Ladies and gentlemen, we shall now start -- begin the earnings announcement session for the third quarter of the fiscal year 2019. My name is Hayakawa, the IR, the General Manager responsible for Financial Affairs. I'd like to introduce our speakers for today. We have the Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Hiroki Totoki; and then Senior Vice President, Senior General Manager of the Finance Department and Corporate Planning and Control Department, Naomi Matsuoka; and then we have VP, Senior General Manager, Global Accounting Division, Hirotoshi Korenaga. Mr. Totoki will make the presentation today first and then we'll follow that with question and answers, and we plan to spend 40 minutes altogether. With that, Mr. Totoki, would you please start?

Before I explain our results today, I would like to speak a little about spread of infection from the new coronavirus. First, we extend our condolences to the families of the people who have passed away and send our thoughts to those who have been infected. Sony is very concerned about the spread of infection. At this time, it is difficult to fully grasp what is going on, but we are exerting all efforts to gather information and assess the situation, and we are taking actions where possible. Now I will explain these 2 topics. Fiscal '19 third quarter consolidated sales increased 3% year-on-year to JPY 2.4632 trillion, and operating income decreased JPY 76.9 billion year-on-year to JPY 300.1 billion. Net income attributable to Sony Corporation stockholders decreased JPY 199.4 billion year-on-year to JPY 229.5 billion. As it's shown on this slide, certain extraordinary items were recorded in both the current quarter and the same quarter of the previous fiscal year. Excluding these extraordinary items, operating income would have increased JPY 16.5 billion to JPY 276.5 billion. Also excluding these extraordinary items, net income attributable to Sony Corporation stockholders would have increased JPY 58.3 billion from JPY 157.9 billion in the same quarter of the previous fiscal year to JPY 216.2 billion. Next is the consolidated results forecast for fiscal '19. Consolidated sales are expected to increase JPY 100 billion year-on-year to JPY 8.500 trillion and operating income is expected to increase JPY 40 billion to JPY 880 billion. I will explain the breakdown of sales and operating income for each segment when I explain the segment results. Income before income taxes was upwardly revised to JPY 860 billion and net income attributable to Sony Corporation stockholders were revised upward to JPY 590 billion. The forecast for operating cash flow,…

Now the floor is open to your questions.

[Operator Instructions] Ono of Morgan Stanley.

Concerning I&SS segment, 2 questions. The operating income JPY 230 billion upward revision and concerning top line, what about the volume upside and the improvement of product mix in view of those aspects, roughly speaking? What do you think had a greater impact on the outcome? Second question, the increase in fixed asset and you've reduced it slightly. Is it because of the higher efficiency investment? Or are there any factors related to this?

First, on I&SS, the upward revision for annual forecast, what are the factors, volume increase or product mix improvement. On this matter, we explained this during the second quarter. The balance between unit increase and product mix improvement, the contribution is about more or less the same. And the increase in the fixed asset -- a decrease in the -- fixed asset increase of I&SS, well, with the improvement efficiency, we could secure the assumed capacity without increasing capital expenditure. That was a factor behind.

Nishimura, Credit Suisse. The first question is about I&SS. Earlier, talking about next year, talking about competitive environment, you are not optimistic about the competitive situation. When looking at the supply and demand, the industry as a whole is enjoying a sort of a good situation. So what is your take of the risk? And the second question is about the Game business. Free-to-play business is declining in the third quarter compared to the first and second quarter, the third quarter. What were the signs of the decline? And also for the next year, the decline in free-to-play revenue, is this just a temporary situation for this year and not be repeated next year?

