TSE Straight Road – IR NavigatorEarnings Radio &amp; Investor’s IR Insights.Easy-to-understand breakdowns of listed companies’ IR materials and Japanese stock earnings reports.Your watcher of Japan’s corporate earnings.Behind the scenes of listed companies.Untold stories of stocks and financial results.A money-viewing window into the market.Discover the secrets of Japanese stocks in just 8–25 minutes.Understandable Financial Statements 101 – Learn how to read a company’s report card.Enjoy your youth by reaching FIRE through Japanese NISA, DC, and iDeCo.Close your eyes and learn by ear — the blissful time for investment study.

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SCREEN Holdings Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a premier global leader in precision equipment manufacturing. The company operates through four primary business segments: Semiconductor Production Equipment (SPE), Graphic Arts Equipment (GA), Display Production Equipment and Coater (FT), and PCB-Related Equipment (PE). SPE serves as the central growth driver, generating 80.2% of total net sales (¥605.7 billion) in FY2026. SCREEN maintains the No. 1 global market share in semiconductor cleaning equipment, including single-wafer processors, batch-type systems, and spin scrubbers. By leveraging its core proprietary technologies in surface processing, coating, and direct imaging, SCREEN provides highly competitive solutions to propel global AI, advanced logic foundry, and memory semiconductor innovation.Under its medium-term plan &#34;Value Up Further 2026&#34;, SCREEN&#39;s strategic growth is driven by surging AI demand across advanced logic/foundry and HBM memory, complemented by expansion in Advanced Packaging and boosted capacity investments (including Nagaokakyo and the US ATCA center, with Capex expanded to ¥58.0 billion). Backed by a projected CY2026 WFE market of $155 billion (+25%), SCREEN forecasts record FY2027 performance with net sales of ¥743.0 billion and operating income of ¥156.5 billion (21.1% operating margin). Annual dividend forecast is set at ¥183 per share (post 1:2 stock split). ----------------- FY2027 H1 Update Start -------------------<h3>Positive Signals / Bullish Catalysts (FY2027 H1 Update)</h3>1. Aggressive Growth Investment (Capex Upward Revision)<ul><li>Full-year Capex raised by ¥15.0B to ¥58.0B (up from ¥43.0B previously) to accelerate capacity expansion at the Nagaokakyo plant and push forward US R&amp;D operations (ATCA center), demonstrating strong management confidence in AI-driven demand (advanced logic &amp; HBM).</li></ul>2. Robust Shareholder Returns (¥183 Annual Dividend Forecast)<ul><li>Decided H1 dividend of ¥60/share and maintained full-year dividend forecast at ¥183/share (post 1:2 stock split), adhering to its &gt;30% payout ratio policy and marking a significant YoY dividend hike.</li></ul>3. Upward Revision of H2 Net Sales &amp; Guidance Intact<ul><li>Maintained record full-year guidance (Net Sales: ¥743.0B, Operating Income: ¥156.5B, OP Margin: 21.1%) while revising H2 net sales forecast upward from ¥426.0B to ¥434.6B.</li></ul>4. Favorable Macro WFE Market Outlook<ul><li>Revised CY2026 global WFE market forecast up to $155B (+25% YoY) and projected CY2027 to reach $200B, creating strong medium-to-long-term industry tailwinds for SPE growth.</li></ul>5. Narrowing Corporate &amp; R&amp;D Expenses<ul><li>Full-year operating loss in &#34;Corporate/Adjustments&#34; (including headquarters R&amp;D) narrowed by ¥1.5B (from -¥12.0B to -¥10.5B).</li></ul> <h3>Negative Signals / Bearish Risks (FY2027 H1 Update)</h3>1. Loss of FX Safety Buffer &amp; Masking of Core Profit Pressures<ul><li>Assumed USD rate raised from ¥145 to ¥150/USD. Despite the FX tailwind (+¥1.3B OP per ¥1 USD depreciation), full-year OP guidance was kept unchanged at ¥156.5B, raising concerns that underlying cost inflation or order shifts are being masked by currency tailwinds while eliminating future FX buffers.</li></ul>2. H1 FY2027 Performance Shortfall<ul><li>1H Net Sales (¥308.4B, -¥8.6B vs. July guidance) and Operating Income (¥54.5B, -¥1.5B vs. guidance) both missed targets. The core SPE segment also underperformed guidance (Sales: ¥251.3B, -¥8.7B; OP: ¥57.5B, -¥3.0B).</li></ul>3. High Execution Risk in H2-Heavy SPE Backlog<ul><li>Reaching full-year SPE targets (Sales: ¥620.0B, OP: ¥159.0B) requires an aggressive H2 surge to ¥368.7B in sales and ¥101.5B in OP (H2 OP margin of 27.5%), heightening sensitivity to customer acceptance timing and shipping delays.</li></ul>4. Sharp Guidance Cut in FT Segment (Advanced Packaging)<ul><li>Full-year FT operating income slashed from ¥2.5B (5.8% margin) to ¥1.0B (2.4% margin), with H2 OP plummeting to ¥0.2B (0.9% margin) due to initial integration costs of the Advanced Packaging business and panel display investment fluctuations.</li></ul>5. PE Segment H1 Deficit<ul><li>PE (PCB Equipment) 1H OP fell into a ¥0.1B deficit (vs. ¥0 forecast), reflecting prolonged softness in the PCB equipment market.</li></ul>6. Fixed Cost Inflation (-¥32.0B YoY) &amp; Depreciation Risk<ul><li>Fixed costs exerted a -¥32.0B drag on YoY operating profit due to higher R&amp;D and personnel expenses. The Capex expansion to ¥58.0B will further increase future depreciation burdens.</li></ul> ----------------- FY2027 H1 Update End ------------------- The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

