Operating risks
The main risks that management recognizes as having the potential to materially affect the Group’s consolidated financial position, operating results, and cash flows are as described below. The Group classifies operating risks into “particularly significant risks” and “significant risks” according to their relevance to medium- and long-term management policies and strategies, the degree of impact on they may have on future business performance, and the likelihood of their occurrence
Particularly significant risks
(1) Impact of customers’ investment and purchasing appetite, etc.
The food retail industry, which is the customer base of the Distribution Cloud business, is an important industry that supports people’s daily lives. While the food retail industry is not easily affected by economic fluctuations, in the medium to long term, consumers may become less active in purchasing due to the declining birthrate, aging population, and shrinking population. In addition, the business environment may change due to the integration of major companies through mergers and acquisitions. The Group is constantly pursuing attractive services and strategically developing its business in order to build business relationships with customers of various sizes. However, if the industry’s appetite for investment in information systems declines, there may be a slump in new customer acquisitions or a decrease in orders for additional services from existing customers, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
In the Government Cloud business, the Group closely monitors the policy trends of the national government and local governments, and has a system in place to provide appropriate services in a timely manner. However, the business is affected by such factors as budget cuts in public works, postponement of information system investment, downsizing, policy changes, a decrease in the number of municipalities due to mergers of municipalities, system integration among municipalities, and revisions to the bidding system.
In particular, the standardization and shared use of local government information systems, as called for in the Digital Government Action Plan (approved by Cabinet decision on December 25, 2020) is advancing, and a significant shift in the business model of the local government core systems could have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
In the Trust business, the Company plans to provide digital certificate issuance services using blockchain technology and highly reliable, low-cost services using My Number Cards. However, if customer interest in investment fails to increase for reasons such as a lack of growth in demand for switching from paper to digital certificates or a lack of progress in the spread and use of My Number Cards, we may be unable to generate projected earnings, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
The strength of the Mobile Network business rests on the Company’s ability to leverage the characteristics of physical stores and provide services with high customer satisfaction. However, the Group’s performance may be adversely affected by factors such as a shrinking market due to the declining birthrate and aging and shrinking population, the reorganization and consolidation of resellers and review of their roles due to the spread of online mobile device sales, lengthening of the replacement cycle due to the rising prices of mobile devices, customers refraining from purchasing mobile phones due to changes in telecommunications carrier policies, and a decrease in the number of new mobile devices sold due to an uptick in sales of used devices.
(2) Changes in market needs and environment, and our response to technological innovation
In the Distribution Cloud, Government Cloud, and Trust businesses, we are working to provide competitive services that meet the needs of our customers and the market by continuously upgrading versions and developing new services that drive the growth of the Group. In particular, the Group’s efforts to implement major upgrades and develop new services are based on our foresight in anticipating current trends and analyzing future needs in the market. We also combine M&A and other methods to provide services to customers and the market at the appropriate time, as needed for strategic reasons. However, if we misread the current trends, and technological innovations, alternative technologies, or competing products emerge more rapidly than expected, or if the technological standards or infrastructure on which we depend changes, we may not be able to develop new services at the appropriate time and may miss the timing to launch them in the market, or we may be late in responding to changes in customer needs and market trends, and may not be able to ensure sufficient competitiveness. Due to such reasons, we may not be able to fully benefit from new service introductions, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance. We are also working to shorten development times by strengthening our development structure and adopting development methods that respond flexibly to development needs. However, rapid technological innovation during the development of new services, drastic changes in specifications due to changes in the content of services the market demands, or unforeseen malfunctions may significantly increase development man-hours or worsen profitability and have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
Significant risks
(1) Impact of competitors
In the Distribution Cloud business, the Group competes with system integrators and service providers targeting the food retail industry. In the Government Cloud business, we compete not only with major nationwide system integrators, but also with small and medium-sized system integrators with close ties to local communities. In the Trust business, our competitors are businesses that provide trust-related services such as e-applications and e-contracts. In the Mobile Network business, we compete not only with other resellers of telecommunications carriers but also with other resellers of NTT Docomo, Inc.
