Annual Report
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 2007


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, 2007

 

OR

 

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

 

OR

 

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

 

      Date of event requiring this shell company report            

 

Commission file number: 1-31221

 


 

Kabushiki Kaisha NTT DoCoMo

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 


 

Japan   Sanno Park Tower
11-1, Nagata-cho 2-chome
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-6150
Japan
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (Address of principal executive offices)

 


 

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

 

Title of each class


 

Name of each exchange on which registered


Common Stock   New York Stock Exchange

 

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

 

None


(Title of Class)

 

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

 

None


(Title of Class)

 


 

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

 

As of March 31, 2007, 43,593,644 shares of common stock were outstanding, comprised of 43,305,808 shares and 28,783,600 ADSs (equivalent to 287,836 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 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 financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.

 

Item 17  x    Item 18  ¨

 

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

 


 

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


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page

   

PART I

    

Item 1.

  Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors.      2

Item 2.

  Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable.      2

Item 3.

  Key Information.      2

Item 4.

  Information on the Company.      12

Item 4A.

  Unresolved Staff Comments.      64

Item 5.

  Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.      65

Item 6.

  Directors, Senior Management and Employees.      94

Item 7.

  Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions.      99

Item 8.

  Financial Information.      101

Item 9.

  The Offer and Listing.      102

Item 10.

  Additional Information.      104

Item 11.

  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.      116

Item 12.

  Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities.      118
   

PART II

    

Item 13.

  Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies.      119

Item 14.

  Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds.      119

Item 15.

  Controls and Procedures.      119

Item 16A.

  Audit Committee Financial Expert.      119

Item 16B.

  Code of Ethics.      119

Item 16C.

  Principal Accountant Fees and Services.      120

Item 16D.

  Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees.      120

Item 16E.

  Purchases of Equity Securities by Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers.      122

Item 17.

  Financial Statements.      122

Item 18.

  Financial Statements.      122

Item 19.

  Exhibits.      123


Table of Contents

Special Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

 

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

 

1. As competition in the market becomes more fierce due to changes in the business environment caused by the Mobile Number Portability, new market entrants, competition from other cellular service providers or other technologies, and other factors, could limit our acquisition of new subscriptions, retention of existing subscriptions and ARPU, or may lead to an increase in our costs and expenses.

 

2. The new services and usage patterns introduced by our corporate group may not develop as planned, which could limit our growth.

 

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

 

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

 

5. The W-CDMA technology that we use for our 3G system and/or mobile multimedia services may not be introduced by other overseas operators, which could limit our ability to offer international services to our subscribers.

 

6. Our domestic and international investments, alliances and collaborations may not produce the returns or provide the opportunities we expect.

 

7. As electronic payment capability and many other new features are built into our cellular phones, and services of parties other than those belonging to our corporate group are provided through our cellular handsets, potential problems resulting from malfunctions, defects or loss of handsets, or imperfection of services provided by such other parties may arise, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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

 

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

 

10. Owners of intellectual property rights that are essential for our business execution may not grant us the right to license or otherwise use such intellectual property rights on acceptable terms or at all, which may limit our ability to offer certain technologies, products and/or services, and we may also be held liable for damage compensation if we infringe the intellectual property rights of others.

 

11. Earthquakes, power shortages, malfunctioning of equipment, and software bugs, computer viruses, cyber attacks, hacking, unauthorized access and other problems could cause systems failures in the networks required for the provision of service, disrupting our ability to offer services to our subscribers and may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image.

 

12. Concerns about wireless telecommunications health risks may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

13. Our parent company, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), could exercise influence that may not be in the interests of our other shareholders.

 

Our actual results could be materially different from and worse than as described in the forward-looking statements. Important risks and factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from as described in the forward-looking statements are set forth in Item 3.D. and elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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PART I

 

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

 

“The year ended March 31, 2007” refers to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, and other fiscal years are referred to in a corresponding manner.

 

Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisors

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 3. Key Information

 

A. Selected Financial Data

 

The following tables include selected historical financial data as at and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2003 through 2007. The data as at and for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2003 through 2007 in the table is derived from our audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). You should read the selected financial data below in conjunction with Item 5 of this annual report and our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto which are included elsewhere in this annual report.

 

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Selected Financial Data

 

     As of and for the year ended March 31,

 
     2003

    2004

    2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 
     (in millions, except per share data)  

Income Statement Data

                                                

Operating revenues:

                                                

Wireless services

   ¥ 4,350,861     ¥ 4,487,912     ¥ 4,296,537     ¥ 4,295,856     ¥ 4,314,140     $ 36,697  

Equipment sales (1)

     458,227       560,153       548,073       470,016       473,953       4,032  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Total (1)

     4,809,088       5,048,065       4,844,610       4,765,872       4,788,093       40,729  

Operating expenses (1)

     3,752,369       3,945,147       4,060,444       3,933,233       4,014,569       34,149  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Operating income

     1,056,719       1,102,918       784,166       832,639       773,524       6,580  

Other income (expense) (2)

     (13,751 )     (1,795 )     504,055       119,664       (581 )     (5 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income before income taxes, equity in net losses of affiliates, minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries and cumulative effect of accounting change

     1,042,968       1,101,123       1,288,221       952,303       772,943       6,575  

Income taxes

     454,487       429,116       527,711       341,382       313,679       2,668  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income before equity in net losses of affiliates, minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries and cumulative effect of accounting change

     588,481       672,007       760,510       610,921       459,264       3,907  

Equity in net losses of affiliates (3)(4)

     (324,241 )     (21,960 )     (12,886 )     (364 )     (1,941 )     (17 )

Minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (16,033 )     (40 )     (60 )     (76 )     (45 )     (0 )
    


 


 


 


 


 


Income before cumulative effect of accounting change

     248,207       650,007       747,564       610,481       457,278       3,890  

Cumulative effect of accounting change (1)

     (35,716 )     —         —         —         —         —    

Net income

   ¥ 212,491     ¥ 650,007     ¥ 747,564     ¥ 610,481     ¥ 457,278     $ 3,890  
    


 


 


 


 


 


Per Share Data

                                                

Basic and diluted earnings per share

   ¥ 4,254     ¥ 13,099     ¥ 15,771     ¥ 13,491     ¥ 10,396     $ 88.43  

Dividends declared and paid per share

   ¥ 200     ¥ 1,000     ¥ 2,000     ¥ 3,000     ¥ 4,000          

Dividends declared and paid per share (5)

   $ 1.51     $ 8.72     $ 18.65     $ 25.54     $ 34.03          

Balance Sheet Data

                                                

Working capital

   ¥ 586,679     ¥ 493,679     ¥ 1,047,597     ¥ 558,459     ¥ 568,988     $ 4,840  

Total property, plant and equipment, net

     2,676,128       2,702,505       2,682,429       2,777,454       2,900,653       24,674  

Total assets

     6,058,007       6,262,266       6,136,521       6,365,257       6,116,215       52,026  

Total debt (6)

     1,348,368       1,091,596       948,523       792,405       602,965       5,129  

Total liabilities

     2,582,018       2,557,510       2,228,468       2,312,120       1,953,748       16,619  

Total shareholders’ equity

     3,475,514       3,704,695       3,907,932       4,052,017       4,161,303       35,397  

Other Financial Data

                                                

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

     779,545       756,002       781,096       773,066       799,830       6,804  

Net cash provided by operating activities

     1,584,610       1,710,243       1,181,585       1,610,941       980,598       8,341  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (871,430 )     (847,309 )     (578,329 )     (951,077 )     (947,651 )     (8,061 )

Net cash used in financing activities

     (333,277 )     (705,856 )     (672,039 )     (590,621 )     (531,481 )     (4,521 )

Margins (percent of operating revenues):

                                                

Operating income margin

     22.0 %     21.8 %     16.2 %     17.5 %     16.2 %     16.2 %

Net income margin

     4.4 %     12.9 %     15.4 %     12.8 %     9.6 %     9.6 %

(1) We adopted EITF 01-09 from April 1, 2002. Therefore, equipment sales and operating expenses for the year ended March 31, 2003 were decreased by ¥558,923 million and ¥571,223 million, respectively, as a result of EITF 01-09. The cumulative effect of this accounting change relates to the timing for recognizing commissions payable to agents.
(2) Includes a gain on sale of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. shares of ¥501,781 million for the year ended March 31, 2005, and an aggregate gain on sales of Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Limited and KPN-Mobile N.V. shares of ¥101,992 million for the year ended March 31, 2006.
(3) Includes impairment of investments in affiliates. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(4) Net of deferred taxes of ¥226,450 million, ¥(4,527) million, ¥1,492 million and ¥1,653 million and ¥(850) million in the years ended March 31, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.
(5) The dividends per share were translated into U.S. dollars at the relevant record date.
(6) Total debt includes total short-term debt (including commercial paper and current portion of long-term debt) and long-term debt.

 

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Exchange Rate Data

 

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

 

Fiscal Year ended March 31,


   High

   Low

   Average (1)

   Period-end

2003

   133.40    115.71    121.10    118.07

2004

   120.55    104.18    112.94    104.18

2005

   114.30    102.26    107.28    107.22

2006

   120.93    104.41    113.15    117.48

2007

   121.81    110.07    116.92    117.56

Calendar Year 2006


                   

December

   119.02    114.98    117.32    119.02

Calendar Year 2007


                   

January

   121.81    118.49    120.45    121.02

February

   121.77    118.33    120.50    118.33

March

   118.15    116.01    117.26    117.56

April

   119.84    117.69    118.93    119.44

May

   121.79    119.77    120.77    121.76

June (through June 15, 2007)

   123.55    121.08    121.98    123.55

(1) For fiscal years, calculated from the average of the exchange rates on the last day of each month during the period. For calendar year months, calculated based on the average of daily closing exchange rates.

 

We have translated selected Japanese yen amounts presented in this annual report solely for your convenience. The rate we used for such translations was $1.00 = ¥117.56, which was the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on March 31, 2007. The noon buying rate for Japanese yen on June15, 2007 was $1.00 = ¥123.55.

 

B. Capitalization and Indebtedness

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

 

Not applicable.

 

D. Risk Factors

 

Risks Relating to Our Business and the Japanese Wireless Telecommunications Industry

 

As competition in the market becomes more fierce due to changes in the business environment caused by the Mobile Number Portability, new market entrants, competition from other cellular service providers or other technologies, and other factors, could limit our acquisition of new subscriptions, retention of existing subscriptions and ARPU, or may lead to an increase in our costs and expenses.

 

Market changes such as the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and the emergence of new service providers are resulting in increasing competition with other service providers in the telecommunications industry. For example, other mobile service providers have introduced new products and services including 3G handsets, music player handsets, music distribution services, and fixed-rate services for voice communications

 

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limited to specified recipients, e-mail and the like. There are also providers that now offer or may in the future offer services such as combined billing and aggregated point programs in conjunction with fixed-line communications, which may be more convenient for customers.

 

At the same time, there may be increased competition resulting from the introduction of other new services and technologies, especially low-priced and flat-rate services, fixed-line or mobile IP phones, high-speed fixed-line broadband Internet service and digital broadcasting, wireless LAN, and so on or an integration of the services.

 

In addition to competition from other service providers and technologies, there are other factors increasing competition among mobile communications providers in Japan such as saturation in the Japanese cellular market, the entry of new competitors in the market, changes to business and market structures, changes in the regulatory environment, an increased rate competition.

 

Under these circumstances, the number of net new subscriptions we acquire may continue to decline in the future and may not reach the number we expect. Also, in addition to difficulty acquiring new subscriptions, we may not be able to maintain existing subscriptions at expected levels due to increased competition among cellular service providers in the areas of rates and services. Furthermore, as a result of intense competition for acquisition of subscriptions, we may need to incur higher than expected costs such as distributor commissions and other expenses. In this fiercely competitive environment, in order to provide advanced services and increase convenience to our customers, we have made various rate revisions such as the introduction in June 2004 of “Pake-hodai”, which is a flat-rate packet transmission service for FOMA i-mode, the introduction of a new unified rate plan for FOMA services and mova services in November 2005 that users find simple and easy to understand, the introduction in March 2006 of a new rate plan that enables users to apply Pake-hodai to all FOMA services, the introduction in March 2007 of “Pake-hodai Full”, a service the enables subscribers with full-browser handsets to view not only i-mode but also PC websites and video for a flat monthly rate. However, we cannot be certain that these measures will enable us to acquire new and maintain existing subscribers. Furthermore, these rate revisions are expected to lead to a certain decline in ARPU, but if the trend of subscribers using “Family Discounts” and switching to flat-rate services increases more than we expect, our ARPU may decrease more than we expect, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The new services and usage patterns introduced by our corporate group may not develop as planned, which could limit our growth.

 

We view the expansion of AV traffic such as video phones using 3G handsets, the development and expansion of new services such as credit services useful in everyday life and business through i-mode FeliCa, and increased revenue through the expansion of data communications as important to our future growth. However, a number of uncertainties may arise to prevent the development of these services and constrain our growth. In particular, we cannot be certain that:

 

   

We will be able to find the partners and content providers needed to provide the new services and forms of usage we are introducing and persuade a sufficient number of vendors and other establishments to use i-mode FeliCa readers;

 

   

We will be able to provide planned new services and forms of usage as scheduled and keep costs needed for the deployment and expansion of such services within budget;

 

   

The services we offer and plan to offer will be attractive to current and potential subscribers and there will be sufficient demand for such services;

 

   

Manufacturers and content providers will create and offer products including handsets for our 3G system and handsets and programming for our 3G i-mode services at appropriate prices and on a timely basis;

 

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Our current and future data communications services including i-mode and other services will be attractive to existing and potential subscribers and achieve continued or new growth;

 

   

Demand in the market for mobile handset functionality will be as we expect and as a result our handset procurement costs will be reduced; and

 

   

We will be able to commence services with improved data communication speeds enabled by HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access, a high-speed packet transmission technology utilizing W-CDMA) technology planned.

 

If the development of our new services or forms of usage is limited, it may have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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

 

The Japanese telecommunications industry has been undergoing regulatory reform in many areas including rate regulation. Because we operate on radio spectrum allocated by the Government, the mobile telecommunications industry in which we operate is particularly affected by the regulatory environment. Various governmental bodies have been recommending or considering changes that could affect the mobile telecommunications industry, and there may be continued reforms including the introduction or revision of laws or regulations that could have an adverse effect on us. These include:

 

   

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

 

   

Measures to open up Internet platforms and segment platform functions such as authentication and payment collection to other operators;

 

   

Rules that could require us to open our i-mode service to all content providers and Internet service providers or that could prevent us from setting or collecting i-mode content fees or putting i-mode service on cellular phone handsets as an initial setting;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

Regulations to increase handset competition such as the abolishment of financial incentives for sales of mobile handsets and SIM (*1) regulations;

 

   

Fair competition measures relating to MVNO(*2) such as the compulsory lease of networks; and

 

   

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

 

   

Other measures to enhance competition that would restrict our business operations in the telecommunications industry.

 

It is difficult to predict with certainty if any of the above changes will be proposed to the relevant laws and regulations and, if they are made, the extent to which our business will be affected. However, the implementation of one or more of the changes described above or other changes to laws and regulations could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.


(*1) SIM: Subscriber Identity Module. An IC card inserted into a handset on which subscriber information is recorded, used to identify user.

 

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(*2) MVNO: Mobile Virtual Network Operator, a business that borrows wireless communication licenses from other companies to provide services.

 

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

 

One of the principal limitations on a cellular communication network’s capacity is the available radio frequency spectrum it can use. We have limited spectrum and facilities available to us to provide our services. As a result, in certain parts of metropolitan Tokyo and Osaka, such as areas near major train stations, our cellular communication network operates at or near the maximum capacity of its available spectrum during peak periods, which may cause reduced service quality. In addition, the quality of the services we provide may also decrease due to the limited processing capacity of our base stations and switching facilities during peak usage periods if our subscriptions base dramatically increases or the volume of content such as images and music provided through our i-mode service significantly expands. Also, in relation to our 3G service, packet transmission flat fee service for 3G i-mode, and our flat-rate service that enables subscribers to view full-browser PC websites and video, an increase in the number of subscriptions and traffic volume of our subscribers may go substantially beyond our projections, we may not be able to process such traffic with our existing facilities and our quality of service may decline.

 

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

 

We may not be able to avoid reduced quality of services despite our continued efforts to improve the efficiency of our use of spectrum through technology and to acquire new spectrum. If we are not able to successfully address such problems in a timely manner, we may experience constraints on the growth of our mobile communications services or lose subscribers to our competitors, which may materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

The W-CDMA technology that we use for our 3G system and/or mobile multimedia services may not be introduced by other overseas operators, which could limit our ability to offer international services to our subscribers.

 

For our 3G system, we currently use Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, or W-CDMA, technology. W-CDMA technology is one of the global standards for cellular telecommunications technology approved by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) as part of its efforts to standardize 3G cellular technology through the issuance of guidelines known as IMT-2000. We may be able to offer our services, such as global roaming, on a worldwide basis if enough other mobile operators adopt handsets and network facilities based on W-CDMA standard technology that is compatible with ours. We expect that the companies we have invested in overseas, our overseas strategic partners and many other mobile operators will adopt this technology.

 

Also, we have technology alliances with overseas operators in relation to i-mode services and we are aggressively promoting the spread and expansion of i-mode services by overseas operators.

 

However, if a sufficient number of other mobile operators do not adopt W-CDMA technology or there is a delay in the introduction of W-CDMA technology, we may not be able to offer global roaming services as expected and we may not be able to offer our subscribers the convenience of overseas service. Also, if adoption of W-CDMA technology abroad is not conducted sufficiently and the number of i-mode subscribers among our strategic partners and the usage of i-mode service by those subscribers does not increase sufficiently, we may not realize the benefits of economies of scale we currently expect in terms of purchasing network facilities and offering handsets and contents developed for our services at appropriate prices. Also, we cannot be sure that handset manufacturers or manufacturers of network equipment will be able to appropriately and promptly adjust

 

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their handsets and network equipment if we need to change the handsets or network we currently use due to a change in W-CDMA technology as a result of activities conducted by standard-setting organizations.

 

If W-CDMA technology and i-mode services do not develop as we expect and we are not able to improve the quality of our overseas services or enjoy the benefits of global economies of scale, this may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our domestic and international investments, alliances and collaborations may not produce the returns or provide the opportunities we expect.

 

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

 

However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain or enhance the value or performance of our past or future investments or that we will receive the returns or benefits we expect from these investments, alliances and collaborations. Our investments in new business areas outside of the mobile telecommunication business may be accompanied by challenges beyond our expectations, as we have little experience in such new areas of business.

 

In recent years, the companies in which we have invested have experienced a variety of negative developments, including severe competition, increased debt burdens, significant volatility in share prices and financial difficulties. To the extent that these investments are accounted for by the equity method and to the extent that the investee companies have net losses, our financial results will be adversely affected by our pro rata portion of these losses. If there is a loss in the value of our investment in any investee company and such loss in value is other than a temporary decline, we may be required to adjust the book value and recognize an impairment loss for such investment. Also, a business combination or other similar transaction involving any of our investee companies could require us to realize impairment loss for any decline in the value of investment in such investee company. In either event, our financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

 

As electronic payment capability and many other new features are built into our cellular phones, and services of parties other than those belonging to our corporate group are provided through our cellular handsets, potential problems resulting from malfunctions, defects or loss of handsets, or imperfection of services provided by such other parties may arise, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Various functions are mounted on the mobile handsets we provide, and if we cannot appropriately deal with technological problems that may arise with respect to current or future handsets or the malfunction, defect or loss of handsets, our credibility may decline and our corporate image may be damaged, leading to an increase in cancellations of subscription or an increase in expenses for indemnity payments to subscribers and our financial condition or results of operations may be affected. New issues may arise which are different from those related to mobile communications services which we have been providing, especially with i-mode handsets with FeliCa capabilities that can be used for electronic payment and credit transactions. Events that may lead to a decrease in our credibility and corporate image, or an increase in cancellations of subscriptions and indemnity payments for subscribers include the following:

 

   

Breakdown, defect and malfunction of our handsets;

 

   

Loss of information, e-money or points due to a breakdown of handsets or other factors;

 

   

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

 

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Illegal access to and use of user records and balances accumulated on handsets by third-parties; and

 

   

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

 

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

 

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

 

Unsolicited bulk e-mail, for instance, is a problem for our i-mode service. Despite our extensive efforts to address this issue by protecting our subscribers from incurring any economic disadvantage caused by unsolicited bulk e-mails including notifying our subscribers via various brochures, providing unsolicited bulk e-mail filtering functions with our handsets and pursuing actions against companies which distribute large amounts of such unsolicited bulk e-mails, the problem has not yet been rooted out. Also, recently, a different kind of unsolicited bulk e-mail using “short-mail” and “SMS (short message service)” we provide in addition to i-mode, is becoming an issue. If our subscribers receive a large amount of unsolicited e-mail, it may cause a decrease in customer satisfaction and damage our corporate image, leading to a reduction in the number of i-mode subscriptions.

 

Mobile phones have been used in crimes such as the “it’s me” fraud, whereby callers request an emergency bank remittance pretending to be a relative. To combat these misuses of our services, we have introduced various measures such as more strict identification confirmation at points of purchase and ended new contracts for pre-paid mobile phones as of the end of March 2005 because pre-paid mobile phones are easier to use in criminal activities. However, in the event criminal usage increases, mobile phones may be regarded as a problem and lead to an increase in cancellation of contracts.

 

In addition, as our handsets and services become more sophisticated, new issues may arise when subscribers are charged fees for packet transmission at levels higher than they are aware of as a result of using handsets without fully recognizing over use of packet transmission in terms of frequency and volume. Also, inappropriate use of our mobile handsets with built-in cameras has become a social issue such as taking photos of an article from a magazine in a bookstore or taking pictures at art galleries and museums where photography is prohibited. Furthermore, there are issues concerning manners for phone usage in public places such as in trains and aircraft and the occurrence of car accidents caused by the use of mobile phones while driving. These issues may similarly damage our corporate image.

 

To date, we believe that we have properly addressed the social issues involving mobile phones. However, it is uncertain whether we will be able to continue addressing those issues appropriately in the future as well and if we fail to do so, we may experience an increase in cancellation of existing subscriber contracts or fail to acquire new subscribers as expected, and this may affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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

 

In April 2005, the Law concerning the Protection of Personal Information (the “Personal Information Protection Law”) came into force and protection of personal information became an important issue at companies that handle personal information. We possess information on numerous subscribers in the telecommunications, credit, and other businesses, and to appropriately and promptly address the Personal Information Protection Law, we have set up an “information security department” to put in place comprehensive security management across the company such as thorough management of subscriber information, employee education, supervision of subcontractors and by strengthening technological security.

 

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

 

Owners of intellectual property rights that are essential for our business execution may not grant us the right to license or otherwise use such intellectual property rights on acceptable terms or at all, which may limit our ability to offer certain technologies, products and/or services, and we may also be held liable for damage compensation if we infringe the intellectual property rights of others.

 

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

 

Earthquakes, power shortages, malfunctioning of equipment, and software bugs, computer viruses, cyber attacks, hacking, unauthorized access and other problems could cause systems failures in the networks required for the provision of service, disrupting our ability to offer services to our subscribers and may adversely affect our credibility or corporate image.

 

We have built a nationwide network including base stations, antennas, switching centers and transmission lines and provide mobile communication service using this network. In order to operate our network systems in a safe and stable manner, we have various measures in place such as redundant systems. However, despite these measures, our system could fail for various reasons including hardware problems, network damage caused by earthquakes, power shortages, typhoons, floods, terrorism and similar phenomena and events. These system failures can require an extended time for repair and as a result, may lead to decreased revenues and increased repair costs, and our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

There have been instances in which millions of computers worldwide were infected by viruses through the Internet. Similar incidents could occur on our mobile communications network. If such a virus entered our network or handsets through such means as hacking, unauthorized access, or otherwise, our system could fail and our mobile phones become unusable. In such an instance, the credibility of our network and customer satisfaction could decrease significantly. Although we have enhanced our security systems to block unauthorized access and remote downloading in order to provide for unexpected events, such precautions may not make our system fully prepared for every event. In addition, our network could be affected by software bugs, incorrect equipment settings and human errors which are not the result of malfeasance, but also cause system failures or breakdowns.

 

In the event we are unable to properly respond to any such events, our credibility or corporate image may be reduced, and we may experience a decrease in revenues as well as significant repair costs, which may affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Concerns about wireless telecommunications health risks may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

Media and other reports have suggested that electric wave emissions from wireless handsets and other wireless equipment may adversely affect the health of mobile phone users and others such as by causing cancer

 

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and vision loss and interfering with various electronic medical devices including hearing aids and pacemakers, and also may present increased health risks for users who are children. While these reports have not been conclusive, and although the findings in such reports are disputed, the actual or perceived risk of wireless telecommunications devices to the health of users could adversely affect us through increased cancellation by existing subscribers, reduced subscriber growth, reduced usage per subscriber or litigation, and may also potentially adversely affect our corporate image, financial condition and results of operations. The perceived risk of wireless devices may have been elevated by certain wireless carriers and handset manufactures affixing labels to their handsets showing levels of electric wave emissions or warnings about possible health risks. Research and studies are ongoing and we are actively attempting to confirm the safety of wireless telecommunications, but there can be no assurance that further research and studies will not demonstrate a relation between electric wave emissions and health problems.

 

Furthermore, although the electric wave emissions of our cellular handsets and base stations comply with the electromagnetic safety guidelines of Japan, including guidelines regarding the specific absorption rate of electric waves, and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, the guidelines of which are regarded as an international safety standard, the Electromagnetic Compatibility Conference of Japan has confirmed that some electronic medical devices are affected by the electromagnetic interference from cellular phones as well as other portable radio transmitters. As a result, Japan has adopted a policy to restrict the use of cellular services inside medical facilities. We are working to ensure that our subscribers are aware of these restrictions when using cellular phones. There is a possibility that modifications to regulations, new regulations or restrictions could limit our ability to expand our market or our subscription base or otherwise adversely affect us.

 

Our parent company, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), could exercise influence that may not be in the interests of our other shareholders.

 

As of March 31, 2007, NTT owned 63.4% of our outstanding voting shares. While being subject to the conditions for fair competition established by the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (“MPT”, currently the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, or “MIC”) in April 1992, NTT retains the right to control our management as a majority shareholder, including the right to appoint directors. Currently, although we conduct our day-to-day operations independently of NTT and its other subsidiaries, certain important matters are discussed with, or reported to, NTT. As such, NTT could take actions that are in its best interests, which may not be in the interests of our other shareholders.

 

Risks Relating to the Shares and the ADSs

 

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

 

As of March 31, 2007, NTT owned 63.4% of our outstanding voting shares. Under Japanese law, NTT, like any other shareholder, generally is able to dispose of our shares freely on the Tokyo Stock Exchange or otherwise. In addition, various governmental bodies have recommended that NTT be required to decrease its ownership percentage in the company. NTT’s position announced in its release in October 2001 was that decisions on NTT’s investment ratio of the company would continue to be considered from the standpoint of maximizing its shareholders’ profits, taking into account operational necessities and stock market trends. Additionally, our Board of Directors is authorized to issue 142,250,000 additional shares generally without any shareholder approval. The sale or issuance or the potential for sale or issuance of such shares could have an adverse impact on the market price of our shares.

 

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

 

Each ADS represents the right to receive 1/100th of a share of common stock. Therefore, pursuant to the terms of the deposit agreement with our depositary, The Bank of New York, in order to withdraw any shares, a holder of ADSs must surrender for cancellation and withdrawal of shares, ADRs evidencing 100 ADSs or any integral multiple thereof. Each ADR will bear a legend to that effect. As a result, holders of ADSs will be unable to withdraw fractions of shares from the depositary or receive any cash settlement in lieu of withdrawal of fractions of shares. In addition, although the ADSs themselves may be transferred in any lots pursuant to the deposit agreement, the ability to trade the underlying shares may be limited.

 

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

 

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

 

U.S. investors may have difficulty in serving process or enforcing a judgment against us or our directors, executive officers or corporate auditors.

 

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

 

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

 

Our Articles of Incorporation, our Board of Directors’ regulations and the Corporate Law of Japan (“Corporation Law” or “Kaishaho”) govern our corporate affairs. Legal principles relating to such matters as the validity of corporate procedures, directors’ and officers’ fiduciary duties and liabilities, and shareholders’ rights under Japanese law may be different from those that would apply to a company incorporated in a jurisdiction within the United States. You may have more difficulty in asserting your rights as a shareholder than you would as a shareholder of a corporation organized in a jurisdiction within the United States.

 

Item 4. Information on the Company

 

A. History and Development of the Company

 

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

 

Our parent company is Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, or NTT, the holding company of NTT group. NTT group constitutes one of the world’s leading telephone operators. We were incorporated as a subsidiary of NTT in August 1991 and took over NTT’s wireless telecommunications operations in July 1992. In July 1993, in accordance with the agreement between NTT and MPT, we transferred wireless telecommunications operations (other than those in the Kanto-Koshinetsu region which remained with us) to our eight regional subsidiaries.

 

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The following diagram shows our corporate organization and includes our principal subsidiaries and affiliates as of March 31, 2007. Unless otherwise indicated, we own 100% of the voting securities of the subsidiaries included in the diagram. The percentages in parenthesis represent our group’s holdings in these subsidiaries and affiliates.

 

LOGO

 

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(1) These service subsidiaries provide operational services, such as engineering and support services, to NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
(2) These DoCoMo regional subsidiaries provide wireless telecommunications services in respective geographical regions in Japan, other than the region in which NTT DoCoMo, Inc. itself provides such services.
(3) These indirect service subsidiaries provide operational services, such as engineering and other services, to the respective DoCoMo regional subsidiaries which wholly own them.

 

For a discussion of recent and current capital expenditures, please see “Capital Expenditures” in Item 5.B. We have had no recent significant divestitures or any significant divestitures currently being made.

 

B. Business Overview

 

Overview

 

We are Japan’s leading wireless telecommunications services provider. We offer a range of high-quality, high-mobility telecommunications services such as third generation (3G) and second generation (2G) cellular services, Personal Handyphone System (PHS) services, and other specialized wireless telecommunications services, including satellite telephone services. Our core business is cellular phone services, and the total number of 2G and 3G subscriptions was approximately 52.62 million and an estimated domestic market share was 54.4% as of March 31, 2007. We are one of the largest cellular phone service operators in the world as measured by total number of cellular subscriptions.

 

For the year ended March 31, 2007, we had operating revenues of ¥4,788,093 million and operating income of ¥773,524 million, representing an operating margin of 16.2%. Our net income was ¥457,278 million, which was equivalent to net income per share of ¥10,396.21. Our management currently believes that we have sufficient financial flexibility and strength to pursue our strategic plans.

 

Although our basic services continue to be voice services, we are increasingly focusing on the development of wireless data transmission and mobile multimedia services such as our i-mode Internet service and our 3G services. We introduced i-mode services, one of the world’s first handset-based Internet access services, in February 1999. As of March 31, 2007, 47.57 million cellular subscriptions had signed up for i-mode services, a 2.6% increase from the 46.36 million subscriptions as of March 31, 2006. i-mode is an optional service available to cellular voice subscribers offered on our nationwide 2G and 3G networks which allows users to send and receive e-mail, access online services including banking services and airline and ticket reservations, access an array of information from i-mode servers and execute and settle retail transactions directly through their handsets. Almost all handsets which we currently sell are i-mode compatible, thus allowing our customers to choose whether or not to subscribe to i-mode service. The introduction of i-mode services enhanced our business in many ways, including encouraging our cellular phone users to use data transmission more, significantly increasing data revenue, expanding our market share, increasing the number of subscriptions, creating new sources of income and strengthening our brand image.

 

We have also introduced other services to promote and capture the increasing demand for mobile multimedia services. These include services that allow Internet access through the combination of a cellular phone and a laptop computer or personal digital assistant, more commonly known as a PDA. Other services include music and video content distribution services, mobile e-commerce services and location-based pinpointing services through the global positioning system, or GPS, and cellular network. We are also promoting wireless data communication and have released products such as PDAs and card type wireless Internet access devices which are used for laptop PCs and PDAs. In addition to expanding the market for person-to-person communications such as i-mode, we are creating a market for ubiquitous machine-to-machine communications such as remote monitoring of vending machines. We are promoting the use of videophones as a communication tool and other applications and services which integrate cellular services into users’ daily lives through the use of external interfaces such as IrDA, QR code and contactless ICs. IrDA is a short-range data communications

 

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standard that uses infrared rays and QR Code is a two-dimensional code for expressing vertical and horizontal alphanumeric characters, Japanese characters, images, etc. We promote our Osaifu-Keitai service on a commercial basis using contactless ICs, to create new usage opportunities by linking our handsets with other business platforms such as electronic money, membership certificates and point programs, etc. We also introduced a new brand for mobile credit payment services and issued a new conventional credit card that can be used in conjunction with this mobile credit payment service.

 

We offer our cellular phone services on our nationwide 2G and 3G networks. Our 2G and 3G networks cover essentially all of the population of Japan (we calculate population coverage ratios by dividing the population within our “coverage area”—determined by whether the local government offices of cities, towns and villages, such as the city hall, are within the service area of the network—by the total population in Japan). We are concentrating on meeting customer needs by improving quality in service areas and building additional facilities in conjunction with higher communications demand.

 

Our 2G network is based on the Personal Digital Cellular, or PDC, telecommunications system. PDC is a Time Division Multiple Access, or TDMA, based system that supports both voice and data communications and a full range of supplementary services including, among others, call waiting, voice mail, three-party calling and call forwarding. Voice transmissions on our 2G network are offered at 11.2 Kbps. We provide circuit switching data transmission at 9.6 Kbps. We also use a version of PDC that we refer to as PDC-P for our packet-switched network. PDC-P allows data transmission at up to 28.8 Kbps for our “DoPa” packet transmission and i-mode services.

 

We also offer voice and data transmission services on our PHS network. The number of PHS subscriptions decreased from 0.77 million in March 2006 to 0.45 million as of March 31, 2007. As of April 30, 2005, we had stopped accepting new applications for PHS service, and we were preparing to terminate service during the third quarter of the year ending March 31, 2008, but we decided to terminate service on January 7, 2008. We continue to encourage PHS customers to migrate to FOMA.

 

We further upgraded our 2G network and systems, such as the 2G PDC, PDC-P and PHS networks, and in order to more fully exploit the potential demand for mobile multimedia, we introduced a 3G network and system on a fully commercial basis in October 2001. We believe that the introduction of 3G services marked the start of a full-scale mobile multimedia era by increasing the speed and sophistication with which music, video and other data can be downloaded to mobile phone handsets and other communication devices. We developed and established our 3G system based on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, or W-CDMA, a high performance technology using broadband capabilities that allows variable-speed, multi-rate transmissions and supports high-quality voice transmissions and high-speed data communications, video and other multimedia services including mobile computing. We have developed our 3G wireless telecommunications system in connection with 3G standardization efforts of the International Telecommunications Union, or ITU. For a discussion of the 3G standardization efforts and the status of 3G development and deployment, please see “3G Network- 3G Standardization Efforts” in this Item 4.B.

 

Our 3G system provides high quality voice transmission services, circuit switched data services (at 64 Kbps) and high-speed packet transmission services (at up to 384 Kbps), and serves as a platform for FOMA i-mode services. FOMA High Speed, which uses the same system, provides high-speed packet transmission services at speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. As of March 31, 2007, the number of FOMA subscriptions was 35.53 million, approximately 1.51 times the 23.46 million subscriptions we had as of March 31, 2006, and approximately 3.09 times the number of subscriptions we had as of March 31, 2005. Our FOMA population coverage ratio as of March 29, 2007, was 100% of Japan.

 

We have also been promoting the adoption by mobile communications operators around the world of 3G services using W-CDMA technology, which is one of the global technology standards for mobile telecommunications, and mobile multimedia services, including i-mode. Through these efforts, we aim to:

 

   

Increase revenues from international roaming services, license agreements and consulting services;

 

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Earn dividends revenues and capital gains from investments; and

 

   

Expand our revenue sources into mobile-related businesses.

 

Through these revenue generation activities as well as cost reduction activities, such as joint procurement of handsets and other equipment, we seek to strengthen our competitiveness and improve our earnings in an increasingly global telecommunications market.

 

To achieve our international strategic objectives, we have made investments in telecommunication operators overseas, including Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd., or Far EasTone, Hutchison Telephone Company Limited, or HTCL, KT Freetel Company Limited, or KTF, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, or PLDT, and Guam Cellular & Paging. We have established alliances through which we have licensed the technology for our popular i-mode data communications and wireless Internet access service to many other mobile telecommunications providers in the Asia-Pacific and Europe. We also formed an alliance called the “Conexus Mobile Alliance” with a total of seven companies—Far EasTone, Hutchison Essar Limited, or Hutchison Essar, Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited, KTF, PT Indosat Tbk, StarHub Ltd., and Smart Communications, Inc.—to enhance each member’s competitiveness in international roaming and corporate mobile services within its own country and region and across the Asia-Pacific region. Through our investments in and alliances with other mobile telecommunications providers, we have established footholds for our technology and services in many parts of the world. For additional information regarding our international investments and alliances, see “- Global Businesses—International Investments and Licensing Agreements”.

 

We conduct cutting-edge research and development both in and outside of Japan on what we believe is the largest scale of any wireless operator in the world. We organize our research and development efforts through our R&D division, which includes a department that operates as a comprehensive research center, carries out research in a variety of fields, such as network, wireless and multimedia research. To assist us in our W-CDMA development as well as the research and development of additional advanced technology, we established our NTT DoCoMo R&D Center in Yokosuka Research Park in 1998. We believe that the R&D Center is an example of our commitment to the development of cutting-edge services, products and technologies and will continue to position us as a provider of advanced technology for mobile communications. Currently at the R&D Center, we are striving to further expand mobile communication services and are engaging in the development of HSDPA, HSUPA and Super 3G, as well as in fundamental research for 4G.

 

We benefit from the strong positive perception in Japan of the DoCoMo brand name. We also benefit from the strong positive perception of the brand name of NTT, our controlling shareholder. To market our services and products throughout Japan, we have established an extensive nationwide distribution, after-sales service and support network comprised primarily of independent agents, which, as of March 31, 2007, included approximately 1,700 DoCoMo Shops (which exclusively offer our products and services), approximately 400 primary agents and approximately 11,000 general agents.

 

Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)

 

Due to the wide adoption and advancement of mobile communications services, cellular phones have become indispensable tools for people’s daily activities. Cellular phones have evolved from previously voice-centric communication devices into multifunctional tools serving more diverse needs in society. Against this backdrop, we aim to contribute to society by carrying out our business activities with sincerity and living in harmony. To fulfill our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a cellular phone operator, our corporate group is engaged in a wide range of activities, believing that it is our mission to tackle cellular phone-related social issues, respond to earthquakes and other natural disasters, take actions against global environmental concerns that are becoming increasingly serious, and allow each and every user including the elderly and the handicapped to share in the convenience of cellular phones. Among these activities, those that are directly related to the products and services offered by DoCoMo group have been promoted in a comprehensive and unified approach under the

 

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“DoCoMo Anshin Mission” aimed at providing peace of mind to our customers. The concrete actions undertaken during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, include the following:

 

  -  

For a safer, healthier and more secure society

 

   

Held approximately 1,400 sessions of “DoCoMo Keitai Safety School” seminars nationwide during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, to provide children with tips on safe and proper phone usage manners, and promoted services that limit access to dubious dating sites or other potentially harmful information web sites.

 

   

Reinforced our security-related services and features (e.g., “Data Security Service” that saves customers’ phonebook information on our network, “Omakase-Lock” service that can remotely lock IC card functions and block access to personal data with just one phone call, and “Keitai Osagashi” service, which searches the approximate location of the handset via PCs in the event the handset is misplaced), to allow users to use cellular phones with a greater sense of security.

 

   

Jointly conducted research with other cellular phone operators on the possible impact of radio waves emitted from cellular phone systems on the human body.

 

  -  

Universal design products and services

 

   

Released “FOMA D800iDS”, a model equipped with two screens, “FOMA Raku Raku Phone III” designed with a focus on ease of use, and a bone conduction receiver microphone, dubbed “Sound Leaf”.

 

  -  

Global environmental conservation initiatives

 

   

Introduced auxiliary cooling systems and high-efficiency rectification equipment, and operated co-generation systems (CGS) which reduce energy consumption through effective utilization of the heat generated from power generators, as part of our efforts to facilitate energy savings at our communication facilities.

 

   

Collected used cellular handsets (approximately 62 million units on a cumulative basis) and carried out “DoCoMo Wood” forestation program (at 32 locations on a cumulative basis).

 

  -  

Social contribution activities

 

   

To assist the education of children, constructed a total of 9 schools in Thailand, and carried out programs aimed at fostering young talent by sponsoring various sports clinics.

 

Actions for Disaster Damage Prevention

 

Cellular phones serve as an important communications infrastructure indispensable to people’s everyday life, and are expected to fulfill a significant role in the event of earthquakes, storm and flood damages or other natural disasters, providing means for communications for rescue activities and/or national and local government institutions. Believing that taking appropriate measures for disaster damage prevention is an important part of our Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) as a cellular phone operator, we set forth “three principles for disaster damage prevention”, and have worked to construct a communications network highly resistant against natural disasters, and to secure and enhance the safety and reliability of our networks.

 

Three principles for disaster damage prevention

 

   

Enhancement of System Reliability

 

   

To ensure that our mobile communications systems function properly in the event of a disaster, we have reinforced our facilities and equipment by applying earthquake resistant reinforcement to our buildings/antenna towers, anchoring our machines/equipment and strengthening their earthquake resistance, accommodating cables in shielded tunnels, and laying our communication cables underground. We have

 

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also endeavored to enhance the reliability of our networks by providing backups to our facilities and circuits through the use of multiple/dual routes or loop structure in our relay transmission lines (long-distance transmission lines), using redundant configurations in our communication facilities or installing them in dispersed locations, and increasing the use of communications satellites.

 

   

Securing important communications

 

     As a designated public institution that is required to cooperate with national/local government institutions in their disaster damage prevention efforts, we have established a priority telephone system allowing institutions engaged in disaster damage prevention activities to use our circuits with higher priority in the event of a disaster. We have also strived to ensure that important communications are protected by ensuring efficient network control and lending cellular phones and/or other devices to municipal governments and/or other institutions in the event of a disaster.

 

   

Early recovery of communications services

 

     With the goal of recovering mobile communications services at the earliest possible time following a disaster, we have employed various measures, including the preparation of hardware such as the deployment of mobile base station equipment, and mobile power supply vehicles and the securing of restoration materials, as well as the preparation of software such as the creation of operation manuals for disaster situations, organizing “Disaster Management Headquarters” and conducting drills for disaster damage prevention.

 

Organizational Structure for Disaster Damage Prevention

 

When a state of emergency is declared, we will establish “Disaster Management Headquarters” at our head office or branches, depending on the scale of the disaster or damages. The “Disaster Management Headquarters” will collect information through collaboration with other companies in the DoCoMo Group or NTT Group that have not been affected by the disaster, to develop and coordinate the restoration work, relief plans, etc. Each team in the “Disaster Management Headquarters” will lead and supervise the restoration/relief efforts. Depending on the magnitude of the disaster, we will cooperate with the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and/or emergency management organization(s) of the national government, to assist the restoration efforts and other actions undertaken by the Government. We will also supply information to our subscribers by providing the media with concrete explanations on the damages and/or restoration status.

 

To introduce some of the various actions we have undertaken to respond to disasters during the fiscal year ended Mar. 31, 2007, we made functional enhancements to our “i-mode Disaster Message Board Service”, added a new item—”Disaster/Crime Prevention and Medical Service”—to our “i-mode” menu list, and started the operation of a separate control system for voice calls and packet communications on our FOMA network in order to secure means for communications in the event of a disaster. We have also decided to introduce an “emergency location information notification” function, which informs emergency organizations of the location of the caller when an emergency call is made from a cellular phone.

 

Our Services

 

We offer a variety of services to support our subscribers’ needs for wireless voice and data communications. In addition to the cellular voice services we have traditionally offered, we are increasingly focusing on mobile multimedia services, such as i-mode, and our 3G services called “FOMA”, which stands for Freedom of Mobile Multimedia Access. We are continuing to develop a lifestyle infrastructure for cellular phones and are enhancing services such as GPS and credit cards.

 

Cellular Services

 

Our core business is our cellular services. For the year ended March 31, 2007, our cellular services, including associated equipment sales accounted for approximately 98.5% of our consolidated operating revenues.

 

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We offer mova service, on our 2G network, compatible with voice and data communication. We also offer FOMA service, on our 3G network, with voice and high-speed data communication which is compatible with various services such as Videophone and, video content downloading.

 

In order to provide additional options and services for the convenience of our subscribers and to increase revenues through value-added services, we also offer cellular subscribers a number of standard optional features including voice mail, call forwarding, and call waiting. In September 2003, we introduced the “Melody Call” service which allows users to set music as their ring tone and to play music for incoming callers. In December 2004, we introduced the “Option Pack Discount” under which, by signing up for voice mail, call waiting, Melody Call, and call forwarding at the same time, a user will see the basic monthly usage charges lowered from ¥600 to ¥400. In addition, in May 2007, we began offering a new service called “2 in 1”. “2 in 1” is a service that enables one cellular phone to function as two separate cellular phones. It can accommodate two cellular subscriptions with separate telephone numbers and e-mail addresses, and it allows subscribers to easily switch between the two telephone numbers and e-mail addresses by using a “mode” function (A mode, B mode, dual mode). Because of this, we are forecasting an increase in demand and profit.

 

Cellular (mova) Services

 

We offer cellular voice services on networks that are accessible by virtually the entire population of Japan. Our primary cellular voice services are offered on our nationwide 800 MHz digital network. We also offer cellular voice services on a 1.5 GHz network, covering primarily the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya areas and certain neighboring areas. The nationwide 800 MHz network and the 1.5 GHz network are our 2G network. We will terminate our cellular phone services using the 1.5 GHz radio band (City Phone services) on June 30, 2008 (we ceased accepting new applications on September 30, 2004). We also ceased accepting new applications for our prepaid cellular phone services (Pre-Call services) on March 31, 2005.

 

Cellular (FOMA) Services

 

FOMA services are our third generation, or 3G, wireless voice and data transmission services. FOMA services use advanced technology which allows us to offer faster and higher quality services to our customers. In June 2006, the percentage of FOMA subscriptions among all cellular subscriptions surpassed 50%. By the end of the year ended March 31, 2007, we had achieved significant growth in FOMA, with subscriptions reaching approximately 35.53 million. Over the coming years, we expect further shifts in our subscriptions base from mova services to FOMA services.

 

Our basic strategy is to expand our FOMA services. We believe that our FOMA services are well-suited for both ordinary users as well as business users because of FOMA’s advanced features, including clear voice quality, high data communication speeds, video transmission capabilities and diversified billing plans for packet transmission.

 

One of the primary advantages of our FOMA services is the increased quality and speed at which services are available. Additionally, these new services offer the ability to simultaneously handle both voice communications and data packet transmissions so that subscribers can continue talking while sending and receiving data. FOMA services that we currently offer include videophone, video mail, high-speed Internet connection services, FOMA i-mode services and mobile computing and various information based services.

 

Since we launched our FOMA services in October 2001, we have continuously strived to provide a diverse array of services and contents that make full use of high-speed and wide-band communications capabilities, develop a broad lineup of handsets, provide rate and discount plans that customers find easy to use, expand coverage areas and enhance communications quality.

 

In November 2001, we launched our “i-motion” video-clip distribution service which enables users to obtain video-content at a speed up to 384 Kbps. In May 2003, we launched commercial service of “V-Live” which

 

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enables FOMA users to access streaming video live and archived video, with contents including music, sports, news, animation, and tourist information. In November 2005, we launched our “Push Talk” service, which allows real time group conversations for up to five speakers, simultaneously.

 

In June 2003, we launched an international roaming service for FOMA called “WORLD WING”, which allows FOMA subscribers traveling abroad to make and receive calls from their regular FOMA phone numbers by inserting the FOMA UIM chip that comes with their FOMA handset into a GSM handset. In December 2004, we introduced a 3G and GSM capable handset, and this made it possible for WORLD WING subscribers to make and receive calls from their regular FOMA phone number in 151 countries and regions as of March 31, 2007. In December 2004, we also launched international packet roaming service, too. This handset also enabled WORLD WING subscribers to access i-mode packet transmission in 97 countries and regions as of March, 31 2007.

 

In February 2005, we launched international SMS for FOMA subscribers, and in July 2005 we introduced international MMS (multimedia messaging service). FOMA users are able to make international videophone calls via our 3G network to 3G subscribers in 34 countries and regions including the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia as of March 31, 2007.

 

i-mode

 

i-mode services are wireless Internet access services based on a data transmission system that organizes data into bundles called packets prior to transmission. Our i-mode handsets allow subscribers to send and receive data through our i-mode server to and from the Internet while also providing users with the full range of cellular voice services. i-mode is an optional service available to mova and FOMA subscribers which allows users to send and receive e-mail, access online services such as banking services and airline and ticket reservations, access an array of information from i-mode servers and execute and settle retail transactions directly through their handsets. Almost all cellular handsets which we currently sell are i-mode compatible, thus allowing our customers to choose whether or not to subscribe to i-mode service. We introduced i-mode to take advantage of the growth in demand for data transmission services. The introduction of i-mode services encouraged our cellular phone users to use data transmission more and thereby changed the way cellular phones are used in Japan.

 

Basics of i-mode Services

 

Our i-mode services consist of four main components: the i-mode handset, the i-mode packet network, the i-mode server and content providers.

 

The base of i-mode services is the handset itself. An i-mode handset is a standard cellular handset with i-mode related equipment that includes a display screen, a color-browser and the ability to transmit and receive data packets at up to 28.8 Kbps using our 2G network, at up to 384 Kbps using our 3G network, or at up to 3.6MB using our HSDPA network. The physical appearance of i-mode handsets is almost identical to standard handsets, except for a slightly larger display screen to accommodate various i-mode functions, such as the Internet browser. The browser can read a subset of HTML, which is the standard language for the Internet. Almost all of the cellular handsets we currently sell are i-mode compatible and most are equipped with built-in cameras. Most new customers subscribe to receive i-mode services together with cellular phone services.

 

From the i-mode handset, data are transmitted to a packet network. mova i-mode is based on the PDC mobile packet transmission system and uses the same packet network as our packet transmission service, which is called “DoPa”. The packet network acts as a relay station between the handset and the i-mode server. FOMA i-mode is based on our 3G network which also supports voice communication services for our FOMA subscribers.

 

The i-mode server functions as the gateway between our network and the Internet. The function of the i-mode server is data distribution, e-mail transmission and storage, i-mode customer management, content provider management and information charging. The i-mode server is also connected to certain banks and other information providers either by leased lines or through the Internet.

 

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The final and most important element of i-mode services is content. Content is provided by content providers through i-mode portal menu sites and other voluntary web sites. On February 22, 1999, when i-mode services were introduced, i-mode users had access to 67 content providers. Since then, the number of content providers has increased. As of March 31, 2007, there were 2,749 content providers and 8,735 i-mode portal menu sites.

 

i-mode Services

 

Typical services that may be accessed through an i-mode handset include:

 

   

e-mail;

 

   

games and other entertainment;

 

   

music distribution/video clips/e-books;

 

   

social network services

 

   

online shopping (CDs, books, tickets, others)/auctions;

 

   

news, weather and sports information;

 

   

mobile banking;

 

   

other financial services, such as DCMX, iD and other credit card services and information and online stock quotes and trading;

 

   

maps and travel information;

 

   

community guides, living information, safety and healthcare information; and

 

   

telephone directories.

 

In July 2001, we began offering an area-specific information service called “i-area”, which provides weather, dining, traffic and other types of information directed to our i-mode users. “i-area” is a service that automatically selects and displays i-mode content relating to the current whereabouts of an i-mode user. Users do not select service areas since the base stations automatically recognize their general location. Our “open i-area” service allows any content provider to relay i-area information to users.

 

To broaden the capabilities of i-mode, and in cooperation with Sun Microsystems, Inc., in January 2001 we introduced a new series of i-mode handsets with Java that enables users, through their handsets alone, to run programs and play games, and SSL capabilities that enable users to access advanced intranets and other information. We also introduced i-appli services and content specifically for our Java-based handsets.

 

In June 2002, we introduced “i-shot” service for our mova services, which allows users to transmit digital still images taken with mobile phones that feature built-in digital cameras. Users can send images through our nationwide circuit switch network, which provides a more economical means of transmitting large amounts of data compared to a packet network. There is no subscription fee for i-shot service. Users pay a per transmission charge, which depends on the size of the data being sent and other conditions.

 

In August 2006, we launched the Music Channel, a service that distributes music programming to FOMA users with HSDPA compatible handsets late at night and enables users to listen to the programming at any time during the day. In September of 2005, we also launched “i-channel,” a service for FOMA subscribers with i-mode handsets that automatically delivers and displays the latest information such as news, weather, entertainment, sports, horoscopes, and more.

 

In October 2006, we launched a search-by-keyword function for i-mode menu sites, to provide even greater convenience for i-mode customers. At the same time, we also launched services enabling the search of non-i-mode menu sites using a customer’s preferred search engine.

 

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We plan to continue adding new and attractive i-mode services in the future.

 

We also consult and invest in i-mode content providers through a subsidiary, DoCoMo.com Inc. Together with Dentsu Inc., Japan’s largest advertising agency, and NTT Advertising, Inc., in June 2000 we established D2 Communications Inc., which serves as an advertising agency for the i-mode platform.

 

To cope with the issue of voluminous unsolicited bulk e-mails sent to our i-mode users, we have taken a number of measures since 1997. Among other measures, we have enabled users to block all mail sent to them from particular addresses, blocked e-mails sent to large numbers of invalid e-mail addresses, and enabled users to restrict incoming e-mail to user-designated domains. In March 2002, we began to provide priority connection service for highly reliable data transmissions and in October 2003, we restricted the number of i-mode e-mails that can be transmitted from a single handset in a day to no more than 1,000 transmissions from the same phone per day. In December 2003, we upgraded our services for blocking spam from domains being passed off as belonging to mobile service operators. In September 2004, we launched a new function to address spam e-mails from SMSs, short message services, and upgraded this function in August 2005 to restrict the number of SMS e-mails that can be sent from a single handset to less than 200 per day. We also started offering new ring tones that help prevent receipt of unwanted calls from unknown numbers.

 

i-mode Services Overseas

 

As part of overseas operations of i-mode, in the year ended March 31, 2007, Bulgarian company Cosmo Bulgaria Mobile launched i-mode services in September 2006. In the year ending March 31, 2008, COSMOTE Romanian Mobile Telecommunications in Romania and Hong Kong firm Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong started i-mode services in May 2007. As a result, i-mode services are now available in 18 countries and regions, including Japan. As of the end of March 2007, i-mode subscribers totaled more than 7.2 million outside Japan in the following markets: Germany, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Australia, Israel, Russia, the U.K., Ireland, Singapore, Bulgaria, Romania and Hong Kong. Since May 2005, we have been promoting joint procurement of i-mode handsets from leading handset manufacturers around the world.

