Quarterlytics / Consumer Defensive / Household & Personal Products / Kao Corp.

Kao Corp.

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Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Household & Personal Products
Employees 10,000+
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FY2019 Annual Report · Kao Corp.
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Financial Report 2019

For the year ended December 31, 2019

Management Discussion and Analysis 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

Independent Auditor’s Report 

1

16

21

66

Management Discussion and Analysis

Management Policies

create new businesses and expand business fields from an 

ESG perspective.

Basic Management Policies of the Kao Group

  Through activities under the slogan “Transforming 

The Kao Group’s mission is to strive for the wholehearted 

Ourselves to Drive Change,” rather than a continuation of 

satisfaction and enrichment of the lives of people globally and 

what it has been doing, the Kao Group aims to become a 

to contribute to the sustainability of the world, with products 

and brands of excellent value that are created from the 

consumer’s and customer’s perspective.

  All members of the Kao Group share the Kao Way, which is 

our corporate philosophy, and have been putting it into practice 

company with a global presence.
*   The Kao Group defines Yoki-Monozukuri as a strong commitment by all 

members to provide products and brands of excellent value for consumer 
satisfaction. In Japanese, Yoki literally means “good/excellent,” and 
Monozukuri means “development/manufacturing of products.”

every day as the foundation of our approaches and actions. 

The Kao Group’s Vision by 2030

Moreover, to continue our profitable growth, in recent years 

we have created a post-deflation growth model and have been 

Make the Kao Group a company with a 
global presence

implementing governance reforms aimed at achieving a 

compact, highly diverse Board of Directors, among other 

measures, and we have endeavored to contribute to 

• A distinctive corporate image

• A high-profit global consumer goods company that 
  exceeds:

consumers, customers and society by providing products that 

  – ¥2.5 trillion yen in net sales (¥1.0 trillion outside Japan)

facilitate clean, beautiful and healthy living, as well as industrial-

  – 17% operating margin

use products that contribute to the development of industry.

  – 20% ROE

  However, social conditions and the natural environment are 

• A high level of returns to stakeholders

changing significantly and globally at a rapid pace, and 

people’s values are diversifying accordingly. To deal with this 

situation, we consider it important not only to respond 

Mid-term Business Plan

promptly to change, but also to take initiatives that anticipate 

Fiscal 2020 is the final year of the Kao Group Mid-term Plan 

change. The key point is ESG. We have announced a major 

2020 (K20), the four-year business plan from fiscal 2017. It is a 

shift to ESG-driven management. By contributing to people, 

crucial year that will be a linchpin for realizing the Kao Group’s 

society and the planet while continuing our profitable growth, 

vision for 2030. Among the three goals of K20, the Kao Group 

we aim to enhance our corporate value at a higher level.

will steadily implement “fostering a distinctive corporate 

Medium-to-long-term Management 
Strategies of the Kao Group and 
Management Metric Used as a Target

image” through innovation while linking the Kirei1 Lifestyle 

Plan, the ESG strategy it announced in 2019, with its business 

strategy. For the goal of “returns to stakeholders,” the Kao 

Group will continue to provide a high level of returns to its 

many stakeholders, including consumers, customers, 

employees, business partners and shareholders. In the rapidly 

Long-term Management Strategy

changing business environment, the Kao Group aims to 

In December 2016, the Kao Group set forth “making Kao a 

company with a global presence” as its vision to be achieved 

achieve the goal of “profitable growth” by raising the level of 
its Yoki-Monozukuri and fully communicating product value. 

by 2030 by realizing sustained profitable growth while 

Regarding its commitment to profitable growth, taking into 

contributing to the sustainability of the world. To achieve this 

account factors including the current status of the Chemical 

vision, it will be important to reinforce existing businesses 
based on Yoki-Monozukuri* from an ESG perspective and to 

Business, the progress of businesses with issues, and the 

possibility of a decrease in inbound demand, the Kao Group 

1

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

has revised its target for net sales CAGR2 on a like-for-like3 

Management Metric Used as a Target

basis to +3% from +5%. The Kao Group aims for an operating 

As its principal management metric, the Kao Group uses EVA, 

margin of 15%, as planned.
1.   Kirei is a Japanese word that represents the concept of cleanliness, 

beauty, health, purity, and fairness.
2. CAGR: Compound annual growth rate
3.  Like-for-like: Excluding the effect of currency translation, change of sales 

system, etc.

K20 Goals – Three Commitments

which measures true profit by factoring in the cost of invested 

capital. This essentially takes the perspective of shareholders 

and other asset owners to deploy capital efficiently and 

generate profits. The Kao Group believes that continuously 

increasing EVA will lead to increases in corporate value and 

thus corresponds with long-term benefits, not only for 

shareholders, but for all stakeholders. The target of the Kao 

•  Commitment to fostering a distinctive corporate image

Group’s business activities is to increase EVA while expanding 

•  Commitment to profitable growth

its business scale. The Kao Group uses this metric to assess 

  - Continue to set new record highs for profits

its businesses, to make evaluations on investment in facilities, 

  -  Aim for like-for-like net sales CAGR of +3%, operating 

acquisitions and other items, and to develop performance 

targets for each fiscal year and for its compensation system.

margin of 15%

  -  Three ¥100 billion brands (Merries baby diapers, Attack 

laundry detergents, Bioré skin care products)

•  Commitment to returns to stakeholders

  -  Shareholders: Continuous cash dividend increases 

(40% payout ratio target)

  -  Employees: Continuous improvement in 

compensation, benefits and health support

  -  Customers: Maximization of win-win relationships

  - Society: Advanced measures to address social issues

Net Sales / Operating Margin

ROE

(Billions of yen)
1,600

1,471.8

1,474.6

1,457.6 1,489.4*

1,508.0

1,502.2

1,200

800

400

0

11.2

11.3

12.7

13.7

13.8

14.1

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Net Sales (Left)
Operating Margin (Right)

(%)
20

15

10

5

0

(%)
25

20

15

10

5

0

* In fiscal 2017, the Kao Group adopted IFRS 15 early in tandem with a revision 
  of its sales system for the Consumer Products Business in Japan. As a result, 
  certain items formerly treated as SG&A expenses are accounted for as 
  reductions of net sales or cost of sales.

18.6

19.8

18.9

17.6

16.1

14.8

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

2

Issues for Management

production, logistics, sales and marketing. To resolve 

these issues, the Kao Group will proactively promote 

With intensifying market competition, changing market 

the enhancement of Essential Research4 and the use of 

structure and volatility in raw material market conditions and 

artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, robotics and 

currency exchange rates, the operating environment remains 

other cutting-edge technologies. 

uncertain. Changes in the attitudes of consumers regarding 

(3)  To promote an ESG strategy unique to Kao, the Kirei 

the environment, health and other matters and associated 

Lifestyle Plan, all members of the Kao Group must have 

changes in their purchasing attitudes, as well as the aging 

a proper understanding of its purpose and content, and 

society, hygiene and other social issues, are growing in 

fulfill their respective roles and responsibilities. To that 

significance. Moreover, amid the global expansion of business 

end, the Kao Group will step up its awareness-raising 

and the progress of structural changes in various fields, 

activities to implement the Kirei Lifestyle Plan at the 

companies must deal with changes in the risks entailed in 

global level. It will also be necessary to go through the 

their businesses. The Kao Group will therefore address and 

PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle under a sound 

deal appropriately with the following issues.

governance system. In addition to creating standards 

(1)  To respond to changes in risks pertaining to its business, 

and evaluation mechanisms for the smooth progress of 

the Kao Group defines risks that have a particularly large 

the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, the Kao Group will step up its 

impact on management and for which it must augment 

activities even further by making use of the Board of 

its response as corporate risks, and will work to prevent 

Directors and third-party checks and opinions from 

damage to the corporate value of the Group as a whole 

External ESG Advisory Board to make sure it does not 

by further reinforcing its management system. 

become complacent.

(2)  Given the current rapid progress of factors such as the 

4.   Research that pursues the essence of things for both humans and 

materials from a scientific standpoint

diversification of consumer values associated with 

technology innovation and the accompanying changes in 

purchasing behavior and the structure of retailing, our 

business model targeting the mass market, which could 

formerly be conducted efficiently, must be reviewed 

from all aspects, including research and development, 

Cash Dividends per Share

(Yen)
140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Increases in dividends for 30 consecutive periods

7.1 7.1 8.87 9.09 10.0 10.5 11.5 12.5 14

15

16

20

24

26

38

30

32

50

52

54

56

57

58

60

62

64

130

120

110

94

80

70

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Note: Impact of share splits is reflected retroactively.

3

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
Management Discussion and Analysis

Costs, Expenses and Income as Percentages of Net Sales

Years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017

Cost of sales ............................................................................................................

Gross profit ..............................................................................................................

Selling, general and administrative expenses ..........................................................

Operating income ....................................................................................................

Income before income taxes ...................................................................................

Net income attributable to owners of the parent ....................................................

2019

56.5%

43.5

29.5

14.1

14.0

9.9

IFRS

2018

56.6%

43.4

29.5

13.8

13.7

10.2

2017

56.0%

44.0

30.4

13.7

13.7

9.9

Basic Approach to Selection of 
Accounting Standards

Overview of Consolidated Results

Amid substantial changes in the social conditions and natural 

Having decided that unifying accounting standards within the 

environment in which it operates, the Kao Group has declared 

Kao Group will contribute to improving the quality of its 

a major shift to ESG management to build a foundation that 

business management, the Kao Group has voluntarily adopted 

will enable sustainable growth. In April 2019, the Kao Group 

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) from fiscal 

announced the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, its ESG strategy, and 

2016. This will enable management based on standardized 

activities kicked into gear.

procedures and information for each Group company and 

  Conditions in the global economy are unclear due to factors 

business, and the Kao Group intends to reinforce its 

including international trade issues, geopolitical risks in the 

management foundation in order to enhance its corporate 

Middle East and an uncertain economic outlook in Asian 

value as a global company. The Kao Group also believes that 

countries, and in Japan, economic recovery has been delayed 

the application of IFRS will facilitate the international 

following the increase in the consumption tax rate in October.

comparability of its financial statements in capital markets.

In 2019, the markets for household and personal care 

products and cosmetics in Japan, which are key markets for 

the Kao Group, were in solid condition throughout the year 

according to retail sales and consumer purchasing survey 

data, although there was substantial fluctuation due to factors 

including last-minute demand ahead of the consumption tax 

rate increase and the decline thereafter. In every product 

category, the share of the e-commerce channel increased 

further and average unit prices for household and personal 

Payout Ratio

(%)
50

40

30

20

10

0

40.6

38.1

37.1

36.9

38.238.238.2

42.442.442.4

care products increased by 2 percentage points compared 

with the previous fiscal year.

  Under these circumstances, the Kao Group increased 

operating income for the tenth consecutive fiscal year and 

achieved record-high operating income for the seventh 

consecutive fiscal year.

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

4

 
Analysis of Income Statement

Information by Segment

Net sales decreased 0.4% compared with the previous fiscal 

Consumer Products Business

year to ¥1,502.2 billion. On a like-for-like basis, net sales 

Sales increased 2.0% compared with the previous fiscal year to 

increased 0.7%. Operating income was ¥211.7 billion, an 

¥1,257.0 billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales increased 2.9%.

increase of ¥4.0 billion compared with the previous fiscal year, 

  The Kao Group worked for more effective marketing and 

the operating margin was 14.1% and income before income 

sales activities, including launching new and improved products 

taxes was ¥210.6 billion, an increase of ¥3.4 billion. Net 

that address the diversification of consumer values and 

income was ¥150.3 billion, a decrease of ¥5.0 billion.

strengthening activities in the e-commerce channel in line with 

  Basic earnings per share were ¥306.70, a decrease of 

changes in purchasing behavior.

¥7.55, or 2.4%, from ¥314.25 in the previous fiscal year.

  Sales in the Cosmetics Business continued to grow steadily, 

  Economic value added (EVA*), which the Kao Group uses 

while growth in the Skin Care and Hair Care Business was 

as a management indicator, decreased ¥6.1 billion compared 

basically unchanged. The Human Health Care Business was 

with the previous fiscal year to ¥87.4 billion due to a decrease 

affected by a slowdown in the baby diaper business in the 

in net operating profit after tax (NOPAT).

Chinese market. Sales increased in the Fabric and Home Care 

 * EVA is a registered trademark of Stern Stewart & Co.

Business, partly due to launches of new and improved 

products.

To improve capital efficiency and further increase shareholder 

In Japan, sales increased 1.8% to ¥899.6 billion due to 

returns, Kao Corporation resolved at a meeting of its Board of 

launches of new and improved products, the Kao Group’s 

Directors held on April 24, 2019 to repurchase its own shares, 

response to the consumption tax rate increase and other factors.

and repurchased shares totaling ¥50.0 billion. Kao Corporation 

In Asia, sales grew steadily, increasing 3.8% to ¥206.3 

retired 6.7 million treasury shares on July 12, 2019.

billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales increased 6.7%.

Basic Earnings per Share

Net Sales / Operating Margin

(Yen)
400

300

200

100

0

298.30

314.25

306.70

253.43

197.19

209.82

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

5

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

Consumer Products Business

(Billions of yen)
1,500

1,222.8

1,225.6

1,219.8

1,216.0

1,232.9

1,257.0

1,000

500

0

11.0

11.2

12.7

14.2

14.3

14.3

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Net Sales (Left)
Operating Margin (Right)

(%)
25

20

15

10

5

0

Notes: In fiscal 2017, the Kao Group adopted IFRS 15 early in tandem with a  

revision of its sales system for the Consumer Products Business in 
Japan. In fiscal 2018, due to the reorganization of the sales organization 
of the Consumer Products Business in Japan, operating income for 
the previous fiscal year has been restated. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Management Discussion and Analysis

In the Americas, sales increased 4.5% to ¥88.8 billion. On a 

  Sales of hair care products were basically unchanged from 

like-for-like basis, sales increased 6.6%. In Europe, sales 

decreased 4.6% to ¥62.2 billion. However, on a like-for-like 

the previous fiscal year. Sales were strong for hair color 
products in Japan and for Oribe, a brand in the Americas for 

basis, sales increased 0.9%.

high-end hair salons, and the Kao Group launched new and 

  Operating income increased ¥4.2 billion compared with the 

improved premium-price shampoos, conditioners and other 

previous fiscal year to ¥179.9 billion.

products in Japan and Europe. However, overall sales of hair 

Note:  The Kao Group’s Consumer Products Business consists of the Cosmetics 
Business, the Skin Care and Hair Care Business, the Human Health 
Care Business, and the Fabric and Home Care Business.

care products were affected by the shrinking mass market. 

  Operating income increased ¥0.7 billion compared with the 

previous fiscal year to ¥49.5 billion.

Cosmetics Business

Sales increased 7.8% compared with the previous fiscal year 

Human Health Care Business

to ¥301.5 billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales increased 9.0%.

Sales decreased 4.7% compared with the previous fiscal year 

  The growth strategy for the Cosmetics Business proceeded 

smoothly. Sales remained strong in Asia, and were on a 

to ¥255.2 billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales decreased 3.5%.
  Sales of Merries baby diapers decreased. In Japan, 

growth track in Japan. Sales grew strongly for the 11 brands 

demand for the purpose of resale in the Chinese market fell 

(“G11”) the Kao Group selected for its global strategy and the 

substantially. Sales in the Chinese market, including cross-

eight regional brands (“R8”) it is nurturing, centered on Japan. 

border e-commerce, were on a recovery track but decreased 

Amid signs of a slowdown in inbound demand, G11 brands 
Curél, a derma care brand, and freeplus, which is 

hypoallergenic and contains Japanese and Chinese botanical 

compared with the previous fiscal year. On the other hand, 

locally manufactured products targeting the middle-class 
consumer segment performed strongly in Indonesia. Merries 

extracts, performed well in Japan and the Chinese market, 
and sales of SUQQU and SOFINA iP grew steadily. To 

strengthen its high-prestige range, the Kao Group made a 

also gained broad acceptance among consumers in Russia 

and neighboring countries.
  For Laurier sanitary napkins, high-value-added products 

strong start with the rebranding of the super-prestige brand 
SENSAI in Europe in May. Sales began in Japan in September. 
The Kao Group offered the est G.P. line of skin care cosmetics 

performed strongly and increased market share in Japan, while 

sales by Kao China grew as a result of an increase in new retail 

outlets, enhanced activities in the e-commerce channel and 

in November and products that apply Fine Fiber Technology for 

other factors. Sales were also strong in Indonesia.

the formation of layered ultra-thin membranes in December. 

  For personal health products, sales increased with steady 

The Kao Group also reinforced its activities in the growing 

performance of oral care products and bath additives.

e-commerce and travel retail channels and promoted a shift to 

  Operating income decreased ¥10.7 billion compared with the 

previous fiscal year to ¥17.2 billion due to the decrease in sales 
of Merries, fluctuations in exchange rates and other factors.

digital marketing.

  Operating income was ¥41.4 billion, an increase of ¥13.7 

billion from the previous fiscal year, due to the effect of increased 

sales of strongly performing brands, among other factors. 

Skin Care and Hair Care Business

Sales decreased 0.2% compared with the previous fiscal year 

to ¥340.8 billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales increased 1.1%.

  Sales of skin care products increased. In Japan, new body 
cleanser Bioré u The Body steadily increased sales and market 

share, despite the impact of adverse weather conditions in the 

first half of the fiscal year. Sales were firm in Asia, but decreased 

in the Americas due to the impact of stiff competition.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

6

 
Fabric and Home Care Business

Chemical Business

Sales increased 4.5% compared with the previous fiscal year 

Sales decreased 8.6% compared with the previous fiscal year 

to ¥359.5 billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales increased 4.6%. 

to ¥285.9 billion. On a like-for-like basis, sales decreased 6.6%.

In Japan, sales increased due to the Kao Group’s response to 

  Sales of oleo chemicals decreased due to the substantial 

last-minute demand ahead of the consumption tax rate 

impact of selling price adjustments associated with a decline 

increase in October, but fell short of its plan because market 

in prices for natural fats and oils, in addition to a trend toward 

growth was lower than expected.

declining demand for some products.

In fabric care products, sales of laundry detergents grew 
due to the launch in Japan of Attack ZERO, an innovative new 

  Sales of performance chemicals and specialty chemicals 

decreased due to the impact of sluggish demand associated 

laundry detergent. Sales of fabric softeners were firm given 

with slowing economic growth, especially outside Japan.

the severely competitive market environment. In addition, 

  Operating income increased ¥0.2 billion compared with the 

U.S.-based Washing Systems, LLC, which Kao acquired in 

previous fiscal year to ¥30.8 billion due to promotion of high-

August 2018, contributed to sales and income.

value-added products, including among oleo chemical products 

In home care products, the Kao Group launched the 
Quickle Joan series of antibacterial household cleaning 

outside Japan.

products that are gentle on the skin. Dishwashing detergents 

were impacted by stiff competition, but sales and market 
share grew steadily as sales of CuCute remained strong, 

Financial Position

among other factors.

Total assets increased ¥192.9 billion from December 31, 2018 

  Operating income increased ¥0.5 billion compared with the 

to ¥1,653.9 billion. The principal increases in assets were a 

previous fiscal year to ¥71.8 billion due to the effect of 

¥164.8 billion increase in right-of-use assets due to the 

increased sales, despite an increase in marketing expenses 

application of IFRS 16, a ¥23.7 billion increase in cash and 

for new product launches.

cash equivalents, and a ¥17.9 billion increase in property, plant 

Net Sales / Operating Margin

Cosmetics 
Business

Skin Care and 
Hair Care Business

Human Health 
Care Business

Fabric and 
Home Care Business

Chemical 
Business

(Billions of yen)
400

301.5

300

279.6

266.2

341.4

340.8

332.9

280.7 281.7
280.7

281.7 273.1

281.2
273.1 281.2

334.4 335.3 345.2

335.7 344.1

359.5

267.7255.2
267.7
255.2

20.7 19.7

22.6 22.7

20.7 20.0

13.7

14.8

14.3

14.5

9.9

4.9

12.7

11.8

12.3

10.4

9.5

6.7

200

100

0

288.5
288.5 288.5
288.5

273.8
273.8

310.3 312.8

285.9

10.4

9.9

10.8

9.8

9.8

10.8

(%)
40

30

20

10

0

2017

2018

2019

2017

2018

2019

2015

2015 2016 2017

2018 2019

2015

2015 2016 2017

2018 2019

2015

2015 2016 2017

2018 2019

IFRS

IFRS

Net Sales (Left)
Operating Margin (Right)

Japanese
GAAP

IFRS

Japanese
GAAP

IFRS

Japanese
GAAP

IFRS

Notes: In fiscal 2017, the Kao Group adopted IFRS 15 early in tandem with a revision of its sales system for the Consumer Products Business in Japan.

In fiscal 2018, due to the reorganization of the sales organization of the Consumer Products Business in Japan, operating income for the previous fiscal year has been 
restated. The Beauty Care Business has been divided into the Cosmetics Business and the Skin Care and Hair Care Business, changing the four former reportable 
segments into five. The Curél derma care brand, which formerly had been classified as skin care and hair care products, has been included in the Cosmetics Business, 
and the Success men’s products brand, which formerly had been classified in the Human Health Care Business, has been included in the Skin Care and Hair Care 
Business. Net sales and operating income for the previous fiscal year have been restated accordingly.
Figures for the Consumer Products Business present sales to external customers and figures for the Chemical Business include sales to the Consumer Products 
Business in addition to external customers.

7

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
Management Discussion and Analysis

and equipment. The principal decrease in assets was a ¥14.3 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities 

billion decrease in trade and other receivables.

  Net cash flows from financing activities totaled negative 

  Total liabilities increased ¥157.0 billion from December 31, 

¥126.2 billion. The Company emphasizes steady and continuous 

2018 to ¥782.5 billion. The principal increase in liabilities was a 

dividends and flexibly repurchases and retires treasury shares to 

¥161.1 billion increase in lease liabilities due to the application 

improve capital efficiency from the perspective of EVA. During 

of IFRS 16.

fiscal 2019, this primarily consisted of ¥61.8 billion for dividends 

  Total equity increased ¥35.9 billion from December 31, 

paid to owners of the parent and non-controlling interests and 

2018 to ¥871.4 billion. The principal increase in equity was net 

¥50.0 billion for purchase of treasury shares.

income totaling ¥150.3 billion. The principal decreases in 

equity were dividends totaling ¥61.7 billion and purchase of 

treasury shares from the market totaling ¥50.0 billion. In 

addition, the Company retired 6.7 million treasury shares on 

July 12, 2019.

  The ratio of equity attributable to owners of the parent to 

total assets was 51.9% compared with 56.3% at December 

Basic Policies regarding Distribution of 
Profits and Dividends for the Fiscal Years 
Ended December 31, 2019 and Ending 
December 31, 2020

31, 2018. The Kao Group maintained return on equity at the 

The Kao Group uses economic value added (EVA) as its 

high level of 17.6%.

Cash Flows

principal management metric and clearly sets the uses of its 

steadily generated cash flow as shown below from that 

viewpoint. Shareholder returns are one such use, and they are 

implemented after considering future demand for funds and 

the situation in financial markets.

The balance of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2019 

increased ¥23.7 billion compared with December 31, 2018 to 

Use of cash flow:

¥289.7 billion, including the effect of exchange rate changes.

•  Investment for future growth (capital expenditures, 

M&A, etc.)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities 

•  Steady and continuous dividends (40% payout ratio target)

Net cash flows from operating activities totaled ¥244.5 billion. 

•  Share repurchases and early repayment of interest-

The principal increases in net cash were income before income 

bearing debt including borrowings  

taxes of ¥210.6 billion, depreciation and amortization of ¥83.4 

billion and decrease in trade and other receivables of ¥12.9 

In accordance with these policies, the Company plans to 

billion. The principal decrease in net cash was income taxes paid 

pay a year-end dividend for fiscal 2019 of ¥65 per share, an 

of ¥56.7 billion.

increase of ¥5 per share compared with the previous fiscal 

year. Consequently, annual cash dividends will increase ¥10 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities 

per share compared with the previous fiscal year, resulting in 

Net cash flows from investing activities totaled negative ¥94.3 

a total of ¥130 per share. The consolidated payout ratio will 

billion. This primarily consisted of purchase of property, plant and 

be 42.4%.

equipment of ¥84.0 billion for capacity expansion at production 

bases in Japan and proactive capital investments in Asia, where 

growth is notable.