Well, the competitive environment, we explained that we're not optimistic about the situation next year. But it's difficult to explain that quantitatively. But the image that I have in my mind is this: next year, I think I said this at the previous -- last meeting, initially, our forecast was that the first half will be very strong demand. So thinking about the balance against the production capacity, if we're going to build a strategic inventory in the fourth quarter, but as things stand currently, most of the strategic inventory that we're going to deliver next year, it would have to be delivered this year. So whether they can meet the demand next year is still a problem. And the 0.8 million micro sensors that's contributed to our profitability, we are in the second year of production. But there's a catch-up made by the competitors and also the price competition will become more severe in the second year of the production. So this is the situation that we are forecasting. But needless for me to say, there's concern about the coronavirus. We have not incorporated any impact of that in our numbers. So as we learn more about the data, we'll have to read that in our results forecast. And next, about the Game business, the decline in free-to-play business, what was the situation in the third quarter? How much decline did we experience? So has that decline completed this year or is it going to be repeated next year? Well, the so-called third-party software, the significant decline that we experienced. Much of that is related to decline in free-to-play titles. But for other software titles, the new titles and also the library of existing titles, the business is basically flat. So the free-to-play titles, our -- it has been very difficult to forecast the business and that was the experience this quarter as well, the difficulty of forecasting the business. But for other businesses, there has been no significant change. So we'll have to advise methods of forecasting, particularly looking at the free-to-play titles.

Hirakawa from Merrill Lynch. My 2 questions are on the Game business. The first is as follows: you discussed about PlayStation Plus. Now in your previous statements, if there are major titles that would trigger the increase of the membership of subscribers. In that context, I thought that you will struggle during the October-December period. But nevertheless, you were able to increase the subscription of the member space. What did you do to achieve this growth? And as you move on to the next generation, what would happen to your subscriber or the customer base?

We have to steadily increase the membership for PS Plus. And how to increase the efficiency of retention, there are a number of plans and ideas. Of course, in August, there was a revision of the price. If you subscribe for the entire year, you enjoy a certain discount. And this has led to the increase of steady, stable users. In providing such, the users would enjoy the online multiplay and free play and also 100-giga PlayStation 4 is also combined. And also they enjoy the promotions for discounts. And by combining different ideas, the users' favorite start, and we were able to increase the membership. There is a trend of increasing the membership during the third quarter, but by improving the services and providing a variety of services, we would like to continue this trend and have a robust increase of the customer base. Now about the future generation, of course, we would definitely like to increase the base to prepare for the next generation of the product. But there is very little that I can discuss about the future generation of the console today. But when the time is right, we will disclose the new product.

The PS5 is to be launched in the selling season towards the end of the year. So what will be the guidance -- future guidance for March 21? You have not disclosed the price for PS5. So what would happen to the guidance that you'll be releasing in April for the next fiscal year?

It's very difficult to really discuss this timing-wise. But as of today, we will provide the guidance at a time period, which is comparable to the past. So we will not change the time schedule.

Ezawa of Citigroup. Two questions. First one, concerning EP&S. The -- what about the guidance of operating income for the fourth quarter? I understand that there will be a major loss, and you talked about the recording of onetime expense. But in the way of breakdown, what is the trend for each product and what sort of factors you foresee? Or what about the amount of onetime expense to be recorded? And for the coming fiscal year, to what extent the profit of EP&S business be improved, including the impact of onetime expense?

During the fourth quarter, EP&S operating income would be in a deficit. And in my presentation, I made a mention that structural reform of the Mobile business and recorded onetime expense, and the impact of this is considerably large. But to what extent we can control this amount is something we are scrutinizing at the moment, and we like to minimize the amount as much as possible. In other categories of product, we do not think any expense would go beyond the normal seasonality, the level of inventories, as I mentioned. And during the third quarter, we could successfully control the level of inventory. And concerning TV, for the time being, as I mentioned during the last time earnings announcement, we are thinking of launching some products during the fourth quarter and that plan remains unchanged. However, the current supply chain concern in China may surface. There may be some delay in ramp-ups.

Do you have the factors for increased profit next fiscal year?

About the new fiscal year, we have not finalized our plan yet. But our planned intention are that in the course of fiscal -- next fiscal year, we'd like to make a good start so that we will not be drawn by the negative legacy and make a solid plan. One point of confirmation, the fourth quarter with subcontracting, that is minus JPY 35.8 billion. And the restructuring budget for the fiscal year was increased by JPY 20 billion and substracting that what remains would be around 1 -- JPY 13 billion and that will go to Mobile.

And then would there be other deficits in other sectors than Mobile which would adapt to JPY 38 million?