 

Osaifu-Keitai (i-mode FeliCa) Services and Credit Card Business

 

In July 2004, we launched our Osaifu-Keitai (i-mode FeliCa) service on a commercial basis using the contactless ICs, to create new usage opportunities by linking our handsets with other business platforms such as electronic money, membership certificates and point programs, etc. “Osaifu-Keitai” refers to mobile phones equipped with a contactless IC chip, as well as useful functions and services enabled by the IC chip. With these functions, a mobile phone can be utilized as an electronic wallet, a credit card, an electronic ticket, a membership card, and an airline ticket, among other things.

 

The total user base of Osaifu-Keitai handsets compatible with i-mode FeliCa topped 10 million subscriptions in December 2005, surpassed 20 million subscriptions in March 2007, and reached approximately 20.80 million as of the end of that month. The number of shops providing this service has increased steadily, reaching approximately 274,000 as of the end of March, 2007. Among the services available with the Osaifu-Keitai, we believe that the “Mobile Suica” service, which incorporates the “Suica” electronic commuter pass service which East Japan Railway Corporation launched in January 2006 into our Osaifu-Keitai phones, is a service that, as an integral part of our customers’ lifestyles, will promote customer use of the Osaifu-Keitai services. In addition, we have expanded the number of outlets where Osaifu-Keitai service is provided by shouldering the initial costs required for the installation of Osaifu-Keitai reader/writer machines at merchants, and thereby created a mechanism which allows us to recoup the investments by collecting commission fees based on the number of transactions.

 

In September 2005, we began providing “ToruCa”, an additional function of the Osaifu-Keitai. The “ToruCa” function enables a user to download promotional coupons and store information onto a mobile phone, simply by waving an Osaifu-Keitai enabled handset in front of a dedicated reader/writer machine at merchants.

 

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On April 27, 2005, DoCoMo, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG), Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) jointly announced that we agreed to form a strategic, business and capital alliance for the launch of a credit-payment service using DoCoMo Osaifu-Keitai phones equipped with smart-card functions for cashless payments. As part of the tie-up, we acquired 34% of Sumitomo Mitsui Card’s common shares for approximately ¥98.7 billion, including new shares to be issued by Sumitomo Mitsui Card, the pioneer in the issuance of the Visa Card in Japan and a leader in the domestic credit card industry.

 

On December 1, 2005, we launched our new iD credit card brand that enables users to make credit card payments using the Osaifu-Keitai service.

 

The iD credit card brand is a payment platform enabling speedy, signatureless credit card payment; a user simply waves the Osaifu-Keitai enabled handset in front of a dedicated reader/writer when paying at a store. It can be used for both small and large purchases, and has a variety of features to prevent unauthorized use, so owners can use the iD credit card securely and with peace of mind. We are providing the iD brand as an open model to credit card issuers, who can offer card members credit services combining conventional plastic cards and use of iD with the Osaifu-Keitai.

 

On March 6, 2006, we announced an alliance with the credit card companies Credit Saison Co., Ltd., and UC Card Co., Ltd., and with Mizuho Bank, Ltd., whose client base is centered on individual retail customers. Following the announcement of this alliance, in March 2006 we acquired Mizuho’s stake in UC Card, which was approximately 18% of UC Card’s outstanding shares. UC Card began handling transactions with iD member merchants in October 2006, and in November 2006 Mizuho Bank launched services that enable iD services to be used with credit cards it issues. Starting in November 2007, Aeon Credit Service began issuing iD and in February 2007, cash registers in Aeon stores in the Kanto region and Niigata began handling iD transactions. In addition, in March 2007, LAWSON, Inc. began accepting iD transactions at all its stores and also began issuing the Lawson Pass for iD. Going forward, we intend to continue providing iD to credit card issuers as an open model.

 

Our aim for iD is to expand the range of situations in which the Osaifu-Keitai is used, and our goal is for mobile handsets to become “Seikatsu Keitai”, that is, even more fully integrated into the daily lives of our subscribers. In April 2006, we introduced “DCMX”, a service using iD and for which we are the credit issuer. “DCMX” is a credit service that can be used for small purchases, and we have prepared a service menu that includes “DCMX mini” and “DCMX”, and thus offer credit card services tailored to our customers’ lifestyles. The number of DCMX subscribers surpassed 1 million in November 2006 and reached 2.09 million at the end of March 2007.

 

By developing these credit card businesses, we aim to expand demand for credit services in Japan, and, as we do so, to capture a portion of this market, leading to growth in our corporate value.

 

Cellular Subscribers

 

The number of our subscriptions including mova and FOMA services has grown by approximately 1.48 million in the most recent fiscal year to approximately 52.62 million as of March 31, 2007, which represents a market share of 54.4%, a 1.3% decrease from the end of the previous fiscal year. We believe that our cellular subscriber growth has been attributable primarily to (i) nationwide growth and popularity of cellular services, (ii) the liberalization of the handset market and significant declines in handset prices and improved technology which have resulted in advanced, light-weight handsets, (iii) the expansion and enhancement of our networks, (iv) significant declines in tariffs and our competitive pricing, (v) our reputation for quality products and services and (vi) the introduction of new, value-added cellular services such as i-mode.

 

As a result of favorable sales of FOMA handsets such as the 903i series handsets, available since October 2006, and the 703i series handsets, available since January 2007, FOMA subscriptions as of March 31, 2007

 

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totaled 35.53 million, a dramatic increase from the approximately 23.46 million as of March 31, 2006. Monthly minutes of use (MOU) per FOMA subscriber for the year ended March 31, 2007, totaled 175 minutes.

 

Subscription growth for i-mode services in the four years ended March 31, 2007 was approximately 6.5 million. The DoCoMo cellular subscriber numbers, including i-mode subscription numbers, for the years ended March 31, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Year ended March 31,

     2004

   2005

   2006

   2007

     (in thousands)

DoCoMo cellular subscriptions

   46,328    48,825    51,144    52,621

mova subscriptions

   43,283    37,324    27,680    17,092

FOMA subscriptions

   3,045    11,501    23,463    35,529

i-mode subscriptions

   41,077    44,021    46,360    47,574

i-mode subscriptions (mova)

   38,080    32,667    23,446    13,522

i-mode subscriptions (FOMA)

   2,997    11,353    22,914    34,052

DoCoMo estimated market share of total subscriptions

   56.6%    56.1%    55.7%    54.4%

DoCoMo subscription growth rate

   4.9%    5.4%    4.7%    2.9%

DoCoMo average monthly churn rate (1)

   1.21%    1.01%    0.77%    0.78%

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

 

  * active cellular subscribers = (No. of subscribers at the end of previous month + No. of subscriber at the end of current month) / 2

 

Beginning with the annual report for the year ended March 31, 2004, we changed the method by which we calculate our churn rate. In previous reports, we calculated our average monthly churn rate by adding the number of cellular subscriber contract terminations in each month of that fiscal year and dividing that number by the sum of the total number of cellular subscribers at the end of each month in the twelve-month period beginning with the last month of the preceding fiscal year.

 

The number of cellular subscriptions for the year ended March 31, 2007 includes Communications Module Service subscriptions. These subscriptions were included in the number of cellular subscriptions beginning with the results for the six months ended September 30, 2004 in order to be consistent with the definition of subscribers applied by other mobile operators in Japan. Relevant items in the full-year results for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2004 have been modified by adding Communications Module Service Subscribers to the previously announced numbers.

 

Revenues and Tariffs for Cellular Services

 

Our cellular revenues are generated primarily from basic monthly plan charges, usage charges for outgoing calls, revenues from incoming calls and charges for optional value-added services and features. We set our own rates in accordance with the Telecommunications Business Law and government guidelines, which currently allow wireless telecommunications operators to set their own tariffs without government approval.

 

Over the past few years, as the competition for subscribers has increased, tariff rates and monthly charges have been significantly reduced with certain other fees eliminated entirely. Currently, our cellular subscribers pay (i) an activation fee of ¥3,000, (ii) a fixed monthly plan charge based upon the “plan” chosen, (iii) usage or per call charges which vary according to duration and the particular plan chosen and (iv) additional monthly service fees for miscellaneous value-added services.

 

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One of our basic strategies has been to focus on offering subscribers usage plans and discount services tailored to their usage patterns. As a result, we offer a variety of different monthly plans targeted at different segments of the market. These plans include basic usage plans for ordinary usage and heavy usage plans. In addition, almost all plans include a certain amount of prepaid usage (i.e. free minutes) per month for fixed rates. Prepaid amounts can be credited against telephone calls, packet transmissions, Push Talk (FOMA), video phone (FOMA), SMS (FOMA), short mail (mova), and international communications. Prepaid amounts are first allocated to voice minutes. To the extent that voice minutes do not exhaust the prepaid amount, it is then credited against i-mode use. Additionally, we offer various discounts, including discounts for families, long-term subscriber discounts and heavy-volume user discounts. The prepaid usage amount will not change even after the discounts are applied to monthly charges. We also provide “Charge Notice Service” which sends a notice via i-mode mail, mopera mail or Internet mail (choose up to two) when the total amount of charges of the month has exceeded the amount subscribers have set in advance (¥10,000 or over, in ¥5,000 increments).

 

Charges for 64 Kbps circuit switched data service, such as for FOMA video phones, are approximately 1.8 times that of standard voice charges. The fee structure for FOMA packet transmission services is based on the volume of data transmitted and varies between from ¥0.015 per packet to ¥0.2 per packet, depending on which plan users choose. Charges for mova packet transmission are ¥0.3 per packet.

 

In November 2003, we commenced a new billing service that automatically carries over any unused prepaid amounts for up to two months. The rollover plan, called “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi”, applies to all mova and FOMA subscribers, including those using other discount services.

 

Our “Fami Wari”, a family discount plan, offers discount rates for fixed monthly charges and communication charges between family members of 25% and 30%, respectively.

 

Effective February 2005, the benefits of our “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” and “Fami Wari” services were combined, giving family members access to one another’s unused portions of monthly data and voice allowances. This applies to all mova and FOMA subscribers.

 

On November 1, 2005, we revised the billing plans for FOMA and mova voice services, making them easier for subscribers to understand. Under these new plans, the charges for FOMA and mova services were made uniform, “call charge classifications” were eliminated, and the unit for call charges was set at a uniform 30 seconds. Previous billing plans were complicated, as charges were different for FOMA and mova services and “call charge classifications” were used, under which charges were different depending on the time of the call, the type of phone the other party was using, and the distance between caller and receiver.

 

In addition, when a customer uses the new “Ichinen Discount” billing plan, beginning with the second year, the discount rate on basic monthly usage fees increases according to the number of years of the subscription, gradually increasing to a 25% discount after the 10th year.

 

On December 1, 2005, we introduced the “Fami-Wari Wide”, a family discount plan, targeting children at junior high school age or younger, seniors aged 60 or older and “Hearty” discount subscribers, which combine with the Family Discounts to provide even greater savings. On March 1, 2006, we introduced “Fami-Wari Wide Limit”, under which subscribers can set a limit for amount of out-going use.

 

We believe that our variety of easy-to-understand plans, prices and discounts has helped us remain competitive in retaining existing subscribers and attracting new subscribers.

 

i-mode Revenues and Fees

 

i-mode users are charged according to the volume of data they transmit and not for the length of time they are online or the distance over which the data are transmitted. The use of i-mode incurs a fee of ¥200 per month in addition to the standard monthly charges for FOMA, mova, and voice services. The basic charge for one packet (128 bytes) of i-mode packet transmission varies according to the packet billing plan selected by the user,

 

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but is priced between ¥0.015 and ¥0.2 per packet. The basic charge for mova users to send data transmissions is equal to ¥0.3 per packet (128 bytes). Therefore, a short e-mail of about 20 full characters can be sent for as little as ¥1 and a longer e-mail of 250 full characters would be approximately ¥4. Also, for new Java-related services, users are charged according to the size of the application to download various applications such as games, stock charts, maps and cartoons.

 

In addition to transmission charges, there are also information charges payable to content providers when subscribers use certain i-mode sites. For example, access to the Nikkei Money & Sports service and CNN, which provides world news, each costs ¥300 per month. We bill subscribers for content provider fees together with communication charges, and receive from the providers a commission of the information charges for our billing and collection services.

 

In June 2004, we introduced a new flat rate i-mode packet transmission service called “pake-hodai”, which offers unlimited access to i-mode Internet service and i-mode mail for a flat monthly charge of ¥3,900, for users of our FOMA i-mode service. At the start of this service, only subscribers of some high-call plans were eligible to subscribe to the plan, however we began offering “pake-hodai” with all new FOMA (voice) billing plans on March 1, 2006.

 

By introducing this plan, we added value for our users and expanded use of miscellaneous i-mode contents by freeing customers from concerns about their monthly bill. The number of “pake-hodai” subscription as of March 31, 2007 totaled approximately 9.54 million. Also, the charges for packet transmissions other than i-mode communications in Japan (such as browsing the web via devices connected to a 3G handset) on the “pake-hodai” plan have been set at ¥0.02/packet.

 

Starting in March 2007, we launched a new flat rate i-mode packet transmission service called “pake-hodai full,” which provides FOMA i-mode subscribers with, in addition to i-mode services, full-browser viewing of PC websites and videos for a flat monthly fee. In May 2007, subscribers to flat-rate i-mode packet transmission services (“pake-hodai” and “pake-hodai full”) exceeded 10 million. In April 2007, we also launched “Biz-hodai,” a flat rate non-i-mode domestic packet communications service for the M1000. The service will also be available for hTc Z soon.

 

Cellular System Usage

 

We track subscriber usage of our cellular services with two measures, average MOU, and average monthly revenue per unit (ARPU). MOU measures the average amount of connection time per month per unit among our subscribers. ARPU is used to measure average monthly operating revenues attributable to designated services on a per unit basis. ARPU is calculated by dividing various revenue items included in operating revenues from our wireless services, such as monthly charges, voice communication charges and packet communication charges from designated services that are charged consistently each month, by the number of active subscribers to the relevant services. Accordingly, the calculation of ARPU excludes revenues that are not representative of monthly average usage such as activation fees. We believe that our ARPU figures provide useful information to analyze the trend of monthly average usage of our subscribers over time and the impacts of changes in our billing arrangements. Additional discussions of MOU and ARPU are included in Item 5.A. of this annual report.

 

MOU (FOMA+mova) decreased to 144 minutes per month for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 149 minutes in the prior fiscal year. ARPU (FOMA+mova) decreased to ¥6,700 in the year ended March 31, 2007 from ¥6,910 in the prior fiscal year.

 

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA + mova) continues to decline moderately because of rate reductions and shifts in usage. Among the causal factors are an increase in low usage volume customers and an increase in customers using i-mode services rather than voice services. During the period from the beginning of the fiscal year ended March 2006 to the end of the fiscal year ended March 2007, voice ARPU declined while data ARPU increased slightly. The reasons for the decline in voice ARPU include rate reductions (reduced voice usage as a result of

 

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making the i-mode flat rate available for all FOMA billing plans and shifts towards new rate plans) and changes in customer usage patterns (declining MOU and optimization of rate plans). Use of data services such as i-mode, however, is increasing, and the data ARPU is increasing steadily.

 

The following tables set forth selected information concerning MOU and ARPU data for our wireless services in three categories, (FOMA + mova), (FOMA) and (mova):(1)

 

MOU and APRU (FOMA + mova)

 

     Year ended March 31

     2005

   2006

   2007

MOU (FOMA+mova)

     151      149      144
    

  

  

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA+mova)

   ¥ 7,200    ¥ 6,910    ¥ 6,700

Voice ARPU (FOMA+mova)

     5,330      5,030      4,690

Packet ARPU (FOMA+mova)

     1,870      1,880      2,010

i-mode ARPU (FOMA+mova)

     1,870      1,870      1,990

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA+mova): Voice ARPU (FOMA+mova) + Packet ARPU (FOMA+mova)

Voice ARPU (FOMA+mova) : Voice ARPU (FOMA+mova) Related Revenues (monthly charges, voice transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (FOMA+mova)

Packet ARPU (FOMA+mova) : {Packet ARPU (FOMA) Related Revenues (monthly charges, packet transmission charges)+ i-mode ARPU (mova) Related Revenues (monthly charges, packet transmission charges)}/ No. of active cellular phone subscribers (FOMA+mova)

i-mode ARPU (FOMA+mova)(2) : i-mode ARPU (FOMA+mova) Related Revenues (monthly charges, packet transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (FOMA+mova)

 

No. of active subscribers used in ARPU/MOU calculations are as follows:

FY Results : Sum of No. of subscribers* for each month from April to March

*subscribers = (No. of subscribers at the end of previous month + No. of subscribers at the end of current month) / 2

 

MOU and ARPU (FOMA)

 

     Year ended March 31

     2005

   2006

   2007

MOU (FOMA)

     229      202      175
    

  

  

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA)

   ¥ 9,650    ¥ 8,700    ¥ 7,860

Voice ARPU (FOMA)

     6,380      5,680      5,070

Packet ARPU (FOMA)

     3,270      3,020      2,790

i-mode ARPU (FOMA)

     3,220      2,980      2,750

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA) : Voice ARPU (FOMA) + Packet ARPU (FOMA)

Voice ARPU (FOMA): Voice ARPU (FOMA) Related Revenues (monthly charges, voice transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (FOMA)

Packet ARPU (FOMA): Packet ARPU (FOMA) Related Revenues (monthly charges, packet transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (FOMA)

i-mode ARPU (FOMA)(2) : i-mode ARPU (FOMA) Related Revenues (monthly charges, packet transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (FOMA)

 

No. of active subscribers used in ARPU/MOU calculations are as follows:

FY Results : Sum of No. of subscribers* for each month from April to March

* subscribers = (No. of subscribers at the end of previous month + No. of subscribers at the end of current month) / 2

 

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MOU and ARPU (mova)

 

     Year ended March 31

     2005

   2006

   2007

MOU (mova)

     138      122      104
    

  

  

Aggregate ARPU (mova)

   ¥ 6,800    ¥ 5,970    ¥ 5,180

Voice ARPU (mova)

     5,160      4,680      4,190

i-mode ARPU (mova)

     1,640      1,290      990

Aggregate ARPU (mova) : Voice ARPU (mova) + i-mode ARPU (mova)

Voice ARPU (mova) : Voice ARPU (mova) Related Revenues (monthly charges, voice transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (mova)

i-mode ARPU (mova)(2) : i-mode ARPU (mova) Related Revenues (monthly charges, packet transmission charges) / No. of active cellular phone subscribers (mova)

 

No. of active subscribers used in ARPU/MOU calculations are as follows:

FY Results : Sum of the number of subscribers* for each month from April to March

* subscribers = (number of subscribers at the end of previous month + number of subscribers at the end of current month) / 2


(1) Communications module service subscribers and the revenues thereof are not included in the ARPU and MOU calculations.
(2) The denominator used in calculating i-mode ARPU (FOMA+mova, FOMA, mova) is the aggregate number of cellular subscribers to each service (FOMA+mova, FOMA, mova, respectively), regardless of whether i-mode service is activated or not.

 

  * International service-related revenues are included in the ARPU data calculation from the results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, due to their growing contribution to the total cellular revenues.

 

[Notes associated with the above-mentioned change]

 

  - International service-related ARPU included in the ARPU results for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 is as follows:

 

     Year ended March 31

     2006

   2007

Aggregate ARPU(FOMA+mova)

   ¥ 40    ¥ 50

Aggregate ARPU(FOMA)

     70      80

Aggregate ARPU(mova)

     30      20

 

  - ARPU data for the terms prior to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006, do not include international service-related revenues. ARPU generated from international services, based on revenues in international services for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, is as follows:

 

     Year ended March 31

     2005

Aggregate ARPU(FOMA+mova)

   ¥ 20

 

PHS Services

 

Our Personal Handyphone System, or PHS, services are wireless voice and data transmission services similar to our cellular services but offered using different technology and a different network. PHS is a digital cordless phone system that operates on a digitalized microcell network that makes it possible to use a PHS phone outside the home or office. The PHS base stations are small and easy to install. As a result, PHS services can

 

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easily be provided in buildings and underground passages. However, in fast moving automobiles or trains our PHS users do not enjoy the same reception quality as our cellular phone users do. PHS handsets look like cellular handsets, but with the exception of dual mode handsets that function on both the cellular and PHS networks, PHS handsets cannot utilize the cellular network. We offer PHS services to our subscribers on our PHS network. PHS was originally introduced by the NTT Personal Group in July 1995.

 

We took over the PHS business from the NTT Personal Group in December 1998. Since that time, we had implemented a variety of strategies to improve the performance of our PHS business. However, in response to anticipated steady declines in the number of PHS subscriptions, we stopped accepting new applications for PHS services as of April 30, 2005. Since that time, we have been offering existing PHS subscribers inducements to transfer to FOMA, and we have decided to terminate PHS services on January 7, 2008.

 

PHS Subscribers

 

At the end of the year ended March 31, 1996, the NTT Personal Group had approximately 0.38 million subscriptions. Initially, with the rapid expansion of service areas and the introduction of inexpensive handsets and billing rates, the number of NTT Personal Group PHS subscriptions reached approximately 2.12 million in September 1997. From September 1997 to March 31, 2000, PHS subscriptions declined to approximately 1.35 million. PHS subscriptions increased to approximately 1.92 million as of March 31, 2002, but fell to approximately 1.69 million as of March 31, 2003, 1.59 million as of March 31, 2004, 1.31 million as of March 31, 2005, 0.77 million as of March 31, 2006 and 0.45 million as of March 31, 2007.

 

Other Mobile Multimedia Services

 

We have focused extensively on our initiative to develop the mobile multimedia and data communications markets. As part of these efforts, we have been offering a wide variety of data services such as packet transmission at speeds up to 28.8 Kbps for i-mode and DoPa services, 64K data service on the PHS platform and data communications at speeds up to 384 Kbps on FOMA and 3.6 Mbps on FOMA High Speed. Our client authentication service ensures a highly secure individual authentication to suit a variety of users of the mobile Internet.

 

DoPa, our packet transmission service, is a driving force behind our strategy of broadening the scope of mobile communications. DoPa is used mainly in person-to-machine and machine-to-machine communications. Fees are charged according to the volume of data transmitted and received. DoPa makes the direct exchange of data possible between terminals in a wireless environment and between a terminal and an office LAN via a dedicated lease line or an ISDN connection. DoPa helps boost network efficiency and lower communication costs because it does not require an exclusive radio channel for each user. DoPa is compatible with Internet protocols such as TCP/IP and enables remote LAN and e-mail access.

 

As part of our endeavor to promote mobile multimedia services, we began sales of the DoPa Ubiquitous Module in July 2004 and the FOMA Ubiquitous Module in December 2005 to increase machine to machine traffic. By embedding these modules, we expect a broad range of uses such as an efficient automobile fleet management system, a wireless credit card transaction system, and a system which enables a vending machine to automatically detect and notify the amount of its inventory to a service center.

 

We provide Business mopera Access Series services to corporate customers, to enable them to link office information systems outside the workplace. “Business mopera Access Pro” provides extremely high-security access to corporate LANs from remote terminals such as notebook PCs and PDAs via closed networks. This service makes it possible under a contract for a single dedicated line to provide access to office information systems through wireless networks such as FOMA, mova, DoPa, i-mode and Wide Star (satellite packet communication only).

 

In June 2005, we started “mopera U” service, which enables FOMA customers to access the Internet from public wireless LAN service areas, from overseas (using international roaming connections) and from fixed-line

 

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broadband circuits at home. “mopera U” service provides users with diversified access options as well as enhanced security features such as web compression, packet filtering, and transmission domain authentication to prevent spam mails. Furthermore, the FOMA M1000, a PDA type of FOMA terminal introduced in July 2005, enables users to exchange e-mails for PC (POP mail and IMAP mail) when they are away from home or office and provide unique features suited for mobile environments, in order to respond to users’ diversified needs for the Internet and other data communications services and seamless network access.

 

In August 2006, we introduced the “Business mopera ANSHIN Manager,” which enables cellular phone settings and control to be carried out remotely, thus allowing businesses to use their cellular phones with an added degree of security. Further, we added the “Browser Restriction Function” and “Global Broadcast Function” in January 2007.

 

In October 2006, we launched the “OFFICEED,” an internal communications service for corporate customers that uses an In-building Mobile Communications System (IMCS) to provide free voice communications among registered FOMA handsets within the IMCS service area. With this service, by installing an IMCS and additional dedicated equipment, customers can use their existing FOMA handsets for free voice communications among registered members within the IMCS service area. The service makes use of an IMCS and existing FOMA handsets to reduce communications expenses.

 

We also launched the Business mopera IP Centrex service in November 2006. This service for corporate customers enables users to make internal or outbound IP telephony calls via IP Centrex devices on DoCoMo networks without the need of an in-house IP-PBX. The N900iL and N902i FOMA and wireless LAN compatible handsets can be used as an extension phone for internal calls, as an IP phone (with a 050 number) for external calls, and as a FOMA-compatible mobile phone (with a 090 number) when outside the office, allowing users to access a number of different communications services from a single handset. Business customers that introduce this service will not incur expenses for installation, operation, and maintenance of PBX and other equipment and can lower their communications expenses by using low-cost IP telephony voice networks and eliminating fees for internal calls, including calls made between different offices.

 

We offer public wireless LAN service called “Mzone”, and started “Public Wireless LAN course” as an optional service of “mopera U”. Customers in a service area are able to send and receive data at high speeds using notebook PCs with wi-fi or Smart Phones. There were 4,482 access points in 1,843 locations as of the end of March 2007, and we plan to further expand the coverage in the future according to the needs of our customers. Furthermore, we currently offer roaming service domestically through “BB Mobile Point” and “Airport Net” (Narita Airport), and internationally through arrangements with iPass, TeliaSonera, SingTel and Deutsche Telecom. Through these endeavors, we are aiming to provide enhanced convenience to customers by enabling public wireless LAN service over a broad area both in Japan and overseas.

 

As use of the mobile Internet spreads rapidly, high-level security in user authentication has become increasingly important. In order to address this, we introduced a client authentication service called “First Pass” in July 2003, enabling FOMA users to reduce the risk of identity theft and safely use the mobile Internet.

 

Other Business Activities

 

Investments and Affiliations in Japan

 

Tower Records

 

In November 2005, we entered into an agreement with Tower Records Japan Inc. to form a capital alliance with the objective of creating a business tie-up. Tower Records offers “iD” credit payment service using Osaifu-Keitai. We acquired approximately 42% of Tower Records’ common stock through subscription to new shares and other means at a total cost of approximately ¥12.8 billion.

 

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Rakuten Auction

 

In October 2005, we entered into an agreement with Rakuten Inc. (“Rakuten”), a leading Japanese e-commerce company, to form a business and capital alliance to provide Internet auction services over mobile phones and PCs, enabling Rakuten to expand its auction business through mobile Internet phones while enabling us to diversify our revenue streams through a service not tied to communications traffic.

 

Under the agreement, Rakuten spun off a part of its Internet auction business and established a new company, Rakuten Auction, Inc. (“Rakuten Auction”), in December 2005. We acquired total of 40% of the common stock of Rakuten Auction for approximately ¥4.2 billion through a third-party allotment of Rakuten Auction’s shares and a transfer of Rakuten Auction’s shares from Rakuten.

 

Fuji Television

 

In January 2006, we acquired 77,000 shares of Fuji Television Network, Inc. (“Fuji Television”), or approximately 2.6% of the total issued shares of Fuji Television, for approximately ¥20.7 billion, in an effort to link mobile communications and broadcasting related with the launch of “One Seg”, one-segment terrestrial digital broadcasting that commenced on April 1, 2006.

 

Nippon Television

 

In February 2006, we entered into an agreement with Nippon Television Network Corporation (“NTV”) on a business tie-up for contents development. Pursuant to the agreement, we formed a seven-year limited liability partnership, D.N. dream partners LLP, on April 3, 2006, with each party bringing ¥5 billion in capital. This LLP is investing in and developing contents such as TV programs with a view to making such contents available to mobile phones.

 

We are also jointly studying new business opportunities, including one-segment terrestrial digital broadcasting and i-mode service as well as content developed by NTV for our conventional services such as V-Live video streaming and i-motion video clip distribution services. We plan to hold NTV entertainment events with special activities for users of “Osaifu-Keitai” phones equipped with IC chips.

 

In January 2007, we acquired 760,500 shares of NTV, representing 3.0% of total issued shares. We are collaborating with NTV on a number of projects with the goal of creating new markets through collaboration between communications and broadcasting entities and providing attractive services to customers. In addition, sales of handsets compatible with One Seg, a service providing terrestrial digital broadcast and mobile communications services, are strong, and as the market expands, the gap between communications and broadcasting will continue to narrow. Under these circumstances, we will further strengthen the partnership with Nippon Television by this share acquisition.

 

Multimedia Broadcasting Planning LLC

 

In November 2006, we reached an agreement with Fuji Television Network, Inc., ITOCHU Corporation, SKY Perfect Communications, Inc., and Nippon Broadcasting System, Inc. to establish a limited liability company named Multimedia Broadcasting Planning LLC (MMBP). The purpose of the new company is to research new multimedia services applying the Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting—Terrestrial (ISDB-T) protocol developed in Japan and to publicize its usefulness and thereby encourage the allocation of bandwidth for mobile multimedia broadcasting employing ISDB-T following the termination of terrestrial analog broadcasting. The five companies, each of which has an established track record and know-how in its areas of expertise, plan to combine their knowledge through MMBP and provide diverse programming through the effective use of this bandwidth to create new multimedia services that can contribute to the enhanced use of information by the public. ISDB-T, recognized around the world as a high-quality protocol, has already been commercialized for use for terrestrial digital broadcasting in Japan and will be adopted in Brazil and other countries.

 

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Sumitomo Mitsui Card

 

On April 27, 2005, we entered into an agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc., Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. (“Sumitomo Mitsui Card”) and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (“SMBC”) to form a strategic business and capital alliance for the launch of a credit-payment service using our Osaifu-Keitai phones equipped with smart-card functions for cashless payments. As part of the tie-up, we acquired 34% of the common stock of Sumitomo Mitsui Card for approximately ¥98.7 billion, including shares newly issued by Sumitomo Mitsui Card. Starting in December 2005, Sumitomo Mitsui Card began issuing the Sumitomo Mitsui Card for iD.

 

UC Card

 

In March 2006, we entered into a comprehensive agreement with UC Card Co., Ltd. (“UC Card”) and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. (“Mizuho Bank”), to promote our iD brand card business. Under the agreement, Mizuho Bank transferred its 18% stake in UC Card to us for approximately ¥1 billion. While UC Card is to expand acceptance of our iD brand at its networked participating stores, Mizuho Bank, in cooperation with Credit Saison, is to provide iD services to members of its Mizuho Mileage Club (“MMC”) Card, enabling MMC members to make credit card payments by using our iD service through their mobile phones.

 

LAWSON

 

In March 2006, we reached an agreement with LAWSON, Inc. to form a business tie-up through capital participation in LAWSON by DoCoMo, with the intention of providing greater convenience to customers. Through the tie-up, DoCoMo and LAWSON will make use of their respective customer bases and expertise in the mobile communications and convenience store businesses to contribute to enriching the lives of customers by providing new added value services. Under the tie-up, LAWSON introduced iD credit card payment services and ToruCa information provisions services at all LAWSON stores.

 

Pursuant to this capital alliance, in April 2006 we acquired 2,092,000 shares of LAWSON, which corresponds to 2% of total issued shares, for approximately ¥9 billion.

 

FamilyMart

 

In May 2007, we reached an agreement with FamilyMart, Co., Ltd. to form a business tie-up and capital participation in FamilyMart by DoCoMo, with the intention of providing greater convenience to customers. Through the tie-up, DoCoMo and FamilyMart will make use of their respective customer bases and expertise in the mobile communications and convenience store businesses to contribute to enriching the lives of customers by providing new added value services.

 

CA MOBILE

 

In March 2006, we concluded an agreement with CA MOBILE, Ltd. to consider collaboration in the mobile advertising market, a rapidly expanding field, and for DoCoMo to acquire approximately 10% of CA MOBILE’s shares for ¥1.8 billion. CA MOBILE is a leading player in the mobile advertising industry and boasts considerable expertise as well as extensive contacts with advertisers. Under the tie-up, the two companies will investigate a wide range of cooperative business structures using their respective expertise and resources with the objective of creating synergistic effects and further developing the mobile advertising market as a whole.

 

ACCESS

 

In December 2005, we completed an acquisition of 6,356 newly allocated shares of ACCESS CO., LTD. (“ACCESS”), a developer of software for mobile phones, for approximately ¥15 billion, raising our share of ACCESS from 7.12% to 11.63%. ACCESS’s browser is widely used in our 3G FOMA handsets and we aim to further strengthen our relationship through this investment to support the development of browser technology.

 

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Aplix

 

In December 2005, we completed an acquisition of 15,000 newly allocated shares, or 14.98%, of Aplix Corporation (“Aplix”), a software company which develops middleware for mobile phones and PCs, for approximately ¥13 billion, raising our group’s total stake in Aplix to 17.91%. Our relationship with Aplix established in connection with the development of DoJa/Java platforms, which have made a number of Java products adaptable to our 3G FOMA handsets, and we aim to form further technical tie-ups in handset middleware centered on Java technology.

 

FueTrek

 

In May 2006, we formed a business and capital tie-up with FueTrek Co., Ltd. FueTrek develops, designs, manufactures, and sells large-scale integrated circuits and semiconductors and develops and licenses sound source and acoustic technologies. Under the capital tie-up, we acquired 1,420 shares of FueTrek (representing 6.19% of total issued shares. FueTrek’s sound source and acoustic products are used in many FOMA terminals, and with this tie-up, the partnership between us and FueTrek has been strengthened and we can look forward to improved acoustic functions in our handsets and higher development efficiency as well as greater collaboration with respect to acoustic technologies overall.

 

Kadokawa Group Holdings

 

In November 2006, we concluded an agreement for a comprehensive business alliance with Kadokawa Group Holdings, Inc. (“Kadokawa GHD”) and other Kadokawa Group companies (Kadokawa Shoten Publishing Co., Ltd., Kadokawa Herald Pictures, Inc., Kadokawa Mobile, Inc., Herald Enterprise, Inc., and Kadokawa Media House Inc.) to develop and expand the market for video programming for mobile phones. In conjunction with this agreement, we also agreed to invest in Kadokawa GHD, and in December 2006 acquired 1,031,000 ordinary shares of Kadokawa GHD, representing 3.78% of total issued shares, through a third-party allocation of new shares at a cost of approximately ¥4 billion. With the expansion of high-speed communications networks such as HSDPA, the market for video programming for mobile phones is expected to grow, and an alliance between DoCoMo, which has business expertise and a solid customer base developed through the i-mode service business, and the Kadokawa Group, which engages in comprehensive programming development as a mega-content provider for various media ranging from publishing to film, can be used to distribute high-quality video programming and nurture and expand the market for mobile phone video programming. In addition, the capital tie-up will also serve to strengthen cooperation between the companies, and a variety of collaborative measures will be implemented.

 

McDonald’s

 

In February 2007, we agreed on establishing a new company with McDonald’s Holdings Company (Japan), Ltd. (“McDonald’s”) to plan and implement promotional activities targeting members of McDonald’s new membership club. DoCoMo and McDonald’s will jointly promote e-marketing with a focus on Osaifu-Keitai including the introduction of iD and ToruCa in McDonald’s stores throughout Japan beginning in October 2007. In conjunction with this tie-up, new services that merge the two companies’ customer bases, brands, and business know-how in the restaurant and mobile phone businesses will be developed so the new company can plan and implement promotional activities targeting new members, provide high added value and useful services tailored to meet the needs of individual customers, and propose new lifestyles.

 

ZENRIN DataCom

 

In June 2007, we reached an agreement with ZENRIN DataCom Co., Ltd. (“ZENRIN DataCom”), a subsidiary of ZENRIN Co., Ltd., and acquired 1,700 common stock of ZENRIN DataCom, representing 10.27% of total issued share, through a third-party allocation of new shares. Through this tie-up, DoCoMo, which has business expertise and technology developed through the i-mode service business, and ZENRIN DataCom, which

 

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has a high-quality cartographic database of ZENRIN and a technology to distribute advanced map data, will work together to promote and expand map services such as the distribution of map information application for mobile phone and services linked with the location information of the mobile phone, customizing to the diversifying needs of each customer.

 

Quickcast Services (Paging Services)

 

We used to offer paging services under the service name Quickcast, but on June 30, 2004, we stopped accepting applications for new subscriptions, and on March 31, 2007, we terminated the service.

 

Satellite Telephone Services

 

We provide satellite telephone services for communications in case of emergencies in mountainous areas and aboard ships. The service area covers the territory of Japan and its surrounding waters up to 200 nautical miles from the mainland. We began operating new communications satellites last July and currently the satellite mobile communications network uses two communications satellites, N-STARc and N-STARd. Satellite telephone services can be used for voice, fax, and packet transmission. We had approximately 39,000 subscriptions to this service as of March 31, 2007. The service can be used for packet transmission (maximum 64 Kbps downlink and 4.8 Kbps uplink) and high-speed data communications, and a variety of communications services are offered including Internet connectivity and telemetering.

 

In February 2007, we launched “Duple Star,” a system for corporate customers that enables FOMA/ wireless LAN dual handsets to communicate via satellite. This system, which combines the Wide Star satellite phone services, which can be used as a means of communication during natural disasters, with highly-mobile FOMA/wireless LAN dual handsets and Duple Star compatible SIP servers, allows a single handset to be used for three communications formats: FOMA circuit communications, satellite circuit communications, and internal communications using a wireless LAN. Even when FOMA cannot be used because of disaster or other reasons, satellite and internal communications are available via FOMA/wireless LAN dual handsets within a radius of roughly 30 meters of the SIP server, and it is also possible to browse the Internet via satellite connection by using the browser function of FOMA/wireless LAN dual handsets.

 

Global Businesses

 

International Dialing Services and International Roaming Services

 

In October 2003, we enabled 3G FOMA videophones to make international videophone calls and 64 Kbps transmissions to the UK using “WORLD CALL”, our international dialing service. As of March 31, 2007, FOMA subscribers were able to make international videophone calls via our 3G network to 3G subscribers in 34 countries and regions, including the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. We also launched “WORLD WING”, an international roaming service for FOMA subscribers and added a new service called WORLD WALKER-PLUS and WORLD WALKER G-CARD, which has a geographical coverage similar to that of WORLD WING, to supplement WORLD WALKER for mova subscribers. In June 2006, WORLD WALKER-PLUS and WORLD WALKER G-CARD were combined into a single brand called WORLD WING.

 

As we introduced a handset capable of 3G and GSM in December 2004, WORLD WING subscribers are now able to make and receive calls from their regular FOMA phone number in 151 countries and regions as of March 31, 2007. We launched international packet roaming services in December 2004, enabling WORLD WING subscribers to access i-mode packet transmission in 97 countries and regions as of March 31, 2007. In February 2005, we launched international SMS for FOMA subscribers, and in July 2005 we started international MMS (multimedia messaging service). In June 2006, we introduced 3G roaming compatible handsets which are compatible with overseas 3G network. By the addition of these handsets, WORLD WING users are able to make and receive phone calls with the same FOMA phone number by using 3G roaming compatible handsets in 3G network of 41 countries and regions as of March 31, 2007.

 

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International Investments and Licensing Agreements

 

We make investments in and/or enter into agreements with overseas telecommunications companies with the long term aim of securing growth and revenue opportunities and strengthening our international competitiveness. We plan to leverage our expertise and experience in the Japanese wireless telecommunications market abroad by assisting telecommunications operators in other countries in developing W-CDMA as their 3G platform, by promoting the wide-spread and rapid deployment of mobile multimedia services and by expanding the areas in which our subscribers can utilize roaming services, with the goal of establishing a borderless cellular phone world. Whereas wireless operators in other parts of the world have achieved only limited success in offering wireless Internet access, our i-mode services met with immediate success in Japan. We believe that our experience with the development and deployment of our i-mode services provides us with the ability and skills necessary to replicate our success in overseas markets in cooperation with our strategic partners. We have licensed the technology for our i-mode services to other mobile telecommunications operators in many parts of the world, primarily in Europe and the Asia-Pacific. We believe that this will increase the value of our business by generating returns on investments, enhancing service quality and strengthening our position in the domestic market. We believe that the increased utilization of international roaming services will lead to an important revenue source in the future. We intend to continue to look outside of Japan for attractive investment opportunities, such as mobile telecommunication companies and other companies providing related services. If we find such investment opportunities, we may make majority or minority investments, or enter into licensing agreements or collaboration agreements in certain fields, such as W-CDMA-based 3G services.

 

Our invested affiliates operate in key markets and regions around the world. We do not believe, however, that the regulatory environments in which our partners operate will have any adverse effect on our investments or on our financial results.

 

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd.

 

In February 2001, we invested approximately NT$17.1 billion (approximately ¥61.3 billion at the date of investment) for a 20% equity stake in KG Telecommunications Co., Ltd., or KG Telecom. KG Telecom operates in Taiwan. Through this business alliance with KG Telecom, we aimed to provide sophisticated wireless broadband services to the Taiwanese market using W-CDMA technology and to provide mobile Internet services in Taiwan based on our i-mode technology and business model. In June 2001, we signed an i-mode license agreement with KG Telecom to license our intellectual property and technology know-how regarding i-mode services. KG Telecom launched i-mode services in June 2002.

 

In July 2001, we increased our equity stake in KG Telecom by purchasing 62,180,331 new shares, thereby increasing our equity stake to 21.4%. The amount of our additional investment was NT$1.87 billion (approximately ¥6.7 billion at the date of investment).

 

In October, 2003, we agreed to a plan by KG Telecom to enter into a Share Purchase Agreement with Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd., or Far EasTone. Under the agreement, each KG Telecom share was converted into 0.46332 Far EasTone shares plus NT$6.72. As a result, KG Telecom became a 100% subsidiary of Far EasTone. Upon completion of the transaction, we became an approximately 5.0% shareholder in Far EasTone, and received NT$2.5 billion (approximately ¥8.0 billion at the date of payment) in cash.

 

At that time, we also concluded a memorandum of understanding with Far EasTone to collaborate on the W-CDMA 3G and i-mode businesses in Taiwan. This merger enabled us to secure a more solid base in Taiwan and has continued to increase economic value via further development of i-mode services and the 3G business. Far EasTone began i-mode service on the Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network in April 2004 and on a W-CDMA network in July 2005.

 

In March 2004, we signed a consulting agreement with Far EasTone. Under the agreement, we provided technical assistance including assistance for network field testing and coverage optimization for the introduction of Far EasTone’s W-CDMA 3G service. Far EasTone launched W-CDMA 3G services in July 2005.

 

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Hutchison Telephone Company Limited/Hutchison 3G HK Holdings Limited

 

In December 1999, we acquired a 19% equity interest in HTCL in Hong Kong for approximately US$410 million (approximately ¥42 billion at the date of investment) as part of our business alliance with Hutchison Whampoa Limited (HWL) with respect to the development of their mobile Internet services and 3G businesses in Hong Kong. In May 2001, we invested an additional US$30.44 million (approximately ¥3.7 billion at the date of investment) for an additional 6.4% equity interest in HTCL.

 

In July 2001, we agreed with HWL to separate the 3G entity from HTCL, and acquired a 25.4% equity interest in Hutchison 3G HK Holdings Limited, or Hutchison 3G HK, for approximately HK$303,190 (approximately ¥5 million at the date of investment).

 

In November 2002, NEC Corporation, NEC acquired a 5% equity interest in both HTCL and Hutchison 3G HK. As part of this transaction, our interest in both HTCL and Hutchison 3G HK decreased from 25.4% to 24.1%. We currently hold a 24.1% equity interest in both HTCL and Hutchison 3G HK.

 

HTCL launched its mobile Internet services in May 2000. In addition, Hutchison 3G HK acquired a 3G license in September 2001 and launched 3G services in January 2004. The 3G license was transferred to HTCL in June 2005 and 3G services are provided by HTCL at present. In June 2006, we signed an i-mode license agreement with HTCL to form a strategic partnership under which Hutchison Telecom Hong Kong launched i-mode services in Hong Kong in May 2007.

 

Telstra Corporation Limited

 

We signed an exclusive strategic partnership agreement with Telstra Corporation Limited, the leading telecommunications operator in Australia in June 2004. Telstra launched its i-mode service in November 2004, and launched 3G i-mode service on the W-CDMA network in September 2005.

 

Cellcom Israel Ltd.

 

In November 2004, DoCoMo and Cellcom Israel Ltd., the leading telecommunications operator in Israel, formed an exclusive strategic partnership. Cellcom launched i-mode service in Israel in September 2005.

 

O2 plc.

 

In November 2004, DoCoMo and O2 plc., the leading European mobile operator, formed a long-term strategic agreement, and O2 launched i-mode service over O2’s W-CDMA and GPRS networks in the UK and Irish markets in October 2005.

 

Mobile TeleSystems OJSC

 

In December 2004, DoCoMo and Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (“MTS”), the largest mobile phone operator in Russia and the CIS, formed an exclusive strategic partnership and MTS launched i-mode service over MTS’s GPRS networks in the Russian market in September 2005.

 

StarHub Ltd.

 

In January 2005, DoCoMo and StarHub Ltd., an integrated info-communications provider based in Singapore, jointly announced a strategic partnership and StarHub launched i-mode service over StarHub’s W-CDMA and GPRS networks in Singapore in November 2005.

 

Hutchison Essar Ltd.

 

In December 2006, we signed an agreement to license i-mode to Hutchison Essar Ltd. which was scheduled to become effective upon receipt of certain permits from administrative authorities in India. However, due to a change in the business environment for Hutchison Essar Ltd., we concluded that it would be difficult to provide i-mode services, and thus we and Hutchison Essar Ltd. agreed to cancel the agreement in May 2007.

 

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Mobile Innovation Co., Ltd.

 

In April 2004, we signed a joint venture and share subscription agreement with Loxley Public Company Limited, or Loxley, under which we acquired a 40% equity stake in Mobile Innovation Co., Ltd., or MI, a location–based service provider, wholly owned by Loxley, for a cash consideration of 21.6 million baht (approximately ¥60 million at the date of investment). In February 2005, we agreed to increase the capital of MI, and invested 12 million baht (approximately ¥30 million at the date of investment). Loxley concurrently invested 18 million baht (approximately ¥50 million at the date of our investment) in MI. We still hold a 40 % equity interest in MI.

 

inter-touch (BVI) Limited

 

In December 2004, we invested US $70 million (approximately ¥7.3 billion as of the date of investment) for a 100% equity stake in inter-touch (BVI) Limited, a Singapore-based holding company of internet providers who supply high-speed broadband connections and applications for business travelers at hotels across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and the Americas and other regions. inter-touch group companies offer high-speed internet connections using wired/wireless broadband services at 350 hotels (which includes more than approximately 120,000 rooms) in 45 countries as of May 2007.

 

In February 2007 we decided to consolidate the organizational structure of a subsidiary group and establish INTER-TOUCH, PTE LTD, the inter-touch group’s current internet service provider in Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary. The reorganization will see the dissolution of three companies, inter-touch (BVI) Limited, INTER-TOUCH (MIDDLE EAST) LIMITED and inter-touch Holdings (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The plan, made in response to inter-touch group’s rapid business growth, will streamline the inter-touch group’s organizational structure and enhance operational efficiency. Customers of the inter-touch group will continue to receive high-quality internet access services at hotels worldwide through INTER-TOUCH PTE LTD.

 

ADVANCED MPAY COMPANY LIMITED

 

We acquired a 30% stake of ADVANCED MPAY COMPANY LIMITED (“mPAY”) for 315 million baht (approximately ¥850 million at the date of investment) in August 2005. mPAY was established with Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited, or AIS, which owns 70% stake of mPAY

 

mPay provides mobile payment services in Thailand, enabling customers to use their mobile phones to settle shopping transactions, including online shopping via PCs or mobile phones, and payment of utility bills.

 

Telargo Inc.

 

In June 2005, we signed a joint venture and share subscription agreement with ULTRA d.o.o., a Slovenia-based European technology company. Under the agreement, we acquired a 49% equity stake in Telargo Inc., ULTRA’s wholly-owned US mobile assets management service provider, for US $28.6 million (approximately ¥3.1 billion at the date of investment).

 

Telargo’s service is based on a mobile asset management platform that provides a wide range of companies with a comprehensive fleet and workforce management tools to streamline and optimize their businesses.

 

KT Freetel Co., Ltd.

 

In December 2005, we entered into an agreement with Korean mobile communications provider KT Freetel Co., Ltd. or KTF on a comprehensive strategic alliance including equity participation, under which we invested approximately KRW 564.9 billion (approximately ¥65.1 billion at the date of investment) to acquire a 10% stake in KTF through a third-party allotment of new shares and purchase of KTF treasury stocks.

 

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Through the tie-up, we provide technical support to KTF to deploy a nationwide W-CDMA network successfully. Also, the alliance aims to improve convenience and user-friendliness for the increasing number of travelers in both countries through the joint development and offering of roaming services, to seek new business opportunities by fusing together the technical and marketing expertise of the worlds leading providers of mobile services and to examine cost-saving opportunities, such as the joint handset procurements through the combination of our expertise in W-CDMA network operation and KTF’s service development capabilities.

 

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company

 

In January 2006, we entered into an agreement with NTT Communications Corporation or NTT Com, Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company, or PLDT, and First Pacific Company Limited, or FPC, PLDT’s largest shareholder, on a share acquisition and business tie-up. Under the agreement, we purchased 12,633,486 shares of PLDT, which represent approximately 7% of its total common shares, from NTT Com, for approximately ¥52.2 billion and established a comprehensive business tie-up with PLDT.

 

As part of the tie-up, we have supported PLDT and SMART Communications, Inc., or SMART in introducing W-CDMA and i-mode services and promoting international roaming between Japan and the Philippines. In February 2006, we concluded an i-mode license agreement with SMART. SMART also became a member of the Conexus Mobile Alliance in September 2007. In addition, we have appointed one director each to the boards of PLDT and SMART.

 

Since March 2007, we have been acquiring PLDT shares on stock exchange markets. As of June 15, 2007, we had purchased 3,660,290 PLDT shares through open market purchases on stock exchanges and possessed a total of 16,293,776 PLDT shares (approximately 8.6% of outstanding PLDT shares).

 

Guam Cellular and Guam Wireless

 

In March 2006, we agreed to acquire Guam Cellular & Paging (“Guam Cellular”) and Guam Wireless Telephone Company, LLC (“Guam Wireless”) mobile service providers in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (including the island of Saipan), for the total amount of US$71.8 million (approximately ¥8.4 billion). We received approval for the acquisitions from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) in November 2006. In December 2006, transferred operations to Guam Cellular from Guam Wireless through a holding company and we integrated operations of the two companies. Through this acquisition, Guam Cellular became our wholly-owned subsidiary. Going forward, we aim to further improve convenience for the large number of Japanese travelers who visit Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands through enhancement of the GSM network and the achievement of packet roaming with the development of a GPRS network. We also aim to introduce a W-CDMA network for 3G services, utilizing Guam Cellular’s frequency band, in the future.

 

Fidatone Mobile Technology and Service

 

In January 2007, we decided to make a joint investment with UFIDA Software Co., Ltd., China’s largest enterprise resource planning (ERP) software supplier, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, in Fidatone Mobile Technology and Service Co., Ltd (“Fidatone”). We will invest US$5 million to acquire an approximately 33.3% equity stake in July 2007. Through this investment, we seek to enter the corporate mobile solutions services market in China jointly with UFIDA Software. Fidatone will establish a local subsidiary to use UFIDA Software’s ERP software and corporate customer base and our expertise to develop a corporate mobile solution services business in China.

 

DoCoMo Networks

 

We currently provide our services on several different networks, including our 2G network, our 3G network and our PHS network. Each of these networks is composed of four basic components: base stations, antennas,

 

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switching centers and transmission lines. When a person uses a phone (or other mobile device), an antenna on top of a base station receives the signal. The signal then travels via fixed transmission lines to a switching center which routes the signal to another base station in the vicinity of the intended recipient of the signal. In general, each of our networks, our 2G network, our PHS network and our 3G network, use separate base stations, antennas and switching centers, but we are moving ahead with providing shared antennas and transmission lines for the 2G and 3G networks in our efforts to reduce network costs.

 

In order to establish and maintain our high quality network economically and efficiently, we purchase high quality network equipment at low cost from approximately 100 suppliers inside and outside Japan in accordance with our procurement policies which stress openness and fairness.

 

At new procurement opportunities, we obtain quality equipment at competitive prices by receiving proposals widely from domestic and international suppliers through our website.

 

2G Network

 

Our 2G network is an integrated network of base stations, switching centers, signal transfer points, mobile-service control points and a mobile communication information storage system that route calls from the calling party to the called party. The various components of the network are connected primarily by microwave transmission, our own trunk and other fixed lines and fixed lines leased from NTT.

 

The Government issues licenses to carriers for the use of radio spectrum bandwidth, so the capacity of our cellular network is limited to the amounts of bandwidth that the Government has made available to us. The Government has currently allocated 69 MHz x2 (uplink and downlink) for the use of 2G Network nationwide. We have been allocated frequency spectrum of 34.5 MHz x2, of which 29 MHz x2 is in the 800 MHz band nationwide and 5.5 MHz x2 is in the 1.5 GHz band in cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. Therefore, our 2G network is separated into two bandwidths, an 800 MHz system and a 1.5 GHz system. We offer nationwide coverage on our 800 MHz digital cellular service, and coverage in cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka on our 1.5GHz digital cellular service.

 

3G Network

 

We developed our 3G network based on the IMT-2000 standards of the International Telecommunications Union, or ITU, and launched commercial service of our 3G network in October 2001. IMT-2000 is a 3G mobile phone system which offers both high-speed data transmission compared with the second-generation system and global roaming services. In May 2000, ITU recommended five technologies as the IMT-2000 standard. The technology adopted in our 3G network, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, or W-CDMA, is a type of DS-CDMA, one of the five technologies recommended by ITU. We believe that, given the number of industry participants which have already signed on to W-CDMA, this platform may become an industry standard. We also believe that if enough overseas operators adopt a W-CDMA system compatible with our W-CDMA technology, we would be able to offer our services globally and benefit from economies of scale.

 

Our 3G network is an integrated network of base stations, various switching centers, transfer and control points and information storage systems. We are actively encouraging the eventual migration of our customers from our 2G to our 3G network. We are adding equipment and infrastructure for our 3G network to our existing 2G network. We began installing an IP router network based on an optical fiber relay network to reduce costs and supplement our backbone switching station and transmission line network. The Government is currently allocating a total bandwidth of 265MHz as radio frequencies available for use in nationwide 3G network. Of this, we are using 20MHz x2 (for uplink and downlink) in the 2GHz band across the entire country. Of the 800MHz band that is currently in the process of reallocation, we are currently using 5MHz x2 in regions where interference with existing systems can be avoided. Further, on the 1.7GHz spectrum, we are using 10MHz x2, and plan to commence usage of 10MHz x2 similarly in the Tokai and Kansai regions. Therefore, our 3G network operate on the three bands of 2GHz, 800Hz and 1.7GHz.

