The Rakuten Group (“the Group”) changed an accounting policy regarding expenses and reserves related toRakuten Super Points, the Group’s loyalty program from the current fiscal year (fiscal year ending December 31,2012). The Group discussed the treatment of such point-related expenses, initially as an improved estimate of costrecognition. However, as the Group has decided to adopt the new treatment of point-related expenses as a changein accounting policy, the Group made a retrospective application of such change to the financial statements ofprevious fiscal years, in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board of Japan [ASBJ] Statement No. 24. Thefinancial performance for the previous year (fiscal year ended December 31, 2011) after retrospective applicationwill be disclosed in the earnings release (Kessan Tanshin) for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending December31, 2012 to be announced on May 10, 2012. A summary of the changes is as follows.
1. Summary of accounting treatment of point-related expenses/reserves
Rakuten Super Points are granted to users in domestic services. Formerly, the Group has recognized
point-related expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses at the time the expenses must be fixed; i.e.,
when the points are granted. Starting in the current fiscal year, we have changed to a policy in which the estimated
expenses are recorded at the time of the transactions that caused the points to be generated.
Former standard: Expenses recognized when points are granted (one to two months after the transaction)
New standard: Expenses recognized in principle when the transaction occurs. Certain limited-time points are
recognized when the expenses are incurred or when points are granted.
2. Financial results for previous year after retrospective application (estimate)
After the change is applied retrospectively to the financial statements for the first quarter period ended March 31,
2011 and full year ended December 31, 2011, respectively, the key financial data is estimated to be as shown
below.
Key items for retrospective application in the consolidated statements of income
Year ended December 31, 2011 (January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011) (billions of yen)
Three months ended March 31, 2011,
(January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011)
・Selling, general and administrative expenses
Former ：54.8
After retrospective application ：53.8
・Operating income
Former ：14.0
After retrospective application ：15.0
・Net income(loss)
Former ：6.9
After retrospective application ：6.8
Fiscal year ended December 31, 2011,
(January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011)
・Selling, general and administrative expenses
Former ：233.3
After retrospective application ：233.8
・Operating income
Former ：71.3
After retrospective application ：70.7
・Net income(loss)
Former ：(1.1)
After retrospective application ：(2.2)
Key items for retrospective application in the consolidated balance sheets
As of December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2011 (billions of yen)
As of December 31, 2010
・Retained earnings
Former ：13.1
After retrospective application ：10.3
・Reserve forpoints
Former ：12.5
After retrospective application ：17.2
As of December 31, 2011
・Retained earnings
Former ：9.4
After retrospective application ：5.4
・Reserve forpoints
Former ：15.2
After retrospective application ：20.5
Details will be disclosed as comparable financial statements in the financial earnings release for the first quarter
of the year ending December 31, 2012, scheduled for announcement on May 10, 2012. This disclosure is not due to
a past error, and the Securities Report (Yuka Shoken Houkoku-sho) that has already been submitted to the Japanese
government shall not be corrected.
3. Effect on Fiscal Year 2012 and Future Outlook
The effect of this change in accounting policy on the financial statements of this fiscal year and future financial
performance will be immaterial. Also, the expenses related to prior years’ transactions will be reflected in
retained earnings at the beginning of the fiscal year 2012 as stated above.
Consequently, in this fiscal year the Group does not expect to incur any additional point-related expenses
resulting from prior years’ transactions.
Rakuten, Inc. and its group companies do not disclose earnings forecasts as its business operations include
Internet services businesses characterized by high uncertainty, and financial-related businesses such as securities
businesses, whose results depend heavily on highly volatile markets.