Message from Our Chief Risk Officer (CRO)—SoftBank Group Report 2023

As an investment firm focused primarily on AI-related companies, we are highly sensitive to the economic environment and the stock market. For example, the NASDAQ Composite Index, which consists mainly of high-tech companies, fell nearly 15% in the year ended March 31, 2023. Meanwhile, the total amount of investments made in the venture capital market peaked at the end of 2021 and has shrunk significantly since then. Under such market conditions, the value of public portfolio companies has declined, while the value of private portfolio companies has also decreased significantly due in part to weak business performance. In addition, we are greatly affected by exchange rate fluctuations because our investment business is centered on overseas companies. In fiscal 2022, the U.S. dollar-yen exchange rate fluctuated rapidly. If the yen was to appreciate sharply, our equity value of holdings would be adversely affected.

In this environment, the Risk Management Office continues working with the Finance departments to analyze the impact on LTV and cash position by conducting stress tests based on the assumption of major market events, such as the 2008 financial crisis, and reports the results of such analyses to the Board of Directors and the management team on a quarterly basis.

Although we experienced a sharp markdown in our portfolio companies in fiscal 2022, we successfully maintained LTV and cash position, our key financial indicators, at favorable levels. We believe this is the result of our timely shift to a more defensive policy, under which we have made investments and sold assets in light of changing market conditions.

We are also keeping a close watch on the recent tightening of regulations amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and China. In particular, we expect U.S. regulations on investments and exports of semiconductors and other high-tech products to become stricter in the future for the purpose of national security. Given concerns about possible adverse effects on our investment activities and the businesses of our portfolio companies, we are working with specialized functional teams in Japan and overseas to grasp the situation.

SVF conducts research into economic, market, and industry trends to determine the portfolio companies to be closely monitored. Furthermore, SVF performs other procedures such as participating in board meetings of portfolio companies to understand their management policies and issues and analyzing their earnings forecasts and financial plans. The results are reported to SVF management for discussion on how to respond.

SVF is usually a minority shareholder with no direct control over the day-to-day management of the portfolio companies. However, in addition to voting rights on the board of directors at many portfolio companies, we have certain other rights, such as the right to veto dilutive financing, additional borrowing, or the sale of subsidiaries, and we strive to exercise these rights to the fullest extent possible.

Given the recent deterioration in the financing environment for our portfolio companies, they are encouraged to limit new investments for business expansion and to secure cash reserves to reduce their reliance on future financing. As of March 31, 2023, 94%^* of SVF’s private portfolio companies had more than 12 months of cash runway, indicating that they are prepared for an immediate crisis.

The risk management of individual investments is the primary responsibility of SVF’s investment risk management team. However, information on matters identified as material risks is regularly shared with SBG’s Risk Management Office and, if necessary, reported to SBG’s Board of Directors.

Though this has been a volatile year, we have strengthened cooperation within SBG and the Group on a daily basis and aim to manage risks flexibly in response to any changes in the environment.