  Free cash flow, the sum of net cash flows from operating 

activities and net cash flows from investing activities adjusted 

for depreciation of right-of-use assets and other expenses, was 

¥128.5 billion.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

8

 
 
 
 
  For fiscal 2020, the Company plans to pay total cash 

Investing for Growth: During fiscal 2019, the Kao Group 

dividends of ¥140 per share (41.8% payout ratio), an increase 

invested aggressively for future growth, with capital 

of ¥10 per share compared with the previous fiscal year. This 

expenditures* totaling ¥90.2 billion. In the Consumer Products 

plan is in accordance with the Company’s basic policies 

Business, the Kao Group carried out activities including 

regarding distribution of profits, and free cash flow and other 

investment in facilities to manufacture new products and 

factors have also been taken into consideration. As a result, 

streamlining, maintenance and renewal of facilities, in addition 

the Company is aiming for its 31st consecutive fiscal year of 

to expanding production capacity in Japan and Asia, mainly in 

increases in dividends.

the Human Health Care Business. In the Chemical Business, 

  The figures have been calculated based on operating 

the Kao Group also invested aggressively in production 

income of ¥230.0 billion as stated in the forecast of 

facilities, including expansion of production capacity, inside 

consolidated operating results for the fiscal year ending 

and outside Japan. Research and development expenditures 

December 31, 2020.

were ¥59.1 billion, which was the equivalent of 3.9% of net 

sales, remaining at a high level relative to net sales.

* Excluding right-of-use assets

EVA and Related Activities

Increasing Profit: In the Consumer Products Business, the 

EVA for fiscal 2019 was ¥87.4 billion, a decrease of ¥6.1 billion 

Kao Group proactively launched new and improved products 

compared with the previous fiscal year. Although operating 

inside and outside Japan. The Kao Group increased operating 

income increased, net operating profit after tax (NOPAT) 

income by stepping up activities in the e-commerce channel 

decreased, due in part to an increase in tax expenses, and 

and promoting more efficient marketing and sales activities, in 

EVA decreased in tandem with an increase in capital costs 

addition to the strong performance by the Cosmetics 

from the previous fiscal year.

Business. In the Chemical Business, the Kao Group achieved 

  The Kao Group conducted the following EVA-related 

record-high operating income from promotion of high-value-

activities during the fiscal year.

added products such as oleo chemicals outside Japan.

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities / 
Capital Expenditures

Free Cash Flows*

(Billions of yen)
250

244.5

(Billions of yen)
150

200

150

100

50

0

180.9

181.7

184.3

185.8

195.6

83.4

82.8

89.9

79.4

89.1

90.2*

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Net Cash Flows from Operating Activities 
Capital Expenditures

* Excluding right-of-use assets

9

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

100

50

0

106.8

107.5

95.7

89.7

128.5

37.7

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

* Free cash flow is the sum of net cash flows from operating activities 
and net cash flows from investing activities. For fiscal 2019, cash 
flows from operating activities is adjusted for depreciation of 
right-of-use assets.

Management Discussion and Analysis

Financial Improvement: For fiscal 2019, the Company paid 

Business Risks and Other Risks

annual dividends per share of ¥130.00, a year-on-year increase 

of ¥10.00, or 8%, as announced in its forecast at the 

The Kao Group’s mission is to strive for the wholehearted 

beginning of the fiscal year. As a result, the Company has 

satisfaction and enrichment of the lives of people globally and 

achieved 30 consecutive fiscal periods of dividend growth. In 

to contribute to the sustainability of the world, with products 

addition, the Kao Group repurchased ¥50.0 billion of its own 

and brands of excellent value that are created from the 

shares to improve capital efficiency.

consumer’s and customer’s perspective. 

R&D Expenses

  However, with intensifying market competition, a changing 

(Billions of yen)

market structure and volatility in raw material market 

Cosmetics Business ..........................................

Skin Care and Hair Care Business ...................

Human Health Care Business .........................

Fabric and Home Care Business .....................

Chemical Business ..........................................

2019

10.6

15.8

12.1

10.2

10.5

conditions and currency exchange rates, the Kao Group’s 

operating environment remains uncertain. Changes in the 

attitudes of consumers regarding the environment, health and 

other matters and associated changes in their purchasing 

attitudes, as well as the aging society, hygiene and other 

social issues, are growing in significance. Moreover, amid the 

global expansion of business and the progress of structural 

changes in various fields, companies must respond promptly 

and appropriately to changes in the risks pertaining to their 

businesses. In this business environment, by placing ESG at 

the core of its management, further deepening its Essential 

Research and proactively proposing innovations on a level that 

impacts society, the Kao Group aims for profitable growth 

while contributing to people, society and the planet. It also 

manages the following risks and crises.

Total Dividend Payment / Share Repurchases* / 
Net Income Attributable to Owners of the Parent

Cost of Capital / EVA

(Billions of yen)
150

147.0

153.7

148.2

(Billions of yen)
150

90.4

93.593.593.5

87.487.487.4

100

98.9

105.2

126.6

50.050.050.0

50.050.050.0

50

0

50.0

46.8

40.2

40.2

54.3

58.5

62.6

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Total Dividend Payment
Share Repurchases
Net Income Attributable to Owners of the Parent

* Excludes repurchase of shares of less than one trading unit

100

50

0

70.6

58.6

73.4

55.1

54.8

56.4

59.1

62.7

63.8

2015
Japanese
GAAP

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

IFRS

Cost of Capital
EVA

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

10

 
  The Kao Group defines a potential negative impact on its 

the main risks that have a negative impact on its sustained 

management targets and business activities as a “risk” and 

profitable growth and its contribution to the sustainability of 

the manifestation of such risk as a “crisis.” The Risk and Crisis 

the world through its business activities. Among these main 

Management Committee has established a system and 

risks, the Kao Group designates risks that would have a major 

activity guideline for risk and crisis management based on 

impact on management and require an enhanced response as 

the Kao Risk and Crisis Management Policy. Divisions, 

“corporate risks,” and once a year, based on internal and 

subsidiaries and affiliates manage risks by identifying and 

external risk surveys and interviews with management, the 

assessing risks, and formulating and implementing 

Management Committee reviews risk themes and the 

countermeasures based on this activity guideline. In a crisis, 

individuals (executive officers) in charge of handling each 

the Kao Group works to minimize damage to people and 

theme, while the Risk and Crisis Management Committee 

property by establishing an Emergency Response Team 

manages progress. (* Main corporate risk themes and 

Organization that corresponds to the level of emergency and 

countermeasures are presented in “Main Initiatives.”)

responding promptly and appropriately.

  These are the main risks that might occur within five years 

  After deliberation by the Risk and Crisis Management 

as recognized as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019. 

Committee and the Management Committee, the Kao Group 

In addition, there are risks other than the listed risks, which 

has selected the following 13 particularly significant risks as 

may affect investors’ decisions.

Details of Main Risks

Main Initiatives

Risks related to Response to Social Issues

The Kao Group’s Consumer Products Business and Chemical Business 
are affected by economic cycles and changes in the needs of consumers 
and customers.

The marine plastic waste problem, climate change, depletion of water 
resources, and environmental and human rights issues in raw material 
procurement, as well as growing social issues such as the aging 
society and hygiene have increased consumer awareness about the 
environment, health and other matters, leading to the trend of ethical 
consumption and customers’ increasing needs for sustainability.

Under the “Kirei Lifestyle Plan” (KLP), an ESG strategy that integrates 
an ESG perspective with business strategy, the Kao Group aims to 
contribute to the sustainability of the world through innovation using 
technology innovations at every stage from raw material procurement 
to production, point of use and product disposal, and KLP promotion 
activities to ensure all Kao Group members correctly understand the 
purpose and content of KLP so they can fulfill their respective roles and 
responsibilities. In addition, in order to demonstrate these results early, 
the Kao Group is conducting steadfast initiatives and simultaneously 
working proactively to disclose these initiatives to stakeholders.

Inability to provide appropriate products and services in response to 
changes in consumer awareness and customer needs relating to these 
social issues may reduce competitiveness, rendering targets for net 
sales and market share unattainable. In addition, if efforts to address 
social issues are deemed inadequate, corporate value could decline.

In the Consumer products business, the Kao Group clarifies social 
issues to be addressed through its brand, which is a point of contact 
with consumers, and considers social and environmental issues from 
the product design stage. The Kao Group strives to achieve better 
lives for consumers and to contribute to the sustainability of society 
by maximizing the Group’s assets.

In the Chemical Business, the Kao Group helps to resolve social 
issues through innovations in chemical technologies to respond to 
changes in customer needs and advances in technology. By 
strengthening the development of natural fat and oil derivatives and 
other sustainable and distinctive products, the information materials 
and performance materials businesses are developing innovative 
products that offer greater customization, with the aim of further 
reducing environmental impact.

11

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

Management Discussion and Analysis

Details of Main Risks

Main Initiatives

Risks related to Changes in the Retailing Environment

The retailing environment in which the Kao Group operates is changing 
significantly. E-commerce is growing substantially worldwide, the 
retail industry is becoming more oligopolistic due to mergers and 
consolidations, and there is a trend toward greater differentiation of 
store and product strategies. If appropriate sales activities cannot be 
developed in response to these changes in the retailing environment 
and their accelerating pace, targets for net sales, market share and 
profits may be unattainable.

In addition, the number of truck deliveries and amount delivered are 
increasing due to factors such as the increase in retail outlet sizes and 
the growth of E-commerce. With the aging and growing shortage of 
drivers, there are increasing risks that the working environment will 
worsen and that products will not be delivered in a timely and 
appropriate manner. If a sound supply chain cannot be established in 
response to these changes in the retailing environment, net sales, 
market share and profits may be unattainable.

Risks related to Business outside Japan

As one of its growth strategies, the Kao Group is rolling out its 
businesses outside Japan, with a particular emphasis on 
strengthening its operations in Asia and other regions where the 
economic growth rate is high and market expansion is forecast. 
However, if there is a substantial delay in business plans due to the 
occurrence of factors in the course of business including a slowdown 
in economic growth, political or social instability, problems at retail 
outlets, agents or other business partners, changes in laws, regulations 
or tax systems, a spate of counterfeit goods, or reputation risk,* 
targets for net sales and profits may be unattainable.

* See “Risks related to Reputation”

Risks related to Business Investment

The Kao Group conducts proactive capital investment and M&A for 
business growth based on investment decisions using EVA, which is 
highly correlated with corporate value. The Kao Group will continue to 
make these investments for growth while striving to enhance 
corporate value through ongoing improvements in EVA. However, if 
the market and business environments deteriorate at levels not 
anticipated at the time investment decisions were made and the 
expected cash flows cannot be generated due to a deviation from 
business performance plans or other factors, impairment of property, 
plant and equipment recorded due to capital expenditures or 
impairment of goodwill and intangible assets recorded due to M&A 
could have an impact on financial condition and business results.

The Kao Group is proactively addressing E-commerce by rolling out 
products and services favored by E-commerce users and by promoting 
the evolution of its digital marketing activities. In addition, the Kao 
Group proposes campaigns and in-store activities customized to the 
needs of each retailer while working to build a business model capable 
of harnessing synergy between online and brick-and-mortar commerce. 

For logistics issues, the Kao Group is working to realize “White 
Logistics” in cooperation with various stakeholders throughout the 
supply chain by improving delivery lead times and load factor per 
vehicle, and other measures.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Changes in the retailing environment: The Kao Group conducted 
activities for collaboration with third-party digital platform providers 
that are being rolled out globally.

The Kao Group routinely collects information on the laws and 
regulations of each country relating to its business, in addition to the 
economic, political and social conditions of the countries in which it 
produces or sells products, and takes necessary measures in 
response. The Kao Group pays particularly close attention to tightening 
regulations in each country relating to the environment, product safety 
and quality, and the impact of changes in import and export regulations 
on the Group. With regard to intellectual property rights infringements 
such as counterfeit products, the Kao Group is focusing on 
countermeasures against counterfeit products, especially in the Asian 
region in an effort to ensure that consumers and customers can use 
its products with peace of mind.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Risks relating to business in Asia: As a core theme, the Kao Group 
strengthened its system for rapid response to tightening laws and 
regulations in each country of Asia.

For major investments, the Kao Group checks performance at the 
time quarterly results are calculated to ensure that there is no 
significant deviation from the initial plan, and the results are reported 
at the Management Committee meeting. As necessary, relevant 
departments consider future direction and measures to improve 
business performance.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

12

Details of Main Risks

Risks related to Product Quality

Main Initiatives

The basis of the Kao Group’s product quality management activities is 
Yoki-Monozukuri with a consumer/customer-oriented perspective, as 
set forth in the Kao Way. At every stage from raw materials to 
research and development, production, transportation and sales, the 
Kao Group pursues a high level of product safety and strives to 
constantly improve quality from a thoroughgoing consumer/customer 
perspective. However, there are various risks relating to product 
quality management due to changes in the external environment. 
Among these risks are changes in laws and regulations in each 
country; growing requirements to contribute to the resolution of safety 
and environmental issues; increasing risk of product incidents due to 
the aging of the population and the growing number of non-Japanese 
visitors and residents in Japan; increasingly stringent requirements 
regarding transparency in relation to product ingredients, safety and 
other matters; and weakening of quality management activities and 
reduced ability to respond to customers’ needs due to the diversification 
of the supply chain resulting from globalization. The occurrence of 
serious product incidents or concerns about product safety and 
environmental issues could lead to a decline in credibility, not only 
with regard to the problems with the brand concerned, but for the 
entire Kao Group.

Risks related to Large-scale Earthquakes, Other Natural Disasters, 
Accidents and Other Incidents

For companies with several large-scale plants, process safety needs 
have increasingly heightened in the context of accidents at chemical 
plants and the many natural disasters that have occurred recently.

A stoppage of operations and disruption of product supply to the market 
due to factors including the occurrence of a major accident affecting 
regions in the vicinities of the Kao Group’s plants, a large-scale 
earthquake, a natural disaster caused by climate change or, the spread 
of an infectious disease or, other incidents, could have a significant 
impact on business results, with a resultant loss of social credibility.

The Kao Group designs and manufactures products in compliance with 
product-related laws and regulations and in conformance with strict 
standards it has set voluntarily. At the development stage prior to launch, 
the Kao Group thoroughly carries out testing, studies and research to 
confirm safety. After launch, the Kao Group strives to further improve 
quality by collecting feedback, requests and other information regarding 
products through the Consumer Communication Center.

In addition, to respond to changes in risks relating to product quality 
management, the Kao Group is ensuring competitiveness by 
developing alternative technologies  that anticipate new requirements 
in relation to laws and regulations in each country, and to safety and 
environmental issues; enhancing product satisfaction by promoting 
universal design and by providing multilingual information for non-
Japanese visitors and residents in Japan; strengthening the trust that 
consumers, customers and society as a whole place in the Kao Group 
by promoting visualization of product quality management activities 
and by engaging in communication with all stakeholders; and is 
intensifying quality management activities on a global scale.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Response to product quality issues: The Kao Group is enhancing 
awareness within the Group in order to prevent their occurrence and 
to respond when serious product quality issues occur.

The Kao Group prevents fires, explosions and chemical spills while 
maintaining safe and stable operations, and prepares for emergency 
situations by conducting measures for facilities and periodic training 
premised on a natural disaster. The Kao Group has built a framework 
to keep track of accidents or disasters worldwide when they occur 
through its emergency reporting network. In addition, the Kao Group 
is strengthening its response to disasters so that it can execute a plan 
for countermeasures that place top priority on the safeguarding of 
human life and a business continuity plan (BCP). To achieve this, the 
Group has established organizational units for disaster response in 
both Eastern Japan and Western Japan premised on damage to the 
Kao Head Office from an earthquake in the greater Tokyo metropolitan 
area and is establishing an Emergency Response Team Headquarters 
headed by the President.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Large-scale earthquakes and other natural disasters: The Kao 
Group has reinforced physical and administrative countermeasures 
for large-scale typhoons, floods and other natural disasters brought 
on by climate change. In addition, the Kao Group has strengthened 
its disaster response capabilities by implementing emergency 
response training and BCP training to address the possibility of 
large-scale earthquakes. 

   Pandemics: To address the possible spread of infections such as a 

new strain of influenza, the Kao Group has restructured its system to 
enable a quick and global response and has formulated detailed 
action plans that place top priority on human life, including dealing 
appropriately with persons with symptoms, and has proceeded to 
make preparations for possible pandemics. 

13

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

Management Discussion and Analysis

Details of Main Risks

Main Initiatives

Risks related to Information Security

The Kao Group uses IT to promote efficient business and operations 
and conducts business using data. The Kao Group possesses 
confidential information (trade secrets) relating to research and 
development, production, marketing, sales and other matters, and 
retains the personal information of many customers  and consumers 
for sales promotion activities, member site management and 
E-commerce. The Kao Group is working to strengthen information 
security in order to protect information assets including trade secrets 
and personal information, as well as IT hardware, software and many 
kinds of data records, in accordance with Kao’s Information Security 
Policy. However, a leak of confidential information or personal 
information outside the Kao Group could occur due to an error or to 
intentional actions including a cyberattack. In addition, the supply 
chain and other business activities may be temporarily suspended as a 
result of such actions. If such an incident occurs, credibility could 
decline and targets for net sales and profits may be unattainable.

Risks related to Reputation

The rapid penetration of social networking services (SNS) on a global 
scale has enabled a wide range of interactive communication among 
consumers or between consumers and companies. The Kao Group 
conducts marketing activities using SNS and other social media. 
However, the rapid spread of information enabled by SNS makes it 
difficult to control.

The spread through SNS of inappropriate expressions in the 
advertisements or other publications of the Kao Group, or the spread 
of negative evaluations or erroneous information about the Group’s 
business activities or brand image could lower the Kao Group’s brand 
value or credibility.

*   Reputation risk: Risks that inflict loss on a company from decline in 

corporate trust and brand value due to the spread of negative evaluation 
and rumors against the company

Risks related to Raw Material Procurement

Market prices for natural fats and oils and petroleum products used as 
raw materials for the Kao Group’s products are affected by factors 
including global business conditions, geopolitical risks, the balance 
between supply and demand, abnormal weather, and currency 
exchange rate fluctuations. A sudden change in market prices could 
render the Kao Group unable to attain its target for profits. In addition, 
some of the raw materials used in the Kao Group’s products are rare, 
thus entail risks relating to stable procurement. If the supply of 
products to the market is disrupted due to a sudden change in 
demand or difficulties at suppliers, the Kao Group may not only be 
unable to attain its targets for net sales and profits, but its credibility 
could also decline.

At the same time, the Kao Group is largely dependent on natural 
capital such as palm oil, paper, and pulp for its raw materials, and it 
must fulfill its corporate social responsibility by realizing sustainable 
procurement with extensive environmental considerations including 
resource conservation, global warming prevention and biodiversity 
preservation, as well as social considerations including safety, 
sanitation, labor conditions, and human rights. However, if the Kao 
Group’s efforts for sustainable and responsible procurement are 
deemed to be insufficient due to reasons in the supply chain, the 
Group’s brand image and credibility could decline.

As personal and organizational measures for information security, the 
Kao Group has established rules and systems globally and implemented  
activities to protect trade secrets, personal information and information 
security using the PDCA cycle (awareness-raising activities, self-checks, 
and the setting of improvement targets). The Kao Group is also 
strengthening its system for responding when an incident occurs. As 
technical measures, the Information Security Committee has determined 
a policy on security measures to be implemented, and has implemented 
measures including the elimination of vulnerabilities by introducing 
anti-virus software and updating software, the prevention of 
unauthorized access, and the prevention of e-mail phishing.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Personal information protection: The Kao Group has created 
response procedures in the event that an incident occurs, and has 
conducted relevant training. The Group is also reinforcing its global 
information security and personal information protection systems.

From the perspective of ESG, the Kao Group is conducting internal 
education on topics including the prevention of inappropriate expressions 
in advertising and SNS messages. The Kao Group also globally monitors 
external information, including information on SNS, and strives to 
discover risks at an early stage. If an incident occurs that adversely 
affects the Kao Group’s reputation, the Group responds promptly and 
strives to maintain its reputation by publicly announcing appropriate 
information, its corporate stance and other matters, as necessary.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Reputation risk: The Kao Group has established a system for 
monitoring external information and is strengthening its emergency 
response system in the event reputation risk occurs.

   Risks associated with the use of digital media: The Kao Group is 
promoting the establishment of guidelines, internal education and 
other matters for risks that could become reputation risks, such as 
inappropriate expressions and stealth marketing in advertisements.

The Kao Group is working to reduce the impact of increases in raw 
material prices by reducing costs and conducting measures to pass 
increases on to selling prices. In addition, for risks relating to stable 
procurement, the Kao Group is augmenting facilities at its main 
suppliers and cultivating secondary suppliers to diversify risks. The 
Kao Group also reviews contracts and proactively cooperates with 
suppliers to reduce risks.

On the other hand, to address risks relating to sustainable and 
responsible procurement, the Kao Group conducts human rights due 
diligence based on the Kao Human Rights Policy and risk assessment 
of suppliers based on the Guidelines for Supplier’s Assessment for 
social issues. For environmental issues, the Kao Group promotes 
sustainable procurement of palm oil, paper and pulp based on the 
Guidelines for Sustainable Procurement of Raw Materials. Over the 
medium to long term, the Kao Group is also working to thoroughly 
reduce the amount of raw materials it uses and to switch to raw 
materials from non-food biomass sources. The Kao Group is also 
strengthening coordination with suppliers through initiatives such as 
the use of Sedex for supplier monitoring and the CDP Supply Chain 
Program. The Kao Group strives to disclose these initiatives to its 
stakeholders proactively and transparently.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

14

Details of Main Risks

Main Initiatives

Risks related to Currency Exchange Rate Fluctuations

The Kao Group conducts business activities outside Japan, and 
currency exchange rate fluctuations affect foreign currency-denominated 
sales and the cost of procuring raw materials. They also affect the 
conversion into yen of the amounts on the financial statements of 
consolidated subsidiaries outside Japan for the consolidated 
settlement of accounts. 

Larger-than-expected fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates 
against the yen, which is the Kao Group’s functional currency, could 
have an impact on financial condition and business results.

Risks related to Compliance

In conducting its business activities, the Kao Group is subject to 
various laws and regulations on matters including product quality and 
safety, process safety, environmental protection, chemicals management, 
accounting standards, taxation, labor, and transaction management. 
As competition intensifies globally, there is concern of growing 
temptation to commit improprieties due to factors including difficulties 
in achieving product differentiation, meeting product launch schedules 
and delivery timelines, and pressure to achieve performance targets. 
The risk of harassment may increase due to the generational gap in 
values and growing employee diversity.

A serious violation of compliance by the Kao Group, its subcontractors 
or other related parties could have an impact on the Group’s credibility, 
financial condition and business results.

Risks related to Securing Human Capital

The Kao Group strives to secure diverse and talented human capital in 
order to achieve its business targets globally. Meanwhile, with the 
advent of the digital revolution and low birthrates and aging 
populations in some countries, employment conditions, expertise 
requirements, and values with respect to working styles are changing 
significantly amid the trend to promote ESG management.

An inability to systematically implement hiring, development and 
assignment of human capital with the advanced expertise required in 
each area, as well as leaders who anticipate major environmental 
changes, could create a bottleneck in business activities or other 
factors that have a negative impact on business results.

Risks related to Litigation

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, no lawsuit or other 
legal action was filed that had a material effect on the Kao Group. 
However, the Kao Group conducts diverse businesses globally, and 
various types of litigation or other action may be brought against it. 
The result of such litigation or other legal action could have an impact 
on the Kao Group’s financial condition and business results.

The Kao Group mitigates the impact of foreign-currency denominated 
transactions on business results by hedging risk of currency exchange 
rate fluctuations through measures including using foreign currency 
accounts for transaction settlement and derivative transactions such 
as forward exchange contracts and currency swaps. The Kao Group 
does not engage in derivative transactions for the purpose of 
speculation. In addition, the Kao Group monitors fluctuations in major 
currencies and the impact of these fluctuations on its business, and 
reports its findings to the Management Committee in a timely fashion. 
Under the direction of management, relevant departments consider 
measures to mitigate the impact on business as required.

