UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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AMENDMENT NO. 4
FORM 10/A
GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
PPOL, Inc.
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(Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)
California 95-4436774
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. employer
Incorporation or Organization) Identification no.)
One City Boulevard West Suite 870
Orange, CA 92868
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Company's Telephone number, including area code (714) 221-7250.
Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Names of each exchange on which
to be so registered each class is to be registered
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None None
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Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock
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(Title of Class)
ITEM 1: BUSINESS
A. OVERVIEW
PPOL, Inc., a California corporation (hereinafter referred to as
"PPOL") is a holding company which conducts its business primarily through its
wholly owned subsidiary, AJOL Co., Ltd., a Japan corporation (sometimes
hereinafter referred to as "AJOL" or "we" or "us" or "our.") AJOL is an acronym
for "All Japan On Line." AJOL does not conduct any business in the United
States.
PPOL's revenues are generated primarily through its one hundred percent
(100%) ownership of AJOL, which derives its revenues through the use of a
multi-level network marketing and distribution system throughout Japan to sell:
(1) its "MOJICO" hardware, which is a multi-functional facsimile based machine
with networking capabilities, (2) subscriptions to our proprietary "Pan Pacific
Online" interactive database that can only be accessed through our Mojico
hardware, and (3) various consumer products that primarily utilize AJOL's
proprietary "Kamome" brand. We also generate commission revenue on sales of
insurance, tickets to various events, travel packages and other sales through
Pan Pacific On-Line.. Kamome
brand products can only be purchased through the Pan Pacific Online network. The
MOJICO hardware combines the attributes of a telephone and fax machine with full
I-Mode e-mail and database search capabilities. The MOJICO hardware uses a built
in liquid crystal monitor display. We hold the Japanese patent rights on the
MOJICO hardware.
Our revenues are allocated as follows:
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
"MOJICO" HARDWARE SUBSCRIPTIONS AND COMMISSIONS TOTAL
----------------- ------------- --------------- -----
% of % of % of % of
Sales total sales Sales total sales Sales total sales Sales total sales
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
Six months ended
September 30, 2002 $52,360,236 77.62% $6,885,031 10.21% $8,215,354 12.17% $67,460,621 100.0%
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Fiscal years ended
March 31:
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
2002 $103,978,519 80.04% $12,397,100 9.54% $13,537,233 10.42% $129,912,852 100.0%
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
2001 $117,015,871 82.26% $12,236,126 8.60% $12,998,276 9.14% $142,250,273 100.0%
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
2000 $126,525,568 88.16% $7,583,990 5.28% $9,411,544 6.56% $143,521,102 100.0%
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
1999 $122,844,073 92.56% $2,961,332 2.23% $6,912,462 5.21% $132,717,857 100.0%
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
1998 $121,954,123 93.30% $930,259 0.71% $7,826,449 5.99% $130,710,831 100.0%
- -------------------- -------------- ----------- -------------- ------------ ------------- ------------ --------------- ----------
An important aspect of the MOJICO hardware is that it allows users to
communicate using handwritten Japanese characters, which comprise the Japanese
language's phonetic alphabets, Hiragana and Katakana, as well as Kanji.
We believe that the full texture and meaning of Kanji characters, and
to a lesser extent, Hiragana and Katakana, cannot be effectively communicated
through the preset fonts of a computer. Our business plan relies on the
assumption that subscribers and potential subscribers believe that handwritten
Moji (character) is a superior form of communication to output of preset fonts
of a computer.
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AJOL'S NETWORK SERVICES - PAN PACIFIC ONLINE.
Our customers purchase the MOJICO hardware and concurrently subscribe
to AJOL's facsimile based network and database - "Pan Pacific Online."
Subscriptions to Pan Pacific Online are only offered through AJOL and not
through our multi-level distribution system. Access to our proprietary network
and database is only available to subscribers through the MOJICO hardware. The
MOJICO hardware can also be used to transmit and receive faxes outside the
network and to send and receive general I-Mode e-mails. Subscribers can search
the network's database to find other subscribers matching their search criteria
to establish interpersonal relationships, solicit categories of faxes, or to
specify a group of recipients for the subscriber's faxes, among other things. We
actively encourage subscribers to submit content for the database.
KAMOME PRODUCTS.
We have created a proprietary brand "Kamome" for use in the sale of
products associated with AJOL. Kamome products may only be purchased through
subscribers. The Kamome brand is granted to companies that sell products through
a distribution agreement with AJOL, and which pass AJOL's quality control
criteria. The Kamome brand is added to the selling company's existing brand, and
products are sold with dual branding. Additionally, we use the Kamome brand as a
private brand on a limited basis. Kamome products appear in catalogs which are
distributed quarterly to subscribers and updated via the AJOL database system.
MULTI LEVEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM.
We sell the MOJICO hardware and Kamome products through a multi-level
network marketing and distribution system. An AJOL distributor must be an AJOL
subscriber to sell MOJICO hardware and Kamome products. All subscribers have an
opportunity to become a MOJICO distributor. Subscribers, who desire to become
distributors, must undergo an application and screening process. We refer to our
subscribers who sell the MOJICO hardware and/or Kamome products as
"distributors." Unlike traditional distributors in a multi-level distribution
system, our "distributors" are not required to purchase or maintain inventory of
MOJICO hardware or Kamome products, and therefore are not at financial risk if
they do not complete sales. AJOL bears the risk of obtaining and maintaining
inventory. Distributors submit product orders to us, which we then fulfill.
Payment for our products is paid directly to us.
Approximately fifty percent (50%) of the sales price of each MOJICO
unit is paid to distributors based on a commission schedule, which spreads the
payout among the various levels of the distributor network. We pay commissions
at the rate of seventy-six percent (76%) of "commissionable sales" of Kamome
products. Commissionable sales do not reflect the purchase price paid by the
purchaser. Rather, the commissionable sales amount is determined solely by us
for each product to yield us a margin of twenty-three percent (23%) of the
purchase price paid by the purchaser, in the aggregate, after deducting
commissions paid and cost of goods sold.
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We emphasize and encourage subscribers to develop personal
relationships among subscribers and between subscribers and non-subscribers as a
vehicle to increase awareness of AJOL and its products. We believe that the
subscribers' efforts to create personal relationships among themselves and with
non-subscribers create beneficial word of mouth advertising for our products and
services. We sponsor social events, which include recreational events, for our
subscribers and their guests throughout Japan to encourage interaction among
subscribers and potential subscribers.
Our President, Mr. Yoshihiro Aota, speaks at approximately one hundred
twenty (120) social events per year. Mr. Aota generally speaks at social events
where there are 500 or more attendees, who may consist of subscribers and
non-subscribers. The underlying themes of Mr. Aota's presentations include:
(1) the benefits of interpersonal relationships for personal and business growth
and how MOJICO can help subscribers achieve that goal;
(2) the financial incentives of participating in AJOL's multi level distribution
system; and
(3) the benefits of purchasing Kamome brand products through the "Co-op of the
21st Century." Mr. Aota may be viewed as a motivational speaker who is the
personification of AJOL.
B. THE INDUSTRY
We believe that we operate in a unique market niche. Although the
Company's business plan has similarity to those of internet service providers,
its reliance on a fax based technology eliminates access to many of the features
and functionality offered by ISP's including access to the Internet. Unlike the
Internet, which provides access to a worldwide database, the subscribers access
to information and networking capabilities is limited to our fax based Pan
Pacific Online network and database. The Company's business plan does however
share the goal of ISP's, generally, of increasing and maintaining paid
subscriptions.
Unlike ISP's, we rely heavily on word of mouth advertising through our
system of multi level distributors. In addition, we have approximately 700
retail outlets referred to as "Cabins." Subscribers that are also distributors
who sell AJOL products on a full time basis independently operate these
"Cabins." AJOL does not grant any exclusive distribution rights based on
geographic boundaries.
We are unaware of the percentage of the Japanese population generally,
or the percentage of people in various demographic groups, that engage in multi
level sales.
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C. GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS.
(1) General Development of the Business of PPOL.
PPOL was incorporated as a California corporation on May 19, 1993 under
the name Diversified Strategies, Inc. On August 15, 2002 the Company amended its
articles of incorporation to change its name to PPOL.
PPOL was formed (under the name Diversified Strategies, Inc.) pursuant
to the Order Confirming Debtors' Joint Plan of Reorganization (hereafter the
"Bankruptcy Court Order") of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central
District of California dated November 20, 1992 in the cases of IN RE SELECTTV OF
CALIFORNIA, INC. (hereafter "SelectTV") and IN RE TELSTAR SATELLITE CORPORATION
OF AMERICA (hereafter "Telstar").
Pursuant to the Bankruptcy Court Order, PPOL was incorporated and all
of the assets and other property (including all claims and causes of action that
the debtors had the power to assert) of SelectTV and Telstar were transferred to
PPOL free and clear of all liens and other claims except as specifically set
forth in the Bankruptcy Court Order. PPOL is currently not subject to any liens.
The Bankruptcy Court Order also forever barred any claims against PPOL by the
pre-petition creditors of SelectTV and Telstar that were not filed prior to the
date of the Bankruptcy Court Order (or alternatively 60 days thereafter in the
case of claims less than $200).
Pursuant to the Bankruptcy Court Order, all of the pre-petition
creditors and shareholders of SelectTV and Telstar that were identified in the
Bankruptcy Court Order elected to receive, and did receive, in full satisfaction
of their claims against PPOL some combination of either (i) common stock, (ii)
convertible preferred stock, or (iii) warrants of PPOL. As a result, all of
Select TV's and Telstar's pre-petition creditors and shareholders surrendered
their interests and were converted into equity holders of PPOL.
From PPOL's inception, through March 31, 2002, it maintained its
existence, in part, as a corporation with no operating business and no
subsidiaries. Thereafter, PPOL entered into a Stock Purchase and Business
Combination Agreement ("Agreement"), effective as of April 1, 2002, with the
shareholders of AJOL to acquire all of the outstanding common shares of AJOL in
exchange for the issuance of PPOL common shares representing 95% of PPOL's then
outstanding common shares ("AJOL Acquisition"). The transactions contemplated by
the Agreement closed as of August 15, 2002, effective as of April 1, 2002. As a
result of the AJOL Acquisition, AJOL became a wholly-owned subsidiary of PPOL.
In connection with the AJOL Acquisition, PPOL effected a reverse stock
split of its issued and outstanding common shares on a 1:7 basis. As a result of
the reverse stock split, PPOL's issued and outstanding shares were reduced from
6,298,231 (pre-reverse split) to 899,746 (post-reverse split) as of August 15,
2002. PPOL is obligated to purchase fractional shares that resulted from the
reverse stock split at a price equal to the opening bid price of PPOL's shares
upon such shares becoming listed on the National Association of Securities
Dealers' OTC Bulletin Board.
(2) General Development of PPOL's Subsidiary's Business (AJOL).
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PPOL's sole wholly-owned subsidiary is AJOL. AJOL was incorporated
under the laws of Japan on April 8, 1991. AJOL was incorporated with the name
Forval CDK. It was then a wholly owned subsidiary of Forval Corporation, a Japan
corporation. (Forval Corporation is hereinafter referred to as "Forval.") In
April 1992 Forval CDK changed its name to Forval Research Institute Co. Ltd.
Effective July 1, 2000, Forval Research Institute Co. Ltd amended its articles
to change its name to AJOL Co., Ltd..
In March 1999, AJOL dissolved its subsidiary, FO Technology Co., Ltd.
FO Technology Co., Ltd, had been a subsidiary of AJOL's since October of 1996.
AJOL presently has no subsidiaries.
D. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.
PPOL is a holding company for its wholly-owned subsidiary, AJOL. AJOL
is an acronym for "All Japan On Line." PPOL's business, revenues and earnings
are generated primarily through AJOL.
AJOL generates revenues through the use of a multi-level network
marketing and distribution system throughout Japan to sell: (1) its "MOJICO"
hardware, which is a multi-functional facsimile based machine with networking
capabilities, and (2) various consumer products that utilize AJOL's proprietary
"Kamome" brand. Additionally, AJOL generates revenues through the sale of
subscriptions to purchasers of its MOJICO hardware, who then acquire access to
AJOL's on-line fax based network - "Pan Pacific Online." Pan Pacific Online can
only be accessed through the MOJICO hardware. We also generate revenues from
commissions based primarily on sales of tour tickets, events and concerts. AJOL
does not conduct any business in the United States.
(1) The MOJICO Hardware.
Our primary product is a multi-functional facsimile based machine with
networking capabilities that we call "MOJICO". The MOJICO hardware combines the
attributes of a telephone and fax machine with full I-Mode(TM) e-mail and
database search capabilities. I-Mode(TM) is a mobile telephone system developed
by Japan's largest mobile telecommunications company, NTT Docomo. Through the
I-Mode(TM) one can access information on I-Mode(TM) compatible Internet sites
and send e-mails up to 250 full size characters and receive e-mails up to 2,500
full size characters, with anyone with an Internet e-mail address. The MOJICO
hardware does not have the full functional capabilities that may be available on
an e-mail sent through a personal computer. The MOJICO hardware uses a built in
liquid crystal monitor display. AJOL holds the Japanese patent rights on the
MOJICO hardware.
The MOJICO hardware derives its name from "Moji Communications." Moji
means "character" in Japanese. An important aspect of the MOJICO hardware is
that it allows users to communicate using handwritten Japanese characters, which
comprise the Japanese language's phonetic alphabets, Hiragana and Katakana, as
well as Kanji. Kanji refers to pictographs that are used extensively in the
Japanese written language to represent words and ideas. Kanji is also used as
artistic expression, and could be considered as a form of calligraphy. Kanji
characters are unique in that their definition and meaning are subject to
personal interpretation by the reader. The reader's interpretation and
understanding of Kanji characters, and to a lesser extent, Hiragana and
Katakana, are based in large part on the manner in which their respective
characters are written.
-6-
We believe that the full texture and meaning of Kanji characters, and
to a lesser extent, Hiragana and Katakana, cannot be effectively communicated
through the preset characters available on a typical computer keyboard. An
important aspect of the MOJICO hardware is that it allows users to communicate
using handwritten Japanese, as well as any other characters. The handwritten
Japanese characters are unique in that their definition and meaning are subject
to personal interpretation by the reader. We believe that the full texture and
meaning of the Japanese characters cannot be effectively communicated through
the preset fonts available on a typical computer. Our business plan assumes that
subscribers and potential subscribers believe that handwritten Moji, i.e.
Japanese characters, is a preferred form of communication to output of preset
fonts of a computer. This assumption is based on the fact that some subscribers
or members or their families cannot read the Roman alphabet on the keyboard,
especially the elderly or those below junior high school. English education does
not commence until the completion of junior high school.
We contract for the manufacture of the MOJICO hardware and then resell
the MOJICO units through our multi-level distribution network. We are currently
marketing the fourth generation version of MOJICO, the SF60. The first three
versions of MOJICO, the SF30, SF40, and SF50 were manufactured by Funai Electric
Co., Ltd. ("Funai") under contract with our then parent corporation, Forval.
Effective February 25, 2000, we contracted directly with Funai for the
manufacture of the fourth generation SF60 model on an original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) basis. Under the OEM basis, we retain the rights to the
patent, design and metallic mold required to manufacture the SF60, but outsource
the actual manufacturing of the product to Funai. By outsourcing the
manufacturing of the product, we avoid the investment required for the plant and
equipment and personnel required to manufacture the product. Funai was one of
our shareholders until March 2001, at which time it sold its interest in us to
Leo Global Fund.
The SF60 differs from previous MOJICO versions in that it connects
users to our database via the Internet rather than through conventional
telephone lines. The previous versions of MOJICO that utilized telephone lines
required users to incur long distance telephone charges in order to access our
services. The amount of these charges varied from user to user. Subscribers that
lived in areas with higher long distance rates to contact their applicable
server were required to pay more per call than users in lower-rate localities.
In addition, since long distance charges are based on call time, frequent MOJICO
users incurred higher charges than infrequent users. However, users of the SF60
are not able to browse the worldwide internet.
Owners of the SF60 model may presently obtain Internet access through
NTT Communications (a Japanese telecommunications company) for approximately
$7.42 per three hours of use. The NTT fee removes the variance in
telecommunications charges caused by varying long distance rates. As a result,
we expect that telecommunications costs for MOJICO users will now be uniform
throughout Japan.
Because MOJICO is intended to be simple to use, there is very little
difference between the SF60 and previous versions of MOJICO from a user's
perspective. The SF60 signs on to the Internet and provides any required
passwords automatically without prompting the user for any information. As a
result, the fact that the SF60 connects via the Internet, rather than over the
telephone lines, is not obvious to most users.
Our operating results materially depend on revenues received from sales
of the MOJICO product. In previous years, MOJICO sales have accounted for up to
78% of AJOL's annual revenue. The unit price of MOJICO hardware is $2,865(1).
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(1) MOJICO hardware is sold in Japanese Yen. The unit price as of March 31,
2002 has been converted into US dollars by applying the prevailing exchange
rate at March 31, 2002, of 1 $US = 132.62. As of March 31, 2002 and to the
date of this filing, the unit price for the MOJICO hardware in Japanese Yen
is 380,000.
-7-
(2) Subscriptions to AJOL's Proprietary "Pan Pacific Online"
Interactive Database
Our customers purchase the MOJICO hardware and concurrently subscribe
to our facsimile based network and database - "Pan Pacific Online." MOJICO
hardware can only be fully utilized in conjunction with this subscription.
Subscriptions to Pan Pacific Online are only offered through us and not through
our multi-level distribution system. Under Japanese law, sellers of "services"
as opposed to tangible merchandise are generally prohibited from selling
"services" through multi level distribution.
Access to our proprietary network and database is only available to
subscribers through the MOJICO hardware. While a MOJICO hardware can also be
used to transmit and receive faxes outside the network and to send and receive
general I-Mode e-mails, the hardware's full capability is only realized when
used in conjunction with its connection to the Pan Pacific Online database
subscription. Subscribers can search the network's database to find other
subscribers matching their search criteria to establish interpersonal
relationships, solicit categories of faxes, or to specify a group of recipients
for the subscriber's faxes, among other things. Subscribers can also search from
and/or submit to the database, specific type of information. What is unique
about our database is that the great majority of the information stored in the
database is provided by the subscribers themselves. We actively encourage our
subscribers to submit content for the database.
Unlike personal computer based services, our on-line service utilizes
the MOJICO hardware and is paper based as to input and output. Since users are
able to input hand written information on paper into the MOJICO hardware, many
users with little computing knowledge, including young children and elderly, are
able to utilize our online service. In this sense MOJICO is similar to a
conventional fax machine.
Subscribers of our on-line service use the MOJICO hardware to transmit
their data to a centralized hub where we receive hard copies. The hard copies
are then manually processed, screened for content, and then input to a central
database. We use a centralized hub to manually process and screen hard copies
for content that does not meet our qualitative standards, such as language,
adult themes, slander, patent/copyright infringement and objectionable material.
We do this manually as we believe a centralized electronic system will not
effectively screen out materials that should not be admitted to our database.
MOJICO users are then able to access the central database through the MOJICO
hardware. Such accessed information can be transmitted from the central database
to the appropriate destination where the user(s) receive a hard copy printout.
Our proprietary database does not contain as much information as may be
available to an individual who searches the Internet on any particular given
subject. However, our database may contain information which may not be
available through a search of the Internet.
Our on-line services include a bulletin board service, a mail service,
and an information exchange service. Our bulletin board service allows
subscribers to submit invitations, product advertisements, help-wanted ads,
share personal experiences, create pen pal relationships, among other things, to
a bulletin board accessible by all our subscribers. All subscriber submissions
are screened for content and none are anonymous. We encourage subscribers to
contribute to our database. At present, there are approximately 20,000 pages of
subscriber submissions in the database. A subscriber's submission is retained in
the database for 3 months at which time it is deleted unless the subscriber
resubmits his or her submission. Subscribers may also reply to posted ads via
this service. Similarly, our service allows subscribers to send faxes to up to
50 other subscribers at once. Families are able to designate personal
identification passwords to family members to enable them to print faxes
addressed to them via a specific password, thus maintaining the confidentiality
of the fax.
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(3) Kamome Products.
