTT Group carried out the initiatives described below.

In order to further strengthen its ability to provide full-stack and full-lifecycle services, NTT Group pursued M&A and worked to expand its cloud computing platforms through establishing data centers. NTT Group also worked to strengthen its ability to offer seamless ICT solutions combining network and security and other features and to strengthen its ability to provide services in the growth areas of cloud services and IT outsourcing.

In particular, NTT Group increased its system integration revenues by expanding its consolidated subsidiaries, including Lux e-shelter 1 S.a.r.l, RagingWire Data Centers, Inc., Arkadin International SAS and Oakton Limited. In addition, in order to strengthen its ability to meet the demand for cloud services and data centers in various global regions, NTT Group began providing services at new data centers that achieve high reliability, through redundancy of electric power facilities and telecommunications equipment, and enhanced security, in Sacramento in North America, Vienna in Europe, and Hong Kong, Mumbai and Bangkok in Asia, thereby working to increase the number of its customers worldwide. Furthermore, with a particular focus on cloud migration and IT outsourcing projects, NTT Group promoted cross-selling through collaboration between NTT Communications and Dimension Data, the leading companies in this segment, and NTT DATA and other leading companies in the data communications segment, and received orders from leading companies in a variety of industries.

(3) Mobile Communications Business Segment

Consolidated operating revenues for the mobile communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥4,527.1 billion (an increase of 3.3% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other factors, the expansion of NTT Group’s Smart Life business and a relatively favorable impact on revenues of the “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan compared to the previous fiscal year. Further, despite an increase in revenue-linked expenses as a result of the expansion of NTT Group’s Smart Life business, consolidated operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 decreased to ¥3,738.8 billion (a decrease of 0.2% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other factors, the promotion of cost optimization initiatives. As a result, consolidated operating income increased to ¥788.4 billion (an increase of 24.0% from the previous fiscal year).

Operations for each service in the mobile communications business segment were as follows:

(Mobile Voice Related Services / IP/Packet Communications Services)

Revenues for mobile voice-related services decreased to ¥849.4 billion (a decrease of ¥34.4 billion (3.9%) from the previous fiscal year). This decrease was due to a decrease in voice ARPU, primarily due to the discount effect of the “Monthly Support” program, despite efforts to increase the number of subscriptions and to maintain or reduce churn rates.

IP/Packet Communications Services revenues in this segment increased to ¥1,954.8 billion (an increase of ¥101.8 billion (5.5%) from the previous fiscal year). This increase was due to an increase in packet ARPU, primarily due to increased demand for second tablet devices as a result of an improved tablet device lineup and to the promotion of upgrades to higher-level plans of the “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan.

As of March 31, 2016, the number of subscriptions to NTT DOCOMO mobile phone services increased by 4.37 million, from 66.60 million at the end of the previous fiscal year to 70.96 million subscriptions. In mobile phone services, the number of LTE (“Xi”) service subscriptions increased from 30.74 million as of the end of the

 

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previous fiscal year to 38.68 million as of March 31, 2016, an increase of 7.93 million subscriptions (25.8%), and the number of FOMA service subscriptions decreased by 3.57 million (9.9%) to 32.29 million subscriptions, from 35.85 million as of the end of the previous fiscal year. In addition, churn rates slightly increased to 0.62%, approximately equivalent to the end of the previous fiscal year.

The following table shows the number of mobile communications subscriptions and estimated market share:

 

     As of March 31,              
     2015     2016         Change         Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

Mobile phone services(1)

     66,595        70,964        4,368        6.6

(Included in the above) New Billing Plan

     17,827        29,704        11,877        66.6

LTE (“Xi”) services

     30,744        38,679        7,934        25.8

FOMA services(1)

     35,851        32,285        (3,566     (9.9 )% 

Estimated mobile phone market share(1)(2)

     43.6     45.3     1.7  

sp-mode services

     28,160        32,463        4,303        15.3

i-mode services

     22,338        18,770        (3,569     (16.0 )% 

 

(1) Includes communications module service subscriptions. Effective from March 3, 2008, use of the “2in1” service (a multiple number service that makes more than one phone number available for use on one mobile phone) has been conditioned on conclusion of an additional FOMA agreement, and the number of mobile phone service subscriptions and FOMA subscriptions includes such additional FOMA contracts.
(2) Market share data is based on number of subscriptions of other carriers, which is computed based on figures released by the Telecommunications Carriers Association.

Aggregate ARPU of mobile phone services increased by ¥70 (1.7%) to ¥4,170 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, from ¥4,100 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. This was due to an increase of ¥140 (5.0%) in Data ARPU to ¥2,960 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, from ¥2,820 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, resulting from the reduced impact on revenues of the “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan and the introduction of “docomo Hikari,” despite a decrease of ¥70 (5.5%) in voice ARPU to ¥1,210 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, from ¥1,280 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, resulting from the continuing impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program.

See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015—Footnote 1, ‘MOU (average monthly minutes of use per unit): Average communication time per subscription’” at the end of this item for a description of how MOU is calculated. See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015—Footnote 3, ‘Method of calculating ARPU—(b) NTT DOCOMO’” at the end of this item for a description of how ARPU is calculated for mobile phone services.

The following table shows data regarding ARPU and MOU of mobile phone services:

 

     As of March 31,              
     2015     2016         Change         Percent Change  

Aggregate ARPU

   ¥ 4,100        4,170      ¥ 70        1.7

Voice ARPU

       1,280        1,210        (70     (5.5 )% 

Data ARPU

     2,820          2,960              140          5.0

Packet ARPU

     2,820          2,910        90        3.2

“docomo Hikari” ARPU

     0        50        50        —  

MOU (minutes)

     122        133        11           9.0

 

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(Other Services)

With respect to sales of telecommunications equipment, a part of other services, in order to meet the diverse needs of its customers, NTT DOCOMO has strived to enrich its handset lineup, adding new models such as Android smartphones, iPhone 6s*, “docomo keitai” feature phones, “docomo tablets,” wearable devices and Wi-Fi routers, among other devices.

 

*

TM and © 2016 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. The iPhone trademark is used under license from AIPHONE CO, Ltd.

(4) Data Communications Business Segment

Operating revenues in the data communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥1,616.8 billion (an increase of 7.0% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in the number of overseas consolidated subsidiaries, the cultivation of new customers, and an expansion of the scale of systems provided to existing customers. On the other hand, operating expenses increased to ¥1,504.1 billion (an increase of 5.6% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in personnel expenses and expenses for purchase of goods and services and other expenses as a result of the increase in the number of consolidated subsidiaries.

As a result, segment operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased 30.5% from the previous fiscal year to ¥112.7 billion.

In the data communications business segment, NTT responded to the acceleration of customers’ expansion in the global market and the diversification and increased sophistication of their needs by working to expand its business in the global market and to expand and reliably provide a range of IT services, such as system integration, that are responsive to the changes in the market.

Operating revenues for business operations directed toward the public and social infrastructure field, which provide high value-added IT services that support government, medicine, communications, energy and other social infrastructure and regionalization, increased as a result of business expansion in response to changes in the market in conjunction with new businesses created under the nationwide IT strategy and institutional changes in the utility industry (power system reform), despite an anticipated decline in the government and telecom industries.

Operating revenues for the global business of this segment, which supplies high value-added IT services both within and across various regions overseas, increased due to, among other factors, increased revenues from an increase in the number of consolidated subsidiaries through the acquisition of Carlisle & Gallagher Group, Inc. in the North American market, which is the largest IT services market in the world and is expected to grow even further.

(5) Other Business Segment

In the other business segment, operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥1,294.5 billion (an increase of 1.7% from the previous fiscal year), primarily due to increased revenues in the real estate business as a result of improved vacancy rates for both new and existing properties in the leasing business and as a result of the expansion of property sales, among other factors. On the other hand, operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 also increased to ¥1,220.4 billion (an increase of 1.3% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in revenue-linked expenses.

As a result, segment operating income increased to ¥74.0 billion (an increase of 9.7% from the previous fiscal year).

 

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(Reference) Geographic Sales Information

 

     As of March 31,                
     2015      2016      Change      Percent Change  
     (in billions of yen)         

Domestic(*)

     9,509.9         9,646.2         136.3         1.4

Overseas(*)

     1,585.4         1,894.8         309.4         19.5

Operating revenues (Total)

     11,095.3         11,541.0         445.7         4.0

 

(*) Figures are shown based on the geographic location of the services and products provided.

Domestic operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥9,646.2 billion (an increase of 1.4% from the previous fiscal year), due to, among other things, an increase in IP/packet communications revenues and an increase in domestic system integration revenues. Foreign operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 increased to ¥1,894.8 billion (an increase of 19.5% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, the expansion of overseas consolidated subsidiaries.

Notes:

 

  1. MOU (average monthly minutes of use per unit): Average communication time per user

 

  2. ARPU: Average monthly revenue per unit

 

       Average monthly revenue per unit, or ARPU, is used to measure average monthly operating revenues attributable to each designated service on a per subscriber (user) basis. In the case of NTT Group’s fixed-line business, ARPU is calculated by dividing revenue items included in the operating revenues of NTT Group’s regional communications business segment (i.e., telephone subscriber lines, INS-Net and FLET’S Hikari) by the number of Active Subscribers to the relevant services. In the case of the mobile communications business, ARPU is calculated by dividing revenue items included in operating revenues from NTT Group’s mobile communications business segment, such as revenues from LTE (“Xi”) mobile phone services and FOMA mobile phone services, that are incurred consistently each month (i.e., basic monthly charges and voice/packet transmission charges), by the number of Active users to the relevant services. The calculation of these figures excludes revenues that are not representative of monthly average usage, such as telecommunications equipment sales, activation fees and universal service charges.

 

       NTT believes that its ARPU figures calculated in this way provide useful information regarding the monthly average usage of its subscribers. The revenue items included in the numerators of NTT Group’s ARPU figures are based on its financial results comprising its U.S. GAAP results of operations.

 

  3. Method of calculating ARPU

 

  (a) NTT East and NTT West

 

       NTT separately computes the following two categories of ARPU for the fixed-line business conducted by each of NTT East and NTT West, using the following measures:

 

   

Aggregate Fixed-line ARPU (Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net Subscriber Lines): Calculated based on revenues from monthly charges and call charges for Telephone Subscriber Lines and INS-Net Subscriber Lines, which are included in operating revenues from Voice Transmission Services (excluding IP Services), and revenues from FLET’S ADSL and FLET’S ISDN, which are included in operating revenues from IP Services.

 

   

FLET’S Hikari ARPU: Calculated based on revenues from FLET’S Hikari (including FLET’S Hikari optional services), which are included in operating revenues from IP Services and Supplementary Business, revenues from monthly charges, call charges and device connection

 

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charges for Hikari Denwa, which are included in operating revenues from IP Services, and revenues from “FLET’S Hikari” optional services, which are included in Supplementary Business revenues.

(1) FLET’S Hikari includes B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light, FLET’S Hikari Lightplus and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT East, B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Premium, FLET’S Hikari Mytown, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT West, and the “Hikari Collaboration Model” wholesale provision of services provided by NTT East and NTT West to service providers. FLET’S Hikari optional services include wholesale services provided to service providers by NTT East and NTT West.

(2) Revenues from interconnection charges are excluded from the calculation of Aggregate Fixed-line ARPU (Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net Subscriber Lines) and FLET’S Hikari ARPU.

(3) For purposes of calculating Aggregate Fixed-line ARPU (Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net Subscriber Lines), the number of subscribers is determined using the number of lines for each service.

(4) In terms of number of channels, transmission rate, and line use rate (base rate), INS-Net 1500 is in all cases roughly ten times greater than INS-Net 64. For this reason, one INS-Net 1500 subscription is calculated as ten INS-Net 64 subscriptions.

(5) For purposes of calculating FLET’S Hikari ARPU, the number of subscribers is determined based on the number of FLET’S Hikari subscribers (including B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light, FLET’S Hikari Lightplus and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT East, B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Premium, FLET’S Hikari Mytown, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT West), and “Hikari Collaboration Model” wholesale services provided by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.

(6) Number of Active Subscribers used in the ARPU calculation of NTT East and NTT West is as below:

FY Results: Sum of number of Active Subscribers for each month from April to March

Active Subscribers = (number of subscribers at end of previous month + number of subscribers at end of current month)/2

 

  (b) NTT DOCOMO

NTT computes ARPU for NTT DOCOMO as follows:

Mobile Aggregate ARPU = Voice ARPU + Packet ARPU + “docomo Hikari” ARPU.

(1) NTT DOCOMO’s Voice ARPU is based on operating revenues related to voice services, such as basic monthly charges and voice communication charges, and its Packet ARPU is based on operating revenues related to packet services, such as basic monthly charges, flat monthly fees and packet communication charges attributable to its LTE (“Xi”) and “FOMA” services, and its “docomo Hikari” ARPU is based on operating revenues from basic monthly charges and voice communication charges for “docomo Hikari” (including “docomo Hikari” optional services).

(2) NTT DOCOMO’s ARPU and MOU calculation methods changed from the second quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Accordingly, the ARPU data for the results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 have also changed.

(3) Number of Active Users used in the ARPU calculation of NTT DOCOMO is as below.

FY Results: Sum of number of Active Users for each month from April to March

Active Users = (number of users at end of previous month + number of users at end of current month)/2.

 

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(4) The number of “users” used to calculate ARPU is the total number of subscriptions, excluding the subscriptions listed below:

No. of active users = subscriptions

 

  a. Subscriptions of communication module services, “Phone Number Storage,” “Mail Address Storage,” “docomo Business Transceiver” and wholesale telecommunications services and interconnecting telecommunications facilities that are provided to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs); and

 

  b. Data Plan subscriptions in the case where the customer contracting for such subscription in his/her name also has a subscription for “Xi” or “FOMA” services in his/her name.

Revenues from communication module services, “Phone Number Storage,” “Mail Address Storage,” “docomo Business Transceiver” and wholesale telecommunications services and interconnecting telecommunications facilities that are provided to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are not included in NTT DOCOMO’s ARPU calculation.

Results of Operations

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

Telecommunications Circuit Facilities

In order to provide high-quality telecommunications services, NTT Group owns and operates a wide range of telecommunications circuit facilities. The following table lists the number of lines, circuits, channels or subscribers, as the case may be, for NTT Group’s major services as of March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015:

(Thousands, except for Public Telephones)

 

     As of Mar. 31,
2014
     As of Mar. 31,
2015
     Change     Percent Change  

Telephone Subscriber Lines(1)

     23,000         21,286         (1,713     (7.4 )% 

NTT East

     11,272         10,492         (780     (6.9 )% 

NTT West

     11,727         10,794         (933     (8.0 )% 

INS-Net(2)

     3,366         3,058         (309     (9.2 )% 

NTT East

     1,719         1,559         (160     (9.3 )% 

NTT West

     1,647         1,499         (148     (9.0 )% 

Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net

     26,366         24,344         (2,022     (7.7 )% 

NTT East

     12,992         12,051         (941     (7.2 )% 

NTT West

     13,374         12,293         (1,081     (8.1 )% 

Public Telephones

     195,514         183,655         (11,859     (6.1 )% 

NTT East

     93,424         87,785         (5,639     (6.0 )% 

NTT West

     102,090         95,870         (6,220     (6.1 )% 

FLET’S ISDN

     109         95         (14     (12.6 )% 

NTT East

     48         42         (6     (13.3 )% 

NTT West

     61         53         (7     (12.1 )% 

FLET’S ADSL

     1,483         1,219         (264     (17.8 )% 

NTT East

     667         550         (117     (17.5 )% 

NTT West

     816         669         (147     (18.0 )% 

FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model)(3)

     18,050         18,716         665        3.7

NTT East

     10,187         10,403         215        2.1

NTT West

     7,863         8,313         450        5.7

Hikari Collaboration Model

     —           270         270        —     

NTT East

     —           190         190        —     

NTT West

     —           80         80        —     

 

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     As of Mar. 31,
2014
     As of Mar. 31,
2015
     Change     Percent Change  

Hikari Denwa(4)

     16,256         17,108         852        5.2

NTT East

     8,694         9,032         337        3.9

NTT West

     7,562         8,076         515        6.8

Conventional Leased Circuit Services

     250         241         (9     (3.6 )% 

NTT East

     122         117         (5     (4.3 )% 

NTT West

     128         124         (4     (2.9 )% 

High Speed Digital Services

     144         127         (16     (11.2 )% 

NTT East

     74         66         (9     (11.6 )% 

NTT West

     69         62         (7     (10.8 )% 

NTT Group Major ISPs(5)

     11,466         11,586         120        1.0

OCN

     8,155         8,282         128        1.6

Plala

     2,974         2,960         (14     (0.5 )% 

Hikari TV

     2,823         3,014         191        6.8

FLET’S TV Transmission Services(4)

     1,161         1,345         184        15.8

NTT East

     802         877         75        9.4

NTT West

     359         468         108        30.1

Mobile(6)

     63,105         66,595         3,490        5.5

LTE (“Xi”)

     21,965         30,744         8,779        40.0

FOMA(7)

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

sp-mode

     23,781         28,160         4,379        18.4

i-mode

     26,415         22,338         (4,077     (15.4 )% 

 

(1) Number of Telephone Subscriber Lines is the total of individual lines and central station lines (including lines under the Subscriber Telephone Light Plan).

 

(2) INS-Net includes INS-Net 64 and INS-Net 1500. In terms of the number of channels, transmission rate, and line use rate (base rate), INS-Net 1500 is in all cases roughly ten times greater than INS-Net 64. For this reason, one INS-Net 1500 subscription is calculated as ten INS-Net 64 subscriptions (including INS-Net 64 Lite Plan subscriptions).

 

(3) Number of FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model) subscribers includes subscribers to “B FLET’S,” “FLET’S Hikari Next,” “FLET’S Hikari Light” and “FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access” provided by NTT East, subscribers to “B FLET’S,” “FLET’S Hikari Premium,” “FLET’S Hikari Mytown,” “FLET’S Hikari Next,” “FLET’S Hikari Light” and “FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access” provided by NTT West, and the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the wholesale provision of services by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.

 

(4) “Hikari Denwa” and “FLET’S TV Transmission Services” include wholesale services provided by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.

 

(5) NTT Group Major ISPs includes WAKWAK and InfoSphere, in addition to OCN and Plala.

 

(6) Number of Mobile (including LTE (“Xi”) and FOMA) service subscribers includes communication module service subscribers.

 

(7) Effective March 3, 2008, FOMA services became mandatory for subscription to “2in1” services. Such FOMA service subscriptions to “2in1” services are included in the number of Mobile service subscribers and also in the number of FOMA service subscribers.

 

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Operating Results

 

     Year Ended March 31,              
     2014     2015     Change     Percent Change  
     (in billions of yen)        

Operating revenues:

     10,925.2        11,095.3        170.1        1.6

Fixed voice related services

     1,578.9        1,441.4        (137.6     (8.7 )% 

Mobile voice related services

     1,052.6        872.1        (180.6     (17.2 )% 

IP/Packet communications services

     3,711.9        3,672.2        (39.7     (1.1 )% 

Sales of telecommunications equipment

     969.7        997.0        27.3        2.8

System integration

     2,275.0        2,691.8        416.7        18.3

Other

     1,337.0        1,421.0        83.9        6.3

Operating expenses

     9,711.5        10,010.8        299.2        3.1

Operating income

     1,213.7        1,084.6        (129.1     (10.6 )% 

Other income (expenses)

     80.5        (17.9     (98.5     —     

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

     1,294.2        1,066.6        (227.6     (17.6 )% 

Income tax expense (benefit)

     486.5        397.3        (89.2     (18.3 )% 

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

     (50.8     5.9        56.7        —     

Net income

     756.9        675.2        (81.7     (10.8 )% 

Less—net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     171.4        157.1        (14.3     (8.3 )% 

Net income attributable to NTT

     585.5        518.1        (67.4     (11.5 )% 

Operating Revenues

NTT Group’s operating revenues are divided into six service categories, comprising fixed voice related services, mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment, system integration and other services.

Operating revenues in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased 1.6% from the previous fiscal year to ¥11,095.3 billion. This increase was due to such factors as an increase in system integration revenues accompanying the growth in overseas business, which was partially offset by a continued decline in voice related revenues.

Operating revenues for each service category for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 are summarized as follows:

Fixed Voice Related Services

NTT Group’s fixed voice related services include a portion of the services it provides in the regional communications business segment and long distance and international communications business segment, such as telephone subscriber lines, INS-Net, conventional leased circuits and high speed digital.

Fixed voice related revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 8.7% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,441.4 billion, accounting for 13.0% of total operating revenues. This was due to a continued decline in the number of subscriptions for telephone subscriber lines and INS-Net caused by the popularity of mobile phones and optical IP telephones.

Mobile Voice Related Services

Mobile voice related services include a portion of the services NTT Group provides in the mobile communications business segment, such as LTE (“Xi”) and FOMA.

 

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Mobile voice related revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 17.2% from the previous fiscal year to ¥872.1 billion, accounting for 7.9% of total operating revenues. This was due to a decrease in voice ARPU resulting from the increased penetration of the “Monthly Support” discount program in conjunction with increased smartphone sales, and the earlier effects of the reduction in revenue caused by the new “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan. For details of voice ARPU, see “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014—Mobile Communications Business Segment.” “MOU” refers to the average monthly minutes of use per subscriber.

IP/Packet Communications Services

NTT Group’s IP/packet communications services include a portion of the services it provides in the regional communications business segment, such as FLET’S Hikari and FLET’S ADSL, and a portion of the services it provides in the long distance and international communications business segment, such as IP-VPN, wide area Ethernet and OCN, as well as a portion of the services it provides in the mobile communications business segment, such as LTE (“Xi”) and FOMA packet communications services.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, revenues from IP/packet communications services decreased 1.1% from the previous fiscal year to ¥3,672.2 billion, accounting for 33.1% of total operating revenues. In spite of increased subscriptions for FLET’S Hikari and Hikari Denwa in the regional communications business segment and an increase in the number of smartphone users in the mobile communications business segment, revenues decreased slightly due to factors such as the migration to low-priced services in the long distance and international communications business segment, the impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program and the earlier effects of the reduction in revenue caused by the new “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan in the mobile communications business segment.

Sales of Telecommunications Equipment

This category includes a portion of the services NTT Group provides in the regional communications business segment and the mobile communications business segment.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, revenues from telecommunications equipment sales increased 2.8% from the previous fiscal year to ¥997.0 billion, accounting for 9.0% of total operating revenues. This increase was due to an increase in the number of sales of handsets such as smartphones in the mobile communications business segment.

System Integration

NTT Group’s system integration services include its data communications business segment and a portion of the services it provides in the long distance and international communications business segment and the regional communications business segment.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, revenues from system integration increased 18.3% from the previous fiscal year to ¥2,691.8 billion, accounting for 24.3% of total operating revenues. This increase was due to factors such as the growth in overseas business.

Other

Other services principally comprise building maintenance, real estate rentals, systems development, leasing activities and research and development.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, revenues from other services increased 6.3% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,421.0 billion, accounting for 12.8% of total operating revenues. This increase was due mainly to an increase in revenues associated with operations in the Smart Life business sector in the mobile communications business segment.

 

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Operating Expenses

Operating expenses in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased 3.1% from the previous fiscal year to ¥10,010.8 billion. The reasons for the increase are discussed below. Personnel expenses and expenses for purchase of goods and services and other expenses, described below, are included in cost of services, cost of equipment sold, cost of system integration, and selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Personnel Expenses

Personnel expenses in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased 5.6% from the previous fiscal year to ¥2,280.2 billion. This increase was mainly due to an increase in the number of consolidated overseas subsidiaries, despite the ongoing reduction in the number of personnel employed in the regional communications business segment.

Expenses for Purchase of Goods and Services and Other Expenses

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, cost of services and equipment sold and selling, general and administrative expenses collectively increased 3.7% from the previous fiscal year to ¥5,451.6 billion. Improving operational efficiency reduced expenses in the regional communications business segment, long distance and international communications business segment and mobile communications business segment. However, overall expenses increased compared with the previous fiscal year as a result of, among other things, an increase in the number of consolidated overseas subsidiaries and, in the mobile communications business segment, an increase of ¥63.6 billion in the aggregate wholesale unit prices of communications handsets due to the increase in unit procurement costs, as smartphones continued to sell steadily and accounted for a growing proportion of handset sales.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 2.8% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,828.0 billion. This decrease was mainly due to a reduction in investments as a result of making more efficient capital investments and a reduction of ¥51.3 billion as a result of the revision of the expected useful life of software for certain telecommunications network and internal-use software.

Operating Income

As a result of the foregoing, operating income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 10.6% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,084.6 billion.

Other Operating Revenues and Expenses

Other Income (Expenses)

Other income (expenses) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased to ¥(17.9) billion, from ¥80.5 billion in the previous fiscal year. This was mainly due to a recorded gain of ¥60.0 billion during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, which was not recorded for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, and which resulted from the exchange of NTT’s leasehold interest for the right to receive part of the building it will occupy.

Income before Income Taxes and Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Affiliated Companies

Net income before income taxes in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 17.6% from the previous fiscal year to ¥1,066.6 billion for the reasons discussed above.

 

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Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, income tax expense decreased 18.3% from the previous fiscal year to ¥397.3 billion. This increase in income tax expense was due to the Act for the Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act enacted on March 31, 2015, which changed, among other things, the corporate tax rates for fiscal years beginning on or after April 1, 2015. Due to this change, the statutory tax rate to be used for the calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the temporary differences expected to be resolved in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 and thereafter decreased from approximately 36% to approximately 33% and 32%, respectively. As a result, net deferred tax assets existing on the enactment date decreased by ¥54.4 billion, which effect is included in “Income tax expenses (benefit): Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. On the other hand, income tax expense decreased primarily due to, among other things, the reduction in income before income taxes, as well as changes in the corporate tax rate for fiscal years beginning from April 1, 2014 as per the Act for the Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act promulgated on March 31, 2014. As a result, effective tax rates for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 were 37.59%, and 37.25%, respectively.

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was ¥5.9 billion compared to ¥(50.8) billion for the previous fiscal year. This increase was due to, among other things, the fact that ¥(51.2) billion in impairment losses were recognized in the previous fiscal year under “Investment in affiliated companies” related to Indian telecommunications carrier Tata Teleservices Limited (“TTSL”), while no impairment losses related to TTSL were recognized for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

Net Income and Net Income Attributable to NTT

As a result, net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 10.8% from the previous fiscal year to ¥675.2 billion. Net income attributable to NTT (excluding the portion attributable to non-controlling interests) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased 11.5% from the previous fiscal year to ¥518.1 billion.

Segment Information

NTT Group has five business segments: regional communications business, long distance and international communications business, mobile communications business, data communications business and other business. (For further details, see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.)

The regional communications business segment comprises fixed voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment, system integration services and other services.

The long distance and international communications business segment principally comprises fixed voice related services, IP/packet communications services, system integration services and other services.

The mobile communications business segment comprises mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment and other services.

The data communications business segment comprises system integration services.

The other business segment principally comprises building maintenance, real estate rentals, systems development, leasing activities and other services related to research and development.

 

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An overview of the operational results for each business segment is as follows:

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

 

    Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015  

Service Types

  Operating
Revenues
(millions of yen)
    Comparison
with Previous
Fiscal Year (%)
 

Regional communications business

  Fixed voice related services     1,405,870        (7.5 )% 
  IP/packet communications services     1,547,096        2.0
  System integration services     163,424        (1.1 )% 
  Other services     389,129        4.9
 

Total (including intersegment revenues)

    3,505,519        (1.9 )% 
 

Intersegment

    473,227        6.8
 

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

    3,032,292        (3.1 )% 

Long distance and international communications business

  Fixed voice related services     307,119        (11.6 )% 
  IP/packet communications services     361,911        (3.1 )% 
  System integration services     1,159,750        26.2
  Other services     169,861        (0.0 )% 
 

Total (including intersegment revenues)

    1,998,641        10.4
 

Intersegment

    91,857        (4.8 )% 
 

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

    1,906,784        11.3

Mobile communications business

  Mobile voice related services     883,845        (17.0 )% 
  IP/packet communications services     1,853,002        (2.0 )% 
  Other services     1,646,550        9.4
 

Total (including intersegment revenues)

    4,383,397        (1.7 )% 
 

Intersegment

    43,080        11.6
 

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

    4,340,317        (1.9 )% 

Data communications business

  System integration services (including intersegment revenues)     1,511,019        12.4
 

Intersegment

    109,671        (10.4 )% 
 

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

    1,401,348        14.7

Other business

  Other services (including intersegment revenues)     1,272,240        (4.2 )% 
 

Intersegment

    857,664        (3.7 )% 
 

Total (excluding intersegment revenues)

    414,576        (5.4 )% 

Total Consolidated Operating Revenues

    11,095,317        1.6

 

Note: The above figures do not include consumption tax or other taxes.

(1) Regional Communications Business Segment

Despite an increase in IP/packet communications revenues attributable to the increase in “FLET’S Hikari” and “Hikari Denwa” subscriptions, operating revenues in the regional communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased to ¥3,505.5 billion (a decrease of 1.9% from the previous fiscal year) due to a decrease in fixed voice related revenues resulting from the decline in fixed-line telephone subscriptions. On the other hand, due to a decrease in personnel expenses, as well as a reduction in expenses resulting from sustained operational efficiency improvements, operating expenses decreased to ¥3,336.7 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (a decrease of 3.1% from the previous fiscal year).

As a result, segment operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased 32.7% to ¥168.9 billion.

 

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The state of operations for each service in the regional communications business segment was as follows:

(Fixed Voice Related Services)

As a result of the shift in customer demand to mobile telephones, IP phones and broadband access services, the aggregate number of fixed line subscriptions (fixed-line telephone & INS-Net) as of March 31, 2015 stood at 24,344 thousand, a decrease of 2,022 thousand from the previous fiscal year.

The numbers of fixed-line telephone and INS-Net subscriptions were as follows:

 

     As of March 31,               
     2014      2015      Change     Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

NTT East:

          

Telephone subscriptions

     11,272         10,492         (780     (6.9 )% 

INS-Net subscriptions

     1,719         1,559         (160     (9.3 )% 

NTT West:

          

Telephone subscriptions

     11,727         10,794         (933     (8.0 )% 

INS-Net subscriptions

     1,647         1,499         (148     (9.0 )% 

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, aggregate fixed-line ARPU (telephone subscriber lines plus INS-Net subscriber lines) was ¥2,700 for NTT East and ¥2,650 for NTT West, a decrease of ¥60 (2.2%) and ¥40 (1.5%), respectively, from the corresponding figures in the previous fiscal year. This decline was due to the shift by high-volume users to IP telephone services and the migration of users from fixed-line services to mobile phone services.

See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014—Footnote 2, ‘ARPU: Average monthly revenue per unit’” for a description of ARPU, and “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014—Footnote 3, ‘Method of calculating ARPU—(a) NTT East, NTT West’” for a description of how aggregate fixed-line ARPU is calculated.

The numbers of registrations to MYLINE, a phone company selection service, were as follows:

 

    As of March 31,        
    2014     2015     Change  

Intra-city:

     

NTT East

    55.7     56.5     0.8

NTT West

    52.9     53.8     0.9

NTT Communications

    33.3     32.7     (0.6 )% 

Intra-prefectural and inter-city:

     

NTT East

    52.0     52.9     0.9

NTT West

    49.7     50.6     0.9

NTT Communications

    34.2     33.6     (0.6 )% 

Access charges for functions subject to calculation under the LRIC Methodology (which is applied to the majority of public network usage) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 were ¥5.39 per three minutes for GC interconnection charges and ¥6.84 per three minutes for IC interconnection charges. Revenues (including subsidies to NTT East and NTT West) from these access charges for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by ¥8.1 billion from the previous fiscal year to ¥55.1 billion for NTT East and by ¥9.1 billion from the previous fiscal year to ¥61.3 billion for NTT West.

 

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Although NTT offers dedicated fixed-rate, high-quality access services for business users, as a result of the provision of services such as “Business Ether WIDE,” which utilizes the NGN, and other Ethernet services suited to low-cost and highly reliable local area network (“LAN”) communications, as well as the shift in demand for IP system services such as “FLET’S VPN WIDE,” the decreasing trend in the number of subscribers to leased circuit services is continuing.

The number of subscriptions for leased circuit services in the regional communications business segment was as follows:

 

     As of March 31,               
     2014      2015      Change     Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

NTT East:

          

Conventional leased circuits

     122         117         (5     (4.3 )% 

High-speed digital circuits

     74         66         (9     (11.6 )% 

NTT West:

          

Conventional leased circuits

     128         124         (4     (2.9 )% 

High-speed digital circuits

     69         62         (7     (10.8 )% 

(IP/Packet Communications Services)

In the regional communications business segment, NTT Group has worked to build a solid revenue base by enhancing and expanding FLET’S Hikari and other broadband services. Specifically, starting on July 1, 2014, NTT East began offering the new “FLET’S Hikari” services “FLET’S Hikari Next Giga Family Smart Type” and “FLET’S Hikari Next Giga Mansion Smart Type,” which provide transmission speeds at the fastest available level in Japan for both access networks and home wireless LAN devices. These services provide a maximum upload and download (sending and receiving data) transmission speed of about 1Gbps and are compatible with the latest high-speed wireless LAN standards. Furthermore, in order to allow even more customers to utilize “FLET’S Hikari,” NTT East has implemented discount campaigns aimed at attracting new subscribers, including the “Giga Push! Campaign” and “Lighter than FLET’S Hikari Light! Discount” programs. Meanwhile, in the area of optical IP telephone services, NTT West worked to expand services utilizing video communications through, among other things, the launch of “Mimamori Video Phone Pack,” a service intended for nursing care and welfare purposes, which supports communications between individuals requiring nursing care and in-home caretakers. NTT West also worked to expand “Hikari Denwa Office A (Ace)” for its corporate IP telephone customers, to lower the costs of communication between the customers’ main offices and branch offices.

As a result of these initiatives, as of March 31, 2015, the number of FLET’S Hikari subscriptions had risen to 18,716 thousand channels, an increase of 665 thousand (3.7%) compared to the previous fiscal year; the number of Hikari Denwa subscriptions increased to 17,108 thousand channels, an increase of 852 thousand channels (5.2%) compared to the previous fiscal year; and the number of FLET’S TV subscriptions increased to 1,345 thousand channels, an increase of 184 thousand channels (15.8%) compared to the previous fiscal year.

 

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The numbers of subscriptions for “FLET’S Hikari,” “FLET’S ADSL,” “Hikari Denwa,” the IP telephone service, and “FLET’S TV Transmission Service” were as follows:

 

     As of March 31,               
     2014      2015      Change     Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

NTT East:

          

FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model)(1)

     10,187         10,403         215        2.1

FLET’S ADSL

     667         550         (117     (17.5 )% 

Hikari Denwa (channels)(2)

     8,694         9,032         337        3.9

FLET’S TV Transmission Service(2)

     802         877         75        9.4

NTT West:

          

FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model)(1)

     7,863         8,313         450        5.7

FLET’S ADSL

     816         669         (147     (18.0 )% 

Hikari Denwa (channels)(2)

     7,562         8,076         515        6.8

FLET’S TV Transmission Service(2)

     359         468         108        30.1

 

(1) FLET’S Hikari (including Hikari Collaboration Model) includes B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT East, B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Premium, FLET’S Hikari Mytown, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT West, and the “Hikari Collaboration Model,” the wholesale provision of services by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.
(2) The figures for “Hikari Denwa” and “FLET’S TV Transmission Service” include wholesale services provided to service providers by NTT East and NTT West.

FLET’S Hikari ARPU for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was ¥5,490 for NTT East and ¥5,680 for NTT West, ¥170 (3.0%) and ¥150 (2.6%) lower, respectively, than in the previous fiscal year. The main reason for these decreases was the expansion of cheaper rate plans and discount services.

See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014—Footnote 3, ‘Method of calculating ARPU—(a) NTT East, NTT West’” for a description of how FLET’S Hikari ARPU is calculated.

(System Integration Services)

NTT Group has conducted business activities aimed at corporate customers to enable its regional customers to utilize ICT, primarily by providing solutions tailored to specific businesses based on industry characteristics and trends.

Specifically, on June 20, 2014, NTT East launched the “Biz Hikari Cloud Natural Disaster Victim Relief Support System” for local governments as a cloud-based service that comprehensively supports efforts to aid in disaster victims’ livelihood rehabilitation, such as “Issuance of Disaster Damage Certificates” (*) by local governments. This system enables local governments to support disaster victims promptly and impartially and allows disaster victims to receive rapid support in the event of a disaster.

Meanwhile, beginning in February 2014, as a collaborative initiative with local governments, NTT West began collaborating with the Wazuka Town in Kyoto to use ICT to revitalize regional communities and improve community services. After successful field trials of the television-based government information delivery system, NTT West launched sales of the “Hikari Town Channel,” a local government information delivery system for television using “Hikari BOX+,” as a new service for local governments.

* Documents by which local governments certify the extent of damage to homes and such during disasters, such as fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. These documents are required when applying for support funds for disaster victim relief or disaster restoration home financing, and claiming indemnity insurance payments, among other things.

 

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(Other Services)

With respect to sales of telecommunications equipment, a part of other services, NTT provides business telephones for corporate customers, multi-function digital devices, business fax machines, and home telecommunications equipment.

(2) Long Distance and International Communications Business Segment

Despite a decline in domestic fixed voice related revenues, operating revenues in the long distance and international communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased to ¥1,998.6 billion (an increase of 10.4% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in system integration revenues as a result of the expansion of overseas consolidated subsidiaries. On the other hand, operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased to ¥1,885.1 billion (an increase of 12.0% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in personnel expenses, expenses for the purchase of goods and services and other expenses as a result of an increase in the number of consolidated subsidiaries. As a result, segment operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased to ¥113.6 billion (a decrease of 10.9% from the previous fiscal year).

Operations for each service in the long distance and international communications business segment were as follows:

(Fixed Voice Related Services)

NTT Group continued to respond to a variety of customer needs for telephone services through domestic and international telephone services such as “PL@TINUM LINE.”

The following table shows the market share of MYLINE registrations in the long distance and international communications business segment:

 

     As of March 31,        
     2014     2015     Change  

Inter-prefectural

     82.3     82.6     0.3

International

     80.9     81.3     0.4

(IP/Packet Communications Services)

In terms of products for individual customers, for “OCN mobile ONE,” a mobile data communications service for individual consumers, NTT Communications substantially increased the number of its subscribers by adding new functions, revising rate plans, and undertaking other initiatives, such as offering “voice-enabled SIM cards,” which allow users to make voice calls, starting from December 2014.

For corporate customers, NTT Communications launched a number of advanced functions for “Arcstar Universal One,” a corporate network service currently provided in 196 countries and regions. For example, in August 2014, NTT Communications released “Arcstar Universal One Advanced Option,” a cloud-based network function that uses NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) technology, and also launched “Arcstar Universal One Virtual,” which allows customers to build virtual networks quickly and easily, regardless of their existing network environment or the device being used.

 

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The following table shows the number of subscriptions for IP/packet communications-related services in the long distance and international communications business segment:

 

     As of March 31               
     2014      2015      Change     Percent change  
     (in thousands)        

IP-VPN

     87         59         (28     (32.4 )% 

OCN (ISP)

     8,155         8,282         128        1.6

Plala (ISP)*

     2,974         2,960         (14     (0.5 )% 

Hikari TV*

     2,823         3,014         191        6.8

 

* Revenues from Plala and Hikari TV are included in “Other services” of the Long distance and international communications business described in the operational results table for each business segment above.

(System Integration Services)

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT Group worked to expand its global cloud services in line with its Medium-Term Management Strategy adopted in November 2012, entitled “Towards the Next Stage.” To reinforce the structure by which it provides global cloud services, NTT Communications and Dimension Data, leading companies in this segment, acquired additional consolidated subsidiaries as described in “Item 4—Information on the Company—Global Businesses,” as well as began providing new services.

