UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
☐
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
OR
☐
SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date
of event requiring this shell company report
For
the transition period from to
Commission
file number: 001-41752
Earlyworks
Co., Ltd.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
N/A
(Translation
of Registrant’s name into English)
Japan
(Jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
5-7-11,
Ueno, Taito-ku
Tokyo,
Japan 110-0005
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Satoshi
Kobayashi, Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director
Telephone:
+81 03-5614-0978
Email:
satoshi-k@e-arly.works
At
the address of the Company set forth above
(Name,
Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
American depositary shares, each representing one ordinary share | | ELWS | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Ordinary shares* | | | | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
* | Not
for trading, but only in connection with the registration of the American depositary shares on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Each
American depositary share represents one ordinary share. |
Securities
registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
None
(Title
of Class)
Securities
for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
(Title
of Class)
Indicate
the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered
by the annual report: 15,039,400 ordinary shares
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
☐ No ☒
If
this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes
☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405
of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files).
Yes
☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth
company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company”
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | | Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If
an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, indicate by check mark if the registrant
has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant
to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the
registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of
the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate
by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP ☒ | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ☐ | Other ☐ |
If
“Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the
registrant has elected to follow. Item 17 ☐ Item 18 ☐
If
this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
In
this annual report on Form 20-F, unless the context otherwise requires, references to:
| ● | “ADRs”
are to the American Depositary Receipts that may evidence the ADSs (defined below); |
| ● | “ADSs”
are to the American Depositary Shares of Earlyworks Co., Ltd., each of which represents one
Ordinary Share (defined below); |
| ● | “Exchange
Act” are to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; |
| ● | “Japanese
yen” or “JPY” are to the legal currency of Japan; |
| ● | “Nasdaq”
are to the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC; |
| ● | “Ordinary
Shares” are to the ordinary shares of Earlyworks Co., Ltd.; |
| ● | “SEC”
are to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission; |
| ● | “Securities
Act” are to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; |
| ● | “U.S.”,
“US” or “United States” are to United States of America, its territories,
its possessions and all areas subject to its jurisdiction; |
| ● | “US$,”
“$,” “USD” or “U.S. dollars” are to the legal currency
of the United States; and |
| ● | “we,”
“us,” “our,” “our Company,” or the “Company”
are to Earlyworks Co., Ltd. |
This
annual report on Form 20-F includes our audited financial statements for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023,
2022, and 2021. Our functional currency and reporting currency is the Japanese yen. Convenience translations included in this annual
report of Japanese yen into U.S. dollars have been made at the exchange rate of JPY135.99= $1.00, which was the foreign exchange rate
on April 28, 2023 as reported by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the “U.S. Federal Reserve”) in its
weekly release on May 1, 2023. Historical and current exchange rate information may be found at https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h10/20221003/.
We
have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this annual report. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals
in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them.
Part I
Item 1. IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT
AND ADVISERS
Not
Applicable.
Item 2. OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE
Not
Applicable.
Item 3. KEY INFORMATION
A. [Reserved]
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
Not
applicable.
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not
applicable.
D. Risk Factors
Risks
Related to Our Business
Blockchain
is a nascent and rapidly changing technology and the use of blockchain technology in the commercial marketplace remains relatively small.
The slowing or stopping of the development or acceptance of blockchain technology may adversely affect our business.
Blockchain
is an emerging technology that offers new capabilities. The development of blockchain technology is a new and rapidly evolving industry
that is subject to a high degree of uncertainty. The capabilities of blockchain technology have not been fully confirmed. The utilization
of blockchain technology may face opposition by certain participants in the market, who may criticize blockchain technology for its slow
processing speed, poor real-time data processing capacity and burdensome learning costs, among other things. In addition, blockchain
technology is subject to technical risks such as forking. Most blockchain networks operate based on some form of open-source software.
An open-source project is not represented, maintained or monitored by an official organization or authority. Because of the nature of
open-source software projects, it may be easier for third parties not affiliated with the issuer to introduce weaknesses or bugs into
the core infrastructure elements of the blockchain network. This could result in the corruption of the open-source code which may result
in the loss or theft of blockchain assets.
Factors
affecting the further development of blockchain industry include, without limitation:
| ● | continued
worldwide growth in the adoption and use of blockchain technology; |
| ● | the
maintenance and development of the open-source software protocol of blockchain networks; |
| ● | changes
in consumer demographics; |
| ● | changes
in public tastes and preferences; |
| ● | the
popularity or acceptance of blockchain networks and assets; and |
| ● | government
and quasi-government regulation of blockchain networks and assets, including any restrictions
on access, operation and use of blockchain networks and assets. |
Our
business model is dependent on continued investment in and development of the blockchain industry and related technologies. If investments
in the blockchain industry become less attractive to investors, innovators, and developers, or if blockchain networks and assets do not
gain public acceptance or are not adopted and used by a substantial number of individuals, companies and other entities, it could have
a material adverse impact on our prospects and operations.
If
we are unable to apply technology effectively in driving value for our customers through blockchain-based solutions, our business could
be adversely affected.
Our
success depends on our ability to apply our proprietary blockchain technology, Grid Ledger System (“GLS”), develop new products
and services, and improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of the existing products and services, in each case in ways that address
current and anticipated customer requirements, industry needs and future trends. Such success is dependent upon several factors, including
technology effectiveness, functionality, competitive pricing, licensing and integration with existing and emerging technologies. The
blockchain industry is characterized by rapid technological changes. If we fail to develop and implement technology solutions and technical
expertise that keep pace with changes in technology, industry standards, and customer preferences, our value proposition could be adversely
affected. We may not be successful in anticipating or responding to these developments on a timely and cost-effective basis and our ideas
may not be accepted in the marketplace. The effort to gain technological expertise and develop new technologies in our business may require
us to incur significant expenses. In addition, GLS may not gain acceptance or recognition in the market which is dominated by more established
and conventional technologies, even though we believe GLS is superior to the conventional blockchains. Our unique advantage created by
GLS may be threatened by intensified competition in the market if our competitors invent similar technologies in the future. Any of these
events could result in a material adverse effect on our operating results, customer relationships, and business.
We may not be able to adequately evaluate the risks associated with
the NFT platforms developed by us.
NFTs,
or non-fungible tokens, are cryptographic assets on a blockchain with unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them
from each other. Similar to cryptocurrency, NFTs are issued, stored, and traded on a blockchain network. Different from cryptocurrency,
NFTs are unique and cannot be replaced with other like-kind assets. Traditional digital products can be easily duplicated and distributed
without the ability to determine their authenticity. In comparison, NFTs are unique and can be distributed and traded with the ability
to prove their authenticity and ownership. We were selected by Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures Inc. (“Hakuhodo”) to develop
a platform called Animap where Hakuhodo sells its NFTs. Hakuhodo is the sole owner of Animap and independently manages the daily operation
of Animap. Hakuhodo obtains permission from copyright owners to convert their copyrighted works into NFTs, handles inquiries, complaints,
purchase cancellations, refunds and requests as well as provides other customer support for Animap users. We own certain intellectual
property rights in the system used to develop Animap. We do not own, operate or maintain Animap, nor do we have any custody, ownership
interests or intellectual property rights in the NFTs that are sold on Animap. We also developed another NFT trading platform
for a different business partner. Such business partner operates the platform and we produce the NFTs that are sold on the platform.
We own the intellectual property rights in the platform and the NFTs that we developed and created.
Because the market for NFTs is relatively nascent,
it is difficult to predict how the legal and regulatory framework around NFTs will develop and how such developments will impact us. Further,
market acceptance of NFTs is uncertain because buyers may be unfamiliar or uncomfortable with transacting in digital assets and assessing
the value of NFTs. The trading platforms developed by us are also subject to cybersecurity risks. For example, a perpetrator could seek
to obtain the private key associated with a digital wallet holding an NFT to access and sell the NFT without valid authorization, and
the owner of the NFT may have limited recourse due to the nature of blockchain transactions and of cybercrimes generally. In addition,
an unauthorized party may acquire the necessary credentials to access user accounts. The safeguards we have implemented or may implement
in the future to protect against cybersecurity threats may be insufficient. The occurrence of any of these risks could materially and
adversely affect our reputation and business.
The NFT platforms developed by us may expose
us to legal and regulatory risks.
Recently, the U.S. regulatory authorities have
signalled sanctions could apply to digital transactions and have pursued enforcement actions involving cryptocurrencies and digital asset
accounts. On August 28, 2023, the U.S Securities and Exchange Commission charged Impact Theory, LLC, a media and entertainment company
headquartered in Los Angeles, with conducting an unregistered offering of crypto asset securities in the form of purported NFTs. As a
result, Impact Theory, LLC was ordered to pay a combined total of more than $6.1 million in disgorgement, prejudgment interest, and a
civil penalty. The nature of many NFT transactions involve circumstances which present higher risks for potential violations, such as
anonymity, subjective valuation, use of intermediaries, lack of transparency, and decentralization associated with blockchain technology,
which have implications on a wide range of liability issues. NFT transactions may be subject to laws governing virtual currency or money
transmission. NFT transactions also raise issues regarding compliance with laws of foreign jurisdictions, many of which present complex
compliance issues and may conflict with one another. The NFT platforms expose us to the foregoing risks, among others, any of which could
materially and adversely harm our business, financial condition, results of operations, reputation, and prospects.
Our
technology is dependent on telecommunications infrastructure and the performance of devices equipped with blockchain.
The
success of our blockchain-based products and services will depend on the continued development of a stable telecommunications infrastructure
with the necessary speed, data capacity and security, complementary products such as high-speed networking equipment for providing reliable
internet access and services, and other devices that are equipped with blockchain. There is no assurance that the relevant infrastructure
and devices will continue to be able to support the demands placed on it by the growth of blockchain technology. There is also no assurance
that the infrastructure or complementary products or services necessary to support the blockchain technology will be developed in a timely
manner, or that such development will not incur substantial costs to adapt to changing technologies. The failure of these platforms and
devices or their development could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Cybersecurity
incidents may materially and adversely affect our business.
Security
breaches, computer malware and computer hacking attacks have been a prevalent concern since the launch of blockchain technology. To reduce
security concerns, GLS employs intermediate processing nodes, which are independent of the nodes that make up the blockchain network
and process the actual transactions. Even if the intermediate processing nodes are stopped, the transactions cannot be tampered with.
To reduce the impact of attacks on intermediate processing nodes and any unauthorized access, GLS allows the use of firewalls and other
means to prevent cyberattacks, thereby providing security. However, our security system and operational infrastructure may be breached
due to the actions of outside parties, error or malfeasance of an employee of ours, or otherwise. Techniques used to obtain unauthorized
access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may be designed to remain dormant until a predetermined
event. Outside parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees of ours to disclose sensitive information in order to gain access
to our infrastructure. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our
reputation, and a loss of confidence in the services we provide, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business.
We
may experience operational system failures or interruptions that could materially harm our ability to conduct our operations.
We
rely on the capacity, reliability and security of third-party systems and software to support our operations. For example, we employ
Google Drive to process, transmit and store information. The systems of third-party providers may experience material interruptions or
failures due to a variety of events beyond our control, including but not limited to, natural disasters, telecommunications failures,
employee or customer error or misuse, targeted attacks, unauthorized access, fraud, computer viruses, denial of service attacks, terrorism,
firewall or encryption failures and other security problems. If any of the systems do not operate properly, are compromised or are disabled,
we could suffer adverse impact on our operations.
If
we are not able to successfully compete, our business will be materially harmed.
We
design, upgrade, and maintain technology systems for our customers. We expect to encounter competition in our business, including from
entities having substantially greater capital and resources and offering a wider range of products and services. Many of our competitors
may have greater financial, marketing, technological and personnel resources than we do, and may offer a wider range of bundled services,
have broader name recognition, and have larger customer bases than we do.
Our
ability to develop competitive advantages will require continued improvement in GLS, enhancements to our products, investment in the
development of our services, and additional marketing activities. There can be no assurance that we will timely implement changes into
our technology, that we will have resources to make sufficient investments in the development of our services, that our competitors will
not devote significantly more resources to competing services, or that we will otherwise be successful in developing market share. If
competitors offer superior services, or implement changes in a timelier and more cost-effective manner, our market share could be affected,
and this would adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Competitors
will likely attempt to imitate our services, products and technology. If we are unable to protect or preserve our proprietary rights,
our business may be harmed.
As
our business continues to expand, our competitors will likely imitate our products, services, and technology. Only a portion of the intellectual
property used in the operation of our business lines is patentable, and therefore we rely on trade and service marks, copyrights, trade
secrets, and other forms of intellectual property protection. We also rely on confidentiality agreements with employees, consultants,
third-party service providers, and others to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights.
Nevertheless,
the steps we take to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights against infringement or other violation may be inadequate.
There is no assurance that others will not independently develop technology with the same or similar function to any proprietary technology
that we rely on. We may experience difficulty in effectively limiting the unauthorized use of our intellectual property and proprietary
rights. We could incur significant costs and management distraction in pursuing claims to enforce our intellectual property and proprietary
rights through litigation. If we are unable to protect or preserve the value of our intellectual property and proprietary rights for
any reason, our brand and reputation could be damaged and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially
adversely affected.
Negative
publicity could damage our business.
Developing
and maintaining our reputation is critical to attracting and retaining customers and investors. Our success depends on our ability to
successfully maintain and improve our technology and systems to meet the functionality, performance, reliability and speed requirements
of our customers. Negative publicity regarding our Company, our technology, our key personnel, or blockchain technology generally, whether
based upon fact, allegation or perception and whether justified or not, could give rise to reputational risk which could significantly
harm our business prospects.
If
one or more competitors obtain patents covering technology critical to the operation of our business, we may infringe on the intellectual
property rights of others.
If
one or more other persons, companies or organizations has or obtains a valid patent covering technology critical to the operation of
our business, there can be no assurance that such entity would be willing to license such technology at acceptable prices or at all,
which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Due
to the fundamentally open-source nature of blockchain technology, we may not always be able to determine that we are using or accessing
protected information or software. In addition, patent applications are in some cases maintained in secrecy until patents are issued.
The publication of discoveries in scientific or patent literature frequently occurs substantially later than the date on which the underlying
discoveries were made and patent applications were filed. Because patents can take many years to issue, there may currently be pending
applications of which we are unaware that may later result in issued patents that our products infringe.
We
could expend significant resources defending against patent infringement and other intellectual property right claims, which could require
us to divert resources away from our operations. Any damages we are required to pay or injunctions against our continued use of such
intellectual property in resolution of such claims may cause a material adverse effect to our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
If
we are unable to successfully identify, hire and retain skilled individuals, our business will be adversely affected.
Our
growth is based, in part, on our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals and software engineers. We aim to motivate
and retain qualified employees. However, we may face difficulties in recruiting and retaining employees of a caliber consistent with
our business strategy because of competition from other companies. If our employees are unsatisfied with what we offer, such as remuneration
packages or working environment, we may not be able to retain qualified employees or replace them with personnel of appropriate skill
sets and personal attributes at comparable costs. In such event, we may need to expend additional resources to retain or replace suitable
employees.
As
of the date of this annual report, we are not subject to any employment-related claims. However, we may be subject to various
employment-related claims from time to time, such as individual actions or government enforcement actions relating to wage-hour, labor
standards, or healthcare and benefit issues. Such actions, if brought against us and successful in whole or in part, may materially and
adversely affect our business or results of operations.
The
loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our
success depends solely on the continued services of key personnel, particularly our management and officers, who have extensive market
knowledge and long-standing industry relationships. Our management team has approximately 100 years of combined experience working
with corporations of various operating scales across different industries. Our reputation among and our relationships with
key customers are the result of a significant investment of time and effort by our management to build credibility in a highly specialized
industry. The loss of services of any member of management could diminish our business, growth opportunities, and our relationships with
key customers.
We
could be the victim of employee misconduct.
There
is a risk that our employees or contractors could engage in fraud, conflicts of interest, unauthorized disclosure of confidential information,
or other misconduct that adversely affects our business. Furthermore, our employees could make errors in recording or executing transactions
for customers which would cause us to enter into transactions that customers may disavow and refuse to settle. It is not always possible
to deter misconduct by our employees, and the precautions we take to prevent and detect misconduct may not be effective in all cases.
Our ability to detect and prevent errors or misconduct by entities with which we do business may be even more limited. Such misconduct
could subject us to financial losses and materially harm our reputation, financial condition and operating results.
If
our vendors and third-party service providers experience difficulties, our business could be adversely affected.
We
outsource some operational activities and depend on relationships with vendors and third-party service providers. For example, we employ
external engineers for certain outsourced systems development and maintenance projects. Our operations could be interrupted or disrupted
if our vendors and third-party service providers, or even the vendors of such vendors and third-party service providers, experience operational
or other systems difficulties, terminate their service, fail to comply with regulations, raise their prices, or dispute key intellectual
property rights sold or licensed to or developed for our Company. If any of these events happen, and we are unable to replace vendors
and service providers, on a timely basis or at all, our operations could be interrupted. If an interruption were to continue for a significant
period, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Even if we can replace vendors and third-party
providers, it may be at a higher cost, which could also adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our
revenues are dependent on a limited number of major customers, and the loss of any such customer or the inability of any such customer
to make payments to us as due, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
For
the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, we had 6 customers with sales revenue of more than JPY1,000,000, and our top three customers
contributed to 82.7% of our total sales revenue, accounting for 48.5%, 27.3%, and 6.9% of our total sales revenue, respectively. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, we had 10 customers with sales revenue of more than JPY1,000,000, and our top
three customers contributed to 81.5% of our total sales revenue, accounting for 47.4%, 25.9%, and 8.2% of our total sales revenue,
respectively. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021, we had eight customers with sales revenue of more than JPY1,000,000, and our
three major customers contributed to 91.6% of our total sales revenue, accounting for 46.3%, 42.0%, and 3.3% of our total sales
revenue, respectively. Although we do not heavily rely upon any one customer for the majority of our revenue, our revenue is
dependent on a limited number of customers who account for a large percentage of our contractually committed capacity. If one or more of our significant customers fail to make payments to us or does not honor their contractual commitments,
our revenue and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, our reliance on any significant customers may give such
customers a degree of pricing leverage against us when negotiating contracts and terms of services with us. The loss of any of our major
customers, or a significant decrease in the extent of the services that they outsource to us or the level of prices we offer, could materially
and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Any
of our customers could experience a downturn in their business, which in turn could result in their inability or failure to make timely
payments to us pursuant to their contracts with us. In the event of any customer default, our liquidity could be adversely impacted.
These risks would be particularly significant if one of our major customers were to experience adverse effects to its business and defaults
under their contracts with us.
We
may have difficulty executing our growth strategy and maintaining our growth effectively.
Our
growth requires additional investment in personnel, facilities, information technology infrastructure, and financial and management systems
and controls and may place a significant strain on our management and resources. Our growth strategy also may subject us to increased
legal, compliance and regulatory obligations. There is no assurance that our growth efforts will be successful. We may not be able to
implement important strategic initiatives in accordance with our expectations, including that the strategic initiatives could result
in additional unanticipated costs, which may result in an adverse impact on our business and financial results. Unless our growth results
in an increase in our revenues that is proportionate to the increase in our costs associated with our growth, our future profitability
could be adversely affected.
We
intend to explore acquisitions, other investments and strategic alliances. We may not be successful in identifying opportunities or in
integrating the acquired businesses. Any such transaction may not produce the results we anticipate, which could adversely affect our
business.
We
intend to explore and pursue acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures and other alliances to strengthen our business and
grow our Company in the future. The market for acquisitions and strategic opportunities is highly competitive. In addition, these transactions
entail numerous operational and financial risks, including but not limited to difficulties in valuing acquired businesses, combining
personnel and firm cultures, integrating acquired products, services and operations, achieving anticipated synergies that were inherent
in our valuation assumptions, exposure to unknown material liabilities, the potential loss of key vendors, clients or employees of acquired
companies, incurrence of substantial debt or dilutive issuance of equity securities to pay for acquisitions, higher-than expected acquisition
or integration costs, write-downs of assets or impairment charges, increased amortization expenses and decreased earnings, revenue or
cash flow from dispositions.
If
we need to seek additional financing but are not able to do so on commercially acceptable terms, our liquidity and financial condition
will be adversely affected.
As
of the date of this annual report, we have entered into 4 loan and credit agreements with financial lending institutions for an aggregate
loan amount of JPY235 million (US$1,728,068). As of the date of this annual report, the total outstanding principal balance of JPY183,168,000
(US$1,346,922) has not been settled. For further details on our bank borrowings, see “Item 5. Operating And Financial Review
And Prospects—B. Liquidity and Capital Resources.” The viability of our business is dependent on the availability of adequate
capital to develop and maintain our business. We will need to continue to invest in our operations for the foreseeable future to carry
out our business plan. If we do not attract customers and does not achieve the expected operating results, we will need to seek additional
financing or revise our business plan. Our ability to borrow additional funds may be impacted by financial lending institutions’
ability or willingness to lend to us on commercially acceptable terms. If we have low levels of operating cash flow together with limited
access to capital or credit in the future, it could have an impact on our ability to meet our capital requirements, invest in our software
and infrastructure, engage in strategic initiatives, make acquisitions or strategic investments in other companies, react to changing
economic and business conditions, or repay our outstanding debt. Such outcomes could have an adverse effect on our business, financial
condition and operating results.
Operational
risk may materially and adversely affect our performance.
Operational
risk is the risk of an adverse outcome resulting from inadequate or failed internal processes, people, systems or external events. Our
exposure to operational risk arises from routine processing errors, as well as extraordinary incidents, such as major system failures
or legal and regulatory matters. Because our business lines are reliant on both technology and human expertise and execution, we are
exposed to material operational risks arising from a number of factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication
errors, errors of third-party service providers, counterparties or other third parties, failed or inadequate processes, design flaws
and technology or system failures and malfunctions. Operational errors or significant operational delays could have a materially negative
impact on our ability to conduct its business or service its clients, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
We
may not have sufficient insurance to cover potential losses and claims.
We
currently maintain insurance coverage against the risk of property damage caused by fires, lightning strikes, explosions, riots, vehicle
collisions, thefts, and flooding. We also maintain earthquake insurance coverage. While we believe that there have not been
instances when we had to incur losses, damages, and liabilities because of the lack of insurance coverage, there may be such instances
in the future, which may in turn adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We
may become involved in legal and other proceedings from time to time and may suffer significant liabilities or other losses as a result.
