Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Report

2009	Feb	Introduction of Operating Officers System
2007	Dec	Separation of the roles of the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer
2006	Jan	Committee of External Experts established
2005	Nov	Internal Audit Department created under the direct authority of an executive officer
	Aug	Business Continuity Plan Adoption Committee created
	Jul	Investor relations activities conducted in the United Kingdom and the United States
	Jun	Audit Office established under the direct control of the Audit Committee
	Jan	Information Disclosure Committee established
2004	Mar	Internal whistle-blower system adopted; director retirement benefits abolished
2003	Jun	“Committees-based company” system adopted
2001	Jun	Annual shareholders' meeting held on Saturday (accompanied by a social gathering with shareholders)
2000	Nov	Remuneration committee, with members including an independent outside director and an independent outside auditor, created to clarify assessments of personnel performance
	Jun	Board of Directors reinforced by the appointment of a certified public accountant as an independent outside director
	May	Two business results briefings held for retail investors and analysts
1998	Jun	Statutory Auditors Committee bolstered by the appointment of an attorney-at-law as an independent outside auditor
1998	Apr	Executive officers appointed to effect prompt decision-making and execution of decisions