NTT Group has expanded the variety of functions provided by NTT Communications’ “Enterprise Cloud” corporate cloud service. In April 2014, NTT Communications began offering companies the ability to connect to its data center colocation areas in the same network segment using SDN (Software-Defined Network) technology. NTT Communications then began enabling companies to use a customer portal to set and change network settings for cloud-connected VPN and internet connections and cloud-based networks in October 2014. Through these and other initiatives, NTT Communications expanded several of its capacities to even more smoothly accommodate the hybridization of its customers’ ICT environments. NTT Communications also added a new service location in Japan, expanding its service areas to 12 locations across nine countries/regions.

With respect to its global business, NTT Group endeavored to respond to the needs of multinational companies by enhancing its total, high value-added ICT services that combine network integration with data center, security and server management services. Specifically, NTT Group provided global one-stop, comprehensive ICT services, primarily through its subsidiary Dimension Data, which has a direct presence in 58 countries and has expanded to a broader footprint in a further 103 locations through its Preferred Partner Program.

Dimension Data’s execution priorities both during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and into the future include aiming to stay ahead of changes in the global market, improving profitably of its System Integration Services business, and maximizing the business value its solutions provide to its clients. Dimension Data anticipates that it will continue to prioritize the following initiatives: enhancing the company’s remote maintenance services, which are a key source of its revenue; improving market competitiveness; increasing its market share in the areas of networking, security, and communications; increasing the value that its technology provides to customers; and expanding into IT outsourcing.

To reinforce the structure by which it provides global cloud services, Dimension Data will continue to expand its ITaaS (IT-as-a-Service) service unit and provide public cloud solutions from its 16 Managed Cloud Platforms (MCPs), as well as private and hybrid cloud solutions. Going forward, Dimension Data’s focus will be on increasing its market share by helping clients to reduce costs and time required to deploy and support IT infrastructure, and helping them to transform their business by, for example, using its “as-a-service” approach.

 

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(3) Mobile Communications Business Segment

Despite the expansion of NTT Group’s Smart Life business and other areas, consolidated operating revenues for the mobile communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased to ¥4,383.4 billion (a decrease of 1.7% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other factors, a decline in mobile voice revenues, primarily as a result of the impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program and the new “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan. Further, despite the promotion of cost optimization initiatives, consolidated operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased to ¥3,747.6 billion (an increase of 2.8% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other factors, the increased cost of mobile handsets and other revenue-linked expenses. As a result, consolidated operating income decreased to ¥635.8 billion (a decrease of 22.2% from the previous fiscal year).

Operations for each service in the mobile communications business segment were as follows:

(Mobile Voice Related Services / IP/Packet Communications Services)

In the fiscal year ended March, 2015, NTT DOCOMO launched the new “Kake-hodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan in order to strengthen its competitiveness in the mobile area, which led to improvements in net subscription numbers and churn rates.

As of March 31, 2015, the number of subscriptions to NTT DOCOMO mobile phone services increased by 3.49 million, from 63.11 million at the end of the previous fiscal year to 66.60 million subscriptions. In mobile phone services, the number of LTE (“Xi”) service subscriptions increased from 21.97 million as of the end of the previous fiscal year to 30.74 million as of March 31, 2015, an increase of 8.78 million subscriptions (40.0%), and the number of FOMA service subscriptions decreased by 5.29 million (12.9%) to 35.85 million subscriptions, from 41.14 million as of the end of the previous fiscal year. In addition, churn rates improved to 0.71%, a reduction of 0.16% compared to the end of the previous fiscal year.

The following table shows the number of mobile communications subscriptions and estimated market share:

 

     As of March 31,              
     2014     2015     Change     Percent Change  
     (in thousands)        

Mobile phone services(1)

     63,105        66,595        3,490        5.5

LTE (“Xi”) services

     21,965        30,744        8,779        40.0

FOMA services(1)

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

Estimated mobile phone market share(1)(2)

     43.8     43.6     (0.2 %)      —    

sp-mode services

     23,781        28,160        4,379        18.4

i-mode services

     26,415        22,338        (4,077     (15.4 )% 

 

(1) Includes communications module service subscriptions. Effective from March 3, 2008, use of the “2in1” service (a multiple number service that makes more than one phone number available for use on one mobile phone) has been conditioned on conclusion of an additional FOMA agreement, and the number of mobile phone service subscriptions and FOMA subscriptions includes such additional FOMA contracts.
(2) Market share data is based on number of subscriptions of other carriers, which is computed based on figures released by the Telecommunications Carriers Association.

Aggregate ARPU of mobile phone services decreased by ¥240 (5.2%) to ¥4,370 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, from ¥4,610 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. This was due to a decrease of ¥230 (16.3%) in voice ARPU to ¥1,180 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, from ¥1,410 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, resulting from the increasing impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program and the decline in revenues caused by new billing plans. Despite the increase in subscriptions for smartphones and other devices, packet ARPU also decreased by ¥100 (3.7%) to ¥2,600 in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, from ¥2,700 in the previous year, mainly as a result of the increased impact of the “Monthly Support” discount program. Meanwhile, smart ARPU increased by ¥90 (18.0%) to ¥590 from ¥500 the previous fiscal year due to, among other things, an increase in revenues from “dmarket” services.

 

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See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014—Footnote 1, ‘MOU (average monthly minutes of use per unit): Average communication time per subscription’” at the end of this item for a description of how MOU is calculated. See “—Segment Information—The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014—Footnote 3, ‘Method of calculating ARPU—(b) NTT DOCOMO’” at the end of this item for a description of how ARPU is calculated for mobile phone services.

The following table shows data regarding ARPU and MOU of mobile phone services:

 

     As of March 31,               
     2014      2015      Change     Percent Change  

Aggregate ARPU

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

Voice ARPU

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

Packet ARPU

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

Smart ARPU

     500         590         90        18.0

MOU (minutes)

     109         112         3        2.8

(Other Services)

With respect to sales of telecommunications equipment, a part of other services, in order to meet the diverse needs of its customers, NTT DOCOMO has strived to enrich its handset lineup, adding new models such as Android smartphones, iPhone 6*, iPhone 6 Plus*, “docomo keitai” feature phones, “docomo tablets,” wearable devices and Wi-Fi routers, among other devices. As a result of these initiatives, mobile phone sales increased to 23.75 million units for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 (an increase of 1.24 million units compared to the previous fiscal year), of which 14.60 million units were sales of smartphones, representing an increase of 5.9% compared to 13.78 million units sold the previous fiscal year.

 

*

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

(4) Data Communications Business Segment

Operating revenues in the data communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased to ¥1,511.0 billion (an increase of 12.4% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in the number of overseas consolidated subsidiaries, the cultivation of new customers, and an expansion of the scale of systems provided to existing customers. On the other hand, despite a decrease in unprofitable transactions, operating expenses increased to ¥1,424.7 billion (an increase of 11.7% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, an increase in personnel expenses, expenses for the purchase of goods and services and other expenses as a result of an increase in the number of consolidated subsidiaries.

As a result, segment operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased 27.2% from the previous fiscal year to ¥86.4 billion.

Major operations for each service in the data communications business segment were as follows:

The revenues of the Public & Financial IT Services Company, which provides high value-added IT services that support government, medicine, finance, settlement and other social infrastructure, increased as a result of a reduction in unprofitable transactions and improved revenues due to the cultivation of new customers and the expansion of the scale of systems provided to existing customers at the NTT DATA parent company, a leading company in this segment.

The Global Business revenues of this segment, which supplies high value-added IT services predominantly in overseas markets under the guidance of the NTT DATA group, increased due to increased revenues from expanded consolidation.

 

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(5) Other Business Segment

In the other business segment, operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased to ¥1,272.2 billion (a decrease of 4.2% from the previous fiscal year), primarily due to decreased revenues in the real estate business as a result of a decrease in the number of apartments delivered. On the other hand, operating expenses for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 also decreased to ¥1,204.8 billion (a decrease of 5.3% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, a decrease in revenue-linked expenses.

As a result, segment operating income increased to ¥67.5 billion (an increase of 20.3% from the previous fiscal year).

(Reference) Geographic Sales Information

 

     As of March 31,               
     2014      2015      Change     Percent Change  
     (in billions of yen)        

Domestic(*)

     9,729.2         9,509.9         (219.3     (2.3 )% 

Overseas(*)

     1,196.0         1,585.4         389.4        32.6

Operating revenues (Total)

     10,925.2         11,095.3         170.1        1.6

 

(*) Figures are shown based on the geographic location of the services and products provided.

Domestic operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased to ¥9,509.9 billion (a decrease of 2.3% from the previous fiscal year), due to, among other things, a decrease in voice related revenues. Foreign operating revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased to ¥1,585.4 billion (an increase of 32.6% from the previous fiscal year) due to, among other things, the expansion of overseas consolidated subsidiaries.

Notes:

 

  1. MOU (average monthly minutes of use per unit): Average communication time per subscription

 

       The method of calculating the number of Active Subscribers when calculating MOU for NTT DOCOMO is as follows:

 

       FY Results: Sum of number of Active Subscribers for each month from April to March

 

       Active Subscribers = (number of subscribers at end of previous month + number of subscribers at end of current month)/2

 

  2. ARPU: Average monthly revenue per unit

 

       Average monthly revenue per unit, or ARPU, is used to measure average monthly operating revenues attributable to each designated service on a per user basis. In the case of NTT Group’s fixed-line business, ARPU is calculated by dividing revenue items included in the operating revenues of NTT Group’s regional communications business segment (i.e., telephone subscriber lines, INS-Net and FLET’S Hikari) by the number of Active Subscribers to the relevant services. In the case of the mobile communications business, ARPU is calculated by dividing revenue items included in operating revenues from NTT Group’s mobile communications business segment, such as revenues from LTE (“Xi”) mobile phone services and FOMA mobile phone services, that are incurred consistently each month (i.e., basic monthly charges and voice/packet transmission charges), by the number of Active Subscribers to the relevant services. The calculation of these figures excludes revenues that are not representative of monthly average usage, such as telecommunications equipment sales, activation fees and universal service charges.

 

       NTT believes that its ARPU figures calculated in this way provide useful information regarding the monthly average usage of its subscribers. The revenue items included in the numerators of NTT Group’s ARPU figures are based on its financial results comprising its U.S. GAAP results of operations.

 

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  3. Method of calculating ARPU

 

  (a) NTT East and NTT West

 

       NTT separately computes the following two categories of ARPU for the fixed-line business conducted by each of NTT East and NTT West, using the following measures:

 

   

Aggregate Fixed-line ARPU (Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net Subscriber Lines): Calculated based on revenues from monthly charges and call charges for Telephone Subscriber Lines and INS-Net Subscriber Lines, which are included in operating revenues from Voice Transmission Services (excluding IP Services), and revenues from FLET’S ADSL and FLET’S ISDN, which are included in operating revenues from IP Services.

 

   

FLET’S Hikari ARPU: Calculated based on revenues from FLET’S Hikari (including FLET’S Hikari optional services), which are included in operating revenues from IP Services and Supplementary Business, revenues from monthly charges, call charges and device connection charges for Hikari Denwa, which are included in operating revenues from IP Services, and revenues from “FLET’S Hikari” optional services, which are included in Supplementary Business revenues.

(1) FLET’S Hikari includes B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT East, B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Premium, FLET’S Hikari Mytown, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT West, and the “Hikari Collaboration Model” wholesale provision of services provided by NTT East and NTT West to service providers. FLET’S Hikari optional services include wholesale services provided to service providers by NTT East and NTT West.

(2) Revenues from interconnection charges are excluded from the calculation of Aggregate Fixed-line ARPU (Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net Subscriber Lines) and FLET’S Hikari ARPU.

(3) For purposes of calculating Aggregate Fixed-line ARPU (Telephone Subscriber Lines + INS-Net Subscriber Lines), the number of subscribers is determined using the number of lines for each service.

(4) In terms of number of channels, transmission rate, and line use rate (base rate), INS-Net 1500 is in all cases roughly ten times greater than INS-Net 64. For this reason, one INS-Net 1500 subscription is calculated as ten INS-Net 64 subscriptions.

(5) For purposes of calculating FLET’S Hikari ARPU, the number of subscribers is determined based on the number of FLET’S Hikari subscribers (including B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT East, B FLET’S, FLET’S Hikari Premium, FLET’S Hikari Mytown, FLET’S Hikari Next, FLET’S Hikari Light and FLET’S Hikari WiFi Access provided by NTT West), and “Hikari Collaboration Model” wholesale services provided by NTT East and NTT West to service providers.

(6) Number of Active Subscribers used in the ARPU calculation of NTT East and NTT West is as below:

FY Results: Sum of number of Active Subscribers for each month from April to March

Active Subscribers = (number of subscribers at end of previous month + number of subscribers at end of current month)/2

 

  (b) NTT DOCOMO

NTT computes ARPU for NTT DOCOMO as follows:

Mobile Aggregate ARPU = Voice ARPU + Packet ARPU + Smart ARPU.

(1) NTT DOCOMO’s Voice ARPU is based on operating revenues related to voice services, such as basic monthly charges and voice communication charges, and its Packet ARPU is based on

 

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operating revenues related to packet services, such as basic monthly charges, flat monthly fees and packet communication charges attributable to its LTE (“Xi”) and “FOMA” services, and its Smart ARPU is based on operating revenues from providing services incidental to LTE (“Xi”) and “FOMA” wireless communications services (content services-related revenues, fee collection agency commissions, handset warranty service revenues, advertising revenues, etc.).

(2) Subscriptions for and revenues from communication module services, “Phone Number Storage,” “Mail Address Storage,” “docomo Business Transceiver” and wholesale telecommunications services and interconnecting telecommunications facilities that are provided to Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are not included in NTT DOCOMO’s ARPU calculation.

(3) NTT DOCOMO’s ARPU and MOU calculation methods changed from the second quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Accordingly, the ARPU data for the results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 have also changed.

(4) Number of Active Subscribers used in the ARPU calculation of NTT DOCOMO is as below.

FY Results: Sum of number of Active Subscribers for each month from April to March

Active Subscribers = (number of subscribers at end of previous month + number of subscribers at end of current month)/2.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015

Financing, Capital Resources and Use of Funds

Net cash provided by operating activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 amounted to ¥2,711.8 billion, an increase of ¥320.0 billion from ¥2,391.8 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. This increase was primarily the result of, among other things, an increase in operating income in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

NTT Group used the net cash provided by operating activities mainly to acquire property, plant and equipment, repay interest-bearing debt and pay dividends.

Net cash used in investing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 amounted to ¥1,759.8 billion, a decrease of ¥108.8 billion from ¥1,868.6 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. This decrease was due to, among other things, a ¥165.6 billion decrease in payments for property, plant and equipment and in intangible assets computed on a cash basis, partially offset by a ¥78.4 billion increase in expenditures on acquisitions of subsidiaries.

The decrease in payments for investments in property, plant and equipment and in intangible assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 resulted from, among other things, improved efficiency in the construction of LTE base stations in the mobile communications business, in addition to reduced fiber-optic-related capital expenditures in the regional communications business. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, capital investments amounted to ¥1,687.2 billion on an accrual basis, of which ¥622.1 billion was invested in the regional communications business and ¥595.2 billion was invested in the mobile communications business.

Net cash used in financing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 amounted to ¥707.6 billion, an increase in payments of ¥29.6 billion from ¥678.0 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. The increase in payments was due to, among other things, a net increase of ¥411.3 billion in expenses from the repayment of short-term and long-term debt, partially offset by a net decrease of ¥244.5 billion in payments due to stock repurchases and a net decrease of ¥159.4 billion in payments for the acquisition of shares of

 

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subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests. The capital raised from the issuance of long-term debt in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 includes ¥6.1 billion in net proceeds from corporate bond offerings and an aggregate of ¥392.2 billion in loans from financial institutions.

As of March 31, 2016, the total balance of the interest-bearing debt of NTT Group was ¥4,163.3 billion, a decrease of ¥243.4 billion compared to the balance of ¥4,406.7 billion as of the end of the previous fiscal year. The ratio of interest-bearing debt to shareholders’ equity stood at 47.1% as of March 31, 2016 (compared to 50.8% as of the end of the previous fiscal year). Interest-bearing debt as of March 31, 2016 comprises short-term debt and long-term debt, as shown in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as ¥10.7 billion in deposits received pursuant to depositary agreements.

NTT Group believes that the net cash it expects to generate from operating activities, financing made available to NTT Group from banks and other financial institutions and/or offerings of equity or debt securities in the capital markets will provide the requisite financial resources to meet NTT Group’s currently anticipated capital investment and expenditure needs and debt service requirements. Management believes NTT Group’s working capital is sufficient for its present requirements.

For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, NTT Group expects to make capital investments totaling ¥1,720.0 billion on an accrual basis, an increase of ¥32.8 billion from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, due to, among other things, an increase in data center-related and cloud-related capital investments in the long distance and international communications business and an increase in capital investments due to the expansion of large-scale projects in the data communications business, partially offset by, among other things, a decrease in fiber-optic-related capital investments in the regional communications business and improved efficiency in the construction of LTE base stations in the mobile communications business. The total amount of expected capital investments includes ¥589.0 billion by the regional communications business and ¥585.0 billion by the mobile communications business. The actual amount of capital investments may vary from expected levels, since capital investments may be influenced by trends in demand, the competitive environment and other factors. In addition, the actual amount of NTT Group’s funding will depend on its future performance, market conditions and other factors, and is therefore difficult to predict.

Liquidity

As of March 31, 2016, NTT Group had cash and cash equivalents balance (including short-term investments with principal maturities of less than three months) of ¥1,088.3 billion, an increase of ¥239.1 billion compared to the balance of ¥849.2 billion as of the end of the previous fiscal year. Cash equivalents represent a temporary cash surplus used to repay debts and make capital investments, among other things, and are used as working capital. Accordingly, the balance of cash equivalents fluctuates each fiscal year depending on particular funding and working capital requirements.

 

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Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes NTT Group’s existing contractual obligations as of March 31, 2016:

 

     Payments Due by Period  

Contractual Obligations

   Total      Less than one
year
     One to three
years
     Three to five
years
     More than five
years
 
     (in millions of yen)  

Long-term debt(1)

              

Bonds

     1,694,080         251,124         650,514         462,414         330,028   

Bank loans

     2,328,900         225,653         644,816         359,891         1,098,540   

Interest payments on long-term debt

     211,154         41,516         62,418         39,239         67,981   

Capital lease obligations(2)

     54,959         18,885         22,451         8,304         5,319   

Operating leases

     138,177         40,196         49,301         26,140         22,540   

Purchase obligations(3)

     405,012         296,394         99,263         9,125         230   

Other long-term obligations(4)

     —          —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total contractual obligations

     4,832,282         873,768         1,528,763         905,113         1,524,638   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for details on Long-term debt.
(2) Capital lease obligations include interest.
(3) Purchase obligations mainly represent outstanding commitments for the purchase of property, plant and equipment and other assets. The amount includes outstanding commitments with a remaining term of one year or less but excludes those which are cancelable.
(4) The amount of other long-term obligations is not shown in the above table, due to the immateriality of certain obligations and uncertainty of certain payments. In addition, NTT Group expects to contribute a total amount of ¥17,193 million to its pension plans in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).

As of March 31, 2016, NTT Group had outstanding commitments mainly for the purchase of property, plant and equipment and other assets of approximately ¥405.0 billion. NTT Group expects to fund such commitments with cash provided by operating activities.

The fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014

Financing, Capital Resources and Use of Funds

Net cash provided by operating activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 amounted to ¥2,391.8 billion, a decrease of ¥336.1 billion from ¥2,727.9 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. This decrease was primarily the result of, among other things, the last day of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 having been a bank holiday, which resulted in the collection of a portion of telephone and certain other charges that had accrued during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 being carried over to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, as well as a decrease in mobile voice-related services revenues due to the effect of the “Monthly Support” discount program and the new “Kakehodai & Pake-aeru” billing plan.

NTT Group used the net cash provided by operating activities mainly to acquire property, plant and equipment, repay interest-bearing debt and pay dividends.

Net cash used in investing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 amounted to ¥1,868.6 billion, a decrease of ¥238.2 billion from ¥2,106.8 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. This decrease was due to, among other things, a ¥169.0 billion decrease in expenditures on acquisitions of subsidiaries and a ¥100.1 billion decrease in payments for property, plant and equipment and in intangible assets computed on a cash basis.

The decrease in payments for investments in property, plant and equipment and in intangible assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 resulted from, among other things, the integration of equipment and streamlining of our research and development items in the mobile communications business, in addition to

 

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reduced capital expenditures resulting from improved efficiency in opening new fiber-optic lines in the regional communications business. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, capital investments amounted to ¥1,817.5 billion on an accrual basis, of which ¥666.2 billion was invested in the regional communications business and ¥661.8 billion was invested in the mobile communications business.

Net cash used in financing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 amounted to ¥678.0 billion, an increase of ¥55.6 billion from ¥622.4 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. The increase was due to, among other things, an increase of ¥169.3 billion in payments for the acquisition of shares of subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests, partially offset by a net increase of ¥100.8 billion in proceeds from the issuance of short-term and long-term debt. The capital raised from the issuance of long-term debt in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 includes ¥105.3 billion in net proceeds from corporate bond offerings and an aggregate of ¥510.1 billion in loans from financial institutions.

As of March 31, 2015, the total interest-bearing debt of NTT Group was ¥4,406.7 billion, an increase of ¥206.8 billion from March 31, 2014. The ratio of interest-bearing debt to shareholders’ equity stood at 50.8% as of March 31, 2015 (compared to 49.3% as of March 31, 2014). Interest-bearing debt comprises short-term debt and long-term debt, as shown in Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, as well as ¥17.2 billion in deposits received pursuant to depositary agreements.

NTT Group believes that the net cash it expects to generate from operating activities, financing made available to NTT Group from banks and other financial institutions and/or offerings of equity or debt securities in the capital markets will provide the requisite financial resources to meet NTT Group’s currently anticipated capital investment and expenditure needs and debt service requirements. Management believes NTT Group’s working capital is sufficient for its present requirements.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are charged to expenses as incurred. Research and development costs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016 were ¥249.3 billion, ¥233.8 billion and ¥213.4 billion, respectively.

The following table presents a summary of research and development costs by segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016:

 

     Year ended March 31,  
     2014     2015     2016  
     (in millions of yen)  

Regional Communications Business(1)

   ¥ 107,857      ¥ 99,239      ¥ 93,740   

Long Distance and International Communications Business(2)

     16,068        16,380        15,971   

Mobile Communications Business(3)

     102,039        96,997        83,315   

Data Communications Business(4)

     12,832        12,912        12,413   

Other Business(5)

     125,000        114,724        109,996   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Sub-total

     363,796        340,252        315,435   

Elimination

     (114,501     (106,500     (102,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 249,295      ¥ 233,752      ¥ 213,435   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Research and development relating to IP and broadband services, increasing access services to meet diversifying user needs, high value-added services, and other services.
(2) Development of high value-added services in fields ranging from IP networks to platforms, and other services.
(3) Research and development in the area of new products and services related to mobile communications, and research and development aimed at increasing the quality of existing services and enhancing the performance of network functions, among other things.
(4) Technology development to strengthen competitiveness in systems integration and other fields.
(5) Research and development relating to: (a) the creation of basic technologies required for the development of advanced networks and new services that will support the development of an ICT society, (b) technologies that contribute to reducing industry’s burden on the environment, (c) new principles, new parts and new materials expected to bring about extensive technological innovations in the information and communications sector, and (d) others.

 

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Information on Market and Operation Trends (Trend Information)

In the information and telecommunications market, a wide range of changes took place, with the increased spread and market penetration of devices such as smart devices that utilize fixed-line and mobile broadband, and improved convenience in people’s everyday lives and productivity in various industries through the evolution of technologies such as cloud services, IoT, and Big Data. In addition, the role of information and telecommunications is becoming increasingly important, including strengthening security measures against increasingly sophisticated and complex cyberattacks, strengthening natural disaster countermeasures and managing safe and secure social systems. This change can be seen on a global scale.

The fixed-line communications market is also changing dramatically. In addition to growing competition in broadband service facilities and services centered around the shift to fiber-optic services, there has been an increase in new services that use a variety of wireless devices, as a result of which there has been more diversification of customer usage applications, and an increase in off-load needs resulting from the increase in the amount of data transmitted.

There has been a dramatic change in the environment surrounding the mobile communications market due to the rapid proliferation of smartphones and tablet devices, developments related to the government’s competition policy (such as new market entry by Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), the obligation to unlock handset SIMs and the proposals by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Task Force on Service Verification from the Perspective of Consumers and Task Force on Mobile Phone Rates and Other Conditions for Service Offerings) and other factors.

NTT Group anticipates the following major trends in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017:

 

   

Although declines in domestic business have thus far been offset by growth in overseas business, NTT Group expects a decrease in consolidated operating revenues for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 resulting from stagnated growth of overseas business due to the exchange rate impact of the strengthening of the yen.

 

   

NTT Group expects a net increase in the overall number of subscriptions to fiber-optic access services, such as “FLET’S Hikari,” during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, due to improvements of the business support structure for partners through the Hikari Collaboration Model and strengthened sales structure based on partners’ type of business.

 

   

Fixed-line telephone and INS-Net subscriptions are expected to decline in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, similar to the decline recorded in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, due to, among other things, continued customer migration to mobile phone and IP telephone services or to free or low-priced communications services offered by OTT operators.

 

   

NTT Group expects a net increase in the number of mobile phone service subscriptions in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. NTT intends to retain customers by enhancing the new billing plan and by offering it as a set with “DOCOMO Hikari,” and to reduce its subscription cancellations by expanding its networks and services to differentiate itself from other companies. In addition, NTT Group is working to support the needs for various services and devices, such as smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, Wi-Fi routers and others. In addition to increasing income through these initiatives, NTT Group is also working to increase income by expanding its Smart Life business, including d-market and credit services. At the same time, NTT will continue to streamline capital investments and improve cost efficiency in an effort to reduce costs.

 

   

In order to achieve consistent growth in its overseas business in the future, NTT Group is working to strengthen its products and services and to further improve its global business promotion systems. NTT Group will continue to strengthen its sales and marketing, including its global account expansion and promotion of upselling and cross-selling. Furthermore, NTT Group will also work to promote thorough cost efficiency and strengthen group governance and risk management.

 

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Additional information relating to market trends can be found elsewhere in this Item 5.

The foregoing contains forward-looking statements reflecting the expectations and perceptions of NTT Group’s current management based on the various factors described above, market and industry-related conditions, and NTT Group’s performance under such conditions (see “Item 3—Key Information—Forward-Looking Statements”).

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of March 31, 2016, NTT Group’s contingent liabilities for loans and other loans that NTT Group guaranteed totaled ¥79.3 billion.

Critical Accounting Policies

NTT Group’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements includes a summary of significant accounting policies used in the preparation of these financial statements. NTT believes that, of its significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment or complexity.

Revenue recognition

Revenues arising from fixed voice related services, mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services and other services are recognized at the time these services are provided to customers. Revenues from non-recurring upfront fees, such as activation fees, are deferred and recognized as revenue over the estimated average period of the customer contract for each service. The related direct costs are deferred only to the extent of the non-recurring upfront fee amount and are amortized over the same period. While this policy does not have a material impact on net income, the reported amounts of revenue and cost of services are affected by the level of revenues from non-recurring upfront fees and related direct costs and the estimated average customer relationship period. Factors that affect management’s estimate of the average customer relationship period over which such fees and costs are amortized include subscriber churn rates and newly introduced or anticipated products, services and technologies. The current amortization periods are based on an analysis of historical trends and the experience of NTT and its subsidiaries, adjusted for the estimated impact of future events and circumstances. Sales of telecommunications equipment less certain amounts of agency commissions and customer incentives are recognized as revenue upon delivery of the equipment to agent resellers, which is considered to have occurred when the agent resellers have taken title to the product, and the risks and rewards of ownership have been substantially transferred. In connection with revenues from system integration projects, provision for estimated losses, if any, is made in the fiscal year in which the loss first becomes probable and reasonably quantifiable. NTT Group recognizes such losses based on estimates of total expected contract revenues and costs upon completion. NTT Group follows this method because it permits reasonably dependable estimates of revenues and costs to be made at various stages of a contract. Recognized losses are subject to revision as the contract progresses to completion. Revisions in loss estimates are charged to income in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.

Estimated useful lives and impairments of property, plant and equipment, software and certain other intangibles

NTT Group estimates the useful lives and the residual values of property, plant and equipment, software and certain other intangibles with finite useful lives, in order to determine the amount of depreciation and amortization expense to be recorded during any reporting period. The useful lives and the residual values are estimated at the time the assets are acquired and are based on historical experience with similar assets as well as anticipated technological or other changes. If technological changes were to occur more rapidly than anticipated or in a different form than anticipated, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened,

 

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resulting in the recognition of increased depreciation and amortization expenses in future periods. Alternatively, these types of technological changes could result in the recognition of an impairment charge to reflect a write-down in the value of the assets. Effective July 1, 2014, NTT Group revised its estimate of the expected useful life of certain software for telecommunications network and internal-use software based on the actual utilization of the software to reflect an extended expected useful life of up to 7 years. Due to this change, “Depreciation and amortization” for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 decreased by ¥51.3 billion. NTT Group also reviews such assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair value as measured through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market value and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT Group recorded an impairment loss of ¥30.2 billion on its multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices-related long-lived assets. NTT Group’s total “Impairment losses” in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (including the impairment loss described above) were ¥5.7 billion, ¥38.7 billion and ¥19.8 billion, respectively.

Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is either at the business segment level or one level below, at least annually and more frequently if there are indications of impairment, using a two-step process that begins with an estimation of the fair value of the reporting unit. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit, which is calculated based on assumptions such as discounted cash flow projections, is compared with its carrying amounts (including goodwill). 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 the goodwill. If an entity concludes that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, it would not be required to perform the two-step impairment test for that reporting unit.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT DOCOMO realigned its operating segments in order to reflect its changing business management. As a result of this realignment of operating segments, NTT Group reorganized the reporting structure of its mobile communications business segment into communications, smart life and other businesses reporting units. In conjunction with this change, NTT Group reassigned the goodwill attributable to these reporting units prior to the realignment to the communications, smart life and other businesses reporting units using a relative fair value allocation approach based on the composition of each business reporting unit prior to the realignment.

The determinants used for the fair value measurement include management’s estimate of the reporting unit’s continuing ability to generate income from operations and cash flows in future periods, and the strategic significance of the reporting unit to NTT’s business objectives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized and are tested for impairment at least once a year. NTT Group measures fair value based on certain assumptions that are determined to be currently reasonable. However, actual values may differ from those stated in the consolidated financial statements if unexpected changes occur in the business operation environment in the future. NTT Group’s total “Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments” in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥6.2 billion, ¥3.5 billion and ¥12.9 billion, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, out of the material reporting units, the carrying amounts of goodwill attributable to Dimension Data and NTT America in the long distance and international communications business segment were ¥295.7 billion and ¥70.3 billion, respectively and the carrying amount of goodwill attributable to Global Business in the data communications business segment was ¥238.2 billion. As a result of the annual impairment test conducted for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the fair value of the reporting unit attributable to Dimension Data and NTT America in the long distance and international communications business segment exceeded their carrying amounts by 14.8% and 4.0%, respectively and the fair value of the reporting unit attributable to Global Business in the data communications business segment exceeded its carrying amount by 27.0%.

 

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Investments

NTT Group holds investments in other companies, which NTT Group accounts for under the cost method, equity method or at fair value. NTT Group recognizes an impairment loss when the decline in value below the carrying amount of the investment is other than temporary, which then establishes a new cost basis in the investment. When determining if the decline in value is other than temporary, NTT Group considers, among other items, the magnitude of the decline in value below the carrying amounts, the length of time the value has been below the carrying amounts, the financial condition of the investee company, the strength of the industry in which it operates, and NTT Group’s ability or intent to retain the investment. NTT Group performs a review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recoverable. Further, NTT Group utilizes a variety of information, including cash flow projections, independent valuations and, if applicable, stock price analyses, in performing its evaluations. Such projections and valuations necessarily require estimates involving, among others, demographics (e.g., population, penetration rates and penetration speed, churn rates, etc.), technology changes, capital investments, market growth and share, ARPU and terminal values. NTT Group’s total impairment losses for “Marketable securities and other investments” in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were approximately ¥3.0 billion, ¥2.0 billion and ¥6.0 billion, respectively. NTT Group reviews factors such as the financial condition and near-term prospects of those investees in order to determine if the value of any of our investments in them has suffered a decline that was other than temporary due to the recent economic and financial environment surrounding the industry of those equity method investees.

NTT Group reviewed the business outlook of TTSL in order to determine if the value of its investment in TTSL had suffered a decline that was other than temporary because of the recent economic and financial environment surrounding its industry. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, NTT DOCOMO revised downward its estimate of TTSL’s future cash flows due to the growing business risk of mobile network operators in India, including as a result of an increase in the cost of maintaining or acquiring frequency spectrum due to a steep rise in the auction price of frequency spectrum in India. Reflecting this growing business risk and TTSL’s recent operating results, the weighted average cost of capital increased to 12.6%, which was applied to these revised estimated cash flows, and NTT Group concluded that the decline in value was other than temporary. Consequently, NTT Group recognized an additional impairment charge of ¥51.2 billion. NTT Group plans to dispose of its entire investment in TTSL. NTT Group may recognize a gain or loss upon disposition of its TTSL shares or if the transaction as described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements is not carried out. As a result of this review and evaluation, NTT Group determined that there were other-than-temporary declines in the values of certain investments, including TTSL, and recognized impairment charges aggregating ¥51.3 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. In the past, NTT Group experienced material impairments in the value of its investments in equity method affiliates that were included in “Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies” in its consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for relevant years. NTT Group may experience similar impairments with respect to “Marketable securities and other investments” and “Investments in affiliated companies” again in the future. NTT Group may also experience material gains or losses on the sale of investments.

Employees’ retirement benefits

The total costs of employees’ retirement benefits and pension plans represented approximately 1.0% and 0.9% of NTT Group’s total operating expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to employees’ retirement benefits and pension plans are determined on an actuarial basis, which utilizes certain assumptions in the calculation of such amounts. The assumptions used in determining net periodic costs and liabilities for retirement benefits and pension plans include the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, a discount rate, the rate of increase in compensation levels, average remaining years of service, and other factors. Specifically, the expected long-term rate of return on assets and the discount rate are two critical assumptions. Assumptions are evaluated at least annually, and events may occur or circumstances change that may have a significant effect on the critical assumptions. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, actual results that

 

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differ from NTT Group’s assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods, thereby reducing the year-to-year volatility in pension expenses. As of March 31, 2016, the total amount of net actuarial loss was ¥563.8 billion. The net actuarial loss exceeding 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets will be amortized over the expected average remaining service period of employees on a straight-line basis. That amortization will increase future pension costs.

NTT Group used an expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets of 2.0% to 2.5% for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016. In determining the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, NTT considers the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of plan assets based on NTT’s analysis of historical results. The projected allocation of plan assets is developed in consideration of the expected long-term investment returns for each category of plan assets. For lump-sum retirement allowances and for the contract-type corporate pension plan, approximately 55.0%, 5.0%, 10.0%, 10.0% and 20.0% of the plan assets will be allocated to domestic bonds, domestic stocks, international bonds, international stocks and life insurance company general accounts, respectively, and for the NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan, approximately 48.6%, 14.9%, 10.0%, 14.4% and 12.1% (weighted-average) of plan assets will be allocated to domestic bonds, domestic stocks, international bonds, international stocks and life insurance company general accounts, respectively, to moderate the level of volatility in pension plan asset returns and reduce risks. As of March 31, 2016, the actual allocations of assets were generally consistent with the projected allocations stated above. The actual returns for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 were approximately 11.0% and 0%, respectively. The actual returns on pension plan assets may vary in future periods, depending on market conditions. The market value of plan assets is measured using fair values on the plan measurement date.

Another critical assumption is the discount rate used in the annual actuarial valuation of net periodic costs and benefit obligations. In determining the net periodic costs, NTT Group used a discount rate of 1.4% as of March 31, 2015 and 1.0% as of March 31, 2016. In determining the benefit obligations, NTT Group used a discount rate of 1.0% as of March 31, 2015 and 0.5% as of March 31, 2016. In determining the appropriate discount rate, NTT considers available information about the current yield on high-quality fixed-income investments with maturities corresponding to the expected duration of the pension benefit obligations (“PBO”).

The following table illustrates the sensitivity to changes in the discount rate and the expected return on pension plan assets, while holding all other assumptions constant, for NTT Group’s pension plans as of March 31, 2016:

 

Change in Assumption

   Change in
PBO
     Change in
Pre-Tax
Pension
Expenses
     Change in
Equity
(Net of Tax)
 
     (in billions of yen)  

50 basis point increase / decrease in discount rate

     -/+ 240.0         +/- 5.0         +/- 170.0   

50 basis point increase / decrease in expected return on assets

     —          -/+ 11.0         —    

Income taxes

NTT Group recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets or liabilities and operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates that are expected to be applicable during the periods in which existing temporary differences reverse and loss carryforwards are utilizable. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income tax expenses in the period that includes the enactment date. In accordance with the Act on Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act enacted on March 20, 2014, the income tax rate was adjusted starting from consolidated accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 2014. As a result of this change in tax rate, net deferred tax assets existing on the enactment date decreased ¥12.6 billion, whose effect is included in

 

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“Income tax expense (benefit)—Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. Net income attributable to NTT decreased ¥9.6 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. In accordance with the Act on Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act enacted on March 31, 2015, the income tax rates have been changed for fiscal years beginning on or after April 1, 2015. As a result of this change in tax rate, net deferred tax assets amounts existing on the enactment date decreased by ¥54.4 billion, whose effect is included in “Income tax expense (benefit)—Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Net income attributable to NTT decreased by ¥47.8 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Following the enactment of the Act for the Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act and the Act for the Partial Revision of the Local Tax Act on March 29, 2016, the corporate tax rates have been changed for fiscal years that began on or after April 1, 2016. As a result of this change in tax rate, net deferred tax assets amounts existing on the enactment date decreased by ¥32.7, whose effect is included in “Income tax expense (benefit)—Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. Net income attributable to NTT decreased by ¥23.7 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. NTT Group recognizes a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets to reflect the amount of future tax benefits that are not expected to be realized. In determining the appropriate valuation allowance, NTT Group takes into account the level of expected future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. If future taxable income is lower than expected or if expected tax-planning strategies are not available as anticipated, NTT Group may recognize an additional valuation allowance through income tax expense (benefit)—Deferred in the period in which such judgment is made.

As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, NTT Group had deferred tax assets of ¥1,491.1 billion and ¥1,580.2 billion, which included respective valuation allowance of ¥266.0 billion and ¥171.7 billion. The valuation allowance mainly related to deferred tax assets of NTT and certain subsidiaries with operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes that are not expected to be realized. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were an increase of ¥6.2 billion, an increase of ¥6.0 billion and a decrease of ¥94.2 billion, respectively. The decrease of ¥94.2 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was due primarily to a decrease of ¥43.7 billion for regional tax in NTT West related to the improvement of its forecast of future taxable income and a decrease of ¥32.7 billion in NTT DOCOMO considering the prudent and feasible tax-planning strategies that became available during the year. The financial statements reflected the write-off of deferred tax assets that expired unused.

Accrued liabilities for point programs

NTT Group offers mobile services subscribers “points” based on the usage of mobile, FLET’S Hikari and other services. Points may be exchanged for benefits, including discounts on handsets. NTT Group records “Accrued liabilities for point programs” relating to the points that customers earn. The aggregate total amount of accrued liabilities for point programs recognized as short-term and long-term liabilities as of March 31, 2015 and 2016 was ¥110.6 billion and ¥94.1 billion, respectively. Point program expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥79.0 billion, ¥77.8 billion and ¥60.3 billion, respectively.

In determining the accrued liabilities for point programs, NTT Group estimates such factors as the point utilization rate, taking into account the forfeitures caused by, among other things, expected future subscription cancellations if NTT Group could estimate such forfeitures. Higher than estimated point utilization rates could result in the need to recognize additional expenses or accrued liabilities in the future.