Well, as you analyze, that may be a appropriate line of understanding. But we do not show the details in terms of individual breakdown.

And another point concerning the Game business, my second question. Third-party software performance was not very good. But what about the first-party titles' performance? To the extent possible, was it higher than or lower than the expected first-party title performance? Were there any major titles?

Basically, we cannot answer in terms of the amount compared to how we expected. So I'd like to give you the impression/observation. The -- about the third-party full game, our assumption of the older titles were lower and we could not reach it. And the first-party full game, our assumption was -- or expectation was higher, and we did not quite reach that level. And concerning PS Plus and so forth, along the line of our original expectation and assumption.

Akizuki, Nomura Securities. Firstly, about I&SS, you always disclose the actual production capacity every December. Can you give us the figure again?

Mr. Korenaga, can you answer that question?

Yes. The Images' production capacity at the end of the third quarter, our capacity was 115,000, 115,000. Our expectations before was 7,000 and there was some decline, but this is due to the change in process mix. So the established capacity itself, there's no delay in setting up the capacity. At the end of fourth quarter, it's going to be 124,000. It's going to be 124,000. About input, the third quarter situation does full operation. And for the fourth quarter, we expect to operate the capacity fully as well.

The second question is about Pictures, enhancing the franchise business you mentioned. Can you talk about the inventory you made -- investment you made in October and December? Particularly the Game Show Network, the nature of the investment is different. And I think you are working on nonprofitable franchises in particular. So what are you doing in terms of investment?

For the acquisition plans, well, the Game Show Network, we fully subsidiarized this operation. Originally, it was held by ATT (sic) [ AT&T]. We acquired a 42% stake in that and then made a full subsidiary -- sorry, we acquired ATT's (sic) [ AT&T's ] 42%. Originally, we had 58%. They have the original game shows distributed in U.S. cable TVs. That's the nature of the business. And G&NS -- games -- online games -- online games are also provided. And this business unit for us, from this point of view, we believe, is profitable going forward. And therefore, in order for us to be able to make strategic decisions in the [ flexible manner ], we felt that making this 100% full subsidiary was a good idea. And therefore, we did that. Another point is about the Silvergate. This is for animated development and production for the children and also [ distribution and ] licensing. And SVOD and cable TV, we've prepared 7 titles for them, original titles. So the purpose in this business is to get excellent talent. And this business as a category is very attractive. That's been a view consistently. And we've connect with dialogues, and now that we found this opportunity for acquisition, we moved rather quickly to make the decision for acquisition.

JPMorgan. Ayada is my name. My question first is on I&SS. To reflect back the third quarter, there has been product mix, an increase of volume. Now in the fourth quarter, what is the momentum for sales of increase per wafer? I think the second quarter there was better momentum. Was it true for the third quarter? Now also during the third quarter, was -- I think the inventory fluctuated and that resulted in a negative impact on P&L. Now I&SS third quarter, you're right in saying that most of mix and the volume increased. And the momentum to wafer...

No. I think you're referring to the unit cost of wafer, which we are not disclosing. So I would like to refrain from making any quantitative statement. But as a wafer size enlarges, the yield would come down per wafer. And therefore, we have to make the average selling cost, which would offset and which will surpass that drop. That's the logic. Therefore, the sales per wafer and the sales cost or unit cost momentum should be maintained and we are working on that. And also in the meantime, we are working on the betterment of yield. And for new products, we would like to make sure that a ramp-up would be very smooth because -- which would consequently improve profitability. So we will be focusing on those measures.

Now the third quarter, the inventory fluctuation, what impact would it have on the P&L?

The second quarter and the third quarter, if you compare the 2 quarters, the inventory declined by JPY 7.8 billion approximately. And this is true that it has pushed down the earnings, the profit. Now on a year-on-year basis, the difference is more than JPY 10 billion.

The second question is on the Game & Network Service. And please answer, if you can, to the best you can. Mr. Totoki said that you intend to have a smooth transition to the new generation. And as you do so what are the factors that you can control, such as marketing or development cost? Or there could be factors which are not visible, could be volume or price. So the best you can, can you discuss on what you can discuss and what is already visible?

