More annual reports from LINE Corporation:
2018 ReportPeers and competitors of LINE Corporation:
36Kr Holdings Inc.As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2018
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 20-F
(Mark One)
‘ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
È ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
OR
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
‘ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017
OR
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
‘ SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
OR
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of event requiring this shell company report
For the transition period from
to
Commission file number 001-37821
LINE Kabushiki Kaisha
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
LINE Corporation
(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)
Japan
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, 23rd Floor
4-1-6 Shinjuku
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan
(Address of principal executive offices)
Satoshi Yano
Telephone: +81-3-4316-2050; E-mail: ir@linecorp.com; Facsimile: +81-3-4316-2131
(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of Each Class
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
American Depositary Shares, each representing
one share of common stock
New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
Common Stock *
New York Stock Exchange, Inc. *
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
As of December 31, 2017, there were 238,496,810 shares of common stock outstanding
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes È No ‘
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934. Yes ‘ No È
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that
to such filing requirements for the past
90 days. Yes È No ‘
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and
posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and
post such files). Yes ‘ No ‘
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large
accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Non-accelerated filer ‘
the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject
Emerging growth company ‘
Large accelerated filer È
Accelerated filer ‘
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended
transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ‘
†The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after
April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing.
U.S. GAAP ‘
Other ‘
IFRS È
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question,
follow.
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ‘ No È
indicate by check mark which financial
Item 17 ‘ Item 18 ‘
statement
item the registrant has elected to
*
Not for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American Depositary Shares.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 3.A.
Item 3.B.
Item 3.C.
Item 3.D.
Item 4.A.
Item 4.B.
Item 4.C.
Item 4.D.
Item 5.A.
Item 5.B.
Item 5.C.
Item 5.D.
Item 5.E.
Item 5.F.
Item 5.G.
PART I
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGERS AND ADVISERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 3. KEY INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selected Financial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capitalization and Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
History and Development of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Business Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Organizational Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property, Plants and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 4A. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 5. OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liquidity and Capital Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trend Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Safe Harbor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Directors and Senior Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Board Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7.A. Major Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Related Party Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7.B.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Item 7.C.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Significant Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Offer and Listing Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9.A.
Item 9.B.
Plan of Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9.C. Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selling Shareholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9.D.
Dilution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9.E.
Expenses of the Issue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9.F.
ITEM 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.A. Share Capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.C. Material Contracts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.D. Exchange Controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.E. Taxation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.F. Dividends and Paying Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 6.A.
Item 6.B.
Item 6.C.
Item 6.D.
Item 6.E.
Item 8.A.
Item 8.B.
1
1
1
1
1
4
4
4
33
33
34
51
51
52
52
52
76
85
86
86
86
86
87
87
90
91
93
94
95
95
95
97
97
97
98
98
98
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
99
109
109
110
116
i
Item 10.G. Statements by Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.H. Documents on Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subsidiary Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 10.I.
ITEM 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK . . . . . . . .
ITEM 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12.A. Debt Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12.B. Warrants and Rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12.C. Other Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12.D. American Depositary Shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF
PROCEEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16. [RESERVED] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16B. CODE OF ETHICS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES . . . . . . .
ITEM 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED
PURCHASERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 16H. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART III . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITEM 19. EXHIBITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
116
116
117
117
119
119
119
119
120
121
121
121
122
123
123
123
123
124
124
124
125
127
128
128
128
129
ii
CONVENTIONS USED IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT
Except where the context otherwise requires or unless otherwise specified, and for purposes of this
annual report on Form 20-F only:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
“daily active users” or “DAUs” refers to the number of user accounts that (i) accessed the LINE
messaging application or any LINE Game through mobile devices; (ii) sent messages through the
LINE messaging application from personal computers; or (iii) sent messages through any other
LINE application from mobile devices, in each case at least once during a given day;
“Japanese yen,” “yen” or “¥” refers to the legal currency of Japan;
“Korea” refers to the Republic of Korea;
“Korean won,” “Won” or “W” refers to the legal currency of Korea;
“LINE,” “we,” “us,” “our company,” “the Company” or “our” refers to LINE Corporation and its
consolidated subsidiaries taken as a whole, as well as the messaging application and other products
of LINE Corporation;
“messages” refers to text messages, voice messages, Stickers and photo, video, voice and text files
sent and received, as well as free voice and video calls made and received, in each case using the
LINE messaging application from either mobile devices or personal computers or using any LINE
Game or any other LINE application from mobile devices;
“monthly active users” or “MAUs” in a given month refers to the number of user accounts that
(i) accessed the LINE messaging application or any LINE Game through mobile devices; (ii) sent
messages through the LINE messaging application from personal computers; or (iii) sent messages
through any other LINE application from mobile devices, in each case at least once during that
month;
“monthly paying users” or “MPUs” in a given month refers to the number of user accounts that
made (i) a payment for Stickers, Themes or LINE Out on the LINE messaging application through
mobile devices or personal computers or (ii) a payment relating to any LINE Game through mobile
devices, in each case at least once during that month;
“paid impression” refers to the display of an advertisement to a user while accessing our products
and services for which we generate revenues;
“platform partners” refers to application developers and other providers of content offered on the
LINE platform;
“stickers” refers to larger, cartoon-like emoticons that depict emotions and actions of characters,
which are exchanged as part of chat messages on mobile messaging applications; and
“U.S. dollar,” “US$” or “$” refers to the legal currency of the United States.
Any discrepancies in any table between the totals and the sums of the amounts listed are due to
rounding.
iii
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report contains forward-looking statements with respect to our current plans, estimates,
strategies and beliefs. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those statements using words
such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continues,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “aim,” “plan,” “likely to,”
“target,” “contemplate,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions and future or conditional verbs such as
“will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “might,” “can,” “may,” or similar expressions generally intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to
us, speak only as of the date hereof and are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to a
number of known and unknown uncertainties and risks, many of which are beyond our control. As a
consequence, current plans, anticipated actions and future financial position and results of operations may differ
significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements in this annual report. You are cautioned not
to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented and we do not
intend to update any of these forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that might affect us include,
but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
our ability to attract and retain users and increase the level of engagement of our users;
our ability to improve user monetization;
our ability to successfully enter new markets and manage our business expansion;
our ability to compete in the global social network services market;
our ability to develop or acquire new products and services, improve our existing products and
services and increase the value of our products and services in a timely and cost-effective manner;
our ability to maintain good relationships with platform partners and attract new platform partners;
our ability to attract advertisers to the LINE platform and increase the amount that advertisers spend
with LINE;
our expectations regarding our user growth rate and the usage of our mobile applications;
our ability to increase revenues and our revenue growth rate;
our ability to timely and effectively scale and adapt our existing technology and network
infrastructure;
our ability to successfully acquire and integrate companies and assets;
our future business development, results of operations and financial condition;
the regulatory environment in which we operate;
fluctuations in currency exchange rates and changes in the proportion of our revenues and expenses
denominated in foreign currencies; and
changes in business or macroeconomic conditions.
You are urged to read the sections “Item 3.D. Risk Factors”, “Item 4. Information on the Company” and
“Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” of this annual report for a more complete discussion of
the factors that could affect our performance and the industry in which we operate.
iv
LIMITATIONS OF USER METRICS
We review a number of metrics, including MAUs, DAUs and MPUs, to evaluate our business, measure
our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions.
Our MAUs, DAUs and MPUs are calculated using our internal data. While these numbers are based on what we
believe to be reasonable estimates of our user base for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent
challenges in measuring usage of our products and services across large online and mobile populations around
the world. For example, each LINE account is linked to a mobile phone number, and there may be multiple LINE
accounts held by the same person if the person carries multiple smartphones and has chosen to download the
LINE messaging application on each smartphone. In addition, our data regarding user geographic location for
purposes of reporting the geographic location of our MAUs, DAUs, and MPUs is based on the mobile phone
number associated with the account when a user initially registered the account on LINE. The phone number may
not always accurately reflect a user’s actual location at the time of user engagement on our platform. See
“Item 3.D. Risk Factors — Certain of our user metrics are subject to inherent uncertainties in measurement, and
real or perceived inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business.”
We regularly review and may adjust our processes for calculating our internal metrics to improve their
accuracy. Our measures of user growth and user engagement may differ from estimates published by third parties
or from similarly-titled metrics of our competitors due to differences in methodology.
v
PART I
Item 1.
Identity of Directors, Senior Managers and Advisers
Not applicable
Item 2.
Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable
Not applicable
Item 3.
Key Information
Item 3.A. Selected Financial Data
The consolidated statement of financial position data as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the
consolidated statement of profit or loss data for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 have been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this annual report. The
consolidated statement of financial position data as of December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 and the consolidated
statement of profit or loss data for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014 have been derived from our
audited consolidated financial statements and related notes not included in this annual report. These audited
consolidated financial statements and the related notes have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by
the IASB.
The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of the results of future operations.
1
Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss Data
For the year ended December 31,
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
(in millions of yen, except share and per share data)
Revenues and other operating income:
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ¥
Other operating income . . . . . . . .
39,586 ¥
69
86,366 ¥
296
120,406 ¥
474
140,704 ¥
5,892
167,147
12,011
Total revenues and other
operating income . . . . . . .
39,655
86,662
120,880
146,596
179,158
Operating expenses:
Payment processing and licensing
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service
(9,606)
(20,598)
(28,742)
(29,781)
(29,589)
(8,490)
(17,202)
(18,289)
(18,069)
(35,572)
(16,596)
(39,445)
(11,833)
(42,469)
(15,477)
(2,537)
(4,492)
(7,712)
(7,770)
(9,087)
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(4,914)
(7,874)
(12,133)
(14,394)
(24,906)
Depreciation and amortization
expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating expenses . . . . . . .
(1,330)
(3,313)
(2,370)
(8,555)
(3,733)
(14,432)
(5,100)
(18,376)
(7,149)
(25,403)
Total operating expenses . . .
(47,392)
(80,247)
(118,920)
(126,699)
(154,080)
Profit (loss) from operating
activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share of loss of associates and
joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain (loss) on foreign currency
transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating income . . . .
Other non-operating expenses . . .
Profit (loss) before tax from continuing
operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefits (expenses) . .
Profit (loss) for the period from
continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Profit (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax . . . . . . . .
Profit (loss) for the period . . . . . . . . . .
Attributable to:
The shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling interests . . . . . . .
(7,737)
67
(39)
(243)
(373)
7
—
(8,318)
648
(7,670)
1,279
(6,391)
6,415
86
(137)
(167)
66
—
—
6,263
(7,151)
1,960
71
(106)
(205)
(520)
157
(1,887)
(530)
146
(888)
(384)
9,086
2,892
2,004
(7,588)
(7,972)
(1,982)
7,104
19,897
87
(65)
25,078
257
(26)
(833)
(6,321)
(43)
9
(1,062)
17,990
(8,904)
(818)
1,963
(1,988)
18,145
(9,922)
8,223
(13)
8,210
(764)
(5,627)
4,207
(2,203)
(7,582)
(390)
6,763
341
8,078
132
2
Earnings per share:
Basic profit (loss) for the
period attributable to the
shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . ¥
Diluted profit (loss) for the
period attributable to the
shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings per share from
continuing operations
Basic profit (loss) from
continuing operations
attributable to the
shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted profit (loss) from
continuing operations
attributable to the
shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Earnings per share from
discontinued operations
Basic profit from
discontinued operations
attributable to the
shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Diluted profit from
discontinued operations
attributable to the
shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended December 31,
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
(in millions of yen, except share and per share data)
(4.36) ¥
24.05 ¥
(43.33) ¥
34.84 ¥
36.56
(4.36)
22.14
(39.12)
31.48
34.01
(11.67)
7.52
0.04
45.05
36.62
(11.67)
6.92
0.03
40.70
34.06
7.31
16.53
(43.37)
(10.21)
(0.06)
7.31
15.22
(39.15)
(9.22)
(0.05)
Basic weighted average shares
outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174,992,000
174,992,000
174,992,000
194,083,995
220,945,548
Diluted weighted average shares
outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174,992,000
190,024,846
193,797,566
214,874,008
237,552,706
3
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position Data
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total shareholder’s equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity attributable to the shareholders of the
As of December 31,
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
(in millions of yen)
¥13,362
11,625
8,102
46,522
34,206
12,316
¥20,254
24,223
9,656
85,664
73,153
12,511
¥ 33,652
27,248
10,501
122,159
104,626
17,533
¥134,698
28,167
9,029
256,089
95,066
161,023
¥123,606
42,892
15,125
303,439
113,462
189,977
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests . . . .
10,727
1,589
12,496
15
17,743
(210)
160,834
189
185,075
4,902
The table below sets forth, for the periods and dates indicated, the noon buying rate in New York City
for cable transfers in yen as certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, expressed
in yen per US$1.00. We do not intend to imply that the yen or U.S. dollar amounts referred to herein could have
been or could be converted into U.S. dollars or yen, as the case may be, at any particular rate, or at all.
Period
Average(1)
Period End
High
Low
2013 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
November . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2018 (through March 23) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
February . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
March (through March 23)
98.00
106.63
121.02
109.16
111.92
112.91
112.82
112.94
108.48
110.87
107.97
106.09
(¥ per US$1.00)
105.25
119.85
120.27
116.78
113.30
113.63
112.30
112.69
104.83
109.31
106.62
104.83
105.25
121.38
125.58
121.06
117.68
113.92
114.25
113.62
113.18
113.18
110.40
106.91
86.92
101.11
116.78
100.07
107.72
111.72
111.00
111.88
104.83
108.38
106.10
104.83
(1) Calculated by averaging the exchange rates on the last business day of each month during the respective periods.
Item 3.B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not applicable
Item 3.C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable
Item 3.D. Risk Factors
If we fail to retain existing users or add new users, or if our users decrease their level of engagement with
LINE, our revenue, financial results and business may be significantly harmed.
The size of our user base and our users’ level of engagement are critical to our success, and our financial
performance has been and will continue to be significantly determined by our success in adding, retaining and
engaging active users. From our inception, we experienced our largest user growth in Japan, Taiwan, Thailand
4
and Indonesia. The growth rate of our users in such markets, including in Japan where we generate a substantial
majority of our revenues, has declined over time as the size of our user base has increased and as we achieved
higher penetration rates in those markets. Our monthly active users (“MAUs”) in Japan were 58 million in
December 2015, 66 million in December 2016 and 73 million in December 2017. Starting in the second quarter
of 2017, we have also experienced a decrease in the number of our MAUs in Indonesia, and our aggregate MAUs
in Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia were 87 million in December 2015, 101 million in December 2016 and
94 million in December 2017. In part due to refocusing of our marketing efforts on these key countries in line
with our increased emphasis on monetization in markets where we have achieved leading market positions, we
have experienced a significant decrease in total MAUs outside of the four countries, and there may be further
decreases in the future.
Our business performance will also become increasingly dependent on our ability to increase levels of
user engagement in current and new markets. If people do not perceive our products and services to be useful,
reliable or trustworthy, we may not be able to attract or retain users or otherwise maintain or increase the
frequency, duration or level of their engagement. A number of other providers of mobile messaging applications
and online companies that achieved early popularity have seen the sizes of their user bases or levels of
engagement subsequently decline, in some cases precipitously.
Any number of factors could negatively affect user retention, growth or engagement, including if:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
we are unable to continue to offer products and services that users find engaging, that work with a
variety of mobile operating systems and networks, and that achieve a high level of market
acceptance, particularly in markets that we are targeting for expansion;
users increasingly engage with competing products or services, particularly communication tools
and mobile games;
we are unable to provide a compelling and intuitive user experience and environment, particularly
relating to the quality, volume, design and layout of the content and advertisements delivered on the
LINE platform;
we fail to provide adequate customer service to users or advertisers or maintain relationships with
key platform partners such as mobile game developers;
there are increased user concerns related to privacy and information sharing, safety or security;
there are adverse changes in our products or services that are mandated by legislation, regulatory
authorities or legal proceedings;
technical or other problems prevent us from delivering our products and services in a rapid and
reliable manner or otherwise negatively affect user experience; or
we fail to maintain our brand image or our reputation is damaged.
There is no guarantee that we will not experience erosion of our active user base or decline in
engagement levels. A decrease in user retention, growth or engagement could reduce our direct sales to users and
render LINE less attractive to our platform partners and advertisers, thereby reducing our revenues from them,
which may have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be successful in our efforts to monetize our products and services.
Our ability to monetize our user base and user engagement is critical to our business and financial
performance. We plan to continue to invest in product development and explore additional monetization
5
opportunities in our largest markets such as Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia and in other markets, but
there is no guarantee that these efforts will be successful. For example, users and advertisers in certain markets
are not as familiar with new forms of digital advertising, such as our Official Accounts and Sponsored Stickers,
as well as LINE Timeline Ads and LINE NEWS Ads. In newer markets, we are investing to convince users and
advertisers of the benefits of our products and services. However, we expect that monetizing efforts in many of
these new markets may require a significant investment of time and resources, which may not result in sufficient,
or any, returns to recover such investment.
As part of our business strategy, we are seeking ways to increase our revenue by selectively introducing
commissions and other charges with respect to our existing products and services that are currently offered for
free, as well as adding new advertising services and developing other new revenue generating products and
services. However, there is no guarantee that our efforts to further monetize our products and services will be
successful in generating significant new revenues or profits. Furthermore, our monetization efforts could have a
negative effect on user engagement and user base growth if such efforts discourage users from using our products
and services. In addition, our competitors may introduce new revenue models in the future, and if such new
revenue models are perceived as offering a better value proposition to users than the models that we currently use
or plan to implement, our customers may switch to our competitors’ products and services. If our monetization
efforts are not as successful as we anticipate, we may not be able to maintain or grow our revenues, and our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Our business operates in an industry that is highly competitive, and competition presents an ongoing threat
to the success of our business.
We compete against various companies to attract and engage users, some of which have greater
financial resources and substantially larger user bases. We face direct competition from mobile messaging
service providers such as Facebook’s WhatsApp and Messenger, Tencent’s WeChat, Snapchat, Telegram
Messenger and BlackBerry Messenger, as well as mobile messaging services for specific operating platforms
such as Apple’s iMessage. We also face significant competition in almost every aspect of our business, including
from companies such as Facebook, Google, Snap, Twitter and Yahoo Japan, which offer a variety of social
network services and products as well as online advertising services. We also face competition from game
companies, mobile telecommunications and payment companies, e-commerce companies, music and video
streaming companies, artificial intelligence companies and other internet-related companies that offer products
and services that may compete with specific features of the LINE messaging service or other applications that we
offer. We also compete with traditional and online media businesses for a share of advertisers’ budgets and in the
development of the tools and systems for managing and optimizing advertising campaigns. As we introduce new
products and our existing products evolve, or as other companies introduce new products and services, we may
become subject to additional competition.
Scale benefits and other advantages may allow our competitors to respond more effectively than us to a
rapidly evolving environment in the mobile internet industry, including industry consolidation that may result in
increased competition. Our competitors may develop products, features or services that are similar to ours or that
achieve greater market acceptance, may undertake more far-reaching and successful product development efforts
or marketing campaigns, or may adopt more aggressive pricing policies. In addition, platform partners may use
information shared by our users through the LINE platform in order to develop products or features that compete
with us. Certain competitors, including Facebook and Google, could use strong positions in one or more markets
to gain competitive advantages against us in areas where we operate including: by integrating competing
messaging applications or features into products they control such as social networking platforms, search
engines, web browsers or mobile device operating systems; by making strategic acquisitions; or by making
access to LINE more difficult. As a result, our competitors may acquire and engage users at the expense of our
user base or our users’ engagement with our products and services, which may negatively affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
6
We may not be successful if we are not able to develop new products and services in a timely and cost-
effective manner that address rapidly evolving user preferences, and any new products and services we
develop may expose us to new risks.
We compete in a highly competitive industry characterized by rapidly changing products and services,
evolving industry standards and continual improvements in performance characteristics and product features.
Rapidly evolving user preferences may lead to certain products and services becoming less competitive, or even
obsolete. Accordingly, our success depends greatly on our ability to anticipate and respond to emerging user
preferences and demands by ensuring continuing and timely development of new, as well as enhancements to
existing, products and services. In order to respond to such preferences and demands, we may develop and
introduce new products and services, including in areas where we have little or no prior development or
operating experience. For example, in recent years, we have focused our business strategy on developing and
strengthening our capabilities in artificial intelligence (“AI”), and we launched our AI platform called “Cloud
Virtual Assistant (or “Clova”)” in March 2017. Clova is a next-generation AI platform that enables voice
interfaces to process a wide range of real-world inputs and deliver our products and services in a coherent and
optimized manner. Through smart speakers launched in the fourth quarter of 2017, our users carry out a natural
conversation with Clova in engaging in a wide range of products and services offered by us and other third-party
service providers. We expect to expend significant time and resources in marketing our Clova-integrated smart
speakers in 2018 as well as develop and launch new products and services to be offered on the Clova ecosystem
that are designed to further enrich our users’ daily lives.
Some of our strategic initiatives may not directly or immediately generate revenue, but we expect they
will enhance our attractiveness to users, platform partners and advertisers as well as contribute to increasing our
active user base. Our new products and services may bring us into contact, directly or indirectly, with entities that
are not within our traditional customer base or result in competing with entities that are our existing business
partners. We may also enter into new business areas that require a number of licensing or registration
requirements, as well as subject us to additional regulations applicable to the relevant industry. For example, in
order to pursue additional investment opportunities in financial services companies and other fintech businesses,
we established a wholly-owned subsidiary, LINE Financial Corporation, in January 2018. LINE Financial
Corporation plans to selectively pursue investment opportunities that we believe will further enhance our
capabilities in the financial industry domain.
Any of these activities could expose us to new risks, including additional regulatory scrutiny as well as
credit-related and other operational risks, including inventory risk for our unsold products. We have previously
developed and introduced new products and services or entered into new business areas that did not lead to the
results we anticipated, which may again occur in the future. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in
developing products and services that eventually become widely accepted, that we will be able to timely release
products and services that are commercially viable, or that we will establish ourselves as a successful player in a
new business area. Our inability to do so would have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and
results of operations.
Japan is our largest market in terms of revenue, and our current business and future growth could be
materially and adversely affected if we experience a decline in users or user engagement in Japan.
We are incorporated in Japan, and Japan is our largest market in terms of revenue. We also have the
broadest product and service offerings in Japan, and we generated 70.4%, 71.7% and 72.6% of our revenues in
Japan in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. We expect to continue to derive a substantial portion of our revenues
from Japan in the near future. In general, a higher proportion of LINE users in Japan are paying users than LINE
users in other countries, and our continuing growth will depend, at least in part, on maintaining or increasing
revenues from users in Japan. In recent quarters, our active user growth rate in Japan has slowed, and our
business performance in Japan will increasingly depend on our ability to increase the level of user engagement
and our ability to further monetize users’ engagement with LINE. Our current business and future growth could
be materially and adversely affected if we experience a decline in users or user engagement in Japan.
7
Due to the importance of the Japanese market to our business, we are also subject to macroeconomic
risks specific to Japan. See “— A downturn in macroeconomic conditions may result in reduced demand for our
products and services.”
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues from our advertising products. The loss of our
advertisers, reduction in spending by our advertisers or failure to achieve market acceptance of new
advertising products and services could negatively affect our business.
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues from third parties advertising on the LINE platform,
as well as from advertising on our livedoor and NAVER Matome (“Matome”) portals. As is common in the
industry, our advertisers typically do not have long-term advertising commitments with us. Many of our
advertisers spend only a relatively small portion of their overall advertising budget with us. In addition, some of
our advertisers may view our products, such as Official Accounts, as experimental or unproven. Advertisers may
not continue to do business with us, or they may reduce the prices or spending they are willing to pay to advertise
with us, if we do not deliver advertisements and other commercial content in an effective manner, or if they do
not believe that their investment in our advertising products and services will generate a competitive return
relative to alternative methods of advertising.
In addition, our ability to increase our revenue will depend in large part on our ability to create
successful new advertising products as well as products and services on our platform that further enhance the
media value for our advertising business. We may introduce new and unproven advertising products and services,
using advertising technology with which we have little or no prior development or operating experience. If new
advertising products and services fail to engage advertisers, we may fail to generate sufficient revenue to justify
investment and our business may be adversely affected.
Our advertising revenue could also be adversely affected by a number of other factors, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
decreases in the number of active users and their engagement;
our inability to improve our analytics and measurement solutions that demonstrate the value of
advertising on LINE or our portals;
our inability to create new products or services that sustain or increase the value of advertising on
LINE or our portals;
product changes we may make that reduce the frequency or relative prominence of advertisements
and other commercial content delivered through the LINE platform or our portals;
our inability to increase the relevance of targeted ads shown to users;
our inability to increase advertisers’ demand and inventory;
loss of advertising market share to our competitors;
adverse legal developments relating to advertising;
failure to maintain partnerships with third-party entities that license key advertising technology
necessary to deliver certain advertisements on the LINE platform;
adverse changes in the way online advertising on personal computers or mobile devices is priced;
the degree to which users opt out of certain types of targeted ads;
8
•
•
the impact of new technologies that could block or obscure the display of some types of
advertisements and other commercial content; and
the impact of macroeconomic conditions and conditions in the advertising industry in general.
The occurrence of any of these or other factors could result in a reduction in demand for advertisements,
which may reduce the prices we receive for our advertisements or cause advertisers to stop advertising with us
altogether, either of which would negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of mobile games offered on the
LINE platform, whether developed internally or by third-party game developers. We must continue to offer
games that attract and retain a significant number of users, or otherwise our business, financial condition
and results of operations could be negatively affected.
We offer various games on our LINE platform through Apple App Store and Google Play, and they
accounted for a significant portion of our revenues in 2015, 2016 and 2017. As of December 31, 2017, we
offered 45 games, of which 40 games were developed by third-party game developers and five games were
developed by us. Accordingly, we believe that maintaining successful partnerships with, and the ability to attract
and select from, third-party game developers are critical to our success. Existing and prospective mobile game
developers may not be successful in developing games that create and maintain user engagement. Additionally,
although our general policy is to enter into new contractual arrangements with third-party game developers to
become the exclusive distributor of their games in a particular market, to the extent such arrangements are not yet
in place, developers may choose to provide their content on other platforms, including mobile platforms
controlled by our competitors, rather than offering them on the LINE platform. Our failure to maintain good
relationships with third-party game developers or attract new developers could adversely affect our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
Historically, we have depended on a small number of games for a majority of our mobile game
revenues, and we expect that this dependence will continue for the foreseeable future. Our growth depends on our
ability to consistently launch new games, whether developed internally or by third-party game developers, that
achieve significant popularity, as well as to upgrade popular games with new features that our users find
attractive. It is difficult to anticipate user preferences or demand, particularly as we procure new games in new
genres or new markets, and constant enhancement requires the investment of significant resources. In recent
years, our revenues from LINE Games have declined, with total MAUs steadily decreasing from 39 million in
December 2014 to 20 million in December 2017. As a relatively small portion of our players account for a large
portion of our revenues from LINE Games, we must constantly seek new ways to convert non-paying players
into paying players and attract and retain paying players. However, the success and performance of new and
existing games is volatile and difficult to predict. If we fail to offer attractive in-game items, make unpopular
changes to existing in-game items or offer games that do not encourage purchases of in-game items or upgrades
of game versions, or if we fail to successfully launch new games that attract and retain a significant number of
users or if upgrades and launches of new titles are delayed, revenues from our games will decrease and our
business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially harmed.
In order to more effectively respond to rapidly changing industry trends, we adjusted our strategy in
recent years to devote additional resources to game development and publishing in addition to providing game
distribution services. In June 2017, to further enhance our mobile game development and publishing capabilities,
we established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Korea dedicated to game development and publishing called LINE
Games Corporation. In July 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired a 51.0% interest in NextFloor Corporation,
a mobile game development company in Korea. As of December 31, 2017, NextFloor Corporation has published
or developed ten games that are distributed through Apple App Store and Google Play. See Note 29 of the notes
to our annual consolidated financial statements. We may not be able to effectively execute our game
development and publishing strategy, which requires anticipating changing consumer tastes and preferences,
retaining and motivating talented online game developers and adopting new technologies. The development,
9
launch and continued publishing of a new game often require significant acquisition or development fees,
marketing and sales expenses and server hosting-related fees. Our newly-launched games could also cause our
users to reduce their playing time and purchases of in-game items in our existing games.
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues from our sale of Stickers, which is an evolving market,
and if the popularity of Stickers declines from its current level in Japan or is not widely replicated in other
markets, our business and future growth could be negatively affected.
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues from the sale of Stickers featuring characters
developed by us as well as licensed from third parties, including our users who design Stickers to be sold on
LINE Creators Market. The sale of Stickers is an evolving market, and the growth of the market for Stickers and
the level of demand for, and market acceptance of, our Stickers are subject to a high degree of uncertainty. In
particular, a substantial majority of revenues from the sale of our Stickers has been derived from sales in Japan,
and there can be no assurance that such products will achieve a similar level of market acceptance elsewhere.
Over time, users in Japan may also lose interest in purchasing new Stickers. Accordingly, revenue growth from
our sale of Stickers depends to a large extent on our ability to consistently launch new and different types of
Stickers that achieve significant popularity and effectively respond to changes in consumer demographics and
public tastes and preferences. We also depend on third-party character developers and licensors for content that
accounts for a substantial portion of our Sticker sales, and we expect that this dependence will continue for the
foreseeable future. A decline in the popularity of our Stickers would negatively affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
We plan to continue expanding our global operations into markets in which we have limited operating
experience and, as a result, may become subject to increased business and economic risks, which could
adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We believe LINE is the leading mobile messaging application in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand in terms
of number of users, and we have obtained substantial numbers of users in other parts of the world, including
Indonesia, Korea, the United States, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. We expect to continue to expand our
offerings of products and services in our key markets. However, expansion of our operations abroad may be
difficult due to the presence of established competitors in such markets. In addition, managing our business and
expanding our operations globally require considerable management attention and resources and are subject to
the particular challenges of supporting a rapidly growing business in an environment of multiple languages,
cultures, customs, legal and regulatory systems and commercial markets. Global expansion has required and will
continue to require us to invest significant funds and other resources, and there can be no assurance that we will
successfully achieve our growth objectives.
Operating globally subjects us to new risks and may increase risks that we currently face, including risks
associated with:
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providing an engaging user experience while operating in different languages and cultures, and
localizing our products, services, content and features to ensure that they are culturally attuned to
the markets where they are offered;
increased competition from mobile applications and internet services that have strong positions in
particular markets and may continue to expand their geographic footprint;
different and potentially lower levels of user growth, user engagement and demand for online
advertising in new and emerging geographies, resulting in greater difficulty in monetizing our
products and services;
recruiting and retaining talented and capable employees in foreign countries and maintaining our
corporate culture across all of our offices;
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challenges in offering our products and services;
levels of telecommunications infrastructure in developing countries that may create
integrating local payment processing systems;
compliance with applicable foreign laws and regulations, including laws and regulations with
respect to economic sanctions and export controls, anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback,
privacy and consumer protection that may conflict with local customs and practices in some
jurisdictions in which we operate and sell our products, and the risk of penalties if our practices are
deemed not to be in compliance;
political, social and economic instability in some countries;
double taxation of our global earnings and potentially adverse tax consequences due to changes in
the tax laws of Japan or other jurisdictions in which we operate; and
higher costs of conducting business globally, including increased accounting, travel, infrastructure
and legal compliance costs.
If we are unable to manage the complexity of our global operations successfully, our business, financial
condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
If we are not able to maintain and enhance our LINE brand, or if events occur that damage our reputation
and brand, our relationships with our users, platform partners and advertisers may be harmed, which may
negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Since its introduction in June 2011, LINE has rapidly grown into a global platform for mobile
messaging services and content distribution, and we believe that the LINE brand has significantly contributed to
the success of our business. We also believe that maintaining and enhancing our brand is critical to expanding
our user base, platform partners and advertisers. Many of our new users are referred by existing users, and
therefore we strive to ensure that our users are satisfied with our products and services and otherwise remain
favorably inclined toward LINE. Maintaining and enhancing our brand will depend largely on our ability to
continue to provide simple, user-friendly, reliable and innovative products and services, which we may not do
successfully. We may introduce new products or terms of service that users do not like, which may negatively
affect our brand. It may also negatively affect our brand if users do not have a positive experience using our
platform partners’ applications offered on LINE as well as websites linked with LINE. We have in the past
experienced, and we may continue to experience, media, legislative or regulatory scrutiny of our decisions
regarding user privacy or other issues, including our measures to protect minors, which may adversely affect our
reputation and brand. We may also fail to provide adequate customer service, which could erode confidence in
our brand. Our brand may also be negatively affected by attacks from our competitors, by negative publicity
about the actions of users that are deemed to be hostile, illegal or inappropriate to other users, by third-party
content providers acting inappropriately with respect to the LINE platform, by users acting under false identities,
by any regulatory developments designed to address such risks, or due to legal proceedings. Maintaining and
enhancing our brand may require us to make substantial investments and these investments may not be
successful. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain the LINE brand or if we incur excessive expenses in
this effort, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
We rely primarily on Apple App Store and Google Play as the channels for downloads of LINE and
applications offered on the LINE platform as well as processing of payments, and any deterioration in our
relationship with either of them may negatively impact our business.
We rely primarily on Apple App Store and Google Play as the channels for downloads of LINE and
applications offered on the LINE platform as well as the processing of payments for our products and services.
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We expect that we will continue to rely on Apple App Store and Google Play for downloads of our applications
as well as most of the payment processing for our products and services. Accordingly, we believe that
maintaining successful partnerships with Apple and Google is critical to our success.
The operating policies of Apple or Google have an impact on the accessibility of our products and
services. From time to time, we have had to adjust our monthly settlements with our payment processing service
providers due to discrepancies in the recognition of user payments. If such discrepancies continue to occur
frequently, it may have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and negatively affect our
reputation. In addition, our pricing strategy is impacted by changes in the payment processing fees charged by
Apple or Google. Our inability to pass along increases in the payment processing fees charged by Apple or
Google to our users on a timely basis or a decrease in paying user engagement due to a price increase may
negatively impact our net revenue or profit margin. If we fail to maintain good relationships with Apple or
Google, it may adversely impact our ability to continue to offer our products and services or effect payment
processing, which in turn could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We have incurred significant operating losses in the past, and our ability to maintain profitability in the
future is uncertain.
We have incurred significant operating losses in the past. We recorded loss for the year of
¥7,972 million in 2015, although we recorded profit for the year of ¥7,104 million in 2016 and ¥8,210 million in
2017. Although our revenues have grown over the years, from ¥120,406 million in 2015 to ¥140,704 million in
2016 and ¥167,147 million in 2017, our revenue growth rate has slowed in recent years and may do so in the
future due to a variety of factors. We believe that our future revenue growth will depend on, among other factors,
our ability to attract new users while retaining current users, increase user engagement and advertisement
engagement, increase our brand awareness, compete effectively, maximize our sales efforts, demonstrate a
positive return on investment for advertisers and successfully develop and operate new products and services.
Accordingly, you should not rely on the revenue growth of any prior quarterly or annual period as an indication
of our future revenue growth.
We expect our operating expenses to increase in future periods as we continue to expend substantial
financial resources on:
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sales and marketing;
global expansion;
our technology infrastructure;
attracting and retaining talented employees;
strategic opportunities, including commercial relationships, acquisitions and capital injections;
operation of newly developed or newly acquired businesses; and
general administration, including personnel costs and legal and accounting expenses related to
being a public company.
These investments, while increasing our expenses, may not result in an increase in revenues or growth
in our business. For example, our marketing expenses have from time to time outpaced the growth of our
revenues over the same period, which have materially impacted our results of operations. If we are unable to
achieve adequate revenue growth and to manage our expenses, we may incur significant losses in the future.
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We have a limited operating history in the developing and rapidly evolving market for our products and
services, which makes it difficult to evaluate our future prospects and may increase the risk that we will not
be successful.
We launched our LINE messaging application in June 2011 and other LINE products and services more
recently, and our limited operating history makes it difficult to effectively assess our future prospects or forecast
our future results. You should consider our business and prospects in light of the risks and challenges we
encounter or may encounter in this developing and rapidly evolving market environment. These risks and
challenges include our ability to, among other things:
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increase our number of users and user engagement and monetize our products and services;
successfully compete with other companies, some of which have substantially greater resources and
market power than us, that are currently in, or may in the future enter, our markets, or duplicate the
features of our products and services;
successfully expand our business and enhance the LINE brand globally;
continue to develop a reliable, scalable, secure, high-performance technology infrastructure that can
efficiently handle increased usage globally;
convince advertisers of the benefits of our advertising products and services compared to alternative
forms of advertising;
develop and deploy new features, products and services in a timely manner and the market
acceptance of such offerings;
cost-effectively manage and grow our operations;
attract and maintain platform partners’ interest in building on the LINE platform;
attract, retain and motivate talented management and employees, particularly software engineers,
designers and product managers;
process, store, protect and use personal data in compliance with governmental regulations,
contractual obligations and other obligations related to privacy and security; and
defend ourselves against litigation and regulatory, intellectual property, privacy or other claims.
Failure to adequately address the risks and challenges associated with this market may adversely affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our acquisitions and investments may not be successful in achieving their intended goals and could harm
our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to expand our products and services, and grow our
business in response to changing technologies, user and advertiser demands, and competitive pressures. In some
circumstances, we may decide to do so through the acquisition of complementary businesses and technologies
rather than through internal development. The identification of suitable acquisition candidates can be difficult,
time-consuming and costly, and we may not be able to successfully complete identified acquisitions. We have
limited experience acquiring other businesses, and our ability to acquire and integrate other companies and
assets, particularly larger or more complex companies, products, or technologies, in a successful manner remains
subject to uncertainty.
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Any completed acquisitions may not achieve their intended goals and could be viewed negatively by
users, platform partners, advertisers or investors. For example, we acquired assets of MixRadio, a mobile music
streaming service, from Microsoft in March 2015, but after careful assessment of the overall performance of
MixRadio, the financial challenges posed by the music streaming market, changing market conditions, an
increase in the cost of maintaining the business and a shift in our overall priorities, our board of directors
approved the abandonment of our MixRadio business that became effective on March 21, 2016. For more
information, see Note 11 and Note 23 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
The risks we face in connection with acquisitions and investments also include:
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diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to addressing acquisition and
integration challenges;
challenges associated with the integration of product development and sales and marketing
functions of the acquired company;
challenges associated with the retention of key employees from the acquired company;
cultural and operational challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired
company into our organization;
challenges associated with the integration of the acquired company’s accounting, management
information, human resources and other administrative systems;
the need to implement or improve controls, procedures and policies at a business that prior to the
acquisition may have lacked effective controls, procedures and policies;
liability for activities of the acquired company before the acquisition, including intellectual property
infringement claims;
unanticipated write-offs or charges or impairment of goodwill;
recognition of our share of loss of associates and joint ventures that are accounted for under the
equity method; and
litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company,
terminated employees, customers, former shareholders or other third parties.
including claims from
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future
acquisitions or investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of these acquisitions or
investments, cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities, or could otherwise harm our business generally. Future
acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities or the incurrence of debt, contingent
liabilities, amortization expenses or incremental operating expenses.
Our user growth and engagement on mobile devices, which are required to access and use most of our
products and services, depend upon effective operation with mobile operating systems that we do not
control.
We are dependent on the interoperability of LINE with popular mobile operating systems, such as
Android and iOS, and, to a lesser extent, web browsers, such as those for Windows and Mac OS, that we do not
control. Any changes in such operating systems or web browsers that degrade the functionality of our products or
services or give preferential treatment to our competitors’ products or services could adversely affect usage of
our products and services. In addition, if the number of platforms for which we develop our products or services
expands, it will result in an increase in our operating expenses.
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We may not be successful in developing or maintaining relationships with key participants in the mobile
telecommunications industry or in developing products that operate effectively with mobile operating systems,
networks or standards. In the event that it becomes more difficult for our users to access and use LINE on their
mobile devices, or if our users choose not to access or use LINE on their mobile devices or use mobile devices
that do not offer access to LINE, our user growth and user engagement could be harmed, and our business,
financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
If we or our users experience disruptions in mobile telecommunications or internet services or if mobile
telecommunications and internet service providers are able to block, degrade or charge for access to our
products and services, we could incur additional expenses and the loss of users and advertisers.
We depend on the ability of our users and advertisers to access mobile telecommunications services and
the internet. Currently, this access is provided by companies that have significant market power in the mobile,
including incumbent mobile telecommunications companies,
broadband and internet access marketplaces,
telephone companies, cable companies, government-owned service providers, device manufacturers and
operating system providers, any of whom could take actions that degrade, disrupt or increase the cost of user
access to our products or services, which would, in turn, negatively impact our business. The adoption of any
laws or regulations that adversely affect the growth, popularity or use of mobile devices or the internet or
disruption of our services in important markets for any political or other non-technical reasons could decrease the
demand for, or the usage of, our products and services, increase our cost of doing business and adversely affect
our business, financial condition and results of operations. We also rely on other companies to maintain reliable
network systems that provide adequate speed, data capacity and security to us and our users. As mobile devices
and the internet continue to experience growth in the number of users, frequency of use and amount of data
transmitted, the mobile telecommunications and internet infrastructure that we and our users rely on may be
unable to support the demands placed upon them. The failure of the operations of mobile telecommunications or
internet infrastructure services that we or our users rely on, even for a short period of time, could undermine our
operations, and our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Certain of our user metrics are subject to inherent uncertainties in measurement, and real or perceived
inaccuracies in such metrics may harm our reputation and negatively affect our business.
We use our internal data to calculate our MAUs, DAUs and MPUs. See “Conventions Used in This
Annual Report” for definitions of such user metrics. While these numbers are based on what we believe to be
reasonable estimates of our active user and paying user base for the applicable period of measurement, there are
inherent challenges in measuring usage of our products and services across large online and mobile populations
around the world. For example, each LINE account is linked to a mobile phone number and there may be
multiple LINE accounts held by the same person if the person carries multiple smartphones and has chosen to
download a LINE application on each smartphone.
We regularly review and may adjust our processes for calculating our internal metrics to improve their
accuracy. Our measures of user growth and user engagement may differ from estimates published by third parties
or from similarly-titled metrics of our competitors due to differences in methodology. If advertisers, platform
partners or prospective investors do not perceive our user metrics to be accurate representations of our user base
or user engagement, or if we discover material inaccuracies in our user metrics, our reputation may be harmed
and platform partners and advertisers may be less willing to allocate their budgets or resources to our products
and services.
Our business and operating results may be harmed by a disruption in our service due to failures in or
changes to our systems, or by our failure to timely and effectively expand and adapt our technology and
infrastructure.
Our reputation and ability to attract, retain, and serve our users is dependent in large part upon the
reliable performance of LINE and our underlying technical infrastructure. Our systems may not be adequately
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designed with the necessary reliability and redundancy to avoid performance delays or outages that could be
harmful to our business. We have experienced, and may in the future experience, service disruptions, outages and
other performance problems due to a variety of factors, including infrastructure changes, human or software
errors, hardware failure, capacity constraints due to an overwhelming number of people accessing our products
and services simultaneously, computer viruses, denial of service or fraud or security attacks. Our technical
infrastructure is also vulnerable to the risk of damage from natural disasters, such as earthquakes and typhoons,
as well as from acts of terrorism or other criminal acts. Our services and products also incorporate software that
is highly technical and complex. Our software has contained, and may now or in the future contain, undetected
errors, bugs or vulnerabilities. Some errors in our software code may only be discovered after the code has been
released.
In addition, a substantial portion of our network infrastructure is provided by third parties. Any
disruption or failure in the services we receive from these providers could harm our ability to handle existing or
increased traffic and could significantly harm our business. Any financial or other difficulties these providers
face may also adversely affect our business, and we exercise little control over these providers, which increases
our vulnerability to problems with the services they provide. In the event of a significant issue with the third-
party network infrastructure supporting our network traffic, some of our products and services may become
inaccessible or users may experience difficulties accessing our products and services. Any disruption or failure in
our infrastructure could hinder our ability to handle existing or increased traffic on our platform, which could
significantly harm our business.
As the number of our users increases and as our users generate and transmit increasing volumes of
content, including photos, videos and music, we may be required to expand and adapt our technology and
infrastructure to continue to reliably store and service such content. It may become increasingly difficult to
maintain and improve the performance of our products and services, especially during peak usage times, as our
products and services become more complex and our user traffic increases. In addition, we cannot provide
assurance that we will be able to expand our data center infrastructure to meet user demand in a timely manner,
or on favorable economic terms. If our users are unable to readily access LINE or access is disrupted, users may
seek other service providers instead, and may not return to LINE or use LINE as often in the future. This would
negatively impact our ability to attract users, platform partners and advertisers and increase engagement of our
users. We expect to continue to make significant investments to maintain and improve the capacity, capability
and reliability of our infrastructure. To the extent that we do not effectively address capacity constraints, upgrade
our systems as needed or continually develop our technology and infrastructure to accommodate actual and
anticipated changes in our users’ needs, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be
harmed.
If our security measures are breached, or if our products and services are subject to attacks that disrupt or
deny the ability of users to access our products and services, our products and services may be perceived as
not being secure and users and advertisers may curtail or stop using our products and services.
Our products and services involve the storage and transmission of large amounts of users’ and
advertisers’ confidential information, and security breaches expose us to a risk of loss of this information, which
may lead to improper use or disclosure of such information, ensuing potential liability and litigation, any of
which could harm our reputation and adversely affect our business. From time to time, we experience cyber-
attacks of varying degrees. Although there has been no material instance where an unauthorized party was able to
obtain access to our data or our users’ or advertisers’ data, there can be no assurance that we will not be
vulnerable to cyber-attacks in the future. Our security measures may also be breached due to employee error,
malfeasance or otherwise. Given the rapid development and scope of the services we offer, including those
developed in conjunction with third parties, instituting appropriate access controls and safeguards across all our
services is challenging. Furthermore, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees, users or
advertisers to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access to our data or our users’ or advertisers’ data
or accounts, or may otherwise obtain access to such data or accounts. In addition, some platform partners may
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store information provided by our users through applications on the LINE platform or websites linked with
LINE. If these third parties or platform partners fail to adopt or adhere to adequate data security practices or fail
to comply with our terms and policies, or in the event of a breach of their networks, our users’ data may be
improperly accessed or disclosed.
Since our users and advertisers may use their LINE accounts to establish and maintain online identities,
unauthorized communications from LINE accounts that have been compromised may damage their reputations
and brands as well as ours. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial
exposure, damage to our reputation and a loss of confidence in the security of our products and services, which
could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Because the
techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems change frequently
and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to
implement adequate preventative measures. If an actual or perceived breach of our security occurs or the market
perception of the effectiveness of our security measures is harmed, we could lose users and advertisers and we
may incur significant legal and financial exposure, including legal claims and regulatory fines and penalties.
Our financial results are likely to continue to fluctuate from quarter to quarter, which makes our
period-to-period results volatile and difficult to predict.
We emphasize growth and the increase in engagement of our user base over short-term financial results.
Due in part to such focus, our quarterly financial results have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in
the future. As a result, you should not rely upon our past quarterly financial results as indicators of future
performance. You should also take into account the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by companies
in rapidly evolving markets. Our financial results in any given quarter or fiscal period can be influenced by
numerous factors occurring in a particular period, many of which we are unable to predict or are outside of our
control, including:
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the development and introduction of new products or services by us or our competitors, particularly
the launching of mobile games and Stickers and their market acceptance;
our ability to attract and retain advertisers;
the growth of revenue sources as well as adjustments in fees charged to users and advertisers;
increases in marketing, sales and other operating expenses that we may incur to grow and expand
our operations and to remain competitive;
seasonal fluctuations in spending by our advertisers, especially in Japan where a majority of
companies end their fiscal year on March 31 and advertising spending is traditionally stronger in
our fourth and first quarters due to year-end effects and companies trying to spend their advertising
budgets before the close of their fiscal year;
introduction of new products and/or services, which may lead to higher expenses;
changes in the way online advertising is priced;
non-recurring transactions and related accounting and tax implications therefrom, as well as
changes to accounting principles applicable to our business;
unforeseen contingencies, such as adverse litigation judgments, settlements or other litigation-
related costs;
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fluctuations in currency exchange rates and changes in the proportion of our revenue and expenses
denominated in foreign currencies; and
changes in business or macroeconomic conditions.
We may not be able to effectively manage our growth, which would harm our business and profitability.
We continue to experience growth in our personnel and operations, which will continue to place
significant demands on our management and operational and financial infrastructure. We face significant
competition for qualified staff, particularly software engineers, designers and product managers, from other
internet and high-growth technology companies, and we may not be able to hire new employees quickly enough
to meet our needs. As we continue to grow, we are subject to the risks of over-hiring, overcompensating our
employees and over-expanding our operating infrastructure, and to the challenges of integrating, developing and
motivating a rapidly growing employee base in various countries around the world. As our organization
continues to grow and we are required to implement more complex organizational management structures, we
may find it increasingly difficult to maintain the strengths of our corporate culture, including our ability to
quickly develop and launch new products and services. If we fail to effectively manage our hiring needs and
successfully integrate our new hires, our employee morale, productivity and retention could suffer.
We also expect to continue to invest in our infrastructure in order to enable us to provide our products
and services rapidly and reliably to users around the world, including in countries where we do not expect
significant near-term monetization. Continued growth could strain our ability to maintain reliable service levels
for our users and advertisers, develop and improve our operational, financial, legal and management controls,
and enhance our reporting systems and procedures. As a public company, we incur significant legal, accounting
and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. Managing our growth will continue to require
significant expenditures and allocation of valuable management resources. If we fail to achieve the necessary
level of efficiency in our organization as it grows, our business, financial condition and results of operations
would be harmed.
Our LINE mobile payment service may subject us to additional regulatory requirements and other risks that
could be costly and difficult to comply with or that could harm our business.
As part of our efforts to diversify payment options available to LINE users, we launched LINE Pay, our
mobile payment service application, in December 2014. LINE Pay enables our users to register their credit cards
and make payments, regardless of their mobile carrier, on LINE Store and a number of select online and offline
partner retail stores. Depending on location, our users can also transmit funds to each other or withdraw cash
from certain banks within their respective countries through LINE Pay by linking their accounts at select banks
in their respective countries or adding money to their LINE Pay accounts at convenience stores or ATMs or
through internet banking. We plan to continue to expand the scope of LINE Pay by selectively incorporating it
into our applications and exploring local partnership and joint venture opportunities in order to enhance the
convenience of our users.
Depending on how our products and services as well as payment processes evolve, we may become
subject
including those governing money
to a variety of laws and regulations in Japan and elsewhere,
transmission, payment settlement, e-commerce, electronic funds transfers, anti-money laundering, identification
the application or interpretation of these laws and
and counter-terrorist financing. In some jurisdictions,
regulations is not clear. We are registered as a funds transfer service provider and issuer of prepaid payment
instruments for third-party businesses in Japan and elsewhere through LINE Pay Corporation, our subsidiary
engaged in mobile payment service, which will generally require us to demonstrate compliance with many
domestic laws in these areas. In the event that we are found to be in violation of any such legal or regulatory
requirements, or there is a delay in the implementation of internal systems and controls necessary to ensure
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compliance with such requirements, we may be subject to monetary fines or other penalties or sanctions such as a
cease and desist order, or we may be required to make product changes, any of which could have an adverse
effect on our business and financial results.
In addition, we may be subject to a variety of additional risks as a result of providing mobile payment
services, including:
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increased operational costs and diversion of management time and effort and other resources to deal
with fraudulent or failed transactions, customer disputes or mismanaged outsourcing relationships;
the impact on our relationships with existing payment processing service providers;
increased capital costs in building out the infrastructure;
potential fraudulent or otherwise illegal activity by users, platform partners, employees or third
parties;
leakage of customers’ personal information and concerns over the use and security of collected
information;
restrictions on the investment of consumer funds used to transact payments; and
additional disclosure and reporting requirements.
We depend on key senior management to operate our business and execute our business strategy, and if we
are unable to attract, retain and motivate our senior management and other key personnel, our operations
may be negatively affected.
Our ability to execute our strategy efficiently is dependent upon contributions from our key senior
management. Our future success will depend on the continued service of our key executive officers and managers
who possess significant expertise and knowledge of our industry. A limited number of individuals have primary
responsibility for the management of our business, including our relationships with key platform partners. From
time to time, there may be changes in our senior management team that may be disruptive to our business, and
we may not be able to find replacement key personnel in a timely manner. In addition, acquiring and retaining
qualified personnel, such as systems engineers and designers, will be necessary to our achieving sustainable
growth. Any loss or interruption of the services of these individuals, whether from retirement, loss to competitors
or other causes, or failure to attract and retain other qualified new personnel, could prevent us from effectively
executing our business strategy, cause us to lose key platform partner relationships, or otherwise materially affect
our operations.
A downturn in macroeconomic conditions may result in reduced demand for our products and services.
Our business is sensitive to global economic conditions and depends on demand from our user base. In
addition, demand for our advertising services is primarily driven by advertising spending levels of our
advertising customers in our four key markets, particularly Japan. There are many macroeconomic factors that
influence consumer confidence and spending behavior, including the level of inflation and unemployment,
fluctuations in energy prices and conditions in the real estate markets. While global economic conditions have
generally stabilized and improved in recent years, the overall prospects for the global economy and the industry
in which we operate remain uncertain. Financial markets have experienced significant volatility in recent years as
a result of, among other things, the slowdown of economic growth in China and other major emerging market
economies, adverse economic and political conditions in Europe and Latin America and continuing geopolitical
and social instability in North Korea and various parts of the Middle East, including Syria, Iraq and Yemen, as
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well as the United Kingdom’s decision in June 2016 to exit from the European Union (“Brexit”). The outlook for
the global economy in 2018 and beyond remains uncertain.
In recent years, the economic indicators in Japan, our largest market in terms of revenue and user base,
have also shown mixed signs, and future growth of the Japanese economy is subject to many factors beyond our
control. The current administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, formed in late December 2012 and re-elected
in October 2017, has introduced policies to combat deflation and promote economic growth. In addition, the
Bank of Japan introduced a plan for quantitative and qualitative monetary easing in April 2013 and announced a
negative interest rate policy in January 2016. However, the long-term impact of these policy initiatives on
Japan’s economy remains uncertain. The impact of Brexit on the Japanese economy and on the value of the
Japanese yen against currencies of other countries in which we generate revenue, in both the short and long term,
is also uncertain. In addition, the occurrence of large-scale natural disasters, such as the March 2011 Great East
Japan Earthquake and the related Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, as well as an increase in the consumption
tax rate may also adversely impact the Japanese economy, potentially impacting consumer spending and
advertising spending by businesses. Any future deterioration of the Japanese or global economy may result in a
decline in consumption that would have a negative impact on demand for our products and services and their
prices.
We may require additional capital to support our operations and the growth of our business, and we cannot
be certain that financing will be available on reasonable terms when required, or at all.
From time to time, we may need additional financing to operate or grow our business. If our cash
resources are insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements, we may seek to issue additional equity or debt
securities or obtain new or expanded credit facilities. Our ability to obtain additional financing, if and when
required, will depend on investor and lender demand, our operating performance, the condition of the capital
markets and other factors, and we cannot assure you that additional financing will be available to us on favorable
terms, or at all. If we are unable to obtain adequate financing or financing on terms satisfactory to us when we
require it, our ability to continue to support the operation and growth of our business could be significantly
impaired and our operating results may be adversely affected.
Our business is subject to complex and evolving Japanese and foreign laws and regulations. These laws,
regulations and actions are subject to change and uncertain interpretation, and could result in claims,
changes to our business practices, monetary penalties, increased cost of operations or declines in user
growth, user engagement or advertising engagement, restricted access to LINE or otherwise harm our
business.
We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations in Japan and elsewhere that involve matters central
to our business, including privacy, rights of publicity, data protection and protection of personal information,
content regulation, intellectual property, competition, protection of minors, consumer protection and taxation.
Many of these laws and regulations are still evolving and could be interpreted or applied in ways that could limit
our business, particularly in the new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate. The introduction of new
products or services in our existing markets and the expansion of our business to other countries may subject us
to additional laws and regulations.
A number of proposals are pending before legislative and regulatory bodies that could significantly
affect our business. For example, there have been a number of recent legislative proposals in Japan that would
impose new obligations in areas such as privacy and liability for copyright infringement by third parties that
could affect liabilities associated with websites that publish user-generated content. An amendment to the Act on
the Protection of Personal Information of Japan (the “Act on the Protection of Personal Information”) was
enacted in September 2015 and was put into full effect on May 30, 2017. This amendment includes establishment
of a new regulatory authority and introduction of new regulations on handling of anonymous personal data and
transfer of personal information to foreign countries.
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We collect personal information from our users and may expand our collection of personal information
in order to comply with new and additional regulatory demands or we may independently decide to do so.
Having additional personal information may subject us to additional regulation, and governmental regulators
have been applying increased scrutiny to social media companies in this respect. For example, the EU General
Data Protection Regulation, which extends the applicability of stringent data protection laws to all foreign
companies processing the data of EU residents, will become effective in May 2018. Additionally, if third parties
we work with, such as advertisers or platform partners, violate applicable laws or our policies, such violations
may also put our users’ information at risk and could in turn have an adverse effect on our business. Further, it is
difficult to predict how existing laws and regulations will be applied to our business and the new laws and
regulations to which we may become subject, and it is possible that they may be interpreted and applied in a
manner that is inconsistent with our practices. For example, we believe that our products and services are not
subject to regulations under the Act on Regulation on Soliciting Children by Using Opposite Sex Introducing
Service on Internet of Japan, but there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to certain processes,
administrative sanctions, fines or restrictions under such regulations in the future. Existing and proposed laws
and regulations in any jurisdiction can be costly to comply with and can delay or impede the development of new
products and services, result in negative publicity, significantly increase our operating costs, require significant
time and attention of management and technical personnel and subject us to inquiries or investigations, claims or
other remedies, including fines or demands that we modify or cease existing business practices.
The Payment Services Act of Japan (the “Payment Services Act”) requires entities that engage in
business activities involving advance payments from customers using prepaid payment instruments, such as
virtual currencies, to set aside for such customers amounts covering at least 50% of the total amount of the
unused amounts or credits represented by such instruments issued as of the end of either the first or third quarter
of any year (if such total amount is more than ¥10 million), either by making a deposit or by entering into
guarantee or trust agreements, as well as to refund any remaining balance of virtual currencies issued, after
providing at least 60 days’ prior public notice, if those entities stop selling such virtual currencies. If any of our
in-game items for which we have not made a deposit or entered into a guarantee or trust agreement, is deemed a
prepaid payment instrument, it may become necessary to enter into additional arrangements to comply with the
Payment Services Act requirement in connection with any such in-game items. While we intend to enter into
additional guarantee agreements to meet any additional deposit requirements, entering into additional guarantee
agreements will require us to pay guarantee fees equal to the contractual amount times a guarantee fee rate, and
there is no assurance that we will be able to enter into additional guarantee agreements on favorable terms when
required, or at all. Any failure to enter into contractual arrangements on terms satisfactory to us when required
may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and/or reputation.
It is also possible that governments or relevant regulators of one or more countries may seek to censor
content offered on the LINE platform in their country, restrict access to LINE from their country entirely, or
impose other restrictions that may affect the accessibility of LINE in their country for an extended period of time
or indefinitely. For example, as of the date of this annual report, our messaging services generally remain
blocked in China. In the event that access to LINE is restricted, in whole or in part, in one or more other
countries, our ability to retain or increase our user base and user engagement may be adversely affected, we may
not be able to maintain or grow our revenue as anticipated, and our business, financial condition and results of
operations could be adversely affected.
We are regulated as a telecommunications company under Japanese law. If our business were deemed to be
a regulated telecommunications business in multiple jurisdictions, it would significantly increase our
expenses and may require us to change our products and other aspects of our business in potentially
detrimental ways.
We are regulated as a telecommunications company pursuant to Japanese law, and we have submitted
required notifications to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication of Japan. We are subject to the risk
that, due to changes in telecommunications, e-commerce and other similar laws and regulations or in the
application, interpretation or enforcement of both existing and future such laws and regulations, we may be
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required to comply with additional laws and regulations in Japan and in other jurisdictions. In addition, we are
continually seeking ways to improve our products and services, which may involve from time to time upgrades
or changes in the technological infrastructure on which our products and services are based and which could
result in subjecting our activities to greater regulation in multiple jurisdictions. If we are required to comply with
telecommunications, e-commerce and other similar laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions, we would need
to meet a number of obligations, which could vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, including new or enhanced
compliance in the following areas:
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licensing and notification requirements;
emergency calling requirements,
telephone systems;
including enhanced emergency calling through multi-line
universal service fund contribution requirements;
lawful interception or wiretapping requirements;
privacy and data retention and disclosure requirements;
limitations on our ability to use encryption technology;
disability access requirements;
consumer protection requirements and local dispute resolution requirements;
requirements related to customer support;
quality of service requirements;
provision of numbering directories;
numbering rules, including portability requirements;
directory and operator services; and
access and interconnection obligations.
If we are required to comply with telecommunications, e-commerce and other similar laws and
regulations in multiple jurisdictions, it could affect our business in many ways and areas, including the following:
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the cost and general
impact of compliance would be substantial, may require significant
investments and organizational changes and may erode or eliminate our pricing advantage over
competing forms of communication and, potentially, our ability to compete effectively;
compliance may require us to make certain fundamental and potentially detrimental changes to the
products and services we offer and the way we conduct business in certain countries, including
withdrawing from markets;
compliance may be technically difficult or impossible;
we may need to change our distribution, marketing and sales activities;
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we may need to terminate or restructure partnerships and other commercial agreements; and
we may need to establish a local presence in any given jurisdiction, sell our products through a local
entity and be required to pay new or increased taxes in that jurisdiction.
Our intellectual property rights are valuable, and our inability to protect them could reduce the value of our
products, services and brand.
Our trade secrets, trademarks, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property rights are important
assets for us. We rely on, and expect to continue to rely on, a combination of confidentiality and license
agreements with our employees, consultants and third parties with whom we have relationships, as well as
trademark, trade dress, domain name, copyright, trade secret and patent laws, to protect our brand and other
intellectual property rights. However, various events outside of our control may pose a threat to our intellectual
property rights, as well as to our products, services and technologies. For example, we may fail to obtain
effective intellectual property protection, or effective intellectual property protection may not be available in
every country in which our products and services are available. In particular, the legal regimes relating to
intellectual property rights in many of the countries in which we operate are limited and it is often difficult to
effectively protect and enforce such rights in those countries. Also, the efforts we have taken to protect our
intellectual property rights may not be sufficient or effective, and any of our intellectual property rights may be
challenged, which could result in them being narrowed in scope or declared invalid or unenforceable. There can
be no assurance that our intellectual property rights will be sufficient to protect against others offering products
or services that are substantially similar to ours and compete with our business.
We also rely on non-patented proprietary information and technology, such as trade secrets, confidential
information, know-how and technical information. While in certain cases we have agreements in place with
employees and third parties that place restrictions on the use and disclosure of this intellectual property, these
agreements may be breached, or this intellectual property may otherwise be disclosed or become known to our
competitors, which could cause us to lose competitive advantages resulting from this intellectual property. We
are also pursuing registration of trademarks and domain names in Japan and in many jurisdictions outside of
Japan. Effective protection of trademarks and domain names is expensive and difficult to maintain, both in terms
of application and registration costs as well as the costs of defending and enforcing those rights. We may be
required to protect our rights in an increasing number of countries, in a process that is expensive and may not be
successful or which we may not pursue in every country in which our products and services are distributed or
made available.
We are party to numerous agreements that grant licenses to third parties to use our intellectual property,
including our trademarks. For example, some third parties distribute their content through LINE, embed LINE
content in their applications, and make use of our trademarks in connection with their services. If the licensees of
our trademarks are not using our trademarks properly, it may limit our ability to protect our trademarks and could
ultimately result in our trademarks being declared invalid or unenforceable. There can be no assurance that we
will be able to protect against the unauthorized use of our brand, trademarks or other assets. There is also a risk
that one or more of our trademarks could become generic, which could result in them being declared invalid or
unenforceable.
We also seek to obtain patent protection for some of our technology, and we have filed various
applications in Japan and abroad for protection of certain aspects of our intellectual property and currently hold a
number of issued patents in multiple jurisdictions. We may be unable to obtain patent or trademark protection for
our technologies and brands, and our existing patents and trademarks, and any patents or trademarks that may be
issued in the future, may not provide us with competitive advantages or distinguish our products and services
from those of our competitors. In addition, any patents and trademarks may be contested, circumvented, or found
unenforceable or invalid, and we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing, diluting or otherwise
violating them. Effective protection of intellectual property rights is expensive and difficult to maintain, both in
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terms of application and maintenance costs, as well as the costs of defending and enforcing those rights.
Significant impairments of our intellectual property rights, and limitations on our ability to assert our intellectual
property rights against others, could harm our business and our ability to compete.
We may become party to intellectual property rights claims in the future that are expensive and time
consuming to defend, and, if resolved adversely, could have a significant impact on our business.
Technology companies own large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets, and
frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of
intellectual property or other rights. Many such companies,
including many of our competitors, have
substantially larger patent and intellectual property portfolios than we do, which could make us a target for
litigation as we may not be able to assert counterclaims against parties that sue us for patent or other intellectual
property infringement. In addition, various “non-practicing entities” that own patents and other intellectual
property rights often attempt to aggressively assert claims in order to extract payments from technology
companies. From time to time we have received, and may receive in the future, claims from third parties which
allege that we have infringed upon their intellectual property rights. Furthermore, from time to time we may
introduce new products and services, including in areas where we currently do not have an offering, which could
increase our exposure to patent and other intellectual property claims from competitors and non-practicing
entities. Some of our agreements with advertisers, platform partners and data partners require us to indemnify
them for certain intellectual property claims against them, which could require us to incur considerable costs in
defending such claims, and may require us to pay significant damages in the event of an adverse ruling. Such
advertisers, platform partners and data partners may also discontinue use of our products, services and
technologies as a result of injunctions or otherwise, which could result in loss of revenue and adversely impact
our business.