As
of the date of this annual report, we are not a party to any material lawsuits and we are not aware of any threats of lawsuits against
our Company that are anticipated to have a major impact on our business. From time to time, we may become involved in disputes
with the provision of our services or other aspects of our business and operations, including labor disputes with employees and contract
disputes with our customers. These disputes may lead to legal or other proceedings and may result in substantial costs and diversion
of resources and management’s attention. Disputes and legal and other proceedings may require substantial time and expense to resolve,
which could divert valuable resources, such as management time and working capital, delay our planned projects, and increase our costs.
Third parties that are found liable to us may not have the resources to compensate us for our incurred costs and damages. We could also
be required to pay significant costs and damages if we do not prevail in any such disputes or proceedings.
General
economic, political and market conditions may have an adverse impact on our operating performance, results of operations and cash flow.
Our
business is influenced by a range of factors that are beyond our control including general economic and business conditions and legal,
regulatory, and political developments. Challenging economic conditions worldwide have from time to time contributed, and may continue
to contribute, to slowdowns in the information technology industry at large. Weakness in the economy could have a negative effect on
our business, operations and financial condition, including decreases in revenue and operating cash flow, and inability to attract future
equity and debt financing on commercially reasonable terms. Additionally, in a down-cycle economic environment, we may experience the
negative effects of a slowdown in the usage of our blockchain technology. The impact of global events, including the ongoing conflict
between Russia and Ukraine, may also negatively impact our Company.
Our
business may be adversely affected by the impact of coronavirus, other epidemics or pandemics, acts of God, wars, insurrections, riots,
infrastructure failures, and other force majeure events.
Public
health epidemics or outbreaks could adversely impact our business. In early 2020, an outbreak of the novel strain of a coronavirus,
which causes a disease named COVID-19, spread worldwide. As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, governments and industries have
instituted drastic actions to contain the coronavirus or treat its impact. Such actions, including bans on international and
domestic travel, quarantines, and prohibitions on accessing work sites, have caused significant disruptions to global and local
economies and have led to dramatic volatility in the capital markets. In April 2020, the Japanese government issued the Declaration
of a State of Emergency, whereby the Japanese government ordered non-essential activities and businesses across Japan to close as a
preemptive safeguard against the COVID-19 pandemic. This adversely impacted many business sectors across Japan, especially in Tokyo.
During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had some negative impact on our business operations, when delay
in our sales activities occurred due to the inability to conduct scheduled in-person sales activities. Since the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has had no significant impact on our business operations.
In
addition, acts of terrorism, labor activism or unrest, and other geo-political unrest could cause disruptions in the business, the businesses
of partners, or the economy as a whole. In the event of a natural disaster, including a major earthquake, blizzard, or hurricane, or
a catastrophic event such as a fire, power loss, or telecommunications failure, we may be unable to continue operations and may endure
system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in development of our systems, lengthy interruptions in service, breaches of data security,
and loss of critical data, all of which could have an adverse effect on future operating results.
The
regulatory regimes governing blockchain technologies are uncertain, and new regulations or policies may materially adversely affect the
development of blockchain.
Initially,
it was unclear how blockchain technologies and the businesses and activities utilizing such technologies would fit into the current web
of government regulation. As blockchain technologies have grown in popularity and in market size, international, federal, state and local
regulatory agencies have begun to clarify their position. Various legislative and executive bodies in the United States and in other
countries have shown that they intend to adopt legislation to regulate blockchain technologies. However, according to our Japanese legal
counsel, there are no laws or regulations in Japan that restrict or regulate blockchain technologies per se as of the date of this annual
report.
New
or changing laws and regulations or interpretations of existing laws and regulations may materially and adversely impact the development
and growth of blockchain technologies. The imposition of restrictions on blockchains could adversely affect our business.
Our
compliance and risk management programs might not be effective and may result in outcomes that could adversely affect our reputation,
financial condition and operating results.
Our
ability to comply with applicable laws and rules is largely dependent on our establishment and maintenance of compliance, review and
reporting systems, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance and other risk management personnel. There is no
assurance that our compliance policies and procedures will always be effective or that we will always be successful in monitoring or
evaluating our risks. In the case of alleged non-compliance with applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to investigations
and judicial or administrative proceedings that may result in substantial penalties or civil lawsuits, including by customers, for damages,
which could be significant. Any of these outcomes may adversely affect our reputation, financial condition and operating results.
We
have limited experience operating as a public company.
We
have limited experience conducting our operations as a public company. We may encounter operational, administrative, and strategic difficulties
as a public company. This may cause us to react more slowly than our competitors to industry changes and may divert our management’s
attention from running our business or otherwise harm our operations. In addition, as a public company, our management team need to develop
the expertise necessary to comply with the numerous regulatory and other requirements applicable to public companies, including requirements
relating to corporate governance and investor relationships issues, and our management have to evaluate our internal controls system
with new thresholds of materiality, and may implement necessary changes to our internal controls system. We cannot guarantee that we
will be able to do so in a timely and effective manner.
The
requirements of being a public company may strain our resources and divert management’s attention.
As
a public company, we are subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of Nasdaq, and other applicable securities rules and regulations.
Despite recent reforms made possible by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act, compliance with
these rules and regulations has nonetheless increased and will continue to increase our legal, accounting, and financial compliance costs
and investor relations and public relations costs, make some activities more difficult, time-consuming, or costly, and increase demand
on our systems and resources, particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Exchange Act requires,
among other things, that we file annual reports and reports of foreign private issuer with respect to our business and operating results
as well as proxy statements.
As
a result of disclosure of information in the Form 20-F and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition
are more visible, which we believe may result in an increased likelihood of threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors
and other third parties. If such claims are successful, our business and operating results could be harmed, and even if the claims do
not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, these claims, and the time and resources necessary to resolve them, could divert
the resources of our management and adversely affect our business, brand and reputation, and results of operations.
Risks
Related to Our Ordinary Shares and the Trading Market
Share
ownership is concentrated in the hands of our management, who are able to exercise a direct or indirect controlling influence on us.
As
of the date of this annual report, our directors and executive officers together beneficially own approximately 57.97% of 15,039,400
Ordinary Shares outstanding and 3,035,000 Ordinary Shares subject to options that are currently exercisable as of the date of this annual
report. These shareholders, acting together, have significant influence over all matters that require approval by our shareholders, including
the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. Corporate action might be taken even if other shareholders
oppose them. This concentration of ownership might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of our Company
that other shareholders may view as beneficial.
The
sale or availability for sale of substantial amounts of the ADSs could adversely affect their market price.
Sales
of a substantial amount of the ADSs in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could adversely affect the
market price of the ADSs and could materially impair our ability to raise capital through equity offerings in the future. As of the date
of this annual report, 15,039,400 Ordinary Shares are issued and outstanding, and 3,538,400 ADSs (representing 3,538,400 Ordinary Shares)
are issued, outstanding and freely tradeable. We cannot predict what effect, if any, market sales of securities held by our
significant shareholders or any other shareholder or the availability of these securities for future sale will have on the market price
of the ADSs.
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, or if they publish a negative report regarding
the ADSs, the price of the ADSs and trading volume could decline.
Any
trading market for the ADSs may depend in part on the research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish about us or our
business. We do not have any control over these analysts. If one or more of the analysts who cover us downgrade us, the price of the
ADSs would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of our Company or fail to regularly publish reports on us,
we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which could cause the price of the ADSs and the trading volume to decline.
The
market price of the ADSs may be volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.
The
market price of the ADSs may fluctuate significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:
| ● | actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our revenue and other operating results; |
| ● | the
financial projections we may provide to the public, any changes in these projections, or
our failure to meet these projections; |
| ● | actions
of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates
by any securities analysts who follow our company, or our failure to meet these estimates
or the expectations of investors; |
| ● | announcements
by us or our competitors of significant products, technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic
partnerships, joint ventures, or capital commitments; |
| ● | price
and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in the
economy as a whole; |
| ● | the
trading volume of the ADSs on Nasdaq; |
| ● | sales
of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares by us, our executive officers and directors, or our shareholders
or the anticipation that such sales may occur in the future; |
| ● | lawsuits
threatened or filed against us; and |
| ● | other
events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses
to these events. |
In
addition, the stock markets have experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market
prices of equity securities of many companies. Stock prices of many companies have fluctuated in a manner unrelated or disproportionate
to the operating performance of those companies. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods
of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources
and the attention of management from our business, and adversely affect our business.
If
we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may fail to meet our reporting obligations or be unable
to accurately report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence and the market price of the ADSs may be materially
and adversely affected.
As
a public company in the United States, we are subject to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(“Section 404”) requires that we include a report of management on our internal control over financial reporting in our annual
report on Form 20-F. In addition, once we cease to be an “emerging growth company,” as such term is defined in the JOBS Act,
our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting. Our management may conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective. Moreover, even if our management
concludes that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, our independent registered public accounting firm, after conducting
its own independent testing, may issue a report that is qualified if it is not satisfied with our internal controls or the level at which
our controls are documented, designed, operated, or reviewed, or if it interprets the relevant requirements differently from us. In addition,
our reporting obligations may place a significant strain on our management, operational, and financial resources and systems for the
foreseeable future. We may be unable to complete our evaluation testing and any required remediation in a timely manner.
During
the course of documenting and testing our internal control procedures, in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404, we may identify
weaknesses and deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, if we fail to maintain the adequacy of our
internal control over financial reporting, as these standards are modified, supplemented, or amended from time to time, we may not be
able to conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404.
If we fail to achieve and maintain an effective internal control environment, we could suffer material misstatements in our financial
statements and fail to meet our reporting obligations, which would likely cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial
information. This could in turn limit our access to capital markets, harm our results of operations, and lead to a decline in the trading
price of the ADSs. Additionally, ineffective internal control over financial reporting could expose us to increased risk of fraud or
misuse of corporate assets and subject us to potential delisting from Nasdaq, regulatory investigations, and civil or criminal sanctions.
We may also be required to restate our financial statements for prior periods. See “Item 15. Controls And Procedures” for
more information.
As
a foreign private issuer, we have followed home country practice even though we are considered a “controlled company” under
Nasdaq corporate governance rules, which could adversely affect our public shareholders.
As
of the date of this annual report, Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi, our Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director, owns more than a majority
of the voting power of our outstanding Ordinary Shares. Under the Nasdaq corporate governance rules, a company of which more
than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group, or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect
not to comply with certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards, including the requirements that:
| ● | a
majority of its board of directors consist of independent directors; |
| ● | its
director nominations be made, or recommended to the full board of directors, by its independent
directors or by a nominations committee that is comprised entirely of independent directors
and that it adopt a written charter or board resolution addressing the nominations process;
and |
| ● | it
has a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written
charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities. |
As
a foreign private issuer, however, Nasdaq corporate governance rules allow us to follow corporate governance practice in our home country,
Japan, with respect to appointments to our board of directors and committees. We have followed home country practice as permitted by
Nasdaq rather than rely on the “controlled company” exception to the corporate governance rules. See “—Because
we are a foreign private issuer and have taken advantage of exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable
to U.S. issuers, you have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer.” Accordingly, you do not have the same
protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance requirements of Nasdaq.
We
do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
We
currently intend to retain most, if not all, of our available funds and any future earnings to fund the operation, development, and growth
of our business and, as a result, we do not expect to declare or pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. Therefore, you should not
rely on an investment in the ADSs as a source for any future dividend income. Accordingly, the return on your investment in the ADSs
likely depends entirely upon any future price appreciation of the ADSs. There is no assurance that the ADSs will appreciate in value
or even maintain the price at which you purchased the ADSs. You may not realize a return on your investment in the ADSs and you may even
lose your entire investment in the ADSs.
Rights
of shareholders under Japanese law may be different from rights of shareholders in other jurisdictions.
Our
articles of incorporation and the Companies Act of Japan (Act No. 86 of 2005, as amended), or the Companies Act, govern our corporate
affairs. Legal principles relating to matters such as the validity of corporate procedures, directors’ and executive officers’
fiduciary duties, and obligations and shareholders’ rights under Japanese law may be different from, or less clearly defined than,
those that would apply to a company incorporated in any other jurisdiction. Shareholders’ rights under Japanese law may not be
as extensive as shareholders’ rights under the law of other countries. For example, under the Companies Act, only holders of 3%
or more of our total voting rights or our outstanding shares are entitled to examine our accounting books and records. Furthermore, there
is a degree of uncertainty as to what duties the directors of a Japanese joint-stock corporation may have in response to an unsolicited
takeover bid, and such uncertainty may be more pronounced than that in other jurisdictions.
As
holders of ADSs, you may have fewer rights than holders of our Ordinary Shares and must act through the depositary to exercise those
rights.
The
rights of shareholders under Japanese law to take actions, including voting their shares, receiving dividends and distributions, bringing
derivative actions, examining our accounting books and records, and exercising appraisal rights, are available only to shareholders of
record. ADS holders are not shareholders of record. The depositary, through its custodian agents, is the record holder of our Ordinary
Shares underlying the ADSs. ADS holders are not be able to bring a derivative action, examine our accounting books and records, or exercise
appraisal rights through the depositary.
Holders
of ADSs may exercise their voting rights only in accordance with the provisions of the deposit agreement. If we instruct the depositary
to ask for your voting instructions, upon receipt of voting instructions from the ADS holders in the manner set forth in the deposit
agreement, the depositary will make efforts to vote the Ordinary Shares underlying the ADSs in accordance with the instructions of the
ADS holders. The depositary and its agents may not be able to send voting instructions to ADS holders or carry out their voting instructions
in a timely manner. Furthermore, the depositary and its agents will not be responsible for any failure to carry out any instructions
to vote, for the manner in which any vote is cast, or for the effect of any such vote. As a result, holders of ADSs may not be able to
exercise their right to vote.
Direct
acquisition of our Ordinary Shares, in lieu of ADSs, is subject to a prior filing requirement under the amendments in 2019 to the Japanese
Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan and related regulations.
Under
the amendments in 2019 to the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan (Act No. 228 of 1949, as amended) (“FEFTA”)
and related regulations, direct acquisition of our Ordinary Shares, in lieu of ADSs, by a Foreign Investor (as defined herein under “Item
10. Additional Information—D. Exchange Controls”) could be subject to the prior filing requirement under FEFTA, regardless
of the amount of shares to be acquired. A Foreign Investor wishing to acquire direct ownership of our Ordinary Shares, rather than ADSs,
will be required to make a prior filing with the relevant governmental authorities through the Bank of Japan and wait until clearance
for the acquisition is granted by the applicable governmental authorities, which approval may take up to 30 days and could be subject
to further extension. Without such clearance, the Foreign Investor will not be permitted to acquire our Ordinary Shares directly.
A prior filing requirement as set forth above
is not triggered for acquiring or trading the ADSs since the depositary received clearance for the acquisition of our Ordinary Shares
underlying the ADS in June, 2023. In addition, any Foreign Investor expecting to receive delivery of our Ordinary Shares upon surrender
of ADSs must also obtain pre-clearance from the applicable Japanese governmental authority prior to accepting delivery, which approval
may take up to 30 days and could be subject to further extension. Although such prior filing requirement is not triggered for trading
the ADSs once the depositary receives clearance for the deposit of the underlying Ordinary Shares, we cannot assure you that there will
not be delays for additional Foreign Investors who wish to acquire our Ordinary Shares or for holders of the ADSs who are Foreign Investors
and who wish to surrender their ADSs and acquire the underlying Ordinary Shares. In addition, we cannot assure you that the applicable
Japanese governmental authorities will grant such clearance in a timely manner or at all.
The
discussion above is not exhaustive of all possible foreign exchange controls requirements that may apply to a particular investor, and
potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall foreign exchange controls consequences of the acquisition, ownership
and disposition of our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs by consulting their own advisors. For a more detailed discussion on the requirements
and procedures regarding the prior notifications under the Foreign Exchange Regulations, see “Item 10. Additional Information—D.
Exchange Controls.”
ADS
holders may not be entitled to a jury trial with respect to claims arising under the deposit agreement, which could result in less favorable
outcomes to the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
The
deposit agreement governing the ADSs representing our Ordinary Shares provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law,
owners and holders of ADSs irrevocably waive the right to a jury trial for any claim that they may have against us or the depositary
arising from or relating to our Ordinary Shares, the ADSs, or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal securities
laws.
However,
ADS holders will not be deemed, by agreeing to the terms of the deposit agreement, to have waived our or the depositary’s compliance
with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In fact, ADS holders cannot waive our or the
depositary’s compliance with U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. If we or the depositary
opposed a demand for jury trial relying on jury trial waiver mentioned above, it is up to the court to determine whether such waiver
was enforceable considering the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with the applicable state and federal law.
If
this jury trial waiver provision is prohibited by applicable law, an action could nevertheless proceed under the terms of the deposit
agreement with a jury trial. To our knowledge, the enforceability of a jury trial waiver under the federal securities laws has not been
finally adjudicated by a federal court or by the United States Supreme Court. Nonetheless, we believe that a jury trial waiver provision
is generally enforceable under the laws of the State of New York, which govern the deposit agreement, or by a federal or state court
in the City of New York. In determining whether to enforce a jury trial waiver provision, New York courts will consider whether the visibility
of the jury trial waiver provision within the agreement is sufficiently prominent such that a party has knowingly waived any right to
trial by jury. We believe that this is the case with respect to the deposit agreement and the ADSs. In addition, New York courts will
not enforce a jury trial waiver provision in order to bar a viable setoff or counterclaim sounding in fraud or one which is based upon
a creditor’s negligence in failing to liquidate collateral upon a guarantor’s demand, or in the case of an intentional tort
claim, none of which we believe are applicable in the case of the deposit agreement or the ADSs. If you or any other owners or holders
of ADSs bring a claim against us or the depositary relating to the matters arising under the deposit agreement or the ADSs, including
claims under federal securities laws, you or such other owner or holder may not have the right to a jury trial regarding such claims,
which may limit and discourage lawsuits against us or the depositary. If a lawsuit is brought against us or the depositary under the
deposit agreement, it may be heard only by a judge or justice of the applicable trial court, which would be conducted according to different
civil procedures and may have different outcomes compared to that of a jury trial, including results that could be less favorable to
the plaintiff(s) in any such action.
Nevertheless,
if the jury trial waiver provision is not enforced, to the extent a court action proceeds, it would proceed under the terms of the deposit
agreement with a jury trial. No condition, stipulation or provision of the deposit agreement or ADSs serves as a waiver by any owner
or holder of ADSs or by us or the depositary of compliance with any substantive provision of U.S. federal securities laws and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Holders
of ADSs may not receive distributions on our Ordinary Shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical to make them available
to such holders.
Subject
to the terms of the deposit agreement, the depositary has agreed to pay holders of ADSs the cash dividends or other distributions it
or the custodian for the ADSs receives on the Ordinary Shares or other deposited securities after deducting its fees and expenses and
any taxes or other government charges. Holders of ADSs will receive these distributions in proportion to the number of our Ordinary Shares
that such ADSs represent. However, the depositary is not responsible for making such payments or distributions if it is unlawful or impractical
to make a distribution available to any holders of ADSs. For example, it would be unlawful to make a distribution to a holder of ADSs
if it consists of securities that require registration under the Securities Act, but that are not properly registered or distributed
pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. The depositary is not responsible for making a distribution available to any holders
of ADSs if any government approval or registration required for such distribution cannot be obtained after reasonable efforts made by
the depositary. We have no obligation to take any other action to permit distributions on our Ordinary Shares to holders of ADSs. This
means that holders of ADSs may not receive the distributions we make on our Ordinary Shares if it is illegal or impractical to make them
available to such holders. These restrictions may materially reduce the value of the ADSs.
Holders
of ADSs may be subject to limitations on transfer of their ADSs.
ADSs
are transferable on the books of the depositary. However, the depositary may close its transfer books at any time or from time to time
when it deems expedient in connection with the performance of its duties. In addition, the depositary may refuse to deliver, transfer,
or register transfers of ADSs generally when our books or the books of the depositary are closed, or at any time if we or the depositary
deems it advisable to do so because of any requirement of law or of any government or governmental body, or under any provision of the
deposit agreement, or for any other reason.
We
may amend the deposit agreement without consent from holders of ADSs and, if such holders disagree with our amendments, their choices
will be limited to selling the ADSs or cancelling and withdrawing the underlying Ordinary Shares.
We
may agree with the depositary to amend the deposit agreement without consent from holders of ADSs. If an amendment increases fees to
be charged to ADS holders or prejudices a substantial existing right of ADS holders, it will not become effective until 30 days after
the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, ADS holders are considered, by continuing
to hold their ADSs, to have agreed to the amendment and to be bound by the amended deposit agreement. If holders of ADSs do not agree
with an amendment to the deposit agreement, their choices will be limited to selling the ADSs or cancelling and withdrawing the underlying
Ordinary Shares. No assurance can be given that a sale of ADSs could be made at a price satisfactory to the holder in such circumstances.
We
are incorporated in Japan, and it may be more difficult to enforce judgments obtained in courts outside Japan.
We
are incorporated in Japan as a joint-stock corporation with limited liability. All of our directors are non-U.S. residents, and a substantial
portion of our assets and the personal assets of our directors and executive officers are located outside the United States. As
a result, when compared to a U.S. company, it may be more difficult for investors to effect service of process in the United States upon
us or to enforce against us, our directors or executive officers, judgments obtained in U.S. courts predicated upon civil liability provisions
of the federal or state securities laws of the U.S. or similar judgments obtained in other courts outside Japan. There is doubt as to
the enforceability in Japanese courts, in original actions or in actions for enforcement of judgments of U.S. courts, of civil liabilities
predicated solely upon the federal and state securities laws of the United States.
Dividend
payments and the amount you may realize upon a sale of our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs that you hold will be affected by fluctuations
in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen.
Cash
dividends, if any, in respect of our Ordinary Shares represented by the ADSs will be paid to the depositary in Japanese yen and then
converted by the depositary or its agents into U.S. dollars, subject to certain conditions and the terms of the deposit agreement. Accordingly,
fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar will affect, among other things, the amounts a holder
of ADSs will receive from the depositary in respect of dividends, the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds that a holder of ADSs would receive
upon sale in Japan of our Ordinary Shares obtained upon cancellation and surrender of ADSs and the secondary market price of ADSs. Such
fluctuations will also affect the U.S. dollar value of dividends and sales proceeds received by holders of our Ordinary Shares.
If
we cease to qualify as a foreign private issuer, we would be required to comply fully with the reporting requirements of the Exchange
Act applicable to U.S. domestic issuers, and we would incur significant additional legal, accounting, and other expenses that we would
not incur as a foreign private issuer.
As
a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements,
and our executive officers, directors, and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing profit recovery provisions
contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial
statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as United States domestic issuers, and we are not required to disclose in our periodic
reports all of the information that United States domestic issuers are required to disclose. We may cease to qualify as a foreign private
issuer in the future, in which case we would incur significant additional expenses that could have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations.