We have created a proprietary brand "Kamome" for use in the sale of
products associated with AJOL. Kamome products may only be purchased by or
through subscribers. The Kamome brand is granted to companies that sell products
through a distribution agreement with us, and which pass our quality control
criteria. The Kamome brand is added to the selling company's existing brand, and
products are sold with dual branding. Additionally, we use the Kamome brand as a
private brand on a limited basis. Kamome products appear in catalogs, which are
distributed quarterly to subscribers and updated via our proprietary "Pan
Pacific Online" interactive database system. Because products are purchased
through the MOJICO and related proprietary database, customers receive their
orders via mail as opposed to a traditional retail outlet whereby customers gain
immediate possession and satisfaction of the goods.
We re-evaluate "Kamome" brand products based, in part, on feedback from
our subscribers. We also search for new products based, in part, on requests
received from subscribers. Following is a table of the number of "Kamome"
products and revenues from "Kamome" products during each of the indicated
periods.
Number of Revenues from
Kamome Products Kamome Products
--------------- ---------------
Six Months Ended
September 30, 2002 300 $6,195,000
Years Ended
March 31, 2002 500 $10,218,000
March 31, 2001 480 $9,647,000
March 31, 2000 610 $5,088,000
March 31, 1999 1,330 $2,687,000
March 31, 1998 530 $2,936,000
We publish a quarterly magazine to our subscribers introducing goods
manufactured and provided by our subscribers as well as independent third
parties, which have earned "Kamome" brand status. The "Kamome" brand is our
president's seal of approval and recommendation for the goods. Before goods are
accorded the "Kamome" brand status, goods are reviewed by a committee at AJOL
for initial screening and makes recommendations to the president of such goods
that they feel are worthy of becoming "Kamome" brand products. Our president
personally visits the factories and/or offices for final screening. Qualifying
goods are then featured in the magazines in articles regarding the virtues of
their goods as observed by the president. Subscribers can also write reviews of
Kamome products for submission to our database.
Although the qualification standards are subjective, only high quality
goods and services offered at reasonable prices are eligible to become "Kamome"
brand products. To promote and develop the image of the "Kamome" brand, the
president places a high degree of emphasis on the manufacturer's selectivity of
raw materials, manufacturing process, and their pride in the products. Kamome
products may only be purchased by or through subscribers through the MOJICO
hardware or by fax to our headquarters.
Our intent is to provide our subscribers with a broad range of high
quality merchandise at prices lower than could be obtained through traditional
retailers. A subscriber's ability to purchase Kamome products is a feature of
subscription to Pan Pacific Online. We attempt to obtain lower prices for Kamome
products by operating efficiencies achieved by volume purchasing, efficient
distribution and reduced handling of merchandise through mail-order deliveries.
Subscribers are also encouraged to sell "Kamome" products to non-subscribers.
"CO-OP OF THE 21ST CENTURY." We obtain lower pricing for Kamome
products through volume purchasing and sell products to subscribers at favorable
prices. Our method of buying and selling of Kamome products is similar to a
mutual benefit "cooperative" or "co-op." Unlike co-ops that operate on a
non-profit basis, our system is designed to generate profits for us. Co-ops
presently exist in Japan, but are generally limited to serving a limited
geographic region. A typical Japanese co-op draws upon local area residents and
businesses as members, and would not expect membership from residents or
businesses outside of that local area as their outlets are limited to a specific
municipality referred to as a prefecture in Japan. Our business plan is to
create and maintain the co-op model to extend beyond local regional borders and
to provide consistent and attractive pricing of Kamome products to our
subscribers throughout Japan. We refer to our Japan wide co-op model as creating
the "Co-op of the 21st Century." We intend to create, through our "Co-op of the
21st Century," an increasingly valuable feature that will appeal to potential
and existing subscribers: (1) as a source of Kamome products for personal use,
and (2) by expanding the Kamome product list and creating the potential for
increased financial incentives through multi level distribution sales of Kamome
products. The goal and marketing concept of the Co-op of the 21st Century is to
provide value to our subscribers and generate interest for new AJOL
subscriptions and renewals.
-9-
E. MULTI LEVEL DISTRIBUTION.
We sell the MOJICO hardware and Kamome products through a multi-level
network marketing and distribution system. An AJOL distributor is required to be
a subscriber to our proprietary "Pan Pacific Online" interactive database to
sell MOJICO hardware and Kamome products. All subscribers have an opportunity to
become a MOJICO distributor. Subscribers, who desire to become distributors,
must undergo an application and screening process. We refer to our subscribers
who sell the MOJICO hardware and/or Kamome products as "distributors." Unlike
traditional distributors in a multi-level distribution system, our
"distributors" are not required to purchase or maintain inventory of MOJICO
hardware or Kamome products, and therefore are not at financial risk if they do
not complete sales. We bear the risk of obtaining and maintaining inventory.
Distributors submit product orders to us, which we then fulfill. Payment for our
products are made directly to us. Approximately fifty percent (50%) of the sales
price of each MOJICO unit is paid to distributors based on a commission schedule
(discussed above), which spreads the payout among the various levels of the
distributor network.
We emphasize and encourage subscribers to develop personal
relationships among subscribers and between subscribers and non-subscribers as a
vehicle to increase awareness of AJOL and its products. We believe that the
subscribers' efforts to create personal relationships among themselves and with
non-subscribers create beneficial word of mouth advertising for our products and
services. We sponsor social events, which include recreational events, for our
subscribers and their non-subscriber guests throughout Japan to encourage
interaction among subscribers and potential subscribers.
-10-
We conduct approximately 500 training sessions per year for our
distributors. The training sessions also serve as social events. Distributors
are required to attend at least a monthly training session to retain the right
to be a distributor. Subscribers who lose the right to be a distributor, for any
reason, must apply to reacquire distributor status.
AJOL's President, Mr. Yoshihiro Aota, speaks at approximately one
hundred twenty (120) social events per year. Mr. Aota generally speaks at social
events where there are 500 or more attendees, who may consist of subscribers and
non-subscribers. The underlying themes of Mr. Aota's presentations include:
(1) the benefits of interpersonal relationships for personal and business growth
and how MOJICO can help subscribers achieve that goal;
(2) the financial incentives of participating in AJOL's multi level distribution
system; and
(3) the benefits of purchasing Kamome brand products through the "Co-op of the
21st Century." Mr. Aota may be viewed as a motivational speaker who is the
personification of AJOL.
We also provide promotional awards for top producing distributors. We
recently sponsored a trip to Las Vegas for our thirty (30) highest producing
distributors.
There are currently approximately sixty five thousand (65,000)
distributors who are authorized to sell AJOL's products. Of the 65,000
distributors, approximately six thousand (6,000) are considered active
commission earners, and approximately seven hundred (700) of those maintain
storefront businesses displaying our products referred to as "Cabins."
Subscribers that are also distributors who sell our products on a full time
basis independently operate these "Cabins." We do not grant any exclusive
distribution rights based on geographic boundaries.
We believe that our network distribution system appeals to a broad
cross-section of people in Japan including those seeking to supplement family
income and start small, in-home businesses. We believe that network marketing is
an ideal way to market our products because the use of such products is enhanced
by ongoing personal relationships with other distributors. In addition, our
utilization of the multi-level network marketing and distribution system allows
us to minimize the fixed costs of maintaining an in-house sales force.
Basic demographic information regarding our subscribers is as follows:
AGE GENDER
--- ------
20's 21% Male 64%
30's 32% Female 36%
40's 22%
50's 18%
over 60 7%
Most subscribers live in rural areas of Japan.
-11-
Each subscriber may use up to an additional 98 different passwords to
access our database. Subscribers may allocate passwords to family and friends to
access our network. Thus, the demographics of the population actually using our
database may be different than presented above. Based upon information provided
by subscribers and password holders, we believe that multigenerational
households use many MOJICO units. We believe that the MOJICO device is conducive
to multigenerational use, especially elderly persons and young children because
of its ease of use and because its handwritten input does not require additional
computer, including keyboard, knowledge.
We pay commissions on the sale of all tangible products, but none on
services on which we receive commissions from the service providers.
Commissionable sales do not reflect the purchase price paid by the purchaser.
Distributors earn commission income on the sale of all tangible AJOL
products, but none on services. Distributors are not required to maintain
inventories, and therefore are not at financial risk if they do not complete
sales. Distributors accept orders for MOJICO hardware as well as Kamome products
and submit the orders to us for processing. We fill the orders and allocate the
commission among the applicable levels of the distributor network.
Total commissions paid to the various levels of the distributor network
approximates fifty percent (50%) of the sales price of each MOJICO unit. For
Kamome products, total commissions paid and costs of products are set to yield
us a margin of twenty-three percent (23%) of the purchase price paid by the
purchaser. The formula for commissions on Kamome products is as follows:
Sales Price - Cost of Product Sold = Gross Profit
Sales Price X 23% = AJOL Margin
Gross Profit - AJOL Margin = Commission
F. SALES OF PRODUCT AND SERVICES/SUBSCRIBER BASE
The following is a table of MOJICO units sold, revenues derived from
MOJICO hardware sales and subscriptions to our "Pan Pacific Online" interactive
database which have been classified as product sales and network services in our
financial statements. Other "On-line Services," as classified in our financial
statements, are comprised of revenues from various food products that utilize
our proprietary "kamome" brand. Commission revenue earned on sales of insurance,
tickets to various events, travel packages and other sales through "Pan Pacific
On-Line" is classified as "Other On-Line Services" in our financial statements.
Fiscal Year End MOJICO Product Sales and % of Other On-Line % of
(March 31) Units Sold Network Services Sales Services Sales
---------- ---------- ---------------- ------- -------- -------
September 30, 2002* 17,487 $59,245,267 88% $8,215,354 12%
March 31, 2002 34,510 $116,375,619 90% $13,537,233 10%
March 31, 2001 35,720 $129,251,997 91% $12,998,276 9%
March 31, 2000 38,715 $134,109,558 93% $9,411,544 7%
March 31, 1999 38,624 $125,805,395 95% $6,912,462 5%
March 31, 1998 50,215 $122,884,382 94% $7,826,449 6%
*Six Months Ended September 30, 2002
-12-
At September 30, 2002, we had 347,590 cumulative subscribers. The
cumulative subscribers represent customers who have purchased MOJICO units.
These customers can view the Pan Pacific Online database, but do not necessarily
have access to our interactive feature. Of the 347,590 cumulative subscribers,
approximately 100,000 have paid for access to our full interactive Pan Pacific
Online database. In addition, they are eligible to purchase "Kamome" brand
products and receive periodic mailings, which feature new "Kamome" products, and
social and community service activities endorsed or sponsored by us.
While all purchasers of our MOJICO products initially pay for
subscriptions to our interactive database, they must renew their subscription
status annually for approximately $85. We have not changed the annual dues for
the last five (5) years and do not intend to make changes in the foreseeable
future. New and renewed subscriptions are as follows:
Six Months Ended Years Ended
September 30, March 31,
------------- ---------
2002 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
47,130 94,319 82,885 64,642 45,146 26,756
G. PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS HELD
The Japan Patent Office issued a patent for MOJICO on December 24,
1998. The date of expiration for this patent is March 2, 2014. A similar patent
was obtained in Taiwan on August 11, 1997. This patent will expire on April 1,
2016. A patent application for MOJICO was made in South Korea on March 30, 1996,
which was subsequently granted. This Korean patent is valid until March 29,
2016.
All three of the above-described patent applications were made by
AJOL's then parent corporation, Forval. Pursuant to an agreement with Forval
dated March 28, 2000, we acquired Forval's patent rights to the MOJICO in Japan,
Taiwan, and South Korea.
We currently own the rights to the following registered trademarks in
Japan: "Acube", "Pan Pacific Online", and "Kamome". Additionally, we own the
registered trademark rights to "Pan Pacific Online" in the United States.
-13-
H. COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS
To our knowledge there are no other companies that offer an identical
combination of products and services to Japanese consumers. However, the market
for companies that operate similar businesses i.e., providing interactive
telecommunications products and/or services is highly and intensely competitive.
We are and will continue to be in competition with companies with substantially
longer operating histories, greater financial, technical, product development
and marketing resources, greater name recognition, and larger customer bases
than that of AJOL.
Our competitors include sellers of products that offer interactive
telecommunications including, but not limited to, telephones, facsimile
machines, and personal computers. Each of these means of telecommunication may
have functions that are not available on, or are available at a lower cost than,
the SF60. Similarly, the SF60 may have functionality not available from other
means of interactive telecommunications and at a lower cost than high-end
personal computers.
A device with functions most similar to the company's SF60, is NTT
L-mode fax machine. The L-mode fax machine features fax and e-mail capabilities
as well as a liquid crystal display screen from which sixteen genres of
information covering weather, shopping, restaurant, entertainment, travel and
others may be accessed. The primary difference of the L-mode with our SF60 is
the content of the database and their providers. The L-mode content is provided
by for profit entities unrelated to NTT-West and NTT-East. NTT-West and NTT-East
are companies resulting from the break-up of NTT. These entities pay fees to
NTT-West and NTT-East for the privilege of providing content through the L-mode.
NTT-West and NTT-East are restricted from providing any content and further
limited from entering the market due to geographical restrictions, as a matter
of Japanese law, on where they may conduct business. The content accessed
through the SF60 is furnished by AJOL and our subscribers, who are not charged
any fees for inclusion of content submitted in the database. Additionally, we do
not have any geographical restrictions, imposed by Japanese law, as to where we
may conduct business. We believe the L-mode caters to a different market from
our SF60 for the following reasons:
SF60 L-MODE
---- ------
INTERACTIVE Yes No
DATABASE SPONSOR PPOL NTT-East or NTT-West
CONTENT PROVIDER Subscribers and Commercial entities only;
Database sponsor database sponsor cannot provide
content
CONTENT NATURE Non-commercial and Solely commercial
commercial
GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE Nationwide Limited to western Japan for
NTT-West and eastern Japan for
NTT-East
FEES FOR INCLUSION OF CONTENT No fees Fees charged
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR SUBSCRIBERS Many throughout
the year None
COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES FOR Many throughout
SUBSCRIBERS the year None
-14-
Other companies not currently operating in AJOL's industry may attempt
to launch a business that is similar to or identical to AJOL's in the future.
New or existing competitors may develop products and/or services comparable to
or superior to those offered by AJOL. Competitors may devote substantially
greater resources to the development and promotion of their products. They may
also adapt more quickly to industry trends, new technologies, and customer
preferences. As a result, there can be no assurances that AJOL will be able to
compete effectively in the industry in which it operates. However, at this time,
we have no knowledge of any other entities that may attempt to launch a business
that is similar to or identical to AJOL's. Further, we believe that the (1)
initial capital investment required, (2) time required to cultivate a subscriber
base we possess, (3) know-how required to develop a database, such as ours, that
is constantly updated, and (4) creation of a workforce are significant barriers
to others who may desire to enter the market.
Our subscribers obtain access to our network and database through the
Internet or telephone service. Subscribers are given the option to connect
through the Internet to avoid long distance telephone charges. The primary
reason a customer would use our MOJICO product is to attain access to our
proprietary database and access to association with fellow subscribers through
the many social and community service events planned around the MOJICO. There
are many functionalities available through the MOJICO that are available through
Internet, computer, pen-based computer, telephone, or mail. MOJICO is not
intended to be a substitute that will take the place of such competing products
completely.
I. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
We conduct research and development activities primarily aimed at
improving the speed and stability of our central information processing systems.
We contract out our research and development ("R&D") activities to external
research laboratories. Our research and development expenditures for each of the
last three fiscal years are as follows:
R&D Expenditures(2)
------------------
YEAR
2002 $1,543,861
2001 $1,239,258
2000 $2,369,530
We expect to introduce the next generation of the MOJICO hardware in
mid 2004. Total R&D costs to develop the next generation hardware are expected
to total approximately $2,403,076(3).
J. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Japanese law requires that we dispose of returned or damaged MOJICO
units in an environmentally safe manner. We contract with a licensed company to
provide this service on our behalf. The cost of the service is not material to
us.
- ---------------
(2) R&D expenditures are incurred in Japanese Yen. For convenience only, the
figures in this table have been converted into US dollars by applying the
fiscal year's average exchange rate on the last day of each respective
fiscal year. These exchange rates are the following: for 2002, 1 $US =
124.84(Y)JPN: for 2001, 1 $US = 110.45(Y)JPN: and for 2000 1 $US =
110.91(Y)JPN.
(3) R&D costs are expected to be incurred in Japanese Yen. For convenience
only, this figure has been converted into US dollars by applying the
prevailing exchange rate on the last day of AJOL's most recent fiscal year
of 1 $US = 124.84(Y)JPN.
-15-
K. EMPLOYEE AND LABOR MATTERS
We currently employ 76 persons on a full-time basis. We also employ 72
part-time employees and 58 others who are contracted through temporary
employment agencies. We utilize part-time employees and those contracted through
temporary employment agencies to provide specialized skills and clerical tasks
on an "as needed" basis. Utilization of such personnel gives us the flexibility
of expanding and contracting our staffing levels quickly as considered necessary
by the level of our operations. None of our employees is represented by labor
unions. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements or labor
union contracts. We have not been the subject of any material strikes or
employment disruptions in our history.
PPOL has hired an administrative assistant, on a full time basis, to
work in our United States office in Orange, California. None of PPOL's employees
is expected to be represented by labor unions. PPOL is not a party to any
collective bargaining agreements or labor union contracts. PPOL has not been the
subject of any material strikes or employment disruptions in its history.
Additionally, PPOL has entered into a management consulting contract with ECO2,
LLC, an Orange County, California based company. Under the terms of the
agreement, ECO2, LLC will provide guidance to AJOL and PPOL regarding: (a)
corporate communications and investor relations in the U.S. and Japan; (b)
preparation and maintenance of an English website; (c) planning and preparation
of annual reports and shareholders' meetings; (d) assisting PPOL's legal counsel
and accountants with SEC and related filings; (e) recruitment of outside
directors; (f) site selection and operation of PPOL's headquarters in the U.S.;
(g) assistance in translation of documents, and (h) such other business matters
on which PPOL or AJOL may request guidance. The initial term of the agreement is
for twelve (12) months commencing September 25, 2002 at $30,000 per month and is
automatically renewable for successive terms of one (1) year, unless either
party provides at least ninety (90) days written notice to the other party prior
to the termination of the initial or any renewal term.
L. HEAD OFFICE
AJOL's corporate office is located at the Aoyama Oval Building 3F,
Jingu-mae 5-52-2, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan 150-0001 (telephone 03-5467-3015).
PPOL's corporate office is located at One City Boulevard West, Suite 870,
Orange, California 92868.
M. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
(1) PPOL
PPOL has not derived any revenue either domestically or internationally
from the operation of any business during the last three fiscal years and does
not currently intend to actively operate any business, either within the United
States or internationally, other than holding 100% of the common stock of AJOL,
except that, PPOL has entered into two (2) separate service agreements with its
two (2) majority shareholders, namely, Forval Corporation and Leo Global Fund,
to provide them research on investment opportunities and market trends in the
United States. During the quarter ended December 31, 2002, PPOL received
consideration of $493,858 in connection with the foregoing services.
(2) PPOL's Subsidiary (AJOL)
For each of the last three fiscal years, all of AJOL's operations have
been conducted in Japan, and AJOL currently has no operations in countries other
than Japan.
N. RISK FACTORS FOR INVESTORS
Investors contemplating an investment in PPOL's common stock should
carefully consider the following risk factors and investment considerations,
some of which are applicable to AJOL's Japanese operations:
-16-
LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY
We have a limited operating history in Japan upon which we can be
evaluated. Any investment in us must be considered in light of the risks,
expenses and difficulties encountered by companies in the early stage of
development in new and rapidly evolving markets, including the risks described
herein. The can be no assurances that we will be successful in addressing these
risks.
LACK OF MARKET FOR PPOL'S SECURITIES
There is no public trading market for PPOL's securities. PPOL intends
to apply for inclusion of its common shares on the Over the Counter Electronic
Bulletin Board ("OTCBB"). Generally, companies are eligible for quotation on the
OTCBB sixty (60) days after the company files its Form 10 Registration Statement
with the SEC and the SEC notifies the company that it has no further comments
relating to the Form 10. PPOL will apply for OTCBB listing once it receives
notice from the SEC staff that it has no further comments on this Form 10
Registration Statement. However, there can be no assurances that an active
trading market will develop, even if the securities are accepted for quotation.
Quotations on the OTCBB reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up,
mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions. There are
also no outstanding securities convertible into PPOL common stock, nor are there
any outstanding options or warrants to purchase PPOL's common stock.