•   Main Corporate Risk Themes and Countermeasures

Currency exchange rate fluctuations: The Kao Group studied the 
makeup of currency exchange rate fluctuation risk and the Group’s 
response to confirm the direction of future countermeasures.

The Kao Group regards “Integrity” (behaving lawfully and ethically, 
and conducting sound and honest business activities) as the starting 
point of compliance, and promotes it as a foundation for earning the 
respect and trust of all stakeholders. As such, the Kao Group 
promotes activities such as ongoing education about the Kao Business 
Conduct Guidelines, which are its code of conduct, and responding 
appropriately to communications received via the compliance hotlines. 
In addition, as activities focused on reducing serious compliance risks, 
the Kao Group systematically promotes compliance with laws and 
regulations that apply to its business, and the Compliance Committee 
monitors the implementation status of particularly important laws and 
regulations. Furthermore, the Kao Group is conducting activities 
designed to create an open workplace that allows discovered 
improprieties to be immediately reported to management and an 
appropriate response to be taken.

Based on the recognition that human capital is the Kao Group’s most 
important asset, the Human Capital Development Committee, with 
top executives as members, discusses and promotes the assignment 
and development of the human capital and effective organizational 
management that support sustainable growth. 

In addition, in order to generate great vitality by drawing out the 
unlimited potential of individual employees and to maximize that 
vitality as an organization, the Kao Group employs measures such as 
using its global human capital information system, improving 
organizational capabilities through an employee opinion survey, 
conducting human capital management through job rank, evaluation 
and training systems and compensation policies that are shared 
globally, and implementing a health promotion program.

The Kao Group complies with various laws and regulations relating to 
its business, and strives to prevent disputes by providing safe and 
reliable products, properly acquiring and using intellectual property 
rights, clarifying contract conditions, negotiating with other parties, 
and other methods. In addition, the Kao Group has created a global 
mechanism for prompt and reliable reporting on the filing of important 
lawsuits and their current status, and has established a system for 
responding to litigation or other legal actions in cooperation with the 
individuals in charge at related companies in each country, law firms 
and other parties.

15

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

Kao Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
As of December 31, 2019

Assets
  Current assets

Notes

2019

2018

(Millions of yen)

  Cash and cash equivalents ............................................................................................
  Trade and other receivables ..........................................................................................
Inventories .....................................................................................................................
  Other financial assets ....................................................................................................
Income tax receivables ..................................................................................................
  Other current assets .....................................................................................................
  Total current assets ................................................................................................

  Non-current assets

  Property, plant and equipment ......................................................................................
  Right-of-use assets ........................................................................................................
  Goodwill ........................................................................................................................
Intangible assets ...........................................................................................................
Investments accounted for using the equity method ...................................................
  Other financial assets ....................................................................................................
  Deferred tax assets .......................................................................................................
  Other non-current assets ..............................................................................................
  Total non-current assets .........................................................................................

7, 33

8, 33

9

33

10

11

16

12

12

13

33

14

10, 18

289,681
208,839
199,672
13,788
2,440
22,606
737,026

436,831
164,822
179,707
47,770
8,287
26,104
47,876
5,496
916,893

265,978 
223,102 
197,571 
15,146 
2,066 
22,449 
726,312 

418,935 
—
180,286 
46,549 
7,931 
23,540 
49,158 
8,275 
734,674 

  Total assets ........................................................................................................

1,653,919

1,460,986 

Liabilities and equity
Liabilities
  Current liabilities

Notes

2019

2018

  Trade and other payables ..............................................................................................
  Bonds and borrowings ..................................................................................................
  Lease liabilities .............................................................................................................. 15, 16, 31, 33
  Other financial liabilities .................................................................................................
Income tax payables ......................................................................................................
  Provisions ......................................................................................................................
  Contract liabilities ..........................................................................................................
  Other current liabilities ..................................................................................................
  Total current liabilities ............................................................................................

17, 33

15, 33

16, 33

24

19

20

  Non-current liabilities

  Bonds and borrowings ..................................................................................................
  Lease liabilities .............................................................................................................. 15, 16, 31, 33
  Other financial liabilities .................................................................................................
  Retirement benefit liabilities ..........................................................................................
  Provisions ......................................................................................................................
  Deferred tax liabilities ....................................................................................................
  Other non-current liabilities ...........................................................................................
  Total non-current liabilities .....................................................................................

15, 33

16, 33

18

19

14

222,314
25,505
19,653
6,766
36,208
2,054
20,616
99,411
432,527

101,636
141,438
7,527
80,579
10,122
3,747
4,922
349,971

225,560 
40,488 
—
6,880 
34,198 
2,873 
18,387 
102,452 
430,838 

80,339 
—
9,506 
84,552 
12,175 
2,864 
5,203 
194,639 

  Total liabilities .....................................................................................................

782,498

625,477 

Equity

  Share capital ..................................................................................................................
  Capital surplus ...............................................................................................................
  Treasury shares .............................................................................................................
  Other components of equity .........................................................................................
  Retained earnings ..........................................................................................................
  Equity attributable to owners of the parent ...............................................................
  Non-controlling interests ...............................................................................................
  Total equity .........................................................................................................

21

21

21

21

21

85,424
108,715
(4,309)
(32,974)
700,839
857,695
13,726
871,421

85,424 
108,245 
(11,282)
(30,029)
670,002 
822,360 
13,149 
835,509 

  Total liabilities and equity ....................................................................................

1,653,919

1,460,986 

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

16

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Income

Kao Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Year ended December 31, 2019

  Net sales ....................................................................................................................

Notes

6, 24

2019
1,502,241

  Cost of sales .............................................................................................................. 9, 11, 12, 16, 18

(848,723)

  Gross profit ................................................................................................................

653,518

(Millions of yen)

2018
1,508,007 

(853,989)

654,018 

  Selling, general and administrative expenses ............................................................ 11, 12, 16, 18, 25

(442,912)

(444,845)

  Other operating income .............................................................................................

24, 26

15,192

  Other operating expenses ......................................................................................... 11, 12, 16, 18, 27

(14,075)

  Operating income ......................................................................................................

6

211,723

  Financial income ........................................................................................................

6, 18, 28

  Financial expenses .....................................................................................................

6, 16, 18, 28

  Share of profit in investments accounted for using the equity method .....................

6, 13

2,027

(5,231)

2,126

14,288 

(15,758)

207,703 

1,717 

(4,251)

2,082 

Income before income taxes .....................................................................................

Income taxes .............................................................................................................

  Net income ................................................................................................................

Attributable to:

  Owners of the parent .................................................................................................

  Non-controlling interests ............................................................................................

  Net income ................................................................................................................

Earnings per share

  Basic (Yen) .................................................................................................................

  Diluted (Yen) ..............................................................................................................

6

14

29

29

210,645

207,251 

(60,296)

150,349

(51,920)

155,331 

148,213

2,136

150,349

153,698 

1,633 

155,331 

306.70

306.63

314.25 

314.12 

17

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

Kao Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Year ended December 31, 2019

Net income ..........................................................................................................................

Other comprehensive income

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss:

Notes

2019
150,349

(Millions of yen)

2018
155,331

 Net gain (loss) on revaluation of financial assets measured
  at fair value through other comprehensive income .....................................................

30, 33

  Remeasurements of defined benefit plans ...................................................................

 Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
  accounted for using the equity method .......................................................................

  Total of items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss ...........................................

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss:

  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations ...........................................

 Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
  accounted for using the equity method .......................................................................

  Total of items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss ..........................

30

30

30

30

(6)

(1,180)

(17)

(1,203)

(2)

(15,524)

(345)

(15,871)

(2,489)

(16,140)

(36)

(2,525)

(73)

(16,213)

  Other comprehensive income, net of taxes .....................................................................

Comprehensive income .....................................................................................................

(3,728)

146,621

(32,084)

123,247

Attributable to:

  Owners of the parent ........................................................................................................

  Non-controlling interests ...................................................................................................

  Comprehensive income ....................................................................................................

144,508

2,113

146,621

122,324

923

123,247

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

Kao Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Year ended December 31, 2019

Equity attributable to owners of the parent

Other components of equity

(Millions of yen)

(108) 57,006

(98)

(98)

(56,799)

1

Exchange 
differences on 
translation of 
foreign 
operations

Net gain (loss) 
on derivatives 
designated 
as cash flow 
hedges

Subscription 
rights to 
shares

Net gain (loss) on 
revaluation of 
financial assets 
measured at fair 
value through other 
compre hensive 
income

546

—

546

— 

— 

—

(37,032)

—

(37,032)

— 

(2,598)

(2,598)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(39,630)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(37,032)

—

—

—

—

—

(98)

448

—

—

—

(18)

—

(185)

546 

(1)

—

(1)

— 

1 

1

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

4 

—

(5)

(5)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1)

6,458

—

6,458

— 

(23)

(23)

—

—

—

—

—

(227)

(227)

6,208

8,490 

—

(338)

(338)

—

—

—

—

—

(1,694)

6,458 

Remeasurements 
of defined
benefit plans

Total

Retained 
earnings

Total

Non-
controlling 
interests

Total
equity

—

—

—

— 

(30,029)

670,002

822,360

13,149

835,509

—

740

740

—

740

(30,029)

670,742

823,100

13,149

836,249

— 

148,213 

148,213 

2,136 

150,349 

(1,085)

(1,085)

(3,705)

(3,705)

— 

(3,705)

(23)

(3,728)

148,213

144,508

2,113

146,621

—

—

—

1

(50,033)

337

— (50,033)

—

337

(60,459)

(60,459)

(1,290)

(61,749)

—

241

(246)

(5)

—

858

(858)

—

—

760

(118,116)

(109,913)

(1,536)

(111,449)

—

(32,974)

700,839

857,695

13,726

871,421

—

—

(12,315)

634,885 

806,381 

12,983 

819,364 

—

153,698 

153,698 

1,633 

155,331 

(15,539)

(15,539)

(31,374)

—

(31,374)

(31,374)

153,698 

122,324 

(710)

923 

(32,084)

123,247 

—

—

—

118 

(50,034)

364 

—

—

(50,034)

364 

(56,793)

(56,793)

(746)

(57,539)

—

—

—

—

—

1,085

1,085

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(1,694)

15,539 

13,827 

(13,827)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(11)

—

(11)

15,539 

13,660 

(118,581)

(106,345)

(757)

(107,102)

—

(30,029)

670,002 

822,360 

13,149 

835,509 

(99) 48,345 

(167)

(167)

(47,961)

118 

January 1, 2019 
  (as previously reported)..

Changes in accounting policy1 ..

January 1, 2019 
  (after adjustment) .........

 Net income ....................

 Other comprehensive 
  income .........................

Comprehensive income ....

 Disposal of treasury 
  shares ..........................

 Purchase of treasury 
  shares ..........................

 Share-based payment 
  transactions .................

  Dividends ......................

 Changes in the ownership 
  interest in subsidiaries .....

 Transfer from other 
  components of equity 
  to retained earnings .....

 Total transactions with 
  the owners ..................

Share
capital

Capital 
surplus

Treasury 
shares

Notes

85,424 108,245 (11,282)

—

—

—

85,424 108,245 (11,282)

21 

21 

32 

23 

— 

— 

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 

— 

—

— 

— 

—

— (50,033)

337

—

241

—

—

—

—

—

470

6,973

 Net income ....................

 Other comprehensive 
  income .........................

Comprehensive income ....

 Disposal of treasury 
  shares ..........................

 Purchase of treasury 
  shares ..........................

 Share-based payment 
  transactions .................

  Dividends ......................

 Transfer from other 
  components of equity 
  to retained earnings .....

 Other increase
  (decrease) ....................

 Total transactions with 
  the owners ..................

21 

21 

32 

23 

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

— (50,034)

364 

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

265 

(1,689)

December 31, 2018 .........

85,424  108,245 

(11,282)

19

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

December 31, 2019 .........

85,424 108,715

(4,309)

Note: 1. It represents the financial effect from the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases.”

January 1, 2018 ...............

85,424  107,980 

(9,593)

731 

(21,540)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(15,492)

(15,492)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Kao Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Year ended December 31, 2019

Notes

2019

2018

(Millions of yen)

Cash flows from operating activities

Income before income taxes ............................................................................................

  Depreciation and amortization ..........................................................................................

Interest and dividend income ............................................................................................

Interest expense ...............................................................................................................

  Share of profit in investments accounted for using the equity method ............................

 (Gains) losses on sale and disposal of property, plant and 
    equipment, and intangible assets ..................................................................................

(Increase) decrease in trade and other receivables ...............................................................

(Increase) decrease in inventories ....................................................................................

Increase (decrease) in trade and other payables ...............................................................

Increase (decrease) in retirement benefit liabilities ..........................................................

  Other .................................................................................................................................

  Subtotal .........................................................................................................................

Interest received ...............................................................................................................

  Dividends received ............................................................................................................

Interest paid ......................................................................................................................

Income taxes paid .............................................................................................................

  Net cash flows from operating activities ...................................................................

Cash flows from investing activities

  Payments into time deposits ............................................................................................

  Proceeds from withdrawal of time deposits .....................................................................

  Purchase of property, plant and equipment ......................................................................

  Purchase of intangible assets ...........................................................................................

  Payments for business combinations ...............................................................................

  Other .................................................................................................................................

210,645

83,369

(1,885)

2,840

(2,126)

3,323

12,862

(2,848)

696

(3,788)

(2,936)

300,152

1,711

2,146

(2,806)

(56,680)

244,523

(35,188)

36,660

(83,959)

(9,819)

(195)

(1,765)

207,251

60,662

(1,578)

1,256

(2,082)

4,531

(12,591)

(15,677)

3,951

20,740

(21,437)

245,026

1,273

2,312

(1,293)

(51,708)

195,610

(26,768)

26,987

(80,295)

(7,703)

(73,915)

3,799

  Net cash flows from investing activities ....................................................................

(94,266)

(157,895)

Cash flows from financing activities

Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings ..................................................................

  Proceeds from long-term borrowings ...............................................................................

  Repayments of long-term borrowings ..............................................................................

  Proceeds from issuance of bonds ....................................................................................

  Redemption of bonds .......................................................................................................

  Repayments of lease liabilities ..........................................................................................

31

  Purchase of treasury shares .............................................................................................

  Dividends paid to owners of the parent ............................................................................

  Dividends paid to non-controlling interests .......................................................................

  Other .................................................................................................................................

19

46,220

(40,054)

—

(12)

(20,565)

(50,033)

(60,512)

(1,287)

58

230

—

(67)

25,060

(24,939)

—

(50,035)

(56,838)

(745)

(1,245)

  Net cash flows from financing activities ....................................................................

(126,166)

(108,579)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ....................................................

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year ................................................

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents ....................................

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year ...........................................................

7

7

24,091

265,978

(388)

289,681

(70,864)

343,076

(6,234)

265,978

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Kao Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Year ended December 31, 2019

1

Reporting Entity

Kao Corporation (hereinafter the “Company”) is a corporation 
established pursuant to the Companies Act of Japan (hereinafter the 
“Companies Act”) with its headquarters located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo. 
  The consolidated financial statements of the Company and its 
subsidiaries (hereinafter the “Group”) have a closing date of 
December 31 and comprise the financial statements of the Group 
and the interests in associates of the Company.

  The Group manufactures consumer products including 
cosmetics, skin care products, hair care products, sanitary 
products, fabric care products, and chemical products including 
fatty alcohols and surfactants. The Group delivers its products to 
customers through its sales companies and distributors in Japan 
and other countries. Details of these principal business activities 
of the Group are presented in Note 6 “Segment Information.”

2

Basis of Preparation

(1)  Compliance with International Financial Reporting 

Standards (hereinafter “IFRS”)

The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared in accordance with IFRS issued by the International 
Accounting Standards Board, as permitted by the provision of 
Article 93 of the Ordinance on Terminology, Forms, and 
Preparation Methods of Consolidated Financial Statements 
(Ordinance of the Ministry of Finance of Japan No. 28 of 1976), as 
they satisfy the requirements for an “IFRS Specified Company” in 
Article 1-2 of the same ordinance.

(2)  Basis of Measurement
The Group’s consolidated financial statements have been 
prepared on the historical cost basis, except for certain assets and 
liabilities including financial instruments measured at fair value as 
presented in Note 3 “Significant Accounting Policies.”

(3) Functional Currency and Presentation Currency
The Group’s consolidated financial statements are presented in 
Japanese yen, which is the Company’s functional currency. All 
financial information presented in Japanese yen is rounded to the 
nearest million yen.

3

Significant Accounting Policies

(1) Basis of Consolidation

1) Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries refer to all business entities controlled by the 
Company. The Company controls an entity when it has 
exposure, or rights, to variable returns from involvement with 
an investee and has the ability to affect those returns through 
its power over the investee.
  The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the 
consolidated financial statements of the Group from the date 
the Company gains control until the date it loses control of the 
subsidiary.
  All intergroup balances, transactions, income and expenses 
and unrealized gains and losses arising from intergroup 
transactions are eliminated in preparing the consolidated 
financial statements.
  A change in the Company’s ownership interest in a 
subsidiary, without a loss of control, is accounted for as an 
equity transaction. Any difference between the amount by 
which the non-controlling interests are adjusted and the fair 
value of the consideration paid or received is recognized 
directly in equity attributable to the Group.
  Non-controlling interests in subsidiaries are identified 
separately from the Group’s equity therein. Comprehensive 
income of subsidiaries is attributed to owners of the parent 
and to the non-controlling interests even if this results in the 
non-controlling interests having a deficit balance. 
  All subsidiaries have the same closing date as the Company.

2) Associates

An associate is defined as an entity over which the 
Company has significant influence on financial and operating 
policy decisions but does not have control over the entity. 
The Company is presumed to have significant influence over 
another entity when it directly or indirectly holds at least 
20%, but no more than 50% of the voting rights of that 
entity. Entities over which the Company is able to exercise 
significant influence on financial and operating policy 
decisions are also included in associates, even if it holds 
less than 20% of the voting rights.

Investments in associates are initially recognized at cost, 
and are accounted for by the equity method from the date 
the Company gains significant influence until the date it 
loses that influence.
  Goodwill recognized on acquisition of associates (less any 
accumulated impairment losses) is included in investments 
in associates.
  The closing dates of some associates differ from that of 
the Company. Associates with different closing dates 
prepare additional financial closings as of the closing date of 
the Company.

(2) Business Combinations
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition 
method. The consideration of an acquisition is measured as the 
aggregate of the acquisition-date fair value of the assets 
transferred, liabilities assumed and equity securities issued by the 

21

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
Company to the former owners of the acquiree in exchange for 
control of the acquiree.

Identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquiree in business 
combinations are measured at their acquisition-date fair value, 
with the following exceptions:

•   Deferred tax assets or liabilities and assets or liabilities related 

to employee benefit arrangements are recognized and 
measured in accordance with IAS 12 “Income Taxes” and IAS 
19 “Employee Benefits,” respectively.

•   Non-current assets and disposal groups that are classified as 
held for sale in accordance with IFRS 5 “Non-current Assets 
Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations” are measured in 
accordance with that Standard.

•   Liabilities or equity instruments related to share-based payment 

transactions of the acquiree or share-based payment 
transactions of the Company entered into to replace such 
transactions of the acquiree are measured in accordance with 
IFRS 2 “Share-based Payment.”

  Any excess of the consideration over the net fair value of 
identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the 
acquisition date is recognized as goodwill in the consolidated 
statement of financial position. Conversely, any deficit is 
immediately recognized as income in the consolidated statement 
of income.
  Costs associated with business combinations, such as advisory 
fees, attorney fees and due diligence costs, are expensed as incurred.
  The additional acquisition of non-controlling interests is 
accounted for as an equity transaction, and therefore no goodwill 
is recognized with respect to such a transaction.
  Business combinations under common control are business 
combinations in which all of the combining entities or combining 
businesses are ultimately controlled by the same party or parties 
both before and after the business combination, and that control 
is not transitory. These business combinations are accounted for 
based on the carrying amounts.

items that are measured at fair value in foreign currencies 
are translated into the functional currency using the 
exchange rates at the date when the fair value was 
measured. Exchange differences arising from such 
translations and settlements are recognized in profit or loss. 
However, exchange differences arising from equity 
instruments measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income and cash flow hedges are 
recognized in other comprehensive income.

3) Financial statements of foreign operations

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated at 
the rates at the end of each reporting period. Income and 
expenses are translated at the average exchange rates for 
the period, provided that there were no significant 
fluctuations in the exchange rates during the period. 
Exchange differences arising from translation of the financial 
statements of foreign operations are recognized in other 
comprehensive income. On the disposal of a foreign 
operation, the cumulative amount of exchange differences 
relating to that foreign operation is reclassified from equity to 
profit or loss when the gain or loss on disposal is recognized.

(4) Financial Instruments
1) Financial assets

(i) Initial recognition and measurement

The Group initially recognizes trade and other receivables 
at the date they are originated. Other financial assets are 
initially recognized at the transaction date when the Group 
becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the 
financial instrument.
  At initial recognition, all financial assets are measured at 
fair value, but those that are not classified as financial 
assets measured at fair value through profit or loss are 
measured at fair value plus transaction costs directly 
attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset. 
Transaction costs of financial assets measured at fair value 
through profit or loss are recognized in profit or loss.

(3) Foreign Currency Translation

1) Functional currency and presentation currency

(ii) Classification and subsequent measurement

The presentation currency used in the Group’s consolidated 
financial statements is Japanese yen, which is the 
Company’s functional currency. Subsidiaries and associates 
in the Group determine their own functional currencies and 
each entity’s transactions are measured in its functional 
currency.

2) Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the 
functional currency at the spot exchange rate at the date of 
the transaction, or an exchange rate that approximates the 
spot rate. 
  At the end of each reporting period, foreign currency 
monetary items are translated into the functional currency 
using the rates at the end of each reporting period.
  Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of 
historical cost in foreign currencies are translated using the 
exchange rates at the date of acquisition. Non-monetary 

The Group classifies the financial assets it holds as (a) 
financial assets measured at amortized cost; (b) debt 
instruments measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income; (c) equity instruments measured 
at fair value through other comprehensive income; or (d) 
financial assets measured at fair value through profit or 
loss. This classification is determined at initial recognition, 
and measurement of financial assets after initial 
recognition is performed according to the classification of 
the financial asset as follows:

(a) Financial assets measured at amortized cost

Financial assets held by the Group are measured at 
amortized cost if both of the following conditions are met:

•  The financial asset is held in a business model 

whose objective is to hold financial assets in order to 
collect contractual cash flows; and

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

22

 
•  The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise 

on specified dates to cash flows that are solely 
payments of principal and interest on the principal 
amount outstanding.

  After initial recognition, the carrying amounts of 
financial assets measured at amortized cost are 
recognized using the effective interest method less 
impairment loss, if any. Amortization using the effective 
interest method and gains and losses on derecognition 
are recognized in profit or loss for the period.

(b)  Debt instruments measured at fair value through other 

comprehensive income
Financial assets held by the Group are classified as 
debt instruments measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income if both of the following 
conditions are met:

•  The financial asset is held within a business model 

whose objective is achieved by both collecting 
contractual cash flows and selling the financial asset; 
and

•  The contractual terms of the financial asset give rise 

on specified dates to cash flows that are solely 
payments of principal and interest on the principal 
amount outstanding.

(c)  Equity instruments measured at fair value through 

other comprehensive income
The Group has made an irrevocable election to present 
subsequent changes in the fair value of certain equity 
instruments in other comprehensive income, and 
classifies them in equity instruments measured at fair 
value through other comprehensive income.
  These financial assets are measured at fair value 
after initial recognition, and changes in the fair value 
are included in other comprehensive income. If the 
Group disposes of an investment, or if the fair value of 
the investment declines significantly, the cumulative 
gain or loss recognized in other comprehensive 
income is reclassified from other components of 
equity to retained earnings.
  Dividends from equity instruments measured at fair 
value through other comprehensive income are 
recognized as financial income in profit or loss.

