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PARTE I: LA REGULACIÓN DE MERCADOS

CAPÍTULO 2. TEORÍAS SOBRE LA REGULACIÓN DE MERCADOS

3.2. Caracterización del sector

3.2.1. El fenómeno de la convergencia

a. Basis of presentation

Japan Airlines Corporation (the “Company”) and its domestic con- solidated subsidiaries maintain their accounting records and prepare their financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in Japan, which are different in certain respects as to the application and disclosure requirements of International Financial Reporting Standards, and its foreign consolidated subsidiaries, in con- formity with those of their respective countries of domicile. The accom- panying consolidated financial statements have been compiled from the consolidated financial statements filed with the Financial Services Agency as required by the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan and include certain additional financial information for the conve- nience of readers outside Japan.

As permitted by the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan, amounts of less than one million yen have been omitted. As a result, the totals shown in the accompanying consolidated financial statements (both in yen and U.S. dollars) do not necessarily agree with the sum of the individual amounts.

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to con- form to the current year’s classification.

b. Principles of consolidation and accounting for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all significant companies controlled directly or indirectly by the Company. Companies over which the Company exercises significant influence in terms of their operating and financial policies have been included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements on an equity basis.

The balance sheet date of 20 of the consolidated subsidiaries is December 31 for 2008 (24 for 2007), and for 1 consolidated subsidiary, it is the end of February. Any significant differences in intercompany accounts and transactions arising from intervening intercompany transac- tions during the period from January 1 through March 31 and the period from March 1 through March 31 have been adjusted, if necessary.

The differences between the cost and the fair value of the net assets at the respective dates of acquisition of the consolidated subsidiaries and companies accounted for by the equity method are amortized by the straight-line method over a period of 5 years.

All significant intercompany accounts and transactions and unreal- ized gain or loss on intercompany accounts and transactions are elimi- nated in consolidation.

c. Securities

Securities, except for investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, are classified as trading securities, held-to-maturity securities or other securities. Trading securities are carried at fair value. Held-to- maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. Marketable securities classified as other securities are carried at fair value with any unreal- ized gain or loss reported as a separate component of net assets, net of taxes. Non-marketable securities classified as other securities are carried at cost. Cost of securities sold is determined principally by the moving average method.

d. Derivatives

Derivatives positions are stated at fair value.

Gain or loss on derivatives designated as hedging instruments is deferred until the gain or loss on the underlying hedged items is recognized with any unrealized gain or loss reported as a separate component of net assets, net of taxes. Foreign receivables and payables are translated at the applicable forward foreign exchange rates if certain conditions are met. In addition, the related interest differential paid or received under interest-rate swaps utilized as hedging instruments is recognized over the terms of such swap agreements as an adjustment to the interest expense of the underlying hedged items if certain condi- tions are met.

e. Property and equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost except as indicated in the fol- lowing paragraph.

Under Japanese tax legislation, it is permissible to defer certain capital gains, principally those arising from subsidies, by crediting them to the cost of certain properties. Deferred capital gains at March 31, 2008 and 2007 amounted to ¥18,034 million ($179,998 thousand) and ¥26,037 million, respectively.

Depreciation of property and equipment is computed as follows: Flight equipment:

Aircraft and spare engines: Boeing 747

(with the exception of Boeing 747-400)

principally the declining-balance method based on their estimated useful lives

Boeing 747-400 the straight-line method based on their estimated useful lives Boeing 767 principally the straight-line method

based on their estimated useful lives Boeing 777 the straight-line method based on

their estimated useful lives Boeing 737 the straight-line method based on

their estimated useful lives Douglas MD-90 the straight-line method based on

their estimated useful lives Douglas MD-87 the straight-line method based on

their estimated useful lives Douglas MD-81 the straight-line method based on

their estimated useful lives Airbus A300-600 the straight-line method based on

their estimated useful lives Spare parts contained in flight equipment:

— the straight-line method based on each aircraft’s or engine’s estimated useful life

Ground property and equipment:

— principally the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the respective assets

The estimated useful lives are as follows:

Flight equipment from 10 to 27 years Ground property and equipment from 2 to 65 years

Japan Airlines International Co., Ltd. (“JALI,” which is a consolidated subsidiary of the Company) has adopted new estimated useful lives for certain aircraft, resulting from a review of the useful lives and residual value of aircraft for which sales contracts are certain to be entered into. In addition, JALI has also adopted new estimated useful lives for certain spare parts, resulting from a review of the useful lives of spare parts

NOTESTO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

related to certain types of aircraft whose approximate retirement dates have been determined. As a result of the adoption of these new esti- mated useful lives, operating income and income before income taxes and minority interests decreased by ¥184 million ($1,836 thousand) and ¥9,189 million ($91,715 thousand), respectively, for the year ended March 31, 2008 from the corresponding amounts which would have been recorded if the former estimated useful lives had been applied.