SCREEN (7735) The Hidden Giant of AI Chips Dominating Semiconductor Cleaning #Updated for Oct. 30 Interim Results

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Kioxia Holdings Corporation, formerly Toshiba Memory, is a pioneer and global leader in flash memory and SSD solutions. In 1987, the company invented the world&#39;s first NAND flash memory, and in 2007, introduced the revolutionary 3D flash memory technology, &#34;BiCS FLASH™&#34;. Anchored by its long-standing manufacturing joint venture with Western Digital (SanDisk), Kioxia offers a comprehensive lineup of cutting-edge storage products for smartphones, client PCs, cloud data centers, and generative AI infrastructure. Following its listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market in December 2024, Kioxia remains dedicated to advancing storage memory technologies that shape the digital future.[Future Direction &amp; Outlook] Driven by booming AI storage demand, Kioxia achieved record FY2025 revenue of ¥2.34 trillion, followed by an all-time high FY2027 Q1 revenue of ¥1.77 trillion while establishing a net cash position. Key strategic focus areas include expanding mass production of 245TB high-capacity QLC SSDs for AI inference servers and advancing 8th and 10th-generation BiCS FLASH™ technology. For FY2027 Q2, guidance forecasts revenue of ¥2.39 trillion and Non-GAAP operating profit of ¥1.90 trillion, sustaining strong growth momentum.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Kioxia (285A) Epic Comeback: Inside the ¥800B Buyback and the High-Speed AI Money Machine

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KU Holdings Co., Ltd. is a pure holding company engaged in the sales, maintenance, and repair of domestic and imported automobiles. Its main operating subsidiaries include KU Co., Ltd. for domestic and used vehicles, alongside authorized import dealerships for Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, and Jeep, such as Stern Setagaya, Stern Chuo, and Motoren Tomei-Yokohama. The company leverages a broad dealership network and strong aftermarket services as core strengths. For the fiscal year ended March 2026 (54th term), consolidated net sales reached 169,094 million yen, ordinary profit stood at 8,602 million yen, and net assets totaled 69,902 million yen.Supporting Data: Revenue expanded continuously from 153,346 million yen in FY3/23 to 169,094 million yen in FY3/26. In Q1 FY3/27, net sales rose 3.1% year-on-year to 42,485 million yen, with operating profit surging 26.6% to 2,081 million yen. Focus Directions: Accelerating import dealership expansion via M&amp;A (e.g., acquiring Stern Nishitama and Stern Chuo) and enhancing operational efficiency. Outlook: For FY3/27, full-year forecasts target net sales of 170,000 million yen, operating profit of 8,100 million yen, and annual dividends of 58 yen per share.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

