Sony 20F 2024 Annual report

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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form

20-F

☐	REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

☑	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from/to

☐	SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of event requiring this shell company report:

Commission file number

1-6439

Sony Group Kabushiki Kaisha

(Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

SONY GROUP CORPORATION

(Translation of Registrant’s name into English)

Japan

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

7-1,

KONAN

1-CHOME

MINATO-KU,

TOKYO

108-0075

JAPAN

(Address of principal executive offices)

J. Justin Hill, Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations

Sony Corporation of America

25 Madison Avenue, 26

Floor

New York, New York 10010-8601

Telephone:

212-833-6722

E-mail:

ir@sony.com

(Name, Telephone,

E-mail

and Address of Company Contact Person)

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
American Depositary Shares*	SONY	New York Stock Exchange
Common Stock**

*	American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts. Each American Depositary Share represents one share of Common Stock.

**	No par value per share. Not for trading, but only in connection with the listing of American Depositary Shares pursuant to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the Annual Report:


	Outstanding as of
	March 31, 2024		March 31, 2024
Title of Class	(Tokyo Time)		(New York Time)

Common Stock		1,221,448,886
American Depositary Shares				108,397,166

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation

S-T

during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a

non-accelerated

filer, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “emerging growth company” in Rule

12b-2

of the Exchange Act.


☑ Large accelerated filer		☐ Accelerated filer		☐ Non-accelerated filer		☐ Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards† provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:


US GAAP ☐		International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☑		Other ☐

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.


Item 17 ☐						Item 18 ☐

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule

12b-2

of the Exchange Act).


Yes ☐						No ☑

Table of Contents

Cautionary Statement

Statements made in this document with respect to Sony’s current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Sony. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those statements using words such as “believe,” “expect,” “plans,” “strategy,” “prospects,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “project,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “might,” “could” or “should,” and words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operations, financial performance, events or conditions. From time to time, oral or written forward-looking statements may also be included in other materials released to the public. These statements are based on management’s assumptions, judgments and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Sony cautions investors that a number of important risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on them. Investors also should not rely on any obligation of Sony to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Sony disclaims any such obligation. Risks and uncertainties that might affect Sony include, but are not limited to:

(i)

Sony’s ability to maintain product quality and customer satisfaction with its products and services;

(ii)

Sony’s ability to continue to design and develop and win acceptance of, as well as achieve sufficient cost reductions for, its products and services, including image sensors, game and network platforms, smartphones and televisions, which are offered in highly competitive markets characterized by severe price competition and continual new product and service introductions, rapid development in technology and subjective and changing customer preferences;

(iii)

Sony’s ability to implement successful hardware, software, and content integration strategies, and to develop and implement successful sales and distribution strategies in light of new technologies and distribution platforms;

(iv)

the effectiveness of Sony’s strategies and their execution, including but not limited to the success of Sony’s acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, capital expenditures, restructurings and other strategic initiatives;

(v)

changes in laws, regulations and government policies in the markets in which Sony and its third-party suppliers, service providers and business partners operate, including those related to taxation, as well as growing consumer focus on corporate social responsibility;

(vi)

Sony’s continued ability to identify the products, services and market trends with significant growth potential, to devote sufficient resources to research and development, to prioritize investments and capital expenditures correctly and to recoup its investments and capital expenditures, including those required for technology development and product capacity;

(vii)

Sony’s reliance on external business partners, including for the procurement of parts, components, software and network services for its products or services, the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of its products, and its other business operations;

(viii)

the global economic and political environment in which Sony operates and the economic and political conditions in Sony’s markets, particularly levels of consumer spending;

(ix)

Sony’s ability to meet operational and liquidity needs as a result of significant volatility and disruption in the global financial markets or a ratings downgrade;

(x)

Sony’s ability to forecast demands, manage timely procurement and control inventories;

(xi)

foreign exchange rates, particularly between the yen and the U.S. dollar, the euro and other currencies in which Sony makes significant sales and incurs production costs, or in which Sony’s assets, liabilities and operating results are denominated;

(xii)

Sony’s ability to recruit, retain and maintain productive relations with highly skilled personnel;

(xiii)

Sony’s ability to prevent unauthorized use or theft of intellectual property rights, to obtain or renew licenses relating to intellectual property rights and to defend itself against claims that its products or services infringe the intellectual property rights owned by others;

(xiv)

the impact of changes in interest rates and unfavorable conditions or developments (including market fluctuations or volatility) in the Japanese equity markets on the revenue and operating income of the Financial Services segment;

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(xv)

shifts in customer demand for financial services such as life insurance and Sony’s ability to conduct successful asset liability management in the Financial Services segment;

(xvi)

risks related to catastrophic disasters, geopolitical conflicts, pandemic disease or similar events;

(xvii)

the ability of Sony, its third-party service providers or business partners to anticipate and manage cybersecurity risk, including the risk of unauthorized access to Sony’s business information and the personally identifiable information of its employees and customers, potential business disruptions or financial losses; and

(xviii)

the outcome of pending and/or future legal and/or regulatory proceedings.

Risks and uncertainties also include the impact of any future events with material adverse impact. The continued impact of developments relating to the situations in Ukraine and Russia and in the Middle East could heighten many of the risks and uncertainties noted above.

Important information regarding risks and uncertainties is also set forth elsewhere in this annual report, including in “Risk Factors” under “Item 3.

Key Information

,” “Item 4.

Information on the Company

,” “Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

,” “Legal Proceedings” included in “Item 8.

Financial Information

,” Sony’s consolidated financial statements referenced in “Item 8.

Financial Information

” and “Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

.”

In this document, Sony Group Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries are together referred to as “Sony” or “Sony Group.” In addition, “Sales and financial services revenue” are referred to as “sales” in the narrative description except in the consolidated financial statements.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS


Item 1. Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers			6
Item 2. Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable			6
Item 3. Key Information			6
A. [Reserved]			6
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness			6
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds			6
D. Risk Factors			6
Item 4. Information on the Company			18
A. History and Development of the Company			18
B. Business Overview			20
C. Organizational Structure			36
D. Property, Plant and Equipment			36
Item 4A. Unresolved Staff Comments			38
Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects			39
A. Operating Results			39
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources			56
C. Research and Development			57
D. Trend Information			58
E. Critical Accounting Estimates			63
Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees			66
A. Directors and Senior Management			66
B. Compensation			72
C. Board Practices			79
D. Employees			91
E. Share Ownership			92
F. Disclosure of a Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation			92
Item 7. Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions			93
A. Major Shareholders			93
B. Related Party Transactions			93
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel			93
Item 8. Financial Information			94
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information			94
Legal Proceedings			94
Dividend Policy			94
B. Significant Changes			94
Item 9. The Offer and Listing			94
A. Offer and Listing Details			94
B. Plan of Distribution			94
C. Markets			94
D. Selling Shareholders			94
E. Dilution			94
F. Expenses of the Issue			94
Item 10. Additional Information			95
A. Share Capital			95
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association			95
C. Material Contracts			104
D. Exchange Controls			104
E. Taxation			108
F. Dividends and Paying Agents			110
G. Statement by Experts			110
H. Documents on Display			111
I. Subsidiary Information			111
J. Annual Report to Security Holders			111
Item 11. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			111
Item 12. Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities			111
A. Debt Securities			111
B. Warrants and Rights			111

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C. Other Securities			111
D. American Depositary Shares			111
Item 13. Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies			113
Item 14. Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds			113
Item 15. Controls and Procedures			113
Item 16. [Reserved]			114
Item 16A. Audit Committee Financial Expert			114
Item 16B. Code of Ethics			114
Item 16C. Principal Accountant Fees and Services			114
Audit and Non-Audit Fees			114
Audit Committee’s Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures			115
Item 16D. Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees			115
Item 16E. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers			115
Item 16F. Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant			116
Item 16G. Corporate Governance			117
Item 16H. Mine Safety Disclosure			122
Item 16I. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections			122
Item 16J. Insider Trading Policies			122
Item 16K. Cybersecurity			122
Item 17. Financial Statements			123
Item 18. Financial Statements			123
Item 19. Exhibits			124
Signatures			125

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Item 1.

Identity of Directors, Senior Management and Advisers

Not Applicable

Item 2.

Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable

Not Applicable

Item 3.

Key Information

A.	[Reserved]

B.	Capitalization and Indebtedness

Not Applicable

C.	Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable

D.	Risk Factors

This section contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the Cautionary Statement appearing on page 2 of this annual report. Risks to Sony are also discussed elsewhere in this annual report.

Sony must overcome increasingly intense competition, which could lead to lower revenue or operating margins.

Sony has several business segments in different industries with many product and service categories, which cause it to compete with many existing and new competitors ranging from large multinational companies to highly specialized entities that focus on only one or a few businesses and also, potentially, with outsourced manufacturing service partners that currently supply products to Sony. These competitors may have greater financial, technical, labor and marketing resources available to them than those available to Sony. Sony’s financial condition and operating results depend on its ability to efficiently anticipate and respond to these established and new competitors.

The competitive factors Sony faces vary depending on the nature of the business. For example, in the electronics area, Sony competes on the basis of various factors including price and function, while in the Music and Pictures segments, Sony competes for talent, such as artists, songwriters, actors, directors and producers, and for entertainment content that is created, acquired, licensed and/or distributed. Competition on price can lead to lower margins when costs do not fall at a proportional rate, and competition for talent and appealing content can also lead to lower profitability if the higher costs required for such talent and content cannot be recouped through greater sales. In addition, the evolution of innovative technologies such as generative artificial intelligence (“AI”) and the use of them by competitors may disrupt Sony’s existing business models. Moreover, even for those products where Sony believes it has a strong competitive advantage, such as image sensors, it is possible that its competitors’ technological capabilities will accelerate such that Sony would be unable to maintain its advantageous market position. In terms of consumer electronics products, to produce products that appeal to changing and increasingly diverse consumer preferences, including constantly changing consumer interest in minimizing energy consumption and using environmentally friendly materials for both products and packaging, or to overcome the fact that a relatively high percentage of consumers already possess similar products, Sony must develop superior technology, anticipate consumer tastes, and rapidly develop attractive and differentiated products with competitive prices and features. Sony faces increasingly intense pricing pressure from competitors, retailer consolidation, new sales/distribution channels, and shorter product cycles in a variety of consumer product categories. In the Music and Pictures segments, operating results can be impacted by worldwide consumer acceptance of their products, which is difficult to predict, and by alternative forms of entertainment and leisure activities available to consumers, as well as by competing products released at or near the same time. For example, in the Pictures segment, as the number of theatrical releases increases with the resumption of production activities that had been paused due to the strikes by the Writers Guild of America (“WGA”) and the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists

(“SAG-AFTRA”)

in 2023, the theatrical release calendar of films by major studios could become more crowded, increasing competition for available screen space. This situation could adversely affect the operating results of the Pictures segment.

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If Sony is unable to maintain its advantageous market position in the fields in which it has a technological or other competitive advantage, Sony is unable to effectively anticipate and counter the ongoing price erosion that frequently affects its consumer products or the cost pressures affecting its businesses, there is a change in existing business models or consumer preferences, or the average prices of Sony’s products decrease faster than Sony is able to reduce manufacturing costs, Sony’s operating results and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

To remain competitive and stimulate customer demand, Sony must invest in research and development to achieve product and service innovations and successfully manage frequent introductions of such new products and services.

To strengthen the competitiveness of its products and services, Sony continues to invest in research and development (“R&D”), particularly in growth areas such as the Game & Network Services (“G&NS”) and Imaging & Sensing Solutions (“I&SS”) segments. However, Sony may not be successful in investing in R&D if it fails to identify products, services and market trends with significant growth potential. In addition, Sony’s investments may not yield the innovation or the expected results quickly enough, or competitors may lead Sony in technological innovation. This may hinder Sony’s ability to commercialize new and competitive products and services.

Sony must continually introduce, enhance and stimulate customer demand for electronic products and services. Sales of these products and services are particularly sensitive to the significant weighting of consumer demand to the

year-end

holiday season. In the G&NS segment, the successful introduction and penetration of gaming platforms, including streaming, is a significant factor driving sales and profitability, and this success is affected by the ability to provide customers with attractive software

line-ups

and online services. However, there is no assurance that third-party software developers and publishers, major contributors to this effort, will continue to develop and release software. In addition, Sony believes that integrating its hardware, software, including AI, entertainment content and network services and minimizing their energy consumption, as well as investing in R&D to effect such integration, is essential in generating revenue growth and profitability. However, this strategy depends on its ability to further develop AI and network services technologies, coordinate and prioritize strategic and operational issues among Sony’s various business units and sales channels, continually introduce enhanced, energy efficient and competitively priced hardware that is seamlessly connected to energy efficient network platforms with user interfaces that are innovative and attractive to consumers and also standardize technological and interface specifications industry-wide and across Sony’s networked products and business units. In addition, the G&NS, Music and Pictures segments must invest substantial amounts, which may include significant upfront investments, in internally developed software titles, artist advances, music catalogs, motion picture productions, television productions and broadcast programming before knowing whether their products will receive customer acceptance. Furthermore, underperformance of Pictures’ products in the initial distribution market is correlated with weak performance in subsequent distribution markets, which would have an adverse effect on Sony’s results in the year of initial release as well as future years.

The successful introductions of, and transitions to, new products and services depend on a number of factors, such as the timely and successful completion of development efforts, market acceptance, planning and executing an effective marketing strategy, managing new product introductions, managing production

ramp-up

issues, the availability of application software for new products, quality control and the concentration of consumer demand in the

year-end

holiday season. If Sony cannot achieve the expected results from its investment in R&D, adequately manage frequent introductions of new products and services and obtain consumer acceptance of its new products and services, or if Sony is not successful in implementing its integration strategy, Sony’s reputation, operating results and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

Sony’s strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, capital expenditures and restructurings, may not be successful in achieving their strategic objectives.

Sony actively engages in acquisitions, joint ventures, capital expenditures and other strategic investments to acquire new technologies, efficiently develop new businesses and enhance its business competitiveness. For example, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, Sony acquired 100% of the shares of Bungie, Inc. (“Bungie”) an independent videogame developer in the United States; made an additional strategic investment in Epic Games, Inc. (“Epic Games”); and established a joint venture with Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in the mobility field.

In some cases, the completion of mergers and acquisitions is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. As a result of anti-trust laws and regulations and anti-trust regulatory authorities becoming stricter, regulatory reviews following the signing of a definitive agreement may take longer than expected, or

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Sony may fail to obtain regulatory approvals. Also, closing conditions for mergers and acquisitions, which are set forth in definitive agreements, may not be satisfied due to unanticipated changes in the strategies or financial conditions of the organizations to be merged or acquired, leading to mergers and acquisitions not proceeding as expected, or the definitive agreements being changed or terminated. As a result, Sony may lose business opportunities and may not realize some or all of the initially expected results of mergers and acquisitions.

While Sony performs a comprehensive analysis and evaluation of merged or acquired organizations prior to their merger or acquisition from various perspectives such as technology, accounting, tax, finance, human resources (“HR”), and legal, Sony’s financial results may be adversely affected by factors including the significant cost of the acquisition and/or integration expenses, IT and information security risks introduced from newly merged or acquired organizations, failure to achieve initially expected synergies, failure to generate expected revenue and cost improvements, loss of key personnel and assumption of liabilities.

When establishing joint ventures and strategic partnerships, Sony’s financial and operating results may be adversely affected by strategic or cultural differences with partners, conflicts of interest, failure to achieve synergies, additional funding or debt guarantees required to maintain the joint venture or partnership, requirements to buy out a joint venture partner, sell its shares or dissolve a partnership, insufficient management control including control over cash flow, loss of proprietary technology and

know-how,

impairment losses and reputational harm from the actions or activities of a joint venture that uses the Sony brand.

Sony invests heavily in production facilities and equipment, including fabrication facilities used to make image sensors for smartphones and other products. Sony may not be able to execute these capital expenditures as planned or recover these capital expenditures in part or full or in the planned timeframe due to the competitive environment, lower-than-expected consumer demand, changes in the financial condition or business decisions of Sony’s major customers, or delays in the procurement of production facilities and equipment. Sony invested 355.9 billion yen and 339.6 billion yen of capital in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, mainly for the purpose of increasing image sensor production capacity.

Further, Sony is implementing initiatives for restructuring and transformation to enhance profitability, business autonomy and shareholder value or to clearly position each business within the overall business portfolio. However, the expected benefits of these initiatives, including the expected level of profitability, may not be realized due to internal and external impediments or market conditions worsening beyond expectations. If Sony is not successful in achieving its restructuring and transformation initiatives, Sony’s operating results, financial condition, reputation, competitiveness or profitability may be adversely affected. As of the date of this report, Sony Group Corporation has been making concrete preparations for an execution of a partial

spin-off

(the

“Spin-off”)

of Sony Financial Group Inc. (“SFGI”), which operates the Financial Services business, and the listing of the shares of SFGI in October 2025. Items to be assessed for the execution of the

Spin-off

include the listing market(s) for the shares of SFGI, the necessary steps for dividends in kind in relation to the holders of American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) of Sony Group Corporation, and the possibility of satisfying the requirements for

tax-free

treatment in some countries. At this time, there is no guarantee that the

Spin-off

would satisfy the requirements for

tax-free

treatment in each country, including Japan. The execution and timing of the

Spin-off

are subject to approvals, certifications and/or permissions by the relevant stock exchange(s) and other relevant authorities regarding the steps that are ultimately selected after the assessment of these items.

Sony’s sales and profitability may be affected by the operating performance of wholesalers, retailers, other resellers and third-party distributors.

Sony is dependent for the distribution of its products on wholesalers, retailers, other resellers and third-party distributors, many of whom also distribute competitors’ products. For example, in some cases, Sony’s smartphones sold through cellular network carriers are subsidized by the carriers. There is no assurance that such subsidies will be continued at all or in the same amounts upon renewal of Sony’s agreements with these carriers or in agreements Sony enters into with new carriers. In addition, the Pictures segment depends on third parties to theatrically exhibit its motion pictures, and to operate cable, satellite, internet and other distribution systems to distribute its motion pictures and television programming. A decline in the licensing fees received from these third parties may adversely affect the Pictures segment’s sales. The Pictures segment’s various television networks are also distributed on third-party cable, satellite and other distribution systems and the failure to renew, or the renewal on less favorable terms of, television carriage contracts (broadcasting agreements) with these third-party distributors may adversely affect the Pictures segment’s ability to generate advertising and subscription sales through these networks.

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Sony invests in programs to incentivize wholesalers, retailers, and other resellers and third-party distributors to position and promote Sony’s products, but there is no assurance that these programs will provide a significant return or incremental revenue by persuading consumers to buy Sony products instead of competitors’ products.

The operating results and financial condition of many wholesalers, retailers, other resellers and third-party distributors have been adversely impacted by competition, especially from online retailers, and weak economic conditions. If their financial condition continues to weaken, they stop distributing Sony’s products, or uncertainty regarding demand for Sony’s products or other factors cause them to reduce their ordering, marketing, subsidizing, or distributing Sony’s products, Sony’s operating results and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

As a global company, Sony is subject to a wide range of laws and regulations in many countries and a growing focus on sustainability efforts, including corporate social responsibility from external stakeholders including shareholders, consumers, local communities and

non-governmental

organizations (“NGOs”). Those laws and regulations, as well as external stakeholder and regulator focus, might change in significant ways, leading to an increase in the costs of Sony’s operations, a curtailment of Sony’s activities, and/or an adverse effect on Sony’s reputation.

As a global company, Sony is subject to the laws and regulations of many countries throughout the world that affect its business operations in a number of areas, including advertising, promotions, consumer protection, import and export requirements, anti-corruption, anti-trust, environmental protection (including decarbonizing regulations in connection with actions against climate change and regulations on the use and/or spillage of hazardous substances such as specific organic fluorine compounds), data privacy and data protection, content and broadcast regulation, development and utilization of AI, intellectual property, labor, occupational health and safety, product liability, taxation (including taxes from certain revenue on digital services), foreign investment, government procurement, foreign exchange controls, and economic sanctions.

Compliance with these laws and regulations may be onerous and expensive. These laws and regulations continue to develop and may be inconsistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, further increasing the cost of compliance and doing business. Any such developments could occur frequently and without warning and could make Sony’s products or services less attractive to its customers, delay or prohibit introduction of new products or services in one or more regions or cause Sony to change or limit its business practices. For example, imposition of restrictive trade measures in the United States and elsewhere, as well as retaliatory actions against such measures, could result in increased customs duties applicable to Sony’s products or increased costs for procuring parts and components, and could limit or prohibit the sales of Sony’s products and services to certain of its current or potential customers, which may adversely affect Sony’s operating results and financial condition. In the I&SS segment, Sony suspended product shipments of image sensors to a certain Chinese customer from September 2020, pursuant to export restrictions announced by the U.S. government in August 2020. As a result, image sensor sales decreased compared to before the export restrictions came into effect, although Sony resumed a portion of shipments to the customer after receiving a U.S. export license. Sony also recorded inventory write-downs of certain image sensors for the same customer in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. In addition, changes in laws or regulations or the judicial interpretation thereof that Sony relies on or Sony is subject to in conducting its operations, including online operations, as well as Sony’s failure to anticipate such changes, may subject Sony to greater risk of liability, increase the costs of compliance, or limit Sony’s ability to engage in or expand certain operations or lead to discontinuance of certain operations. In addition, regulators in Europe, the United States, and other countries are moving forward with legislation related to AI. As Sony develops and uses AI, there is a possibility that the cost of complying with these laws and regulations may increase.

Violation of applicable laws or regulations by Sony, its officers or employees, third-party suppliers, business partners or agents may subject Sony to monetary fines, penalties, legal judgments, restrictions on business operations and/or reputational damage. Additionally, there is a growing global focus by regulators and external stakeholders on sustainability efforts, including those relating to climate change and the protection of human rights in supply chains, as well as increasing regulatory obligations of public disclosures regarding these matters. For example, there is increased attention on labor practices, including work environments at electronic component and product manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers/original design manufacturers (OEM/ODM) operating in Asia. Increased regulation or public pressure in this area could cause Sony’s compliance costs to increase, particularly since Sony uses many parts, components and materials to manufacture its products and relies on suppliers to provide these parts, components and materials. A finding of

non-compliance,

or the perception that Sony has not responded appropriately to growing external stakeholder concern for such issues, whether or not Sony is legally required to do so, may adversely affect Sony’s reputation, operating results and financial condition.

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Sony must manage its large volume of and widespread procurement from third-party suppliers and business partners to control inventory levels, availability, costs and quality of parts, components, materials, software and network services within volatile markets.

Sony’s products and services rely on a large volume of third-party suppliers and business partners for parts, components, materials, software and network services, including semiconductors, chipsets for PlayStation

game consoles and mobile products, liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panels and the Android OS that is used in mobile products, televisions and services. As a result, external suppliers’ and partners’ supply shortages, fluctuations in pricing, quality issues, discontinued support, changes in business terms or prioritization of customers outside the electronics area or of Sony’s competitors can adversely affect Sony’s operating results, brand and reputation. Regarding the global shortage of semiconductors, which became pronounced from the latter half of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 through the first half of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, although global supply for semiconductors was stable as of the end of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony’s operating results and financial condition could be affected if supply becomes restricted again. Reliance on third-party software and technologies may make it increasingly difficult for Sony to differentiate its products from competitors’ products. Also, shortages or delayed shipments of critical parts or components may result in a reduction or suspension of production at Sony’s or its business partners’ manufacturing sites, particularly where Sony is substantially reliant on one supplier, where there is limited production capacity for custom parts or components, or where there are initial manufacturing capacity constraints for products, parts or components that use new technologies.

Sony places orders for parts and components in line with production and inventory plans determined in advance based on its forecast of consumer demand, which is highly volatile and difficult to predict. Inaccurate forecasts of consumer demand or inadequate business planning can lead to a shortage or excess inventory, which can disrupt production plans and result in lost sales opportunities or inventory adjustments, respectively. Sony writes down the value of its inventory when the underlying parts, components or products have become obsolete, when inventory levels exceed the amount expected to be used, or when the value of the inventory is otherwise recorded at a value higher than net realizable value. Such lost sales opportunities, inventory adjustments, or shortages of parts and components have had and may have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

Sony’s sales, profitability and operations are sensitive to global and regional economic and political trends and conditions.

Sony’s sales and profitability are sensitive to economic trends in its major markets, such as inflation. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, 23.3%, 28.8% and 20.2% of Sony’s sales and financial services revenue were attributable to Japan, the U.S. and Europe, respectively. These markets may be subject to significant economic downturns, resulting in an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition. An actual or expected deterioration of economic conditions in any of Sony’s major markets may result in a decline in consumers’ consumption and adverse impacts on the businesses of commercial customers, resulting in reduced demand for Sony’s products and services.

In addition, Sony’s operations are conducted in many countries and regions around the world, and these international operations, particularly in certain emerging markets, can create challenges. For example, in the Entertainment, Technology & Services (“ET&S”), I&SS and G&NS segments, production and procurement of products, parts and components in China and other Asian countries and regions increase the time necessary to supply products to other markets worldwide, which can make it more difficult to meet changing customer demand in a timely manner. Further, in certain countries and regions, Sony may encounter difficulty in planning and managing operations due to unfavorable political or economic factors, such as armed conflicts, deterioration in foreign relations, changes in trade policies,

non-compliance

with expected business conduct and a lack of adequate infrastructure. If international or domestic political and military instability disrupts Sony’s business operations or those of its business partners Sony’s operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected. For example, as a response to the worsening of the situation in Ukraine and Russia that began in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, as of the date of this report, Sony has suspended its business in Russia. If this situation worsens further in the future, it could create global uncertainty, possibly leading to the worsening of Sony’s businesses in other regions or a deterioration in global economic conditions resulting in an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

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Foreign exchange rate fluctuations can affect Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

Sony’s operating results and financial condition are sensitive to foreign exchange rate fluctuations because many of Sony’s products are sold in countries other than the ones in which they were developed and/or manufactured. For example, within Sony’s electronics area, R&D and headquarters’ overhead costs are incurred mainly in yen, and manufacturing costs, including material costs, costs of procurement of parts and components, and costs of outsourced manufacturing services, are incurred mainly in U.S. dollars and yen. Sales are recorded in yen, U.S. dollars, euros, Chinese renminbi, and local currencies of other areas, including emerging markets. Consequently, foreign exchange rate fluctuations have had and may have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results, especially when the yen weakens significantly against the U.S. dollar, when the yen strengthens significantly against the euro, or when the U.S. dollar strengthens against emerging market currencies. Sony’s operating results may also be adversely impacted by foreign exchange rate fluctuations since Sony’s consolidated statements of income are prepared by translating the local currency denominated operating results of its subsidiaries around the world into yen. Furthermore, as Sony’s businesses have expanded in China and other areas, including emerging markets, the impact of fluctuations of foreign currency exchange rates in these areas against the U.S. dollar and yen has increased.

Mid-

to long-term changes in exchange rate levels may interfere with Sony’s global allocation of resources and hinder Sony’s ability to engage in R&D, procurement, production, logistics, and sales activities while maintaining profitability.

Although Sony seeks to reduce its exposure to foreign exchange risk by hedging a portion of its net short-term foreign currency exposure shortly before the transactions occur, such hedging activity may not offset, or may offset only a portion of, the adverse financial effects of unfavorable movements in foreign exchange rates over the limited time the hedges are in place.

Moreover, since Sony’s consolidated statements of financial position are prepared by translating the local currency denominated assets and liabilities of its subsidiaries around the world into yen, Sony’s equity capital may be adversely impacted when the yen strengthens significantly against the U.S. dollar, the euro and/or other foreign currencies.

Ratings downgrades or significant volatility and disruption in the global financial markets may adversely affect the availability and cost of Sony’s funding.

Sony’s credit ratings may be adversely impacted by unfavorable operating results and a decline in its financial condition. Any credit rating downgrades may, in turn, result in an increase in Sony’s cost of funding and may have an adverse impact on Sony’s ability to access commercial paper (“CP”) or

mid-

to long-term debt markets on acceptable terms.

Additionally, global financial markets may experience significant levels of volatility and disruption, generally putting downward pressure on financial and other asset prices and impacting credit availability. Historically, Sony’s primary sources of funds have been cash flows from operations, the issuance of CP and

mid-

to long-term debt, as well as borrowings from banks and other institutional lenders. There can be no assurance that such sources will continue to be available on acceptable terms or be sufficient to meet Sony’s needs.

As a result, Sony may seek other sources of financing to fund operations, such as the draw-down of funds from contractually committed lines of credit from financial institutions or the sale of assets, in order to repay CP and

mid-

to long-term debt as they become due, and to meet other operational and liquidity needs. However, such funding sources may also not be available at acceptable terms or be sufficient to meet Sony’s requirements. As a result, Sony’s operating results, financial condition and liquidity may be adversely affected.

Sony’s success depends on the ability to recruit, retain and maintain productive relations with diverse people who embrace a challenging spirit and possess the ambition to grow.

In order to continue to create content, develop services, design, manufacture, market, and sell products, in increasingly competitive markets, Sony must attract, retain and maintain productive relations with key personnel, both internally and externally, who possess high levels of expertise and broad experience, including its executive team, other management professionals, creative talent, and hardware and software engineers. However, such key personnel are in high demand. In addition, business divestitures, restructuring or other transformation initiatives may lead to an unintended loss of experienced employees or

know-how.

Actual or threatened work slowdowns or stoppages related to unionized workers, particularly in the entertainment field, could lead to delayed releases or cost increases. For example, in the Pictures segment, WGA and

SAG-AFTRA

went on strike from May to September 2023 and from July to November 2023, respectively. These strikes resulted in adverse effects such as an impact on Sony’s ability to produce content which has led to release date changes for some theatrical releases in Motion Pictures and delays in deliveries of television series in Television Productions. Furthermore, in Japan,

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with a declining workforce due to the falling birthrate and aging population, intensifying competition among companies for specialized talent, and rising labor costs, it may become difficult to secure the necessary talent if Sony’s HR system is inadequate in its design and operations. If these incidents occur or if Sony is unable to attract, retain and maintain productive relations with employees with high levels of expertise and broad experience as well as key management professionals, Sony’s operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Sony’s intellectual property might be subject to unauthorized use or theft and it might encounter restrictions in its use of intellectual property owned by third parties.

Sony’s intellectual property might be subject to unauthorized use or theft. For example, digital technology, the availability of digital media, global internet penetration and the proliferation of AI technology, including generative AI, impact Sony’s ability to protect its copyrighted content from unauthorized duplication, digital theft and counterfeiting, putting pressure on legitimate sales of products and services. Sony has incurred and will continue to incur expenses to help protect its intellectual property rights; however, Sony’s various initiatives to prevent such unauthorized use or theft of intellectual property might not achieve their intended result, which could adversely affect Sony’s competitive position and the value of its investment in R&D. Additionally, Sony’s intellectual property rights may be challenged or invalidated, or such intellectual property rights may not be sufficient to provide Sony with competitive advantages.

Many of Sony’s products and services are designed, developed or manufactured under the license of patents and other intellectual property rights owned by third parties. Based upon past experience and industry practice, Sony believes it will be able to obtain or renew licenses relating to various intellectual property rights that its business needs in the future; however, such licenses may not be available at all or on acceptable terms, and as a consequence Sony may need to redesign or discontinue its marketing, selling or distribution of such products and services.

Claims have been and may be asserted against Sony that its products or services, including third-party parts, components, software and network services used in Sony’s products or services, infringe the intellectual property rights of other parties. Such claims may be asserted by competitors or by other rights holders, particularly as products and services evolve to include new technologies and enhanced functionality. Such claims might require Sony to enter into settlement or license agreements, pay significant damage awards, face an injunction or refrain from marketing, selling or distributing certain of its products and services.

The failure to prevent unauthorized use or theft of Sony’s intellectual property rights by third parties, the failure to enter into licenses for necessary third-party intellectual property rights, the invalidation of Sony’s intellectual property rights or the settlement of an infringement claim against Sony by others may adversely impact Sony’s reputation, operating results and financial condition.

Changes in consumer behavior resulting from new technologies and distribution platforms, as well as increasing concentration of digital music distributors and creation of content by distributors themselves, may adversely affect operating results in the Music and Pictures segments.

Technology, particularly digital technology, used in the Music and Pictures segments continues to evolve, rapidly leading to alternative methods and platforms for the discovery and consumption of digital content. These technological advancements have changed consumer behavior and empowered consumers to seek more control over when, where and how they consume digital content.

The prevalence of digital streaming networks and other new media may negatively impact traditional television and

in-theater

motion picture viewership, which could adversely affect operating results of the Pictures segment.

Furthermore, as more music and video content is consumed over digital streaming networks, digital music distributors are becoming increasingly concentrated, which may decrease the competitiveness of Sony’s music content and adversely affect its pricing. In addition, digital music and video distributors may increase the amount of content they create for their own services by leveraging technologies such as generative AI, which may reduce the demand for content created or produced by Sony. If Sony is unable to adequately respond to these changes or fails to effectively adapt to new market changes, Sony’s operating results and financial condition may be adversely impacted.

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Changes in the regulation and performance of financial markets may adversely affect the operating results and financial condition of the Financial Services segment.

The Financial Services segment operates in industries subject to comprehensive regulation and supervision, including the Japanese insurance and banking industries. Future developments or changes in laws, regulations or policies may lead to increased compliance costs or limitations on operations in the Financial Services segment. In addition, lending and borrowing between Sony’s subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment and other companies within the Sony Group is strictly limited by guidelines issued by regulatory agencies in Japan.

Changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, inflation rate and the value of Japanese government and corporate bonds, U.S. treasury bonds, equities, real estate and other asset classes as well as changes in the implied volatility of interest rates, stock prices and exchange rates may have an adverse effect on the operating results and financial condition of the Financial Services segment. For example, the life insurance business has invested most of its general account assets in ultra-long-term Japanese government and corporate bonds, as well as ultra-long-term U.S. treasury bonds, to match the liability characteristics of the long-term maturity insurance policies it has underwritten. The life insurance business has guaranteed yields on outstanding policies while its investment portfolio could be reduced by the market changes discussed above. The banking business has invested most of its total loan balance, or over half of its total assets, in its mortgage loans account. An increase in

non-performing

loans or a decline in prices of the real estate collateral from the market changes discussed above or deterioration of credit quality may have an adverse effect on the operating results and financial condition through an increase in the allowance for credit losses.

The market changes discussed above, Sony’s management of these changes or the occurrence of earthquakes, pandemic disease or other catastrophic events in Japan could expose the life and

non-life

insurance businesses to increasing costs or adverse impact on their ability to satisfy insurance contract liabilities.

Insurance contract liabilities are calculated based on many actuarial assumptions that are uncertain. Significant changes to these actuarial assumptions and the market changes discussed above may have an adverse effect on the operating results and financial condition of the Financial Services segment. The review of assumptions for insurance contract liabilities is required at the end of each reporting period.

Sony’s facilities and operations are subject to damage and disruption as a result of catastrophic disasters, outages, pandemic diseases including

COVID-19,

or similar events that could lead to supply chain, manufacturing and other business disruptions and have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results.

Sony’s headquarters and many of Sony’s most advanced manufacturing facilities, including those for image sensors, are located in Japan, where the risk of earthquakes is relatively high. A major earthquake in Japan, especially in Tokyo, the Tokai area or the Kyushu and Tohoku areas, where Sony headquarters, certain electronics product manufacturing sites and image sensor manufacturing sites, respectively, are located, could cause substantial damage to Sony’s business operations, including damage to buildings, machinery, equipment and inventories, and the interruption of production at manufacturing facilities. For example, the earthquake of April 14, 2016 and subsequent earthquakes in the Kumamoto region in Japan caused damage to an image sensor manufacturing site in Kyushu, which interrupted production at the site.

In addition, offices and facilities used by Sony, its suppliers, service providers and business partners, including those used for network, telecommunications and information systems infrastructure, R&D, material procurement, manufacturing, motion picture and television production, logistics, sales, and online and other services are located throughout the world and are subject to possible destruction, temporary stoppage or disruption as a result of unexpected catastrophic events such as natural disasters, pandemic diseases including

COVID-19,

terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, large-scale power outages and large-scale fires. If any of these facilities or offices were to experience a significant loss as a result of any of the above events, it may disrupt Sony’s operations, delay design, development or production, interrupt shipments and postpone the recording of sales, and/or result in large expenses to repair or replace these facilities or offices. For example, although there is minimal economic impact from

COVID-19

as of the date of this report, if economic activity stagnates again due to a future resurgence of

COVID-19

and/or other infections, it could adversely affect the procurement of components and raw materials, production, development, sale and distribution of Sony’s products and services, resulting in a negative impact on Sony’s operating results and financial position. In the G&NS segment, the production of hardware could be adversely affected again due to issues in the component supply chain. In the Music segment,

in-person

concerts and other events could be restricted again, causing related revenues to decrease. In the Pictures segment, if movie theaters are once again forced to close or limit their capacity, Sony’s theatrical revenues may decrease. Additionally, depending on the status of lockdowns or other anti-infection measures, as well as future increases in infections, Sony may be impacted by delays in the production schedules

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of new motion pictures and television programming, as well as decreased advertising revenue. The ET&S segment could continue to be adversely impacted by factory shutdowns or declines in factory utilization, supply chain issues and the closure of retail stores globally.

Sony may also be exposed to price increases for raw materials, parts and components, and lower demand from commercial customers. These situations may have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition. In addition, extreme weather conditions may become more severe and frequent as the temperature rises due to the effects of climate change, and such extreme weather conditions could heighten the risks and uncertainties noted above.

Sony’s brand image, reputation and business may be harmed and Sony may be subject to legal claims if there is a breach or other compromise of Sony’s information security or that of its third-party service providers or business partners.

Sony, its third-party service providers, suppliers and other business partners make extensive use of information technology to support business operations, and to provide network and online services to customers. These operations and services, as well as Sony’s business information, may be intentionally or inadvertently compromised by malicious third parties, including state-sponsored organizations, criminal organizations, Sony’s officers or employees, third-party service providers or other business partners. Such organizations or individuals may use a variety and combination of techniques, such as installing malicious software, exploiting vulnerabilities in information technology, using social engineering to mislead officers, employees and business partners into disclosing passwords and sensitive information, coordinating distributed

denial-of-service

attacks and abusing generative AI to render services unavailable. Sony has previously been the subject of cyber-attacks. For further details, refer to “Item 16K.

Cybersecurity

.”

As cyber-attacks become increasingly sophisticated and automated, and as tools and resources become more readily available, there can be no guarantee that Sony’s actions, security measures and controls designed to prevent, detect or respond to outside intrusion, limit access to data, prevent loss, destruction, alteration, or exfiltration of business information, or limit the negative impact from such attacks can provide absolute security. In addition, Sony’s officers and employees continue to work both in the office and at home. Although Sony takes measures to ensure that appropriate information security protections are in place for the remote workforce, there can be no guarantee that Sony’s actions, security measures and controls designed to prevent, detect or respond to outside intrusion, limit access to data, prevent loss, destruction, alteration, or exfiltration of business information, or limit the negative impact from such attacks, can provide absolute security. As a result, Sony’s business information, including personally identifiable information, may be lost, destroyed, disclosed, misappropriated, altered, or accessed without consent, and Sony’s information technology systems or operations, or those of its service providers or other business partners, may be disrupted. Malicious adversaries may also use unauthorized access to Sony’s networks as a platform to compromise Sony’s third-party business partners without Sony’s knowledge.

A cyber incident could result in significant remediation costs for Sony. In addition, a disruption to Sony’s network and online services, information technology, or other compromise of its information security may have serious consequences to its business and operations, including lost revenues, damage to relationships with business partners and other third parties, disclosure, alteration, destruction or use of proprietary information and the failure to retain or attract customers. Moreover, such disruptions and breaches may result in a diversion of management’s attention and resources. Further, it may result in adverse media coverage, which may harm Sony’s brand image and reputation. Sony may also be subject to legal claims or legal proceedings, including regulatory investigations and actions. Sony’s cyber insurance may not cover all expenses and losses and, accordingly, such breaches or other compromises of Sony’s information security or that of its third-party service providers or business partners may have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

Sony’s reputation, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected as a result of adverse outcomes of litigation and regulatory actions.

Sony faces the risk of litigation and regulatory actions in different countries in connection with its operations. Legal proceedings, including regulatory actions, may seek to recover very large indeterminate amounts or to limit Sony’s operations, and the possibility that they may arise and their magnitude may remain unknown for substantial periods of time. For example, legal proceedings, including regulatory actions, may result from antitrust scrutiny of market practices for anti-competitive conduct. A substantial legal liability or adverse regulatory outcome and the substantial cost to defend the litigation or regulatory actions may have an adverse effect on Sony’s reputation, operating results and financial condition.

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Sony is subject to financial and reputational risks due to product quality, product security, and liability issues.

Sony’s products and services, such as consumer electronics products,

non-consumer

products, parts and components, semiconductors, software and network services are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complicated as rapid advancements in technologies occur and as demand increases for mobile products and online services. Also, many Sony products are connected to the internet, and regularly communicate with services provided by Sony or third parties.

Sony’s efforts to adapt to rapid advancements in technologies and increased demand for mobile products and online services, while also maintaining product quality and product security, may not be successful and may increase exposure to product liability. As a result, Sony may incur both reputational damages and expenses in connection with, for example, product recalls and after-sales services. In addition, Sony may not be successful in introducing after-sales upgrades, enhancements or new features to existing products and services, or in enabling existing products and services to continue to conveniently and effectively integrate with other technologies and online services. Moreover, cyber-attacks targeting internet-connected products have increased significantly. For example, customer information and Sony or third-party technical information may be misappropriated, the functionality of Sony’s products and services may be impaired, or Sony products may be used in

denial-of-service

attacks. There can be no guarantee that Sony’s security measures will prevent products from being compromised.

As a result, the quality of Sony’s existing products and services may not remain satisfactory to consumers and become less marketable, less competitive or obsolete, and Sony’s reputation, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected. Moreover, allegations of security vulnerability, health and safety issues related to Sony products, or lawsuits related to product quality, health issues arising from products or product safety, regardless of merit, may adversely impact Sony’s operating results and financial condition, either directly or as a result of the impact on Sony’s brand image and reputation as a producer of high-quality products and services. These issues are relevant to Sony products sold directly to customers, whether manufactured by Sony or a third party, and also to products of other companies that are equipped with Sony’s components, such as semiconductors.

Sony’s financial results and condition may be adversely affected by its employee benefit obligations.

Sony recognizes a net defined benefit liability or asset for its defined benefit pension plans based on (i) the present value of defined benefit obligations (“DBO”) under each pension plan less (ii) the fair value of plan assets, in accordance with the accounting guidance for defined benefit plans. If the fair value of plan assets is in excess of the present value of DBO, the amount of any asset to be recognized is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reductions in the future contributions to the plan. Any decrease in the fair value of plan assets or increases in the present value of DBO due to a lower discount rate and changes in certain other actuarial assumptions may increase or decrease the net defined benefit liability or asset and may have an adverse effect on Sony’s financial results and condition.

Also, Sony’s financial results and condition could be adversely affected by future pension funding requirements pursuant to the Japanese Defined Benefit Corporate Pension Plan Act (the “Pension Plan Act”). Under the Pension Plan Act, Sony is required to conduct a periodic actuarial revaluation and to ascertain whether certain financial criteria have been met after the annual accounting closing. In the event that the fair value of plan assets falls below the actuarial reserve required by law and the shortfall may not be recovered within a certain moratorium period permitted by laws and/or special legislative decree, Sony may be required to make an additional contribution to its plans, which may reduce cash flows. Similarly, if Sony is required to make an additional contribution to a foreign plan to meet any funding requirements in accordance with local laws and regulations in each country, Sony’s cash flows might be adversely affected. If Sony is required to increase cash contributions to its pension plans when actuarial assumptions, such as an expected long-term rate of return of the plan assets, are updated for purposes of determining statutory contributions, it may have an adverse impact on Sony’s cash flows.

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Further losses in tax jurisdictions where Sony has assessed deferred tax assets as unrecognized, the inability of Sony to fully utilize its deferred tax assets, limitations on the use of its deferred tax assets under local law, exposure to additional tax liabilities or changes in Sony’s tax rates could adversely affect Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

Sony is subject to income taxes in Japan and numerous other jurisdictions, and in the ordinary course of its business there are many situations where the ultimate tax determination can be uncertain, because of the transfer pricing for its intercompany transactions, and because Sony is subject to continuous review by tax authorities of numerous jurisdictions. The calculation of Sony’s tax provision and the carrying value of tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards, require significant judgment and the use of estimates, including estimates of future taxable income. At the end of each reporting period, Sony reassesses unrecognized deferred tax assets and determines whether these assets should be recognized. As of March 31, 2024, the unrecognized deferred tax assets amounted to 242.1 billion yen. An increase in unrecognized deferred tax assets may have an adverse impact on Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

Deferred tax assets are evaluated on a

jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction

basis. As of March 31, 2024, Sony and/or its subsidiaries had unrecognized deferred tax assets, principally in Japan for local taxes. Additionally, deferred tax assets could expire unused or otherwise not be realizable for a variety of reasons including the lack of sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction. Sony’s operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected when the deferred tax assets expire unused.

In some jurisdictions, the use of net operating loss carryforwards or tax credits to reduce taxable income in a subsequent period is limited to a fixed percentage of taxable income or may only be used to offset taxes on income from certain sources. Thus, it is possible that even with significant net operating loss carryforwards or tax credits, Sony could record and pay taxes in a jurisdiction where it has taxable income.

Sony’s future effective tax rates may also be unfavorably affected by changes in both the statutory rates and the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory rates or by other factors such as changes in tax laws and regulations or their interpretation, including minimum tax requirements and limitations or restrictions on various tax deductions and credits, including deductions for royalties and interest.

In addition to the above, Sony’s businesses may be subject to new forms of gross basis taxation and transactional taxes, including digital service taxes. Although such taxes may not directly impact Sony’s effective tax rate, they may nevertheless have an adverse impact on its operating results and financial condition.

Sony could incur asset impairment losses for goodwill, content assets and other intangible assets or other

non-current

assets.

Sony has a significant amount of goodwill, content assets, other intangible assets and other

non-current

assets, including production facilities and equipment. A decline in financial performance, market capitalization, reduced estimates of future cash flows, changes in global economic conditions or changes in estimates and assumptions used in the impairment analysis, which in many cases requires significant judgment, could result in impairment losses against these assets. Events or changes in circumstances which would indicate impairment include unfavorable variances from or adjustments to established business plans, significant changes in forecasted results or volatility inherent to external markets and industries. The increased levels of global competition and the faster pace of technological change to which Sony is exposed can result in greater volatility of these estimates, assumptions and judgments, and increase the likelihood of impairment losses. Any such loss may adversely affect Sony’s operating results and financial condition.

Holders of American Depositary Shares have fewer rights than shareholders and may not be able to enforce judgments based on U.S. securities laws.

The rights of shareholders under Japanese law to take actions, including voting their shares, receiving dividends and distributions, bringing derivative actions, examining Sony’s accounting books and records, and exercising appraisal rights, are available only to shareholders of record. Because the depositary, through its custodian agents, is the record holder of the shares underlying the ADSs, only the depositary can exercise those rights in connection with the deposited shares. The depositary will make efforts to vote the shares underlying ADSs in accordance with the instructions of ADS holders and will pay the dividends and distributions collected from Sony. However, ADS holders will not be able to bring a derivative action, examine Sony’s accounting books and records, or exercise appraisal rights through the depositary.

Sony Group Corporation is incorporated in Japan with limited liability. A majority of Sony’s directors and corporate executive officers are

non-U.S.

residents, and a substantial portion of the assets of Sony Group

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Corporation and the assets of Sony’s directors and corporate executive officers are located outside the U.S. As a result, it may be more difficult for investors to enforce against Sony Group Corporation or such persons, judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon civil liability provisions of the federal and state securities laws of the U.S. or similar judgments obtained in other courts outside Japan. There is doubt as to the enforceability in Japanese courts, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities predicated solely upon the federal and state securities laws of the U.S.

Prior notification under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan may be required in the case of an acquisition by a foreign investor of a certain portion of our shares.

Because Sony is engaged in certain businesses designated by the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan (the “FEFTA”) and its related cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances (collectively, the “Foreign Exchange Regulations”), if a foreign investor intends to consummate an acquisition of shares of common stock of Sony Group Corporation and that acquisition constitutes an “inward direct investment” under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, the foreign investor, subject to certain exemptions, must file a prior notification of such inward direct investment with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers. Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, an “inward direct investment” includes an acquisition by a foreign investor of shares of common stock of Sony Group Corporation, the consummation of which results in such foreign investor, in combination with any existing shareholding, directly or indirectly holding 1% or more of the total number of issued shares of common stock or the total number of voting rights of Sony Group Corporation, unless certain exemptions apply.

If such prior notification is filed, the proposed acquisition may not be consummated until the prescribed screening period expires. In some cases, the Ministers may extend the screening period, and may recommend or order any modification or the abandonment of such acquisition. In addition, if certain conditions – including those prescribed in light of the national security of Japan – under the Foreign Exchange Regulations are met, the Ministers may order the foreign investor to divest the shares acquired or take other measures. Consequently, any proposed acquisition by a foreign investor of shares of common stock of Sony Group Corporation that constitutes an “inward direct investment” may not be consummated in an expected time frame in accordance with an intended plan, or at all.

Additionally, if a foreign investor directly or indirectly holds 1% or more of the total voting rights of Sony Group Corporation and, at a general meeting of shareholders, consents to certain proposals having a material influence on the management of Sony Group Corporation such as the (i) election of such foreign investor or any of its related persons (as defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations) as a director of Sony Group Corporation or (ii) transfer or discontinuation of its business, such consent, subject to certain exemptions, also constitutes an “inward direct investment” requiring prior notification. If such prior notification is filed, such consent cannot be given until the prescribed screening period expires. As a result, such foreign investors may have difficulties giving such consent in accordance with an intended plan, or at all.

The discussion above is not exhaustive of all possible foreign exchange controls considerations that may apply to a particular investor, and potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall foreign exchange controls consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of common stock or voting rights of Sony Group Corporation by consulting their own advisors. For a more detailed discussion on the requirements and procedures regarding the prior notifications under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, refer to “Exchange Controls” in “Item 10.

Additional Information

.”

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Item 4.

Information on the Company

A.	History and Development of the Company

Sony Group Corporation was established in Japan in May 1946 as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, a joint stock company (

Kabushiki Kaisha

) under Japanese law. It changed its name to Sony Kabushiki Kaisha (“Sony Corporation” in English) in January 1958, and changed its name again to Sony Group Kabushiki Kaisha (“Sony Group Corporation” in English) in April 2021 in order to focus on its role as the headquarters of the Sony Group.

In December 1958, Sony Group Corporation was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (the “TSE”). In June 1961, Sony Group Corporation issued American Depositary Receipts in the U.S.

In March 1968, Sony Group Corporation established CBS/Sony Records Inc. in Japan, as a

50-50

joint venture company between Sony Group Corporation and CBS Inc. in the U.S. In January 1988, the joint venture became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, and in April 1991, changed its name to Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. (“SMEJ”). In November 1991, SMEJ was listed on the Second Section of the TSE.

In September 1970, Sony Group Corporation was listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).

In August 1979, Sony Group Corporation established Sony Prudential Life Insurance Co., Ltd. in Japan, as a

50-50

joint venture company between Sony Group Corporation and The Prudential Insurance Company of America. In April 1991, the joint venture changed its name to Sony Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (“Sony Life”). In March 1996, Sony Life became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

In July 1984, Sony Magnescale Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, was listed on the Second Section of the TSE. The subsidiary changed its name to Sony Precision Technology Inc. in October 1996 and then to Sony Manufacturing Systems Corporation in April 2004. In April 2012, Sony Manufacturing Systems was merged into Sony EMCS Corporation. Sony EMCS Corporation changed its name to Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations Corporation in April 2016.

In July 1987, Sony Chemicals Corporation, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, was listed on the Second Section of the TSE. The subsidiary changed its name to Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation in July 2006, and changed its name again to Dexerials Corporation in October 2012.

In January 1988, Sony Group Corporation acquired CBS Records Inc., the music business division of CBS Inc. in the U.S. The acquired company changed its name to Sony Music Entertainment Inc. in January 1991 and then to Sony Music Holdings Inc. in December 2008.

In November 1989, Sony Group Corporation acquired Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. in the U.S. In August 1991, Columbia Pictures Entertainment, Inc. changed its name to Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (“SPE”).

In November 1993, Sony Group Corporation established Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. in Japan. Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. changed its name to Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. in April 2016.

In October 1995, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (“Sony/ATV”) was formed as a

50-50

joint venture company between Sony Group Corporation and Michael Jackson. In September 2016, the joint venture became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. In January 2021, Sony/ATV changed its name to Sony Music Publishing (US) LLC.

In January 2000, acquisition transactions by way of a share exchange were completed such that three subsidiaries which had been listed on the TSE — SMEJ, Sony Chemicals Corporation (currently Dexerials Corporation), and Sony Precision Technology Inc. (currently Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations Corporation) — became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sony Group Corporation. In September 2012, Sony Group Corporation completed the sale of certain of its chemical products businesses, including Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation (currently Dexerials Corporation) to Development Bank of Japan Inc.

In October 2001, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (“Sony Ericsson”), a

50-50

joint venture company between Sony Group Corporation and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson”) of Sweden, was established. In February 2012, Sony acquired Ericsson’s 50% equity interest in Sony Ericsson. As a result of the acquisition, Sony Ericsson became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony and changed its name to Sony Mobile Communications AB.

In October 2002, Aiwa Co., Ltd. (“Aiwa”), then a

TSE-listed

subsidiary, became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. In December 2002, Aiwa was merged into Sony Group Corporation.

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In June 2003, Sony Group Corporation adopted the “Company with Three Committees” corporate governance system in line with the revised Japanese Commercial Code then effective. (Refer to “Board Practices” in “Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees.

”)

In April 2004, Sony Group Corporation established Sony Financial Holdings, Inc. (“SFH”), a financial holding company, in Japan. Sony Life, Sony Assurance Inc. (“Sony Assurance”), and Sony Bank Inc. (“Sony Bank”) became subsidiaries of SFH. In October 2007, SFH was listed on the First Section of the TSE in conjunction with the global initial public offering of shares of SFH by Sony Group Corporation and SFH. In September 2020, SFH became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation through Sony’s tender offer for the common shares and the related stock acquisition rights of SFH and the subsequent procedures for the purchase of all of SFH’s remaining common shares. In October 2021, SFH changed its company name to SFGI. In May 2023, Sony Group Corporation announced that it had begun an assessment of the

Spin-off

of SFGI and the listing of the shares of SFGI, and in February 2024, Sony Group Corporation decided to begin making concrete preparations for the execution of the

Spin-off,

following receipt of approval from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan regarding its Corporate Restructuring Plan for the

Spin-off

based on the Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness of Japan. Sony currently plans to execute the

Spin-off

and list the shares of SFGI in October 2025.

In April 2004,

S-LCD

Corporation

(“S-LCD”),

a joint venture between Sony Group Corporation and Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. of Korea for the manufacture of amorphous thin film transistor LCD panels, was established in Korea. Sony’s stake in

S-LCD

was 50% minus 1 share. In January 2012, Sony sold all of its shares of

S-LCD

to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

In August 2004, Sony combined its worldwide recorded music business, excluding its recorded music business in Japan, with the worldwide recorded music business of Bertelsmann AG (“Bertelsmann”), forming a

50-50

joint venture, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT (“SONY BMG”). In October 2008, Sony acquired Bertelsmann’s 50% equity interest in SONY BMG. As a result of the acquisition, SONY BMG became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. In January 2009, SONY BMG changed its name to Sony Music Entertainment (“SME”).

In December 2005, Sony Communication Network Corporation, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, was listed on the Mother’s market of the TSE, and was later listed on the First Section of the TSE in January 2008. It changed its name to

So-net

Entertainment Corporation in October 2006, and changed its name again to

So-net

Corporation

(“So-net”)

in July 2013. In January 2013, Sony Group Corporation acquired all of the common shares of

So-net

through a tender offer and subsequent share exchange and, as a result of the acquisition,

So-net

became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

So-net

was renamed Sony Network Communications Inc. (“SNC”) in July 2016.

In June 2012, an investor group including Sony Corporation of America (“SCA”) established DH Publishing, L.P. (“EMI”) to own and manage EMI Music Publishing, which it then acquired. This acquisition resulted in Nile Acquisition LLC (“Nile”), of which SCA owned 74.9% and the Estate of Michael Jackson (the “Estate”) owned 25.1%, acquiring approximately 40% of the equity interest in EMI. In July 2018, Sony completed the acquisition of the Estate’s equity interest in Nile, resulting in Sony owning approximately 40% of the equity interest in EMI. In November 2018, Sony completed the acquisition of the remaining approximately 60% equity interest in EMI, resulting in EMI becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. In January 2021, Nile changed its name to Sony Music Publishing LLC (“SMP”). SMP encompasses both the former Sony/ATV and EMI.

In April 2013, Sony Olympus Medical Solutions Inc. (“SOMED”), a medical business venture between Sony Group Corporation and Olympus Corporation, was established in Japan. Sony’s stake in SOMED is 51%.

In July 2014, Sony Group Corporation sold its personal computer (“PC”) business operated under the VAIO brand to Japan Industrial Partners, Inc.

In July 2014, pursuant to a separation of Sony’s businesses into distinct subsidiaries, the television business was split out and began operations as Sony Visual Products Inc.

In October 2015, the video and sound business was split out and began operations as Sony Video & Sound Products Inc. (“SVS”).

In April 2016, the imaging and sensing solutions business was split out and began operations as Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (“SSS”).

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In April 2017, the imaging products and solutions business was split out and began operations as Sony Imaging Products & Solutions Inc. (“SIPS”), which completed the sequential separation of Sony’s business units into distinct subsidiaries.

In September 2017, Sony transferred its battery businesses to the Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Group.

In April 2019, Sony Visual Products Inc. and SVS merged to become Sony Home Entertainment & Sound Products Inc. (“SHES”).

In April 2020, Sony established Sony Electronics Corporation, an intermediate holding company encompassing the electronics products and solutions businesses.

In April 2021, in connection with the above-mentioned launch of Sony Group Corporation, Sony Electronics Corporation, SHES, SIPS and Sony Mobile Communications Inc. were merged into one company, which was renamed Sony Corporation. Additionally, certain support functions for the electronics products and solutions businesses and the imaging products and solutions business that had been carried out by Sony Group Corporation were transferred to Sony Corporation and SSS.

In April 2022, due to a restructuring of the segments of the TSE, Sony Group Corporation moved from the First Section to the Prime Market of the TSE.

In July 2022, Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC acquired Bungie, an independent videogame developer in the United States.

In September 2022, Sony Honda Mobility Inc. (“Sony Honda Mobility”), a joint venture in the mobility field between Sony Group Corporation and Honda Motor Co., Ltd., was established in Japan. Sony’s stake in Sony Honda Mobility is 50%.

Sony Group Corporation’s registered office is located at

7-1,

Konan

1-chome,

Minato-ku,

Tokyo

108-0075,

Japan, telephone

+81-3-6748-2111.

Its website is

https://www.sony.com/en/

The agent in the U.S. for purposes of this Item 4 is Sony Corporation of America, 25 Madison Avenue, 26

Floor, New York, NY 10010-8601 (Attn: Office of the General Counsel).

Sony files reports and other information with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations that apply to foreign private issuers. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Sony’s electronic filings are available for viewing on this website, at

https://www.sec.gov

Principal Capital Investments

In the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, Sony’s capital expenditures were 809.6 billion yen and 882.6 billion yen, respectively. For a breakdown of principal capital expenditures and divestitures (including interests in other companies), refer to “Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.

” The funding requirements of such various capital expenditures are expected to be financed by cash provided principally by operating and financing activities or the existing balance of cash and cash equivalents.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony invested approximately 378.2 billion yen in the I&SS segment. This investment included approximately 339.6 billion yen to increase image sensor production capacity.

B.	Business Overview

The G&NS segment includes the network services businesses, the manufacture and sales of home gaming products and the production and sales of digital software and

add-on

content. The Music segment includes the Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform businesses. The Pictures segment includes the Motion Pictures, Television Productions and Media Networks businesses. The ET&S segment includes the Televisions business, the Audio and Video business, the Still and Video Cameras business, the smartphone business and the internet-related service business. The I&SS segment includes the image sensors business. The Financial Services segment primarily represents individual life insurance and

non-life

insurance businesses and the banking business in Japan. All Other consists of various operating activities, including the disc manufacturing and recording media businesses. Sony’s products and services are generally unique to a single operating segment.

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Products and Services

Game & Network Services (G&NS)

Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC undertakes product research, development, design, marketing, sales, production, distribution and customer service for PlayStation

hardware, software, content and network services.

The G&NS segment includes the Digital Software and

Add-on

Content, Network Services and Hardware and Others categories. Digital Software and

Add-on

Content includes distribution of software titles and

add-on

content through the network by Sony Interactive Entertainment; Network Services includes network services relating to game, video and music content; and Hardware and Others includes home gaming consoles, packaged software, game software sold bundled with home gaming consoles, peripheral devices and first-party software for third-party platforms.

Music

Recorded Music:

“Recorded Music” includes the distribution of physical and digital recorded music and revenue derived from artists’ live performances. SME, a global entertainment company, excluding Japan, is engaged primarily in the development, production, marketing and distribution of recorded music in all commercial formats and genres. SMEJ is an entertainment company focused on the Japanese market, which includes a Japanese domestic recorded music business that produces recorded music and music videos through contracts with many artists in all music genres.

Music Publishing:

“Music Publishing” includes the management and licensing of the words and music of songs. SMP is a U.S.-based music publishing business that owns, administers and acquires rights to musical compositions, exploiting and marketing these compositions and receiving royalties or fees for their use.

Visual Media and Platform:

“Visual Media and Platform” includes the production and distribution of animation titles and game applications, and various service offerings for music and visual products. These businesses are operated primarily by SMEJ.

Pictures

Motion Pictures:

“Motion Pictures” includes the worldwide production, acquisition and distribution of live-action and animated motion pictures. SPE’s motion picture production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films and Sony Pictures Classics. SPE also operates Sony Pictures Imageworks, a visual effects and animation unit, and manages a studio facility, Sony Pictures Studios, which includes post-production facilities.

Television Productions:

“Television Productions” includes the worldwide production, acquisition and distribution of programming, including scripted series, unscripted “reality” or “light entertainment,” daytime serials, game shows, animated series, made for television movies and miniseries and other programming.

Media Networks:

“Media Networks” includes the operation of television networks and

direct-to-consumer

(“DTC”) streaming services worldwide. SPE’s television networks around the world include SPNI, which operates television networks in India, and Game Show Network, LLC, which operates a U.S.-based network delivered on cable, satellite and other distribution platforms. Digital networks include Crunchyroll, a streaming service based in North America primarily focused on anime content, and SonyLIV, a general entertainment streaming service in India.

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Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S)

TV and Audio & Video:

Sony Corporation undertakes product research, development, design, marketing, sales, production, distribution and customer services for televisions and video and sound products.

Still and Video Cameras:

Sony Corporation undertakes product research, development, design, manufacturing, sales, distribution and customer service for interchangeable lens cameras, compact digital cameras, consumer and professional video cameras.

Mobile Communications:

Sony Corporation undertakes product research, development, design, marketing, sales, production, distribution and customer services for mobile phones, accessories and applications. SNC provides internet broadband network services to subscribers as well as creates and distributes content through its portal services to various electronics product platforms such as PCs and mobile phones.

Imaging & Sensing Solutions (I&SS)

SSS and its subsidiary Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation undertake product research, development, design, manufacturing, marketing, sales, production, distribution and customer services primarily for complementary metal oxide semiconductor (“CMOS”) image sensors, in addition to display devices, lasers, large-scale integration systems (LSIs) and other semiconductors. These CMOS image sensors are used in a wide variety of applications, primarily smartphones, as well as other products such as digital cameras and security cameras, factory automation systems and automobiles.

Financial Services

SFGI conducts insurance, banking and other operations primarily through Sony Life, a Japanese life insurance company, Sony Assurance, a Japanese

non-life

insurance company, and Sony Bank, a Japanese internet-based bank, which are all wholly owned by SFGI.

All Other

All Other consists of various operating activities, including the disc manufacturing business outside of Japan, and the recording media and storage media businesses.

Sales and Distribution

G&NS, ET&S and I&SS

In the G&NS segment, PlayStation

hardware and peripheral devices, software and content and network services are marketed and distributed by Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. and Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd. Digital software, including

add-on

content, is primarily sold via the PlayStation Store, while software for third-party platforms is sold via third-party distributors. Hardware and physical software are sold both indirectly via third-party distributors as well as directly via PlayStation’s proprietary website. Additionally, Bungie carries out marketing and distribution of its software, content and merchandise under its own brand as an independent studio and publisher, with support from Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Sony’s products and services in the ET&S and I&SS segments are primarily marketed throughout the world under the trademark “Sony.”

In most cases, Sony’s products in the ET&S and I&SS segments are sold to sales subsidiaries of Sony Group Corporation located in or responsible for sales in various countries and territories. These subsidiaries then sell those products to unaffiliated local distributors and dealers or through direct sales, such as through the internet. Sony Corporation brings its mobile products to market through direct and indirect channels, such as third-party cellular network carriers and retailers, as well as through its own website. In some regions, certain products and services are sold directly to local distributors by Sony Group Corporation.

Sales of such products and services are particularly seasonal and vary significantly with the timing of new product introductions and the economic conditions of each country. Sales for the third quarter ending December 31 of each fiscal year are generally higher than other quarters of the same fiscal year mainly in the G&NS and ET&S segments due to demand during the

year-end

holiday season.

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Japan:

Sony Marketing Inc. markets consumer electronics products mainly through retailers. It also markets professional electronics products and services. For electronic components, Sony sells products directly to wholesalers and manufacturers.

United States:

Sony markets its electronics products and services in these segments through Sony Electronics Inc. and other wholly-owned subsidiaries in the U.S.

Europe:

In Europe, Sony’s products and services in these segments are marketed through sales subsidiaries including Sony Europe B.V., which is headquartered in the United Kingdom and has branches in European countries.

China:

Sony markets products and services in these segments through Sony (China) Limited, Sony Corporation of Hong Kong Limited and other wholly-owned subsidiaries in China.

Asia-Pacific:

In Asia-Pacific, Sony’s products and services in these segments are marketed through sales subsidiaries including Sony India Private Limited, Sony Electronics of Korea Corporation, Sony Taiwan Limited and Sony Electronics Vietnam.

Other Areas:

In overseas areas other than the U.S., Europe, China and Asia-Pacific, Sony’s products and services in these segments are marketed through sales subsidiaries including Sony Brasil Ltda., Sony Middle East & Africa FZE in the United Arab Emirates and Sony de Mexico S.A.de C.V.

Music

SME and SMEJ develop, produce, market, and distribute recorded music in various commercial formats. SME and its affiliates conduct business globally under “Columbia Records,” “Epic Records,” “RCA Records” and other labels. SMEJ conducts business in Japan under “Sony Music Records,” “Epic Records Japan,” “SME Records,” “Ki/oon Music,” “Sony Music Associated Records” and other labels.

Sony owns and acquires rights to musical compositions, exploits and markets these compositions, receives royalties or fees for their use and conducts its music publishing business in countries other than Japan under the Sony Music Publishing name.

SMEJ creates artwork and produces packaged home entertainment products including music and games. It also organizes various events in Japan through Sony Music Communications Inc. and its affiliates. In addition, SMEJ produces, markets and distributes animation products and game applications based on animation titles under the Aniplex name.

Pictures

SPE generally retains all rights relating to the worldwide distribution of its internally produced motion pictures and television programming, including rights for theatrical exhibition, home entertainment distribution, pay and free television and digital exhibition and other markets. SPE also acquires distribution rights to motion pictures and television programming produced by other companies, and jointly produces and distributes motion pictures and television programming with other studios, television networks and production companies. These rights may be limited to particular geographic regions, specific forms of media or periods of time.

Within the U.S., SPE uses its own distribution service businesses, Sony Pictures Releasing and Sony Pictures Classics, for the U.S. theatrical release of its motion pictures and for the theatrical release of motion pictures acquired from and produced by others.

Outside the U.S., SPE generally distributes and markets motion pictures through one of its Sony Pictures Releasing International subsidiaries or affiliates. In certain countries, however, SPE has joint distribution or

sub-distribution

arrangements with other studios, or arrangements with independent local distributors or other entities.

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The worldwide home entertainment and television distribution of SPE’s motion pictures and television programming (and product acquired or licensed from others) is handled through SPE’s Sony Pictures Home Entertainment/Television Distribution group, except in certain countries where SPE has joint distribution or

sub-distribution

arrangements with other studios, or arrangements with independent local distributors. For home entertainment, product is distributed in various home media formats including DVD,

Blu-ray

Disc

™

and Digital Distribution. Digital Distribution includes electronic sell-through and

video-on-demand

distributed on digital platforms, cable networks and direct broadcast satellite (“DBS”) providers. For television, SPE’s library of motion pictures and television programming is licensed to distributors such as broadcast television networks, digital platforms, cable networks and DBS providers. Digital platforms include subscription and advertising supported platforms (including Sony’s PlayStation

™

Network, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video).

SPE’s television networks and streaming services (including Crunchyroll, primarily in North America and Europe, and SonyLIV in India) are distributed through digital platforms, cable, DBS providers and telecommunications companies to viewers around the world. These networks and services generate advertising, subscription and other ancillary revenues.

Financial Services

Sony Life conducts its life insurance business in Japan. Sony Life’s core business is providing death protection and other insurance products to individuals, primarily through a consulting-based sales approach utilizing its experienced team of Lifeplanner sales specialists as well as partner independent sales agents. Sony Life provides tailor-made life insurance products that are optimized for each customer. As of March 31, 2024, Sony Life employed 5,516 Lifeplanner sales specialists. Sony Life maintains an extensive service network which mainly consists of the Lifeplanner channel and the independent agent channel in Japan. The Lifeplanner channel is characterized by recruitment of high-caliber sales professionals from industries outside the life insurance industry, quality improvement through education and training, performance-linked compensation and high productivity. Lifeplanner sales specialists offer custom-made packages. Most of the agents in the independent agent channel are corporate and

non-exclusive

agents, primarily shop-style agents. Shop-style agents are a

sub-channel

of the independent agent channel, who offer insurance in local stores and provide customers with opportunities to compare various insurers’ products. To enhance Sony Life’s relationship with independent agents, Sony Life’s agent support staff provides independent agents with various support services, including recruiting, training and sales promotion activities. As part of its plan to expand its sales of individual annuity products, Sony Life established AEGON Sony Life Insurance Co., Ltd. (“AEGON Sony Life”) in August 2007 and SA Reinsurance (“SA Re”) in October 2009, both

50-50

joint venture companies with AEGON N.V. AEGON Sony Life and SA Re began operations in Japan in December 2009 and in Bermuda in January 2010, respectively. In January 2020, Sony Life acquired from AEGON International B.V. the remaining 50% stakes of AEGON Sony Life and SA Re, resulting in both AEGON Sony Life and SA Re becoming wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sony Life. AEGON Sony Life changed its trade name to Sony Life With Insurance Co., Ltd. (“Sony Life With”) on April 1, 2020. On April 1, 2021, Sony Life undertook an absorption-type merger with Sony Life With, with Sony Life as the surviving company. Furthermore, Sony Life completed the liquidation of SA Re in March 2023.

Sony Assurance has conducted a

non-life

insurance business in Japan since October 1999. Sony Assurance’s core business is providing automobile insurance and fire insurance products, as well as medical insurance and overseas travel insurance products, to individual customers, primarily through direct marketing via the internet and via telephone. The direct marketing business model employed by Sony Assurance enables it to improve operating efficiency and lower the costs of marketing and maintaining its insurance policies, creating savings which it passes on to policyholders in the form of competitively priced premiums.

Sony Bank has conducted banking operations in Japan since June 2001. As an internet bank focusing on the asset management and borrowing needs of individual customers, Sony Bank offers an array of products and services including yen and foreign currency deposits, investment trusts and mortgages. By using Sony Bank’s transaction channel, the “MONEYKit” service website, account holders can invest and manage assets over the internet according to their life plans. Additionally, Sony Bank transferred a portion of its shares of Sony Payment Services Inc. (“Sony Payment Services”), a payment service provider and consolidated subsidiary of Sony Bank, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. As a result of the transaction, Sony Payment Services became an affiliate of Sony Bank accounted for using the equity method.

All Other

Sony DADC group offers Ultra HD

Blu-ray

™

Blu-ray

Disc

™

, DVD and CD media replication services as well as digital and physical supply chain solutions to business customers. Sony Storage Media Solutions

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Corporation sells its storage media products through its own sales forces, as well as through Sony’s sales companies mentioned in the above description of Sales and Distribution for the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments.

Sales to External Customers by Geographic Area

The following table shows Sony’s consolidated sales to external customers in each of its major markets for the periods indicated. Sony has applied IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” (“IFRS 17”) starting in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 with the transition date of April 1, 2022. The figures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 have been restated in accordance with IFRS 17 for the purpose of comparative analysis. Please refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for more details.


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023 Restated		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Japan		2,764,321		2,126,508		3,027,526
United States		2,766,021		3,401,402		3,751,239
Europe		1,870,091		2,190,311		2,632,963
China		771,006		855,437		1,000,907
Asia-Pacific		1,149,261		1,563,414		1,659,776
Other Areas		600,813		837,301		948,357

Total		9,921,513		10,974,373		13,020,768

Sources of Supply

Sony procures parts, components and raw materials used in the production of its products on a global basis on the most favorable terms that it can achieve. These items are purchased from various suppliers around the world. Sony has a general policy of maintaining multiple suppliers for important parts and components.

When parts, components and raw materials become scarce, it not only causes production costs to rise but also may affect production. For example, semiconductors, LCD panels and other components, which are used in multiple applications, can influence Sony’s performance when the availability of such parts and components is significantly limited. Additionally, rising energy costs and market prices may cause prices of parts, components and raw materials to increase, which may adversely affect Sony’s financial results. Regarding raw materials, the market price of resin, sheet steel and copper, which are widely used in mechanical parts, electronic parts and components, may also fluctuate because of market factors such as the balance of supply and demand, and such fluctuations may impact the cost of those parts and components.

After-Sales Service

Sony provides repair and servicing functions in the areas where its G&NS, ET&S and I&SS products are sold. Sony provides these services through its own online support network, call centers, service centers, factories, authorized independent service centers, authorized servicing dealers and subsidiaries.

In line with industry practices of these businesses, almost all of Sony’s

consumer-use

products that are sold in Japan carry a warranty, generally for a period of one year from the date of purchase, covering repairs, free of charge, in the case of a malfunction in the course of ordinary use of the product. Warranties outside of Japan generally provide coverage for various periods of time depending on the product and the area in which it is marketed. In the case of broadcast- and

professional-use

products, Sony maintains support contracts with customers in addition to warranties.

To further help ensure customer satisfaction, Sony maintains customer information centers in its principal markets and web support information for all markets.

Patents and Licenses

Sony has a number of Japanese and foreign patents relating to its products and services. Sony is licensed to use a number of patents owned by others, covering a wide range of products and services. Certain of these licenses are important to Sony’s business. Sony products that employ

Blu-ray

Disc

™

player functionality, including PlayStation

4 and PlayStation

5 (“PS5

™

”) hardware, are substantially dependent upon patents that relate to technologies specified in the

Blu-ray

Disc

™

specifications and are licensed by Via Licensing Alliance LLC. Sony considers its overall license position beneficial to its operations.