Because
we are a foreign private issuer and have taken advantage of exemptions from certain Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable
to U.S. issuers, you have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer.
Nasdaq
listing rules require listed companies to have, among other things, a majority of its board members be independent. As a foreign private
issuer, however, we are permitted to, and we have followed home country practice in lieu of the above requirements. The corporate governance
practice in our home country, Japan, does not require a majority of our board to consist of independent directors. Thus, although a director
must act in the best interests of the company, it is possible that fewer board members will be exercising independent judgment and the
level of board oversight on the management of our company may decrease as a result. In addition, Nasdaq listing rules also require U.S.
domestic issuers to have an audit committee and a compensation committee and a nominating/corporate governance committee composed entirely
of independent directors, and an audit committee with a minimum of three members. We, as a foreign private issuer, are not subject to
these requirements. Consistent with corporate governance practices in Japan, we do not have a standalone compensation committee or nomination
and corporate governance committee of our board. As a result of these exemptions, investors would have less protection than they would
have if we were a domestic issuer.
If
we cannot satisfy the continued listing requirements and other rules of Nasdaq, the ADSs may be delisted, which could negatively impact
the price of the ADSs and your ability to sell them.
In
order to maintain our listing on Nasdaq, we are required to comply with the continued listing requirements and other rules of Nasdaq.
If we are unable to satisfy Nasdaq criteria for maintaining our listing, the ADSs could be subject to delisting. If Nasdaq subsequently
delists the ADSs from trading, we could face significant consequences, including:
| ● | a
limited availability for market quotations for the ADSs; |
| ● | reduced
liquidity with respect to the ADSs; |
| ● | a
determination that the ADS is a “penny stock,” which will require brokers trading
in the ADSs to adhere to more stringent rules and possibly result in a reduced level of trading
activity in the secondary trading market for the ADSs; |
| ● | limited
amount of news and analyst coverage; and |
| ● | a
decreased ability to issue additional securities or obtain additional financing in the future. |
We
are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and we have taken advantage of certain exemptions
from disclosure requirements available to emerging growth companies, which will make it more difficult to compare our performance with
other public companies.
We
are an “emerging growth company” within the meaning of the Securities Act, as modified by the JOBS Act. Section 102(b)(1)
of the JOBS Act exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until
private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class
of securities registered under the Exchange Act) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS
Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging
growth companies but any such an election to opt out is irrevocable. We have elected not to opt out of such extended transition period,
which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, we, as
an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard. This
will make comparison of our financial statements with another public company which is neither an emerging growth company nor an emerging
growth company which has opted out of using the extended transition period difficult or impossible because of the potential differences
in accounting standards used.
Because
we are an “emerging growth company,” we may not be subject to requirements that other public companies are subject to, which
could affect investor confidence in us and the ADSs.
For
as long as we remain an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, we have elected to take advantage of certain
exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,”
including, but not limited to, not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, reduced disclosure
obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of shareholder
approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Because of these lessened regulatory requirements, our shareholders
would be left without information or rights available to shareholders of other public companies. If some investors find the ADSs less
attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for the ADSs and the ADS price may be more volatile.
If
we are classified as a passive foreign investment company, United States taxpayers who own the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares may have adverse
United States federal income tax consequences.
A
non-U.S. corporation such as ourselves will be classified as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for any taxable
year if, for such year, either:
| ● | at
least 75% of our gross income for the year is passive income; or |
| ● | the
average percentage of our assets (determined at the end of each quarter) during the taxable
year which produce passive income or which are held for the production of passive income
is at least 50%. |
Passive
income generally includes dividends, interest, rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of
a trade or business), and gains from the disposition of passive assets.
If
we are determined to be a PFIC for any taxable year (or portion thereof) that is included in the holding period of a U.S. taxpayer who
holds the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares, the U.S. taxpayer may be subject to increased U.S. federal income tax liability and may be subject
to additional reporting requirements.
Based
on our operations and the composition of our assets, we do not believe we were a PFIC for our 2022 taxable year. However, it is possible
that, for our 2023 taxable year or for any subsequent year, more than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income, in
which case we would be deemed a PFIC, which could have adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. taxpayers who are shareholders.
We will make this determination following the end of any particular tax year.
The
classification of certain of our income as active or passive, and certain of our assets as producing active or passive income, and hence
whether we are or will become a PFIC, depends on the interpretation of certain United States Treasury Regulations as well as certain
IRS guidance relating to the classification of assets as producing active or passive income. Such regulations and guidance are potentially
subject to different interpretations. If due to different interpretations of such regulations and guidance the percentage of our passive
income or the percentage of our assets treated as producing passive income increases, we may be a PFIC in one or more taxable years.
U.S.
HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS ABOUT THE PFIC RULES, THE POTENTIAL APPLICABILITY OF THESE RULES TO THE COMPANY CURRENTLY
AND IN THE FUTURE, AND THEIR FILING OBLIGATIONS IF THE COMPANY IS A PFIC.
Item 4. INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY
A. History and Development of the Company
Corporate History and Structure
We
were incorporated in Japan on May 1, 2018 as a joint-stock corporation with limited liability pursuant to the laws of Japan. As of the
date of this annual report, we do not have any subsidiaries.
Corporate Information
Our
principal executive office is located at 5-7-11, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan 110-0005, and our telephone number is +81 03-5614-0978.
Our website is https://e-arly.works/. The information contained in, or accessible from, our website or any other website does not constitute
a part of this annual report. Our agent for service of process in the United States is Cogency Global Inc., at 122 East 42nd
Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10168.
The
SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy, and information statements, and other information regarding issuers
that file electronically with the SEC using its EDGAR system.
For
information regarding our principal capital expenditures, see “Item 5. Operating and Financial Review and Prospects—B.
Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
B.
Business Overview
Overview
We are a blockchain-based technology company incorporated
in Japan. We build products, deliver services, and develop solutions based on our proprietary GLS to leverage blockchain technology in
various business settings, including advertisement tracking, online visitor management, and sales of non-fungible tokens. Our customers
represent a diverse range of industries, such as information technology, shipping, real estate, entertainment, cosmetics, and chemical
products. We primarily generate revenue from our software and system development services and consulting and solution services. We also
started generating revenue from the sale of NFTs in fiscal year 2023. For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021,
we had total revenue of approximately JPY46.6 million (US$0.3 million), JPY463.7 million and JPY216.2 million, respectively. For the same
fiscal years, revenue generated from our software and system development services accounted for approximately 47.0%, 50.6% and 44.1% of
our total revenue, respectively, revenue generated from our consulting and solution services accounted for approximately 48.2%, 49.4%
and 55.9% of our total revenue, respectively, and revenue generated from the sale of NFTs accounted for approximately 4.8%, 0%
and 0% of our total revenue, respectively. For the same fiscal years, we had net loss of approximately JPY370.3 million (US$2.7 million),
JPY602.5 million and JPY70.5 million, respectively.
Our
mission is to optimize business operations with our creative ideas and blockchain technology. We believe in a data centric future where
blockchain technology will be indispensable and widely used, due to its efficiency, security, and reliability.
Industry
Background
A
distributed ledger is a ledger containing records of transactions between parties in a shared network. When a party in the network adds
a transaction to the ledger, it is synchronized to other parties in the network through a consensus algorithm. The consensus algorithm
enables transactions to be validated and confirmed without the need for a central point of authority. A validated transaction is added
to the network in a permanent and immutable way. Every party in the network has simultaneous access to view the information, which is
kept secure with the use of cryptographic functions.
A
blockchain is a type of distributed ledger where transaction data is grouped into specific, time-stamped sets. Once consensus is reached
for the data to go into a set, the set is sealed with a cryptographic signature, creating a sealed block. This block is then mathematically
tied to the previous block on the ledger, forming a chain.
The
potential benefits of blockchain technology include, among others:
| ● | decentralization,
where value is created from the removal of a need for a central point of control to verify
transactions; |
| ● | efficiency,
where transactions are processed and settled automatically between parties without an intermediary; |
| ● | transparency,
where data is written into the blockchain to allow it to be shared publicly among parties
in the network, thereby enabling more transparent data management; |
| ● | security,
where data is written in a mechanism with the aim of ensuring its immutability; as a result
of the provision of information that parties know to be verified and immutable, the value
lost by a lack of trust between parties is reduced; |
| ● | stability,
where data on blockchain is managed on multiple servers, or a peer-to-peer blockchain network,
so that even if one server goes down, the service will continue stably as long as the other
servers in the network are up and running; |
| ● | cost-effectiveness
in equipment installation, maintenance, and inspection; currently the data necessary to provide
services is stored on servers, which require high-performance servers to process the data
in time depending on the number of service users, resulting in high initial installation
costs. In contrast, with blockchain, the role of the server can be substituted for the user’s
personal computer, and the initial installation and ongoing service costs can be reduced
without the need for a high-performance server; and |
| ● | privacy,
where personal information is stored in an encrypted manner. |
While
blockchains have various benefits, we believe that the conventional blockchains cannot yet be widely applied in business settings. The
issues associated with the conventional blockchains include, among others:
| ● | slow
processing speed due to their complexity and their encrypted, distributed nature; |
| ● | poor
real-time data processing because data is not immediately fixed due to the lack of absolute
finality, which is also known as a definite consensus algorithm. The conventional blockchains
use the proof-of-work method, which validates and confirms transaction data based on the
amount of computational effort expended. The proof-of-work method requires time for each
server to send and receive information about the approvers of a transaction. If a majority
of them approve a transaction, the transaction will be approved as correct, even if it is
a wrong transaction and needs to be overturned. Thus, even if a transaction is approved in
conventional blockchains, the transaction cannot enjoy the status of absolute finality and
may be overturned later if it is a wrong transaction; |
| ● | impossible
to complete an emergency stop, even if a serious problem occurs in the system, due to the
lack of a kill switch; and |
| ● | burdensome
learning costs due to the need to develop in a proprietary development language. |
Our
Technology
Since
our inception in May 2018, we have focused on blockchain technology and developing systems with a view to making our proprietary GLS
an infrastructural technology in the future. As of the date of this annual report, GLS has been developed by our CTO, Hiroki Yamamoto,
with collaboration efforts from the following partners:
| ● | NTT
Docomo, Inc. In July 2018, we evaluated the data transfer speed from PC to PC using GLS under
the 5G environment at the demonstration test site of NTT Docomo, Inc. and also evaluated
the compatibility between 5G and blockchain. In December 2018, we participated in an exhibition
hosted by NTT Docomo, Inc. |
| ● | Professor
Kazuyuki Shudo, who was an associate professor at Tokyo Institute of Technology and is now
a professor at Kyoto University, has served as our advisor since November 2018. Professor
Kazuyuki Shudo has a research lab on software and networks. With the advice of Professor
Kazuyuki Shudo, we have improved the simultaneous processing of GLS and its resistance against
malicious attacks. We have continually received academic reports and advice from Professor
Kazuyuki Shudo. |
| ● | NEC
Communication Systems, Ltd. Since January 2020, we have started joint research with NEC Communication
Systems. We conducted performance evaluation of the GLS node alone and with other RDB products
when using Structured Query Language. |
| ● | Other
projects. We have been involved in other projects in various industries, such as applying
GLS to online identity verification and authentication. |
We
believe that GLS is superior to the conventional blockchains. The conventional blockchains provide a high level of security but are criticized
for being slow in processing data reads and writes, especially when the number of parties in the network increases to a certain level.
We have developed GLS to balance the trade-off between security and convenience and believe that GLS achieves both security performance
and processing speed.
GLS
is a hybrid blockchain that combines the technical advantages of both blockchain technology and database technology. Database technology
provides the traditional infrastructure for data storage, collection, organization and processing, and enables the construction of systems.
GLS demonstrates the following features:
| ● | high
processing speed. We believe GLS enables the construction of blockchain systems with high
processing speed. The conventional blockchain systems slow down their processing speeds and
require at least a few seconds to complete one transaction due to the need for enhanced security
measures. The conventional blockchain systems generate blocks in series. In comparison, GLS
generates blocks in parallel and the approval time for one transaction in GLS can reach 0.016
seconds while GLS offers enhanced security at the same time; |
| ● | parallel
processing and auto-scale functions, which provide appropriate performance according to the
user’s expansion and contraction needs. The conventional blockchain networks expand
at random and consolidate processing in a single node, which represents one of the personal
computers in a blockchain network. In comparison, GLS arranges nodes within the network in
a circular fashion and reduces the processing load for each node by sharing the processing
load among intermediate processing nodes, thereby accommodating the user’s different
levels of needs; |
| ● | high
tamper-resistance. The incorporation of blockchain technology ensures that data managed by
GLS is more resistant to tampering and cannot be easily overwritten. Even if a tampering
incident occurs, the record of when and by whom the data was tampered with can be traced; |
| ● | zero
server downtime. The use of peer-to-peer blockchain network ensures that the services provided
by GLS remain stable, even in the event of system maintenance or malicious cyber-attacks.
To eliminate security concerns related to a single point of failure, GLS employs intermediate
processing nodes, which are independent of the nodes that make up the blockchain network
and process the actual transactions. Even if the intermediate processing nodes are stopped,
the transactions cannot be tampered with. To reduce the impact of attacks on intermediate
processing nodes and any unauthorized access, GLS allows the use of firewalls and other means
to prevent cyberattacks, thereby providing transaction security; |
| ● | versatile
applications. The conventional blockchains have limited commercial applications in part due
to their lack of absolute finality. In comparison, we believe that GLS has a wider range
of business applications partly because GLS enables finality by adopting a definite consensus
algorithm; |
| ● | emergency
stop. The conventional blockchains cannot be stopped in the event of emergencies because
of their lack of a kill switch. In comparison, GLS can be stopped in an emergency due to
the presence of a kill switch; |
| ● | lower
construction, installation and maintenance costs compared to the conventional database infrastructure.
The conventional database infrastructure often stores data on expensive high-performance
servers. In comparison, GLS enables the storage of data on the user’s personal computer,
thereby reducing the initial and ongoing costs of the services supported by GLS; and |
| ● | flexible
fees. Generally, public blockchains are structured to charge fees for each transaction that
occurs. We are enterprise-oriented and have a private blockchain GLS that allows us to process
a large number of transactions at high speed, making it possible to set fees flexibly. |
GLS
was designed and developed as an integrated distributed computing management system that we believe will serve as the infrastructure
for the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and the Internet of Things. The services provided by GLS are limited
to the scope of the current telecommunications infrastructure and the capabilities of blockchain-equipped devices, and we believe that
future advances in telecommunications infrastructure and blockchain devices will further enhance the potential value of GLS.
We
recognize that there is a lack of engineers who can handle blockchain in Japan, and we plan to increase the number of use cases for GLS
and invest in researching and developing a universally usable System Development Kit (“SDK”) for GLS. We are a company that
operates with an eye on the Web3. To that end, we hope that various applications using our blockchain technology will be developed and
the industry as a whole will grow.
Products
and Services
We derive our revenue primarily from our software
and system development services and consulting and solution services. We also started generating revenue from the sale of NFTs
in fiscal year 2023.
Through
our software and system development services, we serve companies that have digital assets and intend to leverage these assets for the
purposes of creating new businesses and new systems. We develop systems that are tailored to the specific needs of each customer.
Through
our consulting services, we assist companies that seek to update their existing data and digital technology, add additional functions
to their systems, and transform their businesses, operations, and processes. The companies that purchase our solution services are often
repeat customers for whom we have developed systems and who return to us for additional services.
The
sale of NFTs in fiscal year 2023 was achieved through an NFT trading platform that we developed for a business partner. Such business
partner operates the platform and provides customer services to users of the platform. Such business partner is principally responsible
for marketing and sales activities. The marketing and sales activities are mainly focused on the Japanese market and no NFT purchasers
on the platform are from the U.S. as of the date of this prospectus. We provide the technological expertise by developing the NFT trading
platform, creating the NFTs that are sold on the platform and providing technological support if needed. The creation of the NFTs is decided
through consultation with the business partner and not independently controlled by us. We own the intellectual property rights in the
platform and the NFTs that we developed and created. As of the date of this prospectus, the users of the platform are allowed to buy the
NFTs, but not transfer or resell the NFTs on the platform. Such users may resell the NFTs on secondary markets such as OpenSea. The NFT
purchasers on the platform are of various backgrounds, a certain number of whom are NFT collectors. We also play the secondary role serving
as a sales agent for the business partner to enhance the sales activities. In fulfilling such secondary role, we sell the NFTs on behalf
of our business partner. We do not hold the NFTs for investment purposes but we may hold the NFTs from time to time for sales promotion
purposes. We do not make marketing activities in terms that indicate the NFTs as an investment opportunity. We receive a percentage of
the sales revenue, and we accept cryptocurrencies as payment as NFTs are traded generally using cryptocurrencies.
We developed another NFT trading platform, Animap,
for Hakuhodo DY Music & Pictures Inc. (“Hakuhodo”). Pursuant to the agreement between our Company and Hakuhodo, Hakuhodo
is the sole owner of Animap and independently manages the daily operation of Animap. Hakuhodo obtains license from copyright owners, converts
their copyrighted works into NFTs within the scope of the license, sells the NFTs on Animap, handles inquiries, complaints, purchase cancellations,
refunds and requests as well as provides other customer support for Animap users. We used our technological expertise to develop Animap
based on the public blockchain Ethereum. We own certain intellectual property rights in the system used to develop Animap. We stress-tested
Animap prior to its launch in June 2022 and stress test Animap at least once every six months. We do not own, operate, or maintain Animap.
The currently available NFTs on Animap represent some popular Japanese IPs, such as Tatsunoko Production, Big Hat Monkeys, and Mentori.
The NFTs are stored by Animap users through manners of their choice, the most common of which is Metamask. The copyright owners remain
the owners of the intellectual property rights in the underlying content represented by the NFTs. Hakuhodo maintains the royalty interest
in, or intellectual property of, the NFTs that are offered on Animap. When the NFTs are sold, the ownership interests and intellectual
property rights in the NFTs are transferred from Hakuhodo to the NFT buyers. We do not have any custody, ownership or intellectual property
interests in the NFTs that are on Animap. In the event of disputes over the intellectual property underlying the NFTs, we believe it is
unlikely for our Company to be a party to such disputes. As of the date of this annual report, Animap users are allowed to purchase NFTs,
but not transfer, distribute, or resell their NFTs on Animap. Animap users may resell their NFTs on secondary markets such as OpenSea
and Rarible. We are entitled to a system usage fee, which is equal to a percentage of the NFT sales revenue, under the precondition that
such revenue reaches a predetermined level. We do not accept and do not plan to accept payment for our services in the form of digital
assets. As of the date of this prospectus, we have not received any revenue from the sale of NFTs on Animap.
Business
Model
The
process for achieving our revenue is as follows.
Identifying
business opportunities
We
are introduced to customers through our sales team as well as personal connections of our board members and shareholders. We also use
other marketing channels, such as participating in industry online programs and events. We evaluate our sales strategies and progress
at least once per month.
We
typically receive orders from customers who are interested in blockchain and hope to digitally transform their internal databases. To
determine whether to accept an order, we consider whether the project is profitable, whether the customer is credible and reputable,
and whether a long-standing business relationship will be created with the customer.
Forming
business cooperation
When
a customer places an order with us, we invite the customer to consider whether the ordered system has the potential to contribute to
the customer’s future earnings, whether it will reduce the customer’s costs, and whether the customer’s investment
in the system is reasonable. We assist our customers with making well informed business decisions.
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, we had
6 customers with sales revenue of more than JPY1,000,000, and our top three customers contributed to 82.7% of our total sales revenue,
accounting for 48.5%, 27.3%, and 6.9% of our total sales revenue, respectively. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, we had 10 customers
with sales revenue of more than JPY1,000,000, and our top three customers contributed to 81.5% of our total sales revenue, accounting
for 47.4%, 25.9%, and 8.2% of our total sales revenue, respectively. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021, we had eight customers
with sales revenue of more than JPY1,000,000, and our three major customers contributed to 91.6% of our total sales revenue, accounting
for 46.3%, 42.0%, and 3.3% of our total sales revenue, respectively. Although we derived a significant portion of our sales revenue from
a limited number of customers, we did not heavily rely upon any one customer for the majority of our revenue.
Planning
the project
In
the planning phase, we enter into discussions with our customers and divide roles and responsibilities. We select specialists on our
team and put them in charge of designing proposals, developing solutions, and providing other incidental support to our customers. Our
customers appoint points of contact and make them responsible for reviewing proposals, facilitating communications in the course of the
projects, and inspecting solutions upon completion.
We
develop blockchain-based solutions tailored to the needs of each customer. To understand our customers’ issues, we interview our
customers, engage a group of specialists across industries, study our customers’ business flow, and verify whether there are any
areas where the ordered systems can solve the issues. We then evaluate the available proposals and discuss the solutions to be developed
with our customers.
Working
on the project
In
the course of the projects, we strive to eliminate the discrepancies between the project progress and the project targets. We keep close
communications with our customers for updates on the project progress. We hold regular meetings with our customers at least once per
month to discuss the project progress and future plans. We also hold additional meetings as needed, for example where the customers need
to immediately change their functional requirements.
We
sometimes outsource work to external engineers. To determine whether to outsource, we consider the availability of our resources, the
outsourcing fee structures, and the technical requirements of ordered systems. The external engineers are responsible for ancillary support
to our team and not for greater roles. To control the quality of outsourced work, our team evaluates the quality of the outsourced work
each day and requires the external engineers to submit a work report each month, so that our team can confirm the outsourced work is
executed efficiently in accordance with the project schedules.
Completing
the project
At
the end of projects, we provide work completion reports to our customers. Our customers review the reports during the inspection period.
When our customers have no objections to our products and services, they will stamp their names on the reports and deliver the reports
to us to confirm project completion. When our customers do not sign the reports and raise no objections before the termination of the
inspection period, the projects will also be considered completed.
Competition
and Strengths
Market
entry
The
technological barrier to enter the blockchain industry is high, therefore many companies hesitate to enter this industry. Another challenge
in the blockchain industry is that it is difficult to balance the trade-off among speed, security and transparency. Other companies seek
to develop their solutions to balance such trade-off but such development process can be lengthy and costly. In addition, we believe
that conventional blockchains are too slow to go beyond the realm of demonstration testing and achieve monetization in business settings.
Companies equipped with the conventional blockchains are only able to create limited commercial value. Our Company sought to overcome
the technical issues of conventional blockchains and has developed our proprietary GLS, which we believe can be widely and flexibly applied
in various business settings.
Market
competition
We
believe that we are one of the very few companies in Japan that are capable of commercializing the blockchain technology. However, the
market for blockchain technology is developing and we anticipate new entrants to the market and competition to intensify in the future.