In selecting its target markets, the Group has adopted a policy of segmenting industries and regions and aiming to be number one in each segment. We strive to maintain or improve our competitive edge over our competitors by concentrating our capital. However, if price competition with competitors further intensifies, or the Group’s service capabilities decline relative to its competitors due to their improved technological and service capabilities, we may lose sales orders for proposed projects or see a decrease in sales volume, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(2) Securing and developing human resources
To secure excellent human resources who can provide optimal products and services to customers, the Group is taking measures to continuously improve working conditions and compensation, accommodate diverse workstyles, and enhance the work environment to enable productive and fulfilling work. Efforts are also underway to raise brand recognition, strengthen employee training, and support professional development, such as assisting with certification acquisition, to foster a workforce with superior skill sets that can contribute to the Group’s growth. However, if we are unable to secure and train personnel as planned, or if a significant number of skilled employees vacate their positions, we may be unable to adequately provide services to our customers or develop new services for them. This, in turn, could result in lost business opportunities, lower sales volume, or delays in the implementation of contracted projects, and postponements in service development, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(3) Delays and problems with system implementation and development work
In the Distribution Cloud, Government Cloud, and Trust businesses, we may add functions, make improvements to stabilize operation, and develop systems such as interfaces, in addition to implementation work such as master settings, at the time of service introduction. In such implementation and development work, the Group estimates costs based on work processes and other factors, and manages the progress of each project. However, it is difficult to accurately estimate all costs due to the nature of the project, and there may be times when the number of man-hours required exceeds the initial estimate due to factors such as estimation errors, work delays, or specification changes. The Group’s profitability may deteriorate due to higher-than-expected cost burdens, delays in development, or other factors. If we are unable to complete and deliver the installation and development work by the delivery date set with the customer, if quality problems occur due to system malfunctions, or if our products or services are found to be defective, we may incur increased costs due to repair work, loss of credibility, liability for damages, and loss of orders, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(4) Price increases
The Group procures and utilizes equipment, licenses, servers, and other facilities as costs associated with the provision of services. We intend to respond to increases in our costs stemming from price increases by working to reduce overall costs through improved operational efficiency and other efforts. If these efforts alone are insufficient to absorb any increase in costs, we will revise our service fees as necessary and pass on costs to our customers with the aim of achieving stable operations. However, if price increases continue to progress and we are forced to raise our fees to an extent unacceptable to our customers, we may experience an unexpectedly large number of customer defections. If this were to occur, it would have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(5) System failures
The Group’s provision of services to customers is heavily reliant on computer systems and their networks. To maintain safe and secure service provision, the Group has acquired certifications for its conformity to ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) and ISO 20000 (IT Service Management) standards. In addition, the Group is taking measures such as distributed operation of multiple data centers, including backup centers, and enhancing the number of infrastructure engineers who support these measures. We also carry IT business liability insurance for all eventualities. However, system troubles may occur due to natural disasters such as earthquakes and fires, computer virus infections, cyber-terrorism, or other factors. The Group’s system may not operate properly or customer data may be lost due to failures in public lines or other network infrastructure. In addition to direct damage to the Group, such cases may lead to deterioration in the quality of services, liability for damages, loss of public trust, and termination of contracts with customers, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(6) Failures of information security
Since the Group handles a large amount of personal and corporate information in connection with its business activities, the Group has established various regulations, including information risk management rules, and has published its personal information protection policy. In addition, the Group strives to raise awareness of information management through in-house training. In the Mobile Network business, we work to prevent information leakages by participating in training sessions conducted by NTT Docomo, Inc. and by having our operations audited by NTT Docomo. The Group has also obtained ISO 27001 (Information Security Management) certification, and conducts risk analysis and improvement related to information assets within the company. Through these efforts, we are working to prevent the leakage, falsification, and unauthorized use of information assets, and have obtained the Privacy Mark for personal information.
In addition, with the increasing sophistication of ransomware and other cyberattacks in recent years, the risk of information leakages and data tampering are increasing. To combat these threats, we are continuously strengthening our monitoring systems and security measures, and have established the Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) specifically to handle such matters.