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Competition

In each of its principal product lines and services, Sony encounters intense competition throughout the world. Sony believes, however, that in the aggregate it competes successfully and has a major position in all of the principal product lines and services in which it is engaged, although the strength of its position varies with products and markets. Refer to “Risk Factors” in “Item 3.

Key Information.

”

G&NS, ET&S, I&SS and All Other

Sony believes that its product planning and product design expertise, the high quality of its products, its record of innovative product introductions and product improvements, the user experience it provides and the ecosystem that supports such an experience, its price competitiveness derived from reductions in manufacturing and indirect costs, and its extensive marketing and servicing efforts are important factors in maintaining its competitive position. Continuing to provide high-value added products, services and experiences is a key factor by which Sony aims to differentiate itself in these highly competitive markets. Sony believes that the success of the G&NS businesses is determined by the availability of attractive software titles and related content, downloadable content, network services and peripherals. In the I&SS segment, Sony puts significant effort into keeping Sony’s strong competitive position by investing in R&D and production capacity, while also trying to avoid overinvesting and increasing fixed costs by carefully monitoring customer demand, market trends and demand for

end-user

products.

Music

Success in the music industry is dependent to a large extent upon the artistic and creative abilities of artists, producers and employees and is subject to the vagaries of public taste. The Music segment’s future competitive position depends on its continuing ability to attract and develop artists and products that can achieve a high degree of public acceptance as well as offer efficient services. In addition, Sony believes that the success of the Music segment’s animation products and game applications business, Aniplex, is largely dependent on the creative talent of game producers and developers, and is also subject to the vagaries of public taste.

Pictures

SPE faces intense competition from all forms of entertainment and other leisure activities to attract the attention of audiences worldwide. SPE competes with other motion picture studios and production companies to obtain story rights and talent, including writers, actors, directors and producers, which are essential to the success of SPE’s products. SPE competes with other companies, in particular technology companies, who are expanding into the production or distribution of film and television programing. In motion picture production and distribution, SPE faces competition to obtain exhibition and distribution outlets and optimal release dates for its products. In addition, SPE faces competition to acquire motion pictures and television programming from third parties. In television production and distribution, competition arises from the increasing fragmentation of audiences among broadcast and cable networks, digital platforms, DBS providers and other outlets both within and outside of the U.S. Furthermore, broadcast networks in the U.S., or their affiliated production companies, continue to produce their own shows internally, and major streaming services in and outside the United States are producing more content themselves or acquiring content from affiliated production companies. This competitive environment may result in fewer opportunities to produce shows for such networks and services, and may contribute to shorter lifespans for ordered shows that do not immediately achieve favorable ratings. SPE’s worldwide television networks compete for viewers with broadcast and cable networks, DBS providers, digital platforms and other forms of entertainment. The number of networks around the world continues to drive competition for advertising and subscription revenues, acquisition of programming, and distribution of SPE’s television networks by cable, DBS providers, digital platforms and other distribution systems.

Financial Services

In the Financial Services segment, Sony faces strong competition in the financial services markets in Japan.

Sony Life competes not only with traditional insurance companies in Japan but also with other companies including online insurance companies, foreign-owned life insurance companies and a number of Japanese cooperative associations.

Sony Assurance competes against insurers that sell their policies through sales agents as well as insurers that, like Sony Assurance, primarily sell their policies through direct marketing via the internet and via telephone.

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Some of the competitors in the life insurance and

non-life

insurance businesses have advantages over Sony including:

•

greater financial resources and financial strength ratings;

•

greater brand awareness;

•

more extensive marketing and sales networks, including through

tie-ups

with other types of financial institutions;

•

more competitive pricing;

•

larger customer bases; and

•

a wider range of products and services.

Sony Bank has focused on providing retail asset management and mortgage services for individuals, and faces significant competition in Japan’s retail financial services market. Sony Bank competes with traditional banking institutions, regional banks, trust banks,

non-bank

companies, and newer financial groups providing online full-services of bank and brokerage in Japan.

In the Financial Services segment, it is important to maintain a strong and sound financial foundation for the business as well as to meet diversifying customer needs. Sony Life and Sony Assurance have maintained a solvency margin ratio required by the Japanese domestic criteria. Sony Bank has maintained a sufficient capital adequacy ratio required by the Japanese domestic criteria.

Government Regulations

Sony’s business activities are subject to various governmental regulations in different countries in which it operates, including regulations relating to: various business/investment approvals; trade affairs, including customs, import and export control; competition and antitrust; anti-bribery; advertising and promotion; intellectual property; broadcasting, consumer and business taxation; foreign exchange controls; economic sanctions; personal information protection; product safety; labor; human rights; conflict; occupational health and safety; environmental; and recycling requirements.

In Japan, Sony’s insurance businesses are subject to the Insurance Business Act and approvals and oversight from the Financial Services Agency (“FSA”). The primary purpose of the Insurance Business Act and related regulations is to protect policyholders, not shareholders. The Insurance Business Act specifies the types of businesses insurance companies may engage in, imposes limits on the types and amounts of investments that can be made and requires insurance companies to maintain specified reserves and a minimum solvency margin ratio. In particular, life insurance companies must maintain a premium reserve (for the portion of their portfolio other than unearned premiums), an unearned premium reserve, a reserve for refunds with respect to certain insurance contracts of life insurance companies specified in the Insurance Business Act’s regulations, and a contingency reserve in amounts not lower than the amount of the “standard policy reserve” as set forth by the regulatory guidelines. The FSA maintains a solvency standard which is used by Japanese regulators to monitor the financial strength of insurance companies.

Non-life

insurance companies are also required to provide a policy reserve. Sony Bank is also subject to regulation by the FSA under the Banking Act of Japan, including the requirement that it maintain a minimum capital adequacy ratio in accordance with capital adequacy guidelines adopted by the FSA based on the Basel III agreement. The FSA has broad regulatory powers over insurance and banking businesses in Japan, including the authority to grant or revoke operating licenses and to request information and conduct onsite inspections of books and records. Sony’s subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment are subject to the Insurance Business Act and the Banking Act that require insurance and banking business companies to maintain their financial credibility and to secure protection for policyholders and depositors in view of the public importance of insurance and banking services. As such, lending and borrowing between subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment and the other companies within Sony Group is strictly limited.

In addition, Sony’s telecommunication businesses in Japan are subject to approvals and oversight from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, under the Telecommunications Business Act and other regulations related to the internet businesses and communication methods in Japan.

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Social Responsibility Regulations Such as Environmental and Human Rights Regulations

Sony monitors, evaluates, and complies with laws and regulations that may affect its global operations and purchasing activities with respect to social responsibility, such as environmental, human rights, labor, and occupational health and safety issues. For example, Sony has taken steps to address new regulations or governmental policies related to climate change including carbon disclosure, greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emission reduction, carbon taxes and energy efficiency for products in the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments.

Also refer to “Risk Factors” in “Item 3.

Key Information.

”

Disclosure pursuant to Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012

Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added Section 13(r) to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended. Section 13(r) requires an issuer to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with designated natural persons or entities sanctioned under programs relating to terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Disclosure is required even where the activities, transactions or dealings are conducted outside the U.S. by

non-U.S.

affiliates in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.

Sony is aware that certain transactions during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, as described below, may be disclosable pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act.

Sony generally does not allocate profits at the level of these activities, and therefore calculates the estimated net profit solely for the purpose of this disclosure, which in any event would not be significant. The information below is to the best of Sony’s knowledge, and in particular Sony may not be aware of all potentially reportable sales by third-party-owned dealers and distributors.

•

Sony’s representative office in Tehran, Iran, which was established in 1992, has been closed and has been under liquidation processes since before the beginning of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. In the course of liquidation, Sony engages in certain incidental transactions (for example, permits, taxes, and similar matters incidental to the wind-down of the office in Iran) with Iranian government-owned entities. No material revenues or profits are associated with these transactions with the Iranian government-owned entities.

•

As previously reported, a

non-U.S.

subsidiary of Sony entered into an agreement in March 2023 for the sale of medical instruments, namely, a medical printer and accompanying print media, to a third-party-owned distributor in Japan, which will be delivered to a hospital in Tehran that is under the control of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, pursuant to Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) provision of grant aid to supply certain medical equipment to hospitals in Tehran as part of the Government of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). The transaction was completed in May 2023. Sony’s gross revenue from the sale was approximately 267 thousand yen, and Sony has estimated that its net profit from such a sale was 50 thousand yen.

Sony is not aware of any other activity, transaction or dealing by Sony Group Corporation or any of its affiliates during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 that is disclosable in this report under Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act. As of the date of this report, Sony does not anticipate that any activity, transaction or dealing that may be disclosable will be conducted during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, except as described above in connection with the wind-down of its representative office in Iran. Nevertheless, Sony continues to monitor developments in this area as sanctions against Iran continue to evolve, and assess whether and to what extent such sanctions may affect Sony’s business activities, which Sony intends to conduct in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Sony believes, and maintains policies and procedures designed to ensure that, its transactions with Iran and elsewhere have been conducted in accordance with applicable economic sanctions laws and regulations and do not involve transactions likely to result in the imposition of sanctions or other penalties on Sony. However, there can be no assurance that Sony’s policies and procedures will be effective, and if the relevant authorities were to impose penalties or sanctions against Sony, the impact of such sanctions could be material.

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Sustainability Disclosure

Sony’s Basic Policy for Sustainability Initiatives

Sony Group Corporation has established the following basic policy on sustainability with the approval of the Board of Directors:

Sony manages diverse businesses with people at the core, and aims for sustainable value creation based on such diversity and

mid-

to long-term growth in the Sony Group’s corporate value under its Purpose to “fill the world with emotion, through the power of creativity and technology,” and its Corporate Direction of “getting closer to people.” In order to have people connected to each other through emotion, it is necessary to create a society in which everyone can live with peace of mind in a healthy global environment. Sony acts with due consideration of the impact of its business activities on stakeholders, including shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, business partners, local communities and other organizations as well as the global environment, and focuses on building trust with stakeholders through dialogue. Through innovation and sound business practice, Sony endeavors to enhance its corporate value and contribute to the development of a sustainable society.

(1) Organizational Structure for Sustainability Initiatives and Efforts

Sony Group Corporation has established the Sustainability Department under the supervision of the Senior Executive in charge of Sustainability. The Sustainability Department promotes various sustainability-related initiatives throughout the Sony Group in cooperation with each business unit and operating company (“Business Unit(s)”) and other corporate divisions, including Compliance, Human Resources, Corporate Planning & Control, Finance and Legal (“Relevant Divisions”).

The Senior Executive in charge of Sustainability regularly reviews and assesses risks and engages in detection, communication, evaluation and response for the risk of loss related to sustainability. The Sustainability Department reports to the Board of Directors at least once a quarter on sustainability initiatives and their progress. In addition, as part of reporting on each Business Unit’s

mid-range

plan, the Board of Directors receives reports from each Business Unit on the sustainability challenges and opportunities relevant to their respective business operations and their efforts in those areas.

Also refer to “Risk Factors” in “Item 3.

Key Information

” for the risks related to sustainability.

<Sony’s sustainability efforts>

The Sustainability Department, operating under the above structure and the aforementioned “Sony’s Approach to Sustainability,” strives to spread this policy across Sony’s business operations. Through dialogue with stakeholders and materiality analysis, the Sustainability Department identifies sustainability issues that need to be addressed by the Sony Group as a whole. Additionally, the Sustainability Department promotes the group-wide sustainability initiatives by formulating relevant Group policies on identified sustainability issues, including a global environmental plan, “Road to Zero,” and communicating across the Sony Group by collaborating with the Senior Executives in charge of Sony’s headquarters functions and the Relevant Divisions.

The Business Units consider sustainability issues and opportunities for their respective businesses, and implement sustainability-related initiatives that align with their respective business characteristics. In addition, the Business Units, consulting with the Sustainability Department, have introduced key performance indicators (“Sustainability KPIs”), which measure the Business Units’ sustainability efforts. The Sustainability KPIs are incorporated into the Business Units’ performance evaluations, and the Sustainability Department evaluates the status of achievement of such Sustainability KPIs. Additionally, achievement of the Group Sustainability Evaluation is incorporated into one of the indicators for Senior Executives’ remuneration linked to business results. The Group Sustainability Evaluation is an evaluation of efforts by Senior Executives to enhance the

mid-

to long-term corporate value and sustainable growth of the Sony Group as a whole, not limited to their respective businesses and organizations, including management succession and investment in human capital, sustainability initiatives related to social value creation and ESG (Environment, Social, Governance), value creation through collaborations among the businesses of the Sony Group, and engagement indicators based on employee surveys.

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony newly established “Sony’s Sustainability Vision,” with the goal to “Inspire a world filled with emotion (Kando) for this generation and beyond,” to more clearly define the direction in which the overall Sony Group aims to promote sustainability-related initiatives. In addition, a global

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sustainability conference was held, where the Senior Executive in charge of Sustainability, the Senior Executive in charge of Human Resources, and personnel in charge of sustainability from the Business Units came together to confirm and share sustainability initiatives for the Business Units and their progress on the Sustainability KPIs.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Sustainability KPIs included reducing the power consumption of Sony’s products, reducing GHG emissions in Sony’s manufacturing processes, increasing the ratio of women in management positions, implementing environmental awareness-raising activities using Sony’s content IP, conducting diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DE&I”) programs and training, and improving product and service accessibility.

In order to ensure that Sony’s sustainability initiatives can address changes in the social environment and the expectations of stakeholders from a

mid-

to long-term perspective, the Sustainability Department, under the supervision of the Senior Executive in charge of Sustainability, analyzes and identifies material topics for the Sony Group and periodically reviews their importance. Sony defines material topics as “important topics that are related to sustainability, impact Sony’s value creation, and are determined with longer-term social change and diverse stakeholder needs in mind.” The Sustainability Department most recently refreshed the materiality analysis in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and evaluated sustainability issues which are highly relevant to Sony, including items that have a negative impact on Sony’s value creation, from the perspectives of their importance to both Sony and its stakeholders.

The importance of topics from Sony’s perspective is evaluated from the perspective of positive or negative impact on Sony’s ability to create value over the

mid-

to long-term, while the importance of topics from the stakeholders’ perspective is evaluated based on information published by NGOs, investors, rating agencies, mass media and other sources.

Based on such analysis, the most important topics that should be prioritized across the Sony Group have been identified after review by the Senior Executives in charge of Sony’s headquarters functions and the Board of Directors.

(2) Sustainability Strategies

As a result of the above materiality analysis conducted in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, Sony has identified “Climate Change,” “DE&I,” “Respect for Human Rights,” and “Technology for Sustainability” as the most important topics that should be prioritized across the Sony Group (collectively, the “Most Important Topics”). The Most Important Topics remained the same in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

•

Climate Change: Sony acknowledges that climate change impacts are becoming more apparent and that the transition towards a decarbonized society is a crucial issue for all companies, and that Sony’s stakeholders have elevated expectations of Sony’s environmental initiatives along two axes: the first being Sony’s “responsibility,” for instance, to reduce its environmental impact, and the second being the “contribution” Sony can make by leveraging its diverse businesses and technologies. Sony’s corporate activities are only possible if the earth, which sustains all life, is healthy. Sony believes that it is important to respond to the environment, including by taking measures against climate change.

•

DE&I: Sony recognizes that diverse organizations are more innovative in corporate activities than

non-diverse

organizations. Sony believes that it is important to respect its employees’ diverse values, remember the importance of equity, and foster an inclusive organizational culture. Expectations are also rising for corporate initiatives to address social issues such as social justice and inequality, and Sony believes that it is important for the Sony Group to further promote initiatives aimed at resolving issues both inside and outside the Sony Group.

•

Respect for Human Rights: Sony is aware of the potential human rights impacts of its global business activities. Sony recognizes that respecting human rights throughout Sony’s value chain and addressing any potential human rights risks, whether the relationship with Sony’s business operation is direct or indirect, are responsibilities that a diverse range of stakeholders expect of Sony. Considering recent changes in the external environment related to respect for human rights, Sony believes that it is important to further strengthen its efforts in this area.

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•

Technology for Sustainability: Sony recognizes that its stakeholders have expectations regarding Sony’s ability to both grow its business and solve social and environmental issues through technology. Sony believes that it has an important mission to lead and contribute to the resolution of sustainability issues not only by increasing business revenue through the technologies, products and services it develops, but also by having a positive impact on society and the environment.

•

Climate Change

Under the “Road to Zero,” a long-term environmental plan established in 2010 that aims to achieve a zero environmental footprint for the entire Sony Group by the year 2050, Sony is promoting environmental impact reduction activities in each of the following four perspectives: climate change, resources, chemical substances, and biodiversity. In May 2022, Sony announced that it had determined to accelerate its environmental impact reduction activities in the climate change area and to push its goal of achieving a

net-zero

footprint throughout the entire value chain, moving the target year from 2050 to 2040. Sony’s

net-zero

(*1) target for 2040 was approved as the

net-zero

target for the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”) (*2) in August 2022.

Sony’s

net-zero

target follows the SBTi Corporate

Net-zero

Standard below:

(a)

reducing Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions to zero or a residual level consistent with reaching

net-zero

emissions at the global or sector level in eligible 1.5°C scenarios or sector pathways; and

(b)

neutralizing any residual emissions at the

net-zero

target date – and any GHG emissions released into the atmosphere thereafter.

Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global initiative that encourages companies to set science-based targets to reduce their GHG emissions toward the goal of limiting the increase in global average temperature due to climate change to 1.5°C above

pre-industrial

levels.

Specific targets for achieving the above

net-zero

target by 2040 are as follows.

By 2030, Sony aims to make direct and indirect GHG emissions (Scopes 1 and 2) of its own business operations

net-zero.

For other emissions originating from stages such as products, supply chains, and logistics (Scope 3), Sony aims to reduce GHG emissions during product use by 45% compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 by 2035. By 2040, Sony aims to achieve

net-zero

emissions in all Scopes.

By 2030, Sony aims to achieve 100% renewable electricity used at its own business sites. The percentage of electricity use derived from renewable energy targeted to be achieved as of 2025 has been set at 35%.

To achieve the targets in 1 and 2 above, Sony intends to implement the following measures.

•

Continuous reduction of environmental impact at Sony Group’s own business sites: Acceleration of energy saving, installation of solar power generation equipment, and introduction of renewable energy throughout the Sony Group. Virtual PPA (Power Purchase Agreement) using the FIP

(Feed-in-Premium)

system in Japan.

•

Promotion of energy-efficient products: Acceleration of initiatives to reduce annual power consumption of Sony products.

•

Strengthening efforts with partners: Encouragement of business partners engaged in parts, materials and finished product manufacturing to manage their GHG emissions, save energy, and convert to renewable energy.

•

Contribution to carbon removal/fixation (*3): Exploration of investments in

start-ups

engaged in carbon removal, and development of an index integrating biodiversity and carbon fixation associated with augmented ecosystem businesses, such as Synecoculture

™

(*4) being rolled out by SynecO, Inc.

Process by which carbon from the atmosphere is converted into organic compounds.

Synecoculture is a trademark of Sony Group Corporation.

•

DE&I

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Refer to “(3) Human Capital Strategies, Metrics and Targets” for DE&I strategies.

•

Respect for Human Rights

Sony’s policy requiring respect for human rights is set forth in the Sony Group Code of Conduct. Sony expects all Sony Group companies to practice responsible business conduct by respecting all human rights in compliance with the code as well as all relevant laws and regulations.

Under this policy, Sony established and implemented Group policies for specific areas regarding human rights, such as the “Sony Supply Chain Code of Conduct” which sets forth the code of conduct for Sony’s own manufacturing sites and suppliers, with the aim to work towards a responsible supply chain, and the “Sony Group AI Ethics Guidelines,” which guide all Sony officers and employees to utilize AI and/or conduct

AI-related

R&D in a manner that conforms with Sony’s values and emerging social norms. Sony conducts human rights risk impact assessments in line with the frameworks regarding human rights due diligence set out in the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP) issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. After identifying potential human rights risks by considering the characteristics of each business operation and the value chains important to each business, the assessments further identified three areas as priority areas for enhancing initiatives throughout the Sony Group: responsible supply chains, respect for diversity and responsible development and use of technologies. For issues where significant adverse human rights impacts are identified or are of concern in these priority areas, Sony promotes initiatives to prevent or mitigate those impacts for each of these areas. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony again conducted a human rights risk impact assessment, confirmed that the three areas of potential human rights risk which were previously identified as most relevant to Sony’s business activities remained the same, and promoted individual initiatives in each business. Sony has also established the “Sony Group Human Rights Policy,” with the aim of expressing its commitment to respecting human rights both internally and externally and promoting more systematic human rights due diligence across the Sony Group.

•

Technology for Sustainability

Sony supports technological development that helps businesses grow and innovation that betters society and industry for the future.

For example, Sony is carrying out R&D regarding sensing technology that measures the water content in soil, ultra-wide area sensing network technology, and sophisticated predictive data analytics technology. Additionally, in order to address issues such as the proliferation of fake images and false information due to the rapid development of generative AI models, Sony Corporation has begun to provide certain media agencies with Camera Authenticity Solutions that verify the authenticity of images in compliance with the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity’s (C2PA)

standard and through the use of Sony’s proprietary

in-camera

digital signature. Sony is also working to reduce the environmental impact of its products through the development of environmentally-conscious materials and technologies to reduce power consumption. Furthermore, SSS supplies its image sensors equipped with global shutter pixel technology Pregius

™

to a company engaged in resource collection and recycling projects. The company’s reverse vending machines equipped with the image sensor can accurately identify the shape of a used beverage container in approximately one second, contributing to effective sorting and the optimization of resource recovery systems.

A standards-setting organization that develops open standards and technical specifications for the provenance and authenticity of digital content.

<Sony’s sustainability efforts on other sustainability issues>

The Sony Group is driving initiatives to improve accessibility so that people with diverse needs can enjoy its products, services and entertainment. For example, by working together with individuals with diverse needs, Sony intends to implement inclusive design that incorporates their perspectives into Sony’s product development processes. In March 2024, the Sony Group exhibited products, such as the Access

™

Controller for PS5

™

, which were developed through the implementation of inclusive design at the CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2024. During the conference, Sony provided opportunities for more users to experience its accessible products, services and entertainment, and received feedback from users for further possible improvements on their accessibility.

In 2018, Sony established and implemented the “Sony Group AI Ethics Guidelines,” as described above, as Sony has expanded its AI development and usage. In December 2019, Sony established the “Sony Group AI Ethics Committee,” and in 2021 the AI Ethics Office was established within Sony Group Corporation to provide subject matter expertise on AI ethics to all Business Units. Sony has been strengthening its framework for AI

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ethics with initiatives such as establishing an internal document stipulating requirements to be complied with in the commercialization process of electronic products and services, and starting AI ethics assessments in the product development life cycle. Sony also recognizes the urgent need to address the challenges posed by the rapid development of generative AI technology. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony Group Corporation established internal guidelines for the use of generative AI tools.

(3) Human Capital Strategies, Metrics and Targets

Starting from its origins in the electronics business in 1946, Sony expanded into semiconductors with the development of Japan’s first transistor radio. Sony then expanded into new businesses in various ways: the music and the financial services businesses through joint ventures with foreign companies, the motion pictures business through the acquisition of a foreign company, and the gaming business through a joint venture within the Sony Group, while continuing to evolve as a company composed of multiple business units. Half of Sony’s six main business segments are headquartered in the U.S. and supported by a tailored organizational structure for optimal global operations.

The development and growth of the businesses to date have been based on the values that have been passed down since Sony’s founding: an insatiable appetite for new challenges and a respect for diversity. The intersection of employees with diverse backgrounds drives the creation of new businesses, and the diversification of the businesses expands opportunities for active employee involvement. This fosters mutual growth for both employees and Sony. Sony considers the diversity of its businesses and people as drivers for value creation, along with creativity and technology. Sony has approximately 113,000 employees worldwide who have varied nationalities, races and job types due to Sony’s growing businesses. Employee diversity constitutes a driving force behind the growth of each business. In alignment with Sony’s Purpose, Sony’s diverse employees connect and intersect across businesses and regions, fusing technology and creativity to create new value.

Sony’s People Philosophy, “Special You, Diverse Sony,” represents Sony’s approach to employees, and conveys the message that each unique individual and Sony, which embraces diversity, will continue to grow together, centered on its shared Purpose. The group-wide People Strategy based on the People Philosophy is defined as: “Attract talented individuals,” “Develop talented individuals,” and “Engage talented individuals.” Sony aims for the growth of the Sony Group by responding to employees’ desire for a fulfilling work experience and prioritizing measures that inspire them to embrace challenges and pursue personal growth, thereby unlocking their full potential. Regarding specific initiatives, authorized HR executives within each business unit formulate and implement tailored HR measures that align with the characteristics of their respective businesses and regions.

(i) “Attract talented individuals”

Sony considers it important to attract diverse talent who identify with Sony’s Purpose, possess a high level of skill and expertise, embrace the spirit of challenge, and possess the ambition to grow. In recruitment activities, Sony strategically collaborates with all Sony Group companies globally to attract world-class talent, and also focuses on industry-academia collaboration as a

mid-

to long-term measure to develop diverse talent pipelines. Sony is also providing opportunities globally that lead to the success of employees with various business, regional, and social backgrounds. For example, in the U.S., Sony provides early training and educational support, such as mentorship and internship programs, to those who do not have sufficient educational opportunities, and such initiatives lead to the recruitment of diverse individuals. In addition, Sony’s diverse career development programs (including an internal job posting program, the “Free Agent Program” and the “Career Plus” program) provide employees with opportunities to challenge themselves in positions that maximize their abilities and autonomy once they have joined the company, and support them in building careers beyond business boundaries. Furthermore, in 2024, Sony launched a pilot program of personnel exchange with other companies in Japan to provide employees with opportunities for expanding their range of experiences beyond company boundaries.

(ii) “Develop talented individuals”

Sony believes that the most effective way to develop employees is to provide them with job opportunities where they have autonomy and are able to demonstrate their desire to grow by taking on new challenges. For this reason, Sony systematizes the skills required according to the roles of employees and aims to strengthen their skills throughout the Sony Group. Sony strongly believes that management-level employees play an important role in the growth of the Sony Group and its employees. Sony’s management team and HR departments discuss

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the direction for the

mid-term

development training and strengthening of the Sony Group’s management and provide management-level employees with various programs such as leadership development and coaching, which aim to expand horizons and increase experience in a broad range of fields. Additionally, Sony has established the “Sony University” program, which was designed to nurture future leaders who are expected to play a key role in each business segment and function. Furthermore, through the “Sony Cross-Mentoring Program,” Sony aims to create strategic connections between management teams from different businesses and the next generation of leaders, to facilitate passing on the wealth of management experience and to develop talented individuals and new group synergies. The “Technology Strategy Committees,” where engineers share cutting-edge technical information and enhance their technical skills, is also an initiative that enables employees to interact across business boundaries.

(iii) “Engage talented individuals”

To fully leverage the diversity of its employees, Sony believes that it is essential to create an inclusive working environment and system in which each employee with different personalities, lifestyles, and work styles can take on challenges for growth. In accordance with the customs and laws of each country and region, Sony has developed flexible working systems and environments to achieve this “work-life balance.” Sony is also working to create attractive workplaces to increase employee engagement. At “PORT,” a place of learning and interaction for all Sony Group employees, in addition to various training courses, community activities are organized through the initiative of employees.

Sony regularly conducts employee awareness surveys to measure employee empathy with its Purpose and employee engagement, which Sony believes are indicators of whether its diverse workforce is making the most of its individuality. Employee engagement is considered a particularly important indicator, and is incorporated as one of the evaluation factors for remuneration linked to business results for Senior Executives of Sony Group Corporation. Going forward, Sony aims to continue to promote initiatives that lead to greater employee empathy with the Purpose and higher employee engagement, thereby aiming to realize the sustainable growth of Sony.

Sony aims to be an organization where diverse personalities, opinions, views and values coexist. The diversity of Sony’s employees encompasses “diversity of attributes,” including nationality, race, and gender, as well as “diversity of experiences,” fostered by varied career experiences, all of which Sony believes contribute to fueling and driving organizational growth.

Sony’s management team is comprised of members with diverse attributes, experience and expertise, and as part of its commitment to further advancing diversity, Sony has set new numerical targets, aiming to increase the percentage of women and foreign nationals among Sony Group Corporation’s executives

to more than 30%, respectively, by 2030.

Directors, Senior Executives including Corporate Executive Officers, and other officers.

Sony also reviewed its “Diversity Statement” which expresses its attitude toward diversity (established in 2013), and reestablished it as the “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Statement” in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Exemplifying the founders’ belief that the interaction of diverse employees fuels innovation, the DE&I Statement demonstrates that Sony is expanding its efforts to address social issues, while maintaining its commitment to create an equitable and inclusive work environment.

In Sony’s global DE&I promotion efforts, Sony commits to providing opportunities both internally and externally. For example, in the U.S., SME has its own framework, “MILES,” for fostering DE&I that contributes to industry development, and SPE has the “Sony Pictures Action” program, which focuses on four pillars—people, content, partners and community—to provide support for those who are socially disadvantaged. Since 2015, Sony Group companies across the globe have been holding annual “Diversity Weeks” featuring events to promote understanding of diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.

(i) Diversity of people

•

Diversity of nationality

Some of Sony’s major businesses, such as the Pictures and Music Publishing businesses, have foreign nationals playing a major role in their operations. Approximately half of all Sony Group employees are engaged in business activities outside Japan, and more than 90% of these employees are locally hired. In addition, Sony

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continues to actively recruit talented students and experienced individuals from around the world, regardless of nationality, to become employees capable of enhancing global R&D and cutting-edge technology development, such as AI development at Sony Research Inc. (formerly Sony AI Inc.).

•

Diversity of gender

Sony aims to globally promote greater opportunities for women as part of its efforts to ensure an inclusive work environment in which diverse employees can play an active role. As of March 31, 2024, the ratio of women to men in the workforce was 34.0% and the ratio of women to men in management positions was 30.7% for the entire Sony Group. On the other hand, the percentage of women in management positions in Japan is low compared to companies outside Japan; therefore, each of the major Sony Group companies in Japan has set numerical targets and is working to increase this ratio. Looking ahead, the number of women majoring in science and engineering is limited, and Sony sees this as an area where the Sony Group should focus its efforts. The newly launched “SONY STEAM GIRLS EXPERIENCE” provides scholarships to young women in Japan majoring in science and engineering and offers the “STEAM GIRLS Baton Program,” which aims to convey the fun of the science and engineering fields to junior and senior high school students, supporting their motivation to learn and helping foster the next generation of women engineers.

Sony also offers programs for developing women employees, including leadership development, career training, roundtable discussions, and networking events. Additionally, Sony Group Corporation and its major subsidiaries in Japan have set targets to increase the ratio of women in management positions and the ratio of male employees taking childcare leave.

•

Promoting greater opportunities for LGBTQ+ employees

Sony is enhancing its internal infrastructure to support diverse employees and aims to provide LGBTQ+ employees worldwide with inclusive working environments in which they can feel comfortable being themselves, while respecting national and regional contexts.

As a group-wide initiative, in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, Sony introduced a pride logo, featuring a Sony logotype in rainbow colors, to visually express Sony’s respect and support for LGBTQ+ employees and communities, both inside and outside the Sony Group. In addition to supporting LGBTQ+ employees, Sony has implemented an

e-learning

course for employees that covers LGBTQ+ topics, offers LGBTQ+ workshops, organizes events designed to raise employees’ awareness, and participates in pride parades globally. Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) are active at SPE, and in 2023, SPE’s OUT EMEA @ Sony Pictures participated in the Pride parade in London for the first time, extending its presence beyond California. In Japan, Sony has expanded various personnel programs to support

same-sex

partners, provide gender-neutral restrooms, implement policies providing job applicants the option not to indicate their gender on job applications, and provide private restrooms and shower facilities in each room at corporate dormitories, all measures aimed at ensuring a working environment that is inclusive of diverse employees.

•

Promoting greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities

Enabling every employee to thrive follows the philosophy of Masaru Ibuka, one of Sony’s founders, who said “we had a spirit of autonomy and a belief in creating workplaces that do not offer charity, but rather create an environment that makes it possible for individuals with disabilities to manufacture products that exceed those manufactured by individuals without disabilities.” To this end, Sony is committed to complying with the disability-related laws and norms of each country and region. It aims to create an inclusive work environment that supports career building regardless of disabilities, with the entire Sony Group working to achieve this goal.

Sony has signed the Valuable 500, a World Economic Forum initiative focused on the inclusion of people with disabilities. Sony’s goal of creating inclusive work environments aligns with this initiative. Among companies that signed the Valuable 500, Sony has been recognized as an Iconic Partner for its influential role in its respective countries, regions, and industries. In the U.S., Sony collaborates with external organizations to advance the inclusion of people with disabilities in business. It not only provides educational opportunities for employees with disabilities, but also actively supports International Day of Persons with Disabilities and conducts various global events. In Japan, three special-purpose subsidiaries operate as independent business establishments, where employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences collaborate, generating a variety of perspectives and ideas. Through their

day-to-day

experiences, the employees develop expertise in reasonable accommodation and accessibility, which is then deployed across the Sony Group. This promotes Sony’s approach to employing people with disabilities by putting Ibuka’s belief into practice.

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(ii) Diversity of experience

For many years, Sony has actively promoted the recruitment of people who have experience working for other companies or in other job types, which is grounded in the principle that the diverse knowledge and perspectives these individuals bring through the experience of working for other companies or in various job types fuels organizational growth. The percentage of new hires with prior experience working for other companies or in other job types to all new hires at Sony Group Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries in Japan was 50.7% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and 52.5% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Additionally, the majority of Sony’s employees at overseas Group companies have prior experience working for other companies or in other job types. During performance evaluation, Sony does not distinguish between employees with experience working for other companies or in other job types and those who started their careers at Sony.

In addition, more than 6,000 new employees have joined the Sony Group during the period between the fiscal years ended March 31, 2013 and 2024 through mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances in growth areas such as game title development, contributing to the growth of the business through the diversification of the backgrounds of Sony’s employees.

Under its Purpose, Sony plans to continue focusing on advancing the diversity of its people and strengthening efforts to build an inclusive organization, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth and creating value for society.

C.	Organizational Structure

The following table sets forth the significant subsidiaries owned, directly or indirectly, by Sony Group Corporation.


Name of company	Country of incorporation/residence	(As of March 31, 2024) Percentage owned
Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Corporation	Japan		100.0
Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations Corporation	Japan		100.0
Sony Network Communications Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Marketing Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation	Japan		100.0
Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation	Japan		100.0
Sony Semiconductor Energy Management Corporation	Japan		100.0
Sony Storage Media Solutions Corporation	Japan		100.0
Sony Global Solutions Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Financial Group Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Life Insurance Co., Ltd.	Japan		100.0
Sony Bank Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Assurance Inc.	Japan		100.0
Sony Corporation of America	U.S.A.		100.0
Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC	U.S.A.		100.0
Sony Music Entertainment	U.S.A.		100.0
Sony Music Publishing LLC	U.S.A.		100.0
Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.	U.S.A.		100.0
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.	U.S.A.		100.0
CPT Holdings, Inc.	U.S.A.		100.0
Sony Electronics Inc.	U.S.A.		100.0
Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd.	U.K.		100.0
Sony Europe B.V.	U.K.		100.0
Sony Global Treasury Services Plc	U.K.		100.0
Sony Overseas Holding B.V.	Netherlands		100.0
Sony (China) Limited	China		100.0
Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.	Malaysia		100.0
Sony Electronics (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.	Singapore		100.0
Sony Device Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd.	Thailand		100.0

D.	Property, Plant and Equipment

Sony has a number of offices, plants and warehouses throughout the world. Most of the buildings and land in/on which such offices, plants and warehouses are located are owned by Sony.

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The status of major property, plant and equipment as of March 31, 2024 is as follows:


Facility or Subsidiary Name (Primary Location)	Segment	Details	Carrying Amount (Yen in millions)									Number of employees *2
Facility or Subsidiary Name (Primary Location)	Segment	Details	Land (Area (thousand square meters))			Buildings		Machinery, equipment and other assets * 1		Right-of-use assets		Number of employees *2
In Japan (Sony Group Corporation *3 ):

Headquarters (Minato-ku, Tokyo)	Corporate	Headquarters facilities		1,311 (19	)		22,484		16,951		—		1,574

Others *4	Corporate	Headquarters facilities		4,840			31,000		3,304		—		535

In Japan (Subsidiaries):

Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo)	G&NS	Home gaming consoles / cloud-related software		— (—	)		1,620		199,708		13,068		1,900

Sony Corporation (Minato-ku, Tokyo)	ET&S	Research facilities for TVs, audio / video devices, cameras, broadcasting equipment and medical equipment		— (—	)		2,369		50,944		34,409		7,900

Sony Network Communications Inc. *5 (Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo)	ET&S	Data communication facilities		— (—	)		483		77,072		5,782		2,000

Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations Corporation (Kohda Site, etc.) (Minato-ku, Tokyo)	ET&S, I&SS, All Other	Production facilities for electronic devices, etc.		5,543 (468	)		9,710		16,273		5,705		3,900

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation (Atsugi-shi, Kanagawa)	I&SS	Research facilities for image sensors, etc.		— (—	)		1,380		57,801		19,914		7,500

Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (Nagasaki TEC, etc.) (Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto)	I&SS	Production facilities for image sensors, etc.		17,928 (995	)		172,055		607,524		9,068		8,600

Sony Semiconductor Energy Management Corporation (Nagasaki TEC, etc.) (Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto)	I&SS	Energy supply facilities for the manufacturing of image sensors, etc.		— (—	)		33,533		85,421		46,994		100

Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. *5 (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)	Music	Music facilities and in-house software		22,548 (320	)		11,223		63,561		12,678		4,300

Sony Financial Group Inc. *5 (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)	Financial Services	In-house software		6,324 (5	)		5,853		68,474		76,288		13,600

Sony Global Solutions Inc. (Minato-ku, Tokyo)	Corporate	In-house software		— (—	)		460		20,863		1,029		500

Outside Japan (Subsidiaries):

Sony Corporation of America *5 (New York, United States)	ET&S, I&SS	Production facilities for electronic products, etc.		361 (112	)		19,666		4,267		4,514		1,300
	Music	Music catalogs, etc.		91 (4	)		11,901		1,142,675		54,239		7,000
	Pictures	Production facilities for motion pictures, television programming, video software, etc.		12,579 (268	)		52,867		788,387		58,276		9,500
	All Other, Corporate	Office buildings and machinery, etc.		669 (272	)		11,291		16,967		13,434		1,600

Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC *5 (California, United States)	G&NS	Cloud-related facilities, etc.		— (—	)		16,524		201,113		108,832		6,200

Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd. *5 (London, United Kingdom)	G&NS	Cloud-related facilities, etc.		— (—	)		5,702		23,307		20,870		2,600

Sony Europe B.V. *5 (Surrey, United Kingdom)	ET&S, I&SS, All Other	Office buildings and sales facilities, etc.		2,640 (45	)		4,005		15,663		8,847		3,900

Sony Device Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (Bangkadi, Thailand)	I&SS	Production facilities for electronic products, etc.		509 (132	)		14,216		18,152		25		1,200

Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Selangor, Malaysia)	ET&S	Production facilities for electronic devices, etc.		— (—	)		4,735		6,846		206		4,700

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*1 “Machinery, equipment and other assets” represents machinery, equipment and other tangible fixed assets, as well as content assets and other intangible assets.

*2 Numbers of employees of subsidiaries are rounded to the nearest hundred.

*3 Includes facilities leased from subsidiaries in Japan. In addition to the listed facilities, Sony Group Corporation leases its land, buildings and structures mainly to subsidiaries and affiliates in Japan. Furthermore, Sony Group Corporation subleases its

Right-of-use

assets mainly to subsidiaries and affiliates in Japan.

*4 “Others” primarily includes Sony City Osaki and Atsugi TEC.

*5 Figures for Sony Network Communications Inc., Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., Sony Financial Group Inc., Sony Corporation of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd. and Sony Europe B.V. are consolidated financial figures, which include their subsidiaries’ figures.

Item 4A.

Unresolved Staff Comments

None

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Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

The following discussion covers the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024. For the discussion covering the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, refer to “Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

” of Sony’s Form

20-F

for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on June 20, 2023. Sony has applied IFRS 17 starting in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The figures for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 have been restated in accordance with IFRS 17 for the purpose of comparative analysis. Please refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements for more details.

A.	Operating Results

Operating Performance


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
	(Yen in billions)
Sales and financial services revenue		10,974.4		13,020.8
Operating income		1,302.4		1,208.8
Income before income taxes		1,274.5		1,268.7
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders		1,005.3		970.6

Adjusted OIBDA *		1,816.9		1,826.1
Adjusted EBITDA *		1,797.6		1,818.0

* Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures in accordance with IFRS

Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”). However, Sony believes that these disclosures may be useful information to investors. Please refer to “Regarding Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA” below for more details, including the formulas and reconciliations for Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA (the same applies below).

Sales

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales increased 2 trillion 46.4 billion yen compared to the previous fiscal year

(“year-on-year”)

to 13 trillion 20.8 billion yen. This significant increase was mainly due to significant increases in sales in the Financial Services, G&NS, Music and I&SS segments. A further breakdown of sales figures is presented under “Operating Performance by Business Segment” below.

Cost of Sales, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses and Other Operating (Income) Expense, net

“Sales” in the analysis of the ratio of “cost of sales” to sales, the ratio of “R&D costs” to sales, and the ratio of “selling, general and administrative expenses” (“SGA expenses”) to sales refers only to the net sales portions of consolidated sales (which excludes financial services revenue). This is because financial services expenses are recorded separately from cost of sales and SGA expenses in the consolidated financial statements. The calculations of all ratios below that pertain to reportable segments include intersegment transactions.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, cost of sales increased 914.6 billion yen

year-on-year

to 8 trillion 89.3 billion yen. The ratio of cost of sales to sales deteriorated

year-on-year

from 71.1% to 71.8%.

R&D costs (all R&D costs are included within cost of sales) increased 7.1 billion yen

year-on-year

to 742.8 billion yen. The ratio of R&D costs to sales was 6.6%, compared to 7.3% in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. For further details, refer to “Research and Development” in Item 5.C.

SGA expenses increased 187.0 billion yen

year-on-year

to 2 trillion 156.2 billion yen. The ratio of SGA expenses to sales improved

year-on-year

from 19.5% to 19.1%.

Other operating (income) expense, net, increased 17.4 billion yen

year-on-year

to income of 29.4 billion yen. This significant improvement was mainly due to the following factors that occurred in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Refer to Note 23 of the consolidated financial statements.

Factors that occurred in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024

•

Remeasurement gain resulting from the consolidation of a company previously accounted for using the equity method: 6.0 billion yen (Music segment)

•

Realized and remeasurement gains resulting from the transfer of a portion of shares of Sony Payment Services: 19.8 billion yen (Financial Services segment)

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Share of profit of investments accounted for using the equity method

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method decreased 13.9 billion yen

year-on-year

to 10.5 billion yen. This significant decrease was mainly due to a decrease in the share of profit of investments in All Other.

Operating Income

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, operating income decreased 93.6 billion yen

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 208.8 billion yen. This decrease was mainly due to a significant decrease in operating income in the Financial Services segment and a decrease in operating income in the I&SS segment, partially offset by increases in operating income in the G&NS and Music segments. Operating income for the previous fiscal year included the impact of litigation settlements, net of expenses, of 5.7 billion yen received in relation to lawsuits for Recorded Music and Music Publishing and the recovery of 22.1 billion yen of an unauthorized withdrawal of funds at a subsidiary of Sony Life which occurred in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022. Operating income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 included the above-mentioned factors recorded in other operating (income) expense, net.

Financial Income and Expenses

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, financial income increased by 94.5 billion yen

year-on-year,

to 125.6 billion yen, while financial expenses increased by 6.8 billion yen

year-on-year,

to 65.8 billion yen. The net effect of financial income and expenses was income of 59.8 billion yen, compared to an expense of 27.9 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. This significant improvement was primarily due to the recording of unrealized gains mainly on Sony’s shares of Spotify Technology S.A. in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared to the recording of unrealized losses on such shares in the previous fiscal year.

Income before Income Taxes

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, income before income taxes was 1 trillion 268.7 billion yen, essentially flat

year-on-year.

Income Taxes

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony recorded 288.2 billion yen of income tax expense, resulting in an effective tax rate of 22.7%, which was higher than the effective tax rate of 20.6% in the previous fiscal year. This higher tax rate was mainly due to the absence of a decrease in deferred tax liabilities that occurred in the previous fiscal year related to Japan controlled foreign company taxation, partially offset mainly by a 7.6 billion yen decrease in tax expense in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 from the dissolution of a subsidiary. Refer to Note 25 of the consolidated financial statements.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of 9.9 billion yen was recorded, an increase of 3.4 billion yen

year-on-year.

Net Income Attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s Stockholders

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders, which excludes net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, decreased 34.7 billion yen

year-on-year

to 970.6 billion yen.

Basic net income per share and diluted net income per share, attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 were 788.29 yen and 785.68 yen, respectively, compared with 813.53 yen and 809.85 yen, respectively, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Refer to Note 26 of the consolidated financial statements.

Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Adjusted OIBDA was 1 trillion 826.1 billion yen, essentially flat

year-on-year.

This result was mainly due to a significant increase in Adjusted OIBDA in the G&NS segment as well as increases in Adjusted OIBDA in the Music and I&SS segments, substantially offset by a significant decrease in Adjusted OIBDA in the Financial Services segment. Adjusted EBITDA was 1 trillion 818.0 billion yen, essentially flat

year-on-year.

This result was mainly due to the same factors affecting Adjusted OIBDA and a decrease in net foreign exchange losses recorded within financial expenses.

Operating Performance by Business Segment

The following discussion is based on segment information. Sales in each business segment represents sales recorded before intersegment transactions are eliminated. Operating income (loss) in each business segment represents operating income (loss) reported before intersegment transactions are eliminated and excludes unallocated corporate expenses. Refer to Note 4 of the consolidated financial statements.

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Game & Network Services (G&NS)

Key Financial Figures


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales to external customers by product category
Digital Software and Add-on Content		1,523,045		1,934,586
Network Services		464,676		545,537
Hardware & Others		1,550,812		1,692,871

Sales to external customers		3,538,533		4,172,994
Intersegment sales		106,065		94,740

G&NS segment total sales		3,644,598		4,267,734

G&NS segment operating income		250,006		290,184

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales increased 623.1 billion yen

year-on-year

to 4 trillion 267.7 billion yen. This significant increase in sales was mainly due to an increase in sales of

non-first-party

titles, including

add-on

content, and the impact of foreign exchange rates.

Operating income increased 40.2 billion yen

year-on-year

to 290.2 billion yen. This increase in operating income was mainly due to the impact of the above-mentioned increase in sales of

non-first-party

titles and the positive impact of foreign exchange rates, partially offset by the impact of an increase in losses from hardware, mainly due to promotions, and the impact of a decrease in sales of first-party titles. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, there was a 38.6 billion yen positive impact from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Adjusted OIBDA significantly increased 70.9 billion yen

year-on-year

to 407.9 billion yen due to the same factors affecting operating income.

Business Environment and Strategy

The operating performance of the G&NS segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 reflected strong user engagement, benefitting from continued penetration of PS5

™

and strong sales of game software including

add-on

content, in addition to a continuous stable revenue contribution from network services resulting from users shifting to higher tiers of PlayStation

Plus (“PS Plus”). In this environment, Sony aims to steadily expand its earnings base by gradually expanding the installed base of PS5

™

as it enters the second half of the console cycle, continuously increasing the number of active users and steadily maintaining and expanding user engagement, and strengthening control over business costs. Additionally, Sony aims to grow profits further through the expansion of sales of first-party game software, in which Sony has been actively strengthening its development capabilities. Regarding hardware, Sony will strive to gradually expand the penetration of PS5

™

, including the transition of users from PlayStation

4, while maintaining a balance with profitability, in addition to continuing to provide users with new ways to enjoy games through a variety of peripherals. In Network Services, Sony aims to continue to provide high-quality services and content for PS Plus in order to maintain a stable subscriber base, and to increase profitability by encouraging users to shift to higher tiers. Regarding software, in addition to maintaining and strengthening relationships with third-party studios, Sony plans to broaden its capabilities in first-party game software beyond single-player games and leverage the expertise and knowledge of Bungie, which Sony acquired in July 2022, to further strengthen its capabilities in the development and operation of live service games. Additionally, Sony plans to continue to expand the deployment of its first-party titles to multiple platforms such as PC in order to further expand the reach and monetization of its IP. Regarding collaboration within the Sony Group, Sony is steadily moving forward with the creation of films and television shows based on PlayStation game IP, and intends to work towards increased levels of collaboration within the Sony Group following the success of projects such as the TV series

The Last of Us

and the film

Gran Turismo

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Music

Key Financial Figures


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales to external customers by product category
Recorded Music — Streaming		598,868		709,453
Recorded Music — Others		286,270		356,646
Music Publishing		276,665		326,727
Visual Media & Platform		203,012		202,129

Sales to external customers		1,364,815		1,594,955
Intersegment sales		15,817		24,003

Music segment total sales		1,380,632		1,618,958

Music segment operating income		263,107		301,662

The Music segment results include the

yen-based

results of SMEJ and the

yen-translated

results of SME and SMP, which aggregate the results of their worldwide subsidiaries on a U.S. dollar basis.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales increased 238.3 billion yen

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 619.0 billion yen. This significant increase in sales was primarily due to an increase in revenues from streaming services, primarily from paid subscriptions, in Recorded Music and Music Publishing and the impact of foreign exchange rates, as well as an increase in revenues from merchandise, live and other sales in Recorded Music.

Operating income increased 38.6 billion yen

year-on-year

to 301.7 billion yen. This increase in operating income was primarily due to the impact of the above-mentioned increases in sales for Recorded Music and Music Publishing, as well as the positive impact of foreign exchange rates and a 6.0 billion yen remeasurement gain resulting from the consolidation of a company previously accounted for using the equity method. These factors were partially offset by an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, as well as the impact of litigation settlements, net of expenses, of 5.7 billion yen received in the previous fiscal year in relation to lawsuits for Recorded Music and Music Publishing.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 52.3 billion yen

year-on-year

to 368.7 billion yen, mainly due to the same factors affecting operating income, excluding the above-mentioned impact of litigation settlements and the remeasurement gain.

Business Environment and Strategy

As digital streaming continued to expand globally, the operating performance of the Music segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 reflected an increase in revenues from streaming services resulting from the enhanced discovery and development of artists, benefitting from Sony’s past proactive acquisitions, and from Sony’s past investments in music catalogs. In this environment, Sony aims to achieve continuous growth that outpaces the market by strengthening its content IP and its relationships with artists through both established major labels and independent label distribution and artist service channels such as The Orchard and AWAL, strengthening its approach in emerging markets by proactively investing in local talent and collaborating with local companies, and strategically investing in music catalogs. Additionally, business opportunities in areas such as social media and gaming continue to grow, and Sony intends to further collaborate with various service partners in these new business areas to both expand its earnings base by creating new opportunities for the use of music content and to strengthen its relationships with artists by providing artists with more creative outlets and reach to new fans. Furthermore, Sony is working with partners to establish a sustainable business model that balances utilizing AI as a multi-dimensional tool for creativity, scalability, and efficiency in the music industry with protecting artists’ rights. In addition, by leveraging the diversity of the Sony Group, Sony aims to expand opportunities for the use of its music content and provide a wide variety of marketing opportunities to its artists going forward. In Visual Media and Platform, Sony aims to accelerate the global expansion of Japanese anime, growing its anime business by maximizing the strength of key IP and developing and acquiring new and leading IP. Additionally, Sony aims to grow its game business by improving fan engagement and accelerating the development of high-quality games.

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Pictures

Key Financial Figures


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales to external customers by product category
Motion Pictures		464,043		542,044
Television Productions		536,250		551,035
Media Networks		364,594		393,638

Sales to external customers		1,364,887		1,486,717
Intersegment sales		4,535		6,333

Pictures segment total sales		1,369,422		1,493,050

Pictures segment operating income		119,255		117,702

The Pictures segment results are the

yen-translated

results of SPE, which aggregates the results of its worldwide subsidiaries on a U.S. dollar basis. Management analyzes the results of SPE in U.S. dollars, so discussion of certain portions of its results is specified as being on “a U.S. dollar basis.”

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales increased 123.6 billion yen, a 9% increase

year-on-year

(a 2% increase on a U.S. dollar basis), to 1 trillion 493.1 billion yen. This increase in sales on a U.S. dollar basis was primarily due to an increase in theatrical releases and higher revenues for Crunchyroll resulting from paid subscriber growth. These increases in sales were partially offset by a decrease in series deliveries in Television Productions due to the impact of the strikes in Hollywood and lower licensing revenues from catalog product in Motion Pictures compared to the previous fiscal year, which benefitted from the contribution of several franchise films released theatrically in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.

Operating income was 117.7 billion yen, essentially flat

year-on-year

(a 10% decrease on a U.S. dollar basis). This decrease in operating income on a U.S. dollar basis was primarily due to higher marketing costs in support of a greater number of theatrical releases, substantially offset by the impact of the above-mentioned increase in sales.

Adjusted OIBDA was 171.2 billion yen, essentially flat

year-on-year

(a 6% decrease on a U.S. dollar basis), primarily due to the same factors affecting operating income.

Business Environment and Strategy

Although the operating performance of the Pictures segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was impacted by adverse effects of the strikes by WGA and

SAG-AFTRA,

such as impacts on Sony’s ability to produce content which led to release date changes for some theatrical releases in Motion Pictures and delays in deliveries of television series in Television Productions, the performance also reflected Sony’s strengths including its strong content IP, its global marketing and theatrical distribution capabilities, as well as its disciplined business operations. Additionally, the DTC anime platform Crunchyroll has continued to grow through an increase in distribution channels as well as more opportunities to expand its audience, and has expanded its contribution to the operating performance of the Pictures segment. In this environment, Sony aims to continue to maximize the long-term value of its IP by leveraging its strengths as an independent content supplier with the ability to provide content to any distribution platform. In Motion Pictures, in addition to continuously emphasizing the theatrical release of films, Sony plans to continue to pursue both the revitalization of its existing IP and the maximization of the value of IP across various entertainment categories. For example, in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, Sony aims to continue expanding the Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters through the theatrical release of films such as

Venom: The Last Dance

and

Kraven the Hunter

. In Television Productions, Sony will continue to strive to strengthen its production capabilities in a wide variety of nonfiction genres such as documentaries and reality shows in order to meet needs for diverse content. Additionally, in Motion Pictures and Television Productions, efforts towards collaboration within the Sony Group have continued, and Sony aims to maximize the value of the IP assets held by the Sony Group, with the Pictures segment as the core of collaboration among the three entertainment businesses: G&NS, Music and Pictures. For example, following the

Uncharted

and

Gran Turismo

films and the TV series

The Last of Us

and

Twisted Metal

, Sony plans to further expand its films and television shows based on PlayStation game IP. In Media Networks, Sony aims to further strengthen its DTC services, including Crunchyroll and SonyLIV. For example, Crunchyroll is expanding its audience by reaching a broader audience through multiple touchpoints, such as distributing Japanese anime films overseas, merchandising anime goods, organizing anime events, and publishing games, in addition to its streaming service. Sony also aims to proactively seek out opportunities for revenue from its existing IP in the area of location-based entertainment (“LBE”).

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Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S)

Key Financial Figures


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales to external customers by product category
TVs		733,251		624,264
Audio & Video		391,608		412,067
Still and Video Cameras		565,018		643,429
Mobile Communications		356,771		299,905
Other		390,091		435,281

Sales to external customers		2,436,739		2,414,946
Intersegment sales		39,286		38,772

ET&S segment total sales		2,476,025		2,453,718

ET&S segment operating income		179,461		187,399

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales were 2 trillion 453.7 billion yen, essentially flat

year-on-year.

This result was primarily due to a decrease in sales of televisions resulting from lower unit sales, partially offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates.

Operating income increased 7.9 billion yen

year-on-year

to 187.4 billion yen. This increase in operating income was primarily due to the positive impact of foreign exchange rates and reductions in operating expenses, partially offset by the impact of the above-mentioned lower unit sales of televisions. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, there was a 20.5 billion yen positive impact from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 12.2 billion yen

year-on-year

to 289.1 billion yen, primarily due to the same factors affecting operating income.

Business Environment and Strategy

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, in a challenging business environment impacted by a slowdown primarily in the television market mainly in Europe, the U.S. and China, the operating performance of the ET&S segment reflected the results of various measures implemented to respond promptly to these conditions, such as thorough supply chain management and reduction of fixed costs, as well as the continued promotion of a shift to high-value-added products centered on digital cameras and headphones. In this environment, Sony is conducting its business based on the direction of establishing its business structure with two axes: the “profit axis business area,” which aims to maintain and increase profitability, and the “growth axis business area,” which aims to realize growth through the creation and expansion of new businesses. Going forward, Sony plans to further focus on expanding the scope of the profit axis business area based on a strong foundation achieved through technological differentiation, and accelerating the development of the growth axis business area. In the profit axis business area, Sony aims to accelerate structural reform in sales and manufacturing as well as product and service design to improve revenue levels and reduce volatility in TV and smartphones. In sales, Sony intends to reorganize its structure to better reflect regional trends, and on the manufacturing side, Sony plans to proceed with optimizing production sites in accordance with business scale. Furthermore, Sony aims to make its product and service design resources platformed to implement swift and flexible resource shifts to the growth axis business area. In the imaging business, Sony intends to expand its business area by utilizing AI in real time to evolve auto focus tracking functions that better understand photographers’ intent, adding authenticity and diversifying its imaging area with a focus on technology to capture crucial moments. In the sound business, by utilizing 360 Reality Audio, which delivers immersive spatial sound experiences, Sony expects to expand the scope of spatial sound content creation and extend the sound field by manifesting and reflecting creators’ intent in real time. In the sports business, which is categorized as a growth axis business, Sony intends to create new entertainment content by using technology that visualizes motion data obtained from tracking technology in real time. Additionally, in the visual solutions business, Sony plans to further develop video production that combines real and virtual worlds by utilizing real-time rendering technology and spatial reproduction technology such as volumetric capture. In the life science business, Sony anticipates opportunities for further business expansion in the food and energy fields, in addition to the traditional life science field. In the network service business, Sony aims to continue promoting multilateral partnerships and accelerate growth in new service areas.

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Imaging & Sensing Solutions (I&SS)

Key Financial Figures


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales to external customers		1,301,481		1,503,906
Intersegment sales		100,706		98,832

I&SS segment total sales		1,402,187		1,602,738

I&SS segment operating income		212,214		193,541

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales increased 200.6 billion yen

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 602.7 billion yen. This significant increase in sales was mainly due to an increase in sales of image sensors for mobile products resulting from an increase in unit sales as well as an improvement in the product mix, and the impact of foreign exchange rates.

Operating income decreased 18.7 billion yen

year-on-year

to 193.5 billion yen. This decrease in operating income was mainly due to an increase in depreciation and amortization expenses, an increase in costs associated with the launch of mass production of a new image sensor for mobile products, as well as an increase in manufacturing costs. These negative factors were partially offset by the impact of the above-mentioned increase in sales and the positive impact of foreign exchange rates. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, there was a 62.3 billion yen positive impact from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 32.6 billion yen

year-on-year

to 441.4 billion yen, mainly due to the impact of the above-mentioned increase in sales and the positive impact of foreign exchange rates. These positive factors were partially offset by the above-mentioned increase in costs associated with the launch of mass production of a new image sensor for mobile products and an increase in manufacturing costs.

Business Environment and Strategy

The operating performance of the I&SS segment in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 reflected the continued trend toward larger size, higher image quality and higher performance image sensors for mobile products, primarily in

high-end

smartphones, despite continued stagnation in the U.S. and Asia smartphone markets. In this environment, Sony plans to continue making capital expenditures to further strengthen its number one position in image sensors worldwide, while restructuring the management foundation for growth with profitability. Regarding capital expenditures, Sony plans to utilize its existing assets to the fullest extent and carefully evaluate its investment targets while continuing to make capital expenditures to prepare for future increases in demand for image sensors for mobile products. Regarding R&D investment, while continuing to invest for future growth, Sony aims to improve investment efficiency by closely examining R&D themes. Additionally, Sony intends to work to reinforce its development and manufacturing capabilities in light of the deterioration in the yield of new image sensors for mobile products in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. As its future business strategy, Sony also has divided its business into three business areas – the growth-driving business area, the profitable business area and the strategic business area – and has clarified the direction of each business area. The image sensor business for mobile products has been positioned as the growth-driving business area, and Sony plans to drive the growth of the I&SS segment in the

mid-

to long-term while continuing to invest in this business. The current stagnation in the smartphone market has bottomed out and is on a gradual recovery trend, and further progress of larger sized image sensors is expected to continue due to increasing opportunities for creation and communication through video in the future. In this area, Sony aims to continue expanding its market share and earnings, and improve profitability by leveraging its strength in comprehensive sensor technology that it has cultivated over the years. The image sensor businesses for cameras and industrial and social infrastructure have been positioned as the profitable business area, and Sony aims to maximize profits while maintaining and strengthening their high competitiveness. The automotive image sensor business, the solutions business via the edge AI sensing platform AITRIOS

™

, as well as the semiconductor laser and OLED microdisplay businesses, have been positioned as the strategic business area, and Sony plans to strategically invest in this business area with the aim of making it a future pillar of its business. The image sensor business for automotive has been growing steadily, and Sony will continue to work to build and strengthen relationships with OEMs and platformers with the aim of increasing revenue from automotive sensors. Sony expects demand for the semiconductor laser business to grow over the

mid-

to long-term as demand for storage in the data center market is increasing with the spread of generative AI.

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Financial Services

The Financial Services segment results include SFGI and SFGI’s consolidated subsidiaries such as Sony Life, Sony Assurance, and Sony Bank. The results discussed in the Financial Services segment differ from the results that SFGI and SFGI’s consolidated subsidiaries disclose separately on a Japanese statutory basis.

Key Financial Figures


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
	(Yen in millions)
Financial services revenue		889,082		1,769,954
Financial Services segment operating income		318,118		173,576

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, financial services revenue increased 880.9 billion yen

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 770.0 billion yen, mainly due to a significant increase in revenue at Sony Life. Revenue at Sony Life increased 843.1 billion yen

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 523.9 billion yen, mainly due to an increase in net gains on investments in the separate accounts related to market fluctuations.

Operating income decreased 144.5 billion yen

year-on-year

to 173.6 billion yen. This significant decrease in operating income was mainly due to a significant decrease in operating income at Sony Life, as well as the recording of a 22.1 billion yen gain from the recovery of an unauthorized withdrawal of funds at a subsidiary of Sony Life in the previous fiscal year, partially offset by the recording of 19.8 billion yen in realized and remeasurement gains resulting from the transfer of a portion of shares of Sony Payment Services. Operating income at Sony Life decreased 143.5 billion yen

year-on-year

to 126.4 billion yen, mainly due to the decrease in net gains related to market fluctuations for variable life insurance and other products, and the recording of a gain from the sale of real estate in the previous fiscal year.

Adjusted OIBDA significantly decreased 140.9 billion yen

year-on-year

to 181.5 billion yen, primarily due to the same factors affecting operating income, excluding the above-mentioned realized and remeasurement gains and the impact of the recovery of the unauthorized withdrawal of funds.

Business Environment and Strategy

The operating performance of the Financial Services segment for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 reflected conditions in the Japanese economy and bond market. The Japanese economy has made progress in normalizing after the

COVID-19

pandemic. In addition, corporate earnings improved, especially among large companies, due to factors such as higher selling prices, which were mainly caused by a significant rise in import prices. As a result, the Nikkei 225 stock index reached a record high. The bond market in Japan was affected by U.S. and Japanese monetary policies. At the Bank of Japan’s monetary policy meeting in July 2023, the maximum allowable fluctuation range for long-term interest rates was raised to 1%, which caused Japan’s

10-year

yield to surge above 0.5%. Subsequently, as U.S. long-term interest rates rose due to caution about high inflation in the U.S. and other factors, Japan’s long-term interest rates also rose to around 1% at the end of October 2023. The Bank of Japan decided to lift its negative interest rate policy at the monetary policy meeting in March 2024, and normalization of monetary policy has begun. In this environment, Sony aims to focus on creating stable cash flows towards the

Spin-off

of the Financial Services business scheduled for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. To this end, based on the concept of “ambidextrous management,” Sony intends to focus on “Exploitation” and “Exploration” to achieve sustainable growth. As for “Exploitation,” the growth of existing business, Sony Life aims to increase sales productivity by strengthening support for

top-tier

Lifeplanner sales specialists and agency supporters. Sony Life also aims to grow its customer segments by expanding its corporate service and strengthening life planning, services and products for seniors. Sony Assurance plans to seek to develop potential customers in automobile insurance and utilize the

know-how

cultivated in automobile insurance in fire insurance. Sony Bank aims to further strengthen its products and services, focusing on its strengths in the mortgage loan and foreign currency businesses, in response to customer needs and changes in the interest rate environment. As for “Exploration,” cross-group initiatives for further growth, Sony recognizes that the expansion of customer segments is at the core of its growth strategy. Specifically, Sony has identified three customer segments that Sony intends to reach in the future: Generation Z and younger customers who can serve as its potential future customer base; semi-affluent and mass-affluent customers, mainly corporate owners with wide-ranging and unique needs; and

pre-seniors

and seniors who are transitioning through family life stages. By adopting the most appropriate approach for each customer segment, Sony aims to expand its customer segments.

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Information on Operations Separating Out the Financial Services segment

The following schedules show unaudited condensed statements of income for the Financial Services segment and all other segments excluding the Financial Services segment. These presentations are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, which is used by Sony to prepare its consolidated financial statements. However, because the Financial Services segment is different in nature from Sony’s other segments, Sony believes that a comparative presentation may be useful in understanding and analyzing Sony’s consolidated financial statements. Transactions between the Financial Services segment and Sony without the Financial Services segment are included in those respective presentations, then eliminated in the consolidated figures shown below.


	Fiscal year ended March 31
Financial Services segment	2023 Restated			2024
	(Yen in millions)
Financial services revenue		889,082			1,769,954
Financial services expenses		575,111			1,615,594
Other operating (income) expense, net		(4,147	)		(19,271	)

		570,964			1,596,323

Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method		—			—

Operating income		318,118			173,576
Financial income (expenses), net		—			—

Income before income taxes		318,118			173,576
Income taxes		89,897			49,063

Net income		228,221			124,513
Net income of Financial Services		227,849			123,986

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		372			527


	Fiscal year ended March 31
Sony without Financial Services segment	2023			2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales		10,101,979			11,265,043
Costs of sales		7,186,767			8,101,990
Selling, general and administrative		1,961,906			2,148,472
Other operating (income) expense, net		(5,566	)		(10,133	)

		9,143,107			10,240,329
Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method		24,449			10,557

Operating income		983,321			1,035,271
Financial income (expenses), net		13,437			109,864

Income before income taxes		996,758			1,145,135
Income taxes		172,528			239,105

Net income		824,230			906,030
Net income of Sony without Financial Services		818,106			896,636

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		6,124			9,394

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	Fiscal year ended March 31
Consolidated	2023 Restated			2024
	(Yen in millions)
Sales		10,095,841			11,260,037
Financial services revenue		878,532			1,760,731

Total sales and financial services revenue		10,974,373			13,020,768
Costs of sales		7,174,723			8,089,317
Selling, general and administrative		1,969,170			2,156,156
Financial services expenses		564,561			1,606,370
Other operating (income) expenses, net		(12,021	)		(29,404	)

		9,696,433			11,822,439
Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method		24,449			10,502

Operating income		1,302,389			1,208,831
Financial income (expenses), net		(27,893	)		59,831

Income before income taxes		1,274,496			1,268,662
Income taxes		262,723			288,168

Net income		1,011,773			980,494

Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s Stockholders		1,005,277			970,573

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		6,496			9,921

All Other

Sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 increased 1.7 billion yen

year-on-year

to 89.4 billion yen. Operating income decreased 15.2 billion yen

year-on-year

to 1.6 billion yen primarily due to a decrease in the share of profit of investments accounted for using the equity method.

Regarding Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Sony believes that Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA are performance metrics suitable for the long-term management that Sony prioritizes. This is because (i) they represent the sustainable earnings power of the business as they do not include the effects of

one-time

gains and losses, (ii) they enable management to confirm that all the businesses of the Sony Group, including the Financial Services business, are expanding over the

mid-

to long-term through cycles of investment and return, and (iii) they are often used to calculate corporate value. Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. However, Sony believes that these disclosures may be useful information to investors. Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, Sony’s results in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards.

Adjusted OIBDA (Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization) is calculated by the following formula:

Adjusted OIBDA = Operating income + Depreciation and amortization expense excluding amortization for film costs and broadcasting rights, as well as for internally developed game content and master recordings included in Content assets - the profit and loss amount that Sony deems

non-recurring

Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) is calculated by the following formula:

Adjusted EBITDA = Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders + Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests + Income taxes + Interest expenses, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense - Gain on revaluation of equity instruments, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense + Depreciation and amortization expense excluding amortization for film costs and broadcasting rights, as well as for internally developed game content and master recordings included in Content assets - the profit and loss amount that Sony deems

non-recurring

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The following table shows a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA from operating income in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.


	(Yen in billions)
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023 Restated			2024
Game & Network Services (G&NS)
Operating income		250.0			290.2
Depreciation and amortization expense *		87.0			117.7
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		—			—
Adjusted OIBDA		337.0			407.9

Music
Operating income		263.1			301.7
Depreciation and amortization expense *		59.0			73.1
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		(5.7	)		(6.0	)
Adjusted OIBDA		316.4			368.7

Pictures
Operating income		119.3			117.7
Depreciation and amortization expense *		48.9			53.5
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		—			—
Adjusted OIBDA		168.2			171.2

Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S)
Operating income		179.5			187.4
Depreciation and amortization expense *		97.4			101.7
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		—			—
Adjusted OIBDA		276.9			289.1

Imaging & Sensing Solutions (I&SS)
Operating income		212.2			193.5
Depreciation and amortization expense *		196.7			247.9
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		—			—
Adjusted OIBDA		408.9			441.4

Financial Services
Operating income		318.1			173.6
Depreciation and amortization expense *		26.3			27.7
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		(22.1	)		(19.8	)
Adjusted OIBDA		322.4			181.5

All Other, Corporate and elimination
Operating loss		(39.8	)		(55.2	)
Depreciation and amortization expense *		26.8			21.5
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		—			—
Adjusted OIBDA		(12.9	)		(33.7	)

Consolidated
Operating income		1,302.4			1,208.8
Depreciation and amortization expense *		542.2			643.1
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring **		(27.8	)		(25.8	)
Adjusted OIBDA		1,816.9			1,826.1

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The following table shows a reconciliation of net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders reported in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards to Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.


	(Yen in billions)
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023 Restated			2024
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders		1,005.3			970.6
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests		6.5			9.9
Income taxes		262.7			288.2
Interest expenses, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense		4.0			3.4
(Gain) / loss on revaluation of equity instruments, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense		4.6			(71.4	)
Depreciation and amortization expense*		542.2			643.1
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring**		(27.8	)		(25.8	)

Adjusted EBITDA		1,797.6			1,818.0

* Depreciation and amortization expense excludes amortization for film costs and broadcasting rights, as well as for internally developed game content and master recordings included in Content assets.

** The following table shows the details of the profit and loss amount that Sony deems

non-recurring

in calculating Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.


	(Yen in billions)
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023 Restated			2024
(Profit) / loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring
Impact of litigation settlements, net of expenses, received in relation to lawsuits for Recorded Music and Music Publishing (Music segment)		(5.7	)		—
Recovery of an unauthorized withdrawal of funds at a subsidiary of Sony Life which occurred in the three months ended June 30, 2021 (Financial Services segment)		(22.1	)		—
Remeasurement gain resulting from the consolidation of a company previously accounted for using the equity method (Music segment)		—			(6.0	)
Realized and remeasurement gains resulting from the transfer of a portion of shares of Sony Payment Services (Financial Services segment)		—			(19.8	)

Total		(27.8	)		(25.8	)

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Foreign Exchange Fluctuations and Risk Hedging

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the average rates of the yen were 144.4 yen against the U.S. dollar and 156.6 yen against the euro, which were 9.0 yen and 15.7 yen weaker, respectively, than the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, consolidated sales increased 2 trillion 46.4 billion yen (19%)

year-on-year

to 13 trillion 20.8 billion yen. On a constant currency basis, sales increased approximately 13%

year-on-year.

For further details about the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on sales and operating income, refer to “Note: Sales on a Constant Currency Basis and the Impact of Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuations” below.

The table below indicates the foreign exchange impact on sales and operating results in each of the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments. For further details, refer to “

Operating Performance by Business Segment

” which discusses the impact of foreign exchange rates within segments and categories where foreign exchange rate fluctuations had a significant impact.


		Fiscal year ended March 31				Impact of changes in foreign exchange rates
		2023		2024		2023 to 2024
		(Yen in billions)
G&NS	Sales		3,644.6		4,267.7		+278.9
	Operating income		250.0		290.2		+38.6
ET&S	Sales		2,476.0		2,453.7		+98.4
	Operating income		179.5		187.4		+20.5
I&SS	Sales		1,402.2		1,602.7		+99.2
	Operating income		212.2		193.5		+62.3

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, sales for the Music segment increased 17%

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 619.0 billion yen, while sales increased approximately 12%

year-on-year

on a constant currency basis. In the Pictures segment, sales increased 9%

year-on-year

to 1 trillion 493.1 billion yen, while sales increased approximately 2% on a U.S. dollar basis. For a detailed analysis of segment performance, refer to the Music and Pictures segments under “

Operating Performance by Business Segment.

” Sony’s Financial Services segment consolidates the

yen-based

results of SFGI. As most of the operations in this segment are based in Japan, Sony management analyzes the performance of the Financial Services segment on a yen basis only.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony estimated that a one yen appreciation against the U.S. dollar would have decreased sales in the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments by approximately 30.3 billion yen, with a corresponding increase in operating income of approximately 0.6 billion yen. A one yen appreciation against the euro was estimated to decrease sales in these segments by approximately 11.9 billion yen, with a corresponding decrease in operating income of approximately 7.1 billion yen. For more details, refer to “Risk Factors” in “Item 3.

Key Information.

”

Sony’s consolidated operating results are subject to foreign currency rate fluctuations primarily due to different currency composition of revenue and costs. In the G&NS segment, a significant proportion of costs is incurred in U.S. dollars but sales are recorded in Japanese yen, U.S. dollars or euros. As a result, the yen appreciation against the U.S. dollar has a positive impact on operating income while the yen appreciation against the euro has a negative impact. In the ET&S segment, yen appreciation against the U.S. dollar has a positive impact on operating income, mainly due to a high proportion of manufacturing and other costs for certain key products being incurred in U.S. dollars. Meanwhile, a large portion of sales for certain key products is in emerging markets, resulting in yen appreciation against the currencies of emerging markets having a negative impact on operating profit in the ET&S segment. In the I&SS segment, a significant proportion of sales contracts are denominated in U.S. dollars, but manufacturing operations are located in Japan, and, therefore, yen appreciation against the U.S. dollar has a significantly negative impact on operating income.