(d)  Financial assets measured at fair value through profit 

or loss
Financial assets that are not classified as financial 
assets measured at amortized cost, debt instruments 
measured at fair value through other comprehensive 
income, or equity instruments measured at fair value 
through other comprehensive income are classified as 
financial assets measured at fair value through profit 
or loss. The Group’s financial assets that are 
measured at fair value through profit or loss include 
certain short-term investments and derivative assets. 

The Group has not irrevocably designated any financial 
assets as measured at fair value through profit or loss.
  These financial assets are measured at fair value 
after initial recognition, and changes in their fair value 
are recognized in profit or loss. Gains and losses on 
financial assets measured at fair value through profit 
or loss are recognized in profit or loss.

(iii) Impairment of financial assets

With respect to impairment of financial assets measured 
at amortized cost, the Group recognizes a loss allowance 
for expected credit losses on such financial assets.
  At each reporting date, the Group assesses whether 
the credit risks on the financial assets have increased 
significantly since initial recognition.

If credit risk on a financial instrument has not increased 

significantly since initial recognition, the loss allowance 
for that financial instrument is measured at an amount 
equal to the 12-month expected credit losses. If credit 
risk on a financial instrument has increased significantly 
since initial recognition, the loss allowance is measured in 
an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses.
  However, the loss allowance on trade receivables and 
others is always measured in an amount equal to the 
lifetime expected credit losses.
  The expected credit losses of financial assets are 
estimated in a way that reflects the following:

•  An unbiased and probability-weighted amount 

determined by evaluating a range of possible outcomes

•  The time value of money
•  Reasonable and supportable information about past 

events, current conditions and forecasts of economic 
conditions that is available without undue cost or effort 
at the reporting date

  The amounts of these measurements are recognized 
in profit or loss.

If an event that reduces an impairment loss occurs 

after the impairment loss has been recognized, the 
impairment loss will be reversed to the extent of the 
decrease and credited to profit or loss.

(iv) Derecognition of financial assets

The Group derecognizes financial assets only when the 
contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial 
assets expire, or when the Group transfers financial 
assets and substantially all the risks and rewards of 
ownership of the financial assets.

2) Financial liabilities

(i) Initial recognition and measurement

The Group initially recognizes bonds and borrowings at the 
date they are issued, and other financial liabilities at the 
transaction date.
  Upon initial recognition, all financial liabilities are 
measured at fair value. However, financial liabilities 
measured at amortized cost are measured in the full 

23

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

amount after deducting directly attributable transaction 
costs from the fair value.
  Transaction costs of financial liabilities measured at fair 
value through profit or loss are recognized in profit or loss.

(ii) Classification and subsequent measurement

The Group classifies financial liabilities as either financial 
liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, or 
financial liabilities measured at amortized cost. This 
classification is determined at initial recognition. 
Measurement of financial liabilities after initial recognition 
is performed as follows, according to the classification of 
the financial liability.
  The Group’s financial liabilities measured at fair value 
through profit or loss are derivative liabilities. The Group 
has not irrevocably designated any financial liabilities as 
measured at fair value through profit or loss at initial 
recognition. Financial liabilities measured at fair value 
through profit or loss are measured at fair value after initial 
recognition, and any changes in their fair value are 
recognized in profit or loss for the period.
  Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost are 
subsequently measured at amortized cost using the 
effective interest method. Amortization using the effective 
interest method and gains and losses on derecognition are 
recognized in profit or loss for the period.

(iii) Derecognition of financial liabilities

The Group derecognizes financial liabilities when they are 
extinguished (i.e., when the obligation specified in the 
contract is discharged or cancelled or expires).

3) Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net 
amount is presented in the consolidated statement of 
financial position only when the Group currently has a legally 
enforceable right to set off the recognized amount and 
intends either to settle on a net basis or realize the assets 
and settle the liabilities simultaneously.

4) Fair value of financial instruments

The Group recognizes the fair value of financial instruments 
using various valuation methodologies and inputs. The fair 
values recognized based on the observability of inputs into 
the valuation methodologies are grouped into the following 
three levels:

Level 1:  Fair value measured with quoted prices in active 
markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2:  Fair value measured with inputs other than quoted 

prices categorized within Level 1 that are observable 
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly

Level 3:  Fair value measured with unobservable inputs for 

the asset or liability

hedge interest rate risk. At the inception of a hedging 
relationship, the Group formally designates and documents 
the hedging relationship and the interest rate risk 
management objective and strategy for undertaking the 
hedge. The documentation includes identification of the 
hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk 
being hedged, and the methods of assessing whether the 
hedging relationship meets the hedge effectiveness 
requirements. In addition, the Group assesses whether the 
hedging relationship meets the hedge effectiveness 
requirements, both at the inception and on an ongoing 
basis. Ongoing assessments are conducted either at each 
reporting date or upon a significant change in the 
circumstances affecting the hedge effectiveness 
requirements, whichever comes first.
  The Group does not use cash flow hedges, fair value 
hedges or net investment hedges in foreign operations.

(5) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash on hand, demand 
deposits and short-term investments that are highly liquid and 
readily convertible to known amounts of cash subject to an 
insignificant risk of changes in value, and that mature or become 
due within three months from the date of acquisition.
  Cash equivalents include certificates of deposit, time deposits, 
commercial paper, public and corporate bonds in investment 
trusts, and money in trust.

(6) Inventories
Inventories are measured at the lower of cost and net realizable 
value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the 
ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of 
completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale. 
The cost of inventories includes all costs of purchase, costs of 
conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to 
their present location and condition, and are determined 
principally by the weighted average method.

(7) Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are measured using the cost model 
and carried at cost less any accumulated depreciation and any 
accumulated impairment losses.
  The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment comprises 
any costs directly attributable to acquisition of the asset and the 
initial estimate of the costs of dismantling and removing the item 
and restoring the site on which it is located.
  Depreciation of assets other than land and construction in 
progress is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated 
useful lives of the assets.
  The estimated useful lives of major asset items are as follows:

•  Buildings and structures: 10 to 35 years
•  Machinery and vehicles: 7 to 14 years
•  Tools, furniture and fixtures: 3 to 10 years

5) Hedge accounting

The Group uses interest rate swaps and other derivatives to 

  The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation 
method are reviewed at each fiscal year end, and any revisions 
are applied prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

24

(8) Goodwill and Intangible Assets

1) Goodwill

Goodwill arising from a business combination is not 
amortized, and is carried at cost, determined at the 
acquisition date, less any accumulated impairment losses. 
In addition, goodwill is allocated to the cash generating 
unit or group of cash-generating units that is expected to 
benefit from the synergies of the business combination, and 
is tested for impairment at least once a year by each fiscal 
year end or if there are indications of impairment. 
Impairment loss on goodwill is recognized in profit or loss 
and is not reversed in subsequent periods.
  Goodwill measurements at initial recognition are 
presented in Note 3 “Significant Accounting Policies (2) 
Business Combinations.”

2) Intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured using the cost model and 
carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and any 
accumulated impairment losses.
  The costs of separately acquired intangible assets comprise 
any costs directly attributable to acquisition of the assets.
  The costs of intangible assets acquired in business 
combinations are measured at fair value at the acquisition date.
  Expenditures related to internally generated intangible 
assets are recognized as expenses when incurred, with the 
exception of development expenses that meet the criteria 
for capitalization. Software development expense only 
meets the criteria for capitalization.
  After initial recognition, with the exception of intangible assets 
with indefinite useful lives, intangible assets are amortized on a 
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.
  The Group has no material intangible assets with 
indefinite useful lives. The estimated useful lives of major 
intangible assets are as follows:

•  Trademarks: 20 years
•  Customer relationships: 15 or 20 years
• Software: 5 years

  The estimated useful lives, residual values and 
amortization method are reviewed at each fiscal year end, 
and any revisions are applied prospectively as changes in 
accounting estimates.

3) Research and development expenses

Research expenditures are expensed as incurred. 
Development expenditures are capitalized only if they can 
be measured reliably, future economic benefits are 
probable, and the Group intends to, and has sufficient 
resources to, complete development and to use or sell the 
asset. If research expenditures and development 
expenditures cannot be clearly distinguished, they are 
expensed as incurred as research expenditures.

is initially measured at the present value of the accrued lease 
payments. Right-of-use assets are measured at the initial amount 
of the lease liability adjusted for any initial direct costs and any 
prepaid lease payments, plus any costs including restoration 
obligations and other factors under the lease contracts.
  Right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over 
the shorter of their estimated useful lives and lease terms. Lease 
payments are apportioned between the interest expenses and the 
reduction of the outstanding liability using the interest method. 
Interest expenses are presented on the consolidated statement of 
income separately from depreciation expenses of right-of-use assets.
  The Group does not recognize right-of-use assets and lease 
liabilities for short-term leases with a lease term of 12 months or 
less and leases for which the underlying asset is of low-value 
assets. The Group recognizes the lease payments associated with 
these leases as expenses on either a straight-line basis or another 
systematic basis over the lease term. 
  The Group has no significant leases in which it acts as the lessor.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
The Group classifies a lease that transfers substantially all the 
risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset as a finance 
lease and a lease other than a finance lease as an operating lease.
In finance lease transactions, leased assets and lease payables 

are initially recognized at the lower of the fair value of leased 
property and the present value of the minimum lease payments, 
each determined at the inception of the lease.
  Leased assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the 
shorter of their estimated useful lives and lease terms. Lease 
payments are apportioned between the finance charges and the 
reduction of the outstanding liability using the interest method. 
  Lease payments under operating leases are recognized as an 
expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
  Determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a 
lease is based on the substance of the arrangement, in 
accordance with IFRIC Interpretation 4 “Determining Whether an 
Arrangement Contains a Lease.”

(10) Impairment of Non-financial Assets
Non-financial assets, excluding inventories, deferred tax assets, 
non-current assets classified as held for sale and assets arising 
from employee benefits, are assessed at the end of each reporting 
period to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. 
If there is an indication of impairment, the recoverable amount of 
the asset is estimated. For goodwill, the recoverable amount is 
estimated at least once a year by each fiscal year end, irrespective 
of whether there is any indication of impairment.
  The recoverable amount of an asset or a cash-generating unit is 
the higher of its value in use and fair value less cost of disposal. 
The discount rate used in calculating the asset’s value in use is a 
pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time 
value of money and the risks specific to the asset, for which the 
future cash flow estimates have not been adjusted.

If it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an 

(9) Leases
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
For leases in which the Group acts as the lessee, the lease liability 

individual asset, the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit 
to which the asset belongs is measured. Goodwill acquired in 
business combinations is allocated to each of the cash-generating 

25

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

units or groups of cash-generating units of the Group that is 
expected to benefit from synergies of the business combinations 
after the acquisition date, and is tested for impairment.
  Because corporate assets do not generate separate cash inflows, 
the recoverable amount of individual corporate assets cannot be 
measured unless management has decided to dispose of the 
asset. If there is an indication that a corporate asset may be 
impaired, the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit or 
group of cash-generating units to which the asset belongs is 
measured and compared with the carrying amount.

Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss whenever the 

recoverable amount is less than the carrying amount. Such 
impairment losses of the cash-generating unit or group of cash-
generating units are recognized by first reducing the carrying 
amount of any goodwill allocated to the cash-generating unit or 
group of cash-generating units, and then allocating the rest of the 
losses to other assets of the unit pro rata on the basis of the 
carrying amount of each asset in the unit.
  The Group reviews assets other than goodwill at each fiscal year 
end to determine whether there is any indication that previously 
recognized impairment losses may no longer exist or may have 
decreased. If there are any such indications, the Group estimates 
the recoverable amount of the asset.

Impairment losses on assets other than goodwill that were 
recognized in prior fiscal years are reversed only when there have 
been changes in the estimates used to determine the recoverable 
amount of the asset since the last impairment loss was recognized. 
In this case, the carrying amount of the asset is increased as a 
reversal of impairment loss to the recoverable amount.

Impairment losses are reversed up to the carrying amount, net of 
amortization or depreciation, that would have been determined had 
no impairment loss for the asset been recognized in prior fiscal years.

(11) Employee Benefits

1) Post-employment benefits

The Group sponsors a defined benefit plan and a defined 
contribution plan as post-employment benefit plans for 
employees.
(i)  Defined benefit plan

For the defined benefit plan, the projected unit credit 
method is used to individually determine the present 
value of defined benefit obligations, related current 
service costs and past service costs of each plan.
  The discount rate is determined by referring to market 
yields at the end of the fiscal year on high quality 
corporate bonds corresponding to the period until the 
expected date of future benefit payment.
  The net amount of the present value of defined benefit 
obligations and the fair value of plan assets is accounted 
for as a liability or asset. However, if the defined benefit 
plan has surplus, the net defined benefit asset is limited 
to the present value of any economic benefits available in 
the form of refunds from the plan or reductions in the 
future contributions to the plan. Net interest on the net 
defined benefit liability (asset) is recognized in profit or 
loss as financial expenses (income).
  Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability 

(asset) are recognized in other comprehensive income 
and immediately reclassified to retained earnings in the 
period in which they occur.
  Past service costs are recognized in profit or loss for 
the period in which they are incurred.

(ii) Defined contribution plan

Payments to the defined contribution plan are recognized 
as expenses when employees have rendered services 
entitling them to the contributions.

2) Other employee benefits

Short-term employee benefit obligations are measured on 
an undiscounted basis, and are recognized as an expense 
when the related services are rendered.
  For bonuses, when there is a present legal or constructive 
obligation to make payments of bonuses, and a reliable 
estimate of the obligation can be made, the estimated 
amount to be paid is accounted for as a liability.
  For the paid absence expenses, when there is a legal or 
constructive obligation with respect to accumulating paid 
absence systems and a reliable estimate of the obligation 
can be made, the estimated amount to be paid based on 
those systems is accounted for as a liability.

(12) Share-based Payments
1) Stock option plan

The Company has a stock option plan accounted for as an 
equity-settled share-based payment plan. Due to the 
introduction of a performance share plan, the stock option plan 
has been abolished except for the options already granted.

2) Performance share plan

The Company introduced a performance share plan 
accounted for as an equity-settled share-based payment plan.
  The performance share plan measures services received at 
the fair value of the Company’s shares on the date of grant, 
recognizing them as an expense from the date of grant 
through the vesting period and recognizing the same amount 
as an increase in capital surplus. The fair value of the 
Company’s shares on the date of grant is determined by 
adjusting the market price of the shares taking expected 
dividends into account.

(13) Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present 
obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is 
probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic 
benefits will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable 
estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.
  The amounts recognized as provisions are the best estimates 
of necessary expenditures to settle the present obligation at the 
end of the reporting period, taking into account the risks and 
uncertainties associated with the obligation. When the effect of 
the time value of money is material, the amount of provision is 
measured at the present value of the expenditures expected to be 
required to settle the obligation.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

26

 
 
 
(14) Revenue
The Group recognizes revenue based on the following five-step 
model:

Step 1: Identify the contract with a customer
Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract
Step 3: Determine the transaction price
Step 4:  Allocate the transaction price to the performance 

obligations in the contract

  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized for 
the following temporary differences:

•  Taxable temporary differences arising from initial 

recognition of goodwill

•  Temporary differences arising from initial recognition of 

assets and liabilities from transactions that are not 
business combinations and affect neither accounting 
income nor taxable income

Step 5:  Recognize revenue when the entity satisfies a 

•  Taxable temporary differences on investments in subsidiaries 

performance obligation

  The Group sells consumer products including cosmetics, skin 
care products, hair care products, sanitary products and fabric 
care products, as well as chemical products including fatty 
alcohols and surfactants. For sales of such products, because the 
customer obtains control over the products upon delivery, the 
performance obligation is judged to have been satisfied and 
revenue is therefore recognized upon delivery of the products. 
Revenue is measured at the consideration promised in a contract 
with a customer, less discounts, rebates, returned products and 
other items.

(15) Income Taxes
Income taxes consist of current income taxes and deferred income 
taxes. Income taxes are recognized as income or expenses and 
included in profit or loss, except for taxes related to business 
combinations and taxes related to items that are recognized directly 
in equity or in other comprehensive income.

and associates, when the timing of the reversal of the 
temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable 
that the temporary differences will not reverse in the 
foreseeable future

•  Deductible temporary differences on investments in 

subsidiaries and associates, when it is probable that the 
temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future

  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax 
rates that are expected to apply to the period when the 
assets are realized or the liabilities are settled, based on the 
tax rates and tax laws enacted or substantively enacted by 
the end of the reporting period.
  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if the Group 
has a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets 
against current tax liabilities and income taxes are levied by 
the same taxation authority on the same taxable entity.
  The Company and some of its subsidiaries have adopted 
the consolidated tax system.

1) Current income taxes

Current income taxes are recognized in the amount of the 
expected taxes payable to or receivable from the taxation 
authorities. Calculation of the amount of tax is based on the 
tax rates and tax laws enacted or substantively enacted by 
the end of the reporting period in countries where the Group 
conducts business and earns taxable income.

2) Deferred income taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for 
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of 
assets or liabilities at the end of the reporting period and its 
tax base, and for tax loss carryforwards and tax credits.
  Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible 
temporary differences, the carryforwards of unused tax 
losses and the carryforwards of unused tax credits to the 
extent that it is probable that future taxable income will be 
available against such deferred tax assets. Deferred tax 
liabilities are recognized, in principle, for all taxable 
temporary differences.
  The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed 
each period and reduced to the extent that it is no longer 
probable that sufficient future taxable income will be 
available to realize benefits from all or part of the assets. 
Unrecognized deferred tax assets are reassessed each 
period and are recognized to the extent that it has become 
probable that future taxable income will allow the deferred 
tax assets to be recovered.

(16) Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing net income 
attributable to owners of the parent by the weighted average 
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period, adjusted 
for treasury shares held. Diluted earnings per share are calculated 
by adjusting the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

(17) Non-current Assets Held for Sale
A non-current asset or disposal group whose carrying amount is 
expected to be recovered principally through a sale transaction 
rather than through continuing use is classified as a non-current 
asset or disposal group held for sale if it is highly probable that the 
asset or disposal group will be sold within one year and is 
available for immediate sale in its present condition, and the 
Group’s management is committed to a plan to sell. Non-current 
assets are not depreciated or amortized while they are classified 
as held for sale or are part of a disposal group classified as held 
for sale. Non-current assets or disposal groups classified as held 
for sale are measured at the lower of the carrying amount and fair 
value less costs to sell.

(18) Equity and Other Capital

1) Ordinary shares

Ordinary shares are recognized in share capital and capital 
surplus at their issue price. Share issuance costs are 
deducted from the issue price.

27

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2) Treasury shares

Treasury shares are recognized at cost and deducted from 
equity. No gain or loss is recognized on the purchase, sale 
or retirement of the Company’s treasury shares. Any difference 
between the carrying amount and consideration received on 
the sale of treasury shares is recognized directly in equity.

(19) Dividends
Dividend distributions to shareholders of the Company are 
recognized as liabilities in the period in which year-end dividends 
are resolved upon by the General Meeting of Shareholders and 
interim dividends are resolved upon by the Board of Directors.

(20) Changes in Significant Accounting Policies 
(Leases)
The Group adopted IFRS 16 “Leases” (issued in January 2016; 
hereafter, “IFRS 16”) from the fiscal year ended December 31, 
2019. As a transitional measure upon the adoption of IFRS 16, the 
Group applies this Standard retrospectively with the cumulative 
effect of initially applying this Standard recognized at the date of 
initial application.

In transitioning to IFRS 16, the Group has chosen the practical 
expedient detailed in IFRS 16 paragraph C3 and grandfathered its 
assessments of whether contracts contain leases based on IAS 

17 “Leases” (hereafter, “IAS 17”) and IFRIC 4 “Determining 
whether an Arrangement contains a Lease.” From the date of 
application, this assessment is determined based on the 
provisions of IFRS 16.
  For leases that the Group as lessee previously classified as 
operating leases applying IAS 17, right-of-use assets and lease 
liabilities are recognized at the date of initial application. These 
lease liabilities have been measured at the present value of the 
remaining lease payments discounted using the lessee’s 
incremental borrowing rate at the date of initial application. The 
weighted average of the lessee’s incremental borrowing rates is 
1.0%. Right-of-use assets are initially measured at the initial 
measurement amount of the lease liability adjusted for the 
prepaid lease payments and other factors.
  For leases that the Group as lessee previously classified as 
finance leases applying IAS 17, the carrying amounts of right-of-use 
assets and lease liabilities at the date of initial application are the 
carrying amounts of lease assets and lease liabilities, respectively, 
immediately before that date measured applying IAS 17.
  The following is a reconciliation of non-cancellable operating 
lease contracts applying IAS 17 as of December 31, 2018 and 
lease liabilities recognized in the consolidated statement of 
financial position at the date of initial application.

Non-cancellable operating lease contracts as of December 31, 2018 ...................................................................................

  Finance lease liabilities as of December 31, 2018 .............................................................................................................

  Cancellable operating lease contracts, etc. .......................................................................................................................

Lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019 ...................................................................................................................................

(Millions of yen)

25,018

2,419

139,998

167,435

  Right-of-use assets recognized at the date of initial application 
in the consolidated statement of financial position were 171,890 
million yen.
  The following practical expedients are used in the application of 
IFRS 16.

  •  As an alternative to performing an impairment review, the 

Group relies on its assessment of whether leases are onerous 
applying IAS 37 “Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and 
Contingent Assets” immediately before the date of initial 
application.

  •  A single discount rate is applied to portfolios of leases with 

reasonably similar characteristics.

  •  Initial direct costs are excluded from the measurement of 

right-of-use assets at the date of initial application.

4

Significant Accounting Estimates and Judgments

The Group’s consolidated financial statements include estimates 
and assumptions made by management regarding income and 
expenses, measurement of the carrying amounts of assets and 
liabilities, and disclosure of contingencies and others at the end of 
the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based 
on management’s best judgment at the end of the reporting 
period, and take into account historical experience and various 
other factors that can be considered as reasonable. However, due 
to their nature, actual results may differ from these estimates and 
assumptions.
  The estimates and their underlying assumptions are reviewed 
by management on an ongoing basis. The effects of revisions to 
accounting estimates and assumptions are recognized in the 
period when the estimates are revised and in future periods.

  Estimates and assumptions that significantly affect the 
amounts recognized in the Group’s consolidated financial 
statements are as follows:

(1)  Impairment of Property, Plant and Equipment, Right-of-use 

assets, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Group conducts impairment tests for property, plant and 
equipment, right-of-use assets, goodwill and intangible assets 
when there is an indication that the recoverable amount of the 
asset or cash-generating unit is less than the carrying amount.
  Triggering events for impairment testing include, for example, 
significant changes with adverse effects on past or projected 
business performance, significant changes in the use of acquired 
assets, or changes in overall business strategy.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

28

 
 
  Furthermore, goodwill is tested for impairment at least once a 
year by each fiscal year end, irrespective of indication of impairment, 
to verify that the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit 
to which goodwill is allocated exceeds the carrying amount.

Impairment tests are performed by comparing the carrying 

amount and the recoverable amount of the asset or cash-
generating unit. If the recoverable amount is less than the carrying 
amount, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount 
and the reduction is recognized as an impairment loss. The 
recoverable amount is the higher of the value in use and the fair 
value less cost of disposal of the asset or cash-generating unit.
In calculating the value in use, the Group makes certain 

assumptions about the remaining useful life and future cash flows 
of the asset, discount rate, growth rate and other factors. These 
assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and 
judgments, but may be affected by changes in future business 
plans, economic conditions or other factors. If revisions to the 
assumptions become necessary, such revisions could have a 
material effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated 
financial statements in future periods.
  Note 12 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” presents the method 
for measuring the recoverable amount and sensitivity associated 
with goodwill.

(2) Lease Term of Right-of-use Assets
The Group determines the lease term as the non-cancellable 
period of the lease, together with any periods when it is 
reasonably certain such lease will be extended or will not be 
terminated. Specifically, the lease term is estimated in 
consideration of factors including variation in rent due to 
extension or termination of the lease, whether there is a penalty 
for termination, and the period for recovery of investment in 
improvements of important leaseholds.
  Note 3 “Significant Accounting Policies (9) Leases” presents 
details related to lease terms. Note 33 “Financial Instruments” 
presents amounts.