UNPROVEN BUSINESS MODEL
We cannot predict whether or not we will be successful because our
business model is unproven and its market is developing. It is too early to
reliably ascertain market penetration for our products and services. If future
demand for AJOL's products and services, including, but not limited to demand
for the MOJICO hardware and Kamome brand products is lower than anticipated, or
the costs of attracting subscribers is higher than anticipated, then our
financial condition and results from operations will be materially and adversely
affected.
FLUCTUATIONS IN OPERATING RESULTS
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a
result of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. These
factors include the demand for the telecommunications products and services
offered by us, introduction of new products or services by us or our
competitors, delays in the introduction or enhancement of products and services
by us or our competitors, changes in our pricing policies or those of our
competitors, our ability to anticipate and effectively adapt to developing
markets and rapidly changing technologies, changes in the mix or Japanese vs.
non-Japanese revenue, changes in foreign currency exchange rates, the mix of
products and services sold by us and the channels through which those products
and services are sold, general economic conditions, and specific economic
conditions in Internet and related industries. Additionally, in response to
evolving competitive conditions, we may elect from time to time to make certain
pricing, service, marketing or acquisition decisions that could have a material
adverse affect on its financial performance.
FOREIGN CURRENCY (YEN) FLUCTUATIONS
Substantially all of our revenue and expenses are received and incurred
in Japanese Yen. Variation in foreign exchange rates may substantially affect
our revenue, expenses, and net income in U.S. dollar terms. In preparing our
financial statements, we translate revenue and expenses from Yen into U.S.
dollars using weighted average exchange rates. If the U.S. dollar strengthens
relative to the Yen, our reported revenue, gross profits and net income will
likely be reduced. For example, in 2001, the Japanese Yen significantly
weakened, which reduced our operating results on a U.S. dollar reported basis.
The Company's 2002 operating results could be similarly harmed if the Japanese
yen weakens from current levels. Given the unpredictability of exchange rate
fluctuations, we cannot estimate the effect these fluctuations may have upon
future reported results, product pricing or our overall financial condition.
-17-
POOR JAPANESE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS
Economic conditions in Japan have been poor in recent years and may
worsen or not improve. Continued or worsening economic and political conditions
in Japan could further reduce our revenue and net income.
RELIANCE ON HANDWRITTEN MOJI CHARACTERS AS PREFERRED METHOD OF WRITTEN
COMMUNICATIONS
We rely on the desire of subscribers and potential subscribers to use
handwritten Moji (characters) as their preferred method of written communication
as an underlying material assumption for the continuing success of its business.
A subscriber's or potential subscriber's desire to use handwritten Moji
(characters) is a matter of personal preference, which is unpredictable. Any
negative changes in perception by subscribers and potential subscribers as to
their desire to use handwritten Moji characters as their preferred method of
written communication, for any reason, including the emergence of new,
different, or alternative forms of written communications, could have a
materially adverse affect on us and our business.
DEPENDENCE ON NEW SUBSCRIBERS
Our operating results generally depend on revenues received from sales
of the MOJICO product. In previous years, MOJICO sales have accounted for up to
78% of our annual revenue. MOJICO sales are primarily made to our new customers.
As a result, future revenues are primarily dependent on our ability to generate
new customers for our MOJICO hardware and Pan Pacific Online services. There can
be no assurances that we will be able to continue to generate new subscribers at
the rate that we have been able to in the past, nor that we will be able to
generate sufficient new subscribers to remain profitable. We do not have any
substantial historical basis for predicting the rate of increase in our
subscriber base.
DEPENDENCE ON SUBSCRIBERS FOR CONTENT OF NETWORK
The information transmitted to our subscribers via our information
network Pan Pacific Online is primarily generated by other of our subscribers.
There can be no assurances that our subscribers will continue to generate
information that other subscribers will find sufficiently entertaining, useful,
or desirable so as to allow us to profitably market the products and services
that provide access to our network.
LIABILITY FOR CONTENT OF NETWORK
As a provider of messaging and communications services, we may incur
liability for defamation, negligence, copyright, patent or trademark
infringement and other claims based on the nature and content of the materials
transmitted via our information network. To minimize our liability, we use a
centralized hub to manually process and screen hard copies for adult themes,
slander, patent/copyright infringement and objectionable material. However,
there can be no assurances that we will be able to effectively screen all of the
content generated by our subscribers. We may be exposed to liability with
respect to this content. Our insurance may not cover claims of these types or
may not be adequate to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed. Our
liability coverage limit is 100,000,000 Japanese yen, approximately $830,000 at
current exchange rates, per occurrence.
-18-
There is a risk that a single claim or multiple claims, if successfully
asserted against us, could exceed the total of our coverage limits. There is
also a risk that a single claim or multiple claims asserted against us may not
qualify for coverage under our insurance policies as a result of coverage
exclusions that are contained within these policies. Any imposition of
liability, particularly liability that is not covered by insurance or is in
excess of insurance coverage, could have a material adverse affect on our
reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
RELIANCE ON EXISTING DISTRIBUTORS AND NEED TO RECRUIT ADDITIONAL DISTRIBUTORS
We depend on subscriber distributors to generate substantially all of
our revenues. To increase our revenue, we must increase the number of and/or the
productivity of our distributors. Our distributors may terminate their status as
a distributor at any time. The number of distributors may not increase and could
decline in the future. We cannot accurately predict how the number and
productivity of distributors may fluctuate because we rely upon our existing
distributors to recruit, train and motivate new distributors. Our operating
results could be harmed if our existing and new business opportunities and
products do not generate sufficient interest to retain existing distributors and
attract new distributors.
The loss of a group of high-level distributors, or a group of leading
distributors in the distributor's network of lower level distributors, whether
by their own choice or through disciplinary actions for violations of our
policies and procedures could negatively impact the growth of distributors and
our revenue. There is no leading distributor whose departure, alone, will have a
material impact on the financial position or results of operations.
In addition, our operations in Japan face significant competition from
existing and new competitors. Our operations would also be harmed if our planned
growth initiatives fail to generate continued interest and enthusiasm among our
distributors in this market and fail to attract new distributors.
DEPENDENCE ON MR. AOTA
We are highly dependent upon our President Yoshihiro Aota to recruit
and retain subscribers. Mr. Aota represents the personification of AJOL. Mr.
Aota's talents, efforts, personality and leadership have been, and continue to
be, critical to us and our success. The diminution or loss of the services of
Mr. Aota, and any negative market or industry perception arising from that
diminution or loss, would have a material adverse affect on our business. We are
investigating, but have not obtained "Key Executive Insurance" with respect to
Mr. Aota.
One of our business strategies is to reduce our dependence on Mr. Aota.
This will be done through additional external training courses of employees and
flattening of the organization to three levels, senior management, leaders,
general, so more employees get on the job training from senior management. We
have also involved more staff on strategic planning and product development task
teams. Externally, our distributors have become more knowledgeable and are
making presentations to prospective subscribers. If we are unsuccessful in
accomplishing this strategy, and Mr. Aota's services become unavailable, our
business and prospects could be materially adversely affected. We do not have an
employment agreement with Mr. Aota. If we lose Mr. Aota's services, for any
reason, including as a result of Mr. Aota's voluntary resignation or retirement,
our business could be materially adversely affected.
-19-
FAILURE OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO GAIN MARKET ACCEPTANCE
A critical component of our business is our ability to develop new
products and services that create enthusiasm among our distributor force. If any
new product or service fails to gain market acceptance, for any reason including
quality problems, this could harm our results of operations.
LOSING SOURCES OF KAMOME PRODUCTS
The loss of any of our sources of Kamome products, or the failure of
sources to meet our needs, could restrict our ability to distribute Kamome
products and harm our revenue as a result. Further, our inability to obtain new
sources of Kamome products at prices and on terms acceptable to us could harm
our results of operations.
COMMENCING FOREIGN OPERATIONS
We are exploring the possibility of commencing business activities in
South Korea, China, and Taiwan. In past years, these nations have experienced
significant economic and/or political instability. If we commence business
activities in these nations, future instability will have a material adverse
affect on our ability to do business in these nations and may jeopardize our
investment in establishing business operations in those countries.
COMPETITION WITH TECHNICALLY SUPERIOR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Our products and services utilize the facsimile-like MOJICO hardware
and rely on human personnel to screen and process information for our database.
Our products and services are much less technically sophisticated than those
offered by other companies offering interactive telecommunications products and
services. This may put us at a substantial competitive disadvantage with present
and/or future competitors.
INTERNET USAGE RATES AND LONG DISTANCE TELEPHONE RATES
Our subscribers obtain access to AJOL's network via either the Internet
or telephone service. The costs that subscribers incur in obtaining access to
our network via these channels are beyond the control of AJOL. Any increase in
long distance telephone rates or rates for accessing the Internet could
materially and adversely affect demand for our products and services.
-20-
RELIANCE ON INTERNET AS TRANSMISSION MEDIUM
Our future success will depend upon our ability to route our customers'
traffic through the Internet and through other data transmission media. Our
success is largely dependent upon the viability of the Internet as a medium for
the transmission of subscriber related data. There can be no assurance that the
Internet will prove to be a viable communications media, that document
transmission will be reliable, or that capacity constraints which inhibit
efficient document transmission will not develop. The Internet may not prove to
be a viable avenue to transmit communications for a number of reasons, including
lack of acceptable security technologies, lack of access and ease of use,
traffic congestion, inconsistent quality or speed of service, potentially
inadequate development of the necessary infrastructure, excessive governmental
regulation, uncertainty regarding intellectual property ownership or lack of
timely development and commercialization of performance improvements.
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE MESSAGING AND COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY
The messaging and communications industry is characterized by rapid
technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences,
and the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render our
existing services, proprietary technology and systems obsolete.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to develop new services,
functionality and technology that address the needs of existing and prospective
subscribers. If we do not properly identify the feature preferences of
subscribers and prospective subscribers, or if we fail to deliver features that
meet their standards, our ability to market our products and services
successfully and to increase revenues could be impaired. The development of
proprietary technology and necessary service enhancements entail significant
technical and business risks and require substantial expenditures and lead-time.
We may not be able to keep pace with the latest technological developments. We
may also be unable to use new technologies effectively or adapt services to
customer requirements or emerging industry standards.
We must accurately forecast the features and functionality required by
subscribers and prospective subscribers. In addition, we must design and
implement service enhancements that meet subscriber requirements in a timely and
efficient manner. We may not successfully determine subscriber and prospective
subscriber requirements and may be unable to satisfy their demands. Furthermore,
we may not be able to design and implement a service incorporating desired
features in a timely and efficient manner. In addition, if subscribers do not
favorably receive any new service offered by us, our reputation could be
damaged. If we fail to accurately determine desired feature requirements or
service enhancements or to market services containing such features or
enhancements in a timely and efficient manner, our business and operating
results could suffer materially.
POSSIBLE INADEQUATE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTIONS
Our success depends to a significant degree upon our proprietary
technology. We rely on a combination of patent, trademark, trade secret and
copyright law and contractual restrictions to protect our proprietary
technology. However, these measures provide only limited protection, and the
Company may not be able to detect unauthorized use or take appropriate steps to
enforce our intellectual property rights. In addition, we may face challenges to
the validity and enforceability of our proprietary rights and may not prevail in
any litigation regarding those rights. Any litigation to enforce our
intellectual property rights would be expensive and time-consuming, would divert
management resources and may not be adequate to protect our business.
-21-
POSSIBLE INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS
We could be subject to claims that we have infringed the intellectual
property rights of others. In addition, we may be required to indemnify our
distributors and users for similar claims made against them. Any claims against
us could require us to spend significant time and money in litigation, pay
damages, develop new intellectual property or acquire licenses to intellectual
property that is the subject of the infringement claims. These licenses, if
required, may not be available at all or on acceptable terms. As a result,
intellectual property claims against us could have a material adverse effect on
our business, prospects, financial conditions and results of operations.
POSSIBLE SYSTEM FAILURE OR BREACH OF NETWORK SECURITY
Our operations are dependent on our ability to protect our network from
interruption by damage from fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications
failure, unauthorized entry, computer viruses or other events beyond our
control. As precautions, we utilize distributed processing systems, back-up
systems, Internet firewalls, 24/7 installation environment surveillance, and
private power generators as backup. There can be no assurance that our existing
and planned precautions of backup systems, regular data backups and other
procedures will be adequate to prevent significant damage, system failure or
data loss.
Despite the implementation of security measures, our infrastructure may
also be vulnerable to computer viruses, hackers or similar disruptive problems.
Persistent problems continue to affect public and private data networks,
including computer break-ins and the misappropriation of confidential
information. Computer break-ins and other disruptions may jeopardize the
security of information stored in and transmitted through the computer systems
of the individuals and businesses utilizing our services, which may result in
significant liability to us and also may deter current and potential subscribers
from using our services. Any damage, failure or security breach that causes
interruptions or data loss in our operations or in the computer systems of our
customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects,
financial condition and results of operations.
RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTY ACCESS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS
We rely on third parties to provide our subscribers with access to the
Internet. There can be no assurance that a third party's current pricing
structure for access to and use of the Internet will not change unfavorably and,
if the pricing structure changes unfavorably, our business, prospects, financial
condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
-22-
EFFECT OF GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
We provide access to our database and services through data
transmissions over public telephone lines and other facilities provided by
telecommunications companies. These transmissions are subject to regulatory
government agencies. These regulations affect the prices that subscribers must
pay for transmission services, the competition we face from telecommunications
services and other aspects of our market. There can be no assurance that a
existing or future laws, governmental action or rulings will not materially and
adversely affect our operations.
Additionally, we operate through a network marketing strategy which is
subject to government regulation concerning consumer protection. Changes in
these regulations could affect compliance with these regulations and
jurisdictions where we carry on our business.
DEPENDENCE ON VENDOR
The Mojico machine is produced by Funai Electric Co ("Funai") which is
a former shareholder of AJOL. Should Funai become incapable or unwilling to
produce the Mojico for any reason, we could face a temporary decline in Mojico
sales until another electronics manufacturer is sourced and ready to produce the
machines. AJOL owns the patent rights to the Mojico and the technical production
requirements of the Mojico can be met by other electronics manufacturers.
CONTROL BY OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
Our executive officers, directors and entities affiliated with them, in
the aggregate, beneficially own common stock representing approximately 95% of
PPOL.
MINORITY SHAREHOLDER STATUS
Forval Corporation and Leo Global Fund, former direct shareholders of
AJOL, hold 59.17% and 35.83% respectively of PPOL's common stock. Acting alone,
Forval Corporation, as a majority shareholder, has significant influence on
PPOL's policies. Forval Corporation and Leo Global Fund, collectively, control
95% of PPOL's outstanding shares, representing 95% of PPOL's voting power. As a
result, Forval Corporation and Leo Global Fund, acting together, will have the
ability to control the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval,
including the election and removal of PPOL's entire Board of Directors, any
merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of PPOL's assets, and
the ability to control PPOL's and our management and affairs.
NO LOCK-UP AGREEMENT BETWEEN FORVAL CORPORATION AND LEO GLOBAL FUND
To date, PPOL has not entered into a separate lock-up arrangement with
Forval Corporation and Leo Global Fund pursuant to which these shareholders
would agree to be subject to volume and sale restrictions that will limit their
ability to sell shares in addition to the restrictions set forth under Rule 144.
If a suitable lock-up agreement is not in effect, then Forval Corporation and/or
Leo Global Fund may be eligible to sell a large volume of shares, which could
cause the price of PPOL's shares to decline.
NO HISTORY AS REPORTING COMPANY
Prior to the effective date of the PPOL's filing of Form 10, PPOL has
never been a public company, subject to the reporting requirements of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and PPOL expects that the
obligations of being a public company, including substantial public reporting
and investor relations obligations, will require significant additional
expenditures, place additional demands on PPOL's and our management and may
require the hiring of additional personnel. PPOL and we may need to implement
additional systems in order to adequately function as a reporting public
company. Such expenditures could adversely affect our financial condition and
results of operations.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest rate risk concerns changes in interest rates which could
adversely affect earnings and cash flows. We have an available line of credit
with a bank which was unutilized at March 31, 2002 and 2001. If utilized,
interest would accrue at Japan's market rate. Should we need to utilize the line
of credit over extended periods of time, we may be subject to interest rate
risks. Specifically, if the line of credit is materially utilized over
substantial periods of time and interest rates rise, our related interest
expense would rise in a corresponding fashion.
-23-
Variation in foreign exchange rates may substantially affect our
revenue, expenses, and net income in U.S. dollar terms. Substantially all of our
operations resulting in revenue and expenses are received and incurred in
Japanese Yen. In preparing our financial statements, we translated revenue and
expenses from Yen into U.S. dollars using weighted average exchange rates. If
the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to the Yen, our reported revenue, gross
profits and net income will likely be reduced. Given the unpredictability of
exchange rate fluctuations, we cannot estimate the affect these fluctuations may
have upon future reported results, product pricing or our overall financial
condition.
O. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Registration Statement on Form 10 ("Registration Statement")
includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). These statements are based
on management's beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently available
to management. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the
information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations set
forth in Item 2 - "FINANCIAL INFORMATION - Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and elsewhere in this
Registration Statement. Forward-looking statements also include statements
throughout this Registration Statement in which words such as "expect",
"anticipate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "estimate", "consider" or similar
expressions are used.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance.
They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including, but not limited
to, the risks discussed under the heading "BUSINESS - Risk Factors For
Investors" and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. Our future results and
stockholder values may differ materially from those expressed in these
forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these
results and values are beyond our ability to control or predict. Investors are
cautioned not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. In
addition, we do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking
statements after the effectiveness of this Registration Statement, even if new
information, future events or other circumstances have made them incorrect or
misleading. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for
forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Exchange Act.
-24-
ITEM 2: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
TABLE OF FINANCIAL DATA:(4)
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
Net revenues $130,710,831
Net income 6,853,966
Net income per common share 0.40
Total assets 189,413,448
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share ---
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1999
Net revenues $132,717,857
Net income 2,487,511
Net income per common share 0.15
Total assets 176,910,239
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share ---
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2000
Net revenues $143,521,102
Net income 3,717,883
Net income per common share 0.21
Total assets 196,893,068
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share ---
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
Net revenues $142,250,273
Net income (1,564,934)
Net income per common share (0.09)
Total assets 166,272,265
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share 0.06
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2002
Net revenues $129,912,852
Net income 2,997,017
Net income per common share 0.18
Total assets 154,783,604
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share 0.05
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001
Net revenues $65,827,958
Net income 3,336,788
Net income per common share 0.20
Total assets 163,411,757
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share 0.06
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
Net revenues $67,460,621
Net income 3,479,128
Net income per common share 0.20
Total assets 168,536,850
Long-term obligations ---
Cash dividends declared per common share 0.05
- ----------------
(4) Sales are recorded by AJOL in Japanese yen. The figures in this table have
been converted into US dollars by applying the total year's average
exchange rate of each respective fiscal year. These exchange rates are the
following: for 2002, 1 $US = 124.84 (Y)JPN: for 2001, 1 $US = 110.45(Y)JPN:
and for 2000, 1 $US = 110.91(Y)JPN.
-25-
A. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read in connection with
our Financial Statements and the notes thereto and other financial information
included elsewhere in this Registration Statement.
OVERVIEW
PPOL was incorporated in California on May 19, 1993. PPOL, originally
named Diversified Strategies, Inc., was formed pursuant to an Order Confirming
Debtors Joint Plan of Reorganization of the United States Bankruptcy Court for
the Central District of California dated November 20, 1992 in the combined cases
of IN RE SELECTTV OF CALIFORNIA, INC. and IN RE TELSTAR SATELLITE CORPORATION OF
AMERICA. Pursuant to the Joint Plan of Reorganization, creditors and
shareholders of the two bankrupt companies, and certain other parties,
surrendered their claims and interests against the bankrupt companies and, in
exchange, received stock in PPOL.
PPOL did not engage in any significant business activities prior to its
acquisition of AJOL. Such acquisition was effective April 1, 2002. In connection
therewith, the name of the company was changed to PPOL. Between its date of
incorporation and its acquisition of AJOL, PPOL was a corporation seeking to
merge with or acquire a viable operating company. Consequently, as of September
30, 1999, September 30, 2000 and September 30, 2001 and the years then ended,
PPOL had no material assets or liabilities, no revenue, and incurred only
immaterial administrative and franchise tax expenses.
Effective April 1, 2002, PPOL acquired one hundred percent of the
issued and outstanding stock of AJOL from AJOL's pre-transaction shareholders.