 

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3G Standardization Efforts

 

In 2000, the International Telecommunications Union, or ITU, recommended standard specifications for 3G, mobile phone systems. ITU collectively refers to 3G systems as IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications for the year 2000). In the recommendations setting forth the IMT-2000 standard specifications, five technological characteristics are listed.

 

Out of five characteristics, we expect that the following two are the most likely to achieve commercial success:

 

   

IMT-MC, known as cdma2000; and

 

   

IMT-DS, known as Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, or W-CDMA.

 

Super 3G (also known as LTE, Long Term Evolution, in the standardization) has recently been discussed in 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a standardization association of W-CDMA, and we are playing a key role in the discussion. In accordance with the completion of fundamental discussion on LTE during the meeting of 3GPP held in June 2006, we launched the development of Super 3G for its commercialization. In tandem with these developments, we will continue to participate in the standardization activities vigorously.

 

We were the first company in the world to launch 3G services based on W-CDMA technology. Some of our international affiliates and strategic allies have already launched 3G services, including Hutchison 3G HK, Far EasTone and KTF. One of our competitors in Japan, Softbank (formerly Vodafone), launched their 3G service based on W-CDMA in December 2002.

 

Cdma2000 1x was first commercialized in South Korea in 2000. Our competitor, KDDI, launched its 3G commercial service based on cdma2000 1x in April 2002 in major cities in Japan.

 

While there can be no assurances, we believe that W-CDMA will become the dominant 3G technology. In an effort to promote and encourage the worldwide implementation of W-CDMA, in April 2002, we announced that we would begin licensing patents at reasonable and non-exclusive terms for our proprietary W-CDMA technology on which our FOMA system is based. Patents will be licensed to manufacturers which supply 3G products to mobile communications operators. We believe that widespread adoption of W-CDMA technology will reduce procurement and production costs and contribute to lowering fees for 3G services and products.

 

Handsets

 

We offer a variety of different handsets to subscribers. Because we offer a number of different network protocols, subscribers purchase handsets compatible with different protocols such as 2G and 3G. We have strict quality standards that manufacturers of our handsets must meet. We also provide one-year warranties on all our handsets during which we provide repairs free of charge except in cases where customers are responsible for the damages. In addition, for increased user convenience and operation efficiency, users use DoCoMo networks to download software for upgrades.

 

Cellular (FOMA) Handsets

 

We have prepared a handset lineup that includes the 9 series, which comes equipped with the latest features, the 7 series, which focuses on primary functions, and concept models, which emphasize the individuality of each handset. The 9 series handsets come equipped with the latest features, including GPS, 3G roaming, Mega i-appli, a more powerful Osaifu-Keitai and an upgraded e-mail capable of attaching large files. The 7 series is equipped with the primary functions and is easy-to-use and attractively designed. The concept models offer individuality, in the form, for example, of “Kids Keitai” handsets, thin, simple designs and two-screen handsets, while also being equipped with cutting-edge technologies.

 

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We also introduced FOMA 900i handsets in February 2004. These handsets have new attractive functions, such as “Deco-mail”, HTML e-mail which enables users to decorate their e-mail messages with colors and pictures; large-volume Java-based i-appli applications with a maximum size of 400K scratch pad; videophone with animated cartoon characters expressing sender’s feelings and initiating real-time changes in the expressions of “avatar” characters; and “Chaku-motion” which signals incoming calls with i-motion video clips in order to promote data communications.

 

In August 2004, we began marketing the FOMA F900iC, which is the first handset that is compatible with i-mode FeliCa Service for Osaifu-Keitai applications. F900iC is characterized by its high security functions. In December 2004, we introduced the N900iG, the first FOMA 3G handset for mobile communications, in approximately 115 countries and regions.

 

In September 2004, we introduced the new 3G FOMA “Raku Raku Phone” handset, which is the first model in the easy-to-use Raku Raku phone series. Unlike other phones in the series, this model has a camera for videophone calls and sending/receiving video clips via DoCoMo’s i-motion mail service. It also enables users to record voice messages and to send them as e-mail attachments.

 

In December 2004, we introduced the 901i series. Equipped with FeliCa smart-card technology, the series offers surround-type 3D sound and a function for remotely locking either the smart-card functions or all phone functions if the handset is lost or misplaced, simply by calling the handset from a registered phone number.

 

In February 2005, we revealed the 700i series, which targets the mid-range user. The new 700i series emphasizes style and ease of use while possessing all the basic FOMA services, including videophone, “ChakuUta” ring songs, “ChakuMotion” ring videos, “Deco-mail” decorative e-mails, music player functions, i-appli JAVA and Macromedia Flash applications, QVGA LCD screen resolution and megapixel cameras.

 

In September 2005, we introduced the FOMA 701i series. This series is compatible with the i-channel service, allowing users to automatically receive updated news and other information, which is displayed on a handset’s standby screen. FOMA 701i handsets have superior performance and users can select functions and designs to match a wide variety of usage patterns.

 

In November 2005, we introduced the 902i series, FOMA handsets. These handsets are compatible with the “Push Talk” service which enables simultaneous group conversations by as many as five people. They are also compatible with the “ToruCa” information capture service that enables a user to download promotional coupons, store information and other such information simply by waving an Osaifu-Keitai enabled handset in front of a dedicated reader/writer machine at merchants, and they are compatible with i-channel and multi number, which enables users to assign up to two additional phone numbers to their handsets.

 

In December 2005, we introduced the “FOMA Raku Raku Phone Simple”, with functions stripped down to voice communication only.

 

In February 2006, we introduced the new 702i series of FOMA handsets. With these handsets, users can use such functions as G-Guide EPG Remote Control and Security Scan. Of the five models in this series, three were the result of collaborations among a noted designer, manufacturer and us, each model having its own unique design and style.

 

In March 2006, we introduced the FOMA P901iTV, which is designed to receive one-segment terrestrial digital broadcasting, known as “One Seg”, that began on April 1, 2006.

 

Also in March 2006, we introduced a child-friendly mobile phone, the FOMA SA800i. Developed both to be easy for children to use and to help keep children safe, this handset has a number of functions, including an alarm and GPS positioning, to give families peace of mind. It is compatible with “Kids’ i-mode menu”, which only has content suitable for children, as well as with the “imadoco search” service that enables parents to confirm the physical location of the handset.

 

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Also in March 2006, we introduced the FOMA NM850iG, a global handset useable both in Japan and overseas. The handset is both compatible with Bluetooth and capable of wireless connection.

 

In April 2006, we introduced the simple and compact “SIMPURE” series, which is geared toward no-frills-oriented customers who want only these basic functions. These handsets are compatible with overseas i-mode and i-mode mail, SMS, and “World Wing”, an international roaming service that also allows use of a videophone function.

 

In August 2006, we introduced the HSDPA-compatible FOMA N902iX High Speed handset. This handset is compatible with “Music Channel,” a service that automatically distributes a customer’s favorite music and “Chaku-Uta Full”.

 

In September 2006, we introduced the BlackBerry 8707h handset. This handset responds to the mobile solution needs of corporate users. By subscribing to BlackBerry Network Services, users gain access to RIM Inc.’s BlackBerry Enterprise Server™ which may be integrated with Microsoft® Exchange, IBM Lotus® Domino®,Novell® and GroupWise®, enabling utilization of system solutions including e-mail and business support tools in a secure environment.

 

In October 2006, we introduced the FOMA 903i series, our latest flagship handset models. These handsets support “Chaku-Uta Full” and “Mega i-appli”, which supports a maximum program size of 1 MB, ten times the conventional 100 KB of i-appli. Of the total lineup of twelve models, five models support the Napster music service, which offers access to unlimited music for a fixed rate, four models support “One Seg”, two models support HSDPA, and six models are compatible with GPS navigation.

 

In January 2007, we introduced the FOMA 703i series. Of the eight models in this series, two are the thinnest W-CDMA clamshell handsets in the world (as of January 16, 2007). One model was developed through collaboration with a noted designer, the manufacturer and DoCoMo, and each model has its own unique design and style.

 

In February 2007, we introduced the FOMA D800iDS, a dual-screen handset with a touch-screen panel that is operated using Direct&Smooth.

 

In April 2007, we added the Raku Raku Basic to the Raku Raku Phone series. This model seeks to provide ease of use of basic mobile phone functions—voice calls, e-mail, and i-mode—as well as beauty in its design. The design was created through collaboration with a noted designer, the manufacturer and DoCoMo.

 

As a card type FOMA device, in addition to the FOMA P2402, which has a packet transmission capability of up to 384 Kbps downlink and 64 Kbps uplink, we introduced the FOMA P2403, which supports the FOMA Plus Area, in March 2006. We also offered the FOMA F2402, which has a packet transmission capability with a maximum throughput of 384 Kbps for both downlink and uplink. In September 2006, we launched the HSDPA-compatible FOMA M2501 High Speed data card.

 

In July 2005, as a PDA type FOMA device for businesspersons, we began offering the FOMA M1000, which enables users to browse the Internet like a PC, to exchange e-mails with PC (POP mail and IMAP mail) when they are away from home or office, and to handle e-mail file attachments. Also, in July 2006, we launched the hTc Z handset equipped with the Microsoft Windows Mobile operating system (OS).

 

We expect that the price of FOMA handsets will continue to decrease through our cost reduction efforts.

 

One reason for this is the expansion of our product mix. In addition to the ever-evolving 9 series, which is continuously updated with new features, in February 2005, we introduced the 7 series, handsets with sophisticated designs and well-balanced between function and cost. And in April 2006, we introduced the SIMPURE series of which, even more so than the 7 series, we simplified functions and reduced costs.

 

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At the same time, we have invested in chipset development, standardization of the OS platform and greater efficiency in software development. During the years ended March 31, 2003 and March 31, 2004, we invested approximately ¥41 billion in the development of FOMA handsets, and succeeded in developing FOMA handsets featuring advanced applications and longer battery life. In order to accelerate the evolution of state-of-the-art 3G technologies, we invested a total of approximately ¥37 billion during the years ended March 31, 2005 and March 31, 2006 in the areas of handset application software which runs on advanced OS platforms (Linux and Symbian) and High Speed Downlink Packet Access, or HSDPA technology; particularly with respect to the OS platforms, standardization among manufacturers has progressed well, resulting in a shortened development period and cost reductions. With respect to the Linux platform, in order to further advance global alliances, in January 2007, we announced the establishment of LiMo Foundation, comprising six companies including Vodafone and Motorola, as part of our efforts to further reduce handset procurement costs.

 

Furthermore, by investing a total of approximately ¥12.5 billion from the year ended March 31, 2005 to the year ended March 31, 2007, in the development of LSI technology in relation to FOMA handset chipsets, having manufacturers incorporate our requirements at the LSI specification review stage and striving for one-chip LSI, we have shortened the time required for, and reduced the cost of development. In addition, in the second half of the year ending March 31, 2008, we plan to co-develop a cellular phone platform that integrates the baseband LSI, the application processor one-chip LSI, and core software including the OS platform. We will continue engaging in platform standardization and development of improved functions.

 

We and the handset manufacturers co-own the rights for FOMA handset patented technologies and know-how, and we will receive royalties if these manufacturers supply similar 3G handsets to other 3G operators. In December 2005, in order to promote cooperation in technological development focusing on browser technology, we invested an additional ¥15 billion in Access Co. Ltd. Also in December 2005, in an effort to strengthen our cooperation in handset middleware centered on Java technology, we invested ¥13 billion in Aplix Corporation. Advanced handset capabilities and a wide variety of model choices play an important role in the success of 3G services. By investing in FOMA handset expansion, we expect to motivate manufacturers to produce advanced value-added 3G handsets, promoting the development of 3G services and mobile multimedia as we have already seen with the popularity of our 9 series.

 

Cellular (mova) Handsets

 

We have offered three types of handsets for our 2G service: our 5 series handsets which are our high-end models with advanced technology, our 2 series handsets which are our basic function models and our 6 series handsets which are targeted for particular user segments. We plan and develop these handsets jointly with manufacturers and offer several different models for each series of handsets. While our customers are continuing to migrate from our mova service to our FOMA service, we are continuing to offer mova handsets, principally as various niche models, in order to enrich our total line-up of cellular handsets.

 

The vast majority of new handsets are now i-mode enabled. Our i-mode enabled handsets are relatively small and lightweight terminals that are installed with packet transmission and browsing software functions in addition to function as normal cellular phones. i-mode enables users to have immediate access to the Internet without using a PC or other systems. The DoCoMo i-mode browser reads HTML Subset text. The handsets have a large color LCD screen that is suitable for richer contents. The majority of our handsets are equipped with digital cameras. We believe that one of the strengths of i-mode is that our handsets are smaller and lightweight compared to more bulky laptops, PDAs or other devices that can also access the Internet.

 

In May 2004, we introduced new 506i series PDC handsets, which feature cameras with effective resolutions of more than one million pixels. They also come with infrared ports for exchanging data and photos with compatible handsets and performing infrared-based functions such as remote-control operation of appliances, authentication and cashless payments.

 

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In July 2004, we launched the i-mode FeliCa Service for Osaifu-Keitai applications and marketed the company’s first i-mode handset incorporating a contactless IC card, the mova P506iC, which may be used for a variety of functions that were previously possible only with IC-equipped cards, including train travel, electronic money and credit card-based withdrawals and transactions, and personal identification.

 

In October 2004, we introduced new 253i series PDC handsets including straight-type bodies, slide-type bodies and folding-type bodies. Sliding the display activates the camera or switches the phone to the mail reply or Schedule/Memo input screen.

 

In July 2004, we released the premini, the smallest i-mode handset ever released, weighing just 69 grams and measuring only 90 mm in height, 40 mm in width and 19.8 mm in thickness. The premini is suited to customers who seek a handset that is simple and compact yet still offers i-mode capability.

 

In December 2004, we introduced the Music PORTER, a handset compatible with music players and containing FM radio tuner. The Music PORTER came with Memory Stick Duo (which is a trademark of Sony Corporation) to allow users store and enjoy music data.

 

In October 2005, we introduced the RADIDEN, the world’s first handset with a built-in radio turner compatible with the three bands of AM, FM, and TV.

 

In March and April of 2006, in response to user demand for the long-popular mova handsets, we introduced new members of the 506i series, the low-priced N506iS II and P506iC II.

 

Sales and Marketing

 

We benefit from the strong positive perception in Japan of both the DoCoMo brand name and the NTT brand name. We market our cellular, PHS, FOMA and other services to our subscribers through our extensive distribution network throughout Japan, which includes numerous primary retailers operating approximately 1,700 DoCoMo Shops. DoCoMo Shops are specialty shops that we have licensed and allowed to use the DoCoMo logo and other DoCoMo trade and service marks, as well as facades and displays that easily identify the shops as DoCoMo Shops. DoCoMo Shops have agreed to market the full line of our products and services and no other competitor’s products or services on the premises. Primary retailers also resell handsets to secondary and tertiary retailers who have no direct contractual relationship with DoCoMo. Such secondary and tertiary retailers also market our cellular and other services and must be approved as a DoCoMo retailer prior to selling our products and services. There were approximately 11,000 secondary and tertiary retailers throughout Japan as of March 31, 2007.

 

One of the primary advantages of our extensive distribution network is to make it easier for potential subscribers to sign up for services and purchase mova, FOMA and other equipment. As competition for subscribers increases, the ability to attract and retain subscribers is becoming even more important. In order to continue to attract and retain subscribers, our current sales and marketing strategy is to (i) continue to improve our network coverage and quality, (ii) increase traffic by enhancing i-mode and other services, (iii) increase the quality of after-sales service, (iv) promote our brand name through our “customer oriented” approach. (v) provide competitive tariff and service pricing (vi) enrich our handset lineup (vii) develop bricks-and-mortar business (viii) enrich our customer retention program.

 

We believe that the combination of our distribution network, extensive advertising activities, the strength of our brand name, the quality of our digital network and our competitive pricing and extensive after-sales service will allow us to continue to attract and retain subscribers.

 

Customer Service

 

As customer retention is increasingly becoming important in the Japanese telecommunications market, we have focused on ensuring high degrees of customer satisfaction. We realize that customer service, including the

 

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service we provide when customers sign up and after-sales service, is critical to retaining subscribers and maintaining the high reputation and recognition of the DoCoMo brand name. We provide extensive customer service at the point of sale through DoCoMo Shops and other retailers. Our customer service efforts are also supported by fully integrated information systems. In addition, customers can use their cell phones or personal computers to access our 24-hour Internet e-site, where they can change their services, plans and addresses.

 

We also provide extensive after-sales service primarily through the DoCoMo Shops, which have service counters that deal with handset problems and repairs. In both fiscal years 2005 and 2006, to provide customers with even greater convenience, we expanded service counters that handle repairs. We also have various toll free numbers that provide customer service including basic service and billing information provided during business hours as well as support and assistance 24 hours a day for network problems and handset problems, including lost and stolen handsets.

 

In order to promote quality of after-sales service for existing customers, we pay various fees to agents for certain after-sales services, including handset upgrades, calling plan changes, and diagnostic and repair work on handsets and other equipment.

 

In an effort to expand the number of users in segments where the penetration rate has been low, we have periodically held educational seminars at DoCoMo Shops and created a customer desk to respond to inquiries relating to the use of cellular phones.

 

We have also started a membership-based loyalty program called “DoCoMo Premier Club” for all subscribers, in order to offer enhanced customer service. This program consists of a “Point Incentive Program”, a “Status Service” and offering “preferential treatment”. Customers earn points based on the amount they spent every month. They can use accumulated points to get discounts when they purchase new handsets, or exchange them for items such as travel coupons, dining coupons and entertainment tickets. Customers are classified into four levels according to the previous year’s usage, and higher-level customers receive more points for the same amount of spending. The Status Service provides preferential services for high-end users, such as dedicated call centers and rental service of global roaming handsets. For three years from the purchase of any handset, all DoCoMo Premier Club members can receive free repair services. Members are also entitled to a complimentary battery-pack for their handsets used for two years or longer, repairs of handsets with expired warranties at 5,000 yen or less, and support for problems such as water damage, theft and loss that occur within a year of purchase. In addition, starting in July 2006, we began offering “Handset Replacement and Delivery Service” to FOMA customers, which for ¥500 per month protects subscribers from all damage to handsets, including water damage, loss and breakage, by providing subscribers with replacement handsets. They are also entitled to preferential treatment including discounts at hotels, shops and restaurants given by our alliance partners in this program.

 

Information Technology

 

We employ various computerized, fully integrated information systems to support key functions, including network operation management, procurement, billing, financial accounting, customer service and marketing.

 

One of the most important of these systems is ALADIN, which is a proprietary nationwide operating system we share with our eight regional subsidiaries. ALADIN has five primary functions: customer management, phone number management, information processing and storage, sales information management, and credit investigation. ALADIN manages data and information for and about our mova, FOMA, PHS and Quickcast subscribers nationwide and provides authorized customer service personnel at service counters in branch offices (Quickcast service was terminated on March 31, 2007), agents and DoCoMo Shops and in our telemarketing center with online access to network data so that they can properly address customer inquiries.

 

ALADIN enhances the efficiency of our operations by simplifying the process of registering customer information, automating phone number registration, enabling automatic credit reference checks and other functions. For example, ALADIN controls telephone number allocation which makes it possible for handsets to

 

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be assigned telephone numbers and activated immediately upon signing up for cellular service and also provides an opportunity to conduct reference checks in order to prevent the assignment of a telephone number to a subscriber who does not meet our payment history and other requirements. ALADIN maintains and continually updates a list of previous subscribers that had credit problems.

 

ALADIN and related systems are also used to collect customer data so that management and marketing personnel can monitor and analyze the usage of services, market segments, subscriber satisfaction, and utilize those data to develop a plan for the network expansion and appropriate marketing strategies.

 

We have implemented various measures to ensure thorough and adequate control of customer information during the use of the ALADIN customer information system by our staff members. Such measures include system login through fingerprint authentication, regular inspections of locations where ALADIN terminals are installed to check how the system is used and managed, examination of access logs and regular information management training for employees who manage this system.

 

Billing System

 

The billing system handles the processing and printing of certain bills sent on a monthly basis to our subscribers. We bill each of our subscribers on a monthly basis and subscribers may pay their bills either by bank or other financial institution account transfer, by credit card, or in person at any number of locations, including our shops, banks or other financial institutions or convenience stores. Our e-billing service allows us to provide customers with an electronic bill instead of sending them a paper bill and therefore helps the environment and allows us to provide rebates of ¥100 per bill to subscribers who use this service. A very high percentage of our subscribers, approximately 75% as of March 31, 2007, pay their monthly bill by automatic payment or direct debit from their credit card, bank or other financial institution account.

 

In May 2002, we introduced a paperless billing system that enables i-mode users to pay monthly mobile phone bills at convenience stores using a QR code on the screens of their mobile phones. Our “comvien” service is offered at approximately 1,600 convenience stores nationwide as of March 31, 2007. We are also negotiating similar arrangements with other convenience stores. There is no fee for this service and users only pay a small transmission charge to download the bar code.

 

We also offer a “Mobiler’s Check” that allows payment in advance for the monthly phone bill. By registering the 14-digit number that appears on the back or other part of the card from a mobile phone, the prepaid amount will be deducted from the next month’s mobile phone bill. Subscribers can use this payment method for mobile phone, PHS and Widestar services. Mobiler’s Check is available at DoCoMo Shops and other locations.

 

As of March 31, 2007, our collection rate on outstanding bills within 70 days from the payment due date was 99%. In order to keep our ratio of bad debts low, we carefully monitor subscribers with large outstanding amounts and delinquent customers, send frequent notices and accelerate billing in cases where usage amounts may have accumulated above certain threshold amounts during a billing cycle. In addition, we terminate services to subscribers who have not paid after 30 to 40 days from the initial payment due date and cancel subscribers’ subscriptions if they have not paid after 60 days from the initial payment due date.

 

Enterprise Information System (DREAMS)

 

In April 2002, we and our 35 consolidated subsidiaries introduced an enterprise information system which we call “DREAMS”, and as of June 2007, our 38 subsidiaries have already implemented this system. Based on this system, we are able to consolidate the flow of operations, cash, goods and information throughout our company and our consolidated subsidiaries. This system allows us to realize real-time and effective management of our company. Specifically, this system gives us the ability to understand real-time information and thereby make timely decisions, allows us to perform electronic approval to reduce indirect operations, and allows us to effectively manage capital among the DoCoMo group companies.

 

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Research and Development

 

Research and development is performed primarily at our facilities with input from our various eight regional subsidiaries as well as our various divisions. We spent ¥99.3 billion on research and development in the year ended March 31, 2007. Previously, research and development expenses were apportioned between us and our eight regional subsidiaries. However, this expense apportionment was replaced by a new arrangement effective the year ended March 31, 2001. Currently, each of our regional subsidiaries bears research and development expenses in the form of usage fees equal to 3.1% of its operating revenues. Each regional subsidiary is allowed to use the results of our research and development freely although we retain patents and other intellectual property rights and we control all intellectual property licensing and sublicensing.

 

We organize our research and development efforts through our R&D division. Our R&D division includes:

 

   

a research laboratory;

 

   

four development departments, including core network development, radio access network development, service & solution development, and communication device development departments;

 

   

a R&D general affairs department; and

 

   

a R&D strategy department.

 

Furthermore, as part of our ongoing research and development and in order to continue to improve our products, networks and services, our various research and development departments collaborate with product development staff at each of our operating divisions. We are also working together with major manufacturers of our handsets and network equipment.

 

In addition, outside the R&D division we have other development-related divisions, such as our Network Division and Products & Services Division.

 

We have established DoCoMo Communications Laboratories USA, Inc., a U.S. subsidiary which carries out research and development of network technology, handset software and media encoding. In July 2005, we established DoCoMo Capital, Inc., whose purpose is to invest in venture businesses that have innovative, leading-edge technology applicable to mobile communications. We have also set up DoCoMo Communications Laboratories Europe GmbH, whose primary research areas are network technology, wireless technology, next-generation IC/USIM card technology, security technology and standardization activities. In November 2003, we established DoCoMo Beijing Communications Laboratories Co., Ltd. to research and promote the advancement of mobile communication technologies for fourth-generation (4G) and beyond. Finally, we established DoCoMo Technology, Inc., which primarily carries out research and development to enhance our PDC system, IMT-2000 system and other existing systems and supplements our fundamental research and development activities.

 

Furthermore, we have also conducted research with various universities inside and outside of Japan. These groups are involved in technological exchange in connection with not only 3G research and development but also 4G cellular communications systems and other advanced technology research.

 

In April 2003, we and Japan’s other mobile phone operators agreed to conduct a joint study on the possible biological effects of exposure to radio waves from mobile phone systems. In April 2005 and January 2007, interim reports were issued, and at present research is still ongoing.

 

We are continuing research and development of our 3G system through our IMT-2000 related research. This includes further research and development of the W-CDMA technology as well as research and development of new products, services and applications for the 3G system. Currently, we are focusing on increasing transmission capacity and capabilities, reducing network costs, downsizing base station equipment, improving functionality of switches, reducing handset size and weight, adding advanced functions to handsets, extending battery life, improving mobile multimedia services and developing video mail and international roaming services.

 

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Another research and development theme is an IP-based network. The rapid increase of IP-based applications and the traffic they generate require communications methods for mobile networks that are both efficient and highly compatible with IP traffic. To meet these requirements, we have initiated research aimed at implementing an IP-based network that can be constructed at a low cost with generalized network routers, concerning development of IP-based routing and Quality of Service (QoS) technologies for multimedia traffic, as well as the development of new IP-based mobility control technology. Furthermore, we are continually researching ways to improve the efficiency, design and quality of our Personal Digital Cellular network.

 

We are conducting research regarding other advanced technology, including fundamental research regarding technologies applicable to 4G wireless communications system aiming at further enhancement of cellular services. ITU has set forth as a requirement for fourth generation services the ability to support transmission speeds of up to 100 Mbps for downlinks when a user is traveling at high speeds, and 1 Gbps when traveling at low speeds. If such a system is realized, fourth generation services will also feature high quality video equivalent to high definition television and will allow high-speed transmission of large-capacity data on a bandwidth of approximately 100 MHz. We are actively participating in the international standardization movement for a 4G system. We are also supporting the development of the Super 3G system. In July 2006, we started to accept proposals from suppliers and launched the development of Super 3G equipment to commercialize Super 3G.

 

In the summer of 2002, we began practical evaluations of key technologies for our 4G mobile communications system, as well as implement an experimental system to demonstrate their benefits. In October 2002, we successfully completed a 100 Mbps downlink and a 20 Mbps uplink transmission experiment in an indoor environment using an experimental 4G mobile communications system. In May 2003, the Kanto Bureau of Telecommunications granted us a preliminary license to conduct field trials of 4G mobile communications systems. In August 2004, we successfully completed experiments on real-time 1-Gbps packet transmission in downlink. In May 2005, following the experiments in an indoor environment, we successfully realized outdoor experiments on real-time 1-Gbps packet transmission in downlink, followed by 2.5 Gbps packet transmission in downlink in December 2005. In February 2007, we successfully tested packet transmissions with a maximum downlink speed of 5 Gbps outdoors. Currently, we are continuing to evaluate and improve these high-speed transmission technologies through field trials.

 

R&D Center

 

In order to respond to swiftly growing demand for wireless telecommunications and to diversifying customer needs, we have upgraded our research and development capabilities and streamlined our research and development operations. To this end, the NTT DoCoMo R&D Center in Yokosuka Research Park was completed in March 1998. We added three R&D facilities in March 2002, October 2003 and December 2004. The NTT DoCoMo R&D Center is a highly advanced R&D center near Tokyo specializing in mobile telecommunications technology. With state-of-the-art testing facilities, the NTT DoCoMo R&D Center is the base for research and development of basic technologies, 3G, 4G and other mobile telecommunications systems and a variety of new products and services.

 

Competition

 

With the rapid growth of the wireless telecommunications industry in Japan, the increasing numbers of subscribers and the deregulation of the industry, we are facing increased competition. We have responded to the gains made in recent years by KDDI’s au service with a comprehensive approach, including revisions in our billing plans, releases of attractive handsets, and improvement in network quality. In addition to existing mobile phone operators, other companies have also expressed their intention to enter the mobile phone market. Of these companies, SoftBank Corp. acquired Vodafone’s Japanese unit in April 2006 and began providing services under the SoftBank Mobile brand in October of that year, and EMOBILE Ltd. began offering mobile data services using the HSDPA protocol on March 31, 2007. IP Mobile Inc. has applied to the MIC for a 2 GHz spectrum license.

 

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Mobile Number Portability (MNP) took effect among domestic mobile phone operators in October 2006. MNP allows mobile phone users to keep their current phone numbers even if they switch mobile phone operators.

 

Furthermore, in addition to direct competition from other cellular operators, we believe that the telecommunications industry in Japan is organizing itself into integrated groups of telecommunications service providers that will offer local, long-distance and international phone services as well as mobile and other services. While we believe that we have certain competitive advantages over these groups, including our current market leadership position, our research and development capability and our affiliation with NTT, the effect of industry consolidation is difficult to predict and no assurance can be given that we will be able to continue to protect our current market position.

 

Cellular Competition

 

There are presently four cellular operators in Japan: DoCoMo, the KDDI group, SoftBank, and EMOBILE. As of March 31, 2007, we had a market share of 54.4%, the KDDI group (including the TU-KA Group) had a market share of 29.1%, and Softbank had a market share of 16.4%. (EMOBILE had not announced its number of subscriptions as of March 31, 2007.) These cellular operators have all received permission and licenses from the Government for the establishment of 3G services in Japan.

 

The KDDI group is the second largest cellular operator in Japan with approximately 28.19 million subscriptions as of March 31, 2007. The KDDI group is a product of the merger of the telecommunications carriers KDD, DDI and IDO in Japan that occurred on October 1, 2000. Its cellular operations are a result of an alliance between three formerly independent cellular operators, DDI cellular and its related subsidiaries and IDO. They offer nationwide services using cdmaOne technology as well as PDC technology. The KDDI group launched its 3G services through cdma2000 1x in major cities in Japan in April 2002. On October 1, 2005, KDDI merged three companies of TU-KA group and began to accept contract changes from TU-KA cellular services to au cellular services, enabling TU-KA subscribers to carry on the same mobile phone number they were using in TU-KA cellular services. Furthermore, on February 20, 2006, KDDI added another privilege which enables TU-KA subscribers to carry on the same e-mail address, and promote the migration of the users to au cellular services. As of March 31, 2007, they had approximately 26.72 million 3G subscriptions. The network construction costs for the KDDI group have been lower than ours because of their ability to use most of their existing cdmaOne networks.

 

SoftBank operates nationwide and is the third largest cellular operator with approximately 15.91 million subscriptions as of March 31, 2007. SoftBank acquired the Japanese subsidiary of the worldwide Vodafone group in April 2006 and began providing mobile phone services in October of that year. The Japanese Vodafone subsidiary began offering 3G services in December 2002, based on the same standard W-CDMA (DS-CDMA) technology as ours. SoftBank had approximately 7.66 million W-CDMA 3G subscriptions as of March 31, 2007. SoftBank also offers international roaming service with GSM networks overseas.

 

Competition in the industry has led the three cellular operators (excluding EMOBILE) to enact similar rate plans and promotions. For example, KDDI and SoftBank both offer plans that are similar to our “Family Discount”, “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” and “pake-hodai” plans. Additionally, KDDI introduced “My Wari” services that provide a discounted monthly fee for long-term contracts of two years. Softbank introduced the “White Plan” service that allows unlimited free calls among SoftBank subscribers between 1:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

 

Regarding potential competition from fixed-line, our management believes that fixed line telecommunications services and cellular communications services are not necessarily competitive with, but rather are primarily complementary to, each other—customers typically use fixed-line networks when they are at their homes or offices and cellular networks when they are outside. However, with the expansion of services offered by both fixed line and cellular operators, improvements in fixed line and cellular technology, rate reductions in cellular services, deregulation, competition within the telecommunications industry and other

 

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developments (including technological developments that may enable us to lower the cost and further improve the capacity of cellular transmission), there may be direct or indirect competition or conflicts of interest between us and other NTT subsidiaries.

 

i-mode Competition

 

The competitors of i-mode are “EZweb” provided by the KDDI group and “Yahoo! Keitai” provided by SoftBank. As with i-mode, KDDI’s “EZweb” and SoftBank’s “Yahoo! Keitai” service allow their users to connect to the Internet, send color images and also utilize navigation programs. We expect increasing competition in the areas of content offering and e-commerce services.

 

PHS Competition

 

Our competitor in the PHS (personal handy phone system) market is WILLCOM. In October 2004, the Carlyle Group and Kyocera Corporation acquired the business of DDI Pocket, Inc., a subsidiary of KDDI. In February 2005, DDI Pocket changed its name to WILLCOM. As of March 31, 2007, WILLCOM had a PHS market share of 90.9% and we had a PHS market share of 9.1%. We stopped accepting new applications for PHS services as of April 30, 2005, and have decided to terminate the service on January 7, 2008.

 

Regulation of the Mobile Telecommunications Industry in Japan

 

MIC is the primary regulatory body with responsibility for the telecommunications industry in Japan. We are regulated by MIC primarily under the Telecommunications Business Law. We and other mobile telecommunications service providers are also subject to the Radio Law. We, however, are not subject to regulation under the Law Concerning Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, Etc., or NTT Law.

 

The Telecommunications Business Law

 

Under the Telecommunications Business Law, we and our eight regional subsidiaries are subject to a registration requirement as telecommunications operators. Depending on the scale of telecommunications circuit facilities operated and the scope of the areas where the telecommunications circuit facilities are located, telecommunications carriers are subject either to a registration requirement or to a notification requirement.

 

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

 

   

Regulation:


a. Business entry

  Registration with the Minister of MIC required for carriers that install large-size telecommunications circuit facilities. Notification to the Minister of MIC required for carriers other than the above.

b. Suspension and Discontinuation of business

 

 

Notification to the Minister of MIC and, in general, announcement to users are required.

c. Tariff settings, service offerings, etc.

  Unregulated in principle (1) Accountability to users concerning outline of terms and conditions of telecommunications service and proper and swift processing of complaints and inquiries are required.

d. Business improvement order

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

 

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Regulation:


e. Interconnection

  

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

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

f. Privilege of public utilities

   Based on a request by a telecommunications carrier, except for certain cases, the Minister of MIC may designate the telecommunications carrier as an approved carrier who has the privilege to act as a public utility.

g. Ensuring important communications

   Telecommunications carriers are required to prioritize important communications when natural disaster, accident or any other emergency occurs or is on the verge of occurrence.

h. Permission of agreement with foreign governments, etc.

  

 

The Minister of MIC’s permission is required for conclusion, amendment or abolition of agreements/contracts on important matters relating to telecommunications business with foreign governments, nationals, or judicial persons/entities.

i. Maintenance and Self-declaration of conformity

  

 

Telecommunications carriers that install telecommunications circuit facilities are obligated to maintain their facilities in compliance with technical standards and to confirm conformity of such facilities to technical standards by themselves, and notify the outcome to the Minister of MIC.


(1) A carrier providing universal telecommunications services shall establish tariffs concerning such services and shall submit tariffs to the Minister of MIC. A carrier providing certain designated telecommunications services shall establish tariffs concerning such services and shall submit tariffs to the Minister of MIC.

 

The asymmetric regulation

 

Furthermore, our Group is subject to the asymmetric regulation provided in the Telecommunications Business Law before amendment. This regulation is based on the distinction of (i) Category I-designated telecommunications facilities (e.g., local fixed-line systems) and (ii) Category II-designated telecommunication facilities (e.g., mobile communications systems), each designated by the Minister of MIC. The Minister of MIC may designate as Category II-designated facilities the transmission lines and other telecommunication facilities of a telecommunication carrier if its market share of the number of mobile terminal facilities within the same service area exceeds 25%. Our telecommunications facilities were designated as Category II-designated facilities in February 2002. The Minister of MIC may subject a telecommunications carrier that possesses Category II-designated facilities to the prohibition of anti-competitive behaviors by designation, if the percentage of such carrier’s revenue from telecommunications service using the Category II-designated facilities to the total revenue from all business activities of the provision of the same type telecommunications service within the same area exceeds 25% and it is deemed necessary to ensure proper competition with other telecommunications carriers. Our and our eight subsidiaries’ revenue percentage in all service areas exceeds the 25% threshold and we were so designated in May 2002.

 

Under the asymmetric regulation described above, we and other telecommunications carriers that possess Category II-designated telecommunications facilities are subject to the prohibition of anti-competitive behaviors, such as abuse or provision of proprietary information obtained from competitors through interconnection for

 

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other purposes, unduly favorable treatment of specific carriers and undue compulsion or intervention upon other carriers, manufacturers or suppliers of telecommunication equipment, and are obligated to compile and disclose financial statements pertaining to telecommunications and other businesses. In addition, telecommunications carriers that possess Category II-designated telecommunications facilities are obligated to establish and notify to the Minister of MIC the Article of Agreement Concerning Interconnection prior to implementation and to make them available for public inspection. The Minister of MIC may order to make changes to the Article of Agreement Concerning Interconnection. Agreements pertaining to the interconnection between Category II-designated facilities and other telecommunications carriers cannot be entered into or amended without complying with the Article of Agreement Concerning Interconnection.

 

For other recent discussions concerning the Telecommunications Business Law, please see “Recent Discussions on the Telecommunications Business Law and the Radio Law” below.

 

The Radio Law

 

Outline

 

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

 

Article 4 requires that any person who intends to establish a radio station shall first obtain a license from the Minister of MIC. This requires cellular operators to obtain a license in connection with individual base stations and handsets. However, with respect to increases in the number of base stations and sales of handsets within the already allocated spectrum, a technical standards verification system and other systems have been introduced to expedite the process by MIC. Under Article 6 of the Radio Law, persons wishing to receive a license for a radio station must submit an application to the Minister of MIC together with documents setting forth such matters as purpose and reason construction of a base station is necessary, communication counterparties, communication matters, location where radio equipment are to be installed, and frequencies to be used. Under Article 7 of the Radio Law, MIC, upon receiving an application for a license, examines it to determine whether it satisfies, among others, the following criteria: conformity of the construction design to technical standards, the availability of the frequencies requested, conformity with the fundamental standards of radio station establishment such as the applicant’s business need for the license. Generally, however, the Minister of MIC submits such important matters as spectrum allocation to new operators and new systems to the Radio Regulatory Council for consultation and will grant the license only after obtaining the Council’s reply thereto.

 

Article 17 of the Radio Law requires a licensee to obtain permission from Minister of MIC for changes in the operations, including changes of the person with whom radio communications is conducted and location of radio equipment, and for the initiation of construction to modify any radio equipment. As with licensing, regulatory requirements with respect to the location of radio equipment and construction to change radio equipment for use within allocated spectrum has been simplified by implementing a certification procedure.

 

Article 26 of the Radio Law also provides that a list setting out current frequency assignments and frequencies available for future assignment shall be made public for the convenience of any person that would like to establish a radio station. The frequency or spectrum allocated for a certain use such as cellular, PHS or paging services is stipulated by a ministerial ordinance of MIC. From within the assigned frequency or spectrum for a certain service, MIC by issuing a circular allocates spectrum to the wireless telecommunications operators providing such service. In accordance with Article 4 of the Radio Law as noted above, the operators then apply for a license for radio stations (i.e. base stations and handsets) that use frequency from within their allocated spectrum.

 

Spectrum Allocation

 

Spectrum allocation is awarded based on an application to MIC, which regulates the use of radio frequencies and the allocation of spectrum in Japan under the Radio Law. MIC currently allocates 69 MHz x2 for 2G network. As spectrum capacity is limited, spectrum is a highly valuable resource. We have been allocated

 

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frequency spectrum of 34.5 MHz x2. Within our allocated spectrum, we use 29 MHz x2 for our 800 MHz PDC network and 5.5 MHz x2 for our 1.5 GHz PDC network in cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka. Currently, two other mobile phone operators have been allocated spectrum for their cellular services in Japan. The KDDI group has collectively been allocated 25 MHz x2 in the 800 MHz and 1.5 GHz bands for 2G network. SoftBank has been allocated 11.5 MHz in the 1.5 GHz band.

 

Radio frequencies for 3G network have been allocated as follows

 

On June 30, 2000, we, KDDI and Vodafone respectively obtained approvals from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (which was consolidated into the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications with other governmental organizations and is currently called the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, or MIC) which allow each company to use the 2 GHz band. All three companies have each been allocated 15 MHz x2 of spectrum.

 

In May 2004, MIC announced its allocation policy allowing us and Vodafone each to use an additional 5MHz x2 of spectrum in the 2GHz band. KDDI is expected to be allowed to use an additional 5MHz x2 of spectrum after the interference problem with PHS systems is technically resolved.

 

In February 2005, MIC announced its policy to allocate spectrum in the 800MHz band to us and KDDI respectively, which allows each company to use 15MHz x2 of spectrum after completing the migration of existing systems operated in the 800MHz band to other frequency bands.

 

In August 2005, MIC announced its policy for new allocation of 35MHz x2 in the 1.7GHz band (of which, 15 MHz x2 is nationwide, only for new businesses, and 20MHz x2 is for Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, for both new and existing businesses) and 15 MHz x2 in the 2GHz band (nationwide, for new businesses only). As of April 2006, in the 1.7GHz band, BB Mobile (subsidiary of Softbank) and EMOBILE (subsidiary of eAccess), as new business, have each been allocated 5MHz x2 nationwide, and we, as an existing business, have been allocated 5MHz x2, and IP Mobile has been allocated 15MHz in the 2GHz band. However, because through the acquisition of Vodafone by BB Mobile, the assumptions that were in effect at the time of attestation of the establishment plan were no longer operative, BB Mobile, on April 28, 2006, reported to MIC that it wanted to return the attestation, and in May 2006, MIC referred the matter of revocation of attestation of the establishment plan to the Radio Regulatory Council.

 

Recent Amendments

 

Under amendments to the Radio Law that took effect in November 2005, a review was undertaken of charges for radio spectrum use, with a view towards correcting what was perceived as unfairness based on type of radio station. In addition, new bandwidth charges are to be imposed depending on the frequency bandwidth used by mobile phones and other devices, and radio spectrum use charges for mobile phones have been lowered. Under this system, which is designed to facilitate migration from 2G to 3G, increases or decreases in use fees for mobile phones may be offset among blanket licenses held by the same licensee. The radio spectrum use fees are to be used to provide subsidies to support transmission line costs to base stations meeting certain requirements and qualifying as a wireless system dissemination support business.

 

For other recent discussions concerning the Radio Law, please see “Recent Discussions on the Telecommunications Business Law and the Radio Law” below.

 

Recent Discussions on the Telecommunications Business Law and the Radio Law

 

Besides the points already covered in the amendments or the proposed amendments to the Telecommunications Business Law and the Radio Law, several other changes have been recommended by various governmental bodies.

 

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Three-Year Program for Promoting Regulatory Reform

 

The Regulatory Reform Committee recommended in its report dated December 12, 2000 that, among other things, the introduction of a spectrum auction system be considered and discussed. The Government on March 30, 2001, launched the Three-Year Program for Promoting Regulatory Reform. The Regulatory Reform Committee was terminated on March 31, 2001. The General Regulatory Reform Council, a body established under the Cabinet Office, has since then been in charge of promoting regulatory reform. On March 28, 2003, it published the Three-Year Program for Promoting Regulatory Reform. In relation to mobile telecommunications area, most of the issues in the Three-Year Program have already been reflected in the amended Telecommunications Business Law while an optimum spectrum reallocation system is still under consideration.

 

New IT Revolution Strategy

 

As part of the “New IT Revolution Strategy” determined on January 19, 2006, by the Government’s IT Strategy Headquarters, the following proposals were made in connection with mobile communications:

 

   

realization of a mobile communications system with data transmission speeds that are 100 times faster than the current level by fiscal year 2010.

 

   

formulation of guidelines for standardization by 2010 of displays and method of operations for handsets and equipment that take into consideration user-friendliness for all people, including seniors and the handicapped, and promotion of product labeling that facilitates selection by consumers of easy-to-use products.

 

Emergency Calling Functions

 

As part of the “technical requirements for caller location notification functions for emergency calls from cellular phones” announced by MIC’s committee on advancement of emergency calling functions on June 30, 2004, the following provision was proposed:

 

   

cellular handsets for 3G mobile communication systems introduced by network operators in April 2007 and after must in principle be equipped with GPS location and notification functionality.

 

Regarding the provision of a location information notification feature for emergency situations, we are working with relevant ministries in order to successfully implement the proposal in consideration of user convenience and the demands of society with due consideration to the protection of privacy and communication confidentiality.

 

NTT Group

 

Both the Three-Year Program and the New IT Revolution Strategy stated that the Government expects that NTT will establish a voluntary action plan for promoting competition, including:

 

   

further opening of the NTT group’s local network, and

 

   

realization of competition within the NTT group by decreasing NTT’s ownership percentage in our company and NTT Com.

 

In response, on October 25, 2001, NTT together with NTT East and NTT West announced “NTT’s Strategy concerning Current Management Issues”. In relation to its group operations, in that release NTT stated that:

 

   

maintaining the present group operation under a holding company will be necessary in order to proceed with the structural reform that would revise NTT East and NTT West cost structures by reallocating personnel within the NTT group and making use of outsourcing companies,

 

   

from the standpoint of maximizing corporate value (shareholders’ profits), the NTT group management apportions each group company’s business areas such that (i) in fields where new markets need to be

 

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developed, such as Internet-related business, each company is free to decide its own business strategy while taking advantage of its own strengths, even if this involves competition among NTT group companies; (ii) in the remaining fields, group operations are carried out on the principle of avoiding duplication of resources,

 

   

the simultaneous holding of executive positions between local companies (NTT East and NTT West) and NTT Com or our company is not implemented currently and will remain unimplemented, from the viewpoint of fair competition, and

 

   

decisions on NTT’s investment ratio of NTT Com and our company and the simultaneous holding of executive positions will continue to be considered from the standpoint of maximizing shareholders’ profits, while fully respecting the autonomy in actual business operations of each NTT group company and taking into account operational necessities and stock market trends, as the market and other environmental factors surrounding the NTT group are rapidly changing.

 

In the report released on June 6, 2006, an MIC panel on the future of telecommunications and broadcasting services proposed conducting a thorough review of the legal system for telecommunications by 2010 for promotion of fair competition among telecommunications carriers. It also called for discussions of measures aimed at eliminating regulations restricting the operations of NTT East and NTT West, as well as abolishing the holding company and separating the capital ties within the group in an integrated manner. Further, it proposed a swift start to discussions necessary for the above proposals.

 

In response to the report released from the MIC panel, NTT released a statement on June 6, 2006, saying that it planned to exert its utmost efforts to achieve the goals stated in its medium-term business strategy and that it would not be able to accept the proposals in the report because they would interfere with the smooth implementation of such strategy.

 

On June 20, 2006, the consensus between Government and ruling parties on the future of telecommunications and broadcasting services was released. In the statement, they concluded that, in telecommunication industry, they would promote such fair competition rules as those on opening of networks that are necessary for realizing advanced yet inexpensive information communication services and would discuss the organizational issue of NTT in 2010 after assessing the status of the diffusion of broadband and the trend of medium-term business strategy of NTT.

 

Fair Competition

 

One of the purposes of the Telecommunications Business Law is promoting fair competition in the telecommunications business, and accordingly MIC implements various measures. MIC and the Fair Trade Commission jointly published in November 2001 the Guidelines for Promotion of Competition in the Telecommunications Business Field for the purpose of the Antimonopoly Law and the Telecommunications Business Law in order, principally, to enhance the transparency of telecommunications carriers, to clarify actual practices for which telecommunications carriers having market power are prohibited and to clarify practices leading to orders to change charges or orders to improve business activities under the Telecommunications Business Law.

 

On June 6, 2002, MIC’s study group on new business models and grand design of the competitive environments for the new information and communications era compiled and released its final report regarding how competitive environments in the telecommunications business fields should be established in the broadband age. The report indicates the necessity of introducing new regulations in order to facilitate participation of content providers, portal site providers and Internet service providers to the i-mode service market. In addition, equal treatment among content providers has been required by the aforementioned joint guidelines published by MIC and the Fair Trade Commission. In November 2002, we started providing Internet service providers with open access to the interface with our PDC-P packet network used for i-mode-compatible PDC handsets. Open access to the interface with our IMT-2000 packet network used for FOMA i-mode handsets has also been allowed since March 2003.

 

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The Right to Set Charge for Calls

 

In November 2002, in connection with an application by Heisei Denden to MIC concerning terms and conditions of interconnection between Heisei Denden’s telecommunications facilities and our telecommunications facilities, MIC decided, following a recommendation by the Telecommunications Dispute Settlement Commission, that it is appropriate for Heisei Denden to set user charges for calls generated from Heisei Denden’s facilities to our facilities. This principle will be applied to interconnections among other local operators, except NTT East and NTT West, and mobile operators. This is a case of a fixed line operator being given the right to set charges for calls made from fixed line phones to cellular phones. In addition, in December 2002, MIC set up a study group regarding the setting of charges with respect to intermediate interconnection services and calls made from IP telephones to cellular phones.

 

As a consequence, in June 2003, it was announced in the study group report and the administrative policies of MIC that the charges for inter-exchange calls (outbound calls from the fixed-line telephones of NTT East and NTT West to cellular phones connected via the facilities of inter-exchange operators) will be set by inter-exchange operators if the caller selects the inter-exchange operator for each call, and the charges for calls made from IP phones to cellular phones will be set by the IP phone operator. Following this announcement, intermediate interconnection services were introduced in April 2004. While, as a transitional measure, mobile phone operators were allowed to set user charges for the portion of an inter-exchange call serviced by mobile phone operators during the year ended March 31, 2005, effective April 2005, interconnection fees have been applied instead for the said portion of an inter-exchange call.

 

Radio Spectrum Use

 

The study group on policies concerning the effective radio spectrum use of MIC that was established in January 2002, published its first report in December 2002. Its proposals included the introduction of a compensation scheme for licensees who shoulder losses resulting from a short-term reallocation of spectrum or a shift to fiber-optic cables instead of an alternative spectrum. That proposal was reflected in the Amendments to the Radio Law that passed the Diet in May 2003. The report also proposed that a comparative examination system based on market principles and licensing procedures is desirable instead of an auction system which could seriously hinder effective use of radio spectrums as shown by the extremely high bidding that occurred in various European countries. The report also proposed deregulation on experimental radio stations. In September 2003 and December 2003, the study group published its second and third reports, including discussion of such topics as an after-the-fact registration system (including exemption from prior licensing) primarily for public wireless LAN services, and discussions about cost burdens. They released a final report October 2004 proposing basic policy regarding amendment of the scheme for spectrum user fee. In this report, in order to secure the fairness of the burden for spectrum user fee imposed to every licensee, reexamination of the fee scheme for each type of radio station and imposition of spectrum user fee charged depending on areas and ranges of spectrum used as a radio spectrum exclusive for wide-range areas (a frequency mainly used in radio stations which are built considerably in wide-range area by same licensee) were incorporated. Also, in order to bridge the digital divide, a system to financially assist, with a certain criteria, the expense of the cable transmission line to the mobile base station in rural area and allocation of funds to the research and development about effective use of spectrum are incorporated. Those proposed measure was approved and materialized in Diet in October 2005, and it was reflected in the amended Radio Law proclaimed and enforced in November of the same year (reexamination of the charging scheme was enforced in December of the same year).

 

Evaluation of Competition in the Telecommunications Field

 

MIC announced its “basic approach of competition review in the telecommunications field” and “details of the implementation for the year ended March 31, 2004 of the evaluation of the state of competition in the telecommunications field” in November 2003. MIC has performed analyses of four areas including areas of fixed-line phone, Internet access services, mobile communications, and corporate network services annually from the year ended March 31, 2004. Analysis and evaluation on the state of competition will first be made based on

 

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an analysis using quantitative indices, and in the event it is judged that progress of competition cannot be sufficiently achieved with quantitative analysis only, qualitative analysis, including factors affected by circumstances that are indicated by qualitative indices, will also be employed.

 

In July 2005, MIC announced its “competition review in the telecommunications field for fiscal 2005”. In this report, MIC evaluated the mobile communications domain as follows:

 

   

in fiscal year 2005, the migration from 2G to 3G would advance, and competition would remain brisk;

 

   

while NTT DoCoMo group is in a position to single-handedly control the market, the possibility of its exercising such market control is not high;

 

   

while concerns remain that multiple carriers could collude to exercise market control, because of the introduction of Mobile Number Portability, the entry of new competitors to the market, and the diversification of business strategies and business models that has been made possible by such factors as the developments in MVNO, these concerns have eased slightly from the previous year; and

 

   

matters to be monitored going forward include the increasing use of vertically aligned business relationships and competition encompassing multiple layers.

 

In October 2006, MIC designated the three years from fiscal year 2006 to fiscal year 2008 as the second phase for competition review, and formulated the “basic policy for competition review in the telecommunications field for fiscal years 2006-2008,” based upon which it announced in November 2006 “particulars for competition review in the telecommunications field for fiscal year 2006.” The stipulated implementation particulars included matters ranging from the domains subject to analysis in the fiscal 2006 competition review to the analysis and review of competition conditions.

 

New Competition Promotion Program 2010

 

In October 2005, MIC established a “Panel on Competition Rules corresponding to the development of IP” for the purpose of clarifying basic policy regarding competition rules in light of developments in IP and the direction in which review of connection and rate policies is to proceed. A report was released in September 2006.

 

In light of the report of the Panel on Competition Rules corresponding to the development of IP, MIC announced in September 2006 the New Competition Promotion Program 2010, which concerns measures to be implemented by early 2010s from the viewpoint of ensuring fair competition. The outline of the program is as follows:

 

   

promotion of facility competition;

 

   

review of the designated telecommunications facilities system (dominant regulations);

 

   

review of the calculation method for NTT East and NTT West interconnection charges;

 

   

promotion of competition in the mobile telecommunications market;

 

   

review of rate policy;

 

   

review of the Universal Service Fund system;

 

   

examination of the principle of network neutrality (fairness in use and fairness in cost allocation);

 

   

strengthening of dispute resolution functions; and

 

   

review of market exit rules.

 

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Based on the New Competition Promotion Program 2010, MIC plans to implement the required system changes by the early part of the decade starting in 2010. The status of the main changes affecting our Group is described below.

 

Review of the designated telecommunications facilities system (dominant regulations), implementation of competition safeguard system

 

On April 18, 2007, MIC formulated the “guidelines for operation of the competition safeguard system” with the purpose of verifying the scope of designated telecommunications facilities and the validity of NTT Group’s fair competition requirements on a regular basis (once per year). MIC plans to commence operations in the fiscal year 2007.