(3) Post-employment Benefits
The Group provides a variety of post-retirement benefit plans that 
include a defined benefit plan. The present value of defined 
benefit obligations and related service costs are determined 
based on actuarial assumptions.
  Actuarial assumptions are based on management’s best 
estimates and judgments, but may be affected by the revision of 
inputs including the discount rate and mortality rate due to 
changes in economic conditions. If revisions to the assumptions 
become necessary, such revisions could have a material effect on 
the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements 
in future periods.
  Note 18 “Employee Benefits” presents actuarial assumptions 
and related sensitivity.

(4) Provisions
The Group has recognized a provision for loss related to cosmetics, 
a provision for asset retirement obligations and other provisions in 
the consolidated statement of financial position.

  The amounts recognized are the best estimates of the 
expenditures required to settle the present obligations, taking into 
account historical experience and other factors at the end of the 
reporting period.
  The provision for loss related to cosmetics may be affected by 
changes in compensation-related and other expenses.
  The provision for asset retirement obligations and other 
provisions may be affected by factors such as changes in future 
business plans.

If the actual amounts paid differ from the estimates, such 

differences could have a material effect on the amounts recognized 
in the consolidated financial statements in future periods. 
  Note 19 “Provisions” presents the nature and amounts of these 
provisions.

(5) Income Taxes
The Group recognizes and measures income tax payables and 
income taxes based on reasonable estimates of the amounts to 
be paid to the taxation authorities in each country. Such estimates 
are made using the tax rates and tax laws enacted or 
substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period.
  Calculating income tax payables and income taxes requires 
estimates and judgments of various factors, including 
interpretations of tax regulations by the Group and the taxation 
authorities and the experience of past tax audits.
  Therefore, if the final tax outcome is different from the amount 
initially recognized, the difference is recognized in the period 
when the tax outcome is finalized.
  Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary 
differences, the carryforwards of unused tax losses and the 
carryforwards of unused tax credits to the extent that it is 
probable that future taxable income will be available. The 
realizability of deferred tax assets is assessed using the tax rates 
that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is 
realized, based on tax rates and tax laws enacted or substantively 
enacted by the end of the reporting period.
  Recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets are based 
on management’s best estimates and judgments, but may be 
affected by future changes in business plans or other conditions, 
or by the amendment or promulgation of related laws. Any 
revisions that become necessary could have a material effect on 
the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements 
in future periods.
  Note 14 “Income Taxes” presents income taxes and amounts.

(6) Fair Value
The Group uses various inputs, including unobservable inputs, and 
valuation methodologies to estimate the fair value of specific 
assets and liabilities. When measuring fair value, the Group 
maximizes the use of relevant observable inputs and minimizes 
the use of unobservable inputs, and management’s best 
estimates and judgments are required in that process.
  The fair value of these assets and liabilities is based on 
management’s best estimates and judgments, but could be 
affected by factors including changes in inputs due to changes in 
economic conditions. Any revisions that become necessary could 

29

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

have a material effect on the amounts recognized in the 
consolidated financial statements in future periods.
  Note 33 “Financial Instruments” presents fair value 
measurement methods and amounts for major financial assets 
and liabilities measured at fair value.

(7) Contingencies
Contingencies are disclosed when there are items that could have 
a material effect on future business after considering the 
probability of occurrence and the amount of financial impact, 
taking into account all available evidence at the end of the 
reporting period.

5

New Standards and Interpretations Not Yet Adopted

New or revised major Standards and Interpretations that were 
issued by the date of approval presented in Note 38 “Approval of 
the Consolidated Financial Statements,” but were not yet early 

adopted by the Group as of December 31, 2019 are not presented 
because the impacts are immaterial.

6

Segment Information

(1) Summary of Reportable Segments
The Group’s reportable segments are the components of the 
Group for which discrete financial information is available and 
which are regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors in deciding 
how to allocate resources and in assessing their performance. Net 
sales and operating income are the key measures used by the 
Board of Directors to evaluate the performance of each segment.
  The Group is organized on the basis of five businesses: the four 
business areas that constitute the Consumer Products Business 
(the Cosmetics Business, the Skin Care and Hair Care Business, 
the Human Health Care Business, and the Fabric and Home Care 

Business) and the Chemical Business. In each business, the 
Group plans comprehensive business strategies and carries out 
business activities on a global basis.
  Accordingly, the Group has five reportable segments: the 
Cosmetics Business, the Skin Care and Hair Care Business, the 
Human Health Care Business, the Fabric and Home Care 
Business and the Chemical Business.

Information about major customers has been omitted as the 
revenue from each customer is less than 10% of the Group’s net 
sales.

Reportable segments

Major products

Consumer 
Products 
Business

Cosmetics
Business

Skin Care and 
Hair Care Business

Human Health Care
Business

Fabric and Home Care
Business

Cosmetics

Counseling cosmetics, self-selection cosmetics

Skin care products

Soaps, facial cleansers, body cleansers

Hair care products

Shampoos, conditioners, hair styling agents, hair coloring agents, 
men’s products

Sanitary products

Sanitary napkins, baby diapers

Personal health products

Bath additives, oral care products, thermo products

Beverage products

Beverages

Fabric care products 

Laundry detergents, fabric treatments

Home care products

Kitchen cleaning products, house cleaning products, paper cleaning 
products, commercial-use products

Oleo chemicals

Fatty alcohols, fatty amines, fatty acids, glycerin, commercial-use 
edible fats and oils

Chemical Business

Performance chemicals

Surfactants, plastics additives, superplasticizers for concrete 
admixtures

Specialty chemicals

Toner and toner binder for copiers and printers, ink and colorants 
for inkjet printers, fragrances and aroma chemicals

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

30

 
(2) Sales and Results of Reportable Segments

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

(Millions of yen)

Reportable segments

Consumer Products Business

Cosmetics
Business

Skin Care 
and Hair Care 
Business

Human 
Health Care 
Business

Fabric and 
Home Care 
Business

Subtotal

Chemical 
Business

Total

Reconciliation1 Consolidated

Net sales
  Sales to customers ............... 301,547

340,757

255,224

359,507

1,257,035 245,206

1,502,241

— 1,502,241

 Intersegment sales and 
  transfers2 .............................

—

—

—

—

— 40,729

40,729

(40,729)

—

340,757
49,524

255,224
17,166

359,507
71,774

1,257,035 285,935
30,839

179,862

1,542,970
210,701

(40,729)
1,022

Total net sales .......................... 301,547
Operating income .....................
41,398
  Financial income ...................
  Financial expenses ................
 Share of profit in investments
  accounted for using the
  equity method ......................
Income before income taxes .....

1,502,241
211,723
2,027
(5,231)

2,126

210,645

Other items

 Depreciation and 
  amortization3 ......................
  Capital expenditures4 ............

14,865

17,962

13,814

18,389

21,627

27,314

17,899

22,139

68,205

14,205

82,410

85,804

24,189

109,993

959

3,394

83,369

113,387

Notes: 1.  The operating income reconciliation of 1,022 million yen includes corporate expenses not allocated to reportable segments, as well as elimination of 

intersegment inventory transactions.

2. Intersegment sales and transfers are mainly calculated based on market price and manufacturing cost.
3. Note 11 “Property, Plant and Equipment,” Note 12 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” and Note 16 “Leases” present the details of depreciation and amortization.
4. Capital expenditures include investments in property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets and intangible assets.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 

(Millions of yen)

Reportable segments

Consumer Products Business

Cosmetics
Business

Skin Care 
and Hair Care 
Business

Human 
Health Care 
Business

Fabric and 
Home Care 
Business

Subtotal

Chemical 
Business

Total

Reconciliation1 Consolidated

Net sales
  Sales to customers ............... 279,635

341,419

267,702

344,105 1,232,861 275,146

1,508,007

—

1,508,007

 Intersegment sales and 
  transfers2 .............................

—

—

—

—

— 37,661

37,661

(37,661)

—

341,419
48,827

267,702
27,907

Total net sales ........................... 279,635
Operating income .....................
27,710
  Financial income ...................
  Financial expenses ................
 Share of profit in investments
  accounted for using the
  equity method ......................
Income before income taxes .....

344,105 1,232,861 312,807
30,631

175,693

71,249

1,545,668
206,324

(37,661)
1,379

1,508,007
207,703
1,717
(4,251)

2,082

207,251

Other items

 Depreciation and 
  amortization3 ......................
  Capital expenditures4 ............

10,908

11,597

9,593

17,021

17,602

19,259

10,299

18,107

48,402

12,000

65,984

23,032

60,402

89,016

260

81

60,662

89,097

Notes: 1.  The operating income reconciliation of 1,379 million yen includes corporate expenses not allocated to reportable segments, as well as elimination of 

intersegment inventory transactions.

2. Intersegment sales and transfers are mainly calculated based on market price and manufacturing cost.
3. Note 11 “Property, Plant and Equipment” and Note 12 “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” present the details of depreciation and amortization.
4. Capital expenditures include investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets.

31

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(3) Geographical Information
Sales to customers and non-current assets (excluding financial assets, deferred tax assets and retirement benefit assets) by region 
consist of the following:

Sales to Customers 

Japan .........................................................................................................................................................

Asia  ...........................................................................................................................................................

Americas ....................................................................................................................................................

Europe .......................................................................................................................................................

  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

Note: Sales are classified by country or region based on the location of customers.

2019

947,096

293,388

137,819

123,938
1,502,241

(Millions of yen)

2018

939,463

295,714

140,637

132,193
1,508,007

Non-current Assets (excluding Financial Assets, Deferred Tax Assets and Retirement Benefit Assets) 

(Millions of yen)

Japan .........................................................................................................................................................

Asia ............................................................................................................................................................

Americas ....................................................................................................................................................

Europe .......................................................................................................................................................

  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

2019

597,950

104,643

98,730

39,444
840,767

2018

448,357

88,843

96,426

27,184
660,810

7

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of the following:

Cash and deposits .....................................................................................................................................

Short-term investments .............................................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

2019

239,781

49,900
289,681

(Millions of yen)

2018

206,078

59,900
265,978

  The balance of cash and cash equivalents presented in the consolidated statement of financial position is equal to the balance of cash 
and cash equivalents presented in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

8

Trade and Other Receivables

Trade and other receivables consist of the following:

Trade receivables .......................................................................................................................................

Other receivables ......................................................................................................................................

Allowance for doubtful receivables ...........................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

2019

204,322

6,179

(1,662)
208,839

(Millions of yen)

2018

217,594

7,073

(1,565)
223,102

  Trade receivables are recognized when the Group’s products 
are delivered because the Group’s right to consideration is 
unconditional except for the passage of time from that point. 
Moreover, the Group receives payment within a short period of 
time after satisfying its performance obligation under separately 

determined payment terms. Because the period from satisfaction 
of the performance obligation to receipt of consideration is usually 
within one year or less, as a practical expedient, the Group does 
not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of 
a significant financing component for such receivables.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

32

 
 
 
 
 
 
9

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

Merchandise and finished goods ...............................................................................................................

Work in progress .......................................................................................................................................

Materials and supplies ...............................................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

2019

155,611

12,893

31,168
199,672

(Millions of yen)

2018

146,684

14,875

36,012
197,571

  The amount of inventories recognized as expenses and included in cost of sales for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 
were 729,425 million yen and 733,108 million yen, respectively.
  Write-downs of inventories recognized as expenses for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were 6,065 million yen and 
5,044 million yen, respectively.

10 Other Assets

Other assets consist of the following:

Other current assets

(Millions of yen)

2019

2018

Insurance receivable ..............................................................................................................................

  Prepaid expenses ..................................................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

Other non-current assets

Insurance receivable ..............................................................................................................................

  Long-term prepaid lease payments .......................................................................................................

  Long-term prepaid expenses .................................................................................................................

  Retirement benefit assets .....................................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

521

8,587

13,498
22,606

2,263

—

472

2,146

615
5,496

2,886

9,538

10,025
22,449

2,109

4,060

435

1,166

505
8,275

33

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

11

Property, Plant and Equipment

(1) Changes in Property, Plant and Equipment
The following tables present changes in acquisition costs, accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, and carrying 
amounts of property, plant and equipment.

Acquisition Cost 

Buildings 
and
structures

Machinery 
and
vehicles

Tools, 
furniture and 
fixtures

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

426,125

729,935

119,344

  Additions ..................................................................

  Acquisitions through business combinations ..........

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

  Reclassification ........................................................

 Exchange differences on translation of 
  foreign operations ..................................................

  Other ........................................................................

327

46

(6,808)

20,519

(4,207)

(231)

331

1,649

(26,497)

41,311

(8,474)

162

1,433

181

(8,457)

10,773

(1,389)

(334)

Land

73,315

2,749

—

(226)

34

(189)

0

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

435,771

738,417

121,551

75,683

(Millions of yen)

Construction 
in
progress

29,896

76,545

129

—

(72,637)

Total

1,378,615

81,385

2,005

(41,988)

—

(538)

(14,797)

1,148

34,543

745

1,405,965

  Changes in accounting policy1 .................................

(11,853)

(47)

(10)

(24)

—

(11,934)

January 1, 2019 (after adjustment) ..............................

423,918

738,370

121,541

75,659

  Additions ..................................................................

  Acquisitions through business combinations ..........

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

  Reclassification ........................................................

162

15

(3,878)

14,151

493

—

(18,094)

40,741

 Exchange differences on translation of
  foreign operations ..................................................

(751)

(509)

  Other ........................................................................
December 31, 2019 .....................................................

169
433,786

310
761,311

1,084

1

(8,952)

12,285

(37)

(513)
125,409

Note: 1. It represents the financial effect from the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases.”

Accumulated Depreciation and Accumulated Impairment Losses 
Buildings 
and
structures

Machinery 
and
vehicles

Tools, 
furniture and 
fixtures

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

295,321

585,497

  Depreciation1 ............................................................

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

13,739

(6,315)

28,209

(25,663)

 Exchange differences on translation of
  foreign operations ..................................................

  Other ........................................................................

(2,199)

(113)

(5,737)

132

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

300,433

582,438

  Changes in accounting policy2 .................................

(9,434)

January 1, 2019 (after adjustment) ..............................

290,999

  Depreciation1 ............................................................

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

13,453

(3,324)

(27)

582,411

32,031

(17,265)

 Exchange differences on translation of
  foreign operations ..................................................

(510)

(444)

  Other ........................................................................
December 31, 2019 .....................................................

135
300,753

316
597,049

91,677

11,683

(8,270)

(1,042)

(209)

93,839

(9)

93,830

12,012

(8,684)

0

(339)
96,819

—

—

(373)

4,116

109

—
79,511

Land

10,320

—

—

—

—

10,320 

— 

10,320

— 

— 

— 

— 
10,320 

34,543

78,671

—

—

(71,293)

(159)

(7)
41,755

1,394,031

80,410

16

(31,297)

—

(1,347)

(41)
1,441,772

Construction 
in
progress

—

—

—

—

—

—

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 

— 
— 

(Millions of yen)

Total

982,815

53,631

(40,248)

(8,978)

(190)

987,030

(9,470)

977,560

57,496

(29,273)

(954)

112
1,004,941

Notes: 1.  Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is included in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating expenses 

in the consolidated statement of income.

2. It represents the financial effect from the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases.”

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

34

 
 
 
 
 
Carrying Amount 

Buildings 
and
structures

Machinery 
and
vehicles

Tools, 
furniture and 
fixtures

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

130,804

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

135,338

December 31, 2019 .....................................................

133,033

144,438

155,979

164,262

27,667

27,712

28,590

(Millions of yen)

Construction 
in
progress

29,896

34,543

41,755

Total

395,800

418,935

436,831

Land

62,995

65,363

69,191

(2) Leased Assets
The carrying amount of leased assets from finance leases included in property, plant and equipment for the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2018 is as follows:

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

Buildings 
and
structures
3,195

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

2,419

(3) Impairment Losses
The Group allocates property, plant and equipment into cash-
generating units based on the smallest identifiable group of 
assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent. 
For idle assets, the Group evaluates whether to recognize 
impairment losses for individual properties based on impairment 
tests performed.

(Millions of yen)

Other
58

45

Total
3,253

2,464

(4) Commitments
Note 36 “Commitments” presents information on commitments 
to acquire property, plant and equipment.

12 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

(1) Changes in Goodwill and Intangible Assets
The following tables present changes in acquisition costs, accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment losses, and carrying 
amounts of goodwill and intangible assets.

Acquisition Cost 

(Millions of yen)

Goodwill

Software

Trademarks

Intangible assets

Customer 
relationships

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

138,735

27,196

  Additions ..................................................................

—

  Acquisitions through business combinations ..........

42,866

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

  Reclassification ........................................................

 Exchange differences on translation of 
  foreign operations ..................................................

  Other ........................................................................

—

—

(1,315)

—

110

5

(5,640)

7,495

(127)

281

—

—

777

—

14,778

13,115

—

—

(68)

—

—

—

(153)

—

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

180,286

29,320

14,710

13,739

  Additions ..................................................................

  Acquisitions through business combinations ..........

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

  Reclassification ........................................................

—

—

—

—

 Exchange differences on translation of 
  foreign operations ..................................................

(579)

  Other ........................................................................
December 31, 2019 .....................................................

—
179,707

76

1

(5,048)

6,990

(50)

(3)
31,286

—

—

—

—

—

—

(294)

—

(210)

—
14,500

(211)

—
13,234

Note: 1. Software in progress is included in other in intangible assets.

Other1

5,343

7,602

1,525

(143)

(7,495)

(72)

(25)

6,735

9,702

—

(1,789)

(6,990)

(34)

(75)
7,549

Total

33,316

7,712

29,423

(5,783)

—

(420)

256

64,504

9,778

1

(7,131)

—

(505)

(78)
66,569

35

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Accumulated Amortization and Accumulated Impairment Losses 

(Millions of yen)

Goodwill

Software

Trademarks

Intangible assets

Customer 
relationships

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

  Amortization1 ............................................................

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

 Exchange differences on translation of
  foreign operations ..................................................

  Other ........................................................................

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

  Amortization1 ............................................................

  Sales and disposals ..................................................

  Exchange differences on translation of
  foreign operations ..................................................

  Other ........................................................................
December 31, 2019 .....................................................

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
—

14,375

5,397

(5,500)

(105)

228

14,395

5,938

(5,027)

(46)

6
15,266

—

737

—

(1)

—

736

765

—

(12)

—
1,489

58

619

—

(11)

—

666

898

(294)

(14)

—
1,256

Other

2,054

278

(135)

(52)

13

2,158

430

(1,787)

(13)

—
788

Total

16,487

7,031

(5,635)

(169)

241

17,955

8,031

(7,108)

(85)

6
18,799

Note: 1.  Amortization of intangible assets is included in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating expenses in the 

consolidated statement of income.

Carrying Amount 

Goodwill

Software

Trademarks

Intangible assets

Customer 
relationships

January 1, 2018 ...........................................................

138,735

December 31, 2018 .....................................................

180,286

December 31, 2019 .....................................................

179,707

12,821

14,925

16,020

—

13,974

13,011

719

13,073

11,978

(Millions of yen)

Other

3,289

4,577

6,761

Total

16,829

46,549

47,770

(2) Goodwill
The following table presents the carrying amount of goodwill 
recognized in the Group’s consolidated statement of financial 
position. Goodwill arising from business combinations is allocated 
at the acquisition date to cash-generating units benefiting from 

the business combination, and the goodwill belongs to the 
Cosmetics Business, the Skin Care and Hair Care Business, the 
Fabric and Home Care Business and the Chemical Business. The 
goodwill primarily relates to the acquisition of the Kanebo 
Cosmetics Group.

Cosmetics Business ..................................................................................................................................

  Kanebo Cosmetics Group ......................................................................................................................

  Molton Brown Group .............................................................................................................................

Skin Care and Hair Care Business .............................................................................................................

  Oribe Hair Care and other ......................................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................

Fabric and Home Care Business ...............................................................................................................

Chemical Business ....................................................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................

2019
130,605

119,400

11,205

28,412

24,545

3,867

18,160

2,530
179,707

(Millions of yen)

2018
130,455 

119,400 

 11,055

28,831

24,908

3,923

18,423

2,577 
180,286 

(3) Impairment Test for Goodwill
The Group tests goodwill for impairment at least once a year by 
each fiscal year end or if there are indications of impairment.
  The recoverable amount on the impairment test is measured 
based on value in use. The majority of goodwill recognized at the 
Group relates to the Kanebo Cosmetics Group.
  For the goodwill associated with the Kanebo Cosmetics Group, 
cash flow projections that are the basis for the value in use are 
estimated using medium-term plans that reflect past year’s 

performance. The key assumptions used in formulating these 
estimates include sales growth rates and discount rates and the 
sales growth rates are consistent with the growth rate projections 
of the markets in which the cash-generating units operate. 
Estimated cash flows in years beyond the medium-term plans 
approved by management were calculated using an annual growth 
rate of 0% and were discounted to present value using a 
weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of 6.8 % for the fiscal 
year ended December 31, 2019 and 8.2% for the fiscal year 

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

36

 
 
 
 
ended December 31, 2018. For the fiscal year ended December 
31, 2019 and 2018, management determined that there was a 
low probability that the recoverable amounts of relevant cash-
generating units would be less than their carrying amounts even 
in cases where key assumptions used in the impairment test 
changed within a reasonably possible range.

(4) Intangible Assets with Indefinite Useful Lives
The intangible assets above include no material intangible assets 
with indefinite useful lives.

(5) Commitments
Note 36 “Commitments” presents information on commitments 
associated with the acquisition of intangible assets.

13

Investments Accounted for Using the Equity Method

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method in the Group’s consolidated financial statements. The carrying 
amount of investments in associates that are not individually material is as follows:

Investments accounted for using the equity method ................................................................................

2019

8,287

(Millions of yen)

2018

7,931

  Changes in the Group’s share of net income and other comprehensive income of associates that are not individually material are as 
follows:

The Group’s share of net income ..............................................................................................................

The Group’s share of other comprehensive income .................................................................................

The Group’s share of comprehensive income ...........................................................................................

2019

2,126

(53)
2,073

(Millions of yen)

2018

2,082

(418)
1,664

14

Income Taxes

(1) Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Details of major causes of occurrence and changes in deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

(Millions of yen)

January 1, 
2019 (as 
previously 
reported)

Changes in 
accounting 
policy1

January 1, 
2019 (after 
adjustment)

Recognized in 
profit or loss

Recognized 
in other 
comprehensive 
income

Other

December 31, 
2019

Deferred tax assets

 Property, plant and equipment and 
  intangible assets ..............................

19,217

—

  Lease liabilities ...................................

—

46,887

  Retirement benefit liabilities ..............

  Accrued expenses .............................

  Unused tax losses .............................

  Other ..................................................
Total deferred tax assets .......................

24,093

10,446

1,400

15,866
71,022

—

—

—

—
46,887

Deferred tax liabilities

 Property, plant and equipment and
  intangible assets ..............................

10,188

—

  Right-of-use assets ............................

—

46,887

  Financial assets ..................................

  Undistributed foreign earnings ..........

  Other ..................................................

Total deferred tax liabilities ....................
Deferred tax assets, net ........................

2,635

11,161

744

24,728
46,294

—

—

—

46,887
—

19,217

46,887

24,093

10,446

1,400

15,866
117,909

10,188

46,887

2,635

11,161

744

71,615
46,294

Note: 1. It represents the financial effect from the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases.”

37

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

1,519

(1,137)

(2,177)

(184)

(551)

521
(2,009)

424

(1,202)

—

372

153

(253)
(1,756)

—

—

(480)

—

—

—
(480)

—

—

(18)

—

—

(18)
(462)

(21)

276

(17)

(22)

(462)

(382)
(628)

(664)

241

(101)

—

(157)

(681)
53

20,715

46,026

21,419

10,240

387

16,005
114,792

9,948

45,926

2,516

11,533

740

70,663
44,129

 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 

(Millions of yen)

January 1,
2018

Recognized in 
profit or loss

Recognized
in other 
comprehensive 
income

Other

December 31, 
2018

Deferred tax assets

 Property, plant and equipment and
  intangible assets ................................................

  Retirement benefit liabilities ................................