Despite these measures, if personal or corporate information leaks out due to reasons such as device failure or loss, operational errors, or cyber-terrorism, the Group may incur liability for damages, loss of public trust, or termination of contracts with customers or business partners, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(7) Legal restrictions and compliance
The Government Cloud business is regulated by the Telecommunications Business Act, the Construction Business Act, the Broadcasting Act, and other related laws and regulations. The Group has appointed dedicated personnel to conduct safety management, safety training, and other activities to ensure strict compliance with laws and regulations. However, if such laws and regulations are violated or additions or changes are made to legal regulations, the Group’s business may be adversely affected. The enforcement of new laws or regulations, or changes in the interpretation of existing laws or regulations, may impose restrictions on the business activities of the Group, thereby affecting its business performance.
In addition, the Group is working to ensure compliance by establishing regulations requiring directors and employees to comply with social norms, including laws and regulations, establishing internal and external contact points for consultation, and conducting periodic awareness surveys and tests. However, illegal or improper conduct, including personal conduct, may result in a loss of public trust, damage to the brand image, liability for damages, or suspension of bidding.
(8) Intellectual property rights
Although the Group develops software in-house, there is little risk of intellectual property related to developed software being imitated because, unlike software sold as applications, the Group provides services in the cloud. Conversely, to avoid disclosure through patent applications, our policy is in principle not to obtain patent rights. Whenever we launch a new project, we investigate intellectual property rights, and we strive to avoid disputes by clearly stipulating the handling of intellectual property rights in contracts with subcontractors and other parties. To date, the Group has never been sued by a third party for infringement of intellectual property rights. However, due to the rapid advancement of technological innovation in software, we may not be able to accurately assume or judge the possibility that our software may infringe on the intellectual property rights of a third party. In addition, if patent rights or other rights not recognized by us are granted in the Group’s business field, we may be subject to claims for damages or product use injunctions and incur expenses for legal procedures to respond to these claims, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(9) Management team issues
Members of our management team play important roles in each of their areas of responsibility. We are systematically cultivating the next generation of management personnel by providing training for executives and promoting the delegation of authority. We are also working to develop an organizational structure that is not dependent on specific individuals. This includes deepening information sharing, fostering active discussions at board and management meetings, and reinforcing the functions of the corporate planning department. However, if a member of the management team were to suddenly become unable to perform their duties, or if we are unable to cultivate and secure the next generation of management personnel, this may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(10) Deficiencies in internal control systems
The Group continuously examines and reviews its internal control systems to strengthen them, and works to reduce risks through systemization. However, any significant deficiencies or weaknesses in internal controls or deviations from internal controls may result in additional costs and inadequate timely disclosure, which may harm the Group’s public trust and have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(11) Management system of subsidiaries
The Company provides appropriate management and support for the operations of its consolidated subsidiaries. However, if the Company fails to properly manage and support its consolidated subsidiaries, and the consolidated subsidiaries’ performance deteriorates or misconduct occur, the Group’s business performance may be adversely affected.
(12) Natural disasters, etc.
Our head office, offices, and stores are concentrated in Wakayama Prefecture, centering on Wakayama City, with some exceptions. In the event of a major earthquake in the Tonankai region, it may be difficult for us to continue operations due to property damage or human casualties. Similar situations may also occur in other disasters, accidents, or incidents. Therefore, we have formulated a business continuity plan and have taken measures to prevent the interruption of critical operations, such as constructing data centers with earthquake-resistant and seismically-isolated structures, relocating to higher ground, and establishing backup centers in Wakayama, Tokyo, and Osaka. We also have a system in place to quickly restore operations in the event of an interruption of operations. In the future, we plan to further review the location of offices and other facilities, adjust employee residences in consideration of disaster impact, and move administrative operations online. However, despite these preparations, if a disaster or other event causes property damage or human casualties, our business opportunities may decrease. In addition, disruption to the service system could result in liability for damages, loss of public trust, termination of contracts with customers, stagnation of administrative operations, and delays in the settlement of accounts, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(13) Spread of epidemics
Even in the event of an epidemic, the Group has a system in place to continue operations based on a business continuity plan.