 

Further, MIC is planning to undertake a comprehensive review of the currently designated telecommunications facility system, from the viewpoint of the fair operation of the dominant regulations in light of market integration associated with developments in IP related trends. Specifically, under the auspices of the “panel for network neutrality,” established in November 2006, a working group on “new competition rules” was established, with the purpose of examining the direction in which review of dominant regulations should proceed. A report of the panel is planned for release in September 2007, and in response to this report, design of the system, in as specific detail as possible, is planned for the fiscal year 2007, with implementation of the required system changes to come promptly thereafter, and operation to begin in the fiscal year 2010.

 

Promotion of competition in the mobile telecommunications market

 

On February 13, 2007, with a view toward a more dynamic mobile telecommunications market achieved by promoting new entry by MVNO operators, MIC issued its revised “guidelines regarding the application of the Telecommunications Business Law and the Radio Law to MVNO.” Under the revised guidelines, whether wholesale telecommunications services are to be provided by an MNO, or whether there will be an interconnection between an MNO and MVNO are matters, in principle, to be decided by consultations between the parties, and when an MNO has had a request for connection from an MVNO, unless it has grounds to refuse, it must comply with such request.

 

Further, in order to carry out an examination with a view towards improving economic vitality and user interests through the growth of new mobile businesses, a “mobile business study group” has been meeting since January 2007. The followings are the main points being examined by the study group, which plans to issue a report in September 2007:

 

   

marketing models for mobile businesses (sales promotion funds, SIM locks, etc.);

 

   

promotion of entry of new MVNO businesses; and

 

   

goals for greater mobile business vitality (mobile access diversification, greater linkage of platform functions).

 

Review of the Universal Service System

 

In November 2005, MIC announced its response with respect to the report on the universal service system, and it was decided that in order to maintain subscriber telephones of the NTT East and NTT West, carriers connecting with the NTT East and NTT West would share cost burdens in accordance with their ratio of telecommunication numbers handled. The universal service system was introduced in June 2003, but in the three years following its introduction, through 2005, no funds were actually utilized. An amended ministerial order was promulgated on April 1, 2006, and starting in January 2007, in order to ensure provision of universal service by NTT East and NTT West, a portion of such costs would be borne by all telecommunications companies, including our group, that provide services through connections to universal service, with such costs to be apportioned according to number of telephone numbers owned by each telecommunications company. In light of

 

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the intent of the system, our group is requiring its customers to assume an equitable portion of the costs in proportion to the number of telephone numbers they use, and starting with February 2007 bills (for usage in January 2007), its customers have been billed universal service fees.

 

In the March 2007 report of the Telecommunications Deliberation Council, stated that it would be appropriate to carry out a review of the rules for computing subsidies under the universal service system for the fiscal year 2007 and beyond. In response, the Universal Service Subcommittee commenced deliberation of these rules, and it is possible that a review of the rules for computing subsidies under the universal service system will take place during the fiscal year 2007. Further, in regards to the universal service system, starting in January 2007, a “study group regarding the future image of the universal service system” began meeting, with a view towards the building of a new system in line with future environmental changes. After the completion of the study by this group, the matter will be deliberated by the Telecommunications Deliberation Council, and the required system changes are to be implemented as soon thereafter as is practicable.

 

Examination regarding network neutrality

 

In November 2006, the Panel on Network Neutrality began meeting, with the purpose of selecting and organizing interim goals relating to next generation IP-based networks, based on the principle of network neutrality—i.e., fairness in network use and fairness in allocation of network costs—and from the viewpoint of encouraging diversification. The panel is to carry out system design, in as specific detail as possible, during fiscal 2007, with the required system changes to be implemented as soon thereafter as is practicably possible. Operations are planned to start by fiscal 2010.

 

The Other Recent Discussions

 

MIC established the Study Group for Telecommunication Numbers in the IP Age in order to deliberate how telecommunication numbers should be handled in light of the development of IP networks; the study group issued its first report in August 2005. This report accepted, for telecommunications numbers used for FMC services, 060 as a new telephone prefix and 050, 070, 080, and 090 as existing prefixes. In October 2006, MIC’s Telecommunication Numbers Subcommittee began deliberations, issuing a report on a “system for telecommunication numbers directed toward introduction of FMC services” in March 2007. MIC plans to amend the regulation on telecommunication numbers in light of this report.

 

In August 2006, MIC established the Study Group for Comprehensive Legal System for Communications and Broadcasting. With studies conducted from the viewpoint of experts, the Study Group aims to embody a studied framework of the law system in anticipation of the integration and alliance of communications and broadcasting. MIC plans to issue a report in December, 2007.

 

In October 2006, MIC established a Panel on Global ICT Competitiveness, with the purpose of examining the direction of the basic strategy for strengthening Japan’s global competitiveness in the information and communications technologies. The panel issued its final report in April 2007, and formulated the Program to Strengthen Global ICT Competitiveness. The specific content included (i) a Global ICT Competitiveness Conference; (ii) promotion of reform in the fields of telecommunications and broadcasting; (iii) use of improvement indices; and (iv) special digital spectrum bands, and in response to this program, efforts will be directed toward strengthening the global competitiveness of Japan’s ICT industries.

 

Information Security Management

 

In order to protect customer information, in conjunction with the full implementation of the Law on the Protection of Personal Information, we established the position of Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) and strengthened the system for protection of personal information, and we are making efforts to construct a company-wide information security management system.

 

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In addition, we agreed in efforts to prevent personal information leaks by handling and managing all terminals and external storage devices containing personal information, training our employees, confirming matters for compliance in information management with all entities to which we outsource services, instructing and supervising such entities, strengthening the security technology in all our systems, establishing system security standards and developing, operating and managing systems in compliance with such standards.

 

Law to Prevent Unauthorized Use of Mobile Phones

 

In April 2006, with the enforcement of the Law to Prevent Unauthorized Use of Mobile Phones, we coped with imposition of identification and recording the documents verifying the customer’s proof of identity at the time of new contracts and reviewed an operative manual in order to comply with the law as a mobile telephone operator. In addition, we carry out the training for all the members performing duties such as identification and make an effort to ensure proper operation of such duties.

 

Relationship with NTT

 

NTT is our parent company and owned 63.4% of our voting rights as of March 31, 2007. The Government, in the name of the Minister of Finance, owned 38.5% of the voting rights of NTT as of the same date. The Government, acting through MIC, also regulates the activities of NTT.

 

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

 

On July 1, 1999, NTT was reorganized into a holding company structure. The former NTT parent company transferred its local and long-distance businesses to three new wholly-owned subsidiaries: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone West Corporation, and NTT Communications Corporation (“NTT Com”). NTT East and NTT West operate regional telecommunications services in eastern Japan and western Japan, respectively, and NTT Com operates long distance telecommunications and other network services throughout Japan. NTT Com also offers international telecommunications services. We continue to be a direct subsidiary of NTT after the reorganization.

 

Although NTT owned 63.4% of our voting rights as of March 31, 2007, we conduct our day-to-day business operations independently of NTT and its other subsidiaries. All transactions between us and each of NTT and its subsidiaries and affiliates are conducted on an arm’s length basis. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, we had sales of ¥61,796 million to NTT and its subsidiaries and had cost of services, selling, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures of ¥ 267,329 million, ¥ 161,041 million and ¥ 103,728 million, respectively, to NTT and its other subsidiaries, compared to sales of ¥ 60,746 million and cost of services, selling, general and administrative expenses and capital expenditures of ¥ 281,188 million, ¥ 155,152 million and ¥71,897 million, respectively, in the year ended March 31, 2006. We also had receivables of ¥ 28,018 million from NTT and its subsidiaries and payables of ¥ 93,208 million to NTT and its subsidiaries at March 31, 2007, compared to ¥ 21,289 million and ¥ 81,436 million at March 31, 2006. In conjunction with the reorganization of NTT into a holding company, we now pay NTT at fair market rates for the fundamental research and development conducted by NTT on our behalf as well as fees and charges for any other services or benefits that are provided to us by NTT. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, total payments by us to NTT amounted to ¥16.4 billion.

 

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In order to ensure fair competition in the mobile telecommunications business, the MPT in April 1992 established the following conditions of separation on NTT (which was then in operation of the fixed line telephone services) and us (which remain applicable):

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

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

 

Although we operate independently of NTT, the following matters, among other things, relating to us are discussed directly with or reported to NTT: matters that are required to be voted on at shareholders’ meetings, including amendments to the Articles of Incorporation, mergers and consolidations, assignments and transfers of business, election and removal of directors and corporate auditors, and appropriation of profits; increases in share capital; investments, including international investments; loans and guarantees; and establishment of businesses plans. In addition, Toshiki Nakayama, a full-time employee of NTT, serves part-time on our Board of Directors.

 

The Deregulation Committee (succeeded to by the Regulatory Reform Committee), an advisory committee set up by the decision of the Japanese Cabinet dated December 20, 1997, issued a report on December 15, 1998, with respect to government deregulation in a number of sectors of the Japanese economy. This report recommended the complete privatization of NTT at some point in the future, together with the elimination of monopolies in the regional telecommunications markets, and recommended that effective action should be taken to promote substantive competition between NTT East and NTT West. This report also included a recommendation that in the future the reorganized NTT be required to reduce its ownership of our shares to the level where competition between us and NTT East and NTT West is facilitated. On March 30, 1999, the Government revised its Three-year Program for Promoting Deregulation stating, among other things, that, based on the Deregulation Committee’s report and in connection with NTT’s ownership of our shares, it would carefully watch competition between us and NTT East and NTT West. On March 31, 2000, in its decision to further revise the Three-year Program, the Government stated that it would continue to consider NTT’s ownership of our shares taking into account the competition among cellular phone companies and the competition between us and NTT East and NTT West. Furthermore, on December 12, 2000, the Regulatory Reform Committee issued a written opinion stating that NTT’s ownership of our shares should be reduced to the

 

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level at which fair competition among us and other NTT companies is ensured, and that the “firewall” regulation that restricts the sharing of management and other personnel among us and other NTT companies should be strengthened.

 

On December 21, 2000, the Telecommunications Council, then an advisory committee of the MPT, issued its first formal report concerning initiatives to promote competition in the telecommunications industry and to promote information technology generally. In this report, the Telecommunications Council stated its view that NTT’s ownership of our shares should be reduced as much as possible through the listing of us on foreign stock exchanges, among other means, and that there should not be common directors of NTT and DoCoMo.

 

The Government, on March 30, 2001, launched its Three-year Program for Promoting Regulatory Reform. In that program the Government expected NTT as well as NTT East and NTT West would prepare and publish a voluntary action program for promoting competition, including a realization of competition within the NTT group by decreasing NTT’s ownership of our shares. In response, on October 25, 2001, NTT together with NTT East and NTT West announced “NTT’s Strategy concerning Current Management Issues” and stated in that release that simultaneous holding of executive positions between NTT East or NTT West and our company would remain unimplemented and that NTT’s investment ratio in our company and the simultaneous holding of executive positions would continue to be considered from the standpoint of maximizing its shareholders’ profits, taking into account operational necessities and stock market trends. On October 29, 2002, NTT made a report to MIC on the current status of implementation of the voluntary action plan released in October 2001. In the report, NTT stated that it sold 551,000 shares of our company in July 2002, in conjunction with our planned share reacquisition and that the system of concurrent appointment of directors for NTT and our company was discontinued at the general meeting of shareholders in June 2001.

 

In June 2006, an advisory panel on the future of telecommunications and broadcasting made a final report. In the report, it says that, in order to promote a fair competition among telecommunication industry, study group proposed that MIC makes a drastic review on legislations related to telecommunication by 2010. The study group also proposed that, keeping issues such as abolishment of the regulations on the scope of business of NTT East and NTT West, abolishment of holding company, and separation of equity links etc. in mind as a whole mission, MIC takes necessary measures to realize issues and start necessary investigation immediately. In June 2006, corresponding to this report, NTT made a statement that, with the aim to establish safe and secure next-generation network under current structure and provide optical services to approximately 30 million customers by 2010, NTT will take its utmost effort to realize medium term management strategies, and that NTT cannot accept the proposal as it may disturb smooth promotion of their medium term management strategies.

 

The Government has not decided what action, if any, it will take with respect to NTT’s ownership of our shares. NTT has declared its view that its ownership of our shares does not have any adverse effects on fair competition and that it intends to maintain its ownership percentage in us at 51% or above.

 

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

 

Property

 

Our property includes buildings which contains wireless telecommunications equipment. As of March 31, 2007, we and our regional subsidiaries owned 3,096,572 square meters of land and 1,558,561 square meters of office space, buildings containing switching centers, company dormitories and warehouses throughout Japan. In addition, as of March 31, 2007, we leased approximately 7,199,028 square meters of land mainly for base stations and transmission facilities.

 

Additional information can be found in “Capital Expenditures” of Item 5.B.

 

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Employees

 

As of March 31, 2007, NTT DoCoMo and its subsidiaries had 21,591 employees representing a decrease of 55 employees since March 31, 2006. As of March 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 we had 21,646, 21,527, and 21,241 employees, respectively. The average number of temporary employees for the year ended March 31, 2007 was 5,999.

 

Of our 21,591 employees at March 31, 2007, roughly 1,450 were staff of such departments as human resources, general affairs, management planning, accounting and finance, while the rest were engaged in business operations, such as sales, research and development and related matters. Also, as of March 31, 2007, approximately 600 employees were working at foreign consolidated companies.

 

We consider our level of remuneration, non-wage benefits, including our employee share ownership program, working conditions and other allowances, including lump-sum payments and annuities to employees upon retirement, to be generally competitive with those offered in Japan by other large enterprises. We have an extensive training program for new employees. To increase incentives, the NTT group has implemented a bonus plan based on overall business performance and personal results. The general retirement age has been 60.

 

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

 

Legal Proceedings

 

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

 

C. Organizational Structure

 

As of March 31, 2007, NTT, our parent company, is our largest shareholder and owned 63.4% of our outstanding voting shares. We conduct our business together with our 95 subsidiaries and 15 affiliates which together constitute the largest wireless telecommunications services provider in Japan based on the number of subscriptions. Our most significant subsidiaries are our eight regional subsidiaries, each of which operates in a region of Japan.

 

The following table sets forth certain information on our significant subsidiaries as of March 31, 2007:

 

Name


   Country of Incorporation

   Voting rights owned by the
Company, directly or indirectly


 

NTT DoCoMo Hokkaido, Inc.(1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Tohoku, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Tokai, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Hokuriku, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Kansai, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Chugoku, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Shikoku, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

NTT DoCoMo Kyushu, Inc. (1)

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Service Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Engineering Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Mobile Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Support Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Systems, Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Sentsu, Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Technology, Inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

DoCoMo Business Net, inc.  

   Japan    100.0 %

(1) One of our eight regional subsidiaries.

 

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Other than our eight regional subsidiaries listed above, which are discussed elsewhere in this annual report, the eight main consolidated subsidiaries and their lines of business are: DoCoMo Service Inc., a company that collects charges on our behalf; DoCoMo Engineering Inc., which is engaged in the construction and maintenance of facilities; DoCoMo Mobile Inc., which repairs handsets and related cellular equipment used by subscribers; DoCoMo Support Inc., which render office services such as call center services; DoCoMo Systems, Inc., which develops, maintains and operates our fundamental systems; DoCoMo Sentsu, Inc., which render ancillary services for our satellite phone business; DoCoMo Technology, Inc., which develops software and provides support services regarding field tests; and DoCoMo Business Net, inc., which operates and provides support for agency sales.

 

Relationship Between Us and Our Eight Regional Subsidiaries

 

Each of our eight regional subsidiaries operates largely independently of us and each other and each is directly responsible for the operations in its specific region. However, we are responsible for coordinating, establishing guidelines for and centralizing control over certain matters to ensure that nationwide services are available to our subscribers and to enhance the synergies achieved as a group.

 

Matters coordinated as a group include (i) our medium- and long-term management strategies and business plans as a group, (ii) tariffs, (iii) basic customer service standards, (iv) basic working terms and conditions for employees, (v) management personnel related matters, and (vi) consolidated accounting matters. We also establish guidelines for matters such as nationwide network development strategies and network maintenance and service standards, nationwide sales and marketing and designs for facilities.

 

We retain central control over matters such as the use of intellectual property and operations systems. With respect to service marks, the usage rights we control which grant licenses to each of our eight regional subsidiaries allow them unlimited use of the service marks. Similarly, we basically control all of our patents, know-how and other intellectual property. Each of us may use the results of research and development as well as the patents, know-how and other intellectual property rights we own without royalties, since the research and development costs are shared among ourselves. However, our eight regional subsidiaries may not sublicense such use to any third parties, and all licensing and sublicensing are basically controlled by us directly.

 

Other areas of our operations over which we retain central control include, for example: (i) basic arrangements with NTT and NCCs (e.g., development and use of infrastructure facilities and agreements relating to interconnection); (ii) the coordination of matters to be reported to NTT and those legally required to be notified to MIC; (iii) spectrum matters; (iv) procurement, price negotiations and other business with handset and network equipment manufacturers; (v) traffic estimates, investment plans and network control; (vi) product and system related development; (vii) information systems management; and (viii) technical training of our personnel.

 

With respect to operating systems such as ALADIN, the procurement system and the accounting system, we and our eight regional subsidiaries share the use and expenses of such systems but we control their development and administration.

 

In order to increase the strength of the NTT DoCoMo brand name and identity, our services, pricing, handsets and customer services are fairly uniform throughout Japan.

 

D. Property, Plant and Equipment

 

The information required by this item is set forth in Item 4.B. of this annual report.

 

Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Not applicable.

 

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Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

 

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

 

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

 

We will discuss the following matters in this Item 5:

 

   

Our Business

 

   

Trends in the Mobile Communications Industry in Japan

 

   

Operating Trends

 

   

Operating Results for the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006

 

   

Segment Information

 

   

Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Critical Accounting Policies

 

   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

   

Research and Development

 

   

Trend Information

 

   

Others

 

A. Operating Results

 

Our Business

 

We are the largest cellular network operator in Japan, in terms of both revenues and number of subscriptions. As of March 31, 2007, we had approximately 52.62 million subscriptions, which represented 54.4% of all cellular subscriptions in Japan. We earn revenues and generate cash primarily by offering a variety of wireless voice and data communications services and products. In cellular services, which account for the majority of our revenues, we provide voice communication services as well as “i-mode” services, which enable our subscribers to send and receive e-mails and to access various sources of information including the Internet via our nationwide packet communications network. In addition to cellular services, we presently provide Personal Handyphone System (“PHS”) services and wireless LAN services nationwide. We also started to provide a mobile credit payment platform in December 2005 and mobile credit payment services in April 2006.

 

We have always been the market leader in the Japanese mobile communications industry as the demand for mobile communications has grown very rapidly. Now that a cellular phone has already become a part of daily life in Japan, it is difficult to replay the speedy growth we experienced in the first decade of our operations. However, in order to achieve sustainable growth and establish new sources of revenues, we are committed to upgrading our cellular communications services from a telecommunication infrastructure to a life-style infrastructure so that cellular services will be rooted even more deeply in the daily lives of our subscribers and further enrich their lives and businesses.

 

Trends in the Mobile Communications Industry in Japan

 

The mobile communications market in Japan saw a 5.21 million net increase in cellular and PHS subscriptions in the year ended March 31, 2007. As of March 31, 2007, the total number of subscriptions reached 101.70 million and the market penetration rate reached 79.6%. However, the annual growth rate of subscriptions

 

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has declined gradually from 6.2% to 5.5% to 5.4% in the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. Given the maturity of the market and the declining population trend, we expect that the growth rate of subscriptions in Japan will continue to decline in the future.

 

As of March 31, 2007, cellular services were provided by four network operators, including us, and their subsidiaries in Japan. In addition to providing cellular services, the network operators also collaborate with handset vendors to develop handsets compatible with the specifications of their wireless services and then sell them to subscribers through agent resellers. It has been common practice for the network operators to pay sales commissions to agent resellers and later recover the initial expenditures through future service charges collected from their new subscribers. As for cellular services, since the year 2001, when we first launched “FOMA” service, our third generation (“3G”) cellular services based on W-CDMA technology, our competitors have followed us in the launch of their 3G services. The network operators have been in an intense competition in pursuit of the acquisition of new subscribers and the migration of their current subscribers to 3G services. As of March 31, 2007, the number of 3G service subscriptions in Japan reached 69.91 million, which represented 72.3% of the total number of cellular subscriptions.

 

Competition among the network operators in Japan has become more intense under present market conditions as the needs of subscribers diversify and growth in new subscriptions slows. The network operators in Japan have been eager to differentiate themselves as they pursue the acquisition of new subscriptions and encourage the migration of their current subscribers to 3G services. The differentiation efforts include:

 

   

Launching of new services such as providing mobile credit payment services, music downloading, news casting, walkie-talkie, video-calling, net-auction, SNS (Social Networking Services), location information services and high-speed data transmission;

 

   

Equipping new handsets with various new functions including a TV tuner, radio tuner, music player, two-dimensional bar-code reader, contact-less IC (Integrated Circuit) chip capability, GPS (Global Positioning System), full-browser or water-proof;

 

   

Providing billing arrangements to attract or maintain subscribers, including flat rate for packet communications or flat rate for calls among subscribers of the same operator;

 

   

Introduction of new sales methods such as installment sales for handsets and;

 

   

Partnering with entities of different industries including retail, airlines, railways and financial institutions.

 

Recently, domestic deregulation of the industry has accelerated competition among cellular network operators, who have already implemented discounts in their service charges. The Mobile Number Portability, which enables subscribers to switch subscriptions from one operator to another without changing their telephone number, was introduced in October 2006. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications approved allocations of radio spectrums for new entrants planning to launch cellular services in November 2005. One such entrant already launched its cellular services as of the end of March 2007.

 

It is possible that innovations in Internet technology will have a material impact on the mobile communications industry as well. IP (Internet Protocol) phone, voice communications based on IP technology, is becoming a popular means of fixed line communications as a result of the penetration of local broadband access. If IP phone technology becomes popular in the mobile communications field, we expect that it will have a material impact on the current revenue structure of mobile communications industry. The penetration of local broadband access and cellular phones has produced an expectation for new services in the future, converging fixed and mobile communications. A “Fixed-Mobile Convergence” concept has already been partially realized when some network operators issued a single bill for both fixed and mobile subscriptions or others enable their subscribers to access to common contents via both a PC and a cellular phone. The demand for a seamless service between the fixed and mobile network and a common handset compatible with both fixed and mobile network service will possibly increase in the future. In April 2006, digital terrestrial TV broadcasting dedicated to mobile

 

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terminals was launched and is expected to be the first step in the future convergence of broadcasting and mobile communications. In the field of high-speed wireless networks, WiMAX is being standardized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers in the United States. In Japan, some network operators and other entities have started or are preparing to start connection experiments to launch commercial WiMAX services in the future.

 

Thus, we expect that the competitive environment for the mobile communications market will become increasingly severe in the future due to market, regulatory and technology changes.

 

Operating Trends

 

This section describes our operating trends from the perspectives of revenues and expenses.

 

Revenues

 

Wireless Services

 

We earn our wireless services revenues primarily from basic monthly charges, airtime charges for outgoing calls, revenues from incoming calls, including interconnection charges and charges for optional value-added services and features. Cellular services, which earn the majority of our overall revenues, consist of the third generation FOMA services and the second generation “mova” services. FOMA’s packet transmission technology allows our subscribers to send and receive more packets per minute, and the per-packet charges for data communications of FOMA services are set lower than those of mova services. Because we believe that FOMA’s advanced technological capability enables us to provide our subscribers with more convenient and competitive services, we aim to induce our mova subscribers to migrate to FOMA services as well as to acquire new FOMA subscriptions. As of March 31, 2007, the number of FOMA subscriptions reached 35.53 million or 67.5% of our total number of cellular subscriptions, the largest number of 3G subscriptions among cellular operators in Japan. Cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues include voice revenues and packet communications revenues. Voice revenues are derived from a combination of basic monthly charges for service and additional airtime charges depending on the minutes of connection time. Our packet communications revenues, which are currently dominated by i-mode revenues, accounted for a greater portion of our wireless services revenues in the year ended March 31, 2007, representing 28.8% of wireless services revenues, as compared to 26.1% and 24.7% in the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. As a result of the continued migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services, the portion of FOMA packet communications revenues increased to 78.2% of the total packet communications revenues in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 54.8% and 24.6% in the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.

 

Our top operational priorities include maintaining our current subscribers and the level of our average monthly revenue per unit (“ARPU”) despite the increasingly competitive market environment in which we are operating, including the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability in the year ended March 31, 2007. Our cellular services revenues are essentially a function of our number of active subscriptions multiplied by ARPU.

 

While the number of wireless subscriptions still continues to grow in Japan, its growth rate has slowed down. Our number of subscriptions also continues to grow while the growth rate of subscriptions has similarly declined. Our subscription churn rate, or contract termination rate, is an important performance indicator for us to achieve retention of our current subscribers. The churn rate has an impact on our number of subscriptions and in particular affects our number of net additional subscriptions for a given period. Efforts to reduce our churn rate through discount programs and other customer incentive programs can increase our revenues by increasing our number of net additional subscriptions, but they can also have an adverse impact on our revenues by decreasing the amount of revenues we are able to collect from each subscriber on average. In order to keep our churn rate low, we have focused on subscriber retention by implementing certain measures including offering discounts for long-term subscribers. During the year ended March 31, 2007, we introduced a new packet billing plan which enables subscribers to access internet websites in addition to i-mode sites at a flat-rate, launched HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) data transmission services, released attractive FOMA handsets, and expanded

 

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FOMA service area coverage. In the year ended March 31, 2007, we continued to release handsets such as “Kids’ PHONE” designed specifically for children and “Raku Raku PHONE” universally designed for elderly users in an effort to pioneer such new market segments.

 

ARPU is calculated by dividing various revenue items included in operating revenues from our wireless services, such as basic monthly charges, airtime charges and packet communications charges, from designated services by the number of active subscriptions to the relevant services. ARPU is another important performance indicator for us to measure average monthly revenues per subscription. Accordingly, the calculation of ARPU excludes revenues that are not representative of monthly average usage such as subscription activation fees. We believe that our ARPU figures calculated in this way provide useful information to analyze the trend of monthly average usage of our subscribers over time and the impact of changes in our billing arrangements. The revenue items included in the numerators of our ARPU figures are based on our U.S. GAAP results of operations. The ARPU calculation is described in “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Cellular System Usage”. ARPU (FOMA+mova) has fallen over the past few years, due to a decrease in MOU (Minutes of usage, which is the average communication time per month per subscription) following further penetration of cellular phones into lower usage subscriber segments and a large number of subscribers using i-mode services instead of voice calls. The shrinking trend of ARPU also resulted from our introduction of billing arrangements with reduced or flat rates intended to maintain our current subscribers, an increase in number of subscribers who subscribe to discount programs, and the increase in the number of FOMA billing plans that can be combined with our flat-rate packet billing plan for unlimited i-mode usage. In order to boost ARPU, we introduced services such as “i-channel”, a convenient and easy-to-use information push-delivery service, and “Push Talk”, a walkie-talkie style communication service, in the year ended March 31, 2006. We also introduced more handsets compatible with international roaming service in order to increase roaming revenues. Furthermore, we are promoting cellular usage other than voice calls such as video-calling or video-clip downloading. The decelerated growth rate of subscriptions did not cover the declines in ARPU in the year ended March 31, 2005, which resulted in a decrease in cellular services revenues. We achieved a slight increase in the cellular services revenues from the prior fiscal year owing to a slower decline in ARPU in the year ended March 31, 2006. In the year ended March 31, 2007, although the decline in ARPU continued, growth in the number of subscriptions, combined with our recognition as revenue the portion of “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” (two-month carry over) allowance that are projected to expire, resulted in an increase in cellular services revenues. We expect that the positive effects of the moderate growth in the number of subscriptions will be more than offset by the negative effects from declines in ARPU, and thus cellular services revenues will consequently decline for the year ending March 31, 2008. We intend to achieve sustainable growth by establishing new sources of revenues as soon as possible while we maintain the current level of revenues by further strengthening our competitiveness in the cellular business.

 

Equipment Sales

 

We collaborate with handset vendors to develop handsets compatible with our cellular services, purchase the handsets from those handset vendors, and then sell those handsets to our subscribers through agent resellers. We also pay agent resellers sales commissions and later recover such expenditures through service charges paid by our subscribers.

 

We provide a wide variety of handsets to the market to answer diverse needs of our current and potential subscribers. The handset offering includes “FOMA 9 series”, which are equipped with most advanced functions, and “FOMA 7 series” which feature a sophisticated balance between unique designs and functionalities. We also released “SIMPURE series”, which feature limited functions and simple usability, for cost-conscious customers.

 

Revenues from equipment sales, primarily sales of handsets and other telecommunications equipment, accounted for 9.9% of total operating revenues for the year ended March 31, 2007. We adopted Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 01-09, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products),” and therefore account for a portion of the sales commissions that we pay to agent resellers, the main component of which is handset sales incentive, as a reduction in equipment sales revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses. As a result, structurally, the cost of

 

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equipment sold exceeds equipment sales revenues, and thus the sale of an extra handset has a negative impact on our operating income. During the year ended March 31, 2007, as the migration of mova subscribers to more sophisticated FOMA services continued, revenue per handset before application of EITF 01-09 increased. However, revenue per handset after EITF 01-09 declined due to the increase of handset sales incentives to be deducted from the gross handset revenues. Due to the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability, increases in both the number of handsets sold and handset sales incentives resulted in a slight increase in equipment sales. We expect that, in the year ending March 31, 2008, both the number of handsets sold and handset sales incentives will decrease from the levels of those in the prior fiscal year as the demand for handsets derived from the Mobile Number Portability diminishes. The expected decline in the number of handsets sold is derived partly from the decline in the number of new subscriptions and partly from our campaign to slow down the handset upgrading cycle by providing members of “DoCoMo Premier Club” with free-of-charge battery packs and the extension of free warranty periods. Because the trend of handset sales is closely interrelated with the cost of handsets sold and sales commissions, you should also refer hereafter to the “Cost of Equipment Sold” and “Selling, General and Administrative Expenses” sections below.

 

Expansion of Our Business Domain

 

In addition to the further buildup of our competitiveness in the cellular business, we are actively involved in the expansion of our business domain. The most significant is the establishment of our “Osaifu-Keitai*”, or mobile wallet, and the subsequent launch of our credit services business. We seek to reposition our cellular phones as tools more deeply rooted in the daily life of our subscribers by enabling transactional settlements through the use of cellular phones equipped with contact-less IC chips. In December 2005, we launched a credit card brand called “iD” for card issuers. Our strategic partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, Limited enables a card holder to make a speedy payment just by placing our “Osaifu-Keitai” on dedicated reader/writers at stores. Another strategic partnership with East Japan Railway Company (“JR East”) turns our “Osaifu-Keitai” into a railway ticket when “Osaifu-Keitai” becomes compatible with JR East’s “Mobile Suica” service.

 

In April 2006, we launched our DCMX credit card issuing services via our “iD” platform as a prospective source of revenue from mobile credit transactions. For the year ended March 31, 2007, we were actively involved in the acquisition of DCMX subscriptions, promotion of credit usage, and expansion of stores equipped with iD readers/writers. We are confident that our mobile credit service is steadily penetrating the market as the number of subscribers who use an “Osaifu-Keitai” reached approximately 20.80 million while the number of DCMX subscriptions reached 2 million as of March 31, 2007. We believe that our mobile credit services, especially for small amount transactions, is a promising growth business given the comparatively lower penetration of credit card usage in Japan than in the United States and the convenience of using a cellular phone for purchases. The aim of our entry to the credit service market is to realize synergy with our cellular services such as retention of current subscribers and acquisition of new subscribers by upgrading a cellular phone as a tool more essential to a daily life, and to create a new mobile credit market in prospect of establishment of new sources of non-traffic revenues such as credit settlement commissions. While it may take some time for the business to grow as a steady and reliable source of revenues, we will continue to be engaged in establishing our mobile credit service business as soon as possible.

 

Expenses

 

Cost of Services

 

Cost of services represents the expenses we incur directly in connection with providing our subscribers with wireless communication services and includes the cost for usage of other operators’ networks, maintenance of equipment or facilities, and payroll for employees dedicated to the operations and maintenance of our wireless

 


* “Osaifu-Keitai” refers to mobile phones equipped with a contact-less IC chip, as well as useful functions and services enabled by the IC chip. With these functions, a mobile phone can be utilized as an electronic wallet, a credit card, an electronic ticket, a membership card or an airline ticket, among other things.

 

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services. Cost of services accounted for 19.1% of our total operating expenses in the year ended March 31, 2007. Communication network charges, which we pay for the use of other operators’ networks or for access charges, occupy the largest part of cost of services, accounting for 46.4%, of the total. The amount of our communication network charges is dependent on the number of our base stations installed and rates set by the other operators. In recent years, our communication network charges have steadily declined as a result of our buildup of our own back-bone network to replace circuits leased from NTT. Communication network charges decreased in the year ended March 31, 2007 as well due to the discount in charges of NTT’s leased circuits. We expect that the downward trend will continue and the communication network charges will decrease slightly in the year ending March 31, 2008.

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

We expense the acquisition cost of a fixed asset such as telecommunications equipment, a network facility, and software during its estimated useful life as depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization accounted for 18.5% of our operating expenses in the year ended March 31, 2007. To prepare against the continued migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services and competitions under the Mobile Number Portability, we actively invested in the FOMA services network until the year ended March 31, 2007. Our investments in the FOMA network included:

 

   

further expansion of both indoor and outdoor FOMA service coverage;

 

   

network capacity buildup to respond to an increase in data-traffic following the expansion of our flat-rate packet billing plan for unlimited i-mode usage; and

 

   

further enhancement of FOMA network quality including deployment of HSDPA services.

 

As a result of the above implementation, the network coverage of FOMA services reached a nationwide level and achieved a level which exceeds the coverage of mova services. The steady migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services boosted the ratio of FOMA subscriptions to the total cellular subscriptions to 67.5% as of March 31, 2007. Active capital expenditures in the FOMA network in recent years are followed by an upward trend in depreciation and amortization expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the year ended March 31, 2007 increased from the prior fiscal year. Although we have been involved with cost saving efforts such as economized procurement, design and installment of low-cost devices, and improvements in construction processes, it may take more time for such efforts to create a material impact on our depreciation and amortization expenses. As a result, depreciation and amortization are expected to increase in the year ending March 31, 2008. As for our capital expenditures, please refer to “Capital Expenditures” in this Item 5.B.

 

Cost of Equipment Sold

 

Cost of equipment sold arises mainly from our procurement of handsets for sale to our new or current subscribers, which is basically dependent on the number of handsets sold and the purchase price per handset. Cost of equipment sold represented 30.4% of our operating expenses in the year ended March 31, 2007. The purchase price per handset increased due to the increase in sales of more sophisticated FOMA handsets in the migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services. While the number of handsets sold had been in a downward trend for recent years, the number of handsets sold increased for the year ended March 31, 2007 due to the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability in October 2006. As a result, cost of equipment sold increased as well for the year ended March 31, 2007 from the prior fiscal year. For the year ending March 31, 2008, we expect as mentioned previously that the effect of the Mobile Number Portability, which stimulated demand for handsets, will diminish and the number of handset sold will decrease accordingly. As a result, we expect that cost of equipment sold will decrease for the year ending March 31, 2008.

 

We have taken some measures to control the trend of the increasing cost of equipment sold. We plan to save on FOMA handset development costs by introducing a single-chip LSI and common platforms for the handset operating system. We diversified handset vendors, including increasing procurement from overseas vendors, in

 

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order to promote competition among the vendors. We also aim to procure at lower costs FOMA models such as “FOMA 7 series” and “SIMPURE series”, which would match the purpose and usage volume of various subscribers, and to increase sales of such FOMA models. We plan to pursue the possibility of joint procurement of 3G handsets with overseas network operators in the future. We are also engaged in a campaign to slow down the handset upgrading cycle by providing members of “DoCoMo Premier Club” with free-of-charge battery packs and the extension of free warranty periods in order to slash the cost of equipment sold and sales commissions to agent resellers, the latter of which is discussed hereinafter.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses represented 32.0% of our total operating expenses in the year ended March 31, 2007. The primary components included in our selling, general, and administrative expenses are expenses related to acquisition of new subscribers and retention of current subscribers, the most significant of which are sales commissions paid to agent resellers. The main components of the sales commission that we pay to agents who sign up new subscribers are a closing commission for each new subscription and volume incentives that vary depending on the number of new subscriptions per agent per month. In addition, we pay agent resellers a commission in the form of handset sales incentives depending on the type of handset a subscriber purchases. Sales commission differs from region to region due to such factors as the competitive and economic environments in the various regions. The average sales commission we paid when acquiring a new subscriber who also purchased a handset and when upgrading a handset for a current subscriber and activating the handset was approximately 34,000 yen, 36,000 yen and 37,000 yen for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006, and 2007, respectively. The increase in the average commission per subscription in the year ended March 31, 2007 from the prior fiscal year was mainly due to the increase in the percentage of FOMA handsets, for which the average commission per subscription was approximately 11,000 yen higher than that of mova handsets, among the total number of handsets sold. In the year ended March 31, 2007, the average commission paid for FOMA subscription acquisition or FOMA handset sales was virtually unchanged while average commission paid for mova subscription acquisition or mova handset sales decreased in comparison with the prior fiscal year. We applied EITF 01-09 and therefore a portion of the sales commissions paid to agent resellers, including handset sales incentives, is recognized as a deduction from equipment sales revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses. Due to the migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services, gross sales commission before application of EITF 01-09 increased in the year ended March 31, 2007 compared with the prior fiscal year. However, because the increase in handset sales incentives exceeded the increase in gross sales commissions, net sales commissions after application of EITF 01-09 decreased in the year ended March 31, 2007. For the year ending March 31, 2008, we plan to control the gross and net amount of sales commissions at a lower level than that of the prior fiscal year through our efforts such as efficient operations of our sales channels and increase in sales of “FOMA 7 series” and “SIMPURE series”, which incur comparatively inexpensive handset sales incentives when sold.

 

Operating Income

 

In the year ended March 31, 2007, because both wireless service revenues and equipment sales increased, operating revenues increased. The incremental increase in operating expenses exceeded the incremental increase in operating revenues mainly due to the increase in cost of equipment sold, which was derived from the increase in the number of handsets sold after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability. As a result, operating income decreased. The factors contributing to the decrease in operating income were as follows:

 

   

Although the decrease in ARPU caused by expansion of our rate discount programs continued, it was more than offset by the combination of the increase in our number of subscriptions as a consequence of new customer acquisitions, and the impact of recognition as revenues of the portion of “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi (two-month carry over) allowances that are projected to expire. As a result, cellular services revenues increased slightly; and

 

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With the increase in the number of handsets sold after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability, increase in cost of equipment sold, which exceeded the combination of increase in equipment sales and decrease in sales commissions, had a negative impact on the balance related to handset sales. The excess of such negative impact over the increase in cellular services revenues resulted in a decrease in operating income.

 

We expect the year ending March 31, 2008 to be another year of involvement for sustainable growth in the future. Although the market environment has become increasingly competitive after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability, we will be engaged in the establishment of new revenue sources such as the credit services business, while continuing to maintain and expand our subscriber base and revenues by providing further benefits to our subscribers. We expect operating revenues to decrease and operating income to increase slightly in the year ending March 31, 2008 for the following reasons:

 

   

We expect cellular services revenues to decrease as the positive effect from our acquisition of new subscriptions will be more than offset by the decline in ARPU caused by the expansion of discount programs and penetration of the flat-rate billing plan for unlimited i-mode usage;

 

   

Although the migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services will continue, we expect that the demand for switching subscriptions due to the Mobile Number Portability will diminish and that the number of handsets sold will decrease accordingly. We also expect that the balance related to handset sales will improve when a decrease in cost of equipment sold and in sales commissions exceeds a decrease in equipment sales; and

 

   

We further expect that the above-mentioned improvement in the balance related to handset sales will more than offset the decrease in cellular services revenues.

 

Under these circumstances, we seek to further reinforce our core cellular business, secure new sources of revenues and reduce costs, in order to achieve sustainable growth.

 

We seek to reinforce our core business, while implementing customer-oriented operations, and maintaining and reinforcing our competitiveness by:

 

   

introducing subscriber-friendly billing plans and further improvement of after-sales services offered to our subscribers;

 

   

releasing new handsets which respond to customers’ demands; and

 

   

efficient expansion of network coverage, e.g., introducing more economical networking equipment.

 

We seek to secure new sources of revenues by:

 

   

increasing non-traffic revenues by further acquisition of “DCMX”, our mobile credit services using “Osaifu-Keitai”, subscriptions and promotion of its usage;

 

   

increasing packet communications revenues through introduction of new services which utilize high speed packet communication of HSDPA technology and promotion of services such as “i-channel”; and

 

   

increasing international services revenues through upgrade of international calling and roaming services and compatible handsets.

 

We seek to reduce costs by:

 

   

increasing sales of “FOMA 7 series” and “SIMPURE series”, which we expect will incur less cost of equipment sold and sales commissions;

 

   

saving on the development cost of FOMA handsets by developing collective specifications on single-chip LSI and operating system platforms and economized procurement from overseas handset vendors; and

 

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reducing network costs through economized procurement, the design and installment of low-cost devices, and improvements in construction processes.

 

Other income and expenses

 

As part of our corporate strategy, we have made investments in foreign and domestic companies in businesses that complement our mobile communications business. See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Other Business Activities—Investments and Affiliations in Japan” and “—B. Business Overview—Global Businesses—International Investments and Licensing Agreements”. Where our investment is relatively small as a percentage of the investee’s issued and outstanding capital, we include the investment as “marketable securities and other investments” on our consolidated balance sheets. Our results of operations can be affected by impairments of such investments and losses and gains on the sale of such investments. In some cases, the size of our investment as a percentage of the investee’s issued and outstanding capital or other indices of control make the investee our equity-method affiliate. We include equity in net gains or losses of affiliates in our consolidated income, but such amounts are not typically material to our consolidated net income. In the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2003, we experienced material impairments in the value of our investments in equity method affiliates that were included in equity in net losses of affiliates in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for those years, and it is possible that we could experience material impairments with respect to our equity method investments again in the future. Please refer to “- Critical Accounting Policies—Impairment of investments”. We may also experience material gains or losses on the sale of our investments, as we did in the year ended March 31, 2006 with respect to our investments in Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Limited (“H3G UK”) and KPN Mobile N.V. (“KPN Mobile”). Please refer to “- Operating Results for the year ended March 31, 2006—Analysis of operating results for the year ended March 31, 2006 and comparison with the prior fiscal year”. As of March 31, 2007, the total carrying value of our investments in affiliates was 176.4 billion yen, while the total carrying value for investments in marketable equity securities and equity securities accounted for under the cost method was 261.4 billion yen.

 

Operating Results for the year ended March 31, 2007

 

The following discussion includes analysis of our operating results for the year ended March 31, 2007. The tables below describe selected operating data and income statement data:

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

     Years ended March 31

 
     2006

   2007

  

Increase

(Decrease)


    Change
(%)


 

Cellular

                      

Subscriptions (thousands)

   51,144    52,621    1,477     2.9  %

FOMA services (thousands)

   23,463    35,529    12,066     51.4  %

mova services (thousands)

   27,680    17,092    (10,589 )   (38.3) %

i-mode services (thousands)

   46,360    47,574    1,214     2.6  %

Market Share (%) (1)(2)

   55.7    54.4    (1.3 )   —    

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA+mova) (yen/month/contract) (3)

   6,910    6,700    (210 )   (3.0) %

Voice ARPU (yen/month/contract) (4)

   5,030    4,690    (340 )   (6.8) %

Packet ARPU(yen/month/contract)

   1,880    2,010    130     6.9  %

MOU (FOMA+mova) (minutes/month/contract) (3)(5)

   149    144    (5 )   (3.4) %

Churn Rate (%) (2)

   0.77    0.78    0.01     —    

(1) Source for other cellular telecommunications operators: Data announced by Telecommunications Carriers Association
(2) Data calculated including Communication Module Service subscriptions.

 

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(3) Data calculated excluding Communication Module Services-related revenues and Communication Module Services subscriptions.
(4) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications.
(5) MOU (Minutes of usage): Average communication time per month per subscription

 

Breakdown of Financial Information

 

     Millions of yen

 
     Years ended March 31

 
     2006

    2007

   

Increase

(Decrease)


   

Change

(%)


 

Operating Revenues :

                              

Wireless services

   ¥ 4,295,856     ¥ 4,314,140     ¥ 18,284     0.4  %

Cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues

     4,158,134       4,182,609       24,475     0.6  %

- Voice revenues (6)

     3,038,654       2,940,364       (98,290 )   (3.2) %

Including: FOMA services

     1,169,947       1,793,037       623,090     53.3  %

- Packet communications revenues

     1,119,480       1,242,245       122,765     11.0  %

Including: FOMA services

     613,310       971,946       358,636     58.5  %

PHS services revenues

     40,943       23,002       (17,941 )   (43.8) %

Other revenues

     96,779       108,529       11,750     12.1  %
    


 


 


 

Equipment sales

     470,016       473,953       3,937     0.8  %
    


 


 


 

Total operating revenues

     4,765,872       4,788,093       22,221     0.5  %
    


 


 


 

Operating Expenses

                              

Cost of services

     746,099       766,960       20,861     2.8 %

Cost of equipment sold

     1,113,464       1,218,694       105,230     9.5 %

Depreciation and amortization

     737,066       744,122       7,056     1.0 %

Impairment loss

     1,071       1,216       145     13.5  %

Selling, general and administrative

     1,335,533       1,283,577       (51,956 )   (3.9) %
    


 


 


 

Total operating expense

     3,933,233       4,014,569       81,336     2.1 %
    


 


 


 

Operating Income

     832,639       773,524       (59,115 )   (7.1) %

Other Income (Expense)(7)

     119,664       (581 )     (120,245 )   —    
    


 


 


 

Income before income taxes, equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries:

     952,303       772,943       (179,360 )   (18.8) %

Income Taxes

     341,382       313,679       (27,703 )   (8.1) %
    


 


 


 

Income before equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries:

     610,921       459,264       (151,657 )   (24.8) %

Equity in net losses of affiliates

     (364 )     (1,941 )     (1,577 )   (433.2) %

Minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (76 )     (45 )     31     40.8  %
    


 


 


 

Net Income

   ¥ 610,481     ¥ 457,278     ¥ (153,203 )   (25.1) %
    


 


 


 

 

(6) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications.
(7) Inclusive of an aggregate gain on sales of H3G UK and KPN Mobile shares of 101,992 million yen in the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

Analysis of operating results for the year ended March 31, 2007 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

 

As of March 31, 2007, the number of our cellular (FOMA+mova) subscriptions reached 52.62 million and increased by 1.48 million (2.9%) from 51.14 million at the end of the prior fiscal year. We expect that the growth

 

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rate of our cellular subscriptions will decelerate in the future as the growth rate of cellular subscriptions declines due to the maturity of the market in Japan. The number of FOMA subscriptions increased by 12.07 million (51.4%) to 35.53 million as of March 31, 2007 from 23.46 million at the end of the prior fiscal year. On the other hand, the number of mova subscriptions, which has decreased since the year ended March 31, 2004, decreased by 10.59 million (38.3%) to 17.09 million as of March 31, 2007 from 27.68 million as of the end of the prior fiscal year. We expect that the migration of mova subscribers to FOMA services will continue hereafter. Our market share decreased by 1.3 point to 54.4% as of March 31, 2007 from 55.7% as of March 31, 2006. The number of i-mode subscriptions increased by 1.21 million (2.6%) to 47.57 million as of March 31, 2007 from 46.36 million at the end of the prior fiscal year.

 

Aggregate ARPU of cellular (FOMA+mova) service decreased by 210 yen (3.0%) to 6,700 yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 6,910 yen in the prior fiscal year. While voice ARPU decreased by 340 yen (6.8%) to 4,690 yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 5,030 yen in the prior fiscal year, packet ARPU increased by 130 yen (6.9%) to 2,010 yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 1,880 yen in the prior fiscal year. This trend was attributable to a decrease in MOU following further penetration of cellular phones into lower usage subscriber segments and a large number of subscribers using i-mode services instead of voice calls. The shrinking trend of ARPU also resulted from our introduction of billing arrangements with reduced or flat rates intended to maintain our current subscribers, an increase in number of subscribers who subscribe to discount programs, and the increase in the number of FOMA billing plans that can be combined with our flat-rate packet billing plan for unlimited i-mode usage. The MOU (FOMA+mova) decreased by 5 minutes to 144 minutes from 149 minutes in the prior fiscal year.

 

Our churn rate for cellular subscriptions was 0.77% and 0.78% in the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The churn rate increased by 0.01 point due to the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability. The churn rate after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability was at a higher level than that before its introduction. Although the excess of the number of our subscribers who switched their subscriptions to other network operators through the Mobile Number Portability over the number of subscribers who switched to us had an adverse impact on our net additional subscriptions, we have evaluated the overall impact of the Mobile Number Portability on our results of operations and financial position as limited during the year ended March 31, 2007. We believe that, due to various factors, such as the availability of i-mode, the implementation of competitive billing arrangements, customer confidence in our network and services and the introduction of new services, our churn rate has been lower than that of other operators. However, no assurance can be given that our churn rate will decline or remain low.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2007, we implemented various measures to retain and expand our subscriber base, such as the introduction of a new packet billing plan which enables subscribers to access internet websites in addition to i-mode sites or to browse video clips at a flat-rate, the launch of HSDPA services, releases of attractive FOMA series handset lineups and the expansion of FOMA coverage area, both indoors and outdoors. These measures resulted in the acquisition of new subscriptions and contributed to a net increase in the number of subscriptions. However, the downward trend of ARPU continued for the year ended March 31, 2007. We expect that the downward trend of ARPU will continue for the near term. We expect that these implementations will contribute to migrating current mova subscribers to and acquiring new subscriptions for our FOMA services, which in turn will promote packet usage, which we expect to have a positive effect on revenues from FOMA services in the future.

 

Operating revenues increased by 22.2 billion yen (0.5%) to 4,788.1 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 4,765.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Wireless services revenues increased by 18.3 billion yen (0.4%) to 4,314.1 billion yen from 4,295.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. As a result, wireless services accounted for 90.1% of operating revenues in the year ended March 31, 2007, maintaining the same level from the prior fiscal year. The increase in wireless services revenues resulted from the excess of the increase in cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues and other revenues, the former of which was derived from an increase in the number of cellular subscriptions and our recognition as revenue of the portion of “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi”

 

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(two-month carry over) allowance that are projected to expire, over the decrease in revenues from PHS services, which we already decided to terminate. The increase in cellular services revenues was a net of a decrease in voice revenues, by 98.3 billion yen (3.2%) to 2,940.4 billion yen from 3,038.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, and an increase in packet communications revenues, by 122.8 billion yen (11.0%) to 1,242.2 billion yen from 1,119.5 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. This result demonstrated an increase in revenues from packet usage due to a large number of subscribers using i-mode services instead of voice calls, and penetration of our flat-rate packet billing plan for unlimited i-mode usage and services such as “i-channel”, through which we intend to promote i-mode usage. Voice revenues from FOMA services increased by 623.1 billion yen (53.3%) to 1,793.0 billion yen from 1,169.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year and packet communications revenues also increased by 358.6 billion yen (58.5%) to 971.9 billion yen, from 613.3 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. PHS services revenues decreased by 17.9 billion yen (43.8 %) to 23.0 billion from 40.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year and represented 0.5% of total wireless services revenues. Equipment sales increased by 3.9 billion yen (0.8%) to 474.0 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 470.0 billion yen in the prior fiscal year because of the increase in the number of handsets sold after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability.

 

Operating expenses increased by 81.3 billion yen (2.1%) to 4,014.6 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 3,933.2 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. This increase resulted mainly from an increase in cost of equipment sold, by 105.2 billion yen (9.5%) to 1,218.7 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 1,113.5 billion yen for the prior fiscal year, due to the increase in the number of handsets sold after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability. Cost of services increased by 20.9 billion yen (2.8%) to 767.0 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 746.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, due to an increased number of FOMA base stations installed. Depreciation and amortization increased by 7.1 billion yen (1.0%) to 744.1 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 737.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, reflecting active capital expenditures on the FOMA network in recent years.

 

The percentage of operating expenses to operating revenues increased to 83.8% in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 82.5% in the prior fiscal year. The escalation of this expense-to-revenue ratio resulted mainly from the increase in cost of equipment sold after the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our operating income decreased by 59.1 billion yen (7.1%) to 773.5 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 832.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

Other income (or expense) includes items such as interest income, interest expense, gains and losses on sale of marketable securities and other investments, and foreign exchange gains and losses. We accounted for 0.6 billion yen as other expense in the year ended March 31, 2007. Due to an adverse impact of the aggregate gains of 102.0 billion yen on the sale of H3G UK shares and KPN Mobile shares during the year ended March 31, 2006, other income decreased by 120.2 billion from other income of 119.7 billion in the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

Income before income taxes, equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries decreased by 179.4 billion yen (18.8%) to 772.9 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 952.3 billion in the prior fiscal year.

 

Income taxes were 313.7 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 and 341.4 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, representing effective tax rates of approximately 40.6% and 35.9%, respectively. We are subject to a number of different taxes in Japan, including corporate income tax, corporate enterprise tax and corporate inhabitant income taxes, which, in the aggregate, amounted to a statutory tax rate of approximately 40.9% for the both years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006. The Japanese government introduced various special tax benefits, one of which enabled us to deduct from our taxable income a portion of investments in research and development (“R&D investment tax incentive”). The government also introduced an arrangement where we can deduct from taxable income the amount equivalent to 10% of acquisition cost of certain IT related assets up to the amount equivalent to 20% of corporate income tax for the three years started April 1, 2003 (“IT investment promotion tax incentive”) and another arrangement where we can deduct a certain amount of investments in IT systems

 

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effective April 1, 2006 (“IT infrastructure tax incentive”). The difference between our effective tax rate and statutory tax rate in the year ended March 31, 2006 arose primarily from such special tax allowances. In the year ended March 31, 2006, our effective tax rate became lower than our statutory tax rate as we were able to realize the tax benefits of the special tax allowances generated during the year ended March 31, 2006, and a portion of those carried forward from the prior fiscal year which had previously been reserved. For the year ended March 31, 2007, the difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate shrunk due to the effect of expiration of the IT investment promotion tax incentive on March 31, 2006 and the limited tax benefit in amount derived from the IT infrastructure tax incentive.

 

Equity in net losses of affiliates increased to 1.9 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2007 from 0.4 billion yen for the prior fiscal year.