  Accrued expenses ...............................................

  Unused tax losses ...............................................

  Other ....................................................................
Total deferred tax assets .........................................

Deferred tax liabilities

 Property, plant and equipment and
  intangible assets ................................................

  Financial assets ....................................................

  Undistributed foreign earnings ............................

  Other ....................................................................

Total deferred tax liabilities ......................................
Deferred tax assets, net ..........................................

18,735

16,737

11,431

2,099

13,318
62,320

7,103

3,270

10,735

729

21,837
40,483

559

589

(998)

(1,065)

2,593
1,678

776

—

426

52

1,254
424

—

7,011

—

—

—
7,011

—

121

—

—

121
6,890

(77)

(244)

13

366

(45)
13

2,309

(756)

—

(37)

1,516
(1,503)

19,217

24,093

10,446

1,400

15,866
71,022

10,188

2,635

11,161

744

24,728
46,294

Deferred tax assets and liabilities recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position are as follows:

Deferred tax assets ...................................................................................................................................

Deferred tax liabilities ................................................................................................................................

Deferred tax assets, net ............................................................................................................................

2019

47,876

3,747
44,129

Deductible temporary differences and unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized are as follows:

Unused tax losses .......................................................................................................................................

Deductible temporary differences ...............................................................................................................
  Total ......................................................................................................................................................... 

2019

2,687

11,879
14,566

(Millions of yen)

2018

49,158

2,864
46,294

(Millions of yen)

2018

2,664

11,981
14,645

Unused tax losses for which no deferred tax asset is recognized will expire as follows:

(Millions of yen)

2019

2018

Not later than 1 year ....................................................................................................................................

Later than 1 year and not later than 2 years ................................................................................................

Later than 2 years and not later than 3 years ..............................................................................................

Later than 3 years and not later than 4 years ..............................................................................................

Later than 4 years ........................................................................................................................................
  Total .........................................................................................................................................................

343

458

288

493

1,105
2,687

210

353

472

297

1,332
2,664

  The aggregate amounts of taxable temporary differences 
associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates for 
which deferred tax liabilities were not recognized at December 
31, 2019 and 2018 were 13,648 million yen and 11,512 million 
yen, respectively. The Group did not recognize deferred tax 

liabilities for these temporary differences because it was able to 
control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences, 
and it was probable that the temporary difference will not reverse 
in the foreseeable future.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

38

 
 
 
 
 
(2) Income Taxes 
Income taxes consist of the following:

Current taxes .............................................................................................................................................

Deferred taxes1 ..........................................................................................................................................
  Total .......................................................................................................................................................  

2019

58,540

1,756
60,296

(Millions of yen)

2018

52,344

(424)
51,920

Note: 1.  Deferred taxes include 79 million yen and 385 million yen for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, due to tax rate changes.

(3) Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate
The details of difference between the effective statutory tax rate and the Group’s average actual tax rate consist of the following:

Effective statutory tax rate ........................................................................................................................

  Tax credit for experimental research costs and other ...........................................................................

  Different tax rates applied to subsidiaries .............................................................................................

  Reassessment of recoverability of unused tax losses and deferred tax assets ....................................

  Change in tax rates ................................................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................
Average actual tax rate ..............................................................................................................................

2019

30.62

(1.90)

(1.42)

0.69

0.04

0.59
28.62

(%)

2018

30.86

(3.80)

(1.64)

(0.30)

0.19

(0.26)
25.05

Note:  The “Act for Partial Revision of the Income Tax Act, etc.” (Act No. 15 of 2016) and the “Act for Partial Revision of the Local Tax Act, etc.” (Act No. 13 of 

2016) enacted in Japan on March 29, 2016 reduced the income tax rate for fiscal years beginning on or after April 1, 2016, in stages. Accordingly, the 
effective statutory tax rate has changed from 30.86% to 30.62%.

15

Bonds and Borrowings and Other

Bonds and borrowings and lease liabilities consist of the following:

Short-term borrowings .......................................................................

Current portion of long-term borrowings ............................................

Long-term borrowings ........................................................................

Current portion of bonds2 ...................................................................

Bonds2  ................................................................................................

Lease liabilities (Current) ....................................................................

Lease liabilities (Non-current) .............................................................
  Total ........................................................................................

Current liabilities

  Bonds and borrowings ....................................................................

  Lease liabilities ................................................................................

  Subtotal .......................................................................................

Non-current liabilities

  Bonds and borrowings ....................................................................

  Lease liabilities ................................................................................

  Subtotal .......................................................................................
  Total ........................................................................................

2019

450

48

76,582

25,007

25,054

19,653

141,438
288,232

25,505

19,653

45,158

101,636

141,438

243,074
288,232

2018

430

40,046

30,299

12

50,040

—

—
120,827

40,488

—

40,488

80,339

—

80,339
120,827

Notes: 1. The average interest rate is the weighted average interest rate on the balance as of December 31, 2019.

2. Details of bonds issued are as follows:

(Millions of yen)

Average interest 
rate1 (%)

Maturity

1.26

1.12

0.64

—

—

0.55

1.02

—

—

2021-2029

—

—

2021-2066

Issuer

Bond name

Issue date

The Company

4th unsecured bonds

June 14, 2013

The Company

5th unsecured bonds

June 19, 2018

Subsidiaries
  Total  ................................................................................

Other bonds

—

2019

24,995

24,958

108
50,061

2018

Interest rate (%) Collateral Maturity date

(Millions of yen)

24,985

24,947

120
50,052

0.62

0.08

—

None

None

—

June 19, 2020

June 20, 2023

—

39

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

16

Leases

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
  As a lessee, the Group leases assets including buildings etc. Some lease contracts include extension options and termination options. The 
Group has no restrictions or covenants imposed by leases.

Income and expenses relating to leases consist of the following:

Depreciation charge for right-of-use assets1

  Buildings and structures ....................................................................................................................................................

  Other ..................................................................................................................................................................................
  Total ...............................................................................................................................................................................

Interest expense on lease liabilities2 ......................................................................................................................................

Expenses relating to short-term leases3 ................................................................................................................................

Other .....................................................................................................................................................................................
  Total ................................................................................................................................................................................

(Millions of yen)

2019

16,171

1,671
17,842

1,676

1,562

907
4,145

Notes: 1.  Depreciation of right-of-use assets is included in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating expenses in the 

consolidated statement of income.

2. Interest expense on lease liabilities is included in financial expenses in the consolidated statement of income.
3.  Expenses relating to short-term leases are included in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating expenses in the 

consolidated statement of income.

  The total cash outflow for leases for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 was 24,722 million yen.
  Carrying amount of right-of-use assets consists of the following:

January 1, 2019

December 31, 2019

(Millions of yen)

Right-of-use assets

  Buildings and structures ..........................................................................................

  Other ........................................................................................................................
  Total .....................................................................................................................

162,222

9,668
171,890

156,965

7,857
164,822

  Note 31 “Cash Flow Information” presents additions to right-of-use assets.
  Note 33 “Financial Instruments” presents lease liabilities by maturity date.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018
(1) Finance Lease Payables
The total of future minimum lease payments and the present value under finance lease contracts consist of the following:

Not later than 1 year ....................................................................................................

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years ................................................................

Later than 5 years ........................................................................................................

  Total .........................................................................................................................

Financial charges .........................................................................................................
  Present value of minimum lease payments ............................................................

Minimum lease payments

(Millions of yen)
Present value of minimum
lease payments

2018

689

1,769

25

2,483

(64) 

2,419

2018

663

1,731

25

2,419

—
2,419

(2) Non-cancellable Operating Leases
The total of future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating lease contracts consists of the following:

Not later than 1 year ..............................................................................................................................................................

Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years ..........................................................................................................................

Later than 5 years ..................................................................................................................................................................
  Total ...................................................................................................................................................................................

(Millions of yen)

2018

8,622

15,539

6,381
30,542

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  The total of minimum lease payments under operating lease contracts recognized as expenses is as follows:

Total of minimum lease payments ........................................................................................................................................

(Millions of yen)

2018

9,829

17

Trade and Other Payables

Trade and other payables consist of the following:

Trade payables ...........................................................................................................................................

Non-trade payables ....................................................................................................................................
  Total ......................................................................................................................................................

2019

144,864

77,450
222,314

(Millions of yen)

2018

145,603

79,957
225,560

18

Employee Benefits

(1) Post-employment Benefits
The Company and most of its domestic subsidiaries have a cash 
balance plan as a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution 
plan as post-employment benefits (The cash balance plan is linked 
to market interest rates).The defined benefit obligations held in 
Japan account for a large proportion of the Group’s defined 
benefit obligations.
  Cash balance plan benefits are determined using points 
acquired during the enrollment period and a multiplier based on 
the enrollment period. The Group may also pay an early 
retirement bonus allowance to employees who retire earlier than 
the retirement age.

In accordance with laws and regulations, the defined benefit 
plan is operated as a pension fund that is legally separated from 
the Group. The pension fund is managed by a Board of 
Representatives composed of representatives elected by the 
participating companies and the representatives of participating 
employees. Pension fund management institutions manage the 

pension fund’s assets in accordance with management policies 
specified by the Board of Representatives. The Board of 
Representatives and the pension fund management institutions 
are legally required to act in the best interests of plan participants 
in executing their responsibilities for managing the plan assets. 
  Certain foreign subsidiaries have defined benefit plans and/or 
defined contribution plans as post-employment benefits. 

  The defined benefit plan is exposed to actuarial risk and to the 
risk of fluctuation in the fair value of plan assets. Actuarial risk 
primarily involves interest rate risk. Interest rate risk involves the 
potential for an increase in defined benefit plan obligations if the 
discount rate used to determine their present value decreases, 
because this discount rate is based on market yields on 
instruments including high-quality corporate bonds. The risk of 
fluctuation in the fair value of plan assets involves underfunding if 
actual interest rates are lower than the interest rate criteria for 
managing the performance of the plan assets. 

1) Defined benefit liabilities recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position

Net defined benefit liabilities and assets recognized in the consolidated statement of financial position, defined benefit obligations 
and plan assets are as follows:

Present value of defined benefit obligations .............................................................................................

Fair value of plan assets ............................................................................................................................
  Net defined benefit liabilities .............................................................................................................

Amounts recognized in consolidated statement of fi nancial position

  Retirement benefit liabilities ..................................................................................................................

  Retirement benefit assets .....................................................................................................................
  Net defined benefit liabilities .............................................................................................................

2019

362,080

(283,647)
78,433

80,579

(2,146)
78,433

(Millions of yen)

2018

342,130

(258,744)
83,386

84,552

(1,166)
83,386

41

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2) Defined benefit obligations

Changes in the present value of defined benefit obligations are as follows:

The present value of the defi ned benefi t obligations at beginning of year ................................................
  Current service cost1 ..............................................................................................................................
Interest expense2  ..................................................................................................................................

  Remeasurements

  Actuarial (gains) losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions .....................................
  Actuarial (gains) losses arising from changes in financial assumptions .............................................
  Actuarial (gains) losses arising from experience adjustments ...........................................................
  Past service cost and (gains) losses arising from settlements3 .............................................................
  Benefits paid4 .........................................................................................................................................
  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations and other ...................................................
The present value of the defi ned benefi t obligations at end of year .........................................................

2019
342,130
9,804
2,710

2,389
17,402
365
35
(12,381)
(374)
362,080

(Millions of yen)

2018
333,614
9,376
2,569

6,755
1,376
1,748
107
(11,865)
(1,550)
342,130

Notes: 1.  Current service cost is recognized in profit or loss and included in 

cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses and other 
operating expenses in the consolidated statement of income.
2.  Interest expense or interest income associated with the net of the 
present value of the defined benefit obligations and the fair value of 
plan assets is recognized in profit or loss and included in financial 
expenses or financial income in the consolidated statement of income.

3.  Past service cost and (gains) losses arising from settlements are 

recognized in profit or loss and included in cost of sales and general 
and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of income.
4.  The weighted average duration of the defined benefit obligations in 
Japan was mainly 18.0 years at December 31, 2019 and 17.4 years 
at December 31, 2018.

3) Plan assets

Changes in the fair value of plan assets are as follows:

The fair value of plan assets at beginning of year .....................................................................................
Interest income ......................................................................................................................................

  Remeasurements

  Return on plan assets (excluding amounts included in interest income) ...........................................
  Contributions to the plan by the employer1 ...........................................................................................
  Payments from the plan ........................................................................................................................
  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations and other ...................................................
The fair value of plan assets at end of year ...............................................................................................

2019
258,744
1,911

19,456
14,870
(11,242)
(92)
283,647

(Millions of yen)

2018
270,144
1,927

(12,656)
10,292
(10,249)
(714)
258,744

Note: 1.  Pursuant to laws and regulations, the Group and the pension fund review the financial condition of the pension plan regularly and recalculate 

contributions for allocating future benefits and maintaining the balance of pension financing when the plan is underfunded. The Group plans to 
contribute 15,760 million yen to the defined benefit plan for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020.

  Plan assets consist of the following:

2019

2018

Market price in an active market

Market price in an active market

(Millions of yen)

Equity securities .........................
  Japan ......................................
  Overseas .................................
Debt securities ...........................
  Japan ......................................
  Overseas .................................
Other ..........................................
  Total ....................................

Quoted 
11,623
—
11,623
7,863
—
7,863
334
19,820

Unquoted 
57,118
28,412
28,706
195,263
130,418
64,845
11,446
263,827

Total
68,741
28,412
40,329
203,126
130,418
72,708
11,780
283,647

Quoted
8,830
—
8,830
6,640
—
6,640
352
15,822

Unquoted
43,962
21,502
22,460
188,425
126,940
61,485
10,535
242,922

Total
52,792
21,502
31,290
195,065
126,940
68,125
10,887
258,744

Note: Plan assets invested in pooled funds of trust banks are classified without quoted market prices in active markets.

  Pension assets in Japan account for a large proportion of the 
Group’s plan assets. The objective in managing the plan assets 
is to raise total returns to the greatest extent possible in order 
to ensure stable benefits and lump-sum payments for plan 
participants in the future and beneficiaries with a long-term 
view under acceptable risks. Specifically, the Group considers 
factors including expected rate of return on investments in 

appropriate assets, risks of each asset, and asset 
combinations to set an asset mix policy for an appropriate 
basic portfolio in future years as the basis for maintaining asset 
allocation. The Group reviews the basic portfolio annually and 
realigns it as necessary if the asset allocation conditions have 
changed since the asset mix was set.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4) Significant actuarial assumptions and related sensitivity analysis

Significant actuarial assumptions are as follows:

Discount rate ............................................................................................................................................

Mainly 0.6%

Mainly 0.8%

2019

2018

Note: The above table presents the discount rate used by the Company and major domestic subsidiaries.

  Sensitivity analysis of the effect of changes in the present value of the defined benefit obligations of the Company and major 
domestic subsidiaries given changes in the discount rate used as a significant actuarial assumption is as follows:

(Millions of yen)

2019

2018

The impact on defined benefit obligations
  0.5% increase in discount rate ...........................................................................................................
  0.5% decrease in discount rate ..........................................................................................................

(27,430)
28,821

(25,292)
26,314

Note:  This sensitivity analysis estimates the effect on the defined benefit obligations at the end of each reporting period from changes in the discount rate while 

all of the other assumptions remain constant.

5) Defined contribution plans

Expenses related to the defined contribution plan recognized 
in profit or loss were 3,820 million yen and 4,176 million yen 
for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, 
respectively and included in cost of sales, selling, general 
and administrative expenses and other operating expenses 
in the consolidated statement of income.

(2) Other Employee Benefit Expenses
Other employee benefit expenses recognized in cost of sales, 
selling, general and administrative expenses, and other operating 
expenses in the consolidated statement of income for the fiscal 
years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 were 274,937 million 
yen and 272,234 million yen, respectively.

19

Provisions

Components of and changes in provisions consist of the following:

Provision for
loss related
to cosmetics

Provision for 
asset retirement 
obligations

Other
provisions

January 1, 2019 ....................................................................................

8,168

4,414

Increase ............................................................................................

Interest expense on discounted provision ........................................

—

8

  Decrease (provision used) ................................................................

(2,217)

  Decrease (provision reversed) ..........................................................

 Exchange differences on translation of 
  foreign operations ...........................................................................

—

—

December 31, 2019 ..............................................................................

5,959

53

57

(7)

—

(11)

4,506

2,466

755

—

(1,470)

(4)

(36)

1,711

(Millions of yen)

Total

15,048

808

65

(3,694)

(4) 

(47) 

12,176

(1) Provision for Loss Related to Cosmetics
The Group has recognized estimated compensation and other 
expenses related to cosmetics for brightening products of Kanebo 
Cosmetics containing the ingredient Rhododenol, for which a 
voluntary recall was announced on July 4, 2013. The Group 
expects its insurance policy to cover 1,468 million yen of the 
estimated expenses.

using historical experience and other factors when the Group has a 
legal or contractual obligation associated with the retirement of 
property, plant and equipment and right-of-use assets held for use.
  These expenditures are generally expected to take place after a 
year or more, but are affected by factors including future business 
plans.

(2) Provision for Asset Retirement Obligations
The Group recognizes asset retirement obligations principally 
based on or pursuant to reasonably estimated future expenditures 

(3) Other Provisions
Other provisions consist of estimated expenses for business 
transformation at subsidiaries in Europe and the Americas and 
other expenses.

43

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

20 Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consist of the following:

Accrued expenses .....................................................................................................................................

Consumption tax payables ........................................................................................................................

Obligation for unused paid absences ........................................................................................................

Other .........................................................................................................................................................

  Total .......................................................................................................................................................  

21

Equity and Other Equity Items

(1) Share Capital
The numbers of shares authorized and issued are as follows:

2019

72,551

10,663

7,948

8,249

99,411

(Millions of yen)

2018

77,530

8,808

7,865

8,249

102,452

2019

2018

(Shares)

Authorized .................................................................................................................................................

1,000,000,000

1,000,000,000

Issued1

  Beginning balance ..................................................................................................................................

488,700,000

495,000,000

  Change during the year2 .........................................................................................................................

(6,700,000)

(6,300,000)

  Ending balance .......................................................................................................................................

482,000,000

488,700,000

Notes: 1.  All of the issued shares of the Company are ordinary shares that have no par value and no limitations on rights. Issued shares are fully paid.

2.  The number of issued shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 decreased by 6,700,000 shares and 6,300,000 shares 

respectively due to the retirement of treasury shares pursuant to the resolution of the Board of Directors.

(2) Capital Surplus
Capital surplus consists of capital reserve and other capital surplus. 
  The Companies Act stipulates that over half of the capital contributed from the issue of shares must be included in share capital and 
that the remainder must be included in capital reserve. Moreover, capital reserve may be included in share capital by resolution of the 
General Meeting of Shareholders.

(3) Treasury Shares
The changes in treasury shares are as follows:

Beginning balance1 ....................................................................................................................................

Increase2 ................................................................................................................................................

2019

2,043,272

5,786,409

(Shares)

2018

2,225,561

6,237,461

  Decrease3 ...............................................................................................................................................

(6,746,215) 

(6,419,750)

Ending balance4 .........................................................................................................................................

1,083,466

2,043,272

Notes: 1.  556,492 shares of treasury shares held by associates were included at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

In addition, 242,675 shares and 257,300 shares held by the Board Incentive Plan Trust (hereinafter “BIP Trust”) were included at December 31, 

2019 and 2018, respectively.

2.  The increase of 5,786,409 shares of treasury shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 resulted from the acquisition of 5,782,400 

shares by resolution of the Board of Directors and the purchase of 4,009 fractional shares.
  The increase of 6,237,461 shares of treasury shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 resulted from the acquisition of 6,233,200 
shares by resolution of the Board of Directors and the purchase of 4,261 fractional shares.

3.  The decrease of 6,746,215 shares of treasury shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 resulted from the retirement of 6,700,000 

shares by resolution of the Board of Directors, a decrease of 30,000 shares due to the exercise of stock options, a decrease of 16,125 shares due to 
the grant to the Board of Directors by the BIP trust and the sale of 90 fractional shares.
  The decrease of 6,419,750 shares of treasury shares during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 resulted from the retirement of 6,300,000 
shares by resolution of the Board of Directors, a decrease of 105,000 shares due to the exercise of stock options, a decrease of 14,625 shares due to 
the grant to the Board of Directors by the BIP trust and the sale of 125 fractional shares.

4.  556,492 shares of treasury shares held by associates were included at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

In addition, 226,550 shares and 242,675 shares held by the BIP Trust were included at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

44

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(4) Other Components of Equity

1) Subscription rights to shares

The Company employs a stock option system and issues 
subscription rights to shares in accordance with the 
Companies Act; however, due to the introduction of a 
performance share plan, the stock option plan has been 
abolished except for the options already granted.
  Note 32 “Share-based Payments” presents information 
including terms and conditions and amounts.

2)  Exchange differences on translation of foreign 

operations
Foreign currency translation differences arise from the 
translation of financial statements of foreign operations 
prepared in foreign currencies.

3)  Net gain (loss) on derivatives designated as cash flow 

hedges
Associates hedge their exposure to the risk of variability in 
future cash flows. Net gain (loss) on derivatives designated 
as cash flow hedges is the portion of the change in the fair 
value of the hedging instrument that meets the hedge 
effectiveness requirements under hedge accounting.

4)  Net gain (loss) on revaluation of financial assets measured 

at fair value through other comprehensive income
This is the accumulated amount of changes in the fair value 
of financial assets measured at fair value through other 

comprehensive income. The Group reclassifies net gain (loss) 
on revaluation of financial assets from other components of 
equity to retained earnings when it disposes of an investment 
or when fair value declines significantly.

5) Remeasurements of defined benefit plans

Remeasurements of defined benefit plans include the effect 
of any variances between actuarial assumptions at the 
beginning of the year and actual results, the effects of 
changes in actuarial assumptions, actual return on plan assets 
and interest income on plan assets (excluding amounts 
included in net interest on the net defined benefit liability 
(asset)), and any change in the effect of the asset ceiling 
(excluding amounts included in net interest on the net 
defined benefit liability (asset)). Remeasurements of defined 
benefit plans are recognized in other comprehensive income 
and immediately reclassified from other components of 
equity to retained earnings in the period when they occur.

(5) Retained Earnings
Retained earnings consist of legal reserve and other retained 
earnings. 
  The Companies Act requires that an amount equal to one-tenth 
of dividends must be appropriated as capital reserve or as legal 
reserve until the total of the aggregate amount of capital reserve 
and legal reserve equals a quarter of share capital. Legal reserve 
may be appropriated to reduce a deficit, and also may be reversed 
by resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

22

Basic Strategy for Capital Policy

The Group’s capital policy follows a basic strategy of securing a 
sound financial structure to make investments for sustainable 
growth and tolerate the related risks, and to make stable, 
continuous returns to shareholders. To realize this policy, the 
Group uses Economic Value Added (hereinafter “EVA®1”), a 
management indicator that takes capital cost into account, as its 
main indicator and works to enhance its corporate value by 
improving EVA. Guided by EVA management, which places 
importance on both continuous enhancements in corporate value 
and long-term profits for all stakeholders, the Group develops its 
business strategy and business plan.
  The Group manages all equity and interest-bearing liabilities as 
capital cost and intends to optimize capital cost from the 
viewpoint of safety and capital efficiency. For equity, the Group 
aims for a streamlined and sound structure from a medium- to 
long-term perspective with efficiency in mind and, while 
maintaining interest-bearing liabilities at a moderate level, aims to 
maintain high credit ratings which will allow it to procure capital 
for large-scale investments. The Group is not subject to significant 

capital regulations except for general requirements under the 
Companies Act and others.
  Although the Group emphasizes shareholder returns, it realizes 
that investments for growth will meet the expectations of its 
stakeholders, and therefore prioritizes such investments. In 
addition to providing stable dividends, the Group aims to 
continuously increase dividends to reflect improvements in 
business results. The Group also uses surplus funds to flexibly 
conduct share repurchases. 

In addition to making returns to shareholders, the Group retains 

the capital necessary to conduct investments for growth in a 
timely fashion and to ensure the appropriate resources to deal 
with situations that exceed assumptions while improving EVA.