As we face increasing competition and gain an increasingly high profile, patents and other intellectual
property claims against us may grow. There may be intellectual property or other rights held by others, including
issued or pending patents, that cover significant aspects of our products and services, and we cannot be sure that
we are not infringing or violating, and have not infringed or violated, any third-party intellectual property rights
or that we will not be held to have done so or be accused of doing so in the future. Any claim or litigation
alleging that we have infringed or otherwise violated intellectual property or other rights of third parties, with or
without merit, and whether or not settled out of court or determined in our favor, could be time-consuming and
costly to address and resolve, and could divert the time and attention of our management and technical personnel.
Some of our competitors have substantially greater resources than we do and are able to sustain the costs of
complex intellectual property litigation to a greater degree and for longer periods of time than we could. The
outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain, and there can be no assurance that favorable final outcomes will
be obtained. In addition, plaintiffs may seek, and we may become subject to, preliminary or provisional rulings in
the course of any such litigation, including potential preliminary injunctions requiring us to cease some or all of
our operations. We may decide to settle such lawsuits and disputes on terms that are unfavorable to us. Similarly,
if any litigation to which we are a party is resolved adversely, we may be subject to an unfavorable judgment that
may not be reversed upon appeal. The terms of such a settlement or judgment may require us to cease some or all
of our operations or pay substantial amounts to the other party. In addition, we may have to seek a license to
continue practices found to be in violation of a third party’s rights. If we are required or choose to enter into
royalty or licensing arrangements, such arrangements may not be available on reasonable terms, or at all, and
may significantly increase our operating costs and expenses. As a result, we may also be required to develop or
procure alternative non-infringing technology or discontinue use of the technology. The development or
procurement of alternative non-infringing technology could require significant effort and expense or may not be
feasible. An unfavorable resolution of any disputes and litigation could adversely affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations.
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Fluctuation of the value of the Japanese yen against certain foreign currencies may have a material
adverse effect on the results of our operations.
Some of our foreign operations’ functional currencies are not the Japanese yen, and the financial
statements of such foreign operations prepared initially using their functional currencies are translated into
Japanese yen. Since the currency in which sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which
expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations. In 2015,
2016 and 2017, 29.6%, 28.3% and 27.4%, respectively, of our revenues were derived from markets outside of
Japan, and we expect that an increasing portion of our revenues and expenses in the future will be denominated
in currencies other than the Japanese yen. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results and assets and
liabilities may be materially affected by changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies in which we conduct
our business. We strive to naturally offset our foreign exchange risk by matching foreign currency receivables
with our foreign currency payables, and our overseas subsidiaries seek to conduct business transactions in the
local currency of the respective market in which the transactions occur. When deemed appropriate, we also
selectively use derivative contracts, primarily foreign currency forward contracts. However, there can be no
assurance that our hedging activities will be successful in protecting us from adverse impacts from currency
exchange rate fluctuations, and fluctuation of the Japanese yen against certain foreign currencies may have a
material adverse effect on our results of operations. See “Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures
About Market Risk” for a discussion of our foreign currency exposure and sensitivity analysis.
We may have exposure to greater than anticipated tax liabilities.
Our income tax obligations are based on our corporate operating structure and intercompany
arrangements, including the manner in which we develop, value, and use our intellectual property and the
valuations of our intercompany transactions. The tax laws applicable to our business activities, including the laws
of Japan and other jurisdictions, are subject to interpretation. The taxing authorities of the jurisdictions in which
we operate may challenge our methodologies for valuing developed technology or intercompany arrangements,
which could increase our worldwide effective tax rate and harm our financial position and results of operations.
In addition, our future income taxes could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in
jurisdictions that have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions that have higher
statutory tax rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in tax laws,
regulations or accounting principles. We are subject to regular review and audit by tax authorities of various
jurisdictions in which we operate. Any adverse outcome of such a review or audit could have a negative effect on
our financial position and results of operations. In addition, the determination of our worldwide provision for
judgment by management, and there are many
income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant
transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe that our estimates are
reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our financial statements and may
materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made.
Due to the global nature of our business, we are subject to trade, economic sanctions and export laws and
regulations in various jurisdictions that may govern or restrict our business and we, our directors and
officers, may be subject to fines or other penalties for non-compliance with applicable trade, economic
sanctions and export laws and regulations.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) administers and
enforces certain laws and regulations (“OFAC Sanctions”) that impose restrictions upon U.S. persons regarding
dealings with or related to certain countries and territories, governments, entities and individuals. Even though
non-U.S. persons generally are not always directly bound to comply with OFAC Sanctions, in recent years,
OFAC has asserted that such non-U.S. persons can be held liable for violations of OFAC Sanctions on various
legal grounds, such as with respect to dealings in U.S. goods, services, or technology, or involving U.S. parties,
causing violations by U.S. persons, or by engaging in transactions completed in part in the United States. In
addition to the OFAC Sanctions, the United States maintains numerous secondary sanction programs that provide
authority for the imposition of U.S. sanctions on foreign parties that engage in certain dealings with Iran and
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other U.S. sanctions targets regardless of whether there is a nexus to the United States. Following the occurrence
on January 16, 2016 of “Implementation Day” of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the “P5+1”
countries (including the United States) and Iran, pursuant to which Iran agreed to limits on its nuclear program
and the P5+1 countries agreed to provide certain sanctions relief, secondary sanctions targeting Iran have been
narrowed but not eliminated. For example, non-U.S. persons can still be sanctioned for engaging in dealings with
certain persons on OFAC’s Specially Designated Nationals (“SDN”) list.
impose
The European Union also enforces certain laws and regulations (“EU Sanctions”) that
restrictions upon nationals and entities of, and business conducted in, European Union member states with
respect to activities or transactions with certain countries, governments, entities and individuals that are the
subject of EU Sanctions. The United Nations Security Council and other governmental entities also impose
similar sanctions.
The global nature of our business subjects us to the laws and regulations of various jurisdictions. Our
significant international operations also expose us to economic sanctions risk and our continued expansion may
increase the risk of violation of applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations. We intend our operations to
comply with all applicable economic sanctions. Personal communications services are generally given favorable
treatment under a number of economic sanctions regimes. However, given the global nature of our business, the
fact that our business extends beyond personal communications services and the complexity and lack of certainty
regarding the scope of some countries’ laws, there can be no assurance that our efforts to comply with all
applicable economic sanctions and embargo laws and regulations will be completely effective to detect and
prevent violations. There can also be no assurance that we will be in compliance with all applicable economic
sanctions laws and regulations in the future. Such a violation could result in reputational damage, civil or
criminal penalties or the imposition of sanctions against us or our affiliates, all of which could have a material
adverse effect on our business, financial condition and reputation.
LINE can be used in some countries and regions that are the subject of trade embargos and other
economic sanctions (such as Iran), and we may have individual users who are the target of sanctions. We screen
our counterparties, banks, agents, suppliers and other business supporters against OFAC’s SDN list prior to
engaging or dealing with them, but we do not have a system in place to screen users of our services against
OFAC’s SDN list and, accordingly, cannot guarantee that our services are not and will not be provided to SDNs.
We had approximately 1.7 million MAUs in Iran in December 2017, and our business with Iran
represented approximately 0.02% of our revenues in 2017, which consisted primarily of sales of Stickers and
in-game items in the ordinary course of business. On May 5, 2016, we launched a website containing media
content directed at users in Iran. In February 2017, LINE PLAY Corporation, which is owned by LINE Plus
Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary in Korea, established a local branch in Iran, which subsequently
ceased all operations and remains closed as of December 31, 2017. LINE Plus Corporation met with officials
from a governmental research institute in Iran in conjunction with our market research initiatives in Iran, and in
January 2017, entered into a two-month research contract with the Iran Telecommunication Research Center
(ITRC) to gain a better understanding of the Iranian mobile market and relevant regulatory considerations. We
did not generate any revenue from the contract, which expired in 2017.
NAVER Corporation, which owns more than 70% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, has
substantial control over important corporate matters, and its interest may differ from those of our other
shareholders.
As of December 31, 2017, NAVER Corporation owned approximately 73.4% of the outstanding shares
of our common stock. As a result, NAVER Corporation exercises substantial control over matters requiring
approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors and the approval of mergers, acquisitions or
other extraordinary transactions. NAVER Corporation may also have interests that differ from yours and may
vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. This concentration of
ownership may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or deterring a change in control of our company,
26
could deprive our shareholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock as
part of a sale of our company and might ultimately affect the market prices of shares of our common stock and
American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”).
We also engage in a number of related party transactions with NAVER Corporation and our affiliates.
See “Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions” for a discussion of our transactions with such entities. In the event
NAVER Corporation, a publicly traded company, undergoes a change of control or experiences financial and
other difficulties,
it may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Our parent, NAVER Corporation, offers a variety of products and services to internet users and advertisers,
and the absence of contractually delineated spheres of operations means that competition and conflicts of
interest between us and NAVER Corporation could arise in the future.
NAVER Corporation is publicly listed in Korea and also provides a variety of products and services to
internet users, mobile application users and advertisers. NAVER Corporation operates the largest search portal
site in Korea and is actively seeking to develop products and services to enhance the experience of mobile
internet users. There is no contractual agreement between us and NAVER Corporation delineating our respective
spheres of operation, and each company’s development team is actively introducing new services independently
of one another. Current or future products and services offered by NAVER Corporation could compete with our
own. NAVER Corporation’s business operations and the lack of contractual non-competition arrangements
between NAVER Corporation and us could give rise to direct competition between us and conflicts regarding
allocation of business opportunities and management and investment resources.
Overlapping management and business relationships with NAVER Corporation, our parent, may adversely
impact our business.
From time to time, members of our senior management have overlapping duties with NAVER
Corporation. Mr. Hae Jin Lee, a director and chairman of our company, also serves as an executive officer of
NAVER Corporation. In addition, one of our three corporate auditors, Mr. Jin Hee Kim, is currently an executive
officer of NAVER Corporation. Such individuals have fiduciary duties to both NAVER Corporation and us under
Korean and Japanese law, respectively. As a result, conflicts of interests may arise due to their dual roles, which
may adversely impact our business.
The market prices of shares of our common stock and ADSs may continue to be volatile or may decline
regardless of our operating or financial performance.
The market prices of shares of our common stock and ADSs may continue to be volatile. Market prices
could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control and
may not be related to our operating or financial performance. Factors that could cause fluctuations in the market
prices of shares of our common stock and ADSs include the following:
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price and volume fluctuations in the global stock markets from time to time;
changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of other technology sector
companies generally, or those in our industry in particular;
sales of shares of our common stock by us or our parent company;
failure of securities analysts and credit rating agencies to maintain coverage of us, changes in
financial estimates by securities analysts and credit rating agencies who follow our company, or our
failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;
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the financial projections we may provide to the public (in the event we decide to provide any such
projections), any changes in those projections or our failure to meet those projections;
announcements by us or our competitors of new products and services;
the public’s reaction to our and NAVER Corporation’s press releases, other public announcements
as well as filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the Kanto Local
Finance Bureau (the “KLFB”) and timely disclosure of information required by the Tokyo Stock
Exchange in our case and filings with the Korea Exchange in NAVER Corporation’s case;
rumors and market speculation involving us or other companies in our industry;
actual or anticipated changes in our results of operations or fluctuations in our results of operations;
actual or anticipated developments in our business, our competitors’ businesses or the competitive
landscape generally;
litigation involving us, our industry or both, or investigations by regulators into our operations or
those of our competitors;
developments or disputes concerning our intellectual property or other proprietary rights;
announced or completed acquisitions of businesses or technologies by us or our competitors;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our
business;
changes in tax laws and regulations as well as accounting standards, policies, guidelines,
interpretations or principles;
any significant change in our management; and
general economic conditions and slow or negative growth of our markets.
In addition, in the past, following periods of volatility in the overall market and the market price of a
particular company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted against
these
companies. This type of litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our
management’s attention and resources.
We may be classified as a passive foreign investment company for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which
could subject U.S. investors in shares of our common stock or ADSs to adverse tax consequences, which
may be significant.
We will be classified as a passive foreign investment company (a “PFIC”) in any taxable year in which,
after taking into account our income and gross assets (and the income and assets of our subsidiaries pursuant to
applicable “look-through rules”) either (i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of certain types of “passive
income” or (ii) 50% or more of the average quarterly value of our assets is attributable to “passive assets” (assets
that produce or are held for the production of passive income). We believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S.
federal income tax purposes in 2017 and do not expect to be a PFIC in subsequent taxable years. PFIC status is a
factual determination made annually after the close of each taxable year on the basis of the composition of our
income and the value of our active versus passive assets. Because our belief is based in part on the expected
market value of our equity, a decrease in the trading price of our common stock and ADSs may result in our
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becoming a PFIC. Additionally, the overall level of our passive assets will be significantly affected by changes in
the amount of our cash, cash equivalents and securities held for investment, each of which may be classified as
passive assets under the PFIC rules.
If we were to be or become classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder, as defined in “Item 10.E. Taxation —
United States Federal Income Taxation,” that does not make a “mark to market” election may incur significantly
increased U.S. income tax on gain recognized on the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock or
ADSs and on the receipt of distributions on the shares of our common stock or ADSs to the extent such
distribution is treated as an “excess distribution” under the U.S. federal income tax rules. We do not intend
to provide holders with the information necessary to make a “QEF election” (as described in
“Item 10.E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company”).
Thus, a U.S. Holder seeking to mitigate the potential adverse effects of the PFIC rules should consider making a
mark to market election. Additionally, if we were to be or become classified as a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of shares
of our common stock or ADSs will be subject to additional U.S. tax form filing requirements, and the statute of
limitations for collections may be suspended if the U.S. Holder does not file the appropriate form. See
“Item 10.E. Taxation — United States Federal Income Taxation — Passive Foreign Investment Company.”
Substantial future sale of our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, could depress
the market prices of the shares of our common stock and ADSs.
The market prices of the shares of our common stock and ADSs could decline as a result of sales of a
large number of shares of our common stock or ADSs in the market, and the perception that these sales could
occur may also depress the market prices of the shares of our common stock and ADSs. As of December 31,
2017, there were 3,191,000 shares of our common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, and
holders of our stock options may choose to exercise their options and sell all or a portion of their shares of our
common stock on the Tokyo Stock Exchange or otherwise in Japan or abroad. As of December 31, 2017, our
equity-settled and cash-settled employee stock ownership plans also held 1,007,710 shares of our common stock
as treasury shares, which are granted from time to time as shares or cash (after sale of the underlying shares by
the trust) as part of our share-based payments to our employees. See Note 27 of the notes to our annual
consolidated financial statements. In addition, our board of directors will be able to issue and sell additional
shares of our common stock within the unissued portion of our authorized share capital, generally without any
shareholder vote. Any such sales could cause the prices of the shares of our common stock and ADSs to decline.
If securities or industry analysts do not publish or cease publishing research or other reports about us, our
business or our market, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding an investment in us,
the prices of the shares of our common stock and ADSs or their trading volume could decline.
The trading markets for the shares of our common stock and ADSs will be influenced by the research
and other reports that securities or industry analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our
competitors. If any of the analysts who may cover us adversely change their recommendation regarding an
investment in us, or provide more favorable relative recommendations about our competitors, the prices of the
shares of our common stock and ADSs would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover us were to cease
coverage of our company or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial
markets, which in turn could cause the prices of the shares of our common stock and ADSs or their trading
volume to decline.
We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain any
future earnings to finance the operation and expansion of our business, and we do not expect to declare or pay
any dividends in the foreseeable future. As a result, you may only receive a return on your investment if the
market price of the shares of our common stock or ADSs increases.
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The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.
As a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”),
the Dodd-Frank Act, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange as applicable to a foreign private
issuer, which are different in some material respects from those required for a U.S. public company, as well as
the reporting requirements under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (the “FIEA”) and the
rules of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. We also continue to prepare annual financial statements of LINE
Corporation on a standalone basis in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Japan for
Japanese reporting purposes in addition to preparing our consolidated financial statements in accordance with
IFRS as issued by the IASB. Complying with these requirements is time-consuming and costly and places
significant strain on our personnel, systems and resources. As a result of disclosure of information in filings and
submissions required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which
may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors, shareholders or third parties. If such
claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do not result in
litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could
divert the resources of our management and harm our business and operating results.
As a foreign private issuer, we are permitted to rely on exemptions from certain New York Stock Exchange
corporate governance standards applicable to public U.S. companies as well as from certain disclosure
requirements under the Exchange Act. This may afford less protection to holders of shares of our common
stock or ADSs.
We are exempted from certain corporate governance requirements of the New York Stock Exchange by
virtue of being a foreign private issuer. We are required to provide a brief description of the significant
differences between our corporate governance practices and the corporate governance practices required to be
followed by U.S. companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange. See “Item 16.G. Corporate Governance.”
The standards applicable to us are considerably different from the standards applied to public U.S. companies.
For instance, we are not required to:
•
•
•
have a majority of our board of directors be independent;
have a compensation committee or a nominating or corporate governance committee consisting
entirely of independent directors; or
have regularly scheduled executive sessions with only independent directors.
We have relied on and intend to continue to rely on all of these exemptions for so long as we maintain
our status as a foreign private issuer. In addition, we have a board of corporate auditors in lieu of an audit
committee in accordance with applicable Japanese laws, which is permitted under Rule 10A-3(c)(3) of the
Exchange Act for foreign private issuers, subject to certain requirements. As a result, you may not be provided
with the benefits of certain corporate governance standards applicable to public U.S. companies.
Our parent, NAVER Corporation, controls a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of
our capital stock, making us a “controlled company” within the meaning of the New York Stock Exchange
corporate governance rules. As a controlled company, we are eligible to, and, in the event we no longer qualify as
a foreign private issuer, we intend to, elect not to comply with certain of the New York Stock Exchange
corporate governance standards, including the requirement that a majority of directors on our board of directors
are independent directors and the requirement
that our remuneration committee and our nominating and
corporate governance committee consist entirely of independent directors.
As a foreign private issuer, we are not subject to all of the disclosure requirements applicable to
companies organized within the United States. For example, we are exempt from certain rules under the
30
Exchange Act that regulate disclosure obligations and procedural requirements related to the solicitation of
proxies, consents or authorizations applicable to a security registered under the Exchange Act. In addition, our
directors and officers are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions of Section 16
of the Exchange Act and related rules with respect to their purchases and sales of our securities. Moreover, we
are not required to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as
U.S. public companies. Accordingly, there may be less publicly available information concerning our company
than there is for U.S. public companies.
Rights of shareholders under Japanese law may be different from rights of shareholders in other
jurisdictions.
Our articles of incorporation and the Companies Act of Japan (the “Companies Act”) govern our
corporate affairs. Legal principles relating to matters such as the validity of corporate procedures, directors’ and
executive officers’ fiduciary duties and obligations and shareholders’ rights under Japanese law may be different
from, or less clearly defined than, those that would apply to a company incorporated in any other jurisdiction.
Shareholders’ rights under Japanese law may not be as extensive as shareholders’ rights under the law of other
countries. For example, under the Companies Act, only holders of 3% or more of our total voting rights or our
outstanding shares are entitled to examine our accounting books and records. Furthermore, there is a degree of
uncertainty as to what duties the directors of a Japanese joint stock corporation may have in response to an
unsolicited takeover bid, and such uncertainty may be more pronounced than that in other jurisdictions.
Holders of ADSs have fewer rights than shareholders under Japanese law, and their voting rights are
limited by the terms of the deposit agreement.
The rights of shareholders under Japanese law to take actions, including voting their shares, receiving
dividends and distributions, bringing derivative actions, examining our accounting books and records, and
exercising appraisal rights, are available only to shareholders of record. Because the depositary, through its
custodian agents, is the record holder of the shares of our common stock underlying the ADSs, only the
depositary can exercise those rights in connection with the deposited shares. ADS holders will not be able to
bring a derivative action, examine our accounting books and records, or exercise appraisal rights through the
depositary.
Holders of ADSs may exercise their voting rights only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit
agreement. Upon receipt of voting instructions from them in the manner set forth in the deposit agreement, the
depositary will make efforts to vote the shares underlying the ADSs in accordance with the instructions of ADS
holders. The depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to holders of ADSs or carry out
their voting instructions in a timely manner. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for
any failure to carry out any instructions to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast or for the effect of any
such vote. As a result, holders of ADSs may not be able to exercise their right to vote.
Holders of ADSs may not receive distributions on shares of our common stock or any value for them if it is
illegal or impractical to make them available to such holders.
The depositary of our ADSs has agreed to pay holders of ADSs the cash dividends or other distributions
it or the custodian for our ADSs receives on shares of common stock or other deposited securities after deducting
its fees and expenses. Holders of ADSs will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of shares of
our common stock that such ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible for making such
payments or distributions if it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs.
For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs if it consists of securities that
require registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but that are not properly registered or
distributed pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary is not responsible for making a
distribution available to any holders of ADSs if any government approval or registration required for such
distribution cannot be obtained after reasonable efforts made by the depositary. We have no obligation to take
31
any other action to permit distributions on our common stock to holders of ADSs. This means that holders of
ADSs may not receive the distributions we make on shares of our common stock if it is illegal or impractical to
make them available to such holders. These restrictions may materially reduce the value of our ADSs.
Holders of ADSs may be subject to limitations on transfer of their ADSs.
ADSs are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer
books at any time or from time to time when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties.
In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books
or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary deems it advisable to do so
because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the
deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
We may amend the deposit agreement without consent from holders of ADSs and, if such holders disagree
with our amendments, their choices will be limited to selling the ADSs or withdrawing the underlying
shares of our common stock.
We may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement without consent from holders of
ADSs. If an amendment increases fees to be charged to ADS holders or prejudices a material right of ADS
holders, it will not become effective until 30 days after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At
the time an amendment becomes effective, ADS holders are considered, by continuing to hold their ADSs, to
have agreed to the amendment and to be bound by the amended deposit agreement. If holders of ADSs do not
agree with an amendment to the deposit agreement, their choices will be limited to selling the ADSs or
withdrawing the underlying shares of our common stock. No assurance can be given that a sale of ADSs could be
made at a price satisfactory to the holder in such circumstances.
We are incorporated in Japan, and it may be more difficult to enforce judgments obtained in courts outside
Japan.
We are incorporated in Japan as a joint stock corporation with limited liability. Most of our directors are
non-U.S. residents, and a substantial portion of our assets and the personal assets of our directors and corporate
executive officers are located outside the United States. As a result, when compared to a U.S. company, it may be
more difficult for investors to effect service of process in the United States upon us or to enforce against us, our
directors or executive officers, judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon civil liability provisions of the
federal or state securities laws of the U.S. or similar judgments obtained in other courts outside Japan. There is
doubt as to the enforceability in Japanese courts, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of
U.S. courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal and state securities laws of the United States.
Our shareholders of record on a given record date may not receive the dividend they anticipate.
The customary dividend payout practice of publicly listed companies in Japan may significantly differ
from that widely followed or otherwise deemed necessary or fair in foreign markets. We may ultimately
determine any dividend payment amount to our shareholders of record as of a record date, including whether we
will make any dividend payment to such shareholders at all, only after such record date. For that reason, our
shareholders of record on a given record date may not receive the dividends they anticipate.
Dividend payments and the amount you may realize upon a sale of shares of our common stock or ADSs
that you hold will be affected by fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese
yen.
Cash dividends, if any, in respect of the shares of our common stock represented by our ADSs will be
paid to the depositary in Japanese yen and then converted by the depositary into U.S. dollars, subject to certain
conditions. Accordingly, fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar will
32
affect, among other things, the amounts a holder of ADSs will receive from the depositary in respect of
dividends, the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds that a holder of ADSs would receive upon sale in Japan of the
shares of our common stock obtained upon surrender of ADSs and the secondary market price of ADSs. Such
fluctuations will also affect the U.S. dollar value of dividends and sales proceeds received by holders of shares of
our common stock.
Daily price range limitations imposed by the Tokyo Stock Exchange may prevent you from selling shares of
our common stock at a particular price on a particular trading day, or at all.
Share prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange are determined on a real-time basis by the balance between
bids and offers. The Tokyo Stock Exchange is an order-driven market without specialists or market makers to
guide price formation. To prevent excessive volatility, the Tokyo Stock Exchange sets daily upward and
downward price range limitations for each listed stock based on the previous day’s closing price or any “special
quote,” a price indicated by the Tokyo Stock Exchange to notify investors that there are orders beyond such price
that may result in a large price fluctuation. Although transactions may continue at the upward or downward limit
price if the limit is reached on a particular trading day, no transactions may take place outside these limits.
Consequently, an investor wishing to sell shares of our common stock at a price above or below the relevant
daily limit may not be able to effect a sale at such price on a particular trading day, or at all.
Investors holding less than a full “unit” of shares will have limited rights as shareholders.
Our articles of incorporation provide that 100 shares of our common stock constitute one “unit.” As a
result of the unit share system, ADS holders will only be permitted to surrender ADSs and withdraw underlying
shares of our common stock constituting whole units. The Companies Act imposes significant restrictions and
limitations on holders of shares of our common stock that do not constitute a whole unit. In general, holders of
shares of our common stock constituting less than one unit do not have the right to vote with respect to those
shares. For further discussion of the unit share system and its effect on the rights of our shareholders, see
“Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association.”
Item 4.
Information on the Company
Item 4.A. History and Development of the Company
We were established in Japan in September 2000 as Hangame Japan Corporation, a joint-stock
corporation, and subsequently changed our name to NHN Japan Corporation in August 2003. We began as an
online game company and engaged in the development and distribution of online games under the Hangame
brand. We subsequently expanded our business to portal services and acquired livedoor Co., Ltd., a Japanese
internet portal company, in May 2010.
In June 2011, we launched the LINE messaging application to the public in Japan, followed by launches
in other Asian countries. We initially focused on building our user base in Japan, but shortly afterwards began to
actively conduct marketing efforts in other parts of Asia, where we believed there was significant market
potential based on the relatively low level of smartphone penetration in a relatively large and growing population
size. In order to more effectively pursue global expansion outside of Japan, we incorporated LINE Plus
Corporation, which provides sales and marketing services for the LINE platform outside of Japan, in Korea in
February 2013.
In February 2013, our board of directors decided to focus our business on the operation and expansion
of the LINE platform and to dispose of our Hangame business along with related entities. We disposed of all of
our interest in the Hangame business along with related entities in the form of a non-cash dividend to NAVER
Corporation in April 2013. In April 2013, we were renamed as LINE Corporation. In September 2013, our board
of directors approved a plan to dispose of our online match-making services business for the same reason. The
disposition was completed in December 2013 through a sale to an unrelated third party. In September 2014, as a
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part of our continued focus on the expansion of the LINE platform, our board of directors decided to dispose of
our data management business, which consisted of DataHotel Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, and the data
management business was subsequently sold to a subsidiary of NHN Entertainment Corporation, a Korean online
game portal company that was spun off from NAVER Corporation in August 2013.
In July 2016, we completed our initial public offering and listed our common stock on the First Section
of the Tokyo Stock Exchange under the securities identification code 3938 and our ADSs, each representing one
share of our common stock, on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “LN.”
Our legal and commercial name is LINE Corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at
JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, 23rd Floor, 4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan, and our
telephone number is +81-3-4316-2000. Our English website address is http://linecorp.com/en/.
Item 4.B. Business Overview
Our Mission and Vision
Our mission is “Closing the Distance” by bringing people closer to each other as well as to a wide
variety of information and services.
Our vision is to become the “smart portal” through which users can access the people, information,
services, companies and brands that they choose, from anywhere they are and anytime they need to.
Overview
We are a leading global platform for mobile messaging and communication services, content
distribution and services related to daily life. Our mobile messaging application, which is the foundation of our
“messaging services” and operates on all major mobile operating systems, enables our users to communicate
through free instant messaging, Stickers and voice and video calls and serves as a smart portal to our other
applications and services. We provide users with access to a wide range of social and interactive content and
services that satisfy our users’ individual needs for access to information and entertainment such as mobile
games and music through our “content services,” as well as connected solutions that aim to satisfy increasingly
sophisticated day-to-day needs of LINE users and further enhance their welfare, such as payment services and
job posting, restaurant reservation and taxi booking services, through our “life services.” We believe that the
integration on our LINE platform of content and services offers our users a convenient way to connect and have
fun with their family and friends, explore and share their interests and satisfy their daily needs with greater ease,
which we believe enriches the user experience and ultimately contributes to higher user loyalty, while creating
value for advertisers by connecting them with their target audience using the LINE platform.
We believe LINE is the leading mobile messaging application in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand in terms
of number of users, and we have obtained substantial numbers of users in other parts of Asia, including
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Indonesia. We have achieved this growth through active marketing of LINE as well as customizing our content
offerings to suit local preferences and needs. We believe the scale and growth of our user base in many countries
provide us with powerful network effects, whereby LINE becomes more valuable with more users and creates
additional incentives for existing users to encourage new users to join and to stay connected to their circle of
friends. We benefit from such network effects where more activity on LINE leads to the creation and distribution
of more content, which in turn attracts more users, platform partners and advertisers. We will continue to invest
in new products and services and enhancements to our existing products and services, with the goal of further
expanding our user base and increasing user engagement.
At the heart of our platform is the LINE mobile messaging application, which enables users to
communicate with family, friends and other people they care about in the following ways:
• We address people’s basic communication needs. We focus on serving users’ everyday
communication needs by supplying easy-to-use tools, including chat, voice call and video call, with
reliable and secure connectivity wherever they are. As a result, our services have already become a
meaningful part of the daily lives of many of our users.
• We enable closed and real relationship-based communication. We believe that the most rewarding
and lasting forms of expression are those involving private, two-way exchanges between people
with real relationships, which enhance intimacy and security. Our users can connect with other
users they know by directly adding them as friends on LINE or by importing their mobile contact
list into LINE. We believe that closer, intimate relationships are integral to the broader social web
of activity, representing a more meaningful and influential subset of social networks.
• We make communication more enriching and expressive. We are a pioneer in the creation and
design of Stickers, our larger and more expressive version of emoticons. Users can express their
emotions or actions by sending a single Sticker instead of a thread of plain text. We believe that
Stickers have made communication more convenient, creative and enriching.
Our user engagement is driven by such communication being coupled with activities that are an
indispensable part of users’ daily lives. LINE has evolved into an extensive platform that provides not only the
ability to communicate but also access to a wide range of localized entertainment content and services related to
daily life, such as games, video, music, camera and news applications, offering our users richer experiences.
With an increasing amount of activity on the internet being conducted through mobile applications, we believe
that LINE provides a fast, versatile and user-friendly platform for the discovery of content and services in the
mobile era. Our broad array of mobile services, combined with our large and highly engaged user base, gives us
unique opportunities to offer greater personalization in terms of the service and content offerings by introducing
a range of application settings.
In recent years, we have focused our business strategy on developing and strengthening our capabilities
in AI, and we launched our AI platform called Clova in March 2017. Leveraging on the strengths of our
messaging technology, a wide array of products and services offered on the LINE platform, as well as the big
data accumulated from the provision of such services, we have created a next-generation AI platform that enables
voice interfaces to process a wide range of real-world inputs and deliver our products and services in a coherent
and optimized manner. Through smart speakers launched in the fourth quarter of 2017, our users carry out a
natural conversation with Clova in engaging in a wide range of products and services offered by us and other
third-party service providers, including access to weather and news, connecting to LINE MUSIC, reading and
sending LINE messages and utilizing their smart speaker as an infrared remote controller for TVs or as lighting
equipment. We plan to pursue collaboration opportunities with third parties to develop additional content
services as well as life services to be offered on the Clova ecosystem that are designed to further enrich our
users’ daily lives.
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We believe that our user base provides attractive marketing opportunities for our advertisers. We
provide a variety of targeted and interactive marketing solutions that enable advertisers to promote their brands
and amplify their visibility and reach. We offer a wide variety of “messenger ads” or user-initiated advertising
solutions that are offered through the LINE messaging application, such as Official Accounts, Sponsored Stickers
and LINE Point Ads, allowing advertisers to direct their efforts and communication in a more targeted manner.
In 2016, we also launched a new bid-based advertisement distribution system with data analytics capabilities
designed to help advertisers better reach their target audience. We offer impression-based “performance ads”
such as LINE Timeline Ads, LINE NEWS Ads and other advertisements that utilize our various communication
and content offerings, allowing advertisers to effectively reach a larger number of LINE users. Our performance
ads have become our fastest growing advertisement products.
Our Products and Services
We offer a wide range of products and services, and we generate revenues in a variety of ways and from
various participants active on the LINE platform.
Communication and Content
Communication
LINE enables our users to enjoy free instant messaging and voice and video calls with each other using
their mobile devices (including smartphones and tablets) or personal computers through mobile networks and
internet service providers, as well as low-cost voice over internet protocol (“VoIP”) services for domestic and
international calls to mobile and fixed-line phone users globally.
Our messaging application and related products and services offered on the LINE platform provide our
users with a convenient and fun communication experience and include the following:
• Messaging. LINE provides messaging services for a closed network of users who can select other
users with whom they want to connect as “friends.” New friends can be added through inclusion of
new contact information in a user’s mobile phone address book, searching for another user’s LINE
identification in our database, invitation by email or text messaging, scanning QR codes or, if
physically adjacent, shaking users’ smartphones simultaneously. The LINE messaging application
can be downloaded for free onto mobile devices using major mobile operating systems as well as
personal computers. Our users can send free one-to-one text and voice messages to their friends
using data services provided by their mobile network carriers or over the internet. Users can also
send images and videos and share their location information using the messaging service. LINE
also offers group chat functions as well as livestreaming to participants during group chats.
•
Stickers. While using the LINE messaging application, users can add emotional nuance and
personalize their text messages by including Stickers, which are colorful icons depicting actions or
expressions of our proprietary characters (such as Cony the Rabbit and Brown the Bear), characters
from popular animation or manga created by third parties (such as Sanrio’s Hello Kitty and Disney
characters), and real life celebrities and athletes. Our selection of Stickers varies by country
depending on a number of factors,
timely events and licensing
arrangements for third-party copyrighted characters. We continually look for new and innovative
ways to let our users express themselves, including by releasing Stickers with enhanced features
such as sound effects as well as animated and pop-up images.
including local preferences,
Users can also design their own Stickers to be sold on LINE Creators Market through LINE Store,
our web store accessible from mobile devices and personal computers. In June 2017, we also
launched the LINE Creators Studio application that enables our users to more easily create Stickers
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•
•
•
using digital photos stored on their mobile devices, as well as user-generated drawings and writings.
After a review process and subject to our approval, user-designed Stickers become available for
sale on LINE Creators Market, and once purchased, become available for use on the LINE
messaging application. Users receive a portion of the balance of sales proceeds as license fees after
deducting fees charged by payment processors.
Timeline. Our Timeline service, which users access through the LINE messaging application,
enables users to share their day-to-day experiences with the public or within the closed circle of
people whom they choose as their friends. Each user has a profile screen allowing text, Stickers,
images and videos and other activity to be posted to express themselves and to share with others.
Each user’s Timeline displays that user’s posts as well as posts by their friends and other interesting
content that the user chooses, with the most recent posts appearing at the top of the Timeline. Our
Timeline is designed to be simple and easy to view, and each post displays only the user profile,
limited lines of text and any image or video included in the post. Users can choose with whom they
share their posts and whose posts they receive on their Timelines.
Themes. Our users can customize the look of the LINE messaging application on their devices by
purchasing and downloading “Themes” that feature LINE and third-party licensed characters.
Themes are used to decorate their start up screen, friends list, chat rooms, menu buttons and other
displays. Users can also design their own Themes to be sold on LINE Creators Market.
Free Call and LINE Out (VoIP). Our users can make free domestic or international voice calls
and video calls to other LINE users worldwide who are registered as their friends on LINE. We also
offer the LINE Out service, which provides a low-cost VoIP service that enables users to make
domestic or international voice calls using the LINE messaging application to mobile and fixed-line
phone users globally, regardless of the telecommunications network used by the recipient of the call
and regardless of whether the recipient is a LINE user. We do not charge our users any initial setup
fee, and users pay in advance for the minutes to be spent making calls by making an in-app
purchase of minutes or purchasing minutes on LINE Store.
Content
LINE serves as a content platform for various applications for our users, offering users a wide range of
entertainment and other useful and interactive tools. Such applications include:
•
LINE Games. We offer various games on the LINE platform. As of December 31, 2017, we
offered 45 games, of which 40 games were developed by third-party game developers. We offer
games in Japan and our other key markets. Typically, LINE Games are highly social by nature and
simple to play. Unlike standalone games not offered on a broader platform, LINE Games enable
users to invite their LINE friends to download the LINE Games that they enjoy playing. This, along
with a leaderboard that displays scores of the player’s LINE friends, encourages our users to
connect with their friends through our games and helps them build and enhance their relationships
through increased interaction with one another. All LINE Games are initially downloadable for free,
typically with options to buy in-game items, such as extra lives or “boosters” that enhance the
user’s performance level, or to upgrade game versions. Our portfolio of games includes puzzle
games, adventure games, board games and role-playing games.
We actively maintain the quality of games introduced on the LINE platform to promote an
engaging experience for our users and enhance their overall satisfaction with LINE. To grow our
inventory of high-quality games, we continually seek to enhance our in-house game development
capability as well as pursue a variety of partnerships, including in the form of equity investments in
game developers. In the past, we published most of the games developed by third-party game
developers in the markets we serve on a non-exclusive basis. However, our general policy when
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offering new games on the LINE platform is to enter into new contractual arrangements with third-
party game developers to become the exclusive distributor of their games in a particular market.
The selection of game titles and pricing of in-game purchase items vary by country subject to local
preferences and licensing arrangements for third party-owned intellectual property, and we adjust
our portfolio of games from time to time to meet our users’ evolving preferences.
In order to more effectively respond to rapidly changing game industry trends, we have begun
devoting additional resources to enhance our game development and publishing capabilities. In
June 2017, we established a wholly-owned subsidiary in Korea dedicated to game development and
publishing called LINE Games Corporation. In July 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired a
51.0% interest
in NextFloor Corporation. NextFloor Corporation is a leading mobile game
development company with a solid track record for launching major mobile games, including
Destiny Child and Dragon Flight. As of December 31, 2017, NextFloor Corporation has published
or developed ten games that are distributed through Apple App Store and Google Play.
LINE PLAY. LINE PLAY is our virtual community that enables users to decorate their own
avatars, or graphic identities selected to represent themselves on screen, write and exchange diaries
with other users’ avatars, visit other users’ avatar rooms and chat with other users who share
common interests. Community members can also play interactive games with other users. Users
may purchase in-app items to dress up their avatars or decorate their avatar rooms. Unlike our LINE
messaging service, LINE PLAY is designed as an open social network where users can
communicate freely with other LINE users who are not their LINE friends.
LINE NEWS and LINE TODAY. LINE NEWS is our personalized news-clipping service
application that provides users with relevant real-time news stories based on the topics that users
are most interested in, such as entertainment, sports, politics, economy, gourmet and fashion. LINE
NEWS sends updates to users through push notifications, which allows seamless access to
interesting and important news throughout the day without the need to leave the LINE messaging
application. In addition, users can share interesting articles on their Timelines or with their friends
through direct messages allowing for vibrant discussions. LINE NEWS is available to our users in
Japan, and we offer similar services called LINE TODAY in our major markets outside of Japan.
We introduced a dedicated tab for LINE NEWS and LINE TODAY in the LINE messaging
application in 2017, which has contributed to an increase in popularity of such services.
LINE LIVE and LINE TV. LINE LIVE is a real-time streaming service offered in Japan as well
as markets outside of Japan that allows users to access live streaming personal videos or
commercial events, such as concerts and sporting events, provided by artists, celebrities and
corporate sponsors. In Taiwan and Thailand, we also offer an on-demand video service called LINE
TV that allows users to select and watch videos from diversified channels that offer an array of
localized content.
LINE Manga. LINE Manga is our online comic bookstore that enables users to purchase and
download from a selection of over 250,000 comic books, read them on mobile devices and organize
their purchased comic books on a virtual bookshelf. Users can also recommend comic books to
their friends and share links to such comic books on their Timelines.
LINE MUSIC. LINE MUSIC is our on-demand music subscription service that enables users to
purchase and stream songs, create playlists of their favorite music, send links to music or playlists
directly to friends on the LINE chat screen or share music with friends by streaming it on their
Timelines.
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• Miscellaneous. We also offer a wide range of other applications to further enhance user experience,
including Fortune (daily fortune telling service), LINE Blog (blogging platform designed to foster
greater interaction with celebrities) and Weather (weather forecast service).
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Others
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LINE Friends. We engage in character marketing using internally-designed LINE characters such
as Cony the Rabbit and Brown the Bear, primarily to promote our brand and appeal as well as
further expand our user base. LINE characters initially gained popularity through Stickers and
LINE Games that feature them, and we sell official LINE merchandise, such as plush toys, action
figures, stationery goods, clothes, tableware and limited-edition collaboration items, at LINE
Friends stores located in Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the United States. LINE
Friends merchandise is also available through online stores. In addition, we license our proprietary
LINE characters to third parties for production and sale of various LINE character-related
merchandise.
LINE Pay. As part of our efforts to diversify payment options available to LINE users, we
launched LINE Pay, our mobile payment service application, in December 2014. LINE Pay enables
our users to register their credit cards and make payments, regardless of their mobile carrier, on
LINE Store and a number of select online and offline partner retail stores. Depending on location,
our users can also transmit funds to each other or withdraw cash from certain banks within their
respective countries through LINE Pay by linking their accounts at select banks in their respective
countries or adding money to their LINE Pay accounts at convenience stores or ATMs or through
internet banking. We plan to expand the scope of LINE Pay by selectively incorporating it into our
applications and exploring local partnership and joint venture opportunities in order to enhance the
convenience of our users.
Clova Wave and Clova Friends. In October 2017, we launched Clova Wave in Japan, our first
Clova-integrated smart speaker that serves as the centerpiece for our users’ interaction with their
virtual personal assistant. In December 2017, we expanded our offering of smart speakers with
Clova Friends, our LINE character-themed smart speaker that is portable. Through such products,
our users carry out a natural conversation with Clova in engaging in a wide range of products and
services offered by LINE and other third-party service providers, including access to weather and
news, connecting to LINE MUSIC, reading and sending LINE messages and utilizing their smart
speaker as an infrared remote controller for TVs or as lighting equipment.
LINE Mobile. We commenced operations as a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) through
LINE MOBILE Corporation (“LINE MOBILE”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, in September 2016
to provide affordably priced plans for mobile telecommunications service in Japan utilizing the
wireless communication networks of a third-party mobile telecommunications company. We
commenced sales of our SIM cards on Amazon Japan in November 2016 and in select electronics
retail stores in Japan in March 2017. In order to further expand our MVNO business, we entered
into a partnership agreement with SoftBank Corporation in March 2018, pursuant to which we hold
a 49.0% interest in LINE MOBILE with SoftBank holding the remaining interest, which will result
in LINE Mobile being accounted for as an associate under the equity method rather than as a
consolidated entity.
LINE Part-time Job. LINE Part-time Job is a part-time job posting service provided through
AUBE, Ltd., a joint venture with Persol Holdings Co., Ltd. in which we hold a 49.0% interest. We
aim to connect our users seeking part-time employment with companies looking for part-time
employees.
LINE SHOPPING. Accessible within the LINE messaging application, LINE SHOPPING is our
comprehensive online shopping gateway that we operate in association with leading online retailers
in Japan. Through LINE SHOPPING, users are able to search for products using various filters,
compare the products that are available on each participating retailer’s website in a consistent
format, and then click through to the applicable retailer’s website for purchases. A wide range of
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•
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including fashion, sporting goods, home decor,
products are offered on LINE SHOPPING,
electronics, cosmetics and general goods. Users receive a portion of the purchase price back in
LINE Points, which can be used to purchase Stickers and other items offered on our platform. We
receive a commission based on the purchase price for sales that originate from LINE SHOPPING.
LINE Delima. LINE Delima is our food delivery service that enables our users to conveniently
order from a wide range of gourmet options through the LINE messaging application. We operate
LINE Delima service in collaboration with Yume no Machi Souzou Iinkai Co., Ltd., a company in
which we hold a 22.0% interest that operates the leading nationwide delivery portal site Demae-can.
LINE Points. To further promote the use of LINE Pay, we offer LINE Points, a reward program
that enables users to earn points that they can use to add to their LINE Pay balance, use points for
purchases at LINE Store and online LINE Friends stores or redeem points for vouchers to be used at
retail locations such as coffee shops or convenience stores in Japan. Our users can earn LINE Points
equal to a percentage of amounts spent on LINE Pay Card and LINE SHOPPING, as well as receive
LINE Points from advertisers offered through LINE Point Ads.
Advertising Products and Services
LINE Advertising
LINE offers targeted and interactive marketing products and services that enable advertisers of various
types and sizes to promote their brands, products and services, amplify their visibility, better target their reach
and enhance their advertising message by leveraging our user base. Advertisers can choose to subscribe to one
product or service or multiple products or services that are bundled as a package. We have a sales force that is
dedicated to attracting and retaining advertising customers and providing support to them throughout various
stages of their campaigns, and our direct sales activities are supplemented by utilization of third-party advertising
agencies. Advertisements and promotional messages can be instantly delivered to our users because they are
displayed on our users’ smartphone screens through the LINE messaging application on a real-time basis. In
2016, we launched a new bid-based advertisement distribution system with data analytics capabilities designed to
help advertisers better reach their target audience.
Our advertising products and services consist primarily of the following:
Messenger Ads
We offer a wide variety of “messenger ads” or user-initiated advertising solutions that are offered
through the LINE messaging application, allowing advertisers to direct their efforts and communication in a
more targeted manner. Our messenger ads include:
• Official Accounts. Official Accounts are LINE accounts created for large-scale businesses and
celebrities with followers that enable them to send messages directly to LINE users who have added
the Official Account as a LINE friend. Once added as a LINE friend, such Official Account holder
is displayed on the users’ friends list on the LINE messaging application, and the users are instantly
alerted of incoming messages through push notifications on their smartphones, as would be the case
with any other messages they receive from their LINE friends. Official Accounts enable business
enterprises to reach LINE users around the world who are interested in their business, products or
services by notifying such users of their latest products and services as well as distributing coupons
and promotional information to such users. Celebrities can also promote themselves and their latest
works, such as movies and music albums, by connecting with their fans through their Official
Accounts. For initial subscriptions we charge a monthly fee based on the contract period and the
number of times messages are to be sent to users and updates to be posted on Timelines. For
renewed contracts, we charge monthly fees based on the number of users who have added such
Official Accounts as their LINE friends.
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Sponsored Stickers. Our advertisers can offer “Sponsored Stickers” to LINE users to promote their
brands, products and services. We work with advertisers to design sets of Sponsored Stickers,
which often feature the advertisers’ proprietary characters. Sponsored Stickers are available
globally and typically downloadable during a period of four weeks for free by users who add the
sponsor as their LINE friend. We charge the advertisers fees based on the number of Sponsored
Stickers offered by them as well as a Sticker design fee. Advertisers can add special features to their
Sponsored Stickers, such as “Direct Stickers,” a feature that allows advertisers to invite users to
download Stickers through LINE messages. Advertisers may also add an advertisement on our
virtual Sticker shop for an additional fee, as well as offer “Sponsored Themes” that customize the
look of the LINE messaging application using the advertisers’ proprietary characters.
LINE Point Ads. We offer “LINE Point Ads” to our advertisers which enable our users to receive
LINE Points for free upon downloading certain applications, watching certain video commercials
created by our advertisers or adding certain Official Accounts as LINE friends. We charge
advertisers a fixed fee per specific action taken by our users. Prior to April 25, 2016, LINE Point
Ads were referred to as LINE Free Coins.
LINE@. Our business users can create their own Official Accounts using our LINE@ application
and send messages to, or post announcements on the Timelines of, other users who have added such
LINE@ accounts as LINE friends, as well as respond to inquiries from other users on the LINE@
chat screen. For a monthly fee, users with LINE@ accounts can send more messages per month as
well as image-based messages containing links to external websites.
Business Connect and Customer Connect. Business Connect provides our business partners with
a set of tools, application programming interfaces and embeddable widgets that they can use to
build customized applications that can be offered on the LINE platform, such as sales platforms and
marketing tools. We also offer Customer Connect, which provides customer service solutions to our
business partners using the LINE platform.
LINE SP Solutions. LINE SP Solutions provides our business partners with integrated tools
through the LINE platform that can be used to promote sales of their products in retail stores,
including participation in special marketing events as well as mileage programs.
Performance Ads
We also offer “performance ads” that leverage user engagement of our communication tools such as
Timeline and content offerings such as LINE NEWS, LINE TODAY, LINE Manga and LINE BLOG. Our
performance ads enable advertisers to display their advertisements to a large number of viewers, leveraging
LINE’s position as Japan’s leading mobile messaging application with the largest user base in the country, and
employ our data analytics capabilities to maximize viewer attention. For example, advertisers are able to track
how many customers visit their sites as a result of a specific advertisement campaign on the LINE platform,
which helps advertisers make modifications to their advertisement campaigns to enhance their results and
achieve a higher return on their investment. We believe that our ability to help advertisers better target relevant
users will steadily grow over time as we accumulate greater amounts of user data about their engagement
activities on the LINE platform.
Our performance ads are sold through a bid-based cost per thousand impressions (“CPM”) or cost per
click (“CPC”) pricing model, depending on the type of advertisement, where an advertiser competes against other
advertisers in an auction and bids for a given advertisement spot. For example, image performance ads typically
generate revenues based on CPC pricing, while video performance ads typically generate revenues based on
CPM pricing. Advertisements are ranked for display based on a combination of the maximum bid set by the
advertiser and other factors to determine the relevance of the advertisement, including our analysis of users’
engagement activities on the LINE platform. We believe that this favors the advertisements that are most relevant
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to users, improving the experience for both users utilizing our services as well as advertisers looking for
interested customers. Our advertisers pay for qualifying impressions or click-through volume and can also
specify the maximum number of impressions to be displayed.
Our performance ads include:
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locations as users scroll
LINE Timeline Ads. Our advertisers can post advertisements on our users’ Timelines, which
appear at select
through various postings on their Timeline. Such
advertisements may include links to external corporate websites, promotions of application
downloads or branding campaigns featuring video clips. Video clips play automatically when a user
scrolls through Timeline and reaches a viewport. On Timeline, we also offer First View, which
enables advertisers to secure the top advertisement spot when a user opens Timeline, as well as
ReEngagement, which enables advertisers to more effectively target LINE users who previously
had access to their products or advertisements.
LINE NEWS Ads and LINE TODAY Ads. Our advertisers can post performance ads to certain
advertisement spots on LINE NEWS in Japan and LINE TODAY in select countries outside of
Japan to reach our users. Such advertisements may include links to external corporate websites,
promotions of application downloads or branding campaigns.
Performance Ads on Other Content Offerings. Starting in October 2017 and November 2017,
our advertisers can post performance ads to certain spots on LINE Manga and LINE BLOG,
respectively, to reach our users in Japan.
Portal Advertising
In addition to advertising on our LINE platform, we also offer advertising services on both mobile
devices and personal computers through the following portals that we operate:
•
livedoor. livedoor is a Japanese web portal that brings together information from a wide variety of
sources and provides related services such as web search, news, weather and entertainment content
and blog hosting. livedoor is one of the largest blogging service providers in Japan.
• Matome. Through Next Library Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, we provide a personal
web curation platform in Japan called Matome that enables individual users to create web pages
that bundle images, links and videos under a specific topic. Such pages help viewers to see
information collected from various sources sorted by topic that reflect
the curating user’s
perspectives and experiences on a specific topic.
We typically sell advertising space on these portals and their mobile applications through advertising
networks such as Google and Yahoo Japan and through other brokers. From time to time, we also sell advertising
space directly to advertisers.
Our Investments
From time to time, we selectively invest in other start-up companies and service providers to further
develop services on our LINE platform and to explore possible synergies, especially for services that have gained
popularity in markets where we see growth potential for our LINE platform. For further information on our
investments in associates and joint ventures, see Note 31 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial
statements. We make such investments in a variety of ways, including direct acquisitions of equity interests,
creation of joint ventures and investments in third-party venture capital and private equity funds. For example, in
October 2016, we acquired a 22.0% interest in Yume no Machi Souzou Iinkai Co., Ltd., operator of a leading
nationwide delivery portal site Demae-Can that collaborates with us on our operation of LINE Delima food
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delivery service. Also in October 2016, we acquired a 25.0% interest in Snow Corporation, a subsidiary of
NAVER Corporation and developer and operator of the selfie app SNOW. In May 2017, we transferred our
camera application business, including B612 and LINE Camera, which was operated by our wholly-owned
subsidiary LINE Plus Corporation, to Snow Corporation to pursue further synergies, as a result of which our
interest in Snow Corporation increased to 48.6%. Currently, our interest in Snow Corporation is 40.7% and the
remaining interest is owned by NAVER Corporation.
As part of our strategy to strengthen our capabilities in the financial industry domain, we also selectively
invest in financial services companies and other fintech businesses. In January 2018, we entered into a capital
alliance partnership with FOLIO Co., Ltd. (“FOLIO”), an online investment management company, pursuant to
which we acquired a 40.0% interest in FOLIO on a fully-diluted basis, assuming that all stock options provided
by FOLIO to its employees have been vested and exercised. FOLIO enables investors to make diversified
investments in companies selected by FOLIO around specific themes. Pursuant to the partnership agreement,
FOLIO will offer investment management products and services through the LINE platform. In order to pursue
additional investment opportunities in financial services companies and other fintech businesses, we established a
wholly-owned subsidiary, LINE Financial Corporation, in January 2018. LINE Financial Corporation plans to
selectively pursue investment opportunities that we believe will further enhance our capabilities in the financial
industry domain. We also plan to engage in the virtual currency exchange business by establishing virtual
currency trading platforms in Japan and other selected jurisdictions globally. As of the date of this annual report,
our application to be licensed as a virtual currency exchange in Japan is being reviewed by the Financial Services
Agency.
Payment Mechanism for Our Users
Users of LINE and other applications offered on the LINE platform purchase products such as Stickers,
in-game items or other in-app items primarily through the payment processing systems established by Google
Play for Android-based smartphones and Apple App Store for iOS-based smartphones, for which such payment
processing systems charge transaction fees based on a fixed percentage of the price paid by users. In addition,
users of iOS- and Android-based smartphones may use LINE Coins as virtual credits for purchase of products
and services on the LINE platform. Users may acquire LINE Coins, either by purchasing LINE Coins through
their respective payment systems or converting their LINE Points into LINE Coins. We supplement such
payment options with LINE Store, our web store accessible from mobile devices and personal computers, where
users in select countries have the option to pay with prepaid cards or credit cards or through direct mobile billing
that adds the purchase amount to their monthly phone bill. As part of our efforts to diversify payment options
available for LINE users, we launched LINE Pay, our mobile payment service application, in December 2014.
Building and Maintaining User Trust
We strive to create products and services that are safe, secure and easy to use. We dedicate significant
resources to the goal of building user trust through developing and implementing programs designed to protect
user privacy, promote a safe online environment and assure the security of user data.
Privacy and Sharing
People come to LINE to communicate and share their experience with friends. Protecting user privacy is
a critical consideration in our product and service development process. Our objective is to give users control
over what they share and with whom they share. Our efforts regarding user privacy are fundamental to our
business and are focused on assuring control, transparency and accountability as follows:
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Control. We believe that by providing our users with clear and easy-to-use controls, we will
continue to promote trust in our products and services. We have introduced various personal
information control tools and techniques. For example, a user can choose whether other users can
search for his or her account and select the scope of the audience for his or her Timeline postings.
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Transparency. Our privacy policy relates to our data use practices and privacy features. We also
offer a number of tools and features that make disclosure to users on how their information is used
on the LINE platform. Our application settings feature enables users to view each of the
applications they have chosen to use, the information generally needed by each application, and the
audience with whom users have chosen to share their experiences. We believe that our transparency
efforts enable users to make more informed decisions about their activities on the LINE platform.
Accountability. We have implemented procedural safeguards as part of our privacy program.
These include employing a dedicated team of privacy professionals who are involved in product
development from design through launch, conducting ongoing review and monitoring of the way
data is handled by existing features and applications and implementing systemic data security
practices.
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Safety
We generally design our products and services to include safety tools. To communicate directly with
other LINE users, each user has the option to register a “LINE ID” to allow other users to find such user through
a LINE ID search. Each user may choose whether his or her account is visible to other users’ LINE ID searches.
We also cooperate regularly with mobile network providers and educators as well as law enforcement officers to
promote proper and legal use of the LINE platform.
Security
We invest in technology, processes and people as part of our commitment to safeguarding our users’
personal information. We use both third-party developed and proprietary technologies to protect our users,
including an intrusion detection system to protect the data entrusted to us, and we rely on multiple layers of
network segregation using firewalls to protect against attacks or unauthorized access. Our security team actively
scans for security vulnerabilities using commercial tools, penetration tests, code security reviews and internal and
external audits. Our internal policy is to implement protective measures to safeguard user information, and we
have acquired international certifications in both information security and privacy.
Sales and Marketing
The LINE user community has grown with users inviting their personal contacts to connect with them,
supported by our internal efforts to stimulate user awareness and interest, such as advertising and marketing
campaigns on television and the internet. As we seek to increase our global footprint, we engage in active
advertising and promotional campaigns to build our brand and further expand our user base.
We utilize television commercials and internet and mobile advertising as well as product placements in
television shows, often targeting younger generation users. Primarily to increase our brand recognition, we
continue to expand the numbers of retail stores and fixed-duration pop-up stores in various markets where
shoppers can purchase official LINE merchandise or take photographs with LINE character mascots. We also
engage in promotional events and sales of the LINE characters through our LINE Friends stores. Our marketing
expenses were ¥16,596 million in 2015, ¥11,833 million in 2016 and ¥15,477 million in 2017, excluding
personnel-related costs of our marketing staff. While we believe that our ability to grow through network effects
associated with the LINE platform will be fundamental to our growth in global markets, we expect to continue to
invest significantly in marketing and promotional activities to further promote such growth.
We also focus on attracting and retaining advertisers. In Japan, we operate a dedicated sales force
focused on providing support to advertisers throughout the stages of the advertising campaign cycle, from
pre-purchase decision making to post-campaign analytics. Our direct sales activities are supplemented by third-
party agencies that primarily assist with attracting large businesses that may be interested in creating Official
Accounts, as well as application developers that may be interested in marketing their applications. We also invest
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in customer support for our users, platform partners and advertisers, and we regularly host conferences and other
events to promote our products and services to platform partners and advertisers. Outside of Japan, we engage in
global sales and marketing activities through LINE Plus Corporation. LINE Plus Corporation develops marketing
strategies for potential advertisers and regularly works with third-party agencies to promote advertising
opportunities with LINE.
Technology
We have assembled a team of highly skilled engineers and computer scientists whose expertise spans a
broad range of technical areas. We have made significant investments in scalable infrastructure to support large-
scale, real-time messaging systems, data management and analysis technologies and voice and video call quality
solutions. In recent years, we have invested significant time and resources in developing and strengthening our
capabilities in artificial intelligence.
Scalable Infrastructure to Support Large-Scale, Real-Time Messaging Systems
Our products and services are built on distributed computing architecture. We use a combination of
off-the-shelf and custom software running on clusters of commodity computers to amass substantial computing
capability. We intend to continue to develop server infrastructure that is operationally efficient, scalable and
reliable, which is designed to do the following:
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adapt to meet the needs from increasing user base growth and activities on our platform through
decentralized data networks;
improve the functionality of servers through automated server management technology, thereby
reducing cost and improving operational agility;
automatically detect and respond to errors in our infrastructure components, including application
servers, storage infrastructure and system networks; and
• maintain reliable redundant systems for our infrastructure components in Japan and abroad to
reduce the possibility of service interruptions.
Our infrastructure enables the storage and processing of large datasets and deployment of our products
to our users on a global basis. As our user base grows and the level of engagement and activities on our platform
continues to increase, we will continue to expand our computing infrastructure to sustain and further improve our
operating efficiency and to provide our products and services quickly and reliably to all users around the world.
Our core messaging system enables real-time processing of a large amount of user traffic and serves as the basis
for our LINE platform operations by delivering messages as well as other content generated from LINE Games
and other applications offered on the LINE platform on a real-time basis.
Data Management and Analytics Technologies
In order to provide each user with a personalized LINE experience, we process and analyze a vast and
growing amount of content shared by our users, developers and advertisers. Accordingly, we have invested in
developing technologies and analytics in areas including the following:
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a storage infrastructure that enables us to securely store hundreds of petabytes of data generated by
our users;
increased storage capacity for more efficient data distribution;
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a high-volume business intelligence system that enables large scale data analysis; and
a data warehouse infrastructure that provides tools to enable easy data summarization, ad hoc
querying and analysis of large datasets.
Advertising Technology
We offer advertisers a powerful medium through which they can reach our large user base in a targeted
manner using our array of advertising products and services. Our advertising technology enables millions of
relevant, targeted advertisements to be viewed simultaneously based on content a user views on our platforms.
The key elements of our advertising technology include:
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a scalable online training and prediction system that provides well-calibrated click-through rate
prediction to our auction system, which allows the most relevant advertisements to be viewed by a
large number of targeted users in real time;
a large-scale data management and analysis system that extracts hidden elements of advertisement
performance from large volumes of relevant data;
contextual advertising technology that employs techniques to analyze the content of individual
pages and match advertisements to them, while taking into account factors such as optimal ad
creatives and quality of landing pages; and
an advertiser-friendly system that provides key optimization techniques that better analyze user
preferences and content consumption patterns that enable advertisers to provide more personalized
advertisements and effectively manage their advertising budgets to generate a higher return on their
investment.
Voice and Video Call Quality Solutions
We believe that audio and video quality is critical to the enjoyment of the LINE experience, and we
have made significant engineering and development efforts to improve our audio and video quality. Key areas of
our investments include the following:
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proprietary audio and video communications technology that can reliably process millions of calls
on a daily basis and group calls of up to 200 people at a time; and
high performance codec and data transmission technologies and routing algorithms to improve
overall call quality and user experience.
Game Development and Publishing Technologies
In order to continue to develop and publish successful games, we have invested in developing
technologies designed to allow us to monetize games through in-game purchases, while providing players with
an exciting experience. Areas of investment include:
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ability to conduct large-scale user data analysis during game play; and
client/server technology designed to allow simultaneous, secure, fast and stable game play by users
around the world.
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Artificial Intelligence Technology
In March 2017, we launched Clova, a next-generation AI platform designed to enrich our users’ daily
lives by integrating a wide array of advanced technologies based on human senses, such as voice recognition,
artificial neural network and interactive engine systems. We believe that the creation of a one-stop Clova
ecosystem will provide a solid foundation for the delivery of our products and services in the foreseeable future.
Accordingly, we plan to continue to expend significant time and resources in strengthening our capabilities in
artificial intelligence. We expect that key areas of our investments will include:
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expansion of partnerships and alliances with third-party developers, manufacturers and content
providers to develop additional services to be offered on the Clova ecosystem;
improving the functionalities of Clova-integrated smart speakers and other AI-based systems and
devices to allow for a more seamless and innovative interaction between us and our users; and
research and development focused on next-generation AI capabilities, such as the development of a
personalization engine that understands our users’ tastes and preferences for various contents based
on their activity logs and automatically supplies them with services tailored to their needs.
Competition
We compete against various companies to attract and engage users, some of which have greater
financial resources and substantially larger user bases. We face direct competition from other mobile messaging
service providers such as Facebook’s WhatsApp and Messenger, Tencent’s WeChat, Snapchat, Telegram
Messenger and Blackberry Messenger, as well as mobile messaging services for specific operating platforms,
such as Apple’s iMessage. We also face significant competition in almost every aspect of our business, including
from companies such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, Yahoo Japan and Snap, which offer a variety of social
network services and products as well as online advertising services.
We face competition from game companies, mobile telecommunications companies, e-commerce
companies, music streaming companies and other internet-related companies that offer products and services that
may compete with specific features of the LINE messaging service or other applications that we offer. We also
compete with traditional and online media businesses for a share of advertisers’ budgets and in the development
of tools and systems for managing and optimizing advertising campaigns. As we introduce new products and our
existing products evolve, or as other companies introduce new products and services, we may become subject to
additional competition.
The key areas in which we compete include:
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Users and User Engagement. We compete to attract and retain users. We believe that our ability to
compete effectively for users depends on many factors,
including the utility, ease of use,
performance and reliability of our products and services; price; the amount, quality and timeliness
of content generated by our users; our ability to establish and maintain relationships with platform
partners; and our reputation and the strength of our brand. We also compete to attract and retain
developers to build compelling games and other applications offered on the LINE platform,
primarily based on size and composition of our user base, and our ability to drive traffic to
developers’ applications.
Advertising. A significant portion of our revenue is generated from the sale of advertising services,
and we face significant competition for advertiser spending. We believe that our ability to compete
effectively for advertiser spending depends on many factors, including the size and composition of
our user base; the effectiveness of our advertising targeting capabilities; the timing and market
acceptance of our advertising services; our marketing and selling efforts; and the return our
advertisers expect to receive from our advertising services.