In determining the accrued liabilities for point programs, NTT Group estimates that as of March 31, 2016, a one-percent increase in the point utilization rate would result in an additional liability accrual of approximately ¥1.0 billion, if all other factors are held constant.

 

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Application of New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective.

The FASB also issued ASU 2016-08 “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU2016-10 “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” ASU2016-12 “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” in March, April and May 2016, respectively, to amend ASU 2014-09 partially.

On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers : Deferral of the Effective Date,” and deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Consequently, the standard is expected to take effect for NTT Group on April 1, 2018. Early adoption of the standard as of April 1, 2017 would also be permitted.

NTT has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the ASU will have on NTT Group’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which significantly changes the income statement impact of equity investments held by an entity, and the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected. The new standard is expected to take effect for NTT Group on April 1, 2018. NTT is currently evaluating the effect of adopting the ASU.

Leases

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases,” which requires all lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, principally. The new standard is expected to take effect for NTT Group on April 1, 2019. NTT is currently evaluating the effect of adopting the ASU.

 

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ITEM 6—DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES

Directors and Senior Management

The overall direction of NTT’s affairs is the responsibility of its Board. The Board currently consists of 12 members. Members of the Board are elected for a two-year term. Elections are conducted at NTT’s ordinary general meeting of shareholders. The most recent election was held on June 24, 2016, during which shareholders approved the election of twelve Members of the Board and one Audit & Supervisory Board Member.

The following is a list of NTT’s Members of the Board, Audit & Supervisory Board Members and Presidents of principal subsidiaries as of June 30, 2016:

Members of the Board

 

Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 

Satoshi Miura

April 3, 1944

June 2012

June 2018

  Chairman of the Board   April 1967   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     32,540   
    June 1996   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Personnel

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    July 1996   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Personnel for Industrial Relations

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 1998   :  

Executive Vice President

Head of Personnel for Industrial Relations

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    January 1999   :  

Executive Vice President

Deputy Senior Executive Manager of the NTT-East Provisional Headquarters

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    July 1999   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Representative Director of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation

 
    June 2002   :   President and Representative Director of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation  
    June 2005   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Head of the Corporate Management Strategy Division

Representative Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2007   :  

President and Chief Executive Officer

Representative Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2012   :   Chairman of the Board of the Company (present post)  
    June 2016   :   External Director of Hiroshima Bank, Ltd. (present post)  
   

Significant Concurrent Business Activities:

External Director of Hiroshima Bank, Ltd.

 

Hiroo Unoura

January 13, 1949

June 2012

June 2018

  President and Chief Executive Officer   April 1973   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     27,200   
  Representative Member of the Board   June 2002   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Department I

Member of the Board of the Company

 

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    June 2005   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Department V

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2007   :  

Executive Vice President

Head of Corporate Strategy Planning

Head of Corporate Business Strategy

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2008   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Head of Strategic Business Development

Representative Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2011   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Representative Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2012   :  

President and Chief Executive Officer

Representative Member of the Board of the Company (present post)

 

Hiromichi Shinohara

March 15, 1954

June 2014

June 2018

 

Senior Executive Vice President

Chief Technology Officer

Chief Information Security Officer

In charge of technical strategy and international standardization

Head of Research and Development Planning

Representative Member of the Board

  April 1978   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     14,300   
    June 2009   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Research and Development Planning

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2011   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Research and Development Planning

Head of the Information Sharing Laboratory Group

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    October 2011   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Research and Development Planning

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2012   :  

Executive Vice President

Head of Research and Development Planning

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2014   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Head of Research and Development Planning

Representative Member of the Board of the Company (present post)

 

Jun Sawada

July 30, 1955

June 2014

June 2018

 

Senior Executive Vice President

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Compliance Officer

Chief Information Officer

In charge of business strategy and risk management

Representative Member of the Board

  April 1978   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     10,500   
    June 2008   :   Senior Vice President  
        Executive Manager of Corporate Strategy Planning Department  
        Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation  
    June 2011   :  

Executive Vice President

Executive Manager of Corporate Strategy Planning Department

 
        Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation  

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    June 2012   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Executive Manager of Corporate Strategy Planning Department

Representative Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation

 
    June 2013   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Representative Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation

 
    June 2014   :  

Senior Executive Vice President

Representative Member of the Board of the Company (present post)

 
    June 2016   :  

Representative Director and President,

Chief Executive Officer of NTT Security Corporation (present post)

 
   

Significant Concurrent Business Activities:

Representative Director and President,

Chief Executive Officer of NTT Security Corporation

 

Mitsuyoshi Kobayashi

November 3, 1957

June 2014

June 2018

 

Executive Vice President

Head of Technology Planning Member of the Board

  April 1982   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     7,800   
    June 2006   :   General Manager of Okayama Branch of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation  
    July 2008   :   General Manager of the Service Management Department of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation  
    June 2010   :  

Senior Vice President

General Manager of the Service Management Department

Member of the Board of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation

 
    June 2012   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Technology Planning

Head of Strategic Business Development Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2012   :  

Senior Vice President

Member of the Board of NTT COMWARE CORPORATION (present post)

 
    June 2014   :  

Executive Vice President

Head of Technology Planning

Member of the Board of the Company (present post)

 
   

Significant Concurrent Business Activities:

Member of the Board of NTT COMWARE CORPORATION

 

Akira Shimada

December 18, 1957

June 2015

June 2018

 

Executive Vice President

Head of General Affairs

Member of the Board

  April 1981   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     7,404   
    July 2007   :   General Manager of the Accounts and Finance Department of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation  
    July 2009   :   General Manager of the General Affairs and Personnel Department of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation  

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    June 2011   :  

Senior Vice President

General Manager of the General Affairs and Personnel Department

Member of the Board of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation

 
    June 2012   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of the General Affairs

Member of the Board of the Company

 
    June 2012   :   Member of the Board of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (present post)  
    June 2015   :  

Executive Vice President

Head of General Affairs

Member of the Board of the Company (present post)

 
   

Significant Concurrent Business Activities:

Member of the Board of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation

 

Tsunehisa Okuno

October 12, 1960

June 2012

June 2018

 

Senior Vice President

Head of Global Business

Member of the Board

  April 1983   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     4,300   
    July 2007   :   Vice President of the Corporate Business Strategy of the Company  
    June 2008   :   Head of the Global Business Strategy Office of Strategic Business Development of the Company  
    January 2011   :   Senior Vice President of Dimension Data Holdings plc (present post)  
    June 2011   :   Head of Global Business of the Company  
    June 2012   :   Senior Vice President  
        Head of Global Business  
        Member of the Board of the Company (present post)  
    June 2016   :   Director of NTT Security Corporation (present post)  
    Significant Concurrent Business Activities:  
    Senior Vice President of Dimension Data Holdings plc  
    Director of NTT Security Corporation  

Hiroki Kuriyama

May 27, 1961

June 2014

June 2018

 

Senior Vice President

Head of Strategic Business Development

In charge of 2020 Project

Member of the Board

  April 1985   :   Joined the Company     2,970   
    February 2003   :   Vice President of Department I of the Company  
    May 2005   :   Vice President of Corporate Business Strategy of the Company  
    June 2008   :   Vice President of Corporate Strategy Planning of the Company  
    June 2012   :   Vice President of President’s Office of General Affairs of the Company  
    June 2014   :   Senior Vice President  
        Head of Strategic Business Development  
        Member of the Board of the Company (present post)  

Takashi Hiroi

February 13, 1963

June 2015

June 2018

  Senior Vice President   April 1986   :   Joined the Company     2,700   
 

Head of Finance and Accounting

Member of the Board

  May 2005   :   Vice President of Corporate Business Strategy of the Company  
    June 2008   :   Vice President of Strategic Business Development of the Company  
         

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    July 2009   :   Vice President of Corporate Strategy Planning of the Company  
    June 2014   :   Head of Finance and Accounting of the Company  
    June 2015   :   Senior Vice President  
        Head of Finance and Accounting  
        Member of the Board of the Company (present post)  

Eiichi Sakamoto

  Senior Vice President   April 1986   :   Joined the Company     2,500   

September 3, 1963

June 2016

June 2018

  Head of Corporate Strategy Planning Member of the Board   April 2002   :  

Senior Manager of the Planning Department of Nippon

Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation

 
    October 2005   :   Head of the Business Management Group of the Corporate Strategy Planning Department of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation  
    July 2009   :   Head of the Planning Group of the Corporate Strategy Planning  
        Department of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation  
    July 2011   :   Head of the Public Relations of the Corporate Strategy Planning of the Company  
    June 2015   :   Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Corporate  
        Marketing Strategy Department of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    June 2016   :   Senior Vice President  
        Head of the Corporate Strategy Planning of the Company  
        Member of the Board of the Company (present post)  
        Member of the Board of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (present post)  
    Significant Concurrent Business Activities:  
    Member of the Board of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation  

Katsuhiko Shirai

September 24, 1939

June 2012

June 2018

  Outside Member of the Board   April 1965   :   Assistant of the First Faculty of Science and Engineering of Waseda University     2,900   
    April 1968   :   Full-time lecturer of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Waseda University  
    April 1970   :   Assistant Professor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Waseda University  
    April 1975   :   Professor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of Waseda University  
    November 1994   :   Director of Academic Affairs and Director of the International Exchange Center of Waseda University  
    November 1998   :   Executive Director of Waseda University  
    November 2002   :   President of Waseda University  
    November 2010   :   Educational Advisor of Waseda University (present post)  
    April 2011   :   Chairperson of the Foundation for the Open University of Japan (present post)  

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    June 2012   :   Member of the Board of the Company (present post)  
    June 2012   :   Director of Japan Display, Inc. (present post)  
    Significant Concurrent Business Activities:  
   

Chairperson of the Foundation for the Open University of Japan

Director of Japan Display, Inc.

 

Sadayuki Sakakibara

March 22, 1943

June 2012

June 2018

  Outside Member of the Board   April 1967   :   Joined Toyo Rayon Co., Ltd. (currently registered as Toray Industries, Inc.)     7,300   
    June 1994   :   Director of the Corporate Planning Department of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 1996   :   Director of the Board of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 1998   :   Managing Director of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 1999   :   Senior Managing Director of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 2001   :   Executive Vice President of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 2002   :   President of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 2010   :   Chairman and Representative Member of the Board of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 2012   :   Member of the Board of the Company (present post)  
    June 2013   :   Director of Hitachi, Ltd. (present post)  
    June 2014   :   Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren) (present post)  
    June 2014   :   Chairman of the Board of Directors, Toray Industries, Inc.  
    June 2015   :   Chief Senior Adviser and Chief Senior Counselor of Toray Industries, Inc. (present post)  
    Significant Concurrent Business Activities:  
    Chief Senior Adviser, Chief Senior Counselor of Toray Industries, Inc.  
    Director of Hitachi, Ltd.  
    Chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren)  

Audit & Supervisory Board Members

  

Akiko Ide

February 28, 1955

June 2014

June 2019

  Audit & Supervisory Board Member   April 1977   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     5,000   
    June 2003   :   General Manager of Customer Services of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    September 2004   :   Concurrently General Manager of Customer Services and General Manager of Information Security of NTT DOCOMO, INC  
    June 2005   :   General Manager of Customer Services of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    April 2006   :   General Manager of Corporate Citizenship Department of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    June 2006   :   Executive Director and General Manager of Corporate Citizenship Department of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    July 2008   :   Executive Director and General Manager for Chugoku regional office of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    June 2012   :   Executive Director and Director of Information Security of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    May 2013   :   President and Chief Executive Officer of Radishbo-ya Co., Ltd.  
    June 2013   :   Executive Director and Senior Manager in Charge of Commerce Business Promotion of NTT DOCOMO, INC.  
    June 2014   :   Full Time Audit & Supervisory Board Member of NTT (present post)  

Takao Maezawa

October 24, 1955

June 2016

June 2019

  Audit & Supervisory Board Member   April 1978   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation     9,004   
    June 2006   :   Executive Manager of Human Resources Management Department, General Manager of Training Institute Executive Manager of the General Affairs of NTT Communications Corporation  
    June 2008   :  

Senior Vice President

Deputy General Manager of the Enterprise Business Division Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation

 
    June 2011   :  

Executive Vice President

Deputy General Manager of the Enterprise Business Division Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation

 
    August 2011   :  

Executive Vice President

Head of Second Sales Division Member of the Board of NTT Communications Corporation

 
    June 2012   :   President and CEO of NTT PC Communications Incorporated  
    June 2016   :   Full Time Audit & Supervisory Board Member of NTT (present post)  

Michiko Tomonaga(2)

July 26, 1947

June 2011

June 2019

  Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member   March 1975   :   Registered as a certified public accountant (certification up-to-date)     2,300   
    July 2007   :   Vice President of the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants  
    July 2008   :   Senior Partner at Ernst & Young Japan  
    June 2010   :   Outside Corporate Auditor of Keikyu Corporation  
    June 2011   :   Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of NTT (present post)  
    February 2012   :   Audit & Supervisory Board Member of the Corporation for Revitalizing Earthquake affected Business  
    June 2014   :   Outside Director of Japan Exchange Group, Inc.  
    June 2016   :   Outside Director of Keikyu Corporation (present post)  
   

Significant Concurrent Business Activities:

Certified Public Accountant

Director of Keikyu Corporation

 
     
     

Seiichi Ochiai(2)

April 10, 1944

June 2012

June 2019

  Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member   April 1974   :   Instructor in the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo     4,804   
    April 1977   :   Associate Professor in the Faculty of Law of Seikei University  
         
         

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant

Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 
    April 1981   :   Professor in the Faculty of Law of Seikei University  
    April 1990   :   Professor at the University of Tokyo Graduate Schools for Law and Politics and the Faculty of Law of the University of Tokyo  
    April 2007   :   Professor at Chuo Law School  
    April 2007   :   Registered as attorney-at-law (Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association) (registration up-to-date)  
    June 2007   :   Emeritus Professor at the University of Tokyo (present post)  
    June 2008   :   Outside Director of EBARA CORPORATION  
    June 2012   :   Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of NTT (present post)  
    July 2012   :   Director of Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company (present post)  
    June 2013   :   Outside Auditor of Ube Industries, Ltd. (present post)  
    Significant Concurrent Business Activities:  
    Lawyer  
    Director of Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company;  
    Auditor of Ube Industries, Ltd.  

Takashi Iida(2)

September 5, 1946

June 2014

June 2019

  Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member   April 1974   :   Registered as attorney-at-law (Daini Tokyo Bar Association) (registration up-to-date)     2,400   
        Joined Mori Sogo Law Offices (currently Mori, Hamada and Matsumoto)  
    April 1991   :   Deputy Chairman of the Daini Tokyo Bar Association  
    April 1997   :   Executive Governor of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations  
    April 2006   :   Chairman of the Daini Tokyo Bar Association  
    April 2006   :   Vice President of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations  
    January 2012   :   Established Kowa Law Office (present post)  
    June 2012   :   Corporate Auditor for Shimadzu Corporation (present post)  
    June 2013   :   Corporate Auditor of JAFCO Co., Ltd  
    June 2013   :   Director of Alps Electric Co., Ltd. (present post)  
    June 2014   :   Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member of NTT (present post)  
    Significant Concurrent Business Activities:  
    Lawyer  
    Corporate Auditor of Shimadzu Corporation  
    Director of Alps Electric Co., Ltd.  

 

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Presidents of Principal Subsidiaries

 

Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant
Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 

Masayuki Yamamura

March 30, 1953

June 2012

June 2018

  President, NTT East   April 1978   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation                  (3) 
    May 2005   :   Vice President of NTT’s Corporate Business Strategy Division  
    June 2005   :   Senior Vice President and General Manager NTT East’s Tokyo Branch,  
        Deputy Senior Executive Manager of NTT East’s Business User Sales Promotion Headquarters (resigned on June 2006)  
    June 2008   :   Executive Vice President and General Manager of NTT East’s Tokyo Branch  
    June 2009   :   Executive Vice President  
        Senior Executive Manager of NTT East’s Network Business Headquarters  
        General Manager of NTT East’s Research and Development Center, Network Business Headquarters (resigned in May 2011)  
        Executive Manager of NTT East’s Planning Department, Network Business Headquarters (resigned in July 2009)  
        General Manager of NTT East’s Research and Development Center, Network Business Headquarters (resigned in July 2009)  
    June 2012   :   President of NTT East (present post)  

Kazutoshi Murao

October 21, 1952

June 2012

June 2018

  President, NTT West   April 1976   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation                  (3) 
    June 2005   :   Member of the Board and Executive Manager of NTT West’s Corporate Strategy Planning Department  
    July 2006   :   Deputy Senior Executive Manager of NTT West’s Kansai Regional Headquarters  
    June 2007   :   NTT West’s Executive Manager of Accounts and Finance Department (resigned in July 2007)  
    June 2008   :   Executive Vice President and Executive Manager of NTT West’s Corporate Strategy Planning Department  
    June 2009   :   Senior Executive Vice President  
        Senior Executive Manager of NTT West’s Marketing Headquarters  
        Executive Manager of the Corporate Strategy Planning Department (resigned in October 2009)  
    June 2010   :   Executive Manager of NTT West’s Marketing Department, Marketing Headquarters (resigned in September 2010)  
    June 2012   :   President of NTT West (present post)  

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant
Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
 

Tetsuya Shoji

February 28, 1954

June 2015

June 2018

  President, NTT Communications   April 1977   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation                  (3) 
    July 2005   :   Executive Manager of NTT West’s Personnel Department  
    June 2006   :   Member of the Board of NTT West  
    June 2009   :  

Member of the Board and Senior Vice President of NTT’s General Affairs Department

Vice President of the Internal Control Office of NTT’s General Affairs Department

 
    June 2012   :   Senior Executive Vice President of NTT Communications  
    June 2015   :   President of NTT Communications (present post)  

Kazuhiro Yoshizawa

June 21, 1955

June 2016

June 2018

  President, NTT DOCOMO   April 1979   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation                  (3) 
    June 2007   :  

Senior Vice President

General Manager of Corporate Sales and Marketing Department II of NTT DOCOMO

 
    June 2011   :  

Senior Vice President, General Manager of Human Resources Management Department

Member of the Board of Directors of NTT DOCOMO

 
    June 2012   :  

Executive Vice President,

General Manager of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department

Responsible for Mobile Society Research Institute,

Member of the Board of Directors of NTT DOCOMO

 
    July 2013   :  

Executive Vice President,

General Manager of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department

General Manager of Structural Reform Office, Responsible for Mobile Society Research Institute

Member of the Board of Directors of NTT DOCOMO

 
    June 2014   :  

Senior Executive Vice President Responsible for Technology,

Devices and Information Strategy, Member of the Board of Directors of NTT DOCOMO

 
    June 2016   :   President of NTT DOCOMO (present post)  

Toshio Iwamoto

January 5, 1953

June 2012

June 2017

  President, NTT DATA   April 1976   :   Joined Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation                  (3) 
    June 2004   :  

NTT DATA’s Director and Head of Payment Solutions Sector,

Deputy Head of Financial Business Sector

 

 

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Name

    Date of Birth

    Date First Appointed

    Date Current Term Ends

 

Position/Responsibility

 

Brief Career Summary and Significant
Concurrent Business Activities

  Shares
Owned(1)
    June 2005   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Financial Business Sector of NTT DATA

 
    June 2007   :  

Senior Vice President

Head of Financial Business Sector of NTT DATA

Head of the Fourth Public Sector (resigned in June 2007)

 
    July 2007   :   Head of Postal Administration System (resigned in February 2008)  
    July 2008   :   Director and Executive Vice President of NTT DATA  
    June 2009   :   Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President of NTT DATA  
    July 2009   :   Company President of the Public & Financial IT Services Company Head of Public and Financial Section Business (resigned in June 2011)  
    June 2011   :   Senior Executive Vice President of NTT DATA  
    June 2012   :   President of NTT DATA (present post)  

 

(1) NTT Shares owned as of June 30, 2016.
(2) Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Member.
(3) The number of Shares owned represents less than one percent of all outstanding Shares.

None of NTT’s Members of the Board, Audit & Supervisory Board Members or presidents of principal subsidiaries is party to a service contract with NTT or any of its subsidiaries that provides for benefits upon termination of employment.

Compensation

Policies

In order to improve objectivity and transparency regarding matters concerning the compensation of Members of the Board, NTT established the Appointment and Compensation Council, which serves as a preliminary review institution for the Board and comprises four Members of the Board, including two Outside Independent Members of the Board (independent directors within the meaning of the TSE Code, as defined under “—Board Practices—Board of Directors” below), and such matters are decided by the Board after deliberation by this council.

Compensation of Members of the Board (excluding Outside Members of the Board) consists of a base salary and a bonus. The base salary is paid monthly on the basis of the scope of each member’s roles and responsibilities. The bonus is paid on the basis of NTT’s business results for the applicable fiscal year. In addition, Members of the Board make minimum monthly contributions for the purchase of NTT Shares through the Directors’ Shareholding Association, to encourage a medium- and long-term perspective. Members of the Board hold the Shares they purchase for the duration of their terms of office.

In order to maintain a high level of independence, compensation of Outside Members of the Board consists of a base salary only (payable monthly), and is not linked to NTT’s business results.

Compensation of Audit & Supervisory Board Members is determined by discussion among the Audit & Supervisory Board Members and consists of a base salary only (payable monthly) for the same reasons as those cited above with respect to Outside Members of the Board.

 

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Total Compensation of Members of the Board and Audit & Supervisory Board Members during the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2016

 

Position

   Number of Payees    Base Salary      Bonus      Total  
          (millions of yen)  

Members of the Board (excluding Outside Members of the Board)

   10    ¥ 404       ¥ 93       ¥ 497   

Audit & Supervisory Board Members (excluding Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Members)

     2    ¥ 74         —        ¥ 74   
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   12    ¥ 479       ¥ 93       ¥ 572   
  

 

  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Notes:

1. Upper limits on total annual compensation of Members of the Board and Audit & Supervisory Board Members were set at an aggregate of ¥750 million for Members of the Board and ¥200 million for Audit & Supervisory Board Members at the 21st Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 28, 2006.
2. In addition to the above, NTT Group paid an aggregate of ¥13 million as executive bonuses to five of its Members of the Board who also hold executive management positions.

Total Compensation of Outside Members of the Board and Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Members during the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2016

 

     Number of Payees    Base Salary  
          (millions of yen)  

Total compensation of Outside Members of the Board and Outside Audit & Supervisory Board Members

   5    ¥ 60   

Board Practices

Board of Directors

NTT’s Board is currently composed of twelve directors, referred to as “Members of the Board.” While not mandated by the Companies Act, two of NTT’s directors are outside directors (i.e., directors who meet certain requirements under the Companies Act, including, among other things, the following: (i) persons who are not currently executive directors, executive officers or employees, including managers (collectively, “Executive Directors etc.”) of NTT or any of its subsidiaries, and who have not been Executive Directors etc. of NTT or any of its subsidiaries within 10 years prior to assuming the position of director; (ii) persons who have been directors, accounting advisors or corporate auditors (excluding Executive Directors etc.) of NTT or any of its subsidiaries within 10 years prior to newly assuming the position of director but who have not been Executive Directors etc. thereof within 10 years prior to assuming such previous position as director, accounting advisor or corporate auditor of NTT or any of its subsidiaries (excluding Executive Directors etc.); and (iii) persons who are not currently spouses or relatives within two degrees of a director, executive officer or important employee, including a manager, of NTT). The presence of outside directors serves to strengthen the Board’s ability to appropriately monitor business operations, and NTT’s outside directors actively contribute to discussions at Board meetings. If NTT has no outside directors at the end of any fiscal year, it will be required to present an explanation at its ordinary general meeting of shareholders as to why the appointment of outside directors is inappropriate. In addition, TSE rules require that at least one of NTT’s outside directors or outside corporate auditors (as described below) meet certain additional independence criteria established by the TSE. Further, TSE rules also require NTT to endeavor to have at least one director who meets such independence criteria. Additionally, the TSE has adopted the Corporate Governance Code, which became effective as of June 1, 2015 (apart from TSE rules, the “TSE Code”). With respect to the TSE Code, the TSE rules adopt a “comply-or-explain” approach, requiring TSE-listed companies to either comply with the principles of the TSE Code or otherwise provide public disclosure explaining the reason for not complying. According to the TSE Code, TSE-listed companies should have at least two outside independent directors within the meaning of the TSE Code.

 

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NTT’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board shall have no more than fifteen members. The Board nominates candidates for Member of the Board, who are elected by resolution adopted by a majority vote of shareholders present at a general meeting of shareholders attended by shareholders entitled to exercise voting rights that hold Shares representing in the aggregate one-third or more of the voting rights of all shareholders. Under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, the term of office of a Member of the Board expires at the conclusion of the general meeting of shareholders relating to the last fiscal year ending within two years from such Member of the Board’s assumption of office. Members of the Board may be reappointed upon expiration of their term of office. By resolution, the Board may designate, from among its members, one President and one or more Representative Members of the Board, who have the authority to represent the company generally in the conduct of its affairs. NTT’s Board may appoint one Chairman and one or more Senior Executive Vice Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents. In addition, the Companies Act provides that a resolution adopted by a majority vote of shareholders present is necessary to remove directors from office unless a higher threshold is provided under the Articles of Incorporation. Under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, a resolution adopted by a majority vote of shareholders present at a meeting of shareholders is required for this purpose.

The Board is responsible for decisions regarding important management issues and other matters, and for supervising the directors’ execution of their duties. As a general rule, the Board meets once a month. Under the Companies Act, directors are prohibited from engaging in any transaction in competition with any of the company’s businesses for themselves or on behalf of any third party, and from engaging in certain other transactions involving a conflict with the company’s interests, unless the transaction is approved by a board resolution. No director may vote on a proposal in which that director is deemed to be materially interested. In addition, the Companies Act requires a resolution of the board to decide on material business matters including, but not limited to, acquisition or disposal of material assets, substantial borrowings, issuance of bonds and establishment of internal control systems.

The Board’s resolutions are passed by a majority vote of Members of the Board present at a meeting attended by a majority of Members of the Board entitled to participate in the voting.

With regard to matters concerning the appointment and compensation of directors, in order to improve objectivity and transparency, NTT has established the Appointment and Compensation Council, a group of four Members of the Board, including two Outside Independent Members of the Board (independent directors within the meaning of the TSE Code), to serve as a preliminary review institution for the Board. The Appointment and Compensation Council deliberates on matters concerning the appointment and compensation of directors before the Board meetings in which final determinations of such matters are made.

Pursuant to the Companies Act and NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, NTT, by resolution of the Board, may exempt its directors (including former directors) and corporate auditors (including former corporate auditors) from liability to NTT for actions taken in good faith and without gross negligence in connection with the performance of their duties, subject to limits imposed by the Companies Act. In addition, NTT has entered into an agreement with each of its outside directors and corporate auditors limiting their maximum liability to NTT for actions taken in good faith and without gross negligence in connection with their performance of their duties, subject to limits imposed by the Companies Act.

Audit & Supervisory Board

NTT maintains a board of corporate auditors (the “Audit & Supervisory Board”), which is composed of five corporate auditors, referred to as “Audit & Supervisory Board Members,” of whom three are outside corporate auditors. Each corporate auditor attends board of directors’ and other important meetings. Through this and other means, the corporate auditors monitor the execution of the duties of NTT’s directors and the condition of NTT’s business operations and assets, as appropriate. The corporate auditors are assisted by their staff maintained for such purposes. NTT’s board of corporate auditors works in collaboration with corporate auditors from NTT Group companies in carrying out its audit functions. Under the Companies Act, at least half of the corporate

 

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auditors must be outside corporate auditors (i.e., corporate auditors who meet certain requirements under the Companies Act, including, among other things, the following: (i) persons who have not been directors, accounting advisors, executive officers or employees, including managers, of NTT or any of its subsidiaries within 10 years prior to assuming the position of corporate auditor; (ii) persons who have been corporate auditors of NTT or any of its subsidiaries within 10 years prior to newly assuming the position of corporate auditor but who have not been directors, accounting advisors, executive officers or employees, including managers, within 10 years prior to assuming the such previous position as corporate auditor; and (iii) persons who are not currently spouses or relatives within two degrees of a director or important employee, including a manager, of NTT), and no corporate auditor may concurrently serve as a director, general manager or other employee of the relevant company or any of its subsidiaries or as an accounting advisor or officer of any of such company’s subsidiaries. As indicated in “—Board of Directors” above, at least one of NTT’s outside directors or outside corporate auditors is required to meet certain additional independence criteria established by the TSE. In addition, according to the TSE Code, at least one person who has appropriate expertise on finance and accounting should be appointed as a corporate auditor.

NTT’s Articles of Incorporation provide that there shall be no more than five Audit & Supervisory Board Members on NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board. NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board Members and their respective terms of office are identified in “Directors and Senior Management” above. As a general rule, NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board Members are nominated by the Board with the consent of the Audit & Supervisory Board and are elected by resolution adopted by a majority vote of shareholders present at a general meeting of shareholders attended by shareholders entitled to exercise voting rights holding Shares representing in the aggregate one-third or more of the voting rights of all shareholders. Under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, the Audit & Supervisory Board appoints by resolution one or more members who serve on a full-time basis. In accordance with the Companies Act and NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, the term of office of an Audit & Supervisory Board Member expires at the conclusion of the general meeting of shareholders relating to the last fiscal year ending within four years from such Audit & Supervisory Board Member’s assumption of office. Audit & Supervisory Board Members may be reappointed upon expiration of their term of office. Audit & Supervisory Board Members may be removed from office by resolution adopted by two-thirds or more of the votes of shareholders present at a general meeting of shareholders attended by shareholders entitled to exercise voting rights holding Shares representing in the aggregate one-third or more of the voting rights of all shareholders. Audit & Supervisory Board Members may state their opinions at a general meeting of shareholders in relation to the removal of an Audit & Supervisory Board Member.

Under the Companies Act, corporate auditors are obligated to audit the execution by the directors of their duties and carry out an accounting audit. Corporate auditors must also examine the agenda and related documents to be submitted by the board of directors to a general meeting of shareholders and report their opinion at the general meeting of shareholders in respect of any violations of relevant laws or their company’s articles of incorporation or other serious improprieties. Corporate auditors are required to attend and, if necessary, state their opinions at meetings of the board of directors, and, if the corporate auditors become aware of any violations or potential violations by the directors of relevant laws or their company’s articles of incorporation that could result in significant harm to the company, the corporate auditors have the right to demand that the directors discontinue the violation.

Further, under the Companies Act, certain “large companies” (such as NTT) are required to maintain a board of corporate auditors comprised of all corporate auditors and, in addition to the audit by the corporate auditors, are required to undergo an accounting audit by an independent auditor nominated by the board of corporate auditors and appointed at a general meeting of shareholders. The board of corporate auditors has a statutory duty to prepare a report based on the individual corporate auditors’ reports setting forth, among other things, matters regarding the independent auditor’s audit report, and to notify a designated director and the independent auditor of the contents of such report. The contents of individual corporate auditor reports may be noted in the board of corporate auditors’ report if such contents differ from the board of corporate auditors’ report. Pursuant to the Companies Act, the board of corporate auditors may, by resolution of the board of

 

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corporate auditors, establish audit principles, the procedures for the board of corporate auditors’ examination of its company’s business and operations and the condition of its assets, and other matters relating to the execution by the corporate auditors of their duties.

Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), in principle requires that each non-U.S. company whose securities are listed on the NYSE maintain an audit committee composed solely of independent directors. However, if a non-U.S. company with a board of corporate auditors meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act, the independent audit committee requirement does not apply. NTT currently maintains a board of corporate auditors in accordance with home country regulations which meets the requirements of paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3.

Employees

NTT and its consolidated subsidiaries had approximately 241,450 employees as of March 31, 2016. Of these employees, approximately 159,950 were employed within Japan and approximately 81,500 were employed outside of Japan as of March 31, 2016. Almost all of NTT Group’s employees in Japan, excluding supervisory staff, are members of the All NTT Workers Union of Japan (NTT Rodo Kumiai, or the “Union”), which is a member of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation (Nippon Rodo Kumiai So Rengokai), and labor-management relations between NTT Group and the Union are stable. NTT Group has experienced no strikes by the Union over the past ten years.

 

     Employees as of Fiscal Years Ended March 31,  
     2014     2015     2016  

Regional communications business

     75,838         [66,273     71,222         [66,471     66,214         [64,745

Long distance communications and international business

     38,069         [8,305     42,234         [9,669     43,758         [10,185

Mobile communications business

     24,860         [11,256     25,680         [11,450     26,129         [11,511

Data communications business

     75,020         [3,652     76,642         [3,631     80,526         [3,188

Other business

     25,969         [10,969     25,815         [10,427     24,821         [10,226
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     239,756         [100,455     241,593         [101,648     241,448         [99,855
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Note: The number of full-time employees as of March 31 of each of the years indicated is shown without brackets. The average annual number of temporary employees for the fiscal years indicated is shown in brackets.

Share Ownership

As of March 31, 2016, the members of the Board of NTT owned a total of 125,314 Shares (less than 0.1% of outstanding Shares).

The NTT Board Members Shareholding Association is an association for the directors and corporate auditors of NTT, NTT East, NTT West, NTT Communications, NTT COMWARE, NTT FACILITIES and other NTT Group companies. Through this association, directors and corporate auditors of the respective NTT Group companies periodically contribute a fixed amount of money for the purchase of NTT stock. NTT DOCOMO and NTT DATA also have similar directors’ shareholding associations for the respective purchases of NTT DOCOMO and NTT DATA stock.

The NTT Employee Shareholding Association is an association for employees of NTT, NTT East, NTT West and NTT Communications and other NTT Group companies. Through this association, employees of the respective NTT Group companies periodically contribute a fixed amount of money for the purchase of NTT stock. Their employers contribute matching funds equivalent to 8% of the amount contributed. NTT DOCOMO and NTT DATA also have similar employee shareholding associations for the respective purchases of NTT DOCOMO and NTT DATA stock.

 

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In March 2014, Dimension Data, one of NTT Group’s main subsidiaries in the long distance and international communications business segment, implemented a performance-based equity compensation program using NTT shares or ADRs. Pursuant to this long-term incentive plan, Dimension Data will distribute NTT shares or ADRs to executives and key talent of Dimension Data group companies worldwide based on Dimension Data’s business performance. The purchase of shares for this program will be conducted through a trust that is independent from NTT and Dimension Data, under instructions of the trust executor.

ITEM 7—MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Government, acting through the Minister, regulates the activities of NTT and certain of its subsidiaries, and the Minister’s approval is required for the issuance of new Shares, subject to consultation with the Minister of Finance. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations.” NTT Group transacts business with various departments and agencies of the Government as separate customers on an arm’s-length basis. The Government, in its capacity as a shareholder of NTT, votes at NTT shareholder meetings and, by virtue of its position as the largest shareholder, theoretically has the power to exert considerable influence over most decisions taken at such meetings, although the Government has never used this power to direct the management of NTT.

As of March 31, 2016, the Government owned 738,123,976 Shares, or 35.21% of the issued Shares (35.21% of outstanding Shares). See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. For details of the requirements for Government ownership of NTT Shares under the NTT Act, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Matters Relating to NTT’s Shares.” To NTT’s knowledge, there were no significant changes in the Government’s percentage ownership during the past three fiscal years.

 

     As of March 31, 2016  

Title of Class

   Identity of
Person or Group
  Amount of
Shares Owned
     Percent of
Class
 

Common stock

   Government of Japan
(Minister of Finance)
    738,123,976         35.21 %(1) 

Common stock

   Members of the
Board (12 persons)
    125,314           (2) 

 

(1) 35.21% of outstanding Shares.
(2) Less than 0.1% of outstanding Shares.

As of March 31, 2016, 30,822,617 ADSs (equivalent to 30,822,617 Shares, or 1.5% of the total number of Shares, excluding treasury stock owned by NTT, outstanding on that date) were outstanding and were held by 164 record holders of ADSs (including 154 United States record holders, who held 30,821,223 ADSs).

As far as NTT is aware, there are no arrangements the operation of which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change in control of NTT.

Related Party Transactions

Details of transactions between NTT Group and other affiliated companies

NTT Group has entered into various types of transactions with other affiliated companies, the most significant of which are purchases of terminal equipment and materials as well as the receiving and commissioning of certain services.

 

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Transactions with affiliated companies and the related balances at the end of the periods ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were as follows:

 

     Year ended March 31,  
     2014      2015      2016  
     (millions of yen)  

Sales

   ¥ 31,903       ¥ 33,091       ¥ 36,994   

Purchases

   ¥ 127,674       ¥ 135,876       ¥ 136,453   

Receivables

   ¥ 24,349       ¥ 27,896       ¥ 29,374   

Payables

   ¥ 119,708       ¥ 110,631       ¥ 116,164   

Dividends from affiliated companies accounted for by the equity method for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥23,249 million, ¥25,881 million and ¥20,462, respectively.

Details of transactions between NTT Group companies and other related parties

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, NTT DATA entered into various related party transactions, the terms of which were substantially similar to those of transactions that NTT DATA entered into with non-related parties. NTT does not consider the nature and value of the related party transactions that NTT DATA entered into during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 to be material.

ITEM 8—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

See “Item 18—Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-77.

Legal Proceedings

In the normal course of its business operations, NTT Group is subject to legal proceedings, lawsuits and other claims, including claims relating to contracts, labor relations and intellectual property. However, based upon the information currently available to both NTT Group and its legal counsel, management believes that damages from such legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims, if any, would not have a material effect on NTT’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Dividend Policy

In addition to increasing corporate value over the medium- and long-term, NTT has identified the return of profits to shareholders as an important management goal. In determining the level of dividends, NTT, while giving consideration to stability and sustainability, takes into account a full range of factors, including business performance, financial condition and dividend payout ratio.

NTT’s dividends in respect of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 were ¥110 per share, comprising a year-end dividend of ¥60 and the interim dividend of ¥50 paid on December 7, 2015. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017, NTT currently expects to pay dividends of ¥120 per share in respect of the full fiscal year.

While maintaining sound financial condition and as part of its capital policy to improve capital efficiency, NTT intends to use retained earnings for investments in new business opportunities.

See also “Item 3—Key Information—Dividends.”

Significant Changes

Except as otherwise disclosed herein, there have been no significant changes since March 31, 2016, the date of the registrant’s last audited financial statements.

 

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ITEM 9—THE OFFER AND LISTING

Trading Markets

The principal trading market for the Shares of NTT is the TSE. The Shares have been traded on the First Section of that exchange since February 1987.

The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the reported high and low sale prices of the Shares on the TSE. It also sets forth the closing highs and lows of two TSE stock indices, the Tokyo Stock Price Index (“TOPIX”) and the Nikkei Stock Average (“Nikkei 255”). The TOPIX, which is published by the TSE, is a weighted index of the market value of all stocks listed on the First Section of the TSE. As of June 15, 2016, stocks of 1,963 companies were traded on the First Section of the TSE. The Nikkei 225 is a widely followed unweighted arithmetic average of 225 selected stocks traded on the First Section of the TSE.