  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, EVA decreased 
6.1 billion yen compared with the previous fiscal year to 87.4 
billion yen due to a decrease in net operating profit after tax 
(hereinafter “NOPAT”).

Note: 1. EVA is a monetary metric defined as NOPAT less capital cost. EVA is a registered trademark of Stern Stewart & Co.

45

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

23 Dividends

Dividends paid are as follows:

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

Date of resolution

113th Annual General Meeting 
  of Shareholders held on 
  March 26, 2019

Board of Directors meeting held 
  on July 31, 2019

Total dividends¹
(Millions of yen)

Dividends per share 
(Yen)

Record date

Effective date

29,199

31,259

60

65

December 31, 2018

March 27, 2019

June 30, 2019

September 2, 2019

Note: 1.  Total dividends are reduced by dividends on treasury shares held by associates accounted for using the equity method and dividends on shares of the 

Company held by the BIP Trust.
  The dividend resolved at the 113th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on March 26, 2019 was 29,247 million yen before the deduction. 
The dividend resolved at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on July 31, 2019 was 31,310 million yen before the deduction.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Date of resolution

112th Annual General Meeting 
  of Shareholders held on 
  March 23, 2018

Board of Directors meeting held on 
  July 26, 2018

Total dividends¹
(Millions of yen)

Dividends per share 
(Yen)

Record date

Effective date

27,595

29,197

56

60

December 31, 2017

March 26, 2018

June 30, 2018

September 3, 2018

Note: 1.  Total dividends are reduced by dividends on treasury shares held by associates accounted for using the equity method and dividends on shares of the 

Company held by the BIP Trust.
  The dividend resolved at the 112th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on March 23, 2018 was 27,641 million yen before the deduction. 
The dividend resolved at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on July 26, 2018 was 29,245 million yen before the deduction. 

Dividends with an effective date after the fiscal year end are as follows:

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019

Date of Resolution

114th Annual General Meeting
  of Shareholders held on 
  March 25, 2020

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

Date of Resolution

113th Annual General Meeting
  of Shareholders held on 
  March 26, 2019

Total dividends
(Millions of yen)

Dividends per share
(Yen)

Record date

Effective date

31,310

65

December 31, 2019

March 26, 2020

Total dividends
(Millions of yen)

Dividends per share 
(Yen)

Record date

Effective date

29,247

60

December 31, 2018

March 27, 2019

24

Revenue

(1) Disaggregation of Revenue
The Group is organized on the basis of five businesses: the four 
business areas that constitute the Consumer Products Business 
(the Cosmetics Business, the Skin Care and Hair Care Business, 
the Human Health Care Business, and the Fabric and Home Care 
Business), and the Chemical Business. Revenues of these five 
businesses are presented as net sales. The Board of Directors of 
the Company reviews them regularly to determine allocation of 
resources and to assess their performance. Revenue of logistics 
services to third parties is included in other operating income 
because it is not a part of the abovementioned five main businesses.  

  The Group disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers 
by separating the Consumer Products Business into the Cosmetics 
Business and non-Cosmetics Businesses based on contracts with 
customers, with the Chemical Business as a separate division. 
Revenue by geographic region is disaggregated based on the 
location of revenue recognized. The relationship between 
disaggregated revenue and net sales by segment is as follows:

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

46

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

Cosmetics Business

Skin Care and Hair Care Business

Human Health Care Business

Fabric and Home Care Business

Consumer Products Business

Chemical Business

Elimination of intersegment transactions

Consolidated

Revenue of logistics services to third parties 

included in other operating income

Japan

232,132

199,541

160,312

307,658

899,643

123,422

(35,911)

987,154

Asia

42,725

28,485

94,793

40,347

206,350

57,349

(2,851)

260,848

Americas

6,047

71,430

113

11,245

88,835

46,076

(60)

Europe

20,643

41,301

6

257

62,207

59,088

(1,907)

(Millions of yen)
Total

301,547

340,757

255,224

359,507

1,257,035

285,935

(40,729)

134,851

119,388

1,502,241

8,973

—

—

—

8,973

Total revenue from contracts with customers

996,127

260,848

134,851

119,388

1,511,214

Note:  Figures for the Consumer Products Business present sales to external customers and figures for the Chemical Business include sales to the Consumer 

Products Business in addition to external customers.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 

Cosmetics Business

Skin Care and Hair Care Business

Human Health Care Business

Fabric and Home Care Business

Consumer Products Business

Chemical Business

Elimination of intersegment transactions

Consolidated

Revenue of logistics services to third parties 

included in other operating income

Japan

217,726

195,821

171,633

298,712

883,892

126,550

(32,864)

977,578

Asia

34,667

28,513

95,971

39,558

198,709

67,480

(3,088)

263,101

Americas

6,397

72,804

98

5,723

85,022

51,846

(87)

Europe

20,845

44,281

—

112

65,238

66,931

(1,622)

(Millions of yen)
Total

279,635

341,419

267,702

344,105

1,232,861

312,807

(37,661)

136,781

130,547

1,508,007

8,548

—

—

—

8,548

Total revenue from contracts with customers

986,126

263,101

136,781

130,547

1,516,555

Note:  Figures for the Consumer Products Business present sales to external customers and figures for the Chemical Business include sales to the Consumer 

Products Business in addition to external customers.

1) Consumer Products Business

The Consumer Products Business sells consumer products 
including cosmetics, skin care products, hair care products, 
sanitary products and fabric care products. Its customers are 
mainly retailers in Japan and retailers and wholesalers outside 
Japan. Revenue from such sales is recognized when control 
of a product is transferred to a customer, i.e., at the point in 
time a product is delivered and handed over at the place 
designated by a customer because legal title to the product, 
physical possession and the significant risks and rewards of 
ownership of the product are transferred to the customer and 
the customer has the right to decide the method of sale and 
selling price of the product.

In the Consumer Products Business, products may be sold 
with a rebate conditional upon achievement of certain targets 
such as the quantity or amount of sales (hereinafter 
“Achievement Rebate”) or other payments. In such cases, 
the transaction price is determined in an amount deducting 
the estimated amount of the Achievement Rebate or other 
payments from the consideration promised in the contract 

with the customer. Estimates of Achievement Rebate or 
other payment amounts use the most likely outcome method 
based on historical experience and other factors, and revenue 
is recognized only to the extent that it is highly probable that 
a significant reversal will not occur.

In addition, in the event that the Group makes payments to 

customers such as funding for sales promotions, if the 
consideration paid to customers is payment for separate 
goods or services from the customer and fair value cannot be 
reasonably estimated, revenue is measured by deducting the 
consideration from the transaction price.
  Among the products in the Consumer Products Business, 
cosmetics are composed of counseling cosmetics and self-
selection cosmetics. The Group may provide support to 
customers when they sell counseling cosmetics through 
counseling to final consumers.

In addition, when selling cosmetics, a certain level of 

product returns from customers associated with the 
termination of products is expected to occur. Because the 
Group has an obligation to refund the consideration for a 

47

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

product if a customer returns it, the Group recognizes a 
liability for sales returns as a deduction from revenue for 
projected refunds to customers. To estimate liabilities related 
to such sales returns, the Group uses the most likely 
outcome method based on historical experience and other 
factors, and revenue is recognized only to the extent that it is 
highly probable that a significant reversal will not occur. When 
customers return products, the Group has the right to collect 
the products from the customers, but because returned 
goods are primarily the result of a product termination, the 
products returned have no asset value and therefore such 
assets are not recognized.

2) Chemical Business

The Chemical Business sells chemical products such as fatty 
alcohols and surfactants. Its customers are mainly the users 
and distributors of the products. Revenue from such sales is 
recognized when control of a product is transferred to a 
customer, i.e., at the point in time a product is delivered and 
handed over at the place designated by a customer because 
legal title to the product, physical possession and the 
significant risks and rewards of ownership of the product are 
transferred to the customer and the customer has the right to 
decide the method of sale and selling price of the product. 
Revenue from sales of products in the Chemical Business is 
measured at transaction prices for contracts with customers.

(2) Liabilities from Contracts with Customers
Liabilities from contracts with customers are as follows:

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019  

Contract liabilities

January 1, 2019

December 31, 2019

(Millions of yen)

  Advances ...........................................................................................................................

  Refund liabilities .................................................................................................................

  Total ...............................................................................................................................

181

18,206

18,387

384

20,232

20,616

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018  

Contract liabilities

January 1, 2018

December 31, 2018

(Millions of yen)

  Advances ...........................................................................................................................

  Refund liabilities .................................................................................................................

  Total ...............................................................................................................................

392

16,904

17,296

181

18,206

18,387

  Among liabilities from contracts with customers, estimates of 
Achievement Rebates or other payment amounts expected to be 
paid to customers related to sales by the end of the reporting period 
and liabilities for returned products are recognized as refund liabilities. 
  The balances of advances as of January 1, 2019 and 2018 were 
recognized as revenue during the fiscal years ended December 31, 
2019 and 2018, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized 
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 from performance 
obligations satisfied in previous periods was not material.

(4)  Assets Recognized from the Costs of Obtaining or Fulfilling 

Contracts with Customers

The amount of assets recognized from the costs of obtaining or 
fulfilling contracts with customers during the fiscal year ended 
December 31, 2019 was not material. In addition, if the 
amortization period of the assets that the Group otherwise would 
have recognized is one year or less, the Group uses the practical 
expedient of recognizing the incremental costs of obtaining the 
contract as an expense when incurred.

(3)  Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance 

Obligations

The Group uses the practical expedient of omitting the disclosure 
of information on the remaining performance obligations because it 
has no significant transactions with individual expected contractual 
terms exceeding one year. In addition, there are no significant 
amounts in consideration from contracts with customers that are 
not included in transaction prices.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

48

 
 
25

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of the following:

Advertising .................................................................................................................................................

Sales promotion .........................................................................................................................................

2019

77,545

56,943

(Millions of yen)

2018

80,274

55,308

Employee benefi ts .....................................................................................................................................

148,431

148,220

Depreciation ..............................................................................................................................................

Amortization ..............................................................................................................................................

Research and development .......................................................................................................................

Other .........................................................................................................................................................

18,775

7,950

59,143

74,125

9,186

6,860

57,673

87,324

  Total .......................................................................................................................................................  

442,912

444,845

  As a transitional measure upon the adoption of IFRS 16, the Group applies this Standard retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially 
applying this Standard recognized at the date of initial application and thus has not restated the amounts for the comparative period. As a 
result, the expenses of 9,581 million yen previously included in other are accounted for as depreciation.

26 Other Operating Income

Other operating income consists of the following:

Revenue of logistics services to third parties ............................................................................................

Royalty income ..........................................................................................................................................

Other .........................................................................................................................................................

2019

8,973

1,244

4,975

  Total .......................................................................................................................................................  

15,192

(Millions of yen)

2018

8,548

1,039

4,701

14,288

27 Other Operating Expenses

Other operating expenses consist of the following:

Expenses of logistics services to third parties ..........................................................................................

Losses on sale and disposal of property, plant and equipment .................................................................

Expenses for business transformation at subsidiaries in Europe and the Americas .................................

Other .........................................................................................................................................................

2019

8,293

3,600

752

1,430

(Millions of yen)

2018

7,667

4,769

1,516

1,806

  Total .......................................................................................................................................................

14,075

15,758

49

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

28

Financial Income and Financial Expenses

Financial income consists of the following:

(Millions of yen)

2019

2018

Interest income

  Financial assets measured at amortized cost ........................................................................................

  Retirement benefi t assets .....................................................................................................................

1,707

28

1,320

30

Dividend income

  Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

  Financial assets derecognized during the year ..................................................................................

  Financial assets held at year end .......................................................................................................

  Financial assets measured at fair value through profi t or loss ...............................................................

Other .........................................................................................................................................................

8

162

7

115

78

171

8

110

  Total ...............................................................................................................................................

2,027

1,717

Financial expenses consist of the following:

Foreign exchange loss1 ..............................................................................................................................

Interest expenses2

  Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost .....................................................................................

  Lease liabilities .......................................................................................................................................

  Retirement benefi t liabilities ..................................................................................................................

Other .........................................................................................................................................................

  Total ...............................................................................................................................................

2019

1,521 

1,164

1,676

827

43

5,231

(Millions of yen)

2018

2,304 

1,256

—

672

19

4,251

Notes: 1. Valuation gains or losses on currency derivatives that are not designated as hedges are included in foreign exchange loss.
2. Valuation gains or losses on interest rate derivatives that are not designated as hedges are included in interest expenses.

29

Earnings per Share

(1) The Basis for Calculating Basic Earnings per Share

Net income attributable to owners of the parent ......................................................................................

148,213

Amounts not attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent ..............................................................

—

2019

2018

153,698

—

Net income used to calculate basic earnings per share ............................................................................

148,213

153,698

(Millions of yen, unless otherwise noted)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (Thousands of shares) ......................................................

483,252

489,089

Basic earnings per share (Yen) ..................................................................................................................

306.70

314.25

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2) The Basis for Calculating Diluted Earnings per Share

Net income used to calculate basic earnings per share ............................................................................

148,213

Adjustments to net income .......................................................................................................................

—

2019

2018

153,698

—

Net income used to calculate diluted earnings per share ..........................................................................

148,213

153,698

(Millions of yen, unless otherwise noted)

Weighted average number of ordinary shares (Thousands of shares) ......................................................

483,252

489,089

Increase in ordinary shares

  Subscription rights to shares (Thousands of shares) .............................................................................

104

Weighted average number of ordinary shares after dilution (Thousands of shares) .................................

483,356

199

489,289

Diluted earnings per share (Yen) ...............................................................................................................

306.63

314.12

Summary of potential ordinary shares not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share 
  because they have no dilutive effect .....................................................................................................

—

—

30 Other Comprehensive Income

Amount arising during the fiscal year, reclassification adjustments to profit or loss and tax effects for each component of other 
comprehensive income are as follows:

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

Gains (losses)
arising for the year

Reclassification 
adjustments

Before tax 
effect

Tax effect

(Millions of yen)
After tax 
effect

Items that will not be reclassifi ed to profi t or loss

 Net gain (loss) on revaluation of fi nancial assets measured 
  at fair value through other comprehensive income .........

  Remeasurements of defi ned benefi t plans .......................

 Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
  accounted for using the equity method ...........................

  Total of items that will not be reclassifi ed to profi t or loss ..

(24)

(700)

(24)

(748)

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations ...

(2,723)

 Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
  accounted for using the equity method ...........................

 Total of items that may be reclassifi ed subsequently 
  to profi t or loss .............................................................

(36)

(2,759)

—

—

—

—

234

—

234

(24)

(700)

(24)

(748)

(2,489)

(36)

(2,525)

18

(480)

7

(455)

—

(0)

(0)

(6)

(1,180)

(17)

(1,203)

(2,489)

(36)

(2,525)

  Total ...........................................................................

(3,507)

234

(3,273)

(455)

(3,728)

51

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018  

Gains (losses)
arising for the year

Reclassification 
adjustments

Before tax 
effect

Tax effect

(Millions of yen)
After tax 
effect

Items that will not be reclassifi ed to profi t or loss

 Net gain (loss) on revaluation of fi nancial assets measured 
  at fair value through other comprehensive income .........

119

  Remeasurements of defi ned benefi t plans .......................

(22,535)

 Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
  accounted for using the equity method ...........................

(497)

  Total of items that will not be reclassifi ed to profi t or loss ..

(22,913)

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

  Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations ...

(16,140)

 Share of other comprehensive income of investments 
  accounted for using the equity method ...........................

 Total of items that may be reclassifi ed subsequently 
  to profi t or loss .............................................................

(75) 

(16,215)

  Total ...........................................................................

(39,128)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

119

(22,535)

(497)

(22,913)

(16,140)

(75) 

(16,215)

(121) 

7,011 

152 

7,042 

—

2

2

(2)

(15,524)

(345)

(15,871)

(16,140)

(73) 

(16,213)

(39,128)

7,044

(32,084)

31

Cash Flow Information

(1) Changes in Liabilities Arising from Financing Activities
The following table presents the major changes in liabilities arising from financing activities for lease liabilities.

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

January 1, 
2019 (as 
previously 
reported)

Changes in 
accounting 
policy1

January 1, 
2019 (after 
adjustment)

Changes 
from 
financing 
cash flows

New leases

Other

December 
31, 2019

Non-cash changes

(Millions of yen)

Lease liabilities ......................................

—

167,435

167,435

(20,565)

22,804

(8,583)

161,091

Note: 1.  It represents the financial effect from the adoption of IFRS 16 “Leases.”

  Except for lease liabilities, the major changes in liabilities arising from financing activities were changes from financing cash flows and 
there were no significant non-cash changes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

  The major changes in liabilities arising from financing activities were changes from financing cash flows and there are no significant 
non-cash changes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

(2) Non-cash Transactions
The major non-cash transactions comprised the acquisition of right-of-use assets resulted from leases of 23,199 million yen for the fiscal 
year ended December 31, 2019.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32

Share-based Payments

(1) Stock Options

1) Outline of stock options

The Company issued the following type of stock option to 
directors and executive officers of the Company. Due to the 
introduction of a performance share plan, the stock option plan 
has been abolished except for the options already granted.

Stock options for share-based payment 
Stock options for share-based payment were granted as 
compensation for directors and executive officers who do 
not concurrently serve as directors. These stock options 

2) Number of stock options and weighted average exercise price

were intended to motivate and inspire recipients to enhance 
the Company’s results and value of shares and to further 
enhance corporate value by aligning the interests of 
recipients with those of shareholders by further increasing 
the linkage among the compensation of recipients, the 
Company’s results and value of shares.

• Vesting conditions: Set on date of grant
•  Settlement: Shares settled
•  Exercise period: Five years from July 1 of two years 

after the date the stock options were granted

2019

2018

Number of
shares

Weighted average 
exercise price

Number of
shares

Weighted average 
exercise price

Beginning balance of outstanding .................................

  Granted ......................................................................

(Shares)

125,000

—

  Exercised ...................................................................

(30,000)

  Expired at maturity .....................................................

Ending balance of outstanding ......................................

Ending balance of exercisable .......................................

—

95,000

95,000

(Yen)

1

—

1

—

1

1

(Shares)

313,000

—

(105,000)

(83,000)

125,000

125,000

(Yen)

973

—

1,117

2,254

1

1

Notes: 1.  The weighted average share price on the date of exercise for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was 8,118 yen and 7,877 

yen, respectively.

2. The exercise price and the weighted average remaining contractual life for stock options outstanding at the end of the period are as follows:

Exercise price

(Yen)

1

2019

Number of
shares

(Shares)

95,000

Weighted average 
remaining contractual life

Exercise price

(Years)

2.2

(Yen)

1

2018

Number of
shares

(Shares)

125,000

Weighted average 
remaining contractual life

(Years)

2.8

(2) Performance Share Plan

1) Outline of performance share plan

The Company introduced a performance share plan 
(hereinafter the “Plan”) for the members of the Board of 
Directors (excluding Outside Directors) and Executive 
Officers (collectively, “Directors, etc.”) as a highly 
transparent and objective compensation system that is 
closely linked to company performance. The purpose of the 
Plan is to improve the Company’s mid- and long-term 
performance as well as increase the awareness of 
contributions to increasing corporate value.
  The Company has introduced the Plan using a structure 
called a BIP Trust. A BIP Trust is designed as an executive 
incentive plan based on the performance share plans and 
restricted stock plans in the U.S. wherein the Company’s 
shares that are acquired through the BIP Trust and the 
amount equivalent to the converted value of such shares will 
be vested or paid to Directors, etc. depending on their 

executive positions and level of achievement of performance 
targets in the mid-term plan and other factors. The shares 
held by the BIP Trust are accounted for as treasury shares.
  The Plan grants specified points (1 point = 1 share) to 
Directors, etc. each year depending on their executive 
positions and other factors on the condition that the 
requirements of a designated beneficiary, such as holding 
the office of Director, etc. on the last day of each fiscal year 
during the eligibility period, have been satisfied. The 
Company’s shares and cash in the amount of the converted 
value of such Company’s shares equivalent to the number of 
such points may be granted or paid following completion of 
settlement procedures by the designated beneficiary, after 
the end of the eligibility period in the case of performance-
linked points, or for a specified period each year during the 
eligibility period in the case of fixed points.
  The Plan is accounted for as an equity-settled share-based 
payment transaction.

53

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2)  Number of points granted during the period and weighted average fair value of points 

The fair value of the points on the date of grant is determined by adjusting the market price of the Company’s shares taking expected 
dividends into account.

  The number of points granted during the period and the weighted average fair value of the points are as follows:

Number of points granted during the period ..............

Weighted average fair value (Yen) ..............................

35,000

6,821

2019

Achievement-linked 
points

Fixed points

15,000

6,551

2018

Achievement-linked 
points

37,625

6,821

Fixed points

16,125

6,659

(3) Share-based Payment Expenses
Share-based payment expenses recognized in the consolidated statement of income for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 
2018 were 337 million yen and 364 million yen, respectively.

33

Financial Instruments

(1) Classification of Financial Instruments
The amounts of each classification of financial assets are as follows:

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

Financial assets

(Millions of yen)

2019

2018

  Cash and cash equivalents (Note 7) .......................................................................................................

  Trade and other receivables (Note 8) .....................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss

  Cash and cash equivalents (Note 7) .......................................................................................................

  Derivatives .............................................................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................

Financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

  Equity securities ....................................................................................................................................

  Total ...............................................................................................................................................

Current assets

  Cash and cash equivalents ....................................................................................................................

  Trade and other receivables ...................................................................................................................

  Other fi nancial assets ............................................................................................................................

  Subtotal ..............................................................................................................................................

Non-current assets

  Other fi nancial assets ............................................................................................................................

  Total ...............................................................................................................................................

269,781

208,839

25,893

19,900

214

3,063

10,722

538,412

289,681

208,839

13,788

512,308

26,104

538,412

236,078

223,102

23,495

29,900

1,068

2,983

11,140

527,766

265,978

223,102

15,146

504,226

23,540

527,766

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

54

 
 
 
 
 
 
  Equity securities held by the Group are mainly issued by the entities that maintain business relationships with the Group and held for 
the long-term without speculative purposes. The Group has designated such equity securities as financial assets measured at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Names of major equity securities and their fair values are as follows:

As of December 31, 2019 

Company name

(Millions of yen)
Fair value

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.  .....................................................................................................................

Saiwai Trading Co., Ltd.  ............................................................................................................................

Livedo Corporation  ...................................................................................................................................

Aeon Co., Ltd.  ...........................................................................................................................................

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.  ......................................................................................................................

Japan Alcohol Trading Co., Ltd.  ................................................................................................................

Keytrading Co., Ltd.  ..................................................................................................................................

Izumi Co., Ltd.  ..........................................................................................................................................

Kawaken Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.  ...........................................................................................................

Kyoto Seisakusho Co., Ltd.  .......................................................................................................................

2,360

1,308

1,201

952

910

700

414

394

245

205

As of December 31, 2018 

Company name

(Millions of yen)
Fair value

Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.  .....................................................................................................................

Saiwai Trading Co., Ltd.  ............................................................................................................................

Livedo Corporation ....................................................................................................................................

Aeon Co., Ltd.  ...........................................................................................................................................

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.  ......................................................................................................................

Japan Alcohol Trading Co., Ltd.  ................................................................................................................

Izumi Co., Ltd.  ..........................................................................................................................................

Keytrading Co., Ltd.  ..................................................................................................................................

The Yamagata Bank, Ltd.  ..........................................................................................................................

Inageya Co., Ltd.  .......................................................................................................................................

3,076

1,191

1,122

905

889

622

511

389

237

225

  The Group derecognizes some financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income by sale for reasons 
including asset efficiency and changes in business relationships. The total amounts of the fair values of such financial assets at the time 
of sale and the cumulative gains or losses on sales are as follows:

Fair value ...................................................................................................................................................

Cumulative gains (losses) ..........................................................................................................................

2019

400

328

(Millions of yen)

2018

3,077

2,451

  The Group transfers to retained earnings the cumulative gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of financial assets 
measured at fair value through other comprehensive income recognized as other components of equity when it disposes of an 
investment or when fair value declines significantly. Cumulative gains or losses of other comprehensive income, net of taxes, that were 
transferred to retained earnings for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were 227 million yen and 1,694 million yen, 
respectively.