In order to reduce the risk caused by foreign exchange rate fluctuations, Sony employs derivatives, including foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts, in accordance with a consistent risk management strategy. Such derivatives are used primarily to mitigate the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on cash flows generated or anticipated by Sony’s transactions and accounts receivable and payable denominated in foreign currencies.

Sony Global Treasury Services Plc (“SGTS”) in the U.K. provides integrated treasury services for Sony Group Corporation, its subsidiaries, and affiliated companies. Sony’s policy is that Sony Group Corporation and all subsidiaries with foreign exchange exposures should enter into commitments with SGTS to hedge their

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exposures. Sony Group Corporation and most of its subsidiaries utilize SGTS for this purpose. Sony’s policy of concentrating its foreign exchange exposures means that SGTS and Sony Group Corporation hedge most of the net foreign exchange exposure within the Sony group. Sony has a policy on the use of derivatives that, in principle, SGTS should centrally deal with and manage derivatives with financial institutions for risk management purposes. SGTS enters into foreign exchange transactions with creditworthy third-party financial institutions. Most of these transactions are entered into against projected exposures before the actual export and import transactions take place. In general, SGTS hedges the projected exposures for a period of one month before the actual transactions take place. Sony enters into foreign exchange transactions with financial institutions primarily for hedging purposes. Sony does not use these derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes except for certain derivatives in the Financial Services segment. In the Financial Services segment, Sony uses derivatives primarily for asset liability management.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. Foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency option contracts and other derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are

marked-to-market

with changes in value recognized in financial income and expenses. The net fair value of all the foreign exchange derivative contracts as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 was an asset of 1.4 billion yen and 2.9 billion yen, respectively. Refer to Note 15 of the consolidated financial statements.

Note:

Sales on a Constant Currency Basis and the Impact of Foreign Exchange Rate Fluctuations

The descriptions of sales on a constant currency basis reflect sales calculated by applying the yen’s monthly average exchange rates from the previous fiscal year to local currency-denominated monthly sales in the current fiscal year. For SME and SMP in the Music segment, and in the Pictures segment, the constant currency amounts are calculated by applying the monthly average U.S. dollar / yen exchange rates after aggregation on a U.S. dollar basis.

Results for the Pictures segment are described on a U.S. dollar basis as the Pictures segment reflects the operations of SPE, a U.S.-based operation that aggregates the results of its worldwide subsidiaries in U.S. dollars.

The impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on sales is calculated by applying the change in the yen’s periodic weighted average exchange rate for the previous fiscal year from the current fiscal year to the major transactional currencies in which the sales are denominated. The impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on operating income (loss) is calculated by subtracting from the impact on sales the impact on cost of sales and SGA expenses calculated by applying the same major transactional currencies calculation process to cost of sales and SGA expenses as for the impact on sales. The I&SS segment enters into its own foreign exchange hedging transactions, and the impact of those transactions is included in the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations on sales and operating income (loss) for that segment.

This information is not a substitute for Sony’s consolidated financial statements measured in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. However, Sony believes that these disclosures provide additional useful analytical information to investors regarding the operating performance of Sony.

Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

The following schedule shows unaudited condensed statements of financial position for the Financial Services segment and all other segments excluding the Financial Services segment. These presentations are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, which is used by Sony to prepare its consolidated financial statements. However, because the Financial Services segment is different in nature from Sony’s other segments, Sony believes that a comparative presentation may be useful in understanding and analyzing Sony’s consolidated financial statements. Both financial statements include transactions between the Financial Services segment and Sony without the Financial Services segment. The figures shown in the respective presentations for the Financial Services segment and Sony without the Financial Services segment are prior to the elimination and/or offset of such transactions and deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities of each. The “consolidated” column is presented net of the elimination and/or offset of such intercompany balances and deferred tax assets and liabilities.

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Condensed Statements of Financial Position


	Yen in millions
	Financial Services						Sony without Financial Services						Consolidated
	April 1, 2022 Restated		March 31, 2023 Restated		March 31, 2024		April 1, 2022 Restated		March 31, 2023 Restated		March 31, 2024		April 1, 2022 Restated		March 31, 2023 Restated		March 31, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents *1	¥	889,140	¥	756,493	¥	913,815	¥	1,160,496	¥	724,407	¥	993,298	¥	2,049,636	¥	1,480,900	¥	1,907,113
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment *2		360,681		328,358		398,153		—		—		—		360,681		328,358		398,153
Trade and other receivables, and contract assets *3		163,037		127,413		127,016		1,478,620		1,668,257		2,033,170		1,621,629		1,770,948		2,158,196
Inventories		—		—		—		874,007		1,468,042		1,518,644		874,007		1,468,042		1,518,644
Other financial assets		81,174		47,044		57,254		68,124		63,906		68,111		149,301		110,950		125,365
Other current assets		27,893		16,029		50,487		450,953		562,442		625,539		428,522		563,334		669,335

Total current assets		1,521,925		1,275,337		1,546,725		4,032,200		4,487,054		5,238,762		5,483,776		5,722,532		6,776,806
Non-current assets:
Investments accounted for using the equity method		—		—		4,905		268,513		325,220		418,839		268,513		325,220		423,744
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment *2		18,251,612		18,237,761		18,939,794		—		—		—		18,251,612		18,237,761		18,939,794
Investments in Financial Services, at cost		—		—		—		550,483		550,483		550,483		—		—		—
Property, plant and equipment		18,010		15,316		14,162		1,095,241		1,329,219		1,508,151		1,113,213		1,344,864		1,522,640
Right-of-use assets		73,774		84,023		76,288		339,658		395,210		428,224		413,430		478,063		503,395
Goodwill and intangible assets, including content assets *4		72,578		78,197		77,323		2,672,466		3,322,639		3,953,492		2,745,044		3,400,836		4,030,815
Deferred tax assets		2,335		2,687		—		332,330		431,533		520,613		300,924		393,107		499,550
Other financial assets		37,037		46,941		52,882		663,233		789,470		848,599		696,306		832,344		897,341
Other non-current assets		167,744		172,565		165,049		284,834		319,306		421,258		379,137		419,368		513,405

Total non-current assets		18,623,090		18,637,490		19,330,403		6,206,758		7,463,080		8,649,659		24,168,179		25,431,563		27,330,684

Total assets	¥	20,145,015	¥	19,912,827	¥	20,877,128	¥	10,238,958	¥	11,950,134	¥	13,888,421	¥	29,651,955	¥	31,154,095	¥	34,107,490

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings	¥	1,964,776	¥	1,891,856	¥	1,802,337	¥	183,187	¥	211,020	¥	227,979	¥	2,147,962	¥	2,102,876	¥	2,030,316
Trade and other payables		119,017		77,703		61,153		1,744,011		1,812,670		2,005,112		1,843,338		1,866,101		2,064,905
Deposits from customers in the banking business		2,886,361		3,163,237		3,670,567		—		—		—		2,886,361		3,163,237		3,670,567
Income taxes payables		3,789		15,213		10,050		101,648		139,330		142,024		105,437		154,543		152,074
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment		—		—		—		190,162		230,223		251,743		190,162		230,223		251,743
Other financial liabilities		98,029		77,605		77,523		29,050		30,444		38,522		127,079		108,049		116,044
Other current liabilities		218,865		194,174		209,555		1,297,115		1,514,792		1,704,158		1,465,326		1,693,380		1,906,396

Total current liabilities		5,290,837		5,419,788		5,831,185		3,545,173		3,938,479		4,369,538		8,765,665		9,318,409		10,192,045
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt		470,498		663,353		703,106		733,148		1,104,344		1,355,011		1,203,646		1,767,696		2,058,117
Defined benefit liabilities		37,167		37,183		39,284		217,381		198,938		208,299		254,548		236,121		247,583
Deferred tax liabilities		58,666		60,554		36,368		110,715		112,938		165,877		120,582		117,621		166,424
Insurance contract liabilities		13,042,875		12,364,973		12,931,995		—		—		—		13,042,875		12,364,973		12,931,995
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment		—		—		—		220,113		192,952		206,081		220,113		192,952		206,081
Other financial liabilities		147,712		175,026		214,414		86,391		199,327		175,263		231,463		371,580		386,761
Other non-current liabilities		5,864		7,225		7,607		121,558		142,096		176,767		106,481		127,593		162,379

Total non-current liabilities		13,762,782		13,308,314		13,932,774		1,489,306		1,950,595		2,287,298		15,179,708		15,178,536		16,159,340

Total liabilities		19,053,619		18,728,102		19,763,959		5,034,479		5,889,074		6,656,836		23,945,373		24,496,945		26,351,385
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity of Financial Services		1,087,948		1,180,905		1,113,169		—		—		—		—		—		—
Stockholders’ equity of Sony without Financial Services		—		—		—		5,155,149		6,006,267		7,062,657		—		—		—
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity		—		—		—		—		—		—		5,653,804		6,598,537		7,587,177
Noncontrolling interests		3,448		3,820		—		49,330		54,793		168,928		52,778		58,613		168,928

Total equity		1,091,396		1,184,725		1,113,169		5,204,479		6,061,060		7,231,585		5,706,582		6,657,150		7,756,105

Total liabilities and equity	¥	20,145,015	¥	19,912,827	¥	20,877,128	¥	10,238,958	¥	11,950,134	¥	13,888,421	¥	29,651,955	¥	31,154,095	¥	34,107,490

*1 Refer to “Cash Flows” below for details regarding the factors affecting Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024 in all segments excluding the Financial Services segment.

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*2 Refer to Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements for the fluctuations of Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment as of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

*3 Trade and other receivables, and contract assets as of March 31, 2024 in all segments excluding the Financial Services segment increased

year-on-year

due to increases in trade receivables mainly in the G&NS, Music, Pictures and I&SS segments.

*4 Goodwill and intangible assets, including content assets as of March 31, 2024 in all segments excluding the Financial Services segment increased

year-on-year

mainly due to the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations and an increase in content assets in the Music segment.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities: During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, there was a net cash inflow of 1 trillion 373.2 billion yen from operating activities, an increase of 1 trillion 58.5 billion yen

year-on-year.

For all segments excluding the Financial Services segment, there was a net cash inflow of 1 trillion 177.8 billion yen, an increase of 762.4 billion yen

year-on-year.

This increase was primarily due to a decrease in inventories compared to an increase in the previous fiscal year and a

year-on-year

increase in income before income taxes after taking into account

non-cash

adjustments (including depreciation and amortization, including amortization of contract costs, other operating (income) expense, net and (gain) loss on securities, net). This increase in net cash inflow was partially offset by the negative impact of a larger increase in trade receivables and contract assets.

The Financial Services segment had a net cash inflow of 246.4 billion yen, compared to a net cash outflow of 56.3 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. This change was mainly due to a

year-on-year

increase in sales of investments in the Financial Services segment.

Investing Activities: During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony used 818.9 billion yen of net cash in investing activities, a decrease of 233.8 billion yen

year-on-year.

For all segments excluding the Financial Services segment, there was a net cash outflow of 794.2 billion yen, a decrease of 237.8 billion yen

year-on-year.

This decrease was mainly due to the acquisition of shares of Bungie, an additional investment in Epic Games and a payment related to the acquisition of Industrial Media, all of which were incurred in the previous fiscal year.

The Financial Services segment used 25.7 billion yen of net cash in investing activities, essentially flat

year-on-year.

Financing Activities: Net cash outflow from financing activities during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was 210.7 billion yen, compared to a net cash inflow of 84.3 billion yen in the previous fiscal year.

For all segments excluding the Financial Services segment, there was a 197.3 billion yen net cash outflow, compared to a net cash inflow of 95.5 billion yen in the previous fiscal year. The cash outflow in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to the procurement of long-term bank loans in the previous fiscal year and a

year-on-year

increase in payments for the repurchase of Sony’s own common stock.

In the Financial Services segment, there was a 63.4 billion yen net cash outflow, an increase of 10.8 billion yen

year-on-year.

This increase was mainly due to an increase in dividend payments.

Accounting for the above factors and the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, the total outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2024 was 1 trillion 907.1 billion yen. Cash and cash equivalents of all segments excluding the Financial Services segment was 993.3 billion yen as of March 31, 2024, an increase of 268.9 billion yen compared with the balance as of March 31, 2023. Within the Financial Services segment, the outstanding balance of cash and cash equivalents was 913.8 billion yen as of March 31, 2024, an increase of 157.3 billion yen compared with the balance as of March 31, 2023.

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Information on Cash Flows Separating Out the Financial Services Segment

The following schedule shows unaudited condensed statements of cash flows for the Financial Services segment and all other segments excluding the Financial Services segment. These presentations are not in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards, which is used by Sony to prepare its consolidated financial statements. However, because the Financial Services segment is different in nature from Sony’s other segments, Sony believes that a comparative presentation may be useful in understanding and analyzing Sony’s consolidated financial statements. Transactions between the Financial Services segment and Sony without the Financial Services segment are included in those respective presentations, then eliminated in the consolidated figures shown below.

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows


	Yen in millions

	Fiscal year ended March 31
	Financial Services						Sony without Financial Services						Consolidated
	2023 Restated			2024			2023			2024			2023 Restated			2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Income (loss) before income taxes		318,118			173,576			996,758			1,145,135			1,274,496			1,268,662
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) before income taxes to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of contract costs		26,333			27,689			978,257			1,117,292			1,004,590			1,144,981
Other operating (income) expense, net		(4,147	)		(19,271	)		(5,566	)		(10,133	)		(12,021	)		(29,404	)
(Gain) loss on securities, net (other than Financial Services segment)		—			—			4,469			(73,166	)		4,469			(73,166	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
(Increase) decrease in trade receivables and contract assets		35,623			(20,843	)		(110,668	)		(200,071	)		(70,349	)		(243,646	)
(Increase) decrease in inventories		—			—			(560,382	)		75,641			(560,382	)		75,641
(Increase) decrease in investments and advances in the Financial Services segment		(1,093,792	)		(1,748,913	)		—			—			(1,093,792	)		(1,748,913	)
(Increase) decrease in content assets		—			—			(594,547	)		(486,183	)		(594,547	)		(486,183	)
Increase (decrease) in trade payables		(40,059	)		27,116			(62,691	)		(40,882	)		(107,250	)		9,188
Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities, net of insurance contract assets		330,654			1,370,580			—			—			330,654			1,370,580
Increase (decrease) in deposits from customers in the banking business		300,201			536,688			—			—			300,201			536,688
Increase (decrease) in borrowings in the life insurance business and the banking business		111,314			(41,516	)		—			—			111,314			(41,516	)
Increase (decrease) in taxes payable other than income taxes, net		112			387			4,071			(22,878	)		4,183			(22,491	)
Other		(40,639	)		(59,081	)		(234,228	)		(326,927	)		(276,875	)		(387,208	)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		(56,282	)		246,412			415,473			1,177,828			314,691			1,373,213

Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets		(24,195	)		(18,167	)		(590,320	)		(606,844	)		(613,635	)		(623,946	)
Payments for investments and advances (other than Financial Services segment)		—			—			(191,129	)		(95,506	)		(191,129	)		(95,506	)
Proceeds from sales or return of investments and collections of advances (other than Financial Services segment)		—			—			13,548			92,679			13,548			92,679
Other		393			(7,560	)		(264,125	)		(184,553	)		(261,448	)		(192,113	)

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		(23,802	)		(25,727	)		(1,032,026	)		(794,224	)		(1,052,664	)		(818,886	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in borrowings, net		(11,226	)		(11,633	)		273,195			90,289			261,969			78,656
Dividends paid		(41,335	)		(50,037	)		(86,568	)		(98,620	)		(86,568	)		(98,620	)
Other		(2	)		(1,693	)		(91,100	)		(188,977	)		(91,101	)		(190,745	)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(52,563	)		(63,363	)		95,527			(197,308	)		84,300			(210,709	)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			84,937			82,595			84,937			82,595

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(132,647	)		157,322			(436,089	)		268,891			(568,736	)		426,213
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the fiscal year		889,140			756,493			1,160,496			724,407			2,049,636			1,480,900

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the fiscal year		756,493			913,815			724,407			993,298			1,480,900			1,907,113

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B.	Liquidity and Capital Resources

The description below covers basic financial policy and figures for Sony’s consolidated operations except for the Financial Services segment and certain subsidiaries, which secure liquidity on their own. Furthermore, the Financial Services segment is described separately in this section.

Liquidity Management and Market Access

Funding requirements that arise from maintaining liquidity are principally covered by cash flow from operating and investing activities (including asset sales) and by the available cash balance; however, Sony also raises funds as needed from financial and capital markets through means such as corporate bonds, CP and bank loans.

Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and Sony Capital Corporation (“SCC”), a finance subsidiary in the U.S., maintain CP programs with access to the Japanese, U.S. and European CP markets. The borrowing limits under these CP programs, translated into yen, were 1 trillion 257.1 billion yen in total for Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC as of March 31, 2024. There were no amounts outstanding under the CP programs as of March 31, 2024.

If disruption and volatility occur in financial and capital markets and Sony becomes unable to raise sufficient funds from these sources, Sony may also draw down funds from contractually committed lines of credit from various financial institutions. Sony has a total, translated into yen, of 766.4 billion yen in unused committed lines of credit, as of March 31, 2024. Details of those committed lines of credit are: a 350.0 billion yen committed line of credit contracted with a syndicate of Japanese banks, a 1.7 billion U.S. dollar multi-currency committed line of credit also contracted with a syndicate of Japanese banks and a 1.05 billion U.S. dollar multi-currency committed line of credit contracted with a syndicate of foreign banks. Sony currently believes that it can sustain sufficient liquidity through access to committed lines of credit with financial institutions, together with its available cash balance, even in the event that financial and capital markets become illiquid.

Sony considers one of management’s top priorities to be the maintenance of stable and appropriate credit ratings in order to ensure financial flexibility for liquidity and capital management and continued adequate access to sufficient funding resources in the financial and capital markets. However, in the event of a downgrade in Sony’s credit ratings, there are no financial covenants in any of Sony’s material financial agreements with financial institutions that would cause an acceleration of the obligation. Even though the cost of borrowing for some committed lines of credit could change according to Sony’s credit ratings, there are no financial covenants that would cause any impairment on the ability to draw down on unused facilities.

Cash Management

Sony manages its global cash management activities primarily through Sony Group Corporation in Japan, SCC in the U.S. and SGTS in other regions. The excess or shortage of cash at most of Sony’s subsidiaries is invested or funded by Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC on a net basis, although Sony recognizes that fund transfers are limited in certain countries and geographic areas due to restrictions on capital transactions. In order to pursue more efficient cash management, cash surpluses among Sony’s subsidiaries are deposited with Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC, and cash shortfalls among subsidiaries are covered by loans through Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC, so that Sony can make use of excess cash balances and reduce third-party borrowings. Where local restrictions prevent an efficient intercompany transfer of funds, Sony’s intent is that cash balances remain outside of Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC and that Sony meets its liquidity needs through ongoing cash flows, external borrowings, or both. Sony does not expect restrictions of capital transactions on amounts held outside of Japan to have a material effect on Sony’s overall liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

Financial Services segment

The management of SFGI, Sony Life, Sony Assurance and Sony Bank recognizes the importance of securing sufficient liquidity to cover the payment of obligations that these companies incur in the ordinary course of business. Sony Life, Sony Assurance and Sony Bank maintain a sufficient cash balance and secure sufficient means to meet their obligations while abiding by laws and regulations such as the Insurance Business Act or the

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Banking Act of Japan, and restrictions imposed by the FSA and other regulatory authorities as well as establishing and operating under company guidelines that comply with these regulations. Sony Life and Sony Assurance establish a sufficient level of liquidity for the smooth payment of insurance claims by investing, primarily in securities, their cash inflows, which come mainly from policyholders’ insurance premiums. Sony Bank maintains a necessary level of liquidity for the smooth settlement of transactions by using its cash inflows, which come mainly from customers’ deposits in local currency, to offer mortgage loans to individuals and to invest mainly in marketable securities. Cash inflows from customers’ deposits in foreign currencies are invested mainly in investment instruments of the same currency.

In addition, Sony’s subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment are subject to the Insurance Business Act and the Banking Act, which require insurance and banking business companies to maintain their financial credibility and to secure protection for policyholders and depositors in view of the public nature of insurance and banking services. As such, lending and borrowing between subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment and the other companies within Sony Group is strictly limited. Sony’s subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment are managed separately from Sony’s cash management activities through Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC as mentioned above.

For further information about Sony’s views regarding utilization of cash flow from operating activities generated within the Sony Group for strategic investments, shareholder returns and as cash on hand, refer to “

Issues Facing Sony and Management’s Response to those Issues

: Financial Targets and Capital Allocation.” in Item 5.D.

Off-balance

Sheet Transactions

Sony has certain

off-balance

sheet transactions that provide liquidity, capital resources and/or credit risk support. These transactions in which Sony has relinquished control of trade receivables are accounted for as sales. Certain trade receivable sales programs also involve structured entities. Refer to Note 28 of the consolidated financial statements.

Contractual Obligations, Commitments, and Contingent Liabilities

Sony’s contractual obligations, commitments and contingent liabilities are summarized as follows:

Short-term borrowings and long-term debt

Refer to Note 6 and Note 14 of the consolidated financial statements.

Loan commitments, purchase commitments and litigation

Refer to Note 33 of the consolidated financial statements.

Insurance contract liabilities

Refer to Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements.

C.	Research and Development

Sony’s Purpose is to “fill the world with emotion (Kando) through the power of creativity and technology,” in which the key word is “Kando.”

For the world to continue to be filled with emotion (Kando), Sony must continue to create technologies that unleash people’s creativity and make our civilization sustainable. To clarify this commitment, Sony has set “Push our civilization forward and make this planet sustainable” as its R&D mission.

A wide range of technological domains are essential to realize Sony’s Purpose. The three domains of sensing, AI and the digital virtual world, as well as integration among these, will be the core drivers toward this. The integration of sensors and AI in the real world is expected to lead to more advanced image and voice recognition. Sensed data and AI enhanced by learning from such data can then be used to generate high-precision simulations and fascinating content in the virtual world. In addition, the insights gained in the virtual world can be fed back to the AI to bolster its ability. In this way, sensing, AI, and the virtual world can be integrated to transform Sony into an AI/Data-driven company.

Sony has always been committed to being a force for good by empowering creators to turn their creative sparks into stories. Guided by the direction of Sony’s R&D, “We are here for creators,” Sony aims to build technology for creators, and create the future together with them.

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The Sony Group’s research and development organizations carry out various R&D activities in collaboration with multiple R&D organizations located both inside and outside of Japan, utilizing the different characteristics and strengths of each area. In addition to aiming to acquire excellent local R&D personnel, Sony will strive to strengthen collaboration with external creators and academia, without limiting itself within the Sony Group. Sony is already promoting various activities such as joint development with universities around the world, and plans to further expand such activities in the future.

R&D costs for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 increased 7.1 billion yen (1%)

year-on-year

to 742.8 billion yen. The ratio of R&D costs to consolidated sales excluding the Financial Services segment was 6.6%, compared to 7.3% in the previous fiscal year.

The following table shows a breakdown of R&D costs for each business segment and for Sony Group Corporation’s research and development organization (“Corporate R&D”) in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	(Yen in billions)
R&D costs
G&NS		271.1		281.6
ET&S		155.7		154.8
I&SS		223.7		219.2
Corporate R&D		46.4		45.4

D.	Trend Information

This section contains forward-looking statements about the possible future performance of Sony and should be read in light of the cautionary statement on that subject, which appears on the inside front cover page and applies to this entire document.

Issues Facing Sony and Management’s Response to those Issues

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the global economy continued to be affected by inflation, especially in Europe and the U.S., as well as foreign exchange rate fluctuations associated with inflation. Particularly in the U.S., consumer spending remained resilient despite continued inflation, pushing back projections for interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve Board. As a result, the interest rate differential with Japan, which continued monetary easing, widened, and the yen exchange rate continued to fluctuate significantly, as it had in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. In China, despite a recovery in consumer spending due to the lifting of its

zero-COVID

policy, a prolonged slump in the real estate market put downward pressure on the economy. The outlook for the future global economy has become increasingly uncertain due to factors such as the prolongation of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine and instability in the Middle East.

Sony has a wide range of businesses globally. These changes in the global economy, in addition to increased geopolitical risk due to tensions between the U.S. and China, the rise of new technologies such as AI, and responses to global environmental challenges and social division, are causing major changes in the environment surrounding each of Sony’s business segments.

Sony has responded swiftly to changes in the business environment and worked to strengthen the profit structure of each business, while continuing to prioritize management with a long-term view, with the goal of enhancing the corporate value of the entire Sony Group.

On May 23, 2024, Sony held its Corporate Strategy Meeting for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. Chairman and CEO Kenichiro Yoshida spoke on Sony’s management direction, while President, COO and CFO Hiroki Totoki presented Sony’s long-term vision and initiatives to achieve it. Kenichiro Yoshida explained Sony’s “Creation Shift,” which it has been undertaking in three business layers—Content, Products & Services, and Semiconductors (CMOS image sensors)—under Sony’s Purpose to “fill the world with emotion (or Kando), through the power of creativity and technology.” He also touched on real-time creation using CMOS image sensors and game engines, and stated Sony’s intention to continue contributing to people’s creativity through technology going forward.

Hiroki Totoki then presented the “Creative Entertainment Vision,” Sony’s long-term vision for the future beyond its fifth

mid-range

plan (for the three fiscal years started on April 1, 2024 and ending on March 31, 2027). He stated that Sony would work towards the direction outlined in this long-term vision and aim to realize further growth by maximizing IP value, steadily establishing a technology platform to support these initiatives, and continuously evolving the diversity of its businesses and people.

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The details are as follows:

1. Acceleration and Evolution of Group Synergies

The total sales of the three entertainment businesses, G&NS, Music and Pictures, accounted for approximately 60% of Sony Group’s consolidated sales in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The reorganization of the Sony Group architecture in 2021 also led to the acceleration of group synergies. Regarding the Financial Services business, where Sony has started preparations for the

Spin-off,

the Sony Group as a whole intends to support its further evolution through independence by utilizing the Sony brand and strengthening collaboration among the businesses.

2. Creation Shift

In addition to focusing on entertainment, Sony has shifted the emphasis of the following three business layers to creation as an additional management direction.

(1)	Content that leads to Kando

•

Starting with the acquisition of EMI in 2018, Sony has invested approximately 1.5 trillion yen over six years into strengthening its content creation. In 2021, Sony acquired Crunchyroll, a DTC service specializing in anime, as it strives to contribute to the anime creator community.

(2)	Products & Services that create Kando

•

Sony is also dedicated to creating entertainment together with creators in the ET&S segment. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, more than 80% of operating income in the ET&S segment was generated from businesses related to creation such as imaging, sports, virtual production and professional audio.

(3)	Semiconductors that support creation

•

Focusing on CMOS image sensors, which support creation, Sony has invested approximately 1.5 trillion yen in capital expenditures over the past six years. Sony’s CMOS image sensors also contribute to the safety of mobility, which Sony is positioning as a new entertainment space.

3. Real-Time Creation

Sony intends to continue focusing on creation technology, such as CMOS image sensors and game engines, with “real time” as a key word.

(1)	Technology that captures the moment

•

The Alpha 9 III, a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera equipped with a

full-size

image sensor that uses a global shutter system, was used at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, U.K., in March 2024.

•

Real-time transmission of photos from the field using the

PDT-FP1

portable data transmitter with 5G announced by Sony in 2024 enables prompt news coverage and editing, and contributes to delivering the Kando of sports.

•

The VENICE digital cinema camera series is being increasingly adopted by the film industry and is also being used for other visual content productions.

(2)	Real-time technology that verifies authenticity

•

It is of great significance for creators to capture the real world “as it is,” and Sony’s CMOS image sensor technology is used to verify the authenticity of images.

(3)	Technology that turns ideas into reality in real time

Sony has invested in Epic Games and is utilizing its Unreal Engine in various creation processes.

•

Torchlight, SPE’s advanced visualization facility, allows creators the opportunity to explore, play and develop their visions in real time prior to going into production.

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•

Providing virtual production, a filming method which allows both the director of filming and actors to check the footage on the spot.

•

The spatial content creation system, which allows content production and editing while virtually overlaying 3D content in real space, provides creators with an immersive creation experience.

•

In the “live” entertainment of professional sports leagues in North America, Sony is working to expand the fan base by tracking the movements of real-life athletes and converting those movements into 3D animations in real time.

4. Long-term Vision: “Creative Entertainment Vision”

Sony has defined its “Creative Entertainment Vision,” the long-term vision for where Sony wants to be in 10 years, with an eye towards future technological advances.

There are three phases in Sony’s “Creative Entertainment Vision”:

(1)

“Creativity Unleashed”: Harnessing technology to unleash the creativity of creators around the world, transcending physical, virtual and time dimensions

(2)

“Boundaries Transcended”: Connecting diverse people and values across boundaries to foster vibrant communities

(3)

“Narratives Everywhere”: Together with creators, creating exciting experiences rich in narrative that go beyond imagination, and spreading them as new touchpoints for Kando around the world

5. Current Initiatives that Maximize the Value of Sony’s IP

Sony is advancing initiatives to maximize the value of IP across its various entertainment categories, toward the direction indicated in its “Creative Entertainment Vision.”

(1)	IP creation

Anime

•

Aniplex Inc. (“Aniplex”), a subsidiary of SMEJ, produces high-quality works.

•

Crunchyroll, which has over 13 million paid subscribers, delivers Japanese anime globally.

•

Improving the production environment, efficiency, and enhancing the quality of output through “AnimeCanvas,” a new animation production software currently under development.

A-1

Pictures Inc. and CloverWorks Inc., production studios that are subsidiaries of Aniplex, are central to this initiative and are collaborating with engineers from SMEJ and across the Sony Group.

•

Commencing consideration of the launch of a project to establish an academy with the aim of nurturing anime creators in global markets, mainly by Aniplex and Crunchyroll with collaboration from across the industry.

Pictures

•

Nurturing visual creators who can utilize technologies such as virtual production at Pixo Holdings, Inc. (Pixomondo), a subsidiary of SPE, working in collaboration with Epic Games.

Music

•

Unique approaches to creating new IP including YOASOBI, born from an SMEJ project to turn novels into music.

Sports

•

Providing new forms of entertainment content through the capturing of data such as the players’

in-game

skeletal information by

Hawk-Eye

Innovations Ltd.’s tracking system, and conversion of the data into 3D animation in real time using Beyond Sports’ technology.

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(2)	IP cultivation

Anime

•

The Crunchyroll Anime Awards, which foster anime IP and culture with fans and celebrate creators, received a record high of over 34 million votes in 2024.

Game / Pictures

•

PlayStation Productions adapts game IP into live action content. Titles such as

Horizon

and

God of War

are scheduled to be released.

Music

•

Cultivating “fandom artists,” whose passionate fans create new cultures, and expanding fan communities.

(3)	“IP 360 extension”: Expanding IP beyond specific boundaries

Game

•

Expanding game IP, including

Uncharted

, into the area of LBE.

Music

•

Creating the documentary

Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,

which chronicles Grammy Award-winning rapper, singer and songwriter Lil Nas X’s first world tour.

•

The concurrent production by SPE and others of four biographical films that look back on the history of The Beatles from the perspective of each member.

Common to all categories

•

LBE: Opening facilities around the world by combining Sony’s IP with its technologies to provide immersive experiences.

•

Merchandising: Commercializing various consumer products based on Sony’s IP and increasing fans’ emotional attachment to IP. Planning to accelerate Group-wide collaboration.

•

Mobility: Transforming the vehicle’s interior into a personalized entertainment space and enhancing the value of the mobility experience by utilizing entertainment content and audio technology, through usage of sensing and other data that provides an understanding of the vehicle’s occupants and the surrounding environment.

Contribution of partner IP expansion

•

The mobile RPG

Street Fighter

™

: Duel

published by Crunchyroll Games, LLC.

•

Leveraging “High Quality Scan Solution,” which enables real objects to be converted into high-quality 3D models, to scan plastic Gundam models and display them in the “Gundam Metaverse.”

(4)	Global expansion of maximizing the value of IP: Supporting creators with diverse cultural backgrounds and strong regional appeal

•

The “India Hero Project,” an initiative to unearth and support promising game developers in India and help them bring compelling gaming experiences to the world. Currently, five game titles are under development.

•

The Sony Innovation Fund: Africa, a corporate venture capital fund, has been established to develop entertainment businesses in Africa. This fund collaborates with the International Finance Corporation, which is engaged in investment and financing activities in emerging countries.

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6. Technology Platforms Supporting IP Value Maximization

The key technology platforms that enable creators to engage in these initiatives to maximize the value of their IP in a high-quality and efficient manner include sensing and capturing, real-time 3D processing, as well as AI technologies and machine learning. Sony is promoting R&D and applications relating to these technologies as one of its strengths, and in the future aims to develop solutions that enable IP to be delivered rapidly and at a low cost to a broader range of fans. Additionally, in order to efficiently maximize the value of IP, Sony is considering developing a shared Group “Engagement Platform.”

(1)	Sensing and capturing

•

Volumetric Capture Studio is being used for complex action scenes in movies and other productions due to the ease of photorealistic reproduction and production flexibility it provides. Going forward, Sony plans to efficiently utilize the 3D assets accumulated by each of its companies cross-functionally, and explore potential external sales.

(2)	Real-time 3D processing

•

In addition to accelerating collaboration with Epic Games centered around Unreal Engine, Sony has also produced a game that takes place in the same world as an artist’s music video shot using virtual production, and a

proof-of-concept

for creating a CG short film in real time.

(3)	AI technologies and machine learning

•

Marvel’s

Spider-Man

utilized machine learning, and applied original voice recognition software specialized for gaming. In certain languages, it enabled automatic synchronization of the timing of subtitles with each character’s dialogue, significantly shortening the subtitling process.

•

R&D in India to shorten the dubbing and translation process for video content.

(4)	Developing an engagement platform

•

Planning to develop an engagement platform for the Sony Group by deploying core functions based on the network infrastructure of PlayStation Network, which has established a robust network service, including accounts, payments, data infrastructure and security, alongside the growing Crunchyroll service.

•

Moving forward, Sony aims to proceed with commonizing IDs for services across the Sony Group, and to use this engagement platform to support the development of new network services across the Group in areas such as mobility and LBE. In the future, Sony aims for it to be widely adopted across the entertainment industry as a common platform specialized for fan engagement.

7. Achieving Growth through Diverse Businesses and People

Sony has built its strength on bringing together diverse people and having different attributes and experiences. Recent mergers and acquisitions have allowed Sony to bring in new ways of thinking and knowledge, particularly in the entertainment businesses. Furthermore, the ratio of foreign nationals in executive positions and women in management positions has been increasing every year. Moving forward, Sony intends to continue to evolve the diversity of its businesses and people to achieve further growth and create value over the long term.

On May 14, 2024, at its earnings announcement for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony announced the results for the fourth

mid-range

plan for the three fiscal years started on April 1, 2021 and ended on March 31, 2024, as well as the fifth

mid-range

plan for the three fiscal years started on April 1, 2024 and ending on March 31, 2027.

The details are as follows:

Financial Targets and Capital Allocation

<Fourth

Mid-Range

Plan — Financial Targets and Results>

In the fourth

mid-range

plan, Sony’s management established a three-year cumulative key performance indicator in order to continue managing Sony with a long-term view. That indicator, which was the most

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important metric of group performance (“Group KPI”) for the fourth

mid-range

plan, was Adjusted EBITDA. Sony announced that it would target total Adjusted EBITDA of 4.3 trillion yen on a consolidated basis for the three fiscal years started on April 1, 2021 and ended on March 31, 2024. As a result of progress exceeding the initial plan, mainly in the Music and Pictures segments, the cumulative results were approximately 5.1 trillion yen, 19% higher than the target.

Regarding the capital allocation plan in the fourth

mid-range

plan, Sony Group Corporation established a capital expenditure target of 1.5 trillion yen and a strategic investment target of 2 trillion yen or more including share repurchases, aiming to grow its business over the long term, beyond the duration of the plan. Sony ultimately spent approximately 1.9 trillion yen on capital expenditures and approximately 1.7 trillion yen on strategic investments, which included approximately 400 billion yen in share repurchases. Capital expenditures were higher than the initial plan due to increases in image sensor capital expenditures in the I&SS segment and server investments in Corporate R&D and the G&NS segment. Although strategic investments were lower than the initial plan due to increases in working capital and capital expenditures as well as consideration of the current M&A market environment, Sony steadily executed investments for long-term growth. Compared to its initial plan to generate 3.8 trillion yen or more of consolidated operating cash flow excluding the Financial Services segment over the three fiscal years started April 1, 2021 and ended March 31, 2024 to fund the capital allocation, the actual cash generated was approximately 3.9 trillion yen. This was mainly due to the sale of businesses and assets as well as borrowing based on a strict financial discipline, partially offset by a decrease in cash flow because of an increase in working capital in the G&NS and I&SS segments.

<Fifth

Mid-Range

Plan — Financial Targets>

In the fifth

mid-range

plan, Sony is placing greater emphasis on profit-based growth, and has set as the Group KPIs the growth rate of consolidated operating income and the operating income margin for Sony without the Financial Services segment. Specifically, Sony is targeting an average annual growth rate of consolidated operating income for the three-year period of 10% or more, and a three-year cumulative consolidated operating income margin of 10% or more.

Regarding the capital allocation plan in the fifth

mid-range

plan, Sony has established a capital expenditure target of 1.7 trillion yen and a strategic investment target of 1.8 trillion yen including growth investments for each business and flexible share repurchases. Three-year cumulative consolidated operating cash flow excluding the Financial Services segment, the main source of capital allocation, is expected to be 4.5 trillion yen, exceeding the results of the fourth

mid-range

plan, due to expected profit growth during the fifth

mid-range

plan as well as the recovery of working capital that increased during the fourth

mid-range

plan.

Regarding shareholder returns, Sony plans to place emphasis on its total payout ratio, which it expects to gradually increase throughout the period of the fifth

mid-range

plan, aiming for approximately 40% in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, the final fiscal year of the plan.

E.	Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS Accounting Standards requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, Sony evaluates its estimates, which are based on historical experience, future projections and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these evaluations form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may significantly differ from these estimates. Sony considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it is important to its financial condition and results, and requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. Sony believes that the following represents its critical accounting estimates. The critical accounting estimates should be read in conjunction with Notes 2 and 3 of the consolidated financial statements regarding Sony’s material accounting policies.

Financial instruments

Sony recognizes a financial instrument as a financial asset or a financial liability when Sony becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument. Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value.

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Financial instruments held by Sony are classified according to the measurement method, and for financial instruments measured at fair value, future fluctuations in fair value may have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

The assessment of credit losses for debt securities is often subjective in nature and involves certain assumptions and estimates concerning the credit risk ratings, expected operating results, business plans and future cash flows of the issuer of the security. Accordingly, it is possible that Sony will record an allowance for credit losses for debt securities in the future, where such an allowance for credit losses is not currently recorded based on the assessment of subsequently available information such as a deterioration in the credit risk rating, continued poor operating results, future broad declines in the value of worldwide equity markets and the effect of worldwide interest rate fluctuations. As a result, downward adjustments in income may be recorded in the future due to the recording of such allowance for credit losses.

Impairment of

non-financial

assets

Sony reviews the recoverability of its

non-financial

assets, except for inventories, contract costs and deferred tax assets, whenever there is any indication that an asset or a cash-generating unit (“CGU”) may be impaired. In addition, an annual impairment test for goodwill, intangible assets with indefinite useful lives or intangible assets not yet available for use is performed during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year for each CGU or group of CGUs to which the carrying amount of these assets is allocated.

For all CGUs or groups of CGUs with goodwill, the recoverable amount exceeded the carrying amount, and therefore no impairment existed in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Also, the recoverable amount of each CGU or group of CGUs with significant goodwill exceeded their respective carrying values by at least 10.0%. For intangible assets with indefinite useful lives or intangible assets not yet available for use, the recoverable amount exceeded the carrying amount, and therefore no impairment existed.

A discussion of the significant assumptions, other than the

mid-range

plan, including a sensitivity analysis with respect to their impact, of the recoverable amount of each CGU or group of CGUs for the impairment analysis for goodwill performed for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 is included below. Refer to Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements for details.

•

The

post-tax

discount rates ranged from 4.2% to 13.5%. A hypothetical one percentage point increase in the discount rate, holding all other assumptions constant, would not have resulted in a significant impairment.

•

The growth rates applied to the terminal values for the CGUs within the G&NS, ET&S, I&SS and Financial Services segments ranged from approximately 1.0% to 1.5%. The growth rates beyond the

mid-range

plan period for the CGUs in the Music segment ranged from 1.0% to 3.0%, and in the Pictures segment ranged from (5.0%) to 17.0%. A hypothetical one percentage point decrease in the growth rate, holding all other assumptions constant, would not have resulted in a significant impairment.

•

The earnings multiple used to calculate the terminal value in the Pictures CGUs was 1.5x to 13.5x and the revenue multiple was 1.8x. A hypothetical reduction in earnings multiple by 1.0x and revenue multiple by 0.25x, respectively, holding all other assumptions constant, would not have resulted in a significant impairment.

Management believes that the assumptions used in the impairment tests are reasonable. However, in the future, changes in estimates resulting in lower recoverable amounts due to unforeseen changes in assumptions could negatively affect the valuations, which may result in Sony recognizing impairment losses for

non-financial

assets.

Business combinations

Sony recognizes identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed of an acquiree at their fair values at the acquisition date with limited exceptions. Sony recognizes goodwill when the aggregate of the consideration transferred in a business combination, the amount of any

non-controlling

Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making the estimates and assumptions, the consideration transferred could be valued and allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed differently.

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Actual results may differ, or unanticipated events and circumstances may affect such estimates, which could require Sony to record an impairment of an identifiable asset acquired and goodwill, or an increase in the amounts recorded for identifiable liabilities assumed.

Estimation of ultimate revenue in the Pictures segment

An aspect of film accounting that requires the exercise of management’s judgment relates to the process of estimating the total revenues to be received throughout a film’s life cycle. Such estimate of a film’s ultimate revenue is important for the measurement of film costs and participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment.

While a film is being produced and the related costs are being capitalized, it is necessary for management to estimate the ultimate revenue, less additional costs to be incurred, including exploitation costs which are expensed as incurred, in order to determine whether the value of a film has been impaired and thus requires an immediate

write-off

of unrecoverable film costs. In addition, the amount of film costs recognized as cost of sales for a given film as it is exhibited in various markets throughout its life cycle is based on the ratio of current period actual revenues to the estimated remaining total revenues.

Management bases its estimates of ultimate revenue for each film on several factors including the historical performance of similar genre films, the star power of the lead actors, the expected number of theaters at which the film will be released, anticipated performance in the home entertainment, television and other ancillary markets, and agreements for future sales. Management updates such estimates on a regular basis based on the actual results to date and estimated future results for each film. For example, a film with lower-than-expected theatrical revenues in its initial weeks of release would generally have its theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution ultimate revenues adjusted downward; a failure to do so would result in the understatement of amortized film costs for the period. Also, participation and residual liabilities are accrued based on the ratio of current period actual revenues to the estimated remaining total revenues.

Valuation of deferred tax assets

The valuation of deferred tax assets, which is based on currently enacted tax laws and rates as of the end of the reporting period, reflects management’s judgment and best estimate of the likely future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in Sony’s financial statements and tax returns, the ability to implement various tax planning strategies and, in certain cases, future forecasts, business plans and other expectations about business outcomes. Changes in existing tax laws or rates in tax jurisdictions in which Sony operates could affect actual tax results, and market or economic deterioration or failure of management to achieve its restructuring objectives could affect future business results, either of which could affect the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. If future results are less than projected, if the results of tax examinations or the negotiations of advance pricing agreements covering transfer pricing of intercompany transactions result in a different allocation of profits and losses than currently anticipated, if tax planning alternatives are no longer viable, or if there is no excess appreciated asset value over the tax basis of the assets contemplated for sale, outstanding deferred tax assets may be required to be written down in the future. On the other hand, a forecasted improvement and consistency in future earnings or other factors, such as business reorganizations, could lead in the future, as a result of a review of all relevant factors, to the reversal of the previous write down of the deferred tax assets which would be recorded as a reduction to tax expense. These possible factors and other changes, that are not anticipated in current estimates, could have a material impact on Sony’s earnings or financial condition in the period or periods in which the impact is recorded or reversed.

Measurement of insurance contract liabilities not measured under the premium allocation approach

The carrying amount of a group of insurance contracts is the sum of the liability for incurred claims and the liability for remaining coverage. The liability for remaining coverage is measured by determining fulfillment cash flows and contractual service margin arising from insurance contracts. The fulfillment cash flows of groups of insurance contracts are measured at the reporting date using current estimates of future cash flows, discount rates, and the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk. The mortality rates, morbidity rates, lapse and surrender rates, and discount rates, which are used to measure the estimates of the present value of future cash flows, are significant assumptions for measuring insurance contract liabilities.

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Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

A.	Directors and Senior Management

Set forth below are the current members of the Board of Directors and Corporate Executive Officers of Sony Group Corporation (the “Corporation”), their responsibility as a director or officer, date of birth, the number of years they have served as a director or officer, and other principal business activities outside the Corporation as of June 25, 2024.

Board of Directors


Kenichiro Yoshida
Responsibility as a Director: —
Date of Birth: October 20, 1959
Number of Years Served as a Director: 10 years
Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation: Outside Director, M3, Inc.
Brief Personal History:
April 1983		Joined the Corporation
July 2000		Joined Sony Communication Network Corporation (currently Sony Network Communications Inc.)
September 2000		Outside Director, So-net M3, Inc. (currently M3, Inc.) (present)
May 2001		Senior Vice President, Sony Communication Network Corporation
April 2005		President and Representative Director, Sony Communication Network Corporation
December 2013		Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer and Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
April 2014		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
June 2014		Director, the Corporation (present)
April 2015		Executive Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
April 2018		President and Chief Executive Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
June 2020		Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
April 2023		Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation (present)

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Hiroki Totoki
Responsibility as a Director: —
Date of Birth: July 17, 1964
Number of Years Served as a Director: 5 years
Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation: Outside Director, Recruit Co., Ltd.
Brief Personal History:
April 1987		Joined the Corporation
February 2002		Representative Director, Sony Bank Incorporated
June 2005		Director, Corporate Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director, Sony Communication Network Corporation (currently Sony Network Communications Inc.)
April 2012		Representative Director, Corporate Executive Officer and Senior Managing Director, So-net Entertainment Corporation (currently Sony Network Communications Inc.)
April 2013		Representative Director, Corporate Executive Officer, Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer, So-net Entertainment Corporation
December 2013		Senior Vice President, Corporate Executive, the Corporation
November 2014		President and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Mobile Communications Inc. (currently Sony Corporation)
June 2015		Director, Chairman, So-net Corporation (currently Sony Network Communications Inc.)
April 2016		Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation In charge of New Business Platform (Strategy)
		President and Representative Director, So-net Corporation
June 2017		Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy Officer, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation In charge of Mid- to Long-Term Business Strategy, New Business
April 2018		Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
June 2018		Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation Outside Director, Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd. (present)
June 2019		Director, the Corporation (present)
June 2020		Executive Deputy President, Chief Financial Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
April 2023		President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation (present)
April 2024		Interim Corporate Executive Officer, Sony Interactive Entertainment
June 2024		Chairman, Sony Interactive Entertainment (present)

Yoshihiko Hatanaka
Responsibility as a Director: Chair of the Board Chair of the Nominating Committee
Date of Birth: April 20, 1957
Number of Years Served as a Director: 5 years
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
April 1980		Joined Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (currently Astellas Pharma Inc.)
June 2005		Corporate Executive, Vice President, Corporate Planning, Corporate Strategy, Astellas Pharma Inc.
April 2006		Corporate Executive of Astellas Pharma Inc. and President & CEO, Astellas US LLC and President & CEO, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
June 2008		Senior Corporate Executive of Astellas Pharma Inc. and President & CEO, Astellas US LLC and President & CEO, Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
April 2009		Senior Corporate Executive, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Astellas Pharma Inc.
June 2011		Representative Director, President & CEO, Astellas Pharma Inc.
April 2018		Representative Director, Chairman of the Board, Astellas Pharma Inc.
June 2019		Director, the Corporation (present)
March 2023		Outside Director, Shiseido Company, Limited (present)
June 2023		Outside Director, SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. (present)

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Wendy Becker
Responsibility as a Director: Vice Chair of the Board Chair of the Compensation Committee Member of the Nominating Committee
Date of Birth: November 2, 1965
Number of Years Served as a Director: 5 years
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
September 1987		Brand Manager, Procter & Gamble Company
September 1993		Consultant, McKinsey & Company, Inc.
December 1998		Partner, McKinsey & Company, Inc.
February 2008		Managing Director, Residential, TalkTalk, The Carphone Warehouse Ltd. Board member, Member of Remuneration Committee, Whitbread plc
September 2009		Chief Marketing Officer, Vodafone Group plc
September 2012		Chief Operating Officer, Jack Wills Ltd.
October 2013		CEO, Jack Wills Ltd.
February 2017		Board member, Chair of Remuneration Committee, Great Portland Estates plc
September 2017		Board member, Logitech International S.A.
June 2019		Director, the Corporation (present)
September 2019		Non-Executive Director, Chairperson of the Board, Chair of Nominating Committee, Logitech International S.A. (present)
June 2021		Senior Independent Director, Chair of Remuneration Committee, Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc
October 2023		Independent Non-Executive Director, GSK plc
May 2024		Independent Non-Executive Director, Chair of Remuneration Committee, GSK plc (present)

Sakie Akiyama
Responsibility as a Director: Member of the Compensation Committee
Date of Birth: December 1, 1962
Number of Years Served as a Director: 5 years
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
April 1987		Joined Arthur Andersen & Co.
April 1994		Founder and CEO, Saki Corporation
October 2018		Founder, Saki Corporation (present)
June 2019		Director, the Corporation (present) Outside Director, Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd. Outside Director, Orix Corporation (present)
June 2020		Outside Director, Mitsubishi Corporation (present)

Keiko Kishigami
Responsibility as a Director: Member of the Audit Committee
Date of Birth: January 28, 1957
Number of Years Served as a Director: 4 years
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
October 1985		Joined Peat Marwick Minato (currently Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC)
August 1989		Registered as Certified Public Accountant (present)
December 1997		Partner, Century Audit Corporation (currently Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC)
May 2004		Representative Partner (Senior Partner), Ernst & Young ShinNihon (currently Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC)
September 2018		Board Member, WWF Japan (present)
June 2019		Outside Auditor, Okamura Corporation (present)
June 2020		Director, the Corporation (present)
June 2021		Outside Director, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company, Limited (present)
March 2023		Outside Auditor, DIC Corporation (present)

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Joseph A. Kraft Jr.
Responsibility as a Director: Chair of the Audit Committee Member of the Nominating Committee Director in charge of Information Security
Date of Birth: May 12, 1964
Number of Years Served as a Director: 4 years
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
July 1986		Joined Morgan Stanley Inc.
January 2000		Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Inc.
April 2007		Managing Director, Head of Capital Markets Division, Dresdner Kleinwort Japan
March 2010		Deputy Branch Manager & Managing Director, Bank of America Merrill Lynch Japan
July 2015		CEO, Rorschach Advisory Inc. (present)
June 2020		Director, the Corporation (present)
June 2024		Outside Director, Tokyo Electron Ltd. (present)

Neil Hunt
Responsibility as a Director: Director in charge of Information Security
Date of Birth: January 12, 1962
Number of Years Served as a Director: 1 year
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
June 1989		Founder, CTO, Iconicon
October 1991		Director of Engineering, Pure Atria, Inc.
December 1999		Chief Product Officer, Netflix, Inc.
September 2010		Board member, Member of Compensation Committee, Logitech, Inc.
June 2017		Board member, Member of Compensation Committee, Roku, Inc. (present)
January 2020		Founder and Chief Product Officer, Vibrant Planet, PBC (present)
June 2023		Director, the Corporation (present)

William Morrow
Responsibility as a Director: Member of the Compensation Committee
Date of Birth: July 2, 1959
Number of Years Served as a Director: 1 year
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
September 1980		Director, Pacific Bell Inc.
November 2001		President, Japan Telecom Holdings Co. Ltd
February 2004		CEO, Vodafone UK Limited
April 2005		President, VODAFONE K.K. Limited
May 2006		CEO Europe, Vodafone Limited
August 2006		President & CEO, Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
June 2008		Outside Director, Broadcom Inc.
March 2009		CEO, Clearwire Incorporated
March 2012		CEO, Vodafone Hutchison Australia
April 2014		CEO, NBN Co, Limited
December 2018		Outside Director, IkeGPS Group Limited
February 2021		CEO, DirecTV Entertainment Holdings LLC (present)
June 2023		Director, the Corporation (present)

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Shingo Konomoto
Responsibility as a Director: Member of the Audit Committee
Date of Birth: February 11, 1960
Number of Years Served as a Director: —
Brief Personal History and Principal Business Activities Outside the Corporation:
April 1985		Joined Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
April 2004		Senior Managing Director, Division Manager of Consulting Division III, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
April 2010		Senior Corporate Managing Director, Division Manager of Consulting Division, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
April 2015		Senior Executive Managing Director, Supervising of Business Divisions, Head of Consulting, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
June 2015		Senior Executive Managing Director, Member of the Board, Representative Director, Supervising of Business Divisions, Head of Consulting, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
April 2016		President & CEO, Member of the Board, Representative Director, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
June 2019		Chairman and President & CEO, Member of the Board, Representative Director, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
April 2024		Chairman, Member of the Board, Representative Director, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
June 2024		Chairman, Member of the Board, Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (present) Director, the Corporation (present)

Corporate Executive Officers

In addition to Kenichiro Yoshida and Hiroki Totoki, the four individuals set forth below are the current Corporate Executive Officers of Sony Group Corporation as of June 25, 2024. Refer to “Board Practices” in Item 6.C.


Toshimoto Mitomo
Responsibility as an Officer: Executive Deputy President and Chief Strategy Officer, Officer in charge of Intellectual Property, Business Strategy, Business Development, Business Incubation Platform and Mobility Business
Date of Birth: January 6, 1963
Number of Years Served as a Corporate Executive Officer: 2 years
Principal Business Activities Outside Sony: None
Brief Personal History:
April 1985		Joined the Corporation
June 2013		Senior Vice President, Corporate Executive, the Corporation
June 2019		Executive Vice President, the Corporation
April 2022		Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
April 2023		Executive Deputy President and Chief Strategy Officer, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation (present)

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Hiroaki Kitano
Responsibility as an Officer: Executive Deputy President and Chief Technology Officer, Officer in charge of R&D and AI Collaboration
Date of Birth: March 16, 1961
Number of Years Served as a Corporate Executive Officer: 2 years
Principal Business Activities Outside Sony: None
Brief Personal History:
April 1984		Joined NEC Corporation
August 1993		Joined Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.
June 2002		Director, Deputy Head of Research, Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.
July 2008		Director, Head of Research, Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.
July 2011		President and Chief Executive Officer, Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (present)
June 2016		Corporate Executive, the Corporation
June 2018		Senior Vice President, the Corporation
April 2020		Chief Executive Officer, Sony AI Inc. (currently Sony Research Inc.) (present)
June 2020		Executive Vice President, the Corporation
April 2022		Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
April 2024		Executive Deputy President and Chief Technology Officer, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation (present)


Shiro Kambe
Responsibility as an Officer: Senior Executive Vice President, Officer in charge of Legal, Compliance, Privacy, Sustainability, External Relations, Quality Management and the Board Secretariat
Date of Birth: December 18, 1961
Number of Years Served as a Corporate Executive Officer: 10 years
Principal Business Activities Outside Sony: None
Brief Personal History:
April 1984		Joined the Corporation
June 2010		Senior Vice President, Corporate Executive, the Corporation
June 2014		Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
June 2020		Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation (present)


Kazushi Ambe
Responsibility as an Officer: Senior Executive Vice President, Officer in charge of Human Resources, General Affairs, Lead of Group Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Corporate Executive Office and Sony Group China Representative
Date of Birth: April 23, 1961
Number of Years Served as a Corporate Executive Officer: 8 years
Principal Business Activities Outside Sony: None
Brief Personal History:
April 1984		Joined the Corporation
October 2001		Vice President, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
April 2006		Senior Vice President, Sony Corporation of America
November 2014		Senior Vice President, Corporate Executive, the Corporation
June 2016		Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation
June 2020		Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Executive Officer, the Corporation (present)
June 2024		Outside Director, TOKAI RIKA CO., LTD. (present)

Kenichiro Yoshida, Hiroki Totoki, Toshimoto Mitomo, Hiroaki Kitano, Shiro Kambe and Kazushi Ambe are engaged on a full-time basis by Sony Group Corporation. There is no family relationship between any of the persons named above. There is no arrangement or understanding with major shareholders, customers, suppliers, or others pursuant to which any person named above was selected as a Director or a Corporate Executive Officer.

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B.	Compensation

Under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan and related regulations, the Corporation is required to disclose the total remuneration paid by the Corporation to Directors and Corporate Executive Officers, as well as remuneration of any Director or Corporate Executive Officer who receives total aggregate annual remuneration exceeding 100 million yen from the Sony Group in a fiscal year, on an individual basis. The following table and accompanying footnotes show the information on such matters that the Corporation has disclosed in its annual Securities Report for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 filed on June 25, 2024 with the Director General of the Kanto Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance in Japan.

(1) Total amounts of remuneration for Directors and Corporate Executive Officers and the number thereof


	Fixed remuneration		Remuneration linked to business results		Stock acquisition rights (*6)		Restricted stock (*9)		Phantom Restricted Stock Plan (*10)
	Number of persons	Amount (Yen in millions)	Number of persons	Amount (Yen in millions)	Number of persons	Amount (Yen in millions)	Number of persons	Amount (Yen in millions)	Number of persons	Amount (Yen in millions)
Directors	10	205	—	—	—	—	10	96	—	—
(*2)	(*3)			(*4)		(*7)	(*3)			(*11)
(Outside Directors)	(9)	(198)	(—)	(—)	(—)	(—)	(9)	(64)	(—)	(—)
Corporate Executive Officers	6	613	6	916	8	743	8	1,602	—	—
				(*5)	(*8)		(*8)
Total	16	817	6	916	8	743	18	1,698	—	—

*1 Due to rounding, individual sums may not total 100%.

*2 The number of persons does not include two Directors who concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers, because the Corporation does not pay any additional remuneration for services as a Director to Directors who concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers.

*3 The number of persons includes two Directors who resigned on the day of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 20, 2023.

*4 The Corporation does not pay remuneration linked to business results to Directors who do not concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers.

*5 This is the amount of remuneration linked to business results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 that was paid in November 2023 and June 2024.

*6 This is the amount of expenses the Corporation recorded during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 applicable to the stock acquisition rights that were granted.

*7 The Corporation does not grant stock acquisition rights to Directors who do not concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers.

*8 The number of persons includes two Corporate Executive Officers who resigned by the end of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

*9 This is the amount of expenses the Corporation recorded during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 applicable to restricted stock.

*10 The Corporation recorded 476 million yen in expenses during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 applicable to the phantom restricted stock plan for a Director who resigned on the day of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 20, 2023 and Corporate Executive Officers.

*11 The Corporation does not pay remuneration under the phantom restricted stock plan to Directors who do not concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers.

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(2) Amounts of remuneration for Directors and Corporate Executive Officers on an individual basis


Name	Position (*1)	Fixed Remuneration (*2) (Yen in millions)	Remuneration linked to business results (2) (3) (Yen in millions)	Phantom restricted stock plan (*2) (Yen in millions)	Total (*2) (Yen in millions)	Granted number of stock acquisition rights (*4) (Ten thousand shares)	`Granted number of restricted stock (*5) (Ten thousand shares)
Kenichiro Yoshida	Director (6), Chairman, CEO, and Representative Corporate Executive Officer (7)	240	353	—	593	17.0	8.5
Hiroki Totoki	Director (6) , President, COO, CFO, and Representative Corporate Executive Officer (7)	140	398	—	538	9.0	4.5
Toshimoto Mitomo	Executive Deputy President, CSO, and Corporate Executive Officer (*7)	62	49	—	111	2.0	1.0
Hiroaki Kitano	Executive Deputy President, CTO, and Corporate Executive Officer	52 (*8)	44 (*8)	—	96 (*8)	2.0	1.0
Shiro Kambe	Senior Executive Vice President, and Corporate Executive Officer (*7)	52	42	—	94	1.5	0.8
Kazushi Ambe	Senior Executive Vice President, and Corporate Executive Officer (*7)	52	41	—	93	1.5	0.8

*1 This chart shows remuneration for Directors and Corporate Executive Officers who received, or who became likely to receive, total remuneration exceeding 100 million yen from the Corporation and its subsidiaries during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Titles are as of the date of submission of this document.

*2 Due to rounding, individual sums may not total 100%.

*3 For the metrics and actual financial results used to determine the amount of remuneration linked to business results, refer to “(5) Corporate Executive Officer remuneration linked to business results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024” below.

*4 The weighted-average fair value per share at the date of grant of stock acquisition rights granted during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was 3,665 yen and was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with several assumptions. Refer to Note 21 of the consolidated financial statements for details. The weighted-average fair value per share does not indicate the actual value that would be realized by a Corporate Executive Officer upon the exercise of the above-mentioned stock acquisition rights. The actual value, if any, that is realized by a Corporate Executive Officer upon the exercise of any stock acquisition rights will depend on the extent to which the market value of the Corporation’s common stock (“Common Stock”) exceeds the exercise price of the stock acquisition rights on the date of exercise, and several other restrictions imposed on the exercise of the stock acquisition rights, including the period when a Corporate Executive Officer could exercise the stock acquisition rights. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the value realized or to be realized by a Corporate Executive Officer upon the exercise of the stock acquisition rights is or will be at or near the weighted-average fair value per share presented above. In addition, the above weighted-average fair value per share was calculated to recognize compensation expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 for accounting purposes and should not be regarded as any indication or prediction of the Sony Group with respect to its future stock performance.

*5 This indicates the total number of shares of restricted stock granted in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 for Corporate Executive Officers. The issue price per share of restricted stock was 13,160 yen.

*6 As noted above, the Corporation does not pay any remuneration for services as a Director to Directors who concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers.

*7 Apart from the remuneration contained in the table, the Corporation also provided certain personal benefits and perquisites, including fringe benefits and in some instances amounts to pay income taxes related to perquisites, totaling 5 million yen to Kenichiro Yoshida, 1 million yen to Hiroki Totoki, 19 million yen to Toshimoto Mitomo, 1 million yen to Shiro Kambe, and 1 million yen to Kazushi Ambe during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

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*8 Remuneration paid to Hiroaki Kitano includes 7 million yen in fixed remuneration and 5 million yen in remuneration linked to business results from Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. and 5 million yen in fixed remuneration and 4 million yen in remuneration linked to business results from Sony Research Inc.

(3) Basic policy regarding Director and Senior Executive remuneration

The basic policy regarding remuneration for respective Directors and Senior Executives including Corporate Executive Officers determined by the Compensation Committee is as follows:

(a) Basic policy regarding Director remuneration

The primary duty of Directors is to supervise the performance of business operations of the Sony Group as a whole. In order to improve this supervisory function over the business operations of the Sony Group, which is a global company, the following two elements have been established as the basic policy for the determination of remuneration of Directors. No Director remuneration is paid to those Directors who concurrently serve as Corporate Executive Officers.

•

Attracting and retaining an adequate talent pool of Directors possessing the requisite abilities to excel in the global marketplace; and

•

Ensuring the effectiveness of the supervisory function of Directors.

Based on the above, Director remuneration shall consist of the following components. The amount of each component and its percentage of total remuneration shall be at an appropriate level determined in accordance with the basic policy above and based on research conducted by a third party regarding remuneration of directors of both Japanese and

non-Japanese

companies.



Type of remuneration		Description

Fixed remuneration		• The amount of fixed remuneration shall be at an appropriate level determined in accordance with the basic policy above and based on research conducted by a third party regarding remuneration of directors of both Japanese and non-Japanese companies.

Stock-based compensation (restricted stock or RSUs)		• Restricted stock or RSUs are granted to further promote shared values between Directors and shareholders and incentivize Directors to develop and maintain a sound and transparent management system. • Any Director to whom restricted stock is granted may not sell or transfer the granted shares during his/her tenure, and in principle, such restriction is to be released when such Director resigns. • In principle, RSUs held by Directors will vest when he/she resigns, and the Common Stock of the Corporation will then be delivered to the Directors upon vesting.

(b) Basic policy regarding Senior Executive remuneration

Senior Executives are key members of management responsible for executing the operations of the Sony Group as a whole, or their respective businesses of the Sony Group. In order to further improve the business results of the Sony Group, the following two elements have been established as the basic policy for the determination of remuneration of Senior Executives.

•

Attracting and retaining an adequate talent pool possessing the requisite abilities to excel in the global marketplace; and

•

Providing effective incentives to improve business results on a short-, medium- and long-term basis.

Based on the above, Senior Executive remuneration shall basically consist of the following components. The amount of each component and its percentage of total remuneration shall be at an appropriate level determined in accordance with the above basic policy and the individual’s level of responsibility and based on research conducted by a third party regarding remuneration of management of both Japanese and

non-Japanese

companies, with an emphasis on linking Senior Executive remuneration to business results and shareholder value.

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Type of remuneration		Description

Fixed remuneration		• The amount of fixed remuneration shall be at an appropriate level determined based on research conducted by a third party regarding remuneration of management of both Japanese and non-Japanese companies, according to his/her responsibility, and in order to maintain competitiveness in recruiting talent.

Remuneration linked to business results		• Structured appropriately and based on appropriate indicators to ensure that such remuneration effectively incentivizes Senior Executives to achieve the mid- to long-term, as well as the corresponding fiscal year’s, corporate targets. • Specifically, the amount to be paid to Senior Executives shall be determined based on the level of achievements of the targets of indicators of (1) and (2) below, and can fluctuate, in principle, within the range from 0% to 200% of the standard payment amount (“Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount”) based on the achievement of the below-mentioned targets. (1) Certain key performance indicators linked to consolidated or individual business results of Sony during the corresponding fiscal year, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS (net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share), which indicators shall be selected based on the areas for which each Senior Executive is responsible. (2) Achievement of the Group Sustainability Evaluation. • The Group Sustainability Evaluation is an evaluation of efforts by Senior Executives to enhance the mid- to long-term corporate value and sustainable growth of the Sony Group as a whole, not limited to their respective businesses and organizations, including management succession planning and investment in human capital, sustainability initiatives related to social value creation and ESG (environment, social and governance), value creation through collaborations among the businesses of the Sony Group, and engagement indicators based on employee surveys. • The Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount shall be determined so that such amount is within a certain percentage of the cash compensation (total of the fixed remuneration and the remuneration linked to business results), which percentage shall be determined in accordance with each individual’s level of responsibility. • The Corporation adopted a clawback policy for the recoupment of compensation. (Please see below Reference: Clawback Policy.)

Stock-based compensation (Stock acquisition rights, and restricted stock or restricted stock units)		• Stock acquisition rights, and restricted stock or RSUs are granted to incentivize Senior Executives to increase mid- to long-term shareholder value. • The exercise of the stock acquisition rights is, in principle, restricted during a one-year period from the allotment date, and one-third of the total number of exercisable stock acquisition rights will vest and be exercisable each year thereafter. (All of the allocated stock acquisition rights will be exercisable on and after three years from the allotment date.) • The Senior Executives to whom restricted stock is granted, in principle, may not sell or transfer the granted stock before the third anniversary date of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the fiscal year when the subject restricted stock was granted.

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Type of remuneration		Description
		• In principle, all RSUs held by the Senior Executives will vest after three years have passed since the date of grant of the RSUs, and the Common Stock of the Corporation will then be delivered to the Senior Executives upon vesting. • As a general policy, remuneration for a Senior Executive who has greater management responsibility and influence over the Sony Group as a whole has a higher proportion of stock-based compensation, which is directly linked to the corporate value. (Please see below Reference: Executive Compensation Package Designed to Focus on Long-Term Management.) • The amount of stock-based compensation shall be determined so that the amount is within a certain percentage of the total cash compensation (total of the fixed remuneration and the remuneration linked to business results) and stock-based compensation.

Phantom restricted stock plan		• Points determined every year by the Compensation Committee shall be granted to Senior Executives every year during his/her tenure, and at the time of resignation, the remuneration amount shall be calculated by multiplying the Common Stock price (closing price) by the individual’s accumulated points.

(Reference: Executive Compensation Package Designed to Focus on Long-Term Management)

The bar chart below shows the components of remuneration for Corporate Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. For this chart, the remuneration linked to business results is based on the Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount for each Corporate Executive Officer. As to the stock-based compensation, the underlying amount is calculated based on the fair value of a stock acquisition right as of the date such stock acquisition right was granted in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 and the issue price of the restricted stock when granted. Accordingly, the components of remuneration based on the amounts actually paid will be different from the chart below.

*Due to rounding, individual sums may not total 100%.

(Reference: Stock-based Compensation)

The Corporation introduced stock acquisition rights, restricted stock and RSUs as forms of stock-based compensation, granted to the Directors and the Senior Executives including Corporate Executive Officers.

The purpose of the stock-based compensation for the outside Directors is to incentivize the outside Directors to develop and maintain a sound and transparent management system by further promoting shared values between the shareholders and the outside Directors. Furthermore, the purpose of the stock-based compensation for the Senior Executives including Corporate Executive Officers is to further reinforce management’s alignment with shareholder value, and to incentivize management to improve

mid-

to long-term performance and increase shareholder value.

The details of such stock-based compensation, including vesting conditions, recipients and number of grants, are determined or supervised by the Compensation Committee based on research conducted by a third

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party regarding stock-based compensation of both Japanese and

non-Japanese

companies. In addition, in determining the number of shares or units to be granted, the impact on dilution of the value of the shares of the Corporation is monitored.

(Reference: Clawback Policy)

The SEC recently adopted rules relating to the mandatory recovery of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation received by certain current or former executive officers, and the NYSE has, in turn, adopted new listing standards in connection with such rules. Accordingly, Sony Group Corporation’s Compensation Committee adopted a clawback policy, with an effective date of October 2, 2023 (the “Clawback Policy”). The Clawback Policy provides for the mandatory recovery of erroneously awarded incentive-based compensation received by each Executive Officer (as defined in the Clawback Policy) during the three-fiscal-year period prior to the date Sony Group Corporation is required to prepare an Accounting Restatement (as defined in the Clawback Policy), in accordance with the above rules and standards. The amount of erroneously awarded incentive compensation that the Executive Officers would be required to repay is the amount of incentive-based compensation paid to the Executive Officer that exceeds the amount the Executive Officer would have received had it been determined based on the restated amounts, computed without regard to any taxes paid. The recovery of such compensation applies regardless of whether an Executive Officer engaged in misconduct or otherwise caused or contributed to the requirement of an accounting restatement. For further details and full text of the Clawback Policy, please refer to Exhibit 97.1 attached to this report.

(4) Procedures to determine remuneration of Directors and Senior Executives

Based on the policy outlined above, the amount and content of the compensation for each Director and Senior Executive, including Corporate Executive Officers, are determined by the Compensation Committee or otherwise under the supervision of the Compensation Committee.

Specifically, in principle, as for Directors, each year at the meeting of the Compensation Committee held after the Ordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders, the amount of basic remuneration and the content of compensation for the corresponding fiscal year are determined. Thereafter, at the meeting of the Compensation Committee held after the corresponding fiscal year end, the final amount of compensation of each Director is determined. As for the Senior Executives, each year at the meeting of the Compensation Committee held at the end of the previous fiscal year, in principle, the amount of basic remuneration and the content of compensation for the corresponding fiscal year are determined or reviewed. Thereafter, at the meeting of the Compensation Committee held after the corresponding fiscal year end, the final amount of compensation for each Senior Executive is determined or supervised.

For determining the amount of the remuneration linked to business results for each Senior Executive, the Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount, the targets for the Financial Performance KPIs based on the areas for which each Senior Executive is responsible and the achievement of the Group Sustainability Evaluation are determined and thereafter, the amount of such remuneration is determined based on the level of achievement of such targets for the Financial Performance KPIs and the individual performance at the meeting of the Compensation Committee held after the corresponding fiscal year end for Corporate Executive Officers or otherwise under supervision by the Compensation Committee for Senior Executives other than Corporate Executive Officers.

The amount of compensation of each Director and Senior Executive including Corporate Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was also determined by the Compensation Committee or otherwise under supervision by the Compensation Committee according to the procedure above. The Compensation Committee concluded that the amount and content of the compensation was in accordance with the policy set forth in section (3) above.

(5) Corporate Executive Officer remuneration linked to business results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024

The Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount for each Corporate Executive Officer for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was determined to be in the range between 60% and 100% of the amount of the fixed remuneration of such Corporate Executive Officer according to his/her responsibility.

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The formula to calculate the amount of the remuneration linked to business results to be paid to Corporate Executive Officers is as follows.

* Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount: Determined to be in the range between 60% and 100% of the amount of the fixed remuneration of each Corporate Executive Officer.

** Payment rate of the remuneration linked to business results: Determined in principle, within the range from 0% to 200% based on the achievement of (i) Financial Performance KPIs based on the areas for which each Corporate Executive Officer is responsible and (ii) the achievement of the Group Sustainability Evaluation.

The Financial Performance KPIs and the weighting of such Financial Performance KPIs used for Corporate Executive Officers in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 were as follows:



KPI	Weight	Target to be achieved for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (Consolidated)	Result for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (Consolidated)

Adjusted EBITDA (*1)	50%	1,750.0 billion yen	1,818.0 billion yen

Adjusted EPS (*2)	50%	669.5 yen	763.52 yen (*3)

Adjusted EBITDA, which was determined as the Group KPI under the fourth

mid-range

plan, was selected as a Financial Performance KPI. Adjusted EPS was also selected in order to incentivize awareness of shareholder value and capital efficiency.

The target for Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was 1,750.0 billion yen, which was the Corporation’s forecast of Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and which was disclosed in April 2023. The target for Adjusted EPS for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was 669.5 yen, which was obtained by dividing the forecast of net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, and which was disclosed in April 2023 (840 billion yen) by the number of diluted shares outstanding at the beginning of such fiscal year. The results for the Financial Performance KPIs for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 were as follows: Adjusted EBITDA: 1,818.0 billion yen (while net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was 970.6 billion), and Adjusted EPS: 763.52 yen, each exceeding the targeted amount. For reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders, refer to “Operating Results” in “Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects.

”

As outlined above under “(3) Basic policy regarding Director and Senior Executive remuneration,” remuneration linked to business results for Senior Executives for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 was determined based on the level of achievement of the indicators which were selected based on the areas of responsibility of the relevant Senior Executive and the achievement of the Group Sustainability Evaluation. The amounts to be paid to the Senior Executives were, in principle, determined within the range from 0% to 200% of the Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount. As a result, the ratio of remuneration linked to business results of Corporate Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 varied from 130.7% to 284.4% of the Business Results Linked Standard Payment Amount.

*1 “Adjusted EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization)” = Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders + Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests + Income taxes + Interest expenses, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense — Gain on revaluation of equity securities, net, recorded in Financial income and Financial expense + Depreciation and amortization expense excluding amortization for film costs, broadcasting rights, as well as for internally developed game content and master recordings included in Content assets — the profit and loss amount that Sony deems

non-recurring.

*2 “EPS (Earning Per Share)” means net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share.