 

     TSE Price per Share      Average
daily
trading
volume*
     Closing
TOPIX
     Closing
Nikkei 225
 
     High      Low         High      Low      High      Low  
     (yen)     

(number of

Shares)

     (points)      (yen)  

Fiscal Years Ended March 31,

                    

2012

     2,042.5         1,737.5         4,417,240         874.34         706.08         10,255.15         8,160.01   

2013

     2,215.0         1,635.0         5,335,432         1,058.10         695.51         12,635.69         8,295.63   

2014

     3,004.5         1,962.5         6,233,946         1,306.23         991.34         16,291.31         12,003.43   

2015

     3,881.5         2,525.5         4,973,928         1,592.25         1,132.76         19,754.36         13,910.16   

2016

     5,419.0         3,626.0         4,103,242         1,691.29         1,196.28         20,868.03         14,952.61   

Quarterly Periods for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015

                    

First Quarter

     3,222.0         2,525.5         4,099,588         1,269.04         1,132.76         15,376.24         13,910.16   

Second Quarter

     3,560.0         3,141.0         4,493,098         1,346.43         1,228.26         16,374.14         14,778.37   

Third Quarter

     3,560.0         3,001.5         5,781,206         1,447.58         1,177.22         17,935.64         14,532.51   

Fourth Quarter

     3,881.5         3,011.0         5,561,550         1,592.25         1,357.98         19,754.36         16,795.96   

Quarterly Periods for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2016

                    

First Quarter

     4,573.5         3,626.0         4,632,593         1,679.89         1,528.99         20,868.03         19,034.84   

Second Quarter

     5,066.0         4,005.0         5,302,269         1,691.29         1,375.52         20,841.97         16,930.84   

Third Quarter

     4,983.0         4,171.0         3,711,431         1,605.94         1,442.74         20,012.40         17,722.42   

Fourth Quarter

     5,419.0         4,422.0         4,950,711         1,509.67         1,196.28         18,450.98         14,952.61   

2016 Monthly Periods

                    

January

     5,049.0         4,422.0         5,322,805         1,509.67         1,301.49         18,450.98         16,017.26   

February

     5,419.0         4,526.0         5,629,070         1,462.67         1,196.28         17,865.23         14,952.61   

March

     5,075.0         4,589.0         4,012,668         1,381.85         1,300.83         17,233.75         16,085.51   

April

     5,068.0         4,565.0         3,878,745         1,407.50         1,267.75         17,572.49         15,715.36   

May

     5,180.0         4,705.0         3,520,142         1,379.80         1,298.32         17,234.98         16,106.72   

June (through June 10)

     4,857.0         4,626.0         3,108,400         1,362.07         1,330.72         16,955.73         16,562.55   

 

Note: The numbers of Shares for Average daily trading volume for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2012 through 2016 have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split of NTT’s common stock, with an effective date of July 1, 2015.

On June 10, 2016, the last traded price of the Shares on the TSE was ¥4,719 per Share, and the closing TOPIX and Nikkei 225 on that date were 1,330.72 points and ¥16,601.36, respectively.

ADSs are listed on the NYSE. One ADS represents one Share and ADSs are evidenced by ADRs issued by the Depositary. Furthermore, NTT authorized a two-for-one stock split of its common stock, with an effective

 

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date of July 1, 2015, at a meeting of its Board held on May 15, 2015. In connection with the stock split, NTT changed the ratio of ADRs to NTT’s underlying shares from 2:1 to 1:1, beginning on July 1, 2015 (U.S. Eastern time).

As of March 31, 2016, 30,822,617 ADSs (equivalent to 30,822,617 Shares, or 1.5% of the total number of Shares outstanding on that date, excluding treasury stock) were outstanding and were held by 164 record holders of ADSs (including 154 United States record holders, who held an aggregate of 30,821,223 ADSs). Because the trading volume of its ADSs in the American capital markets has been on a downward trend, NTT is considering voluntarily delisting its ADSs from the NYSE and filing for the termination of registration of its ADSs under the Exchange Act approximately concurrently with its contemplated adoption of IFRS (in or around April 2018).

The principal trading market for the ADSs in the United States is the New York Stock Exchange. The high and low sales prices of the ADSs, as reported in the composite reporting system, are as follows:

 

     Price per ADS      Average daily
trading volume
 
     High      Low     
     (U.S. dollars)         

Fiscal Years Ended March 31,

        

2012

     25.99         22.44         499,145   

2013

     24.70         20.64         470,099   

2014

     29.21         21.14         322,298   

2015

     34.08         25.07         342,414   

2016

     45.78         30.65         348,425   

Quarterly Periods for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2015

        

First quarter

     31.67         25.26         286,875   

Second quarter

     34.08         30.93         319,382   

Third quarter

     31.58         25.61         351,520   

Fourth quarter

     31.99         25.07         414,386   

Quarterly Periods for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2016

        

First quarter

     36.85         30.65         266,722   

Second quarter

     40.30         33.83         316,700   

Third quarter

     40.19         34.65         371,585   

Fourth quarter

     45.78         37.99         441,740   

2016 Monthly Periods

        

January

     42.79         37.99         476,291   

February

     45.78         40.50         521,275   

March

     44.66         41.23         341,726   

April

     46.25         41.73         317,430   

May

     47.18         43.07         272,205   

June (through June 10)

     44.82         43.04         210,457   

For a discussion of the tax treatment of dividends paid to U.S. holders of ADSs, see “Item 10—Additional Information—Taxation.”

ITEM 10—ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Description of the Shares

Set out below is information concerning the Shares, including summaries of certain provisions of NTT’s Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations and of the Companies Act relating to joint stock corporations (kabushiki kaisha) and related legislation, all as currently in effect. For more information regarding the NTT Act and a description of the purpose of NTT’s business as described in Article 2 of its Articles of Incorporation and in the NTT Act, see “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act.”

 

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General

All issued Shares are fully-paid and non-assessable. On January 5, 2009, a central clearing system for shares of Japanese listed companies was established pursuant to the Act on Book-Entry Transfer of Company Bonds, Shares, etc. (including regulations promulgated thereunder, the “Book-Entry Transfer Act”), and the shares of all Japanese companies listed on any Japanese stock exchange, including the Shares, became subject to this system. At present, Japan Securities Depository Center, Inc. (“JASDEC”) is the only institution that has been designated by the relevant authorities as a clearing house permitted to engage in the clearing operations of shares of Japanese listed companies under the Book-Entry Transfer Act. Under the clearing system, in order for any person to hold, sell or otherwise dispose of shares of Japanese listed companies, such person must have an account at an account-managing institution unless such person itself has an account at JASDEC. “Account-managing institutions” are financial instruments traders (i.e., securities companies), banks, trust companies and certain other financial institutions which meet the requirements prescribed by the Book-Entry Transfer Act and are authorized to conduct book entry activities on the clearing system. Only those financial institutions that meet certain additional requirements of the Book-Entry Transfer Act can open an account directly at JASDEC.

Under the Book-Entry Transfer Act, any transfer of shares is effected through book entry, and title to the shares passes to the transferee at the time when the number of the transferred shares is recorded in the transferee’s account at an account-managing institution or JASDEC, as applicable. The holder of an account at an account-managing institution or JASDEC is presumed to be the legal owner of the shares held in such account.

Under the Companies Act and the Book-Entry Transfer Act, in order to assert shareholders’ rights against NTT, except in limited circumstances, a shareholder must have its name and address registered in NTT’s register of shareholders. Under the clearing system, such registration is made upon NTT’s receipt of the necessary information from JASDEC. See “—Transfer Agent” and “—Record Date” below.

The registered holder of the deposited Shares underlying the ADSs is the Depositary for the ADSs. Accordingly, holders of ADSs will not be able to directly assert their shareholders’ rights against NTT.

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 through the relevant account-managing institutions and JASDEC to NTT. Japanese securities firms and commercial banks customarily act as standing proxies and provide related services at market rates. Notices from NTT to non-resident shareholders are delivered to such standing proxies or mailing addresses.

Distributions of Surplus

General

Under the Companies Act, distributions of cash or other assets by joint stock corporations to their shareholders, commonly called “dividends,” are referred to as “distributions of surplus” (“surplus” is defined below under “—Restriction on Distributions of Surplus”). NTT may make distributions of surplus to its shareholders any number of times during any fiscal year, subject to certain limitations described below under “—Restriction on Distributions of Surplus.” Distributions of surplus are required in principle to be authorized by a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, but may also be made pursuant to a resolution of the Board if all the requirements described in (a) through (c) are met:

 

  (a) NTT’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board has the authority to determine distributions of surplus;

 

  (b) the normal term of office of NTT’s Members of the Board terminates on or prior to the date of the conclusion of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held for the last fiscal year ending within one year after the election of the Members of the Board to office; and

 

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  (c) NTT’s non-consolidated annual financial statements and certain documents for the latest fiscal year present fairly its assets and profit or loss, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

At present, NTT does not meet the requirements described in (a) and (b) above. Nevertheless, NTT is permitted to make distributions of surplus in cash as an interim dividend to its shareholders by resolutions of its Board once per fiscal year under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation and the Companies Act. Under the NTT Act, approval of the Minister is also required for any distribution of surplus. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act.”

Under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, a year-end dividend may be distributed pursuant to a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders to (i) shareholders of record and (ii) the persons or bodies listed in “Item 10—Additional Information—Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders—Restrictions on Foreign Ownership,” all or some of whose Shares have not been entered or recorded in the register of NTT pursuant to Article 6 of the NTT Act, and in the case of each of (i) and (ii), who are identified as shareholders as of March 31 of the relevant year in the notices issued by JASDEC under Article 151, Paragraph 1 of the Book-Entry Transfer Act. An interim dividend may be distributed pursuant to a resolution of the Board to (i) shareholders of record and (ii) the persons or bodies listed in “Item 10—Additional Information—Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders—Restrictions on Foreign Ownership” all or some of whose Shares have not been entered or recorded in the register of NTT pursuant to Article 6 of the NTT Act, and in the case of each of (i) and (ii), who are identified as shareholders as of September 30 of the relevant year in the notices issued by JASDEC under Article 151, Paragraph 1 of the Book-Entry Transfer Act. NTT’s Articles of Incorporation exempt NTT from the obligation to make distributions of surplus to a shareholder after three years have elapsed from the date on which such shareholder failed to accept a distribution.

Distributions of surplus may be made in cash or in kind (except for interim dividends, which must be paid in cash) in proportion to the number of Shares held by each shareholder. A resolution of a general meeting of shareholders or the Board authorizing a distribution of surplus must specify the kind and aggregate carrying amounts 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, NTT may, pursuant to a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, grant a right to its shareholders to require NTT 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” for more information regarding “special resolutions”).

In Japan, the ex-dividend date and the record date for dividends precede the date of determination of the amount of the dividends to be paid. The price of the Shares generally goes ex-dividend on the second business day prior to the record date.

Restriction on Distributions of Surplus

When NTT makes a distribution of surplus, it must, until the sum of its additional paid-in capital and legal reserve reaches one quarter of its stated capital, set aside in its additional paid-in capital and/or legal reserve an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of surplus so distributed, in accordance with an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice.

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, as each such amount appears in NTT’s non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of NTT’s last fiscal year,

 

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“B”    =    the amount of the consideration received for any treasury stock disposed of by NTT after the end of NTT’s last fiscal year less the carrying amounts thereof,
“C”    =    the amount of any reduction to NTT’s stated capital made by NTT after the end of its last fiscal year less the portion thereof that has been transferred to additional paid-in capital or legal reserve (if any),
“D”    =    the amount of any reduction to NTT’s additional paid-in capital or legal reserve after the end of NTT’s last fiscal year less the portion thereof that has been transferred to stated capital (if any),
“E”    =    the carrying amounts of any treasury stock cancelled by NTT after the end of NTT’s last fiscal year,
“F”    =    the total carrying amounts of any surplus distributed by NTT to its shareholders after the end of NTT’s last fiscal year, and
“G”    =    certain other amounts set forth in ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, including (if NTT has reduced surplus and increased its stated capital, additional paid-in capital or legal reserve after the end of NTT’s last fiscal year) the amount of such reduction and (if NTT has distributed surplus to its shareholders after the end of its last fiscal year) the amount set aside in its additional paid-in capital or legal reserve (if any) as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

The aggregate carrying amounts of surplus distributed by NTT 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 following:

 

  (a) the carrying amounts of NTT’s treasury stock, as of the effective date of the distribution,

 

  (b) the amount of consideration for NTT’s treasury stock that it disposed of after the end of the last fiscal year, and

 

  (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 NTT’s non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of NTT’s last fiscal year), all or a part of such excess amount as calculated in accordance with an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice.

NTT may elect to be treated as a company with respect to which consolidated balance sheets should also be taken into consideration in the calculation of the Distributable Amount (renketsu haito kisei tekiyo kaisha). In this case, NTT would be required to further deduct from the amount of surplus the excess amount, if any, of (x) the total amount of shareholders’ equity appearing on its non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last fiscal year and certain other amounts set forth by the ordinance of the Ministry of Justice over (y) the total amount of shareholders’ equity and certain other amounts set forth by the ordinance of the Ministry of Justice appearing on its consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last fiscal year.

If NTT has prepared interim financial statements as described below, and if such interim financial statements have been approved by the Board or (if so required by the Companies Act) 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 shares of treasury stock that NTT has disposed of, during the period in respect of which such interim financial statements have been prepared. NTT may prepare non-consolidated interim financial statements consisting of a balance sheet as of any date subsequent to the end of the last fiscal year and an income statement for the period from the first day of the current fiscal year to the date of such balance sheet. Interim financial statements so prepared by NTT must be audited by the members of its Audit & Supervisory Board and independent certified public accountants, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

 

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Capital and Reserves

When NTT issues new Shares, the entire amount of money or other assets paid or contributed by subscribers for such Shares is required to be accounted for as stated capital, although NTT may account for an amount not exceeding one-half of the amount of such subscription money or other assets as additional paid-in capital by resolution of the Board.

NTT may reduce its additional paid-in capital or legal reserve generally by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders and, if so decided by the same resolution, may account for the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as stated capital. On the other hand, NTT may reduce its stated capital generally by special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders and, if so decided by the same resolution, may account for the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as additional paid-in capital. In addition, NTT may reduce its surplus and increase either (i) stated capital or (ii) additional paid-in capital and/or legal reserve by the same amount, in either case, by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders.

Stock Splits

NTT may at any time split the issued Shares into a greater number of Shares by resolution of its Board. When a stock split is to be made, so long as the only type of NTT’s outstanding stock is its common stock, it may increase the number of authorized Shares to the extent that the ratio of such increase in authorized Shares does not exceed the ratio of such stock split, by amending its Articles of Incorporation, which amendment may be made without shareholder approval. Under the NTT Act, NTT is required to obtain the approval of the Minister for any amendment of its Articles of Incorporation. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act.”

Before undertaking a stock split, NTT must give public notice of the stock split specifying a record date not less than two weeks after the date of the notice. Under the rules of the clearing system, NTT must also inform JASDEC of certain matters regarding a stock split promptly after the resolution of its Board approving such stock split. On the effective date of the stock split, the numbers of Shares recorded in all accounts held by NTT’s shareholders at account-managing institutions or JASDEC will be increased in accordance with the applicable ratio.

Elimination of Fractional Shares and Adoption of Unit Share System

NTT’s Articles of Incorporation were amended on January 4, 2009 pursuant to a resolution of its ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 25, 2008 to provide for the fact that the fractional share system was abolished as of January 4, 2009 as a result of changes to the Companies Act. NTT adopted a unit share system which provides that 100 Shares constitute one “unit.”

Under the unit share system, a shareholder in principle has one vote for each whole unit of Shares it holds. Shares constituting less than one whole unit carry no voting rights and are excluded for the purposes of calculating a quorum for voting purposes. Moreover, holders of Shares constituting less than one whole unit have no other shareholder rights, except certain rights specified by law and in NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, including the right to receive any distributions of surplus.

Under the rules of the clearing system, Shares constituting less than one whole unit are transferable. Under the rules of the TSE, however, except in certain limited circumstances such as the consolidation of shares for the purpose of changing the number of shares constituting one whole unit, Shares constituting less than one whole unit do not comprise a trading unit, and accordingly may not be sold on the TSE.

Holders of Shares constituting less than one whole unit may at any time request that NTT purchase such Shares through the relevant account-managing institution and JASDEC. Pursuant to NTT’s Articles of

 

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Incorporation, any such holder may also request that NTT sell to such holder Shares constituting less than one whole unit which, when added to the Shares of such holder constituting less than one whole unit, shall constitute one whole unit. Under the clearing system, such request must be made through the relevant account-managing institution and JASDEC. Such purchase or sale of Shares will be effected at the current market price as set out in the Companies Act.

NTT’s Board is permitted to reduce the number of Shares that will constitute a unit or abolish the unit share system entirely by amending its Articles of Incorporation without approval by shareholders. A special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders is required to increase the number of Shares that will constitute a unit. The number of Shares constituting a unit may not exceed the lesser of 1,000 and one-two hundredth of the total number of issued Shares.

General Meetings of Shareholders

The ordinary general meeting of shareholders is customarily held in June of each year. In addition, NTT may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary. Notice of a general meeting of shareholders stating, among other things, the place, time and purpose thereof must be given to each shareholder that has voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to its standing proxy or mailing address in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting. The record date for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders is March 31 of each year.

Any shareholder holding at least 300 voting rights or 1% of the total number of voting rights for six months or longer may propose a matter for consideration at a general meeting of shareholders by submitting a request to a Representative Director at least eight weeks prior to the date of such meeting. If NTT’s Articles of Incorporation so provide, any of the minimum percentages, time periods and number of voting rights necessary for exercising the minority shareholder rights described above may be decreased or shortened, as applicable.

Voting Rights

A holder of Shares constituting one or more units is in principle entitled to one vote for each whole unit of Shares. However, in general, neither NTT nor any corporate or other entity, one-quarter or more of the total voting rights of which are directly or indirectly held by NTT, has voting rights in respect of such Shares.

Except as otherwise provided by law or in NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted by a majority vote of all shareholders present at a general meeting of shareholders and entitled to exercise voting rights. NTT’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the quorum for election of its Members of the Board and Members of the Audit & Supervisory Board is one-third of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders entitled to exercise voting rights. NTT’s shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of its Members of the Board. Shareholders may exercise their voting rights in writing, by electronic means or through proxies, provided that the proxies are, in principle, also shareholders who have voting rights.

The Companies Act provides that certain important matters shall be approved by a “special resolution” of a general meeting of shareholders. Under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, the quorum for a special resolution is one-third of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders entitled to exercise voting rights, and the approval of two-thirds or more of the voting rights of all shareholders present at the meeting is required for adopting a special resolution. Such important matters include:

 

  (i) purchase of Shares by NTT from a specific shareholder other than one of NTT’s subsidiaries;

 

  (ii) combination of Shares;

 

  (iii) issuance or transfer of new Shares or existing Shares held by NTT as treasury stock to persons other than the shareholders at a “specially favorable” price;

 

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  (iv) issuance of stock acquisition rights (including those embedded in bonds with stock acquisition rights) to persons other than NTT’s shareholders under “specially favorable” conditions or at a “specially favorable” price;

 

  (v) removal of any of NTT’s Members of the Audit & Supervisory Board;

 

  (vi) any exemption from liability of any of NTT’s Members of the Board, Members of the Audit & Supervisory Board or independent auditors;

 

  (vii) distribution of surplus in kind with respect to which shareholders are not granted the right to require NTT to make distribution in cash instead of in kind;

 

  (viii) reduction of stated capital;

 

  (ix) any amendment to NTT’s Articles of Incorporation;

 

  (x) transfer of all or a substantial part of NTT’s business;

 

  (xi) transfer of the whole or a part of NTT’s shares or equity interest in any of NTT’s subsidiaries, if such transfer meets certain requirements;

 

  (xii) taking over of the entire business of another company;

 

  (xiii) merger;

 

  (xiv) divestiture;

 

  (xv) establishment of a parent and wholly-owned subsidiary relationship by way of a share transfer (kabushiki-iten) or share exchange (kabushiki-kokan); and

 

  (xvi) dissolution or consolidation.

However, under the Companies Act, no shareholder approval, whether by an ordinary resolution or a special resolution at a general meeting of shareholders, is required for any matter described in (viii) through (xv) above, and such matter may instead be decided by the board of directors, if it satisfies certain criteria prescribed by the Companies Act. Under the NTT Act, the approval of the Minister is required for some of the above matters. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act.”

Liquidation Rights

In the event of NTT’s liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among holders of Shares in proportion to the respective numbers of Shares they hold.

Subscription Rights

Holders of Shares have no pre-emptive rights. Authorized but unissued Shares may be issued at such times and upon such terms as NTT’s Board determines, subject to the limitations on the issuance of new Shares at a “specially favorable” price mentioned above in “—Voting Rights.” NTT’s Board may, however, determine that shareholders be given subscription rights to Shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all holders of Shares as of a record date not less than two weeks after public notice has been given. Each shareholder to whom such rights are given must also be given at least two weeks’ prior notice of the date on which such rights expire. Under the NTT Act, NTT is required to obtain the approval of the Minister to issue new shares, subject to certain exceptions. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act.”

Stock Acquisition Rights

NTT may issue stock acquisition rights (shinkabu yoyakuken). Holders of stock acquisition rights are entitled to acquire Shares from NTT upon payment of the applicable exercise price, and subject to other terms

 

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and conditions thereof. NTT may also issue bonds with stock acquisition rights (shinkabu yoyakuken-tsuki shasai). The issuance of stock acquisition rights and bonds with stock acquisition rights may be authorized by NTT’s Board unless such issuances are made under “specially favorable” conditions or at a “specially favorable” price, as described above in “—Voting Rights.”

Under the NTT Act, NTT is required to obtain the approval of the Minister to issue bonds with stock acquisition rights. See “Item 4—Information on the Company—Regulations—NTT Act.”

Transfer Agent

NTT’s transfer agent is Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank, Limited (“SMTB”). SMTB maintains NTT’s register of shareholders and registers the names and addresses of NTT’s shareholders and other relevant information in NTT’s register of shareholders upon notice thereof from JASDEC, as described in “—Record Date” below.

Record Date

March 31 is the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders. In addition, by a resolution of the Board and after giving at least two weeks’ prior public notice, NTT may at any time set a record date in order to determine the shareholders who are entitled to certain rights pertaining to Shares.

Under the rules of the clearing system, NTT is required to give notice of each record date to JASDEC promptly after the resolution of NTT’s Board determining such record date. JASDEC is required to promptly give NTT notice of the names and addresses of NTT’s shareholders, the numbers of Shares held by them and other relevant information as of such record date.

Acquisition by NTT of Shares

NTT may acquire Shares (i) by soliciting all of its shareholders to offer to sell their Shares (in this case, certain terms of such acquisition, such as the total number of Shares to be purchased and the total amount of consideration, shall be set by an ordinary resolution of a general meeting of shareholders in advance, and the acquisition shall be effected pursuant to a resolution of the Board), (ii) from a specific shareholder other than any of NTT’s subsidiaries (pursuant to a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders), (iii) from any of NTT’s subsidiaries (pursuant to a resolution of the Board), or (iv) by way of purchase on the TSE, on which the Shares are listed, or by way of tender offer (in either case pursuant to an ordinary resolution of a general meeting of shareholders or a resolution of the Board). In the case of (ii) above, any other shareholder may make a request to NTT’s Representative Director 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 higher of (x) 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 (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) and (y) if the Shares are subject to a tender offer on the day immediately preceding the date on which the resolution mentioned in (ii) above was adopted, the price of the Shares under the agreement with respect to such tender offer on such day.

The total amount of the purchase price of Shares may not exceed the Distributable Amount, as described in “—Distributions of Surplus—Restriction on Distributions of Surplus.”

NTT may hold the Shares acquired in compliance with the Companies Act, and may generally dispose of or cancel such Shares by resolution of its Board.

 

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Disposal of Shares by NTT

NTT is no longer required to send notices to a shareholder once NTT has continuously been unable to deliver notices for five years or more to his or her address registered in NTT’s register of shareholders or at any alternative address otherwise provided to NTT.

In the above case, if the relevant shareholder also fails to receive distributions of surplus on the Shares continuously for five years or more at his or her address registered in NTT’s register of shareholders or at an alternative address otherwise provided to NTT, then after the five years NTT may in general dispose of such Shares at their then market price and either hold the proceeds of such disposition or deposit them on behalf of the relevant shareholder.

Acquisition and Disposal of Shares by NTT during the Last Three Fiscal Years

Prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, NTT engaged in several Share repurchases through transactions executed on the TSE in accordance with applicable Japanese law, and in certain cases the Minister of Finance sold some of the Shares it held in NTT to NTT.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, at the Board meeting held on May 10, 2013, the Board approved a resolution for the repurchase by NTT of up to 50,000,000 of its Shares at an aggregate cost not to exceed ¥250 billion during the period between May 13, 2013 and March 31, 2014. In accordance with this resolution, NTT acquired a total of 48,737,200 Shares at an aggregate cost of ¥250 billion. No Shares were acquired from the Minister of Finance. Further, at the Board meeting held on February 6, 2014, the Board approved a resolution for the repurchase by NTT of up to 38,000,000 of its Shares at an aggregate cost not to exceed ¥200 billion during the period between February 7, 2014 and March 31, 2014. In accordance with this resolution, NTT acquired from the Minister of Finance and other shareholders 26,556,800 Shares at an aggregate cost of ¥156.499 billion on March 7, 2014. As a result of these transactions, together with stock repurchases by NTT due to the purchase of less-than-one-unit shares requested by holders of less-than-one-unit shares, and sale of treasury stock by NTT in response to requests of holders of less-than-one-unit shares to increase less-than-one-unit shares held, the total number of outstanding Shares (excluding treasury stock) as of March 31, 2014 was 1,110,046,428.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, at the Board meeting held on November 7, 2014, the Board approved a resolution for the repurchase by NTT of up to 51,000,000 of its Shares at an aggregate cost not to exceed ¥350 billion during the period between November 10, 2014 and June 30, 2015. In accordance with this resolution, NTT acquired a total of 38,000,000 Shares from the Minister of Finance and other shareholders on November 14, 2014 at an aggregate cost of ¥249.166 billion. Further, NTT acquired a total of 1,168,100 Shares from the Minister of Finance and other shareholders on November 28, 2014 at an aggregate cost of ¥7.429 billion. In addition, NTT carried out further Share repurchases (not including Shares held by the Minister of Finance) pursuant to which it acquired a total of 51,000,000 Shares at an aggregate cost of ¥338.117 billion during the period between January 6, 2015 and March 6, 2015. As a result of these transactions, together with stock repurchases by NTT due to the purchase of less-than-one-unit shares requested by holders of less-than-one-unit shares, and sale of treasury stock by NTT in response to requests of holders of less-than-one-unit shares to increase less-than-one-unit shares held, the total number of outstanding Shares (excluding treasury stock) as of March 31, 2015 was 1,058,599,629.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, at the Board meeting held on May 15, 2015, the Board approved a resolution for a two-for-one stock split, with an effective date of July 1, 2015, of NTT’s common stock owned by all shareholders as of the record date. In addition, at the Board meeting held on August 5, 2015, the Board approved a resolution for the repurchase by NTT of up to 21,000,000 of its Shares at an aggregate cost not to exceed ¥100 billion during the period between August 6, 2015 to October 30, 2015. In accordance with this resolution, NTT acquired a total of 21,000,000 Shares for ¥93.6 billion between August 6, 2015 and

 

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October 30, 2015. No Shares were acquired from the Minister of Finance. Further, on November 13, 2015, NTT cancelled 177,000,000 of its Shares. As a result of these transactions, together with stock repurchases by NTT due to the purchase of less-than-one-unit shares requested by holders of less-than-one-unit shares, and sale of treasury stock by NTT in response to requests of holders of less-than-one-unit shares to increase less-than-one-unit shares held, the total number of outstanding Shares (excluding treasury stock) as of March 31, 2016 was 2,096,139,201.

Material Contracts

All contracts concluded by NTT during the two years preceding this filing were entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders

General

The Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan, as amended, and the cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances issued thereunder (collectively, the “Foreign Exchange Regulations”) govern certain matters relating to the acquisition and holding of shares of equity securities of Japanese corporations by “exchange non-residents” and “foreign investors” (each as defined below). For purposes of determining ownership interests under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, the Depositary is deemed to be the owner of the Shares underlying the ADSs.

“Exchange residents” are individuals who reside within Japan and corporations whose principal offices are located within Japan. “Exchange non-residents” are individuals who do not reside within Japan and corporations whose principal offices are located outside Japan. Generally, branches and other offices of Japanese corporations located outside Japan are regarded as exchange non-residents, but branches and other offices of non-resident corporations located within Japan are regarded as exchange residents. “Foreign investors” are (i) individuals who are exchange non-residents, (ii) corporations which are organized under the laws of foreign countries or whose principal offices are located outside Japan, and (iii) corporations not less than 50% of the voting rights of which are directly or indirectly held by (i) and/or (ii) or a majority of the officers (or officers having the power of representation) of which are individuals who are exchange non-residents.

Acquisition of Shares

Acquisition by an exchange non-resident of shares of stock of a Japanese corporation from an exchange resident generally requires subsequent reporting by the exchange resident. Such subsequent reporting is not required where (i) the amount of shares is ¥100 million or less; or (ii) the purchase transaction is effected by certain financial institutions acting as the agent or intermediary purchased in the transaction, as prescribed by the Foreign Exchange Regulations.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the proposed transaction falls within the category of “inward direct investment,” the transaction is subject to different regulations. The term “inward direct investment” in relation to transactions in shares means, in relevant part, an acquisition of shares of a listed corporation by a foreign investor (whether from an exchange resident, an exchange non-resident or any other foreign investor) that results in such investor, together with parties who have a special relationship with such investor, holding 10% or more of the total number of issued shares of such corporation or, if such investor, together with such parties, already holds 10% or more of the total number of issued shares of such corporation, acquisition of additional shares in such corporation.

In the event that Shares of NTT are acquired in a transaction which at such time falls within the category of an inward direct investment requiring prior notification, the foreign investor who makes such investment is in principle required to file a prior notification with the Minister of Finance and the Minister 30 days prior to such

 

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transaction. Under certain circumstances, after a prior notification is filed, the said ministers may recommend the modification or abandonment of the proposed acquisition and, if the recommendation is not accepted, order its modification or abandonment.

The acquisition of shares by shareholders who are exchange non-residents by way of a stock split is not subject to any notification requirements.

American Depositary Shares

None of the deposit of Shares by an exchange non-resident, the issuance by the Depositary to an exchange non-resident of ADRs evidencing the ADSs created by such deposit in exchange therefor or the withdrawal of the underlying Shares by an exchange non-resident upon surrender of ADRs is subject to any formalities or restrictions referred to under “Acquisition of Shares” above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, notification as noted under “Acquisition of Shares” above may be required where, as a result of such deposit or withdrawal, the aggregate number of Shares held by the Depositary or the holder surrendering ADRs, as the case may be, would be 10% or more of the total number of issued Shares.

Dividends and Proceeds of Sale

Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, dividends paid on, and the proceeds of sales in Japan of, Shares held by exchange non-residents may in general be converted into any foreign currency and repatriated abroad.

Reporting of Substantial Shareholdings

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and its related regulations require any person who has become, beneficially and solely or jointly, a holder of issued voting shares (excluding treasury stock) amounting to more than 5% of the total issued shares of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange to file with a local finance bureau of the Ministry of Finance (the “MOF”) a report concerning such shareholdings within five business days. The local finance bureau of the MOF is authorized to review such filing. With certain exceptions, a similar report must also be made in respect of any subsequent change of 1% or more in any such holding or of any change in material matters set forth in any reports previously filed. For this purpose, voting shares issuable to such person upon conversion of convertible securities or the exercise of stock acquisition rights are taken into account in determining both the number of voting shares held by such holder and the issuer’s total issued share capital. Copies of each such report must also be furnished, without delay, to the issuer of such shares and all Japanese stock exchanges on which the shares are listed.

Restrictions on Foreign Ownership

Foreign nationals and foreign corporations have been permitted to own Shares since August 1, 1992. Currently, NTT is prohibited from registering in its register of shareholders shareholder ownership, individually or in the aggregate, equal to or exceeding one-third of NTT’s total voting rights by the persons or bodies who are identified as shareholders in the notices issued by JASDEC under Article 151, Paragraph1 or 8 of the Book-Entry Transfer Act, listed below:

 

  (i) any person who is not of Japanese nationality;

 

  (ii) any foreign government or any of its representatives;

 

  (iii) any foreign juridical person or association; and

 

  (iv) any juridical person or association:

 

  (x) which owns 10% or more of NTT’s voting rights; and

 

  (y) 10% or more of the voting rights of which are directly owned by the persons or bodies listed in (i) through (iii) above.

 

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(For the purpose of (iv) above, the amount of NTT’s voting rights under foreign ownership is calculated by multiplying the percentage of NTT’s voting rights held directly by the relevant juridical person or association by the percentage of voting rights of such juridical person or association held by persons or bodies listed in (i) through (iii) above.)

Under NTT’s Articles of Incorporation, however, a year-end dividend may be distributed pursuant to a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders to (a) shareholders of record and (b) persons or bodies listed in (i) through (iv) above, all or some of whose Shares have not been entered or recorded in the register of shareholders of NTT, and in the case of each of (a) and (b), who are identified as shareholders as of March 31 of the relevant year in the notices issued by JASDEC under Article 151, Paragraph 1 of the Book-Entry Transfer Act. An interim dividend may be distributed pursuant to a resolution of the Board to (a) shareholders of record and (b) persons or bodies listed in (i) through (iv) above, all or some of whose Shares have not been entered or recorded in the register of NTT, and in the case of each of (a) and (b), who are identified as shareholders as of September 30 of the relevant year in the notices issued by JASDEC under Article 151 paragraph 1 of the Book-Entry Transfer Act. For details of this, see “Item 10—Additional Information—Description of the Shares—Distributions of Surplus.”

As of March 31, 2016, foreign ownership of NTT’s Shares was 30.0%.

JASDEC will provide NTT with notice with respect to shareholders as of record dates and certain other dates. This notice will indicate (a) any shareholders constituting persons or bodies listed in (i) through (iii) above (without specifying the items under which they fall) and (b) any juridical person or association, 10% or more of the voting rights of which are directly owned by such persons or bodies. Although NTT will, upon receipt of each such notice, update its register of shareholders according to the information contained in such notice, NTT will be prohibited from registering foreign shareholder ownership equal to or exceeding one-third of NTT’s total voting rights. For details of the electronic share clearing system, see “Item 10—Additional Information—Description of the Shares—General.”

Taxation

Japanese Taxation

The following is a summary, prepared by Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, Japanese counsel to NTT, of the principal Japanese tax consequences to an owner of Shares or ADSs who is an individual not resident in Japan or a non-Japanese corporation, in either case having no permanent establishment in Japan (“non-resident holder”). The statements regarding Japanese tax laws set forth below are based on the laws in force and as interpreted by the Japanese taxation authorities as of the date hereof and are subject to changes in the applicable Japanese laws or double taxation conventions occurring after that date. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations which may apply to a particular investor, and potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of Shares or ADSs, including specifically the tax consequences under Japanese law, the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are resident, and any tax treaty between Japan and their country of residence, by consulting their own tax advisors.

Generally, a non-resident holder is subject to Japanese withholding tax on dividends paid by NTT. Stock splits are not subject to Japanese income tax.

In the absence of any applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of withholding tax or allowing exemption from Japanese withholding tax, the rate of Japanese withholding tax applicable to dividends paid by NTT to a non-resident holder is 20.42% for dividends due and payable on or before December 31, 2037 and will be 20% on or after January 1, 2038. However, with the exception of any individual shareholder who holds 3% or more of the total issued Shares, the withholding tax rate with respect to dividends paid by NTT to a non-resident holder is reduced to (i) 15.315% for dividends due and payable on or

 

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before December 31, 2037 and (ii) 15% for dividends due and payable on and after January 1, 2038. Due to the imposition during the period beginning on January 1, 2013 and ending on December 31, 2037 of a special additional income tax (2.1% of the original withholding tax amount) to procure funds for reconstruction following the Great East Japan Earthquake, the original withholding tax rates of 15% and 20%, as applicable, have increased, respectively, to 15.315% and 20.42%.

Under the Convention between the United States of America and Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Tax on Income (the “Convention”), the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax that may be imposed on dividends paid to a United States resident (within the meaning of the Convention) not having a “permanent establishment” (as defined therein) in Japan is limited to 10% for most qualified portfolio investors and 5% if the beneficial owner is a qualified company that owns, directly or indirectly, on the date on which entitlement to the dividend is determined, at least 10% but not more than 50% of the voting stock of the issuing company. If the protocol amending the Convention, signed on January 24, 2013, takes effect, the threshold in the preceding sentence will be amended to “less than 50%.” The effective date for the amendment to the Convention had not yet been determined as of June 10, 2016. The Convention provides that no Japanese tax will be imposed on dividends paid to a qualified pension fund that is a United States resident if such dividends are not derived from the carrying on of a business, directly or indirectly, by such pension fund. Under Japanese tax law, these treaty rates will apply in cases where the maximum tax rate that is to be applied on the basis of tax treaties is less than the tax rate set forth in the preceding paragraph applied on the basis of Japanese tax law.

“Non-resident holders” eligible to receive a reduced treaty rate for Japanese taxes withheld at the source with respect to any dividends payable on Shares must submit an application through the withholding agent regarding the Convention to the relevant tax authorities prior to the dividend payment. A standing proxy of a “non-resident holder” may submit such application on his or her behalf. In addition, a simplified special application filing procedure is available for non-resident holders of Shares to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese withholding tax. With regard to ADSs, if a depository institution or its representative has submitted both an original form and a copy of the two applications regarding the Convention, such reduced tax rate shall apply (one of these forms is Form 4, “Extension of Time for Withholding of Tax on Dividends with respect to Foreign Depositary Receipt,” which is to be submitted to the head of the district tax office through the payor of the dividend by the day prior to payment of the dividend, and the other form is Form 5, “Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction on Dividends with respect to Foreign Depositary Receipts,” which is to be submitted to the head of the district tax office through the payor of the dividend by no later than eight months from the day after the record date for payment of the dividend regarding which the related Form 4 was submitted). To claim the reduced tax rate, a non-resident holder of ADSs must submit a certification with respect to taxpayer status, place of residence and beneficial ownership (if applicable), and must submit any other information or documentation requested by the depository institution. Non-resident holders of ADSs who do not submit an application in advance generally may request a refund from the relevant tax authorities for taxes withheld at the source in excess of the tax rate under the Convention.

For purposes of the Convention and Japanese tax law, United States holders of ADSs (or ADRs evidencing ADSs) will be treated as the owners of the Shares underlying the ADSs.

Gains derived from the sale of Shares or ADSs by a non-resident holder, either outside Japan or within Japan, are generally not subject to Japanese income or corporate taxes.

An individual who has acquired Shares or ADSs as legatee, heir or donee may be required to pay Japanese inheritance and gift taxes at progressive rates even if the acquiring individual, deceased or donor (as the case may be) is not a Japanese resident.

United States Taxation

The following discussion is based on the advice of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, United States counsel to NTT, with respect to United States federal income tax laws presently in force. The discussion

 

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summarizes the principal United States federal income tax consequences of an investment in ADSs or Shares, but it is not a full description of all tax considerations that may be relevant to a decision to purchase ADSs or Shares. In particular, the discussion is directed only to U.S. holders that will hold ADSs or Shares as capital assets and that have the United States dollar as their functional currency. It does not address the tax treatment of U.S. holders that are subject to special tax rules, such as banks, dealers, traders who elect to mark to market, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, persons holding an ADS or Share as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or constructive sale transaction and holders of 10% or more of the voting Shares. It also does not address any state or local tax consequences and does not address the United States estate tax or gift tax, the Medicare tax on net investment income or the United States alternative minimum tax. NTT believes, and the discussion therefore assumes, that it is not and will not become a passive foreign investment company for United States federal income tax purposes. HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS ABOUT THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES TO THEM OF THE PURCHASE, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF ADSs OR SHARES.

As used herein, “U.S. holder” means a beneficial owner of ADSs or Shares that is a United States individual citizen or resident, a corporation or partnership created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia (such a corporation herein referred to as a “U.S. corporation”), a trust subject to the control of a U.S. person and the primary supervision of a U.S. court, or an estate the income of which is subject to United States federal income taxation regardless of its source. The term “non-U.S. holder” refers to any beneficial owner of ADSs or Shares other than a U.S. holder. If the obligations contemplated by the Deposit Agreement are performed in accordance with its terms, holders of ADSs (or ADRs evidencing ADSs) will be treated for United States federal income tax purposes as the owners of the Shares represented by those ADSs.