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Personnel. We experience significant competition for highly skilled personnel, including senior
management, engineers, designers and product managers. Our growth strategy depends in part on
our ability to retain our existing personnel and recruit highly skilled employees. Competition for
highly skilled personnel is intense, particularly in Japan where our headquarters is located, and we
compete for qualified personnel with online and mobile businesses, other companies in the
technology industry and traditional media businesses. We believe that our ability to compete
effectively for highly skilled personnel depends on many factors, including a work environment that
encourages independence, creativity and innovation; opportunities to work on challenging,
meaningful and important products; and compensation.
Regulation
We are subject to a number of Japanese and other foreign laws and regulations that affect companies
conducting business on the internet, many of which are still evolving and being, or have not yet been, tested in
courts, and could be interpreted in ways that could harm our business. These may involve user privacy, rights of
publicity, data protection, telecommunications, liability of providers of online services for activities of their users
and other third parties, content, intellectual property, distribution, electronic contracts and other communications,
competition, protection of minors, consumer protection, taxation and online payment services. Because our
services are accessible worldwide in a variety of countries, certain jurisdictions may claim that we are required to
comply with their laws, including even jurisdictions where we have no local entity, employees or infrastructure.
Regulations regarding Privacy and Protection of Personal Information and User Data
We are subject to laws and regulations, as well as pending legislative and regulatory proposals,
regarding privacy and protection of user data and personal
information, which could affect us in many
jurisdictions throughout the world. The application and interpretation of these and other similar international
laws and regulations concerning data protection and personal information is often uncertain, particularly in the
new and rapidly evolving industry in which we operate, and in certain countries where the scope and
interpretation of such laws and their application to the internet is in a state of flux. There is a risk that such laws
may be interpreted and applied in conflicting ways in different states, countries, or regions, and in a manner that
is not consistent with our current data protection practices. There also may be limited precedent in certain
jurisdictions with regard to enforcement or interpretation of these laws.
In Japan, the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and its related guidelines impose various
requirements on businesses, including us, that use databases containing personal information. Under this Act, we
are required to lawfully use personal information we have obtained within the purpose of use we have specified
and take appropriate measures to maintain security of such information. We are also restricted from providing
personal information to third parties. An amendment to this Act was put into full effect on May 30, 2017. This
amendment includes establishment of a new regulatory authority and introduction of new regulation on handling
of anonymous personal data and transfer of personal information to foreign countries.
Privacy Policies
We post a privacy policy and terms of service with our applications, in which we describe our practices
concerning the use, processing and disclosure of user data. Any failure by us to comply with our posted privacy
policy or privacy related laws and regulations could result in proceedings against us by governmental authorities
or others, which could harm our business. Our compliance with our privacy policy may be subject to regulation
by governmental agencies in various jurisdictions. For example, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission may bring
enforcement actions against unfair and deceptive trade practices, including the violation of privacy policies, and
European authorities may take actions against violations of privacy policies as well.
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Regulations of Telecommunications and Portal Businesses
The Telecommunications Business Act of Japan (the “Telecommunications Business Act”) generally
requires that those who plan to provide telecommunications services be registered as telecommunications
business operators. However, as long as the scale of the telecommunications circuit facilities to be installed for
the telecommunication services and the scope of service area to be covered do not exceed certain thresholds set
forth in an ordinance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, or fall within a certain
category of radio facilities, submission of a notice to the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications of
Japan, rather than registration, is required. We believe that our facilities and services do not exceed such
thresholds, and we are subject to notification requirements. Although it is not expressly clear, we believe that our
telecommunications service related to LINE Out is not subject to the Telecommunications Business Act since it
is provided by LINE Plus Corporation, an overseas entity.
the communications,
the names and addresses,
As a telecommunications business operator, we are prohibited from acquiring, using without permission,
or leaking private communications (including, but not limited to, the contents of communications, the dates and
places of
telephone numbers and IP addresses). The
Telecommunications Business Act also requires a telecommunications business operator to, among other things,
provide its service in a fair manner and, in certain emergency situations such as a natural disaster, prioritize
important public communications. If, among other things, the acquisition, use without permission or leakage of
private communications occurs or is not appropriately prevented in connection with the operation of the
telecommunications business, a telecommunications business operator does not satisfy the foregoing
requirements, or its business operation is otherwise inappropriate or unreasonable, such telecommunications
business operator may be subjected to administrative or criminal sanctions.
The Provider Liability Limitation Act of Japan regulates a provider of communications services (the
“specified communications services provider”) that circulates electronic information publicly through the
internet, and our portal services are subject to such regulations. While this act limits the scope of liability of a
specified telecommunications services provider that will be incurred when anyone’s rights are infringed upon as
a result of the circulation of electronic information in connection with its communications services, it requires a
specified communications services provider to disclose certain information related to those who engage in such
infringement.
Payment Services Regulations
The Payment Services Act regulates prepaid payment instruments such as the prepaid cards and virtual
currencies that we sell in Japan. Because we issue such prepaid instruments, we must comply with certain
requirements, including an obligation to deposit or enter into certain guarantee or trust agreements for at least
50% of the total amount of unused amounts or credits represented by the instruments issued as of the end of
either the first or third quarter of any year, if such total amount is more than ¥10 million; an obligation to refund
any remaining amount of money or virtual currencies issued, after providing at least 60 days’ prior public notice,
if we stop selling prepaid cards or virtual currencies, and general restrictions on refunds in other situations; and
an obligation to secure any private information obtained in connection with our prepaid cards and virtual
currencies. We may be subjected to administrative or criminal sanctions if we fail to fulfill such obligations.
We must also register with the director of the competent local finance bureau of the Ministry of Finance
if our prepaid payment instruments can be used to purchase goods or services that are offered not only by
ourselves or other closely related parties, including our affiliates, but also by third parties. We issue such
instruments, and we are registered with the Director of the KLFB. The Director is authorized to issue a business
improvement order or business suspension order, or cancel our registration if we fail to comply with such
regulations.
The Payment Services Act also regulates funds transfer services. As our service allows our users to
remit funds to each other or withdraw or deposit cash at convenience stores, ATMs or through internet banking,
49
in each case up to ¥1 million, by linking their accounts at select banks, we are required to register and have
registered with the Director of the KLFB. We must also comply with certain other requirements, including an
obligation to deposit or enter into certain credit guarantee or trust agreements for the greater of ¥10 million or the
full amount of our outstanding obligations as service provider payable to transferees in Japan plus the costs
associated with exercise of their rights as creditors of our funds transfer service. The Director of the KLFB is
authorized to issue a business improvement order, a business suspension order or cancel our registration if we fail
to comply with such regulations.
Various laws and regulations in the United States, such as the Bank Secrecy Act, the Dodd-Frank Act,
the USA Patriot Act, and the Credit Card Act, impose certain anti-money laundering requirements on companies
that are financial institutions or that provide financial products and services. Under these laws and regulations,
financial institutions are broadly defined to include money services businesses such as money transmitters, check
cashers, and sellers or issuers of stored value. Requirements imposed on financial institutions under these laws
include customer identification and verification programs, record retention policies and procedures and
transaction reporting. We do not believe that we are a financial institution subject to these laws and regulations.
However, it is possible that payments and other transactions on the LINE platform could deem us a financial
institution subject to applicable U.S., state or foreign regulations.
Regulations on Advertising
The Premiums and Representations Act of Japan stipulates the restricted methods and means of various
advertisements, representations and sales promotions, in a broad sense. When we advertise our products or
services, such as games, on the internet, we must provide appropriate information under this Act, so as not to
mislead our users.
In addition, regulations promulgated under the Premiums and Representations Act of Japan prohibit the
inclusion in our games of certain mechanisms that are considered to excessively promote in-game purchases.
These mechanisms typically feature a system in which users may pay for the chance to win an in-game item by
random selection from different items, with certain combinations of items won providing users with special
premium in-game items.
Regulations to Protect Minors
The Act on Establishment of Enhanced Environment for Youths’ Safe and Secure Internet Use of Japan
regulates an administrator of servers publicly accessible through the internet
(the “specified server
administrator”), aiming to protect youths under the age of eighteen. Under this act, if the specified server
administrator learns of any situation where harmful information that materially impairs the sound growth of
youths has been provided, or it makes such information available to the public through the internet by the use of
its servers,
it will be required to make efforts to take measures to prevent youths from accessing such
information. The specified server administrator is also required to make efforts to establish a system to receive
information or inquiries from the public regarding any harmful information it sends, and to prepare and keep
records of any measures that it has taken to prevent underage access to harmful information.
The Act on Regulation on Soliciting Children by Using Opposite Sex Introducing Service on Internet of
Japan requires that those who operate an opposite sex introduction service through the internet submit a
notification to the Public Safety Commission, and strive to take certain actions to prevent sexual offenses against
children conducted through an opposite sex introduction service through the internet. Although we believe that
none of our products or services fall within the definition of an “opposite sex introduction service,” it is not
expressly clear whether our interpretation is correct. In the event that any regulatory authority or court adopts a
different interpretation, we may become subject to the regulations applicable to opposite sex introduction
services under this Act, including the administrative or criminal sanctions thereunder.
50
Item 4.C. Organizational Structure
The following table sets out the jurisdiction of incorporation and our ownership interests of our
significant subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017:
Name
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
Percentage of
Ownership
Japan
BALIE Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
FIVE Inc.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gatebox Inc.
Japan
LINE Book Distribution Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE Friends Japan Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE Fukuoka Corp.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE GAME Global Gateway, L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE Life Global Gateway, L.P.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE Mobile Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE Pay Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE TICKET Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
LINE Ventures Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
M.T. Burn Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japan
STAIRS Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . China
LINE Digital Technology (Shanghai) Limited.
LINE Friends (Shanghai) Commercial Trade Co., Ltd. . . . . . . . . China
PT. LINE PLUS INDONESIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LINE Biz Plus Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE C&I Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE Games Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE Friends Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE PLAY Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE Plus Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
NextFloor Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE UP Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Korea
LINE BIZ+ PTE. LTD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Singapore
Line Biz+ Taiwan Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taiwan
LINE Taiwan Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taiwan
LINE Company (Thailand) Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thailand
MixRadio Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United Kingdom of Great
Indonesia
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United States of America
LINE Euro-Americas Corp.
LINE Friends Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . United States of America
LINE Vietnam Co., Ltd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vietnam
Britain and Northern Ireland
60.00%
100.00%
51.00%
52.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
51.00%
100.00%
50.50%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
99.90%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
51.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
50.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
100.00%
For further details on our subsidiaries, see Note 30 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial
statements.
Item 4.D. Property, Plants and Equipment
As of December 31, 2017, we had ¥15,125 million of property and equipment, which primarily
consisted of our servers and networking equipment, and leased office facilities in Japan and other countries,
including approximately 19,799 square meters for our corporate headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. In April 2017, we
relocated our head offices to a new location in Shinjuku, Tokyo, pursuant to a lease agreement.
51
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments
We do not have any unresolved comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission staff
regarding our periodic reports under the Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 5.
Operating and Financial Review and Prospects
Item 5.A. Operating Results
Overview
We are a leading global platform for mobile messaging and communication services, content
distribution and services related to daily life. Our mobile messaging application, which is the foundation of our
“messaging services” and operates on all major mobile operating systems, enables our users to communicate
through free instant messaging, Stickers and voice and video calls and serves as a smart portal to our other
applications and services. We provide users with access to a wide range of social and interactive content and
services that satisfy our users’ individual needs for access to information and entertainment such as mobile
games and music through our “content services,” as well as connected solutions that aim to satisfy increasingly
sophisticated day-to-day needs of LINE users and further enhance their welfare, such as payment services and
job posting, restaurant reservation and taxi booking services, through our “life services.” We believe that the
integration on our LINE platform of content and services offers our users a convenient way to connect and have
fun with their family and friends, explore and share their interests and satisfy their daily needs with greater ease,
which we believe enriches the user experience and ultimately contributes to higher user loyalty, while creating
value for advertisers by connecting them with their target audience using the LINE platform.
We believe LINE is the leading mobile messaging application in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand in terms
of number of users, and we have obtained substantial numbers of users in other parts of Asia, including
Indonesia. We have achieved this growth through active marketing of LINE as well as customizing our content
offerings to suit local preferences and needs. We believe the scale and growth of our user base in many countries
provide us with powerful network effects, whereby LINE becomes more valuable with more users and creates
additional incentives for existing users to encourage new users to join and to stay connected to their circle of
friends. We benefit from such network effects where more activity on LINE leads to the creation and distribution
of more content, which in turn attracts more users, platform partners and advertisers. We will continue to invest
in new products and services and enhancements to our existing products and services, with the goal of further
expanding our user base and increasing user engagement.
We generate revenue in a variety of ways and from various participants active on our global platform.
Our revenues are primarily generated from our advertising products and services, LINE Games and Stickers.
While our revenue growth prior to 2016 has been led primarily by LINE Games and Stickers, our revenue growth
in 2016 and 2017 was primarily driven by our advertising products and services, particularly the growth of our
“performance ads.” We generated revenues of ¥120,406 million in 2015, ¥140,704 million in 2016 and
¥167,147 million in 2017, representing revenue growth of 16.9% from 2015 to 2016 and 18.8% from 2016 to
2017.
As of December 31, 2017, we had a single reportable segment. On January 31, 2018, our board of
directors approved a plan to bifurcate this segment into the following two operating segments: a “Core business
segment” that includes LINE Stickers, LINE Games and LINE advertising, and a “Strategic business segment”
that includes operations involving artificial intelligence and fintech. For further information regarding planned
changes to our reportable segments, see Note 32 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
52
Factors Affecting Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Our financial condition and results of operations have been and will continue to be materially affected
by a number of factors and developments, some of which are outside of our control, including the following:
•
•
user growth;
user engagement;
• monetization;
•
products and services innovation;
• marketing and brand promotion;
•
•
•
competition;
investment in talent; and
seasonal fluctuations.
User Growth
MAUs are a measure of the size of our active user base. We define MAUs in a given month as the
number of user accounts that (i) accessed the LINE messaging application or any LINE Game through mobile
devices; (ii) sent messages through the LINE messaging application from personal computers; or (iii) sent
messages through any other LINE application from mobile devices, in each case at least once during that month.
MAUs for the months indicated were as follows:
Mar.
2015
Jun.
2015
Sep.
2015
Dec.
2015
Mar.
2016
Jun.
2016
Sep.
2016
Dec.
2016
Mar.
2017
Jun.
2017
Sep.
2017
Dec.
2017
For the month of
Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taiwan, Thailand and
54
Indonesia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
70
55
76
57
81
58
87
61
91
(in millions)
64
62
66
68
95
98
101
103
70
99
71
97
73
94
The growth in MAUs affects our revenues and financial performance by influencing the volume of
transactions on LINE, the number of advertisers we are able to attract and the rates we can charge such
advertisers, as well as our expenses. From our inception, we experienced our largest user growth in Japan,
Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. The growth rate of our users in such markets, including in Japan where we
generate a substantial majority of our revenues, has declined over time as the size of our user base has increased
and as we achieved higher penetration rates in our key markets. Our MAUs in Japan were 58 million in
December 2015, 66 million in December 2016 and 73 million in December 2017. Starting in the second quarter
of 2017, we have also experienced a decrease in the number of our MAUs in Indonesia, and our aggregate MAUs
in Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia were 87 million in December 2015, 101 million in December 2016 and
94 million in December 2017. We strive to retain active users as well as pursue MAU growth in our key markets.
For example, we try to incentivize additional users to exchange messages and add more friends through
promotional events, as well as broaden the ways users can interact with their friends on our games and other
content applications.
53
User Engagement
Changes in user engagement also affect our revenues and financial performance. Growth in user
engagement enhances our ability to deliver relevant content to users and increase the opportunities for us to
generate revenues. Growth in user engagement also generally results in increases in our expenses and capital
expenditures required to support user activity. Our average DAUs represented approximately 75% of our MAUs
in our four largest markets of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia in December 2017. Our average DAUs
represented approximately 84% of our MAUs in Japan alone, our largest market, in December 2017.
We measure user engagement of communication products and services using various metrics, including
daily average number of messages sent and received and daily average number of Stickers sent. While sending
and receiving messages is free, when sending messages, our users often include in their messages purchased
Stickers, which is our primary revenue source within our communication products offerings. In addition, these
metrics affect the attractiveness of our LINE advertising products and services as a medium for advertisers,
which in turn impacts our advertising revenue. Such metrics for the months indicated were as follows:
Mar.
2015
Jun.
2015
Sep.
2015
Dec.
2015
Mar.
2016
Jun.
2016
Sep.
2016
Dec.
2016
Mar.
2017
Jun.
2017
Sep.
2017
Dec.
2017
For the month of
(in millions)
Daily average number
of messages
sent. . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,764 4,051 3,997 4,048 4,211 4,347 4,404 4,382 4,602 4,609 4,500 4,157
Daily average number
of messages
received . . . . . . . . . 12,889 15,555 15,160 15,534 16,186 17,866 19,998 20,682 22,894 24,597 24,588 23,464
Daily average number
. . .
of Stickers sent
357
396
379
388
389
397
384
407
440
432
413
381
We measure user engagement of LINE Games primarily using MAUs of LINE Games. While
downloading LINE Games is free, our active users often purchase in-game items to enhance their game
experience, which is a key revenue source for us. MAUs of LINE Games may fluctuate depending on the level of
popularity of our game titles at any given time. The MAUs of LINE Games for the months indicated were as
follows:
Mar.
2015
Jun.
2015
Sep.
2015
Dec.
2015
Mar.
2016
Jun.
2016
Sep.
2016
Dec.
2016
Mar.
2017
Jun.
2017
Sep.
2017
Dec.
2017
For the month of
(in millions)
MAUs of LINE
Games(1)
. . . . . . . .
38
36
32
32
31
29
27
27
26
23
22
20
(1) Represents the number of user accounts that accessed any LINE Game through mobile devices at least once during the month indicated.
Monetization
Our ability to monetize the increase in our user base and our users’ engagement with LINE is critical to
our financial performance. We currently generate a substantial portion of our revenues from our advertising
products and services as well as LINE Games and Stickers. Our approach in each market is to build a large user
base through our LINE messaging application, promote user engagement and introduce and enhance
entertainment and other content and services, all of which lead to greater monetization opportunities and
enhanced media value for our advertising business. We plan to continue to invest in product development,
including localization of existing products and services for new markets, and explore ways to pursue additional
monetization opportunities.
54
MPUs are a measure of the number of our paying users, which we review to measure our ability to
monetize our user base. We define MPUs in a given month as the number of user accounts that made (i) a
payment for Stickers, Themes or LINE Out on the LINE messaging application through mobile devices or
personal computers or (ii) a payment relating to any LINE Game through mobile devices, in each case at least
once during that month.
We review MPUs, including MPUs of LINE Games, as a measure to evaluate trends in monetization.
MPUs, including MPUs of LINE Games, may fluctuate depending on the level of success of our monetization
efforts utilizing the line-up of our products and services. The following table sets forth the number of our MPUs
and MPUs of LINE Games for the months indicated:
Mar.
2015
Jun.
2015
Sep.
2015
Dec.
2015
Mar.
2016
Jun.
2016
Sep.
2016
Dec.
2016
Mar.
2017
Jun.
2017
Sep.
2017
Dec.
2017
For the month of
Total MPUs(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
MPUs of LINE Games(2) . . . . . . . .
7.5
1.5
7.9
1.4
8.2
1.4
8.8
1.6
8.4
1.6
(in millions)
7.8
8.1
1.4
1.4
9.4
1.3
8.5
1.4
8.4
1.3
8.1
1.2
9.5
1.1
(1) Represents the number of user accounts that made (i) a payment for Stickers, Themes or LINE Out on the LINE messaging application
through mobile devices or personal computers or (ii) a payment relating to any LINE Game through mobile devices, in each case at least
once during the month indicated.
(2) Represents the number of user accounts that made a payment relating to any LINE Game through mobile devices at least once during the
month indicated.
We also review various performance indexes, including number of Official Accounts for messenger ads,
impressions for performance ads and page views for portal ads, to evaluate trends in monetization through our
advertising services and products. Impressions are displays of performance ads to users while they access our
products and services for which we typically generate revenues. Because our performance ads are sold through
either a bid-based CPM or CPC pricing model in which the advertiser pays for qualifying impressions or click-
through volume, the number of paid impressions displayed is an indicator of our ability to monetize our users’
viewing of advertisements on the LINE platform. The following table sets forth the number of total impressions
on the LINE platform for the quarterly periods indicated:
Jan.-Mar.
2016
Apr.-Jun.
2016
Jul.-Sep.
2016
Oct.-Dec.
2016
Jan.-Mar.
2017
Apr.-Jun.
2017
Jul.-Sep.
2017
Oct.-Dec.
2017
For the month of
(in millions)
Total impressions . . . . . . . . .
6,751
7,992
9,933
11,166
12,273
14,667
15,940
15,985
55
In recent years, an increasing portion of our revenues has been generated through such monetization,
and a breakdown of our advertising revenues by major category is as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
(in millions of yen, except percentages)
Advertising:
LINE advertising
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Messenger ads(1)
Performance ads(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥26,487
—
72.7% ¥33,997
10,524
—
62.1% ¥39,495
26,609
19.2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total
26,487
9,925
72.7
27.3
44,521
10,186
81.4
18.6
66,104
10,433
51.6%
34.8
86.4
13.6
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥36,412
100.0% ¥54,707
100.0% ¥76,537
100.0%
(1) Primarily consists of revenues from Official Accounts, Sponsored Stickers, LINE Point Ads, LINE@ and Business Connect.
(2) Primarily consists of revenues from LINE Timeline Ads, LINE NEWS Ads, LINE TODAY Ads and other performance ads on various
content offerings on the LINE platform, including LINE Manga and LINE BLOG.
(3) Primarily consists of revenues from advertising services offered on livedoor and Matome.
We intend to invest in our global operations in order to increase monetization outside of Japan,
especially in our three other key countries of Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia. We generated 70.4%, 71.7% and
72.6% of our revenues in Japan in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, and we expect to continue to derive a
significant portion of our revenues from Japan in the near future. Certain global markets are not as familiar with
new forms of digital advertising, such as our Official Accounts, Sponsored Stickers, LINE Point Ads and LINE
Timeline Ads. In such markets, we are investing in marketing efforts to help our users and advertisers understand
and take advantage of the benefits of products and services offered on the LINE platform.
Products and Services Innovation
Our ability to increase the size of our user base and engagement of our users, attract platform partners
and advertisers and generate revenues will depend in part on our ability to create successful new products and
services, both independently and in conjunction with third parties. We plan to continue to make significant
investments in product development and, from time to time, we may acquire companies to further enhance our
products, services and technical capabilities.
In 2017, we launched various new products and services to further enhance the LINE platform. In
March 2017, we launched our AI platform called Clova that enables voice interfaces to process a wide range of
real-world inputs and deliver our products and services in a coherent and optimized manner. Through smart
speakers launched in the fourth quarter of 2017, our users carry out a natural conversation with Clova in
engaging in a wide range of products and services offered by us and other third-party service providers. In June
2017, we launched LINE SHOPPING, our comprehensive online shopping gateway that we operate in
association with leading online retailers in Japan. Through LINE SHOPPING, users are able to search for
products using various filters, compare the products that are available on each participating retailer’s website in a
consistent format, and then click through to the applicable retailer’s website for purchases. In July 2017, we
launched LINE Delima, our food delivery service that enables our users to conveniently order from a wide range
of gourmet options through the LINE Messaging application. See “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Our Products
and Services.” We plan to continue to pursue collaboration opportunities with third parties to develop additional
content services as well as life services to be offered on the LINE platform that are designed to further enrich our
users’ daily lives.
56
Our operating results have been, and will continue to be, affected by our ability to stimulate customer
demand for new and upgraded products and to anticipate and respond to emerging customer preferences and
demands by ensuring continuing and timely development of new products and services, as well as enhancements
to existing products and services. New services will incur additional operating expenses with uncertainty on
timing and level of monetization.
Marketing and Brand Promotion
As we continue to increase our footprint, we engage in active marketing campaigns to promote new
products and services, build our brand and expand our user base. We utilize television commercials and internet
and mobile advertising, often targeting younger generation users. Our marketing expenses, which consist
primarily of costs related to advertising on mass media (primarily television advertising) and advertising on
mobile applications (particularly mobile games), but excluding personnel-related costs of our marketing staff,
were ¥16,596 million, ¥11,833 million and ¥15,477 million in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. While we
believe that our ability to grow through network effects will be fundamental to our growth, we expect to continue
to invest significantly in marketing activities, including activities to further promote the growth we have
experienced to date as we enter new markets and seek to expand our presence in existing markets. In 2018, we
expect to increase our marketing expenses, in part due to promotion of our Clova-integrated smart speakers. Our
quarterly marketing expense has fluctuated in the past and will fluctuate in the future.
Competition
We compete against many companies in different industries and markets to attract and engage users and
for advertiser spending. We must compete effectively for users and advertisers in order to grow our business and
increase our revenues. Scale benefits and other advantages may allow our competitors to respond more quickly
and effectively than us to a rapidly evolving environment in the mobile internet industry, including industry
consolidation that may result in increased competition. We will continue to invest in our products and services
for users and advertisers and to grow our active user base in order to address the competitive challenges in our
industry. As part of our strategy to improve our products and services, we may acquire other companies to add
talent or complementary products and technologies.
Investment in Talent
We intend to continue to invest in hiring and retaining talented employees to grow our business and
increase our revenues. We had 4,345 full-time employees as of December 31, 2017, compared to 3,085 as of
December 31, 2016 and 2,454 as of December 31, 2015. We expect to increase our personnel for the foreseeable
future as we continue to invest in the growth of our business. We have also made and intend to continue to make
acquisitions that increase the number of our engineers, designers, product managers and other personnel with
specific technology expertise. In addition, we must retain our high-performing personnel in order to continue to
develop, sell and market our products and services and manage our business.
We offer stock options as well as equity-settled and cash-settled employee stock ownership plans for our
directors and employees. For a discussion of our share-based payments, see Note 27 of the notes to our annual
consolidated financial statements and “Item 6.E. Share Ownership.” The stock options vest upon the satisfaction
of service conditions. In connection with our share-based payments, we recorded expenses of ¥11,213 million,
¥9,519 million and ¥2,686 million in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Seasonal Fluctuations
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on the
seasonality of user spending for products and services offered on our LINE platform, such as Stickers for which
various promotions may be offered either by us or by our advertisers in the year-end holiday season. In Japan,
where a majority of companies end their fiscal year on March 31, advertising spending is traditionally stronger
57
between September and March due to the year-end effects and companies in Japan trying to spend their
advertising budgets before the close of their fiscal year. This seasonality in advertising has affected our quarterly
results, with higher sequential advertising revenue growth from the third quarter to the fourth and then first
quarter compared to slower growth or a decline in revenues and profits between the first quarter and the second
quarter. For these reasons, a sequential quarter-to-quarter or year-to-year comparison is not necessarily a good
indication of our performance or of how our business will perform in the future. As the percentage of our
advertising revenues increases, such seasonal impact may become more pronounced in the future.
Major Components of Our Results of Operations
Revenues
We generate revenues from our LINE business and portal business. Revenues from our LINE business
primarily consist of revenues from communication products and services on LINE, content on LINE and
advertising on LINE, while revenues from our portal business consist of revenues from advertising on our
livedoor and Matome portal sites. A breakdown of our revenues by major category is as follows:
For the year ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017
Amount
%
Amount
%
Amount
%
(in millions of yen, except percentages)
Communication and content:
Communication(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 28,725
49,284
5,985
23.9% ¥ 29,290
44,784
40.9
11,923
5.0
20.8% ¥ 30,225
40,144
31.8
20,241
8.5
18.1%
24.0
12.1
Sub-total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83,994
69.8
85,997
61.1
90,610
54.2
Advertising:
LINE advertising
Messenger ads(4)
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance ads(5) . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 26,487
—
22.0% ¥ 33,997
10,524
—
24.2% ¥ 39,495
26,609
7.5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total
Sub-total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26,487
9,925
36,412
22.0
8.2
30.2
44,521
10,186
54,707
31.6%
7.2
38.9
66,104
10,433
76,537
23.6%
15.9
39.5
6.2
45.8
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥120,406
100.0
¥140,704
100.0
¥167,147
100.0
(1) Primarily consists of revenues from Stickers, Creators Market and Themes.
(2) Primarily consists of sales of virtual items of LINE Games and LINE PLAY.
(3) Primarily consist of revenues from character marketing, such as sales of LINE characters merchandise at our retail stores and licensing
of LINE characters’ copyrights. Also include revenues from LINE Mobile, LINE Pay and LINE Part-time Job.
(4) Primarily consists of revenues from Official Accounts, Sponsored Stickers, LINE Point Ads, LINE@ and Business Connect.
(5) Primarily consists of revenues from LINE Timeline Ads, LINE NEWS Ads, LINE TODAY Ads and other performance ads on various
content offerings on the LINE platform, including LINE Manga and LINE BLOG.
(6) Primarily consists of revenues from advertising services offered on livedoor and Matome.
For a discussion of details on how we recognize revenues for different services, see Note 3(22) of the
notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
58
Operating Expenses
The following are the principal components of our operating expenses:
•
•
Payment processing and licensing expenses. Payment processing and licensing expenses consist
primarily of (i) processing fees paid to Apple and Google, our payment processing service
providers, incurred from the sale of virtual items for internally-developed games and Stickers, and
(ii) licensing fees paid to owners of third-party content used in Stickers and other products and
services on a revenue-sharing basis.
Employee compensation expenses. Employee compensation expenses are our personnel-related
costs, including salaries, benefits and share-based compensation.
• Marketing expenses. Our marketing expenses consist primarily of costs related to (i) advertising
on mass media, primarily television advertising and (ii) advertising on mobile applications. To a
lesser extent, we also incur marketing expenses related to brand promotional events. Our marketing
expenses do not include compensation expenses of our marketing personnel, which are included in
employee compensation expenses.
•
•
•
Infrastructure and communication expenses. Infrastructure and communication expenses consist
primarily of co-location charges incurred by us that are required for operation of the LINE platform
infrastructure fees for
including fees for data transmission, data center
and data centers,
maintenance of a suitable operating environment, server rental fees and server connection fees.
Authentication and other service expenses. Authentication and other service expenses primarily
relate to (i) fees paid for services outsourced to third parties related to various products and services
offered by us, including fees for accessing wireless communications networks of a third-party
mobile telecommunications company related to our MVNO services offered through LINE Mobile
as well as fees paid to mobile advertising service providers related to delivery of advertising
products offered on the LINE platform, (ii) fees paid for server maintenance activities and (iii) fees
paid for mobile phone number authentication services.
Depreciation and amortization expenses. Depreciation and amortization expenses primarily relate
to depreciation of property and equipment, which is computed using the straight-line method based
on the depreciable amount of the assets over their respective useful lives.
• Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses primarily relate to rent, cost of goods sold
relating to the sale of our products, supplies, travel, professional fees, taxes and dues, training and
other miscellaneous operating expenses.
We plan to continue increasing the capacity and enhancing the capability and reliability of our
infrastructure to support user growth and increased activity on our LINE platform. We also plan to continue to
invest in marketing activities to increase brand awareness, promote launching of new services and expand our
user base and advertiser base. Some of our operating expenses, such as employee compensation expenses, are
relatively fixed, and other expenses, such as marketing expenses, may not directly correspond to revenues in the
same period. We expect that our operating expenses will increase for the foreseeable future and may vary in the
near term from period to period as a percentage of revenues.
Finance Income and Finance Costs
Our finance income primarily consists of interest income, and our finance costs primarily consist of
interest expense.
59
Income Tax Benefits (Expenses)
Our income tax benefits (expenses) mainly consist of current income taxes in Japan and Korea, and
deferred income taxes and changes in the related assessment of the recoverability of deferred tax assets reflecting
the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in each of these
jurisdictions for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The statutory tax
rate applicable to corporations in Japan in 2017 was 31.7%. Under current Korean tax regulations, the statutory
tax rate is approximately 22.0%. The effective tax rate applicable to us may further increase in 2018 pursuant to
the Korean government’s announcement in December 2017 to raise the corporate income tax rate applicable to
companies whose taxable income exceeds W300 billion from 22.0% to 25.0%. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the assets are realized or the
liabilities are settled.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
On February 12, 2016, after careful assessment of the overall performance of MixRadio, the financial
challenges posed by the music streaming market, changing market conditions, an increase in the cost of
maintaining the business and a shift in our overall priorities, our board of directors approved the abandonment of
our MixRadio operations, which abandonment became effective on March 21, 2016. As a result, we have
retrospectively classified the MixRadio business as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial
statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015 and recognized impairment charges of ¥4.6 billion in
the fourth quarter of 2015. We also incurred additional restructuring costs of ¥1,165 million for employee
termination benefits and ¥126 million for the termination of office lease contracts in 2016 as a result of the
abandonment of the MixRadio operations. For more information, see Note 11 and Note 23 of the notes to our
annual consolidated financial statements.
The results of the above discontinued operations for 2015, 2016 and 2017 were as follows:
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount %
2016
2017 Amount
%
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ¥
Other income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expenses(1)
Loss before tax from discontinued
operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax expenses on ordinary
activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax (expenses)/benefits on
distribution and disposal . . . . . .
Loss for the year from discontinued
(in millions of yen)
264 ¥
—
(11,767)
444 ¥
9
(3,179)
(in percentage)
(in millions of yen)
(in percentage)
179
67.9% ¥
444
¥ — ¥ (444) (100.0)%
9 —
8,589 (73.0)
9 —
(19)
(3,179)
(9) (100.0)
(99.4)
3,160
(11,503)
(2,726)
8,777 (76.3)
(2,726)
(19)
2,707
(99.3)
—
—
— —
— —
—
—
3,915
744
(3,170) (81.0)
744
6
(738)
(99.2)
operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ¥ (7,588)
(1,982) ¥ 5,606 (73.9)% ¥(1,982) ¥(13) ¥1,969
(99.3)%
(1) The expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 include impairment losses incurred attributable to the MixRadio segment. The
expenses for the year ended December 31, 2016 include employee termination benefits of ¥1,165 million and office lease termination
fees of ¥126 million, both incurred in connection with the abandonment of MixRadio on March 21, 2016.
For further information regarding discontinued operations, see Note 23 of the notes to our annual
consolidated financial statements.
60
Results of Operations
The following table presents our selected statements of profit or loss data for the periods indicated.
For the year ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017
(in millions of yen)
Revenues and other operating income:
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 120,406
474
¥ 140,704
5,892
¥ 167,147
12,011
Total revenues and other operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120,880
146,596
179,158
Operating expenses:
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(28,742)
(35,572)
(16,596)
(7,712)
(12,133)
(3,733)
(14,432)
(29,781)
(39,445)
(11,833)
(7,770)
(14,394)
(5,100)
(18,376)
(29,589)
(42,469)
(15,477)
(9,087)
(24,906)
(7,149)
(25,403)
Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(118,920)
(126,699)
(154,080)
Profit (loss) from operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Profit (loss) before tax from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefits (expenses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Profit (loss) for the period from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Profit from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,960
71
(106)
(205)
(520)
157
(1,887)
(530)
146
(384)
(7,588)
19,897
87
(65)
(833)
(43)
9
(1,062)
17,990
(8,904)
9,086
(1,982)
25,078
257
(26)
(6,321)
(818)
1,963
(1,988)
18,145
(9,922)
8,223
(13)
Profit (loss) for the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥
(7,972) ¥
7,104
¥
8,210
61
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2017
Revenues
The following table presents a breakdown of our revenues by major services and changes therein for the
periods indicated.
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Communication and content:
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 29,290
44,784
11,923
¥ 30,225
40,144
20,241
¥
935
(4,640)
8,318
3.2%
(10.4)
69.8
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
85,997
90,610
4,613
5.4
Advertising:
LINE advertising:
Messenger ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
33,997
10,524
44,521
10,186
54,707
39,495
26,609
66,104
10,433
5,498
16,085
21,583
247
76,537
21,830
16.2%
152.8
48.5
2.4
39.9
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥140,704
¥167,147
¥26,443
18.8%
Our
revenues increased by 18.8%, or ¥26,443 million,
from ¥140,704 million in 2016 to
¥167,147 million in 2017 primarily due to increases in revenues of LINE advertising, LINE Mobile and LINE
character marketing, which were offset in part by a decrease in revenues from content. The significant increase in
the growth of “performance ads” such as LINE NEWS Ads (including LINE TODAY Ads offered in select
countries outside of Japan) and LINE Timeline Ads as well as the continued growth of “messenger ads”
including LINE@, Official Accounts and Business Connect contributed to the growth in revenues from LINE
advertising. Our MPUs increased slightly from 9.4 million in December 2016 to 9.5 million in December 2017,
and our aggregate MAUs in our four key countries of Japan, Taiwan, Thailand and Indonesia remained relatively
stable, increasing slightly from 167 million to 168 million during the same period, with the increase in MAUs in
Japan offset by the decrease in MAUs in Indonesia.
Communication and Content
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 29,290
¥ 30,225
¥
935
3.2%
20.8%
18.1%
44,784
40,144
(4,640)
(10.4)
31.8%
24.0%
11,923
20,241
8,318
69.8
8.5%
12.1%
Total communication and content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 85,997
¥ 90,610
¥ 4,613
5.4%
61.1%
54.2%
62
Communication. Revenues from communication increased by 3.2%, or ¥935 million,
from
¥29,290 million in 2016 to ¥30,225 million in 2017 primarily due to an increase in the volume of Stickers and, to
a lesser extent, Themes sold on LINE Creators Market. The increase in the volume of Stickers and Themes sold
on LINE Creators Market was driven by the introduction of LINE Creators Studio in June 2017, which enables
our users to more easily create self-designed Stickers and Themes to be sold on LINE Creators Market, which in
turn increased the revenues we generated from the sale of such products. Increases in revenues from such sales
were offset in part by a decrease in sales volume of our other Stickers and Themes that are not sold on LINE
Creators Market.
Content. Revenues from content decreased by 10.4%, or ¥4,640 million, from ¥44,784 million in 2016
to ¥40,144 million in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in the sales volume of in-game items for LINE Games,
which was offset in part by increases in revenues from LINE Manga, LINE Fortune and LINE Music.
The decrease in the sales volume of in-game items was primarily driven by a decrease in revenues from
LINE Rangers, one of our internally-developed games, which was offset in part by an increase in revenues from
a third party-developed game, as well as the consolidation of the operating results of NextFloor Corporation, a
leading mobile game development company in Korea in which we acquired a 51.0% interest through our wholly-
owned subsidiary, LINE Games Corporation, starting in July 2017. For internally-developed games, we
recognize as revenues the gross amount of consideration paid by users which amplifies the impact of purchases
of in-game items on our revenues compared to third-party developed games, for which we recognize as revenues
the net proceeds after deducting amounts paid to third-party game developers and payment processing service
providers. See “— Major Components of Results of Operations — Revenues.” In addition, for a discussion of
MAUs and MPUs of LINE Games, which decreased significantly in 2017 compared to 2016, see “— Factors
Affecting Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Partially offsetting decreases in revenues from LINE Games, we recorded increases in revenues from
LINE Manga, LINE Fortune and LINE Music in 2017 compared to 2016 primarily reflecting increases in users
and their engagement of such services.
Others. Revenues from the others category, which consists primarily of sales of official LINE
merchandise at our retail stores and royalty revenues related to LINE characters’ copyrights and, to a lesser
extent, revenues from LINE Mobile, LINE Pay and LINE Part-time Job, increased by 69.8%, or ¥8,318 million,
from ¥11,923 million in 2016 to ¥20,241 million in 2017 primarily due to an increase in the subscribers of LINE
Mobile MVNO service, the expansion of our LINE Friends retail stores in Asia, particularly in Korea and China,
and an increase in engagement of LINE Pay service in Taiwan.
Advertising
LINE advertising:
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Messenger ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 33,997
39,495
5,498
16.2%
24.2%
23.6%
10,524
26,609
16,085
152.8
7.5%
15.9%
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44,521
66,104
21,583
48.5
31.6%
39.5%
10,186
10,433
247
2.4
7.2%
6.2%
Total advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 54,707
¥ 76,537
¥21,830
39.9%
38.9%
45.8%
63
LINE Advertising. Revenues from LINE advertising increased by 48.5%, or ¥21,583 million, from
¥44,521 million in 2016 to ¥66,104 million in 2017 primarily due to increases in revenues attributable to
performance ads as well as increases, to a lesser degree, in revenues attributable to messenger ads.
Revenues from our performance ads increased by 152.8%, or ¥16,085 million, from ¥10,524 million in
2016 to ¥26,609 million in 2017, primarily due to increases in revenues from LINE NEWS Ads (including LINE
TODAY Ads offered in select countries outside of Japan) and LINE Timeline Ads. The increase in revenues
from such performance ads was attributable to a growth in demand for our advertising products and an increase
in the level of participation in bidding processes by advertisers, which resulted in an increase in the unit price we
charge our advertisers. Such growth in demand was primarily due to growth in the user base of LINE NEWS,
LINE Today and Timeline services as well as enhancements to our advertising products that made them more
attractive to advertisers. For example, the introduction of LINE NEWS in Japan and LINE TODAY in select
countries outside of Japan as a dedicated tab in the LINE messaging application in 2017 contributed to an
increase in popularity of such services, which in turn increased the revenues we generated from LINE NEWS
Ads and LINE TODAY Ads.
Revenues from our messenger ads increased by 16.2%, or ¥5,498 million, from ¥33,997 million in 2016
to ¥39,495 million in 2017, resulting primarily from increases in revenues from LINE@, Official Accounts and
Business Connect, which were offset in part by a decrease in revenues from LINE Point Ads. Revenues from
LINE@ increased primarily due to an increase in new advertisers through sign-up incentives and marketing
initiatives, particularly in Thailand and Japan. For Official Accounts, the number of paid contracts increased by
approximately 17% from 549 on December 31, 2016 to 645 on December 31, 2017. Revenues from Business
Connect also increased primarily as a result of our successful retention of existing advertisers that subscribe to
such service as well as an increase in new advertisers through sign-up incentives and marketing initiatives. On
the other hand, revenues from LINE Point Ads decreased, reflecting a decrease in utilization of LINE Points by
our advertisers.
Portal Advertising. Revenues from portal advertising increased by 2.4%, or ¥247 million, from
¥10,186 million in 2016 to ¥10,433 million in 2017 primarily due to an increase in revenues from livedoor, offset
in part by a decrease in revenues from Matome.
Geographic Information
Revenues from Japan accounted for 71.7% and 72.6% of our total revenues in 2016 and 2017,
respectively. Revenues from Taiwan accounted for 11.1% and 9.9% of our total revenues in 2016 and 2017,
respectively.
Other Operating Income
Our other operating income increased by 103.9%, or ¥6,119 million, from ¥5,892 million in 2016 to
¥12,011 million in 2017, primarily due to the recognition of a ¥10,444 million gain on divestiture of business and
subsidiaries relating to the transfer of our camera application business, including B612 and LINE Camera, which
was operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary LINE Plus Corporation, to Snow Corporation in May 2017, which
was offset in part by our recognition of a gain of ¥2,461 million from our sale of land in Fukuoka to Kyushu
Railway Company in June 2016, compared to no such gain in 2017.
64
Operating Expenses
The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses and changes therein for the periods
indicated.
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating expenses(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 29,781
39,445
11,833
7,770
14,394
5,100
18,376
¥ 29,589
42,469
15,477
9,087
24,906
7,149
25,403
¥ (192)
3,024
3,644
1,317
10,512
2,049
7,027
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥126,699
¥154,080
¥27,381
(0.6)%
7.7
30.8
16.9
73.0
40.2
38.2
21.6%
(1) Other operating expenses include rent, cost of goods sold relating to the sale of our products, supplies, travel, professional fees, taxes
and dues, training and other miscellaneous operating expenses.
The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses as percentages of total revenues for
the periods indicated.
For the year ended
December 31,
2016
2017
(in percentages of total revenues)
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating expenses(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21.2%
28.0
8.4
5.5
10.2
3.6
13.1
90.0%
17.7%
25.4
9.3
5.4
14.9
4.3
15.2
92.2%
(1) Other operating expenses include rent, cost of goods sold relating to the sale of our products, supplies, travel, professional fees, taxes
and dues, training and other miscellaneous operating expenses.
Our operating expenses increased by 21.6%, or ¥27,381 million, from ¥126,699 million in 2016 to
¥154,080 million in 2017, primarily due to increases in authentication and other service expenses, marketing
expenses, employee compensation expenses and rent expenses. Our operating expenses as a percentage of
revenues increased from 90.0% in 2016 to 92.2% in 2017.
Payment Processing and Licensing Expenses
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
65
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥29,781
¥29,589
¥ (192)
(0.6)%
21.2%
17.7%
Payment processing and licensing expenses decreased by 0.6%, or ¥192 million, from ¥29,781 million
in 2016 to ¥29,589 million in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in processing fees paid to payment processing
services providers resulting from a decrease in sales of virtual items for internally-developed games. Such effect
was offset in part by increases in licensing fees paid to creators of Stickers sold on Creators Market, licensing
fees related to various contents offered on the LINE platform and portal sites, including on-demand videos
offered on LINE TV, and payment processing fees related to LINE Pay and LINE Mobile MVNO services. In
addition, we began to consolidate in our results the payment processing and licensing expenses of NextFloor
Corporation, in which we acquired a 51.0% interest through our wholly-owned subsidiary, LINE Games
Corporation, starting in July 2017.
Employee Compensation Expenses
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥39,445
¥42,469
¥ 3,024
7.7%
28.0%
25.4%
Our employee compensation expenses increased by 7.7%, or ¥3,024 million, from ¥39,445 million in
2016 to ¥42,469 million in 2017 primarily due to increases in salary, bonus and welfare expenses reflecting an
increase in the number of our employees, which effect was partially offset by a decrease in our share-based
compensation expenses. The number of our full-time employees increased from 3,085 as of December 31, 2016
to 4,345 as of December 31, 2017. Our share-based compensation expenses, which include expenses related to
stock options issued from time to time as well as equity-settled and cash-settled employee stock ownership plans
launched in July 2017, decreased by 71.8%, or ¥6,833 million, from ¥9,519 million in 2016 to ¥2,686 million in
2017, as we completed amortization of expenses related to stock options issued in 2015 by January 2017. Our
share-based compensation expenses in 2017 related primarily to 23,860 stock options issued in July 2017 that are
amortized from the grant date as well as our launch of equity-settled and cash-settled employee stock ownership
plans in July 2017. For further details on our stock options and employee stock ownership plans, see
“Item 6.E. Share Ownership” and Note 27 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
Marketing Expenses
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥11,833
¥15,477
¥ 3,644
30.8%
8.4%
9.3%
Marketing expenses increased by 30.8%, or ¥3,644 million, from ¥11,833 million in 2016 to
¥15,477 million in 2017 primarily due to increases in marketing of various products and services, particularly the
promotion of Clova Wave and Clova Friends smart speakers launched in Japan in the fourth quarter of 2017 and
LINE Mobile MVNO service. Such effect was partially offset by a decrease in marketing expenses for LINE
Games in 2017, reflecting performance of newly released titles, which in turn led to a reduction of our marketing
budget for such games.
Authentication and Other Service Expenses
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
66
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥14,394
¥24,906
¥ 10,512
73.0%
10.2%
14.9%
from
Our authentication and other service expenses increased by 73.0%, or ¥10,512 million,
¥14,394 million in 2016 to ¥24,906 million in 2017, primarily due to additional fees for accessing wireless
communications networks of a third-party mobile telecommunications company related to an increase in the
subscribers of our LINE Mobile MNVO service, increase in fees paid to third-party mobile advertising service
providers related to delivery of advertising products offered on the LINE platform, as well as an increase in costs
relating to system improvements and software upgrades to facilitate the operation of our servers supporting an
increasingly wide range of services we offer.
Other Operating Expenses
Other operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2016
2017
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥18,376
¥25,403
¥ 7,027
38.2%
13.1%
15.2%
Our other operating expenses increased by 38.2%, or ¥7,027 million, from ¥18,376 million in 2016 to
¥25,403 million in 2017, primarily due to increases in rent and supplies expenses in connection with our
relocation to our new headquarters in Shinjuku in April 2017, as well as an increase in cost of goods sold. Our
rent expenses increased by 74.1%, or ¥2,614 million, from ¥3,529 million in 2016 to ¥6,143 million in 2017, and
our supplies expenses increased by 106.1%, or ¥1,224 million, from ¥1,154 million in 2016 to ¥2,378 million in
2017. Our cost of goods, which relates to the revenue generated from the others category, increased by 40.6%, or
¥1,427 million, from ¥3,519 million in 2016 to ¥4,946 million in 2017 primarily reflecting increases in sales of
LINE Friends merchandise and Clova Wave and Clova Friends smart speakers.
Profit from Operating Activities
Primarily due to the factors described above, our profit from operating activities increased by 26.0%, or
¥5,181 million, from ¥19,897 million in 2016 to ¥25,078 million in 2017. Our profit from operating activities as
a percentage of our revenues and other operating income increased from 13.6% in 2016 to 14.0% in 2017, as the
increase in revenues and other operating income outpaced the increase in operating expenses.
Finance Income and Finance Costs
Our finance income, which mainly consists of interest income, increased by 195.4%, or ¥170 million,
from ¥87 million in 2016 to ¥257 million in 2017 due primarily to an increase in the amount of investments in
interest-bearing debt instruments. Our finance costs, which mainly consist of interest expenses, decreased by
60.0%, or ¥39 million, from ¥65 million in 2016 to ¥26 million in 2017 primarily due to a decrease in the
average monthly balance of our short-term borrowings, as well as the repayment of all of our outstanding bonds
in 2016.
Share of Loss of Associates and Joint Ventures
We recognized net loss on our share of associates and joint ventures of ¥833 million in 2016 primarily
related to our interests in LINE MUSIC Corporation and Snow Corporation, which incurred losses primarily
attributable to cost of content and advertising expenses, respectively. We recognized net loss on our share of
associates and joint ventures of ¥6,321 million in 2017 primarily related to our interest in Snow Corporation,
which continued to invest in acquiring additional users of camera applications, particularly in China, prior to
monetizing its services. Our share of loss in Snow Corporation also increased due to an increase in our ownership
interest following the transfer of our camera application business in May 2017 that was operated by our wholly-
synergies.
owned
See “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Our Investments.”
subsidiary, LINE Plus Corporation,
to Snow Corporation
further
pursue
to
67
Loss on Foreign Currency Transactions, Net
We recognized a 1,802.3% increase in net loss on foreign currency transactions from ¥43 million in
2016 to ¥818 million in 2017 resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly the fluctuation of the
Japanese yen against the Korean won, U.S. dollar and the Taiwanese dollar during these periods.
During 2016, the Japanese yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar, the Taiwanese dollar and the
Korean won, in the first half of the year and, in the second half of the year, weakened to rates similar to those at
the beginning of the year. Our net loss on foreign currency transactions in 2016 related primarily to a foreign
currency loss on Japanese-yen denominated payables at LINE BIZ.+ PTE LTD, whose functional currency is the
U.S dollar, offset in part by a foreign currency gain on Japanese yen-denominated payables at LINE Taiwan
Limited, whose functional currency is the Taiwanese dollar.
During 2017, the Japanese yen weakened against the Korean won in the second half of the year. Our net
loss on foreign currency transactions in 2017 related primarily to foreign currency loss on Korean
won-denominated payables at LINE Plus Corporation and LINE Corporation, whose functional currency is the
Japanese yen.
Other Non-operating Income
In 2016, we recognized other non-operating income of ¥9 million. In 2017, we recognized other
non-operating income of ¥1,963 million primarily resulting from a ¥1,096 million gain on financial assets at fair
value through profit or loss related to fair value measurement gain of conversion right of redeemable preferred
stock in 4:33 Creative Lab, a Korean game development company we invested in through LINE C&I
Corporation, as well as a ¥751 million gain on sale of financial assets related to our disposition of holdings in
gumi Inc., a mobile games developer and publisher listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and three other listed
companies.
Other Non-operating Expenses
In 2016, we recognized other non-operating expenses of ¥1,062 million primarily due to a ¥656 million
loss on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss related primarily to the conversion right of redeemable
preferred stock in 4:33 Creative Lab, a Korean game development company we invested in through LINE C&I
Corporation. In 2017, we recognized other non-operating expenses of ¥1,988 million primarily due to a
¥1,761 million loss on impairment of available-for-sale financial assets related primarily to our investment in
4:33 Creative Lab.
Income Tax Expenses
Our income tax expenses increased by 11.4%, or ¥1,018 million, from ¥8,904 million in 2016 to
¥9,922 million in 2017. Our effective income tax rate of 49.5% for continuing operations for 2016 differed from
the Japanese statutory tax rate of 33.5% for 2016 primarily due to non-deductible share-based payment expenses
incurred in connection with stock options granted to employees and directors who are non-Japanese residents as
well as pre-tax losses of subsidiaries for which no deferred tax assets were recognized. Our effective income tax
rate of 54.7% for continuing operations for 2017 differed from the Japanese statutory tax rate of 31.7% for 2017
primarily due to pre-tax losses recorded by some of our subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis and the recognition of
share of loss of associates and joint ventures for which no deferred tax assets were recognized, as the related tax
benefits could not be recognized.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
We recognized loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of ¥1,982 million in 2016 and ¥13 million
in 2017 related to the abandonment of our MixRadio business effective March 21, 2016 and its retrospective
68
presentation as a discontinued operation for both periods. See “— Major Components of Results of Operations
— Profit (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax.”
Profit for the Year
As a result of the factors described above, our profit for the year increased by 15.6%, or ¥1,106 million,
from ¥7,104 million in 2016 to ¥8,210 million in 2017. Our profit for the year as a percentage of revenues and
other operating income decreased from 4.8% in 2016 to 4.6% in 2017.
Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2015 and 2016
Revenues
The following table presents a breakdown of our revenues by major services and changes therein for the
periods indicated.
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Communication and content:
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 28,725
49,284
5,985
¥ 29,290
44,784
11,923
¥
565
(4,500)
5,937
2.0%
(9.1)
99.2
Sub-total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83,994
85,997
2,003
2.4
Advertising:
LINE advertising:
Messenger ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total
Sub-total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26,487
—
26,487
9,925
36,412
33,997
10,524
44,521
10,186
54,707
7,510
10,524
18,035
261
18,296
28.4
N/A(1)
68.1
2.6
50.2
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥120,406
¥140,704
¥20,299
16.9%
(1) N/A means not applicable.
Our
revenues increased by 16.9%, or ¥20,299 million,
from ¥120,406 million in 2015 to
¥140,704 million in 2016 primarily due to increases in revenues of LINE advertising and LINE character
marketing, which were offset in part by a decrease in revenues from content. The significant increase in the
growth of “performance ads” such as LINE Timeline Ads and LINE NEWS Ads as well as the continued growth
of “messenger ads” including Official Accounts, LINE Point Ads, LINE@ and Business Connect contributed to
the growth in revenues from LINE advertising. Our MPUs increased from 8.8 million in December 2015 to
9.4 million in December 2016. Our total MAUs increased only slightly from 215 million in December 2015 to
217 million in 2016, but MAUs in our four key countries increased from 145 million to 167 million during the
same period, helping to drive growth in revenues from LINE advertising.
69
Communication and Content
Content
Communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total communication and content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥28,725
¥29,290
¥
565
2.0%
23.9%
20.8%
49,284
44,784
(4,500)
(9.1)
40.9%
5,985
5.0%
31.8%
11,923
5,937
99.2
8.5%
¥83,994
¥85,997
¥ 2,003
2.4%
69.8%
61.1%
Communication. Revenues from communication increased slightly by 2.0%, or ¥565 million, from
¥28,725 million in 2015 to ¥29,290 million in 2016 primarily due to increases in the volume of Stickers sold on
Creators Market and the volume of Theme sales, which were partially offset by a decrease in the volume of our
other Sticker sales.
The increase in the volume of Stickers sold on Creators Market was driven by an improvement in the
selection process enabling our users to more easily offer their self-designed Stickers for sale, as well as increased
public awareness of the Creators Market as a result of marketing activities. The decrease in the volume of our
other Sticker sales was driven by lower sales volume of our new Sticker products launched in 2016 compared to
2015, which was offset in part by an increase in MPUs for Stickers offered by us in 2016 compared to 2015
primarily due to time-limited discount promotions and other special offers made in 2016.
Content. Revenues from content decreased by 9.1%, or ¥4,500 million, from ¥49,284 million in 2015 to
¥44,784 million in 2016 primarily due to a decrease in the sales volume of in-game items for LINE Games.
The decrease in the sales volume of in-game items was primarily driven by decreases in revenues from
games developed by third-parties. In addition, we launched fewer games in 2016 compared to 2015. With respect
to our internally-developed games, significant decreases in revenues from games that were launched in 2014 such
as LINE Rangers were more than offset by significant increases in revenues from our games that were launched
in 2015, including LINE BrownFarm and LINE Bubble2. For internally-developed games, we recognize as
revenues the gross amount of consideration paid by users which amplifies the impact of purchases of in-game
items on our revenue increase compared to third-party developed games, for which we recognize as revenues the
net proceeds after deducting amounts paid to third-party game developers and payment processing service
providers. See “— Major Components of Results of Operations — Revenues.” In addition, for a discussion of
MAUs and MPUs of LINE Games, see “— Factors Affecting Our Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.”
Others. Revenues from the others category, which consists primarily of sales of official LINE
merchandise at our retail stores and royalty revenues related to LINE characters’ copyrights, revenues from LINE
Part-time Job and revenues from LINE Pay, increased by 99.2%, or ¥5,937 million, from ¥5,985 million in 2015
to ¥11,923 million in 2016 primarily due to an increase in numbers of, and sales from, LINE Friends stores in
Korea, China and Hong Kong.
70
Advertising
LINE advertising:
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Messenger ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥26,487
¥33,997
¥ 7,510
28.4%
22.0%
—
—
24.2%
10,524
10,524
N/A(1)
7.5%
Sub-total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26,487
44,521
18,035
68.1
22.0%
9,925
8.2%
31.6%
10,186
7.2%
261
2.6
Total advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥36,412
¥54,707
¥18,296
50.2%
30.2%
38.9%
(1) N/A means not applicable.
LINE Advertising. Revenues from LINE advertising increased by 68.1%, or ¥18,035 million, from
¥26,487 million in 2015 to ¥44,521 million in 2016 primarily due to significant increases in revenues attributable
to impression-based performance ads, including LINE Timeline Ads and LINE NEWS Ads, as well as growing
revenues attributable to messenger ads.
We began recognizing revenues from our performance ads in 2016, and recorded revenues from
performance ads of ¥10,524 million in 2016. Our performance ads, consisting primarily of LINE Timeline Ads
and LINE NEWS Ads, were our fastest growing advertisement products in 2016. The significant growth in
revenues from performance ads in 2016 was attributable to increases in the number of paid impressions and
clicks paid for by advertisers with respect to LINE Timeline Ads and LINE NEWS Ads, driven mainly by
expanding advertising solutions and the increasing attractiveness of Timeline and LINE NEWS to existing and
new advertisers as a result of a growing user base for these products primarily in Japan.
Revenues from our messenger ads increased by 28.4%, or ¥7,510 million, from ¥26,487 million in 2015
to ¥33,997 million in 2016, resulting primarily from increases in revenues from Official Accounts, LINE Point
Ads, LINE@ and Business Connect. For Official Accounts,
the number of paid contracts increased by
approximately 30% from 419 on December 31, 2015 to 549 on December 31, 2016, primarily as a result of our
successful retention of existing advertisers as well as an increase in new advertisers through sign-up incentives
and marketing initiatives, both mainly in Japan. For LINE Point Ads, users increasingly took advantage of
additional ways to earn LINE Points, such as by viewing video commercials and film previews, which in turn led
to an increase in revenues from LINE Point Ads. Revenues from LINE@ increased primarily due to the
successful launch of a premium advertising plan, as well as an increase in revenues generated from markets
outside of Japan.
Portal Advertising. Revenues from portal advertising increased by 2.6%, or ¥261 million, from
¥9,925 million in 2015 to ¥10,186 million in 2016 primarily due to an increase in revenues from livedoor, offset
in part by a decrease in revenues from Matome.
Geographic Information
Revenues from Japan accounted for 70.4% and 71.7% of our total revenues in 2015 and 2016,
respectively. Revenues from Taiwan accounted for 14.2% and 11.1% of our total revenues in 2015 and 2016,
respectively.
71
Other Operating Income
Our other operating income increased by 1,142.1%, or ¥5,418 million, from ¥474 million in 2015 to
¥5,892 million in 2016, primarily due to a gain on the sale of land in Fukuoka in June 2016 as well as a gain on
divestiture of business and subsidiaries relating to the deconsolidation of LINE BIZ Plus Ltd., our former
subsidiary providing LINE Pay services in Thailand.
Operating Expenses
The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses and changes therein for the periods
indicated.
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating expenses(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 28,742
35,572
16,596
7,712
12,133
3,733
14,432
¥ 29,781
39,445
11,833
7,770
14,394
5,100
18,376
¥ 1,039
3,873
(4,764)
58
2,261
1,367
3,946
3.6%
10.9
(28.7)
0.8
18.6
36.6
27.3
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥118,920
¥126,699
¥ 7,780
6.5%
(1) Other operating expenses include rent, travel, professional fees, supplies, taxes and dues, office relocation expenses and other
miscellaneous operating expenses.
The following table presents a breakdown of our operating expenses as percentages of total revenues for
the periods indicated.
For the year ended
December 31,
2015
2016
(in percentages of total revenues)
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other operating expenses(1)
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23.9%
29.5
13.8
6.4
10.1
3.1
12.0
98.8%
21.2%
28.0
8.4
5.5
10.2
3.6
13.1
90.0%
(1) Other operating expenses include rent, travel, professional fees, supplies, taxes and dues, office relocation expenses and other
miscellaneous operating expenses.
Our operating expenses increased by 6.5%, or ¥7,780 million, from ¥118,920 million in 2015 to
¥126,699 million in 2016, primarily due to increases in employee compensation expenses, authentication and
other service expenses and other operating expenses, partially offset by a decrease in marketing expenses. Our
operating expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased from 98.8% in 2015 to 90.0% in 2016.
72
Payment Processing and Licensing Expenses
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥28,742
¥29,781
¥1,039
3.6%
23.9%
21.2%
Payment processing and licensing expenses increased by 3.6%, or ¥1,039 million, from ¥28,742 million
in 2015 to ¥29,781 million in 2016. Licensing expenses increased by 9.6%, or ¥1,221 million, from
¥12,736 million in 2015 to ¥13,957 million in 2016, primarily due to an increase in fees paid to third party
advertisers in connection with sales of advertisement space by M.T. Burn Corporation, our subsidiary. Payment
from ¥16,006 million in 2015 to
processing expenses decreased slightly by 1.1%, or ¥182 million,
¥15,824 million in 2016 primarily due to decreases in processing fees paid to payment processing service
providers primarily resulting from an overall decrease in sales of virtual items for games.
Employee Compensation Expenses
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥35,572
¥39,445
¥3,873
10.9%
29.5%
28.0%
Our employee compensation expenses increased by 10.9%, or ¥3,873 million, from ¥35,572 million in
2015 to ¥39,445 million in 2016 primarily due to an increase in the number of our employees, which effect was
offset in part by a decrease in share-based compensation expenses. The number of our full-time employees
increased from 2,454 as of December 31, 2015 to 3,085 as of December 31, 2016. We did not grant any stock
options in 2016 and amortization of a portion of the expenses relating to existing share options was completed in
the middle of 2016, resulting in a decrease in our share-based compensation expenses from ¥11,213 million in
2015 to ¥9,519 million in 2016.
Marketing Expenses
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥16,596
¥11,833
¥(4,764)
(28.7)%
13.8%
8.4%
Marketing expenses decreased by 28.7%, or ¥4,764 million, from ¥16,596 million in 2015 to
¥11,833 million in 2016 primarily due to decreases in marketing expenses outside of Japan and Korea, offset in
part by increases in marketing expenses in these two countries, particularly for promotion of games.
Authentication and Other Service Expenses
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Percentage of revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
73
For the year ended
December 31,
Changes
2015
2016
Amount
%
(in millions of yen or percentages)
¥12,133
¥14,394
¥2,261
18.6%
10.1%
10.2%
from
Our authentication and other service expenses increased by 18.6%, or ¥2,261 million,
¥12,133 million in 2015 to ¥14,394 million in 2016. Other service expenses increased by 26.7%, or
¥2,619 million, from ¥9,798 million in 2015 to ¥12,417 million in 2016 due primarily to an increase in fees paid
for content production, server hosting and maintenance services, expenses for personnel providing outsourced
services required to support increased user activities, as well as outsourcing fees for development of new
applications. This increase in other service expenses was partially offset by a decrease in authentication service
expenses by 15.3%, or ¥358 million, from ¥2,335 million in 2015 to ¥1,977 million in 2016, due primarily to a
decrease in the number of downloads of our LINE messaging application in 2016 compared to 2015.
Profit from Operating Activities
Primarily due to the factors described above, our profit from operating activities increased by 915.1%,
or ¥17,937 million, from ¥1,960 million in 2015 to ¥19,897 million in 2016. Our profit from operating activities
as a percentage of our revenues and other operating income increased from 1.6% in 2015 to 13.6% in 2016, as
the increase in revenues and other operating income outpaced the increase in operating expenses.