KU Holdings (9856) Expands Its Import Dealership Empire and Consolidate Luxury

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Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese comprehensive energy and materials company guided by its core philosophy of &#34;Respect for Human Beings&#34; and &#34;Truly Inspired&#34;. The company operates globally across foundational sectors such as fuel oils and basic chemicals, alongside high-performance materials—including OLED materials and lithium solid electrolytes—power, renewable energy, and resources. Leveraging its extensive technological expertise, Idemitsu ensures a stable energy supply while actively driving business portfolio transformation. In collaboration with strategic partners like Toyota Motor Corporation, the company is accelerating the commercialization of solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries, alongside low-carbon initiatives such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and chemical recycling of used plastics to advance a carbon-neutral future.Under its FY2026–2030 Medium-Term Management Plan, Idemitsu plans a total 5-year investment of 1.8 trillion yen, allocating 830 billion yen to GRIT (existing business foundation) and 810 billion yen to GROWTH &amp; CNX (growth and decarbonization). Key focus areas include reinforcing stable refinery operations and accelerating the commercialization of solid electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries and SAF. Financially, Idemitsu targets an adjusted EBT of 360 billion yen, an ROE of 13%+, an ROIC of 7%+, and a total payout ratio of 50%+ by FY2030.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Idemitsu Kosan (5019) Japan’s Oil Giant Betting $12B on Solid-State Batteries, SAF, and AI Immersion Cooling

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Founded in 1997, Rakuten Group, Inc. is a leading Japanese global internet services company. Guided by its mission to empower individuals and society through innovation, Rakuten operates over 70 diverse services worldwide. Its core business is structured around three main segments: Internet Services (e.g., Rakuten Ichiba, Rakuten Travel), FinTech (e.g., Rakuten Card, Rakuten Bank, Rakuten Securities), and Mobile (Rakuten Mobile). Anchored by the unified &#34;Rakuten Ecosystem,&#34; single sign-on ID, and loyalty point program, the company connects approximately 1.9 billion global users and over 100 million members in Japan. Driven by robust cross-use across its multi-service network, Rakuten achieved a record-high consolidated annual revenue of 2.5 trillion yen in FY2025.Disclosures over the past three years highlight Rakuten&#39;s strategic focus on expanding mobile-ecosystem synergies, accelerating AI-driven efficiency, and optimizing debt structure. Supported by Q2 2026 data, quarterly revenue reached a record 665.5 billion yen (+11.6% YoY) and net profit hit 27.2 billion yen (first Q2 net profit in 6 years), with mobile subscriptions growing to 10.75 million lines. Looking ahead, Rakuten targets high single-digit revenue growth for FY2026 alongside full-year profitability across Non-GAAP operating income, pre-tax profit, and net income.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Rakuten (4755) Multi-Billion Mobile Gamble: From Towering Debt to First Q2 Profit in 6 Years

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ARCHION Corporation is a holding company established through the business integration of Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market on April 1, 2026 (TSE: 543A). Supported by Daimler Truck and Toyota Motor as key shareholders, ARCHION leverages the extensive production networks, sales channels, and strong customer bases of both brands. Guided by its mission to &#34;connect the mobility of people and goods to create a prosperous future&#34;, the company focuses on commercial vehicles and aims to accelerate synergies in zero-emission technologies—such as EVs and fuel cells—as well as autonomous driving and connected services to deliver sustainable transport solutions globally.In Q1 FY2027, ARCHION recorded revenue of ¥597.9 billion on 60,000 units sold. Its primary growth direction focuses on an &#34;Integrated Platform Strategy,&#34; underscored by the joint announcement of new medium-duty trucks (Hino Ranger / Fuso Fighter) and deeper CASE technology collaboration. For the full FY2027, ARCHION forecasts revenue of ¥2,425 billion and operating profit of ¥110 billion (excluding negative goodwill). Reflected with a provisional negative goodwill gain of ¥233.2 billion, updated full-year operating profit reaches ¥343.2 billion.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

ARCHION (543A): Toyota &amp; Daimler Join Forces! The Commercial Vehicle Giant’s Path to a 10% Margin