Cash dividends (including the amount of any Japanese taxes withheld) paid with respect to the Shares represented by ADSs generally must be included in the gross income of a U.S. holder as ordinary income when the dividends are received (i) by the Depositary in the case of a U.S. holder holding ADSs or (ii) by the U.S. holder in the case of a U.S. holder holding Shares. Dividends paid in yen must be included in gross income in a United States dollar amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the day of receipt by the Depositary or, in the case of Shares, the U.S. holder. Any gain or loss recognized upon a subsequent sale or conversion of the yen for a different amount will be United States source ordinary income or loss. Generally, under current law, a maximum 20% U.S. tax rate is imposed on the dividend income of a non-corporate U.S. holder who satisfies certain holding period requirements with respect to dividends paid by a U.S. corporation or “qualified foreign corporation.” A qualified foreign corporation generally includes a corporation other than a U.S. corporation if (i) its shares are readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States or (ii) it is eligible for benefits under a comprehensive United States income tax treaty. Clause (i) will apply with respect to ADSs if such ADSs are readily tradable on an established securities market in the U.S. Applying these criteria, NTT expects that it should be treated as a qualified foreign corporation with respect to dividend payments to its ADS holders and, therefore, dividends paid to an individual U.S. holder of ADSs should be taxed at a maximum rate of 20%. A U.S. holder that is a corporation will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction. Distributions to U.S. holders of additional Shares or preemptive rights with respect to Shares that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all shareholders of NTT generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax. However, such distributions of additional Shares or preemptive rights generally will be subject to federal income tax if, for example, a U.S. holder can elect to receive cash in lieu of Shares or preemptive rights or if the distribution of Shares or preemptive rights is not proportionate.

Japanese withholding tax paid by or for the account of any U.S. holder may be used, subject to generally applicable limitations and conditions, as a credit against the U.S. holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or as a deduction in computing the U.S. holder’s gross income. To the extent a refund of the tax withheld is available to you under Japanese law or under the Convention, the amount of tax withheld that is refundable will not be eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability. Dividends generally will be foreign source income and, for purposes of determining a U.S. person’s foreign tax credit limitation, will, depending on

 

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your circumstances, be “passive” or “general” income which, in either case, is treated separately from other types of income for purposes of computing the foreign tax credit allowable to you. In the case of a U.S. non-corporate holder for whom the reduced 20% rate of U.S. tax on dividends applies, limitations and restrictions on claiming foreign tax credits will appropriately take into account the rate differential under rules similar to section 904(b)(2)(B) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on dividends paid with respect to Shares or Shares represented by ADSs, unless that income is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. holder of a trade or business within the United States (and is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States by such non-U.S. holder, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires).

U.S. holders generally will recognize capital gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Shares (or preemptive rights with respect to such Shares) held by the U.S. holder or by the Depositary. Generally, gain or loss will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the U.S. holder’s holding period for such Shares or Shares represented by ADSs exceeds one year. Long-term capital gain for an individual U.S. holder is generally subject to a reduced rate of tax, currently at a maximum rate of 20%. U.S. holders will not recognize gain or loss on deposits or withdrawals of Shares in exchange for ADSs or on the exercise of preemptive rights. Gain recognized by a U.S. holder generally will be treated as United States source income. Consequently, in the case of a disposition of Shares or ADSs, the U.S. holder may not be able to use the foreign tax credit for any Japanese tax imposed on the gain unless it can apply the credit against U.S. federal income tax due on other income from foreign sources. Loss recognized by a U.S. holder generally will be treated as United States source loss. A U.S. holder may, however, be required to treat all or any part of such loss as foreign source loss in certain circumstances, including if (i) NTT has paid certain dividends within the 24-month period preceding the loss and (ii) the U.S. holder included the dividends in the “general” basket for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. If such a loss were treated as foreign source for foreign tax credit purposes, the amount of the U.S. holder’s allowable foreign tax credit may be reduced.

A non-U.S. holder of ADSs or Shares will not be subject to United States federal income or withholding tax on gain from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Shares unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and is attributable to a permanent establishment maintained in the United States by such non-U.S. holder, if an applicable income tax treaty so requires) or (ii) the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for at least 183 days during the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met.

Dividends in respect of the ADSs or Shares and the proceeds from the sale, exchange, or redemption of the ADSs or Shares may be reported to the United States Internal Revenue Service if paid to non-corporate holders. A backup withholding tax also may apply to amounts paid to non-corporate holders unless they provide an accurate taxpayer identification number, a properly executed United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 or otherwise establish a basis for exemption. The amount of any backup withholding from a payment to a holder will be allowed as a credit against the holder’s United States federal income tax liability. Certain U.S. holders are required to report information with respect to their investment in certain “foreign financial assets,” which would include an investment in equity issued by NTT, to the United States Internal Revenue Service, subject to certain exceptions. Investors who fail to report required information could become subject to substantial penalties. Investors are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this reporting requirement on their investment in NTT’s ADSs or Shares.

Documents on Display

NTT is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, NTT files annual reports and submits other information to the SEC. These materials, including this

 

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Form 20-F and the exhibits thereto, may be inspected and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room by calling the SEC in the United States at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov/ that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. Form 20-F reports and the other information submitted by NTT to the SEC may be accessed through this website.

ITEM 11—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

The financial instruments that NTT Group holds are continuously exposed to market fluctuations, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and stock prices.

NTT Group utilizes derivative financial instruments, such as forward exchange contracts, interest rate swap agreements, currency swap agreements, currency option agreements and forward contracts, from time to time, in order to limit its exposure to loss in relation to debt instruments or assets that may result from fluctuations, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. NTT Group does not engage in derivative financial instrument transactions for trading purposes. The use of derivative financial instruments is based on specific internal rules and is subject to controls at the relevant department of the head offices of NTT and its subsidiaries. In most cases, derivative instrument transactions are integrated with the underlying debt instruments or financial assets, and the transactions are entered into on the same date as the debt instruments or financial assets and have the same maturity. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding NTT Group’s derivative instruments and hedging activities.

Securities Price Risk

NTT Group holds available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities. Available-for-sale securities are held as long-term investments. NTT Group does not hold marketable securities for trading purposes.

Fair values of available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities were as follows as of March 31, 2016:

 

     2016  
     Cost      Fair
value(1)
 
     (in millions of yen)  

Available-for-sale securities

   ¥ 231,319       ¥ 416,407   

Held-to-maturity securities

   ¥ 10,819       ¥ 10,996   

 

(1)    Information provided for reference only.

 

Details of maturities and fair values of held-to-maturity securities were as follows:

 

       

  

  
     2016  
     Cost      Fair
value(1)
 
     (in millions of yen)  

Maturing within 1 year

   ¥ 6,524       ¥ 6,525   

Maturing between 1 year and 5 years

   ¥ 825       ¥ 832   

Maturing between 5 years and 10 years

   ¥ 3,244       ¥ 3,293   

Maturing after 10 years

   ¥ 300       ¥ 346   

 

(1) Information provided for reference only.

 

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Foreign Exchange Risk

NTT Group from time to time enters into forward exchange contracts and currency swap agreements to hedge the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates associated with its foreign currency-denominated long-term debt. Such contracts and agreements are fixed at the same maturity as the underlying debt.

Of NTT Group’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2016, certain forward exchange contracts, to which hedge accounting was not applied, were affected by foreign currency exchange rates. The assumption capital and fair value of such forward exchange contracts were as follows:

 

     2016  
     Assumption
capital
     Fair
value(1)
 
     (in millions of yen)  

Forward exchange contracts

   ¥ 430,949       ¥ (9,369

 

(1) Information provided for reference only.

Amounts related to forward exchange contracts and currency swap agreements entered into in connection with foreign currency-denominated long-term debt that eliminate all foreign currency exposures are shown in the table under “Interest Rate Risk.”

Interest Rate Risk

Market risk for changes in interest rates to which NTT Group is exposed relates principally to debt obligations. NTT Group has long-term debt, primarily with fixed rates. NTT Group enters into interest rate swap agreements from time to time to convert underlying floating rate debt or assets into fixed rate debt or assets, or vice versa. NTT Group may also enter into interest rate option contracts to hedge the risk of a rise in the interest rate of underlying debt.

The following tables provide information about NTT Group’s financial instruments that are affected by changes in interest rates, including debt obligations and interest rate swaps.

For debt obligations, the table presents cash flows by expected maturity dates, weighted average interest rates and fair values of financial instruments.

For interest rate swaps, the table presents notional amounts and weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates and the fair value of the swap. Notional amounts are calculated based on the contractual payments. Weighted average floating rates are current as of March 31, 2016.

 

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While the information is presented in Japanese yen equivalents, the amounts are classified by the currency (Japanese yen and foreign currencies) of the financial instruments’ actual cash flows.

 

    Average
interest
rate
    Carrying amount and maturity date (year ending March 31)     Fair
value
 
      2017     2018     2019     2020     2021     Thereafter     Total    
          (in millions of yen)  

Long-term debt including current portion

                 

Japanese yen bonds

    1.3   ¥ (249,997   ¥ (284,959   ¥ (200,970   ¥ (219,974   ¥ (179,982   ¥ (330,027   ¥ (1,465,909   ¥ (1,524,236

U.S. dollar bonds

    1.6     (1,127     (142,055     (22,530     (56,824     (5,634     (5,634     (228,171     (224,623

Borrowings from banks—

                 

Fixed rate:

                 

Japanese yen loans

    0.9     (148,150     (167,721     (333,100     (163,272     (148,371     (880,161     (1,840,775     (1,958,668

Euro loans

    1.8     (7,110     (45,315     (197     (378     (0     (740     (53,740     (54,435

Floating rate:

                 

Japanese yen loans

    0.3     (22,283     (10,222     (5,359     (2,606     (253     (58,017     (98,740     (90,800

U.S. dollar loans

    1.1     (34,388     (8,470     (35,141     (14,725     (19,108     (142,766     (254,598     (271,905

Other loans (primarily floating rate):

      (13,722     (22,463     (16,828     (2,928     (8,250     (16,856     (81,046     (40,910
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Subtotal

      (476,777     (681,205     (614,125     (460,707     (361,598     (1,428,567     (4,022,980     (4,165,577

Forward exchange contracts

      0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0   

Currency swap agreements

      46        50,869        0        9,045        0        (13,336     46,624        46,624   
   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    ¥ (476,731   ¥ (630,336   ¥ (614,125   ¥ (451,662   ¥ (361,598   ¥ (1,441,903   ¥ (3,976,356   ¥ (4,118,953

 

     Notional amount and average interest rate
(year ending March 31)
    Fair
value
 
     2017     2018     2019     2020     2021     Thereafter    
     (in millions of yen)  

Interest rate swap agreements

              

Floating to Fixed (Japanese yen)

   ¥ 17,267      ¥ 35,336      ¥ 21,577      ¥ 3,677      ¥ 7,015      ¥ 106,813      ¥ (6,110

Average pay rate

     1.2     0.5     1.3     1.8     1.9     1.6  

Average receive rate

     0.4     0.2     0.8     0.6     0.9     0.6  

Fixed to Floating (Japanese yen)

   ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 5,634      ¥ 0      ¥ 107   

Average pay rate

     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.9     0.0  

Average receive rate

     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     2.1     0.0  

Floating to Floating (Japanese yen)

   ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0      ¥ 0   

Average pay rate

     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0  

Average receive rate

     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0     0.0  

ITEM 12—DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES

American Depositary Shares

Prior to the issue, registration, registration of transfer, split-up or combination of any ADR, the delivery of any distribution in respect thereof, or the withdrawal of any deposited securities, the Depositary may charge holders of ADRs the following fees, if applicable:

 

   

any stock transfer or other tax or other governmental charge;

 

   

any stock transfer or registration fees in effect for the registration of transfers of the Shares or the deposited securities upon any applicable register; and

 

   

any other applicable charges as set forth below.

 

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The Depositary may, however, deduct from any distributions on or in respect of the deposited securities, or may sell such deposited securities (after giving notice to the holder thereof), and apply such deduction or the proceeds of any such sale in payment of such tax or other governmental charge described above.

The Depositary may charge each person to whom ADRs are issued against deposits of Shares (including deposits in respect of Share distributions, stock acquisition rights or other distributions) and each person surrendering ADRs for withdrawal of deposited securities the following charges: (i) up to US$5.00 for each 100 ADSs (or portion thereof), (ii) cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery charges, and (iii) expenses of the Depositary in connection with the conversion of foreign currency into U.S. dollars.

In the case of any cash dividends or other distributions in cash (including as a result of any sales of ADRs or Shares, or the sale of fractions thereof when the same results from a distribution of securities), the Depositary will make adjustments for taxes withheld and will deduct its expenses for (i) converting any foreign currency to U.S. dollars, (ii) transferring foreign currency or U.S. dollars to the United States, (iii) obtaining any approval or license of any governmental authority required for such conversion or transfer, (iv) making any sale, and (v) following procedures relating to foreign ownership restrictions. See “Item 10—Additional Information—Exchange Controls and Other Limitations Affecting Security Holders—Restrictions on Foreign Ownership” for further details regarding such restrictions.

The Depositary has agreed to reimburse NTT for its annual NYSE listing fees and to waive certain costs related to the Depositary’s administration and maintenance of the ADR program, including the routine expenses of the Depositary for printing and distributing dividend checks and mailing required tax forms, its fees and expenses (including legal fees) in connection with non-routine costs, including costs associated with any rights issues, splits or combinations, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions, exchange offers, stock distributions, consent solicitations, change in the ratio of ADSs to Shares and other similar costs, and the subscription fees to certain websites maintained by the Depositary. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, the Depositary reimbursed NTT in the amount of US$52,500 for NTT’s annual NYSE listing fees, and waived costs related to the administration and maintenance of the ADR program and other services as described above. The amount reimbursed by the Depositary is not related to the amount of fees collected by the Depositary from ADR holders.

 

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PART II

ITEM 13—DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES

None.

ITEM 14—MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 15—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

NTT Group maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management necessarily applies its judgment in assessing the costs and benefits of such controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives. NTT Group also has investments in certain unconsolidated entities, both in Japan and in various foreign countries. As NTT Group does not control or manage these entities, the disclosure controls and procedures with respect to such entities are necessarily more limited than those that NTT Group maintains with respect to its consolidated subsidiaries.

NTT’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of NTT Group’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2016. Based on that evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of NTT’s management, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2016 to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports NTT files and submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The management of NTT is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. NTT’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and presentation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

NTT’s internal control over financial reporting 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 NTT’s assets;

(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that NTT’s receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and

(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of NTT’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

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Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with these policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Management assessed the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016. In making this assessment, NTT’s management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).” Management concluded that, as of March 31, 2016, NTT’s internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria.

NTT’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG AZSA LLC, has issued an audit report on NTT’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016, which appears on Page F-3.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in NTT’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, NTT’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 16A—AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board has determined that Mr. Takao Maezawa and Ms. Michiko Tomonaga are financial experts meeting the requirements of Item 16A. Ms. Michiko Tomonaga is independent under applicable Japanese rules relating to the composition of boards of corporate auditors.

ITEM 16B—CODE OF ETHICS

NTT Group has adopted a code of ethics covering all of its officers, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, and all of its employees. NTT Group has posted the text of its code of ethics on its Internet website: http://www.ntt.co.jp/csr_e/compliance.html.

If NTT Group amends the provisions of its code of ethics that apply to its chief executive officer, principal financial officer or persons performing similar functions, or if NTT Group grants any waiver of such provisions, NTT Group will disclose such amendment or waiver on its website at the same address.

ITEM 16C—PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees and All Other Fees

NTT believes that it is important to maintain and enhance audit quality while increasing audit efficiency. NTT’s principal auditor is KPMG AZSA LLC (“KPMG”), formerly known as KPMG AZSA & Co.

The aggregate fees billed for each of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2016 for professional services rendered to NTT and its subsidiaries by KPMG and its affiliates are as follows:

 

     Years ended
March 31,
 
     2015      2016  
     (in millions of yen)  

Audit Fees

   ¥ 4,527       ¥ 4,812   

Audit-Related Fees

     11         20   

Tax Fees

     76         88   

All Other Fees

     113         340   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Fees

   ¥ 4,728       ¥ 5,259   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Audit Fees were billed for professional services rendered by KPMG for the audit of NTT’s and its subsidiaries’ annual financial statements and for services that KPMG normally provides in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

Audit-Related Fees were billed for assurance and related services rendered by KPMG that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of NTT’s and its subsidiaries’ financial statements, such as services involving the performance of agreed-upon procedures, and that are not reported under Audit Fees.

Tax Fees were billed for professional services rendered by KPMG for tax returns and tax consultation services.

All Other Fees were billed for services provided by KPMG, such as an information systems review and other advisory operations, which are not reported in Audit Fees, Audit-Related Fees or Tax Fees.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures Approved by the Audit & Supervisory Board

Any contract between NTT and/or its subsidiaries and KPMG and its affiliates must be approved by NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board before the engagement of the relevant accountants. NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board has pre-approved NTT and/or its subsidiaries entering into contracts with KPMG and its affiliates for services consisting of the preparation of tax returns and interfacing with the tax authorities in relation thereto, and NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board is to be informed of each such service provided.

All of the services provided by KPMG and its affiliates in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 were approved by NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board pursuant to the pre-approval policies and procedures described above. None of the pre-approvals for such services were waived pursuant to the procedures described in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X, which waives the general requirement for pre-approval with respect to the provision of services other than audit, review or attest services in certain circumstances.

ITEM 16D—EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES

NTT is relying on the general exemption from certain requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act related to the independence of audit committee members and the responsibilities of the audit committee, which exemption is available to non-U.S. issuers that maintain a qualifying board of corporate auditors as provided in Rule 10A-3(c)(3). NTT believes that reliance on this exemption does not materially adversely affect the ability of NTT’s board of corporate auditors to satisfy the other requirements of Rule 10A-3. See “Item 6—Directors, Senior Management and Employees” for a discussion of NTT’s board of corporate auditors.

 

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ITEM 16E—PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

   (a)
Total
Number  of
Shares
Purchased(1)(2)
     (b)
Average
Price  Paid
per Share(1)(2)
     (c)
Total
Number  of
Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs(1)
     (d)
Maximum
Number  of
Shares
that May
Yet Be
Purchased
Under
the Plans or
Programs(1)
 

April 1, 2015 to April 30, 2015

     5,892       ¥ 3,909         0         0   

May 1, 2015 to May 31, 2015

     4,142       ¥ 4,182         0         0   

June 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015

     5,212       ¥ 4,339         0         0   

July 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015

     14,814       ¥ 4,486         0         0   

August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015

     1,581,013       ¥ 4,392         1,575,000         21,000,000   

September 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015

     17,424,390       ¥ 4,478         17,421,500         21,000,000   

October 1, 2015 to October 31, 2015

     2,007,182       ¥ 4,319         2,003,500         21,000,000   

November 1, 2015 to November 30, 2015

     3,399       ¥ 4,654         0         0   

December 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015

     9,685       ¥ 4,694         0         0   

January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2016

     3,724       ¥ 4,718         0         0   

February 1, 2016 to February 28, 2016

     3,290       ¥ 5,022         0         0   

March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2016

     2,962       ¥ 4,847         0         0   

 

(1) NTT conducted a two-for-one stock split of its common stock, with an effective date of July 1, 2015. The numbers listed above have been revised to reflect the impact of the stock split as if the stock split had occurred at the beginning of the prior fiscal year.
(2) On August 5, 2015, the Board resolved that NTT may acquire up to 21 million outstanding Shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost not exceeding ¥100 billion from August 6, 2015 through October 30, 2015.
(3) The number of Shares purchased includes less-than-one-unit shares. From April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016, NTT purchased 65,705 such Shares.

ITEM 16F—CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT

Not applicable.

ITEM 16G—CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The NYSE has adopted corporate governance listing standards for U.S. domestic issuers concerning the role of independent directors, committees under the board of directors, corporate governance guidelines, codes of business conduct and ethics, shareholder approval of equity compensation plans and annual certification by principal executive officers. NTT follows corporate governance practices that are different from those required for U.S. domestic listed companies in the following respects:

 

   

Boards of directors of U.S. domestic listed companies must have a majority of independent directors, non-management directors of U.S. domestic listed companies must meet at regularly scheduled executive sessions without management and U.S. domestic listed companies must have nominating/corporate governance and compensation committees composed entirely of independent directors. Although there are no such requirements under the Companies Act, according to the TSE Code, outside independent directors (within the meaning of the TSE Code) of certain TSE-listed companies, including NTT, should endeavor to exchange information and develop a shared awareness among themselves from an independent and objective standpoint by, for example, holding regular meetings of outside independent directors (within the meaning of the TSE Code).Further, according to the TSE Code, such TSE-listed companies should seek appropriate involvement and advice from outside

 

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independent directors in the examination of important matters such as the nomination and remuneration of senior management and directors by, for example, establishing advisory committees of outside independent directors with respect to such matters. While the presence of outside directors on NTT’s board of directors is not mandated by the Companies Act, as indicated in “Item 6—Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices,” NTT is required to present an explanation at its ordinary general meeting of shareholders as to why the appointment of outside directors is inappropriate if it has no outside directors at the end of any fiscal year. Additionally, as indicated in “Item 6—Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices,” the Companies Act requires that at least half of NTT’s Audit & Supervisory Board Members must qualify as outside corporate auditors, and TSE rules require that at least one of NTT’s outside directors or outside corporate auditors meet certain additional independence criteria established by the TSE. Further, TSE rules require NTT to endeavor to have at least one director who meets such independence criteria. Additionally, according to the TSE Code, NTT should have at least two outside independent directors within the meaning of the TSE Code.

 

   

U.S. domestic listed companies must have an audit committee with a minimum of three members each of whom must be independent and financially literate in accordance with Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act and NYSE rules. NTT maintains a board of corporate auditors (the “Audit & Supervisory Board”) under home country practice as described in “Item 6—Directors, Senior Management and Employees—Board Practices—Audit & Supervisory Board.”

 

   

U.S. domestic listed company audit committees must also (1) discuss earnings press releases, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and rating agencies and (2) set clear hiring policies for past and present employees of the independent auditors. There is no such requirement for Japanese boards of corporate auditors.

 

   

U.S. domestic listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate governance guidelines discussing specified subjects, such as director qualifications and responsibilities, responsibilities of key board committees, director compensation, and director training and continuing education. Japanese law requires NTT’s board of directors to adopt a corporate framework necessary to secure the proper operation of the businesses of NTT and of the corporate group composed of NTT and its subsidiaries. The requirements of such framework differ from the corporate governance guidelines applicable to U.S. listed companies. While NTT is not required to adopt the corporate governance guidelines required under U.S. law, some of these matters are stipulated by the Companies Act, the TSE Code or NTT’s internal company rules.

 

   

U.S. domestic listed companies must adopt a code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees covering specified subjects and promptly disclose waivers of the code. The TSE Code provides that listed companies should adopt a code of conduct for employees and other affiliated individuals. NTT has adopted a code of ethics covering all its officers and employees applying principles that are generally consistent with those applicable to U.S. domestic companies, and such principles are part of the above-mentioned corporate framework that is required by the Companies Act.

 

   

U.S. domestic listed companies must obtain shareholder approval with respect to any equity compensation plan for any employee, director or service provider for compensation for services. U.S. domestic listed companies must also obtain shareholder approval (subject to certain exceptions) prior to the issuance of common stock or securities convertible into or exercisable for common stock (1) to a director, an officer, a substantial security holder or a party related to any of them if the number of shares of common stock which are to be issued or are issuable upon conversion exceeds 1% of the number of shares of common stock or voting power outstanding before the issuance, (2) in any transaction or series of transactions, if the voting power of the common stock is equal to or exceeds 20% of the voting power outstanding before the issuance or if the number of shares of the common stock is equal to or exceeds 20% of the number of shares outstanding before the issuance, and (3) that will result in a change of control of the issuer. If (i) the issuance of shares or transfer of treasury shares, or (ii) the issuance of stock acquisition rights (including bonds with stock acquisition rights),

 

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excluding, in both cases, where shareholders will be given subscription rights thereto, would result in the acquiring person holding directly or indirectly more than 50% of the voting rights as calculated in the manner prescribed under the Companies Act specifically for (i) and for (ii), then a special procedure is required, which generally includes prior notice to the shareholders and, in certain cases, shareholder approval at a general meeting of the shareholders. NTT follows Japanese law which requires shareholder approval by a special resolution for the issuance of stocks, bonds with stock acquisition rights or stock acquisition rights under “specially favorable” conditions.

ITEM 16H—MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

 

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PART III

ITEM 17—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 18—FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Consolidated Balance Sheets of NTT at March 31, 2015 and 2016, Consolidated Statements of Income, Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of NTT for each of the three fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts appear as pages F-1 through F-77.

ITEM 19—EXHIBITS

(a) Financial Statements

See accompanying index to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(b) Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

    1.1    Amended Articles of Incorporation of NTT (English translation thereof) (incorporated by reference to NTT’s Form 20-F filed June 30, 2015)
    1.2    Amended Share Handling Regulations of NTT (English translation thereof) (incorporated by reference to NTT’s Form 20-F filed June 29, 2012)
    1.3    Amended Regulations of Board of Directors (English translation thereof) (incorporated by reference to NTT’s Form 20-F filed June 30, 2015)
    8.1    List of Subsidiaries
  12.1    Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  12.2    Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  13.1*    Chief Executive Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
  13.2*    Chief Financial Officer’s Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. Section 1350)
101.INS    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

* Deemed to be furnished to the SEC.

NTT agrees to furnish to the SEC upon request a copy of any instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of NTT and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

 

All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

 

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SIGNATURES

The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.

 

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/    HIROO UNOURA        

 

Hiroo Unoura

President

Chief Executive Officer

Date: June 30, 2016

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page  

Reports of independent registered public accounting firm issued by KPMG AZSA LLC

     F-2   

Consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and 2016

     F-4   

Consolidated statements of income and Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016

     F-6   

Consolidated statements of changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016

     F-8   

Consolidated statements of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016

     F-11   

Notes to consolidated financial statements

     F-13   

Financial statement schedule for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016:

  

Schedule II—Valuation and qualifying accounts

     F-77   

 

F-1


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation:

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone 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 Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents 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), Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated June 30, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ KPMG AZSA LLC

Tokyo, Japan

June 30, 2016

 

F-2


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation:

We have audited Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation’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 annual 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 generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2016, and our report dated June 30, 2016 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ KPMG AZSA LLC

Tokyo, Japan

June 30, 2016

 

F-3


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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

MARCH 31

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

ASSETS

    

Current assets (Note 2):

    

Cash and cash equivalents (Notes 4 and 8)

   ¥ 849,174      ¥ 1,088,275   

Short-term investments (Note 8)

     36,342        33,076   

Notes and accounts receivable, trade (Notes 3 and 21)

     2,663,012        2,733,116   

Allowance for doubtful accounts (Note 22)

     (43,230     (45,236

Accounts receivable, other

     408,051        473,192   

Inventories (Note 5)

     390,523        414,581   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note 21)

     434,023        469,529   

Deferred income taxes (Note 12)

     219,333        260,446   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     4,957,228        5,426,979   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment (Notes 2 and 18):

    

Telecommunications equipment

     12,592,070        11,586,812   

Telecommunications service lines

     15,647,879        15,870,097   

Buildings and structures

     6,107,299        6,069,437   

Machinery, vessels and tools

     1,995,879        1,996,898   

Land (Note 9)

     1,299,072        1,273,209   

Construction in progress

     404,698        382,196   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     38,046,897        37,178,649   

Accumulated depreciation

     (28,245,427     (27,626,728
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net property, plant and equipment

     9,801,470        9,551,921   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments and other assets (Note 2):

    

Investments in affiliated companies (Note 7)

     542,247        515,716   

Marketable securities and other investments (Note 8)

     515,580        474,247   

Goodwill (Note 9)

     1,186,161        1,229,208   

Software (Note 9)

     1,247,956        1,212,482   

Other intangible assets (Note 9)

     413,552        391,977   

Other assets (Notes 11 and 21)

     1,448,296        1,486,840   

Deferred income taxes (Note 12)

     589,937        746,561   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments and other assets

     5,943,729        6,057,031   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   ¥ 20,702,427      ¥ 21,035,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-4

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)

MARCH 31

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

    

Current liabilities (Note 2):

    

Short-term borrowings (Note 10)

   ¥ 330,423      ¥ 129,656   

Current portion of long-term debt (Notes 10 and 21)

     370,279        476,777   

Accounts payable, trade (Note 3)

     1,579,572        1,572,797   

Current portion of obligations under capital leases (Note 18)

     20,604        14,711   

Accrued payroll

     429,440        430,248   

Accrued taxes on income

     124,861        249,356   

Accrued consumption tax

     148,168        83,481   

Advances received

     243,263        290,132   

Other (Notes 12 and 21)

     475,078        493,970   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     3,721,688        3,741,128   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term liabilities (Note 2):

    

Long-term debt (excluding current portion) (Notes 10 and 21)

     3,688,825        3,546,203   

Obligations under capital leases (excluding current portion) (Note 18)

     34,382        27,630   

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits (Note 11)

     1,387,962        1,688,611   

Accrued liabilities for point programs

     108,099        89,003   

Deferred income taxes (Note 12)

     196,853        166,547   

Other (Note 21)

     486,536        491,630   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

     5,902,657        6,009,624   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Note 2 and 14):

     28,272        45,097   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity (Note 15):

    

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“NTT”) shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock, no par value—

    

Authorized—6,192,920,900 shares

    

Issued—2,273,394,470 shares in 2015
and 2,096,394,470 shares in 2016

     937,950        937,950   

Additional paid-in capital (Note 15)

     2,846,723        2,879,560   

Retained earnings (Notes 7 and 15)

     5,126,657        5,074,234   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (Notes 8, 11, 15 and 21)

     268,232        (57,055

Treasury stock, at cost (Note 15)—
156,195,212 shares in 2015 and
255,269 shares in 2016

     (497,702     (883
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total NTT shareholders’ equity

     8,681,860        8,833,806   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interests

     2,367,950        2,406,276   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     11,049,810        11,240,082   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 23):

    

Total liabilities and equity

   ¥ 20,702,427      ¥ 21,035,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31

 

    2014     2015     2016  
    Millions of yen, except per share data  

Operating revenues (Notes 3, 17):

     

Fixed voice related services

  ¥ 1,578,941      ¥ 1,441,383      ¥ 1,329,963   

Mobile voice related services

    1,052,622        872,062        837,818   

IP / packet communications services

    3,711,866        3,672,157        3,757,846   

Sale of telecommunication equipment

    969,664        996,996        953,022   

System integration

    2,275,034        2,691,766        3,063,501   

Other

    1,337,047        1,420,953        1,598,847   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    10,925,174        11,095,317        11,540,997   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating expenses (Notes 3, 17 and 19):

     

Cost of services (excluding items shown separately below)

    2,360,916        2,434,870        2,458,057   

Cost of equipment sold (Note 2) (excluding items shown separately below)

    885,288        948,903        970,478   

Cost of system integration (excluding items shown separately below)

    1,643,988        1,900,319        2,197,506   

Depreciation and amortization (Notes 9, 17)

    1,880,293        1,827,998        1,766,325   

Impairment losses (Notes 6,17)

    5,738        38,739        19,821   

Selling, general and administrative expenses (Note 19)

    2,929,111        2,856,458        2,767,761   

Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments (Notes 9, 17)

    6,187        3,464        12,900   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    9,711,521        10,010,751        10,192,848   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (Note 17)

    1,213,653        1,084,566        1,348,149   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other income (expenses):

     

Interest and amortization of bond discounts and issue costs (Note 2)

    (47,684     (44,016     (41,670

Interest income

    17,632        18,398        17,708   

Other, net (Notes 8, 9, 20 and 21)

    110,594        7,681        5,072   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    80,542        (17,937     (18,890
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

    1,294,195        1,066,629        1,329,259   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit) (Note 12):

     

Current

    483,113        364,845        457,674   

Deferred

    3,433        32,504        (102,849
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    486,546        397,349        354,825   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income before equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

    807,649        669,280        974,434   

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies (Notes 7 and 17)

    (50,792     5,889        5,772   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    756,857        675,169        980,206   

Less—Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    171,384        157,103        242,468   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income attributable to NTT

  ¥ 585,473      ¥ 518,066      ¥ 737,738   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share of common stock* (Note 15):

     

Weighted average number of shares outstanding

    2,299,516,428        2,187,360,018        2,105,782,828   

Net income attributable to NTT

  ¥ 254.61      ¥ 236.85      ¥ 350.34   

Cash dividends to be paid to shareholders of record date

  ¥ 85.00      ¥ 90.00      ¥ 110.00   

 

* “Per share of common stock” figures for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split carried out on July 1, 2015. See Note 15 (“Equity”) for additional information.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31

 

     2014     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Net income

   ¥ 756,857      ¥ 675,169       ¥ 980,206   

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (Note 15)

       

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     16,057        76,308         (32,960

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (4,895     2,903         (4,079

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     156,471        129,863         (115,599

Pension liability adjustments

     163,241        16,370         (208,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     330,874        225,444         (361,282
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

     1,087,731           900,613            618,924   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Less—Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     214,360        209,281         196,771   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to NTT

   ¥ 873,371      ¥ 691,332       ¥ 422,153   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2014

 

    NTT shareholders’ equity     Noncontrolling
interests
    Total
Equity

(Note 15)
 
    Common
stock
    Additional
paid-in
capital
(Note 15)
    Retained
earnings
(Notes 7
and 15)
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
(Notes 8, 11,
15 and 21)
    Treasury
stock,  at
cost
(Note 15)
    Total      
    Millions of yen  

At beginning of year

  ¥ 937,950      ¥ 2,827,612      ¥ 5,227,268      ¥ (192,932   ¥ (568,459   ¥ 8,231,439      ¥ 2,290,564      ¥ 10,522,003   

Net income

        585,473            585,473        171,384        756,857   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          287,898          287,898        42,976        330,874   

Cash dividends

        (186,174         (186,174     (96,203     (282,377

Changes in NTT’s ownership interest in subsidiaries

      (1,069           (1,069     4,731        3,662   

Stock compensation transactions

      467              467          467   

Acquisition of treasury stock

            (406,696     (406,696       (406,696

Resale of treasury stock

      3            13        16          16   

Cancellation of treasury stock

      (3     (818,206       818,209        —            —     

At end of year

  ¥ 937,950      ¥ 2,827,010      ¥ 4,808,361      ¥ 94,966      ¥ (156,933   ¥ 8,511,354      ¥ 2,413,452      ¥ 10,924,806   

 

* Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are not included in the table.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2015

 

    NTT shareholders’ equity     Noncontrolling
interests
    Total
Equity
(Note 15)
 
    Common
stock
    Additional
paid-in
capital
(Note 15)
    Retained
earnings
(Notes 7
and 15)
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
(Notes 8, 11,
15 and 21)
    Treasury
stock, at
cost
(Note 15)
    Total      
    Millions of yen  

At beginning of year

  ¥ 937,950      ¥ 2,827,010      ¥ 4,808,361      ¥ 94,966      ¥ (156,933   ¥ 8,511,354      ¥ 2,413,452      ¥ 10,924,806   

Net income

        518,066            518,066        156,013        674,079   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

             173,266          173,266        50,943        224,209   

Cash dividends

        (199,770         (199,770     (96,100     (295,870

Changes in NTT’s ownership interest in subsidiaries

      17,421              17,421        (156,358     (138,937

Stock compensation transactions

      2,292              2,292          2,292   

Acquisition of treasury stock

            (340,781     (340,781       (340,781

Resale of treasury stock

            12        12          12   

At end of year

  ¥ 937,950      ¥ 2,846,723      ¥ 5,126,657      ¥ 268,232      ¥ (497,702   ¥ 8,681,860      ¥ 2,367,950      ¥ 11,049,810   

 

* Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are not included in the table.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2016

 

    NTT shareholders’ equity     Noncontrolling
interests
    Total
Equity
(Note 15)
 
    Common
stock
    Additional
paid-in
capital
(Note 15)
    Retained
earnings
(Notes 7
and 15)
    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income (loss)
(Notes 8, 11,
15 and 21)
    Treasury
stock, at
cost

(Note 15)
    Total      
    Millions of yen  

At beginning of year

  ¥ 937,950      ¥ 2,846,723      ¥ 5,126,657      ¥ 268,232      ¥ (497,702   ¥ 8,681,860      ¥ 2,367,950      ¥ 11,049,810   

Adjustments due to change in fiscal year end of consolidated subsidiaries (Note 2)

        700        (9,702       (9,002     (595     (9,597

At beginning of year (as adjusted)

    937,950        2,846,723        5,127,357        258,530        (497,702     8,672,858        2,367,355     

 

11,040,213

  

Net income

        737,738            737,738        241,075        978,813   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

          (315,585       (315,585     (44,749     (360,334

Cash dividends

        (200,182         (200,182     (105,568     (305,750

Changes in NTT’s ownership interest in subsidiaries

      28,666              28,666        (51,837     (23,171

Stock compensation transactions

      4,171              4,171          4,171   

Acquisition of treasury stock

            (93,886     (93,886       (93,886

Resale of treasury stock

      8            18        26          26   

Cancellation of treasury stock

      (8     (590,679       590,687        —            —     

At end of year

  ¥ 937,950      ¥ 2,879,560      ¥ 5,074,234      ¥ (57,055   ¥ (883   ¥ 8,833,806      ¥ 2,406,276      ¥ 11,240,082   

 

* Changes in the redeemable noncontrolling interest are not included in the table.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31

 

    2014     2015     2016  
    Millions of yen  

Cash flows from operating activities:

     

Net income

  ¥ 756,857      ¥ 675,169      ¥ 980,206   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities—

     

Depreciation and amortization (Note 9)

    1,880,293        1,827,998        1,766,325   

Impairment loss

    5,738        38,739        19,821   

Deferred taxes (Note 12)

    3,433        32,504        (102,849

Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments (Note 9)

    6,187        3,464        12,900   

Losses on disposals of property, plant and equipment

    98,317        104,718        107,474   

Gains on sales of property, plant and equipment

    (33,119     (34,191     (20,364

Gains resulting from the exchange of rights (Note 9)

    (59,996     —          —     

Equity in (earnings) losses of affiliated companies (Note 7)

    50,792        (5,889     (5,772

(Increase) decrease in notes and accounts receivable, trade

    17,415        (126,476     (72,575

(Increase) decrease in inventories (Note 5)

    (68,776     (12,044     (47,569

(Increase) decrease in other current assets

    (16,658     (86,809     (63,107

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, trade and accrued payroll

    66,032        (21,538     (34,539

Increase (decrease) in accrued consumption tax

    (11,621     99,661        (64,596

Increase (decrease) in advances received

    37,691        (32,481     46,191   

Increase (decrease) in accrued taxes on income

    20,909        (133,894     124,905   

Increase (decrease) in other current liabilities

    (20,351     60,141        8,198   

Increase (decrease) in liability for employees’ retirement benefits

    42,964        38,753        49,360   

Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities

    (33,122     2,588        (1,965

Other

    (15,081     (38,601     9,801   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  ¥ 2,727,904      ¥ 2,391,812      ¥ 2,711,845   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-11


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—(Continued)

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31

 

     2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Payments for property, plant and equipment

   ¥ (1,486,651   ¥ (1,444,917   ¥ (1,265,622

Payments for intangibles

     (416,583     (358,209     (371,924

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment

     50,625        54,424        83,521   

Payments for purchases of non-current investments

     (50,517     (31,097     (56,641

Proceeds from sales and redemptions of non-current investments

     15,444        27,478        57,173   

Acquisitions of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired (Note 24)

     (211,195     (42,217     (120,596

Payments for purchases of short-term investments

     (60,485     (61,364     (26,521

Proceeds from redemptions of short-term investments

     92,396        70,644        23,095   

Other

     (39,840     (83,321     (82,263
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (2,106,806     (1,868,579     (1,759,778
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt (Note 10)

     637,253        615,353        398,348   

Payments for settlement of long-term debt (Note 10)

     (735,894     (496,729     (449,025

Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt (Note 10)

     4,872,714        5,931,664        4,460,110   

Payments for settlement of short-term debt (Note 10)

     (4,713,795     (5,889,243     (4,659,686

Dividends paid

     (186,174     (199,770     (200,182

Proceeds from sale of (payments for acquisition of) treasury stock, net (Note 15)

     (406,680     (338,399     (93,924

Acquisitions of shares of subsidiaries from noncontrolling interests

     (5,834     (175,088     (15,718

Other

     (84,030     (125,796     (147,498
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (622,440     (678,008     (707,575
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     24,372        19,486        (7,419
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     23,030        (135,289     237,073   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     961,433        984,463        849,174   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents due to change in fiscal year end of consolidated subsidiaries (Note 2)

     —          —          2,028   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year (Note 4)

   ¥ 984,463      ¥ 849,174      ¥ 1,088,275   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Interest

   ¥ 48,836      ¥ 44,795      ¥ 41,626   

Income taxes, net

     462,349        543,354        342,431   

Noncash investing and financing activities:

      

Capital lease obligations incurred during the year

     14,933        20,987        11,099   

Cancellation of treasury stock (Note 15)

     818,209        —          590,687   

Assets acquired through exchange of rights (Note 9)

     62,221        —          —     

Assets acquired through exchange of buildings

   ¥ —        ¥ 18,719      ¥ —     

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

F-12


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Nature of operations:

Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“NTT”) and its subsidiaries (collectively with NTT, “NTT Group”) conduct the following main business activities: regional communications (domestic intra-prefectural communication services and incidental services), principally operated by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation (“NTT East”) and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation (“NTT West”); long-distance and international communications (domestic inter-prefectural communication services, international communication services, solution services and related services), principally operated by NTT Communications Corporation (“NTT Communications”); mobile communications (mobile phone services and related services), principally operated by NTT DOCOMO, Inc. (“NTT DOCOMO”); and data communications (system integration, network system services, etc.), principally operated by NTT DATA CORPORATION (“NTT DATA”).

