Reviewing the rationale for cross-shareholdings and the policy of reducing them

「Issues for which the number of shares decreased during the fiscal year: shares other than unlisted shares, 1 issue, 77,972 shares」

「A gain on the sale of investment securities from the sale of shares held for policy purposes to reduce such holdings was recognized as extraordinary income.」

「At a Board of Directors meeting held in January 2025, the company verified the rationale for holding each individual share held for policy purposes and confirmed that the holdings were maintained for purposes consistent with its holding policy.」

「From a medium- to long-term perspective, the company holds shares in financial institutions with which it conducts business, as well as in companies in the industries in which it operates and local companies, where such holdings are deemed necessary to facilitate the smooth conduct of its business. Its basic policy is to dispose of or reduce shares held for policy purposes whose significance is considered to have diminished as promptly as possible.」

「The basic policy for shares held for policy purposes whose significance is considered to have diminished is to dispose of or reduce them as promptly as possible. Each fiscal year, the Board of Directors comprehensively verifies the rationale for holding these shares and the appropriateness of holding each individual issue, based on transaction status and quantitative and qualitative factors.」