“Adjusted EPS” is calculated by using the value excluding the profit and loss amount that Sony deems

non-recurring

from the value of the net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders.

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*3 Adjusted EPS result for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 is calculated by dividing adjusted net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 by diluted weighted average number of shares during the fiscal year. The following table shows a reconciliation of net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for diluted EPS computation reported in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards to Adjusted EPS for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2024
	(Yen in billions, yen per share amounts)
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for diluted EPS computation*		970.6
Profit and loss amount that Sony deems non-recurring, including adjustments for income taxes and non-controlling interests**		(27.4	)

Adjusted Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for diluted EPS computation		943.2
Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS computation (thousands of shares)*		1,235,331

Adjusted EPS (yen)		763.52

* Refer to Note 26 of the consolidated financial statements.

** This amount is calculated by subtracting the tax effect of 6.0 billion yen from 25.8 billion yen, the total amount of profit and loss that Sony deems

non-recurring,

included in income before income tax, and adding a 7.6 billion yen decrease in tax expense associated with the dissolution of a subsidiary. For further information about the profit and loss amount that Sony deems

non-recurring,

refer to “Operating Results” in “Item 5.

Operating and Financial Review and Prospects

.”

C.	Board Practices

General

Sony Group Corporation continuously strives to strengthen its corporate governance system based on the understanding that corporate governance is an essential basis to promote our management in order to fulfill the company’s corporate social responsibility and increase corporate value over the

mid-

to long-term. To operate Sony effectively, Sony Group Corporation continues to approach its corporate governance through two basic precepts: (a) the Board of Directors (the “Board”), a majority of which is comprised of independent outside Directors, focuses on effective oversight of management’s operation of the business and maintains a sound and transparent governance framework by utilizing the Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee; and (b) the Board determines Sony’s fundamental management policies and other material matters and delegates to the Senior Executives (including Corporate Executive Officers), who assume important roles for the management of Sony, decision-making authority to conduct Sony’s business operations broadly in line with their respective responsibilities, as defined by the Board, with a view to promoting timely and efficient decision-making within Sony. In furtherance of these efforts, Sony Group Corporation has adopted a “Company with Three Committees” corporate governance system under the Companies Act of Japan (

Kaishaho

) and related regulations (collectively the “Companies Act”). Under this system, Sony Group Corporation has introduced its own requirements to help improve and maintain the soundness and transparency of its governance by strengthening the separation of the Directors’ function from that of management; maintaining what the company believes is an appropriate Board size, which enables the members of the Board to actively contribute to discussion; and advancing the proper functioning of the statutory committees.

Sony Group Corporation is governed by the Board, the members of which are elected at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. Under the Companies Act, a “Company with Three Committees” is required to have three committees: a Nominating Committee, an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee, each consisting of Directors appointed by the Board. The Companies Act also requires the Board to appoint Corporate Executive Officers (

Shikko-yaku

), who make decisions regarding the execution of Sony’s business activities within the scope of the authority delegated to them by the Board. Sony Group Corporation has appointed its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), who is responsible for Sony’s overall management, and other officers who are responsible for important and extensive headquarters functions as Corporate Executive Officers. Sony Group Corporation has also appointed Corporate Executive Officers, including the CEO and other executives, that assume important roles for the management of Sony as Senior Executives. In addition, Sony grants titles, such as Senior Executive Vice President, Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President, to management team members in accordance with their respective roles and responsibilities.

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A summary of the governance system adopted by Sony Group Corporation is set forth below. For an explanation of the significant differences between the NYSE’s corporate governance standards and Sony’s corporate governance practices, refer to “Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

.”

Board of Directors

(1) Members: 10 Directors including 8 outside Directors (as of June 25, 2024)



Name		Position

Kenichiro Yoshida		Director

Hiroki Totoki		Director

Yoshihiko Hatanaka		Chair of the Board Outside Director

Wendy Becker		Vice Chair of the Board Outside Director

Sakie Akiyama		Outside Director

Keiko Kishigami		Outside Director

Joseph A. Kraft Jr.		Outside Director

Neil Hunt		Outside Director

William Morrow		Outside Director

Shingo Konomoto		Outside Director

Under the Companies Act, the term of office of Directors expires at the conclusion of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held with respect to the last business year ending within one year after their election.

(2) Purpose/Authority

The primary roles of the Board are to: (a) determine Sony’s fundamental management policies; (b) oversee the management of Sony’s business operations as an entity independent from Sony’s management; (c) appoint and dismiss the statutory committee members; (d) appoint and dismiss Corporate Executive Officers and oversee the status of appointment/dismissal of Senior Executives other than Corporate Executive Officers; and (e) appoint and dismiss Representative Corporate Executive Officers.

For the matters to be decided by the Board and the matters to be reported to the Board, refer to Appendices 1 and 2 of the Charter of the Board of Directors (the “Board Charter”) attached as Exhibit 1.3 hereto.

(3) Policy Regarding Composition of the Board

With a view toward securing effective input and oversight by the Board, the Nominating Committee reviews and selects candidates for the Board with the aim of assuring that a substantial part of the Board is comprised of qualified outside Directors that satisfy the independence requirements established by Sony and by law. The Nominating Committee selects candidates that it views as well-suited to be Directors in light of the Board’s purpose of enhancing Sony’s corporate value. The Nominating Committee broadly considers various relevant factors, including a candidate’s capabilities (such as the candidate’s work and other experience, achievements and expertise), availability, and independence, as well as diversity, including gender and internationality, in the boardroom, the appropriate size of the Board, and the knowledge, experience and talent needed for the role. Under the Board Charter, Sony Group Corporation also requires that the Board consist of not fewer than 8 Directors and not more than 14 Directors. In addition, since 2005 the majority of the members of the Board have been outside Directors.

(4) Qualifications for Directors and Limitation of

Re-election

The qualifications for Directors of Sony Group Corporation under the Board Charter are generally as summarized below. As of the date of this report, all Directors satisfy the qualifications for Directors as set forth

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below, and all outside Directors satisfy the additional qualifications for outside Directors and are also qualified and designated as Independent Directors under the Securities Listing Regulations of the TSE. All Directors must meet the qualifications below:

(a)

He/she shall not be a director, a statutory auditor, a corporate executive officer, a general manager or other employee of any company in competition with Sony in any of Sony’s principal businesses (a “Competing Company”) or own 3% or more of the shares of any Competing Company.

(b)

He/she shall not be or have been a representative partner or partner of Sony’s independent auditor the past three years before being nominated as a Director.

(c)

He/she shall not have any connection with any matter that may cause a material conflict of interest in performing the duties of a Director.

Outside Directors must meet the additional qualifications below:

(a)

He/she shall not have received directly from Sony, during any consecutive twelve-month period within the last three years, more than an amount equivalent to U.S. $120,000, other than Director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service).

(b)

He/she shall not be an executive director, corporate executive officer, general manager or other employee of any company whose aggregate amount of transactions with Sony, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of an amount equivalent to U.S. $1,000,000, or 2% of the annual consolidated sales of such company.

For additional requirements for outside Directors under the Companies Act, refer to “Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

”.

Also, each outside Director may be nominated as a Director candidate for

re-election

up to five times (six years, in total), and thereafter by resolution of the Nominating Committee and by consent of all of the Directors. Even with the consent of all of the Directors, in no event may any outside Director be

re-elected

more than eight times (nine years, in total).

(5) Matters related to Outside Directors

Sony Group Corporation expects that each outside Director plays an important role in ensuring proper business decisions by Sony and effective input and oversight by the Board through actively exchanging opinions and having discussions about Sony’s business based on his or her various and broad experience, knowledge and expertise. Considering these expectations, the policy and procedures on the election of Director candidates, including independent outside Director candidates, are set forth as described above. As of the date of this report, the Board has 10 Directors, eight of whom are outside Directors. The Chair and the Vice Chair of the Board are outside Directors; all members of the Nominating Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Audit Committee are outside Directors.

Pursuant to the Articles of Incorporation, Sony Group Corporation has entered into a liability limitation agreement with all outside Directors. A summary of such liability limitation agreement is as follows:

(i)

In a case where an outside Director is liable to the company after the execution of the liability limitation agreement for damages pursuant to Article 423, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act, such liabilities shall be limited to the greater of either 30 million yen or an amount equal to the aggregate sum of the amounts prescribed in each item of Article 425, Paragraph 1 of the Companies Act, only where the outside Director acted in good faith without any gross negligence in performing his/her duties as a Director of the company.

(ii)

In a case where an outside Director is reelected as an outside Director of the company and reassumes his/her office as such on the expiration of the term of his/her office as an outside Director of the company, the liability limitation agreement shall continue to be effective after the reelection and

re-assumption

without any action or formality.

In addition, Sony Group Corporation has a directors and officers liability insurance policy covering all Directors as insured parties. For an outline of the directors and officers liability insurance policy, refer to “

Outline of the Terms of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Policy

”.

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(6) Policy and Procedure for Selection and Dismissal of Senior Executives

Sony Group Corporation appoints Corporate Executive Officers including the CEO and other officers that assume important roles for the management of Sony as “Senior Executives.”

The Board has the authority to appoint and dismiss and assign the roles and responsibilities of, or to request a report regarding such matters for Senior Executives, including the CEO, and exercises such authority as necessary. In making decisions on the appointment of Corporate Executive Officers, including the CEO, the Board considers whether candidates for CEO meet certain qualifications for the CEO position which are set by the Nominating Committee and whether candidates for other Corporate Executive Officer positions have the necessary skills, capabilities, experiences and achievements that correspond to such Corporate Executive Officers’ expected roles and responsibilities. The Board also receives a report on the status of appointment and dismissal of Senior Executives other than Corporate Executive Officers.

The term of office of Senior Executives, including the CEO, is one year. The Board discusses, determines and/or oversees their

re-appointment

upon the expiration of each term considering the factors described above as well as their latest performance. The Board dismisses a Corporate Executive Officer, as necessary, in the event that the Board recognizes such Corporate Executive Officer is disqualified after discussions amongst the members of the Board or the Nominating Committee, even in the middle of the term for such Corporate Executive Officer.

Nominating Committee

(1)	Members: 3 outside Directors (as of June 25, 2024)



Name		Position

Yoshihiko Hatanaka		Chair of the Nominating Committee (Outside Director)

Wendy Becker		Nominating Committee Member (Outside Director)

Joseph A. Kraft Jr.		Nominating Committee Member (Outside Director)

(2) Purpose/Authority

The primary roles of the Nominating Committee are to: (a) determine the content of proposals regarding the appointment/dismissal of Directors to be submitted for approval at a General Meeting of Shareholders and (b) evaluate management succession plans, which the CEO develops, for the CEO and other executives designated by the Nominating Committee.

The Nominating Committee determines the content of proposals regarding the appointment and dismissal of Directors, considering the policy on composition of the Board, the qualifications for Directors and the limitation of

re-election

of Directors described above.

(3) Policy Regarding Composition of the Nominating Committee

Under the Companies Act, the Nominating Committee shall consist of at least three Directors, the majority of whom shall be outside Directors. In addition, under the Board Charter, the chair is to be selected from among the outside Directors. In determining whether to appoint or remove a member of the Nominating Committee, continuity of the Nominating Committee shall be duly taken into account. As of the date of this report, the Nominating Committee is comprised of three outside Directors.

(4) Management Succession Plans

The Nominating Committee evaluates the succession plans, and the implementation of such plans, for the CEO and other executives designated by the Nominating Committee, and reports the results of its evaluation to the Board, as appropriate.

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Evaluations are conducted by having the CEO periodically submit draft succession plans to the Nominating Committee, which it reviews. As a part of such review, the Nominating Committee considers the development or promotion of the next generation of management and evaluates whether the succession plans have been prepared in a reasonable manner in light of Sony’s purpose to create sustainable social value and to enhance corporate value over the

mid-

to long-term.

Audit Committee

(1) Members: 3 outside Directors (as of June 25, 2024)



Name		Position

Joseph A. Kraft Jr.		Chair of the Audit Committee (Outside Director)

Keiko Kishigami		Audit Committee Member (Outside Director)

Shingo Konomoto		Audit Committee Member (Outside Director)

(2) Purpose/Authority

The primary roles of the Audit Committee are to: (a) monitor the performance of duties by Directors and Corporate Executive Officers and (b) oversee and evaluate the independent auditor.

(3) Policy Regarding Composition of the Audit Committee

Under the Companies Act, the Audit Committee shall consist of at least three Directors, the majority of whom shall be outside Directors. In addition, under the Board Charter, each member of the Audit Committee (“Audit Committee Member”) shall satisfy all of the following qualifications: (a) he/she shall not be a Director engaged in the business operations of Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, a Corporate Executive Officer, an accounting counselor, a general manager or other employee of Sony and (b) he/she shall meet the independence requirements or such other equivalent requirements of the U.S. securities laws and regulations as may from time to time be applicable to Sony Group Corporation. The chair is to be selected from among the outside Directors. The Audit Committee Members shall be selected from among the persons who possess appropriate experience and talent as well as the necessary finance, accounting and legal knowledge to serve on the Audit Committee. In determining whether to appoint or remove the Audit Committee Member, continuity of the Audit Committee shall be duly taken into account.

Moreover, at least one Audit Committee Member shall meet the audit committee financial expert requirements or such other equivalent requirements of the U.S. securities laws and regulations as may from time to time be applicable to Sony Group Corporation. The Board makes a determination on whether or not such Audit Committee Members meet these requirements. As of the date of this report, the Audit Committee is comprised of three outside Directors, one of whom (Keiko Kishigami) is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of Item 16A of Form

20-F

under the Exchange Act, as amended.

(4) Policy on Selection of Independent Auditor Candidates and Independence of the Independent Auditor

With respect to the candidates for independent auditor nominated by the CEO and other Corporate Executive Officers, the Audit Committee evaluates the nomination, prior to making a decision on the candidates. The Audit Committee continues to evaluate the independence, the qualification and the reasonableness as well as the performance of the independent auditor so appointed.

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Compensation Committee

(1) Members: 3 outside Directors (as of June 25, 2024)



Name		Position

Wendy Becker		Chair of the Compensation Committee (Outside Director)

Sakie Akiyama		Compensation Committee Member (Outside Director)

William Morrow		Compensation Committee Member (Outside Director)

(2) Purpose/Authority

The primary roles of the Compensation Committee are to: (a) set policy on the content of individual compensation for Directors, Corporate Executive Officers and other officers and (b) determine the amount and content of individual compensation of Directors and Corporate Executive Officers in accordance with the policy, and oversee the determination regarding the amount and content of individual compensation of Senior Executives other than Corporate Executive Officers.

For the basic policy regarding Director and Corporate Executive Officer compensation, refer to “Compensation” in Item 6.B.

(3) Policy Regarding Composition of the Compensation Committee

Under the Companies Act, the Compensation Committee shall consist of at least three Directors, the majority of whom shall be outside Directors. In addition, under the Board Charter, a Director who is a CEO, a Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) or a Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Sony Group Corporation or who holds any equivalent position shall not be a member of the Compensation Committee. In determining whether to appoint or remove a member of the Compensation Committee, continuity of the Compensation Committee shall be duly taken into account. As of the date of this report, the Compensation Committee is comprised of three outside Directors.

Senior Executives (Corporate Executive Officer, Senior Executive Vice President and Executive Vice President)

(1) Total number of Senior Executives: 14 (including 6 Corporate Executive Officers) (as of June 25, 2024)

(2) Purpose/Authority

The primary roles of Senior Executives are to determine and execute Sony’s business activities in accordance with their roles and responsibilities.

(3) Delegation of Authority from the Board

The Board determines the fundamental management policies and other material matters related to the operation of Sony’s business. The Board assigns the duties of Corporate Executive Officers, including the CEO, by determining the areas over which each Corporate Executive Officer is in charge and by determining the scope of Senior Executives. Then, it delegates its decision-making authority to the CEO with a view to promoting timely and efficient decision-making within Sony. The CEO further subdelegates a part of such authority to other Senior Executives.

Other Officers (Senior Vice President)

(1) Total number of other officers: 9 (as of June 25, 2024)

(2) Purpose/Authority

The primary roles of other officers are to carry out their assignments within designated areas, such as headquarters functions and/or R&D, in accordance with the fundamental policies determined by the Board and Senior Executives.

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Outline of the Terms of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Policy

Sony Group Corporation has, at its expense in respect of insurance premiums, entered into a directors and officers liability insurance policy for all Directors, Corporate Executive Officers, corporate auditors, and persons in equivalent positions (the “Executives”) of itself and its subsidiaries over which Sony Group Corporation has a direct or indirect ownership more than 50%. The outline of the terms of such liability insurance policy is as follows:

(i)

The insurance policy covers compensation for damages, litigation costs (including attorney’s fees) and other costs that may be incurred by the Executives as a result of assuming responsibility for the execution of their duties or receiving claims related to such responsibility.

(ii)

As a measure to ensure the appropriateness of the execution of duties by the Executives, there are certain exemptions, such as in the case of an act committed by the Executives with the knowledge that it constitutes a violation of laws or regulations.

Support for Activities of Directors, the Board and the Committees

Sony Group Corporation engages in various activities to enhance the oversight function of the Board over management’s operation of Sony’s business as follows:

(1) Outside Director Initiatives

The Chair of the Board, who is an outside Director, leads the Board’s activities and secures the appropriate cooperation, communication and arrangement among outside Directors and Senior Executives. As an example of such initiatives, the outside Directors’ meetings have been held, generally on the same day as each Board Meeting, for the purpose of exchanging information and sharing information with respect to recognized issues among outside Directors. The Board also conducted Directors’ corporate strategic workshops with management, business site visits by Directors, and meetings with the Chair of the Board and the CEO. All of these activities were aimed at securing better understanding by outside Directors of Sony’s business and management’s challenges and encouraging corporate strategic discussions among Directors. In September 2023, the Directors visited the office of SPE, a game development studio of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC and the Digital Media Production Center (a video production studio for professionals), all located in the greater Los Angeles area, California, United States, where they observed places where creative activities take place and had discussions with the top management of the Pictures business. At a workshop held over two days in December 2023, through direct dialogue with the management team of Sony Group Corporation including the CEOs of each business segment, the Directors exchanged opinions about the content to be incorporated into the fifth

mid-range

plan, including the business environment and challenges surrounding each business, as well as strategies to address them. At the workshop, Directors also intensively discussed Sony Group’s

mid-

to long-term strategies and challenges, including the development of new businesses.

(2) Secretariat Offices for the Board and each Committee

The company has established the secretariat offices of the Board and each Committee to support the activities of the members and encourage constructive and proactive discussion at the meetings of the Board and each Committee. Each secretariat office endeavors to distribute necessary materials for the meetings in advance and to provide other information such as accounting information, organizational charts, press releases, external analyst reports and credit rating reports, as appropriate. Each secretariat office explains the meeting agenda to the members and provides them with presentation materials in advance of each meeting date and facilitates deliberation in separate meetings or briefing sessions depending on the nature of matters to be discussed. Each secretariat office also provides the absent members with a follow up briefing, as appropriate. In addition, under supervision by the Chairs of the Board and each Committee, each secretariat office shares the annual schedule of the meetings and anticipated agenda items in advance with the members in order to appropriately set the frequency of meetings and the number of agenda items to be deliberated at each meeting.

(3) Provision of Necessary Information

When the company is requested to provide additional information, each secretariat office endeavors to provide the members such information promptly. Also, each secretariat office verifies appropriately whether requested information is provided smoothly. In the event that the members consult with external specialists, participate in various seminars and so on to perform their duties, the costs and expenses in connection with such activities are borne by the company in accordance with applicable internal rules.

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(4) Audit Committee Aide

With the approval of the Board and with the Audit Committee’s consent, the company has established the Audit Committee Aide to support the activities of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee Aide does not concurrently hold positions related to the business operations of Sony and, upon instruction by each Audit Committee member, conducts investigations into and analyzes auditing matters and engages in physical inspections or visiting audits either by him/herself or by cooperating with relevant departments in order to support the Audit Committee.

(5) Policy on Director Training

Newly appointed Directors receive briefings by Senior Executives and outside experts regarding their expected roles and responsibilities, including their legal duties as a Director or as a member of the Committees, as well as briefings about the business, financial status, organization and governance structure of Sony. Also, throughout their tenure, each Director receives compliance-related training in accordance with internal protocols and briefings on matters relevant to each Director’s fulfillment of his/her roles and responsibilities including the current status of Sony’s business.

Evaluation of the Board and the Committees’ Effectiveness

(1) Policy for Evaluation

Sony Group Corporation believes that it is important to endeavor to improve the effectiveness of the Board and each Committee in order to support Sony’s business operations and enhance the corporate value of Sony. To achieve this goal, Sony Group Corporation conducts evaluations of the effectiveness of the Board and of each Committee (the “Evaluation”) annually.

(2) Recent Evaluation

From February through May 2024, under the leadership of the Chair of the Board, the Board conducted the Evaluation mainly in respect of Board and Committee activities in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 after confirming that actions proposed in response to the results of the previous Evaluation were appropriately taken. The recent Evaluation was conducted with the support of a third-party outside counsel with expertise in Japanese and global corporate governance practices (the “Outside Counsel”) in order to ensure transparency and objectivity and to obtain professional advice.

(3) Procedure of the Recent Evaluation

First, the Board confirmed that the actions proposed to be taken in response to the results of the previous Evaluation were taken, and it discussed and confirmed the proposed procedures for the Evaluation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Thereafter, the third-party evaluation was conducted by the Outside Counsel in accordance with the following steps:

•

Reviewed relevant material, such as the minutes of Board meetings, and attended a Board meeting;

•

Confirmed with the Board secretariat office and each Committee’s secretariat office how meetings of the Board and Committees were conducted;

•

Gathered responses to a questionnaire from each Director about the current status and practices of the Board and each Committee, such as the composition of the Board, operation of the Board, commitments of each Director, activities of each Committee and procedures of the previous Evaluation;

•

Interviewed the Chairs of the Board and each Committee, newly appointed Directors, and some of the Corporate Executive Officers; and

•

Researched other companies’ practices in Japan and the United States, and compared them with the company’s practices.

The Board then received, reviewed and discussed the Outside Counsel’s report on the results of its evaluation. The Board confirmed the effectiveness of the Board and the Committees.

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(4) Summary of the Results of the Recent Evaluation

Based on the following findings, the Outside Counsel reported that, as assessed in the previous Evaluation, the Board is established and operated in a manner sufficient to be highly evaluated:

•

The results of the questionnaire and interviews show that all Directors rate the effectiveness of the Board, including each Committee, highly.

•

The addition of newly appointed Directors further diversifies the composition of the Board in terms of nationality/location and expertise.

•

The changeover of the Chair of the Board went smoothly, and the other Directors speak highly of the new Chair’s operation of the Board.

•

Initiatives to improve effectiveness of the Board continue to be implemented.

•

In terms of the Board’s composition, operation, and various other aspects, the Board is notably advanced among those of other Japanese companies and can be evaluated favorably in many respects when compared to the boards of listed U.S. companies.

Following discussions and analysis based on the Outside Counsel’s report, the Board

re-affirmed

that the Board and each Committee were functioning effectively as of May 2024.

The Outside Counsel also suggested several ideas on possible options for the Board and Committees to further improve their own effectiveness.

(5) Actions in Response to the Results of the Evaluation

In order to increase the corporate value of Sony, Sony Group Corporation will take appropriate actions to further enhance functions of the Board and the Committees in response to the results of the Evaluation, as well as various comments and opinions given by Directors and the Outside Counsel during the Evaluation process.

For reference, after the previous Evaluation conducted from February through April 2023, Sony Group Corporation took the following actions, among others, to help improve the effectiveness of the Board:

•

Reviewed the progress and result of the fourth

mid-range

plan and established the fifth

mid-range

plan;

•

Continuously monitored the business portfolio and capital allocation;

•

Continuously supervised risks including geopolitics and cybersecurity; and

•

Continued and deepened discussions about Sony’s strategies regarding new technologies and social changes (including generative AI and sustainability).

Internal Control and Governance Framework

At a Board meeting held on April 26, 2006, the Board reaffirmed the internal control and governance framework in effect as of the date of determination and determined to continue to evaluate and improve such framework going forward, as appropriate. At Board meetings held on May 13, 2009 and April 30, 2015, the Board amended and updated the internal control and governance framework, and at a Board meeting held on May 14, 2024, the Board reaffirmed that such framework was in effect and determined to continue to evaluate and improve such framework going forward, as appropriate. These determinations were required by and met the requirements of the Companies Act.

A summary of the principal framework of the internal control and governance framework based on the Board determination above is as follows:

(1) Disclosure Control Framework

The securities of Sony Group Corporation are listed for trading on exchanges in Japan and the U.S. As a result, Sony is obligated to make various disclosures to the public in accordance with applicable securities laws, regulations and rules in those countries and listing standards of the stock exchanges on which Sony Group Corporation’s shares are listed. Sony is committed to full compliance with all requirements applicable to its public disclosures. Sony Group Corporation’s policy on investor relations activities is to aim to disclose accurate

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information in a timely and fair manner, as well as to endeavor to promote constructive dialogue with shareholders and investors, with a view to maximizing the corporate value by building a relationship of trust with shareholders and investors. Sony Group Corporation has established disclosure controls and procedures as an approach to implement this policy. All personnel responsible for the preparation of submissions to and filings with the TSE, the SEC and other regulatory entities, or for other public communications made on behalf of Sony, or who provide information as part of that process, have a responsibility to ensure that such disclosures and information are full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable, and in compliance with the established disclosure controls and procedures.

Sony Group Corporation has established “Disclosure Controls and Procedures” outlining the process through which potentially material information is reported from important business units, subsidiaries, affiliated companies and corporate divisions and is reviewed and considered for disclosure in light of its materiality to Sony. As a body to assist the CEO and the CFO of Sony Group Corporation in designing, implementing and evaluating the Disclosure Controls and Procedures, Sony Group Corporation has established the “Disclosure Committee,” which is comprised of members of senior management who are in charge of a part of Sony’s headquarters functions. In order to assure appropriate and timely disclosure, the Disclosure Committee shall evaluate events that are reported from the important business units, subsidiaries, affiliated companies and corporate divisions in accordance with Sony’s internal rules in light of their materiality to Sony. Based on such evaluation, the Disclosure Committee shall review the necessity of disclosure in accordance with applicable securities laws, regulations and rules, as well as the listing standards of the relevant stock exchanges, and report to the CEO and CFO for their determination.

(2) Risk Management Framework

Each business unit, subsidiary/affiliated company and corporate division of Sony periodically reviews and assesses risks and establishes and maintains necessary risk management systems (such as detection, communication, evaluation and response) for the area for which they are responsible. In addition, Senior Executives, including the Corporate Executive Officers, of Sony Group Corporation have established and currently maintain a system to identify and control risks that may cause losses to Sony regarding the areas for which they are responsible. The Corporate Executive Officer in charge of group risk control shall comprehensively promote and manage the establishment and maintenance of the systems as stated above.

Details of Actions Taken by the Board and the Committees

(1) Details of Actions Taken by the Board

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Board convened 7 times. The attendance records of respective Directors are as follows.



Name*2	Meeting Records *1	Attendance Records *1

Kenichiro Yoshida	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Hiroki Totoki	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Yoshihiko Hatanaka	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Toshiko Oka	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Wendy Becker	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Sakie Akiyama	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Keiko Kishigami	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Joseph A. Kraft Jr.	7 Times	7 Times (100%)

Neil Hunt*3	6 Times	6 Times (100%)

William Morrow*3	6 Times	6 Times (100%)

*1 The numbers of the Meeting Records and the Attendance Records are those applicable to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

*2 Toshiko Oka, who was a Director during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, retired as a Director at the conclusion of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on June 25, 2024. Shingo Konomoto was newly appointed as a Director at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on June 25, 2024.

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*3 Because Neil Hunt and William Morrow were newly appointed as Directors at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on June 20, 2023, the numbers of their Meeting Records and Attendance Records differ from those of other outside Directors.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Board of Directors discussed a variety of matters, such as a review of Sony Group’s business performance on a quarterly basis, Sony’s business portfolio, progress under and review of the results of the fourth

mid-range

plan, formulation of the fifth

mid-range

plan, formation of a business plan for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, strategically important M&A, effectiveness of internal control (including the ethics and compliance program) and risk management (including cybersecurity risks and geopolitical risks), as well as Sony’s initiatives and strategies related to new technologies and social changes (including sustainability and utilization of generative AI).

(2) Details of Actions Taken by the Nominating Committee

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Nominating Committee convened 5 times. The attendance records of respective Directors are as follows.



Name	Meeting Records *1	Attendance Records *1

Yoshihiko Hatanaka	5 Times	5 Times (100%)

Toshiko Oka*2	5 Times	5 Times (100%)

Wendy Becker	5 Times	5 Times (100%)

*1 The numbers of the Meeting Records and the Attendance Records are those applicable to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

*2 Toshiko Oka, who was a member of the Nominating Committee during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, retired both as a Director and a member of the Nominating Committee at the conclusion of the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on June 25, 2024. Accordingly, Joseph A. Kraft Jr. was newly appointed as a member of the Nominating Committee pursuant to the resolution at the Board meeting held on June 25, 2024.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the matters given consideration by the Nominating Committee included policies on selecting outside Director candidates, exploring Director prospects, and CEO succession. In addition, the Nominating Committee assessed succession plans for Senior Executives with key management responsibilities for individual business units and headquarters functions, based on management, including CEO, reports. With respect to the selection of candidates for outside Directors, as a priority item for the current fiscal year, the Nominating Committee confirmed the policy that candidates for outside Directors should be selected from persons who have experience as CEOs of other companies, and the Nominating Committee held discussions based on such policy. As a result, a new outside Director candidate was appointed based on this policy. Regarding the appointment of Senior Executives, the Nominating Committee reviewed and assessed the proposal of promoting Hiroaki Kitano, Corporate Executive Officer, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, who assumed the position of Executive Deputy President and Chief Technology Officer, and succession plans for Senior Executives with key management responsibilities for individual business units.

(3) Details of Actions Taken by the Audit Committee

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Audit Committee convened 6 times. The attendance records of respective Directors are as follows.



Name	Meeting Records *1	Attendance Records *1

Toshiko Oka	6 Times	6 Times (100%)

Keiko Kishigami	6 Times	6 Times (100%)

Joseph A. Kraft Jr.	6 Times	6 Times (100%)

*1 The numbers of the Meeting Records and the Attendance Records are those applicable to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

Specific considerations by the Audit Committee include review of audit plans in

three-way

audits, identification and audit of priority audit items for each fiscal year, review of financial results and disclosure documents related to financial results, review of development and operation of internal control systems, audit of

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financial reports and SOX

404-related

activities, audit of internal audit activities, review of the content and process for determining the compensation of the independent auditors, audit of the appropriateness of audit by the independent auditors and evaluation of the independent auditors. In addition to these, the Audit Committee held interviews with Senior Executives and other officers to receive reports on matters such as the recognition of issues and the status of risk management in the respective areas of responsibility of each business and headquarter function, and engaged in dialogue.

The priority audit items for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 were disclosure of

non-financial

information, risk management, the impact of the adoption of new accounting standard, and subsidiary management. Through audit activities conducted in cooperation with the internal audit division and the divisions of the Sony Group responsible for internal control, the following audit activities were conducted.

Disclosure of

non-financial

information

The Audit Committee received the reports regarding the latest updates in Japan and other countries regarding the disclosure and assurance of

non-financial

information, such as climate change, from the internal control department and reviewed the status of Sony’s response to these regulations. The Audit Committee also discussed with the independent auditors relevant disclosure and assurance standard trends.

ii)

Risk management

In addition to confirming during the above-mentioned interviews with Senior Executives and other officers regarding Sony’s overall risk management, including Sony’s internal structure and challenges related to information security, the Audit Committee received the reports from the internal control department and discussed ways to enhance continuous responsiveness.

iii)

Impact of the adoption of new accounting standard

The Audit Committee received the reports regarding the impact of the application of IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” on the financial statements from the internal control department and the independent auditor and reviewed the content of the financial statements.

iv)

Subsidiary management

The Audit Committee received the reports regarding the audit activities of certain subsidiaries from the heads of the internal audit department of each business segment and engaged in discussions. Additionally, the Committee received the reports from the independent auditor regarding its audit plan, progress, and the results of Sony’s consolidated subsidiaries.

(4) Details of Actions Taken by the Compensation Committee

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Compensation Committee convened 5 times. The attendance records of respective Directors are as follows.



Name	Meeting Records *1	Attendance Records *1

Wendy Becker	5 Times	5 Times (100%)

Yoshihiko Hatanaka *2	1 Time	1 Time (100%)

Sakie Akiyama	5 Times	5 Times (100%)

William Morrow *2	4 Times	4 Times (100%)

*1 The numbers of the Meeting Records and the Attendance Records are those applicable to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

*2 Yoshihiko Hatanaka, who was a member of the Compensation Committee during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, retired as a member of the Compensation Committee on June 20, 2023. Accordingly, William Morrow was newly appointed as a member of the Compensation Committee pursuant to the resolution at the Board meeting held on June 20, 2023. As a result, the numbers of their Meeting Records and Attendance Records differ from those of other members of the Compensation Committee.

The specific matters given consideration by the Compensation Committee included the Corporation’s policy regarding the determination of individual remuneration for Directors and Senior Executives, including Corporate

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Executive Officers, for each fiscal year, and the amount and content of such remuneration. The Committee also considered the total number of stock acquisition rights to be issued for the purpose of granting stock options to Corporate Executive Officers and employees of the Corporation and directors, other officers and employees of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, and other stock-based compensation utilizing shares of the Corporation’s stock such as restricted stock and restricted stock units. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Compensation Committee introduced the achievement of the Group Sustainability Evaluation as an evaluation metric for remuneration linked to business results to encourage executives’ efforts to enhance the

mid-

to long-term corporate value of the Sony Group, and introduced a clawback policy to strengthen the governance of compensation. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 and beyond, the Committee conducted a comprehensive review of and discussion on its policy regarding future use of stock-based compensation with consideration of other companies’ trends in Japan and other countries.

Employees

As of March 31, 2024, Sony had approximately 113,000 employees, essentially unchanged from March 31, 2023. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, although there was a decrease of employees mainly at manufacturing sites in China in the I&SS segment, there was an increase of employees primarily in the Pictures segment (outside of Japan). Approximately 8% of the total number of employees were members of labor unions.

As of March 31, 2023, Sony had approximately 113,000 employees, an increase of approximately 4,100 employees from March 31, 2022. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, although there was a decrease of employees mainly in the ET&S segment (outside of Japan) due to closure of manufacturing sites in Malaysia, employees in the G&NS, I&SS, and Pictures (outside of Japan) segments increased due to the expansion of these businesses, including through mergers and acquisitions. Approximately 9% of the total number of employees were members of labor unions.

As of March 31, 2022, Sony had approximately 108,900 employees, a decrease of approximately 800 employees from March 31, 2021. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, although there was an increase of employees mainly in the I&SS, Music (outside of Japan) and G&NS (outside of Japan) segments, there was a decrease of employees in the ET&S segment (outside of Japan) and All Other (outside of Japan). In the ET&S segment, this was mainly due to the closure of manufacturing sites in Malaysia. Approximately 9% of the total number of employees were members of labor unions.

The following table shows the number of employees of Sony by segment and region as of March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Number of Employees by Segment and Region


	March 31
	2022		2023		2024
By segment:
G&NS		10,200		12,700		12,700
Music		10,800		11,100		11,300
Pictures		8,100		9,100		9,500
ET&S		40,200		38,400		38,700
I&SS		18,100		20,300		19,700
Financial Services		13,200		13,500		13,600
All Other		2,300		2,100		1,900
Unallocated — Corporate employees		6,000		5,800		5,600
By region:
Japan		55,100		56,400		57,200
Outside of Japan		53,800		56,600		55,800

Total		108,900		113,000		113,000

In addition, the average number of employees for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, calculated by averaging the total number of employees at the end of each quarter, was approximately 109,600, 112,300 and 113,900, respectively.

Sony generally considers its labor relations to be good.

In Japan, Sony Group Corporation and several subsidiaries have labor unions.

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In the G&NS, ET&S and I&SS segments, Sony owns many manufacturing sites, particularly in Asia, where a few sites have labor unions that have union contracts. In China, most employees are members of labor unions. Sony has generally maintained good relationships with these labor unions. In Europe, Sony also maintains good labor relations with the European Works Council and the local Unions and Works Councils.

In the Music segment, Sony has a labor union and generally considers its labor relations to be good.

In the Pictures segment, Sony also generally considers its labor relations to be good. A number of Pictures’ subsidiaries are signatories to union contracts. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, negotiations were completed with the Directors Guild of America for new three-year deals on the Basic Agreement and the Film Live Tape Television Agreement. Negotiations were also successfully concluded with WGA for an agreement with a new three-year term and with

SAG-AFTRA

for new three-year terms for the Codified Basic, Television, Basic Cable, and Television Basic Cable Animation agreements. In addition, an agreement was reached with the American Federation of Musicians for new three-year terms for the Theatrical and Television Agreements. Negotiations were also completed with the Union of British Columbia Performers and the Motion Picture Studio Technicians, Local 873 (Toronto, Canada) for a new three-year agreement. Negotiations have commenced with the International Alliance of Theatrical and Stage Employees (“IATSE”) for the Basic Agreement, the Videotape and Electronic Supplement Agreement, its Local Agreements in Los Angeles, and its Area Standards Agreement. Negotiations are being scheduled with the Teamsters for the agreement covering drivers in Los Angeles, which will expire on July 31, 2024, and with IATSE Local 839 for the agreement covering animators.

Sony continuously strives to provide competitive wages and benefits and good working conditions for all of its employees.

E.	Share Ownership

The total number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Directors and Corporate Executive Officers listed in “Directors and Senior Management” above (out of whom 13 people own shares) was approximately 0.054% of the total shares outstanding as of June 7, 2024.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony Group Corporation granted stock acquisition rights, which represent rights to subscribe for shares of Common Stock, to Corporate Executive Officers and employees of Sony Group Corporation as well as directors, officers and employees of its subsidiaries. The stock acquisition rights cannot be exercised for one year from the date of grant and generally vest ratably up to three years from the date of grant and are generally exercisable up to ten years from the date of grant. The following table shows the portion of those stock acquisition rights which were granted by Sony Group Corporation to Directors and Corporate Executive Officers as of June 7, 2024 and which were outstanding as of the same date.


Year granted (Fiscal year ended March 31)	Total number of shares subject to stock acquisition rights		Exercise price per share
	(in thousands)
2024		330		12,942 yen
2023		290		11,390 yen
2022		280		14,350 yen
2021		260		9,237 yen
2020		235		6,705 yen
2019		208		6,440 yen
2018		30		5,231 yen
2017		46		3,364 yen
2016		0		3,404 yen
2015		16		2,410.5 yen

Regarding the above compensation plans, refer to Note 21 of the consolidated financial statements.

F.	Disclosure of a Registrant’s Action to Recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation

Not applicable

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Item 7.

Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions

A.	Major Shareholders

As of March 31, 2024, there were 1,261,231,889 shares of Common Stock outstanding, including 39,783,303 shares of treasury stock. Out of the total outstanding shares, 108,397,166 shares were in the form of American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and 223,264,868 shares were held of record in the form of Common Stock by residents in the U.S. As of March 31, 2024, the number of registered ADR holders was 4,497 and the number of registered holders of Common Stock in the U.S. was 371.

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan requires any person who solely or jointly owns more than 5% of total issued voting shares of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange to file with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau (the “Bureau”) a Bulk Shareholding Report. The following table summarizes the Bulk Shareholding Reports related to Sony (each a “Report”) submitted to the Bureau, where it is reported that ownership percentage by the reported entity exceeds 5% in the most recent updated Report. The Reports do not specify whether reported ownership is direct or beneficial.


Date of Report*	Reported entities	Reported number of direct or indirect owned and deemed owned shares**		Reported percentage of direct or indirect owned and deemed owned shares**
October 6, 2020	Nomura Asset Management Co., Ltd. and 3 Joint Holders		63,156,882		5.01
June 6, 2022	Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management Co., Ltd. and 1 Joint Holder		82,189,224		6.52
May 18, 2023	BlackRock Japan Co., Ltd. and 9 Joint Holders		93,769,348		7.43

* The table above contains information from the most recent updated Reports.

** Shares issuable or transferable upon exchange of exchangeable securities, conversion of convertible securities or exercise of warrants or stock acquisition rights (including those incorporated in bonds with stock acquisition rights) are taken into account in determining both the size of the reported entity’s holding and Sony’s total issued share capital.

To the knowledge of Sony Group Corporation, it is not directly or indirectly owned or controlled by any other corporation, by any foreign government or by any other natural or legal person either severally or jointly. As far as is known to Sony Group Corporation, there are no arrangements the operation of which may, at a subsequent date, result in a change in control of Sony Group Corporation.

To the knowledge of Sony Group Corporation, there were no significant changes in the percentage ownership held by any other major beneficial shareholders during the past three fiscal years. Major shareholders of Sony Group Corporation do not have different voting rights from other shareholders.

B.	Related Party Transactions

In the ordinary course of business, Sony purchases materials, supplies, and services from numerous suppliers throughout the world, including firms with which certain members of the Board of Directors are affiliated.

Refer to Note 32 of the consolidated financial statements for account balances and transactions with associates and joint ventures accounted for under the equity method.

C.	Interests of Experts and Counsel

Not Applicable

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Item 8.

Financial Information

A.	Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information

Refer to the consolidated financial statements and the notes of the consolidated financial statements.

Legal Proceedings

Sony Group Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries are defendants or otherwise involved in pending legal and regulatory proceedings. However, based upon the information currently available, Sony believes that the outcome from such legal and regulatory proceedings would not have a material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

Dividend Policy

Sony believes that continuously increasing corporate value and providing dividends are essential to rewarding shareholders. It is Sony’s policy to utilize retained earnings, after ensuring the perpetuation of stable dividends, to carry out various investments that contribute to an increase in corporate value, such as those that ensure future growth and strengthen competitiveness. Going forward, Sony will determine the amount of dividends based on an overall consideration of Sony’s consolidated operating results, financial condition and future business expectations.

A fiscal

year-end

dividend of 45 yen per share of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation was approved at the Board of Directors meeting held on May 14, 2024 and the payment of such dividend started on June 10, 2024. Sony Group Corporation has already paid an interim dividend for Common Stock of 40 yen per share to each shareholder; accordingly, the total annual dividend per share of Common Stock for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 is 85 yen.

B.	Significant Changes

Not applicable

Item 9.

The Offer and Listing

A.	Offer and Listing Details

Trading Markets

The principal trading markets for Sony Group Corporation’s ordinary shares are the TSE in the form of Common Stock and the NYSE in the form of ADSs evidenced by ADRs. Each ADS represents one share of Common Stock.

Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock, with no par value per share, has been listed on the TSE since 1958 under the stock code “6758.”

Sony Group Corporation’s ADRs have been traded in the U.S. since 1961 and have been listed on the NYSE since 1970. As of April 1, 2021, the ticker symbol changed from “SNE” to “SONY.” Sony Group Corporation’s ADRs are issued and exchanged by Citibank, N.A., as the Depositary.

B.	Plan of Distribution

Not Applicable

Markets

Refer to "Offer and Listing Details" in Item 9.A.

D.	Selling Shareholders

Not Applicable

Dilution

Not Applicable

F.	Expenses of the Issue

Not Applicable

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Item 10.

Additional Information

A.	Share Capital

Sony Group Corporation decided at the Board of Directors meeting held on May 14, 2024 to conduct a stock split, scheduled to be effective on October 1, 2024 with a record date of September 30, 2024. Each share of Sony Group Corporation’s common stock will be split into five (5) shares per share. Sony Group Corporation plans to conduct the stock split and lower the amount per an investment unit for the purpose of making it easier for investors to invest and expanding the investor base.

Sony Group Corporation plans to amend its Articles of Incorporation to increase the total number of shares authorized to be issued by Sony Group Corporation from 3.6 billion to 18.0 billion, in accordance with Article 184, Paragraph 2 of the Companies Act of Japan, effective on October 1, 2024, which is the effective date of the stock split.

B.	Memorandum and Articles of Association

Organization

Sony Group Corporation is a joint stock corporation

(Kabushiki Kaisha)

incorporated in Japan under the Companies Act

(Kaishaho)

of Japan. It is registered in the Commercial Register

(Shogyo Tokibo)

maintained by the Minato Branch Office of the Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau.

Objects and purposes

The Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation provide that its purpose is to engage in the following business activities:

(i)

manufacture and sale of electronic and electrical machines and equipment, medical instruments, optical instruments and other equipment, machines and instruments;

(ii)

planning, production and sale of audio-visual software and computer software programs;

(iii)

manufacture and sale of metal industrial products, chemical industrial products and ceramic industrial products, textile products, paper products and wood-crafted articles, daily necessities, foodstuffs and toys, transportation machines and equipment, and petroleum and coal products;

(iv)

real estate activities, construction business, transportation business and warehousing business;

(v)

publishing business and printing business;

(vi)

advertising agency business, insurance agency business, broadcasting enterprise, recreation business such as travel, management of sporting facilities, etc. and other service enterprises;

(vii)

financial business;

(viii)

Type I and Type II telecommunications business under the Telecommunications Business Law;

(ix)

investing in stocks and bonds, etc.;

(x)

manufacture, sale, export and import of products which are incidental to or related to those mentioned above;

(xi)

rendering of services related to those mentioned above;

(xii)

investment in businesses mentioned above operated by other companies or persons; and

(xiii)

all businesses which are incidental to or related to those mentioned above.

Directors

Under the Companies Act, because Sony Group Corporation has adopted the “Company with Three Committees” system, Directors have no power to execute the business of Sony Group Corporation except in limited circumstances as permitted by law. If a Director also serves concurrently as a Corporate Executive Officer, then he or she can execute the business of Sony Group Corporation in the capacity of Corporate Executive Officer. Under the Companies Act, Directors must refrain from engaging in any business competing

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with Sony Group Corporation unless approved by the Board of Directors, and any Director who has a material interest in the subject matter of a resolution to be taken by the Board of Directors cannot vote on such resolution. The amount of remuneration to each Director is determined by the Compensation Committee, which consists of Directors, the majority of whom are outside Directors (Refer to “Board Practices” in “Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

”). No member of the Compensation Committee may vote on a resolution with respect to his or her own compensation as a Director or a Corporate Executive Officer.

Neither the Companies Act nor Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation make a special provision as to the borrowing powers exercisable by Directors (subject to requisite internal authorizations as required by the Companies Act), their retirement age, or a requirement to hold any shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation.

For more information on Directors, refer to “Board Practices” in “Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees.

”

Capital stock

(General)

Unless indicated otherwise, set forth below is information relating to Sony Group Corporation’s capital stock, including brief summaries of the relevant provisions of Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Share Handling Regulations, currently in effect, and of the Companies Act and related regulations.

The central book-entry transfer system for shares of Japanese listed companies under the Act Concerning Book-entry Transfer of Corporate Bonds, Shares, etc. (including regulations promulgated thereunder, “Book-entry Transfer Act”) is applied to the shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation. Under this system, shares of all Japanese companies listed on any Japanese stock exchange are dematerialized, and shareholders must have accounts at account management institutions to hold their shares unless such shareholder has an account at Japan Securities Depository Center, Inc. (“JASDEC”). “Account management institutions” are financial instruments traders (i.e., securities companies), banks, trust companies and certain other financial institutions that meet the requirements prescribed by the Book-entry Transfer Act. Transfer of the shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation is effected exclusively through entry in the records maintained by JASDEC and the account management institutions, and title to the shares passes to the transferee at the time when the transfer of the shares is recorded at the transferee’s account at an account management institution. The holder of an account at an account management institution is presumed to be the legal holder of the shares recorded in such account.

Under the Companies Act and the Book-entry Transfer Act, in order to assert shareholders’ rights against Sony Group Corporation, a shareholder of shares must have its name and address registered in Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders. Under the central book-entry transfer system operated by JASDEC, shareholders shall notify the relevant account management institutions of certain information prescribed under the Book-entry Transfer Act or Sony Group Corporation’s Share Handling Regulations, including their names and addresses, and the registration on Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders is updated upon receipt by Sony Group Corporation of necessary information from JASDEC (as described in “

(Record date)

”). On the other hand, in order to assert, against Sony Group Corporation, shareholders’ rights to which shareholders are entitled, regardless of whether such shareholder held shares on the requisite record date, such as minority shareholders’ rights, including the right to propose a matter to be considered at a General Meeting of Shareholders, except for shareholders’ rights to request that Sony Group Corporation purchase or sell shares constituting less than a full unit (as described in “

(Unit share system)

”), JASDEC shall, upon the shareholder’s request, issue a notice of certain information, including the name and address of such shareholder, to Sony Group Corporation.

Thereafter, such shareholder shall provide Sony Group Corporation with written notice that he or she exercises such shareholder’s right in accordance with the Sony Group Corporation’s Share Handling Regulations. Under the Book-entry Transfer Act, the shareholder shall exercise such shareholders’ right within four weeks after the notice above has been given to Sony Group Corporation.

Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation is the transfer agent for Sony Group Corporation’s capital stock. As such, it keeps Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders in its office at

4-5,

Marunouchi

1-chome,

Chiyoda-ku,

Tokyo.

Non-resident

shareholders are required to appoint a standing proxy in Japan or file notice of a mailing address in Japan. Notices from Sony Group Corporation to

non-resident

shareholders are delivered to such

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standing proxies or mailing address. Japanese securities companies and commercial banks customarily act as standing proxies and provide related services for standard fees. The recorded holder of deposited shares underlying the ADSs is the depositary for the ADSs. Accordingly, holders of ADSs will not be able to directly assert shareholders’ rights against Sony Group Corporation.

(Authorized capital)

Under the Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation, Sony Group Corporation may only issue shares of Common Stock. Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation provide that the total number of shares authorized to be issued by Sony Group Corporation is 3.6 billion shares.

All shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation have no par value. All issued shares are fully-paid and

non-assessable.

(Distribution of Surplus)

Distribution of Surplus — General

Under the Companies Act, distributions of cash or other assets by joint stock corporations to their shareholders, so called “dividends,” are referred to as “distributions of Surplus” (“Surplus” is defined in “— Restriction on distribution of Surplus”). Sony Group Corporation may make distributions of Surplus to shareholders any number of times per business year, subject to certain limitations described in “— Restriction on distribution of Surplus.” Distributions of Surplus are required in principle to be authorized by a resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders, but Sony Group Corporation may authorize distributions of Surplus by a resolution of the Board of Directors as long as its

non-consolidated

annual financial statements and certain documents for the last business year present fairly its assets and profit or loss, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

Distributions of Surplus may be made in cash or in kind in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by each shareholder. A resolution of the Board of Directors or a General Meeting of Shareholders authorizing a distribution of Surplus must specify the kind and aggregate book value of the assets to be distributed, the manner of allocation of such assets to shareholders, and the effective date of the distribution. If a distribution of Surplus is to be made in kind, Sony Group Corporation may, pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or (as the case may be) a General Meeting of Shareholders, grant a right to the shareholders to require Sony Group Corporation to make such distribution in cash instead of in kind. If no such right is granted to shareholders, the relevant distribution of Surplus must be approved by a special resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders, subject to certain exceptions under special laws and regulations (refer to “

(Voting rights)

” with respect to a “special resolution”).

Under the Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation,

year-end

dividends and interim dividends may be distributed in cash to shareholders appearing in Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders as of March 31 and September 30 each year, respectively, in proportion to the number of shares of Common Stock held by each shareholder following approval by the Board of Directors or (as the case may be) the General Meeting of Shareholders. Sony Group Corporation is not obliged to pay any dividends in cash unclaimed for a period of five years after the date on which they first became payable.

In Japan, the

ex-dividend

date and the record date for dividends precede the date of determination of the amount of the dividends to be paid. The price of the shares of Common Stock generally goes

ex-dividend

on the business day immediately prior to the record date (or if the record date is not a business day, the second business day prior thereto).

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Distribution of Surplus — Restriction on distribution of Surplus

In making a distribution of Surplus, Sony Group Corporation must, until the sum of its additional

paid-in

capital and legal reserve reaches one quarter of its stated capital, set aside in its additional

paid-in

capital and/or legal reserve an amount equal to

one-tenth

of the amount of Surplus so distributed.

The amount of Surplus at any given time must be calculated in accordance with the following formula:

A + B + C + D – (E + F + G)

In the above formula:


“A” =				the total amount of other capital surplus and other retained earnings, each such amount being that appearing on the non-consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last business year

“B” =				(if Sony Group Corporation has disposed of its treasury stock after the end of the last business year) the amount of the consideration for such treasury stock received by Sony Group Corporation less the book value thereof

“C” =				(if Sony Group Corporation has reduced its stated capital after the end of the last business year) the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to additional paid-in capital or legal reserve (if any)

“D” =				(if Sony Group Corporation has reduced its additional paid-in capital or legal reserve after the end of the last business year) the amount of such reduction less the portion thereof that has been transferred to stated capital (if any)

“E” =				(if Sony Group Corporation has cancelled its treasury stock after the end of the last business year) the book value of such treasury stock

“F” =				(if Sony Group Corporation has distributed Surplus to its shareholders after the end of the last business year) the total book value of the Surplus so distributed

“G” =				certain other amounts set forth in ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, including (if Sony Group Corporation has reduced Surplus and increased its stated capital, additional paid-in capital or legal reserve after the end of the last business year) the amount of such reduction and (if Sony Group Corporation has distributed Surplus to the shareholders after the end of the last business year) the amount set aside in additional paid-in capital or legal reserve (if any) as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice

The aggregate book value of Surplus distributed by Sony Group Corporation may not exceed a prescribed distributable amount (the “Distributable Amount”), as calculated on the effective date of such distribution. The Distributable Amount at any given time shall be equal to the amount of Surplus less the aggregate of the following:

(a)

the book value of its treasury stock;

(b)

the amount of consideration for any of treasury stock disposed of by Sony Group Corporation after the end of the last business year; and

(c)

certain other amounts set forth in ordinances of the Ministry of Justice, including (if the sum of

one-half

of goodwill and the deferred assets exceeds the total of stated capital, additional

paid-in

capital and legal reserve, each such amount being that appearing on the

non-consolidated

balance sheet as of the end of the last business year) all or certain part of such exceeding amount as calculated in accordance with ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

As Sony Group Corporation has become a company with respect to which consolidated balance sheets should also be considered in the calculation of the Distributable Amount (

renketsu haito kisei tekiyo kaisha

), Sony Group Corporation must further deduct from the amount of Surplus the excess amount, if any, of (x) the total amount of stockholders’ equity appearing on the

non-consolidated

balance sheet as of the end of the last business year and certain other amounts set forth by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice over (y) the total amount of stockholders’ equity and certain other amounts set forth by an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice appearing on the consolidated balance sheet as of the end of the last business year.

If Sony Group Corporation has prepared interim financial statements as described below, and if such interim financial statements have been approved by the Board of Directors or (if so required by the Companies Act) by a General Meeting of Shareholders, then the Distributable Amount must be adjusted to take into account the

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amount of profit or loss, and the amount of consideration for any of the treasury stock disposed of by Sony Group Corporation, during the period in respect of which such interim financial statements have been prepared. Sony Group Corporation may prepare

non-consolidated

interim financial statements consisting of a balance sheet as of any date subsequent to the end of the last business year and an income statement for the period from the first day of the current business year to the date of such balance sheet. Interim financial statements so prepared by Sony Group Corporation must be audited by the Audit Committee and the independent auditor, as required by the Companies Act and in accordance with the details prescribed by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice.

(Capital and reserves)

Sony Group Corporation may generally reduce its additional

paid-in

capital or legal reserve by resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders and, if so decided by the same resolution, may account for the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as stated capital. On the other hand, Sony Group Corporation may generally reduce its stated capital by a special shareholders’ resolution (as defined in “

(Voting rights)

”) and, if so decided by the same resolution, may account for the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as additional

paid-in

capital. In addition, Sony Group Corporation may reduce its Surplus and increase either (i) stated capital or (ii) additional

paid-in

capital and/or legal reserve by the same amount, in either case by resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders.

(Stock splits)

Sony Group Corporation may at any time split shares in issue into a greater number of shares at the determination of the CEO, and may amend its Articles of Incorporation to increase the number of the authorized shares to be issued to allow such stock split pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors or a determination by a Corporate Executive Officer to whom the authority to make such determination has been delegated by a resolution of the Board of Directors, rather than relying on a special shareholders’ resolution, which is otherwise required for amending the Articles of Incorporation.

When a stock split is to be made, Sony Group Corporation must give public notice of the stock split, specifying the record date thereof, at least two weeks prior to such record date. Under the central book-entry transfer system operated by JASDEC, Sony Group Corporation must also give notice to JASDEC regarding a stock split at least two weeks prior to the relevant effective date of the stock split. On the effective date of the stock split, the numbers of shares recorded in all accounts held by Sony Group Corporation’s shareholders at account managing institutions or JASDEC will be increased in accordance with the applicable ratio.

(Consolidation of shares)

Sony Group Corporation may at any time consolidate issued shares into a smaller number of shares by a special shareholders’ resolution. When a consolidation of shares is to be made, Sony Group Corporation must give public notice or notice to each shareholder at least two weeks prior to the effective date of the consolidation of shares. Under the central book-entry transfer system operated by JASDEC, Sony Group Corporation must also give notice to JASDEC regarding a consolidation of shares at least two weeks prior to the effective date of the consolidation of shares. On the effective date of the consolidation of shares, the numbers of shares recorded in all accounts held by Sony Group Corporation’s shareholders at account managing institutions or JASDEC will be decreased in accordance with the applicable ratio. Sony Group Corporation must disclose the reason for the consolidation of shares at a General Meeting of Shareholders.

(General Meeting of Shareholders)

The Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Sony Group Corporation for each business year is normally held in June of each year in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, Sony Group Corporation may hold an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders whenever necessary by giving notice thereof at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting.

Notice of a shareholders’ meeting setting forth the place, time and purpose thereof must be mailed to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a

non-resident

shareholder, to such shareholder’s resident proxy or mailing address in Japan) at least two weeks prior to the date set for the meeting. Under the Companies Act, such notice may be given to shareholders by electronic means, subject to obtaining the consent of the relevant shareholders. The record date for voting rights at an Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders is March 31 of each year.

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Under the Companies Act and the Articles of Incorporation, Sony Group Corporation shall take measures to electronically provide to its shareholders (“Electronic Provision”) the contents of reference materials for a General Meeting of Shareholders, etc.

Notice of a shareholders meeting must set forth the contents of reference materials for a General Meeting of Shareholders, etc. to be provided by way of Electronic Provision and the URL of the website used for Electronic Provision, in addition to the place, time and purpose of the meeting. The contents of reference materials for a General Meeting of Shareholders, etc. must be posted on the website from the earlier of the date three weeks prior to the date set for the meeting or the date on which the notice of the shareholders meeting is dispatched until the date on which three months have elapsed from the meeting. Any shareholder (other than those shareholders consenting to receipt of notice of shareholders’ meeting by electronic means) is entitled to request printed paper copies of the contents of reference materials for a General Meeting of Shareholders, etc. by the record date for voting rights at the relevant General Meeting of Shareholders.

Any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 3% of the total number of voting rights for a period of six months or more may require the convocation of a General Meeting of Shareholders for a particular purpose. Unless such a shareholders’ meeting is convened promptly or a convocation notice of a meeting that is to be held no later than eight weeks from the day of such request is dispatched, the shareholder requesting the holding of the meeting may, upon obtaining a court’s approval, convene such a shareholders’ meeting.

Any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 300 voting rights or 1% of the total number of voting rights for a period of six months or more may propose a matter to be considered at a General Meeting of Shareholders by submitting a written request to Sony Group Corporation at least eight weeks prior to the date set for such meeting, provided that Sony Group Corporation may limit the number of such matters requested by each shareholder to 10.

If the Articles of Incorporation so provide, any of the minimum voting rights or percentages, time periods and number of voting rights necessary for exercising the minority shareholder rights described above may be decreased or shortened. Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation currently do not include any such provisions.

(Voting rights)

So long as Sony Group Corporation maintains the unit share system, a holder of shares constituting one or more units is entitled to one vote for each such unit of stock (refer to “

(Unit share system)

” below; currently 100 shares constitute one unit), except that no voting rights with respect to shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation are afforded to Sony Group Corporation or any corporate or certain other entities more than

one-quarter

of the total voting rights of which are directly or indirectly held by Sony Group Corporation. If Sony Group Corporation eliminates from its Articles of Incorporation the provisions relating to units of stock, holders of capital stock will have one vote for each share they hold. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation, a resolution can be adopted at a General Meeting of Shareholders by a majority of the number of voting rights of all the shareholders represented at the meeting. The Companies Act and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation provide, however, that the quorum for the election of Directors shall be

one-third

of the total number of voting rights of all the shareholders. Sony Group Corporation’s shareholders are not entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Directors. Shareholders may cast their votes in writing and may also exercise their voting rights through proxies, provided that the proxies are also shareholders holding voting rights. Shareholders may also exercise their voting rights by electronic means pursuant to the method designated by Sony Group Corporation.

The Companies Act and the Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation provide that in order to amend the Articles of Incorporation and in certain other instances, including:

(1)

acquisition of its own shares from a specific party other than its subsidiaries;

(2)

consolidation of shares;

(3)

any offering of new shares or existing shares held by Sony Group Corporation as treasury stock at a “specially favorable” price (or any offering of stock acquisition rights to acquire shares of capital stock, or bonds with stock acquisition rights on “specially favorable” conditions) to any persons other than shareholders;

(4)

the exemption of liability of a Director, Corporate Executive Officer or independent auditor with certain exceptions;

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(5)

a reduction of stated capital with certain exceptions;

(6)

a distribution of

in-kind

dividends which meets certain requirements;

(7)

dissolution, merger, consolidation, or corporate split with certain exceptions;

(8)

the transfer of the whole or a material part of the business;

(9)

the transfer of the whole or a part of the shares or equity interests in a subsidiary which meets certain requirements;

(10)

the taking over of the whole of the business of any other corporation with certain exceptions;

(11)

share exchange or share transfer for the purpose of establishing 100% parent-subsidiary relationships with certain exceptions; or

(12)

partial share exchange for the purpose of establishing parent-subsidiary relationships with certain exceptions,

the quorum shall be

one-third

of the total number of voting rights of all the shareholders, and the approval by at least

two-thirds

of the number of voting rights of all the shareholders represented at the meeting is required (the “special shareholders’ resolutions”).

(Issue of additional shares and

pre-emptive

rights)

Holders of Sony Group Corporation’s shares of capital stock have no

pre-emptive

rights under its Articles of Incorporation. Authorized but unissued shares may be issued, or existing shares held by Sony Group Corporation as treasury stock may be transferred, at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors or the CEO determines, subject to the limitations as to the offering of new shares or transfer of existing shares held by Sony Group Corporation as treasury stock at a “specially favorable” price mentioned under “

(Voting rights)

” above.

In the case of an issuance of shares (including a transfer of existing shares held by Sony Group Corporation as treasury stock) or stock acquisition rights whereby any subscriber will hold more than 50% of the voting rights of all shareholders, generally Sony Group Corporation shall give public notice at least two weeks prior to the payment date for such issuance, and if shareholders who hold

one-tenth

or more of the voting rights of all shareholders dissent from the issuance of shares or stock acquisition rights, the approval by a resolution of a General Meeting of Shareholders is generally required before the payment date pursuant to the Companies Act. In addition, in the case of an issuance of shares (including a transfer of existing shares held by Sony Group Corporation as treasury stock) or stock acquisition rights by way of an allotment to a third party which would dilute the outstanding voting shares by 25% or more or change the controlling shareholder, in addition to a resolution of the Board of Directors or a determination by the CEO, the approval of the shareholders or an affirmative vote from a person independent of the management is generally required pursuant to the rules of the TSE. The Board of Directors or the CEO may, however, determine that shareholders shall be given subscription rights regarding a particular issue of new shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all shareholders as of a record date of which not less than two weeks’ prior public notice is given. Each of the shareholders to whom such rights are given must also be given notice of the expiry thereof at least two weeks prior to the date on which such rights expire.

Subject to certain conditions, Sony Group Corporation may issue stock acquisition rights by a resolution of the Board of Directors or a determination by the CEO. Holders of stock acquisition rights may exercise their rights to acquire a certain number of shares within the exercise period as prescribed in the terms of their stock acquisition rights. Upon exercise of stock acquisition rights, Sony Group Corporation will be obliged to issue the relevant number of new shares or alternatively to transfer the necessary number of treasury stock held by it.

In cases where a particular issue of new shares or stock acquisition rights (i) violates laws and regulations or Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation, or (ii) will be performed in a materially unfair manner, and shareholders may suffer disadvantages therefrom, such shareholders may file an injunction to enjoin such issue with a court.

(Liquidation rights)

In the event of a liquidation of Sony Group Corporation, the assets remaining after payment of all debts, liquidation expenses and taxes will be distributed among the holders of shares of Common Stock in proportion to the respective numbers of shares of Common Stock held.

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(Record date)

March 31 is the record date for Sony Group Corporation’s

year-end

dividends, if declared. So long as Sony Group Corporation maintains the unit share system, shareholders who are registered as the holders of one or more unit of stock in Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders at the end of each March 31 are also entitled to exercise shareholders’ rights at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders with respect to the business year ending on such March 31. September 30 is the record date for interim dividends, if declared. In addition, Sony Group Corporation may set a record date for determining the shareholders entitled to other rights and for other purposes by giving at least two weeks’ prior public notice.

JASDEC is required to promptly give Sony Group Corporation notice of the names and addresses of Sony Group Corporation’s shareholders, the numbers of shares of Common Stock held by them and other relevant information as of such respective record dates.

The price of shares generally goes

ex-dividends

ex-rights

on Japanese stock exchanges on the business day immediately prior to a record date (or if the record date is not a business day, the second business day prior thereto), for the purpose of dividends or rights offerings.

(Acquisition by Sony Group Corporation of its capital stock)

Under the Companies Act and the Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation, Sony Group Corporation may acquire shares of Common Stock (i) from a specific shareholder other than any of its subsidiaries (pursuant to the special shareholders’ resolution), (ii) from any of its subsidiaries (pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors), or (iii) by way of purchase on any Japanese stock exchange on which Sony Group Corporation’s shares of Common Stock are listed or by way of tender offer (pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, as long as its

non-consolidated

annual financial statements and certain documents for the last business year present fairly its assets and profit or loss, as required by ordinances of the Ministry of Justice).

In the case of (i) above, any other shareholder may make a request to Sony Group Corporation that such other shareholder be included as a seller in the proposed purchase, provided that no such right will be available if the purchase price or any other consideration to be received by the relevant specific shareholder will not exceed the last trading price of the shares on the relevant stock exchange on the day immediately preceding the date on which the resolution mentioned in (i) above was adopted (or, if there is no trading in the shares on the stock exchange or if the stock exchange is not open on such day, the price at which the shares are first traded on such stock exchange thereafter).

The total amount of the purchase price of shares of Common Stock may not exceed the Distributable Amount, as described in “(

Distribution of Surplus

) — Distributions of Surplus — Restriction on distribution of Surplus.”

Shares acquired by Sony Group Corporation may be held for any period or may be retired at the determination of the CEO. Sony Group Corporation may also transfer (by public or private sale or otherwise) to any person the treasury stock held by it, at such times and upon such terms as the Board of Directors or the CEO determines, and subject also to other requirements similar to those applicable to the issuance of new shares, as described in “

(Issue of additional shares and

pre-emptive

rights)

” above. Sony Group Corporation may also utilize its treasury stock for the purpose of transfer to any person upon exercise of stock acquisition rights or for the purpose of acquiring another company by way of merger, share exchange, partial share exchange or corporate split through exchange of treasury stock for shares or assets of the acquired company.

(Unit share system)

The Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation provide that 100 shares constitute one “unit” of shares of stock. The Board of Directors or the Corporate Executive Officer to whom the authority to make such a determination has been delegated by a resolution of the Board of Directors is permitted to amend the Articles of Incorporation to reduce the number of shares that constitute a unit or to abolish the unit share system entirely. Under the Companies Act, the number of shares constituting one unit cannot exceed 1,000 shares nor 0.5% of the total number of issued shares.

Under the unit share system, shareholders have one voting right for each unit of stock that they hold. Any number of shares less than one full unit have neither voting rights nor rights related to voting rights. Holders of shares constituting less than one unit will have no other shareholder rights if Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation so provide, except that such holders may not be deprived of certain rights specified in the Companies Act or an ordinance of the Ministry of Justice, including the right to receive distribution of Surplus.

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A holder of shares constituting less than one full unit may require Sony Group Corporation to purchase such shares at their market value in accordance with the provisions of the Share Handling Regulations of Sony Group Corporation. In addition, the Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation provide that a holder of shares constituting less than one full unit may request Sony Group Corporation to sell to such holder such amount of shares which will, when added together with the shares constituting less than one full unit, constitute one full unit of stock. Such request by a holder and the sale by Sony Group Corporation must be made in accordance with the provisions of the Share Handling Regulations of Sony Group Corporation. As prescribed in the Share Handling Regulations, such requests shall be made through an account management institution and JASDEC pursuant to the rules set by JASDEC, without going through the notification procedure required for the exercise of the shareholders’ rights to which shareholders are entitled, regardless of whether such shareholder held shares on the requisite record date, as described in “

(General)

.” Shares constituting less than a full unit are transferable, under the central book-entry transfer system described in “

(General)

.” Under the rules of the Japanese stock exchanges, however, shares constituting less than a full unit do not comprise a trading unit, except in limited circumstances, and accordingly may not be sold on the Japanese stock exchanges.

(Sale by Sony Group Corporation of shares held by shareholders whose location is unknown)

Sony Group Corporation is not required to send a notice to a shareholder if a notice to such shareholder fails to arrive at the registered address of the shareholder in Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to Sony Group Corporation continuously for five years or more.

In addition, Sony Group Corporation may sell or otherwise dispose of shares of capital stock for which the location of the shareholder is unknown. Generally, if (i) notices to a shareholder fail to arrive continuously for five years or more at the shareholder’s registered address in Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to Sony Group Corporation, and (ii) the shareholder fails to receive distributions of Surplus on the shares continuously for five years or more at the address registered in Sony Group Corporation’s register of shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to Sony Group Corporation, Sony Group Corporation may sell or otherwise dispose of such shareholder’s shares at the then market price of the shares by a determination of a Corporate Executive Officer and after giving at least three months’ prior public and individual notice, and hold or deposit the proceeds of such sale or disposal of shares for such shareholder.

Reporting of substantial shareholdings

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan and its related regulations require any person, regardless of residence, who has become, beneficially and solely or jointly, a holder of more than 5% of the total issued shares of capital stock of a company listed on any Japanese stock exchange or whose shares are traded on the

over-the-counter

market in Japan to file with the Director General of the competent Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance within five business days a report concerning such shareholdings. A similar report must also be filed in respect of any subsequent change of 1% or more in any such holding, or any change in material matters set out in reports previously filed, with certain exceptions. For this purpose, shares issuable to such persons upon conversion of convertible securities or exercise of share subscription warrants or stock acquisition rights are taken into account in determining both the number of shares held by such holders and the issuer’s total issued share capital. Any such report shall be filed with the Director General of the relevant Local Finance Bureau of the Ministry of Finance through the Electronic Disclosure for Investors’ Network (EDINET) system.

Ownership restrictions

Except for the general limitation under Japanese anti-trust and anti-monopoly regulations against holding of shares of capital stock of a Japanese corporation which leads or may lead to a restraint of trade or monopoly, except for the limitations under the Foreign Exchange Regulations as described in “Exchange Controls” below, and except for general limitations under the Companies Act or Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation on the rights of shareholders applicable regardless of residence or nationality, there is no limitation under Japanese laws and regulations applicable to Sony Group Corporation or under its Articles of Incorporation on the rights of

non-residents

or foreign shareholders to hold or exercise voting rights on the shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation.

There is no provision in Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or internal regulations that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of Sony Group Corporation and that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving Sony Group Corporation.

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C.	Material Contracts

None

D.	Exchange Controls

Japanese Foreign Exchange Controls Regulations

The following is a general summary of major Japanese foreign exchange controls regulations applicable to holders of shares of capital stock or voting rights of Sony Group Corporation or holders of ADSs who are “exchange

non-residents”

or “foreign investors,” as described below. The statements regarding Japanese foreign exchange control regulations set forth below are based on the laws and regulations in force and as interpreted by the Japanese authorities as of the date of this annual report and are subject to subsequent changes in the applicable Japanese laws or interpretations thereof. This summary is not exhaustive of all possible foreign exchange controls considerations that may apply to a particular investor, and potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall foreign exchange controls consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of shares of capital stock or voting rights of Sony Group Corporation or ADSs by consulting their own advisors.

The Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan (the FEFTA) and its related cabinet orders and ministerial ordinances (collectively, the “Foreign Exchange Regulations”) govern certain aspects relating to the acquisition and holding of shares of capital stock and voting rights of Sony Group Corporation by “exchange

non-residents”

and by “foreign investors” (as these terms are defined below). The Foreign Exchange Regulations also apply to the acquisition and holding of ADSs and the exercise of voting rights by holders of ADSs who are “foreign investors” that constitute an “inward direct investment” (as defined below).

Capital Transaction

Except as described below with respect to an “inward direct investment” by a “foreign investor”, the Foreign Exchange Regulations currently in effect do not affect transactions between exchange

non-residents

to purchase or sell shares of a Japanese listed corporation outside Japan using currencies other than Japanese yen.

In general, the acquisition of shares of a Japanese corporation (such as the shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation) by an exchange

non-resident

from an exchange resident requires post facto reporting by the exchange resident to the Minister of Finance. No such reporting requirement is imposed, however, if:

(i)

the aggregate purchase price of the relevant shares is 100 million yen or less;

(ii)

the acquisition is effected through any bank, financial instruments business operator or other entity prescribed by the Foreign Exchange Regulations acting as an agent or intermediary; or

(iii)

the acquisition constitutes an “inward direct investment” described below (in which case a prior notification requirement may apply).

Exchange residents are defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations as:

(i)

individuals who reside within Japan; or

(ii)

corporations whose principal offices are located within Japan.

Exchange

non-residents

are defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations as:

(i)

individuals who do not reside in Japan; or

(ii)

corporations whose principal offices are located outside Japan.

Generally, branches and other offices of

non-resident

corporations that are located within Japan are regarded as exchange residents. Conversely, branches and other offices of Japanese corporations located outside Japan are regarded as exchange

non-residents.

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Inward Direct Investment in Shares of Listed Corporations

Definition of Foreign Investor

Foreign investors are defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations as:

(i)

individuals who are exchange

non-residents;

(ii)

corporations or other entities that are organized under the laws of foreign countries or whose principal offices are located outside Japan;

(iii)

corporations of which 50% or more of the total voting rights are held, directly or indirectly, by individuals and/or corporations falling within (i) and/or (ii) above;

(iv)

partnerships under the Civil Code of Japan established to invest in corporations, limited partnerships for investment under the Limited Partnership Act for Investment of Japan or any other similar partnerships under foreign law of which (a) 50% or more of the total contributions are made by individuals and/or corporations falling within (i), (ii), (iii) above and/or (v) below or any other persons prescribed under the Foreign Exchange Regulations or (b) a majority of the general partners are individuals and/or corporations falling within (i), (ii), (iii) above and/or (v) below or any other persons prescribed under the Foreign Exchange Regulations; or

(v)

corporations or other entities, a majority of whose directors or other officers (or directors or other officers having the power of representation) are individuals who are exchange

non-residents.