Finance Income and Finance Costs
Our finance income, which mainly consists of interest income, increased by 23.6%, or ¥17 million, from
¥71 million in 2015 to ¥87 million in 2016 due primarily to an increase in the amount of interest bearing cash
and cash equivalents. Our finance costs, which mainly consist of interest expense, decreased by 38.8%, or
¥41 million, from ¥106 million in 2015 to ¥65 million in 2016 primarily due to a decrease in short-term
borrowings after repayments from the proceeds of our initial public offering in 2016.
Share of Loss of Associates and Joint Ventures
We recognized net loss on our share of associates and joint ventures of ¥205 million in 2015 primarily
related to our interest in LINE MUSIC Corporation, which incurred a loss primarily attributable to advertising
expenses. We recognized net loss on our share of associates and joint ventures of ¥833 million in 2016 primarily
related to our interests in LINE MUSIC Corporation and Snow Corporation, which incurred losses primarily
attributable to cost of content and advertising expenses, respectively.
Loss on Foreign Currency Transactions, Net
We recognized a decrease in net loss on foreign currency transactions by 91.7%, or ¥477 million, from
¥520 million in 2015 to ¥43 million in 2016 resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly the
fluctuation of the Japanese yen against the Korean won, the U.S. dollar and the Taiwanese dollar during these
periods.
In 2015, the Japanese yen strengthened against the Korean won. Our net loss on foreign currency
transactions in 2015 related primarily to Korean won-denominated demand deposits held by LINE NAVER
Game Partnership, our joint operation with NAVER Corporation, in which we have a 66.7% ownership interest,
as well as Korean won-denominated trade receivables, loan receivables and other receivables at LINE Plus
Corporation due largely from its subsidiaries. The net loss was partially offset by foreign currency gain on
Korean won-denominated payables related to operating expenses incurred at LINE Plus Corporation.
During 2016, the Japanese yen strengthened against the U.S. dollar and the Taiwanese dollar in the first
half of the year and, in the second half of the year, weakened to rates similar to those at the beginning of the year.
Our net loss on foreign currency transactions in 2016 related primarily to a foreign currency loss on Japanese-yen
denominated payables at LINE BIZ.+ PTE LTD, whose functional currency is the U.S dollar, offset in part by a
foreign currency gain on Japanese yen-denominated payables at LINE Taiwan Limited, whose functional
currency is the Taiwanese dollar.
74
Other Non-operating Income
We recognized other non-operating income of ¥157 million in 2015 in connection with the fair value
measurement gain of conversion right of redeemable preferred stock in 4:33 Creative Lab, a Korean game
development company we invested in through LINE C&I Corporation. We recognized other non-operating
income of ¥9 million in 2016.
Other Non-operating Expenses
We recognized other non-operating expenses of ¥1,887 million in 2015 due to impairment
loss
attributable to available-for-sale securities as a result of declines in stock prices of gumi Inc., a mobile games
developer and publisher listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and iDreamSky Technology Limited, a mobile
game publisher listed on NASDAQ Global Select Market, and the fair value measurement loss of an unlisted
equity security. We recognized other non-operating expenses of ¥1,062 million in 2016 primarily as a result of
the fair value measurement loss relating to conversion right of redeemable preferred stock in 4:33 Creative Lab, a
Korean game development company we invested in through LINE C&I Corporation.
Income Tax Benefit (Expenses)
We recognized income tax benefit of ¥146 million in 2015 but recognized income tax expense of
¥8,904 million in 2016. Our effective income tax rate of 27.5% for continuing operations in 2015 differed from
the Japanese statutory tax rate of 35.6% for 2015. Our effective income tax rate of 27.5% in 2015 was primarily
due to taxable income recorded by LINE Plus Corporation on a stand-alone basis, all of which was offset by
previously unrecognized tax loss carryforwards, resulting in a decrease in current income tax expenses. In
addition, we recognized previously unrecognized deferred tax assets for deductible temporary differences. These
benefits were partially offset by pre-tax losses of subsidiaries for which no deferred tax assets were recognized
and by non-deductible share-based payment expenses, including share-based payment expenses incurred in
connection with stock options granted to employees and directors who are non-Japanese residents. Our effective
income tax rate of 49.5% for continuing operations for 2016 differed from the Japanese statutory tax rate of
33.5% for 2016 primarily due to non-deductible share-based payment expenses incurred in connection with stock
options granted to employees and directors who are non-Japanese residents as well as pre-tax losses of
subsidiaries for which no deferred tax assets were recognized.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
We recognized loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of ¥7,588 million in 2015 and
¥1,982 million in 2016 related to the abandonment of our MixRadio business effective March 21, 2016 and its
retrospective presentation as a discontinued operation for both periods. See “— Major Components of Results of
Operations — Profit (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax.”
Profit (Loss) for the Year
As a result of the factors described above, we recorded a loss for the year of ¥7,972 million in 2015 but
recorded a profit for the year of ¥7,104 million in 2016. Our loss for the year as a percentage of revenues and
other operating income was (6.6)% in 2015 and our profit for the year as a percentage of revenues and other
operating income was 4.8% in 2016.
75
Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The following table sets forth our cash flows for the periods indicated.
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For the year ended
December 31,
2015
2016
2017
¥ 6,979
(12,229)
18,860
20,254
33,652
(in millions of yen)
¥ 28,753
(34,086)
106,628
33,652
134,698
¥ 10,965
(34,230)
11,439
134,698
123,606
Our principal sources of liquidity since 2015 to date have been proceeds from the completion of our
initial public offering in July 2016, incurrences of debt and cash generated by our operations. We manage our
liquidity risk to meet our working capital and operational requirements by continually managing projected cash
flows. We also aim to mitigate liquidity risk by contracting with financial institutions with respect to bank
overdrafts and banking facility agreements for efficient management of funds. We believe that cash from our
operations, current and future financing arrangements (including short-term and long-term borrowing facilities
and issuances of corporate bonds) and existing cash and cash equivalents are likely to be sufficient to satisfy our
operating cash requirements, capital expenditure needs and debt service requirements for the next twelve months.
However, we may need additional cash resources in the future if we find and wish to pursue opportunities for
investment, acquisition or strategic cooperation, which may include investing in technology,
technical
infrastructure or acquisition of additional equity interests in subsidiaries or associates. If we determine that our
cash requirements exceed our available cash holdings, we may seek to issue additional debt or equity securities
or obtain additional credit facilities or other sources of funding.
The Payment Services Act requires entities that engage in business activities involving advance
payments from customers using prepaid payment instruments such as virtual currencies to set aside amounts
covering at least 50% of the total amount of the unused amounts or credits represented by such instruments
issued as of the end of either the first or third quarter of any year (if such total amount is more than ¥10 million)
for the users, either by making a deposit or by entering into certain guarantee or trust agreements. In accordance
with the Payment Services Act, we had deposited ¥2,530 million, ¥3,445 million and ¥635 million as guarantee
deposits as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. As part of our efforts to comply with the
Payment Services Act, we deposited our investments in Japanese government bonds of ¥280 million as of
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, which we intend to hold until maturity. In addition, we entered into credit
guarantee contracts with banks for ¥2,000 million as of December 31, 2015, for ¥10,100 million as of
December 31, 2016 and for ¥12,500 million as of December 31, 2017.
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Our net cash provided by operating activities consists of net profit or loss adjusted for certain non-cash
items including depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation as well as the effect of changes in
working capital and other activities. Our net cash provided by operating activities decreased from
¥28,753 million in 2016 to ¥10,965 million in 2017, despite an increase in our gross cash flow from sales
activities as described above. Our net cash provided by operating activities was negatively impacted by an
increase in trade and other receivables from ¥756 million in 2016 to ¥13,539 million in 2017 primarily due to the
expansion of certain of our businesses, in particular LINE Pay service in Taiwan, as well as a lag in the timing of
76
collection of fees from payment processing service providers and advertising agencies. Cash used in payment of
income taxes also increased from ¥7,522 million in 2016 to ¥12,421 million in 2017, and an increase in the
buildup of our inventories, primarily consisting of our Clova Wave and Clova Friends smart speakers as well as
LINE Friends merchandise, negatively impacted our cash flows by ¥2,366 million in 2017 compared to a positive
impact on our cash flows amounting to ¥407 million in 2016. On the other hand, better management of our trade
and other payables resulted in a positive impact on our cash flows by ¥6,215 million in 2017 compared to a
negative impact on our cash flows by ¥1,620 million in 2016, which helped offset these effects.
Our net cash provided by operating activities increased from ¥6,979 million in 2015 to ¥28,753 million
in 2016, primarily due to loss before tax of ¥12,033 million in 2015 compared to profit before tax of
¥15,264 million in 2016 as described above. Cash used for income tax payment decreased from ¥10,844 million
in 2015 to ¥7,522 million in 2016. Adjustments for non-cash items and changes in working capital in 2016
included a net gain of ¥2,345 million on disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets, mainly due to
the sale of land in Fukuoka prefecture; an increase in other current liabilities by ¥4,148 million, mainly due to
consumption tax payable; and an increase in accrued expenses by ¥2,229 million, mainly due to costs related to
the new head offices in Shinjuku.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Our net cash used in investing activities increased slightly from ¥34,086 million in 2016 to
¥34,230 million in 2017 primarily due to an increase in acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses, net of cash
acquired, from ¥423 million in 2016 to ¥11,887 million in 2017 as well as an increase in acquisition of property
and equipment and intangible assets from ¥6,352 million in 2016 to ¥12,622 million in 2017. In 2017, we
recorded net cash outflow of ¥5,215 million related to our acquisition of a 100.0% interest in FIVE Inc., which
specializes in operating a video advertising platform for mobile phones, as well as net cash outflow of
¥2,005 million related to our acquisition of a 51.0% interest in NextFloor Corporation, a game company in
Korea. The increase in acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets was primarily due to
expansion and relocation of our headquarters to Shinjuku in April 2017. These factors were substantially offset
by a decrease in cash outflow from purchases of time deposits from ¥10,790 million in 2016 to ¥1,282 million in
2017 as well as proceeds from redemption of debt instruments of ¥5,209 million in 2017 compared to no such
proceeds in 2016.
Our net cash used in investing activities increased from ¥12,229 million in 2015 to ¥34,086 million in
2016 primarily due to an increase in purchases of time deposits from ¥1,892 million in 2015 to ¥10,790 million
in 2016, an increase in investments in debt instruments from no such investments in 2015 to ¥7,642 million in
2016 and an increase in investments in associates and joint ventures from ¥1,567 million in 2015 to
¥9,333 million in 2016, related primarily to our investments in Yume no Machi Souzou Iinkai and Snow
Corporation in October 2016. These factors were offset in part by cash inflow from proceeds from disposal of
property and equipment and intangible assets of ¥5,124 million in 2016 related primarily to the sale of land in
Fukuoka in June 2016.
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities
Our net cash provided by financing activities decreased from ¥106,628 million in 2016 to
¥11,439 million in 2017. This decrease was primarily attributable to proceeds from our initial public offering of
¥126,848 million in 2016 compared to no such proceeds in 2017, which was offset in part by a decrease in net
repayment of short-term borrowings from ¥20,752 million in 2016 to ¥107 million in 2017 as well as an increase
in proceeds from exercise of stock options from ¥1,750 million in 2016 to ¥11,489 million in 2017.
Our net cash provided by financing activities
increased from ¥18,860 million in 2015 to
¥106,628 million in 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to proceeds from our initial public offering of
¥126,848 million in 2016, compared to no such proceeds in 2015, offset in part by a net repayment of short-term
borrowings of ¥20,752 million in 2016.
77
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table sets forth the amount of contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017, and the
effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
Payments Due by Period
Total
Less than
1 Year
1 to 3 Years
4 to 5 Years
(in millions of yen)
Short-term borrowing obligations(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operating lease obligations(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase obligations(3)
Deposits received(4)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits received under sublease
¥22,224
14,362
742
5,730
¥22,224
4,139
742
5,730
¥ —
7,369
—
—
agreement(5)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Future estimated defined benefit plan payments(6) . . . . .
23
6,672
0
242
23
712
¥ —
2,854
—
—
—
1,468
More than
5 Years
¥ —
—
—
—
—
4,250
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥49,753
¥33,077
¥8,104
¥4,322
¥4,250
(1) As of December 31, 2017, the book value of our short-term borrowings was ¥22,224 million.
(2) We enter into operating lease agreements for certain office space and stores.
(3) Our purchase obligations include contracts for property and equipment and intangible assets. See Note 9(3) and 10(3) of the notes to our
annual consolidated financial statements.
(4) The deposits received primarily relate to LINE Pay customer deposits.
(5) The deposits received primarily relate to the sublease of our store spaces.
(6) Represents, as of December 31, 2017, the expected amount of retirement benefits that we will be required to pay within ten years under
applicable law to employees of our Korean subsidiaries, including LINE Plus Corporation, LINE PLAY Corporation, LINE Biz Plus
Corporation and LINE Friends Corporation, when they reach their normal retirement age. The amounts were determined based on the
employees’ current salary rates and the number of service years that will have been accumulated upon their retirement. These amounts
do not include amounts that may be paid to employees who cease to work at the relevant company before their normal retirement age.
Critical Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make difficult, complex and
subjective judgments in making the appropriate estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our
consolidated financial statements. By their nature, these judgments are subject to inherent uncertainty. These
judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, our observation of trends in the
relevant industries, information provided by our customers and information available from other outside sources,
as appropriate. While we believe our estimates and judgments are reasonable under the circumstances in which
they were made, there can be no assurance that our judgments will prove to be correct or that actual results
reported in future periods will not differ from our expectations reflected in our accounting treatment of certain
items. For a discussion of our significant accounting judgments, estimates and assumptions, see Note 4 of the
notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition for Internally-developed Virtual Items, LINE Stickers and Sponsored Stickers
We offer both consumable and durable virtual items in our internally-developed games and applications.
Consumable virtual items are virtual items that are consumed by following an end users’ specific action and do
not provide end users with continuing benefits, whereas durable virtual items are virtual items that provide the
end user with continuing benefits over a specific period. The period of benefit of a durable virtual item generally
ends at the earliest of (1) an item ceasing to provide further benefits to an end user (i.e., the period of benefit is
represented by the usage period of such item), (2) an item being removed from the game board or application by
specific in-app or in-game actions taken by an end user or (3) an end user abandoning the game or application.
We recognize revenues attributable to consumable virtual items upon sale. For revenues attributable to durable
virtual items, revenues are recognized either (1) ratably over the estimated usage period or (2) when we cannot
78
estimate the estimated usage period upfront, ratably over the estimated average playing period of paying users
adjusted for any virtual items removed from the game board or application. We recognize revenue attributable to
the removed virtual items by developing estimated removal rates and applying such rates to total sales generated.
We develop an estimated usage period for durable virtual items considering historical data on purchase patterns
and user usage behavior.
We define the playing period as the period from when a paying user first purchased virtual credits to
when a paying user is deemed to have become inactive, i.e. when a paying user has not logged onto the game/app
for two consecutive months. To estimate the average playing period for a paying user, we analyze monthly
cohorts composed of paying users who made their first purchase of payment instruments during such month. We
track these monthly cohorts and analyze the dates on which paying users within each cohort become inactive.
Based on the actual data observed, we extrapolate the future declines in paying users to determine the ending
point of a paying user’s life beyond the date for which observable data is available. We then use the actual and
extrapolated data to calculate the average playing period. We recognize revenues arising from internally-
developed games and applications by using the estimated average playing period.
Upon launching a new game or application, we evaluate the nature of the virtual items, the behavior of
end users with respect to such items and the availability of supporting data in determining the related revenue
recognition policy. We may also consider the data from other existing internally-developed games or applications
as well as industry data in determining the related revenue recognition policy if there is insufficient history for
such new game or application. If we do not have sufficient historical data to analyze user behavior and cannot
identify any similar games or applications to serve as references for us to reasonably estimate the life of the game
or application, we defer all sales until such history is developed. Once we have sufficient historical data, we
assess the estimations (such as the estimated usage period and the estimated average playing period for paying
users) for durable virtual items for each game or application on a quarterly basis.
Revenues attributable to the sales of Stickers are recognized over an estimated usage period which
reflects historical end user usage patterns. Similarly, revenues attributable to the sales of Sponsored Stickers are
recognized over the advertising contract period based on historical user usage patterns during the advertising
contract period.
We believe that revenue recognition is a critical accounting estimate because significant management
judgment is involved in determining the estimated usage period over which virtual items are expected to be used
by users. If user behavior changes over time or deviates from our estimates, we may be required to change the
timing of our revenue recognition. In this case, our results of operations could be materially and adversely
affected.
Income Taxes and Recovery of Deferred Tax Assets
Our income tax expenses are comprised of current tax and deferred tax. Current tax is the expected tax
payable or receivable on our taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at
the end of the reporting period and any adjustments to tax payable in respect of previous years.
We recognize deferred tax on temporary differences between the carrying value of an asset or liability
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for taxation purposes. The deferred tax assets and deferred
tax liabilities are calculated using the tax rates based on tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted
by the end of the reporting period and the tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the deferred tax
asset is realized or the deferred tax liability is settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible
temporary differences, unused tax losses carried forward and unused tax credits carried forward to the extent that
it is probable that taxable income will be available. The estimation of future taxable income is calculated based
on business plans approved by our management, and it is based on our management’s subjective judgments and
assumptions.
79
We believe that recognition of deferred tax assets is a significant accounting policy that requires our
management’s estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income,
interpretation of the tax laws and tax planning. Changes in tax laws, projected levels of taxable income and tax
planning could affect the effective tax rate and tax balances recorded by us in the future. As of December 31,
2017, we recorded deferred tax assets of ¥16,492 million and deferred tax liabilities of ¥1,573 million.
Impairment
Non-financial Assets
Non-current assets other than goodwill. Non-current assets other than goodwill, such as property and
equipment and intangible assets with definite lives, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each
reporting period. We evaluate both internal and external sources of information to assess whether impairment
indicators exist. Some of the impairment indicators are evidence of obsolescence, significant adverse changes in
the technological, market, economic or legal environment of the market in which we operate. If any such
indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent, if any, of the
impairment loss. Likewise, the determination of the assets’ recoverable amounts involves the use of estimates by
our management that can have a material impact on the respective values and ultimately the amount of any
impairment. In 2015, impairment losses of ¥54 million were recognized for the full write-off of the MixRadio
segment’s property and equipment. In addition,
losses of ¥709 million, ¥446 million and
¥218 million were recognized for the full write-off of the MixRadio segment’s software, music rights and other
intangibles, respectively. As a result of the abandonment of MixRadio in March 2016, our MixRadio business
was retrospectively classified as part of discontinued operations. In 2016 and 2017, no impairment loss was
recognized for tangible and intangible assets with definite useful lives in connection with our MixRadio business.
See “— Major Components of Results of Operations — Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax.” See
Note 9, Note 10 and Note 11 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
impairment
Goodwill. As of December 31, 2017, we had ¥16,767 million of goodwill. The goodwill impairment test
requires us to test at least annually and more frequently as indicators of impairment are identified. The goodwill
impairment test requires us to exercise judgment and assess whether the carrying value of the cash-generating
units to which goodwill has been allocated can be supported by the recoverable amount of such cash-generating
units. The recoverable amount of a cash-generating unit is determined based on a value-in-use calculation that
involves the use of estimates. The main assumptions used in the value-in-use calculation include the discount
rate, terminal growth rate and expected future cash flow projections for a period of up to five years from financial
budgets approved by our management. Cash flow projections after the planning period are extrapolated using
terminal growth rates. Cash flow projections take into account past experience and represent our management’s
best estimates. These assumptions are subject to significant adjustments from various factors including user
trends, spending on marketing, technology infrastructure and competition.
In order to estimate the discount rate that reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the
cash-generating units, we have assumed a risk-free rate equal to one-month average market yields on 10-year
Japanese government bonds at the date of performing the annual impairment test. We also incorporated a risk
premium, such as a company specific premium and equity premium, in the discount rate. The terminal value
growth rates, which are the long-term average inflation rates in Japan,
take into consideration external
macroeconomic data.
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The key assumptions used in our value-in-use calculations are as follows:
For the year ended December 31,
2015
2016
2017
Pre-tax discount
rate
Terminal growth
rate
Pre-tax discount
rate
Terminal growth
rate
Pre-tax discount
rate
Terminal growth
rate
14.7%
1.4%
11.7%
1.1%
10.3%
1.6%
In validating the value-in-use determined for the cash-generating units,
the sensitivity of key
assumptions used in the discounted cash-flow model such as discount rates and the terminal growth rate was
evaluated. In 2015, as a result of testing goodwill for impairment, we recognized impairment
losses of
¥2,692 million, the total goodwill allocated to the MixRadio segment. See Note 11 of the notes to our annual
consolidated financial statements. We believe that determining the existence and impairment of goodwill is a
critical accounting estimate because significant management judgment is involved in the evaluation of the value
of goodwill, and any reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions on which the recoverable amount is
based would cause a change in the recoverable amounts of goodwill.
Financial assets measured at amortized cost
With respect to our financial assets measured at amortized cost, we assess on a quarterly basis whether
there is any objective evidence that financial assets are impaired. If there is any objective evidence, we recognize
the difference between the carrying value of the asset and the present value of estimated future cash flows as an
impairment loss. When we estimate the future cash flows, our management considers the probability of default,
time of recovery and past trend of losses, and decides whether the actual loss, which reflects current economic
and credit conditions, is more or less than past trends. We consider these estimates to be significant because any
adjustments may significantly affect the amount of an impairment loss for the financial assets measured at
amortized cost.
No impairment losses were recognized in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as a result of testing our financial assets
measured at amortized cost for impairment. Historically, our estimates and assumptions used to evaluate
impairment of financial assets measured at amortized cost have been within expectations. However, unforeseen
circumstances such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to
recognize losses on impairment of financial assets measured at amortized cost.
Available-for-sale financial assets
For an investment in an equity security classified as an available-for-sale financial asset, we consider a
significant or prolonged decline in its fair value below its cost to be objective evidence of impairment. The
determination of fair value of the investment involves considering factors such as the stock prices of public
companies in which we have an equity investment, current economic and market conditions, the operating
performance of the companies and other company and industry specific information. In 2015, we recognized
impairment loss of ¥1,790 million primarily as a result of a decline in stock price of gumi Inc., a mobile game
developer and publisher listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 2016, we recognized impairment loss of
¥293 million primarily as a result of a decline in stock price of gumi Inc., a mobile games developer listed on the
Tokyo Stock Exchange. In 2017, we recognized impairment loss of ¥1,090 million primarily as a result of a
decline in the fair value of our investment in 4:33 Creative Lab, a Korean game development company we
invested in through LINE C&I Corporation, as well as other unlisted companies in Korea.
81
Fair Value for Financial Instruments
We hold various financial instruments. Depending on the accounting treatment specific to each type of
financial instrument, an estimate of fair value is required to record the instrument on our consolidated financial
statements. Financial assets and financial liabilities held by us are measured at the following fair values:
•
•
•
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
fair value calculated using observable inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities,
either directly or indirectly; and
fair value calculated using valuation techniques incorporating unobservable inputs.
In particular, the fair value estimates using valuation techniques that incorporate unobservable inputs are
based on the judgment and assumptions of our management, such as experience assumptions, and the use of
specific numerical calculation models, such as discounted cash flow models. We base our fair value estimates on
assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but which are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. The use of
alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair values of our investments and
potentially impact our results of operations.
Provisions
We recognize asset retirement obligations related to assets leased under operating leases in our
consolidated statement of financial position. These provisions are recognized based on our management’s best
estimates of the expenses expected to be incurred for the restoration of the operating lease properties to the state
as specified in the rental agreements upon termination of the operating leases. The estimation takes risks and
uncertainty related to the obligations into account as of the fiscal year end date, and the estimates are evaluated
on an annual basis.
We also record provision for the licensing royalty fees payable to third-party platform partners related to
future redemption of virtual credits to purchase virtual items by our users. The provision is estimated using user
trends, past experiences, and our management’s assumptions related to our business. Historically, our expenses
have been within expectations and in line with the provision established. However, unforeseen circumstances
such as adverse market conditions that deviate significantly from our estimates may require us to change the
timing of our provisions or make additional provisions. In this case, our results of operations and financial
condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Defined Benefit Plans
We offer employees in Korea, Taiwan and Thailand defined benefit plans and defined contribution
plans. The specific features of these plans vary depending on the applicable laws and regulations in each country
where the employees work. The majority of our defined benefit obligation consists of the unfunded defined
benefits plans for employees of our subsidiaries located in Korea. Such plans include lump sum payments and
other post-employment benefits for the board of directors and employees with a service period of over one year.
Expenses related to defined benefit plans were ¥1,106 million, ¥1,747 million and ¥2,141 million in 2015, 2016
and 2017,
respectively, and we recorded liabilities for defined benefit obligations of ¥5,495 million,
¥6,204 million and ¥6,189 million as of December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The cost of the defined
benefit plans and the present value of the obligations are determined using actuarial valuations. An actuarial
including the
valuation involves making various assumptions that are reviewed at each reporting date,
determination of the discount rate and future salary increases.
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We used the following assumptions to calculate our expenses related to defined benefit plans for the
years indicated.
December 31,
2015
2016
2017
Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average of future salary increases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.6%
3.4% 3.2%-3.7%
9.5%-14.4% 8.6%-11.3% 4.5%-7.7%
We determine the discount rate based on market returns of high-quality corporate bonds consistent with
currencies and estimated payment terms applicable to the defined benefit obligations as of the reporting date in
order to calculate present value of the defined benefit obligations. Estimated future salary increases are based on
historical salary increases and expected future inflation rates. The plans expose us to actuarial risks, including
interest rate risk, salary increase risk and longevity risk. Due to the complexities involved in the valuation and its
long-term nature, defined benefit obligations are highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions. If the discount
rate or rate of future salary increases had been 100 basis points higher or lower with all other variables held
constant, the impact on our defined benefit obligations for 2017 would have been as follows:
For the year ended December 31, 2017
Discount rate
Salary increase rate
100 basis points
increase
100 basis points
decrease
100 basis points
increase
100 basis points
decrease
(in millions of yen)
Impact on defined benefit obligations . . . . . . . . . .
¥(5,019)
¥6,561
¥7,057
¥(5,620)
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
The IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers for recognizing revenue. IFRS 15
establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer, regardless of the
type of revenue transaction or the industry with limited exceptions. In addition to the five-step model, the
standard specifies how to account for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract and the costs directly related
to fulfilling a contract. If those costs are expected to be recovered, they can be capitalized and subsequently
amortized and tested for impairment. IFRS 15 also applies to the recognition and measurement of gains and
losses on the sale of some non-financial assets that are not an output of an entity’s ordinary activities, such as
sales of property, plant and equipment or intangibles.
Either a full retrospective application or a modified retrospective application is required for annual
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018. While early adoption is permitted under IFRS, we do not plan to
early adopt. The modified approach, which we plan to use, will allow the standard to be applied to existing
contracts beginning with the current period by recording the cumulative amount of the relevant impact at the
beginning balance of retained earnings. We have completed an assessment of the impact of the adoption of
IFRS 15 on our results of operations, and have already modified related systems. No restatement of the
comparative periods will be required under this approach, as long as comparative disclosures about the current
period’s revenues under existing IFRS are included.
We recognize revenue associated with communication and content sales and with advertising services
by reference to the stage of completion. These transactions are satisfied over time and measured by the progress
toward complete satisfaction of performance obligations. We have determined that most of the methods currently
used to measure the progress toward complete satisfaction of these performance obligations will continue to be
appropriate under IFRS 15, with some exceptions outlined below:
(1) LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers
The adoption of the new standard will result in a change to the timing of recognition of revenues from
our sales of LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers, where revenue will be recognized over an estimated usage
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period on a straight-line method instead of the current method, which is over time but on an accelerated basis.
Under the current method, we deem the user’s usage pattern of Stickers, which represents a user’s consumption
of benefits, to be the measuring method that best depicts the progress toward satisfaction of performance based
on a contract, and recognize revenue during the earlier part of the estimated usage period.
IFRS 15 clarifies the concept of providing a service of standing ready to mean providing a service to
users or making a service available to users for their use as and when they decide to use such service. We have
determined that LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers services that we provide to our users employ a concept
similar to that of a service of standing ready. Our performance obligation to our customers, who are users that
have purchased our Stickers, is to make LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers available to the users for their use at
any given time. Accordingly, the users receive the benefit of the services and consume such services as we make
LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers available to them for their use. Therefore, we have determined that our
performance obligation is evenly satisfied over time and that a straight-line method over an estimated usage
period is the best way to measure the progress toward complete satisfaction of our performance obligation. As a
result, the beginning balance of our retained earnings for the year ending December 31, 2018, net of tax, has
decreased by ¥967 million.
(2) LINE Sponsored Stickers
The adoption of the new standard will result in a change to the timing of recognition of revenues from
our sales of Sponsored Stickers, where revenue will be recognized over a contract period on a straight-line
method instead of the current method, which is over time but on an accelerated basis. Under the current method,
we deem the user’s usage pattern of Sponsored Stickers, which represents its progress of rendering the services,
to be the measuring method that best depicts the progress toward satisfaction of performance based on a contract,
and recognize revenue based on the user’s usage pattern of Sponsors Stickers, which is weighted toward the
earlier part of the period.
IFRS 15 clarifies the definition of a “customer” to mean “a party that has contracted with an entity to
obtain goods or services that are an output of the entity’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration.” In
addition, a contract with “customers” is within the scope of IFRS 15, which requires the measurement of the
progress toward complete satisfaction of a performance obligation to “customers.” In the LINE Sponsored
Stickers contract, only advertisers are obligated to pay us consideration for Sponsored Sticker services, and users
that use Sponsored Stickers do not pay us any consideration, directly or indirectly. As such, we have determined
that only advertisers would be considered our “customers” upon the adoption of IFRS 15. Our performance
obligation to advertisers is to make Sponsored Stickers available to the users for their use at any time over a
contract period. Accordingly, we have determined that a straight-line method over a contract period is the best
way to measure the progress toward complete satisfaction of our performance obligation. As a result, the
beginning balance of our retained earnings for the year ending December 31, 2018, net of tax, has decreased by
¥760 million.
(3) LINE Point Ads
The adoption of the new standard will result in a change to the timing of recognition of revenues from
our sales of LINE Point Ads, where we will recognize revenue at the time LINE Points are issued to users, rather
than at the time LINE Points are utilized by users. Currently, the portion of revenue from the LINE Point Ads
service attributable to LINE Points is measured at the fair value of LINE Points, and revenue related to unused
LINE Points at the end of the accounting period is deferred, while revenue related to redeemed LINE Points is
recognized in accordance with the revenue recognition policy for the virtual item purchased.
IFRS 15 clarifies the definition of a “customer” to mean “a party that has contracted with an entity to
obtain goods or services that are an output of the entity’s ordinary activities in exchange for consideration.”
Because only advertisers pay us the transaction price consideration in exchange for the advertising services we
84
provide, while users that receive LINE Points do not pay us any transaction price, directly or indirectly, we have
determined that only advertisers would be considered our “customers” upon the adoption of IFRS 15. We
consider our performance obligation in the contract with a customer, who is an advertiser, to be satisfied when
we issue LINE Points to users, since we do not have any obligation toward advertisers to manage LINE Points or
to provide users other services in exchange for LINE Points thereafter for advertisers. As a result, we have
preliminarily decided to recognize revenues from our sales of LINE Point Ads at the time LINE Points are issued
to users.
In addition, upon the adoption of IFRS 15, we expect to recognize provisions for the expenses expected
to be incurred in connection with the consumption of LINE Points, and such expenses will be recognized at the
same time LINE Points are issued to users and as we satisfy our performance obligations. As a result, the
beginning balance of retained earnings for the year ending December 31, 2018, net of tax, has increased by
¥667 million.
(4) LINE advertising and Portal advertising
For advertising services such as Official Accounts, an advertising agency may be involved in obtaining
contracts from customers and provide to customers on our behalf certain services, such as formatting of
advertisement publications to comply with our specifications or standards for advertisement publications. In such
transactions, the adoption of the new standard will result in a change to the method of recognition of revenues
from LINE advertising and portal advertising, where we will recognize revenue on a gross basis with the share of
advertising agencies included in the consideration we receive from our customers, rather than on a net basis with
the share of advertising agencies excluded from the consideration we receive from our customers. Currently, we
recognize revenue by excluding the share attributable to advertising agencies from the total consideration we
receive from our customers due to the fact that the share of an advertising agency is considered an individually
identifiable element, that we do not provide the service directly and earn revenue at a constant rate, and that we
do not bear any credit risk relating to such transactions.
IFRS 15 clarifies the evaluation criteria for whether an entity is considered a principal or an agent based
on the identification of performance obligations and transfer of control for services. In particular, it is stated that
“an entity is a principal if it controls the specified good or service before that good or service is transferred to a
customer.” In addition, guidance and indicators for whether an entity controls the specified good or service to be
provided to customers by another party are revised to include a right to a service to be performed by another
party, which gives the entity the ability to direct that party to provide the service to customers on the entity’s
behalf. Since advertising agencies’ services, such as formatting of advertisement publications, are provided to
customers based on our specifications or standards for advertisement publications, we have determined that we
control the services provided by advertising agencies and that we are thus the principal. As a result, we have
decided to change our method of revenue recognition based on the total consideration received from a customer,
including the services provided by advertising agencies. In accordance with IFRS 15, we will recognize the costs
of contract consisting of consideration payable to an advertising agency as an asset and will expense such costs
as the related revenues are recognized, which process will recur every time an advertising contract is renewed at
the end of the original term of the contract. Therefore, there will be no effect on the beginning balance of retained
earnings for the year ending December 31, 2018 as a result of the adoption of the new standard under IFRS 15.
For a discussion of additional new standards, interpretations and amendments to IFRS, see Note 3(29)
and Note 3(30) of the notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
Item 5.C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, Etc.
We maintain a research and development program to carry out basic research and technology
development activities. See “Item 4.B. Business Overview — Technology.”
85
Our success depends in part on our ability to protect our core technology and intellectual property. To
establish and protect our proprietary rights, we rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade
secrets (including know-how), license agreements, confidentiality procedures, non- disclosure agreements with
third parties, employee disclosure and invention assignment agreements, and other contractual and implicit rights
worldwide. We also enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees,
contractors and platform partners, and we control access to our proprietary technology and information. Our
patents are mainly related to social networking, user interface, telecommunications, image processing and web
technologies but not limited to these technologies. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary technology and
information through these efforts, unauthorized parties may still copy or otherwise obtain and misuse our
intellectual property.
Companies in the internet, technology, telecommunications and media industries own large numbers of
patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of
infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property or other rights. From time to time, we
face, and we expect to face in the future, allegations that we have infringed the patents, trademarks, copyrights,
trade secrets and other intellectual property rights of third parties, including our competitors and non-practicing
entities. These infringement, data misappropriation, tort and other intellectual property issues apply to myriad
third-party rights and contents material to our business, and we seek, but cannot guarantee, extensive licenses to
such requisite third-party rights. As we face increasing competition and as our business grows, we will likely
face more claims of infringement.
Item 5.D. Trend Information
These matters are discussed under Item 5.A. and Item 5.B. above where relevant.
Item 5.E. Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, we did not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or
financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which
have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow
or limited purposes.
Item 5.F. Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
See “Item 5.B. Liquidity and Capital Resources – Contractual Obligations and Commitments.”
Item 5.G. Safe Harbor
See “Forward-Looking Statements.”
86
Item 6.
Directors, Senior Management and Employees
Item 6.A. Directors and Senior Management
Directors and Corporate Auditors
The following table sets forth information regarding members of our board of directors and board of
corporate auditors as of the date of this annual report. The business address of all of such members is JR
Shinjuku Miraina Tower, 23rd Floor, 4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan.
Name
Age
Position/Title
Takeshi Idezawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jun Masuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jungho Shin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Joon Hwang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hae Jin Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tadashi Kunihiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Koji Kotaka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rehito Hatoyama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hitoshi Kurasawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jin Hee Kim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Takashi Kanai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44 Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
40 Director and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer
46 Director and Chief Global Officer
52 Director and Chief Financial Officer
50 Chairman of the Company
62 Outside Director
59 Outside Director
44 Outside Director
67 Corporate Auditor
51 Corporate Auditor
54 Corporate Auditor
Takeshi Idezawa. Mr. Idezawa has served as our representative director since April 2014 and as
president and chief executive officer since March 2015. He currently serves as a representative director of LINE
Financial Corporation. Previously, he served as our chief operating officer and as a representative director and
president of livedoor Co., Ltd., our subsidiary, where he served in various roles after joining the company in June
2002. Mr. Idezawa received a B.A. in political science and economics from Waseda University.
Jun Masuda. Mr. Masuda has served as a director since March 2015 and chief strategy and marketing
officer since April 2014. Mr. Masuda currently serves as a representative director of LINE MUSIC Corporation
and AUBE, Ltd., and as the representative director of LINE TICKET Corporation. Previously, he served as a
senior officer and chief strategy and marketing officer of NHN Japan Corporation. Prior to joining our company
in October 2008, he served as a director and vice president of product at Baidu Japan Inc.
Jungho Shin. Mr. Shin has served as a director since January 2012 and as our chief global officer since
April 2014. He has served as a representative director of LINE Plus Corporation since February 2013.
Previously, he served as an outside director at livedoor Co., Ltd., our subsidiary. From June 2005 to April 2013,
Mr. Shin served in several roles at NAVER Corporation, including as head of Japan services. Mr. Shin received a
B.S. and an M.S. in computer science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
In Joon Hwang. Mr. Hwang has served as a director since December 2008 and as our chief financial
officer since March 2015. He currently serves as a director of LINE Euro-Americas Corporation and LINE BIZ+
PTE. LTD. and a representative director of LINE C&I Corporation. Previously, Mr. Hwang served in several
roles at NAVER Corporation, including as chief financial officer from November 2008 to January 2016. Prior to
joining NAVER Corporation, Mr. Hwang served in several roles at Woori Investment & Securities Co., Ltd.,
Woori Finance Holdings Co., Ltd., Samsung Securities Co., Ltd., Credit Suisse and Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd. Mr. Hwang received a B.S. in economics from Seoul National University and an M.B.A. from New York
University.
Hae Jin Lee. Mr. Lee has served as a director since November 2005 and as the chairman of our
company since January 2012. Mr. Lee also serves as a director of LINE Plus Corporation and an executive
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officer of NAVER Corporation. Mr. Lee co-founded NAVER Corporation in June 1999 and served as chairman
of the board of NAVER Corporation until March 2017. Prior to co-founding NAVER Corporation, from
February 1992 to June 1999, Mr. Lee served in several roles at Samsung SDS Co., Ltd., an information
technology services provider. Mr. Lee received a B.S. in computer science from Seoul National University and
an M.S. in computer science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
Tadashi Kunihiro. Mr. Kunihiro has served as an outside director since October 2015. Mr. Kunihiro is
an attorney in Japan and currently serves as a legal advisor to the Legal Compliance Office of the Japanese
Cabinet, a legal compliance advisor to the Cabinet Affairs Office, an outside director of Tokio Marine & Nichido
Fire Insurance Co., Ltd., an advisor for the Consumer Affairs Agency, an outside auditor of Mitsubishi
Corporation and an outside auditor of OMRON Corporation. From June 2006 to June 2014, he also served as an
outside auditor of Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. Mr. Kunihiro received an L.L.B. from the University of Tokyo.
Koji Kotaka. Mr. Kotaka has served as an outside director since February 2016. Mr. Kotaka is an
attorney in Japan and currently serves as a consultant at Data Artist Inc., an outside director at Monex Group and
TradeStation Group, a director at FiNC, Inc. and a supervisory director at Japan Senior Living Investment Corp.
Previously, he held positions at Nishimura & Asahi, Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd., Sato and Tsuda Law Office
and Legal Research and Training Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan. Mr. Kotaka received an L.L.B. from
Keio University and an L.L.M. from University of Chicago Law School.
Rehito Hatoyama. Mr. Hatoyama has served as an outside director since March 2016. Mr. Hatoyama is
the chief executive officer of Hatoyama Studio Corporation and currently serves as an outside director of Pigeon
Corporation, a director of Transcosmos Inc. and a venture partner of Sozo Ventures, L.C.C. Mr. Hatoyama
received a B.A. from Aoyama Gakuin University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Hitoshi Kurasawa. Mr. Kurasawa has served as our full-time corporate auditor since April 2013. He
currently serves as a director at Hanno Golf Club Co., Ltd. From June 2000 to June 2011, Mr. Kurasawa served
in several roles at Gurunavi, Inc., an online restaurants information provider, including as a corporate auditor,
director and executive vice president. From July 1987 to January 2005, Mr. Kurasawa served in several roles at
NKB System Kaihatsu Co., Ltd., a computer system developer, including as a director. Mr. Kurasawa received a
B.S. in industrial engineering and management from Tokyo Institute of Technology.
Jin Hee Kim. Mr. Kim has served as a corporate auditor since December 2012. Mr. Kim currently
serves as an internal auditor of LINE Plus Corporation, Camp Mobile Corporation and NHN NEXT, the
representative director of NAVER I&S Corporation, and a director of the Global Human Resources Group of
NAVER Corporation, where he has previously served in several roles such as head of human resources and head
of service management and support. Prior to joining NAVER Corporation in April 2003, Mr. Kim served in
several roles at Hotel Shilla Co., Ltd. and Samsung SDS Co., Ltd. Mr. Kim received a B.S. in statistics from
Korea University and an M.B.A. from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
Takashi Kanai. Mr. Kanai has served as a corporate auditor since July 2013. Mr. Kanai currently serves
as the representative of Frantech Law Office and an outside director of CLICKTECH Co., Ltd. He is an attorney
in Japan and has been a lecturer at the Keio University School of Law since 1999 and an adjunct professor at
Musashino University Faculty of Law since April 2015. Mr. Kanai received an L.L.B. and L.L.M. from Keio
University, an L.L.M. from Cornell Law School and an L.L.M. from the University of London.
Some of our directors concurrently serve in senior positions at certain of our affiliates or other
companies with which we have ordinary course business agreements and engage in ordinary course business
transactions.
88
Executive Officers
The following table sets forth information regarding our senior management, consisting of the officers
identified below (“executive officers”), as of the date of this annual report. The business address of all of our
executive officers is JR Shinjuku Miraina Tower, 23rd Floor, 4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022,
Japan.
Executive Officers
Age
Position/Title
Takeshi Idezawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jun Masuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jungho Shin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In Joon Hwang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Euibin Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tomohiro Ikebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heechan Yang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seok-Ho Yang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
44 Representative Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
40 Director and Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer
46 Director and Chief Global Officer
52 Director and Chief Financial Officer
43 Chief Technology Officer
41 Head of Services Development
39 Head of Data Labs, Clova Development Department
40 Head of LINE Developer Product Department, Development
Youngsu Ko . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Takeshi Shimamura . . . . . . . . . . . . .
41 Head of LINE Service
41 Head of Commerce Media
Department 1
Euibin Park. Ms. Park has served as chief technology officer since April 2014. She has served as head
of our Web Services Development Group since June 2013. From June 2005 to April 2013, Ms. Park served in
several roles at NAVER Corporation and its affiliated companies, primarily in Japan-related businesses. Prior to
joining NAVER Corporation in June 2005, Ms. Park served in several roles at Neowiz Games Corporation,
NOWCOM Co., Ltd. and Soteck Inc.. Ms. Park received a B.S. in information and communications from
Chonbuk National University.
Tomohiro Ikebe. Mr. Ikebe has served as head of service development since April 2014. He currently
serves as a director of LINE Fukuoka Corporation. Previously, he served in several roles at DataHotel Co., Ltd.,
our subsidiary, after joining the company in October 2001, including as executive officer in charge of business
development.
Heechan Yang. Mr. Yang has served as head of Data Labs since March 2016 and head of Clova
Development Department since April 2017. From June 2013 to February 2016, Mr. Yang served as head of LINE
Development Department 2 and Technology Strategy Department. He currently serves as the director of Clova
Center. Previously, he served in several engineering and product development-related roles at NHN Japan
Corporation, NAVER Japan Corporation, NC Japan Corporation, NHN Corporation and Webtizen Co., Ltd.
Mr. Yang received a B.S. in computer engineering from Hongik University.
Seokho Yang. Mr. Yang has served as head of LINE Development Department 1 since June 2013. He
currently serves as the director of Blockchain Lab. Previously, he served in several development-related roles at
NHN Japan Corporation, NAVER Japan Corporation and NHN Corporation. Mr. Yang received a B.S. in
computer science from Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
Youngsu Ko. Mr. Ko has served as head of LINE Service since November 2016. He has served in
several other leadership roles, including as project manager of LINE Messenger Service as well as in the fintech-
related business departments, since joining our company in March 2013. Previously, he served in several roles at
NAVER Corporation, primarily in its Japan-related businesses.
Takeshi Shimamura. Mr. Shimamura has served as head of commerce media since April 2014. He
currently serves as a director of LINE Fukuoka Corporation. Since joining our company from Rakuten, Inc. in
July 2004, Mr. Shimamura has served in several roles at our company, including as head of service planning.
Mr. Shimamura received a B.A. in history from Komazawa University.
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Item 6.B. Compensation
In accordance with the Companies Act, compensation for our directors and corporate auditors, including
bonuses, retirement allowances and incentive stock options, must be approved at our general meeting of
shareholders, unless otherwise specified in our articles of incorporation. The shareholders’ approval may specify
the upper limit of the aggregate amount of compensation or calculation methods, but if compensation includes
benefits in kind, the shareholders’ approval must include the description of such benefits. Compensation for a
director or corporate auditor is fixed by our board of directors or by consultation among our corporate auditors in
accordance with our internal regulations and practice and, in the case of retirement allowances, generally reflects
the position of the director or corporate auditor at the time of retirement, length of service as a director or
corporate auditor and contribution to our performance.
The following table summarizes the total remuneration paid, including in-kind benefits granted, to our
directors and corporate auditors in 2017:
Total
amount
(in millions
of yen)
By type (in millions of yen)
Base
salary
Stock
options
Bonuses
Retirement
allowances
Number
of
persons
Directors(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Full-time corporate auditors(2)
Outside corporate auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,611
41
3
12
337
41
3
12
928
—
—
—
346
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
5
3
1
2
(1) Excludes outside directors.
(2) Excludes outside corporate auditors.
The following table summarizes the remuneration paid, including in-kind benefits granted, by LINE
Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries to our directors or corporate auditors, on an individual basis, in an
amount equal to or exceeding ¥100 million for 2017:
Name
Position/Title
Company
Base salary
Stock
options(1)
Bonuses
Type and amount (in millions of yen)
Jungho Shin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Director
Director
In Joon Hwang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Director
Director
Takeshi Idezawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Director
Jun Masuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Director
LINE
Corporation
LINE Plus
Corporation
LINE
Corporation
LINE Plus
Corporation
LINE
Corporation
LINE
Corporation
8
91
47
22
65
51
681
—
43
—
114
90
—
74
10
156
40
31
(1) Amounts account for expenses applicable to stock options granted in 2015 and 2017.
(2) Amount includes remuneration paid to Mr. Jungho Shin by LINE Corporation and LINE Plus Corporation.
(3) Amount includes remuneration paid to Mr. In Joon Hwang by LINE Corporation and LINE Plus Corporation.
Total
(in millions
of yen)
854(2)
278(3)
219
172
We do not separately set aside any amounts for pension, retirement or other benefits for our directors,
corporate auditors or executive officers other than for our subsidiaries in Korea where we are legally required to
do so.
90
We do not have any loans or credits outstanding to any of our directors, corporate auditors or executive
officers, and we do not have any guarantees outstanding for borrowings by any of our directors, corporate
auditors or executive officers.
We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which insures against certain liabilities that
our directors and officers may, in such capacities, incur.
For further details on our stock options, see “Item 6.E. Share Ownership.”
Item 6.C. Board Practices
Board of Directors
Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility for the administration of our affairs. Our articles of
incorporation provide for not fewer than three but not more than eight directors. Directors are typically
nominated at the board level and are elected at general meetings of shareholders. The normal term of office of
any director expires at the close of the ordinary general meeting of shareholders held with respect to the last
fiscal year ended within two years after such director’s election to office. Our directors may, however, serve any
number of consecutive terms.
The board of directors appoints from among its members one or more representative directors, who have
the authority individually to represent us in the conduct of our affairs. The board of directors may appoint from
among its members a chairman, a president or one or more deputy presidents, senior managing directors and
managing directors. We have three outside directors who satisfy the requirements for an outside director under
the Companies Act.
None of the members of our board of directors is party to a service contract with us or any of our
subsidiaries that provides for benefits upon termination of service.
Board of Corporate Auditors
Our corporate auditors constitute a board of corporate auditors. As permitted under the Companies Act,
we have elected to structure our corporate governance system as a company with a separate board of corporate
auditors instead of board committees. Our articles of incorporation provide for not more than five corporate
auditors. Corporate auditors are typically nominated at the board level and are elected at general meetings of
shareholders. The normal term of office of any corporate auditor expires at the close of the ordinary general
meeting of shareholders held with respect to the last fiscal year ended within four years after such corporate
auditor’s election to office. Our corporate auditors may, however, serve any number of consecutive terms.
Corporate auditors may be removed by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders.
Our corporate auditors are not required to be certified public accountants. Our corporate auditors may
not at the same time be directors, employees or accounting advisors (kaikei sanyo) of us or any of our
subsidiaries or corporate officers of our subsidiaries. Under the Companies Act, at least one-half of them must be
persons who satisfy the requirements for an outside corporate auditor under the Companies Act, and at least one
of the corporate auditors must be a full-time corporate auditor.
The function of our board of corporate auditors and each corporate auditor is similar to that of
independent directors, including those who are members of the audit committee, of a U.S. company. Each
corporate auditor has a statutory duty to supervise the administration by the directors of our affairs, to examine
the financial statements and business reports to be submitted by a representative director at the general meetings
of shareholders and to prepare an audit report. They are obligated to participate in meetings of the board of
directors and, if necessary, to express their opinion at such meetings, but are not entitled to vote. The board of
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corporate auditors has a statutory duty to prepare an audit report based on the audit reports issued by the
individual corporate auditors and submit such audit reports to a relevant director and, in the case of audit reports
related to financial statements, independent certified public accountants each year. Each corporate auditor may
note an opinion in an audit report issued by the board of corporate auditors, if the opinion expressed in such
corporate auditor’s individual audit report is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report issued by the
board of corporate auditors. The board of corporate auditors is empowered to establish the audit principles, the
method of examination by the corporate auditors of our affairs and financial position and any other matters
relating to the performance of the corporate auditors’ duties.
In addition to our corporate auditors, we must appoint independent certified public accountants. Such
independent certified public accountants have the statutory duties of examining the financial statements to be
submitted by a representative director at the general meetings of shareholders and reporting their opinion thereon
to the relevant corporate auditors and directors. The independent certified public accountants also audit the
financial statements to be included in the securities reports that are required to be filed with the director of the
relevant local finance bureau of the Ministry of Finance. PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata LLC acts as our
independent certified public accountant beginning January 1, 2015.
In addition, under the Securities Listing Regulations of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, listed companies in
Japan are required to have at least one independent officer. Such independent officer is required to be an outside
director or an outside corporate auditor (as defined under the Companies Act) who is unlikely to have any
conflicts of interest with shareholders. The Securities Listing Regulations also require listed companies to make
efforts to have at least one director who meets the requirements for an independent officer (such director, an
“Independent Director”). Further, a listed company that does not have two or more Independent Directors is
required to publicly explain the reason. As of December 31, 2017, we have three Independent Directors.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Under the Companies Act, we have elected to structure our corporate governance system as a company
with a separate board of corporate auditors and therefore do not have an audit committee. For foreign private
issuers, use of a board of corporate auditors in compliance with home country rules is permitted under
Rule 10A-3(c)(3) of the Exchange Act, and as such we are not required to and do not intend to form an audit
committee. Our board of corporate auditors is a legally separate and independent body from our board of
directors. We do not have certain committees that are required of U.S. listed companies subject to the New York
Stock Exchange corporate governance standards, including those that are responsible for director nomination and
corporate governance and executive compensation.
Our board of directors is supported by a management committee to facilitate timely decision-making
with respect to important administration and management issues. The management committee is composed of
members appointed by the President. Currently, the management committee consists of the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Global Officer, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Chief Privacy Officer/Chief Information
Security Officer, certain senior officers in charge of finance and accounting, human resources and internal audit
and a full-time corporate auditor. The management committee engages in discussion of various items to be
resolved by, or reported to, the board of directors, and considers important administration and management issues
in accordance with the basic strategies and policies set by the board of directors.
The management committee can delegate its authority to its subcommittees,
including the risk
management committee. The risk management committee facilitates timely decision-making with respect to risk
management issues. The risk management committee is composed of the Representative Director and President,
other directors with business execution authority, officers and employees heading key business divisions or those
appointed by such officers or employees, and representatives of our subsidiaries or those appointed by such
representatives.
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Limitation of Liability of Directors and Corporate Auditors
Under the Companies Act and our articles of incorporation we may exempt, by resolution of the board
of directors, our directors and corporate auditors from liabilities to us arising in connection with their failure to
execute their duties in good faith and without gross negligence, within the limits stipulated by applicable laws
and regulations. In addition, our articles of incorporation provide that we may enter into agreements with our
directors (excluding executive directors) and corporate auditors to limit their respective liabilities to us arising in
connection with a failure to execute their duties in good faith and without gross negligence to the higher of either
a predetermined amount which shall be no less than ¥10 million or an amount stipulated in laws and regulations.
We have entered into a liability limitation agreement with each outside director and outside corporate auditor
which limits the maximum amount of their liability to the higher of either ¥10 million or an amount stipulated in
laws and regulations.
Item 6.D. Employees
Our employees are critical to our success. We seek employees who are motivated to develop new
products and services for our rapidly growing user base around the world as well as for our platform partners and
advertisers. A vast majority of our new hires have prior experience in the internet or mobile services or related
industries, and we strive to hire and retain employees with diverse backgrounds in addition to relevant work
experience in order to achieve our objective to continue to grow globally.
On a consolidated basis, we had 2,454, 3,085 and 4,345 full-time employees as of December 31, 2015,
2016 and 2017, respectively. From time to time, we also employ contract-based employees to enhance
operational efficiency. The following table sets forth a breakdown of our full-time employees by location as of
December 31, 2017:
Location
Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside Japan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number of full-time
employees
1,788
2,557
4,345
Compensation for our full-time employees consists of a combination of annual base salary, bonuses and
share-based compensation. Pursuant to the approval of our board of directors on June 26, 2017, we introduced an
equity-settled and cash-settled employee stock ownership plans in recognition of our employees’ contribution to
our growth and to further encourage improvement in medium- to long-term business performance and to grant
beneficiary rights to certain of our employees and those of our subsidiaries in 2017. As of December 31, 2017,
our equity-settled and cash-settled employee stock ownership plans held 1,007,710 shares of our common stock
as treasury shares, which are granted from time to time as shares or cash (after sale of the underlying shares by
the trust) as part of our share-based payments to our employees. See Note 27 of the notes to our annual
consolidated financial statements. We also operate employee share incentive plans to encourage wider equity
participation among our employees. We provide a wide range of benefits to our employees. We believe our
compensation and benefit plans are competitive within our industry. Our employees are not unionized, and we
consider our current relations with our employees to be good.
93
Item 6.E. Share Ownership
Common Stock
As of December 31, 2017, none of the shares of our common stock entitles the holder to any preferential
voting rights. The persons who are currently our directors, corporate auditors and executive officers held, as a
group, 7,137,696 common shares as of December 31, 2017, the most recent practicable date for which this
information is available. The table below shows the ownership of our common shares by our directors, corporate
auditors and executive officers.
Name
Number of Common Shares
Jungho Shin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hae Jin Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Takeshi Idezawa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jun Masuda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Koji Kotaka . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tadashi Kunihiro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rehito Hatoyama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,760,500
2,359,500
10,000
5,000
2,500
131
65
7,137,696
Stock Options
We have granted stock options to purchase shares of our common stock in the form of stock acquisition
rights pursuant to the Companies Act. The purpose of these grants is to enable our directors and employees,
including our executive officers, to share in our successes and to reinforce a corporate culture that aligns
employee interests with those of our shareholders. References in this annual report to “stock options” are
references to stock acquisition rights to purchase shares of our common stock, unless otherwise indicated. For
more information regarding stock options granted by us, see Note 27 of the notes to our annual consolidated
financial statements.
Our stock options granted during 2015 may be exercised during an eight-year period that begins two
years from the date of grant, whereas our stock options granted during 2017 may be exercised for a period of six
years that begins four years from the date of grant. Our stock option grants generally do not allow for the transfer
or assignment of options. An option holder who retires while one’s options are still exercisable loses such
options, unless otherwise approved by our board of directors. In the event of a stock split, reverse stock split or
issuance of new shares or disposal of treasury shares at below market price, the exercise price of and, in certain
cases, the number of shares subject to outstanding options, will be proportionately adjusted.
The following table summarizes the stock options with respect to our common stock owned by our
directors, corporate auditors and executive officers as of December 31, 2017:
Exercise period
Name
Grant Date
From
To
Jungho Shin . . . . December 17, 2012 December 18, 2014 December 17, 2022
February 4, 2015
July 18, 2017
February 4, 2017
July 18, 2021
February 3, 2025
July 18, 2027
Hae Jin Lee . . . . December 17, 2012 December 18, 2014 December 17, 2022
Takeshi
Idezawa . . . . . December 16, 2013 December 17, 2015 December 16, 2023
February 4, 2015
July 18, 2017
February 4, 2017
July 18, 2021
February 3, 2025
July 18, 2027
Jun Masuda . . . . December 16, 2013 December 17, 2015 December 16, 2023
February 4, 2015
July 18, 2017
February 4, 2017
July 18, 2021
February 3, 2025
July 18, 2027
In Joon
Hwang . . . . . . July 18, 2017
July 18, 2021
July 18, 2027
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Exercise price
(per share)
Number of
options
granted
Number of
options
exercised
Number of
exercisable
options
¥ 344
1,320
4,206
344
344
1,320
4,206
344
1,320
4,206
4,206
6,790,000 6,790,000
3,474,500 3,474,500
601,000
5,572,000 5,572,000
0
0
— 601,000
0
52,500
44,000
300,500
63,000
31,500
240,400
10,000
42,500
— 44,000
— 300,500
58,000
— 31,500
— 240,400
5,000
120,200
— 120,200
Item 7.
Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions
Item 7.A. Major Shareholders
The table below sets forth certain information relating to the shareholders of our common stock issued
as of December 31, 2017, based on information known to us or can be ascertained from public filings:
Name of shareholder
Number of shares owned
Percentage of
outstanding shares
NAVER Corporation(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174,992,000
73.4%
(1) Prior to our IPO in July 2016, in which we issued 40,250,000 shares of common stock (including over-allotments), NAVER Corporation
owned 100.0% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
Under the FIEA, any person who solely or jointly owns more than 5% of the total issued voting shares
of a company listed on a Japanese stock exchange must file a report concerning the shareholding with the
director of the relevant local finance bureau. Major shareholders have the same voting rights per share as all
other holders of common stock.
As of December 31, 2017, there were 238,496,810 shares of common stock outstanding. Of the total
outstanding shares, 9,504,800 shares were held in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and
16,000,675 shares were held of record in the form of common stock by residents in the United States. As of
December 31, 2017, the number of registered ADR holders was six and the number of registered holders of our
common stock in the United States was 98.
NAVER Corporation, which has 174,992,000 shares or 73.4% of the voting power of our outstanding
capital stock as of December 31, 2017, has the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our
shareholders for approval. To our knowledge, there are no arrangements the operation of which may, at a
subsequent date, result in a change in control of us.
Item 7.B. Related Party Transactions
NAVER Corporation
Issuance of Shares
On May 25, 2012, we issued 87,369 shares of our common stock to NAVER Corporation for
¥15,000 million. As of December 31, 2017, NAVER Corporation held a 73.4% voting interest in us.
Mr. Hae Jin Lee, who currently serves as a director chairman of our company, also serves as an
executive officer of NAVER Corporation. Mr. Jin Hee Kim, who currently serves as our corporate auditor, also
serves as an executive officer of NAVER Corporation.
Personnel
From time to time we have transfers or secondments of employees from NAVER Corporation and our
affiliates, the related personnel expenses of which are borne by us. Some of our directors, corporate auditors and
executive officers concurrently serve in senior positions at certain of our affiliates with which we have ordinary
course business agreements and engage in ordinary course business transactions.
95
Advertising Service
On January 1, 2014, LINE Plus Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into a service
partnership agreement with NAVER Corporation to provide NAVER Corporation with advertising services via
the LINE platform and the right to use certain LINE characters in NAVER Corporation’s advertising activities in
exchange for advertising services to be provided to LINE Plus Corporation via NAVER Corporation’s portal
website, NAVER. We recognized net revenue receivable from NAVER Corporation of ¥518 million in 2017 and
recorded ¥108 million of outstanding receivables balance from NAVER Corporation as of December 31, 2017.
Joint Development of Clova
On July 6, 2017, we entered into a business cooperation agreement with NAVER Corporation to
establish the terms and conditions of the joint development and operation of the Clova AI platform as well as the
distribution, marketing and promotion of related products. Pursuant
to this agreement, we and NAVER
Corporation hold joint and equal ownership over all intellectual property jointly developed relating to the Clova
AI platform and bear an equal amount of costs incurred during such development. In the event that revenues and
expenses arise from the distribution and sale of the products and services jointly developed by us and NAVER
Corporation, each party recognizes its own revenues and expenses arising from such activities.
NAVER Business Platform Corporation
Data Hosting Services
On December 20, 2010, we entered into a data hosting agreement with NAVER Business Platform
Corporation, pursuant to which NAVER Business Platform Corporation provides data hosting services to us. The
agreement was superseded by an information technology service agreement with NAVER Business Platform
Corporation dated April 1, 2013. For such services, we recognized expenses payable to NAVER Business
Platform Corporation of ¥8,475 million in 2017 and recorded ¥976 million of outstanding expenses payable
balance to NAVER Business Platform Corporation as of December 31, 2017.
Snow Corporation
In May 2017, we transferred our camera application business, including B612 and LINE Camera, which
was operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary LINE Plus Corporation, to Snow Corporation, a subsidiary of
NAVER Corporation and developer and operator of the selfie app SNOW. In exchange for the transfer of
business, LINE Plus Corporation received 208,455 newly issued common shares of Snow Corporation, which
amounted to ¥10,651 million yen representing the fair value of such newly issued common shares on the date of
the transaction. Currently, our interest in Snow Corporation is 40.7% and the remaining interest is owned by
NAVER Corporation.
For further details on related party transactions, see Note 28 of the notes to our annual consolidated
financial statements.
As of December 31, 2017, we had no loans outstanding to our directors, corporate auditors or executive
officers.
96
Item 7.C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable
Item 8.
Financial Information
Item 8.A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See “Item 18. Financial Statements” and pages F-1 through F-108.
Legal Proceedings
We are involved in, and may in the future be involved in, legal proceedings, claims and government
investigations in the ordinary course of business, including intellectual property infringement claims. In addition,
the nature of our business exposes us to claims related to defamation, rights of publicity and privacy and personal
injury torts resulting from information that is published or made available on the LINE platform. This risk is
enhanced in certain jurisdictions outside Japan where our protection from liability for content published on our
platform by third parties may be unclear and where we may be less protected under local laws than we are in
Japan. Our licenses and best practices may not reduce or eliminate such risks.
Between December 2015 and May 2016, Uniloc USA, Inc. and Uniloc Luxembourg S.A. filed 16 patent
infringement lawsuits related to systems and methods for initiating conference calls against at least 16 instant
messaging service providers and telecommunications equipment and solution providers, including us, in the
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. On June 14, 2016, Uniloc USA, Inc. and Uniloc
Luxembourg S.A. filed eight patent infringement lawsuits related to systems and methods for instant VoIP
messaging against at least eight wireless telecommunications manufacturers and instant messaging service
providers, including us, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Both complaints sought
unspecified monetary damages, costs and injunctive relief against us. Both complaints, however, were settled and
subsequently dismissed in April 2017.
Dividend Distribution Policy
Since our inception, we have not declared or paid cash dividends on shares of our common stock. Any
decision to pay dividends in the future will be subject to a number of factors, including our financial condition,
results of operations, the level of our retained earnings, capital demands, general business conditions and other
factors our board of directors may deem relevant. We currently intend to retain any future earnings and do not
expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Consequently, we cannot give any assurance that any
dividends may be declared and paid in the future.
If declared, holders of outstanding shares of our capital stock on a dividend record date will be entitled
to the full dividend declared without regard to the date of issuance of the shares or any subsequent transfer of the
shares. Payment of declared annual dividends in respect of a particular year, if any, will be made in the following
year after approval by our shareholders at the ordinary general meeting of shareholders, subject to certain
provisions of our articles of incorporation and the Companies Act.
Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement for the ADSs, holders of ADSs will be entitled to receive
dividends on shares of our common stock represented by ADSs to the same extent as the holders of shares of our
common stock, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement in respect of, and any Japanese
tax applicable to, such dividends. The depositary will generally convert the Japanese yen it receives into U.S.
dollars and distribute the U.S. dollar amounts to holders of ADSs. Cash dividends on shares of our common
stock, if any, will be paid in Japanese yen.
97
Item 8.B. Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report, we have not experienced any significant changes
since the date of our annual consolidated financial statements included in this annual report.
Item 9.
The Offer and Listing
Item 9.A. Offer and Listing Details
Market Price Information
Our common stock, with no par value per share, has been listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock
Exchange since July 15, 2016 under the securities identification code 3938. Our ADSs, each representing one
share of our common stock and evidenced by ADRs, are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker
symbol “LN.”
The table below shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low market prices of our common stock
on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the ADSs on the New York Stock Exchange.