In exchange for the AJOL shares, PPOL issued common stock such that immediately
after the transaction, the pre-transaction shareholders of AJOL owned
ninety-five percent (95%) of the issued and outstanding shares of PPOL. The
holdings of the pre-transaction shareholders of PPOL were diluted by the
issuance of the new shares such that immediately after the transaction, the
pre-transaction shareholders of PPOL owned five percent (5%) of the total issued
and outstanding shares of PPOL. Virtually all of PPOL's consolidated activities
are conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AJOL.
AJOL was incorporated in Japan in 1991. Through the operations of AJOL,
the Company is primarily engaged in sales in Japan of multi-functional
telecommunications equipment called MOJICO and the sale of an on-line network
service called Pan Pacific Online, through which subscribers communicate using
the MOJICO equipment. AJOL has no sales in the United States. AJOL does not
engage in any manufacturing activities, and all of the MOJICO equipment is
manufactured exclusively for AJOL by vendors located primarily in Japan. Should
these vendors become unable or unwilling to produce the MOJICO, our business
could experience a substantial interruption until new vendors can be ready to
replace them. The MOJICO equipment is currently in its fourth generation of
technology and combines certain attributes of a telephone and fax machine with a
liquid crystal display screen. The MOJICO equipment is paper based in that it
allows users to transmit hand written communication to other subscribers. AJOL
believes that the transmission of hand-written communication is important and
accepted in Japan because of the use of KANJI symbols and characters whose
meanings vary by the manner in which the characters are physically written.
AJOL's sources of revenue consist of sales of the MOJICO equipment,
subscriber fees for use of the Pan Pacific Online service, and the sale of goods
and services to Pan Pacific Online subscribers. An important goal of AJOL is to
increase the number of subscribers using the Pan Pacific Online Service by
offering its paper based communication system to subscribers in countries other
than Japan which utilize KANJI characters extensively and by integrating the
MOJICO system with technologically competitive internet and cellular telephone
technologies.
AJOL is involved in providing information and mail order services for
its members by a telecommunications infrastructure, as a base through its
proprietary network terminal (SF-60). The telecommunication industry is
undergoing continued deregulation which has enabled new enterprises to form,
existing enterprises to merge and new technologies to be developed. We cannot
predict what new companies and technologies will emerge from this evolving
environment which may pose new competition to our business.
-26-
From a macro viewpoint, AJOL is involved in the Network Service
Provider (NSP) industry. Within this industry categorization, the Internet has
taken the lead. As a trend of the industry, the revenues derived has not
exceeded the excessive plant-and-equipment investment required for the telecom
infrastructure, high connection fees and subscriber acquisition costs. However,
AJOL offers its proprietary network service through its "handwritten database"
using the Internet (OCN tie-up). Information dispatch can be performed in
"handwriting" from the terminal of SF60 in which complicated operations are not
required by the subscriber seeking access to the proprietary database. As such,
our business would suffer if our customers' preference for handwritten
communications declined. In addition, AJOL is not merely a network service
provider enterprise. At the core of our corporate value is face to face
interchange amongst our subscribers. AJOL holds approximately 500 meetings
throughout Japan on an annual basis where its subscribers meet other
subscribers. Within the background of AJOL's continued profitability in the
turbulent NSP industry is its close interpersonal contact with its subscribers.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
INACTIVE PERIODS. PPOL was inactive as of September 30,1999, September
30, 2000 and September 30, 2001 and for the years then ended, with the exception
of incurring immaterial administrative costs in each of those periods. The six
month period ended March 31, 2002 was also inactive except for the certain
professional fees and similar costs incurred in connection with the acquisition
of AJOL which was effective April 1, 2002.
ACQUISITION OF AJOL. Effective April 1, 2002, PPOL acquired one hundred
percent of the outstanding stock of AJOL. The transaction was accounted for as a
purchase and constitutes an "Acquired Business" within the meaning of Rule 3-05.
AJOL has historically reported its operations on the basis of a fiscal year
ending March 31, and PPOL has adopted March 31 as its fiscal year for
consolidated financial reporting beginning effective March 31, 2002. AJOL
maintains its records and prepares its financial statements in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in Japan. Certain adjustments and
reclassifications have been incorporated in the financial information presented
to conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States,
(i.e. "GAAP"). AJOL reports its operations as a single business segment.
PRODUCT SALES, NETWORK SERVICES. Product sales, sales of Pan Pacific
Online subscriptions and the grant of distributor licenses are considered a
bundled transaction for revenue recognition purposes. Revenue recognition from
the sale of products and online subscriptions is deferred and recognized over
the expected service period of the contracts. Costs are similarly deferred and
matched against the revenue as it is recognized. Revenue from other online
products and goods sold by Pan Pacific Online is recognized at the time the
goods and products are delivered to the customer. All reported revenue is earned
by AJOL's activities in Japan. The retail price of a MOJICO unit was
approximately $2,865 as of March 31, 2002. The average price for an annual
subscription to Pan Pacific Online, exclusive of the cost of the MOJICO
equipment was $75 for the year ended March 31, 2002. AJOL anticipates that the
average cost of the MOJICO equipment and Pan Pacific Online subscriptions will
remain to be $2,865 and $75, respectively, for the foreseeable future. During
the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2001, and 2000, MOJICO unit sales were
35,210, 35,720, and 38,715.
OTHER ON-LINE PRODUCTS. AJOL's has created a proprietary brand "Kamome"
for use in the sale of products associated with AJOL. Kamome products may only
be purchased by subscribers to the Pan Pacific Online network. The Kamome brand
is granted to companies that sell products to AJOL through a distribution
agreement with AJOL, and which pass AJOL's quality control criteria. The Kamome
brand is added to the selling company's existing brand, and products are sold
with dual branding. Additionally, AJOL is using the Kamome brand as a private
brand on a limited basis. Kamome products appear in catalogs which are
distributed quarterly to subscribers and updated via the AJOL database system.
Revenues in this area would be negatively affected if we are unable to attain
new vendors and maintain existing vendors in our Kamome program.
-27-
COST OF SALES. Cost of sales are substantially comprised of the
acquisition cost of products sold, and writeoffs of products considered to be
slow moving or obsolete.
DISTRIBUTOR INCENTIVES. Distributor incentives are primarily comprised
of commissions paid to its distributors. AJOL pays commissions at the rate of
76% of "commissionable sales" on the sale of all tangible products, but none on
services on which AJOL receives commissions from the service providers.
Commissionable sales do not reflect the purchase price paid by its purchaser.
Rather, the commissionable sales amount is determined solely by AJOL for each
product to yield AJOL an aggregate margin targeted at 23% of the purchase price
paid by the purchaser, in the aggregate, after deducting commissions paid and
cost of goods sold.
Distributors earn commission income on the sale of all tangible AJOL
products, but none on services. Distributors are not required to maintain
inventories, and therefore are not at financial risk if they do not complete
sales. Distributors accept orders for MOJICO hardware as well as Kamome products
and submit the orders to AJOL for processing. AJOL fills the orders and
allocates the commission among the applicable levels of the distributor network.
Currently, fifty percent (50%) of the sales price of each MOJICO unit is paid to
subscriber distributors based on a commission schedule, which spreads the payout
among the various levels of the distributor network. For MOJICO unit sales, this
equates to 76% of "commissionable sales" described in the previous paragraph. In
addition, distributor incentives include assistance payments made to
distributors who establish retail outlets referred to as "Cabins." Subscribers
that are also distributors who sell AJOL products on a full time basis
independently operate these "Cabins". AJOL does not grant any exclusive
distribution rights based on geographic boundaries.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Selling, general and
administrative expenses are comprised of payroll and related costs, marketing,
public relations, meetings held for subscribers and prospective subscribers,
depreciation and amortization, lease fees, telecommunications, and other
operating expenses incurred in the ordinary course of the Company's business.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
The table below sets forth certain statement of operations data as a
percentage of total revenue for the six (6) months ended September 30, 2001 and
2002.
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2001 2002*
---- ----
Revenue
Product Sales, Network Sales 90.1% 87.8%
Other On-Line Products 9.9% 12.2%
------ ------
Total Revenue 100.0% 100.0%
------ ------
Cost of Sales and Expenses
Cost of Sales 23.1% 22.3%
Distributor Incentives 53.0% 52.3%
Selling, General and Administrative 16.7% 19.1%
------ ------
Total Costs of Sales and Expenses 92.8% 93.7%
Operating Income 7.2% 6.3%
Other Income (Expense) -0.1% 0.0%
------ ------
Income Before Taxes 7.1% 6.3%
------ ------
Income Taxes 2.1% 1.1%
------ ------
Net Income 5.0% 5.2%
====== ======
-28-
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002* COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
2001
PRODUCT SALES AND NETWORK SERVICES. For the six months ended September 30, 2002,
revenues from product sales and network services maintained their levels with
the same period of the prior year.
OTHER ON-LINE PRODUCTS. Revenues from other on-line products increased 25.84%
for the six months ended September 30, 2002 over the comparable period of the
prior year and reflect the company's continuing shift of revenues to Kamome
products with a higher gross margin.
COST OF SALES. For the six months ended September 30, 2002, cost of sales,
expressed as a percentage of sales has declined by 0.74% vs. the same period of
the prior year. The change is immaterial and within the expected range of
fluctuation of the sales mix.
DISTRIBUTOR INCENTIVES. For the six months ended September 30, 2002, distributor
incentives, expressed as a percentage of sales, decreased by 0.68% vs. the same
period of the prior year. This change is within the expected range of
fluctuation of the distributor incentives commission matrix.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. For the six months ended September
30, 2002, expenses were higher than the comparable period in 2001 by 17.30%.
This was primarily attributable to the Company holding more promotional meetings
for current and prospective members, increased distributor expenses, expenses
associated with the reverse merger, one-time fees relating to the release of a
new integrated information system.
OPERATING INCOME. For the six months ended September 30, 2002, operating income
decreased by 11.47% over the same period of the prior year. The decrease was
primarily the result of higher selling, general and administrative expenses
noted above.
INCOME TAXES. For the six months ended September 30, 2002, income taxes
decreased by 45.37% over the same period of the prior year. The decrease was
primarily the result of a deferred tax benefit received in the six months ended
September 30, 2002.
NET INCOME. For the six months ended September 30, 2002, net income increased by
4.27% over the same period of the prior year. The increase was primarily the
result of higher other online services revenue with better margins experienced
due to the continuing shift towards Kamome products, as partially offset by
higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE GAIN. For the six months ended September 30, 2002, Other
Comprehensive Gain increased by 41.20% over the comparable period of the prior
year. The increase was due to the cumulative foreign currency translation.
* For comparative purposes, 2002 is inclusive of AJOL's results of operations
only. The operations of the parent for this time period were immaterial.
-29-
Years Ended March 31,
--------------------------------------------
2000 2001 2002
---- ---- ----
Revenue
Product Sales, Network Sales 93.4% 90.9% 89.6%
Other On-Line Products 6.6% 9.1% 10.4%
Total Revenue 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Costs of Sales and Expenses
Costs of sales 27.4% 24.4% 23.0%
Distributor Incentives 53.9% 53.0% 52.9%
Selling, General and Administrative 17.4% 19.1% 18.0%
Total Costs of Sales and Expenses 98.7% 96.5% 93.9%
Operating Income 1.3% 3.5% 6.1%
Other Income (Expense) 0.0% 0.2% 0.0%
Income Before Taxes 1.3% 3.7% 6.1%
Income Taxes (1.2)% 4.8% 3.8%
Net Income 2.5% (1.1)% 2.3%
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2001
PRODUCT SALES AND NETWORK SERVICES. For the year ended March 31, 2002, revenues
declined 9.96% from the prior year due primarily to the state of the Japanese
economy. The decline was exacerbated by the negative impact of the currency
exchange rate as MOJICO unit sales declined by only 3.38% from 35,720 to 34,510.
OTHER ON-LINE PRODUCTS. Despite the decline in MOJICO product and network
services revenues, revenues from other on-line products increased 4.15% for the
year ended March 31, 2002 over the comparable period of the prior year and
reflects the company's continuing shift of revenues from products with a higher
gross margin.
COST OF SALES. For the year ended March 31, 2002, cost of sales, expressed as a
percentage of sales decreased by 1.4% vs. the same period of the prior year. The
decline is consistent with the decline experienced in product sales.
DISTRIBUTOR INCENTIVES. For the year ended March 31, 2002, the change in
distributor incentives, expressed as percentage of total revenue, declined by
0.10%. The change is immaterial and within the expected range of fluctuation of
the sales mix.
-30-
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The decline of 14.17% in expenses
for the year ended March 31, 2002 over the comparable period of the prior year
is attributable to management staying focused to reduce expenses. Concurrently,
AJOL has used such reductions in expenses to hold more meetings for current and
prospective members. The meetings are held, in part, as an investment in the
future and thus the curtailment of meetings in times of weak economy will have a
negative impact on the future growth of the company. Thus, meetings held during
the year ended March 31, 2002 exceeded the number held in the prior year.
Management is constantly evaluating its investment in the future against its
current profitability.
OTHER INCOME EXPENSES, NET. During the year ended March 31, 2002, other income
expenses, net had a change of approximately $357,000 over the prior year from
other income, net of approximately $313,000 to other expense, net of $44,000.
The primary cause of this change was a reduction in the amount of cash receipts
from unidentifiable sources for the purchase of Kamome products. In Japan,
payments are primarily received via direct wire transfers to the remittee's bank
account and not by check or credit cards as in the United States. When the
corresponding documentation is separately received, AJOL matches it to the
appropriate remittance advice from the bank and arranges for the shipment of the
related merchandise. AJOL waits for a period of four months for the
corresponding documentation to be received. After the passage of four months,
such unidentified cash receipts are booked to other income. While AJOL would
honor subsequent receipt of the corresponding documentation, it has been
extremely rare for AJOL to receive corresponding documentation after three
months. Management attributes the decline in such cash receipts during the past
year to the simplification of the corresponding documentation required by the
remitter.
INCOME TAXES. Income tax expense, expressed as a ratio of income before income
taxes has decreased to 61.94% for the year ended March 31, 2002 as compared to
the prior year's 29.80% primarily from recognition of deferred income taxes in
the prior year.
YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2000
PRODUCT SALES AND NETWORK SERVICES. For the year ended March 31, 2001, revenues
declined 3.62% from the prior year due primarily to the state of the Japanese
economy that continued into 2002. The decline was mitigated by 1.09% from the
positive impact of the currency exchange rate as observed by MOJICO unit sales,
which declined by 7.74% from 38,715 to 35,720.
OTHER ON-LINE PRODUCTS. Despite the decline in MOJICO product and network
services revenues, revenues from other on-line products increased 38.11% for the
year ended March 31, 2001 over the comparable period of the prior year and
reflects AJOL's continuing shift of revenues from products with a higher gross
margin.
-31-
COST OF SALES. For the year ended March 31, 2001, the change in cost of sales,
expressed as a percentage of sales declined by 3.00% vs. the same period of
the prior year. Management attributes the decline to revenue mix to higher gross
profit percentage items.
DISTRIBUTOR INCENTIVES. For the year ended March 31, 2001, distributor
incentives decreased 2.42% while total sales decreased 0.89%. The difference is
attributable to revenues for which the amount of "commissionable sales" was
lower than in the prior year.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. The increase of 8.77% in expenses
for the year ended March 31, 2001 over the comparable period of the prior year
is attributable to holding more meetings for current and prospective members.
The meetings are held, in part, as an investment in the future and thus the
curtailment of meetings in times of weak economy will have a negative impact on
the future growth of AJOL. Thus, more meetings were held in the year ended March
31, 2001 compared to the prior year.
OTHER INCOME, NET. The increase in other income, net for the year ended March
31, 2001 over the comparable period of the prior year is primarily attributable
to (1) reduction in disposal of supplies due to changes in government imposed
regulations of approximately $110,000, (2) reduction in interest expense of
approximately $72,000, and (3) increase in cash receipts from unidentifiable
sources.
INCOME TAXES. The change in income taxes, expressed as a percentage of income
before income taxes has increased to 129.80% for the year ended March 31, 2001
as compared to the prior year's income tax benefit, expressed as a percentage of
income before taxes, of 88.84%. This increase is primarily due to an increase in
deferred income taxes.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents totaled $11.72 million at March 31, 2002, an
increase of $802,000 from March 31, 2001. Cash provided from operations during
2002 was $5,200,000, compared with $9,700,000 and $5,000,000, in 2001 and 2000,
respectively. Cash used in investing activities, primarily comprised of purchase
of property and equipment, was $2,853,000, $6,380,000, and $1,791,000 for the
years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000. During the six months ended September
30, 2002, AJOL had incurred approximately $280,000 in capital expenditures for
software development by third parties. At September 30, 2002, AJOL had no
obligations to make any future capital expenditures, except for approximately
$80,000 for development of software by third parties. Cash used for financing
activities of $925,000, and $951,000 during the years ended March 31, 2002, and
2001, respectively, was entirely for dividends paid to shareholders. Cash used
for financing activities of $5,861,000 for the year ended March 31, 2000, was
entirely for net decrease in short-term borrowings. AJOL currently has available
a $2.26 million revolving bank credit facility with Mizuho Bank, a Japanese
bank, that is generally used to finance temporary operating cash requirements at
0.98% above money market rates expiring on August 31, 2003. This credit line was
unused at March 31, 2002 and September 30, 2002. Management believes that cash
flow from operations and the revolving credit facility will adequately meet its
working capital needs for the foreseeable future.
PPOL uses the U.S. dollar as its reporting currency for financial
statement purposes. PPOL conducts business through its international subsidiary
that uses local currency (Japanese yen) to denominate its transactions, and is,
therefore, subject to certain risks associated with fluctuating foreign
currencies. The resulting changes in the financial statements do not indicate
any underlying changes in the financial position of the international subsidiary
but merely reflect the adjustment in the carrying value of the net assets of the
subsidiary at the current U.S. dollar exchange rate. Due to the long-term nature
of PPOL's investment in this subsidiary, the translation adjustments resulting
from these exchange rate fluctuations are excluded from the results of
operations and are recorded in a separate component of consolidated
stockholders' equity. PPOL monitors its currency exposures but does not hedge
its translation exposures primarily due to the long-term nature of its
investment.
-32-
The high growth of the 1970s and the bubble economy and its collapse of
the 1980s have exerted an immeasurable influence on Japanese business. The
prolonged depression in Japan for the past ten (10) years has manifested in
decreased business investment, reduced plant and equipment investment and
brought about an increase in unemployment. As a result, consumer purchasing
power has been decreasing sharply. Under such circumstances, corporate profits
have come under intense pressures which promote a deflationary spiral. This
deflationary spiral is characterized by investment reductions and cost
reductions typically accomplished by wage cuts and employee dismissals.
Devaluation of marketable securities and real estate induced further bad loans
and it will take numerous years for Japan to work through this situation. The
business of AJOL has been largely influenced by this sluggish Japanese economy.
Under such economic conditions, a prolonged reduction in consumer purchasing
power may have negative impacts on our revenues, liquidity and capital
resources.
PPOL has experienced positive cash flows in the six month period ended
September 30, 2002 as a result of an approximate $3,900,000 increase in advances
received. Advances received represent the balance of customer receipts prior to
shipment of the MOJICO product. Cash flows generated from a decrease in deferred
costs approximating $565,000 for the same six month period were more than offset
by an increase in deferred revenues approximating $3,881,000. Deferred costs are
comprised of costs of the MOJICO hardware and distributors commissions. Deferred
costs are directly related to deferred revenues. Deferred costs and deferred
revenue are amortized into income over the service period of three years.
NEW FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations."
SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all
business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. Goodwill and certain
intangible assets will remain on the balance sheet and not be amortized. On an
annual basis, and when there is reason to suspect that their values have been
diminished or impaired, these assets must be tested for impairment, and write
downs may be necessary. AJOL adopted SFAS No. 141 on July 1, 2001 with no
material impact to AJOL's financial position or results of operations.
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other
Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 changes the accounting for goodwill from an
amortization method to an impairment-only approach. Amortization of goodwill,
including goodwill recorded in past business combinations, will cease upon
adoption of this statement. AJOL implemented SFAS No. 142 on April 1, 2001 with
no material impact to AJOL's financial position or results of operations.