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IDOM Inc. (TSE Prime: 7599), founded in 1994, is a leading Japanese automotive company specializing in pre-owned vehicle purchasing and retail sales. Operating primarily under its flagship &#34;Gulliver&#34; brand, IDOM has successfully transformed its core business from a pure purchasing shop network into a high-value retail model backed by large-scale dealerships and integrated maintenance centers. Today, it holds a top-tier market share of approximately 6% in Japan&#39;s retail used car market. According to the latest disclosure for FY2027 Q1 (March–May 2026), IDOM generated net sales of 159.61 billion yen (+15.5% YoY) and an operating profit of 4.36 billion yen (+15.4% YoY), driven by a record Q1 retail volume of 45,558 units.IDOM focuses on balancing ROIC with growth, driven by expanding large-scale stores with maintenance facilities (targeting 96 cumulative stores by FY2027-end) and increasing LTV via ancillary products. In FY2027 Q1, IDOM optimized inventory (reducing inventory value by 7% vs FY2026-end) while improving its retail gross profit per unit index by 10% YoY to 110. For the full year, IDOM forecasts net sales of 629.0 billion yen (+11.8% YoY) and an operating profit of 24.0 billion yen (+18.8% YoY).The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

IDOM (7599) From Purchasing Giant to Retail Powerhouse, Transforming Japan's Used Car Market

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Howa Machinery, Ltd., established in 1907 and headquartered in Kiyosu, Aichi Prefecture, is a highly respected Japanese machinery manufacturer with a rich history. The company operates across multiple diverse sectors, including machine tools (machining centers and power chucks), firearms (Type 20 rifles for the Japan Ministry of Defense and sporting rifles), special purpose vehicles (road sweepers), building materials (soundproof sashes), and real estate leasing. Howa holds a leading position in several niche markets. Under its current 6th Mid-Term Management Plan, the company decided in May 2026 to dissolve and liquidate its Chinese subsidiary as part of its drastic machine tool business reform, aiming to enhance productivity and corporate value.Driven by solid defense demand, Howa is restructuring its machine tool segment, notably by liquidating its Chinese subsidiary. For FY2027, Howa forecasts net sales of 23.56 billion yen and operating income of 1.41 billion yen, up from FY2026&#39;s 24.06 billion yen and 1.18 billion yen. To bolster growth and align employee incentives, the company completed a buyback of 60,000 treasury shares via ToSTNeT-3 and disposed of 300,909 shares to the J-ESOP trust in August 2026, demonstrating proactive capital management for long-term corporate value.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Howa Machinery (6203) Prioritizes Niche Infrastructure Profits, Shifts from Tools to Defense

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Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, is a leading global automaker. Led by Representative Executive Officer, President, and CEO Ivan Espinosa, the company designs, manufactures, and sells passenger and commercial vehicles, alongside providing sales financial services worldwide. Operating across major global markets including North America, Japan, Europe, and China, Nissan has historically leveraged its powerful alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi Motors. In response to the industry&#39;s rapid intelligence transition, Nissan actively prioritizes software-defined vehicles (SDV) and electrification. By forging smart partnerships with leading global tech companies and domestic competitors, notably Honda, Nissan is driving major technological innovations for a sustainable, safer mobility experience.Under &#34;Re:Nissan,&#34; Nissan maintains its FY26 full-year forecasts of 13 trillion yen in net sales and 200 billion yen in operating profit. This is supported by its FY26 Q1 results, where net sales reached 2.96 trillion yen (+9.5% YoY) and operating profit recovered to 77.9 billion yen. Focusing heavily on intelligence and electrification, Nissan signed a joint development agreement with Honda on August 31, 2026, to standardize and co-develop core ECUs and software for next-generation Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs), accelerating development speed and maximizing cost efficiency.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Nissan Motor (7201) A Bank in Disguise? The Secret Behind Q1 Recovery and Its New Alliance with Honda

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Established in 1896 with rich roots dating back to 1878, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is a premier Japanese engineering and manufacturing giant. Headquartered in Kobe and Tokyo, the company has a capital of 104.4 billion yen and maintains a massive global workforce of over 40,000 employees. Kawasaki operates across five major specialized segments: Aerospace Systems, Energy Solution &amp; Marine, Precision Machinery &amp; Robot, Rolling Stock, and Powersports &amp; Engine. Its high-tech products range from aircraft, trains, and marine vessels to industrial robots, world-renowned motorcycles, and power products. By integrating its diverse technologies under Group Vision 2030, Kawasaki creates pioneering solutions to resolve social and environmental challenges, fostering sustainable industrial development and community progress globally.Past three years&#39; disclosures show Kawasaki is accelerating its green and tech transition under Group Vision 2030. Key focus areas include the liquefied hydrogen supply chain, hydrogen energy applications, and physical AI and robotics in production. Driven by strong segment performance, FY2026 Q1 business profit hit a record 35.7 billion yen. Consequently, Kawasaki raised its full-year forecasts to 2.56 trillion yen in revenue and 180 billion yen in business profit (up 34.9 billion year-on-year), progressing toward its FY2030 profit margin target of over 10%.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (7012) Scandal Resilience, Defense Tailwinds, and the Pivot to Physical AI & Hydrogen