Our future competitors may have greater resources than us and there can be no assurance that we will have the financial and operational
resources necessary to carry out our business plan and successfully compete with our competitors.
Our
strengths
We
believe the following competitive advantages are essential for our success and differentiate us from our competitors.
Our
transformative blockchain-based technology
GLS
constitutes our core strength and demonstrates the following advantages
compared to the conventional blockchains:
| ● | faster
processing speed. The conventional blockchains require at least a few seconds to generate
a block and complete one transaction. For example, the cryptocurrency EOS requires 3 seconds,
the Ethereum requires 15 seconds, and the Bitcoin requires 10 minutes. In comparison, the
approval time for one transaction in GLS can reach 0.016 seconds depending on the design
of systems; |
| ● | greater
real-time data processing. The conventional blockchains are poor at processing real-time
data because they lack absolute finality, also known as a definite consensus algorithm. Therefore,
the conventional blockchains require some time to confirm that transactions are finalized
and will not be reverted. In comparison, we believe that GLS resolves this issue and is better
at processing and validating real-time data; |
| ● | flexible
fee. The conventional public blockchains are structured to charge fees for each transaction
that occurs. We have a private blockchain GLS that allows us to process a large number of
transactions at high speed, making it possible to set fees flexibly; and |
| ● | wider
business applications and proven track record. The conventional blockchains have limited
business applications. In comparison, we believe that GLS can be widely applied in various
business settings due to its processing speed, parallel processing, auto-scale functions,
and other features. Our GLS realizes a cyclic network structure for nodes (computer devices
participating in the blockchain network), making it easy for multiple nodes to simultaneously
execute approval processes in parallel, thereby speeding up the transaction approval process
and ensuring scalability. |
Dedicated
talent team
Our
robust research and development team members are dedicated to blockchain research, operations, and development to support the
improvement of blockchain technology. We, on occasions, consult with academia to keep abreast of the most recent advancement and
technological issues of blockchain technology and to apply academic perspectives to system development. Our professional management
team has approximately 100 years of combined experience working with corporations of various operating scales across different
industries. Our management has cultivated business knowledge and
expertise by undertaking diverse roles, including sales, business planning, consulting, accounting, and programming. We also have an
agreement with a third-party company for external engineers, some of whom are graduates of Hanoi University of Technology,
Vietnam’s leading school for IT professionals, majoring in information technology.
Trusted
relationships with business partners
We
value the trust that we have built with our customers and business partners, who work with us for advice, joint research, and system
development. Some of our system development customers return to us for additional consulting and system maintenance services. Our customers
are of different operating scales, ranging from venture companies to multi-national businesses. Our customers represent a wide spectrum
of industries, including information technology, shipping, real estate, animation production, cosmetics, and chemical industry, among
others. We will continue to grow by leveraging the trust and expertise of the companies that we have worked with.
Growth
Strategies
In
February 2021, we were selected by “Microsoft for Startups” in recognition of the wide applicability of GLS. As of the date
of this annual report, we have verified the applicability of GLS in various domains, including, but not limited to, the following:
| ● | the
application of Structured Query Language to GLS based on a demonstration test with NEC Communication
Systems, Ltd.; |
| ● | the
application of GLS to online identity verification and authentication; |
| ● | the
application of GLS to an online lease signing system based on the cooperation with AMBITION
DX HOLDINGS Co., Ltd.; |
| ● | the
application of GLS in the financial domain; |
| ● | the
application of GLS in virtual space (Metaverse); and |
| ● | the
application of GLS in an NFT platform. |
In
the future, we hope to generate revenue by applying GLS to the following domains, the details of which are being finalized:
| ● | Insurance:
It takes time to verify the authenticity of information at the time of screening or switching
insurance policies. It requires explanatory actions to sign insurance contracts. We believe
that GLS, which can verify identity and manage contractual data, will facilitate the completion
of insurance transactions and enable smooth, accurate, and quick switching of insurance policies. |
| ● | Energy:
Rapid processing of records of electricity generated by individuals and companies and transaction
records are required. We believe GLS will enable the required rapid processing. |
| ● | Entertainment:
Entertainment, especially online gaming, requires rapid processing of a large number of transactions
conducted among a large number of users, user identity verification and in-game activity
records. We believe GLS will enable such processing. |
| ● | Supply
chain: It is difficult to fully grasp and control the movement of goods from production sites
to consumers in real time. By implementing blockchain technology throughout the supply chain,
companies can securely record movements in real time based on accurate information. We believe
GLS will provide fast real-time data management that enables companies involved in the supply
chain to obtain meaningful information. |
| ● | Trade:
Multi-party collaboration, among importers, exporters, shipping companies, and customs offices,
is required to accurately record the large volume of processed goods. We believe GLS will
provide fast real-time data management that enables companies involved in the trade domain
to obtain meaningful information. |
To
achieve these goals, we will invest in research and development of GLS, secure talented human resources, and actively pursue alliances
with partner companies, aiming to become a company that functions as one of the world’s infrastructures.
Research
and Development
We
conduct independent research and development with dedication to innovation. Our research and development team members also work with
external engineers to improve GLS.
We
design, implement, and review a comprehensive set of rules governing our independent research and development projects. To start a R&D
project, an inventor must make an application where the inventor must specify certain information including the content to be developed,
development schedule, delivery date, required resources, and estimated profitability. The relevant heads of department evaluate the project.
To determine whether to approve the project, they consider factors such as the availability of resources and profitability. After they
approve the project, they select and appoint a project manager. The project manager supervises the progress of the project and reports
to the relevant heads of department at least once a month. At the end of the project, the relevant heads of department review and inspect
the final product. When the product passes the inspection, the project will be considered completed.
Besides
independent research and development, we also conduct joint research and development projects with academia and business partners. One
such joint project to develop an ultra-high-speed next-generation hybrid database called “SmokeDB,” which is expected to
facilitate the introduction of blockchain into non-financial fields. Applying blockchain to non-financial fields incur various issues
such as low processing speeds and technical difficulties in development and maintenance. We aim to resolve these challenges by combining
our blockchain technology and our business partner’s network expertise.
Intellectual
Property
We seek to protect our intellectual property rights
by relying on a Japanese intellectual property laws and on contractual measures. It is our practice to enter into confidentiality, non-disclosure,
and invention assignment agreements with our employees and contractors, and into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with other
third parties, in order to limit access to our confidential information and proprietary technology. In addition to these contractual measures,
we also rely on a combination of trademarks, registered domain names, and patent rights to protect our brand and our intellectual property.
As of the date of this annual report, we have registered 2 patents, 14 trademarks and 9 domain names. Our pending intellectual property
applications include 1 patent. We consider the patent “Information processing equipment and program (GLS)” to be material
to our business. The chart below presents information about some intellectual property that we have registered or applied for.
Type
|
|
Name
|
|
Issuing authority
|
|
Application date
|
|
Status
|
|
Expiration date
|
Trademark |
|
|
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
August
12, 2022 |
|
registered |
|
April
28, 2033 |
|
|
データキャナル |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
October 14,
2021 |
|
registered |
|
April 04,
2032 |
|
|
Data
Canal |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
October 13,
2021 |
|
registered |
|
April 04,
2032 |
|
|
|
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
February 25,
2021 |
|
registered |
|
August 12,
2031 |
|
|
APO |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
February 27,
2020 |
|
registered |
|
June 22,
2031 |
|
|
SmokeDB |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
January 22,
2020 |
|
registered |
|
January 28,
2031 |
|
|
|
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
November 25, 2019 |
|
registered |
|
December 15,
2030 |
|
|
アーリーワークス |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
November 25,
2019 |
|
registered |
|
December 15,
2030 |
|
|
|
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
July 01,
2019 |
|
registered |
|
June 23,
2030 |
|
|
Grid Ledger System
|
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
May 14,
2019 |
|
registered |
|
June 25,
2030 |
Patent |
|
Information processing equipment
and program (GLS) |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
October 27,
2020 |
|
registered |
|
October 27,
2040 |
|
Information processing equipment
and program (reservation management system) |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
January 25,
2021 |
|
in
progress |
|
|
|
|
Information processing equipment
and program |
|
Japan
Patent Office |
|
December
2, 2020 |
|
registered |
|
December 2,
2040 |
Property
and Equipment
Our principal executive office is located in Tokyo,
Japan. Our office space is leased from an independent third party with an area of 184.12 square meters starting from October 1, 2019.
Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi, our Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director, is the guarantor on the lease agreement. The lease agreement
automatically renews for another two years, unless either party notifies the other party of its intention to the contrary no later than
six months before the expiration of the current term. The lease agreement may be terminated on six months’ notice of the intention
to terminate. The expiration date for the lease agreement is on September 30, 2023 and we intend to renew such lease agreement. We do
not hold title or interest in any other property, plants, or equipment.
We
believe that the current office facilities are adequate for the time being until the end of October 2023.
There will be a need to secure additional office space as the business grows.
Employees
We
strive to attract, recruit, and retain talents through our compensation and benefit programs, as well as learning and development opportunities
that support career advancement. In addition to salaries, we offer complementary benefits including bonuses, communications allowance,
commuting allowance, overtime allowance, employment insurance, health insurance, and employee pension.
In
the selection of team members, we consider whether the candidates empathize with our mission and vision, and whether the candidates can
flexibly endure changes in a rapidly evolving environment. In the selection of engineers, we consider whether the candidates have sufficient
experience in designing databases.
We
enter into employment agreements with each of our employees. The employment agreements typically contain certain restrictions, including
non-compete covenants for a period of one year following the termination of employment, and confidentiality restrictions through the
time period the information remains confidential, among other covenants. The employment agreements typically last for indefinite terms.
There is no labor union or collective agreement that covers any of our
employees.
As
of the date of this annual report, we have a headcount of 11 full-time employees (excluding our directors and company auditors) at
our principal executive office in Japan. The chart below presents the
number of our employees as of April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
|
|
Number of employees |
|
For the fiscal year ended April 30, |
|
Full-time |
|
|
Part-time |
|
|
Contract |
|
2023 |
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
2022 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
2021 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
We
also enter into outsourcing contracts with external engineers from time to time, which enables us to have access to additional engineers
as needed.
Insurance
We
currently maintain insurance coverage against the risk of property damage caused by fires, lightning strikes, explosions, riots, vehicle
collisions, thefts, flooding and certain other damaging accidents. We also maintain earthquake insurance coverage. We
have obtained directors and officers liability insurance. We review and renegotiate our premiums, coverage limits, and other terms of
insurance policies on an annual basis. We do not hold major tangible assets and our assets are predominantly intangible and intellectual.
We believe our insurance coverage is sufficient for our business practice and consistent with the customary industry practice in Japan.
Seasonality
Our
business is not subject to seasonal fluctuations. We enter into business contracts with our customers throughout the year.
Regulations
Intellectual
Property Protection Laws
There
are various intellectual property laws in Japan, including the Patent Act (Act No. 121 of April 13, 1959, as amended), the Utility Model
Act (Act No. 123 of April 13, 1959, as amended), the Design Act (Act No. 125 of April 13, 1959, as amended), the Trademark Act (Act No.
127 of April 13, 1959, as amended), the Copyright Act (Act No. 48 of May 6, 1970). The Patent Act provides patent right and regulates
protection and utilization of inventions. The Utility Model Act provides utility model right and regulates protection and utilization
of devices. The Design Act provides design rights. The Trademark Act provides trademark rights. The Copyright Act provides provide for
authors’ rights and neighboring rights.
According
to our Japanese legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, we have registered 2 patents, 14 trademarks and 9 domain names in
Japan. Our pending intellectual property applications in Japan include 1 patent.
Labor
Laws
There
are various labor-related laws in Japan, including the Labor Standards Act (Act No. 49 of April 7, 1947, as amended), the Industrial
Safety and Health Act (Act No. 57 of June 8, 1972, as amended), and the Labor Contracts Act (Act No. 128 of December 5, 2007). The Labor
Standards Act regulates, among others, minimum standards for working conditions such as working hours, leave period, and leave days.
The Industrial Safety and Health Act requires, among others, the implementation of measures to secure employee safety and protect the
health of workers in the workplace. The Labor Contracts Act regulates, among others, the change of terms of employment contracts and
working rules, and dismissal and disciplinary action.
According
to our Japanese legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, we comply with these laws and regulations.
Regulations
on Lease Agreements
Our
lease agreements are generally subject to the Civil Code (Act No. 89 of April 27, 1896, as amended) and Act on Land and Building Leases
(Act No. 90 of October 4, 1991, as amended).
According
to our Japanese legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, the terms and conditions of our lease agreements are consistent
with these laws and are valid and enforceable as provided for in these agreements.
Regulations
on Privacy Protection
The
Act on the Protection of Personal Information (Act No. 57 of May 30, 2003, as amended) aims to protect an individual’s rights and
interests and establishes obligations that a personal information handling business operator shall fulfill.
According
to our Japanese legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, we comply with these laws and regulations.
Regulations
on Whistleblower Protection
The
Whistleblower Protection Act No. 122 of June 18, 2004 (Act No. 122 of June 18, 2004, as amended) provides prohibition of disadvantageous
treatment of whistleblowers on the grounds of whistleblowing and the measures that a business operator and administrative organ should
take concerning whistleblowing to protect whistleblowers.
According
to our Japanese legal counsel, as of the date of this annual report, we comply with these laws and regulations.
C.
Organizational Structure
See
“—A. History and Development of the Company.”
D. Property, Plants and Equipment
See
“—B. Business Overview—Property and Equipment.”
Item 4A.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not
applicable.
Item 5.
OPERATING AND FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS
The
following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon and should be read in conjunction with our
financial statements and their related notes included in this annual report. This report contains forward-looking statements. In evaluating
our business, you should carefully consider the information provided under the caption “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk
Factors” in this annual report. We caution you that our businesses and financial performance are subject to substantial risks and
uncertainties.
A.
Operating Results
The
following table sets forth our selected profit or loss data, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of total revenue, for the periods
indicated.
|
|
For the fiscal
year ended
April 30,
2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal
year ended
April 30,
2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
For the fiscal
year ended
April 30,
2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
US$ |
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
|
|
JPY |
|
|
|
|
OPERATING REVENUES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Software and system development services |
|
|
160,854 |
|
|
|
21,874,517 |
|
|
|
47.0 |
% |
|
|
234,732,715 |
|
|
|
50.6 |
% |
|
|
95,270,416 |
|
|
|
44.1 |
% |
Consulting and solution services |
|
|
164,976 |
|
|
|
22,435,120 |
|
|
|
48.2 |
% |
|
|
228,986,136 |
|
|
|
49.4 |
% |
|
|
120,941,032 |
|
|
|
55.9 |
% |
Sale of NFTs |
|
|
16,611 |
|
|
|
2,258,892 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES |
|
|
342,441 |
|
|
|
46,568,529 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
463,718,851 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
216,211,448 |
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
COST OF REVENUES |
|
|
(224,298 |
) |
|
|
(30,502,236 |
) |
|
|
-65.5 |
% |
|
|
(108,379,683 |
) |
|
|
-23.4 |
% |
|
|
(33,542,166 |
) |
|
|
-15.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GROSS PROFIT |
|
|
118,143 |
|
|
|
16,066,293 |
|
|
|
34.5 |
% |
|
|
355,339,168 |
|
|
|
76.6 |
% |
|
|
182,669,282 |
|
|
|
84.5 |
% |
OPERATING EXPENSES: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling and marketing expenses |
|
|
(409,354 |
) |
|
|
(55,667,926 |
) |
|
|
-119.5 |
% |
|
|
(29,727,815 |
) |
|
|
-6.4 |
% |
|
|
(41,985,446 |
) |
|
|
-19.4 |
% |
General and administrative expenses |
|
|
(1,764,860 |
) |
|
|
(240,003,326 |
) |
|
|
-515.4 |
% |
|
|
(201,976,446 |
) |
|
|
-43.6 |
% |
|
|
(150,918,716 |
) |
|
|
-69.8 |
% |
Share-based compensation expenses |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
(670,000,000 |
) |
|
|
-144.5 |
% |
|
|
(56,000,000 |
) |
|
|
-25.9 |
% |
Research and development expenses |
|
|
(800,232 |
) |
|
|
(108,823,664 |
) |
|
|
-233.7 |
% |
|
|
(25,753,717 |
) |
|
|
-5.6 |
% |
|
|
(22,893,105 |
) |
|
|
-10.6 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES |
|
|
(2,974,446 |
) |
|
|
(404,494,916 |
) |
|
|
-868.6 |
% |
|
|
(927,457,978 |
) |
|
|
-200 |
% |
|
|
(271,797,267 |
) |
|
|
-125.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS |
|
|
(2,856,303 |
) |
|
|
(388,428,623 |
) |
|
|
-834.1 |
% |
|
|
(572,118,810 |
) |
|
|
-123.4 |
% |
|
|
(89,127,985 |
) |
|
|
-41.2 |
% |
Government subsidies |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
4,776,746 |
|
|
|
2.2 |
% |
Interest expenses, net |
|
|
(19,848 |
) |
|
|
(2,699,144 |
) |
|
|
-5.8 |
% |
|
|
(1,258,722 |
) |
|
|
-0.3 |
% |
|
|
(1,448,138 |
) |
|
|
-0.7 |
% |
Other (expense) income, net |
|
|
(2,943) |
|
|
|
(400,252) |
|
|
|
-0.9 |
% |
|
|
(155,434 |
) |
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
99,841 |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
Loss from equity method investment |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
0.0 |
% |
|
|
(440,272 |
) |
|
|
-0.2 |
% |
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES |
|
|
(2,879,094 |
) |
|
|
(391,528,019 |
) |
|
|
-840.8 |
% |
|
|
(573,532,966 |
) |
|
|
-123.7 |
% |
|
|
(86,139,808 |
) |
|
|
-39.8 |
% |
Provision for income tax |
|
|
67,821 |
|
|
|
9,222,980 |
|
|
|
19.8 |
% |
|
|
(28,941,602 |
) |
|
|
-6.2 |
% |
|
|
15,622,026 |
|
|
|
-7.2 |
% |
NET LOSS |
|
|
(2,811,273 |
) |
|
|
(382,305,039 |
) |
|
|
-821.0 |
% |
|
|
(602,474,568 |
) |
|
|
-129.9 |
% |
|
|
(70,517,782 |
) |
|
|
-32.6 |
% |
Revenue
The
following table sets forth the breakdown of our revenue by category, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the total revenue
for each category for the periods indicated:
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Software and system development services | |
| 160,854 | | |
| 21,874,517 | | |
| 47.0 | % | |
| 234,732,715 | | |
| 50.6 | % | |
| 95,270,416 | | |
| 44.1 | % |
Consulting and solution services | |
| 164,976 | | |
| 22,435,120 | | |
| 48.2 | % | |
| 228,986,136 | | |
| 49.4 | % | |
| 120,941,032 | | |
| 55.9 | % |
Sale of NFTs | |
| 16,611 | | |
| 2,258,892 | | |
| 4.8 | % | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Total | |
| 342,441 | | |
| 46,568,529 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 463,718,851 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 216,211,448 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Our
total revenue for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 increased by approximately JPY247.5 million, or 114.5%, compared to that
of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Our total revenue for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 decreased by approximately
JPY417.2 million, or 90.0%, compared to that of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022.
The revenue generated from our software and system
development services accounted for 47.0%, 50.6% and 44.1% of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and
2021, respectively. The revenue from software and system development services for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 decreased
by JPY212.9 million, or 90.7%, compared to that of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. Such decrease was mainly because in the
fiscal year of 2022, we entered into a number of contracts to the extent that we were unable to devote substantial resources to research
and development activities; most of such contracts were for terms of one year or less and expired during 2023. During the fiscal year
of 2023, we were more selective in entering into contracts and conducting projects in which we devote our resources, and we were engaged
in research and development projects that are expected to generate revenue in the future. The revenue from software and system development
services for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 increased by JPY139.5 million, or 146.4%, compared to that of the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2021. Such increase was mainly attributable to the increase in the number of new development projects.
The revenue generated from our consulting and
solution services accounted for 48.2%, 49.4% and 55.9% of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021,
respectively. The revenue from consulting and solution services for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 decreased by JPY206.6 million,
or 90.2%, compared to that of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. Such decrease was mainly because in the fiscal year of 2022,
we entered into a number of contracts to the extent that we were unable to devote substantial resources to research and development activities;
most of such contracts were for terms of one year or less and expired during 2023. During the fiscal year of 2023, we were more selective
in entering into contracts and conducting projects in which we devote our resources, and we were engaged in research and development projects
that are expected to generate revenue in the future. The revenue from consulting and solution services for the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2022 increased by JPY108.0 million, or 89.3%, compared to that of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Such increase
was mainly because some of our development projects were completed in 2021 and it increased the demand for subsequent maintenance and
operating services.
The revenue generated from the sale of NFTs accounted for 4.8%,
nil and nil of our total revenue for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The revenue from the sale of
NFTs for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 increased by JPY2.3 million compared to those of the fiscal years ended April 30,
2022 and 2021. The Company started to receive revenue from the sale of NFTs in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023.
Cost
of Revenue
The
following table sets forth the breakdown of our cost of revenue by category, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the cost
of revenue, for the periods indicated:
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Staff cost | |
| 88,945 | | |
| 12,095,669 | | |
| 39.7 | % | |
| 34,473,809 | | |
| 31.8 | % | |
| 23,674,455 | | |
| 70.6 | % |
Outsourced staff cost | |
| 65,811 | | |
| 8,949,650 | | |
| 29.3 | % | |
| 56,291,194 | | |
| 51.9 | % | |
| 6,165,500 | | |
| 18.4 | % |
Telecommunication cost | |
| 58,037 | | |
| 7,892,415 | | |
| 25.9 | % | |
| 15,697,664 | | |
| 14.5 | % | |
| 1,988,154 | | |
| 5.9 | % |
Rental expense | |
| 9,904 | | |
| 1,346,876 | | |
| 4.4 | % | |
| 1,581,841 | | |
| 1.5 | % | |
| 1,533,735 | | |
| 4.6 | % |
Others | |
| 1,601 | | |
| 217,626 | | |
| 0.7 | % | |
| 335,175 | | |
| 0.3 | % | |
| 180,322 | | |
| 0.5 | % |
Total | |
| 224,298 | | |
| 30,502,236 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 108,379,683 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 33,542,166 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Cost of revenue primarily comprises (1) staff
cost; (2) outsourced staff cost; (3) telecommunication cost; (4) rental expense; and (5) others. Cost of revenue for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 decreased by approximately JPY77.9 million, or 71.9%, compared to that of the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2022. Such decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of JPY77.5 million in staff cost, outsourced staff cost and
telecommunication cost. Cost of revenue for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 increased by approximately JPY74.8 million, or 223.1%,
compared to that of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Such increase was primarily attributable to the increases in staff cost
and outsourced staff cost.