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset
Retirement Obligations," which requires companies to record the fair value of a
liability for asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are
incurred. The statement applies to a company's legal obligations associated with
the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that results from the acquisition,
construction, and development or through the normal operation of a long-lived
asset. When a liability is initially recorded, the company would capitalize the
cost, thereby increasing the carrying amount of the related asset. The
capitalized asset retirement cost is depreciated over the life of the respective
asset while the liability is accreted to its present value. Upon settlement of
the liability, the obligation is settled at its recorded amount or the company
incurs a gain or loss. The statement is effective for fiscal years beginning
after June 30, 2002. AJOL does not expect the adoption to have a material impact
to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
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In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "ACCOUNTING FOR THE
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND FOR LONG-LIVED ASSETS TO BE DISPOSED OF".
SFAS No. 144 addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or
disposal of long-lived assets. SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets be
reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate
that its carrying amount may not be recoverable and is measured by a comparison
of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted future net cash flows
expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset
exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is
recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the
fair value of the asset. SFAS No. 144 requires companies to separately report
discontinued operations and extends that reporting to a component of an entity
that either has been disposed of (by sales, abandonment or in a distribution to
owners) or is classified as held for sale. Assets to be disclosed are reported
at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. AJOL
adopted SFAS No. 144 on April 1, 2002. AJOL anticipates that adoption of SFAS
No. 144 will not have a material impact to AJOL's financial position or results
of operations.
In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 145, "Rescission of FASB
Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical
Corrections." This Statement rescinds FASB Statement No. 4, "Reporting Gains and
Losses from Extinguishment of Debt", and an amendment of that Statement, FASB
Statement No. 64, "Extinguishments of Debt Made to Satisfy Sinking-Fund
Requirements" and FASB Statement No. 44, "Accounting for Intangible Assets of
Motor Carriers". This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 13, "Accounting for
Leases", to eliminate an inconsistency between the required accounting for
sale-leaseback transactions and the required accounting for certain lease
modifications that have economic effects that are similar to sale-leaseback
transactions. AJOL does not expect the adoption to have a material impact to
AJOL's financial position or results of operations.
In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, "ACCOUNTING FOR COSTS
ASSOCIATED WITH EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES". This Statement addresses financial
accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities
and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3, "LIABILITY
RECOGNITION FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEE TERMINATION BENEFITS AND OTHER COSTS TO EXIT AN
ACTIVITY (INCLUDING CERTAIN COSTS INCURRED IN A RESTRUCTURING)". The provisions
of this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities that are
initiated after December 31, 2002, with early application encouraged. AJOL does
not expect the adoption to have a material impact to AJOL's financial position
or results of operations.
In October 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 147, "Acquisitions of
Certain Financial Institutions--an amendment of FASB Statements No. 72 and 144
and FASB Interpretation No. 9", which removes acquisitions of financial
institutions from the scope of both Statement 72 and Interpretation 9 and
requires that those transactions be accounted for in accordance with Statements
No. 141, Business Combinations, and No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets. In addition, this Statement amends SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, to include in its scope long-term
customer-relationship intangible assets of financial institutions such as
depositor- and borrower-relationship intangible assets and credit cardholder
intangible assets. The requirements relating to acquisitions of financial
institutions is effective for acquisitions for which the date of acquisition is
on or after October 1, 2002. The provisions related to accounting for the
impairment or disposal of certain long-term customer-relationship intangible
assets are effective on October 1, 2002. The adoption of this Statement did not
have a material impact to the Company's financial position or results of
operations as the Company has not engaged in either of these activities.
In December 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 148, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure", which amends FASB Statement
No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to provide alternative methods
of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of
accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, this Statement
amends the disclosure requirements of Statement 123 to require prominent
disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of
accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method
used on reported results. The transition guidance and annual disclosure
provisions of Statement 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December
15, 2002, with earlier application permitted in certain circumstances. The
interim disclosure provisions are effective for financial reports containing
financial statements for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002. The
adoption of this statement did not have a material impact on the Company's
financial position or results of operations as the Company has not elected to
change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee
compensation.
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In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation
of Variable Interest Entities. Interpretation 46 changes the criteria by which
one company includes another entity in its financial statements. Previously, the
criteria were based on control through voting interest. Interpretation 46
requires a variable interest entity to be by a company if that company is
subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's
activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or
both. A company that consolidates a variable interest entity is called the
primary beneficiary of that entity. The consolidation requirements of
Interpretation 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after
January 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply to older entities in the
first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. Certain of
the disclosure requirements apply in all financial statements issued after
January 31, 2003, regardless of when the variable interest entity was
established. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact
to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
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ITEM 3: PROPERTIES
PPOL leases a 1,793 square foot office suite located at One City
Boulevard West, Suite 870, Orange, CA 92868. The lease commenced October 1, 2002
and expires September 30, 2004. The lease does not provide for options to extend
or renew the lease.
AJOL sub-leased the sixth floor, comprising approximately 10,623 square
feet, located in the Oval Building in Tokyo, Japan, from Forval Corporation,
which owns 59.17% of PPOL's common shares. This facility was utilized as AJOL's
headquarters until the sub-lease was cancelled on March 31, 2003 without
penalty. The sub-lease originally commenced and was set to expire on April 1,
2002 and March 31, 2004, respectively.
AJOL subsequently leased the larger third floor, comprising
approximately 11,818 square feet located in the same Oval Building in Tokyo,
Japan, directly from the landlord. This facility is currently utilized as AJOL's
headquarters. The lease term is April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2005. This facility
now houses the finance and accounting department which was previously located in
a separate building as described below.
AJOL also leased one floor, comprising approximately 1,497 square feet,
located in the Shibuya Yasuda Building in Tokyo, Japan. This facility was
utilized by AJOL's finance and accounting department until March 31, 2003 when
it relocated with all other AJOL departments to the third floor in the Oval
Building described above.
ITEM 4: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
A. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
PPOL has issued and outstanding only one class of capital stock (i.e.,
common stock). PPOL is also authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock. There are no issued and outstanding shares of PPOL preferred stock. The
following tables discloses information regarding the beneficial ownership of
PPOL's common stock as of August 15, 2002 by each person who is known by PPOL to
beneficially own more than five percent of PPOL's capital stock.
COMMON STOCK
NUMBER OF SHARES OF PERCENT
COMMON STOCK OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED(5) CLASS
- ------------------------- --------------------- -------
Forval Corporation
JBP Oval Building
Jingu-mae 5-52-2, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo 150-0001, Japan 10,647,594 59.17%
Leo Global Fund(*)
Sogo Hirakawa-cho Building 10F
4-12, Hirakawa-cho 1-chome
Chiyoda, Tokyo 102-0093, Japan 6,447,580 35.83%
- -------------
(5) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or
investment power with respect to securities. Forval Corporation listed
above has sole voting and investment power of the shares beneficially
owened by it. Mr. Nobua Takada, the chief executive officer of Leo Global
fund has the power to vote Leo Global Funds's PPOL shares.
(*) The majority owner of Leo Global Fund is AJOO, a leading distributor of
AJOL. Forval does not have any equity interest in AJOO.
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B. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table discloses information regarding the beneficial
ownership of PPOL's common stock, as of August 15, 2002, by the directors and
executive officers of PPOL.
COMMON STOCK
NUMBER OF SHARES OF PERCENT
COMMON STOCK OF
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED(6) CLASS
- ------------------------- ---------------------- -------
Nobuo Takada, 10th floor,
Sogo Hirakawa-cho Building,
1-4-12 Hirakwa-cho,
Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 102-0093 6,447,580 35.83%(7)
Yoshihiro Aota, 6th floor,
Oval Building, 5-52-2
Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 150-0001 0 0%
Kazushige Shimizu, 6th floor,
Oval Building, 5-52-2
Jingu-mae, Shibuya-ku,
Tokyo, Japan 150-0001 0 0%(8)
ITEM 5: DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
A. PPOL'S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
PPOL's directors and executive officers are comprised of the
following persons:
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Nobuo Takada 54 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer
Yoshihiro Aota 57 Director, President and Chief Operating
Officer
Kazushige Shimizu 57 Director, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
- ---------------
(6) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Securities and Exchange Commission and generally includes voting or
investment power with respect to securities. The owners listed above have
sole voting and investment power of the shares beneficially owned by them.
(7) Includes 6,447,580 shares owned by Leo Global Fund for which Mr. Nobuo
Takada serves as its Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Takada has the power to
vote Leo Global Fund's PPOL shares.
(8) Does not include 10,647,597 shares owned by the Forval Corporation for
which Mr. Kazushige Shimizu serves as a Director.
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(i) Terms of Office
The three PPOL directors listed above each began their term of office
on August 15, 2002. According to PPOL's bylaws, their terms of office extend to
the next annual shareholders meeting of PPOL, to be held in or about July, 2003.
B. PPOL'S SUBSIDIARY'S (AJOL) DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND SIGNIFICANT
EMPLOYEES
NAME AGE POSITION
---- --- --------
Yoshihiro Aota 57 President & CEO and Director
Manabu Nakamura 54 Director
Masao Yamamoto 53 Director
Tetsushi Nishikawa 38 Supervisor of Electronic Data Processing Center
Yuji Kamata 39 Supervisor of Membership Department
Shingo Kanazawa 38 Supervisor of Operations Department
(1) Business Experience
NOBUO TAKADA,
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of PPOL. Mr. Takada
holds a B.S. in Economics from Doshisha University and a MBA from Indiana
University. Mr. Takada joined Daiwa Securities in 1970 as a staff analyst in the
Research department and has held various positions in research, corporate
finance, trading and information systems at Daiwa Securities offices in Kyoto,
Tokyo, and Geneva, Switzerland. In 1992, Mr. Takada founded Aston Holdings, an
investment firm in Tokyo, Japan. In 1996, Mr. Takada formed Boston Advisory
Services, an investment advisory firm in Tokyo, Japan, where he currently serves
as its CEO. Mr. Takada is the CEO of Leo Global Fund, which holds 35.83% of
PPOL's common shares.
YOSHIHIRO AOTA,
Director, President and Chief Operating Officer of PPOL and President
and CEO and Director of AJOL. Mr. Aota holds a Bachelor of Science degree from
Tokyo University. From 1987 to 1991 Mr. Aota held the following positions with
Katena Corporation, a Japan corporation: Head, Business Planning (1987-1988);
Managing Director, Business Planning (1988-1989); and Managing Director,
Business Administration (1989-1991). From 1991 to 1994 Mr. Aota then held the
following positions with Forval Corporation, which holds 59.17% of PPOL's common
shares: Director, Business Strategy (Jan. 1991 - Jun. 1991); Director, PC
Business (1991-1993); and Director, NW Business (1993-1994). Mr. Aota has been
the President and a director of AJOL since October, 1994.
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KAZUSHIGE SHIMIZU,
Director, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of PPOL. Mr. Shimizu
graduated from Tohoku Gakuin University with a B.S. in Economics in 1968. From
1968 to 1982, Mr. Shimizu worked in the accounting department of Niigata
Transport Co., Ltd. In 1982, Mr. Shimizu became a Section Chief, Accounting
Manager at Emplas Corporation, and held that position until 1990, when he became
the Assistant General Manager, Accounting Department of Forval Corporation. Mr.
Shimizu has held various management positions with Forval Corporation in
accounting, finance, administration and became a director in 1995. In 2001, Mr.
Shimizu became the President of Forval Lanaissance, a wholly owned subsidiary of
Forval Co., Ltd.
MANUBU NAKAMURA,
Director of AJOL. Mr. Nakamura holds a Bachelor of Political Science
degree from Seikei University. Mr. Nakamura has served as a director of AJOL
since March 2000. From 1992 until 1995 Mr. Nakamura served as Managing Director
of Drug Ando Corporation, a Japan corporation. Mr. Nakamura joined AJOL in June
1995 as general manager of the Sales department and was transferred to the
Business Operations department as its general manager in March 1996. In October
1999, he became the general manager of the Customer Center department. In March
2000, he was appointed Director, and retained his position as general manager of
the Customer Center department.
MASAO YAMAMOTO,
Director of AJOL. Mr. Yamamoto graduated from Koganei Industrial High
School in 1968. From 1993 to 1996 Mr. Yamamoto served as Director, Accounting,
Educational Affairs for Area-Promotional Educational Corporation, a Japan
corporation. Mr. Yamamoto has been an employee of AJOL since February 1996. In
March, 1996, he became the general manager of the Accounting department and was
transferred to the Business Planning department as its general manager In March,
2000 he was appointed Director, and retained his position as general manager of
the Business Planning department. (2) Directorships
TETSUSHI NISHIKAWA,
Electronic Data Processing Center Supervisor of AJOL. Mr. Nishikawa
holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Kokushikan University. He joined AJOL in
1997 in the sales department and later became the supervisor of the sales
department. In 2000, Mr. Nishikawa began his current position as supervisor of
the Electronic Data Processing Center. Prior to joining AJOL, Mr. Nishikawa was
employed by Forval Corporation.
YUJI KAMATA,
Membership Department Supervisor of AJOL. Mr. Kamata holds a diploma
from Hana Gakuen Culinary School. He joined AJOL in 1995, prior to which he
worked in the restaurant and food service industry. Mr. Kamata has held the
supervisor position in the operating and sales departments. Mr. Kamata began his
current position as the Supervisor of the Membership Department in 2002.
SHINGO KANAZAWA,
Operations Department Supervisor of AJOL. Mr. Kanazawa holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in Economics from Komazawa University. He joined AJOL in 1997
and has held the supervisor position in the following departments: customer
service, operations, sales and service. Since 2002, Mr. Kanazawa has been
serving as the Operations Department Supervisor. Prior to joining AJOL, Mr.
Kanazawa was employed by Forval Corporation.
(3) Involvement in Certain Legal Proceedings
NONE.
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ITEM 6: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
A. PPOL
Up to and including PPOL's last fiscal year ending September 30, 2001,
no executive officer of PPOL has received any compensation.
B. AJOL
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
NAME AND POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS TOTAL
- ----------------- ---- ------ ----- -----
(9) (9) (9)
Yoshihiro Aota, President and 2002 $157,807 $216,283 $374,090
CEO, and Director 2001 $162,969 $172,022 $334,991
2000 $162,292 $0 $162,292
Manabu Nakamura, Director 2002 $ 98,465 $ 32,042 $130,507
2001 $109,624 $ 40,072 $149,698
2000 $ 66,991 $ 49,941 $116,932
Masao Yamamoto, Director 2002 $ 98,946 $ 32,043 $130,988
2001 $109,805 $ 35,364 $145,169
2000 $ 65,467 $ 63,691 $129,158
Tetsushi Nishikawa, Supervisor 2002 $ 46,621 $ 40,821 $ 87,442
2001 $ 47,705 $ 47,071 $ 99,775
2000 $ 44,333 $ 60,607 $104,940
Yuji Kamata, Supervisor 2002 $ 44,306 $ 38,058 $ 82,364
2001 $ 47,198 $ 63,820 $111,018
2000 $ 45,598 $ 51,988 $ 97,583
Shingo Kanazawa, Supervisor 2002 $ 43,906 $ 35,176 $ 79,082
2001 $ 46,499 $ 41,597 $ 88,096
2000 $ 44,938 $ 24,525 $ 69,463
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
AJOL has entered into employment agreements with Masao Yamamoto and
Manabu Nakamura for the term July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. Each agreement
provides for annual compensation to Mr. Yamamoto and Mr. Nakamura in the sum of
$100,000 per year. The agreements also provide for business travel per diem
expenses of $100 per day. Each of the agreements provides for services in the
area of sales, operations, administration, finance, manufacturing, logistics,
distribution, recruiting and research and development, and such other
responsibilities assigned to each of these individuals by AJOL.
Additionally, AJOL has employment agreements with Tetsushi Nishikawa,
Yuji Kamata and Shingo Kanazawa. Each agreement is for the term commencing April
1, 2002 and terminating March 31, 2003. The agreements provide Mr. Nishikawa
with annual compensation of $43,500, Mr. Kamata with $44,496 and Mr. Kanazawa
with $42,504. Each is entitled to reimbursement of business travel at the rate
of $42 per day. Each may receive a bonus twice a year based on monthly
compensation of one (1) to three (3) months. The bonus is discretionary and may
be paid, if at all, based upon AJOL's results of operations. Each of the
foregoing individuals has responsibilities in the areas of sales, operations,
administration, finance, manufacturing, logistics, distribution, recruiting,
research and development and other responsibilities assigned to each by AJOL.
ITEM 7: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
A. TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS
AJOL, PPOL's wholly-owned subsidiary, subleased office space from
Forval Corporation, PPOL's majority shareholder. AJOL paid rent to Forval
Corporation in the amount of approximately $48,000 per month pursuant to a lease
which commenced April 1, 2002, and terminated March 31, 2003. The lease covered
approximately 10,623 square feet of space. AJOL believes that the lease rate is
equal to fair rental value of the space.
- --------------
(9) Salaries and bonuses are paid by AJOL in Japanese yen. The figures in this
table have been converted into US dollars by applying the fiscal year's
average exchange rate of each respective fiscal year. These exchange rates
are the following: for 2002, 1 $US = 124.84(Y)JPN: for 2001, 1 $US =
110.45(Y)JPN: and for 2000 1 $US = 110.91(Y)JPN
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B. CERTAIN BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS
NONE
ITEM 8: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 9: MARKET PRICE OF AND DIVIDENDS ON PPOL'S COMMON EQUITY AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
A. MARKET INFORMATION
There is no public trading market for PPOL's securities. PPOL intends
to apply for inclusion of its common shares on the Over the Counter Electronic
Bulletin Board. However, there can be no assurances that an active trading
market will develop, even if the securities are accepted for quotation.
Quotations on the OTC Bulletin Board reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail
mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not represent actual transactions.
There are also no outstanding securities convertible into PPOL common stock, nor
are there any outstanding options or warrants to purchase PPOL's common stock.
899,746 shares of common stock of PPOL are currently eligible for resale under
Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and other exemptions.
Holders of PPOL's common stock are entitled to dividends when, as and
if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor.
PPOL does not anticipate the declaration or payment of any dividends in the
foreseeable future.
PPOL intends to retain earnings, if any, to finance the development and
expansion of its business i.e. the business of AJOL. Future dividend policy will
be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be contingent
upon future earnings, if any, PPOL's financial condition, capital requirements,
general business conditions and other factors. Therefore, there can be no
assurance that any dividends of any kind will ever be paid.
PPOL's registrar and transfer agent is U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation,
Glendale, California.
B. HOLDERS
As of the date of this registration statement, there are approximately
2,500 record holders of PPOL's common stock.
-41-
C. DIVIDENDS
PPOL has not paid any cash or other dividends on its common stock since
its inception.
ITEM 10: RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
Effective August 15, 2002, PPOL issued a total of 17,095,174 shares of
common stock in exchange for all 7,000 of the issued and outstanding shares of
AJOL. In this transaction, PPOL issued 10,647,594 shares to Forval Corporation,
a Japan corporation ("Forval") in exchange for Forval's 5,000 shares of AJOL
stock, and 6,447,580 shares to Leo Global Fund ("Leo"), a Cayman Islands Fund,
in exchange for the remaining 2,000 shares of AJOL stock owned by Leo.
This transaction was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2)
of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. Both Forval
and Leo qualified as "accredited investors" as per Rule 501(a) of the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and neither received any general solicitation in regard
to the sale.
ITEM 11: DESCRIPTION OF PPOL'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
COMMON STOCK
PPOL is authorized to issue 100,000,000 shares of common stock. As of
the date of this Form 10 Registration Statement, 17,994,920 shares of PPOL
common stock are issued and outstanding. All the common stock is fully paid and
non-assessable. PPOL is also authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred
stock. There are no issued and outstanding shares of PPOL preferred stock.
Each outstanding share of common stock is entitled to one vote per
share on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the shareholders. Each
shareholder may exercise such vote either in person or by proxy. Shareholders
are entitled to cumulate their votes in the election of directors in accordance
with Sections 301.5 and 708 of the California Corporations Code. A majority vote
is sufficient for most actions requiring the vote or concurrence of
shareholders. Two (2) of PPOL's shareholders own directly approximately 95% of
PPOL's capital stock. As such, these shareholders will be in a position to
constitute a majority of the shareholders at any vote of shareholders including
the election of directors.
There are no preemptive or subscription or other preferential or
conversion rights to purchase additional shares of PPOL's common stock. Upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of PPOL, the holders of the common stock
are entitled to receive, pro rata, the assets of PPOL which are legally
available for distribution to shareholders subject to the prior liquidation
rights of creditors.
