The Group emphasizes the importance of returning profits to shareholders, based on the premise that the sustained growth of our core businesses will increase profits.

 

We also see the stable return of profits as a key management issue. We will determine the distribution of profits while accounting for the need to enhance internal reserves to strengthen our management foundations.

 

The minimum annual dividend per share is set at 40 yen with the goal in mind of realizing stable return of profits to shareholders.

 

At the same time, we have established a basic policy of striving to achieve a consolidated dividend payout ratio of around 50%. Alongside our target for return on equity, this will lead to sustainable returns to shareholders, with a target dividend on equity ratio of approximately 5%.

 

For the FY03/2025, we paid an interim dividend of ¥20.00 per share. 

 

And the year-end dividend, in light of the dividend policy aiming for a consolidated dividend payout ratio of approximately 50%, and after comprehensively considering the earnings results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025 and other factors, we have decided to pay a dividend of ¥25.00 per share, an increase of ¥5.00 from the previous forecast of ¥20.00 per share, with the record date set as March 31, 2025.（^※）

 

^※This matter is scheduled to be discussed at our 62nd generalshareholders' meeting on June 25, 2025.

 

As a result, the annual dividend is expected to be 45.00 per share (a consolidated dividend payout ratio of 50.0%).

 

For the FY03/2026, we expect an interim dividend and year-end dividend are both ¥23.00 per share, meaning a prospective annual dividend of ¥46.00 per share (a consolidated payout ratio of 50.5%).

* Breakdown indicated in brackets