Tokyo Stock Exchange
Price per share of common stock
New York Stock Exchange
Price per share of ADS
High
Low
High
Low
(In yen)
(In US$)
Annual highs and lows
Fiscal year 2016 (from July 15, 2016) . . . . . . . . .
Fiscal year 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,060.00
5,010.00
3,820.00
3,515.00
Quarterly highs and lows
Third Quarter 2016 (from July 15, 2016) . . . . . . .
Fourth Quarter 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
First Quarter 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Second Quarter 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Third Quarter 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fourth Quarter 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .
First Quarter 2018 (through March 29, 2018)
Monthly highs and lows
October 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
November 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
January 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
February 2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . .
March 2018 (through March 29, 2018)
5,060.00
5,000.00
4,275.00
4,365.00
4,095.00
5,010.00
5,320.00
4,885.00
4,975.00
5,010.00
5,320.00
4,990.00
4,335.00
3,820.00
3,955.00
3,515.00
3,670.00
3,810.00
4,045.00
3,980.00
4,045.00
4,775.00
4,595.00
4,830.00
4,255.00
3,980.00
49.63
44.91
49.63
48.48
38.46
39.10
36.85
44.91
46.91
42.75
44.91
44.00
46.91
45.05
40.37
33.52
30.96
36.53
33.52
30.96
32.96
34.02
36.01
37.92
36.01
41.88
40.82
41.32
39.03
37.92
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Item 9.B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable
Item 9.C. Markets
Please refer to “Item 9.A. Offer and Listing Details.”
Item 9.D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable
Item 9.E. Dilution
Not applicable
Item 9.F. Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable
Item 10.
Additional Information
Item 10.A. Share Capital
Not applicable
Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
We are a joint-stock corporation incorporated in Japan under the Companies Act. The rights of our
shareholders are represented by shares of our common stock as described below, and shareholders’ liability is
limited to the amount of subscription for such shares. As of December 31, 2017, our authorized share capital
consisted of 690,000,000 shares of common stock of which 238,496,810 shares were issued and outstanding.
Book-Entry Transfer System
The Japanese book-entry transfer system for listed shares of Japanese companies under the Book-Entry
Act apply to the shares of our common stock. Under this system, shares of all Japanese companies listed on any
Japanese stock exchange are dematerialized. Under the book-entry transfer system, in order for any person to
hold, sell or otherwise dispose of listed shares of Japanese companies, they must have an account at an account
management institution unless such person has an account at JASDEC. “Account management institutions” are
financial instruments business operators (i.e., securities firms), banks, trust companies and certain other financial
institutions that meet the requirements prescribed by the Book-Entry Act, and only those financial institutions
that meet the further stringent requirements of the Book-Entry Act can open accounts directly at JASDEC.
The following description of the book-entry transfer system assumes that the relevant person has no
account at JASDEC.
Under the Book-Entry Act, any transfer of shares is effected through book-entry, and the title to the
shares passes to the transferee at the time when the transferred number of shares is recorded in the transferee’s
account at an account management institution. The holder of an account at an account management institution is
presumed to be the legal owner of the shares held in such account.
99
Under the Companies Act, in order to assert shareholders’ rights against us, the transferee must have its
name and address registered in the register of our shareholders, except in limited circumstances. Under the book-
entry transfer system, such registration is generally made upon receipt of an all shareholders notice (as described
in “— Register of Shareholders”) from JASDEC. For this purpose, shareholders are required to file their names
institution and JASDEC. See
and addresses with our transfer agent
“— Register of Shareholders” for more information.
through the account management
Non-resident shareholders are required to appoint a standing proxy in Japan or provide a mailing
address in Japan. Each such shareholder must give notice of their standing proxy or a mailing address to the
relevant account management institution. Such notice will be forwarded to our transfer agent through JASDEC.
Japanese securities firms and commercial banks customarily act as standing proxies and provide related services
for standard fees. Notices from us to non-resident shareholders are delivered to the standing proxies or mailing
addresses.
Register of Shareholders
Under the book-entry transfer system, the registration of names, addresses and other information of
shareholders in the register of our shareholders will be made by us upon the receipt of an all shareholders notice
(soukabunushi tsuchi) (with the exception that in the event of the issuance of new shares, we will register the
names, addresses and other information of our shareholders in the register of our shareholders without an all
shareholders notice from JASDEC) given to us by JASDEC, which will give us such all shareholders notice
based on information provided by the account management institutions. Such all shareholders notice will be
made only in cases prescribed under the Book-Entry Act such as when we fix the record date and when we make
a request to JASDEC with any justifiable reason. Therefore, a shareholder may not assert shareholders’ rights
against us immediately after such shareholder acquires our shares, unless such shareholder’s name and address
are registered in the register of our shareholders upon our receipt of an all shareholders notice; provided,
however, that, in respect of the exercise of rights of minority shareholders as defined in the Book-Entry Act, a
shareholder may exercise such rights upon giving us an individual shareholder notice (kobetsukabunushi tsuchi)
through JASDEC only during a certain period prescribed under the Book-Entry Act.
Distribution of Surplus
Under the Companies Act, the distribution of dividends takes the form of distribution of Surplus, and a
distribution of Surplus may be made in cash and/or in kind, with no restrictions on the timing and frequency of
such distributions. The Companies Act generally requires a joint-stock corporation to make distributions of
Surplus authorized by a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders. Distributions of Surplus are, however,
permitted pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors if:
(a)
the company’s articles of incorporation so provide (our articles of incorporation do not have
provisions to this effect);
(b) the normal term of office of directors is no longer than one year (our articles of incorporation do not
have provisions to this effect); and
(c)
the company’s non-consolidated annual financial statements and certain documents for the latest
fiscal year fairly present its assets and profit or loss, as required by the ordinances of the Ministry of
Justice.
In an exception to the above rule, even if the requirements described in (a) through (c) are not met, the
company may be permitted to make distributions of Surplus in cash to its shareholders by resolution of the board
of directors once per fiscal year if its articles of incorporation so provide. Our articles of incorporation provide
for distributions of Surplus in cash by resolution of the board of directors as interim dividends, the record date for
which is June 30 of each year.
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A resolution of a general meeting of shareholders authorizing a distribution of Surplus must specify the
kind and aggregate book value of the assets to be distributed, the manner of allocation of such assets to
shareholders and the effective date of the distribution. If a distribution of Surplus is to be made in kind, we may,
pursuant to a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, grant a right to the shareholders to require us to
make such distribution in cash instead of in kind. If no such right is granted to shareholders, the relevant
distribution of Surplus must be approved by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders. See
“— Voting Rights” for more details regarding a special resolution. Our articles of incorporation provide that we
are relieved of our obligation to pay any distributions in cash that go unclaimed for three years after the date they
first become payable.
Restriction on Distribution of Surplus
Under the Companies Act, we may distribute Surplus up to the excess of the aggregate of (a) and
(b) below, less the aggregate of (c) through (f) below, as of the effective date of such distribution, if our net
assets are not less than ¥3,000,000:
(a)
the amount of Surplus, as described below;
(b) in the event that extraordinary financial statements as of, or for a period from the beginning of the
fiscal year to, the specified date are approved, the aggregate amount of (i) the aggregate amount as
provided for by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice as the net income for such period described
in the statement of income constituting the extraordinary financial statements, and (ii) the amount
of consideration that we received for the treasury stock that we disposed of during such period;
(c)
the book value of our treasury stock;
(d) in the event that we disposed of treasury stock after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount
of consideration that we received for such treasury stock;
(e)
in the event described in (b) in this paragraph, the aggregate amount as provided for by an
ordinance of the Ministry of Justice as the net loss for such period described in the statement of
income constituting the extraordinary financial statements; and
(f) certain other amounts set forth in the ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, including (if the sum of
one-half of goodwill and the deferred assets exceeds the total of share capital, additional paid-in
capital and legal earnings reserve, each such amount as it appears on the balance sheet as of the end
of the previous fiscal year) all or a certain part of such excess amount as calculated in accordance
with the ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.
For the purposes of this section, the amount of “Surplus” is the excess of the aggregate of (I) through
(IV) below, less the aggregate of (V) through (VII) below:
(I)
the aggregate of other capital surplus and other retained earnings at the end of the previous fiscal
year;
(II) in the event that we disposed of treasury stock after the end of the previous fiscal year, the
difference between the book value of such treasury stock and the consideration that we received for
such treasury stock;
(III) in the event that we reduced our share capital after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount of
such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to additional paid-in capital and/or
legal earnings reserve (if any);
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(IV)in the event that we reduced additional paid-in capital and/or legal earnings reserve after the end of
the previous fiscal year, the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been
transferred to share capital (if any);
(V) in the event that we cancelled treasury stock after the end of the previous fiscal year, the book value
of such treasury stock;
(VI)in the event that we distributed Surplus after the end of the previous fiscal year, the aggregate of the
following amounts:
(1) the aggregate amount of the book value of the distributed assets, excluding the book value of
such assets that would be distributed to shareholders but for their exercise of the right to
receive dividends in cash instead of dividends in kind;
(2) the aggregate amount of cash distributed to shareholders who exercised the right to receive
dividends in cash instead of dividends in kind; and
(3) the aggregate amount of cash paid to shareholders holding fewer shares than the shares that
were required in order to receive dividends in kind;
(VII) the aggregate amounts of (1) through (4) below, less (5) and (6) below:
(1) in the event that the amount of Surplus was reduced and transferred to additional paid-in
capital, legal earnings reserve and/or share capital after the end of the previous fiscal year, the
amount so transferred;
(2) in the event that we distributed Surplus after the end of the previous fiscal year, the amount set
aside in additional paid-in capital and/or legal earnings reserve;
(3) in the event that we disposed of treasury stock in the process of (x) a merger in which we
acquired all rights and obligations of a company, (y) a corporate split in which we acquired all
or a part of the rights and obligations of a split company or (z) a share exchange (kabushiki
kokan) in which we acquired all shares of a company after the end of the previous fiscal year,
the difference between the book value of such treasury stock and the consideration that we
received for such treasury stock;
(4) in the event that the amount of Surplus was reduced in the process of a corporate split in which
we transferred all or a part of our rights and obligations after the end of the previous fiscal year,
the amount so reduced;
(5) in the event of (x) a merger in which we acquired all rights and obligations of a company, (y) a
corporate split in which we acquired all or a part of the rights and obligations of a split
company or (z) a share exchange in which we acquired all shares of a company after the end of
the previous fiscal year, the aggregate amount of (i) the amount of the other capital surplus
after such merger, corporate split or share exchange, less the amount of other capital surplus
before such merger, corporate split or share exchange, and (ii) the amount of the other retained
earnings after such merger, corporate split or share exchange, less the amount of other retained
earnings before such merger, corporate split or share exchange; and
(6) in the event that an obligation to cover a deficiency, such as the obligation of a person who
subscribed newly issued shares with an unfair amount to be paid in, was fulfilled after the end
of the previous fiscal year, the amount of other capital surplus increased by such payment.
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In Japan, the “ex-dividend” date and the record date for any distribution of Surplus come before the date
a company determines the amount of distribution of Surplus to be paid.
For information as to Japanese taxes on dividends, please refer to “Taxation — Japanese Taxation.”
Capital and Reserves
Under the Companies Act, the paid-in amount of any newly-issued shares of stock is required to be
accounted for as share capital, although we may account for an amount not exceeding one-half of such paid-in
amount as additional paid-in capital. We may generally reduce additional paid-in capital and/or legal earnings
reserve by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, subject to completion of protection procedures for
creditors in accordance with the Companies Act, and, if so decided by the same resolution, we may account for
the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as share capital. We may generally reduce share capital by
a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders and, if so decided by the same resolution, we may
account for the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as additional paid-in capital.
Stock Splits
Under the Companies Act, we may at any time split shares in issue into a greater number of the same
class of shares by a resolution of the board of directors. When a stock split is to be made, we must give public
notice of the stock split, specifying the record date therefor, at least two weeks prior to such record date.
Under the book-entry transfer system, on the effective date of the stock split, the numbers of shares
recorded in all accounts held by our shareholders at account management institutions will be increased in
accordance with the applicable ratio.
Gratuitous Allocations
Under the Companies Act, we may allot any class of shares to our existing shareholders without any
additional contribution by resolution of the board of directors; provided that although our treasury stock may be
allotted to our shareholders, any allotment of shares will not accrue to shares of our treasury stock.
When a gratuitous allocation is to be made and we set a record date therefor, we must give public notice
of the gratuitous allocation, specifying the record date therefor, at least two weeks prior to the record date.
Under the book-entry transfer system, on the effective date of the gratuitous allocation, the number of
shares of our common stock recorded in accounts held by our shareholders at account management institutions
will be increased in accordance with a notice from us to JASDEC.
Reverse Stock Split
Under the Companies Act, we may at any time consolidate our shares into a smaller number of shares
by a special resolution of the general meeting of shareholders. We must disclose the reason for the reverse stock
split at the general meeting of shareholders. When a reverse stock split is to be made, we must give public notice
of the reverse stock split, at least two weeks (or, in certain cases where any fractions of shares are left as a result
of a reverse stock split, 20 days) prior to the effective date of the reverse stock split.
Under the book-entry transfer system, on the effective date of the reverse stock split, the numbers of
shares recorded in all accounts held by our shareholders at account management institutions will be decreased in
accordance with the applicable ratio.
103
Unit Share System
General
Our articles of incorporation provide that 100 shares constitute one “unit” of common stock. Our board
of directors is permitted to reduce the number of shares that will constitute one unit or to abolish the unit share
system entirely by amending our articles of incorporation, without shareholders’ approval, with public notice
without delay after the effective date of such amendment.
Transferability of Shares Constituting Less Than One Unit
Under the book-entry transfer system, shares constituting less than one unit are transferable. Under the
rules of the Japanese stock exchanges, however, shares constituting less than one unit do not comprise a trading
unit, except in limited circumstances, and accordingly may not be sold on the Japanese stock exchanges.
Voting Rights of a Holder of Shares Constituting Less Than One Unit
A holder of shares constituting less than one unit cannot exercise any voting rights pertaining to those
shares. In calculating the quorum for various voting purposes, the aggregate number of shares constituting less
than one unit will be excluded from the number of outstanding shares. A holder of shares representing one or
more whole units will have one vote for each whole unit represented.
A holder of shares constituting less than one unit does not have any rights related to voting, such as the
right to participate in a demand for the resignation of a director, the right to participate in a request for the
convocation of a general meeting of shareholders and the right to join with other shareholders to propose a matter
to be included in the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders.
In accordance with the Companies Act, our articles of incorporation provide that a holder of shares
constituting less than one unit does not have any other rights of a shareholder in respect of those shares, other
than those provided by our articles of incorporation, including the following rights:
•
•
•
•
to receive dividends;
to receive cash or other assets in case of a reverse stock split or stock split, share exchange, share
transfer or merger;
to be allotted rights to subscribe for free for new shares and stock acquisition rights when such
rights are granted to shareholders; or
to participate in any distribution of surplus assets upon liquidation.
Rights of a Holder of Shares Constituting Less Than One Unit to Require Us to Purchase Shares and to
Sell Shares
Under the Companies Act, a holder of shares constituting less than one full unit may at any time request
that we purchase such shares. In addition, our articles of incorporation provide that, pursuant to our share
handling regulations, a holder of shares constituting less than one full unit has the right to request that we sell to
such holder such number of shares constituting less than one full unit which, when added to the shares
constituting less than one full unit currently owned by such holder, will constitute one full unit.
Under the book-entry system, such a request must be made to us through the relevant account managing
institution. The price at which shares of common stock constituting less than one unit will be purchased or sold
104
by us pursuant to such a request will be equal to (a) the closing price of shares of our common stock reported by
the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the day when the request is received by our transfer agent or (b) if no sale takes
place on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on that day, the price at which the sale of shares of our common stock is
executed on such stock exchange immediately thereafter.
General Meeting of Shareholders
Our ordinary general meeting of shareholders is usually held every March in Tokyo, Japan. The record
date for an ordinary general meeting of shareholders is December 31 of each year. In addition, we may hold an
extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary by giving at least two weeks’ advance notice
to shareholders.
Notice of convocation of a general meeting of shareholders setting forth the time, place, purpose thereof
and certain other matters set forth in the Companies Act and relevant ordinances must be mailed to each
shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder, to his or her standing proxy or
mailing address in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for such meeting. Such notice may be given to
shareholders by electronic means, subject to the consent of the relevant shareholders.
Any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 3% of the total number of voting rights for a
period of six months or more may require, with an individual shareholder notice (as described in “— Register of
Shareholders”), the convocation of a general meeting of shareholders for a particular purpose. Unless such
general meeting of shareholders is convened without delay or a convocation notice of a meeting which is to be
held not later than eight weeks from the day of such demand is dispatched, the requiring shareholder may, upon
obtaining a court approval, convene such general meeting of shareholders.
Any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 300 voting rights or 1% of the total number of
voting rights for a period of six months or more may propose a matter to be included in the agenda of a general
meeting of shareholders, and may propose to describe such matter together with a summary of the proposal to be
submitted by such shareholder in a notice to our shareholders, by submitting a request to a director at least eight
weeks prior to the date set for such meeting, with an individual shareholder notice.
The Companies Act enables a company to amend its articles of incorporation in order to loosen the
requirements for the number of shares held and shareholding period, as well as the period required for
dispatching a convocation notice or submission of requests, all of which are required for any shareholder or
group of shareholders to request the convocation of a general meeting of shareholders or to propose a matter to
be included in the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Our articles of incorporation do not provide for
loosening such requirements.
Voting Rights
A shareholder of record is entitled to one vote per unit (100 shares) of common stock, except that
neither we nor any corporation, partnership or other similar entity in which we hold, directly or indirectly, 25%
or more of the voting rights shall exercise any voting rights in respect of shares held by us or such entity, as the
case may be. Except as otherwise provided by law or by our articles of incorporation, a resolution can be adopted
at a general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the voting rights represented at the meeting. Shareholders
may also exercise their voting rights through proxies, provided that the proxy is granted to one of our
shareholders having voting rights. The Companies Act and our articles of incorporation provide that the quorum
for the election of directors and corporate auditors is one-third of the total number of voting rights. Our articles of
incorporation provide that the shares may not be voted cumulatively for the election of directors.
105
The Companies Act provides that a special resolution of the general meeting of shareholders is required
for certain significant corporate transactions, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
any amendment to our articles of incorporation (except for amendments that may be authorized
solely by the board of directors under the Companies Act);
a reduction of share capital, subject to certain exceptions under which a shareholders’ resolution is
not required, such as a reduction of share capital for the purpose of replenishing capital
deficiencies;
transfer of the whole or a part of our equity interests in any of our subsidiaries, subject to certain
exceptions under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;
a dissolution, merger or consolidation, subject to certain exceptions under which a shareholders’
resolution is not required;
the transfer of the whole or a substantial part of our business, subject to certain exceptions under
which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;
the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation, subject to certain exceptions
under which a shareholders’ resolution is not required;
a corporate split, subject to certain exceptions under which a shareholders’ resolution is not
required;
share exchange (kabushiki kokan) or share transfer (kabushiki iten) for the purpose of establishing
100% parent-subsidiary relationships, subject to certain exceptions under which a shareholders’
resolution is not required;
any issuance of new shares or transfer of existing shares held by us as treasury stock at a “specially
favorable” price and any issuance of stock acquisition rights or bonds with stock acquisition rights
at a “specially favorable” price or in a “specially favorable” condition to any persons other than
shareholders;
any acquisition by us of our own shares from specific persons other than our subsidiaries (if any);
reverse stock split; or
the removal of a corporate auditor.
Except as otherwise provided by law or in our articles of incorporation, a special resolution of the
general meeting of shareholders requires the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the voting rights of
all shareholders present or represented at a meeting where a quorum is present. Our articles of incorporation
provide that a quorum exists when a majority of the total number of voting rights is present or represented.
Liquidation Rights
If we are liquidated, the assets remaining after payment of all taxes, liquidation expenses and debts will
be distributed among shareholders in proportion to the number of shares they hold.
106
Rights to Allotment of Shares
Holders of shares of our common stock have no pre-emptive rights. Authorized but unissued shares may
be issued at the times and on the terms as the board of directors determines, so long as the limitations with
respect to the issuance of new shares at “specially favorable” prices (as described in “— Voting Rights”) are
observed. Our board of directors may, however, determine that shareholders shall be given rights to allotment
regarding a particular issue of new shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all
holders of the shares as of a record date for which not less than two weeks’ prior public notice must be given.
Each shareholder to whom such rights are given must also be given notice of the expiration date thereof at least
two weeks prior to the date on which such rights expire. The rights to allotment of new shares may not be
transferred. However, the Companies Act enables us to allot stock acquisition rights to shareholders without
consideration therefor, and such stock acquisition rights are transferable. See “— Stock Acquisition Rights”
below.
In cases where a particular issuance of new shares (i) violates laws and regulations or our articles of
incorporation, or (ii) will be performed in a manner materially unfair, and shareholders may suffer disadvantages
therefrom, such shareholders may file an injunction with a court of law to enjoin such issuance.
Stock Acquisition Rights
Subject to certain conditions and to the limitations on issuances at a “specially favorable” price or on
“specially favorable” conditions described in “— Voting Rights,” we may issue stock acquisition rights
(shinkabu yoyakuken) and bonds with stock acquisition rights (shinkabu yoyakuken-tsuki shasai) by a resolution
of the board of directors. Holders of stock acquisition rights may exercise their rights to acquire a certain number
of shares within the exercise period as set forth in the terms of their stock acquisition rights. Upon exercise of
stock acquisition rights, we will be obligated either to issue the relevant number of new shares or, alternatively,
to transfer the necessary number of shares of treasury stock held by us.
Record Date
The record date for annual dividends and the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the
ordinary general meeting of our shareholders is December 31.
In addition, by a resolution of the board of directors, we may set a record date for determining the
shareholders entitled to other rights and for other purposes by giving at least two weeks’ prior public notice.
Under the rules of JASDEC, we are required to give notice of each record date to JASDEC promptly
after the resolution of the board of directors determining such record date. JASDEC is required to promptly give
us notice of the names and addresses of the holders of shares of our common stock, the number of shares of our
common stock held by them and other relevant information as at each record date.
Purchase of Our Own Shares
Under the Companies Act, we may acquire our own shares:
•
•
•
by purchase on any stock exchange on which our shares are listed or by way of tender offer,
pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors subject to certain requirements;
by purchase from a specific party other than any of our subsidiaries, pursuant to a special resolution
of a general meeting of shareholders; and
by purchase from any of our subsidiaries, pursuant to a resolution of the board of directors.
107
If we acquire our own shares from a specific party other than any of our subsidiaries as specified above
at a price higher than the greater of (i) (a) the closing price of the shares at the market trading such shares on the
day immediately preceding the day on which the relevant special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders
is made or (b) if no sale takes place at such market on that day, the price at which the sale of the shares is
effected on such market immediately thereafter and (ii) in the event that such shares are subject to a tender offer,
the price set in the contract regarding such tender offer on that day, shareholders may request that we include him
or her as the seller of his or her shares in the proposed purchase. Any such acquisition of shares must satisfy
certain requirements, such as that we may only acquire our own shares in an aggregate amount up to the amount
that we may distribute as Surplus. See “— Distribution of Surplus” above for more details regarding this amount.
Our own shares acquired by us may be held by us as treasury stock for any period or may be cancelled
by resolution of the board of directors. We may also transfer the shares held by us to any person, subject to a
resolution of the board of directors, and subject also to other requirements similar to those applicable to the
issuance of new shares, as described in “— Rights to Allotment of Shares” above. We may also utilize our
treasury stock (x) for the purpose of transfer to any person upon exercise of stock acquisition rights or (y) for the
purpose of acquiring another company by way of merger, share exchange, or corporate split through exchange of
treasury stock for shares or assets of the acquired company.
Request by Controlling Shareholder to Sell All Shares
Under the Companies Act and our articles of incorporation, in general, a shareholder holding 98% or
more of our voting rights, directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, shall have the right to request that all
other shareholders (and all other holders of stock acquisition rights, as the case may be) sell all shares (and all
stock acquisition rights, as the case may be) held by them with our approval, which must be made by a resolution
of the board of directors (kabushiki tou uriwatashi seikyu, or a “Share Sales Request”). In order to make a Share
Sales Request, such controlling shareholder will be required to issue a prior notice to us. If we approve such
Share Sales Request, we will be required to make a public notice to all holders and registered pledgees of shares
(and stock acquisition rights, as the case may be) not later than 20 days before the effective date of such sales.
Sale by Us of Shares Held by Shareholders Whose Addresses Are Unknown
Under the Companies Act, we are not required to send a notice to a shareholder if notices to such
shareholder fail to arrive for a continuous period of five or more years at the registered address of such
shareholder in the register of our shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us.
In addition, we may sell or otherwise dispose of the shares held by a shareholder whose location is
unknown. Generally, if
•
•
notices to a shareholder fail to arrive for a continuous period of five or more years at the
shareholder’s registered address in the register of our shareholders or at the address otherwise
notified to us, and
the shareholder fails to receive distribution of Surplus on the shares for a continuous period of five
or more years at the address registered in the register of our shareholders or at the address otherwise
notified to us,
we may sell or otherwise dispose of the shareholder’s shares at the market price after giving at least three
months’ prior public and individual notices, and hold or deposit the proceeds of such sale or disposal for the
shareholder.
Reporting of Substantial Shareholdings
The FIEA and its related regulations require any person who has become beneficially, solely or jointly,
a holder of more than 5% of total issued shares of our common stock, to file with the director of a relevant local
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finance bureau of the Ministry of Finance within five business days a report concerning such shareholdings. With
certain exceptions, a similar report must also be filed in respect of any subsequent change of 1% or more in any
such holdings or any change in material matters set out in reports previously filed. For this purpose, shares of our
common stock issuable to such person upon exchange of exchangeable securities, conversion of convertible
securities or exercise of warrants or stock acquisition rights (including those incorporated in bonds with stock
acquisition rights) are taken into account in determining both the number of our shares held by the holder and our
total issued share capital.
Item 10.C. Material Contracts
For the two years immediately preceding the date of this annual report, we have not been a party to any
material agreements other than in the ordinary course of business.
Item 10.D. Exchange Controls
The Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan (Gaikoku Kawase oyobi Gaikoku Boueki Hou)
and related cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances, which we refer to collectively as the Foreign Exchange
Regulations, govern certain aspects relating to the acquisition and holding of shares by “exchange non-residents”
and by “foreign investors” (as these terms are defined below). It also applies in some cases to the acquisition and
holding of ADSs representing shares of our common stock acquired and held by non-residents of Japan and by
foreign investors. In general, the Foreign Exchange Regulations currently in effect do not affect transactions
between exchange non-residents to purchase or sell shares or ADSs outside Japan using currencies other than
Japanese yen.
Exchange residents are defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations as:
(i)
individuals who reside within Japan; or
(ii) corporations whose principal offices are located within Japan.
Exchange non-residents are defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations as:
(i)
individuals who do not reside in Japan; or
(ii) corporations whose principal offices are located outside Japan.
Generally, branches and other offices of non-resident corporations located within Japan are regarded as
exchange residents. Conversely, branches and other offices of Japanese corporations located outside Japan are
regarded as exchange non-residents.
Foreign investors are defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations as:
(i)
individuals who do not reside in Japan;
(ii) corporations or other entities organized under the laws of foreign countries or whose principal
offices are located outside Japan;
(iii) corporations of which 50% or more of the total voting rights are held, directly or indirectly, by
individuals and/or corporations falling within (i) and/or (ii) above; or
(iv) corporations or other entities having a majority of either (A) directors or other persons equivalent
thereto or (B) directors or other persons equivalent thereto having the power of representation who
are non-resident individuals.
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Acquisition of Shares
Acquisition by an exchange non-resident of shares of a Japanese corporation from an exchange resident
requires post facto reporting by the exchange resident to the Minister of Finance of Japan through the Bank of
Japan. No such reporting requirement is imposed, however, if:
(i)
the aggregate purchase price of the relevant shares is ¥100 million or less;
(ii) the acquisition is effected through any bank, financial instruments business operator or other entity
prescribed by the Foreign Exchange Regulations acting as an agent or intermediary; or
(iii) the acquisition constitutes an “inward direct investment” described below.
Inward Direct Investment in Shares of Listed Corporations
If a foreign investor acquires shares of a Japanese company that is listed on a Japanese stock exchange,
such as the shares of our common stock, or that is traded on an over-the-counter market in Japan and, as a result
of the acquisition, the foreign investor, in combination with any existing holdings, directly or indirectly holds
10% or more of the issued shares of the relevant company, such acquisition constitutes an “inward direct
investment” and the foreign investor in general must file a report of the acquisition with the Minister of Finance
and any other competent Ministers having jurisdiction over that Japanese company by the 15th day of the month
immediately following the month to which the date of such acquisition belongs. In limited circumstances, such as
where the foreign investor is in a country that is not listed on an exemption schedule in the Foreign Exchange
Regulations, or where that Japanese company is engaged in certain businesses designated by the Foreign
Exchange Regulations, a prior notification of the acquisition must be filed with the Minister of Finance and any
other competent Ministers, who may then modify or prohibit the proposed acquisition.
Acquisition of shares by foreign investors by way of stock split is not subject to any of the foregoing
notification or reporting requirements.
Dividends and Proceeds of Sale
Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, dividends paid on, and the proceeds from sales in Japan of,
shares held by exchange non-residents of Japan may generally be converted into any foreign currency and
repatriated abroad.
Item 10.E. Taxation
Japanese Taxation
The following is a general summary of the principal Japanese tax consequences (limited to national tax)
to owners of shares of our common stock, in the form of shares or ADSs, who are non-resident individuals of
Japan or who are non-Japanese corporations without a permanent establishment in Japan, collectively referred to
in this section as non-resident holders. The statements below regarding Japanese tax laws are based on the laws
and treaties in force and as interpreted by the Japanese tax authorities as of the date of this annual report, and are
subject to changes in applicable Japanese laws, tax treaties, conventions or agreements, or in the interpretation of
them, occurring after that date. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations that may apply
to a particular investor, and potential
tax
consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock,
including,
specifically, the tax consequences under Japanese law, under the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are
resident and under any tax treaty, convention or agreement between Japan and their country of residence, by
consulting their own tax advisors.
investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall
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For the purpose of Japanese tax law and the tax treaty between the United States and Japan, a U.S.
holder of ADSs will generally be treated as the owner of the shares underlying the ADSs evidenced by the ADRs.
Generally, a non-resident holder of shares or ADSs will be subject to Japanese income tax collected by
way of withholding on dividends (meaning in this section distributions made from our retained earnings for the
Companies Act purposes) we pay with respect to shares of our common stock and such tax will be withheld prior
to payment of dividends. Stock splits generally are not subject to Japanese income or corporation taxes.
In the absence of any applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of
Japanese withholding tax or allowing exemption from Japanese withholding tax, the rate of the Japanese
withholding tax applicable to dividends paid by Japanese corporations on their shares of stock to non-resident
holders is generally 20.42% (or 20% for dividends due and payable on or after January 1, 2038) under Japanese
tax law. However, with respect to dividends paid on listed shares issued by a Japanese corporation (such as
shares or ADSs) to non-resident holders, other than any individual shareholder who holds 3% or more of the total
number of shares issued by the relevant Japanese corporation (to whom the aforementioned withholding tax rate
will still apply), the aforementioned withholding tax rate is reduced to (i) 15.315% for dividends due and payable
up to and including December 31, 2037 and (ii) 15% for dividends due and payable on or after January 1, 2038.
The withholding tax rates described above include the special reconstruction surtax (2.1% multiplied by the
original applicable withholding tax rate, i.e., 15% or 20%, as the case may be), which is imposed during the
period from and including January 1, 2013 to and including December 31, 2037, to fund the reconstruction from
the Great East Japan Earthquake.
If distributions were made from our capital surplus, rather than retained earnings, for the Companies Act
purposes, the portion of such distributions in excess of the amount corresponding to a pro rata portion of return of
capital as determined under Japanese tax laws would be deemed dividends for Japanese tax purposes, while the
rest would be treated as return of capital for Japanese tax purposes. The deemed dividend portion, if any, would
generally be subject to the same tax treatment as dividends as described above, and the return of capital portion
would generally be treated as proceeds derived from the sale of shares and subject to the same tax treatment as
sale of shares of our common stock as described below. Distributions made in consideration of repurchase by us
of our own shares or in connection with certain reorganization transactions will be treated substantially in the
same manner.
the United Arab Emirates,
Japan has income tax treaties whereby the withholding tax rate (including the special reconstruction
surtax) may be reduced, generally to 15%, for portfolio investors, with, among others, Belgium, Canada,
Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore and Spain, while the
income tax treaties with, among others, Australia, France, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden,
Switzerland,
the United Kingdom and the United States generally reduce the
withholding tax rate to 10% for portfolio investors. In addition, under the income tax treaty between Japan and
the United States, dividends paid to pension funds which are qualified U.S. residents eligible to enjoy treaty
benefits are exempt from Japanese income taxation by way of withholding or otherwise unless the dividends are
derived from the carrying on of a business, directly or indirectly, by the pension funds. Similar treatment is
applicable to dividends paid to pension funds under the income tax treaties between Japan and the Netherlands,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Under Japanese tax law, any reduced maximum rate applicable under a tax
treaty shall be available when such maximum rate is below the rate otherwise applicable under the Japanese tax
law referred to in the second preceding paragraph with respect to the dividends to be paid by us on our shares or
ADSs.
Non-resident holders of our shares who are entitled under an applicable tax treaty to a reduced rate of, or
exemption from, Japanese withholding tax on any dividends on our shares, in general, are required to submit,
through the withholding agent to the relevant tax authority prior to the payment of dividends, an Application
Form for Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax for
Reconstruction on Dividends together with any required forms and documents. A standing proxy for a
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non-resident holder of shares of our common stock or ADSs may be used in order to submit the application on a
non-resident holder’s behalf. In this regard, a certain simplified special filing procedure is available for
non-resident holders to claim treaty benefits of reduction of or exemption from Japanese withholding tax, by
submitting a Special Application Form for Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax
and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction on Dividends of Listed Stock, together with any required forms or
documents. If the depositary needs investigation to identify whether any non-resident holders of ADSs are
entitled to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese withholding tax the depositary or its
agent submits an application form before payment of dividends so that the withholding cannot be made in
connection with such holders for eight months after the record date concerning such payment of dividends. If it is
proved that such holders are entitled to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese
withholding tax within the foregoing eight-month period, the depositary or its agent submits another application
form together with certain other documents so that such holder can be subject to exemption from or reduction of
Japanese withholding tax. To claim this reduced rate or exemption, such non-resident holder of ADSs will be
required to file a proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership, as applicable, and to provide other
information or documents as may be required by the depositary. Non-resident holders who are entitled, under any
applicable tax treaty, to a reduced rate of Japanese withholding tax below the rate otherwise applicable under
Japanese tax law, or exemption therefrom, as the case may be, but fail to submit the required application in
advance may nevertheless be entitled to claim a refund from the relevant Japanese tax authority of withholding
taxes withheld in excess of the rate under an applicable tax treaty (if such non-resident holders are entitled to a
reduced treaty rate under the applicable tax treaty) or the full amount of tax withheld (if such non-resident
holders are entitled to an exemption under the applicable tax treaty), as the case may be, by complying with a
certain subsequent filing procedure. We do not assume any responsibility to ensure withholding at the reduced
treaty rate, or exemption therefrom, for shareholders who would be eligible under an applicable tax treaty but
who do not follow the required procedures as stated above.
Gains derived from the sale of our shares or ADSs outside Japan by a non-resident holder that is a
portfolio investor will generally not be subject to Japanese income or corporation taxes. Japanese inheritance and
gift taxes, at progressive rates, may be payable by an individual who has acquired from another individual our
shares or ADSs as a legatee, heir or donee, even if none of the acquiring individual, the decedent or the donor is a
Japanese resident.
United States Federal Income Taxation
The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of our common stock or ADSs, based on the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published
administrative interpretations of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), judicial decisions and the income tax
treaty between the United States and Japan (the “Tax Convention”), all of which are subject to differing
interpretations and to change, possibly with retroactive effect. This summary does not purport
to be a
comprehensive description of all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to the holding or disposition of
shares of our common stock or ADSs. This summary applies only to U.S. Holders (as defined below) that hold
shares of our common stock or ADSs as “capital assets” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It does not address
the tax treatment of investors subject to special tax rules, such as banks or other financial institutions, tax-exempt
entities, partnerships (or entities or arrangements treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes) or
partners therein, insurance companies, dealers in securities, traders in securities that elect mark to market
treatment for their securities, a person whose functional currency for tax purposes is not the U.S. dollar, investors
that own or are treated as owning 10% or more of our voting stock (taking into account common shares held
directly or through depositary arrangements), or investors that hold common shares or ADSs as part of a straddle,
hedging, conversion or other integrated transaction. In addition,
this summary does not address the tax
consequences to U.S. Holders of acquiring, owning, or disposing of the common shares or ADSs under any U.S.
federal estate or gift tax, U.S. alternative minimum tax, or U.S. state or local, foreign or other tax laws (such as
the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income).
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For purposes of this discussion, “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of common shares or ADSs
that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States,
(ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created in, or
organized under the law of, the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, or (iii) otherwise
subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis with respect to the common shares or ADSs.
This summary is based, in part, upon the representations made by the depositary to us and assumes that
the deposit agreement for the ADSs, and all other related agreements, will be performed in accordance with their
terms.
U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal, state, local, foreign and
other tax consequences of acquiring, owning, and disposing of shares of our common stock or ADSs in light of
their particular circumstances.
Treatment of the ADSs
U.S. Holders of ADSs generally will be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as holding shares
of our common stock represented by the ADSs. No gain or loss will be recognized on an exchange of shares of
our common stock for ADSs or an exchange of ADSs for shares of our common stock if the depositary has not
taken any action inconsistent with the material terms of the deposit agreement for the ADSs or the U.S. Holder’s
ownership of the underlying shares of our common stock. A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the shares of our common
stock received in exchange for ADSs will be the same as its tax basis in the ADSs, and the holding period in the
shares will include the holding period in the ADSs.
Dividends
Subject to the application of the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize
ordinary dividend income in an amount equal to the amount of any cash and the value of any property we
distribute as a distribution with respect to the U.S. Holder’s common stock (or ADSs), to the extent that the
distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal
income tax principles, when the distribution is received (or when received by the depositary in the case of
ADSs). We do not intend to maintain calculations of earnings and profits under U.S. federal income tax
principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that distributions paid with respect to the shares of our
common stock or ADSs generally will be treated as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends
received deduction generally allowable to U.S. corporations under the Code. Dividends paid on the shares of our
common stock or ADSs will be treated as “qualified dividends” taxable at preferential rates, if (i) we are eligible
for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that the IRS has approved for the
purposes of the qualified dividend rules, (ii) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was
paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC, and (iii) the U.S. Holder satisfies certain
holding period and other requirements. The Tax Convention has been approved for the purposes of the qualified
dividend rules and we believe we will be eligible for the benefits of the Tax Convention.
Dividend income will include any amounts withheld in respect of Japanese taxes, and will be treated as
foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to applicable limitations, some of which vary
depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, Japanese taxes withheld from dividends on shares of our
common stock or ADSs generally will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability to
the extent such taxes do not exceed any reduced withholding rate available under the Tax Convention. The rules
governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the
creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming a foreign tax credit, a U.S.
Holder may, at its election, deduct creditable foreign taxes, including Japanese taxes, in computing its taxable
income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax
credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued by the U.S. Holder in the taxable year.
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Dividends paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be includable in income in a U.S. dollar
amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt (or the date of the depositary’s receipt in the
case of ADSs), whether or not the payment is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. A U.S. Holder should not
recognize any foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the distribution if the foreign currency is converted into
U.S. dollars on the date the distribution is received. If the foreign currency is not converted into U.S. dollars on
the date of receipt, however, gain or loss may be recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the
foreign currency. The foreign currency gain or loss (if any) generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss to
the U.S. Holder and generally will be treated as U.S.-source income or loss, which may be relevant in calculating
the U.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit limitation.
Disposition
Subject to the application of the PFIC rules discussed below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize
capital gain or loss upon the sale, exchange (other than an exchange of ADSs for shares of our common stock or
shares for ADSs) or other taxable disposition of the shares of our common stock or ADSs in an amount equal to
the difference between the U.S. dollar value of the amount realized on the disposition and the U.S. Holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the shares of our common stock or ADSs as determined in U.S. dollars. A U.S. Holder’s
adjusted tax basis in the shares of our common stock or ADSs generally will be its U.S. dollar cost. The gain or
loss generally will be treated as U.S.-source gain or loss. Net
long-term capital gain recognized by a
non-corporate U.S. Holder generally will be taxed at a preferential rate. Deductions for capital losses are subject
to limitations.
The amount realized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange (other than an exchange of ADSs for shares
of our common stock or shares for ADSs) or other taxable disposition of shares of our common stock or ADSs
for an amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be the U.S. dollar value of that amount on the date of
sale, exchange or disposition. On the settlement date, the U.S. Holder will recognize U.S.-source foreign
currency gain or loss (taxable as ordinary income or loss) equal to the difference (if any) between that U.S. dollar
value and the U.S. dollar value as of the settlement date of the amount received, in each case based on the
exchange rates in effect on the relevant date. However, in the case of shares of our common stock or ADSs that
are traded on an established securities market that are sold by a cash basis U.S. Holder (or an accrual basis U.S.
Holder that so elects), the amount realized will be based on the exchange rate in effect on the settlement date for
the sale, and no exchange gain or loss will be recognized at that time. A U.S. Holder will have a tax basis in the
currency received equal to the U.S. dollar value of the currency received on the settlement date. Any gain or loss
on a subsequent conversion or other disposition of the currency for a different U.S. dollar amount generally will
be U.S.-source ordinary income or loss, which may be relevant in calculating the U.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit
limitation.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
We will be classified as a PFIC in any taxable year in which, after taking into account our income and
gross assets (and the income and assets of our subsidiaries pursuant to applicable “look-through rules”) either
(i) 75% or more of our gross income consists of certain types of “passive income” or (ii) 50% or more of the
average quarterly value of our assets is attributable to “passive assets” (i.e., assets that produce or are held for the
production of passive income). We believe that we were not a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes in 2017
and do not expect to be a PFIC in 2018. However, PFIC status is a factual determination made annually after the
close of each taxable year on the basis of the composition of our income and the value of our active versus
passive assets. Because our belief is based in part on the expected market value of our equity, a decrease in the
trading price of our common stock and/or ADSs may result in our becoming a PFIC. Additionally, the overall
level of our passive assets will be significantly affected by changes in the amount of our cash, cash equivalents
and securities held for investment, each of which may be classified as passive assets under the PFIC rules.
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If we were to be or become a PFIC in any year during which a U.S. Holder owns shares of our common
stock or ADSs, and the U.S. Holder has not made a mark to market election (as described below), the U.S.
Holder generally will be subject to special rules (regardless of whether we continue to be a PFIC) with respect to
its receipt of (i) any “excess distribution” (generally, any distribution on shares of common stock or ADSs that is
greater than 125 percent of the average annual distributions paid to the U.S. Holder in the three preceding taxable
years or, if shorter, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the shares or ADSs) and (ii) any gain realized on the sale
or other disposition of shares of common stock or ADSs.
Under these rules (a) the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over the U.S. Holder’s
holding period, (b) the amount allocated to the current taxable year and any taxable year prior to the first taxable
year in which we are a PFIC will be taxed as ordinary income, (c) the amount allocated to each of the other
taxable years will be subject to tax at the highest rate of tax in effect for the applicable class of taxpayer for that
year, and (d) an interest charge for the deemed deferral benefit will be imposed with respect to the resulting tax
attributable to each such other taxable year. If we are a PFIC, a U.S. Holder of shares of our common stock or
ADSs generally will be subject to similar rules with respect to distributions to us by, and dispositions by us of the
stock of, any of our direct or indirect subsidiaries that are also PFICs.
A U.S. Holder can avoid the interest charge described above by making a mark to market election with
respect to its shares or ADSs, provided that the shares or ADSs are considered “marketable.” The shares or ADSs
will be considered marketable if they are regularly traded on certain qualifying U.S. stock exchanges, such as the
New York Stock Exchange, or on a foreign stock exchange if it is properly regulated and meets certain trading,
listing, financial disclosure and other requirements. For this purpose, shares and ADSs will be considered
regularly traded during any calendar year if they are traded, other than in de minimis quantities, on at least 15
days during each calendar quarter.
A U.S. Holder that makes a mark to market election must include in ordinary income for each year that
we are a PFIC an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of its shares or ADSs at the close of
the taxable year over its adjusted basis therein. An electing holder may also claim an ordinary loss deduction for
the excess, if any, of the U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in shares or ADSs over their fair market value at the close
of the taxable year, but this deduction is allowable only to the extent of any net mark to market gains for prior
years. Any income or deductions taken into account under these mark to market rules will also increase or
decrease a U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares or ADSs. Gains from an actual sale or other taxable
disposition of shares or ADSs will be treated as ordinary income, and any losses incurred on a sale or other
taxable disposition of shares or ADSs will be treated as an ordinary loss to the extent of any net mark to market
gains for prior years. Once made, the election cannot be revoked without the consent of the IRS unless the shares
or ADSs cease to be marketable. If we are a PFIC for any year in which the U.S. Holder owns shares of our
common stock or ADSs but before a mark to market election is made, the interest charge rules described above
will apply to any mark to market gain recognized in the year the election is made.
The Code provides an alternative election (a “QEF election”) to U.S. Holders that may mitigate the
adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to an electing U.S. Holder should we be classified as a PFIC.
However, we do not intend to provide holders with the information necessary to make a QEF election. Thus, a
U.S. Holder seeking to mitigate the potential adverse effects of the PFIC rules should consider making the mark
to market election described above. A U.S. Holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the potential U.S.
federal income tax consequences should we be classified as a PFIC in any taxable year.
As discussed in more detail below under “PFIC Reporting,” a U.S. Holder of shares of common stock or
ADSs during any year in which we are treated as a PFIC generally will be required to file an annual report
containing information with respect to its interest in a PFIC.
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Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividends on and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of shares of our common stock or ADSs
that are made within the United States or through certain U.S.-related financial intermediaries may be reported to
the IRS. Certain exempt recipients, such as corporations, are not subject to the information reporting or backup
withholding requirements if they establish an exemption. Backup withholding may apply to amounts subject to
reporting if the U.S. Holder fails to provide an accurate U.S. taxpayer identification number or otherwise to
establish a basis for exemption. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. A U.S. Holder can claim a credit
against its U.S. federal income tax liability for amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules, and a U.S.
Holder can claim a refund for amounts in excess of its tax liability if it provides the required information to the
IRS.
Each U.S. Holders should consult its own tax advisor regarding the application of the information
reporting and backup withholding rules.
PFIC Reporting
Subject to certain exceptions, a U.S. Holder is required to file an annual information return, currently on
Form 8621, with respect to each PFIC in which it owns an interest directly or, in some cases, indirectly
(including through certain pass-through entities), and the statute of limitations for collections may be suspended
if it does not file such form. If we are a PFIC and own an interest in another PFIC, holders of shares of our
common stock or ADSs would be treated as owning a proportionate amount (by value) of the stock of such other
PFIC. However, we may be unable to provide investors in shares of our common stock or ADSs with the
information necessary to comply with reporting obligations with respect to such other PFIC. U.S. Holders should
consult their own tax advisors regarding the PFIC reporting requirements.
Foreign Financial Asset Reporting
Certain U.S. Holders that own “specified foreign financial assets” with an aggregate value in excess of
US$50,000 are generally required to file an information statement along with their tax returns, currently on Form
8938, with respect to such assets. “Specified foreign financial assets” include any financial accounts held at a
non-U.S. financial institution, as well as securities issued by a non-U.S. issuer that are not held in accounts
maintained by financial institutions. The understatement of income attributable to “specified foreign financial
assets” in excess of U.S.$5,000 extends the statute of limitations with respect to the tax return to six years after
the return was filed. U.S. Holders who fail to report the required information could be subject to substantial
penalties. U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible application
of these rules, including the application of the rules to their particular circumstances.
Item 10.F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable
Item 10.G. Statements by Experts
Not applicable
Item 10.H. Documents on Display
We file reports, including annual reports on Form 20-F, and other information with the SEC pursuant to
the rules and regulations of the SEC that apply to foreign private issuers. You may read and copy any materials
filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. You may obtain information on the
operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Any filings we make
electronically will be available to the public over the internet at the SEC’s web site at http://www.sec.gov.
116
Item 10.I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable
Item 11.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the risk of loss related to adverse changes in market prices. We are exposed to foreign
exchange rate and interest rate risk primarily associated with underlying assets and liabilities. Our financial assets
and liabilities that are under financial risk management are comprised of the following:
•
•
financial
cash and cash equivalents,
available-for-sale financial assets, trade and other receivables and other financial assets; and
short-term financial
include
assets
instruments,
financial liabilities include trade and other payables, borrowings and other financial liabilities.
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts, fair values, principal cash flows by maturity date
and weighted average interest rates of our short-term and long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2017 which are
sensitive to exchange rates and/or interest rates.
By maturities (as of
December 31, 2017)
2018
2019 and
Beyond
Total as of December 31,
2017
2016
2015
Total
Fair value
Total
Fair value
Total
Fair value
(in millions of yen, won and dong, except rates)
Local currency (Japanese yen):
Average weighted rate(1)
Fixed rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Variable rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average weighted rate(1)
¥
—
—
22,042
0.08%
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22,042
Foreign currency (Korean won):
Fixed rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W 404
Average weighted rate(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Variable rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average weighted rate(1)
2.97%
—
—
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W 404
Exchange rate (Japanese yen) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥
0.11
43
Foreign currency (Vietnamese dong):
Average weighted rate(1)
Fixed rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Variable rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Average weighted rate(1)
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange rate (Japanese yen) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
d 28,166
—
—
d 28,166
0.005
139
¥
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥ 22,224
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
¥
¥
—
—
22,042
0.08%
— ¥
—
22,042
—
258
1.00%
21,667
0.07%
¥
258
—
21,667
—
¥
465
1.00%
42,510
0.21%
¥
465
—
42,510
—
22,042
22,042
21,925
21,925
42,975
42,975
W 404
2.97%
—
—
W 404
0.11
43
¥
d 28,166
—
—
—
W 404
—
—
—
W 404
0.11
43
¥
d 28,166
—
—
—
d 28,166
d 28,166
0.005
139
¥
0.005
139
¥
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
¥ 22,224
¥ 22,224
¥21,925
¥21,925
¥42,975
¥42,975
(1) Weighted average rates of the portfolio at the period end. The amounts do not include estimated interest from borrowings and corporate
bonds scheduled to be paid.
117
Exchange Rate Risk
Japan is our largest market and, therefore, a substantial majority of our cash flow is denominated in
Japanese yen. However, 29.6%, 28.3% and 27.4% of our revenues in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, were
derived from markets outside of Japan, and we expect that an increasing portion of our consolidated financial
results in the future will be accounted for in currencies other than Japanese yen. In addition, some of our foreign
operations’ functional currencies are not the Japanese yen, and the financial statements of our foreign operations
prepared initially using their functional currencies are translated into Japanese yen. Since the currency in which
sales are recorded may not be the same as the currency in which expenses are incurred, foreign exchange rate
fluctuations may materially affect our results of operations.
We selectively enter into derivative financial instruments with major financial institutions to manage the
related risk exposures, primarily with respect to foreign exchange rate risks. Our management determines the
market risk tolerance level, measuring period, controlling responsibilities and management procedures. We also
prohibit all speculative transactions and evaluate and manage foreign exchange exposures.
The following table presents our foreign currency exposure and changes in shareholder’s equity and
profit or loss before tax from a 5% increase or decrease in the value of Japanese yen against the currencies set
forth below, for the periods indicated, assuming all other variables are constant:
For the year ended December 31,
2016
2017
Shareholder’s equity
Profit (loss) before tax
Shareholder’s equity
Profit (loss) before tax
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
(in millions of yen)
Korean
won . . . . .
U.S. dollar . .
Euro . . . . . . .
Thai baht
. . .
Japanese
yen . . . . . .
¥157
195
20
47
—
¥(150)
(186)
(19)
(45)
—
¥207
260
27
64
—
¥(197)
(248)
(26)
(61)
¥ (18)
861
11
16
¥ 18
(820)
(10)
(15)
¥ (13)
603
8
11
¥ 12
(574)
(8)
(10)
—
13
(12)
10
(10)
See Note 25 of the notes to our annual consolidated financial statements.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk is defined as the risk that the fair value of future cash flows from a financial instrument
will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. We are exposed to interest rate risk arising mainly
through financial liabilities and assets that bear floating interest rates. Such financial liabilities and assets consist
mainly of our outstanding borrowings and corporate bonds, as well as interest-bearing deposits and additional
debt financings that we may periodically undertake for various reasons, including refinancing of our existing
borrowings. The objective of interest rate risk management is to minimize financial costs and uncertainties
associated with interest rate changes, and we strive to effectively manage our interest rate risk by periodic
monitoring and responding to risk factors on a timely basis. In order to manage our interest rate risk in advance,
we seek to minimize external borrowings by using internal funds, reduce borrowings with high interest rates,
improve the structure of long-term and short-term borrowings, maintain the appropriate balance between
borrowings with floating interest rates and fixed interest rates, and regularly monitor domestic and international
interest rate changes.
Our cash equivalents and long-term and short-term financial instruments are also exposed to financial
market risk arising from fluctuations in interest rates, which may affect the fair market value of our assets and
118
investments. For example, an increase in interest rates would reduce the fair value of the fixed interest
component of our interest-bearing securities. We manage our exposure to financial market risk by performing
ongoing evaluations of our investment portfolio and investing some of our cash equivalents in fixed interest rate
deposit instruments.
If interest rates had been 50 basis points higher or lower, the impact on our interest expenses of the
applicable period would be as follows:
For the year ended December 31,
2016
2017
Shareholder’s equity
Profit (loss) before tax
Shareholder’s equity
Profit (loss) before tax
Increase of
50 basis
points
Decrease of
50 basis
points
Increase of
50 basis
points
Decrease of
50 basis
points
Increase of
50 basis
points
Decrease of
50 basis
points
Increase of
50 basis
points
Decrease of
50 basis
points
(in millions of yen)
Interest
expenses . . . .
¥(74)
¥11
¥(108)
¥16
¥(75)
¥13
¥(110)
¥19
The above analysis was performed using balances of the financial liabilities with variable interest rates
outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, assuming such liabilities were outstanding for the full fiscal year
immediately before the respective dates, while holding all other variables constant. As of December 31, 2016, we
had ¥3,269 million of financial assets earning interest at variable rates. As of December 31, 2017, we did not
have any significant amount of financial assets earning interest at variable rates.
Inflation
Inflation generally affects us by necessitating increases in the salaries and wages of our employees as
well as increasing the cost of goods and services that we purchase. The general rate of inflation in Japan was
0.8% in 2015, (0.1)% in 2016 and 1.0% in 2017 according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development. We do not believe that inflation has had a material impact on our results of operations in recent
years.
Item 12.
Description of Securities Other than Equity Securities
Not applicable
Item 12.A. Debt Securities
Not applicable
Item 12.B. Warrants and Rights
Not applicable
Item 12.C. Other Securities
Not applicable
119
Item 12.D. American Depositary Shares
Fees Payable by ADR Holders
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the depositary for our ADSs. As an ADS holder, you will be required to
pay the following service fees to the depositary:
Persons depositing or withdrawing shares must pay:
For:
US$5.00 (or less) per each 100 ADSs
Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from
a distribution of shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal,
including if the deposit agreement terminates
US$0.05 (or less) per ADS
Any distribution of cash proceeds to you
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if
securities distributed to you had been shares of our
common stock and the shares had been deposited for
issuance of ADSs
Distribution of securities distributed to holders of
deposited securities which are distributed by the
depositary to ADS holders
US$0.05 per ADS per calendar year
Depositary services
Registration or transfer fees
Expenses of the depositary
Transfer and registration of shares of our common
stock on our share register to or from the name of the
depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw
shares
telex and facsimile transmissions
Cable,
expressly provided in the deposit
converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars
(when
agreement)
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary or
the custodian has to pay on any ADS or share
underlying an ADS, including any applicable interest
and penalties thereon and any share transfer or other
taxes or governmental charges;
for example, stock
transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes
As necessary
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents for
servicing the deposited securities
As necessary
The depositary collects its fees for issuance and cancellation of ADSs directly from investors depositing
shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The
depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts
distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual
fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions, by directly billing investors, or by charging the
book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may generally refuse to provide
fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
120
Fees and Payments from the Depositary to Us
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., with its principal executive office located at 4 New York Plaza, Floor 12
New York, New York, 10004, U.S.A., as depositary, has agreed to reimburse us for a portion of certain expenses
we incur in connection with our ADR program, including investor relations expenses. There are limits on the
amount of expenses for which the depositary will reimburse us, but the amount of reimbursement available to us
is not related to the amounts of fees the depositary collects from investors. In addition, the depositary waives fees
in connection with its ADR program, subject to a ceiling. These waived expenses include, but are not limited to,
standard costs associated with the administration of the ADR program, associated operating expenses and
investor relations advice. In October 2017, we received an initial upfront fixed contribution of US$500,000 from
the depositary for reimbursement of various fees and expenses incurred in connection with the ADR program
during the one-year period commencing on the closing date of our initial public offering in July 2016.
Item 13.
Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies
Not applicable
PART II
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds
See “Item 10.B. Memorandum and Articles of Association” for a description of the rights of security
holders, which remain unchanged.
The following “Use of Proceeds” information relates to the Registration Statement on Form F-1, as
amended (File Number: 333-211954), or the Form F-1, in relation to our initial public offering, which was
declared effective by the SEC on July 8, 2016. Our initial public offering included an international offering in the
United States and countries outside of Japan of 22,000,000 shares of common stock in the form of shares and
ADSs, at a price of ¥3,300 per share and $32.84 per ADS, and a concurrent offering in Japan of
13,000,000 shares at a price of ¥3,300 yen per share, and the underwriters exercised in full their options to
purchase up to 5,250,000 shares of common stock. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.,
Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. and JPMorgan Securities Japan Co., Ltd. were the joint global coordinators for
the global offering, which closed in July 2016.
Costs related to our initial public offering were approximately ¥2,441 million. In addition, underwriting
discounts and commissions were approximately ¥5,977 million. None of the fees and expenses were directly or
indirectly paid to the directors, officers, general partners of our company or their associates, persons owning 10%
or more of shares of our common stock, or our affiliates.
We received proceeds of approximately ¥126,848 million from our initial public offering. For the period
from July 8, 2016 to December 31, 2017, we used the proceeds from our initial public offering as follows:
•
•
•
approximately ¥42,833 million for the repayment of short-term borrowings;
approximately ¥14,117 million for our investments in associates and joint ventures; and
approximately ¥11,887 million for the acquisition of businesses and subsidiaries.
None of the net proceeds from our initial public offering were directly or indirectly paid to the directors,
officers, general partners of our company or their associates, persons owning 10% or more of shares of our
common stock, or our affiliates.
There has been no material change in the planned use of proceeds from our initial public offering as
described in the Form F-1.
121
Item 15.
Controls and Procedures
a.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive
officer and chief financial officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31,
2017. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures,
including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures.
Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of
achieving their control objectives. Based upon the evaluation of our management, our chief executive officer and
chief financial officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017 were
effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we
file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods
specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management,
including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure.
b.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial
reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Under the
supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief
financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting
based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process
designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of
financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB. Our internal control
over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that,
in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (2) provide
reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in
accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding
prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a
material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide
absolute assurance that a misstatement of our financial statements would be prevented or detected. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures
may deteriorate. Based on our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial
reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017.
c.
Attestation report of the registered public accounting firm
The attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Aarata LLC, on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 is
included in Item 18 of this Form 20-F.
d.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during 2017 that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
122
Item 16.
[Reserved]
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert
Under the Companies Act, we have elected to structure our corporate governance system as a company
with a separate board of corporate auditors and therefore do not have an audit committee. Our board of corporate
auditors is comprised of three corporate auditors.
Our board of corporate auditors has determined that it does not have an “audit committee financial
expert” serving on the board of corporate auditors. The qualifications for, and powers of, the corporate auditor
delineated in the Companies Act are different from those anticipated for any audit committee financial expert.
Corporate auditors have the authority to be given reports from a certified public accountant or an accounting firm
concerning audits, including technical accounting matters. Each corporate auditor must fulfill the requirements
under Japanese laws and regulations and otherwise follow Japanese corporate governance practices and,
accordingly, our board of corporate auditors has confirmed that it is not necessarily in our best interest to
nominate as corporate auditor a person who meets the definition of audit committee financial experts. Although
we do not have an audit committee financial expert on our board of corporate auditors, we believe that our
current corporate governance system, taken as a whole, is fully equivalent to a system having an audit committee
financial expert on our board of corporate auditors.
Item 16B. Code of Ethics
We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to our chief executive officer, chief financial officer and
principal accounting officer, as well as to our directors, other officers and employees. Our code of ethics is
available on our website at www.linecorp.com. If we amend the provisions of our code of ethics that apply to our
chief executive officer, chief financial officer and principal accounting officer and persons performing similar
functions, or if we grant any waiver of such provisions, we will disclose such amendment or waiver on our
website at the same address.
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
The following table sets forth the fees billed to us by our independent certified public accountant,
PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata and member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, in 2016
and 2017:
For the year ended December 31,
2016
2017
(In millions of yen)
Audit fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audit-related fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
¥388
—
33
6
¥427
¥560
—
42
8
¥610
Audit fees were related to the audit of our consolidated financial statements and other audit or interim
review services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
Audit-related fees were related to professional services rendered in connection with our IPO.
123
Tax fees were related to tax compliance services.
Other fees were related to other non-audit services.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures of the Board of Corporate Auditors
Our board of corporate auditors has adopted a policy for the pre-approval of audit and permissible
non-audit services performed by our independent public accountants to ensure that the provision of these services
do not impair the independence of our independent public accountants. Under this policy, pre-approvals for the
following services to us and our subsidiaries have been granted by our board of corporate auditors: (i) audit
services; (ii) audit-related services, such as due diligence and internal control reviews; (iii) general tax advisory
services; and (iv) certain non-audit services that would not impair the independence of our independent public
accountants. Any other service must be specifically pre-approved by our board of corporate auditors.
Our board of corporate auditors did not pre-approve any non-audit services under the de minimis
exception of Rule 2.01(c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees
Under the Companies Act, we have elected to structure our corporate governance system as a company
with a separate board of corporate auditors and therefore do not have an audit committee. For foreign private
issuers, use of a board of corporate auditors in compliance with home country rules is permitted under
Rule 10A-3(c)(3) of the Exchange Act. Our reliance on Rule 10A-3(c)(3) does not, in our opinion, materially
adversely affect the ability of our board of corporate auditors to act independently and to satisfy the other
requirements of Rule 10A-3.
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers
Not applicable
Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant
Not applicable
124
Item 16G. Corporate Governance
Pursuant to the rules of the New York Stock Exchange applicable to foreign private issuers like us that
are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are required to disclose significant differences between the New
York Stock Exchange’s corporate governance standards and those that we follow under Japanese law and in
accordance with our own internal procedures. The following is a summary of such significant differences.
NYSE Corporate Governance Standards
Our Corporate Governance Practice
Director Independence
Listed companies must have a majority of independent
directors.
committee
Nomination/Corporate Governance Committee
Listed companies must have a nomination/corporate
of
governance
independent directors. The committee must have a
responsibilities
charter
(including
governance
of
guidelines) and annual performance evaluation of the
committee.
that addresses
the purpose,
development
composed
corporate
entirely
Compensation Committee
Listed companies must have a compensation committee
independent directors. The
composed entirely of
that addresses the
committee must have a charter
purpose,
performance
responsibilities
evaluation of the committee. The charter must be made
annual
and
or
director
corporate
In accordance with the listing rules of the Tokyo
Stock Exchange, we are required to have at least one
“independent”
auditor.
Requirements for an independent director/corporate
auditor are stringent. An independent director/
corporate auditor may not be (a) a person who is, or
has been until recently, a major business counterparty
or an executive director, executive officer, manager
or employee of the major business counterparties,
(b) a person who is, or has been until recently, a
professional
significant
remuneration from the company, (c) a person who
has been until recently a director, executive officer,
corporate auditor, manager or employee of the parent
company or an executive director, executive officer,
manager or employee of
the parent company’s
subsidiaries, or (d) a relative of persons mentioned in
(a), (b) or (c) or a relative of certain scope of persons
such as directors of the parent company or any of its
subsidiaries.
receiving
advisor
Three of the eight members of our board of directors
are deemed to be “independent” directors under the
Securities Listing Regulations of the Tokyo Stock
Exchange.
Although we are not required to have a nomination/
corporate governance committee under Japanese law,
we have voluntarily established a
committee,
composed of our existing outside directors and
president,
to advise our board of directors in the
selection of candidates for our outside directors. Our
directors are elected at a general meeting of
shareholders.
Under Japanese law, we are not required to establish
a compensation committee, as we employ the board
of corporate auditors system. Accordingly, we do not
currently have a compensation committee.
125
NYSE Corporate Governance Standards
Our Corporate Governance Practice
available on the company’s website. In addition,
in
accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission rules adopted pursuant to Section 952 of
the Dodd-Frank Act, the New York Stock Exchange
listing standards were amended to expand the factors
relevant in determining whether a committee member
has a relationship with the company that will materially
to the compensation
affect
committee.
that member’s duties
Executive Session
Non-management directors of listed companies must
meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without
management.