Gross
Profit/Loss
As a result of changes in revenue and cost of
revenue, our gross profit for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 decreased by JPY339.3 million, or 95.5%, compared to that of the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, and our gross profit for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 increased by JPY172.7 million,
or 94.5%, compared to that of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. The following table sets forth a breakdown of gross profit by
services offered for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Software and system development services | |
| 22,990 | | |
| 3,126,372 | | |
| 19.5 | % | |
| 161,310,365 | | |
| 45.4 | % | |
| 91,266,231 | | |
| 50.0 | % |
Consulting and solution services | |
| 78,543 | | |
| 10,681,029 | | |
| 66.5 | % | |
| 194,028,803 | | |
| 54.6 | % | |
| 91,403,051 | | |
| 50.0 | % |
Others | |
| 16,610 | | |
| 2,258,892 | | |
| 14.0 | % | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Total | |
| 118,143 | | |
| 16,066,293 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 355,339,168 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 182,669,282 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Operating
Expenses
The
following table sets forth our operating expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the total operating expenses, for the
periods indicated:
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Selling and marketing expenses | |
| 409,354 | | |
| 55,667,926 | | |
| 13.8 | % | |
| 29,727,815 | | |
| 3.2 | % | |
| 41,985,446 | | |
| 15.5 | % |
General and administrative expenses | |
| 1,764,860 | | |
| 240,003,326 | | |
| 59.3 | % | |
| 201,976,446 | | |
| 21.8 | % | |
| 150,918,716 | | |
| 55.5 | % |
Share-based compensation expenses | |
| - | | |
| - | | |
| 0.0 | % | |
| 670,000,000 | | |
| 72.2 | % | |
| 56,000,000 | | |
| 20.6 | % |
Research and development expenses | |
| 800,232 | | |
| 108,823,664 | | |
| 26.9 | % | |
| 25,753,717 | | |
| 2.8 | % | |
| 22,893,105 | | |
| 8.4 | % |
Total | |
| 2,974,446 | | |
| 404,494,916 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 927,457,978 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 271,797,267 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Selling and marketing expenses
Selling and marketing expenses include (1) salaries
and benefits of our sales and marketing staff, and (2) others, such as advertising expense and other related payment for our sales
and marketing staff. Selling and marketing expenses for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 increased by JPY25.9 million, or 87.3%,
compared to those of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. Such increase was primarily attributable to an increase of JPY29.9 million
in advertising expenses. Selling and marketing expenses for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 decreased by JPY12.3 million, or
29.2%, compared to those of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Such decrease was primarily attributable to the decreases in our
sales office headcount. The following table sets forth the breakdown of selling and marketing expenses, both in absolute amount and as
a percentage of the total selling and marketing expenses, for the periods indicated:
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Staff salaries and benefits | |
| 189,814 | | |
| 25,812,795 | | |
| 46.4 | % | |
| 29,727,815 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 38,958,586 | | |
| 92.8 | % |
Other advertising expenses | |
| 219,540 | | |
| 29,855,131 | | |
| 53.6 | % | |
| - | | |
| 0.0 | % | |
| 3,026,860 | | |
| 7.2 | % |
Total | |
| 409,354 | | |
| 55,667,926 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 29,727,815 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 41,985,446 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
General
and administrative expenses
Administrative expenses include (1) salaries and
benefits of our management, finance, operations and other staff and outsourced administrative staff; (2) professional service fee; (3)
office expense for our operating; (4) outsourced staff cost, (5) rental expense; (6) transportation fee and (7) others, including
depreciation and amortization, taxes and duties. The general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023
increased by JPY38.0 million, or 18.8%, compared to those of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. Such increase was primarily attributable
to the increase of staff salaries and benefits and outsourced staff cost. The general and administrative expenses for the fiscal year
ended April 30, 2022 increased by JPY51.1 million, or 33.8%, compared to those of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Such increase
was primarily attributable to the increase of our professional service fee. The following table sets forth the breakdown of general and
administrative expenses, both in absolute amount and as a percentage of the total general and administrative expenses, for the periods
indicated:
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Staff salaries and benefits | |
| 942,846 | | |
| 128,217,664 | | |
| 53.4 | % | |
| 104,440,158 | | |
| 51.7 | % | |
| 95,974,189 | | |
| 63.6 | % |
Professional service fee | |
| 518,695 | | |
| 70,537,295 | | |
| 29.4 | % | |
| 69,404,375 | | |
| 34.4 | % | |
| 32,341,680 | | |
| 21.4 | % |
Office expense | |
| 90,435 | | |
| 12,298,320 | | |
| 5.1 | % | |
| 7,526,856 | | |
| 3.7 | % | |
| 8,291,888 | | |
| 5.5 | % |
Outsourced staff cost | |
| 118,996 | | |
| 16,182,257 | | |
| 6.7 | % | |
| - | | |
| 0.0 | % | |
| - | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Rental expense | |
| 37,265 | | |
| 5,067,643 | | |
| 2.2 | % | |
| 7,104,654 | | |
| 3.5 | % | |
| 7,668,055 | | |
| 5.1 | % |
Transportation fee | |
| 31,306 | | |
| 4,257,343 | | |
| 1.8 | % | |
| 4,463,061 | | |
| 2.2 | % | |
| 3,370,267 | | |
| 2.2 | % |
Others | |
| 25,317 | | |
| 3,442,804 | | |
| 1.4 | % | |
| 9,037,342 | | |
| 4.5 | % | |
| 3,272,637 | | |
| 2.2 | % |
Total | |
| 1,764,860 | | |
| 240,003,326 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 201,976,446 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 150,918,716 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Share-based
compensation expenses
On
July 1, 2019, the shareholders and board of directors of the Company approved the 2019 trust-type stock option plan (the “2019
Trust-type Plan”), which has an exercise period of 10 years from July 4, 2019 to July 3, 2029. Under the “2019 Trust-type
Plan,” the Company is committed to issue 2,000,000 Ordinary Shares (retrospectively restated to include the effects of the share
split of 50-for-1 and 100-for-1 on July 16, 2019 and on October 25, 2021, respectively) of the Company to its eligible employees, officers,
directors or any other individual as determined by the board of directors. The share-based compensation expenses were nil, JPY670.0 million
and JPY56.0 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. See our financial statements and the related
notes included elsewhere in this annual report for more information.
Research
and development expenses
| |
Year Ended April 30, 2023 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2022 | | |
Year Ended April 30, 2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | | |
JPY | | |
% | |
Staff cost | |
| 200,624 | | |
| 27,282,813 | | |
| 25.1 | % | |
| 15,887,724 | | |
| 61.6 | % | |
| 21,021,092 | | |
| 91.8 | % |
Outsourced staff cost | |
| 523,388 | | |
| 71,175,511 | | |
| 65.4 | % | |
| 4,705,466 | | |
| 18.3 | % | |
| - | | |
| 0.0 | % |
Telecommunication cost | |
| 59,951 | | |
| 8,152,791 | | |
| 7.5 | % | |
| 4,171,560 | | |
| 16.2 | % | |
| 983,623 | | |
| 4.3 | % |
Rental expense | |
| 12,937 | | |
| 1,759,352 | | |
| 1.6 | % | |
| 866,825 | | |
| 3.4 | % | |
| 772,257 | | |
| 3.4 | % |
Others | |
| 3,332 | | |
| 453,197 | | |
| 0.4 | % | |
| 122,142 | | |
| 0.5 | % | |
| 116,133 | | |
| 0.5 | % |
Total | |
| 800,232 | | |
| 108,823,664 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 25,753,717 | | |
| 100.0 | % | |
| 22,893,105 | | |
| 100.0 | % |
Research and development expenses include (1) salaries
and benefits of our research development staff; (2) outsourced development cost; and (3) other miscellaneous expenses for our
research and development department, such as telecommunication expenses and rental and utility expenses. Research and development expenses
for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 increased by JPY83.1 million, or 322.6%, compared to those of the fiscal year ended April 30,
2022. Such increase was primarily attributable to the increase in staff cost, outsourced staff cost and telecommunication cost. Research
and development expenses for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 increased by JPY2.9 million, or 12.5%, compared to those of the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Such increase was primarily attributable to the increase in outsourced development cost and telecommunication
cost as a result of our business expansion.
Government
subsidies
Government subsidies decreased by 100.0%, from
JPY4.8 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 to nil for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2022 and 2023, which was mainly attributable
to the decrease in the rental and telecommunication subsidies. The rental subsidy was provided by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade
and Industry to certain corporate tenants that were facing a decrease in sales due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The telecommunication
subsidy was provided by the Tokyo Shigoto Foundation to support the telecommunication of certain businesses that were affected by the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Income
tax provisions
Income tax benefit was JPY9.2 million (US$0.1 million) for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2023, as compared to income tax expense of JPY28.9 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022. Such decrease
resulted from the decrease of our revenue.
Income tax expense was JPY28.9 million for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, as compared to income tax benefit of JPY15.6 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021. Such
increase resulted from our business expansion.
Net
loss
As a result of the foregoing reasons, we reported
a net loss of JPY382.3 million (US$2.8 million) for the fiscal year ended April 30 2023, a net loss of JPY 602.5 million for the fiscal
year ended April 30, 2022, and a net loss of JPY70.5 million for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021.
B. Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our
primary source of liquidity historically has been cash generated from our business operations, bank loans, equity contributions from
our shareholders and borrowings, which have historically been sufficient to meet our working capital and capital expenditure requirements.
The
following table sets forth the breakdown and terms of our outstanding borrowings as of April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| |
Maturity date | |
Interest rate | | |
April 30, 2023 | | |
April 30, 2022 | | |
April 30, 2021 | |
Kiraboshi bank* | |
November 2024-March 2030 | |
| 1.60 | % | |
JPY | 46,668,000 | | |
JPY | 58,668,000 | | |
JPY | 69,668,000 | |
Resona bank Ltd* | |
April 2024 | |
| 1.48 | % | |
JPY | 100,000,000 | | |
| --- | | |
| --- | |
Shoko Chukin Bank Ltd. | |
September 2027 | |
| 2.69 | % | |
JPY | 45,750,000 | | |
| --- | | |
| --- | |
* | Guaranteed
by Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi, our Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director. |
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents
and anticipated cash flow from operations, together with the net proceeds from its public offering, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated
cash needs for the next 12 months and beyond the next 12 months from the date of this annual report. However, the exact amount of proceeds
we use for our operations and expansion plans will depend on the amount of cash generated from our operations and any strategic decisions
we may make that could alter our expansion plans and the amount of cash necessary to fund these plans. We may, however, decide to enhance
our liquidity position or increase our cash reserve for future investments through additional capital and finance funding. We may need
additional cash resources in the future if we experience changes in business conditions or other developments, or if we find and wish
to pursue opportunities for investments, acquisitions, capital expenditures or similar actions. If we determine that our cash requirements
exceed the amount of cash and cash equivalents we have on hand at the time, we may seek to issue equity or debt securities or obtain credit
facilities. The issuance and sale of additional equity would result in further dilution to our shareholders. The incurrence of indebtedness
would result in increased fixed obligations and could result in operating covenants that would restrict our operations. We cannot assure
you that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.
Our
ability to manage our working capital, including receivables and other assets and liabilities and accrued liabilities, may materially
affect our financial condition and results of operations.
The
following table sets forth our selected cash flow data for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
| |
Year Ended
April 30,
2023 | | |
Year Ended
April 30,
2022 | | |
Year Ended
April 30,
2021 | |
| |
USD | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating
activities | |
| (2,939,460 | ) | |
| (399,737,207 | ) | |
| 100,266,688 | | |
| 34,521,751 | |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | |
| (11,968 | ) | |
| (1,627,539 | ) | |
| 3,762,358 | | |
| (611,152 | ) |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | |
| (576,587 | ) | |
| (78,410,121 | ) | |
| 189,134,000 | | |
| 91,518,000 | |
Effect of exchange rate | |
| 1,787 | | |
| 243,159 | | |
| - | | |
| - | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | |
| (3,526,228 | ) | |
| (479,531,708 | ) | |
| 293,163,046 | | |
| 125,428,599 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at the beginning
of the year/period | |
| 4,834,313 | | |
| 657,418,101 | | |
| 364,255,055 | | |
| 238,826,456 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted
cash at the end of the year/period | |
| 1,308,085 | | |
| 177,886,393 | | |
| 657,418,101 | | |
| 364,255,055 | |
Operating
Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the
fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 was JPY399.7 million (US$2.9 million), which primarily reflected our loss of JPY382.3 million (US$2.8
million) as mainly adjusted for changes in working capital. Adjustments for changes in working capital primarily consisted of (1) JPY41.3
million (US$0.3 million) decrease of account receivables, net, and (2) JPY57.6 million (US$0.4 million) decrease of tax payable.
Net
cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 was JPY100.3 million (US$0.7 million), which primarily
reflected our loss of JPY602.5 million (US$4.1 million) as mainly adjusted for: (1) share based compensation of JPY670.0 million (US$4.5
million), (2) deferred income taxes adjustments of JPY16.0 million (US$0.1 million) and changes in working capital. Adjustment for changes
in working capital primarily consisted of (1) JPY31.6 million (US$0.2 million) decrease of account receivables, net, (2) JPY28.1 million
(US$0.2 million) increase of income taxes payables, and (3) JPY24.0 million (US$0.2 million) increase of accrued liabilities and other
payables.
Net
cash provided by operating activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 was JPY34.5 million, which primarily reflected our net
loss of JPY70.5 million as mainly adjusted for as mainly adjusted for: (1) share based compensation of JPY56.0 million, (2) deferred
income taxes benefit adjustments of JPY15.9 million and changes in working capital. Adjustment for changes in working capital primarily
consisted of (1) JPY54.4 million increase of account receivables, net, and (2) JPY10.2 million increase of accrued liabilities and other
payables.
Investing
Activities
Net
cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 was JPY1.6 million (US$0.01 million), mainly attributable
to purchase of property equipment of JPY1.6 million (US$0.01 million).
Net
cash provided by investing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 was JPY3.8 million (US$0.03 million), mainly attributable
to purchase of property and equipment of JPY1.0 million (US$0.01 million) and disposal of long-term investment of JPY4.6 million
(US$0.03 million).
Net
cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 was JPY0.6 million, mainly attributable to purchase of
property and equipment of JPY0.6 million.
Financing
Activities
Net
cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023 was JPY78.4 million (US$0.06 million), mainly attributable
to proceeds from loans in the amount of JPY150.0 million (US$1.1 million), partially offset by repayment of loan in the amount of JPY16.3
million (US$0.1 million) and payments on deferred IPO costs in the amount of JPY212.2 million (US$1.6 million).
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 was JPY189.1 million (US$1.3 million), mainly attributable
to proceeds from issuance of Ordinary Shares to shareholders in the amount of JPY200.1 million (US$1.3 million) and repayment of long-term
loan in the amount of JPY11.0 million (US$0.07 million).
Net
cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 was JPY91.5 million, mainly attributable to
proceeds from issuance of Ordinary Shares to shareholders in the amount of JPY103.5 million and repayment of long-term loan in the
amount of JPY12.0 million.
Effect of exchange rate
Effect of exchange rate for the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2023 was JPY0.2 million (US$0.0 million), which resulted from exchange gain/loss on a foreign currency the Company held.
Effect of exchange rate for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022 and
2021 was nil.
Capital
Expenditures
We
made capital expenditures of JPY1.6 million (US$0.01 million), JPY1.0 million and JPY0.6 million in the fiscal years of 2023, 2022 and
2021, respectively. In these fiscal years, our capital expenditures were mainly used for procurement of office equipment and leasehold
improvements.
Contractual
Obligations and Commitments
The
following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of April 30, 2023:
| |
Payment due by period | |
| |
Total | | |
Less than one year | | |
One to three years | | |
Three to five years | | |
More than five years | |
Long-term loan | |
JPY | 92,418,000 | | |
| 24,050,000 | | |
| 34,509,000 | | |
| 23,891,000 | | |
| 9,968,000 | |
Short-term loan | |
JPY | 100,000,000 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Operating lease obligations | |
JPY | 3,481,250 | | |
| 3,481,250 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Total | |
JPY | 195,899,250 | | |
| 127,531,250 | | |
| 34,509,000 | | |
| 23,891,000 | | |
| 9,968,000 | |
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
As
of April 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we were not party to any material off-balance sheet financial arrangements that are reasonably likely
to have a current or future effect on our financial condition or operating results. We do not have any relationship with unconsolidated
entities or financial partnerships for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or for other contractually narrow or
limited purposes.
C. Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.
See
“Item 4. Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Research and Development” and “Item 4.
Information on the Company—B. Business Overview—Intellectual Property.”
D. Trend Information
Other
than as disclosed below and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 20-F, we are not aware of any trends, uncertainties, demands,
commitments, or events for the period from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse
effect on our net revenue, income, profitability, liquidity, or capital resources, or that caused the disclosed financial information
to be not necessarily indicative of future operating results or financial condition.
Factors
and Trends Affecting Our Results of Operations
We
believe the following key factors may affect our financial condition and results of operations:
The
development or acceptance of blockchain technology in the commercial marketplace
Our
business model is dependent on continued investment in and development of the blockchain industry and related technologies. If investments
in the blockchain industry become less attractive to investors, innovators, and developers, or if blockchain networks and assets do not
gain public acceptance or are not adopted and used by a substantial number of individuals, companies and other entities, it could have
a material adverse impact on our prospects and operations.
Our
ability to apply the technology effectively in driving value for our customers through blockchain-based solutions
Our
success depends on our ability to apply our proprietary blockchain technology GLS, develop new products and services, and improve the
performance and cost-effectiveness of the existing products and services, in each case in ways that address current and anticipated customer
requirements, industry needs and future trends. Such success is dependent upon several factors, including technology effectiveness, functionality,
competitive pricing, licensing and integration with existing and emerging technologies. The blockchain industry is characterized by rapid
technological changes. If we fail to develop and implement technology solutions and technical expertise that keep pace with changes in
technology, industry standards, and customer preferences, our value proposition could be adversely affected. We may not be successful
in anticipating or responding to these developments on a timely and cost-effective basis and our ideas may not be accepted in the marketplace.
Additionally, the effort to gain technological expertise and develop new technologies in our business may require us to incur significant
expenses. Any of these events could result in a material adverse effect on our operating results, customer relationships, and business.
Telecommunications
infrastructure and the performance of devices equipped with blockchain
The
success of our blockchain-based products and services will depend on the continued development of a stable telecommunications infrastructure
with the necessary speed, data capacity and security, complementary products such as high-speed networking equipment for providing reliable
internet access and services, and other devices that are equipped with blockchain. There is no assurance that the relevant infrastructure
and devices will continue to be able to support the demands placed on it by the growth of blockchain technology. There is also no assurance
that the infrastructure or complementary products or services necessary to support the blockchain technology will be developed in a timely
manner, or that such development will not incur substantial costs to adapt to changing technologies. The failure of these platforms and
devices or their development could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Our
ability to compete successfully
We
design, upgrade, and maintain technology systems for our customers. We expect to encounter competition in our business, including from
entities having substantially greater capital and resources and offering a wider range of products and services. Many of our competitors
may have greater financial, marketing, technological and personnel resources than we do, and may offer a wider range of bundled services,
have broader name recognition, and have larger customer bases than we do.
Our
ability to develop competitive advantages will require continued improvement in GLS, enhancements to our products, investment in the
development of our services, and additional marketing activities. There can be no assurance that we will timely implement changes into
our technology, that we will have resources to make sufficient investments in the development of our services, that our competitors will
not devote significantly more resources to competing services, or that we will otherwise be successful in developing market share. If
competitors offer superior services, or implement changes in a timelier and more cost-effective manner, our market share could be affected,
and this would adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our ability to retain major customers and
acquire new customers
Although we do not heavily rely upon any one customer
for the majority of our revenue, our revenue is dependent on a limited number of customers who account for a large percentage of our contractually
committed capacity. If one or more of our significant customers fail to make payments to us or does not honor their contractual commitments,
our revenue and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.
In addition, our reliance on any individual significant
customer may give that customer a degree of pricing leverage against us when negotiating contracts and terms of services with us. The
loss of any of our major customers, or a significant decrease in the extent of the services that they outsource to us or the level of
prices we offer, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Any of our customers could experience a downturn
in their business, which in turn could result in their inability or failure to make timely payments to us pursuant to their contracts
with us. In the event of any customer default, our liquidity could be adversely impacted. These risks would be particularly significant
if one of our major customers were to experience adverse effects to its business and defaults under their contracts with us.
Impact of COVID-19
Public health epidemics or outbreaks could adversely
impact our business. In early 2020, an outbreak of the novel strain of a coronavirus, which causes a disease named COVID-19, spread worldwide.
As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, governments and industries have instituted drastic actions to contain the coronavirus or treat
its impact. Such actions, including bans on international and domestic travel, quarantines, and prohibitions on accessing work sites,
have caused significant disruptions to global and local economies and have led to dramatic volatility in the capital markets. In April
2020, the Japanese government issued the Declaration of a State of Emergency, whereby the Japanese government ordered non-essential activities
and businesses across Japan to close as a preemptive safeguard against the COVID-19 pandemic. This adversely impacted many business sectors
across Japan, especially in Tokyo. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had some negative impact on our
business operations, when delay in our sales activities occurred due to the inability to conduct scheduled in-person sales activities.
Since fiscal year 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic has had no significant impact on our business operations.
E.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our financial statements are prepared in accordance
with U.S. GAAP, which requires us to make a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. These estimates and assumptions 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. We base our accounting estimates and assumptions on historical experience and other factors that we believe to be reasonable under
the circumstances. However, actual results may differ from those estimates. Our critical accounting policies are those that materially
affect our financial statements and are subject to complex judgment by our management.
Income taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary
differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes and
tax loss carryforwards. These deferred taxes are measured using the currently enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the
temporary differences or tax loss carryforwards and tax credits are expected to reverse.
Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when
it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. The Company considers all available evidence (both positive and negative)
when determining whether a valuation allowance is required, with emphasis on its past operating results, the existence of cumulative losses
in the most recent years and its forecast of near-term taxable income.
Item 6. DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES
A.
Directors and Senior Management
The following sets forth information regarding
members of our board of directors and our executive officers as of the date of this annual report.