First, we must absolutely control the labor cost, the personnel cost. It must be controlled. And it leads to what should be recognized as a cost. We will definitely control that. And the initial ramp-up, how much can we prepare initially? We will work on the production and the sales, and we will have to prepare the right volume as we launch this. What is not very clear or visible? It's because we are competing in the space. So it's very difficult to discuss anything about the price at this point of time. And depending upon the price level, we may have to determine the promotion that we are going to deploy and how much cost we are prepared to pay. So it's a question of balance. And because it's a balancing act, it's very difficult to say anything concrete at this point of time. But when I said a smooth transition, we mean that we will definitely choose the optimal approach. And that we would try to have the best balance, so that will be profitable in the life -- during the life of this product.

Katsura, Mitsubishi Nikko Securities. Concerning I&SS, one point, in the slide, you refer to the product other than image sensors. And what do you think of the contribution of these products from next fiscal year onward? And on the investment side, in your explanation, you mentioned that probably you do not have to do as much investment as you expected because of higher efficiency of the operation, including the use of outside capacity, probably you are thinking of the various ways. And you have the overall framework of JPY 700 million in 3 years in MRP. And what are the other factors?

Other than -- the contribution by other than mobile image sensors, the sensing -- sensors is one for FA and automotive applications are the ones. So other than mobile application, by 2025, we'd like to increase the contribution percentage up to 30%. That's what we have been talking about. And this target remains unchanged. And we will -- we are doing what is necessary to achieve that target right now. And the short-term products or maybe the ToF sensors for Mobile with a shorter lead time and by-and-by, we will be able to show the possible percentage from next fiscal year onward. About ToF sensors, the -- it's not that we need a capital investment only dedicated for ToF sensor. So it has a high potentiality for business contribution, and we should be able to secure the appropriate margin on ToF sensors. About the investment efficiency, about the decline in investment by JPY 15 billion, thanks to higher efficiency. But over the medium term, JPY 700 billion is the number. We do not foresee any major change. But next fiscal year, we will be looking at the next MRP from '21 to '23. So at that timing, we will look at the way of investment over the coming 3 years. For the next MRP, we should be able to show our view on such investment.

Yasui, UBS securities. About I&SS, I have a question, a short-term question. Into the fourth quarter, what will be the inventory fluctuation? Is it going to be less or greater amount of inventory? Of course, it depends on the market demand, but what is your target? Will it be more or less the inventory for the fourth quarter? The second part of the question is October-December, your business is very good, but your largest customer in the United States, there was -- I understand a change in mix, is it mix -- the mix of the company. It was affected negatively because of this mix and there was a difference in results between the 2 and 3 sensors -- cameras. So there's some adjustment in your business in China starting in December. So as a consequence, January to March and also April to June, can we expect demand sufficient to fill all your capacities and supply?

Well, initially, for the fourth quarter, we had a plan to increase the strategic inventory to prepare for the next year. But what happened was a strong demand from the customers for the fourth quarter. Therefore, it was difficult for us to actually build up the strategic inventory for the future. We have to deliver whatever we had. But there's impact of this coronavirus, and it may not mean much for me to explain the situation excluding that potential possibility, but there's a likelihood that demand will slow down because of that. So considering all this altogether, the inventory will only slightly increase compared to the third quarter. So it will not change significantly in the fourth quarter. That's our current expectation. But then, again, nothing is definite now. I cannot say that for definite, but that's generally our view.

Well, you may add this. On an output basis, what is your plan for January-March period? The output of the shipment? I think you gave us data output based on production capacity, 100,000 for the first quarter. That's -- you're talking about the capacity?

Well, installed base and input and output, there are 3 elements. Capacity is already installed. Input is what you are inputting. Output is the result of that input. The shipment is not included in this. So the point of your question is, again, January-March, wafer shipment, the production, what will be the amount? So we do not disclose output numbers, but lead time is between 5 and 6 months. So use that as a basis of calculation.

Thank you. Our time is up. And with this, I'd like to conclude this earnings announcement. Thank you for your attendance. [Statements in English on this transcript were spoken by an interpreter present on the live call.]