Audit Committee
Listed companies must have an audit committee that
satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the
Exchange Act. All members must be independent. The
committee must
the
a
committee’s purpose, an annual performance evaluation
of the committee, and the duties and responsibilities of
the committee. The charter must be made available on
the company’s website.
addressing
charter
have
Audit Committee Additional Requirements
Listed companies must have an audit committee that is
composed of at least three directors. Listed companies
must maintain an internal audit function to provide
management and the audit committee with ongoing
assessments of the listed company’s risk management
processes and system of internal control.
Shareholder Approval of Equity Compensation Plan
Listed companies must allow its shareholders to exercise
their voting rights with respect to any material revision
to the company’s equity compensation plan.
126
The aggregate amount of compensation to be paid to
all directors and corporate auditors are determined by
a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders,
unless their compensation is provided for in the
articles of incorporation. Based on such resolution,
the distribution of compensation among directors is
broadly delegated to our board of directors, and the
corporate
distribution
auditors is determined by consultation among our
corporate auditors.
compensation
among
of
We do not normally hold executive sessions solely
attended by non-management directors as that is not
required under Japanese law, but we may elect to do
so at the discretion of the directors.
Like a majority of Japanese companies, we maintain
a board of corporate auditors that is legally separate
and independent from the board of directors. The
board of corporate auditors is required to prepare an
audit report based on the audit reports issued by the
individual corporate auditors and submit such audit
reports to a relevant director and, in the case of audit
reports related to financial statements, independent
certified public accountants are required to examine
the financial statements and business reports to be
submitted by a representative director at the general
meetings of shareholders and to prepare an audit
report. The board of corporate auditors is also
empowered to establish the audit principles,
the
method of examination by the corporate auditors of
our affairs and financial position and any other
matters relating to the performance of the corporate
auditors’ duties.
Currently, we have three corporate auditors. Each
corporate auditor has a four-year term.
The adoption of an equity compensation plan
including stock option-based plans for directors and
corporate auditors requires shareholder approval.
Stock options may only be issued with the approval
of the board of directors, unless stock options are
NYSE Corporate Governance Standards
Our Corporate Governance Practice
resolution” of
terms to the recipient,
granted on preferential
in
which case we must obtain shareholder approval by a
“special
a general meeting of
shareholders. Under our articles of incorporation,
two-thirds or more of the votes of the shareholders in
attendance, who must hold in the aggregate a
majority of the voting rights of shareholders entitled
is required for such a
to exercise voting rights,
special resolution of our shareholders.
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Listed companies must adopt and disclose corporate
governance guidelines.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
Listed companies must adopt and disclose a code of
business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and
employees, and promptly disclose any waivers of the
code for directors or executive officers.
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure
Not applicable
Although we do not maintain separate corporate
governance guidelines and are not required to adopt
such guidelines under Japanese law, we are in
compliance with the rules of
the Tokyo Stock
Exchange, which require listed companies, including
us, to comply with the principles of the Corporate
Governance Code established by the Tokyo Stock
Exchange, and in cases of noncompliance with some
or all of the principles, to disclose the reasons for
such noncompliance.
We have adopted a Group Code of Conduct which
sets forth legal and ethical standards of conduct for
employees, officers, directors, contract staff and
external representatives and agents of our group. A
copy of our Group Code of Conduct is available on
our website at www.linecorp.com.
127
PART III
Item 17.
Financial Statements
Not applicable
Item 18.
Financial Statements
The following financial statements are filed as part of this annual report, together with the report of the
independent auditors:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
Page
F-2
F-4
F-5
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 . . . . . . . F-10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-12
128
Item 19.
Exhibits
1.1** — Articles of incorporation of LINE Corporation (English translation)
1.2* — Share Handling Regulations (English translation)
— Regulations of the Board of Directors (English translation)
1.3
1.4* — Regulations of the Board of Corporate Auditors (English translation)
2.1* — Form of Deposit Agreement (including Form of American Depositary Receipt)
8.1*** — List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant
12.1 — Certification by the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
12.2 — Certification by the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
13.1 — Certification by the Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
13.2 — Certification by the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002
*
Previously filed with the Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-211954), initially filed on June 10, 2016, and incorporated
herein by reference.
** Previously filed with the Annual Report on Form 20-F (File No. 001-37821), filed on March 31, 2017, and incorporated herein by
reference.
*** Incorporated by reference to Item 4.C. Organizational Structure.
129
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it
has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
SIGNATURES
LINE Corporation
(Registrant)
/s/ In Joon Hwang
Name: In Joon Hwang
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: March 30, 2018
130
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Audited consolidated financial statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 . . . . . .
Page
F-2
F-4
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 . . . . . . . F-10
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F-12
F-1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of LINE Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of LINE Corporation and its
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of profit or loss,
comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial
December 31, 2017,
statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee
of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of their operations and their
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with International
Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion,
the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by
the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting, included in the Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
appearing under Item 15(b). Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public
accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial
reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts
and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of
the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our
audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance
regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in
F-2
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the
company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent
internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect
misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that
controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the
policies or procedures may deteriorate.
limitations,
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Aarata LLC
Tokyo, Japan
March 30, 2018
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2015.
F-3
LINE Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In millions of yen)
Notes
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial assets, current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6, 25
7,15,25
15,25
8
Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current assets
Property and equipment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments in associates and joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial assets, non-current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9
10, 11
10, 11
31
15, 25
13
Total non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
134,698
28,167
6,952
961
3,929
174,707
9,029
3,400
1,851
12,712
35,715
18,385
290
81,382
Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
256,089
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial liabilities, current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advances received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provisions, current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15, 25
15, 25
12
14
Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current liabilities
Other financial liabilities, non-current
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provisions, non-current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Post-employment benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15, 25
13
12
16
Total non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21,532
24,497
9,049
5,699
11,286
9,739
964
3,670
86,436
—
1,161
1,120
6,204
145
8,630
95,066
123,606
42,892
13,258
3,455
7,438
190,649
15,125
16,767
6,486
24,844
32,084
16,492
992
112,790
303,439
28,810
28,003
12,087
2,365
17,975
9,246
991
1,940
101,417
602
1,573
3,060
6,162
648
12,045
113,462
Shareholders’ equity
Share capital
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share premium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Treasury shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated deficit
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accumulated other comprehensive income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19
19
19
77,856
91,208
—
(12,381)
4,151
92,369
93,560
(4,000)
(4,294)
7,440
Equity attributable to the shareholders of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
160,834
185,075
Non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
189
161,023
256,089
4,902
189,977
303,439
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-4
LINE Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
(In millions of yen)
Notes
2015
2016
2017
Revenues and other operating income:
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 21
22
Other operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120,406 140,704 167,147
12,011
5,892
474
Total revenues and other operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120,880 146,596 179,158
Operating expenses:
Payment processing and licensing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 27
Marketing expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure and communication expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Authentication and other service expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9, 10
22
Other operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(28,742)
(35,572)
(16,596)
(7,712)
(12,133)
(3,733)
(14,432)
(29,781)
(39,445)
(11,833)
(7,770)
(14,394)
(5,100)
(18,376)
(29,589)
(42,469)
(15,477)
(9,087)
(24,906)
(7,149)
(25,403)
Total operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(118,920) (126,699) (154,080)
Profit from operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss on foreign currency transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other non-operating expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22, 26
31
22
(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefits/(expenses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23, 24
1,960
71
(106)
(205)
(520)
157
(1,887)
(530)
146
(384)
(7,588)
19,897
87
(65)
(833)
(43)
9
(1,062)
17,990
(8,904)
9,086
(1,982)
25,078
257
(26)
(6,321)
(818)
1,963
(1,988)
18,145
(9,922)
8,223
(13)
(Loss)/profit for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7,972)
7,104
8,210
Attributable to:
The shareholders of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
(7,582)
(390)
6,763
341
8,078
132
(In yen)
Earnings per share
Basic (loss)/profit for the year attributable to the shareholders of the Company . . . . . . . .
Diluted (loss)/profit for the year attributable to the shareholders of the Company . . . . . .
24
24
(43.33)
(39.12)
34.84
31.48
36.56
34.01
Earnings per share from continuing operations
Basic profit from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
0.04
45.05
36.62
Diluted profit from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
0.03
40.70
34.06
Earnings per share from discontinued operations
Basic loss from discontinued operations attributable to the shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
(43.37)
(10.21)
(0.06)
Diluted loss from discontinued operations attributable to the shareholders of the
Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24
(39.15)
(9.22)
(0.05)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-5
LINE Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(Loss)/profit for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
(In millions of yen)
Notes
2015
2016
2017
(7,972) 7,104
8,210
Remeasurement of defined benefit plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 16
Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassified to profit or
(1,722)
674
2,093
loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
576
(209)
(488)
Items that may be reclassified to profit or loss
Available-for-sale financial assets:
Net changes in fair value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 26
Reclassification to profit or loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
26
1,551 (2,019) (3,339)
1,090
293
1,790
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations:
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Loss)/gain arising during the year
Reclassification to profit or loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
(281)
—
(299) 3,751
(13)
50
Proportionate share of other comprehensive income of associates and
joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
15
3
106
Income tax relating to items that may be reclassified subsequently to
profit or loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13
(290)
255
333
Total other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,639 (1,252) 3,533
Total comprehensive (loss)/income for the year, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6,333) 5,852 11,743
Attributable to:
The shareholders of the Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
30
(5,964) 5,546 11,365
378
306
(369)
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
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LINE Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities
(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss before tax from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
23
(530) 17,990
(2,726)
(11,503)
18,145
(19)
(Loss)/profit before tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustments for:
(12,033) 15,264
18,126
(In millions of yen)
Notes
2015
2016
2017
Depreciation and amortization expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9,10
Finance income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Finance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based compensation expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on loss of control of subsidiaries and business transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(Gain)/loss on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment loss of other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment loss of available-for-sale financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on sale of available-for-sale financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment loss of goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss/(gain) on foreign currency transactions, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
15
15
11
31
27
20
15
4,057
(71)
106
—
11,213
7,149
5,100
(257)
(87)
26
65
(69)
—
2,686
9,519
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(111)
(1,026)
656
(2)
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1,790
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2,692
205
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214
1,761
(751)
—
6,321
(182)
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293
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833
514
Changes in:
Trade and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advances received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Post-employment benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8
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179
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3,680
349
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(704)
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2,642
2,229
6,338
1,762
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1,931
187
297
2,054
1,339
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(1,780)
1,311
4,148
232
205
Cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17,793
36,243
23,068
Interest received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dividend received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
76
(92)
46
(10,844)
86
(58)
4
252
(32)
98
(7,522) (12,421)
Net cash provided by operating activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,979
28,753
10,965
F-10
LINE Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(In millions of yen)
Notes
2015
2016
2017
Cash flows from investing activities
26
Purchases of time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from maturities of time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchase of equity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from sales of equity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments in debt instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from redemption of debt instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of property and equipment and intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment and intangible assets . . . . . . . .
Investments in associates and joint ventures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments of office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refund of office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Return of the office security deposits received under sublease agreement . . . . . . . .
Guarantee deposits for the Japanese Payment Services Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15,25
Return of the guarantee deposits for the Japanese Payment Services Act
. . . . . . . . 15, 25
Acquisition of subsidiaries and businesses, net of cash acquired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 29
Cash disposed on loss of control of subsidiary and business transfer . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for loan receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20, 29
Collection of loan receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
31
15
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(1,892) (10,790)
377
2,384
(1,245)
(437)
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279
(1,567)
(2,036)
138
(394)
(190)
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(23)
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401
(4,880)
1,672
(6,433)
5,209
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472
5,124
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(9,333)
(1,112)
(2,533)
1,581
168
(19)
(8)
(530)
(1,815)
900
3,340
(423) (11,887)
(581)
(485)
(2,165)
(2)
124
48
—
(27)
Net cash used in investing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(12,229) (34,086) (34,230)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from/(repayment of) short-term borrowings, net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments for redemption of bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Repayment of borrowing arrangement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments of common shares issuance costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from initial public offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proceeds from exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payment for acquisition of interest in subsidiaries from non-controlling
interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Capital contribution from third party non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
15
19
19
19
30
30
19,808 (20,752)
(107)
(510) —
(641)
—
—
(451)
(30)
(706)
—
—
— 126,848
11,489
1,750
—
—
144
(0)
—
0
(2)
(255)
343
(1)
Net cash provided by financing activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18,860 106,628
11,439
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13,610 101,295 (11,826)
33,652 134,698
20,254
734
(212)
(249)
33,652 134,698 123,606
6
6
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
F-11
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. Reporting Entity
LINE Corporation (the “Company”) was incorporated in September 2000 in Japan in accordance with the
Companies Act of Japan under the name Hangame Japan Corporation to provide online gaming services. The
Company changed its name to NHN Japan Corporation in August 2003, and subsequently changed its name to
LINE Corporation in April 2013. The Company is a subsidiary of NAVER Corporation (“NAVER”), formerly
NHN Corporation, which is domiciled in Korea and which is the Company’s ultimate parent company. The
Company’s head office is located at 4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
The Company listed shares of its common shares in the form of American depositary shares on the New York
Stock Exchange and shares of its common shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
The Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Group”) Group mainly operate a cross-platform messenger
application, LINE, and provides communication and content sales and advertising services. Communication and
content are provided via the LINE platform, while advertising services are provided via LINE advertising, and
web portals livedoor and NAVER Matome.
2. Basis of Preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).
The Group’s consolidated financial statements are presented in millions of Japanese yen, which is also the
Company’s functional currency.
The Group changed the rounding of its financial statements from thousands to millions in the year ended
December 31, 2017. Prior periods have been revised to reflect this change in presentation.
The consolidated financial statements were approved by Representative Director, President and Chief Executive
Officer Takeshi Idezawa and Director and Chief Financial Officer In Joon Hwang on March 30, 2018.
3.
Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies applied by the Group in preparing its consolidated financial statements are set
out below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently to all periods presented in these consolidated
financial statements. The adoption of new and revised IFRSs issued by the IASB that are mandatorily
effective for an accounting period that begins on or after January 1, 2017 had no impact on the Group’s annual
consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and for the years ended December 31,
2015, 2016 and 2017.
(1) Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Group, which are directly or indirectly
controlled. Control is generally conveyed by ownership of the majority of voting rights. The Group controls
an entity when the Group has power over the entity, is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from the
involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.
When necessary, adjustments are made to the financial statements of subsidiaries to bring their accounting
policies in line with the Group’s accounting policies. If the end of the reporting period of a subsidiary
differs from that of the Company, the subsidiary prepares, for the purpose of preparing consolidation
financial statements, additional financial statements as of the same date as the consolidated financial
statements of the Group.
F-12
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(1) Basis of Consolidation (continued)
Non-controlling interest in a subsidiary is accounted for separately from the parent’s ownership interests in
a subsidiary. Profit or loss and each component of other comprehensive income are attributed to the
shareholders of the parent and non-controlling interest, even if this results in the non-controlling interest
having a deficit balance. A change in the ownership interest of a subsidiary, without a loss of control, is
accounted for as an equity transaction. Any difference between the adjustment to the non-controlling
interest and the fair value of the consideration paid or received is recognized directly in shareholders’ equity
as “equity attributable to the shareholders of the Company”.
On February 12, 2016,
the board of directors approved the abandonment of the MixRadio service
(“MixRadio”) segment. The operation of the MixRadio business was classified as a discontinued operation
on March 21, 2016, when the abandonment took effect.
Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
(2) Basis of Measurement
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a historical cost basis, except for financial
instruments measured at fair value, which is the price that would be received to sell such financial
instruments or paid to transfer the related liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at
the measurement date.
(3) Business Combinations
(a) Business combinations
In accordance with IFRS 3 Business Combinations, each identifiable asset and liability is measured at
its acquisition date fair value except for the following:
– Deferred tax assets or liabilities which are recognized and measured in accordance with IAS 12
Income Taxes; and
– Employee benefit arrangements which are recognized and measured in accordance with IAS 19
Employee Benefits
Leases and insurance contracts are classified on the basis of the contractual terms and other factors at
the inception of the contract or at the date of modification, which could be the acquisition date if the
terms of the contract have been modified in a manner that would change its classification.
Contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are recognized when such liabilities are
present obligations and their fair value can be measured reliably.
The consideration transferred in a business combination is measured at fair value, which is calculated
as the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred by the acquirer, the liabilities
incurred by the acquirer to former owners of the acquiree and the equity interests issued by the
acquirer. Acquisition-related costs are costs the acquirer incurs to effect a business combination. Those
costs include finder’s fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting
fees; general administrative costs,
including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions
department; and costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities. Acquisition-related costs,
other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities, are expensed in the periods in
which the costs are incurred and the services are received.
F-13
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(3) Business Combinations (continued)
(a) Business combinations (continued)
The Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:
–
–
–
–
the fair value of the consideration transferred; plus
the recognized amount of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree; plus
if the business combination is achieved in stages, the fair value of the pre-existing equity interest
in the acquiree; less
the net recognized amount (generally fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities
assumed.
Subsequent to initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses.
(b) Business combinations under common control
is a business
A business combination involving entities or businesses under common control
combination in which all of the combining entities or businesses are ultimately controlled by the same
party or parties both before and after the business combination, and in which control is not transitory.
The Group has accounted for the acquisition of business combination under common control based on
the carrying amounts recorded in the consolidated financial statements of the acquired companies. The
financial statements of acquired companies have been retrospectively consolidated as part of the
Group’s consolidated financial statements as if the acquisition of acquired companies had occurred on
the date of its original acquisition by the common control group, regardless of the actual date of
acquisition by the Group.
(4) Associates and Joint Arrangements
(a) Associates
An associate is an entity in which the Group has significant influence, but not control, over the entity’s
financial and operating policies. Significant influence is presumed to exist when the Group holds
between 20% and 50% of the voting power of another entity, unless it can be clearly demonstrated that
it is not the case.
The Group’s investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity
method, the investment in an associate is initially recognized at cost and the carrying amount is
adjusted to recognize the Group’s share of the profit or loss and changes in equity of the associate after
the date of acquisition. Gains and losses from transactions between the Group and its associates are
eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates. Intra-group losses are recognized as
an expense if intra-group losses indicate an impairment that requires recognition in the consolidated
financial statements.
If an associate uses accounting policies different from those of the Group for like transactions and
events in similar circumstances, appropriate adjustments are made to its financial statements in
applying the equity method.
When the Group’s share of losses exceeds its interest in associates, the carrying amount of that interest,
is reduced to nil and the recognition of further losses is
including any long-term investments,
discontinued.
F-14
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(4) Associates and Joint Arrangements (continued)
(b)
Joint arrangements
in which two or more parties have joint control. The
A joint arrangement
classification of a joint arrangement as a joint operation or a joint venture depends upon the rights and
obligations of the parties to the arrangement.
is an arrangement
Joint operations are joint arrangements whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement
have rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the arrangement. The Group
accounts for the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses relating to its interest in joint operations in
accordance with the IFRSs applicable to the particular assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.
Joint ventures are joint arrangements whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement
have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. Joint ventures are accounted for using the equity
method.
(5) Foreign Currencies
(a) Foreign currency transactions
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated to the respective functional currencies of Group
entities at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in
foreign currencies are retranslated to the functional currency using the reporting date’s exchange rate.
Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at historical
cost are translated using the exchange rate at the date of the initial transactions. Non-monetary assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are measured at fair value are retranslated to the
functional currency at the exchange rate at the date that the fair value was determined.
Foreign currency differences arising on retranslation are recognized in profit or loss, except for
differences arising on the retranslation of available-for-sale equity instruments, financial liabilities
designated as a hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation, or qualifying cash flow hedges,
which are recognized in other comprehensive income.
(b) Foreign operations
If the presentation currency of the Group is different from a foreign operation’s functional currency,
the financial statements of the foreign operation are translated into the presentation currency using the
following methods:
The assets and liabilities of foreign operations, whose functional currency is not the currency of a
hyperinflationary economy, are translated to presentation currency at exchange rates at the reporting
date. The income and expenses of foreign operations are translated to the presentation currency at the
average foreign exchange rates for the reporting period. Foreign currency differences are recognized in
other comprehensive income.
When a foreign operation is disposed of, the relevant amount after the translation is reclassified to
profit or loss as part of profit or loss on disposal. In the event that a partial disposal does not lead to a
loss of control in a subsidiary that includes a foreign operation, the relevant proportion of such
cumulative amount is reattributed to non-controlling interest. For partial disposals that involve the loss
of control in a foreign operation, the relevant proportion is reclassified to profit or loss.
F-15
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(6) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments with
maturity dates that are within three months from the purchase dates. Such investments are highly liquid and
readily convertible to known amounts of cash. Cash and cash equivalents are subject to an insignificant risk
of changes in value, and are used by the Group in managing its short-term commitments.
(7) Financial Assets
The Group classifies and measures financial assets based on the following four categories: financial assets at
fair value through profit or loss; held-to-maturity investments; loans and receivables; and available-for-sale
financial assets. The Group recognizes financial assets in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
when the Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Upon initial recognition, financial assets are measured at their fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset
not measured at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the asset’s
acquisition. Regular way purchases or sales of financial assets, i.e. purchases or sales under a contract
whose terms require delivery of the asset within the time frame established generally by regulation or
convention in the marketplace concerned, are accounted for at the trade date.
(a) Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets are classified as financial assets at fair value through profit or loss if they are held for
trading. Upon initial recognition, transaction costs are recognized in profit or loss when incurred.
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are measured at fair value, and changes therein are
recognized in profit or loss.
(b) Held-to-maturity investments
Financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and fixed maturities, for which the Group has the
positive intention and ability to hold to maturity, are classified as held-to-maturity investments.
Subsequent to initial recognition, held-to-maturity investments are measured at amortized cost using
the effective interest method.
(c) Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are financial assets with fixed or determinable payments. Subsequent to initial
recognition, loans and receivables are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method,
except for loans and receivables for which the effect of discounting is immaterial.
(d) Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets are those financial assets that are not classified as financial assets at
fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments or loans and receivables. Subsequent to
initial recognition, they are measured at fair value, and any changes in fair value, net of any tax effect,
are recorded in other comprehensive income in equity. When a financial asset is derecognized or
the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in other
impairment
comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or loss.
losses are recognized,
F-16
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(7) Financial Assets (continued)
(d) Available-for-sale financial assets (continued)
Dividends on an available-for-sale equity instrument are recognized in profit or loss when the Group’s
right to receive payment is established.
(e) Derivative financial instruments
The Group may use derivative financial instruments, such as exchange forward contracts, to hedge its
foreign exchange risk. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the
date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. Any
gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in profit or loss.
Derivatives are carried as financial assets when the fair value is positive and as financial liabilities
when the fair value is negative.
Derivative financial
instruments embedded in non-derivative host contracts are bifurcated and
accounted for as separate derivatives when they meet the definition of a derivative, the economic
characteristics and risks of the embedded derivatives are not closely related to those of the host
contracts, and the contracts are not measured at fair value through profit or loss.
(f) Derecognition of a financial asset
The Group derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset
expire, or it transfers the rights to receive the contractual cash flows on the financial asset in a
transaction in which substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are
transferred. Any interest in transferred financial assets that is created or retained by the Group is
recognized as a separate asset or liability.
If the Group retains substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the transferred financial
assets, the Group continues to recognize the transferred financial assets and recognizes financial
liabilities for the consideration received.
(8) Financial Liabilities
The Group recognizes financial liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position when the
Group becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the financial liability. At the date of initial
recognition, financial liabilities are measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Subsequent to initial
recognition, financial liabilities are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
The Group derecognizes a financial liability from the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position when it
is extinguished (i.e. when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, canceled or expires).
(9)
Inventories
Inventories, consisting of merchandise for resale, are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value.
Cost is determined on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Net realizable value is determined based on the
estimated selling price, less costs to sell.
F-17
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(10) Share Capital
Common shares are classified as equity. Incremental costs directly attributable to the issue of common
shares and stock options are recognized as a deduction from equity, net of any tax effects.
(11) Treasury Shares
Treasury shares are measured at costs and deducted from equity. No gain or loss is recognized on the
purchase, sales, or cancellation of the Company’s treasury shares. The difference between the book value
and consideration received at the times of sales is recognized in equity.
(12) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are measured and recognized at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and/or
accumulated impairment losses, if any. Cost includes any other costs directly attributable to bring the assets
to a working condition for their intended use and the costs of dismantling and removing the assets and
restoring the site on which they are located.
The cost of replacing a part of property and equipment is included in the carrying amount of the asset or
recognized as a separate asset, as necessary, if it is probable that the future economic benefits embodied
within the part will flow into the Group and if the cost can be reliably measured. Accordingly, the carrying
amount of the replaced part is derecognized. The costs of day to day servicing of property and equipment
are recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
Land and assets held within construction-in-progress are not depreciated. Depreciation of property and
equipment is computed using the straight-line method based on the depreciable amount of the assets over
their respective useful lives as provided below. A component that is significant compared with the total cost
of an item of property and equipment is depreciated separately over its useful life.
Gains or losses arising from the derecognition of an item of property and equipment are determined as the
difference between the net disposal proceeds, if any, and the carrying amount of the item and recognized in
other operating income or expenses.
The estimated useful lives for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Equipment (mainly consist of servers) . . . . .
Furniture and fixtures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3–5
3–5
3–5
Estimated useful lives (years)
Depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each fiscal year-end and adjusted, as
appropriate, if expectations differ from previous estimates. The change is accounted for as a change in an
accounting estimate.
(13) Borrowing Costs
The Group capitalizes borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of
a qualifying asset as part of the cost of that asset. Other borrowing costs are expensed as incurred. A
qualifying asset is an asset that requires a substantial period of time to get ready for its intended use or sale.
F-18
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(13) Borrowing Costs (continued)
To the extent that the Group borrows funds specifically for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset, the
Group determines the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization as the actual borrowing costs
incurred on that borrowing during the period less any investment income on the temporary investment of
those borrowings.
To the extent that the Group borrows funds generally and uses them for the purpose of obtaining a
qualifying asset, the Group shall determine the amount of borrowing costs eligible for capitalization by
applying a capitalization rate to the expenditures on that asset, which is the effective interest rate of the
general borrowing. The capitalization rate shall be the weighted average of the borrowing costs applicable to
the borrowings of the Group that are outstanding during the period, other than borrowings made specifically
for the purpose of obtaining a qualifying asset. The amount of borrowing costs that the Group capitalizes
during a period shall not exceed the amount of borrowing costs incurred during that period. No borrowing
costs were capitalized during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017.
(14) Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are initially measured at cost, and carried at cost less accumulated amortization and
accumulated impairment losses after initial recognition.
Within intangible assets with finite lives, customer relationships are amortized by the declining balance
method and other intangible assets with finite lives are amortized mainly using the straight-line method over
the useful lives of the respective assets as provided below. Intangible assets with finite lives are assessed for
impairment whenever there is an indication that the intangible asset may be impaired. The residual value of
intangible assets is assumed to be zero.
The estimated useful lives for the intangible assets with finite lives for the years ended December 31, 2015,
2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Estimated useful lives (years)
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Domain name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2–10
7
20
1–10
The amortization periods and methods for intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed at each
fiscal year-end. If expectations differ from previous estimates, the changes will be accounted for as a change
in an accounting estimate.
Research and development
Expenditures on research activities, undertaken with the prospect of gaining new scientific or technical
knowledge and understanding, are recognized in profit or loss as incurred. Development expenditures are
capitalized only if development costs can be measured reliably, the product or process is technically and
commercially feasible, future economic benefits are probable, and the Group intends to and has sufficient
resources to complete development and to use or sell the asset. Other development expenditures are
recognized in profit or loss as incurred.
No development expenditure was capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
F-19
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(15) Leases
Lease Transactions
The determination of whether an arrangement is, or contains, a lease is based on the substance of the
arrangement at the inception date. In the event that fulfillment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of
specific assets or the arrangement transfers a right to use the asset, such assets are defined as a lease
transaction.
(a) Finance Leases
Leases that transfer substantially all risks and benefits of ownership of the leased item to the lessee are
classified as finance leases.
Group as lessee
Finance leases are capitalized at the lease’s commencement at the lower of the fair value of the leased
property and the present value of the minimum lease payments. The discount rate to be used in
calculating the present value of the minimum lease payments is the interest rate implicit in the lease, if
this is practicable to determine; if not, the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate shall be used. The
minimum lease payments are apportioned between finance charges and reduction of the lease liability
so as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining balance of the liability. A leased asset is
depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the lease term.
(b) Operating Leases
All lease arrangements, except finance leases that have been capitalized in the Consolidated Statements
of Financial Position, are classified as operating leases.
Group as lessee
For operating lease transactions, lease payments are recognized as an expense using the straight-line
method over the lease term in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss.
Group as lessor
The Group had cancelable lease contracts related to servers, data storage, network equipment, personal
computers and software with third parties for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The
leased assets are included in “Property and equipment” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial
Position and are depreciated over their expected useful lives on a basis consistent with similar assets
included in property and equipment. Income from operating leases (net of any incentives given to the
lessee) is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
(16) Impairment of Financial Assets
A financial asset not carried at fair value through profit or loss is assessed at each reporting date to
determine whether there is objective evidence that it is impaired. A financial asset is impaired if objective
evidence indicates that a loss event has occurred after the initial recognition of the asset, and that the loss
event had a negative effect on the estimated future cash flows of that asset that can be estimated reliably.
However, losses expected as a result of future events, regardless of likelihood, are not recognized.
F-20
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(16) Impairment of Financial Assets (continued)
Objective evidence that financial assets, including equity securities, are impaired can include significant
financial distress of issuers of financial assets or debtors, default or delinquency by a debtor, restructuring of
an amount due to the Group on terms that the Group would not consider otherwise, indications that a debtor
or issuer will enter bankruptcy, the disappearance of an active market for a security, or the existence of
observable data that shows the negative effect on expected future cash flows of the group of financial assets
after the initial recognition can be reliably estimated, though the decrease in expected future cash flows of
individual financial assets cannot be reliably estimated.
In addition, for an investment in an equity security classified as an available-for-sale financial asset, a
significant or prolonged decline in its fair value below its cost is objective evidence of impairment.
If financial assets have objective evidence that they are impaired, impairment losses are measured and
recognized.
(a) Financial assets measured at amortized cost
An impairment loss in respect of a financial asset measured at amortized cost is calculated as the
difference between its carrying amount and the present value of its estimated future cash flows
discounted at the asset’s original effective interest rate. If it is not practicable to obtain the instrument’s
estimated future cash flows, impairment losses are measured by using prices from any observable
losses directly or establish a
current market
provision to cover impairment losses. If, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss
decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was
recognized, the previously recognized impairment loss is reversed by adjusting an allowance account.
Financial assets are directly written off when there is no realistic prospect of future recovery.
transactions. The Group can recognize impairment
(b) Available-for-sale financial assets
While other evidence and indicators are taken into consideration, generally, when the fair value of an
available-for-sale financial asset is below the acquisition cost consistently for a period of six months or
more, or, if the fair value of the available-for-sale financial assets is 20% below its acquisition cost,
impairment losses are assessed for such financial asset. When a decline in the fair value of an
available-for-sale financial asset has been recognized in other comprehensive income and there is
objective evidence that the asset is impaired, the cumulative loss that had been recognized in other
comprehensive income is reclassified from equity to profit or loss as a reclassification adjustment even
though the financial asset has not been derecognized. Impairment losses recognized in profit or loss for
an investment in an equity instrument classified as available-for-sale are not reversed through profit or
loss. If, in a subsequent period, the fair value of a debt instrument classified as available-for-sale
increases and the increase can be objectively related to an event occurring after the impairment loss
was recognized in gain or loss, the impairment loss is reversed, with the amount of the reversal
recognized in profit or loss.
(17) Impairment of Non-financial Assets
The Group’s non-financial assets, which include tangible assets and intangible assets with definite useful
lives and indefinite useful lives, but exclude deferred tax assets and non-current assets held for sale, are
reviewed for impairment at the end of the reporting period to determine whether there is any indication of
F-21
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(17) Impairment of Non-financial Assets (continued)
impairment. If any such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. In addition, annual
impairment tests are performed for goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.
If it is impossible to measure the individual recoverable amount of an asset, then the Group estimates the
recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit (“CGU”). A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets
that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of
assets. The recoverable amount of an asset or CGU is the greater of its value in use or its fair value less
costs to sell. The value in use is estimated by applying a pre-tax discount rate to the estimated future cash
flows expected to be generated by the asset or CGU. Such pre-tax discount rate reflects current market
assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset or the CGU for which estimated
future cash flows have not been adjusted.
An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying amount of an asset or a CGU exceeds its recoverable
amount. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or loss. An impairment loss is reversed if there has been
a change in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount. An impairment loss is reversed only to
the extent that the asset’s carrying amount does not exceed the carrying amount that would have been
determined, net of depreciation or amortization, if no impairment loss had been recognized.
Goodwill
Goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each CGU that is
expected to benefit from the synergies arising from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or
liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units. A CGU to which goodwill has been allocated is tested
for impairment annually, or more frequently when there is an indication that the unit may be impaired. If the
recoverable amount of the CGU is less than its carrying amount, the impairment loss is allocated first to
reduce the carrying amount of any goodwill allocated to the unit and then to the other assets of the unit
pro rata based on the carrying amount of each asset in the unit. Impairment losses are recognized in profit or
loss, and impairment losses recognized for goodwill are not reversed in subsequent periods. On disposal of
the relevant CGU, the attributable amount of goodwill is included in the determination of the gain or loss on
disposal.
(18) Employee Compensation
(a) Short-term employee compensation
Short-term employee compensations are employee compensations that are expected to be settled
wholly before 12 months after the end of the annual reporting period in which the employees render the
related service. The undiscounted short-term employee compensations are accounted for on an accrual
basis over the period in which employees have provided the services.
(b) Defined benefit plans
The Group has defined benefit plans for employees of subsidiaries located in Korea, Taiwan and
Thailand. A defined benefit plan is a post-employment benefit plan other than a defined contribution
plan. The Group’s obligation represents the estimated amount of future benefits that employees have
earned in return for their services in the current and prior periods. The calculation is performed
annually by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method. The calculation is reviewed
and approved by the management of the Group.
F-22
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(18) Employee Compensation (continued)
(b) Defined benefit plans (continued)
The assets or the liabilities relating to the defined benefit plans were recognized in the Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position as the present value of obligations as of the reporting date, excluding
the fair value of plan assets.
Current service cost is the increase in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from
employee service in the current period. Past service cost, which is the change in the present value of the
defined benefits obligation for employee services in prior periods, resulting in the current period from
the introduction of, or change to post-employment benefits, is recognized in full in profit or loss in the
period in which the plan amendment occurs.
Remeasurement of the net defined benefit liability is mainly comprised of actuarial gains and losses
resulting from experience adjustments and the effects of changes in actuarial assumptions. Experience
adjustments are the effects of differences between the previous actuarial assumptions and what has
actually occurred. The Group recognizes all remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability in other
comprehensive income when incurred.
The discount rate used in the present valuation calculation is the yield at the reporting date on high-
quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Group’s obligations
and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid.
Net interest on the net defined benefit liability is determined by multiplying the net defined benefit
liability by the discount rate noted above, taking account of any changes in the net defined benefit
liability during the period as a result of contribution and benefit payments. Interest on the net defined
benefit liability is recognized in profit or loss.
(c) Defined contribution plans
The Group has defined contribution plans for employees of subsidiaries located in Korea. The
contribution relating to the plans is recognized as expense when incurred.
(19) Share-based Payments
The Group has granted stock options to directors and employees. The fair values of the stock options are
measured at the grant dates. Compensation expenses related to stock options are recognized over the vesting
period. Refer to Note 4 Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions and Note 27 Share-
based Payments for more details on the valuation methodology of stock options and the assumptions used in
such valuation.
The Group has introduced equity-settled Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP) and granted points to
its employees based on the Group’s Regulations on Stock Compensation. The fair values of the points are
measured at the grant date. Employee compensation expenses related to this plan are recognized over the
vesting period. Refer to Note 27 Share-based Payments for more details on the valuation methodology of
points and the assumptions used in such valuation.
The Group has introduced cash-settled Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP) and granted points to its
employees based on the Group’s Regulations on Stock Compensation. The fair values of the liabilities
related to the points are measured at each reporting date. Employee compensation expenses related to this
plan are recognized over the vesting period and changes to the fair value of the liabilities are recognized
F-23
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(19) Share-based Payments (continued)
through profit or loss. Refer to Note 27 Share-based Payments for more details on the valuation
methodology of points and the assumptions used in such valuation.
(20) Marketing Expenses
The Group incurs marketing expenses to increase brand awareness and to promote the launch of new
services. The Group’s marketing expenses are primarily related to advertising in mass media, namely
television advertising and advertising on mobile applications, and expenses incurred for brand promotional
events. Marketing personnel compensation expenses are not included in marketing expenses, and are
recorded as part of the employee compensation expenses. Expenditures related to marketing activities are
recognized as expenses when incurred.
(21) Provisions
Provisions are recognized when the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation 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.
There are uncertainties about the amount and timing of the cash outflows related to provisions. The risks
and uncertainties that inevitably surround events and circumstances are taken into account in reaching the
best estimate of a provision. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, provisions are
determined at the present value of the expected future cash flows.
The Group’s provisions mainly comprise provision for restoration obligations for leased property, and the
provision for the licensing expense payable to the third-party partners upon redemption of free promotional
virtual credits upon exchange with virtual items by customers in the future.
Provisions are reviewed at the end of each reporting period and adjusted to reflect the current best estimates.
If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to
settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.
A provision may only apply to expenditures for which the provision was originally recognized.
(22) Revenue
The Group mainly operates a cross-platform messenger application, LINE, and provides communication and
content sales and advertising services. Communication and content sales are primarily made to end users in
the form of communication products such as LINE Stickers, and content such as LINE Games. Advertising
services are provided on the LINE platform through advertising products such as LINE Official Accounts
and Sponsored Stickers, as well as the Group’s web portals, livedoor and NAVER Matome. Refer to Note 5
Segment Information for more details on product lines and services provided.
The Group recognizes revenues associated with the transactions by reference to the stage of completion of
the transactions at the end of the reporting period. Determination of the stage of completion for the different
revenue streams is described below. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration of services
provided in the ordinary course of business, less applicable sales and other taxes, where appropriate.
F-24
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(22) Revenue (continued)
Virtual Credits
Virtual credits, which are the prepaid payment instruments may be purchased with credit cards or cash.
Depending on the type of service, end users may make payments using cash, credit cards or the virtual
credits issued by the Group. Most of the end-user purchases are processed through payment processing
service providers such as Apple App Store and Google Play. A processing fee is charged by the payment
processing service providers for each transaction processed which are recognized as “payment processing
and licensing expenses” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss. Upon the initial sales
of the Group’s electronic credits, the Group records proceeds received as advances received on the
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As prescribed in the terms and conditions between the Group
and end users, the Group’s electronic credits are not refundable. However, in the event that the Group
discontinues its operations, the Japanese Payment Services Act (Act No. 59 of 2009, the “Payment Services
Act”) may require the Group to refund the advances received to the end users. When virtual credits are
redeemed for the purchase of the virtual items within each services in the Group by users, balances of the
end users’ virtual credits may be reduced by the price of the purchase, and the related advances received are
reclassified to revenues over the applicable revenue recognition periods, as described in the following
paragraphs. The total amount of revenues recognized is equivalent to the amount of total consideration paid
by the end users.
LINE business and portal
(i) Communication—LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers
LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers are emoticons that end users may purchase and use in instant
messaging. Payments may be made with cash, virtual credits, LINE Points or credit cards.
When virtual credits are redeemed for the purchase of Stickers, virtual credits’ balances of the end
users are reduced by the price of the purchase, and the electronic credits redeemed are recognized as
revenues over the revenue recognition period for Stickers. The Group acts as a principal in providing
LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers to end users. Based on historical usage patterns tracked by the
Group, the Group determined that a substantial majority of total expected usage of Stickers by end
users occurred over 90 days from purchase, with actual usage concentrated during the earlier part of
this period. Accordingly, the Group recognizes Stickers revenues over an estimated usage period of
90 days and on an accelerated basis within such period.
(ii) Content—LINE Games and Applications
–
Games developed by third-party game developers
All games developed by third-party game developers are free to download from the LINE
platform. End users may purchase in-game virtual items with cash or credit cards within the
games.
The Group enters into revenue sharing arrangements with the third-party game developers. The
terms of such arrangements provide that when end users purchase in-game virtual items sold by
the game developer via the LINE platform, the Group receives a fixed percentage of the net
proceeds received from payment processing service providers.
F-25
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(22) Revenue (continued)
LINE business and portal (continued)
(ii) Content—LINE Games and Applications—(Continued)
With respect to the sale of in-game virtual items to end users, the Group has determined that the
third-party game developer is the primary obligor for the game-related services, as the third-party
game developers have the primary responsibility for creating the in-game virtual items which end
users may purchase and use in the mobile games, and developing, maintaining and updating the
mobile games.
The Group views the third-party game developers to be its customers, and the Group’s
deliverables to its customers over the term of the game are: 1) channeling users to the mobile
games, 2) providing payment processing services, and 3) providing server hosting services.
The Group determined that each deliverable was a separate unit of account and it estimates the
selling price of payment processing services and server hosting services based on cost plus
margin, taking into consideration historical cost and industry profit margin range. The Group then
allocates any residual amount to services for channeling users to the mobile games.
The Group’s performance obligations with respect to channeling services are fulfilled at the time
that
the revenues
attributable to the channeling services are recognized at the time of purchase.
item is purchased by an end user and accordingly,
the in-game virtual
Game termination announcements are made by sending notifications to end users two months
prior to game termination. Once the game termination announcement is made, in-game virtual
items are no longer available for purchase, but the game is still available to end users for the
remaining two month period. Accordingly, subsequent to the announcement of game termination,
the Group is required to provide two additional months of hosting services, i.e. up until game
termination, and three months of payment processing services, i.e. up until one month after game
termination, as payment processing services are provided on a three-month time lag.
The Group’s performance obligations with respect to the hosting services and payment processing
services are fulfilled as such services are provided, i.e., from game inception through game
termination, and from game inception through one month subsequent to game termination,
the revenues attributable to the hosting services and payment
respectively. Accordingly,
processing services are recognized ratably over the service periods as described above. However,
as the Group does not generate revenues subsequent to the announcement of game termination, the
Group defers the revenue attributable to the post-termination-announcement performance
obligations for hosting services and payment processing services from the amounts received in the
first month of the arrangement, and recognizes such revenues over the two and three months,
respectively, following the announcement of game termination.
The Group began providing third party games on its platform in 2012. As of December 31, 2017,
the average life of third party games, which included both active and terminated third party games,
was approximately 19 months. For the year ended December 31, 2017, on average, server hosting
services revenues were recognized ratably over approximately 19 months, while payment
processing services revenues were recognized ratably over approximately 20 months.
F-26
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(22) Revenue (continued)
LINE business and portal (continued)
(ii) Content—LINE Games and Applications—(Continued)
–
Internally developed games and applications
The Group also provides games and applications (“apps”) developed internally for end users, and
considers itself the principal in providing the games or apps to end users. The Group’s primary
responsibility is to develop, maintain and provide the games and apps, and in-game/in-app virtual
items to end users. All games and apps are free to download; however, in-game/in-app virtual
items developed by the Group may be purchased with cash, credit cards or the Group’s virtual
credits within the games/apps. The Group offers both consumable and durable virtual items in its
items
internally developed games and apps. Common characteristics of consumable virtual
include virtual items that are consumed by end users’ specific actions and do not provide end
users with any continuing benefits. Consumable virtual items offered by the Group are generally
consumed upon purchase by end users. Accordingly, the Group recognizes revenues attributable
to consumable virtual items upon sale.
A durable virtual item represents an item that provides the end user with continuing benefits. The
period of benefit of a durable virtual item generally ends at the earliest of 1) an item ceasing to
provide further benefits to an end user (i.e., the period of benefit is represented by the usage
period of such item), 2) an item being removed from the game board or app, by specific in app/
in-game actions taken by an end user, or 3) an end user abandoning the game or app. Accordingly,
the Group determines that revenue attributable to durable virtual items is recognized either a)
ratably over the estimated usage period, or b) when the Group cannot estimate the estimated usage
period upfront, ratably over the estimated average playing period of paying users adjusted for any
virtual items removed from the game board or app.
The estimated usage period for durable virtual items is developed by taking into consideration
historical data on purchase patterns and user usage behavior. The Group recognizes revenues
through the estimated usage period for durable virtual items in one of the internally developed
games. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the usage periods were estimated to be several
days and the sales generated by such durable items were immaterial. For the year ended
December 31, 2016, the usage periods were estimated to be several days and the sales generated
by such durable items were immaterial. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the usage periods
were estimated to be several days and the sales generated by such durable items were immaterial.
The Group defines the playing period as the period from when a paying user first purchased
virtual credits to when a paying user is deemed to have become inactive, i.e. when a paying user
has not logged onto the game/app for two consecutive months. To estimate the average playing
period for a paying user, the Group analyzes monthly cohorts composed of paying users who
made their first purchase of payment instruments during such month. The Group tracks these
monthly cohorts and analyzes the dates on which paying users within each cohort become
inactive. Based on the actual data observed, the Group extrapolates the future declines in paying
users to determine the ending point of a paying user’s life beyond the date for which observable
data is available. The Group then uses the actual and extrapolated data to calculate the average
playing period. The Group recognizes revenues arising from internally developed apps by using
the estimated average playing periods. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017,
F-27
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(22) Revenue (continued)
LINE business and portal (continued)
(ii) Content—LINE Games and Applications—(Continued)
the estimated average playing periods ranged from approximately 11 months to 21 months,
8 months to 28 months and 2 months to 30 months, respectively.
Revenue attributable to the durable virtual items removed from the game board or app is
recognized by developing estimated removal rates, i.e. the rates at which durable virtual items are
being removed from the game board or app by end users, and applying such rates to total sales
generated from durable virtual items.
Upon launching a new game/app, the Group evaluates the nature of the virtual items, the behavior
of end users with respect to such items and the availability of supporting data in determining the
related revenue recognition policy. The Group may also consider other existing internally
developed games/apps data and industry data in determining the related revenue recognition
policy if insufficient history has been developed for such new game/app. In the situation where the
Group does not have sufficient data to analyze user behavior, and cannot identify any similar
games/apps to serve as references for the Group to reasonably estimate the life of the game/app,
the Group defers all sales until such history is developed. Once sufficient history is developed, the
Group assesses the estimations (such as the estimated usage period and the estimated average
playing period for paying users), for durable virtual items quarterly on a game/app by game/app
basis.
In Q2’2015, the Group launched an internally developed game for which it had insufficient data to
reasonably estimate the average playing period until the beginning of Q4’2015. Accordingly, for
the purposes of recognizing revenue for this game, for the quarters ended June 30, 2015 and
September 30, 2015, the Group recognized revenue based on the estimated average playing period
of another game with similar characteristics. Beginning of Q4’2015, the Group determined that it
had sufficient history to reasonably estimate the average playing period for such game.
Accordingly, the Group began recognizing revenues for virtual items which continued to be
available to end users over the average playing period for this game.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Group had one internally developed game for which it
had insufficient data to reasonably estimate the average playing period until the beginning of
Q2’2016. Accordingly, for the purpose of recognizing revenue for this game, for the quarters
ended March 31, 2016, the Group deferred all the revenue arising from sales of durable virtual
items and only recognized revenue attributable to the consumable virtual items. Beginning of Q2’
2016, the Group determine that it had sufficient history to reasonably estimate the average playing
period for such game. Accordingly, the Group began recognizing revenues for durable virtual
items which continued to be available to end users over the average playing period for this game.
Also, in Q3’2016, the Group launched an internally developed game for which it has insufficient
data to reasonably estimate the average playing period until the end of Q4’2016. Accordingly, for
the purpose of recognizing revenue for this game, the Group only recognized revenue attributable
to the sales of consumable virtual items and deferred all the revenue arising from sales of durable
virtual items.
F-28
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(22) Revenue (continued)
LINE business and portal (continued)
(ii) Content—LINE Games and Applications—(Continued)
For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Group has recognized revenues for virtual items which
continued to be available to end users over the average playing period for this game, as it has
sufficient history to reasonably estimate the average playing period for all internally developed
games.
(iii) Others
Others mainly includes revenue from the sales of LINE character merchandise. Revenue from the sale
of goods is recognized when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have passed to
the buyer, usually on delivery of the goods. Revenue from the sale of goods is measured at the fair
value of the consideration received or receivable, net of returns and trade discounts.
(iv) LINE advertising—Official Accounts, Sponsored Stickers, LINE Points (formerly, Free LINE Coins
service), Timeline Ads and LINE NEWS Ads.
LINE Official Accounts enable businesses and celebrities to send messages directly to LINE users who
have added them as friends. The Group recognizes Official Accounts subscription revenues ratably
over the advertising contract periods. In addition, advertisers with Official Accounts may offer
Sponsored Stickers to LINE users, who may download them for free. Similar to the user usage pattern
of LINE Stickers, the total Sponsored Stickers usage was also observed to be significantly weighted
towards the earlier part of the usage period. Accordingly, the Group recognizes Sponsored Stickers
revenue on an accelerated basis over a 208-day period following the commencement of the advertising
contract period, throughout which Sponsored Stickers are available to be used by end users.
Free LINE Coins service is a pay-per-action advertising service the Group offers. Advertisers pay the
Group a predetermined fixed fee per specific action taken by end users, such as successful
downloading of an application or viewing of a commercial. In exchange, the Group publishes the
applications or commercials produced by advertisers on the LINE platform, and issues LINE Coins to
end users without charge (such LINE Coins, “free LINE Coins”). The Group recognizes revenue from
Free LINE Coins service in the period in which an end user takes the action the advertiser contracted
for, except for the portion of revenue attributable to the free LINE Coins issued by the Group. The
portion of the revenue attributable to free LINE Coins is measured at the average selling price of LINE
Coins. Revenue related to unused free LINE Coins at the end of the accounting period is deferred,
while revenue related to redeemed free LINE Coins is recognized in accordance with the revenue
recognition policy for the virtual item purchased. In Q2’2016, the Group replaced the Free LINE Coins
service by a new service, LINE Points. All the free LINE Coins outstanding at the time of conversion
were exchanged into LINE Points. The portion of the revenue attributable to LINE Points is measured
at the fair value of LINE Points. Revenue related to unused LINE Points at the end of the accounting
period is deferred, while revenue related to redeemed LINE Points is recognized in accordance with the
revenue recognition policy for the virtual item purchased. Fair value of the LINE Points is estimated
based on the amount which a user is required to settle a transaction.
F-29
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(22) Revenue (continued)
LINE business and portal (continued)
(iv) LINE advertising—Official Accounts, Sponsored Stickers, LINE Points (formerly, Free LINE Coins
service), Timeline Ads and LINE NEWS Ads.—(Continued)
LINE advertising also includes Timeline Ads and other services such as LINE NEWS Ads. The Group
has contractual relationships with advertisers for actions such as advertising impressions, views and
clicks. Advertising revenues are recognized when these performance obligations are fulfilled.
(v) Portal advertising
The Group provides advertising services through its web portals, livedoor and NAVER Matome. The
Group recognizes web portal advertising revenues ratably over the advertising contract periods.
(23) Finance Income and Finance Costs
Finance income mainly comprises interest income from time deposits and held-to-maturity investments.
Interest income is recognized as it accrues in profit or loss, using the effective interest method.
Finance costs comprise interest expense on borrowings and unwinding of the discount on provisions.
Borrowing costs that are not directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a
qualifying asset are recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method.
(24) Other Non-operating Income and Expenses
Other non-operating income comprises dividend income, gains on the disposal of available-for-sale
financial assets, and changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. Dividend
income is recognized in profit or loss on the date that the Group’s right to receive payment is established.
Other non-operating expenses comprise changes in the fair value of financial assets at fair value through
profit or loss, and impairment losses recognized on available-for-sale financial assets.
(25) Income Taxes
Income tax expenses comprise current and deferred tax. Current tax and deferred tax are recognized in profit
or loss, except to the extent that they relate to a business combination, or items recognized directly in equity
or in other comprehensive income.
(a) Current tax
Current tax is the expected tax payable or receivable on the taxable profit or loss for the year, using tax
rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period and any adjustment to tax
payable in respect of previous years. The taxable profit is different from the accounting profit for the
period since the taxable profit is calculated excluding temporary differences, which will be taxable or
deductible in determining taxable profit (tax loss) of future periods, and non-taxable or non-deductible
items from the accounting profit.
F-30
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(25) Income Taxes (continued)
(b) Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognized using the asset-liability method in respect of temporary differences between
the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for
taxation purposes. A deferred tax liability is recognized for all taxable temporary differences. A
deferred tax asset is recognized for all deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused
tax credits to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which they can be
utilized. However, deferred tax is not recognized for the following temporary differences: taxable
temporary differences arising on the initial recognition of goodwill, or the initial recognition of assets
or liabilities in a transaction that is not a business combination and that affects neither accounting profit
or loss nor taxable income.
The Group recognizes a deferred tax liability for all taxable temporary differences associated with
investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures, except to the extent that the Group is able to
control the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary
difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. The Group recognizes a deferred tax asset for all
deductible temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries, associates and joint
ventures, to the extent that it is probable that the temporary difference will reverse in the foreseeable
future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary difference can be utilized.
The carrying amount of a deferred tax asset is reviewed at the end of each reporting period and is
reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profit will be available to allow
the benefit of part or all of that deferred tax asset to be utilized.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period
when the asset is realized or the liability is settled, based on tax rates and tax laws that have been
enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period. The measurement of deferred tax
liabilities and deferred tax assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow, in a manner that the
Group expects, at the end of the reporting period to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets
and liabilities.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset only if there is a legally enforceable right to offset the
related current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied on the same taxable
entity by the same tax authority.
(26) Earnings per Share
The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) data for its common shares. Basic EPS is
calculated by dividing the profit or loss attributable to the holders of common shares of the Company by the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for own shares held.
Diluted EPS is determined by adjusting the profit or loss attributable to the holders of common shares and
the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, adjusted for own shares held, for the effects of
all dilutive potential common shares, such as stock options granted to directors and employees of the Group.
Potential common shares are antidilutive when their conversion to common shares would increase earnings
per share or decrease loss per share from continuing operations. The calculation of diluted earnings per
share does not assume conversion, exercise, or other issue of potential common shares that would have an
antidilutive effect on earnings per share.
F-31
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(27) Operating Segments
The Group identifies operating segments based on the internal report regularly reviewed by the Group’s
Chief Operating Decision Maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to segments and assess
performance. An operating segment of the Group is a component for which discrete financial information is
available. The Chief Operating Decision Maker has been identified as the Company’s board of directors.
(28) Discontinued Operations and Non-current Assets Held for Sale
Discontinued operations are reported when a component of an entity comprising operations and cash flows
that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the
entity is classified as held for sale or has been disposed of, if the component either (1) represents a separate
major line of business or geographical area of operations and (2) is part of a single coordinated plan to
dispose of a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations or (3) is a subsidiary acquired
exclusively with a view to resale.
The Group determined to dispose its MixRadio business in February 2016. In the Consolidated Statements
of Profit or Loss, income from the discontinued operations is reported separately from loss from continuing
operations; prior periods are presented on a comparable basis. The cash flows from discontinued operations
are presented in Note 23 Discontinued Operations. References made to the Consolidated Statements of
Profit or Loss, except for those noted in Note 23 Discontinued Operations, are related to continuing
operations.
In the event that certain non-current assets and disposal groups whose carrying values will be recovered
principally through a sale rather than through continuing use, such non-current assets and disposal groups
are classified as held for sale. Non-current assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale or held for
disposal are measured at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, unless these items
presented in the disposal group are not part of the measurement scope as defined in IFRS 5 Non-current
Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations.
(29) Standards Issued but not yet Effective
The standards and interpretations that are issued but not yet effective as of December 31, 2017 are disclosed
below. The Group intends to adopt these standards, if applicable, when they become effective.
–
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments
The IASB issued the final version of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments which sets out the requirements for
recognizing and measuring financial assets, financial liabilities and some contracts to buy or sell
non-financial items to replace IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement. IFRS 9 is
the new standard for the financial reporting of financial instruments that is principles-based and brings
together the classification and measurement, impairment and hedge accounting phases of the IASB’s
project. IFRS 9 is built on a single classification and measurement approach for financial assets that
reflects the business model in which they are managed and their cash flow characteristics including
new impairment requirements that are based on a more forward-looking expected credit loss model that
will result in more timely recognition of loan losses and is a single model that is applicable to all
financial instruments subject to impairment accounting. In addition, IFRS 9 addresses the so-called
‘own credit’ issue, whereby banks and others book gains through profit or loss as a result of the value
of their own debt falling due to a decrease in credit worthiness when they have elected to measure that
debt at fair value.
F-32
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(29) Standards Issued but not yet Effective (continued)
The Group has determined not to early adopt the standard, and IFRS 9 will be applied from the year
ending December 31, 2018. Also, the Group has assessed the impacts of IFRS 9’s adoption on the
Consolidated Financial Statement of the Group is immaterial.
–
IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The IASB issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers for recognizing revenue. IFRS 15
establishes a five-step model that will apply to revenue earned from a contract with a customer,
regardless of the type of revenue transaction or industry, with limited exceptions.
The Group recognizes revenue associated with communication and content sales and with advertising
services by reference to the stage of completion. These transactions are satisfied over time and
measured by the progress towards complete satisfaction of performance obligations. The Group has
assessed that most of the method currently used to measure the progress towards complete satisfaction
of these performance obligations will continue to be appropriate under IFRS 15 with some following
exceptions.
The Group does not intend to early adopt the standard as it plans to apply from the fiscal year of 2018.
Even though the Group disclosed in its 2016 financial statements that the Group intended to use the full
retrospective method upon adoption, due to the costs of applying such method, the Group has
determined to use the modified retrospective method which is to record cumulative amount of the
impact at the beginning balance of the retained earnings upon adoption. The Group has completed the
assessment of impact of IFRS 15’s adoption, and related system has been already modified.
(1) LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers
The new standard will result in a change to the timing of revenue recognition, whereby revenue will be
recognized over an estimated usage period on a straight-line method rather than the current method,
which is over time but on an accelerated basis.
Under the current standard, the Group determines that the measuring method which best depicts the
progress towards satisfaction of performance based on a contract is the user usage pattern of Stickers
which represents the consumption of the user’s benefits, and recognizes revenue during the earlier part
of the estimated usage period.
On the other hand, the concept of a service of standing ready is clarified under IFRS 15. IFRS 15
clarified the service of standing ready as to provide services or to make services available to the users
for their use as and when the users decide. The Group determines that LINE Stickers and Creator
Stickers services which the Group provides to its users are similar to the concept of a service of
standing ready. The performance obligation of the Group to the customers which are the users who
purchased Stickers is to make the Stickers and Creator Stickers available to the users for their use at
any given time. Accordingly, the users receive the benefit of the services and consume such services as
the Group makes LINE Stickers and Creator Stickers available to the users for their use. Therefore, the
Group determines that its performance obligation is evenly satisfied over time and assessed that a
straight-line method over an estimated usage period is the best method to measure the progress towards
complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. As a result, the beginning balance of retained
earnings, net of tax for the year ending December 31, 2018 has decreased by 967 million yen.
F-33
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(29) Standards Issued but not yet Effective (continued)
(2) LINE Sponsored Stickers
The new standard will result in a change to the timing of revenue recognition, whereby revenue will be
recognized over a contract period on a straight-line method rather than the current method, which is
over time but on an accelerated basis.
Under the current standard, the Group determines that the measuring method which best depicts the
progress towards satisfaction of performance based on a contract is the users usage pattern of Sponsors
Stickers which represent its progress of rendering the services, and recognizes revenue based on the
users usage pattern of Sponsors Stickers which is weighted towards the earlier part of the period.
On the other hand, under IFRS 15, the definition of a “customer” is clarified and it is defined as “a
party that has contracted with an entity to obtain goods or services that are an output of the entity’s
ordinary activities in exchange for consideration”. Also, the contract with “customers” is within the
scope of IFRS 15, and IFRS 15 requires to measure the progress towards complete satisfaction of a
performance obligation to “customers”.
In the LINE Sponsored Stickers contract, only an advertiser is obligated to pay consideration for
Sponsored Stickers service to the Group, and the users who use Sponsored Stickers do not pay any
consideration to the Group directly or indirectly. Therefore, the Group determines the advertisers as
“customers”. The performance obligation of the Group to the advertisers is to make the Sponsored
Stickers available to the users for their use at any time over a contract period. Accordingly, the Group has
assessed that a straight-line method over a contract period is the best method to measure the progress
towards complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. As a result, the beginning balance of
retained earnings, net of tax for the year ending December 31, 2018 has decreased by 760 million yen.
(3) LINE Point Ad
The new standard will result in a change to the timing of revenue recognition, whereby the Group will
recognize revenue at the time when the LINE Points are issued to the users rather than when the LINE
Points are utilized by the users.
Under the current standard, the portion of the revenue of LINE Point Ad service attributable to LINE
Points is measured at the fair value of LINE Points, and revenue related to unused LINE Points at the
end of the accounting period is deferred, while revenue related to redeemed LINE Points is recognized
in accordance with the revenue recognition policy for the virtual item purchased.
On the other hand, the definition of a “customer” is clarified under IFRS 15 as mentioned above. Upon
the adoption of the IFRS 15, the Group determines the advertisers as customers for LINE Point Ad
services because only the advertisers pay the transaction prices consideration to the Group for the
advertising services the Group provides and the users who receive LINE Points, do not pay any
transaction prices directly or indirectly. The Group considers its performance obligation in the contract
with a customer who is an advertiser, is to be satisfied when the Group issues the LINE Points to the
users because the Company does not have any obligations toward the advertisers to manage LINE
Points or to provide users other services in exchange for the LINE points, thereafter for the advertisers.
As a result, the Group has preliminarily assessed to recognize revenue at the time when LINE Points
are issued to the users.
F-34
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(29) Standards Issued but not yet Effective (continued)
(3) LINE Point Ad (continued)
Also, upon the adoption of IFRS 15, the Group expects to recognize provisions for the expenses
expected to be incurred in relation to the consumption of LINE points and such expenses are
recognized at the same time as LINE Points are issued to the users and as the Group satisfies its
performance obligations. As a result, the beginning balance of retained earnings, net of tax for the year
ending December 31, 2018 has increased by 667 million yen.
(4) LINE advertising and Portal advertising
For advertising services such as official account, an advertising agency may be involved to obtain
contracts from customers and provide, on behalf of the Company, services to customers such as
formatting advertisement publication to comply with the Group’s specification or standards of
advertisement publication. In such transaction, the new standard will result in a change to the method
of revenue recognition, whereby the Group will recognize revenue by the gross recognition where the
Group recognizes consideration received from customers including the share of advertising agencies
rather than net recognition where the Group recognizes consideration received from customers
excluding the share of advertising agency.
Under the current standard, the Company recognizes revenue by excluding the share attributable to the
advertising agency from the total consideration received from the customer due to the facts that the
share of the advertising agency is identified as an individually identifiable element, that the Company
does not directly provide the service and earns revenue at constant rate, and that the Company does not
bear credit risks.
On the other hand, IFRS 15 clarifies the evaluation of whether an entity is a principal or an agent based
on the identification of performance obligations and transfer of control for the services. Especially, it is
stated that “an entity is a principal if it controls the specified good or service before that good or
service is transferred to a customer”. Guidance and indicators for whether an entity controls the
specified goods or services to be provided by another parties to customers are revised. This revision of
the guidance and indicators includes a right to a service to be performed by the other party which gives
the entity the ability to direct that party to provide the service to the customer on the entity’s behalf.
Since the service provided by advertising agencies such as formatting advertisement publication is
provided to customers based on the Group’s specification or standards of advertisement publication,
the Group determined that the Group controls the service provided by the advertising agency and thus
the Group is the principal. As a result, the Company determined to change the recognition method of
revenue based on the total consideration received from a customer, including the service provided by
the advertising agent.
Moreover, in accordance with IFRS 15, the Group recognizes costs of contract which consist of
consideration payable to the advertising agency as an asset and will expense as the related revenues are
recognized. If the advertising contract is renewed at the end of the original term, another consideration
payable to the advertising agency will be incurred, and such cost will be expensed during the period
that is the same period which the revenue of the advertising contract is recognized for.
Therefore, there is no effect on the beginning balance of retained earnings for the year ending
December 31, 2018 even if the Group applies above treatment instead of the current treatment when
such cost is excluded from the revenue.
F-35
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(29) Standards Issued but not yet Effective (continued)
(4) LINE advertising and Portal advertising (continued)
–
IFRS 16 Leases
The IASB issued IFRS 16 Leases. IFRS 16 governs the accounting for leases and the related
contractual rights and obligations. In the future, lessees will no longer make a distinction between
finance and operating leases as they have been required to do thus far under IAS17. At the
commencement date of a lease, a lessee will recognize a liability to make lease payments (i.e., the
lease liability) and an asset representing the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term
(i.e., the right-of-use asset). Lessees will be required to separately recognize the interest expense
on the lease liability and the depreciation expense on the right-of-use asset. Lessor accounting
under IFRS 16 is substantially unchanged from today’s accounting under IAS 17. Lessors will
continue to classify all leases using the same classification principle as in IAS 17 and distinguish
between two types of leases: operating and finance leases. IFRS 16 also requires lessees and
lessors to make more extensive disclosures than under IAS 17. IFRS 16 is effective for annual
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019, although early adoption is permitted if IFRS 15 is
also applied.
