We consider profit return to stockholders as one of the most important issues for companies. We have been paying a stable return of 7.50 yen per stock. Thanks to a continuous improvement in our business performance and profits, we have been able to distribute a dividend of 12 yen for the March 2006 term; a 2.5 yen increase in the ordinary dividend, and a 2 yen additional dividend to commemorate the listing in the second section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

To improve returns to stockholders in the future, we are planning to implement a mid-term dividend from the March, 2007 term as well as targeting a payout ratio of 20%. This will be an estimated 7 yen for the mid-term dividend and 8 yen for the year-end, totaling 15 yen in the March, 2007 term.