Pursuant to the Act on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, etc. (“NTT Act”), NTT was incorporated on April 1, 1985, upon which all the assets and liabilities of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation (“Public Corporation”) were transferred to NTT. As provided for in the supplementary provisions of the NTT Act, all the new shares held by Public Corporation were transferred to the Japanese Government upon the dissolution of Public Corporation on April 1, 1985. The NTT Act specifies, however, that such government ownership may eventually be reduced to one-third. Since NTT’s incorporation, the Japanese Government has sold NTT’s common stock to the public. The Japanese Government’s ownership ratio of NTT’s issued stock is 35.2% as of March 31, 2016. As a normal part of its business operations, NTT provides various telecommunications and other services to the Japanese Government.

2.    Summary of significant accounting policies:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared and presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Significant accounting policies are as follows:

 

(1) Principal Accounting Policies

Basis of consolidation and accounting for investments in affiliated companies—

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of NTT, its subsidiaries, and variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

The fiscal years of certain foreign subsidiaries end on December 31, however, any significant subsequent transactions for the period from January 1 to March 31 are reflected in the results of operations of NTT Group.

As of April 1, 2015, certain of NTT’s consolidated subsidiaries changed their fiscal year ends from December 31 to March 31, thereby eliminating a three-month lag between their fiscal year ends and NTT’s fiscal year end in NTT’s consolidated financial statements. The elimination of this lag was applied as a change in accounting policy. NTT did not make any retrospective adjustments to its financial statements as these changes did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. As a result of this change, NTT’s retained earnings have increased by ¥700 million, and its accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests have decreased by ¥9,702 million, ¥595 million and ¥419 million, respectively, as of the beginning of the current fiscal year. In addition, the change in cash and cash equivalents resulting from this change in fiscal year end is presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows under “Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents due to change in fiscal year end of consolidated subsidiaries.”

 

F-13


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Investments in affiliated companies where NTT Group has the ability to exercise significant influence over the affiliated companies, but does not have a controlling financial interest, are accounted for under the equity method. NTT evaluates its investments in affiliates for impairment due to declines in value considered to be other than temporary. In performing its evaluations, NTT utilizes various information, as available, including cash flow projections, independent valuations and, if applicable, stock price analysis. In the event of a determination that a decline in value is other than temporary, a charge to earnings is recorded for the loss and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Use of estimates—

The preparation of NTT’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include revenue recognition, estimated useful lives and recovery of the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, software and certain other intangible assets, goodwill, investments, employees’ retirement benefit obligations, income tax uncertainties and realizability of deferred tax assets and accrued liabilities for point programs.

Effective July 1, 2014, NTT Group revised its estimate of the expected useful life of a part of the software for telecommunications network and internal-use software based on the actual utilization of the software to reflect an extended expected useful life of up to 7 years. This change in estimate has been accounted for prospectively.

The financial impact from this change in accounting estimate on the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 to “Income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies,” “Net income attributable to NTT” and “Per share of common stock” of “Net income attributable to NTT” adjusted to reflect the stock split (see Note 15 (“Equity”)) is ¥51,307 million, ¥21,754 million, and ¥9.95, respectively.

Revenue recognition—

Revenues arising from fixed voice related services, mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services and other services are recognized at the time these services are provided to customers. With regard to revenues from mobile voice related services and IP/packet communications services, monthly billing plans for cellular “FOMA” (3G wireless services) services generally include a certain amount of allowances (free minutes and/or packets), and the used amount of the allowances is subtracted from total usage in calculating the airtime revenue from a subscriber for the month. NTT Group introduced a billing arrangement, called “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” (two-month carry over), “Zutto Kurikoshi” and “Packet Kurikoshi,” in which the unused allowances are automatically carried over. “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” is a billing arrangement, in which the unused allowances of the monthly free minutes and/or packets are automatically carried over for up to the following two months. In addition, NTT Group offers an arrangement which enables the unused allowances that were carried over for the two months to be automatically used to cover the airtime and/or packet charges exceeding the allowances of the other subscriptions in the “Family Discount” group, a discount billing arrangement for families. Out of the unused allowance in a month, NTT Group defers the revenues based on the portion which is estimated to be used in the following two months. As for the portion which is estimated to expire, NTT Group recognizes the revenue attributable to such portion of allowances ratably as the remaining allowances are utilized, in addition to the

 

F-14


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

revenue recognized when subscribers make calls or utilize data transmissions. On June 1, 2015, NTT Group started providing “Zutto Kurikoshi,” in which the unused allowances of the monthly free minutes and/or packets are automatically and indefinitely carried over up to the upper limit set by each billing plan, and thereby terminated “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” in principle. Out of the unused allowance in a month, NTT Group defers the revenues based on the portion which is estimated to be used in the following months. However, the unused allowances are carried over indefinitely, and NTT Group does not have sufficient empirical evidence to reasonably estimate unused allowances that will be utilized in the following months. Hence NTT Group deducts and defers amounts allocated to unused allowances from revenues, which do not exceed the upper limit set by each billing plan. The deferred revenues are recognized as revenues in accordance with an actual use of the allowances in the following months. “Packet Kurikoshi” is a billing arrangement, in which the unused allowances of the monthly packet data which can be used without speed cap are automatically carried over for up to the following month. NTT Group defers revenues based on the portion of unused allowances that are estimated to be utilized in the next month. As NTT Group does not have sufficient empirical evidence to reasonably estimate unused allowances that will be utilized in the next month, NTT Group deducts and defers all amounts allocated to unused allowances from revenues. The deferred revenues are recognized as revenues in the next month.

Non-recurring upfront fees such as activation fees are deferred and recognized as revenues over the estimated average period of the subscription for each service. The related direct costs are deferred only to the extent of the non-recurring upfront fee amount and are amortized over the same period.

Sales of telecommunication equipment are recognized as income upon delivery of the equipment to purchasers, primarily agent resellers, when title to the product, and the risk and rewards of ownership, have been substantially transferred. Certain commissions paid to purchasers, primarily agent resellers, and incentives given to subscribers are recognized as a reduction of sales of telecommunication equipment.

NTT Group has offered an incentive program which provides certain discounts for subscribers who purchase qualified smartphones under the installment payment arrangement. Under the incentive program, NTT Group provides subscribers with the discounts depending on the number of installment payments upon certain events including replacement of the original smartphones. From the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT Group has recognized estimated future discount amount as a reduction of revenue since NTT Group developed sufficient empirical evidence such as an analysis of the historical churn rate and replacement rate of the qualified and other smartphones to reasonably estimate the future discount amount.

With regard to sales of telecommunication equipment in the mobile communications business, NTT Group enables subscribers to select installment payments over a period of 12 or 24 months. When installment payments are selected, under an agreement entered into among NTT Group, the subscribers and the agent resellers, NTT Group provides financing by providing funds to the agent reseller for the purchase of mobile handsets by the subscriber. NTT Group then includes the current installment for the receivable for the purchased handset in its invoices for basic monthly charges and airtime charges for the installment payment term. Because equipment sales are recognized upon delivery of handsets to agent resellers, the advance payment for the purchased handset to agent resellers and subsequent cash collection of the installment receivable for the purchased handset from subscribers do not have an impact on our equipment sales.

Revenues from system integration services are recognized as work on contracts progresses. However, in cases where the contract period is short and the difference in the impact on the financial position or results of operations is immaterial, or in cases where it is difficult to make a reasonable estimate on the progress of the contracted work, revenues are recognized upon completion of the contracted services.

 

F-15


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Provision for estimated losses on system integration projects, if any, is made in the fiscal period in which the loss becomes evident.

Cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments—

Excess cash is mainly invested in time deposits, marketable bonds of the Japanese Government or commercial paper. Those with original maturities of three months or less are classified as “Cash and cash equivalents” in the consolidated balance sheets. Those with original maturities of longer than three months and remaining maturities of 12 months or less at the end of the fiscal year are classified as “Short-term investments” in the consolidated balance sheets.

NTT Group has maintained a global cash management system (“Global CMS”) with a single financial institution since 2012 in order to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its cash management. The Global CMS receives excess cash and extends loans to participating subsidiaries. In March 2015, this arrangement was modified to introduce a right to offset provision allowing the Global CMS to offset positive and negative cash balances that meet the criteria for offsetting, effective from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. NTT’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and 2016 reflect such offset of ¥95,556 million and ¥123,608 million, respectively.

Foreign currency translation and transactions—

All asset and liability accounts of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into Japanese yen at appropriate year-end exchange rates and all income and expense accounts are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recognized as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)”.

Foreign currency receivables and payables are re-measured at appropriate year-end exchange rates and the resulting foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recorded as “Other, net” in the consolidated statements of income.

NTT Group transacts limited business in foreign currencies. The effect of exchange rate fluctuations from the initial transaction date to the settlement date is recorded as “Other, net” in the consolidated statements of income.

Marketable securities and other investments—

Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, whose fair values are readily determinable, are reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes. Equity securities whose fair values are not readily determinable and equity securities for which sales are restricted by contractual requirements are carried at cost. NTT Group periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its marketable securities for impairments that are other than temporary. If this evaluation indicates there is an impairment that is other than temporary, the security is written down to its estimated fair value. Debt securities designated as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost and are reduced to net realizable value for declines in market value unless such declines are deemed to be temporary. Realized gains and losses, which are determined on the average cost method, are reflected in income.

Inventories—

Inventories consist of telecommunications equipment to be sold, projects in progress, materials and supplies, which are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of telecommunications equipment to be sold and

 

F-16


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

materials is determined on a first-in first-out basis. The cost of projects in progress is mainly attributable to that of software production for customers or that of construction of real estate held for resale, including labor and subcontractors’ cost base. The cost of supplies is determined by the average cost method or by the specific identification method. Due to the rapid technological changes associated with the wireless communications business, NTT DOCOMO recognized losses on write-downs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 totaling ¥4,415 million, ¥13,716 million and ¥18,880 million, respectively, which are included in “Cost of equipment sold” in the consolidated statements of income.

Property, plant and equipment and depreciation—

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed principally using a declining-balance method at rates based on estimated useful lives of the assets with the exception of buildings, for which the straight-line method is generally used. With minor exceptions, the estimated useful lives of depreciable properties (estimated economic life) are as follows:

 

Digital switch equipment (including wireless telecommunications equipment)

   8 to 16 years

Cables

   13 to 36 years

Tubes and tunnels

   50 years

Reinforced concrete buildings

   42 to 56 years

Machinery, vessels and tools

   3 to 26 years

Depreciation expense is computed based on the total depreciable amount, which is cost, net of estimated residual value. Maintenance and repairs, including minor renewals and betterments, are charged to income as incurred.

Capitalized interest—

Interest is capitalized where it relates to the construction of property, plant and equipment over the period of construction. NTT Group also capitalizes interest associated with the development of internal-use software. NTT Group amortizes such capitalized interest over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Total interest costs incurred were ¥51,460 million, ¥47,958 million and ¥45,446 million, of which ¥3,776 million, ¥3,942 million and ¥3,776 million were capitalized for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Impairment of long-lived assets—

Long-lived assets to be held and used, including property, plant and equipment, software and certain other intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the total of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, the loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value as measured through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market value and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value less costs to sell.

Goodwill, Software and other intangible assets—

Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and recognized. Goodwill is not amortized, but tested

 

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Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

for impairment at least annually and more frequently when indicators of impairment are present. NTT Group may perform a qualitative assessment to some or all of the reporting units before applying the two-step impairment test. If NTT Group concludes that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount including goodwill, it is not required to perform the two-step impairment test. NTT Group performs the qualitative assessment for certain goodwill but bypasses this qualitative assessment and proceeds directly to the two-step impairment test for other goodwill. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for that reporting unit and NTT Group must perform the second step of the impairment test (measurement). Fair values of the reporting units are determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, among other methods. 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 the 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 and the residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the second step does not need to be performed.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT DOCOMO realigned its operating segments in order to reflect its changing business management. As a result of this realignment of operating segments, NTT Group reorganized the reporting structure of its mobile communications business segment into communications, smart life and other businesses reporting units. In conjunction with this change, NTT Group reassigned the goodwill attributable to these reporting units prior to the realignment to the communications, smart life and other businesses reporting units using a relative fair value allocation approach based on the composition of each business reporting unit prior to the realignment.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, NTT changed the goodwill impairment testing date for certain of NTT’s consolidated subsidiaries from September 30 to October 31. NTT concludes this change in accounting policy is preferable, as it more closely aligns the goodwill impairment testing date with NTT’s strategic planning processes and promotes more accurate goodwill impairment analysis. The change in testing date does not delay, accelerate or avoid any potential goodwill impairment loss for the consolidated fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. NTT also performed annual goodwill impairment tests on September 30, 2015 prior to the change in the testing date, and on October 31, 2015 following the change, in respect of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016. NTT concluded that NTT’s goodwill was not impaired as of either dates.

Intangible assets other than goodwill primarily consist of computer software. NTT Group capitalizes the cost of internal-use software, which has a useful life in excess of one year. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Capitalized computer software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of generally from five to seven years.

The intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but tested for impairment on an annual basis and when indicators of impairment are present.

Income taxes—

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets or liabilities and operating loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates, which are expected to be applicable during the periods in which existing temporary differences reverse and operating loss carryforwards are utilizable.

 

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Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount more likely than not to be realized.

The effect of income tax positions are recognized 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.

Derivative financial instruments—

NTT Group uses several types of derivative financial instruments to manage market risks such as fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. NTT Group does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at fair value and are reported in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets,” “Other assets,” “Current liabilities—Other” and “Long-term liabilities—Other” in the consolidated balance sheets. Classification of each derivative as current or non-current is based upon whether the maturity of each instrument is less than or greater than 12 months. Changes in fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized in income or shareholders’ equity (as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)), depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies as a hedge and the derivative is being used to hedge changes in fair value or cash flows.

The fair values of forward exchange contracts, interest rate swap agreements, currency swap agreements, currency option agreements and forward contracts are measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions.

For derivatives classified as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and effective as fair value hedges for recognized assets or liabilities or unrecognized firm commitments are recognized in earnings as offsets to changes in the fair value of the related hedged assets or liabilities.

For derivatives classified as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and effective as cash flow hedges for forecasted transactions or exposures associated with recognized assets or liabilities are initially recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings.

From time to time, however, NTT Group may enter into derivatives that economically hedge certain of its risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply. In these cases, changes in the fair values of these derivatives are recognized in current period earnings.

NTT Group formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedging transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to (1) specific assets or liabilities on the balance sheet or (2) specific firm commitments or forecasted transactions. NTT Group also assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis at least quarterly) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods. When it is determined that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, NTT Group discontinues hedge accounting. The amounts representing hedges’ ineffectiveness and the component of derivative instruments’ gain or loss excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness are reported as “Other, net” in the consolidated statements of income.

 

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Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Cash flows from financial instruments accounted for as hedges are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows under the same category as the items being hedged.

Earnings per share—

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on the average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS 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. Since NTT did not issue dilutive securities, there is no difference between basic EPS and diluted EPS.

For information on NTT’s stock split, see note 15.

Variable Interest Entities—

NTT Group consolidates VIEs as the primary beneficiary if NTT Group has both the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

VIEs with assets totaling approximately ¥221 billion and ¥193 billion as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively, which were established to develop and lease real estate for rental, for the purpose of securitization of mainly real estate, have been recognized and consolidated as VIEs in which NTT Group is the primary beneficiary.

Assets and liabilities of VIEs established to develop and lease real estate at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

     2015      2016  
    

Millions of yen

 
     Develop and lease real estate  (*1,2)  

Current assets

   ¥ 29,821       ¥ 21,550   

Property, plant and equipment

     188,854         168,252   

Investments and other assets

     2,489         2,766   

Current liabilities

     3,502         2,648   

Long-term liabilities

     80,986         65,196   

 

(*1) Property, plant and equipment, Current liabilities and Long-term liabilities of VIEs established to develop and lease real estate included “Land” totaling ¥133,913 million and ¥122,878 million, “Current portion of long-term debt” totaling ¥825 million and ¥800 million, and “Long-term debt” totaling ¥51,791 million and ¥37,300 million at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.
(*2) “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt (excluding current portion)” above are secured by the VIEs’ land and buildings totaling ¥238,280 million and ¥230,636 million at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

There is no VIE in which NTT Group holds a significant variable interest but is not the primary beneficiary as of March 31, 2016.

Asset Retirement Obligations—

NTT Group’s legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recorded as liabilities, measured at fair value, when those obligations are incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. Upon initially recognizing liabilities for asset retirement obligations, an entity must capitalize the cost by recognizing an increase in the carrying amount of the related tangible long-lived assets.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NTT Group’s asset retirement obligations primarily relate to obligations to restore leased land and buildings for NTT Group’s telecommunications equipment to their original condition. NTT has concluded that their estimates of the fair value of these liabilities are immaterial.

Employees’ retirement benefits—

NTT Group recognizes the funded status of its benefit plan, measured as the difference between the plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, in the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the funded status are recognized as changes in comprehensive income (loss) during the fiscal period in which such changes occur.

Pension benefits earned during the year as well as interest on projected benefit obligations are currently accrued. Prior service cost and net actuarial loss in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets, both of which are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss),” are amortized over the expected average remaining service period of employees on a straight-line basis.

Accrued liabilities for point programs—

NTT Group grants “points” to customers based on the usage of mobile, FLET’S Hikari and other services, which provide benefits, including discounts on merchandise, and records “Accrued liabilities for point programs” relating to the points that customers earn.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests—

A portion of noncontrolling interests of certain subsidiaries can be put to NTT Group upon certain events. As redemption of the noncontrolling interests is not solely in the control of NTT Group, the redemption amount based on fair value price is considered as “Redeemable noncontrolling interests” and presented in between Liabilities and Equity in the consolidated balance sheets.

As of March 31, 2015 and 2016, NTT Group believes that subsequent adjustment of the presented amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests is unnecessary mainly because they are not currently redeemable and it is not probable that they will become redeemable. NTT Group will annually reassess the probability.

For information on the changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests, see note 14.

Reclassifications—

Certain items for prior periods’ financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016.

 

(2) Recently issued Accounting Standards

Revenue from Contracts with Customers—

On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The FASB also issued ASU 2016-08 “Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net),” ASU2016-10 “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” ASU2016-12 “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” in March, April and May 2016, respectively, to amend ASU 2014-09 partially.

On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date,” and deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. Consequently, the standard is expected to take effect for NTT Group on April 1, 2018. Early adoption of the standard as of April 1, 2017 would also be permitted.

NTT has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the ASU will have on NTT Group’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—

On January 5, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which significantly changes the income statement impact of equity investments held by an entity, and the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities when the fair value option is elected. The new standard is expected to take effect for NTT Group on April 1, 2018. NTT is currently evaluating the effect of adopting the ASU.

Leases—

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases,” which requires all lessees to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, principally. The new standard is expected to take effect for NTT Group on April 1, 2019. NTT is currently evaluating the effect of adopting the ASU.

3.    Related party transactions:

Related party transactions mainly consist of transactions with affiliated companies. NTT Group has entered into a number of different types of transactions with affiliated companies, the most significant of which are the purchases of terminal equipment and materials and the receipt of certain services. Transactions with affiliated companies are based on the values that approximate arm’s-length prices.

Transactions with affiliated companies for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016 and the related balances at March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Operating revenues

   ¥ 31,903       ¥ 33,091       ¥ 36,994   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expenses

   ¥ 127,674       ¥ 135,876       ¥ 136,453   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Receivables

   ¥ 24,349       ¥ 27,896       ¥ 29,374   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Payables

   ¥ 119,708       ¥ 110,631       ¥ 116,164   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Dividends from affiliated companies accounted for by the equity method for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥23,249 million, ¥25,881 million and ¥20,462 million, respectively.

4.    Cash and cash equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2015 and 2016 comprised the following:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Cash

   ¥ 807,817       ¥ 869,296   

Commercial paper and certificates of deposit, commercial paper and marketable securities purchased under agreements to resell

     802         433   

Time deposits, certificates of deposit and other

     40,555         218,546   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 849,174       ¥ 1,088,275   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commercial paper and certificates of deposit, commercial paper and marketable securities purchased under agreements to resell and time deposits, certificates of deposit and other are stated at amounts that approximate fair value.

Cash is mainly deposited into several domestic financial institutions and there is no significant concentration of cash deposits in any particular financial institution.

5.    Inventories:

Inventories at March 31, 2015 and 2016 comprised the following:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Telecommunications equipment to be sold and materials

   ¥ 181,258       ¥ 153,463   

Projects in progress

     103,351         142,845   

Supplies

     105,914         118,273   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 390,523       ¥    414,581   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

6.    Impairment of long-lived assets:

Impairment of multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices assets—

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT DOCOMO and its subsidiaries failed to meet the forecasted revenues of the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices due to new competition in content and services provided through smart phones and other devices, resulting in a significant increase in uncertainty over the likelihood of future significant improvement of the profitability of this business. This triggered NTT DOCOMO to conduct the recoverability for its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, of the multimedia broadcasting business for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

The estimated undiscounted future cash flows generated by such long-lived assets were less than their carrying amounts.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The fair value of long-lived assets related to the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices was estimated primarily based on the discounted cash flow method. As the discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the long-lived assets would be a negative, NTT DOCOMO recorded an impairment for the entire carrying amount of these assets.

In addition, NTT DOCOMO estimated the fair value of certain equipment related to the multimedia broadcasting business based on the observable market transactions of comparable assets, such as the orderly liquidation value of each asset.

Consequently, a reduction of the carrying amounts to fair value was necessary resulting in NTT DOCOMO recording a non-cash impairment loss of ¥30,161 million as “Impairment loss” in the consolidated statements of income, which included an impairment loss for the intangible assets of ¥6,365 million.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, NTT DOCOMO also recorded a non-cash impairment loss of ¥4,542 million in “Impairment losses” in the consolidated statements of income, related to the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices assets which included an impairment loss for the intangible assets of ¥733 million.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, NTT DOCOMO decided to terminate the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices on June 30, 2016.

7.    Investments in affiliated companies:

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company—

From March 2007 to February 2008, NTT DOCOMO additionally acquired approximately 7% of the outstanding common shares of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (“PLDT”), a telecommunications operator in the Philippines, for ¥98,943 million in the market. Together with the approximately 13% of PLDT’s outstanding common shares held before the additional acquisition by NTT DOCOMO, NTT Group held approximately 21% of the total outstanding common shares of PLDT as of March 31, 2008 and obtained the ability to exercise significant influence over PLDT. Accordingly, NTT Group accounted for its investment in PLDT by applying the equity method during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Furthermore, NTT DOCOMO acquired an additional common equity interest for ¥19,519 million in November 2011, because PLDT acquired Digital Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. through a stock swap; and this was projected to decrease NTT Group’s interest in PLDT. As a result, NTT Group held approximately 20% of PLDT’s outstanding common shares.

In October 2012, PLDT issued voting preferred stocks in order to dilute the foreign ownership interest in PLDT to less than the 40%, as a decision of the Supreme Court of the Philippines increased the foreign ownership percentage of PLDT in excess of 40% limit, which conflicts with a restriction on a foreign ownership in Philippines. As a result, NTT’s voting interest in PLDT decreased to approximately 12% from 20%. At that time, the guidelines of foreign ownership requirements were not clearly finalized yet, and therefore there was uncertainty about the foreign ownership requirements. As a consequence, NTT Group determined it no longer had the ability to exercise significant influence over PLDT during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012 and discontinued the application of the equity method of accounting for the investment in PLDT.

In May 2013, the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Philippines announced a memorandum to clarify the guideline of foreign ownership requirements. NTT Group has determined it has the ability to exercise significant influence over PLDT, and therefore, NTT Group has reinstated the equity method of accounting retrospectively for its investment in PLDT.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NTT Group’s carrying amount of its investment in PLDT was ¥168,968 million and ¥145,847 million as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. The aggregate market price of the PLDT shares owned by NTT Group was ¥340,268 million and ¥214,138 million as of March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Tata Teleservices Limited—

On November 12, 2008, NTT DOCOMO entered into a capital alliance with Tata Teleservices Limited (“TTSL”) and Tata Sons Limited (“Tata Sons”), the parent company of TTSL. On March 25, 2009, NTT Group acquired approximately 26% of the outstanding common shares of TTSL for ¥252,321 million pursuant to the capital alliance and accounted for the investment by applying the equity method.

NTT DOCOMO made additional investments totaling ¥14,424 million in response to a rights offering that TTSL commenced in March and May, 2011. TTSL has used the capital increase to strengthen the quality of the 3G network in India’s market. As a result of its participation in the rights offering, NTT Group’s equity interest in TTSL slightly increased to approximately 26.5%.

NTT DOCOMO determined that the decline in value below carrying amount was other-than-temporary and recognized impairment charge of ¥51,244 million related to its investment in TTSL for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

Under the shareholders agreement (the “Agreement”) entered into among TTSL, Tata Sons and NTT DOCOMO, when NTT DOCOMO entered into a business alliance with TTSL in March 2009, NTT DOCOMO shall have certain shareholder rights including the right to require Tata Sons to find a suitable buyer for NTT DOCOMO’s entire stake (1,248,974,378 shares, or approximately 26.5% of outstanding shares) in TTSL for 50% of the NTT DOCOMO’s acquisition price, which amounts to 72.5 billion Indian rupees (or ¥120.4 billion*1) or at fair value, whichever is higher, in the event that TTSL fails to achieve certain specified performance targets by March 31, 2014. The right became exercisable on May 30, 2014, and NTT DOCOMO exercised the right on July 7, 2014.

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

NTT DOCOMO received a binding arbitration award from the LCIA on June 23, 2016. The award orders that Tata Sons pay damages to NTT DOCOMO in the amount of approximately $1,172 million (or ¥130.0 billion*2) for Tata Sons’ breach of the shareholders agreement, upon NTT DOCOMO’s tender of its entire stake in TTSL to Tata Sons or its designee. However, it is uncertain as to whether Tata Sons will honor the binding award.

The sale of investment in TTSL has not been completed as Tata Sons has not fulfilled its obligation, and thus NTT DOCOMO has not accounted for the sales transaction for the year ended March 31, 2016. NTT DOCOMO continues to account for the investment in TTSL under the equity method as NTT DOCOMO continues to hold approximately 26.5% of the outstanding voting shares of TTSL and have the representation on the board of directors of TTSL, even after receiving the binding arbitration award from the LCIA. The financial effect of this matter cannot be estimated at this time due to the aforementioned uncertainties surrounding this investment. NTT DOCOMO may recognize a gain or loss upon disposition of its TTSL shares or in the event that the transaction as described above will not be carried out.

Impairment—

NTT Group reviews factors such as the financial condition and near-term prospects of its affiliates on a regular basis in order to determine if any decline in investment values was other than temporary.

 

*1 1 rupee = ¥1.66 as of May 31, 2016
*2 $1 = ¥110.94 as of May 31, 2016

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

NTT Group determined that there were other-than-temporary declines in values of certain investments including TTSL and recognized impairment charges aggregating ¥51,279 million, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. These impairment losses are included in the consolidated statements of income under “Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies.”

NTT Group reviewed the business outlook of TTSL in order to determine if the value of the investment in TTSL has suffered a decline that was other than temporary because of the recent economic and financial environment surrounding its industry.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, NTT DOCOMO’s estimate of future cash flows of TTSL were revised downward as a result of the growing business risk of mobile network operators in India, including an increase in the cost of maintaining or acquiring frequency spectrum due to a steep rise of the auction price of frequency spectrum in India. Reflecting growing business risk and recent operating results of TTSL, the weighted average cost of capital increased to 12.6%, which was applied to these revised estimated cash flows and NTT Group concluded that the decline in value was other than temporary. Consequently, NTT Group recognized an impairment charge of ¥51,244 million, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, NTT Group determined that the value of the investment in TTSL has not suffered a decline that was other than temporary.

NTT’s share of undistributed earnings of its affiliated companies included in its consolidated retained earnings were ¥100,976 million, ¥90,631 million and ¥97,372 million as of March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

NTT Group’s total investment in its affiliated publicly-held companies at March 31, 2015 and 2016 were ¥187,209 million and ¥164,855 million, respectively, and based on quoted market prices at that date, the related market values were ¥368,000 million and ¥245,613 million, respectively.

The total carrying amounts of NTT’s investments in affiliates in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and 2016 were greater by ¥273,416 million and by ¥271,175 million, respectively, than its aggregate underlying equity in net assets of such affiliates as of the date of the most recent available financial statements of the investees. The differences mainly consist of investor level goodwill and fair value adjustments for amortizable intangible assets.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

8.    Marketable securities and other investments:

Marketable securities and other investments include available-for-sale securities composed of equity securities and debt securities and held-to-maturity debt securities. The aggregate carrying amounts, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses and fair value of available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     March 31, 2015  
     Cost      Gross
unrealized
gains
     Gross
unrealized
losses
     Fair value  
     Millions of yen  

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

   ¥ 153,933       ¥ 232,814       ¥ 1,425       ¥ 385,322   

Debt securities

     68,420         1,534         337         69,617   

Held-to-maturity:

           

Commercial paper*

     802         —           —           802   

Other debt securities

     4,729         46         —           4,775   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 227,884       ¥ 234,394       ¥ 1,762       ¥ 460,516   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Commercial paper are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” totaling ¥802 million.

 

     March 31, 2016  
     Cost      Gross
unrealized
gains
     Gross
unrealized
losses
     Fair value  
     Millions of yen  

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

   ¥ 145,893       ¥ 184,204       ¥ 667       ¥ 329,430   

Debt securities

     85,426         1,730         179         86,977   

Held-to-maturity:

           

Commercial paper*

     5,432         —           —           5,432   

Other debt securities

     5,461         105         2         5,564   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 242,212       ¥ 186,039       ¥    848       ¥ 427,403   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

* Commercial paper are included in “Cash and cash equivalents” totaling ¥433 million and “Short-term investments” totaling ¥4,999 million.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Gross unrealized holding losses and the fair value of available-for-sale securities and held-to-maturity securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position, at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     March 31, 2015  
     Less than 12 months      12 months or longer  
     Fair value      Gross
unrealized
holding
losses
     Fair value      Gross
unrealized
holding
losses
 
     Millions of yen  

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

   ¥ 7,248       ¥ 1,417       ¥ 45       ¥ 8   

Debt securities

     15,013         322         135         15   

Held-to-maturity:

           

Debt securities

     —           —           —           —     
     March 31, 2016  
     Less than 12 months      12 months or longer  
     Fair value      Gross
unrealized
holding
losses
     Fair value      Gross
unrealized
holding
losses
 
     Millions of yen  

Available-for-sale:

           

Equity securities

   ¥ 4,180       ¥ 505       ¥ 623       ¥ 162   

Debt securities

     14,396         100         6,122         79   

Held-to-maturity:

           

Debt securities

     305         2         —           —     

In the ordinary course of business, NTT Group maintains equity securities as long-term investment accounted for under the cost method, which are included in “Marketable securities and other investments.” The total carrying amounts of those securities were ¥67,088 million and ¥59,512 million at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. As these investments are not quoted at market prices, a reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs. Accordingly, NTT Group believes that it is not practicable to disclose estimated fair values of these cost method investments. Unless NTT Group identifies events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of these investments, the fair value of such cost method investments is not estimated. NTT Group did not evaluate fair values of investment securities with an aggregate carrying amount of ¥64,960 million and ¥58,176 million for impairment at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Proceeds, gross realized gains and losses from sales of available-for-sale securities, which were included in “Other, net” of “Other income (expenses)” in the consolidated statements of income, for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Proceeds

   ¥ 4,074       ¥ 10,117       ¥ 35,091   

Gross realized gains

     2,345         5,158         22,095   

Gross realized losses

     49         875         101   

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Maturities of debt securities classified as held-to-maturity at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows.

 

     March 31, 2015      March 31, 2016  
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
value
     Carrying
Amount
     Fair
value
 
     Millions of yen  

Due within 1 year

   ¥ 1,968       ¥ 1,972       ¥ 6,524       ¥ 6,525   

Due after 1 year through 5 years

     1,624         1,629         825         832   

Due after 5 years through 10 years

     1,638         1,650         3,244         3,293   

Due after 10 years

     301         326         300         346   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 5,531       ¥ 5,577       ¥ 10,893       ¥ 10,996   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

9.    Goodwill, Software and other intangible assets:

Goodwill—

The amount of goodwill included in the mobile communications business segment is mainly related to NTT DOCOMO’s share repurchase program. The repurchases of shares by NTT DOCOMO resulting in increases in NTT’s ownership interest in NTT DOCOMO were accounted for as acquisitions of minority interests using the purchase method, but have been accounted for as equity transactions with noncontrolling interests since April 2009.

The changes in goodwill by reportable segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

    2015  
    Long distance and
international
communications
business
    Mobile
communications
business
    Data
communications
business
    Other     Total  
    Millions of yen  

Balance at March 31, 2014

  ¥ 369,679      ¥ 492,099      ¥ 222,287      ¥ 2,571      ¥ 1,086,636   

Goodwill acquired during year

    37,799        —          2,870        —          40,669   

Impairment losses

    (3,464     —          —          —          (3,464

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    44,312        5,918        19,118        —          69,348   

Other

    (6,226     (802     —          —          (7,028
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

  ¥ 442,100      ¥ 497,215      ¥ 244,275      ¥ 2,571      ¥ 1,186,161   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    2016  
    Long distance and
international
communications
business
    Mobile
communications
business
    Data
communications
business
    Other     Total  
    Millions of yen  

Balance at March 31, 2015

  ¥ 442,100      ¥ 497,215      ¥ 244,275      ¥ 2,571      ¥ 1,186,161   

Goodwill acquired during year

    84,712        —          17,521        —          102,233   

Impairment losses

    (4,719     —          —          —          (4,719

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    (22,754     (3,175     (17,037     —          (42,966

Other

    (2,700     (10,937     2,136        —          (11,501
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

  ¥ 496,639      ¥ 483,103      ¥ 246,895      ¥ 2,571      ¥ 1,229,208   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Software and Other intangible assets—

The following table presents the major components of software and other intangible assets as of March 31, 2015 and 2016.

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Amortizable intangible assets:

    

Computer software

   ¥ 6,129,753      ¥ 6,207,423   

Rights to use utility facilities

     337,496        338,098   

Other

     489,844        489,233   

Accumulated amortization

     (5,390,151     (5,530,456
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total amortizable intangible assets

     1,566,942        1,504,298   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-amortizable intangible assets:

    

Trademarks and trade names

     55,859        53,356   

Rights to acquire the building

     16,792        16,792   

Other

     21,915        30,013   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total non-amortizable intangible assets

     94,566        100,161   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,661,508      ¥ 1,604,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount of amortizable intangible assets acquired during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was ¥400,321 million, the main component of which was Computer software in the amount of ¥348,495 million.

The aggregate amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥493,436 million, ¥449,993 million and ¥417,191 million, respectively. The amount of Accumulated amortization of Computer software, which was included in Accumulated amortization, at March 31, 2015 and 2016 was ¥4,881,797 million and ¥4,994,941 million, respectively.

Computer software is recognized at cost and is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, which is generally from five to seven years. Rights to use utility facilities are acquired using lump-sum cash payments and mainly consist of cable tunnels and public use joint tunnels. Such rights are recorded at cost and are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of 50 years. Other intangible assets are also recognized at cost and amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives averaging 12 years.

Trademarks and trade names are intangible assets with indefinite lives acquired through business combinations.

On March 31, 2014, in connection with the Otemachi 2-Chome Area Redevelopment Project, NTT was granted a co-ownership interest of land worth ¥45,429 million and a right to acquire the proprietary floor space worth ¥16,792 million in the new building, through an exchange of its leasehold and other rights.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, NTT included these rights in “Property” and “Other intangible assets,” respectively, in its consolidated balance sheets and also recorded a ¥59,996 million gain resulting from the difference between the fair value of the acquired assets and the book value of the transferred leasehold and other rights under “Other, net” of “Other income (expenses)” in the consolidated statements of income.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The estimated aggregate amortization expenses for intangible assets during each of the five years ending March 31 are as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

   ¥    406,980   

2018

     322,113   

2019

     247,966   

2020

     174,210   

2021

     115,201   

10.    Short-term borrowings and long-term debt:

Short-term borrowings at March 31, 2015 and 2016 comprised the following:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Borrowings denominated in Japanese yen:

     

Unsecured short-term loans from financial institutions bearing interest at weighted average rates of 0.26% and 0.21% per annum at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively

   ¥ 39,238       ¥ 41,004   

Commercial paper bearing interest at weighted average rates of 0.09% per annum at March 31, 2015

     206,993         —     

Borrowing denominated in foreign currencies:

     

Unsecured short-term loans from financial institutions

     84,192         88,652   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total short-term debt

   ¥    330,423       ¥    129,656   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt at March 31, 2015 and 2016 comprised the following:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Debt denominated in Japanese yen:

     

0.15% – 2.06% coupon bonds due 2016 – 2031

   ¥ 1,700,969       ¥ 1,465,959   

1.00% floating rate bond due 2022

     100         100   

Secured indebtedness to financial institutions—

     

0.51% (weighted average) loans due 2016 – 2029

     49,408         38,782   

0.32% (weighted average) floating rate loans due 2016 – 2032

     18,744         21,596   

Unsecured indebtedness to financial institutions—

     

0.88% (weighted average) loans due 2016 – 2031

     1,683,994         1,801,993   

0.16% (weighted average) floating rate loans due 2016 – 2026

     88,309         76,905   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     3,541,524         3,405,335   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Debt denominated in foreign currencies:

    

0.89% – 2.15% U.S. dollar notes due 2016 – 2020

     213,250        205,701   

1.08% floating rate U.S. dollar notes due 2019

     24,034        22,536   

Unsecured indebtedness to financial institutions—

    

1.05% (weighted average) U.S. dollar floating rate loans due 2016 – 2029

     164,010        247,522   

0.91% (weighted average) U.K. pound floating rate loans due 2016 – 2018

     17,987        16,530   

1.79% (weighted average) Euro loans due 2016 – 2025

     50,084        53,308   

0.43% (weighted average) Euro floating rate loans due 2016 – 2027

     16,701        31,527   

Other loans due 2016 – 2038

     31,844        40,737   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     517,910        617,861   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt principal

     4,059,434        4,023,196   

Less—Deferred bond discounts

     (330     (216
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     4,059,104        4,022,980   

Less—Current portion

     (370,279     (476,777
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

   ¥ 3,688,825      ¥ 3,546,203   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest rates and due dates in the above table are stated at March 31, 2016.