(i) Modification of Shareholder Rights Other Than By Vote of
Shareholders
The bylaws of PPOL provide that the board of directors may adopt,
amend, or repeal any bylaw other than a bylaw (or amendment) changing the
authorized number of directors.
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ITEM 12: INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
PPOL's bylaws provide that PPOL shall have the authority to indemnify
its directors and officers to the full extent permitted by Section 317 of the
California Corporations Code. In addition, the bylaws permit the corporation,
upon a determination of the board of directors, to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of the directors and officers of PPOL against any liability
arising out of their status as directors and officers. Such insurance may be
purchased and maintained even if PPOL would not have the authority to indemnify
the officer or director.
ITEM 13: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
PPOL's financial statements are included in a separate section of this
Form 10 following Item 15, below.
ITEM 14: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 15: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
(a) Financial Statements (Attached).
(i) PPOL audited financial statements for the years
ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000;
(ii) PPOL financial statements (unaudited) for the six
(6) months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001;
(iii) Diversified Strategies, Inc. audited financial
statements for the six (6) months ended March 31,
2002 and for the years ended September 30, 2001,
2000 and 1999.
(b) Exhibits (Attached to Form 10 initially filed on November 1,
2002.)
2.0 Stock Purchase and Business Combination Agreement
3.1 Articles of Incorporation and Amendments thereto
3.2 Bylaws
10.1 Yamamoto Employment Contract
10.2 Nakamura Employment Contract
10.3 Nishikawa Employment Contract
10.4 Kanazawa Employment Contract
10.5 Kamata Employment Contract
10.6 Consulting Services Agreement between PPOL, Inc. and
ECO2, LLC dated September 25, 2002
21 Subsidiaries of PPOL
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, PPOL has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
PPOL, Inc.,
a California corporation
Date: August 12, 2003 By: /S/ NOBUO TAKADA
-------------------------------
Nobuo Takada,
Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 12, 2003 By: /S/ KAZUSHIGE SHIMIZU
-------------------------------
Kazushige Shimizu,
Secretary and Chief Financial
Officer
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PPOL, INC.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
CONTENTS
Page
----
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT F-1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Balance Sheets F-2
Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income F-3
Statement of Shareholders' Deficit F-4
Statements of Cash Flows F-5
Notes to Financial Statements F-6 - F15
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors
PPOL, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of PPOL, Inc. (formerly
Diversified Strategies, Inc.) as of March 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related
statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders' deficit, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2002. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2002 and 2001,
and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended March 31, 2002, in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 6 to the financial statements, certain errors resulting in
(overstatements) understatements of amounts previously reported on the
accompanying balance sheets as of March 31, 2002 and 2001, and the related
statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders' deficit, and cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2002, were
discovered by management of the Company during the current year. Accordingly,
the financial statements have been restated to reflect these adjustments to
correct for these errors.
/s/ Stonefield Josephson, Inc.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Santa Monica, California
June 27, 2002, except for Note 6, which is July 10, 2003
F-1
PPOL, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
March 31, March 31,
2002 2001
(Restated) (Restated)
---- ----
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 11,716,893 $ 10,914,661
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $7,000 and $5,000 2,390,823 997,367
Inventories 1,077,047 3,073,533
Advance payments to related parties 1,987,008 3,082,459
Deferred income taxes 10,055,692 10,583,524
Prepaid expenses and other 354,514 150,236
---------------- ----------------
Total current assets 27,581,977 28,801,780
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 6,927,851 7,492,863
DEFERRED COSTS 112,114,093 119,754,766
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 6,693,738 8,139,283
LEASE DEPOSITS, RELATED PARTIES 601,167 1,210,157
OTHER ASSETS 864,778 873,416
---------------- ----------------
$ 154,783,604 $ 166,272,265
================ ================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, including related parties $ 12,731,466 $ 14,902,894
Advances received 2,342,533 2,442,322
Income taxes payable 1,458,752 1,906,151
Other current liabilities 1,624,743 1,220,540
---------------- ----------------
Total current liabilities 18,157,494 20,471,907
---------------- ----------------
DEFERRED REVENUE 148,436,967 161,256,757
---------------- ----------------
SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT:
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 17,095,174 shares issued and outstanding 17,095 17,095
Additional paid-in capital 3,392,605 3,392,605
Total other comprehensive income 6,538,859 4,965,123
Accumulated deficit (21,759,416) (23,831,222)
---------------- ----------------
Total shareholders' deficit (11,810,857) (15,456,399)
---------------- ----------------
$ 154,783,604 $ 166,272,265
================ ================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-2
PPOL, INC.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year ended Year ended Year ended
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001 March 31, 2000
(Restated) (Restated) (Restated)
-------------- -------------- --------------
NET REVENUE:
Product sales and network services $ 116,375,620 $ 129,251,997 $ 134,109,566
Other on-line services 13,537,232 12,998,276 9,411,544
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total 129,912,852 142,250,273 143,521,110
-------------- -------------- --------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of sales 29,943,101 34,663,611 39,284,718
Distributor incentives 68,694,708 75,435,194 77,302,394
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 23,356,430 27,212,732 25,018,526
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total costs and expenses 121,994,239 137,311,537 141,605,638
-------------- -------------- --------------
OPERATING INCOME 7,918,613 4,938,736 1,915,472
-------------- -------------- --------------
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense (8,155) -- (71,571)
Other income (expense), net (36,087) 313,434 124,947
-------------- -------------- --------------
Other income (expense), net (44,242) 313,434 53,376
-------------- -------------- --------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 7,874,371 5,252,170 1,968,848
-------------- -------------- --------------
INCOME TAXES:
Current 2,903,977 3,633,349 2,816,402
Deferred 1,973,377 3,183,755 (4,565,437)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Total income taxes 4,877,354 6,817,104 (1,749,035)
-------------- -------------- --------------
NET INCOME (LOSS) 2,997,017 (1,564,934) 3,717,883
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE GAIN (LOSS) -
cumulative foreign currency translation 1,573,736 7,689,322 (2,724,199)
-------------- -------------- --------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 4,570,753 $ 6,124,388 $ 993,684
============== ============== ==============
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE,
Basic and diluted $ 0.18 $ (0.09) $ 0.22
============== ============== ==============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING -
basic and diluted 17,095,174 17,095,174 17,095,174
============== ============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-3
PPOL, INC.
STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT
Common Stock Additional Cumulative Other Total
------------ Paid-In Comprehensive Accumulated Shareholders'
Shares Amount Capital Loss Deficit Deficit
(Restated) (Restated) (Restated)
------ ------ ------- ---- ------- -------
Balance, March 31, 1999 17,095,174 $ 17,095 $ 3,392,605 $ - $ (25,033,521) $ (21,623,821)
Cumulative foreign
currency translation
adjustment (2,724,199) (2,724,199)
Net income - - - 3,717,883 3,717,883
------------- ----------- ------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Balance, March 31, 2000 17,095,174 17,095 3,392,605 (2,724,199) (21,315,638) (20,630,137)
Cumulative foreign
currency translation
adjustment 7,689,322 7,689,322
Dividends paid - - - - (950,650) (950,650)
Net loss (1,564,934) (1,564,934)
------------- ----------- ------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Balance, March 31, 2001 17,095,174 17,095 3,392,605 4,965,123 (23,831,222) (15,456,399)
Cumulative foreign
currency translation
adjustment 1,573,736 1,573,736
Dividends paid - (925,211) (925,211)
Net income 2,997,017 2,997,017
------------- ----------- ------------- --------------- -------------- ---------------
Balance, March 31, 2002 17,095,174 $ 17,095 $ 3,392,605 $ 6,538,859 $ (21,759,416) $ (11,810,857)
============= =========== ============= =============== =============== ===============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-4
PPOL, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Year ended Year ended Year ended
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001 March 31, 2000
(Restated) (Restated) (Restated)
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $ 2,997,017 $ (1,564,934) $ 3,717,883
------------- ------------- -------------
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH
PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Depreciation and amortization 2,704,124 5,137,666 4,434,906
Loss on sales/disposal of property and equipment, net 696,257 864,869 731,046
Deferred income taxes 1,973,377 3,183,755 (4,565,437)
CHANGES IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:
(INCREASE) DECREASE IN ASSETS:
Trade accounts receivables (1,536,427) 1,007,182 (630,875)
Inventories 1,947,894 (1,334,577) 2,124,279
Advance payments to related parties 990,208 (3,504,929) --
Deferred costs 1,376,081 1,315,247 775,027
Prepaid expenses and other (225,463) (92,955) 42,061
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, including related parties (1,467,890) 4,765,300 (6,636,725)
Advances received 31,465 (347,648) (155,584)
Deferred revenue (4,541,878) 456,951 5,413,204
Income taxes payable (367,986) (80,235) 1,161,425
Other current liabilities 668,196 (117,477) (1,424,358)
------------- ------------- -------------
Total adjustments 2,247,958 11,253,149 1,268,969
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 5,244,975 9,688,215 4,986,852
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 82,699 28,398 --
Purchase of property and equipment (3,427,638) (6,956,124) (1,717,286)
Net decrease in lease deposits, related parties 605,574 802,580 --
Purchase of patent right from Forval -- -- (252,455)
Other assets (113,818) (254,924) 178,882
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash used for investing activities (2,853,183) (6,380,070) (1,790,859)
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net decrease in short-term borrowings -- -- (5,860,554)
Dividends paid (925,211) (950,650) --
------------- ------------- -------------
Net cash used for financing activities (925,211) (950,650) (5,860,554)
------------- ------------- -------------
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE (664,349) (2,260,068) 480,995
------------- ------------- -------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 802,232 97,427 (2,183,566)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year 10,914,661 10,817,234 13,000,800
------------- ------------- -------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $ 11,716,893 $ 10,914,661 $ 10,817,234
============= ============= =============
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid $ 5,375 $ -- $ 71,562
============= ============= =============
Income taxes paid $ 3,271,971 $ 3,713,574 $ 1,654,975
============= ============= =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
F-5
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
ORGANIZATION:
PPOL, Inc. ("PPOL" or the "Company") (formerly Diversified
Strategies, Inc.), incorporated on May 19, 1993 in California,
is primarily engaged in sales of multi-functional
telecommunications equipment called MOJICO. The Company
distributes MOJICO throughout Japan through a network
marketing system. The Company has a network of registered
distributors located throughout Japan that introduce
purchasers to the Company. The Company operates in one
operating segment.
Using MOJICO, the Company provides original telecommunication
services called "Pan Pacific Online," including MOJICO
bulletin board and mail services. The Company also provides
various other on-line services through Pan Pacific Online such
as ticket and mail-order services. These sales and services
are provided in Japan.
Sales of MOJICO hardware, Pan Pacific Online subscriptions and
other on-line services were as follows:
Fiscal Pan Pacific
year ended "MOJICO" Online Consumer
March 31, hardware Subscriptions Products Total
--------- -------- ------------- -------- -----
2002 103,978,519 12,397,101 13,537,232 $129,912,852
2001 117,015,871 12,236,126 12,998,276 142,250,273
2000 126,525,568 7,583,998 9,411,544 143,521,110
Effective August 22, 2002, the Company amended its articles of
incorporation to increase its authorized shares of common
stock from 10,000,000 to 100,000,000, change its name to PPOL,
Inc. and effected a 7 to 1 reverse stock split. All share data
presented in these financial statements have been affected for
the reverse stock split.
On August 15, 2002, AJOL Co., LTD. ("AJOL") was acquired by
PPOL in a transaction accounted for as a reverse merger. The
Company issued 899,746 shares (post split) of its common stock
for all of the issued and outstanding common stock of AJOL.
These shares will be added into the outstanding shares of the
Company on the date of the transaction, August 15, 2002;
accordingly, they will then be included in the total common
shares outstanding as of September 30, 2002. Prior to the
reverse merger, PPOL had no business activity, thus pro-forma
information as though the Company's had been combined for all
periods presented has not been provided. For legal purposes,
PPOL is the acquirer; for accounting purposes, AJOL has been
treated as the acquirer and accordingly, AJOL is presented as
the continuing entity, and the historical financial statements
are those of AJOL. AJOL and PPOL are collectively referred to
as the "Company."
F-6
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The Company maintains its records and prepares its financial
statements in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in Japan. Certain adjustments and reclassifications
have been incorporated in the accompanying financial
statements to conform with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). These
adjustments were not recorded in the statutory books of
account. The principal adjustments relate to accounting for:
(1) revenue and related cost adjustment, (2) compensated
absences and (3) deferred assets.
TRANSLATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY:
The Company's functional currency is the Japanese Yen and its
reporting currency is the United States Dollar. The Company
translates the foreign currency financial statements in
accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 52," Foreign
Currency Translation." Assets and liabilities are translated
at the exchange rate as of the respective balance sheet dates
and related revenues and expenses are translated at average
exchange rates in effect during the period. Resulting
translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component
in stockholders' equity (deficiency). Foreign currency
transaction gains and losses are included in determining net
income.
USE OF ESTIMATES:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management
to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and 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. Actual results could differ significantly
from those estimates.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
The carrying amount of the Company's financial instruments,
which include cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts
receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair values
as of March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid
investments, generally with original maturities of three
months or less, those are readily convertible to known amounts
of cash and are so near maturity that they present
insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in
interest rates.
F-7
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK:
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk consist of trade receivables and
cash and cash equivalents. The Company collects the
significant portion of payments from the ultimate customers
through major credit card and loan companies. One credit
company comprised 35.4% and 20.1% of accounts receivable at
March 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company maintains
cash deposits with major banks. The Company periodically
assesses the financial conditions of the institutions and
believes that the risk of any loss is minimal.
INVENTORIES:
Inventories, consisting of purchased merchandise for resale,
are valued at the lower of cost (which is determined by the
weighted average method) or market.
ADVANCE PAYMENTS AND ADVANCES RECEIVED:
Advance payments to related parties are prepayments to a
specific vendor by the Company for the MOJICO product. An
advance payment of 60% of the purchase price is to be paid to
the vendor prior to the shipment of the MOJICO product.
Advances received represent the balance of customer receipts
prior to shipment. Upon shipment, the balance transfers into
deferred revenue where it then is amortized into revenue.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is
computed using a declining-balance method at rates based on
the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The
estimated useful lives for leasehold improvements range from 3
to 15 years, which approximates the life of the leases, while
that for equipment was 3 years. Maintenance and repairs,
including minor renewals and betterment, are expensed as
incurred.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE:
The Company follows the guidance in Statement of Position
("SOP") 98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software
Developed or Obtained for Internal Use". SOP 98-1 requires
that entities capitalize certain internal-use software costs
once certain criteria are met. Under SOP 98-1, overhead,
general and administrative and training costs are not
capitalized. Capitalized software costs are being amortized on
a straight-line basis principally over 3 years.
F-8
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS:
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard
("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of",
long-lived assets to be held and used are analyzed for
impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be
recoverable. The Company evaluates at each balance sheet date
whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate
possible impairment. If there are indications of impairment,
the Company uses future undiscounted cash flows of the related
asset or asset grouping over the remaining life in measuring
whether the assets are recoverable. In the event such cash
flows are not expected to be sufficient to recover the
recorded asset values, the assets are written down to their
estimated fair value. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are
reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value of
asset less cost to sell.
REVENUE RECOGNITION AND DEFERRED COSTS:
Revenue from MOJICO product sales is recognized over the
weighted average customer relationship period of three years.
Revenue from sales of annual online subscription services to
Pan Pacific Online in recognized over one year. The revenue
and associated costs deferred for revenue recognition purposes
are recorded as deferred revenue and deferred costs,
respectively. Deferred costs are comprised of costs of the
MOJICO hardware and distributors incentive commissions.
Deferred costs are directly related to deferred revenues.
Deferred costs are amortized into income over the weighted
average customer relationship period of three years or the
online subscription period of one year, as applicable.
Revenue from other on-line services provided through Pan
Pacific Online Services is recognized upon the delivery of
underlying products, including Kamome brand products, or
services. We also generate commissions from ticket sales to
tours, events and concerts which our Pan Pacific Online
subscribers can purchase through the Pan Pacific Online
network.
In connection with its initial filing of form 10 and
discussions of issues with the Staff of the Securities and
Exchanges Commission, the Company changed its accounting for
the period of recognition of deferred revenue for product and
related services and related costs to a three year period. The
previously filed Form 10 is being amended along with the form
10-Q for the nine months ended December 31, 2002. Inasmuch as
this change was made in connection with an initial
registration of the Company's securities, the financial
statements for all prior periods have been retroactively
revised in accordance with the special exemption for an
initial public distribution in Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 20.
NET INCOME PER SHARE:
Basic net income per share ("EPS") is computed based upon the
average number of shares of common stock outstanding during
each period and diluted EPS assumes the dilution that could
occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock
were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in
the issuance of common stock.
F-9
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:
The Company accounts for its stock-based employee compensation
plan using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting
Principles Board Opinion ("APB") No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, and provides pro forma disclosures of net
income and net income per share as if the fair value method
prescribed by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, had been applied in measuring compensation
expense.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE:
Research and development costs are charged to expense when
incurred. Research and development expenses included in cost
of sales for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
approximated $1,543,861, $1,239,258 and $ 2,369,530,
respectively.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS:
Shipping and handling costs are included in selling, general
and administrative expenses. The amount of shipping and
handling costs for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2002, 2001
and 2000 approximated $1,086,102, $916,200 and $968,641,
respectively.
ADVERTISING COSTS:
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising
expenses for the years ended March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
amounted to $29,150, $485,212 and $2,659,050, respectively.
OPERATING LEASES:
The Company leases two office facilities in Tokyo, Japan from
its parent company under six month cancelable operating leases
expiring through March 2004. Rental expense approximated
$822,000, $866,000 and $835,000 for the years ended March 31,
2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
INCOME TAXES:
Income taxes are provided based on the asset and liability
method of accounting pursuant to SFAS No. 109, Accounting for
Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes are recorded to reflect
the tax consequences on future years of differences between
the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial
reporting amounts at year-end. These deferred taxes are
measured by applying currently enacted tax laws.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:
Comprehensive income for the Company for the years ended March
31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 was primarily from the effects of
foreign currency translation adjustments.
F-10
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, "Business
Combinations." SFAS No. 141 requires that the purchase method
of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated
after June 30, 2001. Goodwill and certain intangible assets
will remain on the balance sheet and not be amortized. On an
annual basis, and when there is reason to suspect that their
values have been diminished or impaired, these assets must be
tested for impairment, and write downs may be necessary. The
Company adopted SFAS No. 141 on July 1, 2001 with no material
impact to the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 142 changes the accounting
for goodwill from an amortization method to an impairment-only
approach. Amortization of goodwill, including goodwill
recorded in past business combinations, will cease upon
adoption of this statement. The Company implemented SFAS No.
142 on April 1, 2001 with no material impact to the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for
Asset Retirement Obligations," which requires companies to
record the fair value of a liability for asset retirement
obligations in the period in which they are incurred. The
statement applies to a company's legal obligations associated
with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset that
results from the acquisition, construction, and development or
through the normal operation of a long-lived asset. When a
liability is initially recorded, the company would capitalize
the cost, thereby increasing the carrying amount of the
related asset. The capitalized asset retirement cost is
depreciated over the life of the respective asset while the
liability is accreted to its present value. Upon settlement of
the liability, the obligation is settled at its recorded
amount or the company incurs a gain or loss. The statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2002. The
Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact
to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for
the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". Statement
144 addresses the accounting and reporting for the impairment
or disposal of long-lived assets. The statement provides a
single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed
of. New criteria must be met to classify the asset as an asset
held-for-sale. This statement also focuses on reporting the
effects of a disposal of a segment of a business. This
statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2001. The Company does not expect the adoption to
have a material impact to the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 145, "Rescission
of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment of FASB
Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." This Statement
rescinds FASB Statement No. 4, "Reporting Gains and Losses
from Extinguishment of Debt", and an amendment of that
Statement, FASB Statement No. 64, "Extinguishments of Debt
Made to Satisfy Sinking-Fund Requirements" and FASB Statement
No. 44, "Accounting for Intangible Assets of Motor Carriers".