Name |
|
Age | |
Position(s) |
Satoshi Kobayashi |
|
37 | |
Chief Executive Officer, and Representative Director |
Hiroki Yamamoto |
|
32 | |
Chief Technology Officer, and Director |
Caspia Lin |
|
34 | |
Chief Financial Officer |
Ryotaro Namba |
|
29 | |
Executive Officer |
Masahiro Tominaga |
|
44 | |
Independent Director |
Kiyomitsu Takayama |
|
47 | |
Independent Director |
Shozo Kaneko* |
|
68 | |
Company Auditor |
Masaaki Aono* |
|
39 | |
Company Auditor |
Kohichi Goto* |
|
56 | |
Company Auditor |
* | Company auditors are not members of our board of directors. |
Satoshi
Kobayashi has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director since our inception. He co-founded our
Company in May 2018. From August 2016 to December 2018, Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi served as the representative director with FEELO.Co.
to oversee that company’s entire merchandising business. From January 2013 to December 2015, he acted as a manager of Pasona Inc.,
where he was in charge of temporary staff management and consulting.
Hiroki
Yamamoto has served as our Chief Technology Officer and Director since our inception. Mr. Hiroki Yamamoto co-founded
our Company with Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi in May 2018. From August 2015 to May 2018, he was in charge of software development at arl-Y
Office. From April 2013 to July 2015, he acted as a software developer at Sunplan Soft Co. He studied Robotics Creation and obtained an
Associate Degree from Nagoya College of Engineering in March 2013.
Caspia
Lin has served as our Chief Financial Officer since May 2023. Ms. Caspia Lin has served as a director of OneStep Consulting
Pte Ltd where she leads the overall execution across a variety of workstreams since April 2018. She served as the finance manager of SIG
Tax & Accounting Pte Ltd from August 2021 to September 2022 and from June 2019 to May 2020. She served as an accountant of Barramundi
Group Ltd from June 2020 to July 2021. She was the assistant team leader at Margin Wheeler Pte Ltd where she was responsible for reviewing
the clients’ accounts from May 2015 to April 2018. She obtained her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification
in 2017 and her designation of Chartered Accountant of Singapore from the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants in 2018.
Ryotaro
Namba has served as our Executive Officer since May 2021. Mr. Ryotaro Namba worked as a freelance engineer after graduating
from college and worked on various system development projects since 2021. He joined our company as an employee in August 2018. He studied
at the School of Materials Science and Engineering of Tokyo Institute of Technology starting from 2012 and obtained a Master’s degree
from the university in March 2018.
Masahiro
Tominaga has served as our Independent Director since July 2019. Since January 2016, he has served as the representative
director of Dizzy Co., which is engaged in the business of management consulting and web-related consulting. From January 2003 to December
2015, he was the executive vice president of UNIMEDIA INC., a company dedicated to digital innovation. He studied economics and obtained
a Bachelor’s degree from Musashi University in March 2001.
Kiyomitsu
Takayama has served as our Independent Director since February 2021. Since November 2020, he has served as the global vice
president and Japan country manager at Pendo.io Japan, which is a product management company. From February 2014 to October 2020, he was
the vice president, the global general manager of channel sales division, and the general manager of renewal sales department of Box,
Inc., a digital solution provider. From July 2012 to February 2014, he was senior sales manager with Cloudera, Inc., a data management
company. He studied business administration and obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Aoyama College University in March 2001.
Shozo
Kaneko has served as our Company Auditor since July 2019. Since January 2020, he has served as the chairman of the board
of directors at Social Beauty Photo Co. From October 2019 to November 2020, he was the chairman of the board of directors at PiCUBE Inc.
From November 2013 to January 2015, he was a corporate auditor at Demarkan Co.
Masaaki
Aono has served as our Company Auditor since September 2022. He practiced law at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu from December
2009 to March 2022 and at Mayer Brown from September 2015 to July 2016 in the U.S. Since October 2022, he has served as an outside director,
and audit and supervisory committee member at Halmek Holdings Inc. Since April 2022, he has been a partner at CrossOver Law Offices in
Japan. He graduated from the University of Tokyo School of Law in March 2008 and from the University of Chicago School of Law (LL.M.)
in June 2015.
Koichi
Goto has served as our Company Auditor since July 2019. From April 2022 to November 2022, he served as an auditor of Sakura
Exchange Bitcoin, Inc., which is an agency for the purchase and sale of crypto assets. Since October 2020, he has served as a company
auditor of Walklog Inc., which develops and operates the O2O solution platform. Since July 2020, he has served as an auditor of KakaoPiccoma
Inc., which operates the electronic comic and novel service “Piccoma.” Since April 2016, he has served as an auditor of WAKUWAKU
Corporation, which is engaged in a renovation platform. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University in March 1990.
There
is no family relationship among any of the directors, company auditors, and officers. There is no arrangement or understanding among any
of our directors and members of senior management or any other person pursuant to which our directors and members of senior management
are appointed.
Board Diversity
The table below provides certain information regarding
the diversity of our board of directors as of the date of this annual report.
Board Diversity Matrix |
Country of Principal Executive Offices: |
Japan |
Foreign Private Issuer |
Yes |
Disclosure Prohibited under Home Country Law |
No |
Total Number of Directors |
4 |
|
Female |
Male |
Non-
Binary |
Did Not
Disclose
Gender |
Part I: Gender Identity |
|
Directors |
0 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
Part II: Demographic Background |
|
Underrepresented Individual in Home Country Jurisdiction |
0 |
LGBTQ+ |
0 |
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background |
0 |
Controlled Company
As of the date of this annual report, Mr. Satoshi
Kobayashi, our Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director, beneficially owns more than 50% of the voting power of our outstanding
Ordinary Shares. As a result, we are a “controlled company” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing rules. As a controlled
company, we are permitted to elect to rely on certain exemptions from the obligations to comply with certain corporate governance requirements,
including the requirements that:
| ● | a majority of our board of directors consist of independent directors; |
| ● | our director nominees be selected or recommended solely by independent directors; and |
| ● | we have a nominating and corporate governance committee and a compensation committee that are composed
entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the purposes and responsibilities of the committees. |
As a foreign private issuer, however, Nasdaq corporate
governance rules allow us to follow corporate governance practice in our home country, Japan, with respect to appointments to our board
of directors and committees. We have followed home country practice as permitted by Nasdaq rather than rely on the “controlled company”
exception to the corporate governance rules. See “Item 3. Key Information—D. Risk Factors— Risks Related to Our
Ordinary Shares and the Trading Market—Because we are a foreign private issuer and have taken advantage of exemptions from certain
Nasdaq corporate governance standards applicable to U.S. issuers, you have less protection than you would have if we were a domestic issuer.”
Accordingly, you do not have the same protections afforded to shareholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance
requirements of Nasdaq.
B. Compensation
Compensation
In accordance with the Companies Act, compensation
for our directors, including bonuses, retirement allowances, and incentive stock options, must be approved at our general meeting of shareholders,
unless otherwise specified in our articles of incorporation. The shareholders’ approval may specify the upper limit of the aggregate
amount of compensation or calculation methods, but if compensation includes benefits in kind, the shareholders’ approval must include
the description of such benefits. Compensation for a director is fixed by our board of directors in accordance with our internal regulations
and practice and, in the case of retirement allowances, generally reflects the position of the director or executive officer at the time
of retirement, length of service as a director and contribution to our performance.
For
the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, we paid an aggregate of JPY67,819,646 (US$498,710) as compensation to our executive officers
and directors. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023, we did not grant stock options or provide discretionary bonuses. We have
not set aside or accrued any amount to provide pension, retirement, or other similar benefits to our directors and senior management.
Stock
Options
We have granted stock options to purchase our
Ordinary Shares, as authorized by our shareholders on February 5, 2019, under the share option plan, and on July 1, 2019, under the
2019 Trust-type Plan. The purpose of these grants is to enable our directors, senior management, and employees to share in our success
and to reinforce a corporate culture that aligns employee interests with those of our shareholders. Our stock option grants generally
prohibit transfers of options. A stock option holder generally forfeits such stock options if they are no longer a director, company auditor,
or employee of our Company, except under limited circumstances or as otherwise determined by our board of directors. A stock option holder
can generally exercise stock options only if our Company’s Ordinary Shares are listed on any financial instrument exchanges. The
following table summarizes the stock options we have issued.
Name of Issuance | |
Issuance Date | |
Beginning of Exercise Period | | |
End of Exercise Period | | |
Exercise Price (per share) | | |
Number of Ordinary Shares Granted | |
Share option plan | |
2/28/2019 | |
| 3/1/2021 | | |
| 2/28/2029 | | |
JPY | 2 | | |
| 1,095,000 | (1) |
2019 Trust-type Plan | |
7/4/2019 | |
| 7/4/2019 | | |
| 7/3/2029 | | |
JPY | 50 | | |
| 2,000,000 | |
Notes:
(1) | Stock options to acquire 60,000 of our Ordinary Shares have expired,
and stock options to acquire 1,035,000 of our Ordinary Shares remain outstanding as of April 30, 2023. |
Of the stock options granted pursuant to the above-mentioned
grants, stock options to acquire an aggregate of 60,000 of our Ordinary Shares have been extinguished, and stock options to acquire an
aggregate of 3,035,000 of our Ordinary Shares remain outstanding as of April 30, 2023.
The following table summarizes the outstanding
stock options with respect to our Ordinary Shares that we have granted to our directors and senior management:
Name | |
Grant Date | | |
Beginning of Exercise Period | | |
End of Exercise Period | | |
Exercise Price (per share) | | |
Total Number of Stock Options Granted | | |
Total Number of Ordinary Shares Underlying Stock Options | |
Hiroki Yamamoto | |
| 2/28/2019 | | |
| 3/1/2021 | | |
| 2/28/2029 | | |
JPY | 2 | | |
| 200 | | |
| 1,000,000 | |
Ryotaro Namba | |
| 2/28/2019 | | |
| 3/1/2021 | | |
| 2/28/2029 | | |
JPY | 2 | | |
| 3 | | |
| 15,000 | |
C. Board Practices
Board
of Directors
Our board of directors has the ultimate responsibility
for the administration of our affairs. Under the Companies Act and our articles of incorporation, we are required to have no fewer than
three but not more than ten directors. Directors are elected at general meetings of shareholders. The normal term of office of any director
expires at the close of the annual general meeting of shareholders held with respect to the last fiscal year ended within two years after
such company auditor’s election to office.
The board of directors appoints from among its
members one or more representative directors, who have the authority individually to represent us in the conduct of our affairs. Mr. Satoshi
Kobayashi is the representative director of our Company. The board of directors may appoint from among its members a chairperson and a
president, or one or more vice-presidents, senior managers, and executive managers of the board.
Our
board of directors consists of four directors. Our board of directors has determined that our outside directors, Masahiro Tominaga and
Kiyomitsu Takayama, satisfy the “independence” requirements of the Nasdaq corporate governance rules and the rules and regulations
of the SEC.
Company
auditors (kansayaku)
We currently have three company auditors. As permitted
under the Companies Act, we have elected to structure our corporate governance system as a company with a board of company auditors instead
of board committees. Under the Companies Act and our articles of incorporation, we are required to have at least three but no more than
5 company auditors. Company auditors are elected at general meetings of shareholders. The normal term of office of any company auditor
expires at the close of the annual general meeting of shareholders held with respect to the last fiscal year ended within four years after
such company auditor’s election to office. Our company auditors may, however, serve any number of consecutive terms. Company auditors
may be removed by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders.
Our company auditors are not required to be certified
public accountants. Our company auditors may not at the same time be directors, employees, or accounting advisors (kaikei sanyo) of our
Company.
The function of company auditors is similar to
that of independent directors, including those who are members of the audit committee, of a U.S. company. Each company auditor has a statutory
duty to supervise the administration by the directors of our affairs, to examine the financial statements and business reports to be submitted
by a representative director at the general meetings of shareholders and to prepare an audit report. They are obligated to participate
in meetings of the board of directors and, if necessary, to express their opinion at such meetings, but are not entitled to vote. Our
company auditors must inspect the proposals, documents, and any other materials to be submitted by our board of directors to the shareholders
at the shareholders’ meeting. If a company auditor finds a violation of statutory regulations or our articles of incorporation,
or another significant improper matter, such auditor must report those findings to the shareholders at the shareholders’ meeting.
Furthermore, if a company auditor believes that
a director has engaged in, or is likely to engage in, misconduct or acts that are significantly improper, or that there has been a violation
of statutory regulations or our articles of incorporation, the company auditor: (i) must report that fact to our board of directors;
(ii) can demand that a director convene a meeting of our board of directors; and (iii) if no such meeting is convened in response
to the demand, can convene the meeting under the company auditor’s own authority. If a director engages in, or is likely to engage
in, an activity outside the scope of the objectives of our Company or otherwise in violation of laws or regulations or our articles of
incorporation, and such act is likely to cause significant damage to our Company, then a company auditor can demand that the director
cease such activity.
Our board of company auditors has a statutory
duty to prepare an audit report based on the audit reports issued by the individual company auditors and submit such audit reports to
a relevant director and, in the case of audit reports related to financial statements, the independent auditors of our Company each year.
A company auditor may note an opinion in an audit report issued by our board of company auditors, if the opinion expressed in such company
auditor’s individual audit report is different from the opinion expressed in the audit report issued by our board of company auditors.
Our board of company auditors is empowered to establish the audit principles, the method of examination by our company auditors of our
affairs and financial position, and any other matters relating to the performance of our company auditors’ duties.
Additionally, our company auditors must represent
our Company in: (i) any litigation between our Company and a director; (ii) dealing with shareholders’ demands seeking
a director’s liability to our Company; and (iii) dealing with notices of litigation and settlement in a derivative suit seeking
a director’s liability to our Company. A company auditor can file court actions relating to our Company within the authority of
our company auditors, such as an action to nullify the incorporation of our Company, the issuance of shares, or a merger, or to cancel
a resolution at a shareholders’ meeting.
Limitation
of Liability of Directors
Under the Companies Act and our articles of incorporation
we may exempt, by resolution of the board of directors, our directors from liabilities to us arising in connection with their failure
to execute their duties in good faith and without gross negligence, within the limits stipulated by applicable laws and regulations. In
addition, our articles of incorporation provide that we may enter into agreements with our directors (excluding executive directors) to
limit their respective liabilities to us arising in connection with a failure to execute their duties in good faith and without gross
negligence to an amount stipulated in laws and regulations. We have obtained directors and officers liability insurance, which covers
expenses, capped at a certain amount, that our directors and officers may incur in connection with their conduct as our directors or executive
officers.
D. Employees
See “Item 4. Information on the Company—B.
Business Overview—Employees.”
E. Share Ownership
The following table sets forth information with
respect to the beneficial ownership, within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, of our Ordinary Shares as of the date
of this annual report for:
| ● | each of our named executive officers and directors; |
| ● | all our named executive officers and directors as a group; and |
| ● | each person or entity (or group of affiliated persons or entities) known by us to be the beneficial owner
of 5% or more of our Ordinary Shares. |
Beneficial ownership includes voting or investment
power with respect to the Ordinary Shares. Except as indicated below, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons named
in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all Ordinary Shares shown as beneficially owned by them. Percentage
of beneficial ownership of each listed person is based on 15,039,400 Ordinary Shares outstanding and 3,035,000 Ordinary Shares subject
to options that are currently exercisable as of the date of this annual report.
Information
with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by each named executive officer, director, or beneficial owner of 5% or more
of our Ordinary Shares. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally requires
that such person have voting or investment power with respect to securities. In computing the number of Ordinary Shares beneficially
owned by a person listed below and the percentage ownership of such person, Ordinary Shares underlying options, warrants, or convertible
securities held by each such person that are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the date of this annual report are deemed
outstanding, but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage ownership of any other person.
| |
Ordinary Shares Beneficially Owned | |
| |
Number | | |
Percent | |
Directors and Executive Officers(1): | |
| | |
| |
Satoshi Kobayashi(2) | |
| 9,462,265 | | |
| 52.35 | % |
Hiroki Yamamoto(3) | |
| 1,000,000 | | |
| 5.53 | % |
Caspia Lin | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Ryotaro Namba(4) | |
| 15,000 | | |
| * | |
Masahiro Tominaga | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Kiyomitsu Takayama | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Shozo Kaneko | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Masaaki Aono | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Kohichi Goto | |
| — | | |
| — | |
All directors and executive officers as a group (ten individuals): | |
| 10,477,265 | | |
| 57.97 | % |
| |
| | | |
| | |
5% Shareholders: | |
| | | |
| | |
Satoshi Kobayashi(2) | |
| 9,462,265 | | |
| 52.35 | % |
Hiroki Yamamoto(3) | |
| 1,000,000 | | |
| 5.53 | % |
Themis Capital GK(5) | |
| 4,000,000 | | |
| 22.13 | % |
* | Represents less than 1% of the number of Ordinary Shares
outstanding. |
Notes:
(1) | Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each
of the individuals is 5-7-11, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. |
| |
(2) | Represents
(i) 5,462,265 Ordinary Shares held personally, and (ii) 4,000,000 Ordinary Shares held by Themis Capital GK (合同会社テミスキャピタル),
which is 100% owned by Satoshi Kobayashi. |
| |
(3) | The aggregate number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned
by Hiroki Yamamoto represents 1,000,000 Ordinary Shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options, held by Hiroki Yamamoto. |
| |
(4) | The aggregate number of Ordinary Shares beneficially owned
by Ryotaro Namba represents 15,000 Ordinary Shares that may be issued upon exercise of stock options, held by Ryotaro Namba. |
| |
(5) | Represents
4,000,000 ordinary shares held by Themis Capital GK (合同会社テミスキャピタル),
which is 100% owned by Satoshi Kobayashi. Its business address is 5-7-11, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, Japan. |
To our knowledge, the Company is not directly
or indirectly owned or controlled by another corporation(s), by any foreign government, or by any other natural or legal person(s) severally
or jointly. As of the date of this annual report, none of our issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares are held in the United States. None
of the Company’s major shareholders have any different or special voting rights with respect to their Ordinary Shares. We are not
aware of any arrangement that may, at a subsequent date, result in a change of control of our Company.
F. Disclosure of a registrant’s action
to recover erroneously awarded compensation
Not applicable.
Item 7. MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A.
Major Shareholders
See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management
and Employees—E. Share Ownership.”
B.
Related Party Transactions
The relationship and the nature of related party
transactions are summarized as follows:
Name of Related Party | |
Relationship to Our Company |
Satoshi Kobayashi | |
Our Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director |
On October 1, 2019, our Company entered
into an office space lease agreement with a third party, pursuant to which our Company promised to pay JPY696,250 (US$5,120) to lease
our office space. Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi is a guarantor for the rental payment. The expiration date for the lease agreement is on
September 30, 2023.
On November 13, 2019, our Company entered
into a loan agreement with Kiraboshi Bank, pursuant to which our Company borrowed JPY35,000,000 (US$257,372) at an annual interest rate
of 1.6%. Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi was a guarantor for the loan. The maturity date for such loan is on November 12, 2024. As of
April 30, 2023, the outstanding principal balance of such loan was JPY11,680,000 (US$85,889). As of the date of this annual report,
the outstanding principal balance of such loan is JPY8,765,000 (US$64,453).
On April 16, 2020, our Company entered into
a second loan agreement with Kiraboshi Bank, pursuant to which our Company borrowed JPY50,000,000 (US$367,674) at an annual interest rate
of 1.6%. Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi was a guarantor for the loan. The maturity date for such loan is on March 31, 2030. As of April 30,
2023, the outstanding principal balance of such loan was JPY34,988,000 (US$257,284). As of the date of this annual report, the outstanding
principal balance of such loan is JPY32,903,000 (US$241,952).
On August 31, 2022, our Company entered
into an overdraft agreement with Resona Bank, Ltd. The maximum borrowing amount is JPY100 million (US$735,348). We borrowed JPY100
million on September 29, 2022 at an annual interest rate of 1.475%. The maturity date for such loan was on April 28, 2023, which was
extended to April 26, 2024. Satoshi Kobayashi is the joint guarantor on the loan. As of the date of this annual report, the outstanding
principal balance of such loan is JPY100,000,000 (US$735,348).
C.
Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 8. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
A.
Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
We have appended financial statements
filed as part of this annual report. See “Item 18. Financial Statements.”
Legal Proceedings
We
are currently not a party to any material legal or administrative proceedings. We may from time to time be subject to various
legal or administrative claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. Any litigation or other legal or administrative
proceedings, regardless of the outcome, are likely to result in substantial costs and a diversion of our resources, including our management’s
time and attention.
Dividend Policy
We currently intend to retain any future earnings
to finance the development and expansion of our businesses and, therefore, do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Since our inception, we have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our shares. Any decision to pay dividends in the future
will be subject to a number of factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, the level of our retained earnings,
capital demands, general business conditions, and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. Accordingly, we cannot give
any assurance that any dividends may be declared and paid in the future.
If
declared, holders of our outstanding shares on a dividend record date will be entitled to the full dividend declared without regard to
the date of issuance of the shares or any subsequent transfer of the shares. Payment of declared annual dividends in respect of a particular
year, if any, will be made in the following year after approval by our shareholders at the annual general meeting of shareholders, subject
to certain provisions of our articles of incorporation and the Companies Act. Any dividend we declare will be paid by the depositary
bank to the holders of ADSs, subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, to the same extent as holders of our shares, to the extent
permitted by applicable law and regulations, less the fees and expenses payable under the deposit agreement.
B.
Significant Changes
Except as disclosed elsewhere in this annual report,
we have not experienced any significant changes since the date of our audited financial statements included in this annual
report.
Item 9. THE OFFER AND LISTING
A.
Offer and Listing Details.
Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market
under the symbol “ELWS.” Holders of our ADSs should obtain current market quotations for their ADSs.
B.
Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C.
Markets
Our ADSs are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market
under the symbol “ELWS.” Holders of our ADSs should obtain current market quotations for their ADSs.
D.
Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E.
Dilution
Not applicable.
F.
Expenses of the Issue
Not applicable.
Item 10. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A.
Share Capital
Not applicable.
B.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
We
incorporate by reference into this annual report the description of our articles of association, Exhibit 3.1, and the description
of differences in corporate laws contained in our registration statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), as amended, initially
filed with the SEC on December 30, 2022.
C.
Material Contracts
We have not entered into any material contracts
other than in the ordinary course of business and other than those described in “Item 4. Information on the Company”
or elsewhere in this annual report.
D.
Exchange Controls
Foreign Exchange Regulations
FEFTA and related regulations regulate certain
transactions involving a “Non-Resident of Japan” or a “Foreign Investor,” including “inward direct investments”
by Foreign Investors, and payments from Japan to foreign countries or by residents of Japan to Non-Residents of Japan.
“Non-Residents of Japan” are defined
as individuals who are not residents in Japan and corporations whose principal offices are located outside of Japan. Generally, branches
and other offices of Japanese corporations which are located outside of Japan are regarded as Non-Residents of Japan, and branches and
other offices of non-resident corporations which are located within Japan are regarded as residents of Japan.