55

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The amounts of each classification of financial liabilities are as follows:

Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

Financial liabilities

(Millions of yen)

2019

2018

  Trade and other payables (Note 17) .......................................................................................................

  Bonds and borrowings (Note 15) ...........................................................................................................

  Lease liabilities (Note 16) .......................................................................................................................

  Other ......................................................................................................................................................

222,314

127,141

161,091

13,898

Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profi t or loss

  Derivatives .............................................................................................................................................

395

  Total ...............................................................................................................................................

524,839

Current liabilities

  Trade and other payables .......................................................................................................................

222,314

  Bonds and borrowings ...........................................................................................................................

  Lease liabilities .......................................................................................................................................

  Other fi nancial liabilities .........................................................................................................................

25,505

19,653

6,766

225,560

120,827

—

16,178

208

362,773

225,560

40,488

—

6,880

  Subtotal ..............................................................................................................................................

274,238

272,928

Non-current liabilities

  Bonds and borrowings ...........................................................................................................................

  Lease liabilities .......................................................................................................................................

  Other fi nancial liabilities .........................................................................................................................

  Subtotal ..............................................................................................................................................

  Total ...............................................................................................................................................

101,636

141,438

7,527

250,601

524,839

80,339

—

9,506

89,845

362,773

  There are no significant assets pledged for the above financial liabilities. The Group held deposits received, which are interest-bearing 
liabilities in other financial liabilities, at December 31, 2019 and 2018 totaling 12,790 million yen and 12,380 million yen, respectively. 
The average interest rate on deposits received as of December 31, 2019 was 0.13 %.

(2) Risk Management on Financial Instruments
The Group manages financial instrument risk based on the 
following policies to avoid and mitigate market risk, credit risk and 
liquidity risk.

1) Market risk management

The Group is exposed to the risk of market variability such 
as fluctuations in exchange rates, interest rates and share 
prices. The Group appropriately manages market risk to 
mitigate risk. In addition, the Group uses derivatives mainly 
consisting of foreign exchange forward contracts, currency 
swaps and interest rate swaps with the objective of 
appropriately managing market risk. The Group executes 
and manages derivatives in accordance with the internal 
policies that define the objectives, position limit, scope, 
organizational structure and others. The Group limits the use 
of derivatives to actual risk mitigation needs, and does not 
use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. 
Therefore, as a rule, changes in the fair value of derivative 
instruments that the Group holds effectively offset changes 
in the fair value or cash flows.

(i)  Exchange rate risk 

The Group also operates outside Japan, and therefore is 
exposed to the risks of exchange rate fluctuations 
associated with transactions conducted in foreign 
currencies and with net investments in foreign 
operations. The Group minimizes the effect of exchange 
rate fluctuations on operating results by settling 
transactions denominated in foreign currencies through 
foreign currency accounts, and by hedging the risk of 
exchange rate fluctuations using derivative instruments 
such as foreign exchange forward and currency swaps.

  Details of foreign exchange forward contracts and 
currency swaps between the Japanese yen, which is the 
Group’s functional currency, and its main foreign 
currencies including the U.S. dollar, the euro and the 
Chinese yuan are as follows: 
  The Group did not apply hedge accounting for these 
derivative transactions, but determined that these 
transactions effectively offset the impact of fluctuations 
in exchange rates.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

56

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives transactions

Foreign exchange forward contracts:
  Selling

2019
Contract
amount over
1 year

Carrying 
amount
(fair value)¹

Contract
amount

  U.S. dollar .........................................................
  Euro ..................................................................

21,052
19

  Buying

  Euro ..................................................................
  Chinese yuan ...................................................

Currency swaps:

 Receiving Japanese yen, paying U.S. dollar ........

105
458

—

—
—

—
—

—

4
0

(1)
(9) 

—

(Millions of yen)

2018
Contract
amount over
1 year

Carrying 
amount 
(fair value)1

Contract
amount

14,583
—

—
212

—
—

—
—

116
—

—
(1)

(15)

7,343

7,343

Note: 1. Note 33 “Financial Instruments (3) Fair Value of Financial Instruments” presents the method of measuring the fair value of the above derivatives.

  The above assets or liabilities related to derivative transactions are included in other financial assets or other financial 
liabilities in the consolidated statement of financial position.

  Net exposure to exchange rate risk consists of the following. Amounts hedged against exchange rate fluctuation risk with 
derivatives are excluded.

As of December 31, 2019 

Net exposure ..................................................................................................................

23,641

U.S. dollar

As of December 31, 2018 

Net exposure ..................................................................................................................

U.S. dollar
2,801

Euro

1,725

Euro
1,930

(Millions of yen)
Chinese yuan

11,630

(Millions of yen)
Chinese yuan
10,766

  The following table illustrates the impact on income before income taxes in the consolidated statement of income from 
foreign currency-denominated financial instruments held by the Group at the end of each fiscal year if the Japanese yen 
appreciated by 10% against the U.S. dollar, the euro and the Chinese yuan.
  The effects of translating financial instruments denominated in the Group’s functional currency, and the assets, liabilities, 
income and expenses of foreign operations are not included in the analysis. The analysis also assumes that currencies other 
than those used in the calculation remain constant.

U.S. dollar ..................................................................................................................................................

Euro ...........................................................................................................................................................

Chinese yuan .............................................................................................................................................

2019

(2,364)

(173)

(1,163)

(Millions of yen)

2018

(280)

(193)

(1,077)

(ii)  Interest rate fluctuation risk 

(iii)  Share price fluctuation risk 

The Group obtains finances through long-term borrowings 
and bonds for maintaining an appropriate cost of capital 
and strengthening its financial base for investment for 
growth. The Group considers interest rate market 
movements and the balance between floating and fixed 
interest rates in making decisions about long-term funding. 
The Group’s short-term borrowings generally have floating 
interest rates. The Group hedges interest rate risk as 
necessary using derivative instruments such as interest 
rate swaps, and therefore estimates that its exposure to 
interest rate fluctuation risk is limited.

The Group held marketable equity securities, primarily 
those of companies with which the Group has business 
relationships, totaling 5,830 million yen and 6,640 million 
yen at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These 
equity securities are exposed to share price fluctuation 
risk. However, the Group annually evaluates the rationale 
and reviews ongoing advisability and position size of 
these holdings. Fluctuations in their prices do not affect 
net profit or loss because all of these equity securities are 
designated as financial assets measured at fair value 
through other comprehensive income.  

57

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  The carrying amount after impairment of financial assets 
in the consolidated statement of financial position 
represents the Group’s maximum exposure to the credit risk 
of financial assets. The Group is not exposed to excessive 
credit risk associated with a particular customer that 
requires exceptional management.
  The Group recognizes an allowance for doubtful 
receivables for trade receivables and other financial assets 
measured at amortized cost by estimating future credit 
losses in consideration of recoverability and significant 
increases in credit risk. The Group determines if credit risk 
has increased significantly by evaluating changes in default 
risk with reference to factors including downgrading of 
internal credit ratings, the decline of counterparty results, 
and delinquency information.
  Trade receivables are particularly important financial 
assets for the Group. The Group collectively measures 
expected credit losses of the financial assets for the entire 
period to recognize the allowance for doubtful receivables. 
In the following situations that would adversely affect future 
cash flows, however, the Group measures expected credit 
losses individually by treating each receivable as a credit-
impaired financial asset:

•  Where the customer has serious financial difficulties 
•  Where the customer defaults or becomes delinquent in 

accounts receivable payments despite repeated demands 
for payment

•  Where it is more likely that the customer will go into 

bankruptcy or face a situation that forces it to reconstruct 
its business

  The Group directly writes down the carrying amount if it 
does not reasonably expect to recover all or part of the trade 
receivables, following an internal process of investigation 
and approval.
  The Group held security deposits for credit enhancement 
totaling 6,829 million yen and 6,782 million yen at December 
31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

2) Credit risk management

The Group is exposed to credit risk such as a counterparty’s 
default on contractual obligations resulting in financial losses 
to the Group.

(i)  Trade and other receivables 

Notes and accounts receivable are trade receivables that 
expose the Group to customer credit risk. The Group 
manages that risk with an internal process for 
investigating and approving customer credit on initial 
transactions, and by obtaining deposits, collateral or other 
guaranties as necessary. The Group also manages due 
dates and outstanding balances by customer, and 
periodically reconfirms the creditworthiness of major 
customers. Non-trade receivables expose the Group to 
business partner credit risk, but these receivables are 
almost entirely settled in the short term.

(ii)  Short-term investments 

Short-term investments are recognized in cash and cash 
equivalents and other financial assets. They are highly 
safe and liquid financial instruments that include 
commercial paper issued by entities with high bond 
ratings, bond investment trusts, and money held in trust.

(iii)  Loan receivables

Loan receivables expose the Group to borrower credit 
risk. The Group manages this risk with an internal 
process for investigating and approving borrower credit 
on initial lending transactions, and by obtaining deposits, 
collateral or other guaranties as necessary. The Group 
also periodically reconfirms the creditworthiness of 
borrowers.

(iv)  Derivatives

The Group executes and manages derivatives in 
accordance with the internal policies that define the 
objectives, position limit, scope and organizational 
structure. The Group limits the use of derivatives to 
actual risk mitigation needs, and does not use 
derivatives for trading or speculative purposes, and 
reduces credit risk by limiting transactions to highly 
creditworthy financial institutions.

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

58

The carrying amount of trade receivables and changes in the related allowance for doubtful receivables are as follows:

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 

(Millions of yen)

Trade receivables

Financial assets for which 
loss allowances are always 
measured at an amount 
equal to expected credit 
losses for the entire period

Credit-impaired 
financial assets

January 1, 2019 .....................................................................

217,018

 Change during the year
  (Recognition and derecognition) ......................................

  Transfer to credit-impaired fi nancial assets .......................

  Other changes ...................................................................

(12,408)

(100) 

(820) 

December 31, 2019 ...............................................................

203,690

576

(31) 

100

(13) 

632

Financial assets for which 
loss allowances are always 
measured at an amount 
equal to expected credit 
losses for the entire period

Credit-impaired 
financial assets

Allowance for doubtful receivables

January 1, 2019 .....................................................................

Increase during the year ....................................................

  Decrease during the year (charge-offs) ..............................

  Decrease during the year (other) .......................................

  Transfer to credit-impaired fi nancial assets .......................

  Other changes ...................................................................

957

323

(104) 

(73) 

11

(0) 

December 31, 2019 ...............................................................

1,114

491

100

(12) 

(34) 

(11)

(14)

520

Total

217,594

(12,439)

—

(833) 

204,322

(Millions of yen)

Total

1,448

423

(116)

(107) 

—

(14)

1,634

Fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 

(Millions of yen)

Trade receivables

Financial assets for which 
loss allowances are always 
measured at an amount 
equal to expected credit 
losses for the entire period

Credit-impaired 
financial assets

January 1, 2018 .....................................................................

211,441

 Change during the year
  (Recognition and derecognition) ......................................

  Transfer to credit-impaired fi nancial assets .......................

  Other changes ...................................................................

December 31, 2018 ...............................................................

10,605

(84)

(4,944)

217,018

549

(16)

84

(41)

576

Allowance for doubtful receivables

January 1, 2018 .....................................................................

Increase during the year ....................................................

  Decrease during the year (charge-offs) ..............................

  Decrease during the year (other) .......................................

  Transfer to credit-impaired fi nancial assets .......................

  Other changes ...................................................................

December 31, 2018 ...............................................................

Financial assets for which 
loss allowances are always 
measured at an amount 
equal to expected credit 
losses for the entire period

Credit-impaired 
financial assets

915

238

(78)

(86)

(4)

(28)

957

459

98

(19)

(0)

4

(51)

491

Total

211,990

10,589

—

(4,985)

217,594

(Millions of yen)

Total

1,374

336

(97)

(86)

—

(79)

1,448

59

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  The following tables present an analysis of the carrying amount of trade receivables and the allowance for doubtful receivables 
by days past due.

As of December 31, 2019 

Trade receivables .......................................................

Allowance for doubtful receivables ...........................

Expected credit loss (%) ............................................

As of December 31, 2018 

Trade receivables .......................................................

Allowance for doubtful receivables ...........................

Expected credit loss (%) ............................................

(Millions of yen, unless otherwise noted)

Days past due

Not due

188,864

187

0.1

Less than 30 
days

Over 30 
days

6,461

107

1.7

3,087

117

3.8

Over 60 
days

1,728

69

4.0

Over 90 
days

4,182

1,154

27.6

Total

204,322

1,634

0.8

(Millions of yen, unless otherwise noted)

Days past due

Not due

204,308

164

0.1

Less than 30 
days

Over 30 
days

7,453

129

1.7

2,021

37

1.8

Over 60 
days

1,197

53

4.4

Over 90 
days

2,615

1,065

40.7

Total

217,594

1,448

0.7

3) Liquidity risk management

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group may not be able to 
fulfill its obligation to pay financial liabilities that come due. 
  The Group uses methods such as scheduled medium- and 
long-term financing plans to understand its liquidity and 
consistently ensure the availability of sufficient funding.

  The Group has also implemented the Global Cash 
Management System to reduce liquidity risk through the 
focused and efficient management of the Group’s capital in 
Japan and overseas.

  Financial liabilities including derivative instruments by maturity date consist of the following: 

As of December 31, 2019 

(Millions of yen)

Carrying 
amount

Contract 
amount

Not later
than 1 year

Later than
1 year but
not later than 
2 years

Later than
2 years but
not later than 
3 years

Later than
3 years but
not later than 
4 years

Later than
4 years but 
not later than 
5 years

Later than 
5 years

Non-derivative financial liabilities

  Trade and other payables .............

222,314

222,314

222,314

  Bonds and borrowings .................

127,141

127,187

  Lease liabilities .............................

161,091

174,820

  Long-term deposits payable ........

6,829

6,829

25,510

21,245

—

Derivative financial liabilities

  Currency related ..........................

Interest rate related .....................

320

75

320

75

248

—

—

30,253

17,382

—

6,279

14,388

—

65,031

11,411

—

25

10,598

—

—

—

—

72

19

—

—

—

—

—

56

—

89

99,796

6,829

—

—

  Total .........................................

517,770

531,545

269,317

47,635

20,758

76,442

 10,679

106,714

Lease liabilities by maturity date consist of the following:

As of December 31, 2019 

(Millions of yen)

Carrying 
amount

Contract 
amount

Not later 
than 1 year

Later than 
1 year but 
not later than 
5 years

Later than 
5 years but 
not later than 
10 years

Later than 
10 years but 
not later than 
15 years

Later than 
15 years but 
not later than 
20 years

Later than 
20 years

Lease liabilities ................................

161,091

174,820

21,245

53,779

40,588

24,192

19,691

15,325

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

60

 
 
 
As of December 31, 2018 

(Millions of yen)

Carrying 
amount

Contract 
amount

Not later
than 1 year

Later than
1 year but
not later than 
2 years

Later than
2 years but
not later than 
3 years

Later than
3 years but
not later than 
4 years

Later than
4 years but 
not later than 
5 years

Later than 
5 years

Non-derivative financial liabilities

  Trade and other payables .............

225,560

225,560

225,560

—

—

  Bonds and borrowings .................

120,827

120,895

40,488

25,050

30,247

  Lease obligations .........................

  Long-term deposits payable ........

2,419

6,782

2,483

6,782

Derivative financial liabilities

  Currency related ..........................

208

208

689

—

50

666

—

54

494

—

—

  Total .........................................

355,796

355,928

266,787

25,770

30,741

—

32

485

—

104

621

—

25,018

124

—

—

25,142

—

60

25

6,782

—

6,867

(3) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

1) Fair value hierarchy levels

For financial instruments measured at fair value, the fair 
values developed based on the observability of inputs into 
the valuation techniques used in measurement are 
categorized within the following three levels:

Level 1:  Fair value measured with quoted prices in active 
markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2:  Fair value measured with inputs other than quoted 

(ii)  Derivative assets and derivative liabilities

Derivative assets and derivative liabilities are included in 
other financial assets and other financial liabilities, and 
are designated as financial assets and financial liabilities 
measured at fair value through profit or loss. Consisting 
of instruments including foreign exchange forward 
contracts, currency swaps and interest rate swaps, 
derivative assets and derivative liabilities are primarily 
measured with a financial model using observable inputs 
such as exchange rates and interest rates.

prices categorized within Level 1 that are observable 
for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly

(iii)  Equity securities

Level 3:  Fair value measured with inputs not based on 
observable market data for the asset or liability

2) Financial instruments measured at fair value

The measurement methods for the main financial 
instruments measured at fair value are as follows:

(i)  Short-term investments (excluding short-term investments 

measured at amortized cost)
Short-term investments are included in cash and cash 
equivalents, and are designated as financial assets 
measured at fair value through profit or loss. Short-term 
investments primarily consist of bond investment trusts 
and money held in trust, and are measured with a financial 
model using observable inputs such as interest rates.

Equity securities are included in other financial assets, and 
are designated as financial assets measured at fair value 
through other comprehensive income. Equity securities 
that are categorized within Level 1 are publicly listed and 
traded in active markets, and are measured using market 
prices on exchanges. Equity securities that are 
categorized within Level 3 are unlisted, and are primarily 
measured using a net asset valuation model, which 
measures corporate value based on the net asset of the 
issuing company with adjustments based on fair value.

61

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  The fair value hierarchy of financial instruments measured at fair value is shown below.
  The Group recognizes transfers of financial instruments between levels of the fair value hierarchy at the end of each fiscal year. 
No financial instruments were transferred between levels of the fair value hierarchy for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 
or 2018.

As of December 31, 2019 

Financial assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(Millions of yen)

  Financial assets measured at fair value through profi t or loss

  Short-term investments ............................................................

  Derivative assets .......................................................................

  Other .........................................................................................

 Financial assets measured at fair value through other
  comprehensive income

  Equity securities ........................................................................

  Total ......................................................................................

Financial liabilities

  Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profi t or loss

  Derivative liabilities ...................................................................

  Total ......................................................................................

—

—

—

5,830

5,830

—

—

19,900

214

3,063

—

23,177

395

395

—

—

—

4,892

4,892

—

—

19,900

214

3,063

10,722

33,899

395

395

As of December 31, 2018 

Financial assets

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

(Millions of yen)

  Financial assets measured at fair value through profi t or loss

  Short-term investments ............................................................

  Derivative assets .......................................................................

  Other .........................................................................................

 Financial assets measured at fair value through other
  comprehensive income

  Equity securities ........................................................................

  Total ......................................................................................

Financial liabilities

  Financial liabilities measured at fair value through profi t or loss

  Derivative liabilities ...................................................................

  Total ......................................................................................

—

—

—

6,640

6,640

—

—

29,900

1,068

2,983

—

33,951

208

208

—

—

—

4,500

4,500

—

—

29,900

1,068

2,983

11,140

45,091

208

208

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

62

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Changes in financial instruments categorized within Level 3 are as follows:

Beginning balance .....................................................................................................................................

  Gains (losses)¹ .......................................................................................................................................

  Sales ......................................................................................................................................................

  Other changes .......................................................................................................................................

2019

4,500

391

(0) 

1

(Millions of yen)

2018

3,927

574

(0)

(1)

Ending balance ..........................................................................................................................................

4,892

4,500

Note: 1.  All gains and losses are associated with financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income at the end of each reporting 

period. These gains and losses are recognized in net gain (loss) on revaluation of financial assets measured at fair value through other 
comprehensive income in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

  Financial instruments categorized within Level 3 are primarily unlisted equity securities. Each responsible department of the Group 
refers to the Group accounting policies in measuring the fair value of unlisted equity securities each quarter using recently available 
data, and reports any changes in fair value and the reasons to the department manager, and to senior management as necessary.

3) Financial instruments measured at amortized cost

(i)  Cash and cash equivalents (excluding short-term 

The following tables present the measurement techniques 
for measuring the fair value of major financial instruments 
measured at amortized cost. Financial instruments for which 
carrying amounts are a reasonable approximation of fair 
value or financial instruments that are not material are not 
included in the tables.

investments measured at fair value), trade and other 
receivables, and trade and other payables
Carrying amounts approximate fair value because these 
are settled in the short term.

(ii)  Bonds and borrowings

The fair value of bonds is based on market prices. The 
fair value of borrowings is the present value of remaining 
principal and interest discounted using a deemed interest 
rate on equivalent new borrowings.

  The carrying amount and fair value hierarchy of financial instruments measured at amortized cost are as follows:

As of December 31, 2019 

Carrying amount

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Fair value

(Millions of yen)

Financial liabilities

  Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

  Bonds ............................................................

  Borrowings ....................................................

50,061

77,080

—

—

50,129

77,571

—

—

50,129

77,571

As of December 31, 2018 

Carrying amount

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

Fair value

(Millions of yen)

Financial liabilities

  Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost

  Bonds ............................................................

  Borrowings ....................................................

50,052

70,775

—

—

50,338

70,985

—

—

50,338

70,985

63

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

34

Principal Subsidiaries

Principal subsidiaries consist of the following. Voting rights at December 31, 2019 did not significantly change from a year earlier.

Company name

Principal businesses

Kao Group Customer Marketing Co., Ltd.

Control of sales companies and other subsidiaries in Japan
Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care

Kanebo Cosmetics Inc.

Cosmetics

Kao Transport & Logistics Co., Ltd.

Logistics and related services in Japan

Kao (China) Holding Co., Ltd.

Kao Corporation Shanghai

Kao (Hefei) Co., Ltd.

Kao Commercial (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Control of subsidiaries in China
Cosmetics

Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care

Human Health Care

Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care 
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care

Kanebo Cosmetics (China) Co., Ltd.

Kao (Shanghai) Chemical Industries Co., Ltd.

Cosmetics

Chemical

Kao (Taiwan) Corporation

Pilipinas Kao, Inc.

Kao Industrial (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Kao Commercial (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care 
Chemical

Chemical

Skin Care and Hair Care
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care 
Chemical

Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care

Fatty Chemical (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

Chemical

PT Kao Indonesia

Kao USA Inc.

Oribe Hair Care, LLC

Washing Systems, LLC

Kao America Inc.

Kao Specialties Americas LLC

Kao Germany GmbH

Kao Manufacturing Germany GmbH

Kao Chemicals GmbH

Molton Brown Limited

Kao Chemicals Europe, S.L.

Kao Corporation, S.A.

Skin Care and Hair Care
Human Health Care
Fabric and Home Care

Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care

Skin Care and Hair Care

Fabric and Home Care

Corporate service to subsidiaries in the U.S.
Holding company for Chemical Business in the U.S.

Chemical

Cosmetics
Skin Care and Hair Care

Skin Care and Hair Care

Chemical

Cosmetics

Control of subsidiaries in Chemical Business in Europe, etc.

Chemical

Voting rights (%)

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

92.2

100.0

100.0

100.0

70.0

72.2

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

64

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

35

Related Parties

(1) Transactions with Related Parties
Disclosure is omitted because there are no material related party transactions.

(2) Primary Executive Management Compensation
Primary executive management compensation consists of the following. The Group’s primary executive management includes members 
of the Board of Directors and executive officers of the Company for each fiscal year.

Short-term benefi ts ...................................................................................................................................

Post-retirement benefi ts ............................................................................................................................

Share-based payments ..............................................................................................................................

  Total .......................................................................................................................................................

2019

1,069

33

337

1,439

(Millions of yen)

2018

1,161

28

364

1,553

36

Commitments

Commitments to acquire property, plant and equipment and intangible assets after the end of each reporting period are as follows:

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment ............................................................................................

Acquisition of intangible assets .................................................................................................................

  Total .......................................................................................................................................................

2019

25,041

3,735

28,776

(Millions of yen)

2018

30,751

1,188

31,939

37

Significant Subsequent Events

There were no significant subsequent events to present.

38 Approval of the Consolidated Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements were approved by Michitaka Sawada, President and Chief Executive Officer, and by Kenichi 
Yamauchi, Executive Officer, Senior Vice President, Accounting and Finance, on March 23, 2020.

65

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report

Kao Corporation Financial Report 2019

66

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Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8210, Japan

https://www.kao.com/global/en/

Investor Relations
E-mail: ir@kao.co.jp
Website: https://www.kao.com/global/en/investor-relations/