Definition of Inward Direct Investment

If a foreign investor acquires shares or voting rights of a Japanese corporation that is listed on a Japanese stock exchange (such as the shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation) or that is traded on an

over-the-counter

market in Japan and, as a result of the acquisition, the foreign investor, in combination with any existing holdings, directly or indirectly holds 1% or more of the total number of issued shares or the total number of voting rights of the relevant corporation, such acquisition constitutes an “inward direct investment.” In addition, the acquisition of the authority to exercise, either directly or through instructions, voting rights held by other shareholders that results in the foreign investor, in combination with any existing shareholding, directly or indirectly holding 1% or more of the total number of voting rights of the relevant corporation constitutes an “inward direct investment.”

In addition to the acquisitions of shares or voting rights described above, if a foreign investor (i) is granted the authority to exercise voting rights on behalf of other shareholders of a Japanese listed corporation regarding certain matters which may give such foreign investor the power to control, or may have a material influence on the management of such corporation, such as the election or removal of directors, or (ii) obtains consent from another foreign investor holding the voting rights of the relevant corporation to exercise the voting rights of such corporation held by such other foreign investor jointly, and, in each case, as a result of these arrangements, the number of the voting rights directly or indirectly held by the foreign investor, including the total number of the voting rights subject to such authorization to exercise, or the sum of the number of the voting rights directly or indirectly held by the foreign investor and such other foreign investor subject to such joint voting agreement, as the case may be, is 10% or more of the total number of voting rights of the relevant corporation, each such arrangement regarding voting rights (hereinafter referred to as a “voting arrangement”) also constitutes an “inward direct investment”.

Additionally, if a foreign investor directly or indirectly holds 1% or more of the total voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation and, at a general meeting of shareholders, consents to certain proposals having a material influence on the management of such corporation such as the (i) election of such foreign investor or any of its related persons (as defined in the Foreign Exchange Regulations) as a director or corporate auditor of the relevant corporation or (ii) transfer or discontinuation of its business, such consent also constitutes an “inward direct investment.”

Prior Notification Requirements regarding Inward Direct Investment

If a foreign investor intends to consummate an acquisition of shares or voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation or the authority to exercise, either directly or through instructions, voting rights held by other shareholders that constitutes an “inward direct investment” as described above, unless certain exemptions apply (such as where the foreign investor is in a country that is listed on an exemption schedule in the Foreign Exchange Regulations and where that Japanese corporation is not engaged in certain businesses (the “Designated Businesses”) designated by the Foreign Exchange Regulations), a prior notification of the relevant inward direct investment is required to be filed with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers.

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However, if a foreign investor is seeking to acquire shares or voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation or the authority to exercise, either directly or through instructions, voting rights held by other shareholders and such acquisition would constitute an “inward direct investment”, such foreign investor may be eligible for the exemptions if certain conditions are met. In the case of an acquisition of shares or voting rights or the authority to exercise, either directly or through instructions, voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation that is engaged in a Designated Business other than certain Designated Business designated by the Foreign Exchange Regulations as a core sector business (the “Core Sector Designated Businesses”), the foreign investor may be exempted from the prior notification requirement if such foreign investor complies with the following conditions (the “Exemption Conditions”):

(i)

the foreign investor or its related persons will not become directors or corporate auditors of the relevant corporation;

(ii)

the foreign investor will not make certain proposals (as prescribed in the Foreign Exchange Regulations) at the general meeting of shareholders, including transfer or discontinuation of the Designated Businesses of the relevant corporation; and

(iii)

the foreign investor will not access

non-public

technical information in relation to the Designated Businesses of the relevant corporation, or take certain other actions that may lead to the leak of such

non-public

technical information (as prescribed in the Foreign Exchange Regulations).

In addition, in the case of an acquisition of shares or voting rights or the authority to exercise, directly or through instructions, voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation that is engaged in the Core Sector Designated Businesses, the foreign investor may be exempted from the prior notification requirement, if, as a result of such acquisition, the foreign investor, in combination with any existing holdings, directly or indirectly holds less than 10% of the total number of issued shares or voting rights of the relevant corporation and such foreign investor complies with the Exemption Conditions and the following additional conditions:

(i)

the foreign investor will not attend, or not cause any persons designated by it to attend, meetings of the relevant corporation’s board of directors, or meetings of committees having authority to make important decisions, in respect of the Core Sector Designated Businesses of the relevant corporation; and

(ii)

the foreign investor will not make, or not cause any persons designated by it to make, proposals to such board or committees or their members in writing or electronic form requesting any response or actions by certain deadlines in respect of the Core Sector Designated Businesses of the relevant corporation.

Notwithstanding the above, if a foreign investor falls under a category of disqualified investors designated by the Foreign Exchange Regulations (including (a) investors who have been sanctioned during the previous five years due to violations of the FEFTA and (b) certain investors that are state-owned enterprises or other related entities that are not otherwise accredited by the Minister of Finance), in no event may such foreign investor be eligible for the exemptions described above. On the other hand, if a foreign investor, excluding the disqualified investors described in the foregoing sentence, falls under a category of certain foreign financial institutions (as prescribed in the Foreign Exchange Regulations) and complies with the Exemption Conditions, such foreign investor may be eligible for the exemptions described above, even if the acquisition results in such foreign investor directly or indirectly holding 10% or more of the total number of issued shares or voting rights of the corporation engaged in the Core Sector Designated Businesses.

For reference purposes only, the Minister of Finance publishes, and may update from time to time, a list that classifies Japanese listed corporations into the following categories: (i) corporations engaged only in businesses other than the Designated Businesses, (ii) corporations engaged in Designated Businesses other than Core Sector Designated Businesses and (iii) corporations engaged in the Core Sector Designated Businesses. According to the list published by the Minister of Finance, as of May 19, 2023, Sony Group Corporation is classified as category (iii) above.

In addition, if a foreign investor intends to make a voting arrangement with respect to a Japanese listed corporation engaged in the Designated Businesses or consents to a proposal at the general meeting of shareholders of such corporation, in each case, that constitutes an “inward direct investment” as described in “Definition of Inward Direct Investment” above, in certain circumstances, prior notification of the relevant inward direct investment must be filed with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers. In such cases, the exemptions from the prior notification requirements may not be available, except for cases where the relevant voting arrangement is a joint voting agreement with other foreign investors to exercise voting rights regarding matters other than certain matters which may give such foreign investor the power to control, or may have a material influence on the management of the relevant corporation, such as the election or removal of directors.

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Acquisitions of shares by foreign investors by way of stock split are not subject to the foregoing notification requirements.

Procedures for Prior Notification regarding Inward Direct Investment

If such prior notification is filed, the proposed inward direct investment may not be consummated until 30 days after the date of filing during which time the Ministers will review the proposed inward direct investment, although this screening period may be shortened by such Ministers if they no longer deem it necessary to review the proposed inward direct investment, or may be shortened to five business days, if the proposed inward direct investment is determined not to raise concerns from the perspective of national security or certain other factors. The Ministers may extend the screening period up to five months if they deem it necessary to continue to review the proposed inward direct investment, and may recommend any modification or abandonment of the proposed inward direct investment and, if the foreign investor does not accept such recommendation, the Ministers may order the modification or abandonment of such inward direct investment. In addition, if the Ministers consider the proposed inward direct investment to be an inward direct investment that is likely to cause damage to the national security of Japan, to interfere with the maintenance of public order or to pose an obstacle to the preservation of public safety, and, if a foreign investor (i) consummates such inward direct investment without filing the prior notification described above; (ii) consummates such inward direct investment before the expiration of the screening period described above; (iii) in connection with such inward direct investment, makes false statements in the prior notification described above; or (iv) does not follow the recommendation or order issued by the Ministers to modify or abandon such inward direct investment, the Ministers may order such foreign investor to divest all or part of the shares acquired or take other measures.

Post Facto Reporting Requirements regarding Inward Direct Investment

A foreign investor who consummates an inward direct investment as described above through an acquisition of shares or voting rights or the authority to exercise, directly or through instructions, voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation that is engaged in the Designated Businesses, but is not subject to the prior notification requirements described above due to the exemptions from such prior notification requirements, in general, must file a post facto report of the relevant inward direct investment with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers having jurisdiction over such Japanese corporation within 45 days of the date when, as a result of such acquisition, the foreign investor, in combination with any existing holdings, directly or indirectly holds (i) 1% or more but less than 3% of the total number of issued shares or voting rights, for the first time, (ii) 3% or more but less than 10% of the total number of issued shares or voting rights, for the first time, or (iii) 10% or more of the total number of issued shares or voting rights (excluding, in the cases of (i) and (ii) above, a foreign investor who falls under a category of certain foreign financial institutions (as prescribed in the Foreign Exchange Regulations)). In addition, if a foreign investor consummates the inward direct investment described above through the acquisition of shares or voting rights or the authority to exercise, directly or through instructions, voting rights of a Japanese listed corporation that is not engaged in the Designated Businesses (which is, in general, not subject to the prior notification requirements described above) and, as a result of such inward direct investment, such foreign investor, in combination with any existing holdings, directly or indirectly holds 10% or more of shares or voting rights of the total number of issued shares or voting rights of the relevant corporation, such foreign investor, in general, must file a post facto report of the relevant inward direct investment with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers having jurisdiction over such Japanese corporation within 45 days of such inward direct investment.

In addition, if a foreign investor consummates the inward direct investment described above through a voting arrangement with respect to a Japanese listed corporation that is not engaged in the Designated Businesses (which is, in general, not subject to the prior notification requirements described above), such foreign investor, in general, must file a post facto report of the relevant inward direct investment with the Minister of Finance and any other competent Ministers having jurisdiction over such Japanese corporation within 45 days of such inward direct investment.

Acquisitions of shares by foreign investors by way of stock split are not subject to the foregoing reporting requirements.

Dividends and Proceeds of Sale

Under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, dividends paid on and the proceeds from sales in Japan of shares of capital stock of Sony Group Corporation held by exchange

non-residents

may generally be converted into any foreign currency and repatriated abroad.

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Taxation

The following is a summary of the major Japanese national tax and U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership, acquisition and disposition of shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation and of ADRs evidencing ADSs representing shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation by a

non-resident

of Japan or a

non-Japanese

corporation without a permanent establishment in Japan. The summary does not purport to be a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to any particular investor, and does not take into account any specific individual circumstances of any particular investor. Accordingly, holders of shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation are encouraged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the considerations discussed below to their particular circumstances.

This summary is based upon the representations of the depositary and the assumption that each obligation in the deposit agreement in relation to the ADSs dated as of October 15, 2014, and in any related agreement, will be performed in accordance with its terms.

For purposes of the income tax convention between Japan and the United States (the “Treaty”) and the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. holders of ADSs generally will be treated as owning shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation underlying the ADSs evidenced by the ADRs. For the purposes of the following discussion, a “U.S. holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation or ADRs evidencing ADSs representing shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation that:

(i)

is a resident of the U.S. for purposes of the Treaty;

(ii)

does not maintain a permanent establishment in Japan (a) with which shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation are effectively connected and through which the U.S. holder carries on or has carried on business or (b) of which shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation form part of the business property; and

(iii)

is eligible for benefits under the Treaty with respect to income and gain derived in connection with shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation.

Japanese Tax Considerations with respect to shares of Common Stock and ADSs

The following is a summary of the principal Japanese tax consequences (limited to national taxes) to

non-residents

of Japan or

non-Japanese

corporations without a permanent establishment in Japan

(“non-resident

Holders”) who are holders of shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation or of ADRs evidencing ADSs representing shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation. The information given below regarding Japanese taxation is based on the tax laws and tax treaties in force and their interpretations by the Japanese tax authorities as of June 25, 2024. Tax laws and tax treaties as well as their interpretations may change at any time, possibly with retroactive effect. Sony Group Corporation will not update this summary for any changes in the tax laws or tax treaties or their interpretation that occurs after such date.

Generally,

non-resident

Holders are subject to Japanese withholding tax on dividends paid by Japanese corporations. Such taxes are withheld prior to payment of dividends as required by Japanese law. Stock splits are, in general, not a taxable event.

In the absence of an applicable tax treaty, convention or agreement reducing the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax or allowing exemption from Japanese withholding tax, the rate of Japanese withholding tax applicable to dividends paid by Japanese corporations to

non-resident

Holders is generally 20.42%, provided, with respect to dividends paid on listed shares issued by a Japanese corporation (such as the shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation) to

non-resident

Holders other than any

non-resident

Holder who is an individual holding 3% or more of the total shares issued by the relevant Japanese corporation, the aforementioned 20.42% withholding tax rate is reduced to 15.315% for dividends due and payable on or before December 31, 2037. Due to the imposition of a special additional withholding tax (2.1% of the original withholding tax amount) to secure funds for reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the original withholding tax rates of 15% and 20% as applicable, have been effectively increased to 15.315% and 20.42%, respectively, until December 31, 2037.

As of the date of this document, Japan has income tax treaties, conventions or agreements in force, whereby the above-mentioned withholding tax rate is reduced, in most cases to 15%, 10% or 5% for portfolio investors (15% under the income tax treaties with, among other countries, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway and Singapore, 10% under the income tax treaties with,

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among other countries, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K. and the United States, and 5% under the income tax treaties with, among other countries, Spain). Under the Treaty, the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax that may be imposed on dividends paid by a Japanese corporation to a U.S. holder that does not own directly or indirectly at least 10% of the voting stock of the Japanese corporation is generally reduced to 10% of the gross amount actually distributed, and dividends paid by a Japanese corporation to a U.S. holder that is a pension fund are exempt from Japanese income taxation by way of withholding or otherwise unless such dividends are derived from the carrying on of a business, directly or indirectly, by such pension fund.

If the maximum tax rate provided for in the income tax treaty applicable to dividends paid by Sony Group Corporation to any particular

non-resident

Holder is lower than the withholding tax rate otherwise applicable under Japanese tax law, or if any particular

non-resident

Holder is exempt from Japanese income tax with respect to such dividends under the income tax treaty applicable to such particular

non-resident

Holder, such

non-resident

Holder who is entitled to a reduced rate of or exemption from Japanese withholding tax on payment of dividends on shares of Common Stock by Sony Group Corporation is, in principle, required to submit an Application Form for Income Tax Convention Regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction on Dividends (together with any other required forms and documents) in advance through the withholding agent to the relevant tax authority before the payment of dividends. A standing proxy for

non-resident

Holders of a Japanese corporation may provide this application service. In this regard, a certain simplified special filing procedure is available for

non-resident

Holders to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese withholding tax, by submitting a Special Application Form for Income Tax Convention Regarding Relief from Japanese Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction on Dividends of Listed Stock (together with any other required forms and documents). With respect to ADSs, this reduced rate or exemption is applicable if the depositary or its agent submits two Application Forms (one before payment of dividends and the other within eight months after the record date concerning such payment of dividends). To claim this reduced rate or exemption, a

non-resident

Holder of ADSs will be required to file a proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable) and to provide other information or documents as may be required by the depositary. A

non-resident

Holder who is entitled, under an applicable income tax treaty, to a reduced rate which is lower than the withholding tax rate otherwise applicable under Japanese tax law or an exemption from the withholding tax, but failed to submit the required application in advance will be entitled to claim the refund of taxes withheld in excess of the rate under an applicable tax treaty (if such

non-resident

Holder is entitled to a reduced treaty rate under the applicable income tax treaty) or the full amount of tax withheld (if such

non-resident

Holder is entitled to an exemption under the applicable income tax treaty) from the relevant Japanese tax authority, by complying with a certain subsequent filing procedure. Sony Group Corporation does not assume any responsibility to ensure withholding at the reduced treaty rate or to ensure the absence of withholding for shareholders who would be so eligible under any applicable income tax treaty but where the required procedures as stated above are not followed.

Gains derived from the sale of shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation outside Japan by a

non-resident

Holder holding such shares or ADSs as portfolio investors are, in general, not subject to Japanese income tax or corporation tax under Japanese tax law. U.S. holders are not subject to Japanese income or corporation tax with respect to such gains under the Treaty.

Japanese inheritance tax and gift tax at progressive rates may be payable by an individual who has acquired from another individual shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation as a legatee, heir or donee even though neither the acquiring individual nor the deceased nor donor is a Japanese resident.

Holders of shares of Common Stock or ADSs of Sony Group Corporation should consult their tax advisors regarding the effect of these taxes and, in the case of U.S. holders, the possible application of the Estate and Gift Tax Treaty between the U.S. and Japan.

United States Taxation with respect to shares of Common Stock and ADSs

The U.S. dollar amount of dividends received (prior to deduction of Japanese taxes) by a U.S. holder of ADSs or Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation will be included in income as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits of Sony Group Corporation as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The U.S. dollar amount of dividends received by a

non-corporate

U.S. holder with respect to the ADSs or Common Stock will be subject to taxation at a reduced rate if the dividends are “qualified dividends.” Subject to certain exceptions for short-term and hedged positions, dividends paid on the ADSs or Common Stock will be treated as qualified dividends if Sony Group Corporation was not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend was paid, and is not, in the year in which the dividend is paid a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”). Based on Sony Group

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Corporation’s audited financial statements and relevant market and shareholder data, Sony Group Corporation believes that it was not treated as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to its taxable year ended March 31, 2024. In addition, based on Sony Group Corporation’s audited financial statements and Sony Group Corporation’s current expectations regarding the value and nature of its assets, the sources and nature of its income, and relevant market and shareholder data, Sony Group Corporation does not anticipate becoming a PFIC for the taxable year ending March 31, 2025. Holders of ADSs and Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation should consult their own tax advisors regarding the availability of the reduced dividend tax rate in light of the considerations discussed above and their own particular circumstances. Dividends paid by Sony Group Corporation to U.S. corporate holders of ADSs or Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.

Subject to generally applicable limitations and special considerations discussed below, a U.S. holder of ADSs or Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation may be entitled to a credit for Japanese tax withheld in accordance with the Treaty from dividends paid by Sony Group Corporation. The applicable limitations include new requirements adopted by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) in regulations promulgated in December 2021 and any Japanese tax will need to satisfy these requirements in order to be eligible to be a creditable tax for a U.S. holder. In the case of a U.S. holder that either (i) properly elects the benefits of the Treaty, or (ii) consistently elects to apply a modified version of these rules under recently issued temporary guidance and complies with specific requirements set forth in such guidance, the Japanese tax on dividends will be treated as meeting the new requirements and therefore as a creditable tax. In the case of all other U.S. holders, the application of these requirements to the Japanese tax on dividends is uncertain and Sony Group Corporation has not determined whether these requirements have been met. Foreign tax credits will not be allowed for withholding taxes imposed in respect of certain short-term or hedged positions and may not be allowed in respect of arrangements in which economic profit, after

non-U.S.

taxes, is insubstantial. If the Japanese dividend tax is not a creditable tax for a U.S. holder or the U.S. holder does not elect to claim a foreign tax credit for any foreign income taxes paid or accrued in the same taxable year, the U.S. holder may be able to deduct the Japanese tax in computing such U.S. holder’s taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For purposes of the foreign tax credit limitation, dividends will be foreign source income, and will generally constitute “passive” income. The availability and calculation of foreign tax credits and deductions for foreign taxes depend on a U.S. holder’s particular circumstances and involve the application of complex rules to those circumstances. The temporary guidance discussed above also indicates that the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS are considering proposing amendments to the December 2021 regulations and that the temporary guidance can be relied upon until additional guidance is issued that withdraws the temporary guidance. U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the application of these rules to their particular situations.

In general, a U.S. holder will recognize capital gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale or disposition and the U.S. holder’s tax basis in the ADSs or Common Stock. Such capital gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if the ADSs or Common Stock have been held for more than one year on the date of the sale or disposition. The net amount of long-term capital gain recognized by an individual holder is subject to lower rates of federal income taxation than ordinary income or short-term capital gain rates.

Under the Code, a U.S. holder of ADSs or Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation may be subject, under certain circumstances, to information reporting and possibly backup withholding with respect to dividends and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of ADSs or Common Stock, unless the U.S. holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is not an additional tax and may be refunded or credited against the U.S. holder’s federal income tax liability, so long as the required information is furnished to the IRS.

F.	Dividends and Paying Agents

Not Applicable

G.	Statement by Experts

Not Applicable

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H.	Documents on Display

It is possible to read and copy documents referred to in this annual report on Form

20-F

that have been filed with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at

1-800-SEC-0330

for further information on the public reference rooms and their copy charges. You can also access the documents at the SEC’s home page (https://www.sec.gov).

I.	Subsidiary Information

Not Applicable

J.	Annual Report to Security Holders

Not Applicable

Item 11.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Sony’s business is continuously exposed to market fluctuation, such as fluctuations in currency exchange rates, interest rates or stock prices. For risk management policies and exposures for each risk, refer to Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements. For risk inherent in the insurance business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements. For derivative instruments and hedging activities utilized by Sony to reduce such risk, refer to Note 15 of the consolidated financial statements. For credit risk exposure for financial assets of debt instruments designated to be measured at fair value through profit or loss, refer to Note 6 of the consolidated financial statements.

Item 12.

Description of Securities Other Than Equity Securities

A.	Debt Securities

Not Applicable

B.	Warrants and Rights

Not Applicable

C.	Other Securities

Not Applicable

D.	American Depositary Shares

Citibank N.A. (the “Depositary”) serves as the depositary for Sony Group Corporation’s ADSs pursuant to a deposit agreement between Sony Group Corporation, the Depositary, and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs issued thereunder from time to time (the “Deposit Agreement”) (attached as Exhibit 2.1 to this report). ADS holders (“Holders”) may be required to pay various fees to the Depositary and the Depositary may refuse to provide any service for which a fee is assessed until the applicable fee has been paid. The following fees may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between Sony Group Corporation and the Depositary.

Under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, Holders may have to pay the following service fees to the Depositary.


Service	Rate	By Whom Paid
Issuance of ADSs upon deposit of Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock	Up to 5.00 U.S. dollar per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) issued	Person depositing Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock or person receiving ADSs

Delivery of deposited securities against surrender of ADSs	Up to 5.00 U.S. dollar per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) surrendered	Person surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal of deposited securities or person to whom deposited securities are delivered

Distribution of cash dividends or other cash distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements)	Up to 5.00 U.S. dollar per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held	Person to whom distribution is made

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Service	Rate	By Whom Paid

Distribution of ADSs pursuant to (i) stock dividends or other free stock distributions, (ii) exercise of rights to purchase additional ADSs	Up to 5.00 U.S. dollar per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held	Person to whom distribution is made

Distribution of securities other than ADSs or rights purchase Additional ADSs (i.e., spin-off shares)	Up to 5.00 U.S. dollar per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held	Person to whom distribution is made

ADS Services	Up to 5.00 U.S. dollar per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held on the applicable record date (s) established by the Depositary	Person holding ADSs on the applicable record date (s) established by the Depositary

Holders will also be responsible for paying certain charges such as: (i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges; (ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock or other deposited securities on the share register and applicable to transfer of Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock or other deposited securities to or from the name of the custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively; (iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock or withdrawing deposited securities or of the Holders and beneficial owners of ADSs; (iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency; (v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Sony Group Corporation’s Common Stock, deposited securities, ADSs and ADRs; and (vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, the custodian, or any nominee in connection with the servicing or delivery of deposited property.

ADS fees and charges payable upon (i) deposit of shares against issuance of ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of deposited securities will be payable by the person to whom the ADSs so issued are delivered by the Depositary (in the case of ADS issuances) or by the person who delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into the Depository Trust Company or presented to the Depositary via the Depository Trust Company, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees and charges will be payable by the Depository Trust Company participant(s) receiving the ADSs from the Depositary or the Depository Trust Company participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the beneficial owner(s) and will be charged by the Depository Trust Company participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable beneficial owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the Depository Trust Company participant(s) as in effect at the time. ADS fees and charges in respect of distributions and the ADS service fee are payable by Holders as of the applicable ADS record date established by the Depositary. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable ADS fees and charges is deducted from the funds being distributed. In the case of (i) distributions other than cash and (ii) the ADS service fee, the applicable Holders as of the ADS record date established by the Depositary will be invoiced for the amount of the ADS fees and charges. For ADSs held through the Depository Trust Company, the ADS fees and charges for distributions other than cash and the ADS service fee are charged to the Depository Trust Company participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by the Depository Trust Company from time to time and the Depository Trust Company participants in turn charge the amount of such ADS fees and charges to the beneficial owners for whom they hold ADSs.

In the event of refusal by a Holder to pay the Depositary fees, the Depositary may, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, refuse the requested service until payment is received or may set off the amount of the Depositary fees from any distribution to be made to the Holder. Note that the fees and charges Holders may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by Sony Group Corporation and by the Depositary. Holders will receive prior notice of such changes. The Depositary may reimburse Sony Group Corporation for certain expenses incurred by Sony Group Corporation in respect of the ADR program, by making available a portion of the ADS fees charged in respect of the ADR program or otherwise, upon such terms and conditions as Sony Group Corporation and the Depositary agree from time to time.

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Direct and Indirect Payments by the Depositary to Sony

The Depositary reimburses Sony for certain expenses Sony incurs in connection with its ADR program, subject to certain ceilings. These reimbursable expenses currently include, but are not limited to, legal and accounting fees, investor relations expenses and fees payable to service providers for the distribution of material to ADR holders. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, such reimbursements totaled 8,204,990.31 U.S. dollars.

In addition, as part of its service to Sony, the Depositary waives fees in connection with its ADR program, subject to a ceiling. These waived expenses currently include, but are not limited to, standard costs associated with the administration of the ADR program, associated operating expenses, investor relations advice and access to an internet-based tool used in Sony’s investor relations activities. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the amount of such indirect payments was estimated to total 5,000 U.S. dollars.

Item 13.

Defaults, Dividend Arrearages and Delinquencies

None

Item 14.

Material Modifications to the Rights of Security Holders and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 15.

Controls and Procedures

Item 15(a). Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Sony has carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of Sony’s management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Sony’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules

13a-15(e)

and

15d-15(e)

under the Exchange Act, as of March 31, 2024. Disclosure controls and procedures require that information to be disclosed in the reports Sony Group Corporation files or submits under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as and when required, within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Sony’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon Sony’s evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of March 31, 2024, the disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Item 15(b). Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Sony’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules

13a-15(f)

and

15d-15(f)

under the Exchange Act. Sony’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. Sony’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

(i)

pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Sony;

(ii)

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of Sony are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and

(iii)

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Sony’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

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Sony’s management evaluated the effectiveness of Sony’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024 based on the criteria established in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the evaluation, management has concluded that Sony maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024.

Sony’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers Japan LLC, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of Sony’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, presented on page

(F-2).

Item 15(c). Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

Refer to the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on page

(F-2).

Item 15(d). Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in Sony’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Sony’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 16.

[Reserved]

Item 16A.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Sony Group Corporation’s Board of Directors has determined that Keiko Kishigami qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Item 16A of Form

20-F

under the Exchange Act, as amended. In addition, she is determined to be independent as defined under the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards.

Item 16B.

Code of Ethics

Sony has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 16B of Form

20-F

under the Exchange Act, as amended. The code of ethics applies to all directors, officers and employees of Sony. The code of ethics is available at:

https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/csr_report/compliance/code_of_conduct_En.pdf

Item 16C.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Audit and

Non-Audit

Fees

The following table presents fees for audit and other services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
	Yen in millions
Audit Fees (1)		4,901		5,693
Audit-Related Fees (2)		334		254
Tax Fees (3)		28		19
All Other Fees (4)		9		47

		5,272		6,013

(1)	Audit Fees consist of fees for the annual audit services engagement and other audit services, which are those services that only the external auditor can provide.

(2)	Audit-Related Fees consist of fees billed for assurance and related services, and audit services relating to benefit plans, business acquisitions and dispositions.

(3)	Tax fees primarily consist of fees for tax advice.

(4)	All Other Fees consist of fees primarily for services rendered with respect to advisory services.

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Audit Committee’s

Pre-Approval

Policies and Procedures

Consistent with the SEC rules regarding auditor independence, Sony Group Corporation’s Audit Committee is responsible for appointing, reviewing and setting compensation, retaining, and overseeing the work of Sony’s independent auditor, so that the auditor’s independence will not be impaired. The Audit Committee established a formal policy requiring

pre-approval

of all audit and permissible

non-audit

services provided by the independent auditor to Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. The Audit Committee periodically reviews this policy with due regard for compliance with laws and regulations of host countries where Sony Group Corporation is listed.

Prior to the engagement of the independent auditor for the following fiscal year’s audit, management in charge of accounting or other relevant areas (“Accounting Management”) submits an application form to the Audit Committee for comprehensive

pre-approval

of all recurring services expected to be rendered during that year, other than services that are classified as “Tax” related services (“Tax Services”). In order to obtain comprehensive

pre-approval,

Accounting Management must designate in which of two categories (Audit and

Non-Audit)

the services will be classified as well as fees expected, both for each category in the aggregate and for each individual service, and detailed

back-up

information regarding each service to the extent possible to ensure that the Audit Committee knows precisely what particular service and the expected fees it is being asked to

pre-approve

and that the scope of any service or the expected fees approved is unambiguous. Any additional services not within the scope of comprehensive

pre-approval

and Tax Services require the Audit Committee’s separate

pre-approval

on an individual basis. The Audit Committee approves, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in the scope of services to be provided or from other circumstances, with respect to both services that are subject to comprehensive and individual

pre-approval.

The Audit Committee or its designee establishes procedures to assure that the independent auditor is aware in a timely manner of the services that have been

pre-approved.

Item 16D.

Exemptions from the Listing Standards for Audit Committees

Not Applicable

Item 16E.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The following table sets out information concerning purchases made by Sony Group Corporation during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.


Period	(a) Total number of shares purchased		(b) Average price paid per share (yen)		(c) Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs *1,2,3,4		(d) Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs *1,2,3,4
April 1 — 30, 2023		3,826		12,004.76		0	16,454,400
May 1 — 31, 2023		801,669		12,533.01		798,000	25,000,000
June 1 — 30, 2023		4,181		13,615.44		0	25,000,000
July 1 — 31, 2023		2,830		13,092.99		0	25,000,000
August 1 — 31, 2023		1,352,776		12,304.82		1,350,900	23,391,400
September 1 — 30, 2023		959,597		12,329.18		957,800	22,691,300
October 1 — 31, 2023		1,462,771		12,284.98		1,460,800	20,860,100
November 1 — 30, 2023		678,552		12,567.72		676,700	20,402,000
December 1 — 31, 2023		746,441		12,784.79		743,400	19,810,400
January 1 — 31, 2024		3,329		14,029.29		0	19,810,400
February 1 — 29, 2024		4,069,958		13,475.34		4,067,000	15,405,400
March 1 — 31, 2024		5,615,239		13,067.73		5,612,700	10,130,700

Total		15,701,169		12,927.33		15,667,300	N/A

Column (a) represents the combined total number of shares purchased during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, including both fractional shares purchased from fractional shareholders in accordance with the Companies Act, and shares purchased in accordance with publicly announced plans, as shown in column (c).

Under the Companies Act, a holder of shares constituting less than one full unit may require Sony Group Corporation to purchase such shares at their market value (Refer to “Memorandum and Articles of Association —

Capital stock

—

(Unit share system)

” in “Item 10.

Additional Information

”). During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony Group Corporation purchased 33,869 shares of common stock for a total purchase price of 442,725,675 yen upon such requests from holders of shares constituting less than one full unit.

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*1 Sony approved on May 10, 2022 by resolution of the Board of Directors the setting of the following parameters for repurchase of its own common stock pursuant to the Companies Act and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation

•

Total number of shares for repurchase: 25 million shares (maximum) (2.02% of total number of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock))

•

Total purchase price for repurchase of shares: 200 billion yen (maximum)

•

Period of repurchase: From May 11, 2022 to May 10, 2023

*2 The repurchase of shares of common stock based on the approval at the Board of Directors set forth in Note 1 above was completed. The details are as follows.

•

Total number of shares repurchased: 9,343,600 shares

•

Total purchase price for repurchased shares: 99,118,323,800 yen

•

Period of repurchase: May 11, 2022 to May 10, 2023

*3 Sony approved on May 17, 2023 by resolution of the Board of Directors the setting of the following parameters for repurchase of its own common stock pursuant to the Companies Act and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation

•

Total number of shares for repurchase: 25 million shares (maximum) (2.03% of total number of shares issued and outstanding (excluding treasury stock))

•

Total purchase price for repurchase of shares: 200 billion yen (maximum)

•

Period of repurchase: From May 18, 2023 to May 17, 2024

*4 The repurchase of shares of common stock based on the approval at the Board of Directors set forth in Note 3 above was completed. The details are as follows.

•

Total number of shares repurchased: 15,441,700 shares

•

Total purchase price for repurchased shares: 199,999,326,000 yen

•

Period of repurchase: May 18, 2023 to April 3, 2024

Item 16F.

Change in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant

Not Applicable

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Item 16G.

Corporate Governance

The table below discloses the significant ways in which Sony’s corporate governance practices differ from those required for U.S. companies under the listing standards of the NYSE. As a foreign private issuer listed on the NYSE, Sony Group Corporation is exempt from most of the exchange’s corporate governance standards requirements. For further information on Sony’s corporate governance practices and history, refer to “Board Practices” in “Item 6.

Directors, Senior Management and Employees

.”


NYSE Standards		Sony’s Corporate Governance Practices
Board Independence. A majority of board directors must be independent.		Sony Group Corporation has adopted the “Company with Three Committees” corporate governance system under the Companies Act. Sony Group Corporation’s Board Charter requires its board to consist of between 8 to 14 directors. The Companies Act does not require Sony Group Corporation to have a majority of “independent” (in the meaning given by the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards) directors on its board; rather, it requires Sony Group Corporation to have a majority of “outside” directors (the definition of the term “outside” director is summarized below) on each of three statutory committees (the Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee).

Director Independence. A director is not independent if such director is (i) a person who the board determines has a material direct or indirect relationship with the company, its parent or a consolidated subsidiary; (ii) a person who, within the last three years, has been an employee of the company or has an immediate family member of an executive officer of the company, its parent or a consolidated subsidiary; (iii) a person who had received, or whose immediate family member had received, during any 12-month period within the last three years, more than 120,000 U.S. dollars per year in direct compensation from the company, its parent or a consolidated subsidiary, other than director and committee fees or deferred compensation for prior services (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); (iv) (A) a person who is, or whose immediate family member is, a current partner or employee of a firm that is the company’s internal or external auditor; (B) a person whose immediate family member is a partner of such a firm; (C) a person who has an immediate family member who is a current employee of such a firm and who personally participates in the firm’s audit, assurance or tax compliance (but not tax planning) practice; or (D) a person who was, or has an immediate family member who was, within the last three years, a partner or employee of such a firm and personally worked on the listed company’s audit within that time; (v) a person who is, or whose immediate family member is, or has been within the last three years, employed as		“Outside” director is defined in the Companies Act as a person who satisfies all of the requirements (i) through (v) below: (i) a person who is not a Director of Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries engaged in the business operations of Sony Group Corporation or such subsidiaries, as the case may be, or a Corporate Executive Officer or general manager or other employee (“Group Executive Director, etc.”) of Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries and who has not been a Group Executive Director, etc. of Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for ten years prior to assuming his/her office; (ii) if a person who has been a director, accounting counselor (if the accounting counselor is a juridical person, a member who is in charge of the affairs), or corporate auditor of Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (excluding a person who has been a Group Executive Director, etc.) at the time within ten years prior to assuming his/her office, a person who has not been a Group Executive Director, etc. of Sony Group Corporation or any of its subsidiaries for ten years prior to assuming his/her office as a director, an accounting counselor, or a corporate auditor; (iii) a person who is not a director or a Corporate Executive Officer or general manager or other employee of a parent company or any entity which controls the management of Sony Group Corporation; (iv) a person who is not a Group Executive Director, etc. of a direct/indirect subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation or any entity the management of which is directly or indirectly controlled by Sony Group Corporation; and (v) a person who is not a spouse or relative within the second degree of kinship of a Director or a Corporate

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NYSE Standards		Sony’s Corporate Governance Practices
an executive officer of another company where any of the listed company’s present executive officers at the same time serves or served on that company’s compensation committee; or (vi) an executive officer or employee of a company, or has an immediate family member of an executive officer of a company, that makes payments to, or receives payments from, the listed company, its parent or a consolidated subsidiary for property or services in an amount which, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of 1 million U.S. dollars or 2% of such other company’s consolidated gross revenues		Executive Officer or general manager or other employee of Sony Group Corporation. Under the Companies Act, a director’s status as an “outside” director is unaffected by the director’s compensation, his or her affiliation with business partners, or the board’s affirmative determination of independence. On the other hand, under the Companies Act, a director who has had a career as a management director, corporate executive officer, or other employee of the company, its subsidiaries or other group companies is by definition not an “outside” director. Sony Group Corporation’s Board Charter includes a provision requiring that each “outside” director: (i) Shall not have received directly from Sony Group, during any consecutive 12-month period within the last three years, more than an amount equivalent to 120,000 U.S. dollars, other than Director and committee fees and pension or other forms of deferred compensation for prior service (provided such compensation is not contingent in any way on continued service); and (ii) Shall not be an executive director, a corporate executive officer, a general manager or other employee of any company whose aggregate amount of transactions with Sony Group, in any of the last three fiscal years, exceeds the greater of an amount equivalent to 1,000,000 U.S. dollars, or 2% of the annual consolidated sales of such company;
		In addition, the Securities Listing Regulations of the TSE require Sony Group Corporation to make efforts to have at least one “Independent Director” on the Board of Directors. “Independent Director” is defined in the Securities Listing Regulations of the TSE as an “outside” director who is unlikely to have conflicts of interest with shareholders. According to the guidelines of the TSE, if a person falls in any of the categories listed below, such person, in principle, will be considered to have a conflict of interest with shareholders of the listed company. (1) A person for which the listed company is a major client or a person who executes business of a person for which the listed company is a major client; (2) A major client of the listed company or a person who executes business of a major client of the listed company; (3) A consultant, accounting professional, or legal professional (or, if such consultant, accounting professional, or legal professional is a juridical person, a member of such juridical person) of the listed company who receives a large amount of money or other consideration other than remuneration for directorship/auditorship from such listed company;

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NYSE Standards		Sony’s Corporate Governance Practices
		(4) A person who has fallen in any of categories (1) through (3) listed above until recently; (5) A person who has fallen in any of categories (a) or (b) listed below for ten years prior to assuming his/her office: (a) A person who executes business of a parent company of the listed company or a director who does not execute business of a parent company of the listed company; or (b) A person who executes business of a fellow subsidiary of the listed company.
		(6) A close relative of a person who falls in any of categories (a) through (f) listed below (only if such person is significant): (a) A person who falls in any of (1) through (5) listed above; (b) A person who executes business of a subsidiary of the listed company; (c) A director who does not execute business of a subsidiary of the listed company; (d) A person who executes business of a parent company of the listed company or a director who does not execute business of a parent company of the listed company; (e) A person who executes business of a fellow subsidiary of the listed company; or (f) A person who has fallen in any of categories (b) or (c) listed above or a person who has executed business of the listed company until recently.

		As of June 25, 2024, 8 of the 10 members of Sony Group Corporation’s Board of Directors qualified as “outside” directors. In addition, all 8 “outside” directors are qualified and designated as “Independent Directors” under the Securities Listing Regulations of the TSE.


Executive Sessions. Non-management directors must meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without management. Independent directors should meet alone in an executive session at least once a year.		An “outside” director, as defined under the Companies Act, is equivalent to a “non-management director” under the NYSE rules because an “outside” director does not engage in the execution of business operations of the company. The outside/non-management Directors generally meet several times a year without management, though neither the Companies Act nor Sony Group Corporation’s Board Charter requires non-management Directors to meet regularly without management and there is no requirement for the outside Directors to meet alone in an executive session at least once a year.

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NYSE Standards		Sony’s Corporate Governance Practices

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee. A nominating/corporate governance committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter that addresses the purpose, responsibilities (including development of corporate governance guidelines) and annual performance evaluation of the committee.		Sony Group Corporation’s Nominating Committee shall consist of at least three Directors. Under the Companies Act, the Committee is responsible for determining the contents of proposals regarding the appointment and dismissal of Directors to be submitted for approval to the shareholders’ meeting. Unlike listed U.S. companies under NYSE rules, it is not responsible for developing governance guidelines or overseeing the evaluation of the board and management. Under the Companies Act, a majority of its members shall be “outside” directors, as defined under the Companies Act.


Compensation Committee. A compensation committee of independent directors is required. The committee must have a charter that addresses the purpose, responsibilities and annual performance evaluation of the committee. In addition, in accordance with the SEC rules adopted pursuant to Section 952 of the Dodd-Frank Act, NYSE listing standards expanded the factors relevant in determining whether a committee member has a relationship to the company that will materially affect that member’s duties to the compensation committee and provided compensation committees the authority to engage compensation advisers. Additionally, the committee may obtain or retain the advice of a compensation adviser only after taking into consideration all factors relevant to determining that adviser’s independence from management, unless the adviser’s role is (i) limited to consulting on a generally applicable broad-based plan or (ii) is providing information that is not customized for the issuer or is not customized by the adviser and about which the adviser does not provide advice.		Sony Group Corporation’s Compensation Committee shall consist of at least three Directors. Under the Companies Act, a majority of its members shall be “outside” directors, as defined under the Companies Act. Sony Group Corporation’s Board Charter prohibits the CEO, the COO and/or the CFO (or a person at any equivalent position) from serving on the Compensation Committee. Under the Companies Act, the Committee is responsible for, among others, determining the compensation of each director and Corporate Executive Officer.


Audit Committee. An audit committee satisfying the independence and other requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act is required. The committee must have at least three members. All members must be independent. The committee must have a charter addressing the committee’s purpose, an annual performance evaluation of the committee and the duties and responsibilities of the committee.		Sony Group Corporation’s Audit Committee shall consist of at least three Directors. Under the Companies Act, a majority of its members shall be “outside” Directors, as defined under the Companies Act. In addition, pursuant to the Companies Act, no member of the Committee shall be a Director of the company or any of its subsidiaries who is engaged in the business operations of the company or such subsidiary, as the case may be, or a corporate executive officer of the company or any of its subsidiaries, or an accounting counselor, general manager or other employee of any of such subsidiaries. Sony Group Corporation’s Board Charter also requires each member of the Audit Committee to meet the independence requirements of the applicable U.S. securities laws and regulations, and requires at least one member to meet the audit committee financial expert requirements. Currently, all the members of Sony Group Corporation’s Audit Committee are also “independent” as defined in the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards, and two members of the Committee are qualified as audit committee financial experts.

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NYSE Standards		Sony’s Corporate Governance Practices

Equity Compensation Plans. Equity compensation plans require shareholder approval, subject to limited exemptions.		Under the Companies Act, if Sony Group Corporation wishes to adopt an equity compensation plan under which stock acquisition rights or shares of common stock are granted on specially favorable conditions, except where all of its shareholders are granted rights to subscribe for such stock acquisition rights/shares of common stock or such stock acquisition rights/shares of common stock are gratuitously allocated to all of its shareholders, each on a pro rata basis, then Sony Group Corporation must obtain shareholder approval by a “special resolution” at a General Meeting of Shareholders, where the quorum is one-third of the total number of voting rights of all of its shareholders and the approval by at least two-thirds of the number of voting rights of all the shareholders represented at the meeting is required under Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. On the other hand, under the Companies Act, if Sony Group Corporation wishes to adopt an equity compensation plan under which stock acquisition rights or shares of common stock are granted against fair value thereof, such plan can be adopted by the resolution of Sony Group Corporation’s Compensation Committee, and grants of stock acquisition rights or shares pursuant to such plan may be decided by a resolution of the Board of Directors or a determination by a Corporate Executive Officer to whom the authority to make such determination has been delegated, and no shareholder approval is required.


Corporate Governance Guidelines. Corporate governance guidelines must be adopted and disclosed.		Sony Group Corporation is required to disclose the status of its corporate governance under the Companies Act, Financial Instruments and Exchange Act and its related regulations, and the Securities Listing Regulations of the TSE; however, Sony Group Corporation does not have corporate governance guidelines that cover all the requirements described in the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards, as many of the provisions do not apply to Sony Group Corporation. Refer to “Board Practices” in “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees .”


Code of Ethics. A code of business conduct and ethics for directors, officers and employees must be adopted and disclosed, along with any waivers of the code for directors or executive officers.		Although this provision of the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards does not apply to Sony Group Corporation, Sony Group Corporation has adopted a code of conduct to be observed by all its directors, officers and other employees. The code of conduct is available at: https://www.sony.com/en/SonyInfo/csr_report/compliance/code_of_conduct_En.pdf The code’s content covers principal items described in the NYSE Corporate Governance Standards.

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Item 16H.

Mine Safety Disclosure

Not Applicable

Item 16I.

Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

Not Applicable

Item 16J.

Insider Trading Policies

Sony has adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions of its securities by directors, senior management, and employees that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and any listing standards applicable to Sony Group Corporation.

Item 16K.

Cybersecurity

Sony recognizes the importance of cybersecurity, both in achieving financial success for the company and in maintaining the trust of its stakeholders, which include shareholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and business partners.

Risk Management & Strategy

As part of Sony’s risk management framework, Sony maintains and continuously strives to enhance its information security program. This program covers the entire Sony Group and is implemented in accordance with policies and standards, which include cybersecurity risk management and governance frameworks, and guidance, developed by Sony and based on globally recognized industry best practices and standards. The policies define information security responsibilities within Sony and outline certain actions and procedures that officers and employees are required to follow, including with respect to the assessment and management of cybersecurity risks to Sony, including its systems and information. The policies, standards, and guidance are structured to help Sony respond effectively to the dynamically changing environment of cybersecurity threats, cybersecurity risks, technologies, laws, and regulations. Sony modifies its policies, standards, and guidance as needed to adjust to this changing environment.

If Sony’s cybersecurity risk management controls are overcome by a cyber attacker, Sony follows an incident response plan and escalation process as defined in the information security program. The response process includes an assessment of whether an incident may be material, and this assessment is adjusted as necessary as additional facts become known during the incident response. Any incident that is assessed as potentially material is escalated to Sony’s senior management and is reported to the two outside Directors in charge of information security on Sony Group Corporation’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).

In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony was the victim of several cyberattacks. None of these incidents was assessed to be material, nor did they materially affect Sony’s business strategy, the results of its operations, or its financial condition. However, there can be no guarantee that this will be the case with a future incident. For more information about risks Sony faces from cyberattacks, please refer to “Sony’s brand image, reputation and business may be harmed and Sony may be subject to legal claims if there is a breach or other compromise of Sony’s information security or that of its third-party service providers or business partners.” included in “Risk Factors” in “Item 3.

Key Information

.”

Sony has also established policies and processes to help identify and manage cybersecurity risks associated with third parties, including companies that provide services and products to Sony, and companies that hold Sony information or have electronic access to Sony systems or information. The policies and processes include assessment of the cybersecurity and privacy programs at certain third parties, the use of this risk information when making contracting decisions, and the use of contract language that includes cybersecurity and privacy requirements.

Most of the information security program is implemented by Sony employees. Sony also engages the services of external providers to enhance and support its information security program, including leading cyber response specialists as may be needed, and consultants to evaluate and help improve organization, policies, and other aspects of the program.

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Structure and Governance of Sony’s Information Security Program

Sony’s information security program is under the responsibility of a Senior Executive, specifically, the Sony Group Chief Digital Officer (“CDO”), and the Sony Group Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”), who reports to the CDO.

Under the leadership of the CDO and CISO, and supported by a global information security team that works across the entire Sony Group, Sony implements the cybersecurity risk management and governance frameworks that are described in its policies and standards. Each business segment of Sony has a senior information security leader, called an Executive Information Security Officer (“EISO”), who reports both to the CISO and to the senior management of the particular business unit. EISOs and their associated teams are responsible for ensuring implementation and operation of the information security program in a way that is tailored to each specific business unit, including as it relates to the assessment and management of cybersecurity risks. The CISO coordinates with the EISOs to monitor the proper implementation and compliance with Sony’s cybersecurity policies and standards.

The current CDO has experience within Sony in launching and overseeing the development, technical operation, and business operations of large-scale network products and services, including overseeing implementation and operation of the information security program. The current CISO has more than 40 years of experience in cybersecurity. Before joining Sony, the CISO served as Deputy Chief Information Officer for Cybersecurity of the U.S. Department of Defense (the department’s equivalent of a CISO) and before that, as the Chief Information Assurance Executive at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense.

To oversee the information security program, the Sony Group CEO and COO receive regular reports from the CDO, monthly reports from the CISO, additional reports as needed during the response to a cyber incident, and briefings from the CDO and CISO at various times during the year. The head of each Sony business segment also receives the monthly reports from the CDO and the CISO, as well as reports and briefings from the business segment EISO.

The Board oversees Sony’s information security efforts, including in the following ways:

•

Two outside Directors oversee Sony’s information security efforts, via monthly meetings and

ad-hoc

incident response communications with the CDO and CISO. Those meetings address, among other matters, significant cybersecurity incidents and Sony Group-level policies and key initiatives regarding cybersecurity.

One of these two outside Directors has extensive experience in the development of large-scale information systems, including experience with management of the risks associated with cyberattacks.

The other outside Director serves simultaneously as the Chair of the Audit Committee.

•

The full Board receives reports from the outside Directors in charge of information security and briefings several times a year from the CDO and the CISO. The full Board also engages in discussion of these matters.

Item 17.

Financial Statements

Not Applicable

Item 18.

Financial Statements

Refer to the consolidated financial statements.

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Item 19.

Exhibits

Documents filed as exhibits to this annual report:


1.1		Amended Articles of Incorporation of Sony Group Corporation (English Translation), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1.1 to Sony’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 (Commission file number 001-06439) filed on June 28, 2022

1.2		Share Handling Regulations (English Translation)

1.3		Charter of the Board of Directors, as amended (English Translation)

2.1		Amended and Restated Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 2014, by and among Sony Group Corporation, Citibank, N. A. and the holders and beneficial owners of American Depositary Shares issued thereunder, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99. A to Sony’s registration statement on Form F-6 (Commission file number 333-198953) filed on September 26, 2014

2.2		Form of American Depositary Receipt for American Depositary Shares representing Deposited Shares of Common Stock of Sony Group Corporation, incorporated by reference to Sony’s prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) on April 1, 2021, to the registration statement on Form F-6 (Commission file number 333-198953)

2.3		Description of Rights of each Class of Securities Registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to Sony’s annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 (Commission file number 001-06439) filed on June 28, 2022

8.1		Significant subsidiaries (as defined in §210.1-02(w) of Regulation S-X) of Sony Group Corporation, including additional subsidiaries that management has deemed to be significant, as of March 31, 2024: Incorporated by reference to “Business Overview” and “Organizational Structure” in “Item 4. Information on the Company”

11.1		Global Policy on Insider Trading Prevention

12.1		302 Certification

12.2		302 Certification

13.1		906 Certification

15.1		Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Japan LLC

97.1		Sony Group Corporation Clawback Policy

101.INS		Inline XBRL Instance Document — the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

101.SCH		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104		The cover page for the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, has been formatted in Inline XBRL

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form

20-F

and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.


SONY GROUP CORPORATION
(Registrant)

By:		/s/ HIROKI TOTOKI

		(Signature)
		Hiroki Totoki
		President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer

Date: June 25, 2024

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES


		Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 2743)		F-2
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position		F-4
Consolidated Statements of Income		F-6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income		F-7
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity		F-8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		F-10
Index to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-12
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-13

All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or the notes thereto.

F-1

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Sony Group Corporation (Sony Group Kabushiki Kaisha)

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Sony Group Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, based on criteria established in

Internal Control - Integrated Framework

(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024 in conformity with IFRS Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, based on criteria established in

Internal Control - Integrated Framework

(2013) issued by the COSO.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for insurance contracts as of April 1, 2023.

Basis for Opinions

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 15(b). Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made

F-2

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only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Significant assumptions used in the valuation of insurance contract liabilities not measured under the premium allocation approach (“PAA”)

As described in Notes 2, 3 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, insurance contracts that the Company underwrites in the insurance business included in the Financial Services segment, mainly consist of whole life, term life, disease and health insurance, variable life insurance, and individual variable annuity contracts. The insurance contract liabilities related to insurance contracts are recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position. The carrying amount of a group of insurance contracts at each reporting date is the sum of the liability for incurred claims and the liability for remaining coverage. For insurance contracts not measured under the PAA, the liability for remaining coverage comprises fulfillment cash flows and contractual service margin (“CSM”). The fulfillment cash flows are measured at the reporting date using current estimates of future cash flows, discount rates, and risk adjustment for non-financial risk. The mortality rates, morbidity rates, lapse and surrender rates, and discount rates, which are used to measure the estimates of present value of future cash flows, are significant assumptions for measuring insurance contract liabilities not measured under the PAA. As of March 31, 2024, the insurance contract liabilities not measured under the PAA were 12,986,833 million yen, of which estimates of present value of future cash flows represent 10,697,166 million yen.

The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the significant assumptions used in the valuation of the insurance contract liabilities not measured under the PAA is a critical audit matter are (i) management’s significant judgment involved in developing the aforementioned significant assumptions, (ii) this in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence related to management’s significant assumptions, and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.

Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the valuation of the insurance contract liabilities not measured under the PAA, including controls over the determination of significant assumptions of mortality rates, morbidity rates, lapse and surrender rates, and discount rates, and controls over the completeness and accuracy of data used by management to develop the significant assumptions, such as past claims, lapses and surrenders and discount rates. These procedures also included, among others, testing the completeness and accuracy of data used by management to develop the significant assumptions. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating the reasonableness of the methodology used by management to determine their significant assumptions and the reasonableness of the aforementioned significant assumptions used in the valuation of the insurance contract liabilities not measured under the PAA based on industry knowledge and the Company’s historical experience.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers Japan LLC

Tokyo, Japan

June 25, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position


			Yen in millions
	Note		April 1, 2022 Restated		March 31, 2023 Restated		March 31, 2024
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		27		2,049,636		1,480,900		1,907,113
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (including assets pledged that secured parties are permitted to sell or repledge of 94,147 million yen, 85,494 million yen and 100,551 million yen as of April 1, 2022, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively)		5, 14		360,681		328,358		398,153
Trade and other receivables, and contract assets		5, 22		1,621,629		1,770,948		2,158,196
Inventories		7		874,007		1,468,042		1,518,644
Other financial assets		5		149,301		110,950		125,365
Other current assets		19		428,522		563,334		669,335
Total current assets				5,483,776		5,722,532		6,776,806
Non-current assets:
Investments accounted for using the equity method		8		268,513		325,220		423,744
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (including assets pledged that secured parties are permitted to sell or repledge of 2,700,603 million yen, 2,427,446 million yen and 2,380,365 million yen as of April 1, 2022, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, respectively)		5, 14		18,251,612		18,237,761		18,939,794
Property, plant and equipment		9		1,113,213		1,344,864		1,522,640
Right-of-use assets		10		413,430		478,063		503,395
Goodwill		11		952,895		1,275,112		1,487,100
Content assets		11, 27		1,342,046		1,561,882		1,928,113
Other intangible assets		11		450,103		563,842		615,602
Deferred tax assets		25		300,924		393,107		499,550
Other financial assets		5		696,306		832,344		897,341
Other non-current assets		19		379,137		419,368		513,405
Total non-current assets				24,168,179		25,431,563		27,330,684
Total assets				29,651,955		31,154,095		34,107,490

(Continued on the following page.)

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position (Continued)


			Yen in millions
	Note		April 1, 2022 Restated			March 31, 2023 Restated			March 31, 2024
LIABILITIES
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings		5, 14		1,976,553			1,914,934			1,812,605
Current portion of long-term debt		5, 14		171,409			187,942			217,711
Trade and other payables		5		1,843,338			1,866,101			2,064,905
Deposits from customers in the banking business		5		2,886,361			3,163,237			3,670,567
Income taxes payables				105,437			154,543			152,074
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment		18		190,162			230,223			251,743
Other financial liabilities		5		127,079			108,049			116,044
Other current liabilities		13,19		1,465,326			1,693,380			1,906,396
Total current liabilities				8,765,665			9,318,409			10,192,045
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt		5, 14		1,203,646			1,767,696			2,058,117
Defined benefit liabilities		17		254,548			236,121			247,583
Deferred tax liabilities		25		120,582			117,621			166,424
Insurance contract liabilities		13		13,042,875			12,364,973			12,931,995
Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment		18		220,113			192,952			206,081
Other financial liabilities		5		231,463			371,580			386,761
Other non-current liabilities		19		106,481			127,593			162,379
Total non-current liabilities				15,179,708			15,178,536			16,159,340
Total liabilities				23,945,373			24,496,945			26,351,385
EQUITY
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity:		20
Common stock				880,365			880,365			881,357
Additional paid-in capital				1,461,053			1,463,807			1,483,410
Retained earnings				4,170,417			5,092,442			6,002,407
Accumulated other comprehensive income				(677,989	)		(614,570	)		(376,063	)
Treasury stock, at cost				(180,042	)		(223,507	)		(403,934	)
Equity attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders				5,653,804			6,598,537			7,587,177
Noncontrolling interests		27		52,778			58,613			168,928
Total equity				5,706,582			6,657,150			7,756,105
Total liabilities and equity				29,651,955			31,154,095			34,107,490

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Income


			Yen in millions
			Fiscal year ended March 31
	Note		2022			2023 Restated			2024
Sales and financial services revenue:
Sales		22		8,396,702			10,095,841			11,260,037
Financial services revenue		5, 13
Insurance revenue				—			554,570			586,115
Other financial services revenue				—			323,962			1,174,616
Financial services revenue (before applying IFRS 17)				1,524,811			—			—
Total financial services revenue				1,524,811			878,532			1,760,731
Total sales and financial services revenue				9,921,513			10,974,373			13,020,768
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		7, 17, 23		5,845,804			7,174,723			8,089,317
Selling, general and administrative		17, 23		1,588,473			1,969,170			2,156,156
Financial services expenses		5, 13, 17
Insurance service expenses				—			382,213			407,206
Insurance finance expenses (income)				—			85,399			1,029,700
Other financial services expenses				—			96,949			169,464
Financial services expenses (before applying IFRS 17)				1,374,037			—			—
Total financial services expenses				1,374,037			564,561			1,606,370
Other operating (income) expense, net		23, 31		(65,494	)		(12,021	)		(29,404	)
Total costs and expenses				8,742,820			9,696,433			11,822,439
Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method		8		23,646			24,449			10,502
Operating income				1,202,339			1,302,389			1,208,831
Financial income		24		19,304			31,058			125,597
Financial expenses		24		104,140			58,951			65,766
Income before income taxes				1,117,503			1,274,496			1,268,662
Income taxes		25		229,097			262,723			288,168
Net income				888,406			1,011,773			980,494
Net income attributable to
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders				882,178			1,005,277			970,573
Noncontrolling interests				6,228			6,496			9,921

			Yen
			Fiscal year ended March 31
	Note		2022			2023 Restated			2024
Per share data:		26
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders
— Basic				711.84			813.53			788.29
— Diluted				705.16			809.85			785.68

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


		Yen in millions
		Fiscal year ended March 31
	Note	2022			2023 Restated			2024
Net income			888,406			1,011,773			980,494
Other comprehensive income, net of tax —	20
Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income			(106,426	)		(36,862	)		(53,814	)
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans			33,641			18,891			25,875
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method			577			145			613
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income			(416,904	)		(819,192	)		(704,636	)
Cash flow hedges			4,735			12,379			1,352
Insurance finance income (expenses)			599			727,716			563,396
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations			226,275			178,275			442,406
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method			1,501			3,554			4,735
Other			—			(144	)		(283	)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax			(256,002	)		84,762			279,644
Comprehensive income			632,404			1,096,535			1,260,138
Comprehensive income attributable to
Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders			623,678			1,087,289			1,247,301
Noncontrolling interests			8,726			9,246			12,837

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity


			Yen in millions
	Note		Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive income			Treasury stock, at cost			Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity			Noncontrolling interests			Total equity
Balance at April 1, 2021				880,214		1,489,597			2,914,503			1,520,257			(124,228	)		6,680,343			43,996			6,724,339
Comprehensive income:
Net income									882,178									882,178			6,228			888,406
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		20										(258,500	)					(258,500	)		2,498			(256,002	)
Total comprehensive income									882,178			(258,500	)					623,678			8,726			632,404
Transfer to retained earnings									39,425			(39,425	)					—						—
Transactions with stockholders and other:
Issuance of new shares				151		151												302						302
Exercise of stock acquisition rights						547									12,785			13,332						13,332
Conversion of convertible bonds						(2,805	)		(958	)					18,278			14,515						14,515
Stock-based compensation						6,643												6,643						6,643
Dividends declared (60.00 yen per share)									(74,385	)								(74,385	)		(4,955	)		(79,340	)
Purchase of treasury stock		20													(88,624	)		(88,624	)					(88,624	)
Reissuance of treasury stock						1,544									1,747			3,291						3,291
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other						(34,624	)											(34,624	)		5,011			(29,613	)
Balance at March 31, 2022				880,365		1,461,053			3,760,763			1,222,332			(180,042	)		7,144,471			52,778			7,197,249

			Yen in millions
	Note		Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive income			Treasury stock, at cost			Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity			Noncontrolling interests			Total equity
Balance at April 1, 2022				880,365		1,461,053			3,760,763			1,222,332			(180,042	)		7,144,471			52,778			7,197,249
Cumulative effects of the application of new accounting standards				—		—			409,654			(1,900,321	)		—			(1,490,667	)		—			(1,490,667	)
Restated balance at April 1, 2022				880,365		1,461,053			4,170,417			(677,989	)		(180,042	)		5,653,804			52,778			5,706,582
Comprehensive income (restated):
Net income									1,005,277									1,005,277			6,496			1,011,773
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		20										82,012						82,012			2,750			84,762
Total comprehensive income (restated)									1,005,277			82,012						1,087,289			9,246			1,096,535
Transfer to retained earnings									18,593			(18,593	)					—						—
Transactions with stockholders and other:
Exercise of stock acquisition rights						(14	)		(1,352	)					10,364			8,998						8,998
Conversion of convertible bonds						(2,588	)		(13,858	)					42,993			26,547						26,547
Stock-based compensation						11,064												11,064						11,064
Dividends declared (70.00 yen per share)									(86,635	)								(86,635	)		(5,980	)		(92,615	)
Purchase of treasury stock		20													(99,248	)		(99,248	)					(99,248	)
Reissuance of treasury stock						1,242									2,426			3,668						3,668
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other						(6,950	)											(6,950	)		2,569			(4,381	)
Restated balance at March 31, 2023				880,365		1,463,807			5,092,442			(614,570	)		(223,507	)		6,598,537			58,613			6,657,150

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Continued)


			Yen in millions
	Note		Common stock		Additional paid-in capital			Retained earnings			Accumulated other comprehensive income			Treasury stock, at cost			Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders’ equity			Noncontrolling interests			Total equity
Balance at April 1, 2023				880,365		1,463,807			5,092,442			(614,570	)		(223,507	)		6,598,537			58,613			6,657,150
Comprehensive income:
Net income									970,573									970,573			9,921			980,494
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		20										276,728						276,728			2,916			279,644
Total comprehensive income									970,573			276,728						1,247,301			12,837			1,260,138
Transfer to retained earnings									38,221			(38,221	)					—						—
Transactions with stockholders and other:
Exercise of stock acquisition rights and other				992		(1,939	)		(144	)					19,257			18,166						18,166
Stock-based compensation						13,956												13,956						13,956
Dividends declared (80.00 yen per share)									(98,685	)								(98,685	)		(5,786	)		(104,471	)
Purchase of treasury stock		20													(202,974	)		(202,974	)					(202,974	)
Reissuance of treasury stock						1,786									3,290			5,076						5,076
Transactions with noncontrolling interests shareholders and other		27				5,800												5,800			103,264			109,064
Balance at March 31, 2024				881,357		1,483,410			6,002,407			(376,063	)		(403,934	)		7,587,177			168,928			7,756,105

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


			Yen in millions
			Fiscal year ended March 31
	Note		2022			2023 Restated			2024
Cash flows from operating activities:
Income before income taxes				1,117,503			1,274,496			1,268,662
Adjustments to reconcile income before income taxes to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of contract costs				835,233			1,004,590			1,144,981
Amortization of deferred insurance acquisition costs (before applying IFRS 17)				69,237			—			—
Other operating (income) expense, net		23		(65,494	)		(12,021	)		(29,404	)
(Gain) loss on securities, net (other than Financial Services segment)		24		60,402			4,469			(73,166	)
Share of profit of investments accounted for using the equity method, net of dividends				(13,934	)		(17,696	)		(715	)
Change in future insurance policy benefits and other (before applying IFRS 17)				458,880			—			—
Change in policyholders’ account in the life insurance business, less cash impact (before applying IFRS 17)				238,309			—			—
Net cash impact of policyholders’ account in the life insurance business (before applying IFRS 17)				227,262			—			—
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in trade receivables and contract assets				(171,094	)		(70,349	)		(243,646	)
(Increase) decrease in inventories				(194,624	)		(560,382	)		75,641
Increase in investments and advances in the Financial Services segment				(1,724,164	)		(1,093,792	)		(1,748,913	)
Increase in content assets				(502,253	)		(594,547	)		(486,183	)
Increase in deferred insurance acquisition costs (before applying IFRS 17)				(117,337	)		—			—
Increase (decrease) in trade payables				126,989			(107,250	)		9,188
Increase in insurance contract liabilities, net of insurance contract assets				—			330,654			1,370,580
Increase in deposits from customers in the banking business				230,236			300,201			536,688
Increase (decrease) in borrowings in the life insurance business and the banking business				905,139			111,314			(41,516	)
Increase (decrease) in taxes payable other than income taxes, net				17,840			4,183			(22,491	)
(Increase) decrease in other financial assets and other current assets				(17,681	)		5,932			(31,821	)
Increase in other financial liabilities and other current liabilities				66,407			130,142			19,562
Income taxes paid		25		(269,885	)		(297,881	)		(293,997	)
Other				(43,328	)		(97,372	)		(80,237	)
Net cash provided by operating activities				1,233,643			314,691			1,373,213

(Continued on the following page.)

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)


		Yen in millions
		Fiscal year ended March 31
	Note	2022			2023 Restated			2024
Cash flows from investing activities:
Payments for property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets			(441,096	)		(613,635	)		(623,946	)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets			11,409			11,595			11,571
Payments for investments and advances (other than Financial Services segment)			(91,082	)		(191,129	)		(95,506	)
Proceeds from sales or return of investments and collections of advances (other than Financial Services segment)			16,081			13,548			92,679
Payments for purchases of businesses and other	27		(277,618	)		(283,402	)		(199,255	)
Proceeds from sales of businesses			64,609			1,221			—
Other			(11,083	)		9,138			(4,429	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(728,780	)		(1,052,664	)		(818,886	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings, net	14, 27		408			32,391			(18,370	)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	14, 27		31,458			361,776			225,176
Payments of long-term debt	14, 27		(194,562	)		(132,198	)		(128,150	)
Dividends paid			(74,342	)		(86,568	)		(98,620	)
Payments for purchases of treasury stock	20		(88,624	)		(99,248	)		(202,974	)
Other			(10,916	)		8,147			12,229
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities			(336,578	)		84,300			(210,709	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			94,369			84,937			82,595
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			262,654			(568,736	)		426,213
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the fiscal year	27		1,786,982			2,049,636			1,480,900
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the fiscal year	27		2,049,636			1,480,900			1,907,113

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Index to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Sony Group Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries


		Page
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1.	Reporting entity		F-13
2.	Basis of preparation		F-13
3.	Summary of material accounting policies		F-15
4.	Business segment information		F-35
5.	Financial instruments		F-40
6.	Financial risk management		F-51
7.	Inventories		F-61
8.	Investments in associates and joint ventures		F-61
9.	Property, plant and equipment		F-63
10.	Leases		F-63
11.	Goodwill and intangible assets		F-65
12.	Impairment of non-financial assets		F-69
13.	Insurance contracts in the Financial Services segment		F-69
14.	Short-term borrowings and long-term debt		F-83
15.	Derivative instruments and hedging activities		F-84
16.	Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities		F-87
17.	Employee benefits		F-88
18.	Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment		F-94
19.	Other assets and other liabilities		F-94
20.	Stockholders’ equity		F-95
21.	Stock-based compensation plans		F-99
22.	Revenue		F-102
23.	Supplemental consolidated statements of income information		F-103
24.	Financial income and expense		F-104
25.	Income taxes		F-104
26.	Reconciliation of the differences between basic and diluted EPS		F-109
27.	Supplemental cash flow information		F-109
28.	Structured entities		F-112
29.	Subsidiaries		F-114
30.	Acquisitions		F-114
31.	Divestiture		F-117
32.	Related party transactions		F-118
33.	Purchase commitments, contingent liabilities and other		F-119
34.	Subsequent events		F-120

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SONY GROUP CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Sony Group Corporation and Consolidated Subsidiaries

1.	Reporting entity

Sony Group Corporation is a public company domiciled in Japan. Sony Group Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Sony” or “Sony Group”) are engaged in the development, design, production, manufacture, offer and sale of various kinds of electronic equipment, instruments, and devices for consumer, professional and industrial markets such as network services, home gaming consoles and software, televisions, audio and video recorders and players, still and video cameras, smartphones, and image sensors. Sony’s primary manufacturing facilities are located in Asia including Japan. Sony also utilizes third-party contract manufacturers for certain products. Sony’s products and services are marketed throughout the world by sales subsidiaries and unaffiliated distributors as well as direct sales and offers via the internet. Sony is engaged in the development, production, manufacture, and distribution of recorded music and the management and licensing of the words and music of songs as well as production and distribution of animation titles and game applications. Sony is also engaged in the production, acquisition and distribution of motion pictures and television programming and the operation of television networks and

direct-to-consumer

(“DTC”) streaming services. Further, Sony is also engaged in various financial services businesses, including life and

non-life

insurance businesses through its Japanese insurance subsidiaries and banking business through a Japanese internet-based banking subsidiary.

2.	Basis of preparation

Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards

The consolidated financial statements of Sony have been prepared in accordance with IFRS

Accounting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS Accounting Standards”). The term IFRS Accounting Standards also includes IAS

Standards, SIC

Interpretations and IFRIC

Interpretations.

Approval of consolidated financial statements

The consolidated financial statements were approved by Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Representative Corporate Executive Officer, and Hiroki Totoki, President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer and Representative Corporate Executive Officer, on June 25, 2024.

Functional currency and presentation currency

The consolidated financial statements have been presented in Japanese yen, which is the functional currency of Sony Group Corporation. All financial information presented in Japanese yen has been rounded to the nearest million Japanese yen.

Use of estimates and judgments

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies, the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are reviewed on a continuous basis. Changes in these accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimates are revised and in any future periods affected.

Information about judgments that have been made in the process of applying accounting policies that have significant effects on the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

•

Classification of financial instruments (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (5))

•

Measurement of insurance contract liabilities (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (11) and Note 13)

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Information about accounting estimates and assumptions that have significant effects on the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements is as follows:

•

Fair value of financial instruments (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (5) and (15) and Note 5)

•

Impairment of

non-financial

assets (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (10) and Note 12)

•

Measurement of insurance contract liabilities (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (11) and Note 13)

•

Measurement of film costs and participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (9) and (12), Note 11, and Note 18)

•

Recoverability of deferred tax assets (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (24) and Note 25)

•

Measurement of fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations (Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (2) and Note 30)

Change in accounting policies

Sony adopted the following accounting standards from the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024:

IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts”

The International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued IFRS 17 “Insurance Contracts” (“IFRS 17”) in May 2017 and Amendments to IFRS 17 in June 2020 and December 2021. IFRS 17 replaces IFRS 4 “Insurance Contracts” (“IFRS 4”) and sets out principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of insurance contracts within the scope of IFRS 17. IFRS 17 provides a general model, supplemented by a specific approach (the variable fee approach) for contracts with direct participation features, and a simplified approach (the premium allocation approach) mainly for short-duration contracts.

IFRS 17 was effective for Sony as of April 1, 2023. In the consolidated statements of financial position, insurance-related accounts, which were primarily presented as future insurance policy benefits and other, policyholders’ account in the life insurance business, and deferred insurance acquisition costs under IFRS 4, are primarily presented as insurance contract liabilities in accordance with IFRS 17. While future insurance policy benefits under IFRS 4 were mainly measured using the assumptions determined at initial recognition, insurance contract liabilities under IFRS 17 are remeasured using the current assumptions as of each reporting date. In addition, while deferred insurance acquisition costs were recognized as an asset separately from future insurance policy benefits under IFRS 4, after applying IFRS 17, such costs are included in the measurement of insurance contract liabilities, to the extent they are within the scope of fulfillment cash flows. As a result, the effect of adopting IFRS 17 on Sony’s total equity as of April 1, 2022, the transition date for IFRS 17, was a decrease of 1,490,667 million yen, which consisted of an increase of 409,654 million yen of retained earnings and a decrease of 1,900,321 million yen of accumulated other comprehensive income, mainly due to the effect of the changes in the discount rate used in measuring insurance contract liabilities and other measurement method differences between IFRS 4 and IFRS 17. The financial services revenue, after applying IFRS 17, is separately presented as insurance revenue and other financial services revenue in the consolidated statements of income. The insurance revenue differs from insurance premium revenue under IFRS 4 mainly because the insurance revenue excludes any investment components that are deposits.

Sony has retrospectively applied the changes in accounting policies resulting from the adoption of IFRS 17 unless it was impracticable. Sony applied the modified retrospective approach, which uses reasonable and supportable information, or the fair value approach, which uses the fair value as of April 1, 2022, the transition date for IFRS 17, to identify, recognize, and measure certain groups of insurance contracts as of the transition date for IFRS 17 (see Note 13), for which it was impracticable to apply the full retrospective approach. Therefore, Sony has restated the consolidated financial statements for the comparative period immediately preceding the period in which IFRS 17 was first applied and the consolidated statements of financial position as of April 1, 2022 on the basis of the retrospective application of IFRS 17.

Sony has applied the transition provisions in IFRS 17 and has not disclosed the impact of the retrospective application of IFRS 17 on each financial statement line item and earnings per share. The effects of the retrospective application of IFRS 17 on Sony’s total equity as of April 1, 2022 are presented in the consolidated statements of changes in stockholders’ equity.

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As a result of the adoption of IFRS 17, the accounting policies for insurance contracts applied in the consolidated financial statements for the previous fiscal year have been changed. Refer to Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (11) regarding the material accounting policies for insurance contracts after the adoption of IFRS 17.

Change in presentation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Certain reclassifications of the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and 2023 have been made to conform to the presentation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

3.	Summary of material accounting policies

I.	Material accounting policies

(1)	Basis of consolidation -

Subsidiaries

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by Sony Group Corporation. Control is obtained when Sony Group Corporation is exposed, or has rights to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.

The financial statements of subsidiaries are included in the consolidated financial statements of Sony from the date on which control is obtained until the date on which control is lost.

All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

If any accounting policies applied by a subsidiary differ from those applied by Sony, adjustments are made to the financial statements of the subsidiary as necessary.