“Foreign Investors” are defined as:
| (i) | individuals who are Non-Residents of Japan; |
| (ii) | entities which are organized under the laws of foreign countries
or whose principal offices are located outside of Japan; |
| (iii) | companies of which 50% or more of their voting rights are
held by individuals who are Non-Residents of Japan and/or corporations which are organized under the laws of foreign countries or whose
principal offices are located outside of Japan; |
| (iv) | partnerships engaging in investment activities and investment
limited partnerships (including partnerships formed under the laws of foreign countries) which satisfy one of the following conditions: |
(a)
50% or more of contributions to the partnership were made by (i) individuals who are Non-Residents of Japan, (ii) entities
which are organized under the laws of foreign countries or whose principal offices are located outside of Japan, (iii) companies
of which 50% or more of their voting rights are held by individuals who are Non-Residents of Japan and/or corporations which are organized
under the laws of foreign countries or whose principal offices are located outside of Japan, (iv) entities a majority of whose officers,
or officers having the power of representation, are individuals who are Non-Residents of Japan, or (v) partnerships a majority of
whose executive partners fall within items (i) through (iv) above; and
(b)
a majority of the executive partners of the partnership are (A) any persons or entities who fall within items (i) through
(v) above, (B) any partnerships to which 50% or more of contribution were made by persons or entities who fall within items
(i) through (v) above, or (C) limited partnerships a majority of whose executive partners fall within Non-Residents of
Japan, persons or entities who fall within (A) or (B), or any officers of entities which fall within (A) or (B); and
| (v) | entities, a majority of whose officers are individuals who are Non-Residents of Japan. |
Under FEFTA and related regulations, dividends
paid on, and the proceeds of sales in Japan of, shares held by Non-Residents of Japan may in general be converted into any foreign currency
and repatriated abroad.
Under FEFTA, among other triggering events, a Foreign Investor who
desires to acquire shares in a Japanese company which is not listed on any stock exchange in Japan, is subject to a prior filing requirement,
regardless of the acquired amount of shares, if such Japanese company engages any business in certain industries related to the national
security. Such industries include, among other things, manufacturing in relation to weapons, aircraft, space, and nuclear power, as well
as agriculture, fishery, mining, and utility service. Additionally, due to today’s growing awareness of cybersecurity, the recent
amendment to FEFTA expanded the scope of the prior filing requirement, broadly covering industries related to data processing businesses
and information and communication technologies service. Since our software services could potentially involve custom software services
and miscellaneous fixed telecommunications, direct acquisition of our Ordinary Shares, rather than ADSs, by a Foreign Investor could be
subject to the prior filing requirement under FEFTA.
A Foreign Investor wishing to acquire or hold
our Ordinary Shares directly will be required to make a prior filing with the relevant government authorities through the Bank of Japan
and wait until clearance for the acquisition is granted by the applicable governmental authorities. Without such clearance, the Foreign
Investor will not be permitted to acquire or hold our Ordinary Shares directly. Once clearance is obtained, the Foreign Investor may acquire
shares in the amount indicated in the filing any time within six months of the filing. While the standard waiting period to obtain
clearance is 30 days, the waiting period could be expedited to two weeks, at the discretion of the applicable governmental authorities,
depending on the level of potential impact to national security.
In addition to the prior filing requirement above,
when a Foreign Investor who completed a prior filing and received clearance has acquired shares in accordance with the filed information,
such Foreign Investor will be required to make a post-acquisition notice filing to report the completed acquisition. Such post-acquisition
notice filing must be made no later than 45 days after the acquisition of the shares.
Under FEFTA, in each case where a resident of
Japan receives a single payment of more than JPY30 million from a Non-Resident of Japan for a transfer of shares in a Japanese company,
such resident of Japan is required to report each receipt of payment to the Minister of Finance of Japan.
E. Taxation
Japanese Taxation
The following is a general summary of the principal
Japanese tax consequences (limited to national tax) to owners of our Ordinary Shares, in the form of Ordinary Shares or ADSs, who are
non-resident individuals of Japan or who are non-Japanese corporations without a permanent establishment in Japan, collectively referred
to in this section as non-resident holders. The statements below regarding Japanese tax laws are based on the laws and treaties in force
and as interpreted by the Japanese tax authorities as of the date of this annual report, and are subject to changes in applicable Japanese
laws, tax treaties, conventions, or agreements, or in the interpretation of them, occurring after that date. This summary is not exhaustive
of all possible tax considerations that may apply to a particular investor, and potential investors are advised to satisfy themselves
as to the overall tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership, and disposition of our Ordinary Shares, including, specifically, the
tax consequences under Japanese law, under the laws of the jurisdiction of which they are resident and under any tax treaty, convention,
or agreement between Japan and their country of residence, by consulting their own tax advisors.
For the purpose of Japanese tax law and the tax
treaty between the United States and Japan, a U.S. holder of ADSs will generally be treated as the owner of the Ordinary Shares underlying
the ADSs evidenced by the ADRs.
Generally, a non-resident holder of Ordinary
Shares or ADSs will be subject to Japanese income tax collected by way of withholding on dividends (meaning in this section distributions
made from our retained earnings for the Companies Act purposes) we pay with respect to our Ordinary Shares and such tax will be withheld
prior to payment of dividends. Share splits generally are not subject to Japanese income or corporation taxes.
In the absence of any applicable tax treaty, convention,
or agreement reducing the maximum rate of Japanese withholding tax or allowing exemption from Japanese withholding tax, the rate of the
Japanese withholding tax applicable to dividends paid by Japanese corporations on their Ordinary Shares to non-resident holders is generally
20.42% (or 20% for dividends due and payable on or after January 1, 2038) under Japanese tax law. However, with respect to dividends paid
on listed shares issued by a Japanese corporation (such as Ordinary Shares or ADSs) to non-resident holders, other than any individual
shareholder who holds 3% or more of the total number of shares issued by the relevant Japanese corporation (to whom the aforementioned
withholding tax rate will still apply), the aforementioned withholding tax rate is reduced to (i) 15.315% for dividends due and payable
up to and including December 31, 2037 and (ii) 15% for dividends due and payable on or after January 1, 2038. The withholding tax rates
described above include the special reconstruction surtax (2.1% multiplied by the original applicable withholding tax rate, i.e., 15%
or 20%, as the case may be), which is imposed during the period from and including January 1, 2013 to and including December 31, 2037,
to fund the reconstruction from the Great East Japan Earthquake.
If distributions were made from our capital surplus,
rather than retained earnings, for the Companies Act purposes, the portion of such distributions in excess of the amount corresponding
to a pro rata portion of return of capital as determined under Japanese tax laws would be deemed dividends for Japanese tax purposes,
while the rest would be treated as return of capital for Japanese tax purposes. The deemed dividend portion, if any, would generally be
subject to the same tax treatment as dividends as described above, and the return of capital portion would generally be treated as proceeds
derived from the sale of Ordinary Shares and subject to the same tax treatment as sale of our Ordinary Shares as described below. Distributions
made in consideration of repurchase by us of our own shares or in connection with certain reorganization transactions will be treated
substantially in the same manner.
Japan has income tax treaties whereby the withholding
tax rate (including the special reconstruction surtax) may be reduced, generally to 15%, for portfolio investors, with, among others,
Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Spain, while the income tax
treaties with, among others, Australia, France, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the
United Kingdom, and the United States generally reduce the withholding tax rate to 10% for portfolio investors. In addition, under the
income tax treaty between Japan and the United States, dividends paid to pension funds which are qualified U.S. residents eligible to
enjoy treaty benefits are exempt from Japanese income taxation by way of withholding or otherwise unless the dividends are derived from
the carrying on of a business, directly or indirectly, by the pension funds. Similar treatment is applicable to dividends paid to pension
funds under the income tax treaties between Japan and the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Under Japanese tax law, any
reduced maximum rate applicable under a tax treaty shall be available when such maximum rate is below the rate otherwise applicable under
the Japanese tax law referred to in the second preceding paragraph with respect to the dividends to be paid by us on our Ordinary Shares
or the ADSs.
Non-resident holders of our Ordinary Shares who
are entitled under an applicable tax treaty to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, Japanese withholding tax on any dividends on our
Ordinary Shares, in general, are required to submit, through the withholding agent to the relevant tax authority prior to the payment
of dividends, an Application Form for Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax for Reconstruction
on Dividends together with any required forms and documents. A standing proxy for a non-resident holder of our Ordinary Shares or the
ADSs may be used in order to submit the application on a non-resident holder’s behalf. In this regard, a certain simplified special
filing procedure is available for non-resident holders to claim treaty benefits of reduction of or exemption from Japanese withholding
tax, by submitting a Special Application Form for Income Tax Convention regarding Relief from Japanese Income Tax and Special Income Tax
for Reconstruction on Dividends of Listed Stock, together with any required forms or documents. If the depositary needs investigation
to identify whether any non-resident holders of ADSs are entitled to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese
withholding tax the depositary or its agent submits an application form before payment of dividends so that the withholding cannot be
made in connection with such holders for eight months after the record date concerning such payment of dividends. If it is proved that
such holders are entitled to claim treaty benefits of exemption from or reduction of Japanese withholding tax within the foregoing eight-month
period, the depositary or its agent submits another application form together with certain other documents so that such holder can be
subject to exemption from or reduction of Japanese withholding tax. To claim this reduced rate or exemption, such non-resident holder
of ADSs will be required to file a proof of taxpayer status, residence, and beneficial ownership, as applicable, and to provide other
information or documents as may be required by the depositary. Non-resident holders who are entitled, under any applicable tax treaty,
to a reduced rate of Japanese withholding tax below the rate otherwise applicable under Japanese tax law, or exemption therefrom, as the
case may be, but fail to submit the required application in advance may nevertheless be entitled to claim a refund from the relevant Japanese
tax authority of withholding taxes withheld in excess of the rate under an applicable tax treaty (if such non-resident holders are entitled
to a reduced treaty rate under the applicable tax treaty) or the full amount of tax withheld (if such non-resident holders are entitled
to an exemption under the applicable tax treaty), as the case may be, by complying with a certain subsequent filing procedure. We do not
assume any responsibility to ensure withholding at the reduced treaty rate, or exemption therefrom, for shareholders who would be eligible
under an applicable tax treaty but who do not follow the required procedures as stated above.
Gains derived from the sale of our Ordinary Shares
or the ADSs outside Japan by a non-resident holder that is a portfolio investor will generally not be subject to Japanese income or corporation
taxes. Japanese inheritance and gift taxes, at progressive rates, may be payable by an individual who has acquired from another individual
our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs as a legatee, heir, or donee, even if none of the acquiring individual, the decedent, or the donor is
a Japanese resident.
United States Federal Income Taxation
WE URGE POTENTIAL PURCHASERS OF THE ADSS OR
OUR ORDINARY SHARES TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING,
OWNING, AND DISPOSING OF THE ADSS OR OUR ORDINARY SHARES.
The following does not address the tax consequences
to any particular investor or to persons in special tax situations such as:
| ● | regulated investment companies; |
| ● | real estate investment trusts; |
| ● | persons that elect to mark their securities to market; |
| ● | U.S. expatriates or former long-term residents of the U.S.; |
| ● | governments or agencies or instrumentalities thereof; |
| ● | persons liable for alternative minimum tax; |
| ● | persons holding our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs as part of a straddle, hedging, conversion or integrated
transaction; |
| ● | persons that actually or constructively own 10% or more of our voting power or value (including by reason
of owning our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs); |
| ● | persons who acquired our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs pursuant to the exercise of any employee share option
or otherwise as compensation; |
| ● | persons holding our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs through partnerships or other pass-through entities; |
| ● | beneficiaries of a Trust holding our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs; or |
| ● | persons holding our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs through a trust. |
The discussion set forth below is addressed only
to U.S. Holders that purchase Ordinary Shares or ADSs. Prospective purchasers are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the application
of the U.S. federal income tax rules to their particular circumstances as well as the state, local, foreign and other tax consequences
to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs.
Material Tax Consequences Applicable to
U.S. Holders of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
The following sets forth the material U.S. federal
income tax consequences related to the ownership and disposition of the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares. This description does not deal with
all possible tax consequences relating to ownership and disposition of the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares or U.S. tax laws, other than the
U.S. federal income tax laws, such as the tax consequences under non-U.S. tax laws, state, local, and other tax laws.
The following brief description applies only to
U.S. Holders (defined below) that hold ADSs or Ordinary Shares as capital assets and that have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency.
This brief description is based on the federal income tax laws of the United States in effect as of the date of this annual report and
on U.S. Treasury regulations in effect or, in some cases, proposed, as of the date of this annual report, as well as judicial and administrative
interpretations thereof available on or before such date, and the income tax treaty between the United States and Japan (the “Tax
Convention”). All of the foregoing authorities are subject to change, which change could apply retroactively and could affect the
tax consequences described below.
The brief description below of the U.S. federal
income tax consequences to “U.S. Holders” will apply to you if you are a beneficial owner of ADSs or Ordinary Shares and you
are, for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
| ● | an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
| ● | a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) organized
under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
| ● | an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
| ● | a trust that (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and the control
of one or more U.S. persons for all substantial decisions or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations
to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a partnership (or other entities treated as
a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes) is a beneficial owner of the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares, the tax treatment
of a partner in the partnership will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships and partners
of a partnership holding the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding an investment in the ADSs or
our Ordinary Shares.
An individual is considered a resident of the
U.S. for federal income tax purposes if he or she meets either the “Green Card Test” or the “Substantial Presence Test”
described as follows:
The Green Card Test: You are a lawful permanent
resident of the United States, at any time, if you have been given the privilege, according to the immigration laws of the United States,
of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant. You generally have this status if the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
issued you an alien registration card, Form I-551, also known as a “green card.”
The Substantial Presence Test: If an alien is
present in the United States on at least 31 days of the current calendar year, he or she will (absent an applicable exception) be classified
as a resident alien if the sum of the following equals 183 days or more (See §7701(b)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code and related
Treasury Regulations):
| 1. | The actual days in the United States in the current year; plus |
| 2. | One-third of his or her days in the United States in the immediately preceding year; plus |
| 3. | One-sixth of his or her days in the United States in the second preceding year. |
This summary is based, in part, upon the representations
made by the depositary to us and assumes that the deposit agreement for the ADSs, and all other related agreements, will be performed
in accordance with their terms.
Treatment of the ADSs
U.S. Holders of ADSs generally will be treated
for U.S. federal income tax purposes as holding our Ordinary Shares represented by the ADSs. No gain or loss will be recognized on an
exchange of our Ordinary Shares for ADSs or an exchange of ADSs for our Ordinary Shares if the depositary has not taken any action inconsistent
with the material terms of the deposit agreement for the ADSs or the U.S. Holder’s ownership of the underlying Ordinary Shares.
A U.S. Holder’s tax basis in the Ordinary Shares received in exchange for ADSs will be the same as its tax basis in the ADSs, and
the holding period in the shares will include the holding period in the ADSs.
Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions
on the ADSs or Our Ordinary Shares
Subject to the application of the PFIC rules discussed
below, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize ordinary dividend income in an amount equal to the amount of any cash and the value of any
property we distribute as a distribution with respect to the U.S. Holder’s Ordinary Shares (or ADSs), to the extent that the distribution
is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles, when the distribution
is received (or when received by the depositary in the case of ADSs). We do not intend to maintain calculations of earnings and profits
under U.S. federal income tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that distributions paid with respect to our Ordinary
Shares or the ADSs generally will be treated as dividends. Dividends will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally
allowable to U.S. corporations. Dividends paid on our Ordinary Shares or the ADSs will be treated as “qualified dividends”
taxable at preferential rates, if (i) we are eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States that
the IRS has approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules, (ii) we were not, in the year prior to the year in which the dividend
was paid, and are not, in the year in which the dividend is paid, a PFIC, and (iii) the U.S. Holder satisfies certain holding period and
other requirements. The Tax Convention has been approved for the purposes of the qualified dividend rules and we believe we will be eligible
for the benefits of the Tax Convention.
Dividend income will include any amounts withheld
in respect of Japanese taxes, and will be treated as foreign-source income for foreign tax credit purposes. Subject to applicable limitations,
some of which vary depending upon the U.S. Holder’s circumstances, Japanese taxes withheld from dividends on our Ordinary Shares
or the ADSs generally will be creditable against the U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability to the extent such taxes do
not exceed any reduced withholding rate available under the Tax Convention. The rules governing foreign tax credits are complex, and U.S.
Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the creditability of foreign taxes in their particular circumstances. In lieu of claiming
a foreign tax credit, a U.S. Holder may, at its election, deduct creditable foreign taxes, including Japanese taxes, in computing its
taxable income, subject to applicable limitations. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies
to all foreign taxes paid or accrued by the U.S. Holder in the taxable year.
Dividends paid in a currency other than U.S. dollars
will be includable in income in a U.S. dollar amount based on the exchange rate in effect on the date of receipt (or the date of the depositary’s
receipt in the case of ADSs), whether or not the payment is converted into U.S. dollars at that time. A U.S. Holder should not recognize
any foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the distribution if the foreign currency is converted into U.S. dollars on the date the
distribution is received. If the foreign currency is not converted into U.S. dollars on the date of receipt, however, gain or loss may
be recognized upon a subsequent sale or other disposition of the foreign currency. The foreign currency gain or loss (if any) generally
will be treated as ordinary income or loss to the U.S. Holder and generally will be treated as U.S.-source income or loss, which may be
relevant in calculating the U.S. Holder’s foreign tax credit limitation.
To the extent that the amount of the distribution
exceeds our current and accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), it will be treated
first as a tax-free return of your tax basis in your Ordinary Shares or ADSs, and to the extent the amount of the distribution exceeds
your tax basis, the excess will be taxed as capital gain. We do not intend to calculate our earnings and profits under U.S. federal income
tax principles. Therefore, a U.S. Holder should expect that a distribution will be treated as a dividend even if that distribution would
otherwise be treated as a non-taxable return of capital or as capital gain under the rules described above.
Taxation of Dispositions of ADSs or Ordinary
Shares
Subject to the passive foreign investment company
rules discussed below, you will recognize taxable gain or loss on any sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of a share equal to
the difference between the amount realized (in U.S. dollars) for the share and your tax basis (in U.S. dollars) in the ADSs or Ordinary
Shares. The gain or loss will be capital gain or loss. If you are a non-corporate U.S. Holder, including an individual U.S. Holder, who
has held the ADSs or Ordinary Shares for more than one year, you will generally be eligible for reduced tax rates. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations. Any such gain or loss that you recognize will generally be treated as United States source income
or loss for foreign tax credit limitation purposes which will generally limit the availability of foreign tax credits.
Passive Foreign Investment Company
(“PFIC”) Consequences
A non-U.S. corporation is considered a PFIC, as
defined in Section 1297(a) of the US Internal Revenue Code, for any taxable year if either:
| ● | at least 75% of its gross income for such taxable year is passive income; or |
| ● | at least 50% of the value of its assets (based on an average of the quarterly values of the assets during
a taxable year) is attributable to assets that produce or are held for the production of passive income (the “asset test”). |
Passive income generally includes dividends, interest,
rents and royalties (other than rents or royalties derived from the active conduct of a trade or business) and gains from the disposition
of passive assets. We will be treated as owning our proportionate share of the assets and earning our proportionate share of the income
of any other corporation in which we own, directly or indirectly, at least 25% (by value) of the stock. In determining the value and composition
of our assets for purposes of the PFIC asset test, (1) the cash we raised in our recent initial public offering will generally be considered
to be held for the production of passive income and (2) the value of our assets must be determined based on the market value of the ADSs
or our Ordinary Shares from time to time, which could cause the value of our non-passive assets to be less than 50% of the value of all
of our assets on any particular quarterly testing date for purposes of the asset test.
Based on our operations and the composition of our assets, we do not
believe we were a PFIC for our 2023 taxable year. However, it is possible that, for our 2024 taxable year or for any subsequent year,
more than 50% of our assets may be assets which produce passive income, in which case we would be deemed a PFIC, which could have adverse
U.S. federal income tax consequences for U.S. taxpayers who are shareholders. We will make this determination following the end of any
particular tax year. If we are a PFIC for your taxable year(s) during
which you hold ADSs or Ordinary Shares, you will be subject to special tax rules with respect to any “excess distribution”
that you receive and any gain you realize from a sale or other disposition (including a pledge) of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares, unless
you make a “mark-to-market” election as discussed below. Distributions you receive in a taxable year that are greater than
125% of the average annual distributions you received during the shorter of the three preceding taxable years or your holding period for
the ADSs or Ordinary Shares will be treated as an excess distribution. Under these special tax rules:
| ● | the excess distribution or gain will be allocated ratably over your holding period for the ADSs or Ordinary
Shares; |
| ● | the amount allocated to your current taxable year, and any amount allocated to any of your taxable year(s)
prior to the first taxable year in which we were a PFIC, will be treated as ordinary income, and |
| ● | the amount allocated to each of your other taxable year(s) will be subject to the highest tax rate in
effect for that year and the interest charge generally applicable to underpayments of tax will be imposed on the resulting tax attributable
to each such year. |
The tax liability for amounts allocated to years
prior to the year of disposition or “excess distribution” cannot be offset by any net operating losses for such years, and
gains (but not losses) realized on the sale of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares cannot be treated as capital, even if you hold the ADSs or
Ordinary Shares as capital assets.
A U.S. Holder of “marketable stock”
(as defined below) in a PFIC may make a mark-to-market election under Section 1296 of the US Internal Revenue Code for such stock to elect
out of the tax treatment discussed above. If you make a mark-to-market election for first taxable year which you hold (or are deemed to
hold) ADSs or Ordinary Shares and for which we are determined to be a PFIC, you will include in your income each year an amount equal
to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares as of the close of such taxable year over your adjusted
basis in such ADSs or Ordinary Shares, which excess will be treated as ordinary income and not capital gain. You are allowed an ordinary
loss for the excess, if any, of the adjusted basis of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares over their fair market value as of the close of the
taxable year. Such ordinary loss, however, is allowable only to the extent of any net mark-to-market gains on the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
included in your income for prior taxable years. Amounts included in your income under a mark-to-market election, as well as gain on the
actual sale or other disposition of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares, are treated as ordinary income. Ordinary loss treatment also applies
to any loss realized on the actual sale or disposition of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares, to the extent that the amount of such loss does
not exceed the net mark-to-market gains previously included for such ADSs or Ordinary Shares. Your basis in the ADSs or Ordinary Shares
will be adjusted to reflect any such income or loss amounts. If you make a valid mark-to-market election, the tax rules that apply to
distributions by corporations which are not PFICs would apply to distributions by us, except that the lower applicable capital gains rate
for qualified dividend income discussed above under “—Taxation of Dividends and Other Distributions on the ADSs or our Ordinary
Shares” generally would not apply.