Effective April 1, 2007, the Company and most domestic consoli- dated subsidiaries have changed their method of depreciation based on an amendment to the Corporation Tax Law of Japan for tangible fixed assets acquired on or prior to March 31, 2007. Such tangible fixed assets are to be depreciated based on the difference between the equivalent of 5% of acquisition cost and memorandum value over a period of 5 years once they have been fully depreciated to the limits of their respective depreciable amounts effective April 1, 2007. The impact on operating income and income before income taxes and minority interests for the year ended March 31, 2008 was immaterial.

f. Software

Computer software intended for internal use is amortized by the straight- line method based on its estimated useful life which ranges principally from 5 to 7 years.

g. Stock issuance expenses

Stock issuance expenses are capitalized and amortized over a period of 3 years.

h. Accrued pension and severance costs

To provide for employees’ severance indemnities, net periodic pension cost is accounted for based on the projected benefit obligation and the plan assets.

The unrecognized benefit obligation at transition is being amortized by the straight-line method principally over a period of 15 years.

The adjustment for actuarial assumptions is being amortized by the straight-line method over a period ranging from 5 to 15 years, which is less than the average remaining years of service of the active par- ticipants in the plans. Amortization is computed from the fiscal year subsequent to the year in which the adjustment was recorded.

Past service cost is principally charged to income as incurred. However, at certain subsidiaries, past service cost is being amortized by the straight-line method over a period which is less than the average remaining years of service of the active participants in the plans.

i. Reserve for loss on antitrust litigation

JALI is alleged to have been involved in anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing and collusion with several international cargo operators and its cargo operation office in Frankfurt was investigated by the European Union antitrust authorities on February 14, 2006. On the same date, the U.S. Department of Justice inspected JALI’s cargo operation office in New York. And JALI was investigated by the antitrust authorities in Canada, Switzerland, Australia and other. Certain air cargo customers have filed several class action lawsuits in the U.S. against international cargo operators including JALI claiming that alleged price- fixing practices have damaged their interests. The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified treble damages and costs and attorneys’ fees; however, no specific amounts of damages or compensation have been claimed in these class action proceedings. In Canada and Australia, several class action lawsuits have been filed.

In relation to the U.S. Department of Justice’s investigation, JALI agreed to pay a fine of U.S.$110 million to the U.S. Department of Justice; therefore, a provision of such amount has been included in the reserve for loss on antitrust litigation. Furthermore, the reserve for loss on antitrust litigation includes a provision for the estimated amount of contingent losses which are expected to be incurred as a result of the outcome of the investigation of the European Union antitrust authorities. In other cases, however, management is unable to estimate the possible outcomes of the ongoing investigations and class action lawsuits reason- ably at this stage.

j. Allowance for bonuses to employees

In certain domestic consolidated subsidiaries, allowance for bonuses to employees is provided based on the estimated amounts of future payments attributable to employee services that have been rendered up to the date of the balance sheet. The bonus amounts are determined taking the performance results of the Company and such subsidiaries into consideration.

k. Foreign currency accounts

Foreign currency receivables and payables are translated into yen at the applicable year-end exchange rates and any gain or loss on translation is included in current earnings.

Translation adjustments arising from the translation of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates accounted for by the equity method into yen at the applicable exchange rates at the year end are presented in minority interests and translation adjustments in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

l. Revenue recognition

Passenger and cargo revenues are recognized when the transportation services are rendered.

m. Leases As lessee

The Company and certain consolidated subsidiaries lease certain equipment under noncancelable lease agreements referred to as capital leases. Capital leases, defined as leases which do not transfer the own- ership of the leased property to the lessee, are principally accounted for as operating leases.

As lessor

A certain consolidated subsidiary leases certain equipment under noncancelable lease agreements referred to as direct financing leases. Direct financing leases, defined as leases which do not transfer the ownership of the leased property to the lessee, are accounted for as operating leases.

n. Cash equivalents

Cash equivalents are defined as highly liquid, short-term investments with an original maturity of 3 months or less.

o. Income taxes

The Company and certain domestic consolidated subsidiaries have adopted the Japanese consolidated corporate tax return system.