Any changes in ownership interest in a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control are accounted for as equity transactions. The difference between the amount by which the

non-controlling

interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration is directly recognized in equity and attributed to the owners of Sony. When control over a subsidiary is lost, the investment retained in the former subsidiary is remeasured at fair value as of the date when control is lost, and any gain or loss resulting from the loss of control is recognized in profit or loss.

ii)

Associates and joint ventures

An associate is an entity over which Sony has significant influence, but does not have control or joint control, in terms of financial and operating policies.

A joint venture is an investee whereby two or more parties including Sony have the rights to the net assets of the investee in accordance with the terms of the joint arrangement. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method from the date on which significant influence or joint control is obtained until the date on which significant

influence or joint control is lost. Under the equity method, investments in associates and joint ventures are recognized at cost, adjusted for Sony’s share of the profit or loss and other comprehensive income of the associates and joint ventures from the date on which Sony obtains significant influence or joint control to the date on which Sony loses such significant influence or joint control. Sony recognizes its share of profit or loss of the investees, net of income taxes after the elimination of unrealized intercompany profits, in the consolidated operating income (loss) to the extent of Sony’s interest in these entities.

For investments accounted for using the equity method, the carrying amount of each investment is tested for impairment as a single asset, when there is objective evidence that the investments may be impaired.

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If any accounting policies applied by an associate or a joint venture differ from those applied by Sony, adjustments are made to the financial statements of the associate or the joint venture as necessary.

When an investment ceases to be an associate or a joint venture and the use of the equity method is discontinued, any gain or loss arising from discontinuation of the equity method is recognized in profit or loss.

iii)

Joint operations

A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby two or more parties including Sony have the rights to the assets, and obligations for the liabilities, relating to the investee in accordance with the terms of the joint arrangement.

Sony recognizes its share of the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses related to joint operations.

iv)

Structured entities

A structured entity is an entity designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls the entity.

Sony has control and, therefore, consolidates a structured entity when Sony has exposure or rights to variable returns and has the ability to use its power over the structured entity to affect returns.

(2)	Business combinations -

Sony recognizes identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed of an acquiree at their fair values at the acquisition date with limited exceptions.

Sony recognizes goodwill when the aggregate of the consideration transferred in a business combination, the amount of any

non-controlling

interests in the acquiree and the fair value of Sony’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree exceeds the net amount of the identifiable assets and liabilities of the acquiree at the acquisition date. If the aggregate above is less than the net amount of identifiable assets and liabilities, the difference is recognized as a gain. The consideration transferred is calculated as the sum of the fair values of the assets transferred, liabilities assumed and equity interest issued.

Non-controlling

interests are measured either at fair value or based on the

non-controlling

interests’ proportionate share of the acquiree’s net identifiable assets for each business combination transaction.

Acquisition-related costs are recognized as expenses in the period they are incurred.

(3)	Foreign currency translation -

Foreign currency transactions

Foreign currency transactions are translated at the exchange rates prevailing at the transaction date or rates that approximate such rates. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rate at the end of the period. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from translation and settlement are generally recognized in profit or loss. They are deferred in other comprehensive income if they relate to qualifying cash flow hedges.

ii)

Foreign operations

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations such as overseas subsidiaries and associates are translated using the exchange rates at the end of the period, and revenue and expense items are translated using the average exchange rates for the period unless the exchange rates fluctuate significantly. Exchange differences arising from the translation are recognized in other comprehensive income.

On the disposal of a foreign operation, the cumulative amount of exchange differences relating to that foreign operation is reclassified to profit or loss.

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(4)	Cash and cash equivalents -

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments, with original maturities of three months or less, that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.

(5)	Financial instruments -

Sony recognizes a financial instrument as a financial asset or a financial liability when Sony becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value. Except for financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issuance of the financial asset or financial liability are added to the fair value of financial assets or subtracted from the fair value of financial liabilities at initial recognition.

Non-derivative

financial assets

Classification and measurement

Non-derivative

financial assets held by Sony are classified as either financial assets measured at amortized cost, debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income or financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Financial assets measured at amortized cost

Sony classifies a financial asset as measured at amortized cost if the financial asset is held within a business model whose objective is to collect contractual cash flows and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. The financial asset is measured at amortized cost by using the effective interest method after initial recognition. On derecognition of a financial asset measured at amortized cost, the difference between the carrying amount and the consideration received or receivable is recognized in profit or loss.

Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

A debt instrument is classified as a financial asset measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if the debt instrument is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling the financial asset and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. Changes in the fair value of the financial asset after initial recognition, except for impairment gains or losses and foreign exchange gains or losses, are recognized in other comprehensive income. Interest income from these financial assets is recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method. On derecognition of a debt instrument measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, the cumulative amount previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss.

In the life insurance business, the financial assets are held mainly from the perspective of asset-liability management (“ALM”). The objective of holding financial assets in the life insurance business is to match the interest rate sensitivity (duration) of financial assets and insurance contract liabilities as much as possible, in order to ensure sufficient cash flows are available to settle insurance claims when they come due.

Sony manages these assets as one portfolio, based on the overall objective of managing duration and liquidity needs in a capital-efficient manner. While some assets within the portfolio may be held for a longer period of time, Sony considers, because of its overall objective for these assets, that all the financial assets are held within one business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting cash flows and selling financial assets.

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Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income

For investments in equity instruments which are not held for trading, Sony may make an irrevocable election at initial recognition to present subsequent changes in fair value of the investments in other comprehensive income.

These financial assets are measured at fair value and subsequent changes in the fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income. Dividends from financial assets are recognized in profit or loss, and the cumulative amount recognized in other comprehensive income is transferred to retained earnings upon derecognition.

Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss

Financial assets other than those measured at amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income are classified as financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading.

In the life insurance business, investments held for variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts mainly consist of equity securities, debt securities and investment funds, which are measured at fair value through profit or loss.

For certain financial assets that would not normally be measured at fair value through profit or loss, Sony may, at initial recognition, choose the irrevocable option to measure such financial assets at fair value through profit or loss in order to eliminate or significantly reduce an accounting mismatch.

In the life insurance business, Sony mitigates accounting mismatches by designating certain debt securities to be measured at fair value through profit or loss, consistent with insurance finance income or expenses incurred from certain variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts after applying IFRS 17.

In the banking business, in relation to some fixed-rate debt securities, Sony utilizes derivatives to hedge the risk arising from the changes in the fair value of the debt securities due to unfavorable fluctuations of interest rates, and mitigates accounting mismatches by designating the debt securities to be measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Derecognition

Sony derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when Sony transfers the contractual rights to receive the cash flows of the financial asset and transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards of the financial asset.

Impairment

Sony estimates expected credit losses and recognizes loss allowances for financial assets measured at amortized cost and debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income. At each reporting date, Sony measures the loss allowance for a financial instrument at an amount equal to the lifetime expected credit losses if the credit risk on that financial instrument has increased significantly since initial recognition. If, at the reporting date, the credit risk on a financial instrument has not increased significantly since initial recognition, Sony measures the loss allowance for that financial instrument at an amount equal to

12-month

expected credit losses. In assessing whether the credit risk has increased significantly or not, Sony uses the change in the risk of a default occurring over the expected life of the financial instrument and estimates expected credit losses by using the method which reflects the past loss rate and other reasonable and supportable forward-looking information on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of the customers to settle the receivables.

Sony measures the expected credit losses of a financial asset in a way that reflects an unbiased and probability-weighted amount incorporating the time value of money and reasonable and supportable information that is available at the reporting date about past events, current conditions and forecasts of future economic conditions.

However, for trade and other receivables, and contract assets including

non-current

other receivables in the Pictures segment, the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to lifetime expected credit

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losses irrespective of the change of credit risk on a collective basis or an individual basis incorporating factors such as the

past-due

status and the attributes of the counterparties.

Sony determines a financial asset is credit-impaired when one or more events that have a detrimental impact on the estimated future cash flows of that financial asset have occurred. The criteria that Sony uses to determine that a financial asset is credit-impaired include a default or delinquency of more than 90 days past due in interest or principal payments.

Sony writes off the gross carrying amount of a financial asset when it cannot reasonably expect to recover all or part of the asset.

Debt securities and housing loans in the Financial Services segment

The expected credit losses for debt securities and housing loans in the Financial Services segment are the product of the probability of default (“PD”), loss given default (“LGD”) and exposure at default (“EAD”), by leveraging the Basel III regulatory framework or based on the external information published by major credit rating agencies. Forward-looking economic information is also included in determining the PD.

Assessments on significant increases in credit risk are performed at the reporting date by comparing the risk of default occurring with that at initial recognition. Sony recognizes and measures the expected credit losses on a collective basis or an individual basis using reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort, such as asset type, credit ratings, collateral collectability,

past-due

status and other relevant characteristics of financial instruments.

In addition, Sony has applied the low credit risk exemption for certain debt securities rated “investment grade” by major credit rating agencies at the reporting date. For such instruments, Sony assumes that the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition.

If contractual terms of a loan have been modified, it is necessary to recalculate the gross carrying amount of that loan by using the original effective interest rate and recognize a modification gain or loss in profit or loss.

ii)

Non-derivative

financial liabilities

Sony classifies

non-derivative

financial liabilities as either financial liabilities subsequently measured at amortized cost by using the effective interest method or financial liabilities subsequently measured at fair value through profit or loss.

Sony derecognizes a financial liability when it is extinguished, meaning when the obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled or expired.

iii)

Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting

All derivatives are recognized as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized periodically through profit or loss or other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative financial instrument qualifies as a hedge and the derivative is being used to hedge changes in fair value or cash flows.

Derivative financial instruments held by Sony are accounted for as described below.

Cash flow hedges

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and determined to be effective as cash flow hedges for forecasted transactions or exposures associated with recognized assets or liabilities are initially recorded in other comprehensive income and reclassified to profit or loss when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss. Changes in the fair value of the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in profit or loss.

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Derivatives not designated as hedges

Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges are immediately recognized in profit or loss.

Assessment of hedge effectiveness

When applying hedge accounting, Sony formally documents all hedging relationships between the derivatives designated as hedges and the hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedging activities. Sony links all hedges that are designated as cash flow hedges to specific assets or liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position or to the specific forecasted transactions. Sony also assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are designated as hedges have an economic relationship with the hedged item in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of hedged items. The effect of credit risk does not dominate the value changes that result from the underlying economic relationship. In addition, the hedge ratio of the hedging relationship is designed to be the same as that resulting from the quantity of the hedged item that Sony actually hedges and the quantity of the hedging instrument that Sony actually uses to hedge that quantity of the hedged item. When it is determined that a derivative no longer has an economic relationship with the hedged item, Sony discontinues hedge accounting.

iv)

Offsetting a financial asset and a financial liability

Sony offsets a financial asset and a financial liability and presents the net amount in the consolidated statements of financial position when Sony currently has a legally enforceable right to set off the recognized amounts and intends either to settle on a net basis or to realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

(6)	Inventories -

Inventories are measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of inventories is determined on the

“

weighted average cost

”

basis. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale.

(7)	Property, plant and equipment and depreciation -

Sony has adopted the cost model for the measurement of property, plant and equipment and presents an item of property, plant and equipment at its cost less any accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. The cost of an item of property, plant and equipment includes any costs directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset as well as costs of its dismantlement, removal or restoration. Property, plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful lives (depreciation period ranging from 2 to 50 years for buildings and from 2 to 10 years for machinery and equipment). Sony reviews the residual values and the useful lives at each fiscal

year-end,

or sooner if circumstances require.

(8)

Leases -

When entering into a contract, Sony determines whether an arrangement contains a lease at its inception. An arrangement contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Assets and liabilities recognized from leases are included in

right-of-use

(“ROU”) assets, the current portion of long-term debt, and long-term debt in Sony’s consolidated statements of financial position.

ROU assets represent Sony’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent Sony’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. ROU assets also include any lease payments and initial direct costs incurred on or before the commencement date and exclude lease incentives. In determining the present value of lease payments, Sony generally uses its incremental borrowing rate, as the implicit rate is not available for most of its leases. Sony determines its incremental borrowing rate based on the estimated rate of interest for collateralized borrowings, taking into account the lease term and the economic conditions of each country or region at commencement date. The lease terms may include

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options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that Sony will exercise that option. If the lease transfers ownership of the underlying asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term or the purchase option is reasonably certain to be exercised, Sony depreciates the ROU assets from the commencement date to the end of the useful life of the underlying assets. Otherwise, Sony depreciates the ROU assets from the commencement date to the earlier of the end of the useful life of the ROU assets or the end of the lease term. Sony accounts for the lease and

non-lease

components as a single lease component. Sony has applied the short-term lease exception for leases with a term of one year or less, where ROU assets and lease liabilities are not recognized and the expense is recognized on a straight-line basis.

(9)	Intangible assets and amortization, including content assets -

Intangible assets are measured using the cost model and stated at cost less accumulated amortization and impairment losses. Intangible assets acquired separately are initially recognized at cost.

Intangible assets with finite useful lives mainly consist of patent rights,

know-how,

license agreements, customer relationships, trademarks, software, television carriage contracts (broadcasting agreements), film costs, broadcasting rights, music catalogs, artist contracts, music distribution rights and game content. Patent rights,

know-how,

license agreements, trademarks and software are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over 3 to 10 years. Customer relationships, television carriage contracts (broadcasting agreements), artist contracts, music distribution rights and game content are generally amortized on a straight-line basis, over 2 to 15 years. Music catalogs are generally amortized on a straight-line basis, over 5 to 44 years. Film costs are amortized using an ultimate revenue method based on the ratio of current period actual revenues to the estimated remaining total revenues. Sony considers that amortization pursuant to the ultimate revenue method reflects the rate at which it plans to consume the future economic benefits related to the asset, and there is a high correlation between revenue and the consumption of the economic benefits embodied in the intangible assets. Broadcasting rights are generally amortized based on estimated usage or on a straight-line basis over the useful life.

Amortization of intangible assets is included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Certain intangible assets are assessed to have indefinite lives because there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which such assets are expected to generate net cash flows for Sony.

Film costs, broadcasting rights, music catalogs, artist contracts, music distribution rights and game content are collectively classified and presented as content assets in the consolidated statements of financial position. Film costs include direct production costs, production overhead, and costs for acquisition and distribution rights for both motion picture and television productions. Broadcasting rights, consisting of acquired programming to be aired on Sony’s television networks and DTC streaming services, are recognized when the license period begins and the program is available for use. Music catalogs are exclusive rights to the recorded music master or music copyrights, which consist of melodies and lyrics of songs, that can be exploited and marketed in various markets. Artist contracts are contracts with recorded music artists or songwriters that provide Sony with exclusive rights to musical works. Music distribution rights are agreements to distribute music content owned by third parties. Game content includes internally developed content, content developed through a third-party arrangement where Sony owns the rights to the content, content acquired externally through contracts with third parties, and agreements to distribute game content owned by third parties.

(10)	Impairment of non-financial assets -

Sony reviews the recoverability of its

non-financial

A CGU is the smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or group of assets. Goodwill is allocated to each CGU or group of CGUs that is expected to benefit from the synergies of a business combination. A CGU or group of CGUs to which goodwill is allocated is not larger than an operating segment.

The recoverable amount of an asset, a CGU or group of CGUs is the higher of its value in use and fair value less costs of disposal. In assessing value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present

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value using a

pre-tax

discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the assets. This approach uses significant estimates and assumptions, including estimated future cash flows, the timing of such cash flows, discount rates reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rates, earnings or revenue multiples, the determination of appropriate comparable entities and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables. The assumptions used for estimated future cash flows and the timing of such cash flows for each CGU are generally based on the three-year

mid-range

plan (“MRP”) and take into account such factors as historical experience, market and industry information, and current and forecasted economic conditions. Perpetual growth rates are generally utilized to determine a terminal value and are generally set after the three-year forecasted period for the MRP.

If the recoverable amount is determined to be less than the carrying amount of a CGU or group of CGUs, an impairment loss would be recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. Such impairment losses are recognized by first reducing the carrying amount of any allocated goodwill and then are allocated to the other assets of the CGU on a pro rata basis of the carrying amount of each asset in the CGU. Impairment losses except for content assets are included in other operating (income) expense, net, and impairment losses for content assets are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.

Assets other than goodwill are reviewed to assess whether there is any indication that an impairment loss recognized in prior periods may no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is determined and a reversal of an impairment loss is recognized when the recoverable amount of the asset exceeds the carrying amount. Any increase in the carrying amount of an asset attributable to the reversal of an impairment loss does not exceed the carrying amount of the asset, net of depreciation and amortization, which would have been determined if an impairment loss had never been recognized for the asset in prior periods.

(11)	Insurance contract liabilities -

Definition and classification of insurance contracts

Sony defines insurance contracts as the contracts under which Sony accepts significant insurance risk by agreeing to compensate the policyholder if a specified uncertain future event adversely affects the policyholder. In making this assessment, all substantive rights and obligations, including those arising from laws and regulations, are considered on a

contract-by-contract

basis. Sony uses judgment in assessing whether there is a scenario with commercial substance in which there is the possibility of a loss on a present value basis and whether the accepted insurance risk is significant. Contracts that have a legal form of an insurance contract but do not transfer significant insurance risk to Sony are classified as investment contracts and the investment contract liabilities are accounted for as financial liabilities and included in other financial liabilities.

Insurance contracts that Sony underwrites in the life insurance business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, mainly consist of whole life, term life, disease and health insurance, variable life insurance, and individual variable annuity contracts. Sony classifies certain variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts as insurance contracts with direct participation features, if they meet all of the following conditions on initial recognition:

•

the contractual terms specify that the policyholder participates in a share of a clearly identified pool of underlying items;

•

Sony expects to pay to the policyholder an amount equal to a substantial share of the fair value returns on the underlying items; and

•

Sony expects a substantial proportion of any change in the amounts to be paid to the policyholder to vary with the change in the fair value of the underlying items.

All other insurance contracts are classified as insurance contracts without direct participation features.

ii)

Aggregation of insurance contracts

In measuring insurance contracts, Sony aggregates the insurance contracts into groups. Each group of insurance contracts is determined by identifying portfolios of insurance contracts. Each

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portfolio is comprised of contracts that are subject to similar risks and are managed together, and Sony divides each portfolio by each quarterly accounting period (to which the issue date of the insurance contracts belongs). The portfolios are then classified into one of the following three groups based on the profitability of contracts:

•

any contracts that are onerous on initial recognition;

•

any contracts that, on initial recognition, have no significant possibility of becoming onerous subsequently; and

•

any remaining contracts.

iii)

Recognition and derecognition of insurance contracts

A group of insurance contracts issued by Sony is recognized from the earliest of:

•

the beginning of the coverage period of the group of insurance contracts;

•

when the first payment from the policyholder in the group of insurance contracts becomes due; and

•

when facts and circumstances indicate that the group of insurance contracts is onerous.

If there is no contractual due date, the due date is considered as the day when the first payment is received from the policyholder.

In addition, only contracts that individually meet the recognition criteria by the end of the reporting period are included in the groups. When contracts individually meet the recognition criteria after the end of the reporting period, they are added to the groups in the reporting period in which they meet the recognition criteria. Composition of the groups is not reassessed in subsequent periods.

Insurance acquisition cash flows are allocated to groups of insurance contracts using a systematic and rational method and considering, in an unbiased way, all reasonable and supportable information that is available without undue cost or effort. If insurance acquisition cash flows are directly attributable to a group of insurance contracts, they are allocated to that group. If insurance acquisition cash flows are directly attributable to a portfolio but not to a group of insurance contracts, then they are allocated to the groups in that portfolio using a systematic and rational method.

Sony derecognizes an insurance contract when it is extinguished, i.e., when the obligation specified in the insurance contract expires or is discharged or canceled. When an insurance contract is derecognized, Sony:

•

adjusts the fulfillment cash flows allocated to the group of insurance contracts to eliminate those relating to the derecognized rights and obligations;

•

adjusts the contractual service margin (“CSM”) of the group of insurance contracts for the change in the fulfillment cash flows; and

•

adjusts the number of coverage units expected for the remaining insurance contract services to reflect the number of coverage units derecognized from the group of insurance contracts.

iv)

Contract boundaries

In measuring groups of insurance contracts, Sony includes all of the future cash flows within the boundary of each contract in the group. Cash flows are within the contract boundary if they arise from substantive rights and obligations that exist during the reporting period in which the policyholder is obliged to pay premiums or Sony has a substantive obligation to provide services (including insurance coverage and any investment services).

A substantive obligation to provide services ends when Sony:

(a)

has the practical ability to reassess the risks of the particular policyholder and can set a price or level of benefits that fully reflects those reassessed risks; or

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(b)

has the practical ability to reassess the risks of the portfolio that contains the contract and can set a price or level of benefits that fully reflects the risks of that portfolio, and the pricing of the premiums up to the reassessment date does not take into account risks that relate to periods after the reassessment date.

For cash flows arising during the period after the renewal of the insurance contract with automatic renewal clauses, Sony assesses the contract boundaries and determines that they are within the existing contract boundaries when Sony does not have the above practical ability to reassess the risks.

Initial measurement of insurance contracts not measured under the premium allocation approach (“PAA”)

On initial recognition, Sony measures a group of insurance contracts as the total of the following:

(a)

Fulfillment cash flows

The fulfillment cash flows of the groups of insurance contracts consist of estimates of the future cash flows and risk adjustments for

non-financial

risk. The estimates of the future cash flows are adjusted to reflect the time value of money and the associated financial risks, and do not reflect Sony’s

non-performance

risk. The discount rates reflect the characteristics of the cash flows arising from the groups of insurance contracts, including timing, currency and liquidity of cash flows. The determination of the discount rate that reflects the characteristics of the cash flows and liquidity characteristics of the insurance contracts involves significant estimation. The risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk, determined separately from the other estimates, is designed to reflect the compensation required for bearing uncertainty about the amount and timing of the cash flows that arise from

non-financial

risk.

(b)

CSM

The CSM of a group of insurance contracts represents the unearned profit that Sony will recognize as it provides insurance contract services under those contracts.

vi)

Subsequent measurement of insurance contracts not measured under the PAA

The carrying amount of a group of insurance contracts at each reporting date is the sum of the liability for incurred claims and the liability for remaining coverage. The liability for incurred claims comprises the fulfillment cash flows for incurred claims and expenses that have not yet been paid, including claims that have been incurred but not yet reported. The liability for remaining coverage comprises the items described below.

(a)

Fulfillment cash flows

The fulfillment cash flows of groups of insurance contracts are measured at the reporting date using current estimates of future cash flows, discount rates, and risk adjustment for

non-financial

(b)

CSM

The carrying amount of the CSM of contracts without direct participation features at each reporting date is the carrying amount at the beginning of the fiscal year, adjusted for the following items (items (2), (3)1, (3)2, and (3)4 below are measured using the discount rate determined at initial recognition

(locked-in

discount rate)):

(1)

the effect of any new contracts that are added to the group during the current period;

(2)

the interest accreted on the carrying amount of the CSM during the current period;

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(3)

the changes in fulfillment cash flows relating to future service including the following items:

experience adjustments arising from premiums received in the current period that relate to future services (including those for related cash flows such as insurance acquisition cash flows and premium-based taxes);

changes in estimates of the present value of future cash flows in the liability for remaining coverage (excluding the effect of the time value of money, financial risk and changes therein);

differences between any investment component expected to become payable in the current period and the actual investment component that becomes payable in the current period; and

changes in the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk that relate to future services;

(4)

the effect of any currency exchange differences; and

(5)

the amount recognized as insurance revenue for insurance contract services provided during the current period, which is determined after all other adjustments above.

The carrying amount of the CSM of contracts with direct participation features at each reporting date is the carrying amount at the beginning of the fiscal year, adjusted for the following items (items (3)2, (3)3, (3)4, and (3)5 below are measured using the current discount rate):

(1)

the effect of any new contracts that are added to the group during the current period;

(2)

the changes in Sony’s share of the fair value of the underlying items;

(3)

the changes in the fulfillment cash flows that do not vary based on the returns of underlying items including the following items:

changes in the effect of the time value of money and financial risks including the effect of financial guarantees;

changes in estimates of the present value of future cash flows in the liability for remaining coverage (excluding the effect of the time value of money, financial risk and changes therein);

differences between any investment component expected to become payable in the current period and the actual investment component that becomes payable in the current period; and

changes in the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk that relate to future services;

(4)

the effect of any currency exchange differences; and

(5)

the amount recognized as insurance revenue for insurance contract services provided during the current period, which is determined after all other adjustments above.

Sony has selected an accounting policy to update accounting estimates related to insurance contracts made in the previous interim consolidated financial statements in the subsequent annual and interim consolidated financial statements and to measure the annual results using the

year-to-date

approach.

Changes in the fulfillment cash flows that relate to current or past services are recognized as profit or loss. Changes in the fulfillment cash flows that relate to future services are adjusted as the CSM or loss component as follows:

•

when an increase in the fulfillment cash flows exceeds the carrying amount of the CSM, the CSM is reduced to zero and the excess is recognized as insurance service expenses

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and such excess is recorded as a loss component of the liability for the remaining coverage;

•

when the CSM is zero, changes in the fulfillment cash flows adjust the loss component within the liability for remaining coverage with correspondence to insurance service expenses; and

•

the excess of any decrease in the fulfillment cash flows over the loss component reduces the loss component to zero and reinstates the CSM.

When a loss component exists, Sony allocates the following items between the loss component and the remaining component of the liability for the remaining coverage for the respective group of insurance contracts, based on the ratio of the loss component to the fulfillment cash flows relating to the expected future cash outflows:

(1)

expected incurred claims and other directly attributable expenses for the period;

(2)

changes in the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk for the risk expired; and

(3)

finance income (expenses) from insurance contracts issued.

The amounts of loss component allocation in (1) and (2) above reduce the respective components of insurance revenue and are reflected in insurance service expenses.

vii)

Measurement of insurance contracts measured under the PAA

For certain insurance contracts with a coverage period of one year or less at initial recognition, Sony uses the PAA to simplify the measurement of the group of insurance contracts.

Under the PAA, on initial recognition of each group of insurance contracts, the carrying amount of the liability for remaining coverage is measured at the premiums received on initial recognition, minus any insurance acquisition cash flows allocated to the group at the date of the receipt of the premiums. Sony amortizes insurance acquisition cash flows over the coverage period of the group of insurance contracts.

Subsequently, the carrying amount of the liability for remaining coverage is increased by any premiums received and the amortization of insurance acquisition cash flows recognized as expenses, and decreased by the amount recognized as insurance revenue for services provided and any additional insurance acquisition cash flows allocated after initial recognition.

viii)

Presentation

Portfolios of insurance contracts that are assets and those that are liabilities are presented separately in the consolidated statements of financial position. If no insured event has occurred and the surrender option has not been exercised as of the reporting date, the insurance contract liabilities are classified as

non-current

liabilities. However, if an insured event occurs or the surrender option is exercised, Sony loses its rights to postpone the payment of these liabilities. In this case, the insurance contract liabilities are classified as current liabilities, as they are due to be settled within 12 months after the end of the reporting period.

Sony disaggregates amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of income and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income into insurance revenue and insurance service expenses (collectively referred to as the “insurance service result”), and insurance finance income or expenses. Sony does not disaggregate changes in the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk between the insurance service result and insurance finance income or expenses and includes them in the insurance service result.

(a)

Insurance revenue

Insurance revenue excludes any investment components and is recognized as follows:

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(1)

Contracts not measured under the PAA

Sony recognizes insurance revenue as it provides insurance contract services. For contracts not measured under the PAA, the insurance revenue relating to services provided for each period represents the total of the changes in the liability for remaining coverage that relate to services for which Sony expects to receive consideration, and primarily comprises the following items:

•

a release of the CSM, measured based on coverage units provided during the current period;

•

changes in the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk relating to current services;

•

claims and other insurance service expenses incurred during the current period, measured at the amounts expected at the beginning of the current period; and

•

allocation of the amount of insurance acquisition cash flows in a systematic way based on the passage of time.

The release amount of the CSM of a group of insurance contracts that is recognized as insurance revenue in each period is determined by identifying the coverage units in the group and recognizing in profit or loss the amount of the CSM allocated to the coverage units provided during the current period. The number of coverage units is the quantity of services provided based on the insurance contracts in the group, determined by considering the quantity of benefits to be provided by each insurance contract in the group and the expected coverage period.

Services provided based on insurance contracts include insurance coverage and, for all direct participating contracts, investment related services for managing underlying items on behalf of policyholders. Insurance contracts other than direct participating contracts include investment return services for generating an investment return for the policyholder.

(2)

Contracts measured under the PAA

For contracts measured under the PAA, the insurance revenue for each period is the amount of expected premium receipts for providing services during the period. Sony allocates the expected premium receipts to each period based mainly on the passage of time.

(b)

Insurance service expenses

Insurance service expenses comprise the following items:

(1)

incurred claims and benefits excluding investment components and reduced by the loss component allocation;

(2)

other incurred and directly attributable insurance service expenses (reduced by the loss component allocation);

(3)

amortization of insurance acquisition cash flows;

(4)

changes that relate to past services (e.g., changes in the fulfillment cash flows relating to the liability for incurred claims); and

(5)

changes that relate to future services (e.g., losses on onerous insurance contracts and reversal of those losses arising from changes in the loss components).

For contracts not measured under the PAA, amortization of insurance acquisition cash flows is reflected in insurance service expenses in the same amount as insurance acquisition cash flows recovery reflected within insurance revenue as described above.

(c)

Insurance finance income or expenses

Insurance finance income or expenses comprise changes in the carrying amounts of groups of insurance contracts arising from the effects of the time value of money, financial risk and changes therein. Sony has chosen to disaggregate insurance finance income or expenses between profit or loss and other comprehensive income for contracts without direct participation features, excluding certain

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variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts. The amount included in profit or loss is determined by a systematic allocation of the expected total insurance finance income or expenses over the duration of the group of insurance contracts. The amount of systematic allocation is determined using the discount rates determined on initial recognition of the group of insurance contracts. As a result of this systematic allocation, the total amounts recognized in other comprehensive income is equal to zero over the duration of the group of insurance contracts. In addition, the cumulative amount recognized in other comprehensive income at any point in time is the difference between the carrying amount of the group of insurance contracts and the amount measured by this systematic allocation.

For contracts with direct participation features, the insurance finance income or expenses include changes in the value of underlying items (excluding additional premium payments and withdrawals), all of which are recognized in profit or loss.

Material accounting policies for insurance contracts under IFRS 4 prior to applying IFRS 17

IFRS 17 was effective for Sony as of April 1, 2023 and the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 were restated in accordance with IFRS 17. Refer to the following regarding the material accounting policies for insurance contracts for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.

In accordance with IFRS 4, insurance contracts are recognized and measured according to the same accounting principles previously applied under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.

Deferred insurance acquisition costs

Costs that vary with and are directly related to the acquisition or renewal of insurance policies are deferred as long as they are recoverable. The deferred insurance acquisition costs include such items as commissions, medical examination costs and inspection report fees, and are subject to recoverability testing at least annually to ensure that the capitalized amounts do not exceed the present value of anticipated gross profits or premiums less benefits and maintenance expenses, as applicable. The deferred insurance acquisition costs for traditional life insurance contracts are amortized over the premium-paying period of the related insurance policies using assumptions consistent with those used in computing future insurance policy benefits. The deferred insurance acquisition costs for

non-traditional

life insurance contracts are amortized over the expected life at a constant rate based on the present value of the estimated gross profit. Investment yields, mortality rates, lapse rates and discount rates are used as significant assumptions for the present value of the estimated gross profit.

ii)

Future insurance policy benefits

Liabilities for future insurance policy benefits are primarily comprised of the present value of estimated future payments to policyholders. These liabilities are computed by the net level premium method based upon the assumptions as to future investment yield, morbidity rates, mortality rates, lapse rates and other factors. These assumptions are reviewed on a periodic basis. Liabilities for future insurance policy benefits include the liabilities for the minimum guarantee benefits of individual variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts.

iii)

Policyholders’ account in the life insurance business

Liabilities for policyholders’ account in the life insurance business represent the contract value that has accrued to the benefit of the policyholders as of the end of the reporting period. This liability is generally equal to the accumulated account deposits, plus interest credited, less policyholder withdrawals and other charges assessed against the account balances. Liabilities for policyholders’ account in the life insurance business include the liabilities related to the individual variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts with minimum guarantee benefits.

iv)

Insurance-related accounts measured at fair value

Sony measures at fair value certain future insurance policy benefits and policyholders’ account in the life insurance business. The fair value measurement mitigates accounting mismatches related to the

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changes in the fair value between liabilities for those future insurance policy benefits and policyholders’ account due to changes in the minimum guarantee risk of individual variable annuity contracts with minimum guarantee benefits, and the underlying investment managed for policyholders and derivatives entered into related to such investments. Changes in fair value resulting from changes in instrument-specific credit risk were estimated by incorporating the certain subsidiary’s current credit spreads, and are recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax. The amount recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss when the insurance contract liabilities are derecognized.

Shadow accounting in the life insurance business

When holding financial assets that are measured at fair value through other comprehensive income and which correspond to insurance contract liabilities, shadow accounting is applied to evaluate insurance-related accounts as if the financial assets were sold as of the end of reporting period and realized valuation gains or losses for the purpose of reducing the accounting mismatches between the insurance contract liabilities and the financial assets.

Sony performs a shadow liability adequacy test on life insurance contracts quarterly. In a shadow liability adequacy test, mainly, future insurance policy benefits minus deferred insurance acquisition costs in the consolidated statements of financial position are compared to the present value of future cash flow on a best-estimate basis as of the end of reporting period to determine that the future insurance policy benefits are recorded at a sufficient level. If there is a shortage compared to the present value of future cash flows on a best-estimate basis at the time, the deferred insurance acquisition costs will be decreased to the extent of the shortage through other comprehensive income. If the deferred insurance acquisition costs are decreased to zero and the shortage remains, the future insurance policy benefits are increased by the remaining shortage through other comprehensive income.

Shadow accounting is an accounting treatment that affects the measurement of the insurance-related accounts in response to unrealized gains or losses recognized for the assets in a manner consistent with realized gains or losses. When the gains or losses from the assets are recognized in other comprehensive income, the fluctuations in the carrying amount of insurance-related accounts are also recognized in other comprehensive income.

vi)

Financial services revenue

Traditional life insurance policies that Sony underwrites in the life insurance business, most of which are categorized as long-duration contracts, mainly consist of whole life, term life, and disease and health insurance contracts. Premiums from these policies are reported as revenue when due from policyholders. Amounts received as payment for

non-traditional

contracts such as interest sensitive whole life contracts, variable life insurance contracts, individual variable annuity contracts and other contracts without life contingencies are recognized in policyholders’ account in the life insurance business. Revenues from these contracts are comprised of fees earned for administrative and contract-holder services, which are recognized over the period of the contracts, and included in financial services revenue. Property and casualty insurance policies that Sony underwrites in the

non-life

insurance business are primarily automotive insurance contracts which are categorized as short-duration contracts. Premiums from these policies are reported as revenue over the period of the contract in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided.

vii)

Financial services expenses

Financial services expenses include a provision for policy reserves and amortization of deferred insurance acquisition costs, interest expenses in the banking business, and all other operating costs, such as employee benefits expenses, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, and office rental of subsidiaries, in the Financial Services segment.

(12)	Provisions -

Provisions are recognized when Sony has present legal or constructive obligations as a result of past events, it is probable that outflows of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligations, and reliable estimates can be made of the amount of obligations.

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Provisions mainly consist of participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment and product warranties.

Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment

Parties involved in the production or exploitation of film and television content may be compensated in part by contingent payments based on the financial results of a film or television show pursuant to contractual formulas (participations) and by contingent amounts due under provisions of collective bargaining agreements (residuals). Such parties are collectively referred to as participants, and such costs are collectively referred to as participation and residual costs. Participation and residual costs may be given to creative talent, such as actors or writers, investors or to entities from whom distribution rights are licensed.

Participation and residual liabilities are accrued based on the ratio of current period actual revenues to the estimated remaining total revenues. The participation and residual liabilities are expected to be relieved when the contingent payments are fixed and paid. The majority of the

non-current

portion of participation and residual liabilities is expected to be paid within the next 10 years.

Sony also enters into arrangements with other studios to jointly produce and distribute films, under which each partner is responsible for the distribution of the film in specific territories or distribution windows. The partners’ shares in the profits and losses of the films under these arrangements are included within participation and residual costs.

ii)

Product warranties

Sony issues contractual product warranties under which it generally guarantees the performance of products delivered and services rendered for a certain period or term. Product warranties are calculated based upon product sales, estimated probability of failure and estimated cost per claim. The estimates and forecasts used in the calculation of product warranties are reviewed on a periodic basis.

(13)	Employee benefits -

Post-employment benefits

Sony adopts defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans.

Defined benefit plans

Sony recognizes the net defined benefit liability or asset of defined benefit plans in the consolidated statements of financial position as the amount of the present value of defined benefit obligations less the fair value of plan assets.

The present value of defined benefit obligations is calculated by discounting the expected future benefit, and service costs are determined by using the projected unit credit method. If the fair value of plan assets is in excess of the present value of defined benefit obligations, the amount of any asset to be recognized is limited to the present value of any economic benefits available in the form of refunds from the plan or reductions in the future contributions to the plan. The discount rate is determined by reference to market yields at each fiscal

year-end

on high-quality corporate bonds which have approximately the same term as the defined benefit obligations and are payable in the same currency as the benefit payments. Net interest on the net defined benefit liability or asset is calculated by multiplying the net defined benefit liability or asset by the discount rate.

Past service cost, which is the change in the present value of the defined benefit obligation resulting from a plan amendment or curtailment, is recognized in profit or loss.

Remeasurements of the net defined benefit liability or asset are recognized in other comprehensive income when they occur and transferred to retained earnings immediately.

Defined contribution plans

Sony recognizes contributions to defined contribution plans as expenses when employees have rendered related services.

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ii)

Short-term employee benefits

Sony recognizes short-term employee benefits, such as salaries, bonuses and annual paid absences, as expenses at the amount expected to be paid in exchange for services when employees have rendered such services.

(14)	Stock-based compensation -

Stock option plan

Sony estimates the cost of stock options at their fair value on the grant date and recognizes the expense over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value of options granted is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with consideration for terms and conditions of the stock options.

ii)

Restricted stock plan

Sony estimates the cost of restricted stock by the fair value of the stock granted on the grant date and recognizes the expense over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in equity.

iii)

Restricted stock unit plan

Sony estimates the cost of restricted stock units by the fair value of the units granted on the grant date and recognizes the expense over the vesting period with a corresponding increase in equity.

(15)	Fair value measurement -

Sony measures fair value as an exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date.

Sony determines a hierarchy of inputs to valuation techniques based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect assumptions which Sony developed using the information that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable market data is used if such data is available without undue cost and effort. Each fair value measurement is reported in one of three levels which is determined by the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

These levels are:


Level 1	—	Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2	—	Inputs are based on observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations, in which all significant inputs are observable in active markets.

Level 3	—	One or more significant inputs are unobservable.

When available, Sony uses unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets to measure fair value and classifies such items within Level 1. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based upon internally developed valuation techniques that use, where possible, current market-based or independently sourced market parameters, such as interest rates, currency rates and option volatilities. Items valued using internally generated models are classified according to the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. For certain financial assets and liabilities, Sony determines fair value using third-party information such as indicative quotes from dealers and quantitative input from investment advisors following Sony’s established valuation procedures including validation against internally developed prices. Additionally, Sony considers both counterparty credit risk and Sony’s own creditworthiness in determining fair value. Sony attempts to mitigate credit risk to third parties by entering into netting agreements and actively monitoring the creditworthiness of counterparties and its exposure to credit risk through the use of credit limits and by selecting major international banks and financial institutions as counterparties.

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Transfers between levels are deemed to have occurred at the beginning of the quarterly interim period in which the transfers occur.

(16)	Revenue recognition -

Sony recognizes revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration Sony expects in exchange for satisfying performance obligations to transfer the goods or services promised in contracts with customers. This is in accordance with the following steps:

Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer.

Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 3: Determine the transaction price.

Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract.

Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) Sony satisfies a performance obligation.

Sony owns a variety of intellectual property throughout its segments and recognizes revenue through the licensing of such intellectual property. Sony licenses rights to use its intellectual property and rights to access its intellectual property. When Sony grants a customer the right to use Sony’s intellectual property, Sony satisfies its performance obligation at the point in time when the customer obtains control and is entitled to benefit from the license. When Sony grants a customer the right to access Sony’s intellectual property, Sony satisfies its performance obligation over the license period.

Incremental costs of obtaining a contract and costs to fulfill a contract are recognized as assets when Sony expects to recover these costs. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are those costs that would not have been incurred if the contract had not been obtained. Costs to fulfill a contract are those costs that are directly related to a contract or to an anticipated contract and that generate or enhance resources for Sony to satisfy its performance obligations. Sony applies a practical expedient and recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less.

Performance obligations in contracts for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (“ET&S”) and Imaging & Sensing Solutions (“I&SS”) segments are primarily to deliver various kinds of electronic equipment, instruments and devices to customers. Revenues from these performance obligations are generally recognized when a promised good is delivered to a customer. However, if the sales contract contains a customer acceptance provision, then revenues are recognized when the customer accepts the promised good or when a deemed acceptance occurs by the lapse of time. Revenues are also recognized over time, primarily from the provision of internet broadband network services to subscribers over the subscription period. Revenues are recognized net of anticipated returns and sales incentives.

Within the Game & Network Services (“G&NS”) segment, revenues from hardware, peripherals and software discs are recognized when performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control to the retailer/distributor, net of anticipated returns, sales incentives and cooperative advertising obligations. Revenues from platform licensing to publishers are recognized when physical software discs are delivered. Revenues from digital game content, which is a right to use Sony’s intellectual property, are recognized when the digital content is made available for use by the licensee via an online platform, net of anticipated sales incentives and credit card chargebacks. Revenues from digital game content involving multiple performance obligations, such as obligations to make content available on future dates, are allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling prices that are observable in the market or Sony’s best estimate. Revenues from subscription fees for digital subscription services are recognized over the subscription period.

Within the Music segment, Sony licenses intellectual property that transfer to a customer either a right to use Sony’s intellectual property, or a right to access Sony’s intellectual property. Revenues are recognized when the customer has the right to use or access the intellectual property and obtains control of the use or access of that license. Digital revenues include revenues from contracts with digital streaming services typically recognized as a single performance obligation, which is ongoing access to intellectual property in an evolving library of content over the contract term, predicated on: (1) the business practice and contractual ability to remove specific content without a requirement to replace the content and without impact to minimum royalty guarantees and (2) the contracts not containing a specific listing of content subject to the license. For these contracts, revenues are recognized based on sales and usage royalties, except where there is a minimum royalty guarantee that is not expected to be recouped, or a fixed fee, which is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract.

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Revenues from the sale of physical products such as CDs, net of anticipated returns and sales incentives, are recognized when delivery has occurred and the product is available for sale to the public.

Within the Pictures segment, revenues from the theatrical exhibition of motion pictures are recognized as the customer exhibits the film. Revenues from the licensing of motion picture and television programming for pay and free television exhibition and other markets are recognized when the product is available for use by the licensee. Revenues for motion picture and television program licensing arrangements involving multiple performance obligations, for example a fee for multiple titles, territories or availability dates, are allocated based on the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation using Sony’s best estimate based on available information such as market conditions and internal pricing guidelines. Each individual motion picture or television programming product delivered generally represents a separate performance obligation. Licensing revenue associated with renewals or extensions of existing agreements for motion pictures and television programming is recognized when the licensee can use and benefit from the content under the renewal or extension. Licensing revenue associated with minimum guarantees for a right to access Sony’s intellectual property is recognized ratably over the license term. For home entertainment distribution, revenues from the sale of physical products such as DVDs and

Blu-ray

Disc

™

, net of anticipated returns and sales incentives, are recognized when delivery has occurred and the product is available for sale to the public. Revenues from electronic sell-through and

video-on-demand

are recognized when the product is made available for viewing via digital distribution platforms. Revenues from the sale of broadcast advertising are recognized when the advertisement is aired, and the performance obligation in these arrangements is the delivery of advertising spots and may include a guaranteed amount of impressions. When a guarantee for a number of impressions is not achieved, revenues are not recognized until additional advertising spots are delivered to provide the guaranteed impressions. Revenues from subscription fees received by television networks and DTC streaming services are recognized when the service is provided. The performance obligation under network subscription arrangements is a right to use Sony’s intellectual property that is satisfied as programming is provided over the term of the arrangement.

Revenue is generally recognized net of any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

(17)	Financial services revenue -

Financial services revenue consists of insurance revenue and other financial services revenue (refer to Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (11) regarding insurance revenue). Other financial services revenue includes items such as interest, dividends and the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations incurred from financial instruments held in the Financial Services segment.

(18)	Cost of sales -

Costs classified as cost of sales relate to the producing and manufacturing of products and include items such as material cost, subcontractor cost, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, amortization of intangible assets including content assets, employee benefits expenses and research and development costs.

(19)	Research and development expenditures -

Research and development expenditures include items such as employee benefits expenses and other direct and indirect expenses associated with research and product development. Development expenditures are capitalized only when technical feasibility is achieved, Sony has the intention, ability and sufficient resources to use or sell the outcome of the development, it is probable that the outcome will generate a future economic benefit, and the cost can be reliably measured. Capitalized development costs are measured as the sum of total expenditures for development upon achieving the foregoing conditions for capitalization until development is completed. Research expenditures and other development expenditures that do not meet the foregoing conditions are expensed as incurred and included in the cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income.

(20)	Selling, general and administrative -

Costs classified as selling expenses relate to promoting and selling products and include items such as advertising, promotion, shipping and warranty expenses. General and administrative expenses include operating items such as employee benefits expenses, depreciation of property, plant and equipment, office rental for sales, marketing and administrative divisions, loss allowance for trade receivables and amortization of intangible assets.

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(21)	Advertising costs -

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

(22)	Shipping and handling costs -

The majority of shipping and handling, warehousing and internal transfer costs for finished goods are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. However, in the Pictures segment, certain costs are charged to cost of sales as they are an integral part of producing and distributing motion pictures and television programming. All other costs related to Sony’s distribution network are included in cost of sales, including inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs and warehousing costs for raw materials and

in-process

inventory. Shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related good transfers are treated as separate performance obligations. Amounts paid by customers for shipping and handling costs are included in sales.

(23)	Financial services expenses -

Financial services expenses consist of insurance service expenses, insurance finance income or expenses, and other financial services expenses (refer to Note 3 I. Material accounting policies (11) regarding insurance service expenses, and insurance finance income or expenses). Other financial services expenses include items such as interest expenses in the banking business.

(24)	Income taxes -

Income taxes consist of current and deferred taxes. Current and deferred taxes are recognized in profit or loss, except to the extent that the tax arises from a business combination, or a transaction or event which is recognized, in the same or a different period, outside profit or loss, either in other comprehensive income or directly in equity.

Current taxes are computed based on taxable profit or loss for the year, using the tax rates enacted or substantively enacted at the end of the reporting period.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts at the end of the reporting period. Deferred tax liabilities include the liabilities being recognized for undistributed profits of subsidiaries and associates accounted for under the equity method that are expected to be remitted in the foreseeable future. Deferred income taxes are determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the end of the reporting period and are expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset is realized or the deferred income tax liability is settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not recognized in respect of temporary differences that arise from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction which is not a business combination and which, at the time of the transaction, affects neither accounting profit nor taxable profit (tax loss).

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the assets can be utilized. Accordingly, the valuation of the deferred tax assets is assessed periodically with available evidence related to the recoverability of the deferred tax assets. Management’s judgment related to this assessment considers the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses on an individual tax jurisdiction basis, forecasts of future profitability after consideration of uncertain tax positions, excess of appreciated asset value over the tax basis of net assets, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, the past utilization of net operating loss carryforwards prior to expiration, as well as prudent and feasible tax planning strategies which would be employed by Sony to prevent net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards from expiring unutilized.

Sony records assets and liabilities resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The amount of income taxes Sony pays is subject to ongoing audits by various taxing authorities, which may result in proposed assessments. In addition, several significant items related to intercompany transfer pricing are currently the subject of negotiations between taxing authorities in different jurisdictions as a result of pending advance pricing agreement applications and competent authority requests. Sony’s estimate for the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issues is judgmental and requires significant estimates. Sony assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits and expenses for all years subject to examinations based upon the evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at that reporting date.

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(25)	Net income (loss) attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share (“EPS”) -

Basic EPS is computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. The computation of diluted EPS reflects the maximum possible dilution from conversion, exercise, or contingent issuance of securities. All potentially dilutive securities are excluded from the calculation in a situation where there is a net loss attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders.

II.	New accounting standards and interpretations not yet adopted

Major new or amended standards and interpretations that have been issued as of the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements which are not effective and have not yet been adopted by Sony as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:

Amendments to IAS 1 “Presentation of Financial Statements”

In January 2020, the IASB issued “Classification of Liabilities as Current or

Non-current

(Amendments to IAS 1).” The amendments clarify the right to defer settlement, which is one of the existing requirements when classifying a liability to current or

non-current.

In addition, in October 2022, the IASB issued “A

Non-current

Liability with Covenants (Amendments to IAS 1).” The amendments were issued to improve the information a company provides about long-term debt with covenants by enabling investors to understand the risk that such debt could become repayable within twelve months. Both of these amendments are effective for Sony as of April 1, 2024. The adoption of these amendments is not expected to have a material impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

Amendments to IAS 7 “Statement of Cash Flows” and IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”

In May 2023, the IASB issued “Supplier Finance Arrangements (Amendments to IAS 7 and IFRS 7).” These amendments were issued to disclose information about supplier finance arrangements and are effective for Sony as of April 1, 2024. Since these amendments only affect disclosures, they will have no impact on Sony’s results of operations and financial position.

IFRS 18 “Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements”

In April 2024, the IASB issued IFRS 18 “Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements” (“IFRS 18”). IFRS 18 mainly introduces three sets of requirements to give investors more transparent and comparable information about companies’ financial performance: additional subtotals with newly defined categories for classifying income and expenses in the statement of profit or loss, disclosures about management-defined performance measures, and enhanced requirements for more useful grouping of information in the financial statements.

IFRS 18 will be effective for Sony as of April 1, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The impact of IFRS 18 on Sony’s consolidated financial statements is being evaluated.

4.	Business segment information

The reportable segments presented below are the segments of Sony for which separate financial information is available and for which operating income or loss amounts are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The CODM does not evaluate segments using discrete asset information. Sony’s CODM is its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

The G&NS segment includes the network services businesses, the manufacture and sales of home gaming products and the production and sales of digital software and add-on content. The Music segment includes the Recorded Music, Music Publishing and Visual Media and Platform businesses. The Pictures segment includes the Motion Pictures, Television Productions and Media Networks businesses. The ET&S segment includes the Televisions business, the Audio and Video business, the Still and Video Cameras business, the smartphone business and the internet-related service business. The I&SS segment includes the image sensors business. The Financial Services segment primarily represents individual life insurance and

non-life

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Segment sales and financial services revenue:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023 Restated			2024
Sales and financial services revenue:
Game & Network Services —
Customers		2,674,356			3,538,533			4,172,994
Intersegment		65,407			106,065			94,740

Total		2,739,763			3,644,598			4,267,734
Music —
Customers		1,100,532			1,364,815			1,594,955
Intersegment		16,417			15,817			24,003

Total		1,116,949			1,380,632			1,618,958
Pictures —
Customers		1,236,399			1,364,887			1,486,717
Intersegment		2,512			4,535			6,333

Total		1,238,911			1,369,422			1,493,050
Entertainment, Technology & Services —
Customers		2,297,886			2,436,739			2,414,946
Intersegment		41,300			39,286			38,772

Total		2,339,186			2,476,025			2,453,718
Imaging & Sensing Solutions —
Customers		992,200			1,301,481			1,503,906
Intersegment		84,224			100,706			98,832

Total		1,076,424			1,402,187			1,602,738
Financial Services —
Customers		1,524,811			878,532			1,760,731
Intersegment		9,018			10,550			9,223

Total		1,533,829			889,082			1,769,954
All Other —
Customers		82,264			72,338			75,784
Intersegment		16,519			15,285			13,586

Total		98,783			87,623			89,370
Corporate and elimination		(222,332	)		(275,196	)		(274,754	)

Consolidated total		9,921,513			10,974,373			13,020,768

G&NS intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the ET&S segment. ET&S intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the G&NS segment. I&SS intersegment amounts primarily consist of transactions with the G&NS segment and the ET&S segment. Corporate and elimination includes certain brand and patent royalty income.

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Segment profit (loss):


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023 Restated			2024
Operating income (loss):
Game & Network Services		346,089			250,006			290,184
Music		210,933			263,107			301,662
Pictures		217,393			119,255			117,702
Entertainment, Technology & Services		212,942			179,461			187,399
Imaging & Sensing Solutions		155,597			212,214			193,541
Financial Services		150,111			318,118			173,576
All Other		17,981			16,849			1,600

Total		1,311,046			1,359,010			1,265,664
Corporate and elimination		(108,707	)		(56,621	)		(56,833	)

Consolidated operating income		1,202,339			1,302,389			1,208,831
Financial income		19,304			31,058			125,597
Financial expenses		(104,140	)		(58,951	)		(65,766	)

Consolidated income before income taxes		1,117,503			1,274,496			1,268,662

Operating income (loss) is sales and financial services revenue less costs and expenses, and includes the share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method.

Other significant items:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023			2024
Share of profit (loss) of investments accounted for using the equity method:
Game & Network Services		14			144			922
Music		4,073			7,063			6,091
Pictures		(664	)		515			(173	)
Entertainment, Technology & Services		1,103			1,076			777
Imaging & Sensing Solutions		(603	)		(1,128	)		(4,155	)
Financial Services		—			—			(55	)
All Other		19,723			16,779			7,095

Consolidated total		23,646			24,449			10,502


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023 Restated		2024
Depreciation and amortization:
Game & Network Services		61,219		87,201		123,065
Music		61,465		67,240		84,576
Pictures		396,251		506,697		541,106
Entertainment, Technology & Services		91,759		97,448		101,676
Imaging & Sensing Solutions		172,842		196,674		247,900
Financial Services		94,169		26,333		27,689
All Other		4,300		4,376		4,830

Total		882,005		985,969		1,130,842
Corporate		22,465		18,621		14,139

Consolidated total		904,470		1,004,590		1,144,981

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Sales to customers by product category:

The following table is a breakdown of sales and financial services revenue to external customers by product category for each segment. Sony management views each segment as a single operating segment.


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023 Restated		2024
Sales and financial services revenue:
Game & Network Services
Digital Software and Add-on Content		1,424,459		1,523,045		1,934,586
Network Services		409,355		464,676		545,537
Hardware and Others		840,542		1,550,812		1,692,871

Total		2,674,356		3,538,533		4,172,994
Music
Recorded Music — Streaming		462,368		598,868		709,453
Recorded Music — Others		206,412		286,270		356,646
Music Publishing		200,334		276,665		326,727
Visual Media and Platform		231,418		203,012		202,129

Total		1,100,532		1,364,815		1,594,955
Pictures
Motion Pictures		518,840		464,043		542,044
Television Productions		419,494		536,250		551,035
Media Networks		298,065		364,594		393,638

Total		1,236,399		1,364,887		1,486,717
Entertainment, Technology & Services
Televisions		858,837		733,251		624,264
Audio and Video		326,704		391,608		412,067
Still and Video Cameras		414,898		565,018		643,429
Mobile Communications		365,864		356,771		299,905
Other		331,583		390,091		435,281

Total		2,297,886		2,436,739		2,414,946
Imaging & Sensing Solutions		992,200		1,301,481		1,503,906
Financial Services		1,524,811		878,532		1,760,731
All Other		82,264		72,338		75,784
Corporate		13,065		17,048		10,735

Consolidated total		9,921,513		10,974,373		13,020,768

In the G&NS segment, Digital Software and

Add-on

Content includes distribution of software titles and

add-on

content through the network; Network Services includes network services relating to game, video and music content; Hardware and Others includes home gaming consoles, packaged software, game software sold bundled with home gaming consoles, peripheral devices and first-party software for third-party platforms. In the Music segment, Recorded Music — Streaming includes the distribution of digital recorded music by streaming; Recorded Music — Others includes the distribution of recorded music by physical media and digital download as well as revenue derived from artists’ live performances; Music Publishing includes the management and licensing of the words and music of songs; Visual Media and Platform includes the production and distribution of animation titles and game applications, and various service offerings for music and visual products. In the Pictures segment, Motion Pictures includes the worldwide production, acquisition and distribution of live-action and animated motion pictures; Television Productions includes the production, acquisition and distribution of television programming; Media Networks includes the operation of television networks and DTC streaming services worldwide. In the ET&S segment, Televisions includes LCD and OLED televisions; Audio and Video includes

Blu-ray

disc players and recorders, home audio, headphones and memory-based portable audio devices; Still and Video Cameras includes interchangeable lens cameras, compact digital cameras, consumer video cameras and video cameras for broadcast; Mobile Communications includes smartphones and an internet-related service business; Other includes display products such as projectors and medical equipment.

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Geographic Information:

Sales and financial services revenue attributed to countries and areas based on location of external customers for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and

non-current

assets (property, plant and equipment, ROU assets, goodwill, content assets and other intangible assets) as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023 Restated		2024
Sales and financial services revenue:
Japan		2,764,321		2,126,508		3,027,526
United States		2,766,021		3,401,402		3,751,239
Europe		1,870,091		2,190,311		2,632,963
China		771,006		855,437		1,000,907
Asia-Pacific		1,149,261		1,563,414		1,659,776
Other Areas		600,813		837,301		948,357

Total		9,921,513		10,974,373		13,020,768


			Yen in millions
			March 31
			2023		2024
Non-current assets (property, plant and equipment, right-of-use assets, goodwill, content assets and other intangible assets):
Japan				1,875,354		2,036,616
United States				2,417,228		2,856,914
Europe				603,338		682,007
China				34,322		32,154
Asia-Pacific				186,359		222,398
Other Areas				107,162		226,761

Total				5,223,763		6,056,850

Major countries and areas in each geographic segment excluding Japan, United States and China are as follows:


(1) Europe:		United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy
(2) Asia-Pacific:		India, South Korea, Oceania, Thailand and Malaysia
(3) Other Areas:		The Middle East/Africa, Brazil, Mexico and Canada

There are no individually material countries with respect to sales and financial services revenue or

non-current

assets (property, plant and equipment, ROU assets, goodwill, content assets and other intangible assets) included in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Other Areas.

Transfers between reportable business segments or geographic areas are made at individually negotiated prices that are intended to reflect a market-based transfer price.

There were no sales or financial services revenue with any single major external customer for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

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5.	Financial instruments

(1)	Financial instruments by measurement method

The carrying amount of Sony’s assets and liabilities by measurement method as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
Assets:
Financial assets required to be measured at amortized cost (“AC”)
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment
Debt securities		337,374		396,481
Housing loans in the banking business		3,129,393		3,574,468
Other loans		17,854		16,892
Trade and other receivables *
Trade receivables		1,754,034		2,140,220
Other receivables		2,712		5,971
Other financial assets
Time deposit		36,671		48,416
Security deposit		95,813		107,316
Non-current other receivables in the Pictures segment		152,619		155,525
Other		19,582		47,849
Financial assets required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss (“FVPL”)
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment
Debt securities		1,059,718		1,295,877
Equity securities		2,123,062		3,210,296
Other financial assets
Debt securities		20,905		22,388
Equity securities		125,590		258,939
Derivative assets		70,144		72,423
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVPL
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment
Debt securities		1,486,566		1,243,109
Financial assets required to be measured at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVOCI”)
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment
Debt securities		10,406,699		9,593,519
Other financial assets
Debt securities		125		140
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVOCI
Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment
Equity securities		5,453		7,305
Other financial assets
Equity securities		421,845		309,710

Total assets		21,266,159		22,506,844

Current assets		2,196,054		2,669,709
Non-current assets		19,070,105		19,837,135

*	The amounts of trade and other receivables exclude contract assets within trade and other receivables, and contract assets in the consolidated statements of financial position.

Cash and cash equivalents are excluded from the table above. Refer to Note 27.

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	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities required to be measured at AC
Short-term borrowings		1,914,934		1,812,605
Current portion of long-term debt		187,942		217,711
Trade and other payables
Trade payables		1,701,706		1,803,920
Other payables		162,475		221,542
Deposits from customers in the banking business *1		3,306,981		3,845,607
Long-term debt		1,767,696		2,058,117
Deferred consideration *2		87,937		107,368
Investment contract liabilities		55,779		60,392
Other financial liabilities		61,128		65,790
Financial liabilities required to be measured at FVPL
Other financial liabilities
Derivative liabilities		34,123		29,287
Contingent consideration		51,512		50,343
Financial liabilities designated to be measured at FVPL
Other financial liabilities
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		47,326		54,028

Total liabilities		9,379,539		10,326,710

Current liabilities		7,240,263		7,881,832
Non-current liabilities		2,139,276		2,444,878

*1	Deposits from customers in the banking business include the non-current portion that is recorded within other financial liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position.

*2	Deferred consideration is recorded within other financial liabilities or trade and other payables in the consolidated statements of financial position.

(2)	Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The following section describes the valuation techniques used by Sony to measure different financial instruments at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each instrument is generally classified.

Debt instruments and equity instruments

Where quoted prices of financial instruments are available in an active market, these instruments are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 financial instruments include exchange-traded equity instruments. If quoted market prices are not available for the specific financial instruments or the market is inactive, then fair values are estimated by using pricing models, quoted prices of financial instruments with similar characteristics or discounted cash flow method and mainly classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 2 financial instruments include debt instruments with quoted prices that are not traded as actively as exchange-traded instruments, such as the majority of government bonds and corporate bonds. In certain cases where there is limited activity or less transparency around inputs to the valuation, these instruments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 financial instruments primarily include certain private equity investments, investment funds, securitized products which are not classified within Level 1 or Level 2 and domestic and foreign corporate bonds for which quoted prices are not available in a market and where there is less transparency around inputs. Sony estimates the fair value for private equity investments primarily by using comparable company analysis and discounted cash flow method. The price book-value ratio and price earnings ratio of comparable companies, as well as cost of capital and EBITDA multiples for the terminal value used in discounted cash flow method, are primarily used as significant unobservable inputs in the

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fair value measurement of equity securities classified as Level 3. The fair value increases (decreases) as the price book-value ratio and price earnings ratio of comparable companies rise (decline). In addition, the fair value increases (decreases), as the cost of capital declines (rises) and EBITDA multiples rise (decline), both of which are used in discounted cash flow method. Sony estimates the fair value for certain investment funds by using the net asset value. Sony estimates the fair value for securitized products and domestic and foreign corporate bonds for which quoted prices are not available in a market and where there is less transparency around inputs by using third-party information such as indicative quotes from dealers without adjustment or discounted cash flow method. For validating the fair values of Level 3 financial instruments, Sony primarily uses internal models which include management judgment or estimation of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset.

Derivatives

Exchange-traded derivatives valued using quoted prices are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. However, few classes of derivative contracts are listed on an exchange; thus, the majority of Sony’s derivative positions are valued using internally developed models that use as their basis readily observable market parameters, meaning parameters that are actively quoted and can be validated to external sources, including pricing services. Depending on the types and contractual terms of derivatives, fair value can be modeled using a series of techniques, such as the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which are consistently applied. For derivative products that have been established for some time, Sony uses models that are widely accepted in the financial services industry. These models reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and market-based parameters such as interest rates, volatility, and the credit rating of the counterparty. Further, many of these models do not contain a high level of subjectivity as the techniques used in the models do not require significant judgment, and inputs to the model are readily observable from actively quoted markets. Such instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

In determining the fair value of Sony’s interest rate swap derivatives, Sony uses the present value of expected cash flows based on market observable interest rate yield curves commensurate with the term of each instrument. For foreign currency derivatives, Sony’s approach is to use forward contract valuation models employing market observable inputs, such as spot currency rates and time value. These derivatives are classified within Level 2 since Sony primarily uses observable inputs in its valuation of its derivative assets and liabilities.

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The fair value of Sony’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023 Restated
									Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Current)		Other financial assets (Current)		Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Non-current)		Other financial assets (Non-current)
Assets:
Financial assets required to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds		—		422,739		—		422,739		—		—		422,739		—
Japanese local government bonds		—		600		—		600		—		—		600		—
Japanese corporate bonds		—		16,872		38		16,910		—		—		16,872		38
Foreign government bonds		30,100		173,393		—		203,493		—		—		203,493		—
Foreign corporate bonds		—		5,515		3,377		8,892		—		—		5,515		3,377
Investment funds		—		367,193		60,796		427,989		—		—		410,499		17,490
Equity securities		2,236,646		5,217		6,789		2,248,652		—		—		2,123,062		125,590
Derivative assets
Interest rate contracts		—		43,844		—		43,844		—		438		—		43,406
Foreign exchange contracts		—		21,318		—		21,318		—		19,978		—		1,340
Equity contracts		290		—		4,692		4,982		—		4,982		—		—
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds		—		1,285,920		—		1,285,920		1,001		—		1,284,919		—
Japanese local government bonds		—		16,038		—		16,038		2,010		—		14,028		—
Japanese corporate bonds		—		3,315		—		3,315		—		—		3,315		—
Foreign government bonds		—		35,895		—		35,895		—		—		35,895		—
Foreign corporate bonds		—		141,857		3,541		145,398		21,227		—		124,171		—
Financial assets required to be measured at FVOCI
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds		—		7,901,817		—		7,901,817		—		—		7,901,817		—
Japanese local government bonds		—		45,458		—		45,458		1,369		—		44,089		—
Japanese corporate bonds		—		739,541		171,622		911,163		7,016		—		904,147		—
Foreign government bonds		—		1,145,709		—		1,145,709		—		—		1,145,584		125
Foreign corporate bonds		—		307,717		24,672		332,389		46,367		—		286,022		—
Securitized products		—		29,697		40,591		70,288		—		—		70,288		—
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVOCI
Equity securities		103,270		—		324,028		427,298		—		—		5,453		421,845

Total assets		2,370,306		12,709,655		640,146		15,720,107		78,990		25,398		15,002,508		613,211


									Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Other financial liabilities (Current)		Other financial liabilities (Non-current)
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities required to be measured at FVPL
Derivative liabilities
Interest rate contracts		—		5,656		—		5,656		427		5,229
Foreign exchange contracts		—		19,876		—		19,876		18,679		1,197
Equity contracts		3,321		5,270		—		8,591		8,591		—
Contingent consideration		—		—		51,512		51,512		14,790		36,722
Financial liabilities designated to be measured at FVPL
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		—		—		47,326		47,326		—		47,326

Total liabilities		3,321		30,802		98,838		132,961		42,487		90,474

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	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
									Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Current)		Other financial assets (Current)		Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Non-current)		Other financial assets (Non-current)
Assets:
Financial assets required to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds		—		423,129		—		423,129		—		—		423,129		—
Japanese local government bonds		—		1,846		—		1,846		—		—		1,846		—
Japanese corporate bonds		—		27,296		20		27,316		—		—		27,296		20
Foreign government bonds		39,363		192,325		—		231,688		—		—		231,688		—
Foreign corporate bonds		—		11,981		2,933		14,914		—		—		11,981		2,933
Investment funds		—		552,017		67,355		619,372		—		—		599,937		19,435
Equity securities		3,451,655		8,146		9,434		3,469,235		—		—		3,210,296		258,939
Derivative assets
Interest rate contracts		—		49,619		—		49,619		—		1,009		—		48,610
Foreign exchange contracts		—		20,425		—		20,425		—		18,774		—		1,651
Equity contracts		—		—		2,379		2,379		—		2,379		—		—
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds		—		1,021,309		—		1,021,309		4,302		—		1,017,007		—
Japanese local government bonds		—		13,945		—		13,945		5,310		—		8,635		—
Japanese corporate bonds		—		3,302		—		3,302		3,302		—		—		—
Foreign government bonds		—		39,472		—		39,472		7,390		—		32,082		—
Foreign corporate bonds		—		159,158		5,923		165,081		49,578		—		115,503		—
Financial assets required to be measured at FVOCI
Debt securities
Japanese national government bonds		—		7,057,395		—		7,057,395		300		—		7,057,095		—
Japanese local government bonds		—		48,712		—		48,712		550		—		48,162		—
Japanese corporate bonds		—		743,804		138,848		882,652		11,414		—		871,238		—
Foreign government bonds		—		1,221,208		—		1,221,208		—		—		1,221,068		140
Foreign corporate bonds		—		266,362		34,757		301,119		28,363		—		272,756		—
Securitized products		—		60,565		22,008		82,573		—		—		82,573		—
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVOCI
Equity securities		67,834		—		249,181		317,015		—		—		7,305		309,710

Total assets		3,558,852		11,922,016		532,838		16,013,706		110,509		22,162		15,239,597		641,438


									Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Other financial liabilities (Current)		Other financial liabilities (Non-current)
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities required to be measured at FVPL
Derivative liabilities
Interest rate contracts		—		6,450		—		6,450		406		6,044
Foreign exchange contracts		—		17,493		—		17,493		16,297		1,196
Equity contracts		3,428		1,916		—		5,344		5,344		—
Contingent consideration		—		—		50,343		50,343		26,193		24,150
Financial liabilities designated to be measured at FVPL
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		—		—		54,028		54,028		—		54,028

Total liabilities		3,428		25,859		104,371		133,658		48,240		85,418

Cash and cash equivalents are excluded from the tables above. Refer to Note 27.

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Transfers of debt securities from Level 2 to Level 1 were 2,704 million yen and 2,384 million yen for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, as quoted prices in active markets for certain debt securities became available. Transfers of debt securities from Level 1 to Level 2 were 1,982 million yen and 847 million yen for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, as quoted prices in active markets for certain debt securities became unavailable.

Transfers of equity securities from Level 2 to Level 1 were 24,958 million yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, as quoted prices in active markets for certain equity securities became available. There were no transfers of equity securities from Level 2 to Level 1 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3, significant unobservable inputs, and their range are as follows:

Valuation

technique(s)

Significant

unobservable

inputs

Range

March 31, 2023

March 31, 2024

Financial assets required to be measured at FVOCI

Debt securities

Japanese corporate bonds

Discounted cash
flow

Credit spread

34bp-63bp

27bp-72bp

Foreign corporate bonds

10bp

—

Securitized products

150bp-190bp

90bp-170bp

*	bp = basis point

The decrease (increase) in fair value is the result of rise (decline) of credit spreads.

For the above assets classified as Level 3, the fair value would not change significantly, if one or more of the significant unobservable inputs were changed to reflect reasonably possible alternative assumptions.

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The changes in fair value of Level 3 assets and liabilities for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023
			Total gains (losses) *1
	Beginning balance		Net income *2			Other comprehensive income *3			Purchases		Sales and settlements			Transfers to Level 3 *4		Transfers out of Level 3 *5			Other			Ending balance
Assets:
Financial assets required to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Japanese corporate bonds		18		—			—			20		—			—		—			—			38
Foreign corporate bonds		117		(14	)		—			3,434		(70	)		—		—			(90	)		3,377
Securitized products		3,713		—			—			—		(3,713	)		—		—			—			—
Investment funds		48,520		(2,541	)		395			17,254		(2,832	)		—		—			—			60,796
Equity securities		3,217		(413	)		—			4,021		(36)			—		—			—			6,789
Derivative assets
Equity contracts		4,024		(393	)		356			705		—			—		—			—			4,692
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Foreign corporate bonds		3,625		(84	)		—			—		—			—		—			—			3,541
Financial assets required to be measured at FVOCI
Debt securities
Japanese corporate bonds		154,245		6			(30,203	)		47,574		—			—		—			—			171,622
Foreign corporate bonds		20,837		598			—			24,362		(21,125	)		—		—			—			24,672
Securitized products		39,859		(389	)		6			13,575		(15,048	)		6,712		(4,124	)		—			40,591
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVOCI
Equity securities		205,509		—			(24,913	)		143,611		(126	)		146		(600	)		401			324,028
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities required to be measured at FVPL
Contingent consideration		21,552		(475	)		1,240			43,455		(13,951	)		—		—			(309	)		51,512
Financial liabilities designated to be measured at FVPL
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		34,995		(1,410	)		2,877			13,670		(2,802	)		—		—			(4	)		47,326

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	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2024
			Total gains (losses) *1
	Beginning balance		Net income *2			Other comprehensive income *3			Purchases		Sales and settlements			Transfers to Level 3		Transfers out of Level 3 *5			Other			Ending balance
Assets:
Financial assets required to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Japanese corporate bonds		38		—			—			20		(18	)		—		—			(20	)		20
Foreign corporate bonds		3,377		171			—			317		—			—		—			(932	)		2,933
Investment funds		60,796		3,781			736			8,677		(6,635	)		—		—			—			67,355
Equity securities		6,789		595			1			1,951		(152	)		—		—			250			9,434
Derivative assets
Equity contracts		4,692		(2,816	)		503			—		—			—		—			—			2,379
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Foreign corporate bonds		3,541		642			—			1,740		—			—		—			—			5,923
Financial assets required to be measured at FVOCI
Debt securities
Japanese corporate bonds		171,622		8			(32,782	)		—		—			—		—			—			138,848
Foreign corporate bonds		24,672		1,315			255			29,150		(19,148	)		—		(1,487	)		—			34,757
Securitized products		40,591		1,434			35			12,793		(24,437	)		—		(8,408	)		—			22,008
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVOCI
Equity securities		324,028		—			(6,987	)		6,342		(73,874	)		—		(1,175	)		847			249,181
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities required to be measured at FVPL
Contingent consideration		51,512		182			6,614			4,363		(12,328	)		—		—			—			50,343
Financial liabilities designated to be measured at FVPL
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		47,326		(3,396	)		5,345			5,294		(541	)		—		—			—			54,028

*1	For liability items, gains are presented as negative and losses are presented as positive.

*2	Gains (losses) recognized in net income are included in financial services revenue, other operating (income) expense, net, financial income and financial expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income are included in changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income and exchange differences on translating foreign operations in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

*4	Certain financial assets were transferred to Level 3 because the observability of the inputs used decreased.

*5	Certain financial assets were transferred from Level 3 because observable market data became available.

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The changes in unrealized gains (losses) recognized in net income for Level 3 assets and liabilities held as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Assets:
Financial assets required to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Foreign corporate bonds		(14	)		171
Investment funds		(2,420	)		3,887
Equity securities		(413	)		495
Derivative assets
Equity contracts		(393	)		(2,816	)
Financial assets designated to be measured at FVPL
Debt securities
Foreign corporate bonds		(84	)		646
Financial assets required to be measured at FVOCI
Debt securities
Japanese corporate bonds		6			8
Foreign corporate bonds		598			1,315
Securitized products		(389	)		1,461
Liabilities:
Financial liabilities required to be measured at FVPL
Contingent consideration		(2,683	)		(1,488	)
Financial liabilities designated to be measured at FVPL
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		1,410			3,270

Gains (losses) recognized in net income are included in financial services revenue, other operating (income) expense, net, financial income and financial expenses in the consolidated statements of income.

Sony generally elects to designate investments in equity instruments held to promote its businesses and to maintain and enhance the business relationship as financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income based on the purposes of holding the investments.

Equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 comprise the following:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Marketable equity instruments		103,270		67,834
Non-marketable equity instruments		324,028		249,181

Total		427,298		317,015

Significant marketable equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Bilibili Inc.		54,214		29,410
ANYCOLOR Inc.		10,061		8,568
KADOKAWA Corporation		8,017		7,545
Toei Animation Co., Ltd.		10,407		—

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The balances of the

non-marketable

instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income by major sector categories as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Entertainment *1		259,214		187,294
Manufacturing *2		35,182		34,610
Information technology, Communication and Service *3		27,136		24,348

*1	Major investments included Epic Games, Inc. and Scopely, Inc. as of March 31, 2023.

Major investments included Epic Games, Inc. as of March 31, 2024.

*2	Major investments included Nichia Corporation.

*3	Major investments included Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.

In order to enhance the efficiency of using assets held effectively, Sony derecognizes equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income upon the sale of the investment. Information relating to investments derecognized during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Fair value at derecognition		625			86,265
Cumulative amount recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax *		(298	)		12,326
Dividend received		8			122

*	The cumulative amount recognized in other comprehensive income, net of tax, was transferred to retained earnings upon derecognition of the equity instruments.

(3)	Financial instruments measured at amortized cost

The fair values by fair value hierarchy level of certain financial instruments that are measured at amortized cost as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are summarized as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023 Restated
	Fair value								Carrying amount
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Total
Assets:
Debt securities
Foreign corporate bonds		—		4,814		—		4,814		4,796
Securitized products		—		—		324,153		324,153		331,354
Other		—		41		1,173		1,214		1,224
Housing loans in the banking business		—		—		3,184,060		3,184,060		3,129,393

Total assets		—		4,855		3,509,386		3,514,241		3,466,767

Liabilities:
Long-term debt including the current portion		—		1,343,077		67,844		1,410,921		1,423,392
Investment contract liabilities		—		55,523		—		55,523		55,779

Total liabilities		—		1,398,600		67,844		1,466,444		1,479,171

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	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Fair value								Carrying amount
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Total
Assets:
Debt securities
Japanese corporate bonds		—		9,957		—		9,957		9,950
Foreign corporate bonds		—		3,413		—		3,413		3,386
Securitized products		—		—		378,389		378,389		378,736
Other		—		41		4,368		4,409		4,409
Housing loans in the banking business		—		—		3,634,011		3,634,011		3,574,468

Total assets		—		13,411		4,016,768		4,030,179		3,970,949

Liabilities:
Long-term debt including the current portion		—		1,606,340		78,935		1,685,275		1,704,102
Investment contract liabilities		—		59,578		—		59,578		60,392

Total liabilities		—		1,665,918		78,935		1,744,853		1,764,494

The table above does not include financial instruments measured at amortized cost whose carrying amounts approximate their fair values mainly due to their short-term nature.

The fair values of long-term debt, including the current portion classified as Level 2, were estimated mainly based on discounted future cash flows using Sony’s current rates for similar liabilities.

The fair values of investment contract liabilities classified as Level 2 were determined by using the present value of expected cash flows based on risk-free interest rate yield curves adjusted for items such as credit risk.

Financial instruments classified as Level 3 mainly include housing loans in the banking business, securitized products and certain bonds issued by Sony. In determining the fair value of such financial instruments, Sony uses the present value of expected cash flows based on risk-free interest rate yield curves adjusted for items such as credit risk.

(4)	Income and expenses related to financial instruments in the Financial Services segment

Income and expenses related to financial instruments in the Financial Services segment are recorded in other financial services revenue and other financial services expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Income and expenses related to financial instruments in all segments other than Financial Services segment are recorded in financial income and financial expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Refer to Note 24 for the details of financial income and financial expenses.

The breakdown of income and expenses related to financial instruments in the Financial Services segment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2022
	Financial instruments required to be measured at FVPL		Financial instruments designated to be measured at FVPL			Financial assets measured at AC		Financial liabilities measured at AC			Debt instruments measured at FVOCI		Equity instruments measured at FVOCI		Total
Income*
Net gains (losses) recognized in profit or loss		225,922		(6,673	)		14,765		(49,110	)		148,813		—		333,717
Total interest income		—		—			32,839		—			180,006		—		212,845
Dividend income		—		—			—		—			—		85		85
Expenses
Total interest expenses		—		—			—		3,838			—		—		3,838
Impairment losses (gains) on financial assets		—		—			19		—			24		—		43

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	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023 Restated
	Financial instruments required to be measured at FVPL		Financial instruments designated to be measured at FVPL			Financial assets measured at AC		Financial liabilities measured at AC			Debt instruments measured at FVOCI		Equity instruments measured at FVOCI		Total
Income*
Net gains (losses) recognized in profit or loss		56,150		(109,480	)		14,242		(58,484	)		141,189		—		43,617
Total interest income		—		—			38,787		—			184,519		—		223,306
Dividend income		—		—			—		—			—		195		195
Expenses
Total interest expenses		—		—			—		29,867			—		—		29,867
Impairment losses (gains) on financial assets		—		—			144		—			8		—		152


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Financial instruments required to be measured at FVPL		Financial instruments designated to be measured at FVPL			Financial assets measured at AC			Financial liabilities measured at AC			Debt instruments measured at FVOCI			Equity instruments measured at FVOCI		Total
Income*
Net gains (losses) recognized in profit or loss		857,653		(120,317	)		5,279			(105,974	)		257,902			—		894,543
Total interest income		—		—			52,060			—			191,209			—		243,269
Dividend income		—		—			—			—			—			459		459
Expenses
Total interest expenses		—		—			—			72,488			—			—		72,488
Impairment losses (gains) on financial assets		—		—			(42	)		—			(3	)		—		(45	)

*	Income includes investment returns which occurred in the insurance business. Refer to Note 13.

6.	Financial risk management

(1)	Capital risk

Sony uses Return on Equity (“ROE”) as an indicator for capital risk management.


	March 31
	2023 Restated			2024
ROE*		16.4	%		13.7	%

*	ROE is calculated using equity attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders.

Sony manages capital separately for the Financial Services segment and the Sony Group without the Financial Services segment because certain subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment are subject to the below restrictions. Sony also refers to the ratio of stockholders’ equity to total assets of the Sony Group without the Financial Services segment to ensure financial soundness.

In the Financial Services segment, Sony is required to maintain the soundness indicators at a certain level or higher based on the Insurance Business Act and the Banking Act

Japan. Material requirements which Sony is subject to are as follows:

Insurance business: Maintain solvency margin ratio

The life insurance subsidiary and the

non-life

insurance subsidiary have maintained a solvency margin ratio

required by

the Japanese domestic criteria.

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Banking business: Maintain capital adequacy ratio

The banking subsidiary has maintained a capital adequacy ratio

required by

the Japanese domestic criteria.

Accordingly, lending and borrowing between subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment and the other companies within Sony Group is strictly limited. The carrying amounts of total assets of Sony Financial Group Inc. (“SFGI”) as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are 19,912,827 million yen and 20,877,128 million yen, respectively. The carrying amounts of total liabilities of SFGI as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are 18,728,102 million yen and 19,763,959 million yen, respectively. The amounts as of March 31, 2023 have been restated in accordance with IFRS 17.

(2)	Interest rate risk

For interest rate risk inherent in the insurance business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to Note 13. For interest rate risk inherent in the banking business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to (7) Market risks for the banking business.

Risk management policy and exposure

Interest rate risk is the risk the fair value of a financial instrument or future cash flows of the financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates.

Sony without the Financial Services segment is exposed to interest rate risk that is mainly related to its liabilities such as short-term borrowings and long-term debt as well as bonds. The amount of interest will be affected by changes in market interest rates; therefore, Sony is exposed to the interest rate risk that the future cash outflows for interest payments will fluctuate.

Sony raises funds by issuing fixed-rate bonds in order to avoid an increase in future interest payments that is mainly resulting from an increase in interest rates.

Also, Sony utilizes interest rate swap agreements to reduce funding costs, to diversify sources of funding, and to hedge the downside risk on borrowings and debt securities resulting from unfavorable fluctuations of interest rates and currency exchange rates, and from changes in the fair value of financial instruments. Therefore, the interest rate risk associated with cash flows of Sony without the Financial Services segment is not significant.

(3)	Price risk

For price risk inherent in the insurance business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to Note 13. For price risk inherent in the banking business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to (7) Market risks for the banking business.

Risk management policy and exposure

Sony is exposed to securities price risk inherent in holding of equities in other entities in Japan and overseas countries. Sony periodically assesses fair values of equity instruments and the financial conditions of the issuers of such equity instruments, and reviews its portfolio on a regular basis.

Price sensitivity analysis

The table below shows the effects on income before income taxes and other comprehensive income (before considering the tax effects) as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 if market prices of marketable equity instruments (e.g., stocks) had decreased by 10%.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023			2024
Income before income taxes		(11,734	)		(24,621	)
Other comprehensive income (before considering the tax effects)		(9,800	)		(6,116	)

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(4)	Liquidity risk

For liquidity risk inherent in the insurance business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to Note 13. This section does not include information regarding the insurance business other than maturity analysis for financial liabilities.

Risk management policy

The description below covers basic financial policy and figures for Sony’s consolidated operations except for the Financial Services segment and certain subsidiaries, which secure liquidity on their own. Furthermore, the banking business in the Financial Services segment is described separately at the end of this section.

Liquidity Management and Market Access

An important financial objective of Sony is to maintain the strength of its financial condition, while securing adequate liquidity for business activities. Sony defines its liquidity sources as the amount of cash and cash equivalents (“cash balance”) (excluding restrictions on capital transfers mainly due to national regulations) and the unused amount of committed lines of credit. Funding requirements that arise from maintaining liquidity are principally covered by cash flow from operating and investing activities (including asset sales) and by the available cash balance; however, Sony also raises funds as needed from financial and capital markets through means such as corporate bonds, commercial paper (“CP”) and bank loans. Sony Group Corporation, Sony Global Treasury Services Plc (“SGTS”), a finance subsidiary in the U.K. and Sony Capital Corporation (“SCC”), a finance subsidiary in the U.S., maintain CP programs with access to the Japanese, U.S. and European CP markets. The borrowing limits under these CP programs, translated into yen, were 1,257.1 billion yen in total for Sony Group Corporation, SGTS and SCC as of March 31, 2024. There were no amounts outstanding under the CP programs as of March 31, 2024. If disruption and volatility occur in financial and capital markets and Sony becomes unable to raise sufficient funds from these sources, Sony may also draw down funds from contractually committed lines of credit from various financial institutions. Sony has a total, translated into yen, of 766.4 billion yen in unused committed lines of credit, as of March 31, 2024. Details of those committed lines of credit are: a 350.0 billion yen committed line of credit contracted with a syndicate of Japanese banks, a 1.7 billion U.S. dollar multi-currency committed line of credit also contracted with a syndicate of Japanese banks and a 1.05 billion U.S. dollar multi-currency committed line of credit contracted with a syndicate of foreign banks. Sony currently believes that it can sustain sufficient liquidity through access to committed lines of credit with financial institutions, together with its available cash balance, even in the event that financial and capital markets become illiquid. Sony considers one of management’s top priorities to be the maintenance of stable and appropriate credit ratings in order to ensure financial flexibility for liquidity and capital management and continued adequate access to sufficient funding resources in the financial and capital markets. However, in the event of a downgrade in Sony’s credit ratings, there are no financial covenants in any of Sony’s material financial agreements with financial institutions that would cause an acceleration of the obligation. Even though the cost of borrowing for some committed lines of credit could change according to Sony’s credit ratings, there are no financial covenants that would cause any impairment on the ability to draw down on unused facilities.

Cash Management

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Banking business in the Financial Services segment

In the banking business in the Financial Services segment, by formulating and conforming with liquidity risk management policies, Sony manages its liquidity risks. Sony defines liquidity risk as cash flow risk and market liquidity risk. Cash flow risk is the risk associated with losses due to Sony’s inability to make cash payments because of a failure to maintain sufficient cash reserves at settlement, as well as risks associated with losses if Sony is forced to raise funds under unfavorable conditions in order to fulfill cash payment obligations. The levels of cash flow risks are classified into phases based on the degree of pressure, and methods of risk management and reporting are set out for each phase, while guidelines are formulated and reviewed as necessary. Market liquidity risk is the risk associated with losses due to Sony’s inability to conduct market transactions, in particular due to an inability to unwind its market position at a given time, or due to Sony being forced to complete transactions under unfavorable market conditions, due to market turmoil or other factors. To manage market liquidity risk, Sony works to understand market liquidity conditions that pertain to the types of products it handles. Sony formulates and revises guidelines on a

product-by-product

basis, as necessary. The aforementioned liquidity risk management is carried out by the risk management division. The division periodically reports risk management conditions to the banking subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In addition, the banking subsidiary’s internal audit division conducts audits of the risk management conditions.

Maturity analysis

The following table summarizes Sony’s financial liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Carrying amount		Total		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		5+ years
Deposits from customers in the banking business *1		3,306,981		3,316,556		3,171,377		30,215		14,933		1,060		2,410		96,561
Bonds		349,332		354,169		26,039		40,986		110,862		35,591		80,416		60,275
Borrowings		2,988,994		3,025,480		1,998,315		70,690		147,447		270,268		62,571		476,189
Loan commitments		—		35,831		35,831		—		—		—		—		—
Derivative liabilities *2		34,123		33,766		28,886		623		1,041		912		918		1,386
Guarantee deposits received		40,568		40,568		31,085		272		19		58		13		9,121
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		47,326		48,616		—		24,844		10,397		4,572		198		8,605


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Carrying amount	Total		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years
Lease liabilities	532,246		593,967		90,244		80,476		68,143		55,189		47,665
			5 years to 6 years		6 years to 7 years		7 years to 8 years		8 years to 9 years		9 years to 10 years		10+ years
			56,603		37,539		34,588		25,798		18,384		79,338

*1	Demand deposits are included in the “Within 1 year” category.

*2	Breakdown of net settlements and gross settlements in the derivative liabilities are presented below.

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	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Total		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		5+ years
Derivative contracts
—Net settled
Paid		32,881		27,820		769		1,076		912		918		1,386
Derivative contracts
—Gross settled
Received		29,092		25,894		156		3,042		—		—		—
Paid		29,977		26,960		10		3,007		—		—		—


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Carrying amount		Total		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		5+ years
Deposits from customers in the banking business *1		3,845,607		3,870,349		3,687,051		22,043		11,422		2,728		3,069		144,036
Bonds		544,078		554,986		42,236		112,112		126,786		101,302		80,974		91,576
Borrowings		2,972,629		3,013,803		1,909,097		84,525		259,511		231,829		156,945		371,896
Loan commitments		—		50,965		50,965		—		—		—		—		—
Derivative liabilities *2		29,287		29,557		23,465		1,179		1,178		1,145		953		1,637
Guarantee deposits received		44,864		44,864		31,479		135		9		24		10		13,207
Redeemable noncontrolling interests		54,028		54,389		—		14,794		25,740		99		5,292		8,464


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Carrying amount	Total		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years
Lease liabilities	571,726		671,899		106,505		96,090		85,917		68,624		57,850
		5 years to 6 years		6 years to 7 years		7 years to 8 years		8 years to 9 years		9 years to 10 years		10+ years
			51,240		47,630		37,279		29,390		21,954		69,420

*1	Demand deposits are included in the “Within 1 year” category.

*2	Breakdown of net settlements and gross settlements in the derivative liabilities are presented below.


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Total		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		5+ years
Derivative contracts
—Net settled
Paid		28,220		22,128		1,179		1,178		1,145		953		1,637
Derivative contracts
—Gross settled
Received		49,187		49,187		—		—		—		—		—
Paid		50,524		50,524		—		—		—		—		—

(5)	Foreign exchange risk

For foreign exchange risk inherent in the insurance business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to Note 13. For foreign exchange risk inherent in the banking business, which is included in the Financial Services segment, refer to (7) Market risks for the banking business.

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Risk management policy and exposure

Costs and prices of products and services in transactions denominated in foreign currencies are affected by currency exchange rate fluctuation, which may have adverse impacts on Sony’s business, operating results, and financial condition. Sony seeks to reduce its exposure to foreign exchange risk mainly by using derivatives such as currency forward contracts or investing in securities denominated in the same currency.

The net amount of Sony’s exposure to foreign exchange risk mainly includes the following. Foreign exchange risk exposures that are mitigated by the use of derivatives are excluded.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
U.S. dollar		45,316		81,000
Euro		1,459		282

*	Net exposures resulting in a liability are presented as negative and net exposures resulting in an asset are presented as positive.

Sensitivity analysis

The table below shows the effects on the income before income taxes regarding the financial instruments denominated in foreign currencies held by Sony as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 if the Japanese yen had strengthened by 10% against the U.S. dollar or euro. If the Japanese yen had weakened by 10% against the U.S. dollar or euro, there would be an opposite impact on income before income taxes in the same amount. This analysis was performed based on the assumption that all other variables stay the same.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023			2024
U.S. dollar		(4,532	)		(8,100	)
Euro		(146	)		(28	)

(6)	Credit risk

Risk management policy and exposure

Sony is exposed to credit risk in relation to its customers with outstanding trade receivables and the financial institutions who are the counterparties of derivative instruments that Sony holds to hedge the foreign exchange risk related to such trade receivables.

In order to manage risks inherent in trade receivables, Sony assesses management conditions and creditworthiness of prospective customers and sets credit limits before commencement of business in accordance with Sony’s internal rules regarding credit management. After commencement of business, in accordance with Sony’s internal rules regarding receivable management, Sony seeks to promptly identify and mitigate the risk of uncollectible receivables due to deterioration in the financial conditions of customers by managing payment due dates and outstanding balances by customer, consistently reviewing the status of transactions, payment history, and trends in the outstanding balance of customers, and actively monitoring their management and business conditions. Sony makes judgments about the creditworthiness of customers based on past collection experience, the current conditions, forecasts of future economic conditions and ongoing credit risk evaluations when calculating the loss allowances for the expected credit losses from trade receivables.

In addition, the credit risk inherent in derivative transactions is considered low since Sony enters into derivative transactions only with financial institutions with high creditworthiness or central clearing house counterparties, and such derivative transactions are collateralized.

The Financial Services segment formulates Fundamental Principles for Risk Management and manages risks depending on its subsidiaries’ size, characteristics and business. Risk Management Guidelines in the

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Financial Services segment establish a detailed framework for risk management, and each of the subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment has developed a framework for risk management on its own depending on the characteristics of financial assets, including issuer credit risk on debt securities, counterparty risks and risks related to loans to individuals, including credit screenings, credit limits, the management of credit information, credit ratings, the setting of guarantees or collateral and the handling of problem assets on a

case-by-case

basis. Relevant departments of subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment periodically report risk management conditions to their Boards of Directors.

Risk exposure analysis

(a)	Changes in the loss allowances

Trade and other receivables, and contract assets including

non-current

other receivables in the Pictures segment


	Yen in millions
	Lifetime expected credit losses
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Balance at beginning of the fiscal year		31,341			27,534

Changes due to financial assets recognized at beginning of the fiscal year:
— Financial assets that have been derecognized		(4,568	)		(2,018	)
New financial assets originated or purchased		6,401			9,464
Write-offs		(6,647	)		(5,990	)
Changes in models/risk parameters		(1,409	)		643
Foreign exchange and other movements		2,416			3,433

Balance at end of the fiscal year		27,534			33,066

Debt Securities
	Yen in millions
	12-month expected credit losses *
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Balance at beginning of the fiscal year		53			61

Changes due to financial assets recognized at beginning of the fiscal year:
— Financial assets that have been derecognized		(4	)		(10	)
New financial assets originated or purchased		13			8
Changes in models/risk parameters		(1	)		(1	)
Foreign exchange and other movements		—			—

Balance at end of the fiscal year		61			58

*	For all debt securities, Sony considers that the credit risk has not increased significantly since initial recognition, and therefore the loss allowance is measured at an amount equal to 12-months of expected credit losses.

Substantially all of the loss allowances for debt securities are for debt securities measured at fair value through other comprehensive income as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.

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Loans


	Yen in millions
	12-month expected credit losses			Lifetime expected credit losses			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022		164			927			1,091
Changes due to financial assets recognized as of April 1, 2022:
— Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses		(1	)		1			—
— Transfer to 12-month expected credit losses		80			(80	)		—
— Financial assets that have been derecognized		(6	)		(285	)		(291	)
New financial assets originated or purchased		51			20			71
Changes in models/risk parameters		25			241			266
Foreign exchange and other movements		—			—			—

Balance as of March 31, 2023		313			824			1,137

Changes due to financial assets recognized as of March 31, 2023:
— Transfer to lifetime expected credit losses		(1	)		1			—
— Transfer to 12-month expected credit losses		106			(106	)		—
— Financial assets that have been derecognized		(24	)		(227	)		(251	)
New financial assets originated or purchased		45			823			869
Changes in models/risk parameters		(162	)		187			24
Foreign exchange and other movements		—			—			—

Balance as of March 31, 2024		277			1,502			1,779

Loans that are credit-impaired as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 were not significant.

(b)	Description of collateral held as security and other credit enhancements

Sony assesses creditworthiness of each customer on an individual project basis. When it is determined to extend credit to a customer, the amount of collateral to be obtained will be based on the credit assessment for the customer by management. Collateral held as security includes, but is not limited to the following:

•

Floating charges on all assets and businesses of the customer

•

Specific or related guarantees

•

Debt guarantees from customers and loan agreements with favorable and unfavorable covenant terms

The carrying amount of the financial assets, without taking into account any collateral held or credit enhancements, represents Sony’s maximum exposure to credit risk on these assets. For maximum exposure to credit risk of securities to which impairment requirements in IFRS 9 “Financial Instrument” (“IFRS 9”) are not applied without taking into account any collateral held or other credit enhancements, refer to Note 5.

In the Financial Services segment, housing loans have sufficient collateral, which results in no significant loss allowance being recognized. In addition, certain securities received as collateral for short-term lending transactions are permitted to be sold or repledged. The fair value of the securities which were not sold or repledged as collateral was 4,691

million yen

of March 31, 2023 and

as of March 31, 2024. None of the securities were sold or repledged as collateral as of March 31, 2023 or 2024. The securities are not recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position until being sold or repledged as collateral.

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(c)	Credit risk exposure by risk rating grades

Credit risk exposure by risk rating grades as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, is as follows:

Trade and other receivables, and contract assets including

non-current

other receivables in the Pictures segment


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Outstanding receivables by overview period of overdue (Gross carrying amount)
Not past due or due within 30 days		1,849,112		2,224,058
Due over 30 to 90 days		46,332		47,942
Due over 90 days		63,519		75,740

Total		1,958,963		2,347,740

Debt securities

Debt securities held in the Financial Services segment are substantially all composed of investment grade debt securities, and, as a financial instrument subject to IFRS 9 impairment requirements,

12-month

expected losses are recorded.

The following table shows an analysis of the gross carrying amount for debt securities measured at amortized cost or at fair value through other comprehensive income based on a credit rating system in the Financial Services segment, which is primarily a composite of external credit ratings as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
Debt securities by credit ratings (Gross carrying amount)
AAA		536,009		659,016
AA		2,807,684		3,122,639
A		7,328,136		7,111,836
BBB		9,625		15,668
Other		6,434		3,004

Total		10,687,888		10,912,163

Loans

Loans held in the banking business in the Financial Services segment are regularly reassessed by the credit ratings of debtors, and as a financial instrument subject to IFRS 9 impairment requirements,

12-month

or lifetime expected credit losses are recorded depending on whether or not the credit risk has increased significantly since initial recognition or not.

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The following table shows an analysis of the gross carrying amount for loans measured at amortized cost based on credit ratings by debtors in the banking business in the Financial Services segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Normal*						Other than Normal						Total
	12-month expected credit losses		Lifetime expected credit losses		Sub total		12-month expected credit losses		Lifetime expected credit losses		Sub total		Total
Loans
Housing loans		3,124,410		140		3,124,550		2,173		3,350		5,523		3,130,073
Other		16,852		242		17,094		4		74		78		17,172

Total		3,141,262		382		3,141,644		2,177		3,424		5,601		3,147,245


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Normal*						Other than Normal						Total
	12-month expected credit losses		Lifetime expected credit losses		Sub total		12-month expected credit losses		Lifetime expected credit losses		Sub total		Total
Loans
Housing loans		3,570,142		247		3,570,389		1,998		2,706		4,704		3,575,093
Other		15,755		378		16,133		5		96		101		16,234

Total		3,585,897		625		3,586,522		2,003		2,802		4,805		3,591,327

*	Normal is defined as borrowers who have strong results and no particular problems with their financial position.

(d)	Credit risk for debt securities designated to be measured at fair value through profit or loss

The credit risk exposures for debt securities designated to be measured at fair value through profit or loss were 1,486,566 million yen, and 1,243,109 million yen as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The changes in the fair value attributable to the changes in credit risk were an increase of 509 million yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and a decrease of 969 million yen for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The cumulative changes were an increase of 2,535 million yen and 1,566 million yen as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The amounts as of March 31, 2023 have been restated in accordance with IFRS 17.

(7)	Market risks for the banking business

In the banking business, by formulating and conforming with market risk management policies, Sony manages the risk of loss for when the value of assets and liabilities (including

off-balance-sheet

items), and income from assets and liabilities could be adversely affected by changes in various market risk factors, such as interest rates, exchange rates and stock prices. Market risk management policies specify details such as risk management methods and procedures. Based on ALM and risk management policies determined by the banking subsidiary’s Board of Directors, an ALM committee and a risk management committee typically meet once each month to understand and confirm actual conditions and deliberate future measures and risk conditions. On a daily basis, the risk management division maintains an overall understanding of interest, exchange rates and durations of financial assets and liabilities, and monitors Value at Risk (“VaR”), which quantifies the maximum expected loss which could occur during a given holding period and at a given probability, and interest rate sensitivity analysis, and confirms regulatory compliance. Sony also conducts interest rate swaps and other derivative transactions to hedge against interest and exchange rate fluctuation risks. VaR is calculated by the historical method

(time period:

250

days, confidence level:

99.0

and is used for quantitative analysis in managing interest and exchange rate fluctuation risks. The total market risk volume as of March 31, 2023 and 2024

was

21,433

million yen and

18,046

million yen, respectively. VaR

is based on the assumption that risk parameters other than interest rates and exchange rates are fixed. In the event that fluctuations exceed the rational forecast band for interest and exchange rates, the risk impact may exceed the amount calculated. The aforementioned market risk management is carried out primarily by the risk management division. The division periodically reports risk management conditions to the banking subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee. In addition, the banking subsidiary’s internal audit division conducts audits

of the risk management conditions

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(8)	Effect of IBOR reform

Due to the reform and replacement of benchmark interest rates such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), the use of other interbank offered rates (“IBORs”) has become a priority for global regulators. The use of LIBOR ceased as of December 31, 2021, except for the use of certain U.S. dollar (“USD”) LIBORs. USD LIBOR was abolished and lost its representativeness as of June 2023.

As mentioned above, the JPY and GBP IBORs were abolished on December 31, 2021 and replaced by alternative interest rates such as the Tokyo Overnight Average Rate and the Sterling Overnight Index Average. USD LIBOR was abolished on June 30, 2023 and replaced by the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR).

For contracts that used USD LIBOR as of March 31, 2023, Sony has completed the amendment of agreements for the transition to alternative interest rate benchmarks as of March 31, 2024.

7.	Inventories

Inventories are comprised of the following:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Finished products		1,028,614		1,028,359
Work in process		244,140		314,020
Raw materials, purchased components and supplies		195,288		176,265

Inventories		1,468,042		1,518,644

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 the write-downs of inventories were 80,546 million yen, 110,901 million yen and 117,633 million yen, respectively.

For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 the amounts of inventories expensed and included in cost of sales were 2,495,769 million yen, 3,317,553 million yen, and 3,635,969 million yen, respectively. Included within these amounts for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were employee benefits expenses of 282,765 million yen, 238,133 million yen and 307,041 million yen, respectively, and depreciation and amortization expenses of 201,860 million yen, 189,230 million yen and 287,798 million yen, respectively. Other cost of sales mainly consists of material costs, subcontractor costs and other professional service fees.

8.	Investments in associates and joint ventures

There are no associates or joint ventures that are individually material to Sony.

The carrying amounts of investments in associates and joint ventures that are not individually material to Sony, as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Investments accounted for using the equity method
Associates		279,640		363,611
Joint ventures		45,580		60,133

Total		325,220		423,744

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Sony’s share of comprehensive income, profit or loss and other comprehensive income, of associates and joint ventures that are not individually material to Sony for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Share of profit or loss
Associates		21,920		22,637		19,727
Joint ventures		1,726		1,812		(9,225	)

Total		23,646		24,449		10,502

Share of other comprehensive income
Associates		2,077		3,659		5,311
Joint ventures		1		40		37

Total		2,078		3,699		5,348

Share of comprehensive income
Associates		23,997		26,296		25,038
Joint ventures		1,727		1,852		(9,188	)

Total		25,724		28,148		15,850

On January 31, 2024, Sony Bank Inc. (“Sony Bank”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony, transferred a portion of its shares of Sony Payment Services Inc. (“Sony Payment Services”), which was a consolidated subsidiary of Sony Bank, to a special purpose company established by private equity funds which are managed by Blackstone Inc. and its affiliates. Upon the transfer, Sony Payment Services became an affiliate of Sony accounted for using the equity method and Sony has recorded a total

19,763

million yen in other operating (income) expense, net for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, reflecting both a realized gain on the shares transferred and a remeasurement gain based on the fair value of the shares Sony will continue to hold after the transfer. The amounts of assets and liabilities of Sony Payment Services that were derecognized as a result of the transfer were not material.

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9.	Property, plant and equipment

The changes in property, plant and equipment for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Land			Buildings			Machinery and equipment			Construction in progress			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022:
Cost		78,160			832,785			1,953,985			145,940			3,010,870
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses		(37	)		(515,313	)		(1,381,020	)		(1,287	)		(1,897,657	)

Carrying amount		78,123			317,472			572,965			144,653			1,113,213

Changes in carrying amount:
Additions		700			17,369			112,351			364,450			494,870
Acquisitions through business combinations		—			168			2,480			5,939			8,587
Reclassifications		75			75,608			232,218			(314,742	)		(6,841	)
Disposals or classified as held for sale *1		(876	)		(1,610	)		(2,793	)		(644	)		(5,923	)
Depreciation *2		—			(33,682	)		(234,530	)		—			(268,212	)
Impairment losses		—			(317	)		(570	)		(52	)		(939	)
Translation adjustment		1,232			8,931			5,315			531			16,009
Other		—			(4,636	)		(1,264	)		—			(5,900	)

Total changes		1,131			61,831			113,207			55,482			231,651

Balance as of March 31, 2023:
Cost		79,291			921,156			2,202,010			201,299			3,403,756
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses		(37	)		(541,853	)		(1,515,838	)		(1,164	)		(2,058,892	)

Carrying amount		79,254			379,303			686,172			200,135			1,344,864

Changes in carrying amount:
Additions		6,068			14,886			100,199			374,735			495,888
Acquisitions through business combinations		—			912			472			12			1,396
Reclassifications		616			76,731			314,967			(394,995	)		(2,681	)
Disposals or classified as held for sale *1		(2,077	)		(2,361	)		(3,416	)		(1,414	)		(9,268	)
Depreciation *2		—			(39,781	)		(281,807	)		—			(321,588	)
Impairment losses		—			(76	)		(258	)		(11	)		(345	)
Translation adjustment		2,085			15,913			7,366			5,729			31,093
Other		—			(1,744	)		(15,032	)		57			(16,719	)

Total changes		6,692			64,480			122,491			(15,887	)		177,776

Balance as of March 31, 2024:
Cost		85,983			1,033,758			2,551,174			185,287			3,856,202
Accumulated depreciation and impairment losses		(37	)		(589,975	)		(1,742,511	)		(1,039	)		(2,333,562	)

Carrying amount		85,946			443,783			808,663			184,248			1,522,640

*1	An asset or disposal group for which the cash flows are expected to arise principally from sale rather than continuing use is classified to current asset as an asset held for sale.

Depreciation expenses are allocated to the cost of inventory and are recognized in cost of sales as inventory is sold, or are directly recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses and research and development expenditures in the consolidated statements of income, depending on the use of the asset.

10.

Leases

Sony leases communication and commercial equipment, plant, office space, warehouses, employees’ residential facilities and other assets.

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(1)	Right-of-use assets as a lessee

The changes in ROU assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Land			Buildings			Machinery and equipment			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022:
Carrying amount		17,800			375,268			20,362			413,430

Changes in the carrying amount
Increase due to new lease agreements and remeasurement of lease liabilities		1,533			90,395			36,604			128,532
Decrease due to termination of lease agreements and remeasurement of lease liabilities		(3,323	)		(10,654	)		(214	)		(14,191	)
Depreciation		(1,171	)		(77,368	)		(7,808	)		(86,347	)
Other		399			35,422			818			36,639

Total changes		(2,562	)		37,795			29,400			64,633

Balance as of March 31, 2023:
Carrying amount		15,238			413,063			49,762			478,063

Changes in the carrying amount
Increase due to new lease agreements and remeasurement of lease liabilities		177			73,038			25,179			98,394
Decrease due to termination of lease agreements and remeasurement of lease liabilities		(74	)		(10,396	)		(467	)		(10,937	)
Depreciation		(1,169	)		(82,576	)		(11,097	)		(94,842	)
Other		643			31,379			695			32,717

Total changes		(423	)		11,445			14,310			25,332

Balance as of March 31, 2024:
Carrying amount		14,815			424,508			64,072			503,395

(2)	Income, expenses, and cash flows (except for depreciation) arising from lease contracts as a lessee and lessor are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023			2024
Interest expenses on lease liabilities		8,223			10,382			12,833
Expenses related to short-term leases accounted for applying an exemption		19,764			36,807			20,798
Income from subleases		(2,256	)		(1,784	)		(1,589	)
Net cash outflows for leases		83,546			89,681			100,438

Refer to Note 6 for the maturity analysis of Sony’s financial liabilities including lease liabilities.

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11.	Goodwill and intangible assets

(1)

Goodwill

The changes in goodwill for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Balance at beginning of the fiscal year
Cost		1,312,615			1,649,041
Accumulated impairments		(359,720	)		(373,929	)

Carrying amount		952,895			1,275,112

Increase (decrease) due to:
Acquisitions *		274,499			70,791
Disposals or classified as held for sale		(445	)		(14,491	)
Impairments		—			—
Translation adjustments		48,163			155,688

Total changes		322,217			211,988

Balance at end of the fiscal year
Cost		1,649,041			1,884,627
Accumulated impairments		(373,929	)		(397,527	)

Carrying amount		1,275,112			1,487,100

Refer to Note 30 for the details of the acquisitions.

The carrying amounts of goodwill by segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Game & Network Services *1		407,121		465,647
Music *2		579,969		710,888
Pictures *3		259,055		279,949
Entertainment, Technology & Services		14,654		15,829
Imaging & Sensing Solutions		3,479		3,953
Financial Services		10,834		10,834
All Other		—		—

Total		1,275,112		1,487,100

Game & Network Services

All of the goodwill shown in the G&NS line of the table above is allocated to a group of CGUs which comprise the entire G&NS segment.

Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives related to the G&NS business have carrying amounts of 57,409 million yen and 57,438 million yen, as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, which are included in “Other intangible assets.” Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives include the trademark for PlayStation

, which is assessed to have an indefinite useful life as the trademark for PlayStation

is utilized as the core trademark for Sony’s products and services throughout the G&NS segment and Sony expects to continue using the trademark in the foreseeable future as well.

The recoverable amount of the group of CGUs is determined by the value in use. The value in use is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows including a terminal value. The estimated future cash flows are prepared based on the MRP. A terminal value after the final year of the total forecasted period is determined by utilizing a perpetual growth rate. The growth rate and the

pre-tax

discount rate were 1.5% and 10.8% as of March 31, 2023, and 1.5% and 9.6% as of March 31, 2024, respectively.

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Music

Goodwill shown in the Music line of the table above is primarily allocated to the worldwide recorded music and the worldwide music publishing CGUs excluding operations in Japan.

Goodwill related to the worldwide recorded music CGU has carrying amounts of 255,834 million yen and 342,653 million yen, as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The recoverable amount of the CGU is determined by the value in use. The value in use is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows including a terminal value. The estimated future cash flows are prepared based on the MRP. A terminal value after the final year of the total forecasted period is determined by utilizing a perpetual growth rate. The growth rate and the

pre-tax

discount rate were 1.0% and 12.8% as of March 31, 2023, and 1.0% and 12.5% as of March 31, 2024, respectively.

Goodwill related to the music publishing CGU has carrying amounts of 290,833 million yen and 330,240 million yen, as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The recoverable amount of the CGU is determined by the value in use. The value in use is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows including a terminal value. The estimated future cash flows are prepared based on the MRP. A terminal value after the final year of the total forecasted period is determined by utilizing a perpetual growth rate. The growth rate and the

pre-tax

discount rate were 3.0% and 11.1% as of March 31, 2023, and 3.0% and 11.4% as of March 31, 2024, respectively.

Pictures

Goodwill shown in the Pictures line of the table above is primarily allocated to the animation distribution CGU.

Goodwill related to the animation distribution CGU has carrying amounts of 124,265 million yen and 141,155 million yen, as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The recoverable amount of the CGU is determined by the value in use. The value in use is calculated by discounting the estimated future cash flows including a terminal value. The estimated future cash flows are prepared based on the MRP, with revenues in years beyond the MRP based on declining growth rates. A terminal value is based on a revenue multiple applied to the final year of the total forecasted period. The growth rates beyond the MRP period were 5.0% to 15.0% and 5.0% to 12.0%, and the

pre-tax

discount

rates

were

16.2

% and

15.9

% as of March

2023

and

2024

, respectively.

The value in use calculation uses key assumptions such as the

pre-tax

discount rate, perpetual growth rate, competitive and regulatory environment, and technology trends. For each assumption, historical experience, external information, competitors and industry trends are taken into account. Sony does not expect the recoverable amounts to be lower than the carrying amounts even when the growth rate and

pre-tax

discount rate that are used in the evaluation of the recoverable amounts change within a reasonably predictable range.

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(2)	Content assets

The changes in content assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Film costs			Broadcasting rights			Music catalogs			Artist contracts			Music distribution rights			Game content			Content assets Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022:
Cost		3,549,934			395,045			914,418			30,278			43,219			46,086			4,978,980
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses		(3,096,457	)		(293,827	)		(209,628	)		(15,035	)		(9,158	)		(12,829	)		(3,636,934	)

Carrying amount		453,477			101,218			704,790			15,243			34,061			33,257			1,342,046

Changes in carrying amount:
Additions *1		526,273			83,491			27,839			942			35			10,725			649,305
Acquisitions through business combinations		419			7			607			—			1,171			46,079			48,283
Disposals or classified as held for sale		(38,899	)		—			—			—			—			(7	)		(38,906	)
Amortization		(381,753	)		(76,824	)		(31,686	)		(1,285	)		(2,755	)		(15,820	)		(510,123	)
Impairment losses		(13,815	)		—			(236	)		—			—			(152	)		(14,203	)
Translation adjustment		27,228			4,665			50,980			1,086			937			294			85,190
Other		—			—			—			—			—			290			290

Total changes		119,453			11,339			47,504			743			(612	)		41,409			219,836

Balance as of March 31, 2023:
Cost		4,320,022			419,025			1,008,942			32,484			45,988			97,386			5,923,847
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses		(3,747,092	)		(306,468	)		(256,648	)		(16,498	)		(12,539	)		(22,720	)		(4,361,965	)

Carrying amount		572,930			112,557			752,294			15,986			33,449			74,666			1,561,882

Changes in carrying amount:
Additions *1		329,104			97,028			20,842			3,061			146			83,757			533,938
Acquisitions through business combinations and other *2		—			—			229,884			15,075			2,627			—			247,586
Disposals or classified as held for sale		(35,927	)		(7,371	)		—			(224	)		—			(227	)		(43,749	)
Amortization		(397,855	)		(93,240	)		(43,779	)		(1,394	)		(3,146	)		(31,594	)		(571,008	)
Impairment losses		(13,454	)		(883	)		—			(16	)		—			(1,064	)		(15,417	)
Translation adjustment		76,678			16,150			106,777			3,168			2,045			10,063			214,881

Total changes		(41,454	)		11,684			313,724			19,670			1,672			60,935			366,231

Balance as of March 31, 2024:
Cost		5,216,247			528,970			1,401,970			54,131			52,498			170,058			7,423,874
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses		(4,684,771	)		(404,729	)		(335,952	)		(18,475	)		(17,377	)		(34,457	)		(5,495,761	)

Carrying amount		531,476			124,241			1,066,018			35,656			35,121			135,601			1,928,113

The additions in Film costs include the cost of films internally produced and acquired from third party projects. Film costs acquired from third party projects are not a significant portion of Film costs recorded by Sony. The additions in Broadcasting rights, Music catalogs, Artist contracts and Music distribution rights mainly represent acquisitions through contracts with third parties. The additions in Game content primarily include internally developed game content for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and include approximately equal amounts of internally developed game content and externally acquired game content for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

*2	Refer to Notes 27 (7) and 30 (3).

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(3) Other intangible assets

The changes in other intangible assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Patent rights, know-how and license agreements			Customer relationships			Trademarks			Software			Television carriage contracts			Other			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022
Cost		213,649			58,427			32,683			952,153			61,939			155,479			1,474,330
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses		(193,982	)		(37,342	)		(8,053	)		(678,177	)		(33,881	)		(72,792	)		(1,024,227	)

Carrying amount		19,667			21,085			24,630			273,976			28,058			82,687			450,103
Changes in carrying amount:
Additions		6,432			—			17			117,019			—			3,323			126,791
Acquisitions through business combinations		2,056			9,237			16,655			26,298			—			38,394			92,640
Internal development		—			—			—			19,835			—			—			19,835
Disposals or classified as held for sale		(8	)		(112	)		(14	)		(2,907	)		—			(129	)		(3,170	)
Amortization		(8,152	)		(9,437	)		(4,290	)		(94,821	)		(3,954	)		(14,566	)		(135,220	)
Impairment losses		(8	)		(93	)		—			(342	)		—			(66	)		(509	)
Translation adjustment		156			1,483			1,516			3,715			2,176			613			9,659
Other		(1,121	)		158			699			4,299			—			(322	)		3,713

Total changes		(645	)		1,236			14,583			73,096			(1,778	)		27,247			113,739

Balance as of March 31, 2023:
Cost		201,243			66,593			51,747			1,045,743			66,583			199,311			1,631,220
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses		(182,221	)		(44,272	)		(12,534	)		(698,671	)		(40,303	)		(89,377	)		(1,067,378	)

Carrying amount		19,022			22,321			39,213			347,072			26,280			109,934			563,842

Changes in carrying amount:
Additions		8,854			—			20			145,515			—			6,038			160,427
Acquisitions through business combinations		371			2,003			1,887			13			—			123			4,397
Internal development		—			—			—			20,096			—			—			20,096
Disposals or classified as held for sale		(16	)		(1,697	)		(616	)		(5,576	)		(33	)		(244	)		(8,182	)
Amortization		(8,838	)		(10,166	)		(5,874	)		(110,296	)		(4,129	)		(14,587	)		(153,890	)
Impairment losses		(16	)		—			—			(8	)		—			(571	)		(595	)
Translation adjustment		444			2,472			5,094			10,981			3,329			4,963			27,283
Other		97			—			(104	)		2,193			—			38			2,224

Total changes		896			(7,388	)		407			62,918			(833	)		(4,240	)		51,760

Balance as of March 31, 2024:
Cost		212,000			70,560			59,377			1,196,266			75,716			211,848			1,825,767
Accumulated amortization and impairment losses		(192,082	)		(55,627	)		(19,757	)		(786,276	)		(50,269	)		(106,154	)		(1,210,165	)

Carrying amount		19,918			14,933			39,620			409,990			25,447			105,694			615,602

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12.	Impairment of non-financial assets

There were no material impairment losses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024.

13.	Insurance contracts in the Financial Services segment

(1)	Significant judgments and estimates for insurance contracts

Measurement methods and inputs for insurance contracts

The methods and main inputs used to measure insurance contracts are as follows:


	Weighted average (%)
	March 31
	2023			2024
Mortality rates		1.03	%		1.02	%
Lapse and surrender rates		3.15	%		3.57	%

Sony estimates the mortality and morbidity rates based on the historical and most recent actual outcomes and analyzes the historical experience and trends in data using statistical methods. When estimating the mortality and morbidity rates for each group of insurance contracts, Sony takes into account the characteristics of policyholders including gender, health conditions and smoking habits and the characteristics of the group of insurance contracts such as the selective effects over time. The estimates are revised in a timely manner to reflect changes in lifestyle, as well as changes in social conditions such as improvement of mortality and morbidity rates in the future.

Sony estimates the lapse and surrender rates based on the historical and most recent actual outcomes and determines the probability-weighted lapse and surrender rates for each group of insurance contracts by analyzing historical experience and trends in data using statistical methods. Lapse and surrender rates are estimated, taking into account both ordinary and dynamic lapses, and reflect the tendency to higher surrender rates when the yield on contracts increases or exceeds the guaranteed minimum for certain insurance contracts. In determining the lapse and surrender rates, historical actual data is considered. If there is no or little historical actual data, the actual results of similar products as well as domestic and overseas practical trends are used as reference.

Sony projects estimates of future expenses based on the current expense levels. The expenses comprise expenses directly attributable to the group of insurance contracts, including the allocation of fixed and variable overhead expenses. In addition, Sony applies inflation adjustments to the estimated expenses in future.

ii)

Discretionary participation features of future cash flows

For certain participating insurance contracts other than direct participating contracts, the effect of discretionary changes on the fulfillment cash flows is adjusted in the CSM. Although Sony has discretionary participation features related to the investment policy for these contracts, the investment policy is established based on the market conditions. Therefore, the effect of changes in assumptions that relate to financial risk on the investment policy is included in insurance finance income or expenses. In addition, since the dividend policy can be changed at Sony’s discretion, the effect of changes in the dividend policy on the fulfillment cash flows is adjusted in the CSM.

iii)

Risk adjustments for

non-financial

risk

Risk adjustments for

non-financial

risk are determined to reflect the compensation that each insurance subsidiary would require for bearing

non-financial

risk, and are allocated to groups of insurance contracts based on an analysis of the risk profiles of the groups. Risk adjustments for

non-financial

risk reflect the diversification benefits, in a way that is consistent with the compensation that the insurance company would require and that reflects its degree of risk aversion.

The risk adjustments for

non-financial

risk are determined mainly using a cost of capital technique. In applying a cost of capital technique, Sony determines the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk by applying a

cost-of-capital

rate to the amount of capital required for each future reporting date and discounting the result using risk-free rates adjusted for illiquidity. The required

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capital is determined by estimating the probability distribution of the present value of future cash flows from insurance contracts at each future reporting date and calculating the capital that Sony would require to meet its contractual obligations to pay claims and expenses at a 99.5% confidence level for one year. The

cost-of-capital

rate represents the additional reward that investors require for exposure to the

non-financial

risk.

The weighted average cost-of-capital rates of Sony for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 w

ere

3.0

% and

3.0

%, respectively.

In addition, the risk adjustments determined by applying a cost of capital technique for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 correspond to the confidence levels of 86.0% and 84.1% (time horizon: the life of the insurance contracts), respectively.

iv)

Discount rates

All cash flows are discounted using risk-free yield curves adjusted to reflect the characteristics of the cash flows and the liquidity of the insurance contracts. Sony determines the risk-free yield curves using the yields on government bonds. The yield curve is determined by incorporating long-term real interest rate and inflation expectations. Regarding extrapolation for the periods in which market data is not available, a method using an ultimate forward rate is applied. Specifically, Sony uses an ultimate forward rate of 3.5% and starts extrapolation in the 40th year (or the 30th year for U.S. dollar). The forward rates for the 41st year (or the 31st year for U.S. dollar) and onwards are extrapolated so that they will converge to the level of the ultimate forward rate in 30 years, using the Smith-Wilson method. To reflect the liquidity characteristics of the insurance contracts, the risk-free yield curves are adjusted by an illiquidity premium. Illiquidity premiums are determined by setting up a reference portfolio of Sony’s assets.

The table below sets out the yield curves used to discount the cash flows of insurance contracts for major currencies (converted at the spot rate).


	Yield curve (%)
	March 31
	2023						2024
Term	JPY			USD			JPY			USD
1 year		(0.10	%)		4.73	%		0.06	%		5.11	%
5 years		0.11	%		3.65	%		0.38	%		4.25	%
10 years		0.40	%		3.54	%		0.77	%		4.25	%
20 years		1.10	%		4.00	%		1.58	%		4.63	%
30 years		1.36	%		3.71	%		1.95	%		4.37	%
40 years		1.50	%		3.54	%		2.14	%		4.07	%

Investment components

Sony identifies the investment component of an insurance contract by determining the amount that it is required to repay to the policyholder in all circumstances, regardless of whether an insured event occurs or not. These include circumstances in which an insured event occurs, or the contract matures or is terminated without an insured event occurring. Investment components are excluded from insurance revenue and insurance service expenses.

vi)

Determination of coverage units

The amount of the CSM of a group of insurance contracts that is recognized as insurance revenue in each period is determined by identifying the coverage units in the group and recognizing in profit or loss the amount of the CSM allocated to the coverage units provided during the current period. The number of coverage units is determined by considering for each contract the quantity of benefits provided and its expected coverage period. Specifically, Sony determines the quantity of benefits based on:

•

the death benefit amount in the case of contracts for which the death benefit amount increases or decreases based on the period (e.g., whole life, term life and variable life insurance contracts);

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•

the premium amount proportionate to the insurance period in the case of contracts whose host contract and riders have different coverage types (e.g., disease and health insurance contracts); and

•

the cash surrender value (or the premium reserve during the annuity payment period) in the case of annuity contracts with investment-related services (e.g., individual variable annuity contracts).

Sony considers the characteristics of insurance contracts and aggregates the quantities of benefits related to insurance coverage, investment-return services and investment-related services when determining the relative weighting of the benefits provided to the policyholder by these services.

vii)

Claim development

Given that the actual amounts of claims do not materially differ from the undiscounted amounts of the claims previously estimated, information about claim development has not been disclosed for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

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(2)	Reconciliation of insurance contract liabilities

The tables below show the changes in insurance contract liabilities for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024.

(a)	Changes in liabilities for remaining coverage and liabilities for incurred claims


	Yen in millions
	Liability for remaining coverage						Liability for incurred claims *4			Total
	Excluding loss component			Loss component			Liability for incurred claims *4			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022
Insurance contract assets *1		(84,000	)		—			28,670			(55,330	)
Insurance contract liabilities 23		13,004,073			53,820			126,778			13,184,671

Net amounts		12,920,073			53,820			155,448			13,129,341
Insurance revenue		(554,570	)		—			—			(554,570	)
Insurance service expenses
Incurred claims and other insurance service expenses		—			(3,493	)		272,243			268,750
Amortization of insurance acquisition cash flows		113,433			—			—			113,433
Changes in liabilities for incurred claims		—			—			632			632
Losses and reversals of losses on onerous contracts		—			(602	)		—			(602	)

Total insurance service expenses		113,433			(4,095	)		272,875			382,213

Insurance service result		(441,137	)		(4,095	)		272,875			(172,357	)
Insurance finance expenses (income)		(927,674	)		2,048			308			(925,318	)

Total amounts recognized in comprehensive income		(1,368,811	)		(2,047	)		273,183			(1,097,675	)
Investment component excluded from insurance revenue and insurance service expenses		(776,575	)		—			776,575			—
Cash flows
Premiums received		1,609,362			—			—			1,609,362
Insurance acquisition cash flows		(145,272	)		—			—			(145,272	)
Claims and other insurance service expenses paid		—			—			(1,045,529	)		(1,045,529	)

Total cash flows		1,464,090			—			(1,045,529	)		418,561
Other		(322	)		67			(693	)		(948	)

Balance as of March 31, 2023
Insurance contract assets *1		(93,283	)		—			32,532			(60,751	)
Insurance contract liabilities 23		12,331,738			51,840			126,452			12,510,030

Net amounts		12,238,455			51,840			158,984			12,449,279
Insurance revenue		(586,115	)		—			—			(586,115	)
Insurance service expenses
Incurred claims and other insurance service expenses		—			(3,721	)		276,809			273,088
Amortization of insurance acquisition cash flows		124,518			—			—			124,518
Changes in liabilities for incurred claims		—			—			5,008			5,008
Losses and reversals of losses on onerous contracts		—			4,592			—			4,592

Total insurance service expenses		124,518			871			281,817			407,206

Insurance service result		(461,597	)		871			281,817			(178,909	)
Insurance finance expenses (income)		244,793			2,663			(251	)		247,205

Total amounts recognized in comprehensive income		(216,804	)		3,534			281,566			68,296
Investment component excluded from insurance revenue and insurance service expenses		(944,520	)		—			944,520			—
Cash flows
Premiums received		1,886,124			—			—			1,886,124
Insurance acquisition cash flows		(153,410	)		—			—			(153,410	)
Claims and other insurance service expenses paid		—			—			(1,212,518	)		(1,212,518	)

Total cash flows		1,732,714			—			(1,212,518	)		520,196
Other		(199	)		(41	)		(167	)		(407	)

Balance as of March 31, 2024
Insurance contract assets *1		(90,377	)		—			33,402			(56,975	)
Insurance contract liabilities 23		12,900,023			55,333			138,983			13,094,339

Net amounts		12,809,646			55,333			172,385			13,037,364

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*1	Insurance contract assets are included in other current assets or other non-current assets in the consolidated statements of financial position.

*2	The current portion of insurance contract liabilities is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position.

As of April 1, 2022, March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, the carrying amounts of the current portion of insurance contract liabilities were 141,796 million yen, 145,057 million yen and 162,344 million yen, respectively, and the carrying

amounts of the non-current portion of insurance contract liabilities were

13,042,875 million yen, 12,364,973 million yen and 12,931,995 million yen, respectively.

*4	Risk adjustment for non-financial risk of insurance contracts measured under the PAA is not presented separately from the estimates of the present value of future cash flows but included in liabilities for incurred claims, since the amount is not considered material.

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(b)	Changes in insurance contract liabilities from insurance contracts not measured under the PAA by measurement component


	Yen in millions
	Estimates of present value of future cash flows			Risk adjustment for non-financial risk			CSM			Total
	Estimates of present value of future cash flows			Risk adjustment for non-financial risk			CSM			Total
Balance as of April 1, 2022
Insurance contract assets		(222,149	)		10,092			156,727			(55,330	)
Insurance contract liabilities		10,842,043			436,103			1,810,803			13,088,949

Net amounts		10,619,894			446,195			1,967,530			13,033,619
Changes that relate to future service
Changes in estimates that adjust the CSM		155,005			(29,046	)		(125,959	)		—
Changes in estimates that do not adjust the CSM		(735	)		(2,512	)		—			(3,247	)
Effect of contracts initially recognized during the period		(318,707	)		28,042			293,310			2,645

Total changes that relate to future service		(164,437	)		(3,516	)		167,351			(602	)
Changes that relate to current service
CSM recognized in profit or loss for the services provided		—			—			(151,483	)		(151,483	)
Change in risk adjustment for non-financial risk due to release of risk		—			(23,466	)		—			(23,466	)
Experience adjustments		21,622			—			—			21,622

Total changes that relate to current service		21,622			(23,466	)		(151,483	)		(153,327	)
Changes that relate to past service		(628	)		(23	)		—			(651	)

Insurance service result		(143,443	)		(27,005	)		15,868			(154,580	)
Insurance finance expenses (income)		(996,203	)		1,357			69,528			(925,318	)

Total amounts recognized in comprehensive income		(1,139,646	)		(25,648	)		85,396			(1,079,898	)
Cash flows
Premiums received		1,479,110			—			—			1,479,110
Insurance acquisition cash flows		(130,221	)		—			—			(130,221	)
Claims and other insurance service expenses paid		(951,330	)		—			—			(951,330	)

Total cash flows		397,559			—			—			397,559
Other		(1,008	)		470			(309	)		(847	)

Balance as of March 31, 2023
Insurance contract assets		(341,096	)		39,067			241,278			(60,751	)
Insurance contract liabilities		10,217,895			381,950			1,811,339			12,411,184

Net amounts		9,876,799			421,017			2,052,617			12,350,433
Changes that relate to future service
Changes in estimates that adjust the CSM		233,415			(18,328	)		(215,087	)		—
Changes in estimates that do not adjust the CSM		6,008			(3,532	)		—			2,476
Effect of contracts initially recognized during the period		(403,124	)		40,912			364,328			2,116

Total changes that relate to future service		(163,701	)		19,052			149,241			4,592
Changes that relate to current service
CSM recognized in profit or loss for the services provided		—			—			(151,841	)		(151,841	)
Change in risk adjustment for non-financial risk due to release of risk		—			(26,899	)		—			(26,899	)
Experience adjustments		5,076			—			—			5,076

Total changes that relate to current service		5,076			(26,899	)		(151,841	)		(173,664	)
Changes that relate to past service		255			(2	)		—			253

Insurance service result		(158,370	)		(7,849	)		(2,600	)		(168,819	)
Insurance finance expenses (income)		185,948			3,262			57,995			247,205

Total amounts recognized in comprehensive income		27,578			(4,587	)		55,395			78,386
Cash flows
Premiums received		1,748,139			—			—			1,748,139
Insurance acquisition cash flows		(138,544	)		—			—			(138,544	)
Claims and other insurance service expenses paid		(1,107,850	)		—			—			(1,107,850	)

Total cash flows		501,745			—			—			501,745
Other		(834	)		52			76			(706	)

Balance as of March 31, 2024
Insurance contract assets		(291,878	)		27,824			207,079			(56,975	)
Insurance contract liabilities		10,697,166			388,658			1,901,009			12,986,833

Net amounts		10,405,288			416,482			2,108,088			12,929,858

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(3)	Effect of contracts initially recognized in the year

The table below shows the effect of contracts initially recognized during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 on measurement components of insurance contracts not measured under the PAA.


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023									2024
	Profitable contracts issued			Onerous contracts issued			Total			Profitable contracts issued			Onerous contracts issued			Total
Estimates of the present value of future cash outflows
Claims and other insurance service expenses		1,675,615			6,271			1,681,886			2,117,351			4,844			2,122,195
Insurance acquisition cash flows		144,128			2,142			146,270			143,674			2,203			145,877

Total estimates of the present value of future cash outflows		1,819,743			8,413			1,828,156			2,261,025			7,047			2,268,072
Estimates of the present value of future cash inflows		(2,141,084	)		(5,779	)		(2,146,863	)		(2,666,256	)		(4,940	)		(2,671,196	)

Total estimates of the present value of future cash flows		(321,341	)		2,634			(318,707	)		(405,231	)		2,107			(403,124	)
Risk adjustment for non-financial risk		28,031			11			28,042			40,903			9			40,912
CSM		293,310			—			293,310			364,328			—			364,328

Total effect on measurement components		—			2,645			2,645			—			2,116			2,116

(4)	Insurance revenue

The table below shows the breakdown of insurance revenue for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
Insurance contracts not measured under the PAA
Amounts relating to the changes in the liability for remaining coverage
Expected incurred claims and insurance service expenses		152,732		163,182
Changes in risk adjustments for non-financial risk due to release of risk		23,466		26,899
CSM recognized in profit or loss for services provided		151,483		151,841

Total amounts relating to the changes in the liability for remaining coverage		327,681		341,922
Recovery of insurance acquisition cash flows		98,234		109,824

Total insurance revenue for the insurance contracts not measured under the PAA		425,915		451,746
Insurance contracts measured under the PAA		128,655		134,369

Total insurance revenue		554,570		586,115

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(5)	Timing of when the CSM is expected to be recognized in profit or loss

The table below shows when Sony expects to recognize the CSM in profit or loss for insurance contracts not measured under the PAA as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	CSM
	Yen in millions
	Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		5 years to 10 years		More than 10 years		Total
As of March 31, 2023		120,412		112,562		105,060		97,082		89,903		367,009		1,160,589		2,052,617
As of March 31, 2024		125,233		117,663		109,776		100,912		92,671		376,011		1,185,822		2,108,088

(6)	Information of net investment returns and insurance finance income or expenses

The table below shows the information related to net investment returns on assets and insurance finance expenses (income) recognized in profit or loss and other comprehensive income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Amounts recognized in profit or loss
Net investment returns *1
Financial assets measured at FVPL		(59,193	)		715,388
Interest income from debt instruments required to be measured at FVOCI		179,207			180,822
Currency exchange differences		93,858			156,970
Other		(12,374	)		(35,463	)

Total net investment returns		201,498			1,017,717

Insurance finance expenses (income) *2
Effect of changes in the value of underlying items of variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts and changes in interest rates and other financial risks		(176,328	)		685,726
Interest accreted		174,107			183,188
Currency exchange differences		103,391			173,230
Other		(15,771	)		(12,444	)

Total insurance finance expenses (income)		85,399			1,029,700

Amounts recognized in profit or loss		116,099			(11,983	)


Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income
Net investment returns
Underlying assets		(1,131,508	)		(969,774	)

Total net investment returns		(1,131,508	)		(969,774	)

Insurance finance expenses (income) *2
Effect of changes in interest rates and other financial risks		(1,010,761	)		(782,495	)
Other		44			—

Total insurance finance expenses (income)		(1,010,717	)		(782,495	)

Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income		(120,791	)		(187,279	)


Total net investment returns and insurance finance income or expenses		(4,692	)		(199,262	)

Included in other financial services revenue in the consolidated statements of income.

Expenses are presented as positive and income is presented as negative.

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(7)	Underlying items of insurance contracts measured under the variable fee approach

The table below shows the underlying items of insurance contracts measured under the variable fee approach and their fair values as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Cash and cash equivalents		23,723		19,411
Debt securities
Japanese national/local government bonds and corporate bonds		40,143		42,349
Foreign national/local government bonds and corporate bonds		157,724		312,919
Equity securities		1,107,400		1,855,432
Other		964		2,390

Total fair values of the underlying items of insurance contracts measured under the variable fee approach		1,329,954		2,232,501

(8)	Disclosure of transition to IFRS 17

Upon transition to IFRS 17 as of April 1, 2022, Sony determined that it would be impracticable to apply the full retrospective approach to certain groups of insurance contracts, as the necessary information was unavailable due to restrictions of contract data and systems in the past or it was impossible to recreate past estimation without the use of hindsight. Sony has applied alternative transition methods (the modified retrospective approach or the fair value approach) to groups of insurance contracts for which the full retrospective approach is impracticable as of the date of the transition.

Sony has applied the following approaches on transition to IFRS 17:


Year of issue (fiscal year)		Transition approach
2015 and thereafter		For all groups of insurance contracts: Full retrospective approach
1993 – 2014		For groups of insurance contracts with direct participation features and certain groups of insurance contracts without direct participation features: Fair value approach
1993 – 2014		For other groups of insurance contracts: Modified retrospective approach
In and before 1992		For all groups of insurance contracts: Fair value approach

Modified retrospective approach

The objective of the modified retrospective approach was to achieve the closest outcome to retrospective application possible using reasonable and supportable information available without undue cost or effort. Sony has applied each of the following modifications only to the extent that it did not have reasonable and supportable information to apply IFRS 17 retrospectively.

Sony has applied the following modifications to certain groups of insurance contracts:

•

for groups of contracts issued, initiated or acquired from April 1, 1993 to March 31, 2015, the future cash flows on initial recognition were estimated by adjusting the amount as of April 1, 2015, which can be determined retrospectively, for the cash flows that were known to have occurred before that date;

•

for groups of contracts issued, initiated or acquired from April 1, 1993 to March 31, 2013, the illiquidity premiums applied to the observable risk-free yield curves on initial recognition were estimated by determining an average spread between the observable risk-free yield curves and the discount rates, which can be determined retrospectively, for the period from April 1, 2013 to March 31, 2022. The amount of insurance finance income or expenses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of April 1, 2022 was calculated by using this discount rate; and

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•

the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk on initial recognition was determined by adjusting the amount as of April 1, 2022 for the expected release of risk before that date.

After applying such modifications to fulfillment cash flows, the CSM (or the loss component) on initial recognition was determined as follows:

•

the amount of the CSM recognized as profit or loss before April 1, 2022 was determined by comparing the remaining coverage units as of April 1, 2022 and the coverage units provided based on groups of insurance contracts before that date; and

•

the amount allocated to the loss component before April 1, 2022 was determined using the proportion of the loss component relative to the total estimate of the present value of the future cash outflows plus the risk adjustment for

non-financial

risk on initial recognition.

Fair value approach

Under the fair value approach, the CSM (or the loss component) as of April 1, 2022 was determined as the difference between the fair value of a group of insurance contracts and the fulfillment cash flows at that date.

For all insurance contracts measured under the fair value approach, Sony used reasonable and supportable information available as of April 1, 2022 to determine the following matters:

•

how to identify groups of contracts;

•

whether a contract meets the definition of an insurance contract with direct participation features; and

•

how to identify discretionary cash flows for contracts without direct participation features.

For groups of contracts measured under the fair value approach, the discount rates on initial recognition were determined as of April 1, 2022 rather than at the date of initial recognition.

For all insurance contracts measured under the fair value approach, the amount of insurance finance income or expenses recognized in accumulated in other comprehensive income as of April 1, 2022 was determined to be zero.

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The effects of transition to IFRS 17 on Sony’s consolidated financial statements are as follows:

i)	Insurance revenue and the CSM by transition approach

Upon transition to IFRS 17, Sony applied either the modified retrospective approach or the fair value approach for groups of insurance contracts where it was impracticable to fully apply IFRS 17 retrospectively. The table below shows insurance revenues by transition approach for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, as well as the balances of the CSM by transition approach as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023												2024
	Contracts measured under the modified retrospective approach at transition			Contracts measured under the fair value approach at transition			New contracts and contracts measured under the full retrospective approach at transition			Total			Contracts measured under the modified retrospective approach at transition			Contracts measured under the fair value approach at transition			New contracts and contracts measured under the full retrospective approach at transition			Total
Insurance revenue		190,199			26,988			337,383			554,570			185,731			27,079			373,305			586,115

CSM
Beginning balance of the fiscal year		912,623			26,938			1,027,969			1,967,530			864,530			58,008			1,130,079			2,052,617

Changes that relate to future service		(2,007	)		34,088			135,270			167,351			(61,165	)		32,341			178,065			149,241
Changes that relate to current service		(74,984	)		(3,778	)		(72,721	)		(151,483	)		(66,827	)		(5,834	)		(79,180	)		(151,841	)
Insurance finance expense (income)		29,352			1,107			39,069			69,528			26,954			1,673			29,368			57,995
Other		(454	)		(347	)		492			(309	)		177			83			(184	)		76

Ending balance of the fiscal year		864,530			58,008			1,130,079			2,052,617			763,669			86,271			1,258,148			2,108,088

ii)	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income for financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income due to the application of IFRS 17.

The table below shows the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 for financial assets measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, among investment assets related to groups of insurance contracts to which Sony applied the modified retrospective approach or the fair value approach as of the date of the transition.


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024
Beginning balance of the fiscal year		(878,774	)		(448,390	)

Net change in fair value		590,737			618,978
Net amount reclassified to profit or loss		7,018			16,903
Related income tax		(167,371	)		(178,046	)

Ending balance of the fiscal year		(448,390	)		9,445

iii)	Redesignation of financial assets at the application of IFRS 17

At the application of IFRS 17, Sony redesignated the measurement method of certain financial assets in order to mitigate accounting mismatches arising from the assets and liabilities in the insurance business. Mainly in the life insurance business, Sony mitigates accounting mismatches by designating certain debt securities to be

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measured at FVPL, to keep consistency with insurance finance income or expenses incurred from certain variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts.

Sony applied IFRS 9 before its application of IFRS 17 and redesignated the financial assets based on the facts and circumstances existing at the date of the application of IFRS 17 (April 1, 2023). For financial assets derecognized in the period from the date of transition to IFRS 17 (April 1, 2022) to the date of the application of IFRS 17, Sony applied the classification overlay approach and accounted for them based on the measurement method after redesignation. The table below shows the measurement method and carrying amounts of the financial assets affected by such redesignation before and after the application of IFRS 17 as of April 1, 2023.


	Yen in millions
	April 1, 2023
	Before application		After application
	Carrying amount		Carrying amount
Debt securities
Financial assets redesignated to be measured at FVPL *1
Japanese national / local government bonds and corporate bonds		1,277,090		1,277,090
Foreign national / local government bonds and corporate bonds		20,570		20,570
Financial assets redesignated to be measured at FVOCI *2
Japanese national / local government bonds and corporate bonds		84,651		88,497

These financial assets were measured at FVOCI before applying IFRS 17.

These financial assets were measured at amortized cost before applying IFRS 17.

(9)	Insurance and market risks

Risk management policy and exposure

In the life insurance business, Sony manages various market-related risks in the following manner:

(a)	Insurance risk management

Insurance risk

With respect to insurance underwriting risk, based on the level of policy reserves and capital levels, the life insurance subsidiary manages the insurance portfolio appropriately, such as setting policy limits for each type of insurance as necessary. In addition, underwriting standards and standards for revising and abolishing each product are clearly defined as internal rules and are regularly reviewed.

Concentration of insurance risk

The insurance contract portfolio does not have an excessively concentrated insurance risk.

(b)	Market risk management

Interest rate risk management

Interest rate risk is managed by the risk management division of the life insurance subsidiary based on the policies for interest rate risk management that specify details such as risk management methods and procedures. Based on ALM policies that are determined through such methods as deliberation by the life insurance subsidiary’s Executive Committee, the subsidiary determines and confirms actual risk conditions with its Board of Directors. The division maintains an overall understanding of the interest rates and durations of financial instruments, monitors them based on the analysis of the quantity of risk using VaR, and periodically reports the status of each risk to the life insurance subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

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As part of the ALM management, the life insurance subsidiary invests in financial assets that match the characteristics of the insurance contract obligations, and thereby reduces interest rate risk as much as possible. Through the purchase and sale of financial assets included in their portfolio, the interest rate sensitivity (duration) of financial assets and insurance contract obligations is matched as much as possible so that they ensure sufficient cash flow to settle insurance claims as they come due.

Exchange rate risk management

Exchange rate risk is managed by the risk management division of the life insurance subsidiary based on the policies for exchange rate risk management that specify details such as risk management methods and procedures. The division periodically reports the status of each risk to the life insurance subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Equity market price fluctuation risk management

Equity market price fluctuation risk is managed by the risk management division of the life insurance subsidiary based on the policies for equity market price fluctuation risk management that specify details such as risk management methods and procedures. The division periodically reports the status of each risk to the life insurance subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Derivative transactions risk management

Derivative transactions are managed by the risk management division of the life insurance subsidiary based on the policies for derivative transactions that specify details such as risk management methods and procedures. The division periodically reports the status of each risk to the life insurance subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

Sensitivity analysis

Market risk

The table below shows the effects on income before income taxes and equity as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 if the underlying assumptions of the insurance contracts and financial instruments which Sony has in the life insurance business had changed.


		March 31, 2023
		Yen in millions
		Insurance contracts						Financial instruments						Total
Assumption	Changes in assumptions, etc.	Income before income taxes			Equity			Income before income taxes			Equity			Income before income taxes			Equity
Interest rates	50bp decrease		(215,660	)		(822,046	)		219,130			945,915			3,470			123,869
	50bp increase		168,357			689,356			(187,676	)		(822,251	)		(19,319	)		(132,895	)
Fair value of stocks	10% decrease		210,057			151,241			(213,251	)		(153,890	)		(3,194	)		(2,649	)
	10% increase		(213,822	)		(153,952	)		213,251			153,890			(571	)		(62	)
Foreign exchange rates	10% appreciation of the Yen		319,330			213,577			(338,934	)		(211,494	)		(19,604	)		2,083
	10% depreciation of the Yen		(322,502	)		(215,861	)		338,934			211,494			16,432			(4,367	)
Maintenance expenses rates	10% increase		(3,934	)		(7,028	)		—			—			(3,934	)		(7,028	)
Lapse and surrender rates	10% increase		596			16,398			—			—			596			16,398
Mortality rates (death protection)	5% increase		(6,395	)		(6,443	)		—			—			(6,395	)		(6,443	)
Mortality rates (third sector / annuity products)	5% increase		1,941			4,629			—			—			1,941			4,629
Morbidity rates	5% increase		(9,373	)		(18,197	)		—			—			(9,373	)		(18,197	)

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		March 31, 2024
		Yen in millions
		Insurance contracts						Financial instruments						Total
Assumption	Changes in assumptions, etc.	Income before income taxes			Equity			Income before income taxes			Equity			Income before income taxes			Equity
Interest rates	50bp decrease		(152,232	)		(653,432	)		165,181			806,432			12,949			153,000
	50bp increase		112,418			548,289			(143,050	)		(705,029	)		(30,632	)		(156,740	)
Fair value of stocks	10% decrease		339,421			244,383			(341,783	)		(246,544	)		(2,362	)		(2,161	)
	10% increase		(344,921	)		(248,343	)		341,783			246,544			(3,138	)		(1,799	)
Foreign exchange rates	10% appreciation of the Yen		468,851			315,357			(470,452	)		(287,872	)		(1,601	)		27,485
	10% depreciation of the Yen		(475,489	)		(320,136	)		470,452			287,872			(5,037	)		(32,264	)
Maintenance expenses rates	10% increase		(4,780	)		(8,024	)		—			—			(4,780	)		(8,024	)
Lapse and surrender rates	10% increase		(13,351	)		(13,140	)		—			—			(13,351	)		(13,140	)
Mortality rates (death protection)	5% increase		(4,892	)		(5,501	)		—			—			(4,892	)		(5,501	)
Mortality rates (third sector / annuity products)	5% increase		1,382			2,054			—			—			1,382			2,054
Morbidity rates	5% increase		(8,239	)		(11,700	)		—			—			(8,239	)		(11,700	)

* bp = basis point

Liquidity risk

(a)	Risk management policy and exposure

In line with liquidity risk management policies, the accounting division of each insurance subsidiary prepares and updates cash flow plans in a timely manner based on the reports from departments and manages cash flows, and the risk management division of each insurance subsidiary manages the liquidity risk. The accounting division and risk management division periodically or as needed report such information to each insurance subsidiary’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

(b)	Maturity analysis

The following table summarizes the estimated timing of the remaining undiscounted net cash outflows from insurance contract liabilities and investment contract liabilities and the contractual timing of the remaining undiscounted cash inflows arising from securities held in the insurance business as of March 31, 2023 and 2024. The cash flows of insurance contract liabilities are based on assumptions regarding morbidity rates, mortality rates, and lapse rates, which are consistent with the estimates used for the carrying amounts.


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Total		Indefinite Terms		Within 1 year			1 year to 2 years			2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		More than 5 years
Insurance contract liabilities and investment contract liabilities		16,809,194		—		(75,482	)		(44,017	)		9,281		54,108		102,498		16,762,806
Securities held in the insurance business		19,640,244		2,408,401		636,352			367,283			345,113		322,176		428,997		15,131,922

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	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Total		Indefinite Terms		Within 1 year		1 year to 2 years		2 years to 3 years		3 years to 4 years		4 years to 5 years		More than 5 years
Insurance contract liabilities and investment contract liabilities		19,173,131		—		60,673		86,008		127,079		175,412		248,021		18,475,938
Securities held in the insurance business		20,808,629		3,687,375		780,798		341,277		355,062		374,354		305,612		14,964,151

Since the total of the above estimated amounts is the amount before discounting, it exceeds the amount of insurance contract liabilities and securities which is included in investments and advances in the Financial Services segment shown in the consolidated statements of financial position.