All holders of the bonds and notes totaling ¥891,950 million issued by NTT, referred to in the above table, generally have preferential rights under the NTT Act to be paid prior to other unsecured indebtedness, subject to certain general preferential rights provided for in the Japanese Civil Code, such as preferential rights of employees to wages.

The bond and note agreements relating to NTT’s long-term debt at March 31, 2016 generally provide that the bonds and notes may be purchased by NTT in the market or directly from the holders. Additionally, certain of the bonds and notes are redeemable at the option of NTT, generally at the principal amount.

The balance of long-term debt as of March 31, 2016, and the aggregate amounts of annual maturities from the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 to the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 and thereafter are as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

   ¥ 476,777   

2018

     681,205   

2019

     614,125   

2020

     460,707   

2021

     361,598   

Thereafter

     1,428,568   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 4,022,980   
  

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2016, NTT Group has unused committed lines of credit amounting to ¥91.1 billion.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

11.    Employees’ retirement benefits:

 

(1) Severance Payments and Contract-type Corporate Pension Plans

Employees are generally entitled to lump-sum severance payments based on NTT’s severance payment plans, determined by reference to the employee’s basic rate of pay, length of service and other conditions.

NTT and certain subsidiaries sponsors non-contributory funded contract-type corporate pension plans, which cover 28% of the severance benefits under the severance payment plans to employees who are more than 50 years old and retire after twenty or more years of service. The benefits are also payable in a lump sum at the option of the employee.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, NTT Group decided to transition from the contract-type corporate pension plans to a defined contribution pension plan, effective from future contributions subsequent to April 1, 2014. NTT Group’s contract-type corporate pension plan continues to remain for the pension benefit earned up to March 31, 2014. Upon the curtailment of the contract-type corporate pension plans, NTT Group fully amortized its prior service costs and recognized a curtailment gain of ¥12,966 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014.

The following table presents the reconciliation of the changes in the plans’ benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016. NTT uses a March 31 measurement date.

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Change in benefit obligations:

    

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   ¥ 1,903,160      ¥ 1,879,969   

Service cost

     65,160        63,669   

Interest cost

     25,510        18,569   

Actuarial loss (gain)

     54,522        73,045   

Other

     (11,992     4,857   

Benefit payments - Lump-sum severance payments and Pension

     (156,391     (158,083
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

     1,879,969        1,882,026   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

     1,130,188        1,122,736   

Actual return on plan assets

     96,646        15,578   

Employer contributions

     3,028        6,133   

Other

     1,571        1,826   

Benefit payments - Pension

     (108,697     (104,712
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

     1,122,736        1,041,561   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At March 31:

    

Under-funded status

   ¥ (757,233   ¥ (840,465
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

At March 31:

    

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ (869,635   ¥ (925,239

Other assets

        112,402        84,774   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (income)

     162,053           235,895   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   ¥ (595,180   ¥ (604,570
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table provides the amounts recognized as accumulated other comprehensive loss (income):

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

At March 31:

    

Net actuarial loss

   ¥    164,108      ¥ 236,607   

Transition obligation

     453        404   

Prior service cost(*)

     (2,508     (1,116
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 162,053      ¥    235,895   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*) Prior service cost has been amortized on the straight-line method over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plans.

The accumulated benefit obligation was ¥1,880,896 million and ¥1,877,512 million at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The projected benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets in the plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of fair value of plan assets at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

At March 31:

     

Projected benefit obligation

   ¥ 1,873,427       ¥ 1,875,651   

Fair value of plan assets

     1,113,285         1,034,021   

The accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets in the plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of fair value of plan assets at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

At March 31:

     

Accumulated benefit obligation

   ¥ 1,873,425       ¥ 1,871,038   

Fair value of plan assets

     1,113,285         1,034,021   

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The charges to income for employees’ retirement benefits for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016 included the following components:

 

                                                                                
     2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Service cost

   ¥ 72,631      ¥ 65,160      ¥ 63,669      

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     30,021        25,510        18,569   

Expected return on plan assets

     (22,069     (22,027     (21,624

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     7,694        3,463        5,389   

Amortization of transition obligation

     167        156        50   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (3,997     (1,468     (1,366

Curtailment gain from the change in pension plans

     (12,966     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 71,481      ¥ 70,794      ¥ 64,687   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as other comprehensive loss (income) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                                                
     2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Other comprehensive loss (income)

      

Net gain arising during period

   ¥ (95,681   ¥ (20,097   ¥ 79,091      

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     (7,694     (3,463     (5,389

Amortization of transition obligation

     (167     (156     (50

Amortization of prior service cost

     3,997        1,468        1,366   

Reclassification of prior service cost due to curtailment

     12,894        —          —     

Other

     (1,081     (5,436     (1,176
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ (87,732   ¥ (27,684   ¥ 73,842   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amounts of net actuarial loss, transition obligation and prior service cost included as accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 amount to ¥8,701 million, ¥48 million and ¥(1,068) million, respectively.

The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost:

 

                                                                                
     2014     2015     2016  

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligations at March 31

      

Discount rate

     1.4     1.0     0.5

Rate of compensation increase

     2.4-4.0     2.4-4.0     2.4-4.0

Weighted-average assumption used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended March 31

      

Discount rate

     1.5     1.4     1.0

Rate of compensation increase

     2.4-3.4     2.4-4.0     2.4-4.0

Expected long-term return on plan assets

     2.0     2.0     2.0

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, NTT considers the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of plan assets based on analysis of historical results.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents the fair values of pension plan assets of contract-type corporate pension plans as of March 31, 2015 and 2016. Descriptions of fair value hierarchy and the inputs used in measuring fair value are presented in note 16.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  
     Total      Fair value measurements using  
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     Millions of yen  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 4,796       ¥ 4,796         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     326,908         321,925         4,983         —     

Domestic corporate bonds

     105,254         —           105,254         —     

Foreign government bonds

     85,681         84,970         711         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     1,770         417         1,353         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities

           

Domestic

     118,169         118,150         19         —     

Foreign

     82,325         82,325         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic/debt securities

     13,030         —           13,030         —     

Domestic/equity securities

     10,985         —           10,985         —     

Foreign/debt securities

     8,189         —           8,189         —     

Foreign/equity securities

     10,809         —           10,809         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pooled funds

     150,199         —           150,199         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Life insurance company general accounts

     203,026         —           203,026         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

     1,595         —           3         1,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,122,736       ¥ 612,583       ¥ 508,561       ¥ 1,592   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     As of March 31, 2016  
     Total      Fair value measurements using  
        Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  
     Millions of yen  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 29,539       ¥ 29,539         —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Debt securities

          

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     485,858         483,087         2,771        —     

Domestic corporate bonds

     52,610         —           52,610        —     

Foreign government bonds

     57,996         55,597         2,399        —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     2,147         829         1,318        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity securities

          

Domestic

     34,318         34,296         22        —     

Foreign

     58,053         58,053         —          —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

          

Domestic/debt securities

     24,677         —           24,677        —     

Domestic/equity securities

     12,728         —           12,728        —     

Foreign/debt securities

     9,639         —           9,639        —     

Foreign/equity securities

     8,579         —           8,579        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pooled funds

     83,406         —           83,406        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Life insurance company general accounts

     180,552         —           180,552        —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Others

     1,459         —           (10     1,469   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,041,561       ¥ 661,401       ¥ 378,691      ¥ 1,469   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include foreign currency deposits and call loans, and are all classified as Level 1.

Debt securities

Debt securities include Japanese government bonds and local government bonds, domestic corporate bonds, foreign government bonds and foreign corporate bonds. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

Equity securities

Equity securities include domestic stocks and foreign stocks. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates include bond investment trusts and foreign stock investment trusts. Fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Pooled funds

Pooled funds include government bonds, local government bonds, domestic stocks and foreign stocks. Fair value of pooled funds is evaluated based on net asset value as reported by the trust operator, and is classified as Level 2.

Life insurance company general accounts

Life insurance company general accounts are the financial assets which guarantee an expected rate of return and principal and they are all classified as Level 2.

Others

Others include fund of hedge funds, among other things. Fair value is measured by inputs derived from unobservable data, which is classified as Level 3.

Level 3 reconciliation is not disclosed, since the amounts in Level 3 are immaterial.

NTT Group’s policy with respect to asset management planning is formulated with the ultimate objective of ensuring the steady disbursement of benefits in future periods. Therefore, the long-term objective of asset management is to secure the total profits deemed necessary to ensure pension financing. To achieve this, NTT Group selects various investments and takes into consideration their expected returns and risks and the correlation among them. NTT Group then sets the target allocation ratio for plan assets and endeavors to maintain that ratio. The target allocations are formulated from a mid- to long-term perspective and are reviewed annually. In the event that there is a significant change in the investment environment, NTT Group also reviews the asset allocations as necessary. The target allocations in March 2016 are: domestic bonds, 55.0%; domestic stocks, 5.0%; foreign bonds, 10.0%; foreign stocks, 10.0%; and life insurance company general accounts, 20.0%.

Domestic stocks include NTT Group’s and its affiliates’ common stock with an aggregate fair value of ¥2,619 million (0.2% of total plan assets) and ¥1,497 million (0.2% of total plan assets) at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The estimated future benefit payments are as follows:

 

Year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

   ¥ 133,104   

2018

     141,922   

2019

     134,187   

2020

     123,729   

2021

     115,630   

2022-2026

     557,629   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,206,201   
  

 

 

 

 

(2) Defined Contribution Pension Plan

NTT and certain subsidiaries recorded retirement benefit expenses of ¥18,082 million and ¥19,513 million of related to NTT Group’s defined contribution benefit plan in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(3) Social Welfare Pension Scheme and NTT Kigyou-Nenkin-Kikin (NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan)

Since its incorporation in April 1985, both NTT Group and its employees made contributions every year to the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Mutual Aid Plan (the “NTT Mutual Aid Plan”), which was one of the Japanese government-regulated social welfare pension schemes, based on the Public Corporation Employee Mutual Aid Association Law, and was operated to pay pension benefits to the retired/existing employees of NTT, Public Corporation and/or their predecessor government organizations (Ministry of Communications in the area of telecommunications and the Ministry of Telecommunications). The NTT Mutual Aid Plan was considered as a multi-employer plan and, accordingly, contributions were recognized as an expense when they were required for the period.

As part of the Japanese social welfare pension scheme restructuring in 1997, the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law was amended effective April 1, 1997 to integrate the NTT Mutual Aid Plan under the Public Corporation Employee Mutual Aid Association Law with the Welfare Pension Insurance Scheme under the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law. This converted the NTT Mutual Aid Plan into (a) the national Kosei-Nenkin (the “National Plan”), (b) NTT Kosei-Nenkin-Kikin (the “NTT Plan”) and (c) the Special Accounting Fund for the NTT Plan (former NTT Mutual Aid Plan). Based on the Law Concerning Defined Benefit Corporate Pension Plans which came into force in June 2001, the NTT Plan completed the transfer to the Japanese Government of the substitutional portion of the benefit obligations, as described below. In July 2007, the NTT Plan was converted to NTT Kigyou-Nenkin-Kikin or the NTT Corporate Defined Benefit Pension Plan (“NTT CDBP”) that succeeded the pension benefit obligations after the transfer to the Japanese Government of the substitutional portion of the benefit obligations.

(a)     The National Plan

The National Plan is a government-regulated social welfare pension plan under the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law and since April 1997, both NTT Group and its employees have made contributions to such plan every year. It is considered as a multi-employer plan and contributions are recognized as expenses when contributions are required. The total amounts of contributions were ¥126,310 million, ¥122,476 million and ¥123,462 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively. In addition, the National Plan is a social welfare pension scheme, and because the information required by its accounting standards is limited, additional quantitative information relating to participation in the multi-employer plan is not disclosed.

(b)     The NTT CDBP (former NTT Plan)

NTT established the NTT Plan in April 1997. Both NTT Group and its employees made contributions to the plan to supplement the pension benefits to which the employees were entitled under the National Plan. The NTT Plan was regulated under the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law and covered a substitutional portion of the National Plan.

The NTT Plan is considered a defined benefit pension plan and is accounted for separately from the severance payments and the contract-type corporate pension plans as described in (1) above.

In June 2003, under the Law Concerning Defined-Benefit Corporate Pension Plans, the NTT Plan applied to the Japanese Government for permission to be relieved of the obligations related to future employee services to disburse the NTT Plan benefits covering the substitutional portion and in September 2003, the approval was

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

granted. In April 2007, the NTT Plan applied for permission to be relieved of the remaining obligations related to past services to disburse the benefits covering the substitutional portion, and in July 2007, the approval was granted. As a result, the NTT Plan was converted to the NTT CDBP, a defined-benefit corporate pension fund.

In February 2008, the NTT CDBP completed the transfer to the Japanese Government of the substitutional portion of the benefit obligations and related plan assets, determined pursuant to the government formula, of the pension fund to the government agency.

In October 2013, NTT Group re-examined its wage system and implemented the “Reconstruction of the treatment system in light of future business operations” in order to evaluate the current compensation system and increase employment opportunities for individuals over the age of 60. As the eligible age to begin receiving pension benefits is expected to be delayed in connection with this reconstruction plan, the value of the projected benefit obligations decreased by ¥76,050 million as of October 1, 2013, and is being amortized as prior service cost starting from the effective date through the remaining service period of applicable employees.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations and fair value of assets of the NTT CDBP at March 31, 2015 and 2016. NTT uses a March 31 measurement date.

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Change in benefit obligations:

    

Benefit obligation, beginning of year

   ¥ 1,553,265      ¥ 1,683,431   

Service cost

     37,281        40,999   

Interest cost

     21,278        16,602   

Actuarial loss (gain)

     97,160        197,662   

Other

     9,293        11,647   

Benefit payments

     (34,846     (40,089
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Benefit obligation, end of year

     1,683,431        1,910,252   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change in fair value of plan assets:

    

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

     1,056,584        1,165,104   

Actual return on plan assets

     116,626        (7,432

Employer contributions

     16,818        17,720   

Employee contributions

     3,753        3,270   

Other

     6,169        8,175   

Benefits payments

     (34,846     (39,957
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

     1,165,104        1,146,880   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At March 31:

    

Under-funded status

   ¥ (518,327   ¥ (763,372
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table provides the amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

At March 31:

    

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ (518,327   ¥ (763,372

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

          28,015           269,435   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net amount recognized

   ¥ (490,312   ¥ (493,937
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table provides the amounts recognized as accumulated other comprehensive loss (income):

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

At March 31:

    

Net actuarial loss

   ¥ 93,281      ¥ 327,178   

Prior service cost(*)

     (65,266     (57,743
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥      28,015      ¥    269,435   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(*) Prior service cost has been amortized on the straight-line method over the average remaining service period of employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

The accumulated benefit obligation was ¥1,435,669 million and ¥1,618,499 million at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

The charges to income for employees’ retirement benefits for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2016 included the following components:

 

     2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Service cost

   ¥ 39,098      ¥ 37,281      ¥ 40,999   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     22,961        21,278        16,602   

Expected return on plan assets

     (23,871     (25,825     (28,708

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     15,265        5,783        4,997   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (5,512     (7,487     (7,513

Employee contributions

     (3,557     (3,753     (3,270
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥      44,384      ¥      27,277      ¥      23,107   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized as other comprehensive loss (income) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Other comprehensive loss (income)

      

Net loss (gain) arising during period

   ¥ (72,546   ¥ 6,359      ¥ 233,802   

Amortization of net actuarial loss

     (15,265     (5,783     (4,997

Accrued prior service cost

     (76,050     —          —     

Amortization of prior service cost

             5,512        7,487        7,513   

Other

     1        (3,236     5,102   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ (158,348   ¥        4,827      ¥    241,420   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amounts of net actuarial loss and prior service cost included as accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 amount to ¥17,679 million and ¥(7,465) million, respectively.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost:

 

     2014     2015     2016  

Weighted-average assumption used to determine benefit obligations at March 31

      

Discount rate

     1.4     1.0     0.5

Rate of compensation increase

     3.4     3.4     3.4

Weighted-average assumption used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended March 31

      

Discount rate

     1.5     1.4     1.0

Rate of compensation increase

     3.9     3.4     3.4

Expected long-term return on plan assets

     2.5     2.5     2.5

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, NTT Group considers the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of the plan assets based on analysis of historical results.

The following table presents the fair values of pension plan assets of NTT CDBP as of March 31, 2015 and 2016. Descriptions of fair value hierarchy and the inputs used in measuring fair value are presented in note 16.

 

     As of March 31, 2015  
     Total      Fair value measurements using  
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     Millions of yen  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 8,984       ¥ 8,984         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     323,496         318,634         4,862         —     

Domestic corporate bonds

     91,110         —           91,110         —     

Foreign government bonds

     82,179         81,565         614         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     1,178         346         832         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities

           

Domestic

     214,675         214,645         30         —     

Foreign

     124,158         124,157         —           1   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic/debt securities

     20,298         —           20,298         —     

Domestic/equity securities

     28,994         —           28,994         —     

Foreign/debt securities

     19,788         —           19,788         —     

Foreign/equity securities

     18,382         —           18,382         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pooled funds

     94,532         —           94,532         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Life insurance company general accounts

     134,892         —           134,892         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

     2,438         —           2         2,436   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,165,104       ¥ 748,331       ¥ 414,336       ¥ 2,437   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     As of March 31, 2016  
     Total      Fair value measurements using  
        Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  
     Millions of yen  

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 7,562       ¥ 7,562         —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Debt securities

           

Japanese government bonds/local government bonds

     332,087         325,561         6,526         —     

Domestic corporate bonds

     75,967         —           75,967         —     

Foreign government bonds

     62,128         59,883         2,245         —     

Foreign corporate bonds

     364         103         261         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity securities

           

Domestic

     114,971         114,909         62         —     

Foreign

     93,561         93,561         —           0   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

           

Domestic/debt securities

     106,456         —           106,456         —     

Domestic/equity securities

     76,900         —           76,900         —     

Foreign/debt securities

     32,385         —           32,385         —     

Foreign/equity securities

     19,917         —           19,917         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pooled funds

     85,987         —           85,987         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Life insurance company general accounts

     136,852         —           136,852         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Others

     1,743         —           2         1,741   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,146,880       ¥ 601,579       ¥ 543,560       ¥ 1,741   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include foreign currency deposits and call loans, and are all classified as Level 1.

Debt securities

Debt securities include Japanese government bonds and local government bonds, domestic corporate bonds, foreign government bonds and foreign corporate bonds. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

Equity securities

Equity securities include domestic stocks and foreign stocks. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates

Securities investment trust beneficiary certificates include bond investment trusts and foreign stock investment trusts. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Pooled funds

Pooled funds include government bonds, local government bonds, domestic stocks and foreign stocks. Fair value of pooled funds is evaluated based on net asset value as reported by the trust operator, and is classified as Level 2.

Life insurance company general accounts

Life insurance company general accounts are the financial assets which guarantee an expected rate of return and principal and they are all classified as Level 2.

Others

Others include loans to employees and leasing receivables, which are classified as Level 3.

Level 3 reconciliation is not disclosed, since the amounts in Level 3 are immaterial.

NTT Group’s policy with respect to asset management planning is formulated with the ultimate objective of ensuring the steady disbursement of benefits in future periods. Therefore, the long-term objective of asset management is to secure the total profits deemed necessary to ensure pension financing. To achieve this, NTT Group selects various investments and takes into consideration their expected returns and risks and the correlation among them. NTT Group then sets the target allocation ratio for plan assets and endeavors to maintain that ratio. The target allocations are formulated from a mid- to long-term perspective and are reviewed annually. In the event that there is a significant change in the investment environment, NTT Group also reviews the asset allocations as necessary. The weighted-average target allocations in March 2016 are: domestic bonds, 48.6%; domestic stocks, 14.9%; foreign bonds, 10.0%; foreign stocks, 14.4%; and life insurance company general accounts, 12.1%.

Domestic stocks include NTT Group’s and its affiliates’ common stock with an aggregate fair value of ¥4,453 million (0.4% of total plan assets) and ¥5,401 million (0.5% of total plan assets) at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

NTT Group expects to contribute ¥17,193 million to the NTT CDBP in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

The estimated future benefit payments of the NTT CDBP are as follows:

 

Year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

     39,338   

2018

     41,419   

2019

     43,641   

2020

     44,278   

2021

     45,916   

2022-2026

     239,765   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 454,357   
  

 

 

 

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(c) The Special Accounting Fund for the NTT CDBP (former Special Accounting Fund for the NTT Plan)

The Special Accounting Fund for the NTT Plan (former NTT Mutual Aid Plan) was a transitional pension plan created to settle the former NTT Mutual Aid Plan in accordance with the Law to Partially Amend the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law and other legislation. The NTT Mutual Aid Plan was integrated with the National Plan in April 1997, and the Special Accounting Fund for the NTT Plan aims to provide pension benefits for employees who retired before the 1997 shift in the scheme based on the Former Public Corporation Employee Mutual Aid Association Law.

In July 2007, the Special Accounting Fund for the NTT Plan was converted to the Special Accounting Fund for the NTT CDBP as the NTT Plan was converted to the NTT CDBP.

Based on the provisions of the Law to Partially Amend the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law and other legislation, NTT pays contributions set by the Japanese Government every year to the Special Accounting Fund for the NTT CDBP to cover the costs of pension benefits based on the Former Public Corporation Employee Mutual Aid Association Law to cover benefits for the period of service in and prior to June 1956 of employees who retired in July 1956 or later from NTT, Public Corporation, and/or their predecessor government organizations (Ministry of Communications in the area of telecommunications and the Ministry of Telecommunications).

The Special Accounting Fund for the NTT CDBP is a social welfare pension scheme, as are the former NTT Mutual Aid Plan and the current National Plan. It is considered a multi-employer plan and therefore contributions are recognized as expenses when contributions are required. The amounts of contributions were ¥43,520 million, ¥40,028 million and ¥35,916 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively, and NTT expects such contributions will decrease year by year. In addition, the Special Accounting Fund for the NTT CDBP is a social welfare pension scheme, and because the information required by its accounting standards is limited, additional quantitative information relating to participation in the multi-employer plan is not disclosed.

12.    Income taxes:

Total income taxes recognized for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2014      2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Income from continuing operations

   ¥ 486,546       ¥ 397,349      ¥ 354,825   

Other comprehensive income (loss) (Note 15)

     98,130         50,100        (128,200

Additional paid-in capital (Note 15)

     —           (34,823     —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income taxes

   ¥ 584,676       ¥ 412,626      ¥ 226,625   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Substantially all of NTT Group’s income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies for all periods presented and the related income tax expenses (benefits) are related to domestic operations. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, NTT and its domestic subsidiaries were subject to a National Corporate Tax of 28.05%, a Corporate Inhabitant Tax of approximately 5% and a deductible Corporate Enterprise Tax of approximately 8%, which in the aggregate resulted in a combined statutory income tax rate of approximately 38%. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, NTT and its domestic subsidiaries were subject to a National Corporate Tax of 25.5%, a Corporate Inhabitant Tax of approximately 5% and a deductible Corporate Enterprise Tax of approximately 8%, which in the aggregate resulted in a combined statutory income

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

tax rate of approximately 36%. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, NTT and its domestic subsidiaries were subject to a National Corporate Tax of 24.95%, a Corporate Inhabitant Tax of approximately 4% and a deductible Corporate Enterprise Tax of approximately 6%, which in the aggregate resulted in a combined statutory income tax rate of approximately 33%. The rate of the Corporate Inhabitant Tax and Corporate Enterprise Tax differs depending on the municipalities.

The “Act on the Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act” and other laws were enacted on March 20, 2014, changing, among other things, the tax rates for fiscal years beginning on or after April 1, 2014. Due to this change, the statutory tax rate applied to the calculation of the amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities in relation to the temporary differences anticipated to be resolved in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 was lowered from approximately 38% to approximately 36%. As a result, net deferred tax assets decreased by ¥12,583 million, whose effect is included in “Income tax expenses (benefit): Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income. Net income attributable to NTT decreased ¥9,595 million.

The “Act on the Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act” and other laws were enacted on March 31, 2015, changing, among other things, the tax rates for fiscal years beginning on or after April 1, 2015. Due to this change, the statutory tax rate applied to the calculation of the amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities in relation to the temporary differences anticipated to be resolved in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 and the fiscal years ending March 31, 2017 and thereafter were lowered from approximately 36% to approximately 33% and 32%. As a result, net deferred tax assets decreased by ¥54,357 million, whose effect is included in “Income tax expenses (benefit): Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income. Net income attributable to NTT decreased ¥47,841 million.

The “Act on the Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act” and other laws were enacted on March 29, 2016, changing, among other things, the tax rates for fiscal years beginning on or after April 1, 2016. Due to this change, the statutory tax rate applied to the calculation of the amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities in relation to the temporary differences anticipated to be resolved in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017 and thereafter were lowered from approximately 32% to approximately 31%. As a result, net deferred tax assets decreased by ¥32,665 million, whose effect is included in “Income tax expenses (benefit): Deferred” in the consolidated statements of income. Net income attributable to NTT decreased ¥23,703 million.

NTT files a consolidated tax return with its wholly owned subsidiaries for National Corporate Tax purposes. The realizable amounts of deferred tax assets related to National Corporate Tax are assessed on the basis of the projected future taxable income of NTT and its wholly owned subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2016, NTT had 81 wholly owned subsidiaries in Japan, including NTT East, NTT West and NTT Communications.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Reconciliations of the difference between the actual effective income tax rate of NTT Group and the statutory tax rate are as follows:

 

     Percent of income
before income taxes and equity in
earnings of affiliated companies
 
         2014             2015             2016      

Statutory tax rate

     37.98     35.60     33.03

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

     0.11        0.42        0.23   

Tax credits

     (1.40     (4.54     (4.19

Net change in valuation allowance

     (0.36     1.26        (5.82

Effect of changes in the enacted tax rates

     1.45        5.19        2.19   

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

     (1.57     0.11        0.07   

Other

     1.38        (0.79     1.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effective tax rate

     37.59     37.25     26.69
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ 458,453      ¥ 531,614   

Accrued enterprise tax

     12,954        21,659   

Property, plant, equipment, software and other

     349,013        358,883   

Compensated absences

     82,257        76,631   

Accrued bonus

     34,933        32,771   

Unamortized purchases of leased assets

     6,708        5,801   

Operating loss carryforwards

     201,211        198,155   

Accrued liabilities for loyalty programs

     45,477        34,284   

Deferred revenues regarding Nikagetsu Kurikoshi

     10,723        15,820   

Investments in affiliates

     102,848        110,549   

Other

     186,501        194,075   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax assets

     1,491,078        1,580,242   

Less—Valuation allowance

     (265,950     (171,710
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

     1,225,128        1,408,532   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Unrealized gains on securities

     (64,773     (46,367

Investment in subsidiary, principally arising upon issuance of stock

     (226,474     (207,594

Property, plant, equipment and other

     (119,714     (122,843

Identifiable intangible assets

     (82,550     (79,232

Investments in affiliates

     (59,687     (58,964

Prepaid pension costs

     (36,078     (25,080

Other

     (28,405     (32,115
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

     (617,681     (572,195
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

   ¥ 607,447      ¥ 836,337   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The valuation allowance at March 31, 2015 and 2016 mainly related to deferred tax assets of NTT and certain subsidiaries with operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes that are not expected to be realized. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were an increase of ¥6,228 million, an increase of ¥6,029 million and a decrease of ¥94,240 million, respectively.

The impact of change in estimates about the realizability of deferred tax assets included in the net changes in the valuation allowance for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were a decrease of ¥17,937 million, a decrease of ¥13,362 million and a decrease of ¥90,774 million, respectively. The decrease of ¥17,937 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014 was due primarily to change in the estimate of the realizability of NTT America’s deferred tax assets in connection with its acquisitions. The decrease of ¥90,774 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016 was due primarily to a decrease of ¥43,687 million for regional tax in NTT West related to the improvement of its forecast of future taxable income and a decrease of ¥32,698 million in NTT DOCOMO considering prudent and feasible tax-planning strategies that became available during the year.

Realization of the deferred tax assets depends upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible and loss carryforwards are utilizable. Management considers the projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities in making this assessment. Realization of the deferred tax assets is substantially dependent upon continued profitability and NTT anticipates that it will continue to generate substantial income. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the deferred tax assets, less valuation allowance, will be realized. The amount of such net assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

Net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Deferred income taxes (current assets)

   ¥ 219,333      ¥ 260,446   

Deferred income taxes (investments and other assets)

     589,937        746,561   

Other current liabilities

     (4,970     (4,123

Deferred income taxes (long-term liabilities)

     (196,853     (166,547
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 607,447      ¥ 836,337   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

At March 31, 2016, NTT and certain subsidiaries had operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes of ¥668,733 million, which may be used as a deduction in determining taxable income in future periods. The period available to offset future taxable income varies in each tax jurisdiction as follows:

 

Year ended March 31, 2016

   Millions of yen  

Within 5 years

   ¥ 285,305   

6 to 20 years

     266,976   

Indefinite periods

     116,452   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 668,733   
  

 

 

 

At March 31, 2015 and 2016, the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liabilities for a portion of the undistributed earnings of NTT’s foreign subsidiaries was immaterial.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

     2015  
     Millions of yen  

Balance at March 31, 2014

   ¥ 5,383   

Increase in tax position of current year

     402   

Decrease in tax position of prior year

     (1,010

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     979   
  

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

   ¥ 5,754   
  

 

 

 

 

     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Balance at March 31 2015

   ¥ 5,754   

Increase in tax position of current year

     491   

Decrease in tax position of prior year

     (1,302

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     362   
  

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

   ¥ 5,305   
  

 

 

 

The unrecognized tax benefit which would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods was ¥5,754 million and ¥5,305 million at March 31, 2015 and 2016, respectively. NTT does not expect any material changes in its accrued liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months. NTT Group has elected to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if and when required, as part of income tax expense (benefit) in the consolidated statements of income. The total amounts of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were immaterial. As of March 31, 2016, tax inquiries for NTT and its principal subsidiaries for fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and prior have been completed by the tax authorities.

13.    Consumption tax:

Consumption tax payable or receivable is determined based on consumption taxes levied on operating revenues offset by consumption taxes directly incurred by the company when purchasing goods and services. Items in the consolidated statements of income are presented on a net basis of consumption tax.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

14.    Redeemable noncontrolling interests:

An analysis of the changes for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 in Redeemable noncontrolling interests is as follows:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Balance at beginning of year

   ¥ 25,912       ¥ 28,272   

Adjustments due to change in fiscal year end of consolidated subsidiaries (Note 2)

     —           (419

Balance at beginning of year (as adjusted)

     25,912         27,853   

Acquisition of new subsidiaries (Note 24)

     —           11,728   

Comprehensive income (loss)

     

Net income

     1,090         1,393   

Other comprehensive income (loss)

     

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     —           (1

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     1,235         (947

Cash dividends

     —           4   

Transactions with noncontrolling interests

     35         5,067   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of year

   ¥ 28,272       ¥ 45,097   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

15.    Equity:

Change in NTT’s shares of common stock and treasury stock for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

      Change in shares  
     Issued
shares
    Treasury
stock
 

Balance at March 31, 2013

     1,323,197,235        137,822,603   

Acquisition of treasury stock under resolution of the board of directors

     —          75,294,000   

Acquisition of treasury stock through purchase of less-than-one-unit shares

     —          37,134   

Resale of treasury stock to holders of less-than-one-unit shares

     —          (2,930

Cancellation of treasury stock under resolution of the board of directors

     (186,500,000     (186,500,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014

     1,136,697,235        26,650,807   

Acquisition of treasury stock under resolution of the board of directors

     —          51,413,227   

Acquisition of treasury stock through purchase of less-than-one-unit shares

     —          35,570   

Resale of treasury stock to holders of less-than-one-unit shares

     —          (1,998
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

     1,136,697,235        78,097,606   

Effect of stock split

     1,136,697,235        78,104,609   

Acquisition of treasury stock under resolution of the board of directors

     —          21,000,000   

Acquisition of treasury stock through purchase of less-than-one-unit shares

     —          58,082   

Resale of treasury stock to holders of less-than-one-unit shares

     —          (5,028

Cancellation of treasury stock under resolution of the board of directors

     (177,000,000     (177,000,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

     2,096,394,470        255,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

According to the NTT Act, NTT must obtain authorization from the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications for certain financial matters including (1) certain new share issuance, including shares issuable upon the exercise of stock acquisition rights; (2) any resolution for (i) a change in the Articles of Incorporation, (ii) an appropriation of profits or (iii) any merger or dissolution; and (3) any disposition of major telecommunications trunk lines and equipment or providing mortgages on such properties.

On November 24, 1995, based upon the resolution of the board of directors’ meeting held on April 28, 1995, NTT capitalized the aggregate amount of ¥15,600 million of its additional paid-in capital to the common stock account and made a free share distribution of 312,000 shares to shareholders of record at September 30, 1995, representing 2% of outstanding shares. Under generally accepted accounting principles in Japan, no accounting entry is required for such a free share distribution. Had the distribution been accounted for entities in the United States, ¥234,624 million would have been transferred from retained earnings to the applicable capital account.

Effective May 1, 2006, the Japanese Companies Act provides that (i) dividends of earnings require approval at a general meeting of shareholders, (ii) interim cash dividends can be distributed upon the approval of the board of directors, if the Articles of Incorporation provide for such interim cash dividends, and (iii) an amount equal to at least 10% of the decrease in retained earnings resulting from a dividend payment be appropriated from retained earnings to a legal reserve until such reserve is equal to 25% of capital stock. The legal reserve is available for distribution upon approval at a shareholders’ meeting.

The Japanese Companies Act provides that corporations are able to repurchase their own shares in market transactions by resolution of the board of directors so long as their articles of incorporation so prescribe.

On May 10, 2013, the board of directors of NTT resolved that NTT may acquire up to 50 million shares of its outstanding common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥250 billion from May 13, 2013 through March 31, 2014. Based on this resolution, NTT repurchased 48,737,200 shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of ¥250,000 million between May 2013 and October 2013, and concluded the repurchase of its common stock authorized by board of directors’ resolution.

On November 8, 2013, the board of directors of NTT resolved that NTT will cancel 186,500,000 shares held as treasury stock on November 15, 2013, and as a result of such cancellation conducted on November 15, 2013, retained earnings have decreased by ¥818,206 million.

On February 6, 2014, the board of directors of NTT resolved that NTT may acquire up to 38 million shares of its outstanding common stock at an amount in total not exceeding ¥200 billion from February 7, 2014 through March 31, 2014. Based on this resolution, NTT repurchased 26,556,800 shares of its common stock at ¥156,499 million on March 7, 2014 using the Tokyo Stock Exchange Trading Network Off-Auction Own Share Repurchase Trading System (“ToSTNeT-3”).

On May 13, 2014, the board of directors of NTT resolved that NTT would repurchase shares held by untraceable shareholders, as previously announced on September 18, 2013, as treasury stock. Based on this resolution, NTT purchased 413,227 shares of its common stock for ¥2,429 million on May 14, 2014.

On November 7, 2014, the board of directors of NTT resolved that NTT may acquire up to 51 million shares of its outstanding common stock at an amount in total not exceeding ¥350 billion from November 10, 2014 through June 30, 2015. Based on this resolution, NTT repurchased 51 million shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of ¥338,117 million between November 2014 and March 2015, and concluded the repurchase of its common stock authorized by board of directors’ resolution.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

On May 15, 2015, the board of directors of NTT authorized a two-for-one stock split of its common stock, with a record date of June 30, 2015 and an effective date of July 1, 2015. On July 1, 2015, each share of common stock held by shareholders as of the record date was split into two shares. Per share information for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 as well as for the previous fiscal year reflects the impact of the stock split.

On August 5, 2015, the board of directors of NTT resolved that NTT may acquire up to 21 million shares of its outstanding common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥100 billion from August 6, 2015 through October 30, 2015. Based on this resolution, NTT repurchased 21 million shares of its common stock for a total purchase price of ¥93,589 million between August 2015 and October 2015, and concluded the repurchase of its common stock authorized by board of directors’ resolution.

On November 6, 2015, the board of directors resolved that NTT may cancel 177 million shares currently held as treasury stock on November 13, 2015, and as a result of such cancellation conducted on November 13, 2015, additional paid-in capital decreased by ¥8 million, and retained earnings decreased by ¥590,679 million.

The amount of statutory retained earnings of NTT available for the payments of dividends to shareholders as of March 31, 2016 was ¥971,815 million. In accordance with customary practice in Japan, appropriations of retained earnings are not accrued in the financial statements for the period to which they relate but are recorded in the subsequent accounting period after shareholders’ approval has been obtained. Retained earnings in the accompanying consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2016 include amounts representing final cash dividends of ¥125,768 million, or ¥60 per share, which were approved at the shareholders’ meeting held on June 24, 2016.

On May 13, 2016, the board of directors resolved that NTT may acquire up to 68 million shares of its outstanding common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥350 billion from May 16, 2016 through March 31, 2017. Based on this resolution, NTT repurchased 59,038,100 shares of its common stock at ¥267,384 million on June 14, 2016 using the ToSTNeT-3, and concluded the repurchase of its common stock authorized by board of directors’ resolution.