 

As a result of the foregoing, we recorded net income of 457.3 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007, a decrease of 153.2 billion (25.1%) from 610.5 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

Operating Results for the year ended March 31, 2006

 

The following discussion includes analysis of our operating results for the year ended March 31, 2006. The tables below describe selected operating data and income statement data:

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

     Years ended March 31

 
     2005

   2006

  

Increase

(Decrease)


    Change
(%)


 

Cellular

                      

Subscriptions (thousands)

   48,825    51,144    2,319     4.7  %

FOMA services (thousands)

   11,501    23,463    11,963     104.0  %

mova services (thousands)

   37,324    27,680    (9,644 )   (25.8) %

i-mode services (thousands)

   44,021    46,360    2,339     5.3  %

Market Share (%) (1)(2)

   56.1    55.7    (0.4 )   —    

Aggregate ARPU (FOMA+mova)

(yen/month/contract) (3) (4)

   7,200    6,910    (290 )   (4.0) %

Voice ARPU (yen/month/contract) (5)

   5,330    5,030    (300 )   (5.6) %

Packet ARPU(yen/month/contract)

   1,870    1,880    10     0.5  %

MOU (FOMA+mova)

(minutes/month/contract) (3)(6)

   151    149    (2 )   (1.3) %

Churn Rate (%) (2)

   1.01    0.77    (0.24 )   —    

(1) Source for other cellular telecommunications operators: Data announced by Telecommunications Carriers Association
(2) Data are calculated including Communication Module Service subscriptions.
(3) Data are calculated excluding Communication Module Services-related revenues and Communication Module Services subscriptions.
(4) ARPU figures for the year ended March 31, 2006 include revenues from international services while those for the prior fiscal year do not. ARPU from international services for the year ended March 31, 2005 was 20 yen.
(5) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications.
(6) MOU (Minutes of usage): Average communication time per month per subscription

 

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Breakdown of Financial Information

 

     Millions of yen

 
     Years ended March 31

 
     2005

    2006

   

Increase

(Decrease)


   

Change

(%)


 

Operating Revenues :

                              

Wireless services

   ¥ 4,296,537     ¥ 4,295,856     ¥ (681 )   (0.0 )%

Cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues (7)

     4,146,973       4,158,134       11,161     0.3  %

- Voice revenues (8)

     3,086,275       3,038,654       (47,621 )   (1.5 )%

Including: FOMA services (9)

     514,702       1,169,947       655,245     127.3  %

- Packet communications revenues

     1,060,698       1,119,480       58,782     5.5  %

Including: FOMA services (9)

     260,671       613,310       352,639     135.3  %

PHS services revenues

     60,288       40,943       (19,345 )   (32.1 )%

Other revenues

     89,276       96,779       7,503     8.4  %
    


 


 


 

Equipment sales

     548,073       470,016       (78,057 )   (14.2 )%
    


 


 


 

Total operating revenues

     4,844,610       4,765,872       (78,738 )   (1.6 )%
    


 


 


 

Operating Expenses

                              

Cost of services

     740,423       746,099       5,676     0.8  %

Cost of equipment sold

     1,122,443       1,113,464       (8,979 )   (0.8 )%

Depreciation and amortization

     735,423       737,066       1,643     0.2  %

Impairment loss

     60,399       1,071       (59,328 )   (98.2 )%

Selling, general and administrative

     1,401,756       1,335,533       (66,223 )   (4.7 )%
    


 


 


 

Total operating expense

     4,060,444       3,933,233       (127,211 )   (3.1 )%
    


 


 


 

Operating Income

     784,166       832,639       48,473     6.2  %

Other Income (Expense) (10)

     504,055       119,664       (384,391 )   (76.3 )%
    


 


 


 

Income before income taxes, equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries:

     1,288,221       952,303       (335,918 )   (26.1 )%

Income Taxes

     527,711       341,382       (186,329 )   (35.3 )%
    


 


 


 

Income before equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries:

     760,510       610,921       (149,589 )   (19.7 )%

Equity in net losses of affiliates (11)

     (12,886 )     (364 )     12,522     —    

Minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

     (60 )     (76 )     (16 )   —    
    


 


 


 

Net Income

   ¥ 747,564     ¥ 610,481     ¥ (137,083 )   (18.3 )%
    


 


 


 


(7) From the year started April 1, 2005, Quickcast services revenues, which had been presented separately in the past, were included in “Other revenues,” and international services revenues, which had been previously included in “Other revenues,” were included in “Cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues”. The results for the year ended March 31, 2005 were restated to conform to the presentation for the subsequent fiscal year. However, international services revenues related to FOMA services were not included in FOMA services revenues for the year ended March 31, 2005 because such information was not previously maintained.
(8) Inclusive of circuit switched data communications.
(9) The amount of “Voice revenues” and “Packet communications revenues” of FOMA services for the year ended March 31, 2006 without the above adjustments related to international services revenues was 1,156,414 million yen and 612,090 million yen, respectively.

 

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(10) Inclusive of an aggregate gain on sales of H3G UK and KPN Mobile shares of 101,992 million yen, and a gain on sales of AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (“AT&T Wireless”) shares of 501,781 million yen in the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
(11) Inclusive of impairment in investment in affiliates of 8,612 million yen in the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

Analysis of operating results for the year ended March 31, 2006 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

 

As of March 31, 2006, the number of our cellular (FOMA+mova) subscriptions reached 51.14 million and increased by 2.32 million (4.7%) from 48.82 million at the end of the prior fiscal year. We expect that the growth rate of our cellular subscriptions decelerate in the future as the growth rate of cellular subscriptions declines in Japan. The number of FOMA subscriptions increased by 11.96 million (104.0%) to 23.46 million as of March 31, 2006 from 11.50 million at the end of the prior fiscal year. On the other hand, the number of mova subscriptions, which has decreased since the year ended March 31, 2004, decreased by 9.64 million (25.8%) to 27.68 million as of March 31, 2006 from 37.32 million as of the end of prior fiscal year. Our market share decreased by 0.4 point to 55.7% as of March 31, 2006 from 56.1% as of the end of the prior fiscal year. The number of i-mode subscriptions increased by 2.34 million (5.3%) to 46.36 million as of March 31, 2006 from 44.02 million at the end of the prior fiscal year.

 

Aggregate ARPU of cellular (FOMA+mova) service decreased by 290 yen (4.0%) to 6,910 yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 7,200 yen in the prior fiscal year. While voice ARPU decreased by 300 yen (5.6%) to 5,030 yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 5,330 yen in the prior fiscal year, packet ARPU increased by 10 yen (0.5%) to 1,880 yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 1,870 yen in the prior fiscal year. This trend was attributable primarily to an increase in subscribers who subscribe to discount programs, further penetration of cellular phones into lower usage subscriber segments and a large number of subscribers using i-mode services instead of voice calls. The MOU (FOMA+mova) decreased by 2 minutes to 149 minutes from 151 minutes in the prior fiscal year.

 

Our churn rate for cellular subscriptions was 1.01% and 0.77% in the years ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2006, we implemented various measures to retain our subscribers, such as the introduction of simplified and easy to understand billing plans common to FOMA and mova services, the expansion of our “Family Discount” plan and our flat-rate billing plan for unlimited i-mode usage, upgrade of point loyalty programs, releases of attractive FOMA series handset lineups and the expansion of FOMA coverage area, both indoors and outdoors. These measures resulted in further decline of our low churn rate and contributed to net increase in the number of subscriptions. However, these measures have also had an adverse impact on ARPU.

 

Operating revenues decreased by 78.7 billion yen (1.6%) to 4,765.9 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2006 from 4,844.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. While wireless service revenues maintained an equivalent level, at 4,295.9 billion yen from 4,296.5 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, equipment sales decreased by 78.1 billion yen (14.2%) to 470.0 billion yen from 548.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. As a result, wireless services accounted for 90.1% of operating revenues in the year ended March 31, 2006 compared to 88.7% in the prior fiscal year. Cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues increased slightly from the prior fiscal year because the positive effect from the net increase in subscriptions exceeded the negative effect from the decline in ARPU. However, the decline in revenues from PHS services, which we already decided to terminate in the near term, offset the increased revenues from cellular (FOMA+mova) services, and kept total wireless services revenues at a level equivalent to that of the prior fiscal year. The slight increase in cellular service revenues was a combination of a decrease in voice revenues, by 47.6 billion yen (1.5%) to 3,038.7 billion yen from 3,086.3 billion yen in the

 

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prior fiscal year, and an increase in packet communications revenues, by 58.8 billion yen (5.5%) to 1,119.5 billion yen from 1,060.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. This result demonstrated an increase in revenues from packet usage due to a large number of subscribers using i-mode services instead of voice calls, and the introduction of new services such as “i-channel”, through which we intend to promote i-mode usage. Voice revenues from FOMA services doubled to 1,169.9 billion yen, inclusive of international service revenues, from 514.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year and packet communications revenues also more than doubled to 613.3 billion yen, inclusive of international service revenues, from 260.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. PHS services revenues decreased by 19.3 billion yen (32.1%) to 40.9 billion yen from 60.3 billion yen in the prior fiscal year and represented 1.0% of total wireless services revenues. Equipment sales decreased by 78.1 billion yen (14.2%) to 470.0 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2006 from 548.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year because of a decline in the number of handsets sold. We believe that the decline in the sales of handsets arose from the decrease in our number of newly acquired subscriptions, as well as from our campaign to slow down the handset upgrading cycle and to improve customer services such as providing members of “DoCoMo Premier Club” with free-of-charge battery packs.

 

Operating expenses decreased by 127.2 billion yen (3.1%) to 3,933.2 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 4,060.4 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. This decrease resulted mainly from a decrease in sales, general and administrative expenses, including sales commissions, of 66.2 billion yen (4.7%) due to a decline in the number of handsets sold as well as the effect of an impairment loss, of 60.4 billion yen, of PHS related assets recorded in the prior fiscal year. Cost of services increased by 5.7 billion yen (0.8%), due to an increased number of cellular base stations installed. Depreciation and amortization increased by 1.6 billion yen (0.2%) to 737.1 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2006 from 735.4 billion yen in the prior fiscal year owing to the effect of shortened useful lives of assets associated with the renewal of our internal IT systems.

 

The percentage of operating expenses to operating revenues improved to 82.5% in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 83.8% in the prior fiscal year. Although a decrease in equipment sales owing to a decline in the number of handsets sold exceeded the decrease in sales, general and administrative expenses, the effect of an impairment loss of PHS related assets recorded in the prior fiscal year contributed to the improvement in operating income margin.

 

As a result of the foregoing, our operating income increased by 48.5 billion yen (6.2%) to 832.6 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 784.2 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

Other income (or expense) includes items such as interest income, interest expense, gains and losses on sale of marketable securities and other investments, and foreign exchange gains and losses. We accounted for 119.7 billion yen as other income in the year ended March 31, 2006. In June 2005, we completed the sale of all of our 20% holding of H3G UK shares based on the Sales and Purchase Agreement signed with Hutchison Whampoa Limited (“HWL”) in May 2004 and recorded “Gain on sale of affiliate shares” of 62.0 billion yen, including a reclassification of foreign currency translation of 38.2 billion yen. In October 2005, we also sold all of our 2.2% holding of KPN Mobile shares to Koninklijke KPN N.V. (“KPN”), its parent company, and recorded a gain on a sale of investment securities of 40.0 billion yen, including a foreign currency translation adjustment of 25.6 billion yen, as a gain on sale of other investments. As part of the sale of our remaining interest in KPN Mobile, we also recognized a non-cash charge of 14.1 billion yen to operating expenses for the excess of fair value of KPN Mobile shares over the actual amount of cash received which we regard as the consideration of the benefits from the arrangement. Other income in the year ended March 31, 2006 decreased by 384.4 billion yen (76.3%) from 504.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, during which we sold the shares of AT&T Wireless for 501.8 billion yen.

 

Income before income taxes, equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries decreased by 335.9 billion yen (26.1%) to 952.3 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 from 1,288.2 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

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Income taxes were 341.4 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2006 and 527.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, representing effective tax rates of approximately 35.9% and 41.0%, respectively. We are subject to a number of different taxes in Japan, including corporate income tax, enterprise tax and inhabitant income taxes, which, in the aggregate, amounted to a statutory tax rate of approximately 40.9% for both the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. The Japanese government introduced special tax allowances such as R&D investment tax incentive. The government also introduced IT investment promotion tax incentive for the three years started April 1, 2003. The difference between our effective tax rate and statutory tax rate arose primarily from such special tax allowances. The difference was limited in the year ended March 31, 2005, because of a decrease in our taxable income due to the tax loss generated by the realization of the impairment of our investment in AT&T Wireless. In the year ended March 31, 2006, our effective tax rate became lower than our statutory tax rate as we were able to realize the tax benefits of R&D investment tax incentive and IT investment promotion tax incentive generated during the year ended March 31, 2006, and a portion of those carried forward from the prior fiscal year which had previously been reserved.

 

Equity in net losses of affiliates decreased to 0.4 billion yen for the year ended March 31, 2006 from 12.9 billion yen for the prior fiscal year. We recorded an impairment charge of 8.6 billion yen, related to our evaluation of Hutchison Telephone Company Limited (“HTCL”) for the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

As a result of the foregoing, we recorded net income of 610.5 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2006, a decrease of 137.1 billion yen (18.3%) from 747.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

Segment Information

 

General

 

Our business consists of three reportable segments: mobile phone business, PHS business and miscellaneous businesses.

 

Our chief operating decision maker monitors and evaluates the performance of our segments based on the information that follows, as derived from our management reports.

 

Our mobile phone business segment includes:

 

   

FOMA services;

 

   

mova services;

 

   

packet communications services;

 

   

satellite mobile communications services;

 

   

international services; and

 

   

equipment sales related to these services.

 

Our PHS business segment includes PHS service and the related equipment sales. Our miscellaneous businesses segment includes credit payment services, public wireless LAN services, Quickcast (paging) services and other miscellaneous services, the aggregate revenues or assets of which are not significant in amount. Effective from the year starting April 1, 2005, we partly changed our segment configuration as follows: “Quickcast business”, which was presented separately in the past, is reclassified to “Miscellaneous businesses”, and international services, which were previously classified as “Miscellaneous businesses”, are reclassified to “Mobile phone business”.

 

Mobile phone business segment

 

In the year ended March 31, 2007, operating revenues from our mobile phone business segment increased by 35.9 billion yen (0.8 %) to 4,718.9 billion yen from 4,683.0 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Cellular

 

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(FOMA+mova) services revenues, which are revenues from voice and packet communications of mobile phone services, increased by 24.5 billion yen (0.6%) to 4,182.6 billion yen from 4,158.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Equipment sales revenues increased for the year ended March 31, 2007 from the prior fiscal year as the number of handsets sold increased compared to the prior fiscal year. Revenues from our mobile phone business segment represented 98.2% and 98.5% of total operating revenues for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Operating expenses in our mobile phone business segment increased by 76.6 billion yen (2.0%) to 3,915.2 billion from 3,838.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. As a result, operating income from our mobile phone business segment decreased by 40.8 billion yen (4.8%) to 803.7 billion yen from 844.4 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Analysis of the changes in revenues and expenses of our mobile phone business segment is also presented in “Operating Trends” and “Operating Results for the year ended March 31, 2007”, which were discussed above.

 

PHS business segment

 

Considering the outlook for our PHS business, we ceased accepting new subscriptions for the PHS services at the end of April 2005. We also officially decided to terminate the PHS services effective January 7, 2008. The number of PHS services subscriptions as of March 31, 2007 was 453 thousand, decreased by 318 thousand (41.2%) from 771 thousand at the end of the prior fiscal year. Operating revenues in the PHS business segment decreased by 18.3 billion yen (43.9%) to 23.4 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007 from 41.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Revenues from our PHS business segment represented 0.5% and 0.9% of total operating revenues in the years ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Operating expenses in the PHS business segment decreased by 12.4 billion yen (24.2%) to 38.8 billion yen from 51.2 billion in the prior fiscal year. As a result, operating loss in the PHS business segment for the year ended March 31, 2007 increased to 15.4 billion yen from 9.5 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in both operating revenues and operating expenses of our PHS business segment was primarily due to a decrease in the number of PHS subscriptions. We recorded an impairment of long-lived assets related to the PHS business that amounted to 60.4 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2005, which was deducted from assets and recorded in operating expenses of the PHS business segment. In the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, we also recorded an impairment loss of 1.1 billion yen and 1.2 billion yen, respectively, which represented the minimum maintenance capital expenditures for our PHS services made during the relevant fiscal year.

 

Miscellaneous businesses segment

 

Operating revenues from our miscellaneous businesses increased by 4.7 billion yen (11.3%) to 45.8 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2007, which represented 1.0% of total operating revenues, from 41.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to an increase in revenues from businesses such as advertisement, development, sales and maintenance of IT systems, and staffing services. Operating expenses from our miscellaneous businesses increased by 17.1 billion yen (39.3%) to 60.6 billion yen from 43.5 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to an increase in expenses related to our credit payment services. As a result, operating loss from our miscellaneous businesses worsened to 14.8 billion yen from 2.3 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. We terminated our Quickcast services on March 31, 2007.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return as well as provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We currently estimate that the impact of the application of FIN 48 on our results of operations and financial position will be immaterial.

 

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In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Although the definition of fair value retains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value, SFAS No. 157 clarifies that the exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability in the market and emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. SFAS No. 157 also expands disclosures about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities subsequent to initial recognition through fair value hierarchy as a framework for measurement. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We currently estimate that the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 157 on our results of operations and financial position will be immaterial.

 

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”. SFAS No. 158 amends the guidance in SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions”, SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits”, SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions”, and SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003), “Employer’s Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits”. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer who sponsors defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, in the balance sheet. SFAS No. 158 also requires the employer to measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the fiscal year-end, and to recognize subsequent changes in the funded status as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. SFAS No.158 is effective for fiscal years ended after December 15, 2006 and we adopted recognition and related disclosure provisions of SFAS No.158 in the year ended March 31, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not have any impact on our results of operations. See Note 17 “Employees’ retirement benefits” for further discussion.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

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

 

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

 

The values of our property, plant and equipment, such as the base stations, antennas, switching centers and transmission lines used by our cellular and PHS businesses, our internal-use software and our other intangible assets are recorded in our financial statements at acquisition or development cost, and are depreciated or amortized over their estimated useful lives. We estimate the useful lives of property, plant and equipment, internal-use software and other intangible assets in order to determine the amount of depreciation and amortization expense to be recorded in each fiscal year. Our total depreciation and amortization expenses in the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 735.4 billion yen, 737.1 billion yen and 744.1 billion yen, respectively. We determine the useful lives of our assets at the time the assets are acquired and base our determinations on expected use, experience with similar assets, established laws and regulations as well as taking

 

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into account anticipated technological or other changes. The estimated useful lives of our wireless telecommunications equipment are generally set at six to 15 years. The estimated useful life of our internal-use software is set at five years. If technological or other changes occur more rapidly or in a different form than anticipated, or new laws or regulations are enacted, or the intended use changes, the useful lives assigned to these assets may need to be shortened, resulting in recognition of additional depreciation and amortization expenses or losses in future periods.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets

 

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

 

   

significant decline in the market value of an asset;

 

   

loss of operating cash flow in current period;

 

   

introduction of competing technology and services;

 

   

significant underperformance of expected or historical cash flows;

 

   

significant or continuing decline in subscriptions;

 

   

changes in the manner of use of an asset; and

 

   

other negative industry or economic trends.

 

When we determine that the carrying amount of specific assets may not be recoverable based on the existence or occurrence of one or more of the above or other factors, we estimate the future cash inflows and outflows expected to be generated by the assets over their expected useful lives. We also estimate the sum of expected undiscounted future net cash flows based upon historical trends adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the sum of the expected undiscounted future net cash flows is less than the carrying value of the assets, we record an impairment loss based on the fair values of the assets. Such fair values may be based on established markets, independent appraisals and valuations or discounted cash flows. If actual market and operating conditions under which assets are used are less favorable or subscriber numbers are less than those projected by management, either of which results in loss of cash flows, additional impairment charges for assets not previously written-off may be required.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2005, because our forecast of net cash flows from our PHS business turned out to be negative, we recognized an impairment loss on PHS related long-lived assets, writing down all the assets totaling 60.4 billion yen. We recognized another impairment loss of 1.1 billion yen and 1.2 billion yen in the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively, when we also wrote-down the entire carrying value of long-lived assets related to the PHS business which we acquired to minimally maintain the provision of PHS services during the relevant fiscal period.

 

Impairment of investments

 

We have made investments in certain domestic and foreign entities. These investments are accounted for under either the equity method, cost adjusted for fair value method or cost method, as appropriate based on various conditions such as ownership percentages, exercisable influence over the investments and marketability of the investments. The total carrying value for the investments in affiliates was 176.4 billion yen, while the total

 

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carrying value for investments in marketable equity securities and equity securities accounted for under the cost method was 261.4 billion yen as of March 31, 2007. Equity method and cost method accounting require that we assess if a decline in value or an associated event regarding any such investment has occurred and, if so, whether such decline is other than temporary. We perform a review for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recoverable. Factors that we consider important and that can trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

   

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

 

   

loss of operating cash flow in current period;

 

   

significant underperformance of historical cash flows of the investee;

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

negative results of competitors of investee affiliates; and

 

   

other negative industry or economic trends.

 

In performing our evaluations, we utilize various information including discounted cash flow valuations, independent valuations and, if available, quoted market values. Determination of recoverable amounts sometimes require estimates involving, among other things, results of operations and financial position of the investee, changes in technology, capital expenditures, market growth and share, discount factors and terminal values.

 

As a result of such evaluations, we determined that there were other than temporary declines in value, below its carrying value, of investment in HTCL, our investee affiliate, and recorded an impairment charge of 8.6 billion yen in the year ended March 31, 2005. Such write-down to fair value establishes a new cost basis in the carrying amount of the investment. The impairment charge is included in equity in losses of affiliates in our consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. In the year ended March 31, 2006, we determined that there was no other than temporary declines in the values of our investee affiliates. In the year ended March 31, 2007, although we recorded impairment charges accompanying other than temporary declines in the values of certain investee affiliates, the impairment charges were immaterial in amount. In the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we recorded impairment charges accompanying with other than temporary declines in the values of certain investments which were classified as marketable securities or equity securities using the cost method. However, the impairment charges did not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

 

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

 

Deferred tax assets

 

We record deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates for the estimated future tax effects of carry-forwards and temporary differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and the amount reported in the balance sheet. In determining the amounts of the deferred tax assets or liabilities, we have to estimate the tax rates expected to be in effect during the carry-forward periods or when the temporary differences reverse. We recognize a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets when it is determined that it is more likely than not some or all of future tax benefits will not be realized. In determining the valuation allowance, we estimate expected future taxable income and the timing for claiming and realizing tax deductions, and assess available tax planning strategies. If we determine that future taxable income is lower than expected or that the tax planning strategies cannot be implemented as anticipated, the valuation allowance may need to be additionally recorded in the future in the period when such determination is made.

 

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Assumptions for actuarially determined pension liabilities

 

We sponsor a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan which covers almost all of our employees. We also participate in a contributory defined benefit welfare pension plan sponsored by NTT group (“NTT Plan”).

 

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

 

The discount rates used in determination of the projected benefit obligations as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Years ended March 31

 
     2006

    2007

 

Non-contributory defined benefit pension plan

            

Discount rate

   2.0 %   2.2 %

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

   2.5 %   2.5 %

Actual return on plan assets

   Approximately 17 %   Approximately 3 %

NTT Plan

            

Discount rate

   2.0 %   2.2 %

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

   2.5 %   2.5 %

Actual return on plan assets

   Approximately 14 %   Approximately 3 %

 

The amount of projected benefit obligations of our non-contributory defined benefit pension plan as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 was 188.9 billion yen and 183.0 billion yen, respectively. The amount of projected benefit obligations of the NTT Plan as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation, was 132.0 billion yen and 131.4 billion yen, respectively. The amount is subject to a substantial change due to differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions. In conjunction with the differences between estimates and the actual benefit obligations, unrecognized net losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets are amortized over the expected average remaining service life of employees in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

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The following table shows the sensitivity of our non-contributory defined benefit pension plan and the NTT Plan as of March 31, 2007 to the change in the discount rate or the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, while holding other assumptions constant.

 

     Billions of yen

Change in Assumptions


   Change in projected
benefit obligation


   Change in pension
cost, before
applicable taxes


   Accumulated other
comprehensive
income, net of
applicable taxes


Non-contributory defined benefit pension plan

              

0.5% increase/decrease in discount rate

   (10.2)/10.8    0.0/0.9    6.1/(5.8)

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

   —      (0.4)/0.4    —  

NTT Plan

              

0.5% increase/decrease in discount rate

   (17.6)/20.4    0.1/0.6    10.5/(11.7)

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

   —      (0.5)/0.4    —  

 

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

 

Revenue recognition

 

We defer upfront activation fees and recognize them as revenues over the expected term of a subscription. Related direct costs, to the extent of the activation fee amount, are also being deferred and amortized over the same period. While this policy does not have any material impact on our net income, the reported amounts of revenue and cost of services are affected by the level of activation fees and related direct costs and the estimated length of the subscription period over which such fees and costs are amortized. Factors that affect our estimate of the subscription period over which such fees and costs are amortized include subscriber churn rate and newly introduced or anticipated competing products, services and technology. The current amortization periods are based on an analysis of historical trends and our experiences. In the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, we recognized deferred activation fees of 58.9 billion yen, 54.6 billion yen and 45.2 billion yen, respectively, as well as corresponding amounts of related deferred costs. As of March 31, 2007, remaining unrecognized deferred activation fees were 111.6 billion yen.

 

B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

Cash Requirements

 

Our cash requirements for the year ending March 31, 2008 include money needed to expand our FOMA infrastructure around Japan, to invest in other facilities, and to make payments related to interest bearing liabilities and other contractual obligations. We believe that available reserves of our cash and cash equivalents, and expected cash from operations will provide sufficient financial resources to meet our currently anticipated capital and other expenditure requirements and to satisfy our debt service requirements. We also expect to obtain external financing, if necessary, for other opportunities, such as new business activities, acquisitions, joint ventures or other investments, through borrowing or the issuance of debt or equity securities. However, additional debt, equity or other financing may be required if we have underestimated our capital or other expenditure requirements, or overestimated our future cash flows. There can be no assurance that such financing will be available on commercially acceptable terms or in a timely manner.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

The wireless telecommunications industry is highly capital intensive because significant capital expenditures are required for the construction of wireless telecommunications networks. Our capital requirements for our networks are determined by the nature of facility or equipment, the timing of its installment,

 

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the nature and the area of coverage desired, the number of subscribers served in the area, and the expected volume of traffic. They are also influenced by the number of cells required in the service area, the number of radio channels in the cell and the switching equipment required. Capital expenditures are also required for information technology and servers for Internet-related services.

 

Our capital expenditures in the year ended March 31, 2007 increased from the prior fiscal year. We implemented various measures to enhance our competitiveness prior to the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability, which included further expansion of the coverage areas of FOMA services and buildup of FOMA network capacity to respond to the increase in traffic demand. Specifically, we added approximately 11,700 outdoor base stations for our FOMA services during the year ended March 31, 2007, for an aggregate of approximately 35,700 installed base stations as of March 31, 2007. We also promoted the installment of indoor systems for our FOMA services to complete coverage of approximately 10,400 facilities as of March 31, 2007. On the other hand, we were involved with cost saving efforts such as economized procurement, design and installment of low-cost devices, and improvements in construction processes.

 

Total capital expenditures for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 861.5 billion yen, 887.1 billion yen and 934.4 billion yen, respectively. In the year ended March 31, 2007, 71.2% of capital expenditures were used for construction of the FOMA network, 2.0% for construction of the second generation mova network, 10.5% for other cellular facilities and equipment, 0.1% for construction of the PHS network and 16.2% for general capital expenditures such as internal IT system. By comparison, in the prior fiscal year, 67.9% of capital expenditures were used for construction of the FOMA network, 4.1% for the mova network, 12.5% for other cellular facilities and equipment, 0.1% for construction of the PHS network and 15.4% for general capital expenditures.

 

In the year ending March 31, 2008, we expect total capital expenditures to be 750.0 billion yen, of which approximately 69.1% will be for the FOMA network, 1.1% for the mova network, 11.3% for other cellular facilities and equipment, 0.0% for the PHS network and 18.5% for general capital expenditures, which we expect to finance with our expected cash from operations and available cash reserves. Virtually all of these capital investments will take place in Japan. According to our current FOMA network construction schedule, we plan to shift our focus from coverage expansion to quality enhancement, including network quality improvement in response to requests from subscribers, increase in network capacity to answer an increase in data traffic demand and penetration of our flat-rate packet billing plan, and expansion of HSDPA service areas (to cover 90% of the population).

 

We currently expect that capital expenditures for the subsequent few fiscal years will be at a lower level primarily because capital expenditures related to expanding, maintaining and upgrading our FOMA network already peaked in the prior fiscal year resulting in an expected decrease in the subsequent fiscal years.

 

Our level of capital expenditures may vary significantly from expected levels for a number of reasons. Capital expenditures for expansion and enhancement of our existing cellular network may be influenced by the growth in subscriptions and traffic, which is difficult to predict with certainty, the ability to identify and procure suitably located base station sites on commercially reasonable terms, competitive environments in particular regions and other factors. The nature, scale and timing of capital expenditures to reinforce our 3G network may be materially different from our current plans due to demand for the services, delays in the construction of the network or in the introduction of services, and changes in the variable costs of components for the network. We expect that these capital expenditures will be affected by market demand for our mobile multimedia services, including i-mode, and other data transmission services, and by our schedule for ongoing expansion of the existing networks to meet demand.

 

Long-term Debt and other Contractual Obligations

 

As of March 31, 2007, we had 602.9 billion yen in long-term debt, including current maturities, primarily in corporate bonds and loans from financial institutions, compared to 792.3 billion yen as of the end of the prior

 

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fiscal year. We did not implement any long-term financing in either of the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006, or 2007, during which we repaid 146.7 billion yen, 150.3 billion yen and 193.7 billion yen of long-term debt, respectively.

 

Of our long-term debt outstanding as of March 31, 2007, 114.0 billion yen, including current portion, was unsecured indebtedness to banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions at fixed interest rates of 0.8% - 1.5% and with maturities currently from the year ending March 31, 2008 through 2013. As of March 31, 2007, we also had 488.9 billion yen in unsecured bonds due from the year ending March 31, 2008 to 2012 with coupon rates of 0.7%-3.5%. We have sought to level out our repayment requirements. For information about our debt servicing schedule, see also Item 11, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.

 

As of May 31, 2007, we and our long-term debt obligations were rated by rating agencies as shown in the table below. Such ratings were issued by the rating agencies upon our requests. On May 21, 2007, Standard & Poor’s upgraded our long-term issue and issuer credit ratings from AA- to AA. Credit ratings reflect rating agencies’ current opinions about our financial capability of meeting payment obligations of our debt in accordance with their terms. Rating agencies are able to upgrade, downgrade, reserve or withdraw their credit ratings on us anytime at their discretions. The rating is not a market rating or recommendation to buy, hold or sell our shares or any financial obligations of us.

 

Rating agencies


  

Type of rating


   rating

   Outlook

Moody’s

   Long Term Obligation Raging    Aa1    Stable

Standard & Poor’s

   Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating    AA    Stable

Standard & Poor’s

   Long-Term Issue Credit Rating    AA    —  

Japan Credit Rating Agency Ltd.

   Long-Term Senior Debt Rating    AAA    Stable

Rating and Investment Information, Inc

   Issuer Rating    AA+    Stable

 

None of our debt obligations has ever had a clause in which a downgrade of our credit rating could lead to a change in a payment term of such an obligation so as to accelerate its maturity.

 

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

 

Long Term Debt, Lease Obligations and other Contractual Obligations

 

          Payments Due by Period

Category of Obligations


   Total

  

Less than

1 year


   1-3 years

   4-5 years

   After 5
years


     (millions of yen)

Long-Term Debt

                                  

Unsecured Bonds

   ¥ 488,863    ¥ 110,005    ¥ 49,200    ¥ 329,658    ¥ —  

Unsecured Loans

     114,000      21,000      55,000      23,000      15,000

Capital Leases

     7,829      2,520      4,163      1,037      109

Operating Leases

     24,538      2,356      3,672      2,848      15,662

Other Contractual Obligations

     120,155      119,737      373      45      —  
    

  

  

  

  

Total

   ¥ 755,385    ¥ 255,618    ¥ 112,408    ¥ 356,588    ¥ 30,771

* The amount of contractual obligations, which is immaterial in amount or of which the timing of payments are uncertain, is not included in “Other Contractual Obligations” in the above table.

 

“Other contractual obligations” principally consisted of commitments to purchase property and equipment for our cellular network, commitments to purchase inventories, mainly handsets, commitments to purchase services and commitments to acquire equity securities. As of March 31, 2007, we had committed 44.5 billion yen for property and equipment, 27.0 billion for inventories and 48.7 billion yen for other purchase commitments.

 

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In addition to our existing commitments, we expect to make significant capital expenditures on an ongoing basis for our FOMA networks and for other purposes. Also, we consider potential opportunities to enter new areas of business, make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures, equity investments or other arrangements primarily in wireless communications businesses from time to time. Currently, we have no contingent liabilities related to litigation or guarantees that could have a materially adverse effect on our financial position.

 

Sources of Cash

 

The following table sets forth certain information about our cash flows during the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007:

 

     Years ended March 31

 
     2005

    2006

    2007

 
     (millions of yen)  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   ¥ 1,181,585     ¥ 1,610,941     ¥ 980,598  

Net cash used in investing activities

     (578,329 )     (951,077 )     (947,651 )

Net cash used in financing activities

     (672,039 )     (590,621 )     (531,481 )
    


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (68,078 )     70,772       (497,662 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     838,030       769,952       840,724  
    


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

   ¥ 769,952     ¥ 840,724     ¥ 343,062  
    


 


 


 

Analysis of cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2007 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

 

For the year ended March 31, 2007, our net cash provided by operating activities was 980.6 billion yen, a decrease by 630.3 billion yen (39.1%) from 1,610.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased due mainly to the following;

 

   

an increase in the payment of income taxes to 359.9 billion yen from 182.9 billion yen and a decrease in the collection of income taxes receivable to 0.9 billion yen from 93.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, when deferred tax assets from the impairment of our investment in AT&T Wireless were realized; and

 

   

Because the bank was closed on the end of March, which fell on a weekend, our cash reception of 210.0 billion yen including cellular revenues was deferred to the following month.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was 947.7 billion yen, which consisted mainly of expenditures of 948.7 billion yen for purchases of fixed assets and of 41.9 billion yen for strategic investments, offset by proceeds of 50.7 billion yen mainly from redemption of long-term investments and changes in investments with original maturities of more than three months for cash management purposes. The net amount of cash used decreased by 3.4 billion yen (0.4%) from 951.1 billion yen used in the prior fiscal year. The slight decrease in the net cash used consisted mainly of the following:

 

   

expenditures for purchases of fixed assets increased to 948.7 billion yen from 833.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year;

 

   

proceeds from redemption of long-term investments and changes in investments with original maturities of more than three months for cash management purposes decreased to 50.7 billion yen from 149.0 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, and

 

   

purchases of non-current investments decreased to 41.9 billion yen from 292.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

During the year ended March 31, 2007, in order to prepare for the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability, we actively invested in telecommunications facilities and equipment to expand the network coverage of FOMA services and to enhance its network reliability and capacity against the growth of traffic demand.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities was 531.5 billion yen, primarily from the repayment of 193.7 billion yen for long-term debt, dividend payments of 176.9 billion yen and payments of 157.2 billion yen for the acquisition of treasury stock. The net amount of cash used decreased 59.1 billion yen (10.0%) from 590.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities was due primarily to the followings:

 

   

an increase in the repayment for long-term debt to 193.7 billion yen from 150.3 billion yen in the prior fiscal year;

 

   

an increase in our dividend payments to 176.9 billion yen from 135.5 billion yen in the prior fiscal year; and

 

   

a decrease in payments to acquire treasury stock to 157.2 billion yen from 300.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2007 amounted to 343.1 billion yen, representing a decrease by 497.7 (59.2%) billion yen from 840.7 billion yen as of the end of the prior fiscal year. The amount of investments with original maturities of longer than three months, which were made to manage a part of our cash efficiently, was 251.0 billion yen and 200.5 billion yen as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

Analysis of cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2006 and comparison with the prior fiscal year

 

For the year ended March 31, 2006, our net cash provided by operating activities was 1,610.9 billion yen, an increase of 429.4 billion yen (36.3%) from 1,181.6 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. Net cash provided by operating activities increased primarily because of a decrease in the payment of income taxes to 182.9 billion yen from 541.7 billion yen in the prior fiscal year as well as a collection of income taxes receivable of 93.1 billion yen. The decrease in the payment of income taxes and the collection of income taxes receivable resulted from a decrease in our taxable income due to a decrease in our operating income and realization of deferred tax assets from the impairment of our investment in AT&T Wireless recorded in the years ended March 31, 2002 and 2003 after the sale of the relevant shares in the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was 951.1 billion yen, after main items such as expenditures of 833.9 billion yen for acquisitions of fixed assets and of 292.6 billion yen for strategic investments, and revenue of 149.0 billion yen from changes in investments with original maturities of more than three months for cash management purposes. The net amount of cash used increased 372.7 billion yen (64.5%) from 578.3 billion yen used in the prior fiscal year. The increase in the net cash used derived mainly from the following:

 

   

decrease in proceeds from the sale of non-current investments to 25.1 billion yen from 725.9 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, during which we sold AT&T Wireless shares;

 

   

purchases of non-current investments amounted to 292.6 billion yen resulting from our investments in companies such as Sumitomo Mitsui Card Company, Limited, KT Freetel Co., Ltd., and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company;

 

   

changes in investments with original maturities of more than three months for cash management purposes provided cash of 149.0 billion yen while the same used cash of 400.3 billion yen in the prior fiscal year; and

 

   

expenditures for acquisitions of fixed assets decreased to 833.9 billion yen from 911.1 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

In the year ended March 31, 2006, we partnered with entities from various industries, including investments, with focus on “commercial transactions”, “broadcasting”, “contents services”, “global operations” and “advanced cellular technology”, all of which we believe are the keys for us to upgrade our cellular services to become a “life-style infrastructure”. We expect that these partnerships will enable us to expand our business to a domain familiar with cellular business, and to create new products and services which will benefit our subscribers as a “life-style infrastructure”, and to establish new revenue sources independent of traffic revenues.

 

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Net cash used in financing activities was 590.6 billion yen, primarily from the repayment of 150.3 billion yen for long-term debt, dividend payments of 135.5 billion yen and payment of 300.1 billion yen for acquisition of treasury stock. The net amount of cash used decreased 81.4 billion yen (12.1%) from 672.0 billion yen in the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the net cash used in financing activities was due primarily to a decrease in the payments to acquire treasury stock to 300.1 billion yen from 425.2 billion yen in the prior fiscal year, while our dividend payments increased to 135.5 billion yen from 95.3 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2006, amounted to 840.7 billion yen, representing an increase of 70.8 billion yen from the amount at the end of the prior fiscal year. The amount of investments with original maturities of longer than three months, which were made to manage a part of our cash efficiently, was 400.6 billion yen and 251.0 billion yen as of March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively.

 

Prospect of cash flows for the year ending March 31, 2008

 

As for our sources of cash for the year ending March 31, 2008, we currently expect our net cash flow from operating activities to increase from the prior fiscal year because of a decrease in income tax payments. The payment of income taxes is expected to decrease because deferred tax assets from the impairment of our investment in H3G UK, which were sold during the year ended March 31, 2006, were realized.

 

Our net cash flow used in investing activities for the year ending March 31, 2008 is expected to decrease because of a decrease in our capital expenditures to approximately 750.0 billion yen from 934.4 billion yen in the prior fiscal year.

 

C. Research and Development

 

Our research and development activities embrace three key efforts: development of new products and services such as handsets and applications for 3G systems, development of infrastructure and compatible handsets featuring what is called “Super 3G” or “3.9G” technology, and research and development related to fourth-generation systems. Research and development expenditures are charged to expenses as incurred. We spent 101.9 billion yen, 110.5 billion yen and 99.3 billion yen as research and development expenses in the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

D. Trend Information

 

Competition in the Japanese cellular phone market is expected to become increasingly fierce, due to changes in the market such as the introduction of the Mobile Number Portability system, market entry by new competitors, increase in the cellular phone penetration rate and the diversification of customer needs, as well as the fact that each carrier take such measures as the improvement of handset lineups and the introduction of value added services and lower billing plans.

 

In the year ending March 31, 2008, we expect that our operating revenues will decrease slightly, operating income will increase, in comparison with the prior fiscal year, based on the following trends in our business:

 

   

our total number of subscriptions as of March 31, 2008 is expected to increase in comparison with the total number of subscriptions as of March 31, 2007, although we expect a lower annual growth rate as compared to the growth rate for the prior fiscal year. Further, we expect the proportion of FOMA subscriptions is expected to increase to approximately 80% of our total mobile phone subscribers with the ongoing migration of our mova subscribers to FOMA services;

 

   

each of aggregate ARPU (FOMA+mova)and voice ARPU (FOMA+mova) decreased and packet ARPU (FOMA+mova) increased in the year ended March 31, 2007, as compared to the prior fiscal year. This trend is expected to continue in the year ending March 31, 2008, primarily as a result of the introduction of lower service charges and flat rate plans implemented in the prior years to strengthen our competitiveness and propel growth in the future, and with regards to the packet ARPU, it is primarily due to the uptrend in amount claimed generated from customers migrating from mova to FOMA;

 

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operating expenses such as revenue-linked expenses and network costs (telecommunication facility usage fees, depreciation costs, and fixed asset disposal costs) in the year ending March 31, 2008 are expected to decrease compared to the year ended March 31, 2007, due to a decrease in revenue-linked expenses resulting from a decrease in equipment sales, handset procurement costs, and reduced capital expenditure associated with the expansion of FOMA network coverage;

 

We expect net income for the year ending March 31, 2008 will increase in comparison with the prior fiscal year, based on the above trends in our business.

 

Further information regarding trend information is contained elsewhere in this Item 5.

 

The discussion above includes forward-looking statements based on management’s assumptions and beliefs as to the factors set forth above, as to market and industry conditions and as to our performance under those conditions and are subject to the qualifications set forth in “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” which can be found immediately following the table of contents. Our actual results could vary significantly from these projections and could be influenced by a number of factors and uncertainties, including changes in the market and industry conditions, competition, the continuing success of i-mode and other factors and risks as discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 3.D. Additionally, unanticipated events and circumstances may affect our actual financial and operating results. As a result, no representation can be or is made with respect to the accuracy of the foregoing projections.

 

E. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

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

 

F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

 

See Item. 5.B.

 

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Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees

 

A. Directors and Senior Management

 

Directors, Corporate Officers and Corporate Auditors

 

Our Board of Directors has the ultimate responsibility for the administration of our affairs. Our Articles of Incorporation provide for a maximum of 15 Directors. Directors are elected at a general meeting of shareholders from among those candidates nominated by the Board of Directors. The candidates may also be nominated by shareholders. The normal term of office of Directors is two years, although they may serve any number of consecutive terms. The Board of Directors elects from among Directors one or more Representative Directors, who have the authority individually to represent us. From among Directors, the Board of Directors also elects the President and may elect a Chairman and one or more Senior Executive Vice Presidents and Executive Vice Presidents.

 

Our Articles of Incorporation provide for not more than five Corporate Auditors. Under the Corporate Law of Japan (“Corporation Law” or “Kaishaho”), the Board of Corporate Auditors is composed of all of our Corporate Auditors. Corporate Auditors, more than half of whom must be from outside our company, are elected at a general meeting of shareholders from among those candidates nominated by the Board of Directors with the prior consent of our Board of Corporate Auditors. The candidates may also be nominated by shareholders. The Board of Corporate Auditors may, by its resolution, request that the Board of Directors submit to a general meeting of shareholders an item of business concerning election of Corporate Auditors and/or proposed candidates of Corporate Auditors. The normal term of office of a Corporate Auditor is four years, although they may serve any number of consecutive terms. Corporate Auditors are under a statutory duty to oversee the administration of our affairs by our Directors, to examine our financial statements and business reports to be submitted by our Board of Directors to the general meetings of our shareholders and to report to the shareholders regarding any actions by our Board of Directors that are seriously unreasonable or which are in violation of laws, ordinances or the Articles of Incorporation of our company. They are obliged to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and to express their opinions if they deem necessary, but they are not entitled to vote. The Board of Corporate Auditors has a statutory duty to prepare and submit an audit report to the Directors each year. A Corporate Auditor may note his or her opinion in the audit report if his or her opinion is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report. The Board of Corporate Auditors is empowered to establish audit principles, the methods of examination by Corporate Auditors of our affairs and financial position and other matters concerning the performance of the Corporate Auditors’ duties.

 

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

 

From June 2005, the company halved the size of its Board of Directors, and introduced a corporate officer system with an aim to clarify the Board’s supervision function and further reinforce the company’s business execution capability. In putting a corporate officer system in place, the company appointed corporate officers dedicated to business execution without board representation, while having a considerable number of board members serve concurrently as corporate officers, in an arrangement to ensure that mutual supervision among Directors will continue to function effectively.

 

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The following table sets forth our Directors and Corporate Auditors as of June 25, 2007 and certain other information:

 

Name


  Position

  Responsibility

  Date of Birth

  Current
Term
Expires


  Shares
Owned (1)


  Initial
Appointment
Date


Directors:

                       

Masao Nakamura (2)

  President and
Chief Executive
Officer
    Nov. 11, 1944   June 2008   158   June 1998

Masayuki Hirata (2)

  Senior Executive
Vice President and
Chief Financial
Officer
  Managing Director of
Global Business Division
  Jul. 30, 1947   June 2008   143   June 2000

Ryuji Yamada (2)*

  Senior Executive
Vice President
  Managing Director of
Corporate Marketing
Division
  May 5, 1948   June 2008   30   June 2007

Takanori Utano**

  Executive Vice
President and
Chief Technical
Officer
  Managing Director of
Research and Development
Division
  Sep. 20, 1949   June 2008   77   June 2001

Kiyoyuki Tsujimura**

  Executive Vice
President
  Managing Director of
Products & Services
Division
  Jan. 11, 1950   June 2008   114   June 2001

Harunari Futatsugi**

  Executive Vice
President
  Managing Director of
Network Division
  Nov. 23, 1951   June 2008   48   June 2003

Bunya Kumagai**

  Executive Vice
President
  Managing Director of
Marketing Division
  Oct. 13, 1952   June 2008   48   June 2006

Masatoshi Suzuki**

  Executive Vice
President
  Managing Director of
Human Resources
Management Department
  Oct. 30, 1951   June 2008   38   June 2007

Noriaki Ito**

  Senior Vice
President
  Managing Director of
Corporate Strategy &
Planning Department
  Apr. 3, 1952   June 2008   38   June 2005

Kazuto Tsubouchi**

  Senior Vice
President
  Managing Director of
Accounts and Finance
Department
  May 2, 1952   June 2008   24   June 2006

Takashi Tanaka**

  Senior Vice
President
  Managing Director of
General Affairs
Department, Director of
DIG Promotion Office
  June 2, 1955   June 2008   12   June 2007

Toshiki Nakayama

  Member of the
Board
    Jan. 29, 1958   June 2008   10   June 2007

Shinichi Nakatani (3)

  Corporate Auditor     Aug. 31, 1943   June 2011   51   June 2002

Shoichi Matsuhashi (3)

  Corporate Auditor     Nov. 15, 1943   June 2008   40   June 2004

Haruo Imai (3)

  Corporate Auditor     Feb. 5, 1945   June 2011   20   June 2007

Kyouichi Yoshizawa (3)

  Corporate Auditor     April 12, 1950   June 2011   10   June 2007

Takaaki Wakasugi

  Corporate Auditor     March 11, 1943   June 2011   20   June 2007

(1) DoCoMo shares owned as of May 31, 2007.
(2) Representative Director.
(3) Full-time Corporate Auditor
* Ryuji Yamada’s appointment takes effect from June 28, 2007.
** Concurrently serve as a Corporate Officer

 

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Masao Nakamura joined NTT Public Corporation in 1969. He became a General Manager of Saitama Branch of NTT in 1996. He became a Senior Vice President of our company in 1998 and an Executive Vice President of our company in 1999 and a Senior Executive Vice President of our company in 2002. He has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of our company since 2004 and as a Director of our company since 1998.

 

Masayuki Hirata joined NTT Public Corporation in 1970. He became an Executive Manager of Department IV of NTT in 1999, a Senior Vice President of our company in 2000 and an Executive Vice President of our company in 2001. He has served as a Senior Executive Vice President of our company and as a Managing Director of Global Business Division since 2004, Chief Financial Officer of our company since 2006 and as a Director of our company since 2000.

 

Ryuji Yamada joined NTT Public Corporation in 1973. He became a Senior Executive Vice President and Member of the Board of NTT and Executive manager of the Plant Planning Department of NTT West in 2001. He has served as a Senior Executive Vice President of our company and a Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Division since 2007.

 

Takanori Utano joined NTT Public Corporation in 1974. He became a Senior Vice President of our company in 2001. He has served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of our company, as a Managing Director of Research and Development Division since 2004 and as a Director of our company since 2001.

 

Kiyoyuki Tsujimura joined NTT Public Corporation in 1975. He became a Senior Vice President of our company in 2001. He has served as an Executive Vice President of our company since 2004, as a Managing Director of Products & Services Division since 2005 and as a Director of our company since 2001.

 

Harunari Futatsugi joined NTT Public Corporation in 1976. He became a Senior Vice President of our company in 2003. He has served as an Executive Vice President of our company since 2006 and as a Director of our company since 2003. He has been a Managing Director of Network Division since 2007.

 

Bunya Kumagai joined NTT Public Corporation in 1975. He became a Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Sales Promotion Department of our company in 2003. He became an Executive Vice President and a Managing Director of Marketing Division of NTT DoCoMo Tokai in 2005. He has served as an Executive Vice President of our company since 2007, as a Managing Director of Marketing Division since 2006 and as a Director of our company since 2003.

 

Masatoshi Suzuki joined NTT Public Corporation in 1975. He became a Senior Vice President of our company in 2004. He has served as an Executive Vice President since 2005, as a Managing Director of Human Resources Management Department and a Director of our company since 2007.

 

Noriaki Ito joined NTT Public Corporation in 1977. He became a Senior Vice President and Representative Director and Managing Director of Corporate Strategy & Planning Department of NTT DoCoMo Hokkaido in 2004. He has served as a Senior Vice President of our company, as a Managing Director of Corporate Strategy & Planning Department and as a Director of our company since 2005.

 

Kazuto Tsubouchi joined NTT Public Corporation in 1976. He became a Senior Vice President and a Managing Director of Accounts and Finance Department of NTT DoCoMo Kansai in 2004. He has served as a Senior Vice President of our company since 2006, as a Managing Director of Accounts and Finance Department and as a Director of our company since 2006.

 

Takashi Tanaka joined NTT Public Corporation in 1979. He became a Managing Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning Department of NTT DoCoMo Chugoku in 2000. He has served as a Senior Vice President

 

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of our company since 2007, as a Managing Director of General Affairs Department and a Managing Director of DIG Promotion Office, General Affairs Department and as a Director of our company since 2007.

 

Toshiki Nakayama joined NTT Public Corporation in 1981. He became a Senior Manager of Department V of NTT in 2002. He has served as a Director of our company since 2007.

 

Shinichi Nakatani joined NTT Public Corporation in 1966. He became a Senior Vice President and a Director of our company in 1995 and an Executive Vice President of NTT Advanced Technology Corporation in1998. He has served as a full-time Corporate Auditor since 2002.

 

Shoichi Matsuhashi joined NTT Public Corporation in 1969. He became the President of DoCoMo Engineering Tohoku in 2002. He has served as a full-time Corporate Auditor of our company since 2004.

 

Haruo Imai joined NTT Public Corporation in 1968. He became a President and CEO of NTT Comware Billing Solutions Corporation in 2001. He has served as a full-time Corporate Auditor since 2007.

 

Kyoichi Yoshizawa joined NTT Public Corporation in 1969. He became an Advisor to NTT Travel Services Co. Ltd. in 2006. He has served as a full-time Corporate Auditor since 2007.

 

Takaaki Wakasugi became a Professor of Faculty of Economics at Tokyo University in 1985. He became a Co-director of Mitsui Life Financial Research Center, University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 1990. He became a Director and General Manager of Japan Corporate Governance Research Institute in 2003. He became a Professor of Finance of School of Business administration, Tokyo Keizai University in 2004. He became a Professor Emeritus of University of Tokyo in 2004. He became a Member of the Board of Directors of Ricoh Corporation in 2005. He became a Corporate Auditor of JFE Holdings, Inc. in 2006. He has served as a Corporate Auditor since 2007.

 

The following table shows information about the company’s Corporate Officers as of June 25, 2007, including their positions and responsibilities.

 

Name


  

Position


  

Responsibility


Corporate Officers:

         

Seiji Tanaka

   Executive Vice President    Deputy Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Division

Hiroaki Nishioka

   Senior Vice President    General Manager, Kanagawa Branch

Mitsunobu Komori

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Core Network Engineering Department, Network Division

Takeshi Natsuno

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Multimedia Services Department, Products & Services Division

Masaki Yoshikawa

   Senior Vice President    Global Business Division, Responsible for U.S. operation

Tatsuji Habuka

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Service and Solution Development Department, Research and Development Division

Akiko Ide

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Corporate Citizenship Department

Yuji Araki

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Public Relations Department

Kiyoshi Tokuhiro

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Network Planning Department, Network Division

 

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Name


  

Position


  

Responsibility


Seiji Nishikawa

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Information Systems Department

Katsuhiro Nakamura

   Senior Vice President    Responsible for business process reform

Toshinari Kunieda

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Global Business Department, Global Business Division

Tsutomu Shindou

   Senior Vice President   

Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Department I, Corporate Marketing Division

Managing Director of Mobility Design Business Group, Corporate Marketing Department I, Corporate Marketing Division

Kazuhiro Yoshizawa

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Corporate Marketing Department II, Corporate Marketing Division

Kiyohito Nagata

   Senior Vice President    Managing Director of Product Department, Products & Services Division

 

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

 

B. Compensation

 

The aggregate compensation to the twelve Directors and five Corporate Auditors during the year ended March 31, 2007 was as follows:

 

Position


 

Number of Persons


 

Total Compensation


Director

  12   ¥454 million

Corporate Auditor

    5       83 million

Total

  17     537 million

(Note)

1. Upper limits on compensation to directors and corporate auditors were set at JPY600 million annually for Directors and JPY150 million annually for Corporate Auditors at the 15th ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 20, 2006.
2. Compensation to Directors includes bonuses in the amount of JPY113 million relating to the year ended March 31, 2007, which were paid after the date.
3. In conjunction with the termination of the severance pay system by a resolution approved at the 15th ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 20, 2006, as winding-up payments upon separation from the company, amounts payable to 10 Directors total JPY292 million, and amounts payable to 3 Corporate Auditors total JPY62 million.
4. The amount presented above includes the compensation to Directors and Corporate Auditors who held an office after the 15th ordinary general meeting of shareholders held on June 20, 2006. Total amount of compensation paid to Directors and Corporate Auditors who retired on or before June 20, 2006 (the date of the 15th ordinary general meeting of shareholders) was JPY12 million.