This Statement amends FASB Statement No. 13, "Accounting for
Leases", to eliminate an inconsistency between the required
accounting for sale-leaseback transactions and the required
F-11
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS (CONTINUED)
accounting for certain lease modifications that have economic
effects that are similar to sale-leaseback transactions. The
Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact
to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In June 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 146, "Accounting
for Costs Associated with Exit OR Disposal Activities". This
Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for
costs associated with exit or disposal activities and
nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3,
"Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination
Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (Including
Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)". The provisions of
this Statement are effective for exit or disposal activities
that are initiated after December 31, 2002, with early
application encouraged. The Company does not expect the
adoption to have a material impact to the Company's financial
position or results of operations. In December 2002, the FASB
issued Statement No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation-Transition and Disclosure", which amends FASB
Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, to
provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary
change to the fair value based method of accounting for
stock-based employee compensation. In addition, this Statement
amends the disclosure requirements of Statement 123 to require
prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial
statements about the method of accounting for stock-based
employee compensation and the effect of the method used on
reported results. The transition guidance and annual
disclosure provisions of Statement 148 are effective for
fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002, with earlier
application permitted in certain circumstances. The interim
disclosure provisions are effective for financial reports
containing financial statements for interim periods beginning
after December 15, 2002. The adoption of this statement did
not have a material impact on the Company's financial position
or results of operations as the Company has not elected to
change to the fair value based method of accounting for
stock-based employee compensation.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46,
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities. Interpretation 46
changes the criteria by which one company includes another
entity in its financial statements. Previously, the criteria
were based on control through voting interest. Interpretation
46 requires a variable interest entity to be by a company if
that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from
the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to
receive a majority of the entity's residual returns or both. A
company that consolidates a variable interest entity is called
the primary beneficiary of that entity. The consolidation
requirements of Interpretation 46 apply immediately to
variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. The
consolidation requirements apply to older entities in the
first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15,
2003. Certain of the disclosure requirements apply in all
financial statements issued after January 31, 2003, regardless
of when the variable interest entity was established. The
Company does not expect the adoption to have a material impact
to the Company's financial position or results of operations.
F-12
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(2) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
Year ended Year ended
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001
---------------- ----------------
Leasehold improvements $ 294,476 $ 296,786
Office equipment 2,708,545 3,484,541
Software costs 17,642,168 16,684,789
---------------- ----------------
20,645,189 20,466,116
Less: accumulated depreciation
and amortization 13,717,338 12,973,253
---------------- ----------------
Property and equipment, net $ 6,927,851 $ 7,492,863
================ ================
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment totaled
$2,704,124, $5,137,666 and $4,434,906 for the years ended March 31,
2002, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
In August 2000, the Company commenced the development of an integrated
information system to manage inventory, sales, on-line services and
distributor accounts, and incentive calculation. The development work
is being executed by outside vendors. The capitalized software
associated with this integrated information system for the years ended
March 31, 2002 and 2001 was $2,766,424 and $3,614,975, respectively. As
of March 31, 2002, the balance of capitalized software, net, included
the software cost under development associated with this project in the
amount of $5,066,310.
(3) LINE OF CREDIT:
On March 31, 2002, the Company had a $2,262,000 (unaudited) line of
credit with its bank which accrues interest at Japan's market rate
There were no outstanding balances as of March 31, 2002 or 2001.
(4) INCOME TAXES:
Income taxes imposed by the national, prefecture and municipal
governments of Japan resulted in a normal statutory tax rate of
approximately 42.1%. Under Japanese tax law, the tax provision
encompasses only the operations of the Company's Japanese operating
subsidiary, AJOL, as a stand alone entity apart from the operations of
the Company's Japanese parent Forval Corporation ("Forval").
F-13
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(4) INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED:
A reconciliation between the statutory tax rate and the effective
income tax rate is as follows:
Year ended Year ended Year ended
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001 March 31, 2000
-------------- -------------- --------------
Normal statutory tax rate 42.1% 42.1% 42.1%
Entertainment and other non-
deductible expenses 15.3 6.8 3.0
Other (0.1) (0.0) (0.1)
------------ ------------ ------------
Effective tax rate 57.3% 48.9% 45.0%
============ ============ ============
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets are as follows:
Year ended Year ended
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------
Deferred tax assets:
Deferred Revenue $ 61,946,415 $ 67,223,326
Deferred Costs (46,787,984) (49,922,334)
Excess of accrued bonus 108,321 63,796
Reserve for product return 115,333 150,603
Resort membership admission fees 177,883 193,863
Accrued compensated absences 124,035 104,946
Excess depreciation and amortization 586,606 726,323
Inventory write-down 338,136 -
Other 140,685 182,284
------------------- -----------------
Total deferred tax assets $ 16,749,430 $ 18,722,807
=================== =================
Management believes that it is more likely than not that all of the
deferred tax assets will be realized through future earnings and/or tax
planning. Accordingly, no valuation allowance was recorded as of March
31, 2002, 2001 and 2000.
(5) RELATED PARTY:
In April 1995, AJOL entered into an agreement to act as an exclusive
sales agent of MOJICO with Forval. In the normal course of business,
the Company purchased MOJICO products, which were manufactured by Funai
Denki ("Funai") (a shareholder of the Company), from Forval and made
royalty payments based upon the aforementioned agreement. In March
2002, Funai sold all its shares to an unrelated party.
In March 2000, the Company purchased the patent rights relating to
MOJICO from Forval for $252,455 and the aforementioned license
agreement was revoked. In March 2001, the Company entered into a
contract to purchase MOJICO directly from Funai.
F-14
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002, 2001 AND 2000
(5) RELATED PARTY, CONTINUED:
The Company also leases its office space from Forval. The following
summarize amounts due from or to Forval and Funai and related
transaction amounts:
Year ended Year ended Year ended
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001 March 31, 2000
-------------- -------------- --------------
Due from Forval:
Accounts receivable $ - $ 7,811 $ 13,473
Lease deposit 540,246 1,145,820 1,948,400
Due from Funai - advance payment 1,987,008 3,082,459 -
Due to Forval - accounts payable 69,645 106,045 163,179
Transactions with Forval:
Sales 8,235 53,499 97,493
Purchases - 17,207,311 18,059,008
Royalty expenses - 1,704,069
Rental expenses 717,387 810,823 807,458
Purchase of fixed assets - 81,584 286,329
Interest expense - - 38,247
Other - 1,738 7,673
Transactions with Funai:
Purchases 13,978,218 2,532,106 -
Other 283,091 - -
(6) RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company had conducted an internal review of its revenue recognition policies
under the direction of the Company's Chief Financial Officer. The Company sells
the MOJICO hardware for approximately $2,900 per unit and simultaneously charges
admission fees of approximately $150 to customers which afford them the right to
be a distributor for one year. As a result of the review, the Company noted that
customers renew and remain distributors with the Company for an average of 3
years in total. As such, the Company has revised its revenue recognition policy
on sales of MOJICO units. Revenues and related costs of MOJICO units are now
deferred and recognized over 3 years. The Company previously recognized revenue
from MOJICO sales over a period of 3 months. Therefore, in connection with this
internal review, the financial results for each of the years ended March 31,
2002, 2001 and 2000 are being restated. Additionally, the company has restated
the three and nine months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the three and six
months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 and the three months ended June 30,
2002. The total impact of the adjustments as of March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
and for the years then ended is as follows:
March 31, 2002 March 31, 2001
-------------- --------------
Restated Original Change Restated Original Change
increase increase
(decrease) (decrease)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Deferred costs - current $ 63,790,686 $ 12,332,908 $ 51,457,778 $ 68,307,692 $ 10,218,945 58,088,747
Deferred costs - long term 48,323,407 -- 48,323,407 51,447,074 -- 51,447,074
Deferred income taxes- current 10,055,692 2,591,742 7,463,950 10,583,524 2,111,153 8,472,371
Deferred income taxes - long term 6,693,738 764,489 5,929,249 8,139,283 920,186 7,219,097
Total assets 154,783,604 41,609,222 113,174,382 166,272,265 41,044,975 125,227,290
============== ============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
Other current liabilities $ 1,624,743 $ 1,899,017 $ (274,274) 1,220,540 1,578,701 (358,161)
Deferred revenues - current 86,013,083 16,530,850 69,482,233 92,641,792 14,046,567 78,595,225
Deferred revenues - long term 62,423,884 -- 62,423,884 68,614,965 -- 68,614,965
Total liabilities 166,594,461 34,962,618 131,631,843 181,728,664 34,876,633 146,852,031
Total other comprehensive
income (loss) 6,538,859 (1,762,118) 8,300,977 4,965,123 (1,575,995) 6,541,118
Retained earnings (accumulated
deficit) (21,759,416) 4,999,022 (26,758,438) (23,831,222) 4,334,637 (28,165,859)
Total shareholders' equity
(deficit) (11,810,857) 6,646,604 (18,457,461) (15,456,399) 6,168,342 (21,624,741)
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity (deficit) 154,783,604 41,609,222 113,174,382 166,272,265 41,044,975 125,227,290
============== ============== ============== ============== ============== ==============
Year Ended March 31:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
----------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------
Restated Original Change Restated Original Change
increase increase
(decrease) (decrease)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
Product sales and
network services $ 116,375,620 $ 108,404,000 $ 7,971,620 $ 129,251,997 $ 129,625,356 $ (373,359)
Cost of sales 29,943,101 29,924,292 18,809 34,663,611 32,093,162 2,570,449
Distributor incentives 68,694,708 64,447,604 4,247,104 75,435,194 76,421,542 (986,348)
Operating income 7,918,613 4,212,905 3,705,708 4,938,736 6,896,198 (1,957,462)
Income before income taxes 7,874,371 4,168,679 3,705,692 5,252,170 7,209,623 (1,957,453)
Income taxes - deferred 1,973,377 (324,894) 2,298,271 3,183,755 562,621 2,621,134
Net income (loss) 2,997,017 1,589,596 1,407,421 (1,564,934) 3,013,653 (4,578,587)
Cummulative foreign
currency translation 1,573,736 (186,123) 1,759,859 7,689,322 (501,506) 8,190,828
Comprehensive Income $ 4,570,753 $ 1,403,473 $ 3,167,280 $ 6,124,388 $ 2,512,147 $ 3,612,241
Year Ended March 31,
------------------------------------------------
2000
------------------------------------------------
Restated Original Change
increase
(decrease)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Product sales and
network services $ 134,109,566 $ 138,854,650 $ (4,745,084)
Cost of sales 39,284,718 34,535,423 4,749,295
Distributor incentives 77,302,394 81,248,805 (3,946,411)
Operating income 1,915,472 7,464,344 (5,548,872)
Income before income taxes 1,968,848 7,517,720 (5,548,872)
Income taxes - deferred (4,565,437) (198,234) (4,367,203)
Net income (loss) 3,717,883 4,899,552 (1,181,669)
Cummulative foreign
currency translation (2,724,199) (1,074,489) (1,649,710)
Comprehensive Income $ 993,684 $ 3,825,063 $ (2,831,379)
The changes noted above are entirely attributable to revenue recognition and
associated deferral of costs of product sales and network service revenues as
discussed above. The restatement resulted in an increase in earnings per share
of $0.09 (from $0.09 to $0.18) for the year ended March 31, 2002, a decrease in
earnings per share of $0.27 (from earnings per share of $0.18 to net loss per
share of $0.09) for the year ended March 31, 2001 and a decrease in earnings per
share of $0.07 (from $0.29 to $0.22) for the year ended March 31, 2000. The
financial results presented in this report reflect the restatement of the
Company's financial results. Based on the substantial work done to date, the
Company does not expect any further restatements as a result of its internal
review.
F-15
PPOL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
CONTENTS
Page
----
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Consolidated Balance Sheets F-17
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income F-18
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows F-19
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-20 - F-25
F-16
PPOL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
September 30,
2002
----
(Unaudited)
(Restated)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 14,094,433
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for
doubtful accounts of $1,125 754,222
Merchandise inventories 2,331,409
Advance payments 3,521,635
Deferred income taxes 10,371,505
Prepaid expenses and other 442,377
--------------
Total current assets 31,515,581
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 6,809,078
DEFERRED COST 121,567,696
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 7,099,337
LEASE DEPOSITS WITH RELATED PARTIES 588,549
OTHER ASSETS 956,609
--------------
$ 168,536,850
==============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, including related parties $ 11,515,835
Advances received 6,470,990
Income taxes payable 1,498,400
Other current liabilities 1,323,951
--------------
Total current liabilities 20,809,176
--------------
Deferred revenue 159,558,837
--------------
SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT:
Common stock; $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares
authorized; 17,994,920 shares issued and outstanding 17,995
Additional paid-in capital 3,367,157
Total other comprehensive income 4,011,243
Accumulated Deficit (19,227,558)
--------------
Total shareholders' deficit (11,831,163)
--------------
$ 168,536,850
==============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-17
PPOL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Six months ended Six months ended
September 30, September 30,
2002 2001
------------- -------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(Restated) (Restated)
NET REVENUE:
Product sales and network services $ 59,245,267 $ 59,299,799
Other on-line services 8,215,354 6,528,159
------------- -------------
Total 67,460,621 65,827,958
------------- -------------
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of sales 15,065,420 15,184,404
Distributor incentives 35,299,136 34,897,779
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 12,869,241 10,971,314
------------- -------------
Total costs and expenses 63,233,797 61,053,497
------------- -------------
OPERATING INCOME 4,226,824 4,774,461
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), net 15,513 (40,606)
------------- -------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 4,242,337 4,733,855
------------- -------------
INCOME TAXES:
Current 1,484,621 1,385,700
Deferred (721,412) 11,367
------------- -------------
Total income taxes 763,209 1,397,067
------------- -------------
NET INCOME 3,479,128 3,336,788
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS -
cumulative foreign currency translation (2,527,616) (1,790,053)
------------- -------------
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $ 951,512 $ 1,546,735
============= =============
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE,
Basic and diluted $ 0.20 $ 0.20
============= =============
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING - BASIC AND DILUTED 17,323,839 17,095,174
============= =============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-18
PPOL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Six months ended Six months ended
September 30, September 30,
2002 2001
------------- -------------
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
(Restated) (Restated)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 3,479,128 $ 3,336,788
------------- -------------
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO NET CASH
PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Depreciation and amortization 918,522 1,349,822
Loss on sales/disposal of property and equipment 1,058 79,936
Deferred income taxes (721,412) 11,367
Loss on write-off of deposits 85,448 0
Other (24,548) 0
CHANGES IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:
(INCREASE) DECREASE IN ASSETS:
Trade accounts receivables 1,832,350 (57)
Merchandise inventories (1,146,802) 547,659
Advance payments to related parties (1,343,763) 1,654,009
Deferred costs 564,897 5,085,951
Prepaid expenses and other (55,909) 6,319
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, including related parties (2,330,635) (3,371,710)
Advances received 3,881,372 (1,026,095)
Deferred revenue (2,128,857) (8,165,754)
Income taxes payable (89,890) (576,362)
Other current liabilities (441,710) 256,901
------------- -------------
Total adjustments (999,879) (4,148,014)
------------- -------------
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities 2,479,249 (811,226)
------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (487,245) (2,638,649)
Net decrease in lease deposits 0 121,924
Other assets (50,314) (28,834)
------------- -------------
Net cash used for investing activities (537,559) (2,545,559)
------------- -------------
CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES -
Dividends paid (947,270) (946,642)
------------- -------------
EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE 1,383,120 643,562
------------- -------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 2,377,540 (3,659,865)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period 11,716,893 10,914,661
------------- -------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period $ 14,094,433 $ 7,254,796
============= =============
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION -
Income taxes paid $ 0 $ 1,962,057
============= =============
Interest paid $ 1,765 $ 2,410
============= =============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-19
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The financial statements have been prepared by PPOL, Inc. (the
"Company"), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and
footnote disclosures normally present in annual financial
statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America have been
omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. These
financial statements should be read in conjunction with the
audited financial statements and footnotes for the years ended
March 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000 included in the Company's Form
10.
The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of September
30, 2002 and the consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income and cash flows for the six months ended
September 30, 2002 and 2001 are unaudited. In the opinion of
management, such interim financial statements reflect all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals)
necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of
operations, and cash flows for the interim periods presented.
The results of the six months ended September 30, 2002 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full fiscal year ending March 31, 2003.
ORGANIZATION:
PPOL, Inc. ("PPOL") (formerly Diversified Strategies, Inc.),
incorporated on May 19, 1993 in California, is primarily
engaged in sales of multi-functional telecommunications
equipment called MOJICO. The Company distributes MOJICO
throughout Japan through a network marketing system. The
Company has a network of registered distributors located
throughout Japan that introduce purchasers to the Company. The
Company operates in one operating segment.
Using MOJICO, the Company provides original telecommunication
services called "Pan Pacific Online," including MOJICO
bulletin board and mail services. The Company also provides
various other on-line services through Pan Pacific Online such
as ticket and mail-order services. These sales and services
are provided in Japan. For the six months ended September 30,
2002, revenues from MOJICO hardware totaled $52,360,236,
revenues from Pan Pacific On-Line subscriptions totaled
$6,885,031 and revenues from other on-line services totaled
$8,215,354.
On August 15, 2002, the Company amended its articles of
incorporation to increase its authorized shares of common
stock from 10,000,000 to 100,000,000, change its name to PPOL,
Inc. and effected a 1 for 7 reverse stock split. All share
data presented in these financial statements reflect the
reverse stock split.
F-20
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONT.):
Effective April 1, 2002, AJOL Co., Ltd ("AJOL") was acquired
by PPOL in a transaction accounted for as a reverse merger.
The Company, upon closing of the transaction on August 15,
2002, issued 899,746 shares (post split) of its common stock
for all of the issued and outstanding common stock of AJOL.
These shares were added into the outstanding shares of the
Company on the date of the transaction, August 15, 2002;
accordingly, they will then be included in the total common
shares outstanding thereafter. For legal purposes, PPOL is the
acquirer. For accounting purposes, AJOL has been treated as
the acquirer and, accordingly, AJOL is presented as the
continuing entity and the historical financial statements are
those of AJOL. Prior to the reverse merger, PPOL had no
business activity. Thus, pro-forma information as though PPOL
and AJOL had been combined for all periods has not been
provided. AJOL and PPOL are collectively referred to as the
"Company."
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION:
The consolidated financial statements include accounts of PPOL
and its wholly owned subsidiary, AJOL. All significant
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated
upon consolidation.
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK:
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to
concentration of credit risk consist of trade receivables and
cash and cash equivalents. The Company collects the
significant portion of payments from the ultimate customers
through major credit card and loan companies. One credit
company comprised 51.2% (unaudited) of accounts receivable at
September 30, 2002. The Company maintains cash deposits with
major banks. The Company periodically assesses the financial
conditions of the institutions and believes that the risk of
any loss is minimal.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE:
Research and development costs are charged to expense when
incurred. Research and development expenses included in cost
of sales for the six months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
approximated $613,734 (unaudited) and $741,151 (unaudited),
respectively.
ADVERTISING COSTS:
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising
expenses for the six months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001
approximated $5,101 (unaudited) and $2,033 (unaudited),
respectively.
F-21
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
(2) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
September 30,
2002
----
(Unaudited)
Leasehold improvements $ 320,796
Office equipment 2,940,841
Software costs 19,406,179
-------------
22,667,816
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (15,858,738)
-------------
Property and equipment, net $ 6,809,078
=============
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment totaled
$918,522 (unaudited) and $1,349,822 for the six months ended September
30, 2002 and 2001, respectively.
In August 2000, the Company commenced the development of an integrated
information system to manage inventory, sales, on-line services and
distributor accounts, and incentive calculation. The development work
is being executed by outside vendors. The capitalized software
associated with this integrated information system for the six-month
period ended September 30, 2002 was $273,800 (unaudited). In September
2002, this integrated system was placed in service.
(3) LINE OF CREDIT:
On September 30, 2002, the Company had a $2,464,400 (unaudited) line of
credit with its bank, which accrues interest at Japan's market rate.
There were no outstanding balances as of September 30, 2002.
(4) ACCUMULATED DEFICIT:
The following provides a reconciliation of Accumulated Deficit for the
6 months ended September 31, 2002:
Accumulated deficit, March 31, 2002 $ (21,759,416)
Net income for the six months ended
September 30, 2002 3,479,128
Dividends paid (947,270)
--------------
Accumulated Deficit, September 30, 2002 $ (19,227,558)
==============
F-22
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
(5) INCOME TAXES:
Income taxes imposed by the national, prefecture and municipal
governments of Japan resulted in a normal statutory tax rate of
approximately 42.1%. Under Japanese tax law, the tax provision
encompasses only the operations of the Company's Japanese operating
subsidiary, AJOL, as a stand alone entity apart from the operations of
the Company's Japanese parent Forval Corporation ("Forval").