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Established in Osaka, Japan in 1924, Daikin Industries is a prominent global leader in both air conditioning and fluorochemicals, with business operations expanding across more than 170 countries worldwide. As the world&#39;s only comprehensive manufacturer that simultaneously develops both advanced air conditioning equipment and refrigerants, Daikin enjoys a unique competitive advantage from its vertical integration model. The company&#39;s key strengths lie in localized &#34;market-adjacent&#34; production, highly robust global dealer networks, and pioneering eco-friendly technologies such as inverter systems and heat-pump systems. Driven by its core &#34;people-centered management&#34; philosophy, Daikin provides comfortable, healthy indoor environments while continuously minimizing overall environmental impact. Today, Daikin actively addresses global climate challenges, pursuing sustainable growth and high-value energy solutions for customers globally.Under its new &#39;FUSION30&#39; strategy, Daikin is prioritizing high-margin solutions, North American business, and ggressive cost reforms, targeting a 10% operating margin and 12% ROE by FY2028. For FY2027, Daikin projects record-high sales of 5.15 trillion yen and operating profit of 436 billion yen. In Q1, it successfully achieved record net sales of 1,426.8 billion yen and operating profit of 130.6 billion yen, driven by strong solution demand.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Daikin (6367) The 5-Trillion-Yen Giant Cooling AI Data Centers and Scorching India

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NEXTAGE Co., Ltd., established in December 1998 and headquartered in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, is a leading Japanese automotive retailer listed on the TSE Prime and NSE Premier markets, led by Yasuharu Hirota. Dedicated to its philosophy of being “the car shop loved by everyone”, the company provides comprehensive, one-stop services, including vehicle sales, purchases, maintenance, and insurance nationwide. As of May 31, 2026, NEXTAGE operates 364 stores across 248 locations with approximately 9,000 employees. Driven by its core values of &#34;Entrepreneurial Spirit&#34; and &#34;On-site Focus&#34;, the company strives to become the region’s most trusted professional car retailer.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Nextage (3186) Japanese Automotive Retailer's Decentralization Doubled Operating Profits

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Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Tokyo, NEXON Co., Ltd. is a global leader in the production, development, and publishing of online games. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in December 2011, Nexon is a constituent of the Nikkei 225 index. The company operates a diverse portfolio of over 40 games, including iconic franchises such as MapleStory, Dungeon&amp;Fighter, and Mabinogi, across multiple platforms including PC, mobile, and consoles in more than 190 countries and regions. By fully acquiring Sweden-based Embark Studios in 2021, Nexon continues to accelerate its global expansion and strengthen its creative capabilities to deliver immersive virtual worlds to players worldwide.Nexon is executing its &#34;IP Growth Strategy,&#34; focusing on the vertical expansion of core franchises and horizontal creation of new pillars like ARC Raiders. Supported by robust performance, Nexon’s H1 2026 revenue grew 17.4% YoY to JPY 273.3 billion, backed by a JPY 842 billion cash balance and a JPY 324 billion ($2B) special dividend. For the nine-month period ending September 30, 2026, Nexon forecasts JPY 394.0 to 406.7 billion in revenue. Nexon aims to optimize capital efficiency, target an ROE over 10%, and strictly control costs.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Nexon (3659) Virtual Worlds And The Cash Fortress