 

C. Board Practices

 

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

 

D. Employees

 

The information required by this item is set forth in Item 4.B. of this annual report.

 

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E. Share Ownership

 

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

 

As of May 31, 2007, our Directors and Corporate Auditors owned 881 of our shares. Currently, most of our Directors and Corporate Auditors participate in a director stock purchase plan, pursuant to which a plan administrator makes open market purchases of shares for the accounts of participating directors on a monthly basis.

 

Certain of our employees, our eight regional subsidiaries’ employees and certain other of our subsidiaries’ employees participate in an employee stock purchase plan, pursuant to which a plan administrator makes open market purchases of our shares for the accounts of participating employees on a monthly basis. Such purchases are made out of amounts deducted from each participating employee’s salary. In addition, if the employee chooses to participate in an optional benefit plan, we contribute ¥80 for each ¥1,000 contributed by the employee.

 

Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

 

A. Major Shareholders

 

As of March 31, 2007, NTT owned 27,640,000 shares, or 63.4% of our outstanding voting shares and 60.2% of our total issued shares. To the best of our knowledge, no other shareholder beneficially owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares. The Government, in the name of the Minister of Finance, owned 38.5% of the voting rights of NTT as of the same date. NTT does not have any special voting rights. For more information regarding our relationship with NTT, see Item 4.B. “Business Overview—Relationship with NTT”.

 

In February 2001, as a result of our issuance of new shares, NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares fell from 67.1% to 64.1%. In August 2002, in connection with a share exchange with our regional subsidiaries in which we repurchased some of our shares from NTT, NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares fell from 64.1% to 63.0%. In September 2003, in response to our repurchase of shares by way of a tender offer, NTT sold a portion of its interest and NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares fell from 63.0% to 61.6%. And in August 2004, in response to our repurchase of shares by way of a tender offer, NTT sold a portion of its interest and NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares fell from 61.6% to 58.1%. At the end of March 2005, we canceled approximately 1.48 million shares, which were held as treasury stock, increasing NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares from 58.1% to 59.8%. In August 2005, in response to our repurchase of shares by way of a tender offer, NTT sold a portion of its interest and NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares fell from 59.8% to 56.8%. At the end of March 2006, we canceled approximately 1.89 million shares, which were held as treasury stock, increasing NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares from 56.8% to 59.0%. At the end of March 2007, we canceled approximately 0.93 million shares, which were held as treasury stock, increasing NTT’s share ownership of our company’s total issued shares from59.0% to 60.2%.

 

The ownership and distribution of the shares by category of shareholders according to our register of shareholders and register of beneficial shareholders as of March 31, 2007 were as follows:

 

Category


   Number of
Shareholders


   Number of
Shares Held


   Outstanding Voting
Shares


Japanese financial institutions

   277    4,788,117    10.44

Japanese securities companies

   56    414,837    0.90

Other Japanese corporations

   2,600    28,178,630    61.42

Foreign corporations and individuals

   965    7,488,658    16.32

Japanese individuals, treasury shares and others

   322,941    5,009,758    10.92
    
  
  

Total

   326,839    45,880,000    100.00
    
  
  

 

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According to The Bank of New York, depositary for our ADSs, as of March 31, 2007, 287,836 shares of our common stock were held in the form of 28,783,600 ADRs. According to our register of shareholders and register of beneficial shareholders, as of March 31, 2007, there were 326,839 holders of common stock of record worldwide. As of March 31, 2007, there were 167 record holders of our common stock with addresses in the United States, whose shareholdings represented approximately 5.8% of the issued common stock on that date. Because some of these ADSs and shares were held by brokers or other nominees, the number of record holders with addresses in the United States may be fewer than the number of beneficial owners in the United States.

 

None of our shares of common stock entitles the holder to any preferential voting rights.

 

We know of no arrangements the operation of which may at a later time result in a change of control.

 

B. Related Party Transactions

 

As previously noted, DoCoMo is majority-owned by NTT, which is a holding company for more than 400 companies comprising the NTT group.

 

DoCoMo has entered into a number of different types of transactions with NTT, its other subsidiaries and its affiliated companies in the ordinary course of business. DoCoMo’s transactions with NTT group companies include purchases of fixed-line telecommunications services (i.e. for DoCoMo’s offices and operations facilities, including its PHS business) based on actual usage, leasing of various telecommunications facilities and sales of DoCoMo’s various wireless communications services.

 

Receivables include primarily customer accounts receivables related to DoCoMo’s sales of wireless communications services to customers, which NTT collects on behalf of DoCoMo. These sales are recorded as revenue from each third-party customer receiving the services and are not included in the amount of sales to related parties. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, DoCoMo purchased capital equipment from NTT Group companies in the amount of 71,896 million yen, 71,897 million yen and 103,728 million yen, respectively.

 

DoCoMo have entered into contracts with NTT FINANCE for cash management purposes. NTT and its subsidiaries collectively own all the voting interests in NTT FINANCE, of which DoCoMo owned 4.2% as of March 31, 2007. Accordingly, NTT FINANCE is a related party of DoCoMo. Under the terms of the contracts, funds are held by NTT FINANCE and DoCoMo can withdraw the funds upon its demand. The balance held by NTT FINANCE was 120,000 million yen as of March 31, 2006. The assets related to the contracts were recorded as “Cash and cash equivalents” of 20,000 million yen and “Other assets” of 100,000 million yen on the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2006. The contracts had remaining terms to maturity ranging from 1 month to 2 years and 3 months at interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 0.2% as of March 31, 2006. The balance held by NTT FINANCE was 100,000 million yen as of March 31, 2007. The assets related to the contracts were recorded as “Short-term investments” of 50,000 million yen and “Other assets” of 50,000 million yen on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2007. The contracts had remaining terms to maturity ranging from 3 months to 1 year and 3 months at interest rates at 0.2% as of March 31, 2007. The fair values of the contracts are not determinable as these contracts are with a related party and a secondary market for such contracts does not exist. There were no contracts of bailment expired during the year ended March 31, 2006. The average balance of the contracts of bailment expired during the year ended March 31, 2007 was 25,178 million yen. The recorded amount of interest income derived from the contracts was 95 million yen and 269 million yen for the year ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

For information regarding our relationship with NTT, see Item 4.B. “Business Overview—Relationship with NTT”.

 

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C. Interests of Experts and Counsel

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 8. Financial Information

 

A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

 

Financial Statements

 

The information required by this item is set forth beginning on page F-2 of this annual report.

 

Legal or Arbitration Proceedings

 

The information on legal or arbitration proceedings required by this item is set forth in Item 4.B. of this annual report.

 

Dividend Policy

 

We believe that providing returns to shareholders is one of the most important issues in corporate management while, at the same time we are making efforts to strengthen our financial position and maintain internal reserves. We aim to continue stable dividend payments taking into account our consolidated financial results and the operating environment, with the goal to continue to pay regular dividends.

 

We expect to pay an annual dividend of ¥4,800 per share for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008, which will consist of a ¥2,400 interim dividend and a ¥2,400 year-end dividend.

 

B. Significant Changes

 

Except as otherwise disclosed herein, there has been no significant change in our financial position since March 31, 2007, the date of our last audited financial statements.

 

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Item 9. The Offer and Listing

 

A. Offer and Listing Details

 

Price Ranges of Shares

 

Since October 1998, our shares have been listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. On June 15, 2007, the closing sale price of our shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was ¥197,000 per share. Our shares are also quoted and traded through the London Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. The following table indicates the daily closing sale price of our shares, the average daily trading volume and the closing levels of the Nikkei Stock Average and TOPIX for the periods indicated:

 

    Tokyo Stock
Exchange Price
per share (1)


  Average
daily trading
volume of
shares


  Closing TOPIX

  Closing Nikkei Stock
Average


    High

  Low

    High

  Low

  High

  Low

Fiscal Period

                           

2002:

                           

First Quarter

  373,000   274,000   74,292   1,139.43   984.28   11,979.85   10,074.56

Second Quarter

  303,000   201,000   72,296   1,050.14   886.39   10,960.25   9,075.09

Third Quarter

  257,000   203,000   57,337   903.37   815.74   9,215.56   8,303.39

Fourth Quarter

  258,000   201,000   63,408   865.43   770.62   8,790.92   7,862.43

2003:

                           

First Quarter

  276,000   225,000   64,097   865.43   770.62   9,137.14   7,607.88

Second Quarter

  315,000   260,000   84,490   904.32   773.10   11,033.32   9,265.56

Third Quarter

  291,000   216,000   99,485   1,075.73   915.91   11,161.71   9,614.60

Fourth Quarter

  249,000   213,000   109,584   1,105.59   953.19   11,770.65   10,365.40

2004:

                           

First Quarter

  241,000   187,000   96,995   1,217.87   1,053.77   12,163.89   10,505.05

Second Quarter

  211,000   173,000   91,867   1,188.42   1,084.64   11,896.01   10,687.81

Third Quarter

  199,000   174,000   78,790   1,149.63   1,073.20   11,488.76   10,659.15

Fourth Quarter

  189,000   174,000   89,373   1,203.26   1,132.18   11,966.69   11,238.37

2005:

                           

First Quarter

  183,000   160,000   88,149   1,201.30   1,109.19   11,874.75   10,825.39

Second Quarter

  207,000   162,000   126,789   1,428.13   1,177.61   13,617.24   11,565.99

Third Quarter

  213,000   178,000   149,309   1,663.75   1,371.37   16,344.20   13,106.18

Fourth Quarter

  199,000   167,000   163,559   1,728.16   1,572.11   17,059.66   15,341.18

2006:

                           

First Quarter

  185,000   162,000   160,541   1,783.72   1,458.30   17,563.37   14,218.60

Second Quarter

  183,000   162,000   96,509   1,651.35   1,475.28   16,385.96   14,437.24

Third Quarter

  193,000   176,000   106,150   1,681.07   1,532.95   17,225.83   15,725.94

Fourth Quarter

  227,000   184,000   180,800   1,816.97   1,656.72   18,215.35   16,642.25

Calendar Period

                           

2006:

                           

December

  189,000   177,000   95,429   1,681.07   1,598.89   17,225.83   16,265.76

2007:

                           

January

  193,000   184,000   116,660   1,738.61   1,656.72   17,507.40   16,838.17

February

  227,000   188,000   284,765   1,816.97   1,716.28   18,215.35   17,292.32

March

  218,000   204,000   144,768   1,741.94   1,662.71   17,521.96   16,642.25

April

  222,000   203,000   99,644   1,739.01   1,682.49   17,743.76   17,028.41

May

  214,000   206,000   106,779   1,755.68   1,693.25   17,875.75   17,274.98

June (through June 15, 2007)

  207,000   195,000   147,874   1,779.72   1,745.92   18,053.81   17,732.77

(1) On January 25, 2002, our Board of Directors declared a five-for-one common stock split. The record date for the split was March 31, 2002, and the new shares were distributed on May 15, 2002. Due to this stock split, there are 40,144,000 additional shares issued and 50,180,000 total shares in issue.

 

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The table above has been adjusted to reflect the five-for-one common stock split which occurred on May 15, 2002.

 

Since March 2002, our American Depositary Shares have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange. On June 21, 2004, the closing sale price of American Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange was $18.06 per share. The following table indicates the daily closing sale price of our American Depositary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated:

 

     New York Stock Exchange
Price per share


   Average
daily trading
volume of
shares


     Closing High

   Closing Low

  

Fiscal Period:

              

2006:

              

First Quarter

   16.46    13.85    175,800

Second Quarter

   15.71    14.01    128,756

Third Quarter

   16.34    15.08    121,024

Fourth Quarter

   18.81    15.18    192,545

Calendar Period:

              

2006:

              

December

   15.94    15.35    162,985

2007:

              

January

   16.32    15.18    183,455

February

   18.81    15.84    195,622

March

   18.50    17.48    198,150

April

   18.72    17.01    203,820

May

   17.82    17.07    293,948

June (through June 15, 2007)

   17.08    15.96    141,491

 

The table above has been adjusted to reflect the five-for-one common stock split which occurred on May 15, 2002 and the ADS ratio change which occurred on May 22, 2002.

 

B. Plan of Distribution

 

Not applicable.

 

C. Markets

 

See Item 9.A. of this annual report for information on the markets on which our common stock is listed or quoted.

 

D. Selling Shareholders

 

Not applicable.

 

E. Dilution

 

Not applicable.

 

F. Expenses of the Issue

 

Not applicable.

 

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Item 10. Additional Information

 

A. Share Capital

 

Not applicable.

 

B. Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

Objects and Purposes in Our Articles of Incorporation

 

Article 2 of our Articles of Incorporation, which are attached as an exhibit to this annual report, states our objects and purposes, which includes engaging in the telecommunications business, other businesses related to the operation of a wireless telecommunications services provider and non-related businesses.

 

Provisions Regarding Our Directors

 

There is no provision in our Articles of Incorporation as to a Director’s power to vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which a Director is materially interested, but, under the Corporation Law (“kaishaho”) of Japan, a Director is required to refrain from voting on such matters at meetings of the Board of Directors.

 

The Corporation Law provides that compensation for directors is fixed by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders of a company. Within the upper limit approved by the shareholders’ meeting, the Board of Directors will determine the amount of compensation for each director. The Board of Directors may, by its resolution, leave such decision to the discretion of the company’s president.

 

The Corporation Law provides that the incurrence by a company of a significant loan from a third party should be approved by the company’s Board of Directors, by its resolution. Our Regulations of the Board of Directors have adopted this policy.

 

There is no mandatory retirement age for our Directors under the Corporation Law or our Articles of Incorporation.

 

There is no requirement concerning the number of shares one individual must hold in order to qualify him or her as a Director of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. under the Corporation Law or our Articles of Incorporation.

 

Holding of Our Shares by Foreign Investors

 

There are no limitations on the rights of non-residents or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on our shares imposed by Corporation Law or our Articles of Incorporation or our other constituent documents.

 

Rights of Our Shareholders

 

The following section contains certain information relating to the shares, including summaries of certain provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations and of the Corporation Law of Japan relating to joint stock corporations.

 

General

 

At present, our authorized share capital is 188,130,000 shares with no par value of which 45,880,000 shares have been issued. All issued shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Under the Corporation Law and our Articles of Incorporation, the transfer of shares is effected by delivery of share certificates, but, in order to assert shareholders’ rights against us, the transferee must have his or her name and address registered on our register of

 

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shareholders. No temporary documents of title in respect of the shares will be issued. Shareholders are required to file their names, addresses and seal impressions with The Mitsubishi UFJ Trust Bank Limited which is our shareholders registrar for the shares. Foreign shareholders may file a specimen signature in lieu of a seal impression. Non-resident shareholders are required to appoint a standing proxy in Japan or file a mailing address in Japan. Japanese securities firms and commercial banks customarily offer the service of standing proxy, and render related services on payment of their standard fee.

 

Our shares are freely transferable and there are no restrictions on transfer of our shares under the terms of the Corporation Law or our Articles of Incorporation.

 

Our shares are generally held in a certificated form, except that, if a shareholder deposits his or her share certificate with us, we may cancel such share certificate. In the event a shareholder whose share certificate has been cancelled by us wishes to transfer his/her shares, reissuance of his/her share certificate by us to such shareholder and delivery to a transferee shall be required. The central book-entry clearing system of share certificates under the Law Concerning Central Clearing of Share Certificates and Other Securities of Japan applies to the shares. Holders of shares may deposit certificates for shares with the Japan Securities Depositary Center Inc., the sole depositary under the system, through the participants in the system (which normally will be securities companies). The shares deposited with the Japan Securities Depositary Center Inc. will be registered in the name of the Japan Securities Depositary Center Inc. in our register of shareholders. The beneficial owners of the deposited shares will be recorded in the register of beneficial shareholders which we prepare based on information furnished by the participants and the Japan Securities Depositary Center Inc. Such register of beneficial shareholders will be updated as of record dates as at which shareholders entitled to rights pertaining to the shares are determined. For the purpose of transferring the deposited shares, delivery of share certificates is not required. In general, beneficial shareholders of deposited shares registered in the register of beneficial shareholders will be entitled with respect to such shares to the same rights and benefits as the holders of shares registered in the register of shareholders. The registered beneficial shareholders may exercise the rights attached to the shares such as voting rights and will receive dividends (if any) and notices to shareholders directly from us. The shares held by a person as a registered shareholder and those held by the same person as a registered beneficial shareholder are aggregated for such purposes. New shares issued with respect to deposited shares, including those issued upon a stock split, automatically become deposited shares. The beneficial shareholders will be required to file with our shareholders registrar the same information as would be required from the registered shareholders principally through the relevant participants. Beneficial shareholders may at any time withdraw their shares from deposit and receive share certificates.

 

A law to establish a new central book-entry clearing system for shares of listed companies and to eliminate the issuance and use of certificates for such shares was promulgated in June 2004 and the part of such law that is relevant to our shares will come into effect within five years of the date of the promulgation. On the effective date, a new book-entry central clearing system will be established and will become responsible for handling the shares of all Japanese companies listed on any Japanese stock exchange, including our shares. On the same day, all existing share certificates will become null and void. The transfer of shares will be effected by book-entry in the accounts maintained under the new central clearing system.

 

Dividends

 

Dividends on our shares are generally distributed in proportion to the number of shares owned by each shareholder.

 

In Japan, the ex-dividend date and the record date for any dividend precede the date of determination of the amount of the dividend to be paid. Generally, the ex-dividend date is three business day prior to the record date.

 

Under the Corporation Law, we are permitted to make distributions of surplus to our shareholders any number of times per fiscal year pursuant to resolutions of our general meeting of shareholders, subject to certain limitations described below. Distributions of surplus are required, in principle, to be authorized by a resolution of

 

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the general meeting of shareholders. In an exception to the above rule, we are permitted to make distributions of surplus in cash to our shareholders by board resolution once per fiscal year if our Articles of Incorporation so provide. Currently, our Articles of Incorporation so provide. This exception is intended to make it possible to distribute an interim dividend which was provided for under the Former Commercial Code.

 

We are also permitted to make distributions of surplus pursuant to a board resolution if certain requirements under the Corporation Law are met, including that our Articles of Incorporation provide that the Board of Directors may determine to distribute surplus. Currently, our Articles of Incorporation do not so provide. Accordingly, distributions of our surplus must be approved by a general meeting of shareholders.

 

Distributions of surplus may be made in cash or in-kind in proportion to the number of shares held by each shareholder. If a distribution of surplus is to be made in-kind, we may, pursuant to a general meeting of shareholders resolution, or as the case may be, a board resolution, grant our shareholders a right to require us to make the distribution in cash instead of in-kind. If no such right is granted, the relevant distribution must be approved by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders (see “—Voting Rights”). Currently, we do not have any concrete plan to make a distribution of surplus in kind.

 

Under the Corporation Law, when we make a distribution of surplus, we must set aside in our additional paid-in capital or legal reserves an amount equal to one-tenth of the amount of surplus so distributed, until the sum of our additional paid-in capital and legal reserves reaches one-quarter of our stated capital as required by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice.

 

Under the Corporation Law, we may distribute any dividends up to the excess of the aggregate of (a) and (b) below, less the aggregate of (c) through (f) below, on an unconsolidated basis, as of the effective date of such distribution, if our net assets are not less than ¥3,000,000:

 

(a) the amount of surplus, as described below;

 

(b) in the event that extraordinary financial statements as of, or for a period from the beginning of the business year to, the specified date are approved, the aggregate amount of (i) the aggregate amount of (x) the net income for such period described in the profit and loss statement included in the extraordinary financial statements and (y) the amount of payment made to fulfill certain obligations as provided for by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice, and (ii) the amount of consideration that we received for the treasury stock that we disposed of during such period;

 

(c) the book value of our treasury stock;

 

(d) in the event that we disposed of treasury stock after the end of the previous business year, the amount of consideration that we received for such treasury stock;

 

(e) in the event of that which is described in (b) in this paragraph, the absolute difference between zero and the amount of net loss for such period described in the profit and loss statement included in the extraordinary financial statements; and

 

(f) the aggregate amount of accounts as provided for by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice.

 

For the purposes of this section, the amount of surplus is the excess of the aggregate of I. through IV. below, less the aggregate of V. through VII. below, on an unconsolidated basis:

 

I. the total amount of (x) assets and (y) the book value of treasury stock less the total amount of (i) liabilities, (ii) stated capital, (iii) additional paid-in capital, (iv) legal reserve and (v) certain other amounts set forth in an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice;

 

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II. in the event that we disposed of treasury stock after the end of the previous business year, the difference between the book value of such treasury stock and the consideration that we received for such treasury stock;

 

III. in the event that we reduced our stated capital after the end of the previous business year, the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to additional paid-in capital and/or the legal reserve (if any);

 

IV. in the event that additional paid-in capital and/or legal reserves were reduced after the end of the previous business year, the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to stated capital (if any);

 

V. in the event that we canceled treasury stock after the end of the previous business year, the book value of such treasury stock;

 

VI. in the event that we distributed dividends after the end of the previous business year, the aggregate of the following amounts:

 

a. the aggregate amount of the book value of the distributed assets, excluding the book value of such assets that would be distributed to shareholders for their exercise of the right to receive dividends in cash instead of dividends in kind;

 

b. the aggregate amount of cash distributed to shareholders who exercised the right to receive dividends in cash instead of dividends in kind; and

 

c. the aggregate amount of cash paid to shareholders holding fewer shares that was required in order to receive dividends in kind;

 

VII. the aggregate amounts of a. through c. below, less d. below:

 

a. in the event that the amount of surplus was reduced and transferred to additional paid-in capital, the legal reserve and/or stated capital after the end of the previous business year, the amount so reduced;

 

b. in the event that we distributed dividends after the end of the previous business year, the amount set aside in our reserve;

 

c. in the event that we disposed of treasury stock in the process of (x) a merger in which we succeeded all rights and obligations of a company, (y) a corporate split in which we succeeded all or a part of the rights and obligations of a split company or (z) a share exchange in which we acquired all shares of a company after the end of the previous business year, the difference between the book value of such treasury stock and the consideration that we received for such treasury stock; and

 

d. in the event that we made (x) a merger in which we succeeded all rights and obligations of a company, (y) a corporate split in which we succeeded all or a part of the rights and obligations of a split company or (z) a share exchange in which we acquired all shares of a company after the end of the previous business year, the aggregate amount of (i) the amount of our additional paid-in capital after such merger, corporate split or share exchange, less the amount of our additional paid-in capital before such merger, corporate split or share exchange, and (ii) the amount of our legal reserve after such merger, corporate split or share exchange, less the amount of our legal reserve after such merger, corporate split or share exchange.

 

Under the Corporation Law, we will be permitted to prepare non-consolidated extraordinary financial statements consisting of a balance sheet as of any date subsequent to the end of the previous business year and an income statement for the period from the first day of the current business year to the date of such balance sheet. If we prepare such extraordinary financial statements, special provisions may apply to the calculation of distributable amount.

 

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We plan to make distributions of surplus twice per fiscal year, if possible. The record date for annual dividends is March 31 and the record date for interim dividends is September 30.

 

For information as to Japanese taxes on dividends, see “Taxation—Japanese Taxation” below.

 

Capital and Reserves

 

An increase in our authorized share capital is only possible pursuant to an amendment of our articles of incorporation.

 

The entire paid-in amount of new shares is required to be accounted for as stated capital, although we may account for an amount not exceeding one-half of such paid-in amount as additional paid-in capital. We may at any time reduce the whole or any part of our additional paid-in capital and legal reserve or transfer them to stated capital by shareholder’s resolution. The whole or any part of surplus may also be transferred to stated capital or additional paid-in capital or legal reserve by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders.

 

Stock Splits

 

We may at any time split our issued shares into a greater number of shares by board resolution. So long as the shares are our only class of issued shares, we may increase the number of authorized shares in the same ratio as that of any stock split by amending our Articles of Incorporation, which amendment may be effected by board resolution without shareholder’s approval. Generally, shareholders do not need to exchange share certificates for new ones following a stock split. Instead, share certificates representing the additional shares resulting from the stock split will be issued to the shareholders.

 

Consolidation of Shares

 

Generally, we may consolidate shares into a smaller number of shares by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders. A company that conducts a consolidation of shares is required by the Corporation Law to notify each shareholder and registered pledgee or give public notice in order to inform them of the ratio and effective date of the consolidation of shares. Furthermore, a company, the articles of incorporation of which provides that it issues share certificates, like us, is required to give public notice and to notify each shareholder and registered pledgee that share certificates must be submitted to the company for exchange by the effective date of the consolidation of shares.

 

Fractional Shares

 

Under the Corporation Law, the fractional share system has been abolished. However, the fractional share system of companies that have adopted the fractional share system prior to the implementation of the Corporation Law and have fractional shares, including us, continues after implementation of Corporation Law. Fractional shares will not carry voting rights but holders of fractional shares will have the right to receive dividends. Any certificate representing such fractional shares will not be issued and therefore fractional shares are not normally transferable. Holders of fractional shares will be registered in the register of fractional shares. The registered holders of fractional shares may at any time require us to purchase such shares at the current market price.

 

General Meeting of Shareholders

 

The ordinary general meeting of our shareholders is usually held in June of each fiscal year in Tokyo. In addition, we may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary. Notice of a shareholders’ meeting stating the purpose thereof and a summary of the matters to be acted upon must be dispatched to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to his or her mailing address or standing proxy in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting. The record date for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders is March 31.

 

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Under the Corporation Law and our Articles of Incorporation, any shareholder holding 300 or more voting rights or one percent or more of the total number of voting rights for six months or longer may propose a matter to be considered at a general meeting of shareholders by submitting a written request to our Representative Director at least eight weeks prior to the date of such meeting.

 

Voting Rights

 

Generally, a holder of our shares is entitled to one vote for each such share. Except as otherwise provided in law and our Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be adopted at a meeting of shareholders by shareholders holding a majority of our shares having voting rights represented at such meeting. Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights through proxies, provided that a proxy is one of our shareholders or that in the case of a shareholder being the Government, local government or juridical person, its proxy may be its employee. Shareholders who intend to be absent from the shareholders’ meeting may exercise their voting rights by electronic means. The Corporation Law and our Articles of Incorporation provide that the quorum for election of directors and corporate auditors shall not be less than one-third of the total number of the voting rights. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that shares may not be voted cumulatively for the election of Directors.

 

Under the Corporation Law and our Articles of Incorporation, certain corporate actions must be approved by a “special resolution” of our meeting of shareholders, when the quorum is one-third of the total number of shares having voting rights and the approval of the holders of two-thirds of our shares having voting rights represented at the meeting is required. Examples of corporate actions that require a special resolution are:

 

   

any amendment of our articles of incorporation (except for amendments that may be authorized solely by the board of directors under the Corporation Law);

 

   

a reduction of stated capital, except for a reduction of stated capital for the purpose of replenishing capital deficiencies at the day of the ordinary general meeting ;

 

   

a distribution by us of surplus in-kind, if we do not grant shareholders the right to require us to effect the distribution in cash, instead of in-kind;

 

   

a dissolution, a merger, subject to a certain exception under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

   

the transfer of the whole or an important part of the business, except for the transfer of an important part of the business in which the book value of transferred assets does not exceed 20% of that of the company’s total assets;

 

   

the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation;

 

   

a share exchange or share transfer for the purpose of establishing a 100% parent-subsidiary relationship, subject to a certain exception under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

   

a company split, subject to a certain exception under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;

 

   

the offering of shares at a “specially favorable” price and any offering of stock acquisition rights or bonds with stock acquisition rights at a “specially favorable” price or in a “specially favorable” condition to any persons other than shareholders; and

 

   

any purchase of the company’s own shares from a certain person.

 

The voting rights of holders of ADSs are exercised by the depositary based on instructions from those holders. With respect to voting by holders of ADSs, please see Item 12.D of our registration statement on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2002.

 

Liquidation Rights

 

In the event of our liquidation, the assets remaining after payment of all taxes, liquidation expenses and debts will be distributed among the shareholders in proportion to the respective number of shares which they hold.

 

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Issue of Additional Shares and Pre-emptive Rights

 

Shareholders have no pre-emptive rights. Authorized but unissued shares may be issued at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors determines, by its resolution subject to the limitations as to the offering of shares at a “specially favorable” price mentioned above. Under the Corporation Law, the Board of Directors may, however, determine to grant shareholders subscription rights in connection with a particular issue of shares. Any such subscription rights must be granted on uniform terms to all shareholders on a pro rata basis. In addition, we are required to notify each shareholder of certain matters regarding such subscription rights, as well as the date by which shareholders need to exercise such rights.

 

We may issue stock acquisition rights or bonds with stock acquisition rights in relation to which stock acquisition rights are non-separable. Except where the issue of stock acquisition rights would be on “specially favorable” terms or price, the issue of stock acquisition rights or of bonds with stock acquisition rights may be authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors. Upon exercise of the stock acquisition rights, the holder of such rights may either acquire shares by paying the applicable exercise price or, if so determined by a resolution of the board of directors, by making a substitute payment, such as having bonds redeemed without payment to the holder in lieu of the exercise price.

 

Dilution

 

It is possible that, in the future, market conditions and other factors might make subscription rights allocated to shareholders desirable at a subscription price substantially below their then current market price, in which case shareholders who do not exercise and are unable otherwise to realize the full value of their subscription rights will suffer dilution of their equity interest in us. As of March 31, 2007, we have not issued stock acquisition rights or bond with stock acquisition rights.

 

Report to Shareholders

 

We furnish to our shareholders notices of shareholders’ meetings, annual business reports, including non-consolidated and consolidated financial statements, and notices of resolutions adopted at the shareholders’ meetings, all of which are in Japanese. Such notices as described above may be given by electronic means to those shareholders who have agreed to such method of notice.

 

Record Date

 

In addition to the record dates for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders and annual and interim dividends which are provided for in our Articles of Incorporation, by a resolution of the Board of Directors and after giving at least two weeks’ prior public notice, we may at any time set a record date in order to determine shareholders who are entitled to certain rights pertaining to the shares.

 

Repurchase by Us of Shares and Treasury Shares

 

Under the Corporation Law, we are generally required to obtain authorization for any acquisition of our own shares by means of:

 

  (i) a resolution at a general meeting of shareholders,

 

  (ii) a resolution of the Board of Directors if the acquisition is in accordance with our Articles of Incorporation; or

 

  (iii) a resolution of the Board of Directors if the acquisition is to purchase our shares from a subsidiary.

 

We may only dispose of shares we may so acquire in accordance with the procedures applicable to a new share issuance under the Corporation Law.

 

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Upon due authorization, we may acquire our own shares:

 

   

in the case of (i) and (ii) above:

 

   

through the stock exchanges on which the shares are listed or the over-the-counter markets on which the shares are traded; or

 

   

by way of tender offer;

 

   

in the case of (i) above, from a specific person, but only if our shareholders approve this acquisition by special resolution; and

 

   

in the case of (iii) above, from the subsidiary.

 

In the event we are to acquire our own shares from a specific person other than a subsidiary at the price which exceeds market price, each other shareholder may request the directors to acquire the shares held by such shareholder as well.

 

Acquisitions described in (i) through (iii) above must satisfy certain other requirements, including that the total amount of the purchase price may not exceed the distributable amount.

 

Shareholders of Unknown Location

 

We are not required to send a notice to a shareholder if a notice to such shareholder fails to arrive at the registered address of the shareholder in our register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us continuously for five years or more.

 

In addition, we may dispose of the shares at the then market price of the shares and hold or deposit the proceeds for such shareholder, the location of which is unknown, (i) notices to the shareholders fails to arrive continuously for five years or more at the registered address of the shareholder in our register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us, and (ii) the shareholder fails to receive dividends on the shares continuously for five years or more at the address registered in our register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us.

 

The Japan Securities Depositary Center, Inc.

 

The central clearing system of share certificates under the Law Concerning Central Clearing of Share Certificates and Other Securities in Japan applies to the shares. Under this system, holders of shares may deposit certificates for shares with the Japan Securities Depositary Center Inc., the sole depositary under the system, through the participants. See “Rights of Our Shareholders—General”.

 

American Depositary Receipts

 

The current ADS/share ratio is 100 ADSs per each share of common stock.

 

For further information regarding our American Depositary Receipt program, please refer to the our registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 20-F on February 8, 2002.

 

Reporting of Substantial Shareholders

 

The Securities and Exchange Law of Japan and its related regulations require any person who has become, solely or jointly, a holder of more than 5% of the total issued shares of a company that is listed on any Japanese stock exchange, to file a report with the Director of the competent Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance within five business days from the date of becoming such holder. With certain exceptions, a similar report must also be filed in respect of any subsequent change of 1% or more in the holding or of any change in

 

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material matters set out in any previously-filed reports. For this purpose, shares issuable to such person upon exercise of stock acquisition rights are taken into account in determining both the number of shares held by the holder and the issuer’s total issued share capital. Copies of each report must also be furnished to the issuer of the shares and to all Japanese stock exchanges on which the shares are listed. These reports are made available to public.

 

Daily Price Fluctuation Limits under Japanese Stock Exchange Rules

 

Share prices on Japanese stock exchanges are determined on a real-time basis by the equilibrium between bids and offers. These exchanges set daily price limits, which limit the maximum range of fluctuation within a single trading day. Daily price limits are set according to the previous day’s closing price or special quote. Although transactions may continue at the upward or downward limit price if the limit price is reached on a particular trading day, no transactions may take place outside these limits. Consequently, an investor wishing to sell at a price above or below the relevant daily limit may not be able to sell his or her shares at such price on a particular trading day, or at all.

 

On June 15, 2007, the closing price of our shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange was ¥197,000 per share. The following table shows the daily price limit for a stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange with a closing price of between ¥150,000 and ¥200,000 per share, as well as the daily price limit if our per share price were to rise to between ¥200,000 and ¥300,000, or fall to between ¥100,000 and ¥150,000.

 

Selected Daily Price Limits

 

Previous Day’s Closing Price or Special Quote


  

Maximum Daily
Price Movement


Over    ¥100,000    Less than    ¥150,000    ¥20,000
Over    150,000    Less than    200,000    30,000
Over    200,000    Less than    300,000    40,000

 

For a history of the trading price of our shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, see Item 9.A.

 

C. Material Contracts

 

We have not entered into any material contracts, other than in the ordinary course of business.

 

D. Exchange Controls

 

There are no laws, decrees, regulations or other legislation which materially affect our ability to import or export capital for our use or our ability to pay dividends to nonresident holders of our shares.

 

E. Taxation

 

United States Federal Income Taxation

 

This section describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of owning shares or ADSs. It applies to you only if you are a U.S. holder (as defined below) and hold your shares or ADSs as capital assets for tax purposes. This section does not apply to you if you are a member of a special class of holders subject to special rules, including:

 

   

a dealer in securities;

 

   

a trader in securities that elects to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for securities holdings;

 

   

a tax-exempt organization;

 

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a life insurance company;

 

   

a person liable for alternative minimum tax;

 

   

a person that actually or constructively owns 10% or more of our voting stock;

 

   

a person that holds shares or ADSs as part of a straddle or a hedging or conversion transaction; or

 

   

a person whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.

 

This section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, as well as on the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Japan for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (the “Treaty”). These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. In addition, this section is based in part upon the representations of The Bank of New York as depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement and any related agreement will be performed in accordance with its terms.

 

In general, and taking into account this assumption, for United States federal income tax purposes, if you hold ADRs evidencing ADSs, you will be treated as the owner of the shares represented by those ADRs. Exchanges of shares for ADRs, and ADRs for shares, generally will not be subject to United States federal income or to Japanese tax.

 

You are a U.S. holder if you are a beneficial owner of shares or ADSs and you are for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

   

a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a domestic corporation;

 

   

an estate whose income is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if a United States court can exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust.

 

You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the United States federal, state and local and the Japanese and other tax consequences of owning and disposing of shares and ADSs in your particular circumstances.

 

Taxation of Dividends

 

Under the United States federal income tax laws, and subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder, the gross amount of any dividend paid by us out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for United States federal income tax purposes) is subject to United States federal income taxation. If you are a non corporate U.S. holder, dividends paid to you in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 that constitute qualified dividend income will be taxable to you at a maximum tax rate of 15% provided that you hold the shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date and meet other holding period requirements. Dividends paid by us with respect to our shares or ADSs generally will be qualified dividend income. You must include any Japanese tax withheld from the dividend payment in this gross amount even though you do not in fact receive it. The dividend is taxable to you when you, in the case of shares, or the depositary, in the case of ADSs, receive the dividend, actually or constructively. The dividend will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction generally allowed to United States corporations in respect of dividends received from other United States corporations. The amount of the dividend distribution that you must include in your income as a U.S. holder will be the U.S. dollar value of the Japanese yen payments made, determined at the spot Japanese yen/U.S. dollar rate on the date the dividend distribution is includible in your income, regardless of whether the payment is in fact converted into U.S. dollars. Generally, any gain or loss resulting from currency exchange fluctuations during the

 

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period from the date you include the dividend payment in income to the date you convert the payment into U.S. dollars will be treated as ordinary income or loss and will not be eligible for the special tax rate applicable to qualified dividend income. The gain or loss generally will be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes. Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for United States federal income tax purposes, will be treated as a nontaxable return of capital to the extent of your basis in the shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gain.

 

Subject to certain limitations, the Japanese tax withheld in accordance with the Treaty and paid over to Japan will be creditable against your United States federal income tax liability. To the extent a refund of the tax withheld is available to you under Japanese law or under the Treaty, the amount of tax that is refundable will not be eligible for credit against your United States federal income tax liability. Please see “Japanese Taxation”, below, for the procedures for obtaining a reduced rate of withholding under the Treaty or a tax refund. In addition, special rules apply in determining the foreign tax credit limitation with respect to dividends that are subject to the maximum 15% tax rate. Dividends will be income from sources outside the United States. Dividends paid in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2007 generally are “passive” or “financial services” income, and dividends paid in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, depending on your circumstances, are “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.

 

Distributions of additional shares or ADSs to you with respect to shares or ADSs that are made as part of a pro rata distribution to all of our shareholders generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax. Your basis in the new shares or ADSs received will be determined by allocating your basis in the shares or ADSs you held at the time of the distribution between the new shares or ADSs and the shares or ADSs you held at the time of the distribution based on their relative fair market values on the date of the distribution.

 

Taxation of Capital Gains

 

Subject to the passive foreign investment company rules discussed below, if you are a U.S. holder and you sell or otherwise dispose of your shares or ADSs, you will recognize capital gain or loss for the United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount that you realize and your tax basis, determined in U.S. dollars, in your shares or ADSs. Capital gain of a non-corporate U.S. holder that is recognized in taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011 is generally taxed at a maximum rate of 15% where the property is held for more than one year. The gain or loss will generally be income or loss from sources within the United States for foreign tax credit limitation purposes.

 

Passive Foreign Investment Company Rules

 

We do not expect our shares and ADSs to be treated as stock of a passive foreign investment company, or “PFIC”, for United States federal income tax purposes, but this conclusion is a factual determination that is made annually and thus may be subject to change. If we were to be treated as a PFIC, unless a U.S. holder elects to be taxed annually on a mark-to-market basis with respect to the shares or ADSs, gain realized on the sale or other disposition of your shares or ADSs would in general not be treated as capital gain. Instead, if you are a U.S. holder, you would be treated as if you had realized such gain and certain “excess distributions” ratably over your holding period for the shares or ADSs and would be taxed at the highest tax rate in effect for each such year to which the gain was allocated, together with an interest charge in respect of the tax attributable to each such year. With certain exceptions, your shares or ADSs will be treated as stock in a PFIC if we were a PFIC at any time during your holding period in your shares or ADSs. In addition, dividends that you receive from us will not be eligible for the special tax rates applicable to qualified dividend income if we are treated as a PFIC with respect to you either in the taxable year of the distribution or the preceding taxable year, but instead will be taxable at rates applicable to ordinary income.

 

If you own shares or ADSs during any year that we are a PFIC with respect to you, you must file Internal Revenue Service Form 8621.

 

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Japanese Taxation

 

The following is a summary of the principal Japanese tax consequences to owners of our shares or ADSs who are non-resident individuals or non-Japanese corporations without a permanent establishment in Japan to which income from our shares is attributable. The tax treatment is subject to possible changes in the applicable Japanese laws or double taxation conventions occurring after that date. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations that may apply to a particular investor. Potential investors should consult their own tax advisers as to:

 

   

the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares or ADSs, including specifically the tax consequences under Japanese law;

 

   

the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are resident; and

 

   

any tax treaty between Japan and their country of residence.

 

Generally, a non-resident holder of shares or ADSs is subject to Japanese withholding tax on dividends paid by us. In the absence of any applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of withholding tax, the rate of Japanese withholding tax applicable to dividends paid by us to non-resident holders is 7% for dividends to be paid on or before March 31, 2009, and 15% thereafter, except for dividends paid to any individual shareholder who holds 5% or more of the issued shares of the company. Japan has income tax treaties, conventions or agreements with foreign countries whereby the maximum withholding tax rate for dividend payment is set at, in most cases, 15% for portfolio investors. In the case of the Japan-US tax treaty, the maximum withholding tax rate is set at 10% for portfolio investors effective from July 1, 2004. Japanese tax law provides in general that if the Japanese statutory rate is lower than the maximum rate applicable under tax treaties, conventions or agreements, the Japanese statutory rate shall be applicable.

 

Non-resident holders who are entitled to a reduced rate of Japanese withholding tax on payments of dividends on the shares by us are required to submit an Application Form for the Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax on Dividends in advance through us to the relevant tax authority before the payment of dividends. A standing proxy for non-resident holders may provide the application. With respect to ADSs, this reduced rate is applicable if the depositary or its agent submits two Application Forms for Income Tax Convention (one prior to payment of dividends, the other within eight months after our fiscal year-end). To claim this reduced rate, a non-resident holder of ADSs will be required to file proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable) and to provide other information or documents as may be required by the depositary. Non-resident holders who do not submit an application in advance will generally be entitled to claim a refund from the relevant Japanese tax authority of withholding taxes withheld in excess of the rate of an applicable tax treaty.

 

Gains derived from the sale of shares or ADSs outside Japan, or from the sale of shares within Japan by a nonresident holder, generally are not subject to Japanese income or corporation taxes.

 

Japanese inheritance and gift taxes at progressive rates may be payable by an individual who has acquired shares or ADSs as a legatee, heir or donee, even if the individual is not a Japanese resident.

 

F. Dividends and Paying Agents

 

Not applicable.

 

G. Statement by Experts

 

Not applicable.

 

H. Documents on Display

 

We have filed with the SEC this annual report on Form 20-F under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the shares and ADSs.

 

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You may review a copy of the annual report and other information without charge at the SEC’s public reference room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may also get copies of all or any portion of the annual report from the public reference room. For information regarding the procedures of the public reference room, please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a web site at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements to shareholders.

 

I. Subsidiary Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

DoCoMo is primarily exposed to market risks from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and stock prices. The fair values for DoCoMo’s assets and liabilities and DoCoMo’s earnings and cash flows may be negatively impacted by these market risks.

 

To manage fluctuating risks of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, DoCoMo uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, and foreign currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts, and also uses non-derivative financial instruments. The derivative financial instruments are executed with creditworthy financial institutions, and DoCoMo management believes that there is little risk of default by these counterparties. DoCoMo has and follows internal regulations that establish conditions to enter into derivative contracts, and procedures of approving and monitoring such contracts. DoCoMo does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

No specific hedging activities are taken against the price of fluctuations of stocks held by DoCoMo as marketable securities.

 

Interest rate risk

 

DoCoMo uses interest rate swap transactions, under which DoCoMo receives fixed rate interest payments and pays floating rate interest payments, to hedge the changes in fair value of certain debt as a part of its asset-liability management (ALM).

 

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The following table below provides information about financial instruments that are sensitive to the changes in interest rates:

 

     Expected maturity dates Year Ended March 31

     2008

    2009

    2010

    2011

    2012

    Thereafter

   

Total

3/31/07


   Fair Value
3/31/07


     (Millions of yen)

DEBT

                                             

Unsecured corporate bonds

   110,005     49,200     —       163,376     166,282     —       488,863    492,134

Weighted average Interest rate-fixed

   0.6 %   1.0 %   —       1.4 %   1.6 %   —             

Unsecured indebtedness to banks, insurance companies, and others

   21,000     26,000     29,000     17,000     6,000     15,000     114,000    114,776
                                        
  

Weighted average Interest rate-fixed

   1.0 %   0.9 %   1.2 %   1.4 %   1.4 %   1.5 %         

Long-term debt, including current portion

                                       602,863    606,910
                                        
  

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS

                                             

Contract notional amounts

   —       —       —       70,000     165,800     —       235,800    858

Fixed rate received by DoCoMo

   —       —       —       1.4 %   1.6 %   —             

Floating rate paid by DoCoMo

   —       —       —       0.8 %   0.9 %   —             
     Expected maturity dates Year Ended March 31

     2008

    2009

    2010

    2011

    2012

    Thereafter

   

Total

3/31/07


   Fair Value
3/31/07


     (Thousands of U.S. dollars)

DEBT

                                             

Unsecured corporate bonds

   935,735     418,510     —       1,389,724     1,414,444     —       4,158,413    4,186,237

Weighted average Interest rate-fixed

   0.6 %   1.0 %   —       1.4 %   1.6 %   —             

Unsecured indebtedness to banks, insurance companies, and others

   178,632     221,163     246,683     144,607     51,038     127,594     969,717    976,318
                                        
  

Weighted average Interest rate-fixed

   1.0 %   0.9 %   1.2 %   1.4 %   1.4 %   1.5 %         

Long-term debt, including current portion

                                       5,128,130    5,162,555
                                        
  

INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS

                                             

Contract notional amounts

   —       —       —       595,440     1,410,344     —       2,005,784    7,298

Fixed rate received by DoCoMo

   —       —       —       1.4 %   1.6 %   —             

Floating rate paid by DoCoMo

   —       —       —       0.8 %   0.9 %   —             

 

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Foreign exchange risk

 

DoCoMo uses derivative financial instruments including foreign exchange forward contracts and a currency swap for the purpose of mitigating the risk of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

 

DoCoMo had ¥938 million in notional amount of foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding and their fair value was ¥4 million as of March 31, 2007.

 

DoCoMo has entered into a currency swap contract so as to hedge the foreign exchange risk of the $100 million unsecured bond which reaches maturity in March 2008. As of March 31, 2007, our contract amount and fair value of the currency swap contract were ¥10,485 million and ¥1,251 million respectively.

 

Investment price risk

 

The fair value of certain of our investments, primarily in marketable securities, exposes us to fluctuation risks of securities prices. In general, we have invested in highly-liquid and low-risk instruments, which are not held for trading purposes. These investments are subject to changes in the market prices of the securities. The following table below provides information about our market sensitive marketable securities and constitutes a “forward-looking statement”.

 

     March 31, 2007

   March 31, 2007

     Carrying
Amount


   Fair Value

   Carrying
Amount


   Fair Value

     (Millions of yen)    (Thousands of U.S. dollars)

Equity securities available-for-sale

   168,598    168,598    1,434,144    1,434,144

Debt securities available-for-sale:

                   

Due within 1 year

   99,925    99,925    849,991    849,991

Due after 1 year through 5 years

   5    5    43    43

Due after 5 years through 10 years

           

Due after 10 years

           
    
  
  
  

Total

   268,528    268,528    2,284,178    2,284,178
    
  
  
  

 

Concentrations of credit risk

 

As of March 31, 2007, we did not have any significant concentration of business transacted with an individual counterparty or groups of counterparties that could, if suddenly eliminated, severely impact our operations.

 

Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

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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

 

Management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2007 pursuant to Exchange Act rules. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2007.

 

Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

For management’s report on our internal control over financial reporting and the report of our independent auditor on management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, see Exhibit 15.1 and 15.2 to this annual report.

 

Management also carried out an evaluation, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended March 31, 2007. Based upon that evaluation, there was no change that occurred during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Our Board of Corporate Auditors has determined that, Mr. Takaaki Wakasugi is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, Mr. Wakasugi is an outside corporate auditor pursuant to Article 335, Paragraph 3 of the Japanese Corporation Law, and is independent from us and our management. Mr. Wakasugi meets the requirements imposed on corporate auditors under Japanese Corporation Law.

 

Item 16B. Code of Ethics

 

We have a code of ethics that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other senior officers in order to promote honesty, integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct in such persons’ performance of their management responsibilities. Our code of ethics, as of June 25, 2007, is attached to this annual report on Form 20-F as exhibit 11.1.

 

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Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Fees Paid to the Independent Auditor

 

The Company and its subsidiaries engaged KPMG AZSA & Co. to perform an annual audit of the Company’s financial statements. The following table presents information concerning fees paid to KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007.

 

     Year ended March 31,

         2006    

       2007    

     (in millions)

Audit fees (1)

   ¥ 558    ¥ 831

Tax fees (2)

     59      52

All other fees (3)

     0      0
    

  

Total

   ¥ 617    ¥ 883
    

  


(1) These are fees for professional services performed by KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates for the audit of the Company and its subsidiaries’ annual financial statements and services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
(2) These are fees for professional services performed by KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates tax division except those related to the audit and includes tax returns and tax consultations.
(3) These are fees for all other services received from KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates including consultations relating to company secretarial services to our foreign subsidiaries.

 

Pre-Approval of Services Provided by KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates

 

The Company and its subsidiaries have adopted policies and procedures for the Company’s Board of Directors and the Board of Corporate Auditors’ pre-approving all non-audit work performed by KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates. Specifically, the policies and procedures prohibit KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates from performing any services for the Company or its subsidiaries without the prior approval of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Board of Corporate Auditors.

 

All of the services provided by KPMG AZSA & Co. and its affiliates since Rule 2-01(c)(7) of Regulation S-X became effective were approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and the Board of Corporate Auditors pursuant to the approval policies described above, and none of such services were approved pursuant to the procedures described in Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X, which waives the general requirement for pre-approval in certain circumstances.

 

Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

 

With respect to the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 relating to listed company audit committees, which apply to us through Section 303A.06 of the New York Stock Exchange’s Listed Company Manual, we rely on an exemption provided by paragraph (c)(3) of that Rule available to foreign private issuers with boards of corporate auditors meeting certain requirements. For a New York Stock Exchange-listed Japanese company with a board of corporate auditors, the requirements for relying on paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 are as follows:

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

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

 

   

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

 

   

The board of corporate auditors, in accordance with Japanese law or the registrant’s governing documents, must be responsible, to the extent permitted by Japanese law, for the appointment, retention and oversight of the work of any registered public accounting firm engaged (including, to the extent permitted by Japanese law, the resolution of disagreements between management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the listed company, including its principal accountant which audits its consolidated financial statements included in its annual reports on Form 20-F.

 

   

To the extent permitted by Japanese law:

 

   

the board of corporate auditors must establish procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

   

the board of corporate auditors must have the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties; and

 

   

the listed company must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by its board of corporate auditors, for payment of (i) compensation to any registered public accounting firm engaged for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for us, (ii) compensation to any advisers employed by the board of corporate auditors, and (iii) ordinary administrative expenses of the board of corporate auditors that are necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

 

In our assessment, our Board of Corporate Auditors, which meets the requirements for reliance on the exemption in paragraph (c)(3) of Rule 10A-3 described above, is not materially less effective than an audit committee meeting all the requirements of paragraph (b) of Rule 10A-3 (without relying on any exemption provided by that Rule) at acting independently of management and performing the functions of an audit committee as contemplated therein.

 

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

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period


  (a)Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(*)


  (b) Average
Price Paid per
Share


  (c) Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs


 

(d) Maximum Number

of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs(**)


April, 2006 (from April 1 to April 30)

  0   —     0   504,406
   
 
 
 

May, 2006 (from May 1 to May 31)

  194,599   179,850.3   194,599   309,807
   
 
 
 

June, 2006 (from June 1 to June 30)

  88,713   169,077.4   88,713   1,400,000
   
 
 
 

July, 2006 (from July 1 to July 31)

  0   —     0   1,400,000
   
 
 
 

August, 2006 (from August 1 to August 31)

  234,171.92   170,809.3   234,171   1,165,829
   
 
 
 

September, 2006 (from September 1 to September 30)

  0.80   —     0   1,165,829
   
 
 
 

October, 2006 (from October 1 to October 31)

  0.66   —     0   1,165,829
   
 
 
 

November, 2006 (from November 1 to November 30)

  193,851.65   180,683.8   193,851   971,978
   
 
 
 

December, 2006 (from December 1 to December 31)

  84,206.50   178,128.4   84,206   887,772
   
 
 
 

January, 2007 (from January 1 to January 31)

  0   —     0   887,772
   
 
 
 

February, 2007 (from February 1 to February 28)

  49,719.30   197,239.9   49,719   838,053
   
 
 
 

March, 2007 (from March 1 to March 31)

  35,320.13   209,346.5   35,319   802,734
   
 
 
 

Total

  880,582.96   178,544.5   880,578   802,734
   
 
 
 

(*) Shares purchased include fractional shares purchased from time to time.
(**) The numbers as of April and May, 2006, described in column (d) are based on the aggregate number of 2,200,000 shares authorized at a general shareholders meeting held on June 21, 2005. Likewise, the numbers for June 2006 or later in column (d) are based on the aggregate number of 1,400,000 shares authorized on general shareholders meeting held on June 20, 2006.

 

Item 17. Financial Statements

 

In lieu of responding to this item, we have responded to Item 18 of this annual report.

 

Item 18. Financial Statements

 

The information required by this item is set forth beginning on page F-2 of this annual report.

 

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Item 19. Exhibits

 

Exhibit
Number


  

Description


  1.1   

—Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (English translation)*

  1.2   

—Share Handling Regulations of the registrant (English translation)*

  1.3   

—Regulations of the Board of Directors of the registrant (English translation)*

  1.4   

—Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors of the registrant (English translation)

  2.1   

—Specimen common stock certificates of the registrant**

  2.2   

—Form of Deposit Agreement among the registrant, The Bank of New York as Depositary and all owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-9694) filed on May 15, 2002)

  8.1   

—List of Subsidiaries

11.1   

—Code of Ethics*

12.1   

—Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

12.2   

—Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

13.1   

—Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

13.2   

—Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

15.1   

—Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

15.2   

—Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


* Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2006 and herein incorporated by reference.
** Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2002 and herein incorporated by reference.

 

We have not included as exhibits certain instruments with respect to our long-term debt. The amount of debt authorized under each such debt instrument does not exceed 10% or our total assets. We agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

     Page

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

   F-2

Consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2006 and 2007

   F-3

Consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the years ended
March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

   F-5

Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

   F-6

Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

   F-7

Notes to consolidated financial statements

   F-8

Financial statement schedule for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007:
Schedule II—Valuation and qualifying accounts

   F-50

 

F-1


Table of Contents

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Board of Directors and the Shareholders

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2007. In connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited financial statement schedule as listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and subsidiaries as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 2007, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended March 31, 2007 have been translated into United States dollars solely for the convenience of the reader. We have audited the translation and, in our opinion, the consolidated financial statements expressed in Japanese yen have been translated into dollars on the basis set forth in Note 3 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of NTT DoCoMo, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2007, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated June 19, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of, and the effective operation of, internal control over financial reporting.