The Group has started an assessment of the potential
impact on its consolidated financial
statements. So far, the most significant impact identified is that the Group will recognize new
assets and liabilities for its operating leases of certain office space and stores. In addition, the
nature of expenses related to those leases will change as IFRS 16 replaces the straight-line
operating expense with a depreciation charge for right-of-use assets and interest expense on lease
liabilities. The Group is still assessing the impacts of IFRS 16’s adoption and it is not practicable
to provide a reasonable estimate of the financial effect until the management of the Group
completes the assessment.
–
IFRS 2 Classification and Measurement of Share-based Payment Transactions – Amendments to
IFRS 2
The IASB issued amendments to IFRS 2 Share-based Payment that address three main areas: the
effects of vesting conditions on the measurement of a cash-settled share-based payment
transaction; the classification of a share-based payment transaction with net settlement features for
withholding tax obligations; and accounting where a modification to the terms and conditions of a
share-based payment transaction changes its classification from cash settled to equity settled. The
amendments are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2018, with early
application permitted. The Group has assessed the effect of adopting amended IFRS 2 is
immaterial.
(30) New and amended standards and interpretations
The adoption of new and revised IFRSs issued by the IASB that are mandatorily effective for an annual
period beginning on or after January 1, 2017 had no material
impact on the Group’s annual
consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, and for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017. The Group has not early adopted any other standards,
interpretations or amendments that has been issued but is not yet effective.
F-36
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3.
Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(30) New and amended standards and interpretations (continued)
Standards and amendments which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1,
2017:
–
IAS 12 Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealized Losses – Amendments to IAS 12
IASB has issued amendments to IAS 12 “Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealized Losses”
in order to clarify the accounting treatment of deferred tax when the assets are measured at fair value in
the financial statements and the fair value of the asset does not exceed its tax basis. This amendments
also clarifies that deductible temporary difference always exists when the book value of the asset at the
last day of the period is lower than its tax basis. Moreover, if an entity assumes that it will recover an
asset for more than its carrying amount when estimating probable future taxable profit and when tax
law restricts the sources of taxable profits against which it may make deductions on the reversal of the
deductible temporary difference, the entity carries out a combined assessment of all its deductible
temporary differences relating to the same taxation authority and the same taxable entity. This
amendment has been adopted prospectively from the annual periods beginning on or after January 1,
2017. The Group has assessed the effect of adopting amended IFRS 2 is immaterial.
4.
Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of the Group’s consolidated financial statements requires the management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying
disclosures. These estimates and assumptions are based on the best judgment of the management in light of
historical experience and various factors deemed to be reasonable as of the fiscal year end date. Given their
nature, uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in outcomes that require a material
adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.
The estimates and assumptions are continuously reviewed by the management. The effects of a change in
estimates and assumptions are recognized in the period of the change or in the period of the change and future
periods. Among estimates and assumptions made by the management, the following are ones that may have a
material effect on the amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements of the Group:
(a)
Impairment
–
Non-financial assets
Non-current assets other than goodwill
Non-current assets other than goodwill, such as property and equipment, and intangible assets with
definite useful lives, are assessed for indications of impairment at the end of the reporting period. The
Group evaluates both internal and external sources of information to assess whether impairment
indicators exist. Some of the impairment indicators are evidence of obsolescence or significant adverse
changes in the technological, market, economic or legal environment of the market in which the Group
operates, or the asset is dedicated. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is
estimated in order to determine the extent, if any, of the impairment loss. Likewise, the determination
of the assets’ recoverable amounts involves the use of estimates by the management that can have a
material impact on the respective values and ultimately the amount of any impairment.
F-37
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
4.
Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions (continued)
(a)
Impairment (continued)
Goodwill
The goodwill impairment test requires the Group to exercise judgment and assess whether the carrying
value of the CGU to which goodwill has been allocated can be supported by the recoverable amount of
such CGU to which goodwill has been allocated.
The recoverable amount of a CGU is determined based on a value in use calculation which involves the
use of estimates. The main assumptions used in the value in use calculation include the discount rate,
terminal growth rate and expected future cash flow projections for a period of up to five years from
financial budgets approved by the management. Cash flow projections beyond the planning period are
extrapolated using terminal growth rates. Cash flow projections take into account past experience and
represent management’s best estimates. These assumptions can be subject to significant adjustments
from such factors as user trend, spending on marketing, IT spending of corporations, and competition
from competitors. The key assumptions used to determine the recoverable amounts of the different
CGU to which goodwill has been allocated are disclosed and further explained in Note 11 Impairment.
–
Financial assets measured at amortized cost
Regarding the financial assets measured at amortized cost, the Group assesses whether there is any
objective evidence that financial assets are impaired on a quarterly basis. If there is any objective
evidence, the Group recognizes the difference between carrying value of the asset and the present value
of estimated future cash flows as an impairment loss. When the Group estimates the future cash flows,
the management considers the probability of default, time of recovery and past trend of losses, and
decides whether the actual loss, which reflects current economic and credit conditions, is more or less
than past trends. The Group considers these estimates to be significant because any adjustments may
significantly affect the amount of an impairment loss for the financial assets measured at amortized
cost.
(b) Recoverability of deferred tax assets
Regarding temporary differences, which are differences between carrying value of an asset or liability in the
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and its tax base, the Group recognizes deferred tax assets and
deferred tax liabilities. The deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are calculated using the tax rates
based on tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period and the
tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the deferred tax asset is realized or the deferred tax
liability is settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized for all deductible temporary differences, unused tax
losses carryforward and unused tax credits carryforward to the extent that it is probable that taxable income
will be available. The estimation of future taxable income is calculated based on financial budgets approved
by management of the Group, and it is based on management’s subjective judgments and assumptions. The
Group considers these estimates to be significant because any adjustments in the assumed conditions and
amendments of tax laws in the future may significantly affect the amounts of deferred tax assets and
deferred tax liabilities.
(c) Methods of determining fair value for financial instruments measured at fair value
Financial assets and financial liabilities held by the Group are measured at the following fair values:
–
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
F-38
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
4.
Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions (continued)
(c) Methods of determining fair value for financial instruments measured at fair value (continued)
–
–
fair value calculated using observable inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities, either
directly or indirectly; and
fair value calculated using valuation techniques incorporating unobservable inputs.
In particular, the fair value estimates using valuation techniques that incorporate unobservable inputs are
based on the judgment and assumptions of Group management, such as experience assumptions, and the use
of specific numerical calculation models, such as discounted cash flow models.
(d) Provisions
The Group recognizes asset retirement obligations related to assets leased under operating leases in the
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. These provisions are recognized based on the best estimates
of the costs expected to incur for the restoration of the operating lease properties to the state as specified in
the rental agreements upon termination of the operating leases. The estimation takes risks and uncertainty
related to the obligations into account as of the fiscal year end date.
The Group records a provision for the licensing expense payable to the third-party platform partners upon
redemption of promotional virtual credits for virtual items by end users in the future. For promotional and
marketing purposes, virtual credits are given to end users free of charge.
(e) Defined benefit plans
The cost of the defined benefit plan and the present value of the obligation are determined using actuarial
valuations. An actuarial valuation involves making various assumptions, including the determination of the
discount rate and future salary increases.
The Group determines the discount rate based on market returns of high-quality corporate bonds consistent
with currencies and estimated payment terms applicable to the defined benefit obligations as of the reporting
date in order to calculate present value of the defined benefit obligations. Estimated future salary increases
are based on historical salary increases and expected future inflation rates.
Due to the complexities involved in the valuation and its long-term nature, a defined benefit obligation is
highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions. All assumptions are reviewed at each reporting date.
Further details about the Group’s defined benefit obligations are presented in Note 16 Employment Benefits.
(f) Share-based payments
Share-based payment expenses related to stock options granted to directors and employees are estimated
based on the option’s fair value determined under the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) option
including
pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires various highly judgmental assumptions,
expected volatility, expected life of stock options and fair value of share capital at the time of option grants,
which will be discussed further below.
Expected volatility is estimated based on the historical volatility of reference companies which are
comparable with the Company and the Group. The expected life of stock options is estimated based on the
expectation of future stock price movements and expected exercise patterns of the option holders.
F-39
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
4.
Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions (continued)
(g) Valuation of common shares
Until the Company’s initial public offering in July 2016, the Group exercised significant judgment in
determining fair value of common shares at the time of option grants. Valuation is based on all relevant
facts and circumstances known at the time of valuation, including but not limited to factors such as
historical financial results and projections of the Group’s future operating and financial performance;
market performance of comparable publicly traded companies; overall economic and industry outlook; and
third-party valuations of the Group’s common shares as of the date of stock option grants.
(h) Revenues
For revenues attributable to the sales of in-game/app virtual items developed by the Group, revenues are
recognized over periods over which the benefits are expected to be consumed by end users, taking into
consideration historical data on purchase patterns, log-on information, and the removal rates of virtual
items.
For revenues attributable to the sales of LINE Stickers, Creator Stickers and Sponsored Stickers, revenues
are recognized over the estimated periods over which LINE Stickers, Creator Stickers and Sponsored
Stickers are expected to be used by users, taking into consideration historical data on usage and user
behavior.
5.
Segment Information
Since the fourth quarter of 2015, the structure of the business units that management uses to make decisions
about operating matters, and the main performance measures used for the purpose of allocating resources to the
units had changed. Segment reporting was based on two business units, the LINE business and portal segment
and the MixRadio segment.
However, the MixRadio segment was subsequently abandoned on March 21, 2016, and retrospectively classified
as a discontinued operation in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss. Refer to Note 23 Discontinued
Operations for further details.
Segment information is presented for continuing operations. No operating segments have been aggregated to
form the reportable segments. Refer to Note 3(27) Significant Accounting Policies for further details on the
identification of operating segments.
(1) Description of Reportable Segment
The Group has a single reportable segment:
LINE business and portal
segment
– The Group mainly operates a cross-platform messenger application, LINE,
and provides communication and content and advertising services.
Communication and content are primarily provided to end users via various
communication and content. Communication mainly includes LINE
Stickers. Content includes LINE Games and LINE PLAY. Others within
Communication and Contents include LINE Friends service. Advertising
services are provided via LINE advertising, livedoor blog and NAVER
Matome. LINE advertising includes “messenger ads” such as LINE Official
Accounts, LINE Sponsored Stickers and LINE Point Ads and “performance
ads” on services such as Timeline and LINE NEWS.
F-40
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5.
Segment Information (continued)
(2) Revenues from Major Services
The Group’s revenues from continuing operations from its major services for the years ended December 31,
2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
LINE business and portal segment
Communication and content
Communication(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Content(2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others(3)
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advertising
LINE advertising(4)
Messenger ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Performance ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Portal advertising(5)
Sub-total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
28,725
49,284
5,985
83,994
26,487
—
26,487
9,925
36,412
29,290
44,784
11,923
85,997
33,997
10,524
44,521
10,186
54,707
30,225
40,144
20,241
90,610
39,495
26,609
66,104
10,433
76,537
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120,406
140,704
167,147
(1) Revenues from communication were mainly attributable to sales of LINE Stickers, Creator Stickers and
Themes.
(2) Revenues from content primarily consisted of sales of LINE Games and LINE PLAY’s virtual items.
(3) Revenues from others primarily consisted of sales from LINE Friends service, LINE Part-time Job, LINE
Pay service and LINE Mobile.
(4) Revenues from LINE advertising consisted of fees from “messenger ads” such as LINE Official Accounts,
Sponsored Stickers and LINE Points as well as “performance ads” on Timeline and LINE NEWS.
(5) Revenues from portal advertising were mainly attributable to advertising revenue from web portals, livedoor
and NAVER Matome.
F-41
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5.
Segment Information (continued)
(3) Geographic Information
Revenues from external customers
Revenues from external customers classified by country or region were based on the locations of customers.
Revenues attributable to communication and content have been classified based on the geographical location
of the end users. Revenues attributable to advertising have been classified based on the geographical
locations where the services were provided.
Japan (country of domicile) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taiwan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
84,780
17,058
18,568
100,939
15,614
24,151
121,283
16,630
29,234
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120,406
140,704
167,147
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
Non-current operating assets
Non-current operating assets mainly consist of property and equipment and intangible assets.
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Japan (country of domicile) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Korea . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10,661
3,219
690
14,570
23,089
10,605
5,676
39,370
(4) Major Customers
No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of the Group’s total revenues for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
6. Cash and Cash Equivalents
The breakdown of cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 is as follows:
Cash on hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Demand deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
8
134,690
134,698
13
123,593
123,606
F-42
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
7. Trade and Other Receivables
Trade and other receivables as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Trade and other receivables, current
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allowance for doubtful accounts, general . . . . . . . . .
Trade receivables, non-current(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allowance for doubtful accounts, specific . . . . . . . .
Total trade and other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
29,108
(941)
82
(82)
28,167
43,375
(483)
14
(14)
42,892
(1)
The non-current trade receivables were tested for impairment on an individual basis as of the reporting dates
based on how long such trade receivables were past due. As a result, allowance for doubtful accounts for the
receivables were recorded.
For movement in the allowance of doubtful accounts for trade and other receivables, refer to Note 25 Financial
Risk Management.
8.
Inventories
Inventories as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
961
961
3,455
3,455
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Cost of goods recognized from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017,
were 2,475 million yen, 3,333 million yen and 4,436 million yen, respectively. Inventory valuation losses
recognized from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, were 734 million
yen, 186 million yen and 510 million yen, respectively.
F-43
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9.
Property and Equipment
(1) Changes in property and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:
Furniture
and fixtures Equipment Land(1)
Construction-
in-progress Others Total
(In millions of yen)
Acquisition cost
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deconsolidation of LINE BIZ Plus Ltd.
. . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other
2,950
1,144
(74)
—
(3)
(200)
2,584
—
12,253
4,012
(665)
(27) —
(44) —
—
60
179
(2,584) —
—
—
(55)
0
356 18,203
5,736
401
(3,336)
(13)
(30)
(3)
(33)
14
(255)
—
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,817
15,529
—
184
755 20,285
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deconsolidation of LINE BIZ Plus Ltd.
. . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other
1,479
(57)
680
—
(3)
(17)
6,121
—
(471) —
—
3,333
(4) —
(13) —
(11) —
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,082
8,955
—
Carrying amounts
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,471
6,132
2,584
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,735
6,574
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
102
(5)
121
(1)
2
—
7,702
(533)
4,134
(5)
(14)
(28)
219 11,256
60
184
254 10,501
536
9,029
(1) On June 29, 2016, the Group sold its land in Fukuoka. Refer to Note 22 (1) Other Income and Expenses for
more details.
F-44
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
9.
Property and Equipment (continued)
(2) Changes in property and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Furniture
and fixtures Equipment
Construction-
in-progress
Others
Total
(In millions of yen)
Acquisition cost
Balance at January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition through business combinations . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,817
4,156
(1,305)
12
1
(180)
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,501
Accumulated depreciation and impairment
Balance at January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition through business combinations . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,082
(1,291)
1,146
4
1
(63)
15,529
7,038
(911)
184
152
204
22,196
8,955
(810)
4,111
125
53
(32)
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,879
12,402
Carrying amounts
Balance at January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,735
4,622
6,574
9,794
184
42
—
—
—
(184)
42
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
184
42
755
361
(174)
297
43
61
20,285
11,597
(2,390)
493
196
(99)
1,343
30,082
219
(3)
266
171
15
8
11,256
(2,104)
5,523
300
69
(87)
676
14,957
536
9,029
667
15,125
(3) Contractual commitments for the acquisition of property and equipment:
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
1,464
527
The carrying amounts of property and equipment held under finance leases contracts were nil as of
December 31, 2016 and 2017. Additions during the year included nil in 2016 and 2017 of property and
equipment under finance leases and installment payment contracts.
Construction-in-progress as of December 31, 2016 was mainly related to capital expenditures for the
building where the Company’s new headquarter office would be located. Construction-in-progress as of
December 31, 2017 was mainly related to capital expenditures for the molds to be used for mass production
for Gatebox Inc.’s products.
F-45
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
(1) Changes in goodwill and other intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 are as follows:
Item
Goodwill
Software(1) Music rights
relationships Others
Total
(In millions of yen)
Customer
Acquisition cost
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition through a business
5,852
—
1,543
99
combination(2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
416
26
Deconsolidation of LINE BIZ Plus
Ltd.(3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(126)
—
(550)
—
—
(9)
(170)
(2)
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,592
1,487
Accumulated amortization and impairment
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,732
—
—
(540)
—
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,192
Carrying amounts
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,120
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,400
1,157
(8)
153
(169)
(4)
1,129
386
358
542
—
—
—
—
(109)
—
433
542
—
—
(109)
—
433
—
—
108
—
401
—
—
(22)
—
487
108
—
125
(21)
—
212
—
275
933
1,286
8,978
1,385
—
843
—
—
(36)
(174)
(126)
(9)
(887)
(176)
2,009 10,008
308
—
688
(31)
(174)
4,847
(8)
966
(870)
(178)
791
4,757
625
4,131
1,218
5,251
(1)
(2)
Software was mainly comprised of externally acquired software. The remaining useful life of software as of
December 31, 2016 was two years.
The balances were mainly related to the Group’s acquisition of M.T. Burn Inc. Refer to Note 29 Business
Combinations for further details.
(3) Refer to Note 20 Supplemental Cash Flow Information for further details.
F-46
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (continued)
(2) Changes in goodwill and other intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Item
Goodwill
Software(1) Music rights
Acquisition cost
Balance at January 1, 2017 . . . . . .
Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition through business
combinations(3) . . . . . . . . .
Disposal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,592
—
1,487
247
13,114
—
387
—
588
(57)
84
1
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . .
19,093
2,350
Accumulated amortization and
impairment
Balance at January 1, 2017 . . . . . .
Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impairment . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . .
Carrying amounts
Balance at January 1, 2017 . . . . . .
2,192
—
—
—
134
—
2,326
3,400
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . .
16,767
1,129
(35)
210
—
67
(9)
1,362
358
988
433
—
—
—
27
—
460
433
—
—
—
27
—
460
—
—
(In millions of yen)
Customer
relationships
Game
publishing
rights
Others(2)
Total
487
—
249
—
5
—
741
212
—
108
—
5
—
325
275
416
—
—
1,640
—
109
—
1,749
—
—
270
—
14
—
284
2,009
2,243
10,008
2,490
2,290
(1,191)
83
11
17,881
(1,248)
695
12
5,445
29,838
791
(242)
1,039
214
26
0
4,757
(277)
1,627
214
273
(9)
1,828
6,585
—
1,218
5,251
1,465
3,617
23,253
(1)
Software was mainly comprised of externally acquired software. The remaining useful life of software as of
December 31, 2017 was three years.
(2) Others mainly was mainly comprised of 1,114 million yen for acquisition of licenses for LINE TV,
651 million yen for acquisition of domain name, and 437 million yen for acquisition of Gatebox Inc.’s
trademark and patented technology. The carrying amounts as of December 31, 2017 of these intangible
assets were 329 million yen, 646 million yen and 375 million yen, respectively.
The balances were related to the Group’s acquisitions of NextFloor Corporation and its subsidiary as well as
FIVE Inc. Refer to Note 29 Business Combinations for further details.
(3)
(3) Contractual commitments for the acquisition of intangible assets:
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
—
215
F-47
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. Impairment
(1)
Impairment of Goodwill
Annual impairment testing for goodwill was performed as of October 1 for the years ended December 31,
2015, 2016 and 2017. Goodwill has been allocated to two CGUs for the year ended December 31, 2015 and
one CGU for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016
and 2017, the Group’s CGUs were the Group’s operating segments and also the reportable segments.
Carrying amount of goodwill allocated to each of the CGUs for impairment testing is as follows:
For the year ended December 31, 2015
LINE business and
portal CGU
3,120
MixRadio CGU
2,692
For the year ended December 31, 2016
LINE business and
portal CGU
3,400
For the year ended December 31, 2017
LINE business and
portal CGU
16,767
(In millions of yen)
Total
5,812
(In millions of yen)
Total
3,400
(In millions of yen)
Total
16,767
The recoverable amounts of the CGUs have been determined based on a value in use calculation using cash
flow projections for a period of up to five years from financial budgets approved by the Group’s
management. Cash flow projections take into account past experience and represent management’s best
estimates. The main assumptions used in the value in use calculation include the discount rate, terminal
growth rate and expected future cash flows. These assumptions can be subject to significant adjustments due
to factors such as marketing budgets, IT spending of corporations, and competition from competitors. Cash
flows beyond the planning periods were extrapolated using terminal growth rates.
To estimate the discount rate that reflects the time value of money and the risks specific to the CGUs, the
Group has assumed a risk-free rate equal to one-month average market yields on 10-year Japanese
government bonds at the date of performing the annual impairment test. The Group also incorporated risk
premiums, such as a size premium and market risk premium, in the discount rate. The terminal growth rates
are based on the long-term average inflation rates of the Group’s main countries of operation, including
Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, which takes into consideration external macroeconomic sources of data.
(a) LINE business and portal CGU
The significant assumptions used in the value in use calculations are as follows:
CGU
2015
2016
2017
Pre-tax
discount
rate
Terminal
growth
rate
Pre-tax
discount
rate
Terminal
growth
rate
Pre-tax
discount
rate
Terminal
growth
rate
LINE business and portal CGU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14.7%
1.4%
11.7%
1.1%
10.3%
1.6%
F-48
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. Impairment (continued)
(1)
Impairment of Goodwill (continued)
(a) LINE business and portal CGU (continued)
No impairment losses were recognized for goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
2017, as a result of the annual impairment testing.
(b) MixRadio CGU
The Group acquired MixRadio in the first quarter of 2015 in order to expand the range of services.
Refer to Note 29 Business Combinations for further details.
However, the music streaming industry grew increasingly competitive over the second half of 2015,
mainly due to the expansion by major technology firms in the music space and to market consolidation
by competitors with large user bases. This intensified competition led to significant increases in
royalties from music labels and publishers, and increases in marketing costs related to user acquisition.
These factors negatively impacted the long term profitability of the MixRadio CGU and the Group. As
a result, in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Group changed its strategic decision and decided to focus on
its core LINE business and portal segment, and planned on exiting the MixRadio business by either
selling its operations or, if no buyer was identified, abandoning MixRadio operations in 2016.
As of December 31, 2015, as no potential buyer was identified, the Group considered the abandonment
of the MixRadio business to be probable. Therefore, as the future cash flows are expected to be
negative, goodwill allocated to MixRadio CGU of 2,692 million yen was fully impaired. Further, as a
result of the subsequent abandonment on March 21, 2016, the MixRadio CGU was retrospectively
classified as a “Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax” in the Consolidated Statements of Profit
or Loss. Refer to Note 23 Discontinued Operations for further details.
(2) Sensitivity to Changes in Assumptions
For LINE business and portal CGU, in the opinion of the Group’s management, the recoverable amount
considerably exceeded the carrying amount of the CGU, and the outcomes of the impairment test are not
sensitive to reasonably likely changes in any of the assumptions underlying the cash flow projections used
for the impairment test or the discount rates in the periods presented for the CGU.
For the MixRadio CGU, due to the full impairment as described above, a sensitivity analysis has not been
presented.
(3)
Impairment of Tangible Assets and Intangible Assets with Definite Useful Lives
For the year ended December 31, 2015, in connection with the MixRadio segment impairment as explained
above, impairments of intangible assets with definite useful life in the amount of 1,374 million yen and
property and equipment in the amount of 54 million yen were recognized. For the years ended December 31,
2016, no impairment loss was recognized for tangible assets and intangible assets with definite useful lives.
For the year ended December 31, 2017, in connection with Kiwiple and LINE Games Global Gateway L.P.,
impairments of intangible assets with definite useful life in the amounts of 134 million yen and 80 million
yen, respectively were recognized. No impairment loss was recognized for tangible assets.
F-49
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
12. Provisions
Changes in provisions for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
At January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arising during the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utilized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reversal
Unwinding of discount and changes in the discount rate . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restoration
obligations
for
operating
lease
properties
1,213
618
(339)
(237)
1
(19)
(3)
At December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,234
Arising during the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utilized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reversal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unwinding of discount and changes in the discount rate . . . . . . .
Increase due to business combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,708
(25)
(16)
0
85
44
0
At December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,030
(In millions of yen)
Promotional
virtual credits
reserve
Other
Total
290
490
(161)
(110)
—
—
—
509
2,945
(2,686)
(162)
—
—
1
—
607
279
198
(43)
(92)
—
(1)
—
341
337
(211)
(55)
—
2
0
—
414
1,782
1,306
(543)
(439)
1
(20)
(3)
2,084
4,990
(2,922)
(233)
0
87
45
0
4,051
Restoration obligations for operating lease properties
The Group records provisions for restoration obligations related to its operating lease properties as the Group is
required to restore these properties upon termination of the operating leases to the state specified in the rental
agreements. The reversal in 2016 mainly consisted of a change of 212 million yen in the estimated restoration
obligations as the obligation related to the relocation of the Company’s head office was finalized.
Promotional virtual credits
For promotional and marketing purposes, LINE Points and virtual credits are given to end users free of charge.
The Group records a provision for the licensing expense payable to the third-party platform partners upon
redemption of free promotional virtual credits for virtual items by end users in the future. The reversal is mainly
related to the expiration of certain LINE Points and virtual credits that were given to end users free of charge.
Other
Other mainly consisted of a provision for the losses expected to be incurred in relation to the outsourcing
contracts for cloud AI platform “Clova” and the rental agreement as a result of the foreclosure of LINE
FRIENDS STORE.
F-50
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes
(1) Current and deferred taxes related to each component of other comprehensive income for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Remeasurement of defined benefit plans . . . . .
Foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . .
Reclassification adjustments for foreign
2015
2016
2017
Pretax
Tax
Post tax
Pretax
Tax
Post tax
Pretax
Tax
Post tax
(1,722)
(281)
576
14
(1,146)
(267)
674
(299)
(209)
(199)
465
(498)
2,093
3,751
(488)
(146)
1,605
3,605
(In millions of yen)
currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . .
— —
—
50 —
Proportionate share of other comprehensive
income of associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15
(3)
12
3
(0)
50
3
(13) —
(13)
106
(14)
92
Net change in fair value of available-for-sale
financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,551
276
1,827
(2,019)
546
(1,473)
(3,339)
836
(2,503)
Reclassification adjustments for net change in
fair value of available-for-sale financial
assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,790
(577)
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,353
286
1,213
1,639
293
(92)
201
1,090
(343)
747
(1,298)
46
(1,252)
3,688
(155)
3,533
Current and deferred taxes related to items directly charged or credited to equity are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
2016
2017
Current tax:
Share issuance costs related to initial public offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share issuance costs related to exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . .
Share issuance costs related to Employee Stock Ownership Plan . . . . .
(153) —
(4)
—
(9)
(5)
Deferred tax:
Share issuance costs related to initial public offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share issuance costs related to exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . .
(114) —
—
(20)
Total tax directly (credited) to equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(271)
(34)
F-51
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
(2) Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities
The movements in deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2016 and
2017 are as follows:
Beginning
balance as of
January 1,
2016
Amounts
recorded under
profit or loss
Amounts
recognized
under other
comprehensive
income
Ending
balance as of
December 31,
2016
Other(1)
(In millions of yen)
Deferred tax assets:
Tax losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advances received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restoration obligations for operating
lease properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued bonuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . .
Other accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued enterprise taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . .
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . .
Post-employment benefits . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax effect on investments in subsidiaries
and associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,132
920
2,967
2,350
208
614
85
421
248
558
719
1,018
3,967
425
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17,632
Deferred tax liabilities:
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . .
Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2,107)
(350)
—
(77)
(2,534)
(2,311)
849
332
381
(151)
135
495
263
218
80
378
416
354
488
1,927
36
(41)
45
35
75
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
8
—
(209)
(199)
—
(400)
446
—
—
—
446
89
0
—
—
0
1
1
—
—
(2)
—
60
—
36
185
(2)
46
(148)
(2)
(106)
910
1,769
3,299
2,731
57
750
580
685
466
644
1,097
1,285
4,122
949
19,344
(1,627)
(345)
(103)
(44)
(2,119)
(1) Movements in others are attributable mainly to the acquisition of M.T. Burn Corporation and to incremental
costs directly attributable to the issuance of common shares, which were recognized as a deduction from
equity.
F-52
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
(2) Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (continued)
Beginning
balance as of
January 1,
2017
Amounts
recorded under
profit or loss
Amounts
recognized
under other
comprehensive
income
Ending
balance as of
December 31,
2017
Other(1)
(In millions of yen)
Deferred tax assets:
Tax losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Depreciation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Advances received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restoration obligations for operating
lease properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued bonuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Allowance for doubtful accounts . . . . . .
Other accrued expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accrued enterprise taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . .
Share-based compensation . . . . . . . . . . .
Post-employment benefits . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax effect on investments in subsidiaries
and associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
910
1,769
3,299
2,731
57
750
580
685
466
644
1,097
1,285
4,122
949
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
19,344
Deferred tax liabilities:
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . .
Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,627)
(345)
(103)
(44)
(2,119)
(712)
601
549
(263)
159
121
(209)
(82)
(223)
(387)
77
361
(1,610)
74
(1,544)
266
(11)
125
65
445
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
27
—
(488)
(160)
—
(621)
466
—
—
—
466
61
(110)
—
3
(1)
(117)
6
134
(2)
(68)
(5)
26
24
(3)
259
2,260
3,848
2,471
215
754
377
737
241
216
1,169
1,184
2,376
1,020
(52)
17,127
(132)
—
(846)
(22)
(1,000)
(1,027)
(356)
(824)
(1)
(2,208)
(1) Movements in others are attributable mainly to the acquisition of NextFloor Corporation.
The deferred tax assets and liabilities reconcile to the amounts presented in the Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position as follows:
Total deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment to offset deferred tax assets and
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
19,344
17,127
liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(959)
Net deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18,385
(635)
16,492
F-53
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
(2) Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (continued)
Total deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Adjustment to offset deferred tax assets and
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
(2,119)
(2,208)
liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
958
Net deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1,161)
635
(1,573)
The Group offsets tax assets and liabilities if and only if it has a legally enforceable right to set off current
tax assets and current tax liabilities and the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities relate to income
taxes levied by the same tax authority.
Below is a breakdown of the deductible temporary differences, unused tax losses and unused tax credits for
which no deferred tax assets were recognized:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Deductible temporary differences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unused tax losses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unused tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20,591
18,434
—
39,025
35,997
32,985
157
69,139
Below is a breakdown of the unused tax losses by expiry date for which no deferred tax assets were
recognized:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Less than one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Between one year and five years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Five years and more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No expiration date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
2,104
3,826
12,504
18,434
792
1,741
12,965
17,487
32,985
F-54
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
(2) Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (continued)
Below is a breakdown of unused tax credits by expiry date for which no deferred tax assets were
recognized:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Less than one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Between one year and five years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Five years and more . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
No expiration date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
—
36
121
—
—
157
As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the total amounts of taxable temporary differences relating to
investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures for which deferred tax liabilities are not recognized were
6,190 million yen and 8,472 million yen, respectively.
(3) The components of income tax benefits/(expenses) for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017
are as follows:
Current income tax:
Current income tax expenses(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7,595) (10,162) (8,818)
Deferred tax:
Changes related to origination and reversal of
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
temporary differences(2)
Changes in the tax rate(3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,758
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1,017)
146
1,949 (1,107)
3
(691)
(8,904) (9,922)
Income tax benefits/(expenses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2)
(1) Current income tax expenses include previously unrecognized tax benefits from tax loss carryforwards and
deductible temporary differences. These benefits were 1,801 million yen, and 489 million yen and
105 million yen for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
These balances represent the deferred tax benefit or expense from the increase and decrease of temporary
differences, the reversal of previously written-down deferred tax assets and write-downs of deferred tax
assets. The Group had deferred tax benefits of 5,699 million yen, 541 million yen and 105 million yen for
the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively, due to the reversal of previously written-
down deferred tax assets. The reason for having negative amount of deferred tax for the year ended
December 31, 2017 is mainly because of the recognition of deferred tax liabilities due to the transfer of
camera application business.
(3) Amendments to the Japanese tax regulations were enacted into law on March 31, 2014, March 31, 2015 and
March 29, 2016. As a result of these amendments, the statutory income tax rate has been reduced from
38.0% to approximately 35.6% and 33.5% effective from the year ended December 31, 2015 and 2016,
respectively, and the statutory income tax rates are scheduled to be reduced to approximately
31.7% effective from the year ending December 31, 2017 and 31.5% effective from the year ending
December 31, 2019. The Group measured deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at the tax rates that
are expected to apply to the period when the assets are realized or the liabilities are settled.
F-55
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
(4) The income tax expenses calculated by applying the statutory tax rates to the Group’s profit or loss before
tax differ from the actual tax expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 for the following reasons:
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
(Loss)/profit before tax from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss before tax from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accounting (loss)/profit before tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(530) 17,990
(2,726)
(11,503)
18,145
(19)
(12,033) 15,264
18,126
Income tax benefits/(expenses) at a statutory rate of 31.7%
(2015: 35.6% and 2016: 33.5%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Permanent non-deductible items(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Assessment of the recoverability of deferred tax assets(2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Effects of changes in tax rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Differences in applicable tax rate of subsidiaries(3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tax effect on investment in subsidiaries and associates(4)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on fair value measurement relating to the deconsolidation(5)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures(6)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax (expenses)/benefits at an effective tax rate of 54.7%
4,289
(3,386)
2,214
(1,017)
(2,218)
4,260
—
(50)
(31)
(5,119)
(2,703)
(752)
(691)
(81)
591
581
(279)
293
(5,744)
(353)
(2,932)
3
776
377
—
(1,836)
(207)
(2015: 33.7% and 2016: 53.5%) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,061
(8,160)
(9,916)
Income tax benefits/(expenses) reported in the statements of profit or loss . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefits attributable to discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
146
3,915
4,061
(8,904)
744
(8,160)
(9,922)
6
(9,916)
(1)
(2)
Permanent non-deductible items were mainly related to non-deductible share-based payment expenses,
including share-based payment expenses incurred in connection with stock options granted to employees
and directors defined as non-resident of Japan.
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the amount was due to recognizing previously unrecognized
deferred tax assets of 3,092 million yen and 2,434 million yen for tax loss carryforwards and deductible
temporary differences, respectively, primarily for one of the Group’s Korean subsidiaries on a stand-alone
basis. Such impact was partially offset by unrecognized deferred tax assets of 2,368 million yen and
944 million yen in connection with the pre-tax losses recorded by MixRadio Limited and the Group’s other
subsidiaries, respectively, on a stand-alone basis.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount was due to unrecognized deferred tax assets of
966 million yen, 361 million yen and 189 million yen in connection with the pre-tax losses recorded by the
Group’s Japanese subsidiaries, MixRadio Limited and the Group’s other subsidiaries, respectively, on a
stand-alone basis. Such impact was partially offset by recognizing previously unrecognized deferred tax
assets of 222 million yen and 256 million yen for tax loss carryforwards and deductible temporary
differences, respectively, primarily for the Group’s Korean subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis. For the year
ended December 31, 2017 the amount was due to unrecognized deferred tax assets of 2,407 million yen,
4 million yen and 953 million yen in connection with the pre-tax losses recorded by the Group’s Japanese
subsidiaries, MixRadio Limited and the Group’s other subsidiaries, respectively, on a stand-alone basis.
Such impact was partially offset by recognizing previously unrecognized deferred tax assets of 107 million
yen and 0 million yen for tax loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, respectively,
primarily for the Group’s Korean subsidiaries on a stand-alone basis.
F-56
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
13. Income Taxes (continued)
(4) The income tax expenses calculated by applying the statutory tax rates to the Group’s profit or loss before
tax differ from the actual tax expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 for the following reasons (continued):
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
For the year ended December 31, 2016, the amount mainly due to pre-tax profits recorded by the Group’s
Korean subsidiaries, which was partially offset by the pre-tax loss recorded by MixRadio Limited. For the
year ended December 31, 2017, the difference is mainly due to pre-tax profits recorded by the Group’s
Korean subsidiaries.
This tax effect is mainly due to the deductible temporary difference arising from the investment in
MixRadio Limited, which incurred losses during the year. This tax effect offsets MixRadio Limited’s stand-
alone tax impacts described in (2) and (3) above.
The amount was related to the re-measurement to fair value of the investment in LINE BIZ Plus Ltd
retained by the Group. Refer to Note 20 Supplemental Cash Flow Information for further details.
The amount was mainly related to pre-tax losses recorded by the Group’s associates on a standalone basis
for which no deferred tax assets were recognized as the related tax benefits could not be recognized.
14. Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 mainly consist of consumption tax payables.
F-57
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
15. Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
The carrying amounts and fair value of financial instruments, except for cash and cash equivalents, by line item
in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and by category as defined in IAS39 Financial Instruments:
Recognition and Measurement as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
The fair value is not disclosed for those financial instruments whose fair value approximates their carrying
amount due to their short-term and/or variable-interest bearing nature among those not measured at fair value in
the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Refer to Note 26 Fair Value Measurements for more details
on the fair value information of the financial instruments whose fair value is disclosed in this footnote.
Items
Financial assets
Trade and other receivables
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
Book value
Fair value Book value
Fair value
Loans and receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28,167
42,892
Other financial assets, current
Loans and receivables
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term loans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds and other debt instruments . . . . . . . . . .
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
764
2
4,012
1,000
1,170
4
6,952
1,000
12,002
206
849
6
195
—
13,258
6
Other financial assets, non-current
Held-to-maturity investments(1)
Loans and receivables
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
280
294
280
291
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds and other debt instruments . . . . . . . . . .
Guarantee deposits(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10,000
2,632
3,447
4,858
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Conversion right and redemption right of
preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available-for-sale financial assets(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
325
14,141
32
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
35,715
10,000
2,632
4,739
325
14,141
—
7,986
726
5,709
1,862
15,388
133
32,084
—
8,036
5,546
1,862
15,388
F-58
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
15. Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (continued)
Items
Financial liabilities
Trade and other payables
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
Book value
Fair value Book value
Fair value
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost . . . . . . . . . . . .
21,532
28,810
Other financial liabilities, current
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposits received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,572
21,925
—
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24,497
Other financial liabilities non-current
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Put option liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financial liabilities measured at amortized cost
Office security deposits received under sublease
agreement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
—
—
—
5,730
22,224
49
28,003
—
—
486
486
23
23
93
602
(1)
(2)
(3)
The Japanese Payment Services Act requires non-banking entities that engage in business activities
involving advance payments from end users to secure a certain amount of money equal to or more than one
half of the unused balance of virtual credits purchased by the end users as of the most recent base date set on
March 31 and September 30 of each year, either by depositing or entrusting a cash reserve or government
bonds with the Legal Affairs Bureau, or by concluding a guarantee contract with a financial institution. If
deposits are made, they are recorded as guarantee deposits. If guarantee contracts are entered into, guarantee
fees equal to the contractual amount times a guarantee fee rate are incurred. In accordance with the Japanese
Payment Services Act, the Group had deposited cash of 3,445 million yen and 635 million yen as of
December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Group also had deposited investments in Japanese
government bonds of 280 million yen and 280 million yen as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively,
which the Group intends to hold until maturity for this purpose. In addition, the Group had credit guarantee
contracts with banks for 10,100 million yen with a guarantee fee rate of 0.1% and for 12,500 million yen
with a weighted average guarantee fee rate of 0.1% as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively, to
comply with the Japanese Payment Services Act.
Impairment losses of 293 million yen and 1,761 million yen were recognized for available-for-sale financial
assets for the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively. Also, gain on sale of 751 million yen
was recognized for available-for-sale financial assets for the year ended December 31, 2017.
The weighted average interest rate of the remaining outstanding short-term borrowings as of December 31,
2016 and 2017 was 0.1% and 0.1%, respectively.
F-59
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
16. Employment Benefits
The Group offers its employees in Korea, Taiwan and Thailand defined benefit plans (unfunded and funded) and
defined contribution plans. The specific features of these plans vary depending on the applicable laws and
regulations in each country where the employees work. The majority of the Group’s defined benefit obligations
represents the defined benefit plans for employees of LINE Plus Corporation, LINE PLAY Corporation, LINE
Biz Plus Corporation, LINE Friends Corporation, LINE STUDIO Corporation, LINE UP Corporation,
NemusTech Co., Ltd., PiG Corporation, Studio 4LEAF Corporation, Bapul Corporation and Markt co., ltd
(collectively, the “subsidiaries with defined benefit plans”) which are located in Korea, while LINE GAMES
Corporation, NextFloor Corporation., Next Floor Basement Lab Corporation and InnoAG. inc offer their
employees defined contribution plans. The expenses recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss
in relation to the defined contribution plans amounted to nil for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2016,
and 47 million yen for the year ended December 31, 2017. The feature of the defined benefit plans in Korea is
described below.
The legal and regulatory framework for the plans is based on the applicable Korean Employee Retirement
Benefit Security Act (“ERBSA”). Post-employment defined benefit plan provides lump sum payments to the
eligible employees. Directors and current employees of the subsidiaries offer defined benefit plans with a service
period of over one year are eligible for such post-employment defined benefits, which are calculated based on a
final average pay formula.
Furthermore, the plans expose the Group to actuarial risks, such as interest rate risk, salary increase risk, and
longevity risk. Interest rate risk refers to the risk of fluctuation of bond yields. A decrease in the bond yields will
increase the defined benefit obligations liability. The salary increase risk refers to the risk that an increase in
future salary will increase the defined benefit obligations liability. Longevity risk refers to the risk that an
increase in life expectancy of the plan participants will increase the defined benefit obligations liability. The plan
assets of the defined benefit plans expose the Group to the risk of underperformance in comparison with the
Group’s expectation.
(1) Liabilities for defined benefit obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
Unfunded
Funded
Total
Unfunded
Funded
Total
(In millions of yen)
Present value of defined benefit
obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Plan assets(1)
6,204
—
Liabilities for post-employment
benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,204
—
—
—
6,204
—
6,089
—
100
(27)
6,189
(27)
6,204
6,089
73
6,162
(1) All of the plan assets are held by NemusTech, Co., Ltd. which the Group acquired during the year ended
December 31, 2017.
F-60
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
16. Employment Benefits (continued)
(2) Expenses related to defined benefit plans are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss as
operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are comprised of the following:
Current service costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
1,025
81
1,106
1,620
127
1,747
1,933
208
2,141
(3) Movements in the present value of the defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2016
and 2017 are as follows:
Defined benefit obligations at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current service costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interest costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remeasurement losses/(gains):
Actuarial losses arising from changes in demographic
(In millions of yen)
2016
2017
5,495
1,620
127
6,204
1,933
208
assumptions(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Actuarial gains arising from changes in financial assumptions(2)
. . .
Experience adjustments(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Payments from the plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net transfer(4)
Increase due to business combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations . . . . . . . . . . . .
7,742
(8,314)
(102)
(174)
49
—
(239)
(28)
(1,513)
(552)
(453)
(57)
261
186
Defined benefit obligations at the end of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,204
6,189
(1)
(2)
In 2016, actuarial losses arising from changes in demographic assumptions resulted mainly from a decrease
in estimated termination rates compared with 2015. The decrease in the estimated termination rates
primarily related to the fact that the rate of the increase of the number of separation fell below compared to
that of the number of employee who are subject to defined benefit plans compared to 2015. In 2017, there is
no material change of the estimated termination rates compared with those in 2016.
In 2016, actuarial gains arising from changes in financial assumptions resulted mainly from an increase in
the discount rate and a decrease in the period end weighted average salary increase rate at year end 2016, as
compared to corresponding rates at year end in 2015. The increase in the discount rate primarily related to
the fact that the estimated duration, which is used to calculate the retirement benefit obligation, increased
due to the decrease in estimated termination rates described above. The decrease in the weighted average
salary increase rate primarily related to the fact that the salary increase rates for the current year and the
estimated future inflation rate decreased.
In 2017, actuarial gains arising from changes in financial assumptions resulted mainly from an increase in
discount rate in comparison with 2016 and a decrease in the weighted average salary increase rate. The
increase in the discount rate primarily related to the fact that the estimated duration, which is used to
calculate the retirement benefit obligations, increased due to the decrease in estimated termination rates
F-61
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
16. Employment Benefits (continued)
(3) Movements in the present value of the defined benefit obligations for the years ended December 31, 2016
and 2017 are as follows (continued):
described above. The decrease in the weighted average salary increase rate primarily related to the fact that
the salary increase rates for the current year and the estimated future inflation rate decreased.
Experience adjustments represent the impact on the liabilities of differences between actual experiences
during the year compared with the previous actuarial assumptions.
(3)
(4) Net transfer primarily represents the transfer of defined benefit obligations associated with employees of
NAVER or other NAVER group companies joining LINE Plus Corporation, LINE PLAY Corporation,
LINE Biz Plus Corporation and LINE Friends Corporation and vice versa.
(4) Movements in the plan assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
2016
2017
Plan assets at the beginning of year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Employer contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Benefits paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Plan assets at the end of year
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
—
2
31
(6)
—
27
The plan assets contains only cash and cash equivalents. Employer contributions expected to be paid to the plan
for the year ending December 31, 2018 are 24 million yen. The amount of employer contributions is determined
so that balance of plan assets can be more than 80% of the balance of NemusTech Co., Ltd.’s defined benefit
obligations at each year end in the long term.
(5) Significant judgment is required when selecting key assumptions for measuring defined benefit expenses for
a period and the defined benefit obligations at the period end for each defined benefit plan. The principal
actuarial assumptions used include discount rates and salary increase rates.
The Group determined the discount rate based on market returns of high-quality corporate bonds consistent
with the currencies and estimated payment terms corresponding to the defined benefit obligations as of the
reporting date in order to calculate the present value of the defined benefit obligations.
December 31,
2015
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
2.6%
3.2%-3.7%
9.5%-14.4% 8.6%-11.3% 4.5%-7.7%
3.4%
Discount rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average of salary increase . . . . . . .
F-62
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
16. Employment Benefits (continued)
(6) Economic factors and conditions often affect multiple assumptions simultaneously; as such, the effects of
changes in key assumptions are not necessarily linear. The following sensitivity analysis illustrates the
impact of changes in certain significant actuarial assumptions, leaving all other assumptions constant, as of
December 31, 2016 and 2017:
Assumptions and
sensitivity level
Discount rate
(In millions of yen)
Impact on the defined benefit
obligations
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
100 basis point increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100 basis point decrease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Salary increase rate
100 basis point increase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
100 basis point decrease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(842)
1,040
972
(810)
(5,019)
6,561
7,057
(5,620)
(7) The average duration of the defined benefit plan obligations as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 were 15.2
and 13.3 years, respectively.
The following table shows estimated future benefit payments within ten years from December 31, 2017.
Actual payments may differ from those shown because of uncertain future events.
Years
(In millions of yen)
2018 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2019 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2021 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2022 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2023–2027 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
242
320
392
468
1,000
4,250
17. Leases—Group as Lessee
Operating lease commitments—Group as lessee
The Group has entered into commercial lease agreements for certain office space and stores. The significant
leases have life of five years without renewal option included in the contracts. There are no restrictions placed
upon the Group by entering into these leases.
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
Within one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After one year but not more than five years . . . . . . .
F-63
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
3,945
12,100
16,045
4,139
10,223
14,362
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
17. Leases—Group as Lessee (continued)
Of the operating lease expenses of 2,840 million yen for the year ended December 31, 2015, 1,891 million yen
was attributable to minimum lease payment expenses, and the remaining 949 million yen was related to the
variable lease payment expenses.
Of the operating lease expenses of 4,580 million yen for the year ended December 31, 2016, 3,309 million yen
was attributable to minimum lease payment expenses, and the remaining 1,271 million yen was related to the
variable lease payment expenses.
Of the operating lease expenses of 5,468 million yen for the year ended December 31, 2017, 3,759 million yen
was attributable to minimum lease payment expenses, and the remaining 1,709 million yen was related to the
variable lease payment expenses.
18. Leases—Group as Lessor
Operating leases—Group as lessor
In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Group subleased part of its head office to a third party. There was no minimum
payment requirement in the sublease arrangement, and sublease income was based on the actual square footage
occupied by the third party.
Future minimum rentals payable under non-cancelable operating leases are as follows:
Within one year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
After one year but not more than five years . . . . . . .
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
19
—
19
23
25
48
The Group recognized sublease income of 51 million yen, 54 million yen and 49 million yen for the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
F-64
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
19. Issued Capital and Reserves
The movements in issued capital and reserves for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as
follows:
(1) Authorized shares and shares issued
The movements of authorized shares and shares issued for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
2017 are as follows:
Authorized
shares
(Share
capital with
no-par value)
Shares issued
(Share capital with
no-par value)
Common
Shares
Class A
shares
Share
capital
(millions of
yen)
400,000,000
174,992,000
—
12,596
January 1, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conversion of common shares to class
A shares(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
290,000,000
(174,992,000)
174,992,000
—
690,000,000
—
174,992,000
12,596
December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conversion of class A shares to
common shares(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initial public offering(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options(4) . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options(4) . . . . . . . . . .
690,000,000
—
Issuance of common shares(5)
. . . . . . . .
—
1,007,810
December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
690,000,000
238,496,810
—
—
—
174,992,000
40,250,000
2,533,500
217,775,500
19,713,500
(174,992,000)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
63,424
1,836
77,856
12,513
2,000
92,369
(1)
(2)
(3)
Through the amendment of its articles of incorporation on June 15, 2015, the Company introduced a dual
class structure of common shares and class A shares. Under the dual class structure, each common share has
one vote per unit of 100 shares, and each class A share has one vote per unit of 10 shares, while both classes
of shares have the same rights to share in profit, distribution of retained earnings and residual assets. As part
of the amendment, the total number of authorized shares was increased to 690,000,000, of which up to
190,872,500 shares may be issued as class A shares.
Additionally, the Company converted all outstanding shares held by NAVER into class A shares. Class A
shares are mandatorily converted to common shares on a one-to-one basis upon passage of time or
occurrence of certain events as specified in the articles of incorporation.
Through an amendment of its article of incorporation effective as of March 31, 2016, the Company
terminated its dual class structure of shares and converted all outstanding class A shares to common shares.
The Company issued 35,000,000 shares of common shares through the initial public offering of new shares
on July 14, 2016. Additionally, on August 16, 2016, Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. and Morgan Stanley & Co.
LLC. exercised their options to purchase 5,250,000 additional common shares in an allotment of new shares.
As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding over-allotment options granted to underwriters.
(4) Refer to Note 27 Share-Based Payments for further details.
(5)
In conjunction with the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plans Trust (J-ESOP) on July 18, 2017,
the Company issued 1,007,810 common shares to Trust & Custody Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust E account). The
total amount of issued shares was 4,000 million yen, which increased share capital by 2,000 million yen.
F-65
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
19. Issued Capital and Reserves (continued)
(2) Share premium and retained earnings
Share premium
The movements in share premium for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
January 1, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Change in ownership interest in a subsidiary without losing
Share-based
payments (1)
3,810
11,213
control
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
December 31, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeiture of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Initial public offering(3)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost related to initial public offering(4)
December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeiture of stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Issuance of common shares(5)
Cost related to issuance of common shares (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15,023
9,520
(2,548)
(60)
—
—
21,935
1,882
(16,746)
(9)
—
—
—
December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7,062
(In millions of yen)
Common
control
business
combinations Others(2)
Share
premium
total
294
—
—
294
—
—
—
—
—
294
—
—
—
—
—
—
294
3,668
7,772
— 11,213
(2)
(2)
3,666
—
2,460
—
63,424
(571)
68,979
—
15,721
—
2,000
(73)
(423)
18,983
9,520
(88)
(60)
63,424
(571)
91,208
1,882
(1,025)
(9)
2,000
(73)
(423)
86,204
93,560
(1)
Through the amendment of its articles of incorporation on June 15, 2015, the Company amended the terms
applicable to a portion of two tranches of stock options, which are the acquisition rights for common shares
(the “Common Stock Options”). As a result of the amendment, 24,724 Common Stock Options originally
granted on December 17, 2012 and 6,949 Common Stock Options originally granted on February 4, 2015
were converted to the acquisition rights for class A shares (the “Class A Stock Options”), with the holders of
such options entitled to acquire 500 class A shares upon exercise of each stock option. Refer to Note 27
Share-Based Payments for further details.
Through an amendment of its article of incorporation effective as of March 31, 2016, the Company
amended the terms applicable to stock options from class A shares to common shares.
(2) Others mainly consists of capital reserve required under the Companies Act of Japan.
(3)
The Company issued 35,000,000 common shares through the initial public offering of new shares on
July 14, 2016. Additionally, on August 16, 2016, Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. and Morgan Stanley & Co.
LLC. exercised their options to purchase 5,250,000 additional shares of common stock in an allotment of
new shares. As of December 31, 2016, there were no outstanding allotment options granted to underwriters.
Incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of common shares are recognized as a deduction from
equity, net of any tax effects, in accordance with IAS 32 Financial instruments: Presentation. Refer to Note
13 (1) Income Taxes for further details on these tax effects.
(4)
F-66
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
19. Issued Capital and Reserves (continued)
(2) Share premium and retained earnings (continued)
Share premium (continued)
(5)
In conjunction with the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plans Trust (J-ESOP) on July 18,
2017, the Company issued 1,007,810 common shares to Trust & Custody Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust E
account). The total amount of issuance price of shares was 4,000 million yen, which increased share
premium by 2,000 million yen.
Under the Companies Act of Japan, at least 50% of the proceeds of certain issuances of share capital shall
be credited to share capital. The remaining proceeds shall be credited to share premium. The Companies Act
permits, upon approval at the general meeting of shareholders, the transfer of amounts from share premium
to share capital.
Retained earnings
The Companies Act of Japan requires that an amount equal to at least 10% of dividends from surplus, as
defined under the Companies Act, shall be appropriated as capital reserve (part of share premium) or
appropriated for legal earnings reserve (part of retained earnings) until the aggregate amount of capital
reserve and legal earnings reserve is equal to 25% of share capital. The legal earnings reserve may be used
to eliminate or reduce a deficit or be transferred to other retained earnings upon approval at the general
meeting of shareholders. The Company has not declared or paid cash dividends to date, and therefore no
legal earnings reserves have been recorded as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.
(3) Treasury shares
The movements in treasury shares for the year ended December 31, 2017 are as follows:
January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase during the year(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Decrease during the year(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
1,007,810
(100)
December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,007,710
—
4,000
(0)
4,000
Number of shares
(Common share with
no-par value)
Amount
(In millions of yen)
(1) Resulted from the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plans Trust (J-ESOP) on July 18, 2017,
including issuance of 1,007,810 common shares to Trust & Custody Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust E account),
whose total amount was 4,000 million yen.
(2) Resulted from the sales of shares by Trust & Custody Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust E account).
F-67
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
20. Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Deconsolidation of LINE BIZ Plus Ltd.
On April 25, 2016, an issuance of new shares to BSS Holdings group, a provider of smart cards for mass transit
systems and offline e-payment at retail stores in Thailand, resulted in a decrease of the Group’s ownership of
LINE BIZ Plus Ltd. (subsequently renamed to RABBIT LINE PAY COMPANY LIMITED) from 100.0% to
50.0%. LINE BIZ Plus Ltd. was accounted for as a joint venture under the equity method because the Group had
joint control of the entity under the shareholders agreement. The assets, liabilities and other items of LINE BIZ
Plus Ltd. transferred in connection with the deconsolidation were as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Cash and cash equivalents(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
482
19
28
(71)
(4)
150
0
49
653
(1)
This amount is included in “Cash disposed on loss of control of subsidiary” in the Group’s Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows.
As of the transaction date, the re-measurement to fair value of the investment retained by the Group in LINE BIZ
Plus Ltd. amounted to 2,384 million yen and was based on the issuance of new shares for 750 million Baht. As a
result, the Group recognized a gain of 1,731 million yen, which was recognized in the Consolidated Statements
of Profit or Loss as “Other operating income”.
Divestiture of Bonsai Garage Corporation
On February 29, 2016, the Company sold all of its shares of Bonsai Garage Corporation to a third party. The
assets and liabilities of the Bonsai Garage Corporation, gain on divesture of the subsidiary, and cash
consideration received in connection with such sales are presented below:
(In millions of yen)
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on divestiture of business and subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total consideration received in cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents due to the divestiture
of Bonsai Garage Corporation(*)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
10
(34)
21
0
(3)
(*) This amount is included in “Cash disposed on loss of control of subsidiary” in the Company’s Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows.
F-68
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
20. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (continued)
Proceeds from/(repayments of) short-term borrowings
“Proceeds from/(repayments of) short-term borrowings, net” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash
Flows consists of 22,080 million yen of proceeds and 42,833 million yen of repayments for the year ended
December 31, 2016.
Transfer of Camera Application Business to Snow Corporation
On May 1, 2017, the Group transferred the camera application business, which was operated by LINE Plus
Corporation,
to Snow Corporation, an associate of the Group and a subsidiary of NAVER. The camera
application business includes services such as B612, LINE Camera, Foodie and Looks.
The Group acquired 208,455 newly issued common shares of Snow Corporation in exchange for the camera
application business. The number of common shares newly issued by Snow Corporation was determined based
on the ratio of the fair value of the camera application business transferred as well as the cash and cash
equivalent comparing to the enterprise value of Snow Corporation. As a result of this transaction, the Group’s
ownership in Snow Corporation increased from 25.0% to 48.6%, followed by an additional capital injection to
Snow Corporation by the Company and NAVER in August 2017, resulting in a decrease of the Group’s
ownership from 48.6% to 45.0%. The Group continues to account for its ownership in Snow Corporation using
the equity method. Also, the ownership of NAVER in Snow Corporation decreased from 75.0% to 55.0% as a
result of this transaction. Refer to Note 31 Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures for further details.
The common shares of Snow Corporation received in exchange for the camera application business are measured
and recorded at fair value as of the transaction date. The fair value of the common shares were measured based
on the fair value of the camera application business which was estimated using the discounted cash flow method.
All the variances between the assets and liabilities of the camera application business transferred to Snow
Corporation and the consideration of transfer were recognized as gain on transfer as presented below.
(In millions of yen)
Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Consideration received in exchange for the transfer of camera
application business(*1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on transfer(*2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
603
581
22
71
(133)
(334)
207
10,651
10,444
(*1) This amount is solely for the newly issued common shares of Snow Corporation. This transaction is
considered as a non-cash transaction.
(*2) This amount is included in “Other operating income” in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Profit or
Loss.
F-69
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
20. Supplemental Cash Flow Information (continued)
Material non-cash transactions
(1) Acquisition of treasury shares by issuance of common shares
In conjunction with the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP), which has been
resolved at board of director’s’ meeting held at June 26, 2017, the Company has issued 1,007,810 of
common shares to Trust & Custody Services Bank, Ltd. (Trust E), and payment process has completed on
July 18, 2017. The Company’s share held by the trust is included in “treasury shares” in the Group’s
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.
As a result, the amounts of share capital, share premium, and treasury shares in the fiscal year 2017 were
increased by 2,000 million yen, 2,000 million yen and 4,000 million yen, respectively.
(2) Acquisition of interest in subsidiaries by debt equity swap
On June 19, 2017, the Group provided loan to NextFloor Corporation. (“NextFloor”) for the amount of
1,976 million yen. Subsequently, on July 24, 2017, the all of the loan was converted into common share of
NextFloor through the process of acquiring 51.0% interests of NextFloor. Refer to Note 29. Business
Combinations for further details.
Movements on liabilities from financing activities
Net liabilities as of January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cash flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase due to business combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Items such as foreign currency translation adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Borrowings
which are
due less
than one
year
21,925
(107)
405
1
Net liabilities as of December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22,224
21. Revenues
Revenues were derived from the rendering of services, the sale of goods and royalties.
Revenues by category for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Borrowings
which are
due after
one year
—
(1)
91
3
93
Total
21,925
(108)
496
4
22,317
Sale of goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rendering of services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Royalties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,250
115,515
641
8,056
131,201
1,447
10,823
154,356
1,968
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
120,406
140,704
167,147
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
F-70
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
22. Other Income and Expenses
(1) Other operating income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is as follows:
Virtual credits breakage income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on divestiture of business and subsidiaries(1) . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on sale of land(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(In millions of yen)
2016
1,491
1,731
2,461
209
5,892
2017
815
10,444
—
752
12,011
2015
347
—
—
127
474
(1) Refer to Note 20 Supplemental Cash Flow Information for further details.
(2) On June 29, 2016, the Company sold land in Fukuoka prefecture with a carrying amount of 2,584 million
yen to Kyushu Railway Company. The sale price was 5,050 million yen and the Group recognized a gain on
the sale of 2,461 million yen.
(2) Other operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Rent
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Taxes and dues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Professional fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cost of goods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others(1)
2015
2,302
1,851
723
250
2,256
3,209
823
3,018
(In millions of yen)
2016
3,529
1,737
1,154
801
2,030
3,519
1,006
4,600
2017
6,143
2,259
2,378
1,516
2,182
4,946
1,344
4,635
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
14,432
18,376
25,403
(1)
The amount consists of office management fees and other miscellaneous expenses.
(3) Other non-operating income for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 is as follows:
Gain on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss . . .
Dividend income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gain on sale of financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
111
46
—
—
157
—
—
4
5
9
2015
2016
2017
1,096
69
751
47
1,963
(In millions of yen)
F-71
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
22. Other Income and Expenses (continued)
(4) Other non-operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
Loss on financial assets at fair value through profit or loss . . .
Loss on impairment of available-for-sale financial assets . . . .
Loss from derivatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015
—
1,790
62
35
1,887
(In millions of yen)
2016
656
293
60
53
1,062
2017
118
1,761
—
109
1,988
23. Discontinued Operations
The Group acquired MixRadio on March 16, 2015. Subsequently, the Group made a strategic decision to focus
on its core LINE business and portal segment. On February 12, 2016, the board of directors approved the
abandonment of the MixRadio segment. The operation of the MixRadio business was classified as a discontinued
operation on March 21, 2016, when the abandonment took effect.
The aggregated results of the discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are
presented below.
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
Revenues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expenses(1)
Loss before tax from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Income tax benefits on disposal(2)
264
—
(11,767)
(11,503)
3,915
444 —
9 —
(3,179)
(2,726)
744
(19)
(19)
6
Loss for the year from discontinued operations (attributable to the shareholders of the
Company) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7,588)
(1,982)
(13)
(1)
(2)
In connection with the abandonment of the MixRadio business on March 21, 2016, restructuring expenses
related to employee termination benefits of 1,165 million yen and office lease termination fees of
126 million yen have been incurred.
The income tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are mainly due to the
deductible temporary difference arising from the investment in MixRadio Limited, which incurred loss
during the periods.
The aggregated cash flow information of the discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2015,
2016 and 2017, are presented below.
Operating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Financing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(6,457)
(2,427)
—
(4,654)
(136)
22 —
—
—
Net cash outflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(8,884)
(4,632)
(136)
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
F-72
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
24. Earnings per Share
The profit or loss for the year and the weighted average number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per
share are as follows:
(In millions of yen, except number of shares)
2015
2016
2017
Profit for the year attributable to the shareholders of the Company
from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
8,745
8,091
Loss for the year attributable to the shareholders of the Company
from discontinued operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(7,588)
(1,982)
(13)
Total (loss)/profit for the year attributable to the shareholders
of the Company for basic earnings and diluted earnings per
share . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average number of total common shares and class A
shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average number of total treasury shares . . . . . . . . . . . .
Weighted average number of common and class A shares for
(7,582)
6,763
8,078
174,992,000
—
194,083,995
—
221,405,391
(459,843)
basic earnings per share(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174,992,000
194,083,995
220,945,548
Effect of dilution:
Stock options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18,805,566
—
20,790,013
—
16,559,789
47,369
Weighted average number of total common and class A shares
adjusted for the effect of dilution(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
193,797,566
214,874,008
237,552,706
(1)
Through the amendment of its articles of incorporation on June 15, 2015, the Company introduced a dual
class structure of common shares and class A shares and converted all outstanding common shares into class
A shares; therefore, the weighted average number of shares for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes
the average number of common shares and class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Additionally, through an amendment of its article of incorporation effective as of March 31, 2016, the
Company terminated its dual class structure of commons shares and class A shares and converted all class A
shares into common shares.
In calculating diluted earnings per share, share options outstanding and other potential shares are taken into
account where their impact is dilutive.
Potential common shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31,
2015, included options representing 9,848,000 common shares and 15,836,500 class A shares which were
outstanding as of December 31, 2015 as they had a dilutive impact. For the year ended December 31, 2015,
diluted loss per share attributable to the shareholder of the Company is lower than basic loss per share
attributable to the shareholders of the Company because of the effect of losses from the discontinued operations.
Potential common shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31,
2016, included options representing 22,911,500 shares which were outstanding as of December 31, 2016 as they
had a dilutive impact.
F-73
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
24. Earnings per Share (continued)
Potential common shares used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the year ended December 31,
2017, included options representing 5,828,302 shares which were outstanding as of December 31, 2017 as their
impact was dilutive.
The Company has granted 23,860 of stock options (warrants) to directors and executive officers of the Company
and a director of a subsidiary with the grant date of July 18, 2017. Upon exercise of those stock options, common
shares of 2,386,000 will be issued.