(c)	Amounts payable on demand

The table below shows the amounts payable on demand from insurance contracts issued by Sony and the carrying amounts of the related insurance contract portfolios. The amounts payable on demand represent the amount of the cash surrender value to be paid if the insurance contracts are surrendered as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Amounts payable on demand		11,016,303		12,580,674
Carrying amount		12,290,369		12,870,195

14.	Short-term borrowings and long-term debt

Short-term borrowings and long-term debt are comprised of the following:


	March 31, 2023
	Book value (Yen in millions)		Weighted average interest rate			Due
Short-term borrowings		1,914,934		1.89	%
Long-term debt
Long-term loans		1,074,060		1.70	%		2023-2056
Unsecured bonds		349,332		0.30	%		2023-2029
Lease liabilities		532,246		2.35	%

		1,955,638
Less — Portion due within one year		187,942

		1,767,696


	March 31, 2024
	Book value (Yen in millions)		Weighted average interest rate			Due
Short-term borrowings		1,812,605		2.64	%
Long-term debt
Long-term loans		1,160,024		1.90	%		2024-2058
Unsecured bonds		544,078		0.41	%		2024-2034
Lease liabilities		571,726		2.53	%

		2,275,828
Less — Portion due within one year		217,711

		2,058,117

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In the Financial Services segment, Sony pledged assets as collateral for short-term borrowings and long-term debt and the pledged assets are comprised of the following:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Securities		1,678,553		1,597,034
Housing loans in the banking business		829,659		883,882

In addition to the above, in the Financial Services segment, Sony pledged securities for

securities-for-securities

lending transactions and the pledged securities are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Securities		4,728		—

Furthermore, in the Financial Services segment, Sony pledged securities as collateral for cash settlements, variation margins of futures markets and certain other purposes and the pledged securities are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Securities		80,328		77,524

In March 2024, Sony Group Corporation issued unsecured straight bonds in the total principal amount of 150,000 million yen

. Sony used

80,000 million yen of the proceeds of the issued bonds for the repayment of CP by the end of March 2024 and the remaining amount of the issued bonds for working capital by the end of March 2024.

There are no significant adverse debt covenants or cross-default provisions related to the other short-term borrowings and long-term debt.

15.	Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Sony has certain financial instruments including financial assets and liabilities acquired in the normal course of business. Such financial instruments are exposed to market risk arising from the changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. In applying a consistent risk management strategy for the purpose of reducing such risk, Sony uses derivative financial instruments, which include foreign exchange forward contracts, swap agreements, currency option contracts, and interest rate swap agreements (including interest rate and currency swap agreements). Certain other derivative financial instruments are entered into in the Financial Services segment for ALM purposes. These instruments are executed with creditworthy financial institutions, and virtually all foreign currency contracts are denominated in U.S. dollars, euros and other currencies of major countries. Other than derivatives utilized in the Financial Services segment for ALM, Sony does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. These derivative transactions utilized for ALM in the Financial Services segment are executed within certain limits in accordance with an internal risk management policy.

A description of the purpose and classification of the derivative financial instruments held by Sony is as follows:

Foreign exchange forward contracts, swap agreements and currency option contracts

Foreign exchange forward contracts, swap agreements and purchased and written foreign currency option contracts are utilized primarily to limit the exposure affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates on

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cash flows generated or anticipated by Sony’s transactions and accounts receivable and payable denominated in foreign currencies. The majority of written foreign currency option contracts expire in the same month as the corresponding purchased foreign currency option contracts.

Sony also entered into foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts which effectively fixed the cash flows from certain forecasted purchase and sale transactions denominated in foreign currencies for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The ineffective portions of the hedging relationships were not significant. Accordingly, these derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges.

Foreign exchange forward contracts and foreign currency option contracts that do not qualify as hedges are measured at fair value with changes in value recognized in financial income and financial expenses.

Foreign exchange forward contracts, foreign currency option contracts and swap agreements held by certain subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment are measured at fair value with changes in value recognized in financial services revenue.

Interest rate swap agreements (including interest rate and currency swap agreements)

Interest rate swap agreements are utilized primarily to lower funding costs, to diversify sources of funding and to limit Sony’s exposure associated with underlying borrowings and debt securities resulting from adverse fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and changes in fair values. Interest rate swap agreements entered into in the Financial Services segment are used for reducing the risk arising from the changes in the fair value of fixed rate debt securities.

Certain subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment have interest rate swap agreements as part of their ALM, which are measured at fair value with changes in value recognized in financial services revenue.

Any other interest rate swap agreements that do not qualify as hedges, which are used for reducing the risk arising from changes of variable rate debt, are measured at fair value with changes in value recognized in financial income and financial expenses.

Other agreements

Certain subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment have equity future contracts, equity swap agreements, bond future contracts, commodity future contracts, interest rate swaption agreements, other currency contracts and hybrid financial instruments as part of their ALM, which are

marked-to-market

with changes in value recognized in financial services revenue. The hybrid financial instruments, disclosed in Note 5 as debt securities, contained embedded derivatives that are not required to be bifurcated because the entire instruments are measured at fair value.

The estimated fair values of Sony’s outstanding derivative instruments are summarized as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023				March 31, 2024
	Asset derivatives		Liability derivatives		Asset derivatives		Liability derivatives
Interest rate contracts
Interest rate swap agreements		43,464		3,139		49,347		3,876
Interest rate swaptions agreements		380		2,517		272		2,574

Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign exchange forward contracts		12,496		12,257		6,951		11,088
Swap agreements		3,774		5,781		7,442		4,066
Currency option contracts purchased		508		835		74		791
Currency option contracts written		—		5		—		4
Other currency contracts		4,540		998		5,958		1,544

Equity contracts
Equity future contracts		290		3,321		—		3,428
Equity swap agreements		—		5,270		—		1,916
Option contracts purchased		4,692		—		2,379		—

Total derivatives		70,144		34,123		72,423		29,287

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The estimated fair values and maturity analysis for notional amounts of Sony’s outstanding derivative instruments which are designated as hedging instruments are summarized as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Notional amounts							Fair Value
	Within 1 Year		Over 1 Year			Total		Asset derivatives		Liability derivatives		Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position

Cash flow hedging relationships
Foreign exchange forward contracts		70,125		—			70,125		458		—		Current assets: Other financial assets
Average rate (JPY/USD)		131.3		—
Currency option bought contracts		45,789		—			45,789		502		—		Current assets: Other financial assets
Average rate (JPY/USD)		125.8		—
Currency option sold contracts		47,995		—			47,995		—		835		Current liabilities: Other financial liabilities
Average rate (JPY/USD)		131.9		—
Interest rate swap agreements		—		159,918			159,918		28,513		—		Non-current assets: Other financial assets
Average rate		—		1.5	%


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Notional amounts							Fair Value
	Within 1 Year		Over 1 Year			Total		Asset derivatives		Liability derivatives		Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position
Cash flow hedging relationships
Foreign exchange forward contracts		92,973		—			92,973		—		1,580		Current liabilities: Other financial liabilities
Average rate (JPY/USD)		145.7		—
Currency option bought contracts		17,224		—			17,224		70		—		Current assets: Other financial assets
Average rate (JPY/USD)		140.0		—
Currency option sold contracts		17,554		—			17,554		—		791		Current liabilities: Other financial liabilities
Average rate (JPY/USD)		142.7		—
Interest rate swap agreements		—		181,704			181,704		33,098		—		Non-current assets: Other financial assets
Average rate		—		1.5	%

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Changes in the fair value of hedging instruments related to cash flow hedges recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are summarized as follows:


	Yen in millions

	Foreign exchange contracts			Interest rate contracts			Total

Balance as of April 1, 2022		(5,503	)		11,537			6,034

Changes in fair value of hedging instruments recognized in other comprehensive income		(26,950	)		13,975			(12,975	)
Reclassification adjustments to profit (loss) for the year 1 2		34,825			(4,012	)		30,813
Deferred tax		(2,408	)		(3,051	)		(5,459	)

Balance as of March 31, 2023		(36	)		18,449			18,413

Changes in fair value of hedging instruments recognized in other comprehensive income		(28,288	)		13,256			(15,032	)
Reclassification adjustments to profit (loss) for the year 1 2		25,862			(8,880	)		16,982
Deferred tax		742			(1,340	)		(598	)

Balance as of March 31, 2024		(1,720	)		21,485			19,765

*1	In the consolidated statements of income, the amount reclassified to profit (loss) is included in sales for hedges of foreign exchange contracts and in financial expenses for hedges of interest rate contracts.

*2	For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, hedge ineffectiveness recognized in profit or loss was not material.

16. Offsetting of financial assets and financial liabilities

Tables below show the gross amounts of financial assets and liabilities, amounts offset, and net amounts presented in the consolidated statements of financial position, as well as the financial assets and liabilities that are subject to enforceable master netting agreements or similar agreements, as of March 31, 2023 and 2024.


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Gross amounts recognized financial assets and financial liabilities		Amounts offset in the consolidated statements of financial position		Net amounts presented in the consolidated statements of financial position		Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statements of financial position
							Financial instruments		Cash collateral		Net amounts

Derivative assets *1		34,382		—		34,382		16,430		13,852		4,100
Trade receivables *2		175,872		174,930		942		—		—		942

Total assets		210,254		174,930		35,324		16,430		13,852		5,042

Derivative liabilities *1		31,997		—		31,997		21,700		5,216		5,081
Trade payables *2		281,295		174,930		106,365		—		—		106,365
Short-term borrowings *3		1,557,652		—		1,557,652		1,556,595		—		1,057

Total liabilities		1,870,944		174,930		1,696,014		1,578,295		5,216		112,503

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	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Gross amounts recognized financial assets and financial liabilities		Amounts offset in the consolidated statements of financial position		Net amounts presented in the consolidated statements of financial position		Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated statements of financial position
							Financial instruments		Cash collateral		Net amounts
Derivative assets *1		33,661		—		33,661		12,098		17,878		3,685
Trade receivables *2		48,925		47,550		1,375		—		—		1,375

Total assets		82,586		47,550		35,036		12,098		17,878		5,060

Derivative liabilities *1		28,107		—		28,107		13,153		6,522		8,432
Trade payables *2		69,436		47,550		21,886		—		—		21,886
Short-term borrowings *3		1,504,893		—		1,504,893		1,503,455		—		1,438

Total liabilities		1,602,436		47,550		1,554,886		1,516,608		6,522		31,756

Certain subsidiaries have entered into master netting agreements or other similar agreements, which are mainly International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreements. An ISDA Master Agreement is an agreement between two counterparties that may have multiple derivative contracts with each other, and such ISDA Master Agreement may provide for the net settlement of all or a specified group of these derivative contracts, through a single payment, in a single currency, in the event of a default on or affecting any one derivative contract, or a termination event affecting all or a specified group of derivative contracts. Master netting agreements create a right of set off, but the master netting agreements do not automatically provide for such set off.

*2	Amounts offset in the consolidated statements of financial position are related to repurchase agreements of products.

*3	Short-term borrowings relate to bond lending transactions and repurchase agreements (repos).

17.	Employee benefits

(1)	Defined benefit and severance plans

Upon terminating employment, employees of Sony Group Corporation and its subsidiaries in Japan are entitled, under most circumstances, to

lump-sum

indemnities or pension payments as described below. Sony Group Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries’ pension plans utilize a point-based plan under which a point is added every year reflecting the individual employee’s performance over that year. Under the point-based plan, the amount of payment is determined based on the sum of cumulative points from past services and interest points earned on the cumulative points regardless of whether or not the employee is voluntarily retiring.

Under the plans, in general, the defined benefits cover 65% of the indemnities under existing regulations to employees. The remaining indemnities are covered by severance payments by the companies. The pension benefits are payable at the option of the retiring employee either in a

lump-sum

amount or monthly pension payments. Contributions to the plans are funded through several financial institutions in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.

From April 1, 2012, Sony Group Corporation and substantially all of its subsidiaries in Japan have modified existing defined benefit pension plans such that life annuities will no longer accrue additional service benefits, with those participants instead accruing fixed-term annuities. The defined benefit pension plans were closed to new participants and a defined contribution plan was also introduced.

From October 1, 2019, Sony Group Corporation and substantially all of its subsidiaries in Japan have amended their defined benefit pension plans and have implemented defined contribution plans for all employees other than those employees that had retired before the amendments.

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In addition, several of Sony’s foreign subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans or severance indemnity plans, which cover substantially all of their employees. Under such plans, the related cost of benefits is currently funded or accrued. Benefits awarded under these plans are based primarily on the current rate of pay and length of service.

Net defined benefit liability (asset) recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position

Amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans						Foreign plans
	March 31						March 31
	2023			2024			2023			2024
Present value of defined benefit obligations		573,143			543,292			124,702			126,987
Fair value of plan assets		(447,747	)		(464,376	)		(56,987	)		(47,893	)
The impact of minimum funding requirement and asset ceiling		6,897			9,837			3,455			3,457

Net amount		132,293			88,753			71,170			82,551

Amount recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position
Net defined benefit asset		(28,334	)		(69,208	)		(1,775	)		(2,328	)
Net defined benefit liability		160,627			157,961			72,945			84,879

Net amount		132,293			88,753			71,170			82,551

Present value of defined benefit obligations

The changes in the defined benefit obligations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans						Foreign plans
	Fiscal year ended March 31						Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024			2023			2024
Beginning balance of the fiscal year		614,763			573,143			277,903			124,702

Current service cost		12,660			12,078			2,319			1,783
Past service cost		5			11			(365	)		142
Interest cost		4,367			6,534			4,623			5,349
Remeasurements:
Change in demographic assumptions		2,974			4,399			(458	)		(385	)
Change in financial assumptions		(27,314	)		(16,568	)		(60,179	)		1,170
Other		(569	)		1,677			(940	)		632
Translation adjustments		—			—			11,213			16,068
Plan participants’ contributions		—			—			516			565
Benefits paid		(33,741	)		(37,787	)		(9,798	)		(11,198	)
Curtailments and settlements*		—			—			(100,132	)		(11,841	)
Other		(2	)		(195	)		—			—

Ending balance of the fiscal year		573,143			543,292			124,702			126,987

Curtailments and settlements of the foreign plans for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 relate mainly to the termination of the defined benefit pension plan at certain U.K. subsidiaries. Curtailments and settlements of the foreign plans for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 relate mainly to the termination of the defined benefit pension plan at certain U.S. subsidiaries.

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The weighted average duration of defined benefit obligations as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:

Japanese plans

Foreign plans

March 31

2023

2024

2023

2024

Weighted average duration of defined benefit obligations

11.2 years

10.9 years

12.2 years

12.5 years

The significant actuarial assumptions used to determine the present value of defined benefit obligations as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Japanese plans						Foreign plans
	March 31						March 31
	2023			2024			2023			2024
Discount rate		1.1	%		1.4	%		4.3	%		4.1	%

The sensitivities of the defined benefit obligations to changes in the significant weighted-average actuarial assumptions are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans						Foreign plans
	March 31						March 31
Change in assumptions	2023			2024			2023			2024
Discount rate
0.25% decrease		16,042			14,362			3,487			3,657
0.25% increase		(13,201	)		(12,077	)		(3,316	)		(3,493	)

The sensitivity analyses are calculated using the same method used to determine the defined benefit liability recognized in the consolidated statements of financial position while holding all other assumptions consistent.

Fair value of plan assets

Sony’s pension investment policy recognizes the expected growth and the variability risk associated with the long-term nature of pension liabilities, the returns and risks of diversification across asset classes, and the correlation among assets. The asset allocations are designed to maximize returns consistent with levels of liquidity and investment risk that are considered prudent and reasonable. While the pension investment policy gives appropriate consideration to recent market performance and historical returns, the investment assumptions utilized by Sony are designed to achieve a long-term return consistent with the long-term nature of the corresponding pension liabilities.

The investment objectives of Sony’s plan assets are designed to generate returns that will enable the plans to meet their future obligations. The precise amount for which these obligations will be settled depends on future events, including the retirement dates and life expectancy of the plans’ participants. The obligations are estimated using actuarial assumptions, based on current economic conditions and other pertinent factors. Sony’s investment strategy balances the requirement to generate returns, using potentially higher yielding assets such as equity securities, with the need to control risk in the portfolio with less volatile assets, such as fixed-income securities. Risks include, among others, inflation, volatility in equity values and changes in interest rates that could negatively impact the funding level of the plans, thereby increasing their dependence on contributions from Sony. To mitigate any potential concentration risk of plan assets, thorough consideration is given to balancing the portfolio among industry sectors and geographies, taking into account interest rate sensitivity, dependence on economic growth, currency and other factors that affect investment returns. The target allocations as of March 31, 2024, are, as a result of Sony’s asset liability management, 18% (2023: 15%) of equity securities, 51% (2023: 53%) of fixed income securities and 31% (2023: 32%) of other investments for the pension plans of Sony Group Corporation and most of its subsidiaries in Japan, and, on a weighted average basis, 2% (2023: 1%) of equity securities, 13% (2023: 28%) of fixed income securities and 85% (2023: 71%) of other investments for the pension plans of foreign subsidiaries.

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The changes in the plan assets for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans						Foreign plans
	Fiscal year ended March 31						Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023			2024			2023			2024
Beginning balance of the fiscal year		474,933			447,747			198,791			56,987

Interest income		3,649			5,424			2,804			2,592
Remeasurements:
Return on plan assets excluding interest income		(13,378	)		32,764			(43,173	)		(2,485	)
Translation adjustments		—			—			5,760			7,521
Employer contribution		5,650			2,316			3,444			5,381
Plan participants’ contributions		—			—			516			585
Benefits paid		(23,107	)		(23,875	)		(8,240	)		(10,603	)
Curtailments and settlements*		—			—			(102,915	)		(12,085	)

Ending balance of the fiscal year		447,747			464,376			56,987			47,893

Sony makes contributions to its defined benefit pension plans as deemed appropriate by management after considering the fair value of plan assets, expected return on plan assets and the present value of defined benefit obligations. Sony expects to contribute approximately 2 billion yen to the Japanese plans and approximately 5 billion yen to the foreign plans during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025.

The fair values of the assets held by Japanese and foreign plans are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans
	March 31 2023		Market price in active market
Asset class	March 31 2023		Quoted		Unquoted
Cash and cash equivalents		18,060		18,060		—
Equity securities *1		37,562		33,335		4,227
Fixed income:
Government bonds *2		10,369		975		9,394
Corporate bonds *3		4,587		25		4,562
Commingled funds *4		287,978		—		287,978
Private equity		40,612		—		40,612
Hedge funds		48,579		—		48,579

Total		447,747		52,395		395,352

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	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans
	March 31 2024		Market price in active market
Asset class	March 31 2024		Quoted		Unquoted
Cash and cash equivalents		8,390		8,390		—
Equity securities *1		56,122		50,656		5,466
Fixed income:
Government bonds *2		11,211		1		11,210
Corporate bonds *3		5,403		—		5,403
Commingled funds *4		297,828		—		297,828
Private equity		40,017		—		40,017
Hedge funds		45,405		—		45,405

Total		464,376		59,047		405,329

Represents primarily Japanese equity securities.

Includes approximately 85% and 84% of debt securities issued by Japanese national and local governments,

and

15% and 16% of debt securities issued by foreign national and local governments as of the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively.

Includes debt securities issued by Japanese and foreign corporations and government related agencies.

Commingled funds represent pooled institutional investments, including primarily investment trusts.


	Yen in millions
	Foreign plans
	March 31 2023		Market price in active market
Asset class	March 31 2023		Quoted		Unquoted
Cash and cash equivalents		2,403		2,403		—
Equity securities *1		65		65		—
Fixed income:
Government bonds *2		2,135		—		2,135
Corporate bonds *3		12,052		—		12,052
Asset-backed securities		61		—		61
Insurance contracts *4		19,401		341		19,060
Commingled funds *5		18,113		—		18,113
Real estate and other		2,757		8		2,749

Total		56,987		2,817		54,170

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	Yen in millions
	Foreign plans
	March 31 2024		Market price in active market
Asset class	March 31 2024		Quoted		Unquoted
Cash and cash equivalents		4,692		4,692		—
Equity securities *1		84		84		—
Fixed income:
Government bonds *2		1,152		—		1,152
Corporate bonds *3		160		—		160
Asset-backed securities		36		—		36
Insurance contracts *4		21,736		359		21,377
Commingled funds *5		16,682		—		16,682
Real estate and other		3,351		10		3,341

Total		47,893		5,145		42,748

Represents primarily foreign equity securities.

Includes primarily foreign government debt securities.

Includes primarily foreign corporate debt securities.

Represents annuity contracts with or without profit sharing and bulk insurance contracts.

Commingled funds represent pooled institutional investments, including primarily investment trusts.

The impact of minimum funding requirement and asset ceiling

The impact of minimum funding requirement and asset ceiling for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Japanese plans				Foreign plans
	Fiscal year ended March 31				Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024		2023		2024
Beginning balance of the fiscal year		4,870		6,897		2,491		3,455

Interest income		39		83		65		186
Remeasurements:
Change in asset ceiling excluding interest income		1,988		2,857		811		(728	)
Translation adjustments		—		—		88		544

Ending balance of the fiscal year		6,897		9,837		3,455		3,457

(2)	Defined contribution plans

Total defined contribution expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 an

d 202

4 are as f

oll

ws:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024

Japanese plans		11,137		11,461		11,662
Foreign plans		11,154		17,271		16,137

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(3)	Employee benefits expenses

Employee benefits expenses included in cost of sales, selling, general and administrative, and financial services expenses in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Total employee benefits expenses		1,253,148		1,539,965		1,743,936

Employee benefits expenses include salaries, bonuses, stock-based compensation, social security, welfare and expenses relating to post-employment benefits.

18.	Participation and residual liabilities in the Pictures segment

The changes in participation and residual liabilities for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2024
Balance at beginning of the fiscal year		423,175

Current portion		230,223
Non-current portion		192,952

Additional participation and residual liabilities		213,572
Amounts paid during the year		(215,967	)
Unpaid amounts reversed during the year		(20,212	)
Translation adjustment		57,256

Balance at end of the fiscal year		457,824

Current portion		251,743
Non-current portion		206,081

There was no material change due to discounting during the fiscal year.

19.	Other assets and other liabilities

(1)	Other assets

Components of other assets as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
Advance payments and prepaid expenses		481,080		606,389
Income taxes receivable and other taxes receivable		243,569		253,267
Insurance contract assets		60,751		56,975
Other		197,302		266,109

Total		982,702		1,182,740

Current assets		563,334		669,335
Non-current assets		419,368		513,405

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(2)	Other liabilities

Components of other liabilities as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023 Restated		2024
Contract liabilities		508,454		534,432
Accrued short-term employee benefits		394,948		477,737
Refund liabilities		197,836		218,465
Taxes payable other than income taxes		185,230		167,244
Accrued expenses		171,345		244,784
Insurance contract liabilities		145,057		162,344
Other long-term employee benefit obligations		64,684		91,251
Product warranties		26,167		24,753
Other		127,252		147,765

Total		1,820,973		2,068,775

Current liabilities		1,693,380		1,906,396
Non-current liabilities		127,593		162,379

The changes in product warranties for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2024
Balance at beginning of the fiscal year		26,167

Additional product warranties		21,824
Amounts used during the year		(20,469	)
Unused amounts reversed during the year		(5,238	)
Translation adjustment		2,469

Balance at end of the fiscal year		24,753

20.	Stockholders’ equity

(1)	Common stock

The number of shares of common stock authorized as of March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was 3,600,000,000.

The following table shows the changes in the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024. All of the shares of common stock of Sony Group Corporation are issued with no par value, and the issued stock was fully paid.


	Number of shares
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Balance at beginning of the fiscal year		1,261,058,781		1,261,081,781		1,261,081,781

Issuance of new shares		23,000		—		150,108

Balance at end of the fiscal year		1,261,081,781		1,261,081,781		1,261,231,889

As of March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, the number of shares of treasury stock, which was included in the balance of common stock shares issued above, were 24,078,136 shares, 26,584,221 shares and 39,783,003 shares, respectively.

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Sony Group Corporation may purchase its own shares at any time by a resolution of the Board of Directors up to the retained earnings available for dividends to shareholders, in accordance with the Companies Act of Japan.

Sony Group Corporation’s Board of Directors resolved and approved the setting of parameters for the repurchase of shares of its own common stock pursuant to the Companies Act of Japan and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on April 28, 2021. Under the above resolution, Sony Group Corporation repurchased 7,400,600 shares of its common stock for an amount of 88,281 million yen during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, and repurchased 806,300 shares of its common stock for an amount of 9,100 million yen during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.

Sony Group Corporation’s Board of Directors resolved and approved the setting of parameters for the repurchase of shares of its own common stock pursuant to the Companies Act of Japan and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on May 10, 2022. Under the above resolution, Sony Group Corporation repurchased 8,545,600 shares of its common stock for an amount of 89,118 million yen during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, and repurchased 798,000 shares of its common stock for an amount of 10,000 million yen during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

Sony Group Corporation approved on May 17, 2023 by resolution of the Board of Directors the setting of parameters for the repurchase of shares of its own common stock pursuant to the Companies Act of Japan and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. Under the above resolution, Sony Group Corporation repurchased 14,869,300 shares of its common stock for an amount of 192,532 million yen during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.

(2)	Additional paid-in capital

Additional

paid-in

capital consists of surplus that is derived from equity transactions and not recorded in common stock, and its primary component is capital reserves. The Companies Act of Japan provides that no less than 50% of the

paid-in

amount or proceeds of issuance of shares shall be incorporated in common stock, and that the remaining shall be incorporated in capital reserves. Capital reserves may be incorporated in common stock upon approval of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

(3)	Retained earnings

Retained earnings consist of legal reserves and accumulated earnings. The Companies Act of Japan provides that earnings in an amount equal to 10% of cash dividends from retained earnings shall be appropriated as a capital reserve or a legal reserve on the date of distribution of retained earnings until an aggregated amount of capital reserve and legal reserve equals 25% of common stock. Legal reserves may be used upon approval of the General Meeting of Shareholders.

Dividends whose record date falls in the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, and whose effective date falls in the subsequent period are as follows:

(Resolution)

Type of

Total amount of

dividends

(Yen in millions)

Source of

dividends

Dividends

per share (Yen)

Record date

Effective
date

Board of Directors
April 28, 2023

Common stock

49,380

Retained earnings

40.00

March 31, 2023

June 5, 2023

Board of Directors
May 14, 2024

Common stock

54,965

Retained earnings

45.00

March 31, 2024

June 10, 2024

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(4)	Other comprehensive income

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Balance at April 1, 2021			Other comprehensive income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders			Transfer to retained earnings			Balance at March 31, 2022
Changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		139,622			(106,426	)		(5,784	)		27,412
Changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		1,264,737			(416,904	)		—			847,833
Cash flow hedges		1,299			4,735			—			6,034
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans		—			33,641			(33,641	)		—
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations		113,901			223,777			—			337,678
Insurance finance income (expenses)		(88	)		599			—			511
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method		786			2,078			—			2,864

Total		1,520,257			(258,500	)		(39,425	)		1,222,332


	Yen in millions
	Balance at April 1, 2022		Cumulative effects of the application of new accounting standards			Restated balance at April 1, 2022			Restated other comprehensive income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders			Transfer to retained earnings			Restated balance at March 31, 2023
Changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		27,412		—			27,412			(36,862	)		298			(9,152	)
Changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		847,833		11,204			859,037			(819,192	)		—			39,845
Cash flow hedges		6,034		—			6,034			12,379			—			18,413
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans		—		—			—			18,891			(18,891	)		—
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations		337,678		—			337,678			175,525			—			513,203
Insurance finance income (expenses)		511		(1,911,861	)		(1,911,350	)		727,716			—			(1,183,634	)
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method		2,864		—			2,864			3,699			—			6,563
Other		—		336			336			(144	)		—			192

Total		1,222,332		(1,900,321	)		(677,989	)		82,012			(18,593	)		(614,570	)

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	Yen in millions
	Balance at April 1, 2023			Other comprehensive income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders			Transfer to retained earnings			Balance at March 31, 2024

Changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		(9,152	)		(53,814	)		(12,326	)		(75,292	)
Changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income		39,845			(704,636	)		—			(664,791	)
Cash flow hedges		18,413			1,352			—			19,765
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans		—			25,875			(25,875	)		—
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations		513,203			439,490			—			952,693
Insurance finance income (expenses)		(1,183,634	)		563,396			—			(620,238	)
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method		6,563			5,348			(20	)		11,891
Other		192			(283	)		—			(91	)

Total		(614,570	)		276,728			(38,221	)		(376,063	)

Each component of other comprehensive income and the related tax effect including noncontrolling interests for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
Comprehensive income components	2022			2023 Restated			2024

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss
Changes in equity instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income
Amount incurred during the year		(139,511	)		(45,708	)		(70,838	)

Total before tax		(139,511	)		(45,708	)		(70,838	)
Tax expense or (benefit)		33,085			8,846			17,024

Net of tax		(106,426	)		(36,862	)		(53,814	)
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans
Amount incurred during the year		43,134			27,136			37,225

Total before tax		43,134			27,136			37,225
Tax expense or (benefit)		(9,493	)		(8,245	)		(11,350	)

Net of tax		33,641			18,891			25,875
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method
Amount incurred during the year		869			197			704

Total before tax		869			197			704
Tax expense or (benefit)		(292	)		(52	)		(91	)

Net of tax		577			145			613

Total		(72,208	)		(17,826	)		(27,326	)

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	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
Comprehensive income components	2022			2023 Restated			2024
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
Changes in debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income
Amount incurred during the year		(572,692	)		(1,132,497	)		(973,877	)
Reclassification to profit or loss		(6,408	)		(5,300	)		(4,713	)

Total before tax		(579,100	)		(1,137,797	)		(978,590	)
Tax expense or (benefit)		162,196			318,605			273,954

Net of tax		(416,904	)		(819,192	)		(704,636	)
Cash flow hedges
Amount incurred during the year		(7,703	)		(12,975	)		(15,032	)
Reclassification to profit or loss		14,529			30,813			16,982

Total before tax		6,826			17,838			1,950
Tax expense or (benefit)		(2,091	)		(5,459	)		(598	)

Net of tax		4,735			12,379			1,352
Insurance finance income (expenses)
Amount incurred during the year		807			1,010,717			782,495
Reclassification to profit or loss		(10	)		—			—

Total before tax		797			1,010,717			782,495
Tax expense or (benefit)		(198	)		(283,001	)		(219,099	)

Net of tax		599			727,716			563,396
Exchange differences on translating foreign operations
Amount incurred during the year		227,017			177,645			441,943
Reclassification to profit or loss		(742	)		630			463

Total before tax		226,275			178,275			442,406
Tax expense or (benefit)		—			—			—

Net of tax		226,275			178,275			442,406
Share of other comprehensive income of investments accounted for using the equity method
Amount incurred during the year		1,501			3,554			4,735
Reclassification to profit or loss		—			—			—

Total before tax		1,501			3,554			4,735
Tax expense or (benefit)		—			—			—

Net of tax		1,501			3,554			4,735
Other
Amount incurred during the year		—			(200	)		(393	)
Reclassification to profit or loss		—			—			—

Total before tax		—			(200	)		(393	)
Tax expense or (benefit)		—			56			110

Net of tax		—			(144	)		(283	)

Total		(183,794	)		102,588			306,970

Total other comprehensive income		(256,002	)		84,762			279,644

21.	Stock-based compensation plans

The stock-based compensation expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was 11,105 million yen, 15,781 million yen and 21,657 million yen, respectively.

Sony Group Corporation has stock-based compensation plans primarily in the form of a restricted stock unit plan for Directors, Senior Executives, other officers and employees of Sony Group Corporation, and the directors, other officers and employees of its subsidiaries (the “RSU Plan”), and a stock option plan for

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Corporate Executive Officers and employees of Sony Group Corporation, and the directors, other officers and employees of its subsidiaries.

The restricted stock units granted under the RSU Plan primarily have a three-year vesting schedule. Upon vesting, Sony Group Corporation promptly delivers shares of common stock, the number of which is equal to the number of units vested. Sony Group Corporation either issues new shares of common stock or reissues existing treasury stock upon delivering shares of common

stock.

The stock acquisition rights granted under the stock option plan primarily have a three-year vesting schedule

and are

exercisable up to 10 years from the date of grant.

Sony Group Corporation either issues new shares of common stock or reissues existing treasury stock upon the exercise of these rights.

The weighted-average fair value per share at the date of grant of stock acquisition rights granted during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was 2,994 yen, 3,123 yen and 3,665 yen, respectively. The fair value of stock acquisition rights granted on the date of grant and used to recognize compensation expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023			2024
Weighted-average assumptions
Share price at the grant date		14,361	yen		11,389	yen		12,898	yen
Risk-free interest rate		0.60	%		1.88	%		2.23	%
Expected lives		5.33	years		5.46	years		5.61	years
Expected volatility*		22.47	%		26.55	%		27.25	%
Expected dividends		0.29	%		0.47	%		0.49	%

*	Expected volatility was based on the historical volatilities of Sony Group Corporation’s common stock over the expected life of the stock acquisition rights.

A summary of the activities regarding the stock option plan during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022				2023				2024
	Number of shares		Weighted- average exercise price		Number of shares		Weighted- average exercise price		Number of shares		Weighted- average exercise price
	Number of shares		Yen		Number of shares		Yen		Number of shares		Yen
Outstanding at beginning of the fiscal year		14,022,400		6,653		16,544,300		9,397		19,691,500		10,312

Granted		4,876,400		14,188		4,744,300		10,979		2,438,100		12,663
Exercised		1,944,900		5,313		1,260,800		5,565		2,121,700		6,795
Forfeited or expired		409,600		9,484		336,300		12,654		446,000		13,301

Outstanding at end of the fiscal year		16,544,300		9,397		19,691,500		10,312		19,561,900		11,652

Exercisable at end of the fiscal year		7,044,700		5,883		9,683,000		8,033		11,881,900		10,831

The weighted-average stock price at the time when the stock acquisition rights were exercised during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was 12,627 yen, 11,404 yen and 13,146 yen, respectively.

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A summary of unexercised stock acquisition rights as of March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


Series	Date of grant	Exercise term	Exercise price		Outstanding at end of the fiscal year (shares)
Series	Date of grant	Exercise term	Exercise price		2022		2023		2024
24 th	December 4, 2012	December 4, 2013 to December 3, 2022	¥	932		14,700		—		—
25 th	December 4, 2012	December 4, 2013 to December 3, 2022	$	11.23		77,900		—		—
26 th	November 20, 2013	November 20, 2014 to November 19, 2023	¥	2,007		47,000		14,400		—
27 th	November 20, 2013	November 20, 2014 to November 19, 2023	$	20.01		127,300		110,700		—
28 th	November 20, 2014	November 20, 2015 to November 19, 2024	¥	2,410.5		190,900		132,500		83,500
29 th	November 20, 2014	November 20, 2015 to November 19, 2024	$	20.67		154,100		135,500		122,700
30 th	November 19, 2015	November 19, 2016 to November 18, 2025	¥	3,404		252,600		186,900		89,000
31 st	November 19, 2015	November 19, 2016 to November 18, 2025	$	27.51		170,800		148,200		131,300
32 nd	November 22, 2016	November 22, 2017 to November 21, 2026	¥	3,364		516,300		390,400		231,400
33 rd	November 22, 2016	November 22, 2017 to November 21, 2026	$	31.06		367,900		330,500		286,100
34 th	November 21, 2017	November 21, 2018 to November 20, 2027	¥	5,231		572,500		434,200		280,200
35 th	November 21, 2017	November 21, 2018 to November 20, 2027	$	45.73		676,400		620,500		505,700
36 th	February 28, 2018	February 28, 2019 to February 27, 2028	¥	5,442		4,500		3,900		1,500
38 th	November 20, 2018	November 20, 2019 to November 19, 2028	¥	6,440		977,800		839,900		596,700
39 th	November 20, 2018	November 20, 2019 to November 19, 2028	$	56.22		826,800		760,500		654,300
40 th	November 20, 2019	November 20, 2020 to November 19, 2029	¥	6,705		1,389,700		1,210,100		874,600
41 st	November 20, 2019	November 20, 2020 to November 19, 2029	$	60.99		1,190,800		1,076,300		916,400
42 nd	April 17, 2020	April 17, 2021 to April 16, 2030	$	63.75		13,300		13,300		—
43 rd	November 18, 2020	November 18, 2021 to November 17, 2030	¥	9,237		2,193,000		2,060,400		1,654,000
44 th	November 18, 2020	November 18, 2021 to November 17, 2030	$	87.48		1,974,800		1,862,100		1,714,600
45 th	November 18, 2021	November 18, 2022 to November 17, 2031	¥	14,350		2,399,100		2,367,500		2,331,200
46 th	November 18, 2021	November 18, 2022 to November 17, 2031	$	124.90		2,391,100		2,277,100		2,137,800
47 th	November 16, 2022	November 16, 2023 to November 15, 2032	¥	11,390		—		2,427,100		2,401,200
48 th	November 16, 2022	November 16, 2023 to November 15, 2032	$	77.89		—		2,289,500		2,124,000
49 th	November 27, 2023	November 27, 2024 to November 26, 2033	¥	12,942		—		—		1,294,200
50 th	November 27, 2023	November 27, 2024 to November 26, 2033	$	85.50		—		—		1,131,500

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22.

Revenue

(1)	Contract balances

Receivables from contracts with customers, contract assets and contract liabilities are comprised of the following:


	Yen in millions
	April 1		March 31
	2022		2023		2024

Receivables from contracts with customers *1		1,382,377		1,679,106		1,931,631
Contract assets *2		16,785		19,355		17,820
Contract liabilities *3		366,227		508,454		534,432

Receivables from contracts with customers are included in the consolidated statements of financial position as “Trade and other receivables, and contract assets” and “Other financial assets,”

non-current.

Contract assets are included in the consolidated statements of financial position as “Trade and other receivables, and contract assets” and “Other

non-current

assets.”

Contract liabilities are included in the consolidated statements of financial position as “Other current liabilities” and “Other

non-current

liabilities.”

Contract liabilities principally relate to customer advances received prior to performance. Revenues of 231,274 million yen, 303,779 million yen and 444,964 million yen were recognized during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, which were included in the balance of contract liabilities as of April 1, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The amount of revenue recognized from performance obligations satisfied or partially satisfied in the previous periods is not significant.

(2)	Performance obligations

Remaining (unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied) performance obligations represent future revenues not yet recorded for firm orders that have not yet been performed. Sony applies practical expedients to exclude contracts with an expected original duration of one year or less. The following table shows the summary of the transaction prices allocated to remaining performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, of which more than half are expected to be recognized within one year and substantially all within three years. The amount of the transaction price related to variable consideration is included only to the extent that it is highly probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue to be recognized will not occur.


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024

Pictures — Motion Pictures and Television Productions *1		796,690		813,790
Pictures — Media Networks		8,120		10,027
Music *2		140,842		112,609
Others		68,708		58,717

For Motion Pictures and Television Productions in the Pictures segment, Sony has included all contracts regardless of duration.

The amount included in the Music segment primarily consists of minimum royalty guarantees or fixed fees in contracts related to license revenue for ongoing access to an evolving library of content.

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(3)	Contract costs

Contract costs are comprised as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Incremental costs of obtaining a contract		6,110		6,882

Sony applies practical expedients to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense if the amortization period of the asset that otherwise would have been recognized is one year or less. The amortization of 6,917 million yen, 4,686 million yen and 4,562 million yen was recognized during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The incremental costs of obtaining a contract are primarily recognized in the ET&S segment for the internet-related service business and amortized to expense over the contract period.

(4)	Disaggregation of revenue

For the breakdown of sales and financial services revenue by segments, product categories and geographies, refer to Note 4.

23.	Supplemental consolidated statements of income information

(1)	Other operating (income) expense, net

Sony records transactions in other operating (income) expense, net due to either the nature of the transaction or in consideration of factors including the relationship to Sony’s core operations.

Other operating (income) expense, net is comprised of the following:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023			2024
Gain on transfer of GSN Games shares *1		(70,020	)		—			—
Gain on transfer of a portion of shares of Sony Payment Services *2		—			—			(19,763	)
(Gain) loss on purchase/sale of interests in subsidiaries and associates, net		(4,593	)		(4,318	)		(6,905	)
(Gain) loss on sale, disposal or impairment of assets, net *3		8,316			(417	)		(4,675	)
Other		803			(7,286	)		1,939

		(65,494	)		(12,021	)		(29,404	)

Refer to Note 31.

Refer to Note 8.

Refer to Notes 9 and 11.

(2)	Research and development expenditures

Research and development expenditures recognized as an expense for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were 618,368 million yen, 735,698 million yen and 742,772 million yen, respectively.

(3)	Advertising costs

Advertising costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were 347,709 million yen, 391,131 million yen and 422,655 million yen, respectively.

(4)	Shipping and handling costs

Shipping and handling costs for finished goods included in selling, general and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were 70,858 million yen, 95,208 million yen and 85,108 million yen, respectively, which included the internal transportation costs of finished goods.

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24.	Financial income and expense

Financial income


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Interest income
Financial assets measured at AC		6,996		22,399		37,580
Dividends
Financial assets measured at FVOCI		2,792		3,488		1,138
Gain on revaluation of equity instruments
Financial assets measured at FVPL *2		—		—		71,385
Other		9,516		5,171		15,494

Total		19,304		31,058		125,597

Financial expenses


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Interest expense
Financial liabilities measured at AC		6,377		16,016		28,163
Other		8,223		10,382		12,833
Foreign exchange loss, net *1		1,612		14,489		6,989
Loss on revaluation of equity instruments
Financial assets measured at FVPL *2		66,177		4,623		—
Other		21,751		13,441		17,781

Total		104,140		58,951		65,766

Foreign exchange loss, net includes gains or losses from foreign exchange contracts.

Shares of Spotify Technology S.A. (“Spotify”) held by Sony are classified as equity securities required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss. The revaluation of the Spotify shares, net of costs to be paid to Sony’s artists and distributed labels, owned as of March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 resulted in an unrealized loss of 45,017 million yen (395 million U.S. dollars), an unrealized loss of 7,787 million yen (58 million U.S. dollars), and an unrealized gain of 64,764 million yen (440 million U.S. dollars), respectively.

25.	Income taxes

Income (loss) before income taxes and the provision for current and deferred income taxes attributable to such income are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023 Restated			2024

Income (loss) before income taxes:		1,117,503			1,274,496			1,268,662

Income tax expenses
Current		238,602			304,881			271,045
Deferred		(9,505	)		(42,158	)		17,123

Total income tax expense		229,097			262,723			288,168

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For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 the domestic component

of the amount of income tax expenses were 88,016 million yen, 157,745 million yen and 169,821 million yen, respectively, and the foreign component

of the amount of income tax expenses were 141,081 million yen, 104,978 million yen and 118,347 million yen, respectively.

A reconciliation of the differences between the Japanese statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate is as follows:


	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022			2023 Restated			2024
Statutory tax rate		31.5	%		31.5	%		31.5	%
Non-deductible expenses		0.2			0.2			0.3
Income tax credits		(1.9	)		(3.0	)		(3.3	)
Change in statutory tax rate		(0.2	)		(0.1	)		0.1
Change in unrecognized deferred tax assets		(3.7	)		(1.0	)		(2.1	)
Change in deferred tax liabilities on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates		1.0			1.5			0.9
Lower tax rate applied to life and non-life insurance business in Japan		(0.4	)		(0.9	)		(0.4	)
Foreign income tax differential		(5.5	)		(6.0	)		(4.9	)
Recording or reversal of liabilities for uncertain tax positions		0.8			(0.3	)		0.1
Controlled Foreign Company taxation in Japan		(1.8	)		(2.0	)		0.0
Other		0.5			0.7			0.5

Effective income tax rate		20.5	%		20.6	%		22.7	%

Sony recognizes deferred tax assets, which include temporary differences, net operating losses and tax credits, to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the assets can be utilized. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in the relevant tax jurisdiction.

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The schedules of deferred tax assets and liabilities by major cause of their occurrence are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023
	Beginning balance			Cumulative effects of the application of new accounting standards			Restated beginning balance			Recognized in profit or loss (Restated)			Recognized in other comprehensive income (Restated)			Changes accompanying business combination			Recognized directly in equity			Other*			Restated ending balance
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes		71,087			—			71,087			(5,756	)		—			10,157			—			5,600			81,088
Defined benefit liabilities		72,565			(3	)		72,562			5,826			(8,245	)		(28	)		(1,881	)		(1,099	)		67,135
Amortization including content assets		26,759			—			26,759			(1,675	)		—			(25,695	)		—			2,828			2,217
Lease liabilities		96,100			5,330			101,430			12,818			—			221			—			4,378			118,847
Warranty reserves and accrued expenses		141,344			326			141,670			4,070			—			1,599			—			2,643			149,982
Insurance contract liabilities		—			179,620			179,620			561,000			(740,620	)		—			—			—			—
Inventories		29,546			—			29,546			15,479			—			—			—			(302	)		44,723
Depreciation		43,189			—			43,189			(3,566	)		—			—			—			429			40,052
Debt securities measured at FVOCI		—			—			—			—			27,581			—			—			—			27,581
Tax credit carryforwards		38,884			—			38,884			(12,297	)		—			5,792			—			3,845			36,224
Loss allowances		7,748			—			7,748			(1,857	)		—			—			—			259			6,150
Impairment of investments		9,816			—			9,816			(3,709	)		—			—			—			(55	)		6,052
Deferred revenue		31,185			—			31,185			22,076			—			(2,299	)		—			2,478			53,440
Other		140,594			55,920			196,514			2,361			(2,408	)		21,427			(985	)		7,663			224,572

Total deferred tax assets		708,817			241,193			950,010			594,770			(723,692	)		11,174			(2,866	)		28,667			858,063

Deferred tax liabilities:
Insurance acquisition costs		(191,474	)		191,474			—			—			—			—			—			—			—
Insurance contract liabilities		(167,337	)		167,337			—			(667,224	)		457,619			—			—			5,886			(203,719	)
Right-of-use assets		(59,566	)		(5,330	)		(64,896	)		(24,637	)		—			(208	)		—			(6,328	)		(96,069	)
Equity securities measured at FVOCI		(15,969	)		—			(15,969	)		923			8,846			—			—			1,823			(4,377	)
Equity securities measured at FVPL		(53,139	)		—			(53,139	)		31,952			—			—			—			(3,380	)		(24,567	)
Debt securities measured at FVOCI		(327,359	)		(3,187	)		(330,546	)		39,764			291,024			—			—			(242	)		—
Intangible assets acquired through stock exchange offerings		(23,949	)		—			(23,949	)		—			—			—			—			—			(23,949	)
Intangible assets derived from EMI Music Publishing acquisition		(101,594	)		—			(101,594	)		2,277			—			—			—			(6,639	)		(105,956	)
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates		(56,031	)		—			(56,031	)		(15,318	)		—			—			—			1,759			(69,590	)
Investment in M3, Inc.		(42,692	)		—			(42,692	)		(4,646	)		—			—			—			—			(47,338	)
Other		(67,610	)		(13,242	)		(80,852	)		84,297			(52	)		(3,120	)		(159	)		(7,126	)		(7,012	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(1,106,720	)		337,052			(769,668	)		(552,612	)		757,437			(3,328	)		(159	)		(14,247	)		(582,577	)

*	Other mainly consists of exchange differences on translating foreign operations.

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	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2024
	Beginning balance			Recognized in profit or loss			Recognized in other comprehensive income			Changes accompanying business combination			Recognized directly in equity			Other*			Ending balance
Deferred tax assets:
Operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes		81,088			(11,765	)		—			460			—			7,758			77,541
Defined benefit liabilities		67,135			16,287			(11,350	)		—			(613	)		4,088			75,547
Amortization including content assets		2,217			14,293			—			—			—			3,109			19,619
Lease liabilities		118,847			17,154			—			—			—			(271	)		135,730
Warranty reserves and accrued expenses		149,982			7,918			—			—			—			9,502			167,402
Inventories		44,723			2,892			—			—			—			1,192			48,807
Depreciation		40,052			(663	)		—			—			—			2,214			41,603
Equity securities measured at FVPL		—			—			17,230			—			—			2,010			19,240
Debt securities measured at FVOCI		27,581			74,703			273,954			—			—			6,289			382,527
Tax credit carryforwards		36,224			11,698			—			2,991			—			6,733			57,646
Loss allowances		6,150			3,525			—			—			—			1,066			10,741
Impairment of investments		6,052			2,279			—			—			—			(551	)		7,780
Deferred revenue		53,440			(11,697	)		—			—			—			6,711			48,454
Other		224,572			47,828			(598	)		(7,352	)		(1,005	)		25,836			289,281

Total deferred tax assets		858,063			174,452			279,236			(3,901	)		(1,618	)		75,686			1,381,918

Deferred tax liabilities:
Insurance contract liabilities		(203,719	)		(79,827	)		(219,099	)		—			—			2,936			(499,709	)
Right-of-use assets		(96,069	)		(16,775	)		—			—			—			(396	)		(113,240	)
Equity securities measured at FVOCI		(4,377	)		4,389			(206	)		—			—			194			—
Equity securities measured at FVPL		(24,567	)		(24,753	)		—			—			—			(3,014	)		(52,334	)
Intangible assets acquired through stock exchange offerings		(23,949	)		—			—			—			—			—			(23,949	)
Intangible assets derived from EMI Music Publishing acquisition		(105,956	)		3,466			—			—			—			(14,501	)		(116,991	)
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and affiliates		(69,590	)		(6,856	)		—			—			—			(8,505	)		(84,951	)
Investment in M3, Inc.		(47,338	)		(5,287	)		—			—			—			—			(52,625	)
Other		(7,012	)		(65,932	)		19			(5,295	)		(20	)		(26,753	)		(104,993	)

Total deferred tax liabilities		(582,577	)		(191,575	)		(219,286	)		(5,295	)		(20	)		(50,039	)		(1,048,792	)

*	Other mainly consists of exchange differences on translating foreign operations.

As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, based on the assessment of recoverability of deferred tax assets, Sony continued not to recognize the deferred tax assets at some entities in Japan, Sony Mobile Communications AB in Sweden, Sony Europe B.V. in the United Kingdom, certain subsidiaries in Brazil, and certain subsidiaries in other tax jurisdictions.

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As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the deductible temporary differences, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards for which no deferred tax asset is recognized are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
Deductible temporary differences		126,406		134,602
Operating loss carryforwards		1,384,658		1,424,553
Tax credit carryforwards		18,853		16,869

As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the expected expiration period of the operating loss carryforwards for which no deferred tax asset is recognized are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2023		2024
Within 5 years		602,799		494,989
Over 5 years to 10 years		250,587		274,044
Over 10 years to 15 years		25,786		28,601
Over 15 years		13,245		15,592
No expiration period		492,241		611,327

Total		1,384,658		1,424,553

As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the expected expiration period of the tax credit carryforwards for which no deferred tax asset is recognized was mostly within 5 years except for the amount with no expiration period. The amount of tax credit carryforwards with no expiration date as of March 31, 2023 was 1,047 million yen.

There were no tax credit carryforwards without an expiration date as of March 31, 2024.

Deferred tax liabilities are not recognized on the taxable temporary differences for undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries and corporate joint ventures which are not expected to be remitted in the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, such taxable temporary differences amounted to 560,888 million yen and 1,122,164 million yen, respectively. The tax basis of these undistributed earnings was approximately 8,974 million yen and 17,955 million yen, respectively. In addition, deferred tax liabilities are not recognized on the taxable temporary differences in subsidiaries, including a gain of 61,544 million yen on a subsidiary’s sale of stock arising from the issuance of common stock of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. in a public offering to third parties in November 1991 and the remeasurement gain on 116,939 million yen for the

pre-owned

equity interest in EMI Music Publishing acquired in November 2018. Sony does not anticipate any significant tax consequences on the possible future disposition of these investments based on its tax planning strategies.

In addition, the deductible temporary differences arising from the translation adjustments for the foreign operations for which deferred tax assets are not recognized as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 amounted to 181,037 million yen and 275,810 million yen, respectively. The taxable temporary differences arising from the translation adjustments for the foreign operations for which deferred tax liabilities are not recognized as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 amounted to 694,240 million yen and 1,228,503 million yen, respectively.

Sony applies the “International Tax Reform – Pillar Two Model Rules (Amendments to IAS 12)” that the IASB issued in May 2023. Sony does not recognize or disclose deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities related to taxes arising from the taxation associated with the Pillar Two Model Rules, applying the temporary exemption provisions stipulated by the Amendments to IAS 12.

In Japan, a tax reform bill to implement the global minimum tax in accordance with the Pillar Two Model Rules was enacted on March 28, 2023. This new tax reform statute applies to Sony as of April 1, 2024. Sony does not anticipate any significant exposure to corporate income tax arising from the Pillar Two Model Rules.

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26.	Reconciliation of the differences between basic and diluted EPS

Reconciliation of the differences between basic and diluted EPS for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 is as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023 Restated		2024
Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders		882,178		1,005,277		970,573
Adjustment amount to net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for diluted EPS computation:
Zero coupon convertible bonds		163		51		—

Net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders for diluted EPS computation		882,341		1,005,328		970,573


	Thousands of shares
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic EPS computation		1,239,299		1,235,701		1,231,242
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		5,470		3,617		3,680
Restricted stock units		—		29		409
Zero coupon convertible bonds		6,491		2,030		—

Weighted-average shares for diluted EPS computation		1,251,260		1,241,377		1,235,331


	Yen
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023 Restated		2024
Basic EPS		711.84		813.53		788.29

Diluted EPS		705.16		809.85		785.68

Potential shares of common stock which were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 were 4,790 thousand shares, 11,223 thousand shares and 6,895 thousand shares, respectively, which consisted of stock options.

27.	Supplemental cash flow information

(1)	Classification of cash flows in Financial Services segment

Sony classifies the cash flows from changes in assets and liabilities associated with the insurance business and banking business, such as investments and advances, deposits from customers, insurance contract liabilities and borrowings/debt, as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows because the changes are derived from the principal revenue-producing activities of Sony.

(2)	Classification of cash flows of content assets

Sony classifies the cash flows from the additions and disposals of content assets as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows because the additions and disposals of content assets are derived from the principal revenue-producing activities of Sony.

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(3)	Interest and dividends


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Interest received
Financial services revenue		208,170		224,137		244,292
Financial income		6,988		20,872		36,295
Dividends received
Financial services revenue		27,075		23,409		52,760
Financial income		2,800		3,488		1,138
Interest paid
Financial services expenses		6,607		27,352		74,857
Financial expenses		8,843		11,663		22,667

The above are items presented in the consolidated statements of income, which include cash flows for interest and dividends.

Sony classifies the cash flows from interest and dividends of the above as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

(4)	Non-cash investing and financing activities

Non-cash investing and financing activities included an increase in ROU assets as a result of entering into lease contracts during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and the conversion of convertible bonds during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022 and 2023. Refer to (5) Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities for more details.

In addition, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, a portion of the consideration received from the transfer of certain operations of Game Show Network, LLC was in the form of stock. Refer to Note 31 for more details.

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(5)	Reconciliation of liabilities arising from financing activities


	Yen in millions
	Short-term borrowings			Long-term debt
Balance as of April 1, 2021		52,537			969,044

Net cash flows from financing activities		408			(163,104	)
Acquisitions through business combinations		—			8,346
Non-cash items:
Conversion of convertible bonds		—			(14,597	)
Obtaining assets by entering into lease contracts		—			121,937
Translation adjustment		1,659			35,652
Other		1,487			(6,045	)

Total changes		3,554			(17,811	)

Balance as of March 31, 2022		56,091			951,233

Net cash flows from financing activities		32,391			229,578
Acquisitions through business combinations		—			32,009
Non-cash items:
Conversion of convertible bonds		—			(26,563	)
Obtaining assets by entering into lease contracts		—			127,322
Translation adjustment		4,533			22,684
Other		(369	)		(13,936	)

Total changes		36,555			371,094

Balance as of March 31, 2023		92,646			1,322,327

Net cash flows from financing activities		(18,370	)		97,026
Acquisitions through business combinations		796			853
Non-cash items:
Obtaining assets by entering into lease contracts		—			101,039
Translation adjustment		12,097			76,168
Other		1,133			(11,400	)

Total changes		(4,344	)		263,686

Balance as of March 31, 2024		88,302			1,586,013

The amount of short-term borrowings and long-term debt associated with the insurance business and banking business operations, which are classified as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is excluded from the amount above.

(6)	Components of cash and cash equivalents


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Cash and demand deposits		1,824,912		1,227,541		1,535,476
Time deposits with original maturities of three months or less		72,270		76,452		63,169
Money market funds		71,554		116,607		219,559
Call loans		80,900		60,300		88,909

Total		2,049,636		1,480,900		1,907,113

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Cash and demand deposits, time deposits with original maturities of three months or less and call loans are classified as financial assets required to be measured at amortized cost, whose carrying amounts approximate their fair values mainly due to their short-term nature. Money market funds are short-term and highly liquid investments with insignificant risk of changes in value. Money market funds are classified as financial assets required to be measured at fair value through profit or loss and classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

(7)	Payments for purchases of businesses and other

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony newly obtained an interest in a company which owns certain music assets in the Music segment for consideration of 90,968 million yen, which is reflected in cash flows from investing activities as “Payments for purchases of businesses and other.” This transaction is accounted for as an acquisition of a group of assets that does not constitute a business.

As a result of the transaction, Sony consolidated the company and recognized 182,689 million yen of content assets (music catalogs) as well as 90,968 million yen of noncontrolling interests.

28.	Structured entities

Sony has, from time to time, entered into various arrangements with structured entities.

(1)	Consolidated structured entities

Sony consolidates investment funds as structured entities in the Financial Services segment. The investment funds are designed so that voting or similar rights are not the dominant factor in deciding who controls these entities, but it is determined that Sony has control over these structured entities. Sony has not provided and does not intend to provide any significant financial or other support to any of the consolidated structured entities without contractual obligations to the investment funds. The assets and liabilities of structured entities that are consolidated in the Financial Services segment are limited in their intended use by contractual arrangements. As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the total assets of these structured entities are 2,486,836 million yen and 3,653,520 million yen, respectively.

Sony also consolidates several structured entities in the Music and Pictures segment. Sony has not provided and does not intend to provide any significant financial or other support to these structured entities without contractual obligation.

(2)	Unconsolidated structured entities

Certain trade receivable sales programs also involve structured entities. These structured entities are all special purpose entities associated with the sponsor banks. Based on a qualitative assessment, Sony does not consolidate these entities as Sony does not have the power to direct the activities, an obligation to absorb losses, or the right to receive the residual returns of these structured entities. Sony’s maximum exposure to losses from these structured entities is considered insignificant.

In the Financial Services segment, Sony enters into securitization transactions for certain housing loans, involving unconsolidated structured entities. Sony derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual right to receive the cash flows from the financial asset is transferred, or when Sony retains the contractual right to receive the cash flows from the financial asset, but assumes a contractual obligation to pay the cash flows without reinvestment or material delay to other recipients in an arrangement, and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the financial asset are transferred to another entity. Since the above securitization transactions do not meet the requirements for derecognition of financial assets, such transferred assets are not derecognized. Sony recorded 168,173 million yen and 164,799 million yen of transferred assets that do not meet the requirement for derecognition of financial assets included in investments and advances in the Financial Services segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the liabilities recorded from these securitization transactions were 169,500 million yen and 166,024 million yen, respectively, which are included in the current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt. The liabilities will be settled when the payment for the transferred assets is executed and until this time, Sony is unable to utilize the transferred assets. The transferee of the transferred assets has recourse only to the transferred asset, and as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the fair value of the transferred assets are 170,695 million yen and 167,071 million yen, respectively and the associated liabilities are 169,931 million yen and 166,321 million yen, respectively.

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In addition to the above, in the Financial Services segment, Sony makes investments in structured entities. Sony’s investments in such structured entities include securitized products, foreign corporate bonds and other investments. The following tables present the carrying amount of the investments of unconsolidated structured entities, the presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position, and the maximum exposure to loss associated with these investments as of March 31, 2023 and 2024. Maximum exposure to loss does not reflect Sony’s estimate of the actual losses that could result from adverse changes, nor does it reflect the economic hedges Sony enters into to reduce its exposure. The risks associated with structured entities in which Sony is involved are limited to the amount recorded in the consolidated statements of financial position and the amount of commitments.


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2023
	Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position						Maximum exposure to loss
	Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Current assets)		Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Non-current assets)		Other financial assets (Current assets)		Maximum exposure to loss
Securitized products		—		401,642		—		401,642
Foreign corporate bonds *1		20,806		186,878		—		207,684
Other investments *2		—		286,066		25,464		332,076

Total		20,806		874,586		25,464		941,402


	Yen in millions
	March 31, 2024
	Presentation in the consolidated statements of financial position						Maximum exposure to loss
	Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Current assets)		Investments and advances in the Financial Services segment (Non-current assets)		Other financial assets (Current assets)		Maximum exposure to loss
Securitized products		—		461,309		—		461,309
Foreign corporate bonds *1		11,365		206,570		—		217,935
Other investments *2		—		456,705		24,836		503,683

Total		11,365		1,124,584		24,836		1,182,927

*1	Foreign corporate bonds primarily include repackaged bonds.

*2	Other investments primarily include investment funds.

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29.	Subsidiaries

The following table sets forth the major consolidated subsidiaries owned, directly or indirectly, by Sony Group Corporation.


Name of company	Country of incorporation /residence	(As of March 31, 2024) Percentage owned
Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Corporation	Japan	100.0
Sony Global Manufacturing & Operations Corporation	Japan	100.0
Sony Network Communications Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Marketing Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation	Japan	100.0
Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation	Japan	100.0
Sony Storage Media Solutions Corporation	Japan	100.0
Sony Financial Group Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Life Insurance Co., Ltd.	Japan	100.0
Sony Bank Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Assurance Inc.	Japan	100.0
Sony Corporation of America	U.S.A.	100.0
Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC	U.S.A.	100.0
Sony Music Entertainment	U.S.A.	100.0
Sony Music Publishing LLC	U.S.A.	100.0
Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.	U.S.A.	100.0
Sony Electronics Inc.	U.S.A.	100.0
Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe Ltd.	U.K.	100.0
Sony Europe B.V.	U.K.	100.0
Sony Global Treasury Services Plc	U.K.	100.0
Sony Overseas Holding B.V.	Netherlands	100.0
Sony (China) Limited	China	100.0
Sony EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.	Malaysia	100.0
Sony Electronics (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.	Singapore	100.0

30.	Acquisitions

(1)	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2022

Acquisition of Ellation Holdings, Inc.

On August 9, 2021, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. (“SPE”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony, through Funimation Global Group, LLC (“Funimation”), acquired 100% of the equity interest in Ellation Holdings, Inc. (“Ellation”), a subsidiary of AT&T Inc., which operates the anime business “Crunchyroll.” Funimation is a joint venture between SPE and Aniplex Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. The consideration for the acquisition of 135,938 million yen (1,237 million U.S. dollars) was paid in cash. As a result of the acquisition, Ellation has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. On February 24, 2022, Funimation changed its company name to Crunchyroll, LLC.

Crunchyroll is a DTC service, connecting anime and manga fans across more than 200 countries and territories. Crunchyroll provides services including subscription

video-on-demand,

advertising-based

video-on-demand,

mobile games, manga, events, merchandise and distribution. The acquisition has brought together two animation distribution brands, Funimation and Crunchyroll, allowing Sony to expand

fan-centric

offerings. The global unification and integration of the two brands and services under the Crunchyroll brand started in March 2022.

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As a result of the acquisition, Sony consolidated Ellation by using the acquisition method of accounting and recorded the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and residual goodwill of Ellation. The following table summarizes the final fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities of Ellation that were recorded in the Pictures segment.


	Yen in millions
Cash and cash equivalents		8,379
Trade and other receivables, and contract assets		3,714
Inventories		3,295
Right-of-use assets		4,962
Goodwill		81,250
Content assets		36,266
Other intangible assets		35,697
Other		2,512

Total assets		176,075

Trade and other payables		17,365
Other current liabilities		7,723
Long-term debt		4,386
Deferred tax liabilities		9,408
Other		659

Total liabilities		39,541

Content assets and other intangible assets mainly consist of license agreements and customer relationships. Goodwill represents unidentifiable intangible assets, such as future growth from new revenue streams and synergies with existing Sony assets and businesses, and is calculated as the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and is not deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition is included in the Pictures segment.

Revenue and net income attributable to Ellation since the date of acquisition included in Sony’s consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effect of the acquisition was not material.

(2)	Fiscal year ended March 31, 2023

Acquisition of Bungie, Inc.

On July 15, 2022, Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (“SIE”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony, completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Bungie, Inc. (“Bungie”), an independent videogame developer in the United States. As a result of this acquisition, Bungie has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. This acquisition gives SIE access to Bungie’s approach to live game services and technology expertise.

The total consideration of this acquisition, which was determined after customary working capital and other adjustments, was 510,459 million yen (3,701 million U.S. dollars), inclusive of the purchase price and committed employee incentives. Of the total consideration, 347,768 million yen (2,522 million U.S. dollars) was allocated to the purchase consideration of this acquisition, and the remaining 162,691 million yen (1,179 million U.S. dollars) was mainly allocated to deferred payments to employee shareholders that are conditional upon their continuous employment, and other retention incentives. The deferred payments and other retention incentives will be expensed over the required post-acquisition service periods.

The fair value of the purchase consideration of this acquisition as of the acquisition date was 333,859 million yen (2,421 million U.S. dollars) which consisted of upfront cash consideration of 207,511 million yen (1,505 million U.S. dollars), deferred consideration of 84,410 million yen (612 million U.S. dollars), and contingent consideration of 41,938 million yen (304 million U.S. dollars) that is subject to employee shareholders’ continuous employment and represents the vested portion of the total vesting term of replacement awards that existed as of the acquisition date. Deferred consideration and contingent consideration are included in other financial liabilities (current and

non-current)

in the consolidated statements of financial position.

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Sony’s consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 include net loss after income taxes of 47,420 million yen (338 million U.S. dollars), attributable to Bungie since the acquisition date, including the deferred payments and other retention incentives arising out of this acquisition and amortization of intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date. Revenue after elimination of intercompany transactions attributable to Bungie since the acquisition date for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 has not been presented because the revenue was not material.

Sony consolidated Bungie by using the acquisition method of accounting and recorded the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and residual goodwill of Bungie. The following table summarizes the final fair values assigned to the assets and liabilities of Bungie that were recorded in the G&NS segment.


	Yen in millions

Cash and cash equivalents		37,800
Trade and other receivables, and contract assets		5,093
Other current assets		3,412
Property, plant and equipment		7,481
Right-of-use assets		15,540
Goodwill		193,801
Content assets		45,512
Other intangible assets		66,257
Deferred tax assets		7,297
Other		3,564

Total assets		385,757

Trade and other payables		3,060
Other current liabilities		12,195
Long-term debt		30,944
Other		5,699

Total liabilities		51,898

Content assets and other intangible assets mainly consist of license agreements and software. Goodwill mainly represents future growth from new revenue streams and synergies with existing Sony businesses and is not deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisition is included in the G&NS segment.

Pro forma results of operations have not been presented because the effect of the acquisition is not material.

(3)	Other acquisitions

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, Sony completed other acquisitions for a total consideration of 175,878 million yen which was paid for primarily in cash and there was no material contingent consideration subject to future change. As a result of these acquisitions, Sony recorded 116,394 million yen of goodwill and 64,348 million yen of intangible assets.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, Sony completed other acquisitions for a total consideration of 92,743 million yen which was paid for primarily in cash and there was no material contingent consideration subject to future change. As a result of these acquisitions, Sony recorded 80,698 million yen of goodwill and 29,154 million yen of intangible assets.

During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, Sony completed other acquisitions for a total consideration of 111,669 million yen which was paid for primarily in cash and there was no material contingent consideration subject to future change. As a result of these acquisitions, Sony recorded 70,791 million yen of goodwill and 69,294 million yen of intangible assets.

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No significant amounts were allocated to

in-process

research and development and all of the entities described above have been consolidated into Sony’s results of operations since their respective acquisition dates. Other information including pro forma results of operations has not been presented because the effects of other acquisitions, individually and in aggregate, were not material.

31.	Divestiture

Fiscal year ended March 31, 2022

Transfer of certain operations of Game Show Network, LLC

On December 6, 2021, Sony completed the transfer of GSN Games, a division of Game Show Network, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary in the Pictures segment, to Scopely, Inc. (“Scopely”). The consideration for the transaction was 115,054 million yen (1,011 million U.S. dollars), of which Sony received 58,131 million yen (511 million U.S. dollars) in cash and 56,923 million yen (500 million U.S. dollars) in preferred stock of Scopely.

This preferred stock is measured at fair value as an equity instrument and subsequent changes in the fair value will be recognized in other comprehensive income. As a result of the completion of this transfer, Sony recognized a gain of 70,020 million yen (615 million U.S. dollars) within other operating (income) expense, net in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022.

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32.	Related party transactions

(1)	Account balances and transactions with associates and joint ventures accounted for under the equity method

Primary account balances and transactions with associates and joint ventures accounted for under the equity method are as follows:


	Yen in millions
	March 31
	2023		2024
Trade and other accounts receivable

Associates		7,779		19,357
Joint ventures		6,326		3,913

Total		14,105		23,270

Other current assets
Associates		7,747		8,195
Joint ventures		—		—

Total		7,747		8,195

Accounts payable, trade
Associates		1,425		997
Joint ventures		228		265

Total		1,653		1,262

Short-term borrowings
Associates		3,124		3,070
Joint ventures		25,218		26,384

Total		28,342		29,454

Lease liabilities and other
Associates		74,955		78,102
Joint ventures		—		—

Total		74,955		78,102

Accounts payable for property, plant and equipment
Associates		12,050		16
Joint ventures		—		—

Total		12,050		16

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	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024
Sales
Associates		20,385		15,040		14,215
Joint ventures		27,374		30,220		34,199

Total		47,759		45,260		48,414

Purchases
Associates		3,271		4,450		6,385
Joint ventures		785		649		723

Total		4,056		5,099		7,108

Lease payments and other
Associates		11,180		13,720		15,467
Joint ventures		—		—		—

Total		11,180		13,720		15,467

Payments for property, plant and equipment
Associates		12,052		20,553		16
Joint ventures		—		—		—

Total		12,052		20,553		16

Sony has agreements with shareholders of associates to make cash investments in the associates in the future. The investment commitments as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, amounted to 39,047 million yen and 5,905 million yen, respectively.

(2)	Compensation for key management personnel

Compensation for key management personnel for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 is presented as follows:


	Yen in millions
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024

Short-term employee benefits		1,480		1,831		1,660
Stock-based compensation		1,597		1,928		2,917

Total		3,077		3,759		4,577

Compensation for key management personnel is the remuneration for Directors (including outside Directors) and Corporate Executive Officers of Sony Group Corporation.

33.	Purchase commitments, contingent liabilities and other

(1)	Loan commitments

Subsidiaries in the Financial Services segment have lines of credit in accordance with loan agreements with their customers. As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, the total unused portion of the lines of credit extended under these contracts was 35,831 million yen and 50,965 million yen, respectively.

(2)	Purchase commitments

Purchase commitments for property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (excluding content assets) as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 amounted to 292,975 million yen and 160,919 million yen, respectively.

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In addition to the above, Sony has purchase commitments for goods and services. There are no purchase commitments that are individually material to Sony, except for the following.

Purchase commitments in the Pictures segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2024, amounted to 137,291 million yen and 188,592 million yen, respectively. The major components of these are agreements with creative talent for the development and production of motion pictures and television programming as well as agreements with third parties to acquire completed motion pictures, or certain rights therein, and to acquire the rights to broadcast certain live action sporting events. These agreements cover various periods mainly within three years from the end of each period.

Purchase commitments in the Music segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 amounted to 203,167 million yen and 272,297 million yen, respectively. The major components of these are contracts with recording artists, songwriters and production and sales companies of music software and videos for the future production, distribution and/or licensing of music products. These contracts cover various periods mainly within five years from the end of each period.

Purchase commitments in the G&NS segment as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 amounted to 38,116 million yen and 33,436 million yen, respectively. The major components of these are long-term contracts for the development, distribution and publishing of game software. These contracts cover various periods mainly within five years from the end of each period.

Sony has entered into purchase contracts for materials. As of March 31, 2023 and 2024, Sony has committed to make payments of 288,260 million yen and 211,930 million yen, respectively, under such contracts.

(3)	Litigation

(4)	Guarantees

Sony has issued guarantees that contingently require payments to guaranteed parties if certain specified events or conditions occur. The maximum potential amount of future payments under these guarantees as of March 31, 2023 and 2024 amounted to 458 million yen and 410 million yen, respectively.

34.	Subsequent events

(Cancellation of shares of its common stock)

Based on the resolution of Sony Group Corporation’s Representative Corporate Executive Officer delegated by the Board of Directors and the Companies Act of Japan, Sony Group Corporation canceled shares of its common stock held as treasury stock as follows.

Number of shares canceled: 12,612,300 shares

Cancellation date: April 10, 2024

(Setting of parameters for repurchase of shares of its own common stock)

Sony Group Corporation approved the setting of the following parameters for repurchase of its own common stock pursuant to the Companies Act of Japan and Sony Group Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation at the meeting of its Board of Directors held on May 14, 2024.

Total number of shares for repurchase: 30 million shares (maximum)

Total purchase price for repurchase of shares: 250 billion yen (maximum)

Period of repurchase: May 15, 2024 to May 14, 2025

The total number of shares for repurchase shown in 1. above after the effective date of the stock split (October 1, 2024) described below will be 150 million shares (maximum).

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(Stock Split)

Sony Group Corporation approved the implementation of a stock split of its common stock as follows at the meeting of its Board of Directors held on May 14, 2024.

Method of Stock Split

Each share of Sony Group Corporation’s common stock owned by shareholders whose names appear on the register of shareholders as of the close of the record date of September 30, 2024, will be split into five (5) shares per share.

Number of shares to be increased by Stock Split


(i) Total number of issued shares before stock split:			1,248,619,589 shares
(ii) Number of shares to be increased by stock split:			4,994,478,356 shares
(iii) Total number of issued shares following stock split:			6,243,097,945 shares
(iv) Total number of authorized shares following stock split:			18,000,000,000 shares

Total number of issued shares shown above is based on the total number of issued shares as of April 30, 2024, and may increase by the record date of the stock split due to the exercise of stock acquisition rights.

Schedule of Stock Split


(i) Public notice of record date:			September 13, 2024
(ii) Record date:			September 30, 2024
(iii) Effective date:			October 1, 2024

Partial Amendment to Articles of Incorporation

Impact on per share information

Per share information assuming that the stock split was implemented at the beginning of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, would be as follows.


	Yen
	Fiscal year ended March 31
	2022		2023		2024


Basic net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share		142.37		162.71		157.66
Diluted net income attributable to Sony Group Corporation’s stockholders per share		141.03		161.97		157.14

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Positive
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Uncertain
Constraining
Legalese
Litigous
Readability	H.S. freshman Bad

Sony (SONY) 20-F2024 FY Annual report (foreign)

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