Investors

FIELDS CORPORATION held a financial presentation for the second quarter of the year ending March 31, 2018 at TKP Tokyo-ekimae Conference Center (Chuo-ku, Tokyo) on November 10, 2017 (Friday) at 11:30 am.

This page provides an overview of the main question & answer session (summary) at the financial presentation.

Question & Answer Session (Summary)

[Cross-media business platform]

Q1. What was the earnings situation in the cross-media business for the current term and the outlook for the next fiscal year?

A1. The overall income and expenditure for the cross-media business including consolidated subsidiaries are approximately equal to the profit and amortization of copyright. From the next fiscal year onwards, with the goal of ROI 130% adopted in the Medium-term Management Plan, the Company will achieve further leverage through strategies such as risk-hedgeable production schemes, IP global expansion, and promoting cross-media expansion in domestic pachinko and pachislot, and game field.

Q2. Does the Company have any marketing policies for the acquisition or use of the IP of other companies?

A2. The company has already acquired the rights to the IP of other companies for cross-media expansion on many occasions in the past. In the case of cross-media deployment with partners, in addition to IP sublicenses, FIELDS has organized a scheme to partially invest in commercialization and to share development profits.
In terms of marketing policies, the Company's two main focuses will be the development of new business platforms and global expansion. Specifically, the Company will develop completely new ways to use IP in entertainment that is linked with technology, and will sale visual and gaming rights in China and other countries.

Q3. What is the outlook for investment in “DARLING in the FRANXX,“ which is expected to develop cross-media such as pachinko and pachislot machines?

A3. We wish to refrain from commenting on future licensing out and cross-media development. For example, in many cases, the Company makes decisions regarding future utilization of anime for pachinko and pachislot after broadcasting.

Q4. What kind of business development is the Company considering expansion of trading card games in China?

A4. The market in China is said to be worth approximately 10 billion yen. The Company's policy is to nurture business in that market while developing cross-media, such as visuals, with local partners.

[Pachinko and pachislot business platform]

Q5. What are the Company's predictions for the pachinko and pachislot market? What is expected to trigger a turn-around in the market?

A5. Although a conclusion cannot be drawn at present, the Company believes that significant changes will start to emerge when the new regulation machines, such as regulation 6.0 pachislot machines and pachinko machines management systems are released in 2019. FIELDS intends to be thoroughly prepared to respond to those changes.

Q6. What about pachinko regulation revision? How will the introduction of settings in pachinko and pachislot machines management systems and pachinko impact the market?

A6. It is possible that the introduction of pachinko and pachislot machines management systems will increase the degree of freedom in hall facilities and make introduction of new entry easier. The industry body is currently planning its approach for the latitude for each setting to be installed in the new regulation machines.

Q7. What is the Company's forecast for the trend in pachinko hall numbers over the coming 3 years? Also, does the Company have any marketing policies in response to this?

A7. Although the number of halls will reduce to a certain degree even compared with the regulatory reforms in 2004, FIELDS expects the number of installed units will remain steady as halls become larger. Due to the reduction in high-stakes gambling accompanying the regulation revision, the Company expects that more focus will be placed on better locations that make it easier for users to visit. Meanwhile, the emergence of pachinko and pachislot machines management systems and new regulation machines may lead to increased new entrants.
FIELDS believes that it is particularly important to consider the needs and wishes of pachinko halls, providing proposals and support beyond machines, such as plans for new halls, to contribute to activation of the entire industry.

Q8. How are the sales for the “CR EVANGELION 2018 model“ in relation to the Company’s plan?

A8. Although sales have not exceeded plans, orders are continuing to come in. Slight growth is expected, depending on the market situation from December to January.

Q9. What does the Company think of the current progress with regards to the pachinko/pachislot machines of MIZUHO CORP.?

A9. Although discussions are continuing regarding some models, FIELDS is steadily selling the model that it is overseeing, and the Company generally expects to recover the investment costs. FIELDS plans to sell all models developed during this fiscal year, or by the first half of the next fiscal year. Following further discussions with our partner, the Company will announce future initiatives.