 

/s/     KPMG AZSA & Co.

 

Tokyo, Japan

June 19, 2007

 

F-2


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

MARCH 31, 2006 and 2007

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 
ASSETS                         

Current assets:

                        

Cash and cash equivalents

   ¥ 840,724     ¥ 343,062     $ 2,918,186  

Short-term investments

                        

Third parties

     51,237       100,543       855,248  

Related parties

     —         50,000       425,315  

Accounts receivable

                        

Third parties

     588,508       844,305       7,181,907  

Related parties

     21,329       28,018       238,330  
    


 


 


Sub-total

     609,837       872,323       7,420,237  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (14,740 )     (13,178 )     (112,096 )
    


 


 


Total accounts receivable, net

     595,097       859,145       7,308,141  

Inventories

     229,523       145,892       1,241,000  

Deferred tax assets

     111,795       94,868       806,975  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

                        

Third parties

     91,182       132,959       1,130,989  

Related parties

     7,200       5,444       46,308  
    


 


 


Total current assets

     1,926,758       1,731,913       14,732,162  
    


 


 


Property, plant and equipment:

                        

Wireless telecommunications equipment

     4,743,136       5,149,132       43,800,034  

Buildings and structures

     736,660       778,638       6,623,324  

Tools, furniture and fixtures

     610,759       613,945       5,222,397  

Land

     197,896       199,007       1,692,812  

Construction in progress

     134,240       114,292       972,202  
    


 


 


Sub-total

     6,422,691       6,855,014       58,310,769  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (3,645,237 )     (3,954,361 )     (33,636,960 )
    


 


 


Total property, plant and equipment, net

     2,777,454       2,900,653       24,673,809  

Non-current investments and other assets:

                        

Investments in affiliates

     174,121       176,376       1,500,306  

Marketable securities and other investments

     357,824       261,456       2,224,022  

Intangible assets, net

     546,304       551,029       4,687,215  

Goodwill

     141,094       147,821       1,257,409  

Other assets

                        

Third parties

     157,272       157,656       1,341,069  

Related parties

     107,710       61,615       524,115  

Deferred tax assets

     176,720       127,696       1,086,220  
    


 


 


Total non-current investments and other assets

     1,661,045       1,483,649       12,620,356  
    


 


 


Total assets

   ¥ 6,365,257     ¥ 6,116,215     $ 52,026,327  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-3


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued)

MARCH 31, 2006 and 2007

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                        

Current liabilities:

                        

Current portion of long-term debt

   ¥ 193,723     ¥ 131,005     $ 1,114,367  

Short-term borrowings

     152       102       868  

Accounts payable, trade

                        

Third parties

     726,608       666,829       5,672,244  

Related parties

     81,528       94,279       801,965  

Accrued payroll

     41,799       46,584       396,257  

Accrued interest

     1,264       809       6,881  

Accrued income taxes

     168,587       68,408       581,899  

Other current liabilities

                        

Third parties

     152,322       152,843       1,300,128  

Related parties

     2,316       2,066       17,574  
    


 


 


Total current liabilities

     1,368,299       1,162,925       9,892,183  
    


 


 


Long-term liabilities:

                        

Long-term debt (exclusive of current portion)

     598,530       471,858       4,013,763  

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

     135,511       135,890       1,155,920  

Other long-term liabilities

                        

Third parties

     206,675       179,699       1,528,573  

Related parties

     3,105       3,376       28,717  
    


 


 


Total long-term liabilities

     943,821       790,823       6,726,973  
    


 


 


Total liabilities

     2,312,120       1,953,748       16,619,156  
    


 


 


Minority interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     1,120       1,164       9,901  
    


 


 


Shareholders’ equity:

                        

Common stock, without a stated value—

                        

Authorized—188,130,000 shares and 188,130,000 shares at March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively

                        

Issued—46,810,000 and 45,880,000 shares at March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively

                        

Outstanding—44,474,227 and 43,593,644 shares at March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively

     949,680       949,680       8,078,258  

Additional paid-in capital

     1,311,013       1,135,958       9,662,793  

Retained earnings

     2,212,739       2,493,155       21,207,511  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     26,781       12,874       109,511  

Treasury stock, 2,335,773 and 2,286,356 shares at March 31, 2006 and 2007, at cost, respectively

     (448,196 )     (430,364 )     (3,660,803 )
    


 


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     4,052,017       4,161,303       35,397,270  
    


 


 


Commitments and contingencies

                        

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   ¥ 6,365,257     ¥ 6,116,215     $ 52,026,327  
    


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-4


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

    Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
    2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Operating revenues:

                               

Wireless services

                               

Third parties

  ¥ 4,259,354     ¥ 4,242,230     ¥ 4,259,951     $ 36,236,398  

Related parties

    37,183       53,626       54,189       460,948  

Equipment sales

                               

Third parties

    529,891       462,490       465,924       3,963,287  

Related parties

    18,182       7,526       8,029       68,297  
   


 


 


 


      4,844,610       4,765,872       4,788,093       40,728,930  
   


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                               

Cost of services (exclusive of items shown separately below)

                               

Third parties

    463,899       462,852       498,852       4,243,382  

Related parties

    276,524       283,247       268,108       2,280,606  

Cost of equipment sold (exclusive of items shown separately below)

    1,122,443       1,113,464       1,218,694       10,366,570  

Depreciation and amortization

    735,423       737,066       744,122       6,329,721  

Impairment loss

    60,399       1,071       1,216       10,344  

Selling, general and administrative

                               

Third parties

    1,189,166       1,179,252       1,121,374       9,538,738  

Related parties

    212,590       156,281       162,203       1,379,746  
   


 


 


 


      4,060,444       3,933,233       4,014,569       34,149,107  
   


 


 


 


Operating income

    784,166       832,639       773,524       6,579,823  
   


 


 


 


Other income (expense):

                               

Interest expense

    (9,858 )     (8,420 )     (5,749 )     (48,903 )

Interest income

    1,957       4,659       1,459       12,411  

Gain on sale of affiliate shares

    501,781       61,962       —         —    

Gain on sale of other investments

    —         40,088       5       43  

Other, net

    10,175       21,375       3,704       31,507  
   


 


 


 


      504,055       119,664       (581 )     (4,942 )
   


 


 


 


Income before income taxes, equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

    1,288,221       952,303       772,943       6,574,881  

Income taxes:

                               

Current

    192,124       293,707       237,734       2,022,235  

Deferred

    335,587       47,675       75,945       646,011  
   


 


 


 


      527,711       341,382       313,679       2,668,246  
   


 


 


 


Income before equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

    760,510       610,921       459,264       3,906,635  

Equity in net losses of affiliates (including impairment of investments in affiliates in 2005 and 2007)

    (12,886 )     (364 )     (1,941 )     (16,511 )

Minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

    (60 )     (76 )     (45 )     (383 )
   


 


 


 


Net Income

  ¥ 747,564     ¥ 610,481     ¥ 457,278     $ 3,889,741  
   


 


 


 


Other comprehensive income (loss):

                               

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of applicable taxes

    8,761       10,000       (15,364 )     (130,691 )

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes included in net income

    459       (2,338 )     (399 )     (3,394 )

Net revaluation of financial instruments, net of applicable taxes

    (213 )     369       832       7,077  

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes included in net income

    (154 )     (248 )     (798 )     (6,788 )

Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of applicable taxes

    4,188       5,433       1,103       9,383  

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes included in net income

    (36,858 )     (48,030 )     —         —    

Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of applicable taxes

    71       3,986       5,562       47,312  
   


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

  ¥ 723,818     ¥ 579,653     ¥ 448,214     $ 3,812,640  
   


 


 


 


Per share data:

                               

Weighted average common shares outstanding—Basic and Diluted (shares)

    47,401,154       45,250,031       43,985,082       43,985,082  
   


 


 


 


Basic and diluted earnings per share (Yen and U.S. dollars)

  ¥ 15,771.01     ¥ 13,491.28     ¥ 10,396.21     $ 88.43  
   


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

    Number of Shares

    Millions of yen

 
    Issued
Common
Stock


    Treasury
Stock


    Common
stock


 

Additional
paid-in

capital


    Retained
earnings


    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income


   

Treasury
stock,

at cost


    Total
Shareholders’
Equity


 

Balance at March 31, 2004

  50,180,000     1,583,636     ¥ 949,680   ¥ 1,311,013     ¥ 1,759,548     ¥ 81,355     ¥ (396,901 )   ¥ 3,704,695  

Purchase of treasury stock

        2,324,156                                     (425,247 )     (425,247 )

Retirement of treasury stock

  (1,480,000 )   (1,480,000 )                   (311,371 )             311,371       —    

Cash dividends declared and paid (2,000 yen per share)

                              (95,334 )                     (95,334 )

Net income

                              747,564                       747,564  

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities

                                      9,220               9,220  

Net revaluation of financial instruments

                                      (367 )             (367 )

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                                      (32,670 )             (32,670 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

                                      71               71  
   

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2005

  48,700,000     2,427,792     ¥ 949,680   ¥ 1,311,013     ¥ 2,100,407     ¥ 57,609     ¥ (510,777 )   ¥ 3,907,932  

Purchase of treasury stock

        1,797,981                                     (300,078 )     (300,078 )

Retirement of treasury stock

  (1,890,000 )   (1,890,000 )                   (362,659 )             362,659       —    

Cash dividends declared and paid (3,000 yen per share)

                              (135,490 )                     (135,490 )

Net income

                              610,481                       610,481  

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities

                                      7,662               7,662  

Net revaluation of financial instruments

                                      121               121  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                                      (42,597 )             (42,597 )

Minimum pension liability adjustment

                                      3,986               3,986  
   

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2006

  46,810,000     2,335,773     ¥ 949,680   ¥ 1,311,013     ¥ 2,212,739     ¥ 26,781     ¥ (448,196 )   ¥ 4,052,017  

Purchase of treasury stock

        880,583                                     (157,223 )     (157,223 )

Retirement of treasury stock

  (930,000 )   (930,000 )           (175,055 )                     175,055       —    

Cash dividends declared and paid (4,000 yen per share)

                              (176,862 )                     (176,862 )

Net income

                              457,278                       457,278  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

                                      (15,763 )             (15,763 )

Net revaluation of financial instruments

                                      34               34  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                                      1,103               1,103  

Minimum pension liability adjustment

                                      5,562               5,562  

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158

                                      (4,843 )             (4,843 )
   

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2007

  45,880,000     2,286,356     ¥ 949,680   ¥ 1,135,958     ¥ 2,493,155     ¥ 12,874     ¥ (430,364 )   ¥ 4,161,303  
   

 

 

 


 


 


 


 


 

    Thousands of U.S. dollars

 
   

Common

stock


 

Additional
paid-in

capital


    Retained
earnings


    Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income


   

Treasury
stock,

at cost


    Total
Shareholders’
Equity


 

Balance at March 31, 2006

  $ 8,078,258   $ 11,151,862     $ 18,822,211     $ 227,808     $ (3,812,487 )   $ 34,467,652  

Purchase of treasury stock

                                  (1,337,385 )     (1,337,385 )

Retirement of treasury stock

          (1,489,069 )                     1,489,069       —    

Cash dividends declared and paid (4,000 yen per share)

                  (1,504,441 )                     (1,504,441 )

Net income

                  3,889,741                       3,889,741  

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

                          (134,085 )             (134,085 )

Net revaluation of financial instruments

                          289               289  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                          9,383               9,383  

Minimum pension liability adjustment

                          47,312               47,312  

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158

                          (41,196 )             (41,196 )
   

 


 


 


 


 


Balance at March 31, 2007

  $ 8,078,258   $ 9,662,793     $ 21,207,511     $ 109,511     $ (3,660,803 )   $ 35,397,270  
   

 


 


 


 


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-6


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

    Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
    2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                               

Net income

  ¥ 747,564     ¥ 610,481     ¥ 457,278     $ 3,889,741  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities—

                               

Depreciation and amortization

    735,423       737,066       744,122       6,329,721  

Impairment loss

    60,399       1,071       1,216       10,344  

Deferred taxes

    334,095       49,101       74,987       637,862  

Loss on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment

    45,673       36,000       55,708       473,869  

Gain on sale of affiliate shares

    (501,781 )     (61,962 )     —         —    

Gain on sale of other investments

    —         (40,088 )     (5 )     (43 )

Expense associated with sale of other investments

    —         14,062       —         —    

Equity in net losses (gains) of affiliates (including impairment of 8,612 million yen and 2,630 million yen (22,372 thousand dollar) in investments in affiliates in 2005 and 2007, respectively)

    14,378       (1,289 )     2,791       23,741  

Minority interests in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries

    60       76       45       383  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                               

Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable, trade

    8,731       21,345       (262,032 )     (2,228,921 )

(Decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts

    (4,641 )     (3,623 )     (1,600 )     (13,610 )

(Increase) decrease in inventories

    (29,157 )     (73,094 )     83,716       712,113  

(Increase) decrease in income taxes receivable

    (92,869 )     92,869       (20,261 )     (172,346 )

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (3,205 )     16,323       (18,993 )     (161,560 )

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, trade

    89,464       45,108       (42,013 )     (357,375 )

(Decrease) increase in accrued income taxes

    (260,585 )     111,141       (100,197 )     (852,305 )

Increase in other current liabilities

    12,531       17,641       534       4,542  

Increase (decrease) in liability for employees’ retirement benefits

    4,720       (3,378 )     379       3,224  

Increase (decrease) in other long-term liabilities

    1,295       24,725       (26,241 )     (223,214 )

Other, net

    19,490       17,366       31,164       265,090  
   


 


 


 


Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,181,585       1,610,941       980,598       8,341,256  
   


 


 


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                               

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (668,413 )     (638,590 )     (735,650 )     (6,257,656 )

Purchases of intangible and other assets

    (242,668 )     (195,277 )     (213,075 )     (1,812,479 )

Purchases of non-current investments

    (176,017 )     (292,556 )     (41,876 )     (356,210 )

Proceeds from sale and redemption of non-current investments

    725,905       25,142       50,594       430,368  

Purchases of short-term investments

    (361,297 )     (252,474 )     (3,557 )     (30,257 )

Redemption of short-term investments

    111,521       501,433       4,267       36,297  

Collection of loan advances

    40,015       229       —         —    

Long-term bailment for consumption to a related party

    —         (100,000 )     —         —    

Other, net

    (7,375 )     1,016       (8,354 )     (71,062 )
   


 


 


 


Net cash used in investing activities

    (578,329 )     (951,077 )     (947,651 )     (8,060,999 )
   


 


 


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                               

Repayment of long-term debt

    (146,709 )     (150,304 )     (193,723 )     (1,647,865 )

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

    87,500       27,002       18,400       156,515  

Repayment of short-term borrowings

    (87,500 )     (27,010 )     (18,450 )     (156,941 )

Principal payments under capital lease obligations

    (4,748 )     (4,740 )     (3,621 )     (30,801 )

Payments to acquire treasury stock

    (425,247 )     (300,078 )     (157,223 )     (1,337,385 )

Dividends paid

    (95,334 )     (135,490 )     (176,862 )     (1,504,440 )

Other, net

    (1 )     (1 )     (2 )     (17 )
   


 


 


 


Net cash used in financing activities

    (672,039 )     (590,621 )     (531,481 )     (4,520,934 )
   


 


 


 


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    705       1,529       872       7,417  
   


 


 


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (68,078 )     70,772       (497,662 )     (4,233,260 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

    838,030       769,952       840,724       7,151,446  
   


 


 


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

  ¥ 769,952     ¥ 840,724     ¥ 343,062     $ 2,918,186  
   


 


 


 


Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:

                               

Cash received during the year for:

                               

Income taxes

  ¥ 7     ¥ 93,103     ¥ 925     $ 7,868  

Cash paid during the year for:

                               

Interest

    10,323       8,666       6,203       52,765  

Income taxes

    541,684       182,914       359,861       3,061,084  

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

                               

Acquisition of shares from sale of an investment

    16,711       —         —         —    

Assets acquired through capital lease obligations

    4,411       5,038       3,530       30,027  

Retirement of treasury stock

    311,371       362,659       175,055       1,489,069  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-7


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Nature of operations:

 

NTT DoCoMo, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “DoCoMo”) is a joint stock corporation that was incorporated under the laws of Japan in August 1991 as the wireless telecommunications arm of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (“NTT”). NTT, 33.72% of which is owned by the Japanese government, owns 60.24% of DoCoMo’s issued stock and 63.41% of DoCoMo’s voting stock outstanding as of March 31, 2007.

 

DoCoMo provides its subscribers with wireless telecommunications services such as FOMA (3G wireless services), mova (2G wireless services), packet communications services (wireless data communications services using packet switching), Personal Handyphone System (“PHS”) services (a wireless data and voice platform that enables customers to access the internet, as well as to make calls), and satellite mobile communications services, primarily on its own nationwide networks. In addition, DoCoMo sells handsets and related equipment primarily to agent resellers who in turn sell such equipment to end user customers.

 

DoCoMo terminated Quickcast (paging) services on March 31, 2007. In addition, DoCoMo had ceased accepting new subscriptions for PHS services since April 30, 2005 and decided to terminate PHS services effective January 7, 2008.

 

2. Summary of significant accounting and reporting policies:

 

DoCoMo maintains its books and records, and prepares statutory financial statements in conformity with the Japanese Telecommunications Business Law and the related accounting regulations and accounting principles generally accepted in Japan, which differ in certain respects from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and, therefore, reflect certain adjustments to DoCoMo’s books and records.

 

(1) Adoption of new accounting standards

 

Inventory Pricing

 

Effective April 1, 2006, DoCoMo adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 151, “Inventory Costs—an amendment of Accounting Research Bulletin (“ARB”) No. 43, Chapter 4” issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing”, to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material (spoilage). ARB No. 43, Chapter 4 previously stated that such costs might be so abnormal as to require treatment as current period charges. SFAS No. 151 requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges regardless of whether they meet the criterion of “so abnormal”. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The adoption of SFAS No. 151 did not have any impact on DoCoMo’s results of operations and financial position.

 

Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets

 

Effective April 1, 2006, DoCoMo adopted SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Non-monetary Assets—an amendment of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 29” issued by the FASB. The amendment eliminates the exception for non-monetary exchanges of similar productive assets and replaces it with a general exception for exchanges of non-monetary assets that do not have commercial substance. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 did not have any impact on DoCoMo’s results of operations and financial position.

 

F-8


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections

 

Effective April 1, 2006, DoCoMo adopted SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections—a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and the FASB statement No. 3” issued by the FASB. SFAS No. 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20 (“APB No. 20”), “Accounting Changes”, and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements”, and changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of a change in accounting principle. APB No. 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period of the change the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle. The adoption of SFAS No. 154 did not have any impact on DoCoMo’s results of operations and financial position.

 

Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans

 

Effective March 31, 2007, DoCoMo adopted recognition and related disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”. SFAS No. 158 amends the guidance in SFAS No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pension”, SFAS No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits”, SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions”, and SFAS No. 132 (revised 2003), “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits”. SFAS No. 158 requires an employer who sponsors defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans to recognize the funded status of a benefit plan, measured as the difference between plan assets at fair value and the benefit obligation, in the balance sheet. SFAS No. 158 also requires the employer to measure the fair value of plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of the fiscal year end, and to recognize subsequent changes in the funded status as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. The adoption of SFAS No. 158 did not have any impact on DoCoMo’s results of operations. See Note 17 for further discussion.

 

(2) Significant accounting policies

 

Principles of consolidation—

 

The consolidated financial statements include accounts of DoCoMo and its majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

DoCoMo applied the FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46 (revised 2003), “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities—an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46R”). FIN 46R addresses how a business enterprise should evaluate whether it has a controlling financial interest in an entity through means other than voting rights and accordingly should consolidate the entity. For the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, DoCoMo had no variable interest entities to be consolidated or disclosed.

 

Use of estimates—

 

The preparation of DoCoMo’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. DoCoMo has identified the following areas where it believes estimates and assumptions are particularly critical to the financial statements. These are determination of useful lives of property, plant and equipment, internal use software and other intangible assets, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of investments, realization of deferred tax assets, measurement of pension liabilities and revenue recognition.

 

F-9


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Cash and cash equivalents—

 

DoCoMo considers cash in banks and short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash and cash equivalents.

 

Short-term investments—

 

The highly liquid investments, which have original maturities of longer than three months at the date of purchase and remaining maturities of one year or less at the end of fiscal year, are considered to be short-term investments.

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts—

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts is principally computed based on the historical bad debt experience plus the estimated uncollectible amount based on the analysis of certain individual accounts, including claims in bankruptcy.

 

Inventories—

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of equipment sold is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Inventories consist primarily of handsets and accessories. DoCoMo evaluates its inventory for obsolescence on a periodic basis and records valuation adjustments as required. Due to the rapid technological changes associated with the wireless communications business, DoCoMo wrote down and disposed of obsolete handsets during the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 resulting in losses totaling 12,047 million yen, 18,883 million yen and 21,353 million yen ($181,635 thousand), respectively, which are included in “cost of equipment sold” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

Property, plant and equipment—

 

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and include interest cost incurred during construction, as discussed below in “Capitalized interest”. Property, plant and equipment under capital leases are stated at the present value of minimum lease payments. Depreciation is computed by the declining-balance method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the respective assets with the exception of buildings, which are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Useful lives are determined at the time the asset is acquired and are based on its expected use, past experience with similar assets and anticipated technological or other changes. If technological or other changes occur more or less rapidly or in a different form than anticipated or the intended use changes, the useful lives assigned to these assets are adjusted as appropriate. Property, plant and equipment held under capital lease and leasehold improvements are amortized using either the straight-line method or the declining-balance method, depending on the type of the assets, over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the asset.

 

The estimated useful lives of major depreciable assets are as follows:

 

Major wireless telecommunications equipment

   6 to 15 years

Steel towers and poles for antenna equipment

   30 to 40 years

Reinforced concrete buildings

   38 to 50 years

Tools, furniture and fixtures

   4 to 15 years

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 571,955 million yen, 553,087 million yen, and 552,294 million yen ($4,697,976 thousand), respectively.

 

F-10


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

When depreciable telecommunications equipment is retired or abandoned in the normal course of business, the amounts of such telecommunications equipment and its accumulated depreciation are deducted from the respective accounts. Any remaining balance is charged to expense immediately. DoCoMo accounts for legal or contractual obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in accordance with SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations”. DoCoMo’s asset retirement obligations subject to SFAS No. 143 primarily relate to its obligations to restore certain leased land and buildings used for DoCoMo’s wireless telecommunications equipment to their original states. DoCoMo has determined the aggregate fair values of its asset retirement obligations do not have a material impact on DoCoMo’s results of operations or financial position.

 

Expenditures for replacements and betterments are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Assets under construction are not depreciated until placed in service. The rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period are expensed.

 

Capitalized interest—

 

DoCoMo capitalizes interest related to the construction of property, plant and equipment over the period of construction. DoCoMo also capitalizes interest associated with the development of internal-use software. DoCoMo amortizes such capitalized interest over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. There was no interest capitalized for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

Investments in affiliates—

 

The equity method of accounting is applied to investments in affiliates where DoCoMo owns an aggregate of 20% to 50% and/or is able to exercise significant influence. Under the equity method of accounting, DoCoMo records its share of earnings and losses of the affiliate and adjusts its investment amount. For investments of less than 20%, DoCoMo periodically reviews the facts and circumstances related thereto to determine whether or not it can exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the affiliate and, therefore should apply the equity method of accounting. For investees accounted for under the equity method whose fiscal year ends are December 31, DoCoMo records its share of income or losses of such investees with a three month lag in its consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. DoCoMo evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its investments in affiliates, which includes investor level goodwill, when there are indicators that a decline in value below its carrying amount may be other than temporary. In performing its evaluations, DoCoMo utilizes various information including cash flow projections, independent valuations and, as applicable, quoted market values to determine recoverable amounts and the length of time an investment’s carrying value exceeds its estimated current recoverable amount. In the event of a determination that a decline in value is other than temporary, a charge to earnings is recorded for the loss, and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

 

Marketable securities and other investments—

 

Marketable securities consist of debt and equity securities. DoCoMo accounts for such investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”. Management determines the appropriate classification of its investment securities at the time of purchase. DoCoMo periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its marketable securities for impairments that are other than temporary. If this evaluation indicates that a decline in value is other than temporary, the security is written down to its estimated fair value.

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Equity securities held by DoCoMo, whose fair values are readily determinable, are classified as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale equity securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses, net of applicable taxes, included as a component of “accumulated other comprehensive income” in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses are determined using the moving-average method and are reflected currently in earnings.

 

Debt securities held by DoCoMo, which DoCoMo has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity, and the other debt securities that may be sold before maturity are classified as available-for-sale securities. Held-to-maturity debt securities are carried at amortized cost. Available-for-sale debt securities are carried at fair value with unrealized holding gains or losses, net of applicable taxes, included as a component of “accumulated other comprehensive income” in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses are determined using the first-in, first-out cost method and are reflected currently in earnings. Debt securities with original maturities of three months or less are recorded as “cash and cash equivalents”, while those with original maturities of longer than three months at the date of purchase and remaining maturities of a year or less at the end of fiscal year are recorded as “short-term investments” in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

DoCoMo did not hold or transact any trading securities during the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

Other investments include equity securities, whose fair values are not readily determinable, and equity securities for which sales are restricted by contractual requirements (“restricted stock”). Equity securities whose fair values are not readily determinable and restricted stock are carried at cost. Other than temporary declines in value are charged to earnings. Realized gains and losses are determined using the average cost method and are reflected currently in earnings.

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets—

 

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Other intangible assets primarily consist of software for telecommunications network, internal-use software, software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets, customer related assets and rights to use certain telecommunications facilities of wireline operators.

 

DoCoMo accounts for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. Accordingly, DoCoMo does not amortize either goodwill, including embedded goodwill recognized following the acquisition of investments accounted for under the equity method, or other intangible assets acquired in a purchase business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life, but instead, (1) goodwill, except those related to equity method investments, and (2) other intangible assets that have indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually. Intangible assets that have finite useful lives, consisting primarily of software for telecommunications network, internal-use software, software acquired to be used in manufacture of handsets, customer related assets and rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives.

 

Goodwill related to equity method investments is tested for impairment as a part of the other than temporary impairment assessment of the equity method investment as a whole in accordance with APB Opinion No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common Stock”.

 

DoCoMo capitalizes the cost of internal-use software which has a useful life in excess of one year in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”. Subsequent costs for additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that the software is

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

able to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software acquired to be used in the manufacture of handsets is capitalized if the technological feasibility of the handset to be ultimately marketed has been established at the time of purchase in accordance with SFAS No. 86, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed”. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Capitalized software costs are being amortized over a period of 5 years at maximum.

 

Customer related assets principally consist of contractual customer relationships in the mobile phone business that were recorded in connection with the acquisition of minority interests of the regional subsidiaries in November 2002 through the process of identifying separable intangible assets apart from goodwill. The customer related assets are amortized over 6 years, which is the expected term of subscription in mobile phone business.

 

Amounts capitalized related to rights to use certain telecommunications assets of wireline operators, primarily NTT, are amortized over 20 years.

 

Impairment of long-lived assets—

 

DoCoMo’s long-lived assets other than goodwill, such as property, plant and equipment, software and intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Recoverability of assets to be held for use is evaluated by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset with future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the asset (or asset group) is determined to be impaired, the loss recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset (or asset group) exceeds its fair value as measured through various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models, quoted market value and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

 

Hedging activities—

 

DoCoMo uses derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swap, foreign currency swap and foreign exchange forward contracts and non-derivative financial instruments in order to manage its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. DoCoMo does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

 

These financial instruments are effective in meeting the risk reduction objectives of DoCoMo by generating either transaction gains and losses which offset transaction gains and losses of the hedged items or cash flows which offset the cash flows related to the underlying position in respect of amount and timing.

 

DoCoMo accounts for derivative financial instruments and other hedging activities in accordance with SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS No. 138 and No. 149. All derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The recorded fair values of derivative instruments represent the amounts that DoCoMo would receive or pay to terminate the contracts at each fiscal year end.

 

For derivative financial instruments that qualify as fair value hedge instruments, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings, which offset the changes in fair value of the related hedged assets or liabilities that are also recognized in earnings of the period.

 

For derivative financial instruments that qualify as cash flow hedge instruments, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are initially recorded in “accumulated other comprehensive income” and reclassified into earnings when the relevant hedged transaction is realized.

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

For derivative financial instruments, as well as non-derivative financial instruments that qualify as hedging instruments for hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, the changes in fair value of the derivative financial instruments and the foreign currency gains and loss on the non-derivative financial instruments are included in the “foreign currency translation adjustment” of “accumulated other comprehensive income”.

 

For derivative financial instruments that do not qualify as hedging instruments, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings.

 

DoCoMo discontinues hedge accounting when it is determined that the derivative or non-derivative instrument is no longer highly effective as a hedge or when DoCoMo decides to discontinue the hedging relationship.

 

Cash flows from derivative instruments are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows under the same categories as the cash flows from the relevant assets, liabilities or anticipated transactions.

 

Employees’ retirement benefit plans—

 

Pension benefits earned during the year as well as interest on projected benefit obligations are accrued currently. Unrecognized prior service cost and unrecognized net losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets are amortized over the expected average remaining service period of employees on a straight-line basis.

 

Revenue recognition—

 

DoCoMo primarily generates its revenues from two sources—wireless services and equipment sales. These revenue sources are separate and distinct earnings processes. Wireless service is sold to the ultimate subscriber directly or through third-party retailers who act as agents, while equipment, including handsets, are sold principally to primary sales agents.

 

DoCoMo sets its wireless services rates in accordance with the Japanese Telecommunications Business Law and government guidelines, which currently allow wireless telecommunications operators to set their own tariffs without government approval. Wireless service revenues primarily consist of base monthly service charges, airtime charges and fees for activation.

 

Base monthly charges and airtime charges are recognized as revenues as service is provided to the subscribers. DoCoMo’s monthly billing plans for cellular (FOMA and mova) 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. Prior to November 2003, the total amount of the base monthly charges had been recognized as revenues in the month they were charged as the subscribers could not carry over the unused allowances to the following months. In November 2003, DoCoMo had introduced a billing arrangement, called “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” (two-month carry over), in which the unused allowances are automatically carried over up to the following two months. In addition, DoCoMo had then introduced an arrangement which enables the unused allowances offered in and after December 2004 that was carried over for two months to be automatically used to cover the airtime and/or packet fees exceeding the allowances of the other subscriptions in the “Family Discount” group, a discount billing arrangement for families with between two and ten DoCoMo subscriptions. Until the year ended March 31, 2006, DoCoMo had deferred all the revenues based on the portion of unused allowances at the end of the period. The deferred revenues had been recognized as revenues as the subscribers make calls or data transmissions, similar to the way airtime

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

revenues are recognized, or as allowance expires. As DoCoMo developed sufficient empirical evidence to reasonably estimate the portion of allowance that will be forfeited as unused, effective April 1, 2006, DoCoMo started to recognize the revenue attributable to such allowance ratably as the remaining allowances are utilized, in addition to the revenue recognized when subscribers make calls or utilize data transmissions. The effect of this accounting change was not material for DoCoMo’s results of operations or financial position.

 

Certain commissions paid to purchasers (primarily agent resellers) are recognized as a reduction of revenue upon delivery of the equipment to the purchasers (primarily agent resellers) in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 01-09, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor’s Products)”.

 

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 upfront fee amount and are amortized over the same period.

 

Deferred revenue and deferred charges as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen

  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


     2006

   2007

   2007

Current deferred revenue

   ¥ 127,039    ¥ 105,506    $ 897,465

Long-term deferred revenue

     75,987      76,499      650,723

Current deferred charges

     40,595      35,142      298,928

Long-term deferred charges

     75,987      76,499      650,723

 

Current deferred revenue is included in “Other current liabilities” in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses—

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily include commissions paid to sales agents, expenses associated with DoCoMo’s customer loyalty programs, advertising expenses, as well as other expenses such as payroll and related benefit costs of personnel not directly involved in the operations and maintenance process. Commissions paid to sales agents represent the largest portion of selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Income taxes—

 

Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

 

Earnings per share—

 

Basic earnings per share include no dilution and are computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share assume the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock. DoCoMo has no dilutive securities outstanding as of March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, and therefore there is no difference between basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

Foreign currency translation—

 

All asset and liability accounts of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are translated into Japanese yen at appropriate year-end current rates and all income and expense accounts are translated at rates that approximate those rates prevailing at the time of the transactions. The accompanying translation adjustments are included in “accumulated other comprehensive income”.

 

Foreign currency receivables and payables of DoCoMo are translated at appropriate year-end current rates and the accompanying translation gains or losses are included in earnings currently.

 

DoCoMo transacts limited business in foreign currencies. The effects of exchange rate fluctuations from the initial transaction date to the settlement date are recorded as exchange gain or loss, which are included in “Other, net” of “other income (expense)” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

(3) Recent accounting pronouncements—

 

In June 2006, FASB issued FIN No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return as well as provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. DoCoMo currently estimates that the impact of the application of FIN 48 on its result of operations and financial position will be immaterial.

 

In September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157 “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Although the definition of fair value retains the exchange price notion in earlier definitions of fair value, SFAS No. 157 clarifies that the exchange price is the price in an orderly transaction between market participants to sell the asset or transfer the liability in the market and emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, rather than an entity-specific measurement. SFAS No. 157 also expands disclosures about the use of fair value to measure assets and liabilities subsequent to initial recognition through fair value hierarchy as a framework for measurement. SFAS No. 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. DoCoMo currently estimates that the impact of the adoption of SFAS No. 157 on its result of operations and financial position will be immaterial.

 

(4) Reclassifications—

 

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to the presentation used for the year ended March 31, 2007.

 

3. U.S. dollar amounts:

 

The consolidated financial statements are stated in Japanese yen. Translations of the Japanese yen amounts into U.S. dollars are included solely for the convenience of readers by applying the noon buying rate in New York City for cable transfers in foreign currencies as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

of New York on March 30, 2007, which was 117.56 yen to U.S. $1. The convenience translations should not be construed as representations that the Japanese yen amounts have been, could have been, or could in the future be, converted into U.S. dollars at this or any other rate of exchange.

 

4. Cash and cash equivalents:

 

Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen

  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


     2006

   2007

   2007

Cash

   ¥ 410,724    ¥ 173,067    $ 1,472,159

Certificates of deposit

     410,000      150,000      1,275,944

Other

     20,000      19,995      170,083
    

  

  

Total

   ¥ 840,724    ¥ 343,062    $ 2,918,186
    

  

  

 

5. Inventories:

 

Inventories as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen

  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


     2006

   2007

   2007

Telecommunications equipment to be sold

   ¥ 228,337    ¥ 144,292    $ 1,227,390

Materials and supplies

     393      306      2,603

Other

     793      1,294      11,007
    

  

  

Total

   ¥ 229,523    ¥ 145,892    $ 1,241,000
    

  

  

 

6. Impairment of long-lived assets:

 

Impairment of PHS business assets—

 

As a result of the revised business outlook for its PHS business, DoCoMo evaluated the recoverability of its long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators, of its PHS business in accordance with SFAS No. 144 for the year ended March 31, 2005. To estimate the fair value of the long-lived assets related to PHS business, DoCoMo used future discounted cash flows expected to be generated by the relevant long-lived assets because of the absence of an observable market price. Because DoCoMo estimated that future cash flows from the PHS business would be negative, DoCoMo wrote-down the entire carrying value of its long-lived assets related to the PHS business, resulting in a non-cash impairment loss of 60,399 million yen. DoCoMo also wrote-down the entire carrying value of long-lived assets related to the PHS business which DoCoMo acquired and recognized an impairment loss of 1,071 million yen and 1,216 million yen ($10,344 thousand) for the year ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. The impairment losses are recorded in “Impairment loss” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

 

7. Investments in affiliates:

 

AT&T Wireless Services, Inc.—

 

In February 2004, AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (“AT&T Wireless”), a wireless telecommunications service provider in the United States of America, entered into a merger agreement with Cingular Wireless LLC

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

(“Cingular”), another wireless telecommunications service provider in the United States of America, and certain of its affiliates. Under the terms of the merger agreement, it was agreed that all the outstanding shares of common stock of AT&T wireless shall be converted into US$15 per share in cash. On October 26, 2004, pursuant to the merger agreement, the merger between AT&T Wireless and Cingular became effective. As a result, DoCoMo transferred all of its AT&T Wireless shares to Cingular, and DoCoMo received US$6,495 million (equivalent to approximately 699,514 million yen) in cash. DoCoMo ceased to account for AT&T Wireless under the equity method. DoCoMo recognized a gain of 501,781 million yen on the transaction and recorded as gain on sale of affiliate shares for the year ended March 31, 2005. The gain on sale of affiliate shares included reclassification of unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities of (144) million yen, net revaluation of financial instruments of 461 million yen and foreign currency translation adjustment of 64,564 million yen.

 

Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Limited—

 

On May 27, 2004, DoCoMo agreed to sell its entire shareholding in Hutchison 3G UK Holdings Limited (“H3G UK”) to Hutchison Whampoa Limited (“HWL”) for a total consideration of £120 million in a Sale and Purchase Agreement signed between DoCoMo and HWL. Under the terms of the agreement, DoCoMo were to receive payment in three installments, the final installment of which was expected to be made in December 2006, either in cash or in shares of Hutchison Telecommunications International Limited (“HTIL”), a subsidiary company of HWL. As a result of the agreement, DoCoMo waived certain of its minority shareholder’s rights, including voting rights and supervisory board representation. As DoCoMo no longer had the ability to exercise significant influence over H3G UK, DoCoMo ceased to account for its investment in H3G UK applying the equity method.

 

On October 15, 2004, DoCoMo received 187,966,653 shares of HTIL (equivalent to £80 million) as the first installment payment by HWL, which was reported as marketable securities and other investments, with a corresponding amount recorded as other long-term liabilities until such time that the transfer of H3G UK shares was completed. On May 9, 2005, DoCoMo received a notice from HWL that HWL intended to exercise its right to accelerate completion of the payment on June 23, 2005. Consequently, DoCoMo received £120 million in cash, and transferred the entire shareholding in HTIL to HWL. As a result of the transaction, DoCoMo recorded “Gain on sale of affiliate shares” of 61,962 million yen, including reclassification of foreign currency translation of 38,174 million yen, in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income for the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

As part of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the £200 million shareholder loan provided by DoCoMo to H3G UK in May 2003 was transferred for value to Hutchison Europe Telecommunications S.à r.l., a HWL subsidiary company, on May 27, 2004 and the payment was completed.

 

Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd.—

 

On April 27, 2005, DoCoMo entered into an agreement with Sumitomo Mitsui Card Co., Ltd. (“Sumitomo Mitsui Card”), Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation that DoCoMo and these companies would jointly promote the new credit transaction services which use mobile phones compatible with “Osaifu-Keitai” (wallet-phone) service and DoCoMo would form a capital alliance with Sumitomo Mitsui Card. Based on the agreement, on July 11, 2005, DoCoMo acquired 34% of Sumitomo Mitsui Card’s common shares for 98,000 million yen, including new shares issued by Sumitomo Mitsui Card. Upon the completion of this transaction, DoCoMo has accounted for its investment in Sumitomo Mitsui Card applying the equity method.

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Impairment—

 

DoCoMo evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of its investments in affiliates when there are indications that a decline in value below carrying amount may be other than temporary. As a result of such evaluations, DoCoMo determined that there was other than temporary decline in the value of its investment in Hutchison Telephone Company Limited, a wireless telecommunications service provider in Hong Kong, and recorded an impairment charge of 8,612 million yen for the year ended March 31, 2005. During the year ended March 31, 2006, DoCoMo determined that there was no other than temporary declines in the values of its investee affiliates. During the year ended March 31, 2007, DoCoMo recorded impairment charges for other than temporary declines in the values in certain investee affiliates that were immaterial in amount. The impairment charges are included in “equity in net losses of affiliates” in the accompanying statement of income and comprehensive income.

 

DoCoMo believes the estimated fair values of its investments in affiliates as of March 31, 2007 to equal or exceed the related carrying values.

 

All of the investments which are accounted for on the equity method are privately held companies as of March 31, 2007.

 

DoCoMo’s share of undistributed earnings of affiliates included in consolidated retained earnings was 1,022 million yen, 3,363 million yen and 4,239 million yen ($36,058 thousand) as of March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Dividends received from affiliates were 20 million yen, 1,034 million yen and 1,258 million yen ($10,701 thousand) for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. DoCoMo does not have significant business transactions with its affiliates.

 

The total carrying value of DoCoMo’s investments in affiliates in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 was greater by 85,808 million yen and 86,183 million yen ($733,098 thousand), 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.

 

8. Marketable securities and other investments:

 

Marketable securities and other investments as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 comprised the following:

 

    Millions of yen

   

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


 
    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Marketable securities:

                       

Available-for-sale

  ¥ 249,943     ¥ 268,528     $ 2,284,178  

Other investments

    157,866       92,853       789,835  
   


 


 


Sub-total

  ¥ 407,809     ¥ 361,381     $ 3,074,013  

Less: Available-for-sale securities classified as “Short-term investments”

  ¥ (49,985 )   ¥ (99,925 )   $ (849,991 )
   


 


 


Marketable securities and other investments (Non-current)

  ¥ 357,824     ¥ 261,456     $ 2,224,022  
   


 


 


 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Maturities of debt securities classified as available-for-sale as of March 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


     2007

   2007

    

Carrying

amount


  

Fair

value


  

Carrying

amount


  

Fair

value


Due within 1 year

   ¥ 99,925    ¥ 99,925    $ 849,991    $ 849,991

Due after 1 year through 5 years

     5      5      43      43

Due after 5 years through 10 years

     —        —        —        —  

Due after 10 years

     —        —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

Total

   ¥ 99,930    ¥ 99,930    $ 850,034    $ 850,034
    

  

  

  

 

The aggregate cost, gross unrealized holding gains and losses and fair value by type of marketable security as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

     2006

    

Cost / Amortized

cost


  

Gross unrealized

holding gains


  

Gross unrealized

holding losses


   Fair value

Available-for-sale:

                           

Equity securities

   ¥ 52,784    ¥ 47,685    ¥ 311    ¥ 100,158

Debt securities

     150,290      —        505      149,785
     Millions of yen

     2007

    

Cost / Amortized

cost


  

Gross unrealized

holding gains


  

Gross unrealized

holding losses


   Fair value

Available-for-sale:

                           

Equity securities

   ¥ 147,998    ¥ 21,585    ¥ 985    ¥ 168,598

Debt securities

     100,076      0      146      99,930
     Thousands of U.S. dollars

     2007

    

Cost / Amortized

cost


  

Gross unrealized

holding gains


  

Gross unrealized

holding losses


   Fair value

Available-for-sale:

                           

Equity securities

   $ 1,258,915    $ 183,608    $ 8,379    $ 1,434,144

Debt securities

     851,276      0      1,242      850,034

 

The proceeds and gross realized gains (losses) from the sale of available-for-sale securities and other investments for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

   

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


 
     2005

    2006

   2007

    2007

 

Proceeds

   ¥ 27,046     ¥ 14,902    ¥ 448     $ 3,811  

Gross realized gains

     17       40,454      314       2,671  

Gross realized losses

     (1,118 )     —        (118 )     (1,004 )

 

On October 24, 2005, DoCoMo dissolved its capital alliance with KPN Mobile N.V. (“KPN Mobile”). The i-mode license agreement between DoCoMo and KPN Mobile will be maintained.

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Under the agreement, DoCoMo transferred all of its 2.16% holding of KPN Mobile shares to Koninklijke KPN N.V. (“KPN”), the parent company of KPN Mobile. KPN agreed to cooperate with DoCoMo in the smooth operation of the global i-mode alliance, through the use of KPN’s i-mode-related patents and know-how, and paid cash of €5 million (equivalent to 692 million yen) to DoCoMo.

 

As a result of the agreement, DoCoMo recognized a gain on the transfer of these KPN Mobile shares of 40,030 million yen, which included the reclassification of related foreign currency translation gains of 25,635 million yen, in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income under the line item “Gain on sale of other investments” for the year ended March 31, 2006. DoCoMo also recognized a non-cash expense of 14,062 million yen in the consolidated statement of income and comprehensive income under the line item “Selling, general and administrative” and in the consolidated statement of cash flows under the line item “Expense associated with sale of other investments” at that time for the excess of the then fair value of KPN Mobile shares transferred over the actual cash received, which DoCoMo regarded as the consideration for the benefits from the arrangement, for the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

Gross unrealized holding losses on and fair value of marketable securities and cost method investments included in “other investments” as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, aggregated by investment category and length of time during which individual securities were in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:

 

    Millions of yen

    2006

   

Less than

12 months


 

12 months

or longer


  Total

    Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


  Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


  Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


Available-for-sale:

                                   

Equity securities

  ¥ 364   ¥ 49   ¥ 1,510   ¥ 262   ¥ 1,874   ¥ 311

Debt securities

    149,785     505     —       —       149,785     505

Cost method investments

    —       —       48     89     48     89
    Millions of yen

    2007

   

Less than

12 months


 

12 months

or longer


  Total

    Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


  Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


  Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


Available-for-sale:

                                   

Equity securities

  ¥ 4,503   ¥ 481   ¥ 1,543   ¥ 504   ¥ 6,046   ¥ 985

Debt securities

    —       —       99,925     146     99,925     146

Cost method investments

    345     261     32     105     377     366
    Thousands of U.S. dollars

    2007

   

Less than

12 months


 

12 months

or longer


  Total

    Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


  Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


  Fair value

 

Gross unrealized

holding losses


Available-for-sale:

                                   

Equity securities

  $ 38,304   $ 4,092   $ 13,125   $ 4,287   $ 51,429   $ 8,379

Debt securities

    —       —       849,991     1,242     849,991     1,242

Cost method investments

    2,935     2,220     272     893     3,207     3,113

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other investments include long-term investments in various privately held companies and restricted stock.

 

For long-term investments in various privately held companies for which there are no quoted market prices, the reasonable estimate of fair value could not be made without incurring excessive costs, and DoCoMo believes that it is not practicable to estimate the reasonable fair value. Accordingly, these investments are carried at cost.

 

DoCoMo holds equity securities for which sales are restricted by contractual requirements with third parties. As of March 31, 2007, the restricted stock held by DoCoMo included shares of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (“PLDT”), a telecommunication service provider in Philippines.

 

The aggregate carrying amount of the restricted stock, which was recorded as cost method investments, as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 was 136,147 million yen and 68,658 million yen ($584,025 thousand), respectively. DoCoMo believes that it was not practicable to estimate reasonable fair values for such investments in restricted stock, which has quoted market prices, because of the restriction of sales by contract. The aggregate market price of the equivalent amount of unrestricted stock was 144,987 million yen and 96,680 million yen ($822,389 thousand) as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Equity securities with an aggregate carrying amount of 67,702 million yen ($575,893 thousand), which had been previously classified as cost method investments as of March 31, 2006, were classified as available-for-sale securities due to the lapse of restriction within one year as of March 31, 2007.

 

The aggregate carrying amounts of DoCoMo’s cost method investments included in other investments totaled 157,843 million yen and 92,818 million yen ($789,537 thousand) as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively. DoCoMo did not evaluate fair values of investments with an aggregate carrying amount of 152,902 million yen and 86,119 million yen ($732,554 thousand) for impairment as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively, as their fair values were not available and it did not identify any events or changes in circumstances that may have had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of those investments. DoCoMo believed that it was not practicable to estimate their fair values because an estimate of fair value cannot be made without incurring excessive costs.

 

F-22


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

9. Goodwill and other intangible assets:

 

Goodwill—

 

Majority of DoCoMo’s goodwill was recognized when DoCoMo purchased all the remaining minority interests in its eight regional subsidiaries through share exchanges and made these subsidiaries wholly owned in November 2002.

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by business segment for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

     2006

    

Mobile phone

business


  

Miscellaneous

businesses


   Consolidated

Balance at beginning of year

   ¥ 133,354    ¥ 6,743    ¥ 140,097

Goodwill acquired during the year

     151      —        151

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —        846      846
    

  

  

Balance at end of year

   ¥ 133,505    ¥ 7,589    ¥ 141,094
    

  

  

     Millions of yen

     2007

    

Mobile phone

business


  

Miscellaneous

businesses


   Consolidated

Balance at beginning of year

   ¥ 133,505    ¥ 7,589    ¥ 141,094

Goodwill acquired during the year

     6,660      —        6,660

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —        67      67
    

  

  

Balance at end of year

   ¥ 140,165    ¥ 7,656    ¥ 147,821
    

  

  

     Thousands of U.S. dollars

     2007

    

Mobile phone

business


  

Miscellaneous

businesses


   Consolidated

Balance at beginning of year

   $ 1,135,633    $ 64,554    $ 1,200,187

Goodwill acquired during the year

     56,652      —        56,652

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —        570      570
    

  

  

Balance at end of year

   $ 1,192,285    $ 65,124    $ 1,257,409
    

  

  

 

Information regarding business segments is discussed in Note 16.

 

F-23


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Other intangible assets—

 

The following table displays the major components of DoCoMo’s intangible assets, all of which are subject to amortization, as of March 31, 2006 and 2007.

 

     Millions of yen

     2006

    

Gross carrying

amount


  

Accumulated

amortization


  

Net carrying

amount


Software for telecommunications network

   ¥ 523,097    ¥ 319,299    ¥ 203,798

Internal-use software

     743,449      493,270      250,179

Software acquired to be used in the manufacture of handsets

     67,233      10,685      56,548

Customer related assets

     50,949      29,013      21,936

Rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators

     14,301      7,186      7,115

Other

     8,701      1,973      6,728
    

  

  

Total

   ¥ 1,407,730    ¥ 861,426    ¥ 546,304
    

  

  

     Millions of yen

     2007

    

Gross carrying

amount


  

Accumulated

amortization


  

Net carrying

amount


Software for telecommunications network

   ¥ 562,107    ¥ 346,472    ¥ 215,635

Internal-use software

     835,410      581,356      254,054

Software acquired to be used in the manufacture of handsets

     76,304      24,241      52,063

Customer related assets

     50,949      37,504      13,445

Rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators

     17,380      8,828      8,552

Other

     9,727      2,447      7,280
    

  

  

Total

   ¥ 1,551,877    ¥ 1,000,848    ¥ 551,029
    

  

  

     Thousands of U.S. dollars

     2007

    

Gross carrying

amount


  

Accumulated

amortization


  

Net carrying

amount


Software for telecommunications network

   $ 4,781,448    $ 2,947,193    $ 1,834,255

Internal-use software

     7,106,243      4,945,185      2,161,058

Software acquired to be used in the manufacture of handsets

     649,064      206,201      442,863

Customer related assets

     433,387      319,020      114,367

Rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators

     147,840      75,094      72,746

Other

     82,741      20,815      61,926
    

  

  

Total

   $ 13,200,723    $ 8,513,508    $ 4,687,215
    

  

  

 

F-24


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As discussed in Note 6, DoCoMo recognized an impairment charge for its long-lived assets related to PHS business during the year ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The amount of the reduction in net carrying amount of intangible assets related to software for telecommunications network and rights to use telecommunications facilities of wireline operators due to the impairment was 4,539 million yen and 16,089 million yen, respectively, during the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

The amount of amortizable intangible assets acquired during the year ended March 31, 2007 was 200,844 million yen ($1,708,438 thousand), main components of which were software for telecommunications network in amount of 82,566 million yen ($ 702,331 thousand) and internal-use software in amount of 98,370 million yen ($ 836,764 thousand). The weighted-average amortization period of such software for telecommunications network and internal-use software is 5.0 years and 4.8 years, respectively. Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 163,468 million yen, 183,979 million yen and 191,828 million yen ($1,631,745 thousand), respectively. Estimated amortization of intangible assets for fiscal years ending March 31, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 is 171,277 million yen, 143,481 million yen, 105,844 million yen, 70,460 million yen, and 31,445 million yen, respectively. The weighted-average amortization period of the intangible assets acquired during the year ended March 31, 2007 is 5.2 years.

 

10. Other assets:

 

Other assets as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 are summarized as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


     2006

   2007

   2007

Deposits

   ¥ 69,924    ¥ 73,504    $ 625,247

Deferred customer activation costs

     75,987      76,499      650,723

Long-term bailment for consumption to a related party

     100,000      50,000      425,315

Other

     19,071      19,268      163,899
    

  

  

Total

   ¥ 264,982    ¥ 219,271    $ 1,865,184
    

  

  

 

Long-term bailment for consumption to a related party was related to contracts of bailment of cash for consumption into which DoCoMo entered with NTT FINANCE CORPORATION (“NTT FINANCE”, formerly NTT Leasing Co., Ltd.), a related party of DoCoMo (see Note 15).

 

11. Short-term borrowings and long-term debt:

 

DoCoMo’s debt obligations are denominated in Japanese yen and U.S. dollars.

 

Short-term borrowings, excluding the current portion of long-term debt, as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 comprised the following:

 

     Millions of yen

  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


         2006    

       2007    

   2007

Unsecured short-term bank loans in Japanese Yen bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 0.8% and 1.3% per annum for the year ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively

   ¥ 152    ¥ 102    $ 868

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Long-term debt as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 was comprised of the following:

 

     Interest rates

  

Maturity dates

year ending

March 31,


   Millions of yen

   

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


 
           2006

    2007

    2007

 

Debt denominated in Japanese Yen:

                                  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   0.7% - 1.6%    2008 - 2012    ¥ 601,983     ¥ 477,058     $ 4,057,996  

Unsecured indebtedness to banks, insurance companies and others

   0.8% - 1.5%    2008 - 2013      178,523       114,000       969,717  

Debt denominated in U.S. dollars:

                                  

Unsecured corporate bonds

   3.5%    2008      11,747       11,805       100,417  
              


 


 


Sub-total

               792,253       602,863       5,128,130  

Less: Current portion

               (193,723 )     (131,005 )     (1,114,367 )
              


 


 


Total long-term debt

             ¥ 598,530     ¥ 471,858     $ 4,013,763  
              


 


 


 

Interest rates on DoCoMo’s borrowings are fixed. DoCoMo uses interest rate swap transactions, under which DoCoMo receives fixed rate interest payments and pays floating rate interest payments, to hedge the changes in fair value of certain debt as a part of its asset-liability management (ALM). Information relating to interest rate swap contracts is disclosed in Note 20. Interest costs related specifically to short-term borrowings and long-term debt for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 totaled 9,525 million yen, 8,065 million yen and 5,453 million yen ($46,385 thousand), respectively.

 

DoCoMo has a shelf registration for issuance of up to 1,000 billion yen of domestic corporate bonds in Japan during a two-year period started April 3, 2006. As of March 31, 2007, DoCoMo did not issue any domestic corporate bonds under this registration.

