Operating Risks
The following principal categories of business risks and other risks affecting the NTT Urban Development Group's businesses may have a material impact on investment decisions. Although the risks below are those currently recognized by the NTT Urban Development Group, it is not necessarily an exhaustive list of risks. These risk categories are presented in the interests of information disclosure to investors and should be given due importance in investment decisions or when construing the Company's business activities. The Group manages the operating risks under its risk management regulations. The forward–looking statements included in the following reflect judgments by the Group as of May 11, 2011.
General risks
1.Leasing Business Risk
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, the leasing business accounted for 61.4% of consolidated net sales. The leasing business tends to be susceptible to changes in the operating environment, and the Company is considering action against falls in rents and an increase in vacancies, assuming business trends over the medium and long terms. However, a worsening supply-demand situation in the real estate market could cause vacancies to increase and the leasing rate to decline, which could substantially affect the operating performance of the NTT Urban Development Group. Moreover, changes in the financial status of the Group's major tenants, the departure of a major tenant, or changes in the conditions of property use could have repercussion for the overall occupancy rate of Group properties and consequently could significantly affect business real estate revenues.
2.Residential Property Sales Business Risk
The deterioration of the condominium market because of intensifying competition among sellers, rising interest rates for housing loans, and a downturn in consumer sentiment caused by elevating sales prices accompanying soaring land prices could cause decreases in sales in relation to a prolonged selling process in the residential property sales business and increases in inventories, which could affect the Group's business performance. Work periods could be forced to be extended as some delay in the process of works and other factors are anticipated given the shortage of construction materials, equipment and other materials due to the effect of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
3.Asset Devaluation Risk
In fiscal 2005, the Company adopted impairment loss accounting for business real estate based on the "Opinion Regarding Accounting Standard for Impairment of Fixed Assets" issued by the Corporate Accounting Standards Committee on August 9, 2002.
In fiscal 2008, the Company applied the "Accounting Standards for Measurement of Inventories" issued by the Accounting Standards Board of Japan Statement No.9 on July 5, 2006. A substantial deterioration of the real estate market could necessitate the recording of impairment losses of the properties for the leasing business and the revaluation of the inventory assets maintained for the residential property sales business, and this in turn could impact the Group's business performance. The Group holds investment securities and other fixed assets and depreciation in the value of these assets from changes in economic conditions could produce a revaluation loss that might impact the Group's business performance.
4.Effects of Interest–Bearing Debt
As of March 31, 2011, consolidated interest–bearing debt totaled ¥487,780 million, the majority of which was procured at fixed rates of interest. A significant rise in the market interest rates could, therefore, affect the business development of the Group.
In addition, the Group's capital procurement activities could be hampered by instability in capital markets, credit limits extended by financial institutions, business failures (including payoffs) of such institutions, downgrades in the Company's debt ratings and other factors.
5.Risks in Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash flows from operating activities are subject to fluctuations associated with purchases of land in the residential property sales business.
In the year ended March 31, 2011, net cash provided by operating activities was ¥40,417 million, a rise of ¥5,249 million from the previous fiscal year. The increase in inventory assets and other factors create the potential for an outflow of cash flows from operating activities.
6.Risks Concerning Establishment of and Revisions to Real Estate–Related and Other Laws and Regulations
The Group is subject to laws and regulations related to real estate, and revisions to these laws and the establishment of new laws could impact the Group's business performance.
7.Risks Concerning Selection and Credit of Business Partner
The Company makes every effort to verify the credit standing of its business partners before entering into business relations. However, if unforeseen events lower a business partner's credit and the Company is unable to collect debts owed to the Company, an economic loss could result that could impact the Group's business performance.
Depending on the selection of contractors for construction work, scandals, trouble, and financial difficulties, among other factors, in contractors performing their operations could cause economic losses for the Group or the erosion of the Group's credibility, which in turn could affect the Group's performance. To prevent and avoid the risks, the Company has set up an internal committee to choose contractors that investigates the creditworthiness of contractors and their ability to complete construction and has established termination criteria should contractors fail to meet standard quality or delivery periods or cause incidents or accidents.
Business Risk
1.Risks Concerning Development Project Investment Decisions
The Company invests in quality properties for future development with the objective of further raising corporate value. Every effort is made to ensure the decisions to invest in new development projects which do not produce an economic loss or compromise society's trust in the Company. Relevant laws, rights, site conditions, market studies, and other subjects are thoroughly researched and verified. Construction plans and business revenue and expenditure plans are drawn up, and internal meetings are held to determine business viability. The final decisions to invest are made by the Board of Directors and other relevant groups. Despite careful preparation and consideration, fluctuations in demand arising from changes in the business climate or in the real estate market can reduce the profitability of investments and could impact the Group's business performance.
2.Risks Concerning Sales Transaction and Construction Contracts
Inadequate contract documents, flawed contract stipulations, or other deficiencies in sales transaction and construction contracts could produce an economic loss or liability for damages, or compromise society's trust in the Company in a way that could impact the Company's business performance. The Group seeks to prevent and avoid risks by checking contracts in advance, using contract check sheets.
3.Risks Concerning Damage to and Deterioration of Buildings in Building Management Operations
The Group regularly inspects and maintains the buildings that it holds for leasing. However, damage to or deterioration in the buildings, or accidents resulting from the deterioration or failures of the buildings could lead to increases in the financial burden in association with complaints about damage to or the deterioration of the buildings and accidents caused by them, liability for damage, the erosion of society's trust in the Group, renovations, and rebuilding and could impact the Group's business performance.
4.Risks Concerning the Handling of Large–Scale Disasters in Building Management Operations
Risks including major earthquakes, floods or other natural disasters, or fires, accidents, or terrorist attacks could cause damage to, the loss of, or the deterioration of buildings the Group holds for leasing, which in turn could affect the Group's business performance. The Group has developed a business continuity plan (BCP) designed to protect against the spread of damage from possible large–scale disasters such as the above and to minimize any economic loss from them, identifying types of disasters and considering the effects of the disasters on tenants and the management of buildings, emergency communication systems, and emergency action in accordance with each type of disaster.
