Returns to Shareholders and Dividend

Dividend Policy

We consider shareholder return as one of our priority management issues and have made it a policy to maintain stable dividend payment, giving due consideration to our business performance and a dividend payout ratio for each fiscal period, the level of retained earnings necessary for future growth, and other relevant factors. We aim to maintain a dividend payout ratio of around 30% over the medium to long term.

We will use our retained earnings for investment to increase the competitiveness of our core businesses and expand our overseas businesses, and thereby seek to enhance our profitability.

Dividends are paid twice a year in principle, after closing the first half of each fiscal year and each full fiscal year. Under our Articles of Incorporation, in order to implement the distribution of profits and retained earnings to shareholders in a timely manner, the Board of Directors is authorized to decide the level of dividends paid.

Trends in per-share dividend

As of February 2, 2024

PeriodType of dividendDividend per share (¥)
FY2014 ended March 31, 2015 (For 134th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 6
Year-end dividend 3
FY2015 ended March 31, 2016 (For 135th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 8 (ordinary dividend of 6, commemorative dividend of 2)
Year-end dividend 6
FY2016 ended March 31, 2017 (For 136th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 7
Year-end dividend 7
FY2017 ended March 31, 2018 (For 137th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 10
Year-end dividend 12
FY2018 ended March 31, 2019 (For 138th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 11
Year-end dividend 11
FY2019 ended March 31, 2020 (For 139th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 11
Year-end dividend 6
FY2020 ended March 31, 2021 (For 140th Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 6
Year-end dividend 9
FY2021 ended March 31, 2022 (For 141st Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 10 
Year-end dividend 14 
FY2022 ended March 31, 2023 (For 142nd Fiscal Period) Interim dividend 12
Year-end dividend 6
FY2023 ended March 31, 2024 (For 143rd Fiscal Period) Interim dividend
Year-end dividend 3 (Forecast)