A reconciliation between the statutory tax rate and the effective
income tax rate is as follows:
Six months ended Six months ended
September 30, September 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Normal statutory tax rate 42.1% 42.1%
Entertainment and other non-
deductible expenses 8.5 27.9
---------- ----------
Effective tax rate 50.6% 70.0%
========== ==========
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax assets are as follows:
Six months ended
September 30,
2002
----
(Unaudited)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Deferred Revenue $ 66,726,362
Deferred Costs (50,838,737)
Excess of accrued bonus 229,768
Reserve for product return 87,644
Resort membership admission fees 225,915
Accrued compensated absences 145,197
Excess depreciation and
Amortization 496,757
Inventory write-down 257,074
Other 140,862
----------------
Total net deferred tax assets $ 17,470,842
================
Management believes that it is more likely than not that all of the
deferred tax assets will be realized through future earnings and/or tax
planning. Accordingly, no valuation allowance was recorded as of
September 30, 2002.
F-23
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
(6) RELATED PARTY:
In March, 2002, Funai Electric Co. (Funai) liquidated its entire equity
interest in AJOL. Accordingly, all purchases, subsequent to March 31,
2002 of MOJICO and related Advance payments and other transactions are
not considered to be related party transactions.
The Company also leases its office space from Forval. The following
summarize amounts due from or to Forval and Funai and related
transaction amounts:
Six months ended Six months ended
September 30, September 30,
2002 2001
---- ----
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
Due from Forval -
Lease deposit $ 588,549 $ 1,059,923
Due from Funai - Advance payment N/A 1,554,356
Due to Forval - Accounts payable 0 5,469
Due to Funai - Accounts payable N/A 270,693
Transactions with Forval:
Sales 0 2,737
Rental expenses 364,262 367,002
Purchase of fixed assets 0 32,702
Other 1,253 5,090
Transactions with Funai:
Purchases N/A 7,304,225
Other N/A 149,332
PPOL entered into separate agreements with Forval and Leo Global Fund,
its two majority shareholders, to provide research on investment
opportunities and market trends in the United States. The agreements
specifically call for PPOL to provide research on: 1) US trends and
products in the communications and information technology area, 2) the
market for broadband services and related infrastructure and hardware
in the US, 3) research of US market trends with respect to business and
matters of interest to other subsidiaries of Forval, 4) formation of
strategic alliances and partnerships with synergistic US businesses, 5)
other related research on matters of interest to Forval, and 6)
investment opportunities. There is no assurance that PPOL will receive
such projects from Forval and Leo Global Fund in the future.
F-24
PPOL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001
(7) SUBSEQUENT EVENT:
The Company entered into a lease agreement for approximately 1,793
square feet of office space in Orange, California for a term of 24
months from October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2004. The lease calls
for an initial annual base rent of approximately $39,800 with a 2.7%
increase after the first 12 months. Additionally, the Company is
responsible for a portion of the building's common area expenses.
(8) COMMITMENTS:
The Company is obligated to purchase fractional shares of its
outstanding common stock that resulted from the reverse stock split at
a price equal to the opening bid price of the Company's shares upon
such shares becoming listed on the National Association of Securities
Dealers' OTC Bulletin Board. While the amount of the repurchase is
unknown at the present time, management does not believe it will have a
material impact on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
AJOL has entered into employment agreements with two executives, each
for the term beginning July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003. Each
agreement provides for annual compensation of $100,000 per year. The
agreements also provide for business travel per diem expenses of $100
per day. Each of the agreements provides for services to AJOL in the
areas of sales, operations, administration, finance, manufacturing,
logistics, distribution, recruiting, research and development and such
other responsibilities assigned to each of these individuals by AJOL.
Additionally, AJOL has employment agreements with three other
executives, each for the term beginning April 1, 2002 through March 31,
2003. The agreements provide for annual compensation ranging between
approximately $42,500 and 44,500 per year. These agreements also
provide for business travel per diem expenses of $42 per day. Each of
these three executives may also receive a bonus twice a year based on
monthly compensation of one to three months. The bonus is discretionary
and may be paid, if at all, based upon AJOL's results of operations.
Each of these three executives has responsibilities in the areas of
sales, operations, administration, finance, manufacturing, logistics,
distribution, recruiting, research and development and such other
responsibilities assigned to each of these individuals by AJOL.
(9) RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The Company had conducted an internal review of its revenue recognition policies
under the direction of the Company's Chief Financial Officer. The Company sells
the MOJICO hardware for approximately $2,900 per unit and simultaneously charges
admission fees of approximately $150 to customers which afford them the right to
be a distributor for one year. As a result of the review, the Company noted that
customers renew and remain distributors with the Company for an average of 3
years in total. As such, the Company has revised its revenue recognition policy
on sales of MOJICO units. Revenues and related costs of MOJICO units are now
deferred and recognized over 3 years. The Company previously recognized revenue
from MOJICO sales over a period of 3 months. Therefore, in connection with this
internal review, the financial results for each of the years ended March 31,
2002, 2001 and 2000 are being restated. Additionally, the company has restated
the three and nine months ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, the three and six
months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 and the three months ended June 30,
2002. The total impact of the adjustments as of September 30, 2002 and for the
six months then ended are as follows:
September 30, 2002
------------------------------------------------
Restated Original Change
increase
(decrease)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Deferred costs - current $ 68,337,369 $ 9,834,153 $ 58,503,216
Deferred costs - long term 53,230,327 -- 53,230,327
Deferred income taxes- current 10,371,505 2,607,348 7,764,157
Deferred income taxes - long term 7,099,337 722,672 6,376,665
Total assets 168,536,850 42,662,485 125,874,365
============== ============== ==============
Other current liabilities $ 1,323,951 $ 1,532,376 $ (208,425)
Deferred revenues - current 91,164,006 13,988,262 77,175,744
Deferred revenues - long term 68,394,831 -- 68,394,831
Total liabilities 180,368,013 35,005,863 145,362,150
Total other comprehensive income (loss) 4,011,243 (1,450,871) 5,462,114
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (19,227,558) 5,722,341 (24,949,899)
Total shareholders' equity (deficit) (11,831,163) 7,656,622 (19,487,785)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit) 168,536,850 42,662,485 125,874,365
============== ============== ==============
Six Months Ended September 30:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001
-------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------
Restated Original Change Restated Original Change
increase increase
(decrease) (decrease)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Product sales and
network services $ 59,245,267 $ 61,464,604 $ (2,219,337) $ 59,299,799 $ 53,527,483 $ 5,772,316
Cost of sales 15,065,420 15,727,035 (661,615) 15,184,404 14,941,715 242,689
Distributor incentives 35,299,136 37,549,511 (2,250,375) 34,897,779 32,036,321 2,861,458
Operating income 4,226,824 3,172,694 1,054,130 4,774,461 2,106,384 2,668,077
Income before income taxes 4,242,337 3,182,960 1,059,377 4,733,855 2,065,781 2,668,074
Income taxes - deferred (721,412) 26,211 (747,623) 11,367 (299,058) 310,425
Net income (loss) 3,479,128 1,672,128 1,807,000 3,336,788 979,143 2,357,645
Cummulative foreign
currency translation (2,527,616) 311,247 (2,838,863) (1,790,053) 183,367 (1,973,420)
Comprehensive Income $ 951,512 $ 1,983,375 $ (1,031,863) $ 1,546,735 $ 1,162,510 $ 384,225
============= ============= ============= ============= ============= =============
The changes noted above are entirely attributable to revenue recognition and
associated deferral of costs of product sales and network service revenues as
discussed above. The restatement resulted in an increase in earnings per share
of $0.10 (from $0.10 to $0.20) for the six months ended September 30, 2002 and
an increase in earnings per share of $0.14 (from earnings per share of $0.06 to
$0.20) for the six months ended September 30, 2001. The financial results
presented in this report reflect the restatement of the Company's financial
results. Based on the substantial work done to date, the Company does not expect
any further restatements as a result of its internal review.
F-25
CONTENTS
PAGE
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT F-27
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
Balance Sheets F-28
Statements of Operations F-29
Statement of Stockholders' Deficiency F-30
Statements of Cash Flows F-31
Notes to Financial Statements F-32 - F-37
F-26
STONEFIELD JOSEPHSON, Inc.
Board of Directors
Diversified Strategies, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Diversified Strategies, Inc.,
as of March 31, 2002 and September 30, 2001 and 2000, and the related statements
of operations, stockholders' deficiency and cash flows for the six months ended
March 31, 2002 and for the years ended September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999. These
financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted
in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Diversified Strategies, Inc. as
of March 31, 2002 and September 30, 2001 and 2000, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2002 and for
the years ended September 30, 2001, 2000 and 1999 in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the
Company will continue as a going concern. As shown on the financial statements,
the Company has no established source of revenues. This raises substantial doubt
about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans
regarding this matter is described in Note 1. The financial statements do not
include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
/s/ Stonefield Josephson, Inc.
CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Santa Monica, California
August 27, 2002
F-27
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
MARCH 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
2002 2001 2000
------------ ------------ ------------
Total assets $ -- $ -- $ --
=========== =========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
CURRENT LIABILITIES -
Accounts payable $ 5,046 $ 5,046 $ 3,925
Due to stockholder 19,502 14,469 8,876
------------ ------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 24,548 19,515 12,801
------------ ------------ ------------
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES, NOTE 2
STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY:
Common stock; no par value, 100,000,000 shares
authorized, 914,746, 914,746 and 777,792 shares
issued and outstanding 1,600,042 1,600,042 1,504,127
Common stock reserved for issuance; 0, 0 and
136,955 shares -- -- 95,915
Accumulated deficit (1,624,590) (1,619,557) (1,612,843)
------------ ------------ ------------
Total stockholders' deficiency (24,548) (19,515) (12,801)
------------ ------------ ------------
$ -- $ -- $ --
============ ============ ============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-28
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
2002 2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- -------- --------
REVENUES $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 5,033 6,714 6,194 2,650
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET LOSS $(5,033) $(6,714) $(6,194) $(2,650)
======== ======== ======== ========
NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE,
basic and diluted $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
======== ======== ======== ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES
OUTSTANDING, basic and diluted -- -- -- --
======== ======== ======== ========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-29
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
COMMON STOCK
COMMON STOCK RESERVED FOR ISSUANCE TOTAL
------------ --------------------- ACCUMULATED STOCKHOLDERS'
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT DEFICIT DEFICIENCY
------ ------ ------ ------ ------- ----------
Balance at September 30, 1998 711,397 1,385,752 203,350 214,290 (1,602,692) (2,650)
Issuance of common stock 66,395 118,375 (66,395) (118,375) --
Net loss -- -- -- -- (3,957) (3,957)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
September 30, 1999 777,792 1,504,127 136,955 95,915 (1,606,649) (6,607)
Issuance of common stock
Net loss -- -- -- -- (6,194) (6,194)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at September 30, 2000 777,792 1,504,127 136,955 95,915 (1,612,843) (12,801)
Issuance of common stock 136,954 95,915 (136,955) (95,915) -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- (6,714) (6,714)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at September 30, 2001 914,746 1,600,042 -- -- (1,619,557) (19,515)
Net loss -- -- -- -- (5,033) (5,033)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Balance at March 31, 2002 914,746 $ 1,600,042 -- $ -- $(1,624,590) $ (24,548)
============ ============ ============ ============ ============ ============
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-30
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
SIX MONTHS
ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED YEAR ENDED
MARCH 31, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30, SEPTEMBER 30,
2002 2001 2000 1999
-------- -------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS USED FOR OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net loss $(5,033) $(6,714) $(6,194) $(3,957)
Accounts payable -- 1,121 1,275 --
-------- -------- -------- --------
(5,033) (5,593) (4,919) (3,957)
-------- -------- -------- --------
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from officers 5,033 5,593 4,919 3,957
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH -- -- -- --
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- --------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========= =========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Interest paid $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========= =========
Income taxes paid $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
======== ======== ========= =========
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
F-31
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
ORGANIZATION:
Diversified Strategies, Inc. ("the Company or DSI"), was
incorporated on May 19, 1993 in California but was inactive
until October 15, 1993. The Company was formed as the
reorganized debtor of SelecTV of California, Inc.
("SelecTV") and Telstar Satellite Corporation of America
("Telstar"). Both companies filed petitions for relief
under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy laws on December
16, 1988 and March 17, 1989 for Telstar and SelecTV,
respectively. Under the Joint Plan of Reorganization (the
"Plan") filed by SelecTV and Telstar, confirmed and
declared effective on November 20, 1992 and October 15,
1993, respectively, DSI acquired, in exchange for its
common stock, preferred stock and warrants, certain assets
of SelecTV and net proceeds from the liquidation of zero
coupon bonds underlying certain revenue bonds previously
issued by Telstar. Proceeds generated from the liquidation
of the zero coupon bonds were first used to pay
administrative expenses arising out of the SelecTV and
Telstar Chapter 11 proceedings and certain tax claims
against SelecTV. The aforementioned claims were assumed by
the Company in accordance with the Plan.
GOING CONCERN:
The Company's financial statements have been presented on
the basis that the Company will continue as a going
concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and
the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of
business. The Company has no established sources of
revenues. This raises substantial doubt about the Company's
ability to continue as a going concern unless the Company
raise additional capital and establish a source of revenue.
Management is currently attempting to acquire an operating
subsidiary. The financial statements do not include any
adjustments that might be necessary if the Company is
unable to continue as a going concern.
USE OF ESTIMATES:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States of America requires management to make estimates And
assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of Assets
and liabilities and 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. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
FAIR VALUE:
The Company's financial instruments consist principally of
an amount due to a stockholder for which the carrying value
approximates its fair value due to the short-term nature of
this amount.
F-32
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:
Comprehensive loss consists of net loss only, and
accordingly, a Statement of Comprehensive Loss is not
presented.
INCOME TAXES:
Deferred income taxes are reported using the liability
method. Deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible
temporary differences and deferred tax liabilities are
recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary
differences are the differences between the reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases.
Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance
when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than
not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and
rates on the date of enactment.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 "Business
Combinations." SFAS No. 141 supersedes Accounting
Principles Board ("APB") No. 16 and requires that any
business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 be
accounted for as a purchase; therefore, eliminating the
pooling-of-interest method defined in APB 16. The statement
is effective for any business combination initiated after
June 30, 2001 and shall apply to all business combinations
accounted for by the purchase method for which the date of
acquisition is July 1, 2001 or later. The adoption did not
have a material impact to the Company's financial position
or results of operations, since the Company has not
participated in such activities covered under this
pronouncement after the effective date.
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and
Other Intangibles." SFAS No. 142 addresses the initial
recognition, measurement and amortization of intangible
assets acquired individually or with a group of other
assets (but not those acquired in a business combination)
and addresses the amortization provisions for excess cost
over fair value of net assets acquired or intangibles
acquired in a business combination. The statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15,
2001, and is effective July 1, 2001 for any intangibles
acquired in a business combination initiated after June 30,
2001. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a
material impact to the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
F-33
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
(1) ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES, CONTINUED:
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS, CONTINUED:
In October 2001, the FASB recently issued SFAS No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," which
requires companies to record the fair value of a liability
for asset retirement obligations in the period in which
they are incurred. The statement applies to a company's
legal obligations associated with the retirement of a
tangible long-lived asset that results from the
acquisition, construction, and development or through the
normal operation of a long-lived asset. When a liability is
initially recorded, the company would capitalize the cost,
thereby increasing the carrying amount of the related
asset. The capitalized asset retirement cost is depreciated
over the life of the respective asset while the liability
is accreted to its present value. Upon settlement of the
liability, the obligation is settled at its recorded amount
or the company incurs a gain or loss. The statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2002.
The Company does not expect the adoption to have a material
impact to the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
In October 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting
for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets".
Statement 144 addresses the accounting and reporting for
the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. The
statement provides a single accounting model for long-lived
assets to be disposed of. New criteria must be met to
classify the asset as an asset held-for-sale. This
statement also focuses on reporting the effects of a
disposal of a segment of a business. This statement is
effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15,
2001. The Company does not expect the adoption to have a
material impact to the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
In April 2002, the FASB issued Statement No. 145,
"Rescission of FASB Statements No. 4, 44, and 64, Amendment
of FASB Statement No. 13, and Technical Corrections." This
Statement rescinds FASB Statement No. 4, "Reporting Gains
and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt", and an amendment
of that Statement, FASB Statement No. 64, "Extinguishments
of Debt Made to Satisfy Sinking-Fund Requirements" and FASB
Statement No. 44, "Accounting for Intangible Assets of
Motor Carriers". This Statement amends FASB Statement No.
13, "Accounting for Leases", to eliminate an inconsistency
between the required accounting for sale-leaseback
transactions and the required accounting for certain lease
modifications that have economic effects that are similar
to sale-leaseback transactions. The Company does not expect
the adoption to have a material impact to the Company's
financial position or results of operations.
F-34
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
(2) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
During the year ended September 30, 1996, the Company entered into an
agreement with the Internal Revenue Service for payment of delinquent
tax payments. The agreement stipulated that the Company would place
6,502 shares of its common stock in a trust account for which the
Chairman of the Company would be the trustee. The trust shares would
be sold in the market and the funds used to pay the delinquent taxes.
As of March 31, 2002, the shares of common stock have not been sold
and the delinquent taxes have not been extinguished.
(3) SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
PREFERRED STOCK
The Company's Board of Directors (the "Board") has authority, without
action by the shareholders, to issue preferred stock from time to
time in series having such designated preferences, rights,
qualifications and limitations as the Board may determine.
(4) INCOME TAXES:
The components of the provision for income taxes is as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
March 31, ---------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000 1999
---------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Current tax expense:
U.S. Federal $ - $ - $ - $ -
State and local - - - -
---------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Total current - - - -
---------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Deferred tax expense:
U.S. Federal - - - -
State and local - - - -
---------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Total deferred - - - -
---------------- -------------- -------------- ---------------
Total tax provision from
continuing operations $ - $ - $ - $ -
================ ============== ============== ===============
F-35
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
(4) INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED:
The reconciliation of the effective income tax rate to the federal
statutory rate is as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
March 31, --------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000 1999
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Federal income tax rate (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)% (34.0)%
Effect of valuation allowance 34.0 34.0 34.0 34.0
----------- ----------- ----------- ------------
Total income tax rate 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0%
=========== =========== =========== ============
At March 31, 2002, the Company had net carryforward losses of
approximately $1,050,000. A valuation allowance equal to the tax
benefit for deferred taxes has been established due to the
uncertainty of realizing the benefit of the tax carryforward.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effect of
temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and
liabilities for financial reporting purposes and amounts used for
income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred
tax assets and liabilities at September 30 are as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
March 31, ------------------------------------------------------
2002 2001 2000 1999
--------------- ----------------- ---------------- --------------
Deferred tax assets:
Loss carryforwards $ 367,000 $ 367,000 $ 367,000 $ 367,000
Less valuation allowance (367,000) (367,000) (367,000) (367,000)
--------------- ----------------- ---------------- --------------
Net deferred tax assets $ - $ - $ - $ -
=============== ================= ================ ==============
Net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2009 through 2011.
As of the date of the Plan, certain federal tax disputes were pending
related to SelecTV and Telstar. The Board of the Company authorized
management to negotiate a settlement with the Internal Revenue
Service ("IRS") on behalf of SelecTV and Telstar in order to resolve
the dispute although the Company did not assume any tax liabilities
of these entities as part of the Plan. In connection with a
settlement with the IRS, the Company agreed to pay the IRS $35,000 in
cash and issue to the IRS approximately 50,000 shares of common stock
as full payment for the tax disputes. 45,517 shares of stock were
subsequently issued (see Note 2).
F-36
DIVERSIFIED STRATEGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2002 AND
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2001, 2000 AND 1999
(5) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
MERGER
On August 15, 2002, the Company entered into an agreement which was
effective April 1, 2002, to acquire 100% (7,000 shares) of the
outstanding common stock of AJOL Co, Ltd for 17,095,174 shares of the
Company's common stock.
COMMON STOCK
The Company has issued 13,571 and cancelled 28,571 shares of its
common stock.
On August 15, 2002, the Company amended its articles of incorporation
to increase its authorized shares of common stock from 10,000,000 to
100,000,000, to change its name to PPOL, Inc. and to effect a 1 to 7
reverse stock split. All share data presented in these financial
statements have been affected for the reverse stock split.
F-37