Moreover, the Company has issued 1,007,810 of new common shares through a third-party allotment in
accordance with the introduction of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP) on July 18, 2017.
25. Financial Risk Management
The Group has exposure to the following risks from its use of financial instruments:
–
–
Credit risk
Liquidity risk
– Market risk
This note presents information about the Group’s exposure to each of the above risks, the Group’s objectives,
policies and processes for measuring and managing risk, and the Group’s management of capital. Further
quantitative disclosures are included throughout the Group’s consolidated financial statements.
(1) Risk Management Framework
The Group limits its fund management to highly liquid and low risk investments, such as time deposits and
other debt instruments. The Group raises funds mainly through the issuance of corporate bonds, and
borrowings from financial institutions, including banks, with high credit ratings. The Group may enter into
foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge foreign exchange risk. The Group does not enter into any
financial transactions for speculative purposes.
F-74
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(2) Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial losses to the Group if a customer or counterparty to a financial instrument
fails to meet its contractual obligations, and arises principally from the Group’s receivables from customers
and investments.
(a) Maximum amounts of possible financial loss to the Group due to credit risk as of December 31, 2016
and 2017 are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Book value
Book value
Demand deposits(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time deposits(1)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loan receivables(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Guarantee deposits(1)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade and other receivables(3)(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Japanese government bonds(1)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds and other debt instruments(1)
. . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits(1)(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
134,690
10,764
2
3,447
28,167
280
7,643
6,028
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
191,021
123,593
12,002
206
726
42,892
280
8,835
5,904
194,438
(1) None of these assets were past due or impaired at the end of the respective reporting period.
(2) Refer to Note 15 Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities for details of the financial instruments being
deposited under the Japanese Payment Services Act.
For receivables, the Group’s exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristics of
each customer. The Group regularly performs credit assessments on customers and counterparties
considering their financial position and historical data in order to manage the credit risk. The Group
establishes an allowance for impairment that represents its estimate of incurred losses in respect of loan
receivables, trade and other receivables. The main components of this allowance are a specific loss
component that relates to individually significant exposures, and a collective loss component established for
groups of similar assets in respect of losses that have been incurred but not yet identified. The collective loss
allowance is determined based on historical experience for similar assets.
The Group identifies concentrations of credit risk when a limited number of the Group’s counterparties that
have similar characteristics or business activities, and thus are affected similarly by changes in economic or
other conditions, account for a large portion of the entire trade and other receivables. The Group had
significant concentrations of credit risk with two payment processing service providers, representing 38.5%
and 30.5% of trade and other receivables as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
The amount mainly consists of the office security deposits paid for the Group’s office lease agreements.
(3)
(4)
(5)
(b)
Impaired or past-due financial assets
In case of impairment of financial assets, the Group does not directly write off such assets by reducing the
carrying amount, but instead records an allowance for doubtful accounts. However, in the event that there is
no realistic prospect of future recovery, financial assets are directly written off.
F-75
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(2) Credit Risk (continued)
(b)
Impaired or past-due financial assets (continued)
Below is the movement in the allowance for doubtful accounts attributable to trade and other receivables,
and other financial assets current:
(In millions of yen)
Allowance for
doubtful accounts
Balance at January 1, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Provision for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reversal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utilized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
430
663
(9)
(9)
2
Balance at December 31, 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,077
Provision for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reversal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Utilized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Acquisition of subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Translation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
83
(515)
(204)
44
7
492
Refer to Note 7 Trade and Other Receivables for more details on non-current trade and other receivables
that were tested for impairment on an individual basis.
(3) Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in meeting the obligations associated with
its financial liabilities that are settled by delivering cash or another financial asset. The Group’s approach to
managing liquidity is to ensure, as much as possible, that it will always have sufficient liquidity to meet its
liabilities when due, under both normal and stressed conditions, without incurring unacceptable losses or
risking damage to the Group’s reputation.
The Group monitors its cash flow through long-term and short-term management strategies and ensures it
has sufficient cash on hand to meet expected operational expenses.
F-76
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(3) Liquidity Risk (continued)
(a) Financial liabilities
The book values of financial liabilities based on the remaining maturities as of December 31, 2016 and 2017
are as follows. The amounts below include estimated interest from financial liabilities scheduled to be paid.
December 31, 2016
Book value
Contractual
cash outflows
Less than
one year
One to
five years
After
five years
(In millions of yen)
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposits received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21,532
21,925
2,572
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
46,029
21,532
21,937
2,572
46,041
21,532
21,937
2,572
46,041
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2017
Book value
Contractual
cash outflows
Less than
one year
One to
five years
After
five years
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Short-term borrowings(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposits received . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits received under sublease
agreement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Put option liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
28,810
22,224
5,730
23
486
28,810
22,341
5,730
23
486
28,810
22,341
5,730
—
—
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
57,273
57,390
56,881
—
—
—
23
486
509
—
—
—
—
—
—
(1)
The Group had lines of credit with four banks for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2017. The lines of
credit available and the lines of credit used are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Lines of credit available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lines of credit used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remaining lines of credit available . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
24,380
21,667
2,713
22,712
22,000
712
(b) Financial assets
Private equity investments
As a limited partner of the private equity investment funds, the Group may be required at any time to
contribute to the partnership its pro rata share of the aggregate amount to be contributed by all limited
partners for such portfolio investment, up to the amount of its unfunded capital commitment (17 million
U.S. dollars, equivalent of 1,956 million yen, as of December 31, 2016 and 810 million yen, 26 million U.S.
dollars, equivalent of 2,942 million yen, and 45 million Taiwan dollars, equivalent of 170 million yen, as of
December 31, 2017) as of the day of the capital contribution call.
F-77
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(4) Market Risk
Market risk is the risk that changes in market prices which will affect the future cash flow or the value of the
Group’s holdings of financial instruments. The objective of market risk management is to manage and
control market risk exposures within acceptable parameters, while optimizing the return.
(a) Exchange rate risk
The Group has exposure to currency risk on sales and purchase transactions denominated in currencies
other than the functional currencies. The main currencies used for transactions of the Group are the
Japanese yen (“JPY”), the Korean won (“KRW”), the euro (“EUR”), the U.S. dollar (“USD”), and the
Thai baht (“THB”).
The book values of major monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the
functional currency as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
(In millions)
December 31, 2016
Currency
Amount
Exchange
rate
Yen
equivalent
KRW
USD
EUR
KRW
USD
THB
KRW
USD
KRW
USD
37,595
32
6
2,310
6
395
5,100
2
5,623
9
0.10
116.56
122.26
0.10
116.56
3.24
0.10
116.56
0.10
116.56
3,626
3,775
750
223
725
1,282
492
257
542
1,059
(In millions)
December 31, 2017
Currency
Amount
Exchange
rate
Yen
equivalent
KRW
USD
EUR
JPY
USD
THB
USD
KRW
USD
KRW
USD
7,312
101
2
258
12
188
5
6,100
10
5,655
35
0.11
112.88
134.78
1.00
112.88
3.45
112.88
0.11
112.88
0.11
112.88
770
11,364
213
258
1,336
649
611
643
1,131
596
3,949
Monetary assets:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monetary assets:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Available-for-sale financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . .
F-78
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(4) Market Risk (continued)
(a) Exchange rate risk (continued)
Monetary liabilities:
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Monetary liabilities:
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Put option liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
December 31, 2016
Currency
Amount
Exchange
rate
Yen
equivalent
(In millions)
KRW
USD
EUR
(7,669)
(5)
(2)
0.10
116.56
122.26
(740)
(612)
(211)
(In millions)
December 31, 2017
Currency
Amount
Exchange
rate
Yen
equivalent
KRW
USD
THB
KRW
(20,456)
(10)
(97)
(2,114)
0.11
112.88
3.45
0.11
(2,155)
(1,166)
(334)
(223)
The effects on profit or loss before tax from continuing operations and shareholders’ equity as a result
of exchange rate fluctuations as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, are as follows:
Currency
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
Shareholder’s equity
Profit or (loss) before tax
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
EUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KRW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
20
157
195
47
(19)
(150)
(186)
(45)
27
207
260
64
(26)
(197)
(248)
(61)
F-79
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(4) Market Risk (continued)
(a) Exchange rate risk (continued)
Currency
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2017
Shareholders’ equity
Profit or (loss) before tax
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Appreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
Depreciation
of functional
currency by
5%
EUR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KRW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
USD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
THB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
JPY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11
(18)
861
16
13
(10)
18
(820)
(15)
(12)
8
(13)
603
11
10
(8)
12
(574)
(10)
(10)
The tables above demonstrate the sensitivity to a change in EUR, KRW, USD, THB and JPY assuming
all other variables are constant.
(b)
Interest rate risk
Interest bearing financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
Fixed
rate
Variable
rate
Fixed
rate
Variable
rate
Financial assets
Japanese government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loan receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds and other debt instruments . . . . . . . . .
280
10,764
2
4,632
Total financial assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15,678
—
—
—
3,012
3,012
280
12,002
116
8,835
21,233
—
—
—
—
—
Financial liabilities
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total financial liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
258
258
21,667
21,667
43
43
22,042
22,042
F-80
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
25. Financial Risk Management (continued)
(4) Market Risk (continued)
(b)
Interest rate risk (continued)
The Group has exposure to interest rate risk as it possesses financial assets and liabilities bearing
variable interest rates. The analysis below was performed using balances of the financial liabilities with
variable interest rates outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2017, assuming such liabilities were
outstanding for the full fiscal year immediately before the respective dates, while holding all other
variables constant. Potential effects on shareholders’ equity and profit or loss for one year from the
reporting date as a result of a change in the interest rate are as follows.
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
Shareholder’s equity
Profit or (loss) before tax
Increase of 50
basis points
Decrease of 50
basis points
Increase of 50
basis points
Decrease of 50
basis points
Interest expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(74)
11
(108)
16
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2017
Shareholders’ equity
Profit or (loss) before tax
Increase of 50
basis points
Decrease of 50
basis points
Increase of 50
basis points
Decrease of 50
basis points
Interest expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(75)
13
(110)
19
(5) Capital management
The Group maintains a strong capital base to ensure the Group will be able to continue as a going concern.
In addition, through management of the debt and equity balances, the Group aims to maintain investor,
creditor and market confidence, and to sustain future development of the business. In order to achieve
sustainable growth, the Group understands that financing capacities sufficient to make business investments
when there are opportunities, such as the acquisition of external resources for business growth, are required.
For that reason, the Group aims to maintain a well-balanced capital structure by ensuring sound and flexible
financial conditions for future business investment.
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Short-term borrowings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21,925
21,925
22,224
22,224
Total shareholders’ equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
161,023
189,977
The Group is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
F-81
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
26. Fair Value Measurements
(1) Fair value hierarchy
The Group referred to the levels of the fair value hierarchy for financial instruments measured at fair value
in the consolidated financial statements based on the following inputs:
–
–
–
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for
identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices
that are observable, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market
data by correlation or other means.
Level 3 inputs are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value
drivers are unobservable, which reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions that market participants
would use in establishing a price.
Transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy are recognized as if they have occurred at the beginning
of the reporting period.
(2) Fair value measurements by fair value hierarchy
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Consolidated Statements of Financial
Position as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
December 31, 2016
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(In millions of yen)
Financial asset at fair value through profit or
loss
Conversion right and redemption right of
preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
Available-for-sale financial assets
Listed equity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Private equity and other financial
2,346
instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
Total
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,346
—
—
—
—
325
—
12,795
13,120
325
2,346
12,795
15,466
F-82
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
26. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
(2) Fair value measurements by fair value hierarchy (continued)
December 31, 2017
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(In millions of yen)
Financial asset at fair value through profit or
loss
Conversion right and redemption right of
preferred stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
Available-for-sale financial assets
Listed equity investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Private equity and other financial
instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
Financial liability at fair value through profit or
loss
1,574
—
1,574
Put option liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,862
—
13,820
15,682
1,862
1,574
13,820
17,256
486
486
486
486
Assets and liabilities not measured at fair values in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, but
for which fair values are disclosed as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 are as follows:
December 31, 2016
Held-to-maturity investments
Japanese government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loans and receivables
Time deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporate bonds and other debt
instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(In millions of yen)
—
—
—
—
—
294
10,000
2,632
4,739
17,665
—
—
—
—
—
294
10,000
2,632
4,739
17,665
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2017
Held-to-maturity investments
Japanese government bonds . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loans and receivables
Corporate bonds and other debt
instruments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Office security deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
Financial liability measured at amortized cost
Office securities deposits received under
sublease agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
—
—
—
—
—
—
291
8,036
5,546
13,873
23
23
—
—
—
—
—
—
291
8,036
5,546
13,873
23
23
F-83
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
26. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
(2) Fair value measurements by fair value hierarchy (continued)
There have been no transfers among Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the years ended December 31,
2016 and 2017, except for the transfer from Level 1 to Level 3 as described in (3) below.
(3) Reconciliations from the opening balance to the closing balance of financial instruments categorized within
Level 3 are as follows:
(In millions of yen)
2016
Private
equity
and other
financial
instruments
Conversion
right and
redemption
right of
preferred
stock
2017
Conversion
right and
redemption
right of
preferred
stock
Private
equity
and other
financial
instruments
Put option
liabilities
Fair value at the beginning of the
year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13,648
871
12,795
325
—
Total (loss)/gain for the year:
Included in profit or loss(1)
Included in other
. . .
(29)
(656)
(1,535)
1,062
(7)
comprehensive income(2)
. .
(2,140)
—
(2,456)
—
—
Comprehensive
(loss)/income . . . . . . . . . . . .
Purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sales and settlements . . . . . . . . . . .
Return of capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Increase due to business
combination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Transfers in(3)
Effect of exchange rate changes . . .
(2,169)
2,054
—
(8)
—
—
(730)
Fair value at the end of the year . . .
12,795
(656)
197
—
—
—
—
(87)
325
(3,991)
4,949
(1,619)
(121)
610
326
871
1,062
363
—
—
—
—
112
13,820
1,862
(7)
457
—
—
33
—
3
486
(1)
(2)
This amount is included in “Other non-operating income” or “Other non-operating expenses” in the Group’s
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss.
This amount is included in “Net changes in fair value” of available-for-sale financial assets in the Group’s
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
(3) During the year ended December 31, 2017, the issuing company of the equity was delisted from a stock
to our purchase of its equity securities. Accordingly, such equity
exchange in the U.S. subsequent
investment was transferred from Level 1 to Level 3.
(4) Valuation techniques and inputs
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of
Financial Position
F-84
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
26. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
(4) Valuation techniques and inputs (continued)
Conversion right and redemption right of preferred stock
The conversion right and redemption right of preferred stock are embedded derivatives. Such conversion
right and redemption right are bifurcated from the underlying preferred stock and measured at fair value
using mainly a binomial option pricing model. Below is the quantitative information regarding the valuation
technique and significant unobservable inputs used in measuring the fair value of certain conversion right
and redemption right of preferred stock:
Valuation technique
Significant
unobservable input
2016
2017
Binomial option pricing model
. . . . . . Comparable listed companies’
average historical volatility
Discount rate
13.6%-39.6% 46.0%-49.2%
1.6%
2.5%
A significant increase (decrease) in the comparable listed companies’ average historical volatility would
result in a higher (lower) fair value of the conversion right and redemption right of preferred stock, while a
significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate would result in a lower (higher) fair value of the
conversion right and redemption right of preferred stock.
Put option liabilities
The put option liabilities are options written on shares of subsidiaries, associates, and investments. Such put
option liabilities are measured at fair value using mainly option pricing model or the Monte Carlo
simulation. Below is the quantitative information regarding the valuation techniques and significant
unobservable inputs used in measuring the fair value of certain put option liabilities:
Valuation technique
Significant
unobservable input
2016
2017
Option pricing model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comparable listed companies’
Monte Carlo simulation . . . . . . . . . . . . Comparable listed companies’
average historical volatility
Discount rate
average historical volatility
Discount rate
—
—
—
—
45.0%
4.3%
41.4%-49.2%
2.5%
A significant increase (decrease) in the comparable listed companies’ average historical volatility would
result in a higher (lower) fair value of the put option liabilities, while a significant increase (decrease) in the
discount rate would result in a lower (higher) fair value of the put option liabilities.
Private equity and other financial instruments
Available-for-sale financial assets categorized within Level 3 mainly consist of unlisted equity securities
and private equity investment funds. Private equity investment funds were measured at fair value based on
net asset value as of December 31, 2016 and 2017.
F-85
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
26. Fair Value Measurements (continued)
(4) Valuation techniques and inputs (continued)
Private equity and other financial instruments (continued)
Unlisted equity securities are measured at fair value either based on the most recent transactions, the market
approach and option pricing model, or the discount cash flow model. Below is the quantitative information
regarding the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in measuring the fair value of
certain unlisted equity securities:
Valuation technique
Significant
unobservable input
2016
2017
Market approach—market comparable
companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EBITDA multiple
EBIT multiple
Revenue multiple
Liquidity discount
10.4
—
1.7-3.6
30%
11.6-12.8
11.4-19.3
1.4-6.2
30%
Option pricing model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comparable listed companies’
Discount cash flow model
average historical volatility
Discount rate
. . . . . . . . . . Discount rate
Growth rate
39.6%-78.9% 49.7%-76.2%
(0.1%)-2.6%
(0.1%)-1.6%
12.8%-13.0%
16.8%
1.0%-2.0%
—
A significant increase (decrease) in the EBITDA, EBIT, revenue multiple and growth rate would result in a
higher (lower) fair value of the unlisted equity securities, while a significant increase (decrease) in the
liquidity discount, comparable listed companies’ average historical volatility, discount rate, weighted
average cost of capital and risk premium would result in a lower (higher) fair value of the unlisted equity
securities.
The valuation techniques and the valuation results of the Level 3 financial assets, including those performed
by the external experts, were reviewed and approved by the management of the Group.
Assets and liabilities not measured at fair value in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, but for
which fair values are disclosed
Japanese government bonds
Japanese government bonds are included in held-to-maturity financial assets. The book value of Japanese
government bonds are measured at amortized cost, while fair values are measured at observable quoted
prices for identical securities as of the reporting dates. However, as these Japanese government bonds were
not actively traded, they were classified as level 2.
Office security deposits, office security deposits received under sublease agreements,
corporate bonds and other debt instruments
time deposits,
The fair values of the office security deposits office security deposits received under sublease agreements,
time deposits, corporate bonds and other debt instruments are calculated by using the discounted cash flow
method which utilizes observable inputs such as risk-free interest rates and credit spreads of the Group as of
the reporting dates.
F-86
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
27. Share-Based Payments
The Group has stock option incentive plans for directors and employees.
(1) Stock Option Plan
For the stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015, each stock
option represents the right to purchase 500 common shares at a fixed price for a defined period of time. The
exercise price of stock options, which were granted during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013
was 344 yen, whereas that of those options, which were granted during the years ended December 31, 2014
and 2015 was 1,320 yen.
In the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company has granted 23,860 of stock options equivalent to
2,386,000 of common shares with the exercise price of 4,206 yen.
The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes model, a commonly accepted stock
option pricing method.
Stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 vest after two years
from the grant date and are exercisable for a period of eight years from the vesting date. Stock options
granted during the year ended December 31, 2017 vest 25% of stock options per year over a period of four
years from the grant date and are exercisable from the vesting date until July 18, 2027.
Conditions for vesting and exercise of the stock options require that those who received the allotment of
stock options continue to be employed by the Group from the grant date to the vesting date, and from the
grant date to the exercise date, respectively, unless otherwise permitted by the board of directors. Refer to
Note 4 Significant Accounting Judgments, Estimates and Assumptions (f) for more details on the valuation
methodology of stock options, and the assumptions used in such valuation.
There were no cancellations or modifications to the awards in 2015, 2016 or 2017.
On June 15, 2015, through the amendment of its articles of incorporation, the Company introduced a dual
class structure of common shares and class A shares. Under the dual class structure, each common share has
one vote per unit of 100 shares, and each class A share has one vote per unit of 10 shares, while both classes
of shares have the same rights to share in profit, distribution of retained earnings and residual assets.
Additionally, the Company amended the terms applicable to a portion of two tranches of stock options. As a
result of the amendment, 24,724 Common Stock Options originally granted on December 17, 2012 and
6,949 Common Stock Options originally granted on February 4, 2015 were converted to Class A Stock
Options. While all other contract terms remain unchanged, the holders of Class A Stock Options are entitled
to acquire 500 class A shares upon exercise of each stock option. The Class A Stock Options are
mandatorily converted to Common Stock Options on a one-to-one basis upon passage of time or occurrence
of certain events as specified in the terms and conditions of Class A Stock Options.
Through an amendment of its article of incorporation effective as of March 31, 2016, the Company
amended the terms applicable to stock options from class A shares to common shares.
F-87
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
27. Share-Based Payments (continued)
(1) Stock Option Plan (continued)
i. Movements during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017
The following table illustrates the number and weighted average exercise prices (“WAEP”) of, and
movements in, outstanding stock options on a per-common-share basis during the year:
2015
Common Stock Options
Class A Stock Options
Number
(shares)
WAEP (yen
per share)
Number
(shares)
WAEP (yen
per share)
Outstanding at January 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expired during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conversion of Common Stock Options to
20,217,500
5,773,500
(306,500)
—
—
Class A Stock Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(15,836,500)
Outstanding at December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . .
9,848,000
Exercisable at December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,970,500
481
1,320
1,178
—
—
558
827
344
—
—
—
—
—
15,836,500
15,836,500
12,362,000
2016
—
—
—
—
—
558
558
344
Common Stock Options
Class A Stock Options
Number
(shares)
WAEP (yen
per share)
Number
(shares)
WAEP (yen
per share)
Outstanding at January 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised during the period(1)
. . . . . . . . . . .
Expired during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conversion of Class A Stock Options to
9,848,000
—
(239,500)
(2,533,500)
—
Common Stock Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
15,836,500
Outstanding at December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . .
22,911,500
Exercisable at December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17,321,500
827
—
1,137
691
—
558
653
438
15,836,500
—
—
—
—
(15,836,500)
—
—
558
—
—
—
—
558
—
—
2017
Common Stock Options
Class A Stock Options
Number
(shares)
WAEP (yen
per share)
Number
(shares)
WAEP (yen
per share)
Outstanding at January 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised during the period(1)
. . . . . . . . . . .
Expired during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
22,911,500
2,386,000
(7,000)
(19,713,500)
—
Outstanding at December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . .
5,577,000
Exercisable at December 31 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3,191,000
653
4,206
1,320
583
—
2,421
1,086
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
F-88
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
27. Share-Based Payments (continued)
(1) Stock Option Plan (continued)
(1)
The weighted average share price at
December 31, 2016 and 2017 were 4,255 yen and 4,580 yen, respectively.
the date of exercise of these options during the years ended
ii. The exercise price and the number of shares for options outstanding as of December 31, 2015, 2016
and 2017 are as follows:
Grant dates
December 18, 2012 . . . . . . . . . . .
December 17, 2013 . . . . . . . . . . .
February 8, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
August 9, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
November 1, 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . .
February 4, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
July 18, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise price
(yen)
December 31,
2015
344
344
1,320
1,320
1,320
1,320
4,206
14,000,000
3,322,500
1,667,000
697,000
323,000
5,665,000
—
Number (Shares)
December 31,
2016
14,000,000
1,654,000
1,135,000
311,000
221,500
5,590,000
—
December 31,
2017
—
763,500
818,000
218,000
145,000
1,246,500
2,386,000
iii. The weighted average remaining contractual life for the stock options outstanding as of December 31,
2015, 2016 and 2017 was 7.7 years, 6.7 years and 7.8 years respectively.
iv. The following tables list the inputs to the models used for deriving the fair value of the stock options
granted for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017
Grant dates
2015
February 4
2017
July 18
Dividend yield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected volatility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Risk-free interest rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expected life of stock options (years) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercise price (yen)
Fair value per common share at the grant date (yen) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Model used . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0.0%
56%
0.0%
6
1,320
4,225
Black-Scholes
0.0%
44.9-45.7%
(0.04)-0.00%
5.5-7
4,206
3,840
Black-Scholes
The fair value of the options granted on February 4, 2015 was 3,219 yen on a per-common-share basis.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, no stock options were granted. The fair value of the options
granted on July 18, 2017 was 1,545 yen on a per-common-share basis.
The expected volatility was derived from the historical volatility over a period similar to the expected
life of the stock options for publicly listed companies that are comparable to the Company and the
Group, and such volatility is assumed to be indicative of future trends, which may not necessarily be
the actual outcome.
v.
The expenses recognized in connection with share-based payments during the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are shown in the following table:
Total expenses arising from equity-settled share-based payment
transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11,213
9,519
1,602
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
F-89
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
27. Share-Based Payments (continued)
(2) Equity-settled Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP)
The Group has a Group policy, the Regulations on Stock Compensation, which regulates an incentive for
the employees in line with the stock price movement and for the purpose of securing excellent human
resources and their long-term success.
In accordance with the Regulations on Stock Compensation, the Group has granted points equivalent to
262,069 shares to the employees of the Group on July 18, 2017. The points vest once the employees who
received the points satisfy the conditions under the Regulations on the Stock Compensation. As the points
vest, the trust grants the Company’s shares equivalent to the number of points, which the trust owns, to the
employees of the Company and its domestic subsidiary.
Under the Regulations on Stock Compensation, the employees granted the points on July 18, 2017 are
required to be employed by the Group until the vesting dates, which are set between April 1, 2018 and
April 1, 2020.
i. Movements during the year ended December 31, 2017
The following table illustrates the movements in outstanding points during the year ended
December 31, 2017:
Outstanding at January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expired during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
J-ESOP
(Equity-settled)
Number
(Points(1))
—
262,069
(10,767)
—
—
251,302
Exercisable at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(1) One point is equal to one share.
ii. The Group’s J-ESOP does not have an exercise price as the employees receive the number of shares
equivalent to the points, and the weighted average remaining contractual life as of December 31, 2017
was 1.5 years.
iii. The fair value of the points issued on July 18, 2017 was the share price of the day the points were
granted, 3,840 yen.
iv. The expenses recognized in connection with share-based payments during the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are shown in the following table:
Total expenses arising from equity-settled share-based payment
transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
—
279
F-90
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
27. Share-Based Payments (continued)
(3) Cash-settled Employee Stock Ownership Plan (J-ESOP)
In accordance with the Regulations on Stock Compensation, the Group has granted points equivalent to
567,056 shares to the employees of the Group on July 18, 2017. The points vest once the employees who
received the points satisfy the conditions under the Regulations on the Stock Compensation. As the points
vest, the trust sells the shares of the Company which are equivalent to the number of points in the market
and distributes the cash obtained from the transaction to the employees.
Under the Regulations on Stock Compensation, the employees granted the points on July 18, 2017 are
required to be employed by the Group until the vesting dates, which are set between April 1, 2018 and
April 1, 2020.
i. Movements during the year ended December 31, 2017
The following table illustrates the movements in outstanding points during the year ended
December 31, 2017:
Outstanding at January 1, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Granted during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Forfeited during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exercised during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Expired during the period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
J-ESOP
(Cash-settled)
Number
(Points(1))
—
567,056
(33,554)
—
—
Outstanding at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
533,502
Exercisable at December 31, 2017 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
—
(1) One point is equal to one share.
ii. The Group’s J-ESOP does not have an exercise price as the employees receive the amount of cash
equivalent to the points, and the weighted average remaining contractual life as of December 31, 2017
was 1.5 years.
iii. The fair value of the points granted on July 18, 2017 as of the grant date and December 31, 2017 were
3,840 yen and 4,595 yen respectively.
iv. The expenses recognized in connection with share-based payments during the years ended
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 are shown in the following table:
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
Total expenses arising from cash-settled share-based payment
transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
—
805
v.
The Group has recognized nil of liabilities associated with Cash-settled J-ESOP in the Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position as of December 31, 2016, and 805 million yen as of December 31,
2017, respectively. The amount of the liabilities were not fixed as of December 31, 2016 and
December 31, 2017.
F-91
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
28. Related Party Transactions
Note 30 Principal Subsidiaries provides information about the Group’s structure, including details of the
subsidiaries and the parent company. The following table provides the total amount of outstanding balances and
related party transactions entered into during 2015, 2016 and 2017.
(1) Significant related party transactions and outstanding balances with related parties during the year ended
December 31, 2015 are as follows:
Relationship
Name
Transaction
(In millions of yen)
Transaction
amount
Outstanding
receivable/
(payable)
balances(3)
Parent company . . . . . . NAVER
Subsidiary of parent
Advertising service(1)
1,127
160
company . . . . . . . . . . NAVER Business Platform Corp.(2) Operating expenses
8,139
(942)
(1)
(2)
(3)
LINE Plus and NAVER entered into an agreement for exchange of services in which LINE Plus provides
advertising services via the LINE platform and the right to use certain LINE characters in exchange for
NAVER’s advertising services for LINE Plus via NAVER’s web portal. The Group generated advertising
revenues of 1,127 million yen in connection with the advertising services provided to NAVER for the year
ended December 31, 2015.
This subsidiary of NAVER provided IT infrastructure services and related development services to the
Group.
The receivable and payable amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash.
(2) Significant related party transactions and outstanding balances with related parties during the year ended
December 31, 2016 are as follows:
Relationship
Name
Transaction
(In millions of yen)
Transaction
amount
Outstanding
receivable/
(payable)
balances(3)
Parent company . . . . . . NAVER
Subsidiary of parent
Advertising service(1)
332
67
company . . . . . . . . . . NAVER Business Platform Corp.(2) Operating expenses
7,458
(902)
(1)
(2)
(3)
LINE Plus Corporation and NAVER entered into an agreement for exchange of services in which LINE Plus
provides advertising services via the LINE platform and the right to use certain LINE characters in
exchange for NAVER’s advertising services for LINE Plus via NAVER’s web portal. The Group generated
advertising revenues of 332 million yen in connection with the advertising services provided to NAVER for
the year ended December 31, 2016.
This subsidiary of NAVER provided IT infrastructure services and related development services to the
Group.
The receivable and payable amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash.
F-92
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
28. Related Party Transactions (continued)
(3) Significant related party transactions and outstanding balances with related parties during the year ended
December 31, 2017 are as follows:
Relationship
Name
Transaction
(In millions of yen)
Transaction
amount
Outstanding
receivable/
(payable)
balances(3)
Parent company . . . . . . NAVER
Subsidiary of parent
Advertising service(1)
518
108
Associate of the
company . . . . . . . . . . NAVER Business Platform Corp.(2) Operating expenses
Transfer of camera
application business(4)
Group . . . . . . . . . . . . Snow Corporation
Director of the
Company . . . . . . . . .
Jungho Shin
Director of the
Company . . . . . . . . . Hae Jin Lee
Exercise of stock
options(5)
Exercise of stock
options(5)
8,475
(976)
10,651
6,922
1,917
—
—
—
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
LINE Plus Corporation and NAVER entered into an agreement for exchange of services in which LINE Plus
to use certain LINE
Corporation provides advertising services via the LINE platform and the right
characters in exchange for NAVER’s advertising services for LINE Plus via NAVER’s web portal. The
Group generated advertising revenues of 518 million yen in connection with the advertising services
provided to NAVER for the year ended December 31, 2017.
This subsidiary of NAVER provided IT infrastructure services and related development services to the Group.
The receivable and payable amounts outstanding are unsecured and will be settled in cash.
In May, 2017, LINE Plus Corporation transferred its camera application business to Snow Corporation. In
exchange for the transfer of the business, LINE Plus Corporation received 208,455 newly issued common
shares of Snow Corporation, and the transaction amount represents the fair value of the newly issued
common shares received on the transaction date. Refer to Note 20 Supplemental Cash Flow Information for
further details.
Stock options which had been issued with resolution at the meeting of board of director on December 17,
2012 and January 30, 2015, have been exercised. The transaction amount includes the amount paid in by
exercising stock options during the year ended December 31, 2017.
(4) The total compensation of key management personnel for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and
2017, was as follows:
Salaries (including bonuses)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Share-based payments(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(In millions of yen)
2015
2016
2017
315
5,286
5,601
459
5,714
6,173
739
928
1,667
(1) Refer to Note 27 Share-Based Payments for further details.
Key management personnel includes directors and corporate auditors of the Company.
F-93
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations
Acquisition in 2015
Acquisition of MixRadio
On March 16, 2015, the Group acquired MixRadio, a music streaming service, from Microsoft Mobile Oy. The
acquisition of MixRadio allows the Group to expand the range of services. The Group determined that the
acquisition of MixRadio is a business combination in accordance with IFRS 3, as the Group acquired inputs and
processes, such as music rights and the trade name of MixRadio, with which principal activities have been
commenced. The valuation of the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed was completed as
of December 31, 2015, and remained unchanged as compared to the preliminary assessment at the time of
acquisition.
The Group changed its strategic decision and decided to focus on its core LINE business and portal segment in
the fourth quarter of 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Group considered the abandonment of the MixRadio
business to be probable. Therefore, as the future cash flows were expected to be negative, goodwill allocated to
MixRadio CGU was fully impaired. Intangible assets with definite useful life and property and equipment were
also fully impaired. As a result of the subsequent abandonment on March 21, 2016, the MixRadio was
retrospectively classified as a discontinued operation in the Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss. Refer to
Note 23 Discontinued Operations for further details.
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The fair values of the identifiable assets and liabilities of MixRadio as of the date of acquisition were as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Fair value
recognized
on
acquisition
Assets
Property and equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Music rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liabilities
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
39
845
543
157
109
4
1,697
1,544
552
2,096
Total identifiable net liabilities at fair value . . . . . . . . . . . .
(399)
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total consideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2,698
2,299
F-94
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2015 (continued)
Acquisition of MixRadio (continued)
The Group paid 2,299 million yen in cash, which was included as part of cash flows from investing activities in
the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and assumed certain liabilities in acquiring MixRadio. Goodwill of
2,698 million yen represented the value of expected synergies arising from the acquisition.
As part of the business combination, the Group also acquired an assembled workforce from MixRadio. However,
the assembled workforce did not meet the criteria for recognition as an intangible asset under IAS 38. All of the
goodwill recognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
From the date of acquisition, MixRadio has increased loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, of the Group
by 7,588 million yen, which includes the impairments discussed in Note 11 (1), (3) Impairment. Because
MixRadio was classified as a discontinued operation, revenues and expenses from continuing operations are not
impacted. If the combination had taken place on January 1, 2015, the loss for the year would have been
8,827 million yen (unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 2015. Because MixRadio was classified as a
discontinued operation, revenues and expenses from continuing operations are not impacted.
Transaction costs of 74 million yen have been expensed and are included in “Other operating expenses” in the
Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss.
Acquisition in 2016
Acquisition of M.T. Burn
On February 29, 2016, the Group acquired 50.5% of the voting shares of M.T. Burn Inc., (“M.T. Burn”), an
unlisted company based in Japan, specialized in developing and providing a native mobile advertising platform,
“Hike”. M.T. Burn became a consolidated subsidiary. The Group acquired M.T. Burn for the purpose of
enhancing the Group’s knowledge and technological capability for advertisement. The final purchase price
allocation of M.T. Burn was completed in the second quarter of 2016.
F-95
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2016 (continued)
Acquisition of M.T. Burn (continued)
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The identifiable assets and liabilities of M.T. Burn, which are measured at fair value as of the date of acquisition
except for limited exceptions in accordance with IFRS, were as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Fair value
recognized
on acquisition
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Customer relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liabilities
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial liabilities, current . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
Other financial liabilities, non-current
Deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total identifiable net assets at fair value . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling interest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total consideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
87
83
401
26
88
1
686
78
50
210
149
13
500
186
(92)
416
510
All consideration was paid in cash. The fair value of the trade receivables was 83 million yen. The gross
contractual amounts of the trade receivables were not materially different from the fair value determined as part
of the purchase price allocation.
Non-controlling interest in the acquiree that are present ownership interests and entitle their holders to a
proportionate share of the entity’s net assets in the event of liquidation are measured at the present ownership
interests’ proportionate share in the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets at the acquisition
date.
Goodwill of 416 million yen represented the value of expected synergies arising from the acquisition and was
allocated entirely to the LINE business and portal segment. None of the goodwill recognized was expected to be
deductible for income tax purposes.
F-96
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2016 (continued)
Acquisition of M.T. Burn (continued)
From the date of acquisition, M.T. Burn had contributed 252 million yen to revenue and had reduced profit from
continuing operations of the Group by 1,305 million yen for the year ended December 31, 2016. If the
combination had taken place on January 1, 2016, revenue for the Group would have been 140,841 million yen
(unaudited) and profit from continuing operations for the Group would have been 9,076 million yen (unaudited)
for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Acquisition related transaction costs of 5 million yen have been expensed and are included in “Other operating
expenses” in the Group’s Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss.
(In millions of yen)
Analysis of cash flows on acquisition:
Total consideration related to the acquisition . . .
Net cash and cash equivalents acquired at the
acquisition date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(510)
87
Net cash flows on acquisition (included in cash
flows from investing activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(423)
Acquisition in 2017
Acquisition of NextFloor Group
On July 24, 2017, the Group acquired 51.0% of the voting shares of NextFloor Corporation. (“NextFloor”), an
unlisted company based in Korea, specializing in developing and publishing smartphone games. As a result of
the acquisition, the Group obtained control, and NextFloor and its subsidiaries (“NextFloor Group”) became
consolidated subsidiaries of the Group. The Group acquired NextFloor for the purpose of acquiring an
organizational structure to develop and operate mainly middle core game contents. The valuation of the fair
values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed was completed in the fourth quarter of 2017 and
remained unchanged as compared the preliminary assessment at the time of acquisition.
F-97
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2017
Acquisition of NextFloor Group (continued)
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The identifiable assets and liabilities of NextFloor Group, which are measured at fair value as of the date of
acquisition except for limited exceptions in accordance with IFRS, were as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Fair value
recognized
on acquisition
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade receivables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial assets, current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial assets, non-current . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publishing rights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other intangible assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Investments in associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liabilities
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial liabilities, current . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial liabilities, non-current
. . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total identifiable net assets at fair value . . . . . . . . .
Non-controlling interest
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total consideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,946
335
307
754
145
153
1,640
277
805
320
6,682
404
123
63
391
264
1,245
5,437
(2,664)
3,154
5,927
All consideration was paid in cash except for the loan receivables of 1,976 million yen from NextFloor to the
Group, which was converted into the common shares of NextFloor. The fair value of the trade receivables was
335 million yen. The gross contractual amounts of the trade receivables were not materially different from the
fair value determined as part of the purchase price allocation.
Non-controlling interest in the acquiree that are present ownership interests and entitle their holders to a
proportionate share of the entity’s net assets in the event of liquidation are measured at the present ownership
F-98
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2017
Acquisition of NextFloor Group (continued)
interests’ proportionate share in the recognized amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable net assets at the acquisition
date.
Goodwill of 3,154 million yen represented the value of expected synergies arising from the acquisition and was
allocated entirely to the LINE business and portal segment. None of the goodwill recognized is expected to be
deductible for income tax purposes.
From the date of acquisition, NextFloor Group had contributed 1,058 million yen to the revenue of the Group and
had reduced profit from continuing operations of the Group by 947 million yen.
Transaction costs of 18 million yen have been expensed and are included in “Other operating expenses” in the
Group’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss.
(In millions of yen)
Analysis of cash flows on acquisition:
Total consideration related to the acquisition . . .
Debt equity swap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Net cash and cash equivalents acquired at the
(5,927)
1,976
acquisition date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,946
Net cash flows on acquisition (included in cash
flows from investing activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(2,005)
Acquisition of FIVE Inc.
On December 15, 2017, the Group acquired 100.0% of the voting shares of FIVE Inc. (“FIVE”), an unlisted
company based in Japan, and FIVE became a consolidated subsidiary of the Group. FIVE is specialized in
developing, selling and operating a video advertising platform for smartphones. The Group acquired FIVE for the
purpose of utilizing FIVE’s technological capability and resources for video advertisement and enhancing the
Group’s video advertising for LINE services such as “LINE Ads Platform”. The valuation of the fair values of
the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed was completed in the forth quarter of 2017.
F-99
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2017
Acquisition of FIVE Inc. (continued)
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The identifiable assets and liabilities of FIVE, which are measured at fair value as of the date of acquisition
except for limited exceptions in accordance with IFRS, were as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Fair value
recognized
on acquisition
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trade and other receivables, current . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial assets, non-current . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Property and equipment
Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Liabilities
Trade and other payables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other financial liabilities, current . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Deferred tax liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total identifiable net assets at fair value . . . . . . . . .
231
307
10
9
391
7
955
288
50
123
44
505
450
Goodwill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Total consideration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,996
5,446
All consideration was paid in cash. The fair value of the trade receivables was 306 million yen. The gross
contractual amounts of the trade receivables were not materially different from the fair value determined as part
of the purchase price allocation.
Goodwill of 4,996 million yen represented the value of expected synergies arising from the acquisition and was
allocated entirely to the LINE business and portal segment. None of the goodwill recognized was expected to be
deductible for income tax purposes.
From the date of acquisition, FIVE had contributed 68 million yen to the revenue of the Group and had reduced
profit from continuing operations of the Group by 4 million yen.
F-100
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
29. Business Combinations (continued)
Acquisition in 2017
Acquisition of FIVE Inc. (continued)
Transaction costs of 11 million yen have been expensed and are included in “Other operating expenses” in the
Group’s Consolidated Statements of Profit or Loss.
(In millions of yen)
Analysis of cash flows on acquisition:
Total consideration related to the acquisition . . .
Net cash and cash equivalents acquired at the
(5,446)
acquisition date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
231
Net cash flows on acquisition (included in cash
flows from investing activities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(5,215)
If the business combinations of NextFloor Group and FIVE had taken place on January 1, 2017, revenue for the
Group would have been 168,915 million yen (unaudited) and the profit from continuing operations for the Group
would have been 6,701 million yen (unaudited) for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Other business combinations
There were no other significant business combinations for the year ended December 31, 2017.
30. Principal Subsidiaries
Information on subsidiaries
The Group has 53 consolidated subsidiaries. The significant subsidiaries of the Group include the following
subsidiaries:
Name
LINE Business Partners
Primary business
activities
Country of
incorporation
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Percentage of ownership
Corporation(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Online advertisement
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Management support
LINE Fukuoka Corp.
LINE Pay Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . Software Development and
mobile payment service
LINE Book Distribution
Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile Contents
LINE Ventures Corporation . . . . . . . .
LINE GAME Global Gateway,
Investment
L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LINE Life Global Gateway, L.P. . . . .
LINE Mobile Corporation . . . . . . . . . Mobile virtual network
Investment
Investment
operator
M.T. Burn Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . Online advertisement
Gatebox Inc.(2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IoT hologram technology
development
F-101
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
100.0%
100.0%
—
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
52.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
50.5%
—
52.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
50.5%
51.0%
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
30. Principal Subsidiaries (continued)
Information on subsidiaries (continued)
Name
Primary business
activities
Country of
incorporation
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Percentage of ownership
. . Character goods business
. . . . . . Electronic ticket service
BALIE Corporation(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . LINE@ distributor
STAIRS Corporation(4) . . . . . . . . . . . . Game Development
LINE Friends Japan Corporation(5)
LINE TICKET Corporation(6)
FIVE Inc.(7) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Game Development
LINE PLAY Corporation . . . . . . . . . . Content sales
LINE Plus Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . Global marketing
LINE C&I Corporation . . . . . . . . . . .
LINE Biz Plus Corporation . . . . . . . . Mobile payment service
LINE Friends Corporation . . . . . . . . . Character goods business
LINE Games Corporation(8) . . . . . . . . Game Development and
Investment
NextFloor Corporation.(9) . . . . . . . . . . Game Development and
Publishing
Publishing
LINE UP Corporation(10)
LINE Digital Technology (Shanghai)
. . . . . . . . . . Global Marketing
Limited.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Social Media
LINE Friends(Shanghai) Commercial
Trade Co., Ltd.(11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Character goods business
LINE Taiwan Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile Service
Line Biz+ Taiwan Limited . . . . . . . . . Payment service
LINE BIZ+ PTE. LTD.
. . . . . . . . . . . Software Development and
mobile payment service
LINE Company (Thailand)
Limited(12) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
e-commerce
LINE Euro-Americas Corp. . . . . . . . . Global marketing
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Korea
Korea
Korea
Korea
Korea
Korea
Korea
Korea
China
China
Taiwan
Taiwan
—
—
—
—
—
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
—
—
—
60.0%
100.0%
100.0%
51.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
51.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
—
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
100.0%
Singapore
100.0%
100.0%
Thailand
United States of
America
50.0%
100.0%
50.0%
100.0%
100.0%
LINE Friends Inc.(13)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Character goods business
United States of
—
MixRadio Limited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Music distribution
America
United Kingdom of
Great Britain and
Northern Ireland
100.0%
100.0%
LINE Vietnam Co., Ltd(14) . . . . . . . . . Online advertisement
PT. LINE PLUS INDONESIA . . . . . Marketing
Vietnam
Indonesia
95.0%
99.8%
100.0%
99.9%
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
LINE Business Partners Corporation was merged with LINE Pay Corporation in December 2017
The Company acquired Gatebox Inc. (renamed from vinclu Inc. in July 2017) in April 2017, resulting in the
51.0% ownership.
LINE Business Partners acquired the shares of BALIE Corporation in July 2017, followed by the merger of
LINE Business Partners by LINE Pay Corporation in December 2017. As a result, the Group’s has 60.0%
ownership of BALIE Corporation
LINE Games Corporation acquired the shares of NextFloor Corporation. in July 2017, resulting in the
Group’s 51.0% ownership. Additionally, in October, 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired shares of
STAIRS Corporation from NextFloor Corporations., resulting in an increase of the Group’s ownership in
STAIRS Corporation from 51.0% to 100.0%.
F-102
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
30. Principal Subsidiaries (continued)
Information on subsidiaries (continued)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
The Company established LINE Friends Japan Corporation and transferred its LINE Friends store business
to LINE Friends Japan Corporation in September 2017.
The Company established LINE TICKET Corporation with third-parties in September 2017, resulting in the
51.0% ownership of LINE TICKET Corporation by the Company.
The Company acquired shares of FIVE Inc., resulting in FIVE Inc.to become a wholly owned subsidiary of
the Group.
The Company established LINE Games Corporation in June 2017.
LINE Games Corporation acquired the shares of NextFloor Corporation. in July 2017, resulting in the
Group’s 51.0% ownership.
(10) LINE Plus Corporation established LINE UP Corporation and transferred its game development business to
LINE UP Corporation in November 2017.
(11) LINE Friends Corporation established LINE Friends (Shanghai) Commercial Trade Co., Ltd. in March 2017.
(12) The Group’s ownership in LINE Company (Thailand) Limited is 50.0%, but it holds 90.9% of the voting
rights. Accordingly, LINE Company (Thailand) Limited is included in the scope of consolidation for the
Group’s consolidated financial statements.
(13) LINE Friends Corporation established LINE Friends America, LLC in February 2017 and renamed it as
LINE Friends Inc. in May 2017.
(14) LINE Plus Corporation acquired additional shares of LINE Vietnam Co., Ltd. in March 2017 from a third
party, resulting in an increase of the Group’s ownership in LINE Vietnam Co., Ltd. from 95.0% to 100.0%.
Ultimate parent company of the Group
The next senior and the ultimate parent company of the Group is NAVER, which is domiciled in Korea and listed
on the Korean Stock Exchange.
F-103
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
31. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
(1) Details of investments in the Group’s significant associates and joint ventures are as follows:
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
(In millions of yen)
Primary
business
activities
Country of
incorporation
Percentage
of ownership
Carrying
amount
Percentage
of ownership
Carrying
amount
Associates
LINE Project Production
Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . Animation
Japan
50.0%
—
50.0%
Collab+LINE LLC . . . . . . . . .
Investment
production
Epic Voyage, Inc.
. . . . . . . . . Mobile games
Green Monster, Inc. (1) . . . . . . Mobile games
LINE MUSIC Corporation . . Music
AUBE, Ltd.
transcosmos online
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
distribution
Job listing
communications inc. (2)
NPLE GAMES Co., Ltd.
Yume no Machi Souzou
. . . Customer service
. . . Mobile games
Iinkai Co., Ltd.
. . . . . . . . . Delivery portal
site
Snow Corporation(3)
K-Fund I (4)
Orfeo SoundWorks
. . . . . . . Mobile app
Investment
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corporation(5) . . . . . . . . . . . Earphone
technology
Oozoo Inc. (6)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . Game
Development
Nano Interactive Inc. (7) . . . . . Game
Development
Motif Co.,Ltd. (8)
. . . . . . . . . . Game
Development
Skeinglobe Corporation(9)
. . . Game
United States of
America
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Japan
Korea
Japan
Korea
France
Korea
Korea
Korea
Korea
50.0%
30.0%
35.0%
33.4%
49.0%
40.0%
14.8%
133
3
—
413
340
42
69
50.0%
30.0%
—
33.4%
49.0%
37.1%
43.5%
—
130
3
—
47
334
121
457
22.0%
3,973
22.0%
3,865
25.0%
—
4,387
—
45.0% 12,998
1,388
25.0%
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
20.7%
44.5%
35.5%
41.5%
28.7%
154
247
54
207
108
Development
Korea
Joint ventures
Lantu Games Limited . . . . . . Mobile games
RABBIT-LINE PAY
Hong Kong
(China)
50.0%
1,025
50.0%
394
COMPANY LIMITED . . . Payment service
Thailand
50.0%
2,327
Drama & Company(10) . . . . . . Software
Development
Korea
—
—
50.0%
37.2%
2,121
2,216
(1)
In September 2017, the Company disposed all of the shares of Green Monster, Inc., as Green Monster Inc.
was liquidated.
F-104
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
31. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (continued)
(1) Details of investments in the Group’s significant associates and joint ventures are as follows (continued):
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
In October 2017, the Company’s ownership in transcosmos online communications inc., decreased from
40.0% to 37.1% as a result of the issuance of new shares by transcosmos online communications inc.
In May 2017, the Group transferred its camera application business, which was a part of LINE Plus
Corporation, to Snow Corporation. In exchange for this transfer, Snow Corporation newly issued common
stocks for LINE Plus Corporation and the Group has acquired common shares of Snow Corporation. As a
result, the share of the Group increased from 25.0% to 48.6%. In August 2017, the Company and NAVER
injected capital to Snow Corporation 984 million yen and 3,938 million yen, respectively. As a result, the
share of the Group decreased from 48.6% to 45.0%. Refer to Note 20 Supplemental Cash Flow Information
for further details.
In January 2017, LINE Plus Corporation and NAVER established K-Fund I, which invests in start-up
companies in technology and digital sectors in Europe. The Group’s and NAVER’s interests in this
associate were 49.9% and 50.0%, respectively, at the time of the establishment. In December 2017, as a
result of change in K-Fund I’s total fund size, the Group’s ownership in K-Fund I decreased from 49.9% to
25.0%. As the Group has significant influence over K-Fund I, the Group accounts for its ownership in
K-Fund I using the equity method.
In June 2017, LINE Friends Corporation acquired a 20.7% interest in Orfeo SoundWorks Corporation
(“Orfeo SoundWorks”) to develop and sell products with Orfeo SoundWorks’s technology such as
earphones and headsets. As the Group has significant influence over Orfeo SoundWorks, the Group
accounts for its ownership in Orfeo SoundWorks using the equity method.
In July 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired NextFloor Corporation., and NextFloor Corporation owns
a 44.5% interest in Oozoo Inc., a game developing company. As the Group has significant influence over
Oozoo Inc., the Group accounts for its ownership in Oozoo Inc. using the equity method.
In July 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired NextFloor Corporation., and NextFloor Corporation owns
35.5% interest in Nano Interactive Inc., a game developing company. As the Group has significant influence
over Nano Interactive Inc., the Group accounts for its ownership in Nano Interactive Inc. using the equity
method.
In November 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired a 41.5% interest in Motif Co., Ltd., which provides
game planning and development services. As the Group has significant influence over Motif Co., Ltd., the
Group accounts for its ownership in Motif Co., Ltd. using the equity method.
In December 2017, LINE Games Corporation acquired a 28.7% interest in Skeinglobe Corporation, which
provides a mobile game planning and development service. As the Group has significant influence over
Skeinglobe Corporation, the Group accounts for its ownership in Skeinglobe Corporation using the equity
method.
In November 2017, LINE Plus Corporation acquired a 37.2% interest in Drama & Company, which
provides software planning and development services such as a business card management service,
”REMEMBER”. As the Group has significant influence over Drama & Company was accounted for as a
joint venture under the equity method as the Group has joint control of the entity under the shareholders
agreement.
F-105
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
31. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (continued)
(2) Financial information on the Group’s investment in the associates is summarized as follows:
(In millions of yen)
Snow Corporation
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Proportion of the Group’s ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Group’s share of equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill and other adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carrying amount of the interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4,365
1,493
506
641
4,711
25.0%
1,178
3,209
4,387
Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss for the year from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax . . . .
Total comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax . . . . . . .
Group’s share of loss for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow Corporation
2015
—
—
—
—
—
2016
—
(952)
—
(952)
(238)
2,469
17,213
1,180
2,678
15,824
45.0%
7,121
5,877
12,998
2017
271
(10,348)
131
(10,217)
(4,531)
(3) The aggregate amount of individually immaterial associates accounted for by the equity-method accounted
investee is summarized as follows:
(In millions of yen)
December 31,
2016
December 31,
2017
Current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Group’s share of equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrecognized loss(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill
Carrying amount of the interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6,273
6,875
3,131
2,074
7,943
2,127
116
2,730
4,973
10,699
7, 762
4,025
1,683
12,753
3,368
—
3,747
7,115
F-106
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
31. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (continued)
(3) The aggregate amount of individually immaterial associates accounted for by the equity-method accounted
investee is summarized as follows (continued):
Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loss for the year from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax . . . . . . . . .
Total comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Unrecognized loss(1)
Group’s share of loss for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2015
2016
2017
1,108
(242)
31
(211)
—
(78)
6,322
(1,642)
2
(1,640)
116
12,657
(3,050)
84
(2,966)
—
(386)
(831)
(1)
Since the Company’s share of losses in one of these individually immaterial associates exceeded the interest
in that associate, the Company has discontinued recognizing its share of further losses.
The Group had no contingent liabilities or capital commitments relating to its associates as of December 31, 2016
and 2017. The Group had outstanding payment for capital commitments of nil and 5,796 million yen relating to
associates above capital commitments as at December 31, 2016 and 2017, respectively.
(4) The aggregate amount of individually immaterial
accounted investee is summarized as follows:
joint ventures accounted for by the equity-method
(In millions of yen)
December 31, 2016
December 31, 2017
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current assets(1)
Non-current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Current liabilities(2)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Non-current liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Group’s share of equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Goodwill
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Carrying amount of the interests . . . . . . . . .
4,942
29
192
7
4,772
2,386
966
3,352
5,237
227
1,342
44
4,078
1,795
2,936
4,731
2015
2016
2017
Revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Depreciation and amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Interest income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Loss for the year from continuing operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Other comprehensive income for the year, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Total comprehensive loss for the year, net of tax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
Group’s share of loss for the year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . —
39
(4)
25
—
(417)
—
(417)
(209)
366
(19)
37
(17)
(2,211)
81
(2,130)
(959)
(1)
Including cash and cash equivalents of 2,251 million yen and 1,863 million yen as of December 31, 2016
and 2017, respectively.
F-107
LINE Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
31. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (continued)
(4) The aggregate amount of individually immaterial
joint ventures accounted for by the equity-method
accounted investee is summarized as follows (continued):
(2)
Including current financial liabilities excluding trade and other payables and provisions of nil as of
December 31, 2016 and 2017.
The joint ventures had no contingent liabilities or capital commitments as at December 31, 2016 and 2017,
respectively. The Group’s joint ventures cannot distribute its profits without the consent from the venture
partners.
32. Subsequent Events
Deconsolidation of a subsidiary into an associate
Based on the resolution at the meeting of the board of directors on January 31, 2018, the Group entered into an
agreement with a third party in regard to the Group’s mobile communication service. Based on this agreement,
LINE Mobile Corporation which is a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an agreement to allot its new
shares to the third party on March 20, 2018. The procedures of the third-party allotment are expected to be
completed on April 2, 2018. Upon completion of the third-party allotment, the Group’s ownership of LINE
Mobile Corporation will decrease from 100.0% to 49.0%, resulting in LINE Mobile Corporation to be accounted
for as an associate under the equity method.
Establishment of operating segments
Based on the resolution at the meeting of the board of directors on January 31, 2018, the Group determined to
establish two operating segments, “Core business segment” and “Strategic business segment”, due to the
expansion of its business and to monitor the operating results based on the operating segments. Core business
segment mainly includes LINE Stickers, LINE advertising and LINE Games. Strategic business segment mainly
includes Fin Tech and AI.
F-108
Regulations of the Board of Directors
General Rules
Exhibit 1.3
LINE Corporation
Article 1 (Purpose)
1. The purpose of these Regulations shall be, with respect to the Board of Directors of the Company, to ensure
proper and smooth operations in accordance with laws and regulations, and the Articles of Incorporation.
2. Except as otherwise provided in laws and regulations or the Articles of Incorporation, matters concerning the
Board of Directors of the Company shall be governed by these Regulations.
Article 2 (Composition)
1. The Board of Directors shall be composed of all of the Company’s Directors, and a meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be effective when a majority of the members are present.
2. Corporate Auditors may be present at a meeting of the Board of Directors and express their opinions.
Article 3 (Types of Meeting of the Board of Directors)
A meeting of the Board of Directors shall, in principle, be held once a month. However, a meeting of the
Board of Directors may be held at any time if necessary.
Article 4 (Convener and Chairman)
1. The Representative Director and President shall convene the meetings of the Board of Directors and act as
the chairman thereof, unless otherwise provided by laws and regulations. If the Representative Director and
President is unable to serve in this position, another Director, determined in accordance with an order of
succession previously determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, shall act
in place of the
Representative Director and President.
2. Each of the Directors and Corporate Auditors may demand convocation of a meeting of the Board of
Directors by submitting a document indicating the purpose of the meeting of the Board of Directors to the
convener.
Article 5 (Process for Convocation)
1. Notice of a meeting of the Board of Directors (indicating the purpose of the meeting) shall be sent to each
Director and Corporate Auditor at least three days prior to the meeting. However, in the event of urgency,
such period may be shortened.
2. When the consent of all Directors and Corporate Auditors is obtained, a meeting of the Board of Directors
may be held without following the above procedures for convening a meeting.
Article 6 (Matters to be Resolved)
1. The Board of Directors shall resolve matters provided for in Exhibit 1.
2. Types of resolutions in a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be as set forth under one of the following
items.
1
Regulations of the Board of Directors
LINE Corporation
(1) Approval
To approve the contents of a draft without amendment
(2) Approval with amendment
To approve the contents of a draft after partially amending immaterial matters thereof
(3) Supplement
To direct to supplement material matters contained in a draft, and ensure that the draft is brought back
before the Board of Directors to resolve at the following meeting of the Board of Directors
(4) Rejection
To reject the contents of a draft entirely, which prohibits the discussion of the draft again at a meeting of
the Board of Directors in the same business year
3. When emergency measures are necessary, the Representative Director and President may execute them
without a resolution of a meeting of the Board of Directors, unless to do so would violate laws and
regulations or the Articles of Incorporation. In this case, such execution shall be subject to an approval of the
Board of Directors at the following meeting of the Board of Directors.
Article 7 (Matters to be Reported)
1. The Representative Director and President shall report the profit and loss, status of properties and status of
execution of other material business at a meeting of the Board of Directors.
2. The chairman and the Representative Director and President may appoint another Director to give the report
provided for in the preceding paragraph.
3. Directors who have been engaged in competitive transactions and transactions with the Company shall report
to the Board of Directors on the material facts of such transaction.
4.
In cases where Directors have notified all of the Directors and Corporate Auditors of the matters to be
reported at a meeting of the Board of Directors, the report provided for in Paragraphs 1 and 3 shall be
unnecessary.
Article 8 (Matters to be Discussed)
If matters scheduled to be discussed in the following meeting or the meeting thereafter are required to be
discussed in advance, the matters may be brought before the Board of Directors to discuss without a resolution.
Article 9 (Omission of a Resolution of the Board of Directors)
When requirements stipulated in Article 370 of the Companies Act are satisfied, resolutions of the
Board of Directors shall be deemed to have been adopted.
2
Regulations of the Board of Directors
LINE Corporation
Article 10 (Manifestation of Intention in Writing)
1. A Director or Corporate Auditor who cannot be present at a meeting of the Board of Directors due to
unavoidable reasons may manifest his/her intention concerning an agenda and a matter to the person who
will be the chairman in writing in advance.
2. When the manifestation of intention described in the preceding paragraph occurs, the chairman shall report
such fact and its contents in discussion at a meeting of the Board of Directors.
Article 11 (Opinion of the Corporate Auditors)
Corporate Auditors may, if necessary, state their opinions concerning matters outside of the matters that
are on an agenda of a meeting of the Board of Directors.
Article 12 (Attendance of Persons other than Directors and Corporate Auditors)
If the Board of Directors finds it necessary, it may order persons other than Directors and Corporate
Auditors to attend a meeting of the Board of Directors and may ask for their report or opinion.
Article 13 (Resolution of a Meeting of the Board of Directors)
1. A resolution of a meeting of the Board of Directors shall be made by a majority of the Directors present at
the meeting where a majority of the Directors are present.
2.
If votes are split equally and there is no majority when a resolution is intended to be made under the
preceding paragraph, the chairman may defer the resolution and propose the matter to be resolved again at
the following meeting of the Board of Directors.
3. Although Directors each have one voting right, Directors who have a special interest in the business of a
meeting of the Board of Directors may not exercise their voting rights. In this case, the number of voting
rights held by such Director shall not be included in the number of voting rights held by Directors present,
for the purpose of determining whether the resolution is adopted or not.
4. The Board of Directors shall respect, to the extent possible, the contents and outcome of discussions of the
advisory body, which was established based on Article 18 in a resolution provided for in Paragraph 1.
Article 14 (Minutes)
1. Minutes shall be prepared with respect to the business of a meeting of the Board of Directors, and the
minutes shall be retained at the head office for a period of ten years.
2. The minutes shall state (i) the date and time on which and the place where a meeting of the Board of
Directors was held, (ii) the substance of the proceedings of a meeting of the Board of Directors and the
results thereof, (iii) the names of Directors if any who have a special interest in matters required to be
resolved, (iv) the name of the chairman of the meeting, (v) if the meeting was convened by request of
persons other than the convener or convened by persons other than the convener, such fact, (vi) the name of
Directors if any who do not agree with the resolution, and other matters provided for in laws and regulations,
and the Directors and the Corporate Auditors present shall affix their names and seals to the minutes.
3
Regulations of the Board of Directors
LINE Corporation
3.
4.
If it is unnecessary to report to the Board of Directors pursuant to Article 7, Paragraph 4, (i) the contents of
matters that were not required to be reported, (ii) the date on which the matters to be reported at a meeting of
the Board of Directors were notified to all of the Directors and Corporate Auditors, and (iii) the name of the
Director who performed the duties concerning the preparation of the minutes shall be stated in the minutes.
If a resolution of a meeting of the Board of Directors is deemed to have been adopted pursuant to Article 9,
(i) the contents of matters which are deemed to have been resolved at a meeting of the Board of Directors,
(ii) the name of the Director who proposed the matter set forth in (i), (iii) the day on which the resolution of
the meeting of the Board of Directors is deemed to have been adopted, and (iv) the name of the Director who
performed the duties concerning the preparation of the minutes shall be stated in the minutes.
Article 15 (Notice to Absentees)
The substance of the proceedings of a meeting of the Board of Directors and the results thereof shall be
notified to the Directors and the Corporate Auditors who were absent from such meeting.
Article 16 (Administrative Office of the Board of Directors)
1. The BOD support team shall act as the administrative office of the Board of Directors.
2. The administrative office shall conduct the holding of meetings of the Board of Directors, the preparation
and retention of minutes and other operations concerning the Board of Directors under the entrustment of the
chairman.
Article 17 (Transfer of Authority)
1. The Board of Directors may establish subsidiary conference bodies of the Board of Directors and transfer the
authority of the Board of Directors, as provided for in Exhibit 2.
2. Management of conferences and others of subsidiary conference bodies shall be governed by rules separately
established.
Article 18 (Advisory Bodies)
The Board of Directors may establish advisory bodies of the Board of Directors and make the advisory
bodies conduct necessary discussions, as provided for in Exhibit 3.
Article 19 (Others)
Any matters regarding the management of the Board of Directors which are not provided in laws and
regulations, the Articles of Incorporation or these Regulations, shall be subject to the discussions of a meeting of
the Board of Directors and decisions of the chairman.
Article 20 (Modification and Abolition)
The modification or abolition of these Regulations shall be subject to a resolution of a meeting of the
Board of Directors. However, any amendment to a responsible department of the administrative office of the
Board of Directors provided for in Article 16, the section in charge and the like provided for in this Article shall
be subject to the approval of the Representative Director and President.
4
Regulations of the Board of Directors
LINE Corporation
Supplementary Provisions
These Regulations shall come into effect as from September 01, 2017.
Established on June 02, 2005
Revised August 17, 2005
Revised May 30, 2006
Revised April 25, 2007
Revised June 01, 2008
Revised June 01, 2010
Revised April 01, 2013
Revised July 01, 2013
Revised January 15, 2014
Revised March 01, 2014
Revised December 01, 2014
Revised February 01, 2016
Revised April 01, 2016
Revised August 01, 2016
Revised September 01, 2017
5
Regulations of the Board of Directors
LINE Corporation
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