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Founded in 1885 and headquartered in Tokyo, Fujikura Ltd. is a leading Japanese manufacturer of optical fibers, cables, and electronic components. Driven by its DNA of &#34;Proactive Spirit&#34; and &#34;Fujikura Technology,&#34; the company operates under the mission of contributing to society through its &#34;Tsunagu&#34; (connecting) technologies™. Fujikura&#39;s business spans telecommunications, electronics, automotive, and energy sectors. It enjoys a dominant global market share and reputation in optical packaging solutions for AI data centers, particularly with its ultra-high-density optical fiber cables (SWR®/WTC®) and fusion splicers. Through continuous technological innovation and strategic investments, Fujikura is dedicated to enhancing customer value and supporting global digital infrastructure.Driven by explosive AI data center demand, Fujikura’s operating profit grew from 135.5 billion yen in FY2024 to 188.7 billion yen in FY2025. The company’s focus is expanding SWR®/WTC® optical cable production capacity, commercializing superconducting wires, and investing in human capital like employee stock incentives. Backed by strong orders, Fujikura has significantly upgraded its FY2026 forecast to net sales exceeding 1.7 trillion yen and operating profit over 430 billion yen. The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Fujikura (5803) Japanese Fiber Tech Controlling the Physical Bottleneck of Global AI

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AFC-HD AMS Life Science Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese company specializing in the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) production of high-quality health foods and cosmetics. Headquartered in Shizuoka, the company operates as a comprehensive conglomerate aiming to complete all operations internally, from R&amp;D and manufacturing to retail sales, in close collaboration with its academic research institute. In addition to its core healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, the company has diversified into new areas including tourism, catering services, and real estate. Positioned for global growth, AFC-HD is actively pursuing international expansion in China and Vietnam, while running a Japanese language school to nurture foreign talent for local leadership roles to enhance its overall brand competitiveness.Over the past three years, the group&#39;s revenue grew steadily from 25.5 billion yen in FY2023 to 32.6 billion yen in FY2025. The company aggressively targets strategic diversification into tourism and real estate alongside global expansion. Backed by strong FY2026 Q1 sales of 8.54 billion yen, full-year projections estimate revenue of 34.1 billion yen and operating profit of 2.54 billion yen. Net income has been upwardly revised to 1.54 billion yen, highlighting robust and steady earnings growth for the group.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

AFC-HD AMS Life Science (2927) Japan's Wellness OEM Giant Going Global

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Kirin Holdings Company, Limited, established in 1907, is a world-leading global group headquartered in Japan. Under its corporate slogan, &#34;Joy brings us together,&#34; the company leverages its foundational fermentation and biotechnology expertise to expand new joys of &#34;Food and Well-being&#34; and contribute to a joyful society. Kirin has built a unique business portfolio consisting of four core segments: Alcoholic Beverages (such as its flagship beer brands), Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Pharmaceuticals, and its rapidly growing Health Science business, which fully integrates acquired leaders like FANCL and Blackmores. In fiscal year 2025, the Kirin Group delivered record-high financial performance, achieving consolidated revenue of 2,433.4 billion yen and a normalized business profit of 251.8 billion yen.Under the &#34;Innovate 2035!&#34; vision, Kirin aims to create a future for well-being. A key driver is its Health Science segment, which achieved profitability in 2025 with a business profit of 11.1 billion yen. Kirin plans to accelerate the Asia-Pacific expansion of FANCL and Blackmores alongside proprietary ingredients like LC-Plasma. For FY2026, Kirin forecasts revenue of 2,480.0 billion yen, business profit of 235.0 billion yen, and profit of 156.0 billion yen. The long-term financial targets seek high single-digit EPS CAGR, ROIC above 10%, and a market capitalization of 3 trillion yen.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Kirin Holdings (2503) Pivot from beer to health science

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Nippon Coke &amp; Engineering Co., Ltd. is a leading Japanese resources and materials manufacturer specializing in the production and sale of high-quality coke essential for steelmaking. The company maintains a close strategic alliance with major partners Nippon Steel Corporation (holding a 22.6% stake) and Sumitomo Corporation (19.4%). Its diversified portfolio includes the Coke business, Fuel and Resource Recycling business (handling coal and PKS biomass fuels), and General Engineering business (developing advanced powder processing machinery). In FY2026, the company recorded consolidated net sales of 91.3 billion yen and returned to black with an operating profit of 0.6 billion yen. Nippon Coke is actively transforming its business structure to contribute to a sustainable society.Nippon Coke aims to transition to &#34;stable profitability&#34; under its 3-year plan (FY2026-2028). The primary focus is optimizing its coke business by shutting down aging facilities and concentrating production on two robust ovens (2A and 1A) to reduce fixed costs. For FY2027, the company forecasts a return to net profit with sales of 101.6 billion yen and net income of 0.5 billion yen. It targets an overall operating profit of 6.7 billion yen (including 3.5 billion yen from Coke) by FY2028.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Nippon Coke & Engineering (3315) Survival Through Amputation