 

The aggregate amounts of annual maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,


  

Millions of

yen


  

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


2008

   ¥ 131,005    $ 1,114,367

2009

     75,200      639,673

2010

     29,000      246,683

2011

     180,376      1,534,331

2012

     172,282      1,465,482

Thereafter

     15,000      127,594
    

  

     ¥ 602,863    $ 5,128,130
    

  

 

12. Shareholders’ equity:

 

Effective May 1, 2006, the Corporate Law of Japan provides that (i) dividends of earnings require approval at a general meeting of shareholders, (ii) interim cash dividends can be distributed upon the approval of the board of directors, if the Articles of Incorporation provide for such interim cash dividends, and (iii) an amount equal to at least 10% of decrease in retained earnings by dividends payment be appropriated from retained earnings to a legal reserve up to 25% of capital stock. The legal reserve is available for distribution upon approval of the shareholders.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The distributable amount, available for the payments of dividends to shareholders as of March 31, 2007 was 1,237,322 million yen ($10,525,026 thousand) and is included in “additional paid-in capital” and “retained earnings”.

 

In the general meeting of shareholders held on June 19, 2007, the shareholders approved cash dividends of 87,187 million yen or 2,000 yen per share, payable to shareholders of record as of March 31, 2007, which were declared by the board of directors on April 27, 2007.

 

Outstanding shares and treasury stock—

 

The changes in the number of outstanding shares and treasury stock for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are summarized as follows, where fractional shares are rounded off:

 

DoCoMo had no outstanding shares other than share of its common stock.

 

     Number of
outstanding shares


    Number of
treasury stock


 

As of March 31, 2004

   50,180,000     1,583,636  
    

 

Acquisition of treasury stock based on the resolution by the general meeting of shareholders

   —       2,324,153  

Acquisition of fractional shares

   —       3  

Retirement of treasury stock

   (1,480,000 )   (1,480,000 )
    

 

As of March 31, 2005

   48,700,000     2,427,792  
    

 

Acquisition of treasury stock based on the resolution by the general meeting of shareholders

   —       1,797,977  

Acquisition of fractional shares

   —       4  

Retirement of treasury stock

   (1,890,000 )   (1,890,000 )
    

 

As of March 31, 2006

   46,810,000     2,335,773  
    

 

Acquisition of treasury stock based on the resolution by the general meeting of shareholders

   —       880,578  

Acquisition of fractional shares

   —       5  

Retirement of treasury stock

   (930,000 )   (930,000 )
    

 

As of March 31, 2007

   45,880,000     2,286,356  
    

 

 

In the general meetings of shareholders held on June 19, 2003 and June 18, 2004, the shareholders approved a stock repurchase plan under which DoCoMo could repurchase up to 2,500,000 shares at an aggregate amount not to exceed 600,000 million yen until the end of the next general meeting of shareholders in order to improve capital efficiency and to implement flexible capital policies in accordance with the business environment. In the general meeting of shareholders held on June 21, 2005, the shareholders approved a stock repurchase plan under which DoCoMo could repurchase up to 2,200,000 additional shares at an aggregate amount not to exceed 400,000 million yen until the end of the next general meeting of shareholders. In the general meeting of shareholders held on June 20, 2006, the shareholders approved a stock repurchase plan under which DoCoMo could repurchase up to 1,400,000 shares at an aggregate amount not to exceed 250,000 million yen until the end of the next general meeting of shareholders.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Aggregate number and price of shares repurchased for the year ended March 31, 2005, were as follows:

 

Aggregate number of shares repurchased:

   2,324,156 shares

Aggregate price of shares repurchased:

   425,247 million yen

 

Aggregate number and price of shares repurchased for the year ended March 31, 2006, were as follows:

 

Aggregate number of shares repurchased:

   1,797,981 shares

Aggregate price of shares repurchased:

   300,078 million yen

 

Aggregate number and price of shares repurchased for the year ended March 31, 2007, were as follows:

 

Aggregate number of shares repurchased:

   880,583 shares

Aggregate price of shares repurchased:

   157,223 million yen ($1,337,385 thousand)

 

Of the total shares repurchased, 1,748,000 and 1,506,000 shares were purchased from NTT during the years ended March 31, 2005 and 2006, respectively. No shares were purchased from NTT during the year ended March 31, 2007.

 

Based on the resolution of the board of directors on March 28, 2006, DoCoMo retired 1,890,000 of its own shares held as treasury stock (purchase price: 362,659 million yen). As a result of the share retirement, retained earnings were decreased by 362,659 million yen and the number of authorized common stock decreased from 190,020,000 shares to 188,130,000 shares during the year ended March 31, 2006.

 

Based on the resolution of the board of directors on March 28, 2007, DoCoMo retired 930,000 of its own shares held as treasury stock (purchase price: 175,055 million yen ($1,489,069 thousand)). As a result of the share retirement, additional paid-in capital was decreased by 175,055 million yen ($1,489,069 thousand).

 

In May and June 2007, based on a resolution of the board of directors on March 28, 2007, DoCoMo repurchased total 350,379 shares of its common stock for 72,997 million yen ($620,934 thousand) in the stock market.

 

In the general meeting of shareholders held on June 19, 2007, the shareholders approved a stock repurchase plan under which DoCoMo may repurchase up to 1,000,000 shares at an aggregate amount not to exceed 200,000 million yen during the one year period starting from June 20, 2007, in order to improve capital efficiency and to implement flexible capital policies in accordance with the business environment.

 

F-28


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income:

 

The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes:

 

    Millions of yen

 
   

Unrealized holding

gains (losses) on

available-for-sale

securities


   

Net revaluation of

financial

instruments


   

Foreign currency

translation

adjustment


    Minimum
pension liability
adjustment


    Pension liability
adjustment


   

Accumulated other

comprehensive

income


 

As of March 31, 2004

  ¥ 12,710     ¥ 154     ¥ 81,591     ¥ (13,100 )     —       ¥ 81,355  

2005 change

    9,220       (367 )     (32,670 )     71       —         (23,746 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


As of March 31, 2005

  ¥ 21,930     ¥ (213 )   ¥ 48,921     ¥ (13,029 )     —       ¥ 57,609  

2006 change

    7,662       121       (42,597 )     3,986       —         (30,828 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


As of March 31, 2006

  ¥ 29,592     ¥ (92 )   ¥ 6,324     ¥ (9,043 )     —       ¥ 26,781  

2007 change

    (15,763 )     34       1,103       5,562       —         (9,064 )

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158

    —         —         —         3,481     ¥ (8,324 )     (4,843 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


As of March 31, 2007

  ¥ 13,829     ¥ (58 )   ¥ 7,427     ¥ —       ¥ (8,324 )   ¥ 12,874  
   


 


 


 


 


 


    Thousands of U.S. dollars

 
   

Unrealized holding

gains (losses) on
available-for-sale

securities


   

Net revaluation of

financial

instruments


   

Foreign currency

translation

adjustment


    Minimum
pension liability
adjustment


    Pension liability
adjustment


   

Accumulated other

comprehensive

income


 

As of March 31, 2006

  $ 251,719     $ (783 )   $ 53,794     $ (76,922 )     —       $ 227,808  

2007 change

    (134,085 )     289       9,383       47,312       —         (77,101 )

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158

    —         —         —         29,610     $ (70,806 )     (41,196 )
   


 


 


 


 


 


As of March 31, 2007

  $ 117,634     $ (494 )   $ 63,177     $ —       $ (70,806 )   $ 109,511  
   


 


 


 


 


 


 

The amount of taxes applied to the items in accumulated other comprehensive income is described in Note 18.

 

13. Research and development expenses and advertising expenses:

 

Research and development expenses

 

Expenditures for research and development are charged to expense as incurred.

 

Research and development expenses are included primarily in selling, general and administrative expenses and amounted to 101,945 million yen, 110,509 million yen and 99,315 million yen ($844,803 thousand) for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

F-29


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Advertising expenses

 

Expenditures for advertising are also expensed as incurred. Such expenditures are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and amounted to 57,773 million yen, 52,610 million yen and 53,126 million yen ($451,905 thousand) for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

14. Other income (expense):

 

Components of other income (expense) included in “other, net” in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

   

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


 
     2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Net realized gains (losses) on marketable securities

   ¥ (1,101 )   ¥ 366     ¥ 309     $ 2,628  

Foreign exchange gains, net

     1,283       8,072       281       2,390  

Rental revenue received

     2,442       2,525       2,407       20,475  

Dividends income

     954       4,446       7,203       61,271  

Penalties and compensation for damages

     2,674       3,279       2,000       17,013  

Other than temporary impairment of other investments

     (699 )     (150 )     (8,086 )     (68,782 )

Other, net

     4,622       2,837       (410 )     (3,488 )
    


 


 


 


Total

   ¥ 10,175     ¥ 21,375     ¥ 3,704     $ 31,507  
    


 


 


 


 

15. Related party transactions:

 

As previously noted, DoCoMo is majority-owned by NTT, which is a holding company for more than 400 companies comprising the NTT group.

 

DoCoMo has entered into a number of different types of transactions with NTT, its other subsidiaries and its affiliated companies in the ordinary course of business. DoCoMo’s transactions with NTT group companies include purchases of wireline telecommunications services (i.e. for DoCoMo’s offices and operations facilities, including its PHS business) based on actual usage, leasing of various telecommunications facilities and sales of DoCoMo’s various wireless communications services.

 

Receivables include primarily customer accounts receivables related to DoCoMo’s sales of wireless communications services to customers, which NTT collects on behalf of DoCoMo. These sales are recorded as revenue from each third-party customer receiving the services and are not included in the amount of sales to related parties. During the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, DoCoMo purchased capital equipment from NTT Group companies in amount of 71,896 million yen, 71,897 million yen and 103,728 million yen ($882,341 thousand), respectively.

 

DoCoMo entered into cost-sharing and construction and maintenance contracts with Japan Mobile Communications Infrastructure Association (former In-Tunnel Cellular Association), chairman of which was also one of DoCoMo’s directors through June 21, 2005. The contracts were entered into on terms similar to those made with third parties. Income from such contracts was 14,797 million yen for the year ended March 31, 2005. Income from such contracts for the year ended March 31, 2006 (from April 1 to June 21, 2005) was 217 million yen.

 

DoCoMo has entered into contracts of bailment of cash for consumption with NTT FINANCE for cash management purposes. NTT and its subsidiaries collectively own all the voting interests in NTT FINANCE, of

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

which DoCoMo owned 4.2% as of March 31, 2007. Accordingly, NTT FINANCE is a related party of DoCoMo. Under the terms of the contracts, funds are bailed to NTT FINANCE and DoCoMo can withdraw the funds upon its demand. The balance of bailment was 120,000 million yen as of March 31, 2006. The assets related to the contracts were recorded as “Cash and cash equivalents” of 20,000 million yen and “Other assets” of 100,000 million yen on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2006. The contracts had remaining terms to maturity ranging from 1 month to 2 years and 3 months at interest rates ranging from 0.1% to 0.2% as of March 31, 2006. The balance of bailment was 100,000 million yen ($850,629 thousand) as of March 31, 2007. The assets related to the contracts were recorded as “Short-term investments” of 50,000 million yen ($425,315 thousand) and “Other assets” of 50,000 million yen ($425,315 thousand) on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2007. The contracts had remaining terms to maturity ranging from 3 months to 1 year and 3 months at interest rates at 0.2% as of March 31, 2007. The fair values of the bailment contracts are not determinable as these contracts are with a related party and a secondary market for such contracts does not exist. There were no contracts of bailment expired during the year ended March 31, 2006. The average balance of the contracts of bailment expired during the year ended March 31, 2007 was 25,178 million yen ($214,171 thousand). The recorded amount of interest income derived from the contracts was 95 million yen and 269 million yen ($2,288 thousand) for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

On March 14, 2006, DoCoMo acquired 12,633,486 shares of PLDT, which amounted to approximately 7% of PLDT’s issued shares, for 52,103 million yen from NTT Communications Corporation, a subsidiary of NTT.

 

16. Segment reporting:

 

From a resource allocation perspective, DoCoMo views itself as having three primary business segments. The mobile phone business segment includes FOMA services, mova services, packet communications services, satellite mobile communications services, international services and the equipment sales related to these services. The PHS business segment includes PHS services and the related equipment sales for such service. DoCoMo ceased accepting new subscriptions for PHS services as of April 30, 2005 and decided to terminate PHS services effective January 7, 2008. In addition, DoCoMo recognized an impairment loss on long-lived assets related to PHS business for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 (see Note 6). The miscellaneous business segment includes credit services, wireless LAN services, Quickcast (paging) services and other miscellaneous services, which in the aggregate are not significant in amount. DoCoMo terminated its Quickcast services on March 31, 2007. The “Corporate” column in the tables below is not an operating segment but is included to reflect the recorded amounts of common assets which cannot be allocated to any business segment.

 

DoCoMo identified its reportable segments based on the nature of services included, as well as the characteristics of the telecommunications networks used to provide those services. DoCoMo’s chief operating decision maker monitors and evaluates the performance of its segments based on the information that follows as derived from the Company’s management reports. Assets by segment are not included in the management reports, however, they are included herein only for the purpose of disclosure. Depreciation and amortization is shown separately, as well as included as part of operating expenses. Corporate assets include primarily cash, deposits, securities, loans and investments in affiliates. DoCoMo allocates common assets, such as buildings for telecommunications purposes and common facilities, on a systematic and rational basis. The assets are allocated proportionately based on the amount of network assets of each segment. Capital expenditures in the “Corporate” column include expenditures in “miscellaneous businesses” and certain expenditures related to the buildings for telecommunications purposes and common facilities, which are not allocated to each segment.

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Segment information is prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

 

     Millions of yen

Year ended March 31, 2005


  

Mobile phone

business


  

PHS

business


   

Miscellaneous

businesses


    Corporate

   Consolidated

Operating revenues

   ¥ 4,755,815    ¥ 63,095     ¥ 25,700       —      ¥ 4,844,610

Operating expenses

     3,880,433      148,976       31,035       —        4,060,444
    

  


 


 

  

Operating income (loss)

   ¥ 875,382    ¥ (85,881 )   ¥ (5,335 )     —      ¥ 784,166
    

  


 


 

  

Total assets

   ¥ 4,755,598    ¥ 50,907     ¥ 17,728     ¥ 1,312,288    ¥ 6,136,521
    

  


 


 

  

Depreciation and amortization

   ¥ 705,806    ¥ 22,996     ¥ 6,621       —      ¥ 735,423
    

  


 


 

  

Capital expenditures

   ¥ 696,638    ¥ 4,840       —       ¥ 160,039    ¥ 861,517
    

  


 


 

  

     Millions of yen

Year ended March 31, 2006


  

Mobile phone

business


  

PHS

business


   

Miscellaneous

businesses


    Corporate

   Consolidated

Operating revenues

   ¥ 4,683,002    ¥ 41,741     ¥ 41,129       —      ¥ 4,765,872

Operating expenses

     3,838,567      51,210       43,456       —        3,933,233
    

  


 


 

  

Operating income (loss)

   ¥ 844,435    ¥ (9,469 )   ¥ (2,327 )     —      ¥ 832,639
    

  


 


 

  

Total assets

   ¥ 4,782,740    ¥ 34,414     ¥ 23,241     ¥ 1,524,862    ¥ 6,365,257
    

  


 


 

  

Depreciation and amortization

   ¥ 729,349    ¥ 3,983     ¥ 3,734       —      ¥ 737,066
    

  


 


 

  

Capital expenditures

   ¥ 749,456    ¥ 1,071       —       ¥ 136,586    ¥ 887,113
    

  


 


 

  

 

     Millions of yen

Year ended March 31, 2007


  

Mobile phone

business


  

PHS

business


   

Miscellaneous

businesses


    Corporate

   Consolidated

Operating revenues

   ¥ 4,718,875    ¥ 23,429     ¥ 45,789       —      ¥ 4,788,093

Operating expenses

     3,915,204      38,812       60,553       —        4,014,569
    

  


 


 

  

Operating income (loss)

   ¥ 803,671    ¥ (15,383 )   ¥ (14,764 )     —      ¥ 773,524
    

  


 


 

  

Total assets

   ¥ 5,067,348    ¥ 25,212     ¥ 40,213     ¥ 983,442    ¥ 6,116,215
    

  


 


 

  

Depreciation and amortization

   ¥ 735,270    ¥ 2,014     ¥ 6,838       —      ¥ 744,122
    

  


 


 

  

Capital expenditures

   ¥ 781,548    ¥ 1,195       —       ¥ 151,680    ¥ 934,423
    

  


 


 

  

     Thousands of U.S. dollars

Year ended March 31, 2007


  

Mobile phone

business


  

PHS

business


   

Miscellaneous

businesses


    Corporate

   Consolidated

Operating revenues

   $ 40,140,141    $ 199,294     $ 389,495       —      $ 40,728,930

Operating expenses

     33,303,879      330,146       515,082       —        34,149,107
    

  


 


 

  

Operating income (loss)

   $ 6,836,262    $ (130,852 )   $ (125,587 )     —      $ 6,579,823
    

  


 


 

  

Total assets

   $ 43,104,355    $ 214,461     $ 342,064     $ 8,365,447    $ 52,026,327
    

  


 


 

  

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 6,254,423    $ 17,132     $ 58,166       —      $ 6,329,721
    

  


 


 

  

Capital expenditures

   $ 6,648,077    $ 10,165       —       $ 1,290,235    $ 7,948,477
    

  


 


 

  

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Effective from the year started April 1, 2005, DoCoMo partly changed its segment configuration as follows: “Quickcast business”, which had been presented separately in the past, was reclassified to “Miscellaneous businesses”, and international services, which had been previously classified as “Miscellaneous businesses”, were reclassified to “Mobile phone business”. As a result of these reclassifications, the segment results for the year ended March 31, 2005 are restated to conform to the presentation for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007.

 

DoCoMo does not disclose geographical segments, since the amount of operating revenues generated and long-lived assets owned outside Japan are immaterial.

 

There have been no sales and operating revenue from transactions with single external customer amounting to 10% or more of DoCoMo’s revenues for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

 

Revenues from external customers for each similar product and service are presented as follows;

 

     Millions of yen

   Thousands of
U.S. dollars


Year ended March 31


   2005

   2006

   2007

   2007

Operating Revenues :

                           

Wireless services

   ¥ 4,296,537    ¥ 4,295,856    ¥ 4,314,140    $ 36,697,346

Cellular (FOMA+mova) services revenues

     4,146,973      4,158,134      4,182,609      35,578,505

—Voice revenues

     3,086,275      3,038,654      2,940,364      25,011,603

Including: FOMA services

     514,702      1,169,947      1,793,037      15,252,101

—Packet communications revenues

     1,060,698      1,119,480      1,242,245      10,566,902

Including: FOMA services

     260,671      613,310      971,946      8,267,659

PHS services revenues

     60,288      40,943      23,002      195,662

Other revenues

     89,276      96,779      108,529      923,179

Equipment sales

     548,073      470,016      473,953      4,031,584
    

  

  

  

Total operating revenues

   ¥ 4,844,610    ¥ 4,765,872    ¥ 4,788,093    $ 40,728,930
    

  

  

  

 

17. Employees’ retirement benefits:

 

Severance payments and contract-type corporate pension plan—

 

Employees whose services with DoCoMo are terminated are normally entitled to lump-sum severance or retirement payments and pension benefits based on internal labor regulations, the amount of which is determined by a combination of factors such as the employee’s salary eligibility, length of service and other conditions. The pension benefit is covered by the non-contributory defined benefit pension plan sponsored by DoCoMo.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS No. 158 as of March 31, 2007, DoCoMo recognized the funded status of the non-contributory defined benefit pension plans as a component of “accumulated comprehensive income”.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The incremental effect of adopting SFAS No. 158 on DoCoMo’s financial position as of March 31, 2007 is summarized as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

 
     Before adoption of
SFAS No. 158


    Adjustment to initially
apply SFAS No. 158


    After adoption of
SFAS No. 158


 

Investments in affiliates

   ¥ 176,490     ¥ (114 )   ¥ 176,376  

Intangible assets

     301       (301 )     —    

Other assets

     156       668       824  

Deferred tax assets

     38,064       1,935       39,999  
    


 


 


Total assets

   ¥ 215,011     ¥ 2,188     ¥ 217,199  
    


 


 


Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ 93,524     ¥ 5,097     ¥ 98,621  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes

     (3,226 )     (2,909 )     (6,135 )
    


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   ¥ 90,298     ¥ 2,188     ¥ 92,486  
    


 


 


     Thousands of U.S. dollars

 
     Before adoption of
SFAS No. 158


    Adjustment to initially
apply SFAS No. 158


    After adoption of
SFAS No. 158


 

Investments in affiliates

   $ 1,501,276     $ (970 )   $ 1,500,306  

Intangible assets

     2,560       (2,560 )     —    

Other assets

     1,327       5,682       7,009  

Deferred tax assets

     323,784       16,460       340,244  
    


 


 


Total assets

   $ 1,828,947     $ 18,612     $ 1,847,559  
    


 


 


Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   $ 795,542     $ 43,357     $ 838,899  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes

     (27,441 )     (24,745 )     (52,186 )
    


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 768,101     $ 18,612     $ 786,713  
    


 


 


 

The adoption of recognition and disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 had no effect on the results of operations.

 

F-34


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents reconciliations of the changes in the non-contributory pension plans’ projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for the years ended March 31, 2006 and 2007. DoCoMo uses a measurement date of March 31 for its non-contributory pension plans.

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 

Change in benefit obligations:

                        

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year

   ¥ 179,392     ¥ 188,856     $ 1,606,464  

Service cost

     9,879       10,219       86,926  

Interest cost

     3,493       3,654       31,082  

Benefit payments

     (8,808 )     (9,737 )     (82,826 )

Plan amendment

     54       (465 )     (3,955 )

Transfer of liability from NTT non-contributory funded pension plan

     252       160       1,361  

Actuarial (gain) loss

     4,594       (9,683 )     (82,366 )
    


 


 


Projected benefit obligation, end of year

   ¥ 188,856     ¥ 183,004     $ 1,556,686  

Change in fair value of plan assets:

                        

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   ¥ 64,770     ¥ 79,266     $ 674,260  

Actual return on plan assets

     11,063       3,096       26,336  

Employer contributions

     4,827       4,470       38,023  

Benefits payments

     (1,463 )     (1,661 )     (14,129 )

Transfer of plan assets from NTT non-contributory funded pension plan

     69       36       306  
    


 


 


Fair value of plan assets, end of year

   ¥ 79,266     ¥ 85,207     $ 724,796  

At March 31:

                        

Funded status

   ¥ (109,590 )   ¥ (97,797 )   $ (831,890 )
            


 


Unrecognized net losses

     41,089                  

Unrecognized transition obligation

     1,565                  

Unrecognized prior service cost

   ¥ (21,682 )                
    


               

Net amount recognized

   ¥ (88,618 )                
    


               

 

The following table provides the amounts recognized in DoCoMo’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ (102,837 )   ¥ (98,621 )   $ (838,899 )

Prepaid pension cost

     113       824       7,009  

Intangible assets

     122       —         —    

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     13,984       —         —    
    


 


 


Net amount recognized

   ¥ (88,618 )   ¥ (97,797 )   $ (831,890 )
    


 


 


 

Prepaid pension cost is included in “other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Items recognized in “accumulated other comprehensive income” are summarized in the following table:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2007

    2007

 

Actuarial gains or losses (net)

   ¥ (28,737 )   $ (244,445 )

Prior service costs

     20,239       172,159  

Transition obligation

     (1,439 )     (12,241 )
    


 


Total

   ¥ (9,937 )   $ (84,527 )
    


 


 

The accumulated benefit obligation for the non-contributory pension plans was 181,801 million yen and 176,586 million yen ($1,502,093 thousand) as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

The projected benefit obligation, the accumulated benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets in the pension plans with the projected or accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the plan assets as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 are summarized as follows:

 

    Millions of yen

  Thousands of
U.S. dollars


    2006

  2007

  2007

Plans with projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets

                 

Projected benefit obligation

  ¥ 187,753   ¥ 178,323   $ 1,516,868

Fair value of plan assets

    78,750     79,702     677,969

Plans with accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets

                 

Accumulated benefit obligation

  ¥ 179,806   ¥ 171,549   $ 1,459,246

Fair value of plan assets

    77,806     79,313     674,660

 

The net periodic pension costs for the non-contributory pension plans for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, included the following components:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Service cost

   ¥ 9,683     ¥ 9,879     ¥ 10,219     $ 86,926  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     3,358       3,493       3,654       31,082  

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,497 )     (1,640 )     (2,028 )     (17,251 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     (1,815 )     (1,861 )     (1,907 )     (16,222 )

Amortization of actuarial gains or losses (net)

     2,187       2,018       1,600       13,610  

Amortization of transition obligation

     89       132       127       1,081  
    


 


 


 


Net pension cost

   ¥ 12,005     ¥ 12,021     ¥ 11,665     $ 99,226  
    


 


 


 


 

The amount of actuarial losses, unrecognized transition obligation and prior service cost, which are expected to be amortized and reclassified from “accumulated other comprehensive income” to net pension cost during the year ending March 31, 2008 is 834 million yen, 127 million yen and (1,907) million yen, respectively.

 

The assumptions used in determination of the pension plans’ projected benefit obligations at March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     2006

    2007

 

Discount rate

   2.0 %   2.2 %

Long-term rate of salary increases

   2.1     2.1  

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The assumptions used in determination of the net pension costs for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     2005

    2006

    2007

 

Discount rate

   2.0 %   2.0 %   2.0 %

Long-term rate of salary increases

   2.1     2.1     2.1  

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

   2.5     2.5     2.5  

 

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, DoCoMo considers the current and projected asset allocations, as well as expected long-term investment returns and risks for each category of the plan assets based on analysis of historical results.

 

The weighted-average asset allocations of non-contributory pension plan at March 31, 2006 and 2007 by asset category are as follows:

 

     2006

    2007

 

Domestic bonds

   29.2 %   32.8 %

Domestic stock

   27.2     23.8  

Foreign bonds

   16.2     18.3  

Foreign stock

   16.2     14.8  

Other

   11.2     10.3  
    

 

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %
    

 

 

The non-contributory pension plan’s policy toward plan assets management is formulated with the ultimate objective of ensuring the steady disbursement of pension benefits in future periods. The long-term objective of asset management, therefore, is to secure the total profits deemed necessary to ensure financial soundness of plan assets. To achieve this, DoCoMo selects various investments and takes into consideration their expected returns and risks and the correlation among the investments. DoCoMo then sets a target allocation ratio for the plan assets and endeavors to maintain that ratio. The target ratio is formulated from a mid- to long-term perspective and reviewed annually. In the event that the investment environment changes dramatically, DoCoMo will review the asset allocation as necessary. The target ratio in March 2007 is: domestic bonds, 30.0%; domestic stock, 25.0%; foreign bonds, 20.0%; foreign stock, 15.0%; and other financial instruments 10.0%.

 

As of March 31, 2006 and 2007, domestic stock owned by the non-contributory pension plan as its plan asset included common stock of NTT and its subsidiaries listed in Japan including DoCoMo in amount of 360 million yen (0.5% of total plan assets) and 666 million yen ($5,665 thousand, 0.8% of total plan assets), respectively.

 

Occasionally, employees of NTT transfer to DoCoMo. Upon such transfer, NTT transfers the relevant vested pension obligation for each employee, along with a corresponding amount of plan assets and cash. Therefore, the difference between the pension obligation and related plan assets transferred from NTT to DoCoMo, included in the above table which presents reconciliations of the changes in the non-contributory pension plans’ projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets, represents cash paid by NTT to DoCoMo, which has not been invested in plan assets.

 

DoCoMo expects to contribute 4,476 million yen to the non-contributory pension plan in the year ending March 31, 2008.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The benefit payments, which reflect expected future service under the non-contributory pension plans, are expected to be as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,


   Millions of yen

   Thousands of
U.S. dollars


2008

   ¥ 13,282    $ 112,981

2009

     13,004      110,616

2010

     11,897      101,199

2011

     11,553      98,273

2012

     10,656      90,643

2013-2017

     62,533      531,924

 

Social welfare pension scheme and NTT welfare pension fund—

 

DoCoMo participates in the national welfare pension plan (“National Plan”) and a contributory defined benefit welfare pension plan sponsored by the NTT group (“NTT Plan”). The National Plan is a government-regulated social welfare pension plan under the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law and both NTT Group and its employees have made contributions to such plan every year. The National Plan is considered as a multi-employer plan as defined by SFAS No. 87 and contributions are recognized as expenses when contributions are made to such plan. The total amount of contributions was 12,681 million yen, 12,787 million yen and 13,108 million yen ($111,501 thousand) for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

Both NTT Group including DoCoMo and its employees make contributions to the NTT Plan to supplement the pension benefits to which the employees are entitled under the National Plan. The NTT Plan is regulated under the Japanese Welfare Pension Insurance Law and covers a substitutional portion of the National Plan. The NTT Plan is considered a defined benefit pension plan as defined by SFAS No. 87 and accounts for items such as benefit obligations separately from the severance payment and contract-type corporate pension plan as previously described. The participation by DoCoMo and its subsidiary in the NTT Plan is accounted for as a single employer plan. The number of DoCoMo’s employees covered by the NTT Plan represented approximately 10.4% and 10.5% of the total members covered by such plan as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

DoCoMo adopted EITF Issue No. 03-02, “Accounting for the Transfer to the Japanese Government of the Substitutional Portion of Employee Pension Fund Liabilities.” This issue provides a consensus that Japanese employers should account for the entire separation process as a single settlement event upon completion of the transfer to the Japanese government of the substitutional portion of the benefit obligations and related plan assets. Under the Law Concerning Defined-Benefit Corporate Pension Plans, the NTT Plan applied to the Japanese government for permission that the NTT Plan be released from future obligation to disburse the NTT Plan benefits covering the substitutional portion, and the application was approved in September 2003. The NTT Plan also applied to the Japanese government for permission to be released from the past obligation to disburse the NTT Plan benefits covering the substitutional portion on April 17, 2007. However, in accordance with EITF 03-02, no accounting should be recognized until the completion of the entire transfer. It is undetermined when the transfer of the benefit obligations and related plan assets will take place and what the net effect of settlement on DoCoMo’s result of operations and financial position will be.

 

Upon adoption of SFAS No.158 as of March 31, 2007, DoCoMo recognized the funded status of the NTT Plan, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation, as a component of “other accumulated comprehensive income”.

 

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NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The incremental effect of adopting SFAS No. 158 on DoCoMo’s financial position due to its participation in the NTT Plan as of March 31, 2007 is summarized as follows;

 

     Millions of yen

 
     Before adoption of SFAS
No. 158


    Adjustment to initially
apply SFAS No.158


    After adoption of SFAS
No. 158


 

Deferred tax assets

   ¥ 13,904     ¥ 1,338     ¥ 15,242  
    


 


 


Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ 33,997     ¥ 3,272     ¥ 37,269  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes

     (255 )     (1,934 )     (2,189 )
    


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   ¥ 33,742     ¥ 1,338     ¥ 35,080  
    


 


 


 

     Thousands of U.S. dollars

 
     Before adoption of SFAS
No. 158


    Adjustment to initially
apply SFAS No.158


    After adoption of SFAS
No. 158


 

Deferred tax assets

   $ 118,272     $ 11,382     $ 129,654  
    


 


 


Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   $ 289,188     $ 27,833     $ 317,021  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable taxes

     (2,169 )     (16,451 )     (18,620 )
    


 


 


Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 287,019     $ 11,382     $ 298,401  
    


 


 


 

The adoption of recognition and related disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 158 had no effect on the results of operations.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The following table presents reconciliations of the changes in the NTT Plan’s projected benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets at March 31, 2006 and 2007. The amount in the table is based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan.

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 

Change in benefit obligations:

                        

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year

   ¥ 127,680     ¥ 132,031     $ 1,123,095  

Service cost

     3,626       3,440       29,262  

Interest cost

     2,580       2,619       22,278  

Benefit payments

     (1,189 )     (1,272 )     (10,820 )

Internal adjustment due to transfer of employees based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan

     (940 )     (438 )     (3,726 )

Actuarial loss (gain)

     274       (4,975 )     (42,319 )
    


 


 


Projected benefit obligation, end of year

   ¥ 132,031     ¥ 131,405     $ 1,117,770  

Change in fair value of plan assets:

                        

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

   ¥ 77,380     ¥ 90,262     $ 767,795  

Actual return on plan assets

     12,956       3,697       31,448  

Employer contributions

     1,228       1,240       10,548  

Employee contributions

     532       522       4,440  

Benefits payments

     (1,189 )     (1,272 )     (10,820 )

Internal adjustment due to transfer of employees based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan

     (645 )     (313 )     (2,662 )
    


 


 


Fair value of plan assets, end of year

   ¥ 90,262     ¥ 94,136     $ 800,749  

At March 31:

                        

Funded status

   ¥ (41,769 )   ¥ (37,269 )   $ (317,021 )
            


 


Unrecognized actuarial losses

     12,860                  

Unrecognized prior service cost

   ¥ (2,854 )                
    


               

Net amount recognized

   ¥ (31,763 )                
    


               

 

The following table provides the amounts recognized in DoCoMo’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2006 and 2007, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

   ¥ (32,674 )   ¥ (37,269 )   $ (317,021 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     911       —         —    
    


 


 


Net amount recognized

   ¥ (31,763 )   ¥ (37,269 )   $ (317,021 )
    


 


 


 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Items recognized in “accumulated other comprehensive income”, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan, are summarized in the following table:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2007

    2007

 

Actuarial gains or losses (net)

   ¥ (6,080 )   $ (51,718 )

Prior service costs

     2,497       21,240  
    


 


Total

   ¥ (3,583 )   $ (30,478 )
    


 


 

The accumulated benefit obligation regarding DoCoMo employees for the NTT Plan based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation was 109,657 million yen and 109,680 million yen ($932,970 thousand) at March 31, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

 

The net periodic pension cost related to the NTT Plan based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, included the following components:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Service cost

   ¥ 3,724     ¥ 3,626     ¥ 3,440     $ 29,262  

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     2,353       2,580       2,619       22,278  

Expected return on plan assets

     (1,773 )     (1,970 )     (2,254 )     (19,173 )

Amortization of prior service cost

     (357 )     (357 )     (357 )     (3,037 )

Amortization of actuarial gains or losses (net)

     2,304       1,956       362       3,079  

Contribution from employees

     (532 )     (532 )     (522 )     (4,440 )
    


 


 


 


Net pension cost

   ¥ 5,719     ¥ 5,303     ¥ 3,288     $ 27,969  
    


 


 


 


 

The amount of actuarial losses and prior service cost, which are expected to be amortized and reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net pension cost during the year ending March 31, 2008 is 16 million yen and (357) million yen, respectively.

 

The assumptions used in determination of the pension plans’ projected benefit obligations, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan, as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     2006

    2007

 

Discount rate

   2.0 %   2.2 %

Long-term rate of salary increases

   2.6     2.6  

 

The assumptions used in determination of the net pension costs, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees’ participation to the plan, for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     2005

    2006

    2007

 

Discount rate

   2.0 %   2.0 %   2.0 %

Long-term rate of salary increases

   2.2     2.6     2.6  

Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets

   2.5     2.5     2.5  

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the NTT Plan 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 weighted-average asset allocations of the NTT Plan as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 by asset category are as follows:

 

     2006

    2007

 

Domestic bonds

   47.7 %   49.6 %

Domestic stock

   20.0     17.9  

Foreign bonds

   13.0     14.2  

Foreign stock

   12.1     11.4  

Other

   7.2     6.9  
    

 

Total

   100.0 %   100.0 %
    

 

 

The NTT Plan’s policy toward plan assets management is formulated with the ultimate objective of ensuring the steady disbursement of pension benefits in future periods. The long-term objective of asset management, therefore, is to secure the total profits deemed necessary to ensure financial soundness of plan assets. To achieve this, the NTT Plan selects various investments and takes into consideration their expected returns and risks and the correlation among the investments. The NTT Plan then sets a target allocation ratio for the plan assets and endeavors to maintain that ratio. The target ratio is formulated from a mid- to long-term perspective and reviewed annually. In the event that the investment environment changes dramatically, the NTT Plan will review the asset allocation as necessary. The target ratio in March 2007 is: domestic bonds, 30.0%; domestic stock, 25.0%; foreign bonds, 20.0%; foreign stock, 15.0%; and other financial instruments 10.0%. As of March 31, 2006 and 2007, domestic stock owned by the NTT Plan as its plan asset included common stock of NTT and its subsidiaries listed in Japan including DoCoMo in the amount of 5,842 million yen (0.4% of total plan assets) and 9,548 million yen ($81,218 thousand, 0.7% of total plan assets), respectively.

 

DoCoMo expects to contribute 1,208 million yen to the NTT Plan in the year ending March 31, 2008.

 

The benefit payments, which reflect expected future service under the NTT Plan, based on actuarial computations which covered only DoCoMo employees are expected to be as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,


   Millions of yen

   Thousands of
U.S. dollars


2008

   ¥ 1,719    $ 14,622

2009

     2,534      21,555

2010

     3,129      26,616

2011

     3,618      30,776

2012

     4,127      35,105

2013-2017

     28,219      240,039

 

F-42


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

18. Income taxes:

 

Total income taxes for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were allocated as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2005

    2006

    2007

    2007

 

Income from continuing operations before equity in net losses of affiliates and minority interest

   ¥ 527,711     ¥ 341,382     ¥ 313,679     $ 2,668,246  

Equity in net losses of affiliates

     (1,492 )     1,653       (850 )     (7,230 )

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

     8,045       6,927       (10,586 )     (90,048 )

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     259       (1,618 )     (276 )     (2,348 )

Net revaluation of financial instruments

     (148 )     256       576       4,900  

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     (155 )     (172 )     (552 )     (4,695 )

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     3,672       (234 )     76       646  

Less: Reclassification of realized gains and losses included in net income

     (25,985 )     (15,779 )     —         —    

Minimum pension liability adjustment

     49       2,758       3,849       32,741  

Adjustment to initially apply SFAS No. 158

     —         —         (3,395 )     (28,879 )
    


 


 


 


Total income taxes

   ¥ 511,956     ¥ 335,173     ¥ 302,521     $ 2,573,333  
    


 


 


 


 

Virtually all income or loss before income taxes and income tax expenses or benefits are domestic.

 

For the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007, the Company and its domestic subsidiaries were subject to a National Corporate Tax of 30%, a Corporate Inhabitant Tax of approximately 6% and a deductible Corporate Enterprise Tax of approximately 8%. The rate of the Corporate Inhabitant Tax and Corporate Enterprise Tax differs subject to municipalities.

 

The aggregate statutory income tax rate was 40.9% all through the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007. The effective income tax rate for the years ended March 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 was 41.0%, 35.9% and 40.6%, respectively.

 

Reconciliation of the difference of the effective income tax rates of DoCoMo and the statutory tax rates are as follows:

 

     2005

    2006

    2007

 

Statutory income tax rate

   40.9 %   40.9 %   40.9 %

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

   0.2     0.2     0.2  

Tax credit for special tax treatment such as R&D investment tax incentive, IT investment promotion tax incentive and IT infrastructure tax incentive

   (1.9 )   (2.6 )   (0.9 )

Changes in valuation allowance

   1.8     (0.9 )   —    

Other

   (0.0 )   (1.7 )   0.4  
    

 

 

Effective income tax rate

   41.0 %   35.9 %   40.6 %
    

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Deferred income taxes result from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

    Millions of yen

  Thousands of
U.S. dollars


    2006

  2007

  2007

Deferred tax assets:

                 

Investments in affiliates

  ¥ 64,809   ¥ —     $ —  

Liability for employees’ retirement benefits

    54,497     54,329     462,138

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets due to differences in depreciation and amortization

    46,752     45,139     383,966

Reserve for point loyalty programs

    45,824     42,397     360,641

Deferred revenues regarding “Nikagetsu Kurikoshi” (two-month carry over)

    34,639     28,779     244,803

Accrued commissions to agent resellers

    23,439     23,293     198,137

Accrued enterprise tax

    18,058     6,244     53,113

Inventories

    9,562     14,861     126,412

Compensated absences

    7,980     9,276     78,904

Accrued bonus

    6,497     7,006     59,595

Other

    17,266     14,175     120,577
   

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

  ¥ 329,323   ¥ 245,499   $ 2,088,286
   

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

                 

Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities

    20,485     9,623     81,856

Intangible assets (principally customer related assets)

    8,972     5,499     46,776

Property, plant and equipment due to differences in capitalized interest

    2,223     1,738     14,784

Investment in affiliates

    —       438     3,725

Foreign currency translation adjustment

    52     128     1,089

Other

    12,163     7,436     63,253
   

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  ¥ 43,895   ¥ 24,862   $ 211,483
   

 

 

Net deferred tax assets

  ¥ 285,428   ¥ 220,637   $ 1,876,803
   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax assets at March 31, 2006 and 2007 are included in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 
     2006

    2007

    2007

 

Deferred tax assets (current assets)

   ¥ 111,795     ¥ 94,868     $ 806,975  

Deferred tax assets (non-current investments and other assets)

     176,720       127,696       1,086,220  

Other current liabilities

     —         (7 )     (60 )

Other long-term liabilities

     (3,087 )     (1,920 )     (16,332 )
    


 


 


Total

   ¥ 285,428     ¥ 220,637     $ 1,876,803  
    


 


 


 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and tax carry-forwards become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. DoCoMo records a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets to reflect the expected future tax benefits to be realized if necessary. The net change in the total valuation allowance for the years ended March 31, 2006 was a decrease of 23,436 million yen. There was no change in the total valuation allowance for the year ended March 31, 2007. Management believes that the amount of the deferred tax assets is realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carry-forward period are reduced.

 

Other taxes—

 

The consumption tax rate for all taxable goods and services, with minor exceptions, is 5 percent. 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.

 

19. Commitments and contingencies:

 

Leases—

 

DoCoMo leases certain facilities and equipment in the normal course of business. Assets covered under capital leases at March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

     Millions of yen

    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 

Class of property


   2006

    2007

    2007

 

Tools, furniture and fixtures

   ¥ 12,433     ¥ 12,016     $ 102,212  

Software

     1,118       875       7,443  
    


 


 


       13,551       12,891       109,655  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (7,698 )     (7,143 )     (60,761 )
    


 


 


Total

   ¥ 5,853     ¥ 5,748     $ 48,894  
    


 


 


 

Tools, furniture and fixtures are classified as part of property, plant and equipment, while software is classified as part of intangible assets.

 

Future minimum lease payments by year under capital leases together with the present value of the net minimum lease payments as of March 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,


  

Millions of

yen


    Thousands of
U.S. dollars


 

2008

   ¥ 2,520     $ 21,436  

2009

     2,919       24,830  

2010

     1,244       10,582  

2011

     732       6,227  

2012

     305       2,594  

Thereafter

     109       927  
    


 


Total minimum lease payments

     7,829       66,596  

Less—Amount representing interest

     (295 )     (2,510 )
    


 


Present value of net minimum lease payments

     7,534       64,086  

Less—Amounts representing estimated executory costs

     (382 )     (3,249 )
    


 


Net minimum lease payments

     7,152       60,837  

Less—Current obligation

     (2,706 )     (23,018 )
    


 


Long-term capital lease obligations

   ¥ 4,446     $ 37,819  
    


 


 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

 

The above obligations are classified as part of other current and long-term liabilities as appropriate.

 

The minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year at March 31, 2007 are as follows:

 

Year ending March 31,


  

Millions of

yen


   Thousands of
U.S. dollars


2008

   ¥ 2,356    $ 20,041

2009

     2,248      19,122

2010

     1,424      12,113

2011

     1,424      12,113

2012

     1,424      12,113

Thereafter

     15,662      133,225
    

  

Total minimum future rentals

   ¥ 24,538    $ 208,727
    

  

 

The following schedule shows total rental expense for all operating leases for the years indicated except those with terms of one month or less that were not renewed:

 

     Millions of yen

   Thousands of
U.S. dollars


     2005

   2006

   2007

   2007

Minimum rentals

   ¥ 67,078    ¥ 64,323    ¥ 67,897    $ 577,552
    

  

  

  

 

Litigation—

 

As of March 31, 2007, DoCoMo had no litigation or claims outstanding, pending or threatened against it, which in the opinion of management would have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial position.

 

Purchase commitments—

 

DoCoMo has entered into various contracts for the purchase of property, plant and equipment, inventories (primarily handsets) and services and the acquisition of equity securities. Commitments outstanding as of March 31, 2007 amounted to 44,466 million yen ($378,241 thousand) (of which 1,684 million yen ($14,325 thousand) are with related parties) for property, plant and equipment, 26,971 million yen ($229,423 thousand) (of which none are with related parties) for inventories and 48,718 million yen ($414,410 thousand) (of which 1,337 million yen ($11,373 thousand) are with related parties) for the other purchase commitments.

 

Guarantees—

 

DoCoMo adopted FIN No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others” (“FIN 45”). FIN 45 requires that if a company issues or modifies a guarantee, the company must recognize an initial liability for the fair value of the obligations it has undertaken and must disclose that information in its financial statements.

 

DoCoMo enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide guarantees for counterparties. These counterparties include customers, related parties, foreign wireless telecommunications service providers and other business partners. Although the most of guarantees provided for customers relate to product defects of

 

F-46


Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

cellular phone handsets sold by DoCoMo, DoCoMo is provided with similar guarantees by the handset vendors. Though the guarantees or indemnifications provided in other transactions than with the customers are different in each contract, the likelihood of almost all of the performance of these guarantees or indemnifications are remote and amount of payments DoCoMo could be required for is not specified in almost all of the contracts. Historically, DoCoMo has not made any significant guarantee or indemnification payments under such agreements. DoCoMo estimates the estimated fair value of the obligations related to these agreements is not significant. Accordingly, no liabilities were recognized for these obligations as of March 31, 2007.

 

20. Financial instruments:

 

Risk management—

 

The fair values for DoCoMo’s assets and liabilities and DoCoMo’s cash flows may be negatively impacted by fluctuations in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. To manage these risks, DoCoMo uses derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swaps, currency swaps and foreign exchange forward contracts, and also uses non-derivative financial instruments. The financial instruments are executed with creditworthy financial institutions, and DoCoMo management believes that there is little risk of default by these counterparties. DoCoMo has and follows internal regulations that establish conditions to enter into derivative contracts, and procedures of approving and monitoring such contracts.

 

DoCoMo uses interest rate swap transactions, under which DoCoMo receives fixed rate interest payments and pays floating rate interest payments, to hedge the changes in fair value of certain debt as a part of its asset-liability management (ALM).

 

In March 2003, DoCoMo issued $100 million unsecured corporate bonds in order to hedge a portion of its net investment in AT&T Wireless. This financial instrument was effective as a hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates. Translation gains or losses from this financial instrument, which offset translation gains or losses on the investment in AT&T Wireless, were recorded as “foreign currency translation adjustment” in “accumulated other comprehensive income”. During the year ended March 31, 2005, DoCoMo also used foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge a portion of its net investment in AT&T Wireless. The corporate bond contracts and the foreign exchange forward contracts were effective as hedges against fluctuations of currency exchange rates. On October 26, 2004, as a result of the completion of the AT&T Wireless and Cingular merger, DoCoMo sold all its AT&T Wireless shares. As the hedged item no longer existed, these hedging instruments for the net investments in a foreign operation were reclassified into earnings for the year ended March 31, 2005, and DoCoMo recorded gains totaling 6,468 million yen as a part of gain on sale of affiliate shares, which was included in other income (expense), in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the year ended March 31, 2005.

 

In February 2005, DoCoMo entered into a currency swap contract to hedge currency exchange risk associated with the principal and interest payments of the $100 million unsecured corporate bonds. As this currency swap contract was qualified as a cash flow hedge instrument and all the essential terms of the currency swap and the hedged item are identical, there is no ineffective portion to the hedge. The gain or loss from the fluctuation in the fair value of the swap transaction is recorded as “accumulated other comprehensive income”. The amount recorded as “accumulated other comprehensive income” will be reclassified as the gain or loss when the offsetting gain or loss derived from the hedged item is recorded in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. For the year ended March 31, 2006, 1,262 million yen of loss from currency translation and 28 million yen of interest expense in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income were reclassified, and 92 million yen of loss, net of applicable taxes, was recorded as “net revaluation of financial instruments” included in “accumulated other comprehensive income” in the consolidated

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

balance sheets as of March 31, 2006. For the year ended March 31, 2007, 1,320 million yen ($11,228 thousand) of loss from currency translation and 30 million yen ($255 thousand) of interest expense in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income were reclassified, and 58 million yen ($494 thousand) of loss, net of applicable taxes, was recorded as “net revaluation of financial instruments” included in “accumulated other comprehensive income” in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2007. The net revaluation of financial instruments is expected to be reclassified in to earnings by the repayment of the $100 million unsecured corporate bonds during the year ending March 31, 2008.

 

Fair value of financial instruments—

 

All cash and short-term investments, current receivables, current payables, and certain other short-term financial instruments are short-term in nature, and therefore their carrying amount approximates fair values.

 

Information relating to investments in affiliates and marketable securities and other investments are disclosed in Notes 7, 8 and 10, respectively.

 

Information relating to contracts of bailment of cash for consumption with NTT FINANCE is disclosed in Note 15.

 

Long-term debt, including current portion—

 

The fair value of long-term debt, including current portion, is estimated based on the discounted amounts of future cash flows using DoCoMo’s current incremental borrowings rates for similar liabilities.

 

The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current portion as of March 31, 2006 and 2007 are as follows:

 

Millions of yen

   Thousands of U.S. dollars

2006

   2007

   2007

Carrying
amount


   Fair value

  

Carrying

amount


   Fair value

  

Carrying

amount


   Fair value

¥792,253    ¥ 799,911    ¥ 602,863    ¥ 606,910    $ 5,128,130    $ 5,162,555

 

Foreign currency swap agreement—

 

The table below shows the contract amount and fair value of the derivative financial instrument as of March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

Millions of yen

   Thousands of U.S. dollars

2006

   2007

   2007

Contract
amount


   Fair value

   Contract
amount


   Fair value

   Contract
Amount


   Fair value

¥10,485    ¥ 1,134    ¥ 10,485    ¥ 1,251    $ 89,188    $ 10,641

 

The foreign currency swap agreement has a remaining term to maturity of 1 year.

 

The fair value of a foreign currency swap was obtained from a counterparty financial institution and represented the amount that DoCoMo could have settled with the counterparty to terminate the swap outstanding at March 31, 2006 and 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Interest rate swap agreements—

 

The table below shows the contract amount and fair value of the interest rate swap agreement at March 31, 2006 and 2007:

 

Contract Term

(in the year ended/ending
March 31,)


               Millions of yen

          
   Weighted average rate

    2006

          
   Receive
fixed


    Pay
floating


    Contract
Amount


   Fair
value


          

2004-2012

   1.5 %   0.3 %   ¥ 235,800    ¥ (3,417 )             

Contract Term

(in the year ended/ending
March 31,)


   Weighted average rate

    Millions of yen

   

Thousands of

U.S. dollars


     2007

    2007

   Receive
fixed


    Pay
floating


    Contract
Amount


   Fair
value


    Contract
Amount


   Fair
Value


2004-2012

   1.5 %   0.9 %   ¥ 235,800    ¥ 858     $ 2,005,784    $ 7,298

 

The interest rate swap agreements have remaining terms to maturity ranging from 4 years to 4 years and 9 months.

 

The fair values of interest rate swaps were obtained from counterparty financial institutions and represent the amount that DoCoMo could have settled with the counterparties to terminate the swaps outstanding at March 31, 2006 and 2007.

 

Foreign exchange forward contracts—

 

DoCoMo had no foreign exchange forward contracts outstanding as of March 31, 2006. The amount of foreign exchange forward contracts was 938 million yen ($7,979 thousand) with fair value of 4 million yen ($34 thousand) as of March 31, 2007.

 

The fair values of foreign exchange forward contracts were obtained from counterparty financial institutions and represent the amounts that DoCoMo could have settled with the counterparties to terminate the swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2007.

 

Concentrations of risk—

 

As of March 31, 2007, DoCoMo did not have any significant concentration of business transacted with an individual counterparty or groups of counterparties that could, if suddenly eliminated, severely impact its operations.

 

21. Subsequent event:

 

There were no significant subsequent events other than those described in other footnotes of this consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

NTT DoCoMo, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE FOR THE YEARS ENDED

MARCH 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007

 

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

     Millions of yen

    

Balance at

Beginning of

Year


   Additions

   Deductions (*1)

   

Balance at End

of Year


2005

                            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 22,968    ¥ 12,004    ¥ (16,613 )   ¥ 18,359

2006

                            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 18,359    ¥ 9,919    ¥ (13,538 )   ¥ 14,740

2007

                            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   ¥ 14,740    ¥ 8,654    ¥ (10,216 )   ¥ 13,178
     Thousands of U.S. dollars

     Balance at
Beginning of
Year


   Additions

   Deductions (*1)

    Balance at End
of Year


2007

                            

Allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 125,383    $ 73,613    $ (86,900 )   $ 112,096

* 1: Amounts written off.

 

     Millions of yen

    

Balance at

Beginning of

Year


   Additions

   Deductions

   

Balance at End

of Year


2005

                            

Valuation allowances—Deferred tax assets

   ¥ —      ¥ 23,436    ¥ —       ¥ 23,436

2006

                            

Valuation allowances—Deferred tax assets

   ¥ 23,436    ¥ —      ¥ (23,436 )   ¥ —  

2007

                            

Valuation allowances—Deferred tax assets

   ¥ —      ¥ —      ¥ —       ¥ —  
     Thousands of U.S. dollars

     Balance at
Beginning of
Year


   Additions

   Deductions

    Balance at End
of Year


2007

                            

Valuation allowances—Deferred tax assets

   $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —  

 

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Table of Contents

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.

 

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

By

  /s/    MASAO NAKAMURA        

Name:

  Masao Nakamura

Title:

  President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: June 25, 2007


Table of Contents

INDEX OF EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number


     

Description


  1.1    

Articles of Incorporation of the registrant (English translation)*

  1.2    

Share Handling Regulations of the registrant (English translation)*

  1.3    

Regulations of the Board of Directors of the registrant (English translation)*

  1.4    

Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors of the registrant (English translation)

  2.1    

Specimen common stock certificates of the registrant**

  2.2     Form of Deposit Agreement among the registrant, The Bank of New York as Depositary and all owners and holders from time to time of American Depositary Receipts, including the form of American Depositary Receipt (incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration Statement on Form F-6 (File No. 333-9694) filed on May 15, 2002)
  8.1    

List of Subsidiaries

11.1    

Code of Ethics*

12.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
12.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
13.1     Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
13.2     Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
15.1     Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
15.2     Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

* Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 27, 2006 and herein incorporated by reference.

 

** Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2002 and herein incorporated by reference.

 

We have not included as exhibits certain instruments with respect to our long-term debt. The amount of debt authorized under each such debt instrument does not exceed 10% or our total assets. We agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the Commission upon request.