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)—

An analysis of the changes for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is shown below:

 

    Unrealized
gain (loss) on
securities
    Unrealized
gain (loss) on
derivative
instruments
    Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
    Pension
liability
adjustments
    Total  
    Millions of yen  

Balance at March 31, 2014

  ¥ 84,711      ¥ (5,982   ¥ 120,839      ¥ (104,602   ¥ 94,966   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income before reclassification

    76,141        4,491        133,316        16,151        230,099   

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    167        (1,588     (3,453     219        (4,655
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

    76,308        2,903        129,863        16,370        225,444   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less—Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    26,907        1,730        26,270        (2,729     52,178   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015

  ¥ 134,112      ¥ (4,809   ¥ 224,432      ¥ (85,503   ¥ 268,232   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

    Unrealized
gain (loss) on
securities
    Unrealized
gain (loss) on
derivative
instruments
    Foreign
currency
translation
adjustments
    Pension
liability
adjustments
    Total  
    Millions of yen  

Balance at March 31, 2015

  ¥ 134,112      ¥ (4,809   ¥ 224,432      ¥ (85,503   ¥ 268,232   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjustments due to change in fiscal year end of consolidated subsidiaries (Note 2)

    1        (354     (9,349     —          (9,702

Balance at March 31, 2015 (as adjusted)

    134,113        (5,163     215,083        (85,503     258,530   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income before reclassification

    (20,442     (2,216     (115,326     (209,709     (347,693

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    (12,518     (1,863     (273     1,065        (13,589
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

    (32,960     (4,079     (115,599     (208,644     (361,282
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less—Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

    (8,058     1,030        (19,569     (19,100     (45,697
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2016

  ¥ 109,211      ¥ (10,272   ¥ 119,053      ¥ (275,047   ¥ (57,055
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table provides the change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016:

 

     2014  
     Pre-tax
amount
    Tax benefit /
(expense)
    Net-of-tax
amount
 
     Millions of yen  

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities arising during the period

   ¥ 26,518      ¥ (10,226   ¥ 16,292   

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     (426     191        (235
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     26,092        (10,035     16,057   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments arising during the period

   ¥ (3,988   ¥ 393      ¥ (3,595

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     (2,018     718        (1,300
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (6,006     1,111        (4,895
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period

   ¥ 156,586      ¥ (6,125   ¥ 150,461   

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     9,489        (3,479     6,010   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in foreign currency translation adjustments

     166,075        (9,604     156,471   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension liability adjustments arising during period

   ¥ 165,474      ¥ (53,301   ¥ 112,173   

Prior service cost arising during period

     76,050        (26,409     49,641   

Less—Reclassification adjustment,

      

Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)

     23,015        (7,450     15,565   

Amortization of transition obligation

     169        (61     108   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (9,527     3,290        (6,237

Reclassification of prior service cost due to curtailment

     (12,894     4,531        (8,363

Other

     556        (202     354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in pension liability adjustments

     242,843        (79,602     163,241   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

                                                                                      
     2015  
     Pre-tax
amount
    Tax benefit /
(expense)
    Net-of-tax
amount
 
     Millions of yen  

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities arising during the period

   ¥ 115,793      ¥ (39,652   ¥ 76,141   

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     260        (93     167   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     116,053        (39,745     76,308   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments arising during the period

   ¥ 5,103      ¥ (612   ¥ 4,491   

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     (2,460     872        (1,588
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     2,643        260        2,903   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period

   ¥ 140,542      ¥ (7,226   ¥ 133,316   

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized gain included in net income

     (3,453     —          (3,453
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in foreign currency translation adjustments

     137,089        (7,226     129,863   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension liability adjustments arising during period

   ¥ 11,460      ¥ (1,452   ¥ 10,008   

Less—Reclassification adjustment,

      

Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)

     9,446        (2,994     6,452   

Amortization of transition obligation

     156        (54     102   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (8,971     2,636        (6,335

Other

     7,668        (1,525     6,143   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in pension liability adjustments

     19,759        (3,389     16,370   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

                                                                                      
     2016  
     Pre-tax
amount
    Tax benefit /
(expense)
    Net-of-tax
amount
 
     Millions of yen  

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities arising during the period

   ¥ (29,898   ¥ 9,456      ¥ (20,442

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     (18,246     5,728        (12,518
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on securities

     (48,144     15,184        (32,960
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments arising during the period

   ¥ (3,190   ¥ 974      ¥ (2,216

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized (gain) loss included in net income

     (2,767     904        (1,863
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

     (5,957     1,878        (4,079
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments arising during the period

   ¥ (121,478   ¥ 6,152      ¥ (115,326

Less—Reclassification adjustment for realized gain included in net income

     (273     —          (273
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in foreign currency translation adjustments

     (121,751     6,152        (115,599
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pension liability adjustments arising during period

   ¥ (313,433   ¥ 99,143      ¥ (214,290

Less—Reclassification adjustment,

      

Amortization of net actuarial loss (gain)

     10,392        (3,347     7,045   

Amortization of transition obligation

     50        (16     34   

Amortization of prior service cost

     (8,859     2,845        (6,014

Other

     (1,780     6,361        4,581   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in pension liability adjustments

     (313,630     104,986        (208,644
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

F-55


Table of Contents

NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 was as follows:

 

     Amounts reclassified from
accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)
   

Affected line items in

consolidated statements of

income

     2014     2015     2016      
     Millions of yen      

Unrealized gain (loss) on securities

   ¥ 426      ¥ (62   ¥ 17,997      Other, net
     (191     93        (5,728   Income tax expense (benefit)
     —          (198     249      Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   ¥ 235      ¥ (167   ¥ 12,518      Net income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments

   ¥ 2,110      ¥ 2,494      ¥ 2,814      Other, net
     (718     (872     (904   Income tax expense (benefit)
     (92     (34     (47   Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   ¥ 1,300      ¥ 1,588      ¥ 1,863      Net income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

   ¥ (7   ¥ 3,453      ¥ 273      Other, net
     3,479        —          —        Income tax expense (benefit)
     (9,482     —          —        Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   ¥ (6,010   ¥ 3,453      ¥ 273      Net income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Pension liability adjustments

   ¥ (763   ¥ (631   ¥ (1,583   *
     (310     412        518      Income tax expense (benefit)
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   
   ¥ (1,073   ¥ (219     (1,065   Net income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   ¥ (5,548   ¥ 4,655      ¥ 13,589      Net income
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

* Amounts reclassified from pension liability adjustments are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost.

 

F-56


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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Equity transactions with noncontrolling interests—

The changes for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 in Net income attributable to NTT and Increase in Additional paid in capital as a result of Equity transactions with noncontrolling interests are as follow:

 

     2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Net income attributable to NTT

   ¥ 585,473      ¥ 518,066      ¥ 737,738   

Transfers (to) from the noncontrolling interests:

      

Increase in additional paid-in capital attributable to tax effect by NTT DOCOMO’s share repurchase of its common stock (Note 12)

     —          34,823        —     

Decrease in additional paid-in capital attributable to change in NTT’s ownership interest by NTT DOCOMO’s share repurchase of its common stock

     —          (14,802     42,150   

Other

     (1,069     (2,600     (13,484
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     (1,069     17,421        28,666   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Change from net income attributable to NTT’s shareholders and transfers from the noncontrolling interests

   ¥ 584,404      ¥ 535,487      ¥ 766,404   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

On August 6, 2014, the board of directors of NTT DOCOMO resolved that NTT DOCOMO may acquire up to 206,489,675 shares of its outstanding common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥350,000 million from August 7, 2014 through September 3, 2014. Based on this resolution, NTT DOCOMO repurchased a total of 181,530,121 of its shares for an aggregate amount of ¥307,694 million, 176,991,100 shares of which NTT Group sold back to NTT DOCOMO. Due to NTT DOCOMO’s repurchase transactions, NTT’s ownership interest in NTT DOCOMO decreased from 66.7% to 65.3%. As a result, “Additional paid-in capital” increased by ¥17,520 million in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.

On October 31, 2014, the board of directors of NTT DOCOMO resolved that NTT DOCOMO may acquire up to 138,469,879 shares of its outstanding common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥192,306 million from November 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015. Based on this resolution, from November 2014 through March 2015, NTT DOCOMO repurchased a total of 83,746,000 shares of its common stock for an aggregate amount of ¥165,342 million. As a result, NTT’s ownership interest in NTT DOCOMO increased from 65.3% to 66.7% and “Additional paid-in capital” increased by ¥2,501 million in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015.

On February 5, 2016, the board of directors of NTT DOCOMO resolved to launch a tender offer to acquire up to 137,578,616 shares of its outstanding common stock from February 8, 2016 through March 7, 2016. Based on this resolution, NTT DOCOMO repurchased a total of 120,867,062 of its shares for an aggregate amount of ¥307,486 million, 117,924,500 shares of which NTT Group sold back to NTT DOCOMO. Due to NTT DOCOMO’s repurchase transactions, NTT’s ownership interest in NTT DOCOMO decreased from 66.7% to 65.7%. As a result, “Additional paid-in capital” increased by ¥42,150 million in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2016.

On April 28, 2016, the board of directors of NTT DOCOMO resolved that NTT DOCOMO may acquire up to 99,132,938 shares of its outstanding common stock for an amount in total not exceeding ¥192,514 million from May 2, 2016 through December 31, 2016. Based on this resolution, NTT DOCOMO repurchased 9,021,000 shares of its common stock at ¥24,433 million using the ToSTNeT-3 on May 18, 2016, and also repurchased 992,800 shares of its common stock at ¥2,773 million by way of market purchases based on the discretionary dealing contract until May 31, 2016.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

16.    Fair Value Measurements:

The inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value are required to be categorized by fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Inputs are other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3—Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                                                                                   
     2015  
     Fair value measurements using  
     Total      Level 1(*1)      Level 2(*2)      Level  3(*3)  
     Millions of yen  

Assets

           

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Domestic equity securities

   ¥ 227,001       ¥ 227,001       ¥ —         ¥ —     

Foreign equity securities

     158,321         158,321         —           —     

Domestic debt securities

     29,204         202         28,716         286   

Foreign debt securities

     40,413         11         40,402         —     

Derivatives:

           

Forward exchange contracts

     2,537         —           2,537         —     

Interest rate swap agreements

     1         —           1         —     

Currency swap agreements

     76,638         —           76,638         —     

Currency option agreements

     474         —           474         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Derivatives:

           

Forward exchange contracts

     753         —           753         —     

Interest rate swap agreements

     3,327         —           3,327         —     

Currency swap agreements

     777         —           777         —     

Currency option agreements

     80         —           80         —     

Forward contracts

   ¥ 145       ¥ —         ¥ 145       ¥ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
(*2) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs derived principally from observable market data
(*3) Unobservable inputs

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

Level 3 reconciliation is not disclosed, since the amounts in Level 3 are immaterial.

 

                                                                                                                   
     2016  
     Fair value measurements using  
     Total      Level 1(*1)       Level 2(*2)       Level 3(*3)   
     Millions of yen  

Assets

           

Available-for-sale securities:

           

Domestic equity securities

   ¥ 197,613       ¥ 197,613       ¥ —         ¥ —     

Foreign equity securities

     131,817         131,817         —           —     

Domestic debt securities

     49,478         218         49,087         173   

Foreign debt securities

     37,499         10         37,489         —     

Derivatives:

           

Forward exchange contracts

     2,578         —           2,578         —     

Interest rate swap agreements

     107         —           107         —     

Currency swap agreements

     61,703         —           61,703         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Derivatives:

           

Forward exchange contracts

     12,148         —           12,148         —     

Interest rate swap agreements

     6,110         —           6,110         —     

Currency swap agreements

     13,838         —           13,838         —     

Currency option agreements

   ¥ 2,414       ¥ —         ¥ 2,414       ¥ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(*1) Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
(*2) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs derived principally from observable market data
(*3) Unobservable inputs

There were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2.

Level 3 reconciliation is not disclosed, since the amounts in Level 3 are immaterial.

Available-for-sale securities—

Available-for-sale securities comprise marketable equity securities and debt securities, and financial instruments classified as available-for-sale securities. If active market prices are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for identical assets in active markets, which is classified as Level 1. If active market prices are not available, fair value is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2. In cases in which fair value is measured by inputs derived from unobservable data, it is classified as Level 3.

Derivatives—

Derivatives comprise forward exchange contracts, interest rate swap agreements, currency swap agreements, currency option agreements and forward contracts. Fair value of derivatives is measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions, which is classified as Level 2.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2015  
     Fair value measurements using  
     Total      Level  1(*1)      Level  2(*2)      Level  3(*3)      Impairment
losses
(before tax)
 
     Millions of yen  

Assets

              

Real estate

   ¥ 7,999         —           —         ¥ 7,999       ¥ 1,187   

Cost method investments

     116         —           —           116         2,016   

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     2,136         —           —           2,136         3,464   

Long-lived assets

     3,518         —           107         3,411         38,739   
     2016  
     Fair value measurements using  
     Total      Level  1(*1)      Level  2(*2)      Level  3(*3)      Impairment
losses
(before tax)
 
     Millions of yen  

Assets

              

Real estate

   ¥ 8,398         —           —         ¥ 8,398       ¥ 810   

Cost method investments

     2,416         —           —           2,416         4,429   

Goodwill and other intangible assets

     18,137         —           —           18,137         12,900   

Long-lived assets

     10,891         —           —           10,891         19,821   

 

(*1) Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets
(*2) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs derived principally from observable market data
(*3) Unobservable inputs

Real estate—

If a decline in value or an increase in estimated costs of completion of real estate held for resale included in inventories causes inventory cost to be unrecoverable, the real estate is written down to its fair value. In measuring the fair value of such inventories, fair value is measured by using various evaluation models based on inputs that are unobservable in the market, such as a salable price based on a real-estate appraisal, which is classified as Level 3.

Real estate in the table above includes that transferred from inventories to property, plant and equipment as a result of a change in use or sold to others after measuring fair value.

Cost method investments—

If a decline in value of cost method investments is evaluated as other than temporary, the investment is written down to its fair value. In measuring the fair value of such investments, if active market prices of similar assets are available, fair value is measured by quoted prices for similar assets, which is classified as Level 2. If active market prices of similar assets are not available, fair value is measured by using various evaluation models based on inputs that are unobservable in the market such as discounted cash flow projection, which is classified as Level 3.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets—

The fair value of the reporting units is determined by using various evaluation models based on inputs that are unobservable in the market such as discounted cash flow projections, which are classified as Level 3.

Long-lived assets—

If the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is evaluated to be unrecoverable, the long-lived asset is written down to its fair value. In measuring fair value of such long-lived assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015, fair value is mainly measured by using observable market prices of similar assets, which is classified as level 2. In measuring fair value of such long-lived assets for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2016, fair value is mainly measured based on the discounted cash flow method or appraisal by third parties, which is classified as level 3.

17.    Segment and geographic information:

Operating segments are components of the NTT Group 1) that engage in business activities, 2) whose operating results are regularly reviewed by NTT Group’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions on the allocation of financial resources and to evaluate business performance, and 3) for which discrete financial information is available. Accounting policies used to determine segment profit/loss and segment assets are consistent with those used to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The regional communications business segment principally comprises revenues from fixed voice related services, IP/packet communications services, sales of telecommunications equipment, and other operating revenues.

The long distance and international communications business segment principally comprises revenues from fixed voice related services, IP/packet communications services, system integration services and other operating revenues.

The mobile communications business segment principally comprises revenues from mobile voice related services, IP/packet communications services and sales of telecommunications equipment.

The data communications business segment principally comprises revenues from system integration services.

The other segment principally comprises operating revenues from such activities as building maintenance, real estate rental, systems development, leasing, and research and development.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Operating revenue:

 

Year Ended March 31

   2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Operating revenue:

      

Regional communications business—

      

External customers

   ¥ 3,129,362      ¥ 3,032,292      ¥ 2,908,249   

Intersegment

     442,948        473,227        499,604   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     3,572,310        3,505,519        3,407,853   

Long distance and international communications business—

      

External customers

     1,713,439        1,906,784        2,161,391   

Intersegment

     96,463        91,857        89,532   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     1,809,902        1,998,641        2,250,923   

Mobile communications business—

      

External customers

     4,422,614        4,340,317        4,483,666   

Intersegment

     38,589        43,080        43,459   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     4,461,203        4,383,397        4,527,125   

Data communications business—

      

External customers

     1,221,481        1,401,348        1,512,842   

Intersegment

     122,374        109,671        103,994   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     1,343,855        1,511,019        1,616,836   

Other—

      

External customers

     438,278        414,576        474,849   

Intersegment

     890,248        857,664        819,617   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

     1,328,526        1,272,240        1,294,466   

Elimination

     (1,590,622     (1,575,499     (1,556,206
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 10,925,174      ¥ 11,095,317      ¥ 11,540,997   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Segment profit:

 

Year Ended March 31

   2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Segment profit:

      

Regional communications business

   ¥ 127,240      ¥ 168,860      ¥ 264,957   

Long distance and international communications business

     127,476        113,568        96,688   

Mobile communications business

     817,230        635,751        788,362   

Data communications business

     67,916        86,361        112,739   

Other

     56,098        67,481        74,042   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total segment profit

     1,195,960        1,072,021        1,336,788   

Elimination

     17,693        12,545        11,361   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

     1,213,653        1,084,566        1,348,149   

Other income

     172,082        49,408        68,088   

Other expenses

     91,540        67,345        86,978   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated income before income taxes and equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies

   ¥ 1,294,195      ¥ 1,066,629      ¥ 1,329,259   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliated companies:

      

Regional communications business

   ¥ 203      ¥ (59   ¥ 544   

Long distance and international communications business

     1,895        916        46   

Mobile communications business

     (78,311     (14,798     (8,648

Data communications business

     228        87        124   

Other

     25,193        19,743        13,706   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ (50,792   ¥ 5,889      ¥ 5,772   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Segment assets:

 

      

As of March 31

   2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Segment Assets:

      

Regional communications business

   ¥ 7,162,076      ¥ 7,041,285      ¥ 6,995,750   

Long distance and international communications business

     2,314,780        2,609,666        2,762,138   

Mobile communications business

     7,676,820        7,326,360        7,341,102   

Data communications business

     1,774,562        1,930,349        1,981,578   

Other

     10,664,076        10,589,357        10,932,317   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total segment assets

     29,592,314        29,497,017        30,012,885   

Elimination

     (9,307,365     (8,794,590     (8,976,954
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 20,284,949      ¥ 20,702,427      ¥ 21,035,931   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(Note) Elimination includes offsetting the carrying amount of the parent’s investment in each subsidiary and the parent’s portion of equity of each subsidiary.

 

   Goodwill resulting from an acquisition is included in segment assets of the respective business in which the acquired business has been included. See note 9.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other significant items:

 

Year Ended March 31

   2014     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Depreciation and amortization:

      

Regional communications business

   ¥ 751,906      ¥ 734,518      ¥ 699,686   

Long distance and international communications business

     149,734        162,610        177,818   

Mobile communications business

     719,132        663,344        629,502   

Data communications business

     135,358        148,927        150,242   

Other

     118,415        113,814        104,701   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total segment

     1,874,545        1,823,213        1,761,949   

Elimination

     5,748        4,785        4,376   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥   1,880,293      ¥   1,827,998      ¥   1,766,325   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital investments for segment assets:

      

Regional communications business

   ¥ 722,829      ¥ 666,164      ¥ 622,131   

Long distance and international communications business

     168,413        198,112        227,564   

Mobile communications business

     703,124        661,765        595,216   

Data communications business

     147,725        140,900        134,030   

Other

     150,672        150,582        108,265   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 1,892,763      ¥ 1,817,523      ¥ 1,687,206   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Point program expenses:

      

Regional communications business

   ¥ 7,713      ¥ 8,803      ¥ 1,757   

Long distance and international communications business

     484        1,335        685   

Mobile communications business

     70,837        67,705        57,832   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 79,034      ¥ 77,843      ¥ 60,274   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impairment of long-lived assets:

      

Regional communications business

     36        1,640        5,237   

Long distance and international communications business

     279        1,732        874   

Mobile communications business

     —          30,161        6,771   

Data communications business

     3,526        2,358        1,620   

Other

     1,897        2,848        5,319   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 5,738      ¥ 38,739      ¥ 19,821   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Goodwill and other intangible asset impairments:

      

Long distance and international communications business

     3,068        3,464        10,484   

Mobile communications business

     3,119        —          2,416   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 6,187      ¥ 3,464      ¥ 12,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The capital investments in the above table represent the additions to fixed assets of each segment.

As indicated in “Use of estimates” in note 2, effective July 1, 2014, NTT Group has revised its estimate of the expected useful life of a part of software for telecommunications network and internal-use software based on actual utilization of the software to reflect an extended expected useful life of up to 7 years. As a result, compared with the method used prior to July 1, 2014, operating income for the mobile communications business segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015 increased by ¥51,307 million.

As indicated in note 6, impairment of long-lived assets on Mobile communications business was mainly the impairment for long-lived assets of the multimedia broadcasting business for mobile devices.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Transfers between operating segments are based on the values that approximate arm’s-length prices. Operating income is operating revenue less costs and operating expenses.

Geographic information:

 

Year Ended March 31

   2014      2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Operating revenue:

        

Domestic

   ¥ 9,729,179       ¥ 9,509,891       ¥ 9,646,185   

Foreign

     1,195,995         1,585,426         1,894,812   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Consolidated total

   ¥ 10,925,174       ¥ 11,095,317       ¥ 11,540,997   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating Revenues are classified based on the geographic location of the service and products provided. NTT Group has not disclosed foreign long-term assets, as such amounts were immaterial.

There were no operating revenue from transactions with a single external customer amounting to 10% or more of NTT Group’s revenues for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

18.     Leases:

NTT Group leases certain office space, employees’ residential facilities and other assets, recorded as either capital leases or operating leases.

Capital Lease—Lessee—

Assets acquired under capital leases at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

Class of property

   2015         2016      
     Millions of yen  

Buildings

   ¥ 18,757      ¥ 13,616   

Machinery, vehicles and tools

     86,695        79,520   

Accumulated depreciation

     (59,554     (52,971
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 45,898      ¥ 40,165   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Future minimum lease payments by year under capital leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments at March 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

                

Year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

   ¥ 18,885   

2018

     13,748   

2019

     8,703   

2020

     5,297   

2021

     3,007   

Thereafter

     5,319   
  

 

 

 

Total minimum lease payments

     54,959   

Less—Amount representing interest

     12,618   
  

 

 

 

Present value of net minimum lease payments

     42,341   

Less—Current obligation

     14,711   
  

 

 

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

   ¥   27,630   
  

 

 

 

Operating Lease—Lessee—

Rental expenses under operating leases for land, buildings and equipment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥246,211 million, ¥267,544 million and ¥277,016 million, respectively.

Minimum future rental payments under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year at March 31, 2016 are as follows.

 

Year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

   ¥ 40,196   

2018

     28,621   

2019

     20,680   

2020

     15,499   

2021

     10,641   

Thereafter

     22,540   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 138,177   
  

 

 

 

19.    Research and development expenses and advertising costs:

Research and development expenses—

Research and development expenses are charged to income as incurred and such amounts charged to income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were ¥249,295 million, ¥233,752 million and ¥213,435 million, respectively.

Advertising costs—

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were ¥98,858 million, ¥101,266 million and ¥96,684 million, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income, for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016, respectively.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

20.    Foreign currency exchange gain and loss:

Foreign currency exchange results (mainly arising from foreign currency borrowings) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 were gains of ¥11,893 million, ¥96 million and loss of ¥5,467 million, respectively, and are included in “Other, net” of “Other income (expenses)” in the consolidated statements of income.

21.    Financial instruments:

Derivative instruments and, hedging activities—

In the normal course of business, NTT Group has certain financial instruments including long-term debt and other financial assets and liabilities incurred. Such financial instruments are exposed to market risks such as interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. In applying a consistent risk management strategy for the purpose of reducing such risk, NTT Group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward exchange contracts, interest rate swap agreements, currency swap agreements currency option agreements and forward contracts. NTT Group does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Management—

NTT Group from time to time enters into forward foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreements and currency option agreements to hedge the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates principally associated with long-term debt issued by NTT Group denominated in foreign currencies. Such contracts and agreements have the same maturity as the underlying debt.

Interest Rate Risk Management—

NTT Group’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates principally to its debt obligations. NTT Group has long-term debt primarily with fixed rates. Interest rate swap agreements are entered into from time to time to convert floating rate underlying debt or assets into fixed rate debt or assets, or vice versa. Interest rate option contracts are entered into from time to time to hedge the risk of a rise in the interest rate of underlying debt. These instruments are executed with creditworthy financial institutions.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Fair Value Hedges—

The derivatives designated as fair value hedges include interest rate swap agreements that are used for reducing the risk arising from the changes in the fair value of fixed rate debt. As discussed in note 10, NTT Group issues a variety of long-term debt bearing several types of interest and denominated in several currencies. NTT Group has a strategy to fix the anticipated cash flow related to those debts. From time to time, however, NTT Group enters into pay-floating/receive-fixed interest rate swaps, to protect the fair value of certain fixed rate debts in asset and liability management. NTT Group was not a counterparty to any interest rate swap agreements designated as instruments hedging the changes in fair value as of March 31, 2015 and 2016. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are highly effective as, and that are designated and qualified as, fair value hedges, along with changes in the fair value of the hedged items that are attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized as “Other, net” of “Other income (expenses) in the consolidated statements of income. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the hedged items recognized in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2014  

Consolidated statements of income item

   Changes in
the fair value of

the derivatives
    Changes in
the fair value of

the hedged items
 
     Millions of yen  

Other, net

   ¥ 57      ¥ (57
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2015  

Consolidated statements of income item

   Changes in
the fair value of

the derivatives
    Changes in
the fair value of
the hedged items
 
     Millions of yen  

Other, net

   ¥ (57   ¥ 57   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     2016  

Consolidated statements of income item

   Changes in
the fair value of
the derivatives
    Changes in
the fair value of
the hedged items
 
     Millions of yen  

Other, net

   ¥ —        ¥ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount of ineffectiveness of these fair value hedges, which were reflected in net income, was not material for all periods presented. In addition, there was no amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness of fair value hedges.

Cash Flow Hedges—

The derivatives designated as cash flow hedges include forward exchange contracts, currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements. As discussed in note 10, NTT Group has foreign currency exposures related to its long-term debt denominated in currencies other than yen. In accordance with NTT Group’s strategy, NTT Group fixes the anticipated cash flows of paying interest and principal amounts by entering into foreign currency contracts and foreign currency swaps, to ensure its cash flows are fixed in yen. Also, as discussed in note 10, NTT Group has floating rate debt exposures related to its long-term debt. In accordance with NTT Group strategy, NTT Group fixes the anticipated cash flows of interest payment by

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

entering into pay-fixed/receive-floating interest rate swaps. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are highly effective as, and that are designated and qualified as, cash flow hedges are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), until changes in cash flows from the hedged transactions are recognized as “Other, net” of “Other income (expenses) in the consolidated statements of income. For all periods presented, these cash flow hedges were effective and the amount representing the ineffectiveness of the hedges was not material. In addition, there was no material amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness of cash flow hedges.

The notional principal amounts of cash flow hedges at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                         
     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Forward exchange contracts

   ¥ 20,022      ¥ 23,673   

Interest rate swap agreements

     138,912        163,911   

Currency swap agreements

     209,968        290,605   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                         
     2015     2016  
     Millions of yen  

Forward exchange contracts

   ¥ 67      ¥ (1,844

Interest rate swap agreements

     (1,457     (2,893

Currency swap agreements

     1,611        (2,985
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 221      ¥ (7,722
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts of gain (loss) on cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into net income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                                                                                   
     Consolidated
statements of
income item
     2014     2015     2016  
            Millions of yen  

Forward exchange contracts

     Other, net       ¥ 121      ¥ (1,990   ¥ 642   

Interest rate swap agreements

     Other, net         (576     (1,001     (1,195

Currency swap agreements

     Other, net         2,565              5,485              3,372   

Currency option agreements

     Other, net         —          —          (5
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      ¥ 2,110      ¥ 2,494      ¥ 2,814   
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

As of March 31, 2016, approximately ¥1,632 million of deferred net income on derivative instruments in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is expected to be reclassified as earnings during the next twelve months when the related interest expense is recognized.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments—

NTT Group has forward exchange contracts, currency swap agreements, interest rate swap agreements, currency option agreements and forward contracts to hedge market risks such as interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. Some of these derivative financial instruments are not designated as hedging instruments.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The notional principal amounts of the derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                         
     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Forward exchange contracts

   ¥ 64,466       ¥ 430,949   

Interest rate swap agreements

     271,471         33,449   

Currency swap agreements

     —           49,572   

Currency option agreements

     48,740         63,651   

Forward contracts

     3,499         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Changes in the fair value of the derivatives not designated as hedging instruments recorded in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                                                                                   
     Consolidated
statements of
income item
     2014      2015         2016      
            Millions of yen  

Forward exchange contracts

     Other, net       ¥ 1,779       ¥ (1,613   ¥ (1,083

Interest rate swap agreements

     Other, net         575         (432     215   

Currency swap agreements

     Other, net         1,460         (1,457     1,244   

Currency option agreements

     Other, net         585         201        (2,572

Forward contracts

     Other, net         —           (145     145   
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

      ¥ 4,399       ¥ (3,446   ¥ (2,051
     

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fair value of financial instruments—

The table that follows provides the estimated fair value of financial instruments. Assets and liabilities with carrying amounts that approximate fair values, such as cash and cash equivalents, notes and accounts receivable, trade, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, trade, and accrued payroll are not included in the table. Fair value information regarding “Marketable securities and other investments” is disclosed in note 8.

 

     2015      2016  
     Carrying
amount
     Fair value      Carrying
amount
     Fair value  
     Millions of yen  

Loans receivable

   ¥ 268,584       ¥ 268,481       ¥ 268,985       ¥ 270,047   

Long-term debt including current portion

   ¥ 4,059,104       ¥ 4,200,707       ¥ 4,022,980       ¥ 4,165,577   

Loans receivable is mainly included in “Notes and accounts receivable, trade” and “Other assets.”

The carrying amounts of loans receivable with variable interest rates approximate their fair values because such loans receivable reflect market rates in the short term and credit conditions of counterparties do not significantly change after loan executions. The fair values of loans receivable with fixed interest rates are calculated by discounting contractual cash flows using interest rates currently available to the NTT Group for similar transactions, which is classified as Level 2.

The fair values of long-term debt, including the current portion, are measured using discount rates for similar debt instruments of comparable maturities currently offered by NTT Group, which is classified as Level 2.

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The fair values of derivative instruments and amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows.

The fair values of derivative instruments are measured by inputs derived principally from observable market data provided by financial institutions.

 

                                                         
     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Assets

     

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

     

Forward exchange contracts

     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   ¥ 1,437       ¥ 224   

Other assets

     219         —     

Currency swap agreements

     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —           46   

Other assets

     76,638         59,914   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     78,294         60,184   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

     

Forward exchange contracts

     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     879         2,354   

Other assets

     2         —     

Interest rate swap agreements

     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     0         —     

Other assets

     1         107   

Currency swap agreements

     

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     —           1   

Other assets

     —           1,742   

Currency option agreements

     

Other assets

     474         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,356         4,204   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 79,650       ¥ 64,388   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

                                                         
     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Liabilities

     

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

     

Forward exchange contracts

     

Other (Current liabilities)

   ¥ 1       ¥ 158   

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     —           267   

Interest rate swap agreements

     

Other (Current liabilities)

     125         88   

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     2,795         5,725   

Currency swap agreements

     

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     777         13,336   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     3,698         19,574   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

     

Forward exchange contracts

     

Other (Current liabilities)

     469         11,551   

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     284         171   

Interest rate swap agreements

     

Other (Current liabilities)

     211         6   

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     196         292   

Currency swap agreements

     

Other (Current liabilities)

     —           1   

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     —           501   

Currency option agreements

     

Other (Current liabilities)

     —           604   

Other (Long-term liabilities)

     80         1,810   

Forward contracts

     

Other (Current liabilities)

     145         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Subtotal

     1,385         14,936   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 5,083       ¥ 34,510   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Contingent features in derivative instruments—

At March 31, 2016, NTT Group had no material derivative instruments that contain credit risk-related contingent features which would have a material adverse effect on NTT’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Concentrations of credit risk—

NTT Group does not have any significant concentration of business transacted with an individual counter-party or groups of counter-parties that could, if suddenly eliminated, severely impact its operations at March 31, 2016.

22.    Financing receivables:

NTT Group has certain “Financing receivables” including loans and lease receivables. These financing receivables are mainly held by the financial subsidiaries of NTT. NTT manages these financing receivables by classifying them into “Installment sales receivable,” “Lease receivable,” “Loans receivable,” “Credit receivable” and “Others.”

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts against financing receivables collectively evaluated for impairment is computed based on each historical bad debt experience. The allowance for doubtful accounts against financing receivables individually evaluated for impairment is computed based on the estimated uncollectible amount based on the analysis of certain individual accounts. In addition, financing receivables that are determined to be uncollectible due to, among other factors, the condition of the debtor are written off at the time of determination.

Roll forward of allowance for credit losses and recorded investment in financing receivables for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

    2015  
    Installment
sales
receivable
    Lease
receivable
    Loans
receivable
    Credit
receivable
    Others     Total  
    Millions of yen  

Allowance for credit losses:

           

Balance at March 31, 2014

  ¥ 4,687      ¥ 8,331      ¥ 5,000      ¥ 2,991      ¥ 4,005      ¥ 25,014   

Provision

    1,161        (971     (1,774     6,008        683        5,107   

Charge off

    (194     (1,228     (2,265     (2,082     —          (5,769

Recovery

    4        78        —          3        —          85   

Balance at March 31, 2015

    5,658        6,210        961        6,920        4,688        24,437   

collectively evaluated for impairment

    5,382        2,095        344        6,920        1        14,742   

individually evaluated for impairment

    276        4,115        617        —          4,687        9,695   

Financing receivable:

           

Balance at March 31, 2015

    971,269        381,086        80,895        287,305        5,199        1,725,754   

collectively evaluated for impairment

    970,886        376,605        79,545        287,305        450        1,714,791   

individually evaluated for impairment

    383        4,481        1,350        —          4,749        10,963   
    2016  
    Installment
sales
receivable
    Lease
receivable
    Loans
receivable
    Credit
receivable
    Others     Total  
    Millions of yen  

Allowance for credit losses:

           

Balance at March 31, 2015

  ¥ 5,658      ¥ 6,210      ¥ 961      ¥ 6,920      ¥ 4,688      ¥ 24,437   

Provision

    (382     (409     390        10,053        (385     9,267   

Charge off

    (105     (1,501     (411     (5,969     —          (7,986

Recovery

    3        59        —          2        —          64   

Balance at March 31, 2016

    5,174        4,359        940        11,006        4,303        25,782   

collectively evaluated for impairment

    5,095        1,546        417        11,006        28        18,092   

individually evaluated for impairment

    79        2,813        523        —          4,275        7,690   

Financing receivable:

           

Balance at March 31, 2016

    1,040,630        412,312        79,455        329,181        5,059        1,866,637   

collectively evaluated for impairment

    1,040,529        408,734        78,675        329,181        708        1,857,827   

individually evaluated for impairment

    101        3,578        780        —          4,351        8,810   

 

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AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Among financing receivables, the main receivables held by the financial subsidiaries are recognized as being in arrears on the basis of time passed since the payment date. Financing receivables determined to have no prospects for collecting contractual interest on the basis of past due date and other factors do not accrue interest.

Financing receivables on nonaccrual status at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2015      2016  
     Millions of yen  

Installment sales receivable

   ¥ 1,840       ¥ 2,132   

Lease receivable

     3,728         2,735   

Loans receivable

     1,862         1,067   

Credit receivable

     1,034         1,111   

Others

     3,970         3,570   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 12,434       ¥ 10,615   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NTT Group determines the credit quality of financing receivables on the basis of arrearages of receivables and the conditions of debtors, among other factors. Financing receivables for which arrearages continue over a long period are classified as “nonperforming receivables,” and all other receivables are classified as “performing receivables.” Analysis of the age of the recorded investment in financing receivables at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

     2015  
     Performing      Nonperforming      Total      Greater than
90 days and
accruing
 
     Current      1-89 days
past due
     Greater than
90 days
       
     Millions of yen  

Installment sales receivable

   ¥ 966,759       ¥ 2,516       ¥ 1,994       ¥ 971,269       ¥ 12   

Lease receivable

     444,634         1,938         3,871         450,443         143   

Credit receivable

     280,463         5,808         1,034         287,305         —     

Others

     1,802         —           4,029         5,831         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,693,658       ¥ 10,262       ¥ 10,928       ¥ 1,714,848       ¥ 155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
            2015  
            Performing      Nonperforming      Total      Past due and
accruing
 
            Current      Past due        
            Millions of yen  

Loans receivable

  

   ¥ 267,046       ¥ 2,168       ¥ 269,214       ¥ —     
     

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     2016  
     Performing      Nonperforming      Total      Greater than
90 days and
accruing
 
     Current      1-89 days
past due
     Greater than
90 days
       
     Millions of yen  

Installment sales receivable

   ¥ 1,036,342       ¥ 2,149       ¥ 2,139       ¥ 1,040,630       ¥ 7   

Lease receivable

     480,481         4,650         2,884         488,015         149   

Credit receivable

     318,494         9,576         1,111         329,181         —     

Others

     1,775         7         3,637         5,419         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 1,837,092       ¥ 16,382       ¥ 9,771       ¥ 1,863,245       ¥ 156   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

                                                                   
     2016  
     Performing      Nonperforming      Total      Past due and
accruing
 
     Current      Past due        
     Millions of yen  

Loans receivable

   ¥ 271,115       ¥ 1,461       ¥ 272,576       ¥ —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NTT Group classifies financing receivables as impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that NTT Group will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement, and identifies such impaired receivables as “Impaired financing receivables.” Impaired financing receivables at March 31, 2015 and 2016 are as follows:

 

                                                                   
     2015  
     Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Unpaid Principal
Balance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     Millions of yen  

With an allowance recorded

   ¥ 932       ¥ 837       ¥ 932       ¥ 4,464   

With no related allowance recorded

   ¥ 922       ¥ —         ¥ 1,141       ¥ 707   
     2016  
     Recorded
Investment
     Related
Allowance
     Unpaid Principal
Balance
     Average
Recorded
Investment
 
     Millions of yen  

With an allowance recorded

   ¥ 1,059       ¥ 760       ¥ 1,059       ¥ 1,132   

With no related allowance recorded

   ¥ —         ¥ —         ¥ —         ¥ 543   

23.    Commitments and contingent liabilities:

Purchase commitments—

The aggregate amount of payments for commitments outstanding at March 31, 2016, including commitments for purchase of property, plant and equipment and other assets is as follows:

 

Fiscal year ending March 31

   Millions of yen  

2017

   ¥ 119,520   

2018

     77,300   

2019

     21,963   

2020

     6,065   

2021

     3,060   

Thereafter

     230   
  

 

 

 

Total

   ¥ 228,138   
  

 

 

 

Loan commitments—

NTT Group provides the cash advance service accompanying credit cards and other loan services. Total outstanding credit lines related to loan commitments of them as of March 31, 2015 and 2016 were ¥217,205 million and ¥230,720 million, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Credit lines are not necessarily executed to the maximum amount because these contracts contain a clause to lower the credit lines if there are reasonable grounds.

Loans guaranteed, among other things—

Contingent liabilities at March 31, 2015 and 2016 for loans guaranteed, among other things, amounted to ¥70,825 million and ¥79,289 million, respectively.

At March 31, 2016, NTT Group had no material litigation or claims outstanding, pending or threatened against it, which would be expected to have a material adverse effect on NTT’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

24.    Business combinations:

Acquisition of Lux e-shelter 1 S.a.r.l. (“e-shelter”)

On June 22, 2015, NTT Communications acquired 86.7% of the outstanding shares of e-shelter, a German data center services provider, for ¥98,096 million. The acquisition is intended to strengthen NTT’s ability to provide global seamless ICT solutions in response to the demand for cloud and data center services in Europe. This business combination has been accounted for by applying the acquisition method. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as the resulting goodwill and redeemable noncontrolling interests recognized as of the acquisition date were ¥130,829 million, ¥91,427 million, ¥70,422 million and ¥11,728 million, respectively.

Certain disclosures such as pro forma information are not provided due to the immateriality of this business combination.

Acquisition of the Dell Services Division

On March 28, 2016, NTT DATA, through its subsidiary NTT Data International L.L.C., entered into a definitive agreement with Dell Inc. to acquire the Dell Services Division, a provider of cloud services, applications-related services and Business Process Outsourcing (“BPO”) services primarily based in North America. Pursuant to this agreement, NTT Data International L.L.C. plans to acquire 100% of the shares of three companies, including Dell Systems Corporation, as well as other IT service-related business from Dell Inc. for US$3,055 million during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2017.

25.    Subsequent events:

For information on NTT DOCOMO’s receiving a binding arbitration award from the LCIA regarding exercising its option for the sale of its stake in TTSL, see note 7.

For information on NTT DOCOMO’s and NTT’s resolution with respect to stock repurchases and the repurchases of common stock authorized by board of directors’ resolution, see note 15.

 

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NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION

AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

YEAR ENDED MARCH 31

 

     Balance at
beginning
of period
     Additions
charged to
costs and
expenses
     Deductions(*1)     Balance at
end of period
 
     Millions of yen  

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2014:

          

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 44,961       ¥ 37,197       ¥ (35,265   ¥ 46,893   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2015:

          

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 46,893       ¥ 28,504       ¥ (32,167   ¥ 43,230   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2016:

          

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 43,230       ¥ 32,200       ¥ (30,194   ¥ 45,236   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*1: Primarily amounts written off.

 

            Additions               
     Balance at
beginning
of period
     Charged to
income  tax
expense
     Charged to
other Accounts(*1)
     Deductions(*2)     Balance at
end of period
 
     Millions of yen  

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2014:

             

Valuation allowance—Deferred tax assets

   ¥ 253,693       ¥ 20,473       ¥ 24,793       ¥ (39,038   ¥ 259,921   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2015:

             

Valuation allowance—Deferred tax assets

   ¥ 259,921       ¥ 26,839       ¥ 17,449       ¥ (38,259   ¥ 265,950   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2016:

             

Valuation allowance—Deferred tax assets

   ¥ 265,950       ¥ 13,574       ¥ 364       ¥ (108,178   ¥ 171,710   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*1: Charged to other Accounts of Additions in the table above mainly consist of foreign currency translation adjustments.
*2: Deductions in the table above mainly consist of changes in estimates of the realizability of deferred tax assets. The amounts of change in estimates of the realizability of deferred tax assets for the years ended March 31, 2014, 2015 and 2016 are presented in note 12. In addition, the deduction in the table above for the year ended March 31, 2016 includes the impact of a ¥8,069 million decrease as a result of a change in the statutory tax rate applied to the calculation of the amount of deferred tax assets and liabilities.

 

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