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Mitsubishi Corporation, established in 1954, is one of Japan&#39;s leading comprehensive trading companies. With a global network spanning approximately 76 countries, it operates across diverse sectors including environmental energy, materials, metal resources, social infrastructure, mobility, and the food industry. Recently, the company has transitioned its business model from traditional trading to proactive &#34;business management,&#34; deeply engaging in the operation of its enterprises. Under its &#34;Management Strategy 2027,&#34; the company utilizes an &#34;Enhance, Reshape, and Create&#34; mechanism to strengthen existing businesses and accelerate investments in growth areas like US shale gas. Building on strong recent performance, it forecasts a consolidated net income of 1.1 trillion JPY for FY2026. The strategic focus is on optimizing its portfolio to achieve an operating cash flow growth rate of over 10% and an ROE above 12% by FY2027, alongside enhanced shareholder returns.The audio and written content provided in this podcast are for informational and general reference purposes only and are intended to introduce publicly available information and basic business conditions of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, investment solicitations, or a basis for any investment decision. Investing involves risks, and all investment decisions should be made at the listener’s own discretion and responsibility.

Mitsubishi Corporation (8058) Trillion-Yen Buybacks & Strategic Shifts

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Established in 2015, FOOD &amp; LIFE COMPANIES LTD. is a leading global food service company operating multiple brands, including the flagship revolving sushi chain &#34;Sushiro,&#34; sushi izakaya &#34;Sugidama,&#34; and traditional sushi brands &#34;Kyotaru&#34; and &#34;Sushi Misaki&#34;. Guided by the vision &#34;Discovering new tastiness, Sharing moments of joy,&#34; the company has expanded rapidly, reaching 1,263 stores worldwide by June 2026. The company focuses on delivering high-quality sushi at affordable prices while enhancing the customer experience through digital innovations like &#34;Digiro&#34; displays. Furthermore, it actively invests in sustainable aquaculture and supply chain optimization to ensure stable seafood procurement, bringing moments of joy to customers globally.Revenue grew rapidly from 301.7B JPY in FY23 to 429.5B JPY in FY25. Driven by strong recent performance, the FY26 revenue forecast was upgraded in May 2026 to 505.0B JPY, alongside an operating profit of 48.5B JPY. Key strategies include accelerating overseas expansion, store digitalization, and sustainable procurement. Notably, the company announced a new joint venture for aquaculture support in May 2026. Furthermore, a popular game collaboration in June 2026 sustained existing store sales at 100.4%, indicating a robust trajectory for continuous global growth.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

FOOD & LIFE COMPANIES (3563) Overseas Profits Drive Sushiro’s Global Tech Pivot

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Established in 1938 and headquartered in Obu City, Aichi Prefecture, Aisan Industry Co., Ltd. is a global automotive parts manufacturer. The company specializes in the development and production of engine fuel and intake/exhaust system components, such as fuel pump modules and throttle bodies, with Toyota Motor Corporation as its primary customer. Renowned for its advanced environmental technologies and high-quality manufacturing, Aisan is currently expanding its portfolio beyond traditional powertrain components. The company is actively accelerating its transition towards electrification and clean energy solutions, developing parts for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs). With a robust global production network, Aisan aims to contribute to a sustainable mobility society.Based on FY2026/3 results (Revenue: 330.8B yen, OP: 18.2B yen), Aisan heavily focuses on &#34;electrification and new business expansion.&#34; For FY2027/3, forecasting 335.0B yen in revenue, they will proactively invest 24B yen in CapEx and 14B yen in R&amp;D. A key strategy leverages M&amp;A synergies (Trice and IMI) to develop new materials and components for EVs and semiconductors. Aisan aims to strengthen profitability and maintain a stable dividend payout ratio over 35%.The audio and written content of this podcast are intended to help listeners understand the general business conditions and publicly available information of major listed companies in Japan. They do not constitute investment advice, investment recommendations, or investment solicitations.

Aisan Industry (7283) Profiting from engines, transforming into a semiconductor player

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