However, the serious or prolonged spread of an epidemic could result in several conditions with potential impact on the Group’s business performance. First, opportunities for business negotiations could become limited, thereby causing declines in transactions or new projects. Second, difficulties associated with attending work or meeting customers in person could temporarily or partially lower service quality. Third, stagnation in the production and delivery of equipment and/or materials could slow down procurement and cause attendant delays in system installation, construction, and capital investment. Fourth, docomo Shops could encounter declines in customer traffic or face temporary closures or other unfavorable circumstances.
(14) Impairment losses
The Group is flexibly conducting M&A from the viewpoint of service improvement. In M&A transactions, we conduct financial, legal, business, and other due diligence on the target company to thoroughly examine risks and analyze normal profitability before a decision is made by the governing body, and we thoroughly manage the performance of the acquired company. However, goodwill impairment may occur if the acquired company’s business plan is not achieved due to problems that were not identified in advance, such as the occurrence of contingent liabilities or identification of unrecognized liabilities after the acquisition, as a result of insufficient consideration of corporate valuation. Furthermore, impairment losses may be incurred on assets such as property, plant, and equipment and software owned by the Group if the profitability declines due to significant changes in the business environment or business conditions, and we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow. These impairments may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(15) Dependence on specific suppliers and business partners
In the Mobile Network business, we operate Docomo shops as a second-tier reseller of NTT Docomo, Inc. based on a reseller agreement with CONEXIO Corporation and sell cell phones and other products to corporate customers. As a result, almost 100% of the Group’s purchases and sales in the Mobile Network business depend on the Docomo brand. The Company maintains a good relationship with NTT Docomo, Inc. and CONEXIO Corporation, and as of the date of submission, there are no reasons for termination of agreements. However, if the business policies of either company were to change, or if the reseller agreement were to end due to cancellation or termination, or if the content of such agreement were to change significantly, the continuation of the Mobile Network business may be hindered, which may in turn have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
In the Distribution Cloud business, Retailpro for specialty retailers, albeit relatively small, is a distributor business of US-based Retail Pro International (RPI), LLC, and almost 100% of purchases are dependent on RPI. In terms of customers, sales to the top two companies account for approximately 40% of the total. Although the Group currently maintains good relationships with suppliers and customers, changes in their policies may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
Minamiosaka Computing Center Co., Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary in the Government Cloud business, belongs to the NEC Information Service Business Group and depends on NEC Corporation for most of its purchases. Although Minamiosaka Computing currently maintains a good relationship with NEC, a change in NEC’s policies may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance.
(16) Changes in business performance
The Group identifies recurring revenues as an important management indicator, and the scale of recurring revenues has been steadily expanding every fiscal year. In the Government Cloud business, it tends to be particularly difficult to secure stable revenues every year as demand fluctuates greatly depending on the budgets of national and local governments. In addition, the timing of construction completion, system operation, and acceptance inspection for large telecommunication system installation, system introduction and development, and other projects may fluctuate, which may have an adverse effect on the Group’s business performance. Although we make every effort to coordinate the timing of installation with customers, revenue may be unevenly distributed over a certain period owing to the progress of projects and the concentration of deadlines. Hence, it is difficult to determine the Group’s full-year forecast based solely on the results for a particular quarter. The Group’s financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 were as follows.
（Millions of yen）
| Current consolidated fiscal year (From January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024) | |||||
| 1st quarter | 2nd quarter | 3rd quarter | 4th quarter | Full year | |
| Net sales | 4,311 | 3,624 | 3,527 | 4,406 | 15,870 |
| Operating profit | 355 | 211 | 167 | 520 | 1,255 |
| Ordinary profit | 356 | 213 | 171 | 524 | 1,266 |
(17) Hostile takeover
The Company’s shares are publicly traded in the capital markets and may be subject to hostile takeover attempts to gain control of management. Our management policies, business performance, or financial position may be affected depending on the policies of the shareholder acquiring management control.
(18) Price fluctuations of cryptocurrencies
In the Trust business, the Group offers CloudCerts, a certificate issuance service using blockchain technology (see note). CloudCerts uses blockchain for fee payments and cryptocurrency for other deposits and withdrawals. Since the market value of cryptocurrencies fluctuates sharply in a short period, a significant rise in the market value of cryptocurrencies could increase our cost of providing services. If we cannot pass on such costs to our sales prices, the Group’s business performance may be adversely affected..