The mark-to-market election is available only
for “marketable stock,” which is stock that is traded in other than de minimis quantities on at least 15 days during each
calendar quarter (“regularly traded”) on a qualified exchange or other market (as defined in applicable U.S. Treasury regulations),
including the Nasdaq Capital Market. If the ADSs or Ordinary Shares are regularly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market and if you are a
holder of ADSs or Ordinary Shares, the mark-to-market election would be available to you were we to be or become a PFIC.
Alternatively, a U.S. Holder of stock in a PFIC
may make a “qualified electing fund” election under Section 1295(b) of the US Internal Revenue Code with respect to such PFIC
to elect out of the tax treatment discussed above. A U.S. Holder who makes a valid qualified electing fund election with respect to a
PFIC will generally include in gross income for a taxable year such holder’s pro rata share of the corporation’s earnings
and profits for the taxable year. The qualified electing fund election, however, is available only if such PFIC provides such U.S. Holder
with certain information regarding its earnings and profits as required under applicable U.S. Treasury regulations. We do not currently
intend to prepare or provide the information that would enable you to make a qualified electing fund election. If you hold ADSs or Ordinary
Shares in any taxable year in which we are a PFIC, you will be required to file U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form 8621 in each such year
and provide certain annual information regarding such ADSs or Ordinary Shares, including regarding distributions received on the ADSs
or Ordinary Shares and any gain realized on the disposition of the ADSs or Ordinary Shares.
If you do not make a timely “mark-to-market”
election (as described above), and if we were a PFIC at any time during the period you hold the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares, then such
ADSs or Ordinary Shares will continue to be treated as stock of a PFIC with respect to you even if we cease to be a PFIC in a future year,
unless you make a “purging election” for the year we cease to be a PFIC. A “purging election” creates a deemed
sale of such ADSs or Ordinary Shares at their fair market value on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC. The
gain recognized by the purging election will be subject to the special tax and interest charge rules treating the gain as an excess distribution,
as described above. As a result of the purging election, you will have a new basis (equal to the fair market value of the ADSs or Ordinary
Shares on the last day of the last year in which we are treated as a PFIC) and holding period (which new holding period will begin the
day after such last day) in your ADSs or Ordinary Shares for tax purposes.
IRC Section 1014(a) provides for a step-up in
basis to the fair market value for the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares when inherited from a decedent that was previously a holder of the
ADSs or our Ordinary Shares. However, if we are determined to be a PFIC and a decedent that was a U.S. Holder did not make either a timely
qualified electing fund election for our first taxable year as a PFIC in which the U.S. Holder held (or was deemed to hold) the ADSs or
our Ordinary Shares, or a mark-to-market election and ownership of those ADSs or Ordinary Shares are inherited, a special provision in
IRC Section 1291(e) provides that the new U.S. Holder’s basis should be reduced by an amount equal to the Section 1014 basis minus
the decedent’s adjusted basis just before death. As such if we are determined to be a PFIC at any time prior to a decedent’s
passing, the PFIC rules will cause any new U.S. Holder that inherits the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares from a U.S. Holder to not get a step-up
in basis under Section 1014 and instead will receive a carryover basis in those ADSs or Ordinary Shares.
You are urged to consult your tax advisors regarding
the application of the PFIC rules to your investment in the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares and the elections discussed above.
Information Reporting and Backup Withholding
Dividend payments with respect to the ADSs or
our Ordinary Shares and proceeds from the sale, exchange or redemption of the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares may be subject to information
reporting to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and possible U.S. backup withholding under Section 3406 of the US Internal Revenue Code
with at a current flat rate of 24%. Backup withholding will not apply, however, to a U.S. Holder who furnishes a correct taxpayer identification
number and makes any other required certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or who is otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
U.S. Holders who are required to establish their exempt status generally must provide such certification on U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Form W-9. U.S. Holders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of the U.S. information reporting and backup
withholding rules.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Amounts
withheld as backup withholding may be credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, and you may obtain a refund of any excess
amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules by filing the appropriate claim for refund with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service
and furnishing any required information. We do not intend to withhold taxes for individual shareholders. Transactions effected through
certain brokers or other intermediaries, however, may be subject to withholding taxes (including backup withholding), and such brokers
or intermediaries may be required by law to withhold such taxes.
Under the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
Act of 2010, certain U.S. Holders are required to report information relating to the ADSs or our Ordinary Shares, subject to certain exceptions
(including an exception for ADSs or Ordinary Shares held in accounts maintained by certain financial institutions), by attaching a complete
Internal Revenue Service Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, with their tax return for each year in which they
hold ADSs or Ordinary Shares. Failure to report such information could result in substantial penalties. You should consult your own tax
advisor regarding your obligation to file a Form 8938.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
Not applicable.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
We
have previously filed with the SEC our registration statements on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), as amended. We are subject
to the periodic reporting and other informational requirements of the Exchange Act. Under the Exchange Act, we are required to file reports
and other information with the SEC. Specifically, we are required to file annually a Form 20-F within four months after the
end of each fiscal year. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information
statements, and other information regarding registrants that make electronic filings with the SEC using its EDGAR system. As a foreign
private issuer, we are exempt from the rules of the Exchange Act prescribing, among other things, the furnishing and content of proxy
statements to shareholders, and our executive officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and short-swing
profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
I. Subsidiary Information
For information about our subsidiary, see “Item 4.
Information on the Company—A. History and Development of the Company.”
J. Annual Report to Security Holders
Not applicable.
Item 11. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose
us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash
equivalents with financial institutions with high credit ratings and quality.
We conduct credit evaluations of customers, and
generally do not require collateral or other security from our customers. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based
upon the age of the receivables and factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers.
Liquidity Risk
Our policy is to regularly monitor our liquidity
requirements and our compliance with lending covenants, to ensure that we maintain sufficient reserves of cash and readily realizable
marketable securities and adequate committed lines of funding from major financial institutions to meet its liquidity requirements in
the short and longer term.
Inflation
Inflation does not materially affect our business
or the results of our operations.
Item 12. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES
A.
Debt Securities
Not applicable.
B.
Warrants and Rights
Not applicable.
C.
Other Securities
Not applicable.
D.
American Depositary Shares
The Bank of New York Mellon, as depositary, registers
and delivers ADSs. Each ADS represents one Ordinary Share (or a right to receive one Ordinary Share) deposited with MUFG Bank Ltd.,
as custodian for the depositary in Japan. Each ADS also represents any other securities, cash, or other property that may be held by the
depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash, or other property held by the depositary are referred to as
the deposited securities. The depositary’s office at which the ADSs will be administered and its principal executive office are
located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
The form of deposit agreement for the ADSs and
the form of ADRs that represents an ADS have been incorporated by reference as exhibits to this annual report.
Fees and Expenses
Persons
depositing or withdrawing shares or ADS holders must pay: |
|
For: |
|
|
|
$5.00 (or less) per 100 ADSs (or portion of 100 ADSs) |
|
Issuance of ADSs, including issuances resulting from a distribution
of shares or rights or other property
Cancellation of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal, including
if the deposit agreement terminates
|
|
|
|
$.05 (or less) per ADS |
|
Any cash distribution to ADS holders |
|
|
|
A fee equivalent to the fee that would be payable if
securities distributed to you had been shares and the shares had been deposited for issuance of ADSs |
|
Distribution of securities distributed to holders of
deposited securities (including rights) that are distributed by the depositary to ADS holders |
|
|
|
$.05 (or less) per ADS per calendar year |
|
Depositary services |
|
|
|
Registration or transfer fees |
|
Transfer and registration of shares on our share register
to or from the name of the depositary or its agent when you deposit or withdraw shares |
|
|
|
Expenses of the depositary |
|
Cable (including SWIFT) and facsimile transmissions (when expressly
provided in the deposit agreement)
Converting foreign currency to U.S. dollars
|
|
|
|
Taxes and other governmental charges the depositary
or the custodian has to pay on any ADSs or shares underlying ADSs, such as stock transfer taxes, stamp duty or withholding taxes |
|
As necessary |
|
|
|
Any charges incurred by the depositary or its agents
for servicing the deposited securities |
|
As necessary |
The depositary collects its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or
surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions
to investors by deducting those fees from the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees.
The depositary may collect its annual fee for depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors
or by charging the book-entry system accounts of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction
from any cash distribution payable (or by selling a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated
to pay those fees. The depositary may generally refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
From time to time, the depositary may make payments
to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the ADS program, waive fees and
expenses for services provided to us by the depositary, or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS holders. In performing its duties
under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers, or other service providers that are owned
by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads, or commissions.
The depositary may convert currency itself or
through any of its affiliates, or the custodian or we may convert currency and pay U.S. dollars to the depositary. Where the depositary
converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the depositary acts as principal for its own account and not as agent, advisor,
broker, or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction spreads, that it will
retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate assigned to the currency
conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying or selling foreign
currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it or its affiliate in
any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or that the method
by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary’s obligation to act without
negligence or bad faith. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made by the depositary is available
upon request. Where the custodian converts currency, the custodian has no obligation to obtain the most favorable rate that could be obtained
at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, and the depositary
makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with
the rate. In certain instances, the depositary may receive dividends or other distributions from us in U.S. dollars that represent the
proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate that was obtained or determined by us and,
in such cases, the depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency transactions and neither it nor we make
any representation that the rate obtained or determined by us is the most favorable rate and neither it nor we will be liable for any
direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
Payment of Taxes
You will be responsible for any taxes or other
governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary may refuse to
register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those taxes or other
charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes owed and you
will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the number of ADSs
to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid the taxes.
Part II
Item 13. DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND
DELINQUENCIES
None.
Item 14. MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS
OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS
See “Item 10. Additional Information”
for a description of the rights of securities holders, which remain unchanged.
Use of Proceeds
This
“Use of Proceeds” information relates to the registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File Number 333-269068,
which was declared effective by the SEC on July 24, 2023 (the “Registration Statement”). The Registration Statement related
to the public offering by the Company of 1,200,000 ADSs at a price to the public of $5.00 per ADS, and 2,338,400 ADSs offered by the Company’s
certain selling shareholders named in the Registration Statement. On July 25, 2023, the ADSs began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market
under the ticker symbol “ELWS.” US Tiger Securities Inc. acted as the underwriter for the Company’s offering.
On July 27, 2023, the Company announced the closing of its offering. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of US$6.00 million
from its offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and other related expenses, and did not receive any proceeds from the selling
shareholders’ offering. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of US$5,104,746.95 from its offering, after deducting underwriting
discounts and other related expenses.
We still intend to use the proceeds from that
offering as disclosed in the Registration Statement.
Item 15. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We and our independent registered public accounting
firm identified one material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. As defined in the standards established by the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board of the United States, a “material weakness” is a deficiency, or a combination of
deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of
our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The material weakness identified is related to
lack of qualified staff equipped with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience.
We intend to undertake measures to improve our
internal control over financial reporting to address the material weakness identified, including: (1) hiring more qualified staff equipped
with relevant U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting experience and qualifications to strengthen the financial reporting function and to set up a
financial and system control framework, (2) implementing regular and continuous U.S. GAAP accounting and financial reporting training
programs for our accounting and financial reporting personnel, and (3) enhancing our internal audit function as well as engaging an external
consulting firm to help us assess our compliance readiness under rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act and improve overall internal control.
We have entered into an advisory agreement with a certified public accountant who has experience in working for a publicly traded company
and expertise in U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting. And our new Chief Financial Officer has various accounting qualifications including the
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants qualification. In the future, we plan to hire more talented personnel with even more experience
and expertise to enhance our internal control system.
However, we cannot assure you that we will remediate
our material weaknesses in a timely manner. The process of designing and implementing an effective financial reporting system is a continuous
effort that requires us to anticipate and react to changes in our business and the economic and regulatory environments and to expend
significant resources to maintain a financial reporting system that is adequate to satisfy our reporting obligation. See “Item 3.
Key Information—D. Risk Factors—If we fail to implement and maintain an effective system of internal control, we may fail
to meet our reporting obligations or be unable to accurately report our results of operations or prevent fraud, and investor confidence
and the market price of the ADSs may be materially and adversely affected.”
Management’s Annual
Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
This annual report does not include a report of
management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our registered public accounting
firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public
Accounting Firm
This annual report on Form 20-F does not
include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s
report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the SEC where domestic and foreign
registrants that are non-accelerated filers, which we are, and “emerging growth companies,” which we also are, are not required
to provide the auditor attestation report.
Changes in Internal Control
over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal controls
over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this annual report on Form 20-F that have materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 16. [RESERVED]
Item 16A. AUDIT COMMITTEE
FINANCIAL EXPERT
Under the Companies Act, we have elected to structure
our corporate governance system as a company with a separate board of company auditors and therefore do not have an audit committee. The
function of our board of company auditors and each company auditor is similar to that of independent directors, including those who are
members of the audit committee of a U.S. public company. Our board of company auditors is comprised of three company auditors, each of
which satisfies the requirements of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
Item 16B. CODE OF ETHICS
Our board of directors has adopted a code of
business conduct and ethics, which is applicable to all of our directors and employees.
Item 16C. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND
SERVICES
The
following table sets forth the aggregate fees by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services
rendered and billed by WWC, P.C., our independent registered public accounting firm for the periods indicated.
| |
For the Fiscal Years Ended April 30, | |
| |
2023 | | |
2022 | | |
2021 | |
Audit fees | |
$ | 336,868 | | |
$ | 95,448 | | |
$ | 68,520 | |
Audit-Related fees | |
| 30,000 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Tax fees | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
All other fees | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | | |
| 0 | |
Total | |
$ | 366,868 | | |
$ | 95,448 | | |
$ | 68,520 | |
Item 16D. EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS
FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES
Please refer to “Item 3. Key Information—D.
Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Ordinary Shares and the Trading Market—As a foreign private issuer, we have followed home
country practice even though we are considered a ‘controlled company’ under Nasdaq corporate governance rules, which could
adversely affect our public shareholders.”
Item 16E. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
None.
Item 16F. CHANGE IN REGISTRANT’S
CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT
None.
Item 16G. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We are a “foreign private issuer”
as defined under the federal securities laws of the U.S. and the Nasdaq listing standards. Under the federal securities laws of the United
States, foreign private issuers are subject to different disclosure requirements than U.S.-domiciled public companies. We intend to take
all actions necessary for us to maintain our status as a foreign private issuer under the applicable corporate governance requirements
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Exchange Act and other applicable rules adopted by the SEC, and the NASDAQ listing standards. Under
the SEC rules and the NASDAQ listing standards, a foreign private issuer is subject to less stringent corporate governance requirements.
Subject to certain exceptions, the SEC and NASDAQ permit a foreign private issuer to follow its home country practice in lieu of their
respective rules and listing standards. In general, our articles of incorporation and the Companies Act govern our corporate affairs.
In particular, as a foreign private issuer, we
have followed Japanese law and corporate practice in lieu of the corporate governance provisions set out under NASDAQ Rule 5600,
the requirement in NASDAQ Rule 5250(b)(3) to disclose third party director and nominee compensation, and the requirement in
NASDAQ Rule 5250(d) to distribute annual and interim reports. Of particular note, the
following rules under NASDAQ Rule 5600 differ from Japanese law requirements:
| ● | NASDAQ
Rule 5605(b)(1) requires that at least a majority of a listed company’s board of directors be independent directors,
and NASDAQ Rule 5605(b)(2) requires that independent directors regularly meet in executive session, where only independent
directors are present. Under our current corporate structure, the Companies Act does not require independent directors. However, our
board of directors is currently comprised of four directors, two of which are considered “independent,” as
determined in accordance with the applicable NASDAQ rules. We expect our independent directors to regularly meet in executive sessions,
where only the independent directors are present; |
| ● | NASDAQ
Rule 5605(c)(2)(A) requires a listed company to have an audit committee composed
entirely of not less than three directors, each of whom must be independent. Under Japanese
law, a company may have a statutory auditor or a board of auditors. We have a three-member
board of company auditors. See “Item 6. Directors, Senior Management and Employees—C.
Board Practices—Company auditors (kansayaku)” for additional information; |
| ● | NASDAQ
Rule 5605(d) requires, among other things, that a listed company’s compensation
committee be comprised of at least two members, each of whom is an independent director as
defined under such rule. Our board of directors collectively participates in the discussions
and determination of compensation for our executive officers and directors, and other compensation
related matters; |
| ● | NASDAQ
Rule 5605(e) requires that a listed company’s nomination and corporate governance
committee be comprised solely of independent directors. Our board of directors does not have
a standalone nomination and corporate governance committee. Our board of directors collectively
participates in the nomination process of potential directors and oversee our corporate governance
practices; and |
| ● | NASDAQ
Rule 5620(c) sets out a quorum requirement of 33-1/3% applicable to meetings of
shareholders. In accordance with Japanese law and generally accepted business practices,
our articles of incorporation provide that there is no quorum requirement for a general resolution
of our shareholders. However, under the Companies Act and our articles of incorporation,
a quorum of not less than one-third of the total number of voting rights is required in connection
with the election of directors, statutory auditors, and certain other matters. |
Item 16H.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
Item 16I. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
Item 16J. INSIDER TRADING POLICIES
Our board of directors has adopted the code of
business conduct and ethics, which contains insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and other dispositions
of our securities by directors, senior management, and employees that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with applicable insider
trading laws, rules, and regulations, and any listing standards applicable to us.
Part III
Item 17. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
We have elected to provide financial statements
pursuant to Item 18.
Item 18. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements of our Company are included
at the end of this annual report.
Item 19. EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. |
|
Description |
1.1 |
|
Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (English Translation) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), intially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
2.1 |
|
Form of Deposit Agreement among the Registrant, the depositary, and the owners and holders of the ADSs issued thereunder (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
2.2 |
|
Specimen American depositary receipt (included in Exhibit 2.1) |
2.3* |
|
Description of the rights of each class of securities registered |
4.1 |
|
English translation of Loan Agreement dated November 13, 2019, by and between the Registrant and the Kiraboshi Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
4.2 |
|
English translation of Loan Agreement dated April 16, 2020, by and between the Registrant and the Kiraboshi Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
4.3 |
|
English translation of Overdraft Agreement dated August 31, 2022, by and between the Registrant and Resona Bank, Ltd (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
4.4* |
|
English Translation of Loan Agreement dated October 28, 2022, by and between the Registrant and Shoko Chukin Bank |
4.5 |
|
English Translation of agreement with Bullet Group Inc. in 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
4.6 |
|
English translation of agreement with Kyowa Co., Ltd. in 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
4.7* |
|
English translation of agreements with Tokyu Livable Inc. |
11.1 |
|
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of our Registration Statement on Form F-1 (File No. 333-269068), initially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 30, 2022) |
12.1* |
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
12.2* |
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
13.1 ** |
|
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
13.2 ** |
|
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101.INS |
|
Inline XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE |
|
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
104* |
|
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
| * | Filed with this annual report on Form 20-F |
| ** | Furnished with this annual report on Form 20-F |
SIGNATURES
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report
on its behalf.
|
Earlyworks Co., Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ Satoshi Kobayashi |
|
|
Satoshi Kobayashi |
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and
Representative Director |
|
|
(Principal Executive Officer) |
|
|
|
Date: September 15, 2023 |
|
|
EARLYWORKS CO., LTD.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
| To: | The Board of Directors and Shareholders of |
Earlyworks Co., Ltd.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited
the accompanying balance sheets of Earlyworks Co., Ltd. as of April 30, 2022 and 2023 and the related statements of operations and comprehensive
loss, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2023 and the
related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2022 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended April 30, 2023 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America.
Emphasis of Matter — Substantial Doubt
about the Company’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
The accompanying financial statements have been
prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, the Company has
incurred significant losses, and needs to raise additional funds to meet obligation and sustain its operations. These conditions raise
substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s evaluation of the events and conditions
and management’s plans regarding those matters are also described in Note 2. The financial statements do not include any adjustments
that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements
are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial
statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United
States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and
the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted
our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not
required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we
are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our
audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error
or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ WWC, P.C.
WWC, P.C.
Certified Public Accountants
PCAOB ID: 1171
We
have served as the Company’s auditor since 2022.
San Mateo, California
September 15, 2023
EARLYWORKS CO., LTD.
BALANCE SHEETS
| |
As of April 30, 2022 | | |
As of April 30, 2023 | | |
As of April 30, 2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
ASSETS | |
| | |
| | |
| |
CURRENT ASSETS: | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Cash | |
| 657,418,101 | | |
| 177,886,393 | | |
| 1,308,085 | |
Digital assets | |
| — | | |
| 750,307 | | |
| 5,517 | |
Accounts receivable, net | |
| 72,259,707 | | |
| 30,934,916 | | |
| 227,479 | |
Prepayments | |
| 5,440,044 | | |
| 2,591,297 | | |
| 19,055 | |
Short-term deposits | |
| 3,096,564 | | |
| 3,096,509 | | |
| 22,770 | |
Income tax receivable | |
| — | | |
| 19,147,994 | | |
| 140,805 | |
Other current assets, net | |
| 329,946 | | |
| 275,577 | | |
| 2,026 | |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | |
| 738,544,362 | | |
| 234,682,993 | | |
| 1,725,737 | |
Property and equipment, net | |
| 1,218,085 | | |
| 2,067,013 | | |
| 15,200 | |
Operating lease right-of-use assets | |
| 11,641,238 | | |
| 3,467,368 | | |
| 25,497 | |
Deferred initial public offering (“IPO”) costs | |
| — | | |
| 212,160,121 | | |
| 1,560,116 | |
Long-term deposits | |
| 647,740 | | |
| 657,740 | | |
| 4,836 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | |
| 752,051,425 | | |
| 453,035,235 | | |
| 3,331,386 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Bank loans – current portion, net | |
| 11,769,000 | | |
| 123,819,000 | | |
| 910,501 | |
Other payables and accrued liabilities | |
| 52,825,211 | | |
| 47,250,464 | | |
| 347,456 | |
Operating lease liabilities, current | |
| 8,228,038 | | |
| 3,467,368 | | |
| 25,497 | |
Income taxes payable | |
| 38,554,097 | | |
| 145,000 | | |
| 1,066 | |
Contract liabilities | |
| — | | |
| 1,397,470 | | |
| 10,276 | |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | |
| 111,376,346 | | |
| 176,079,302 | | |
| 1,294,796 | |
Bank loans – non-current, net | |
| 46,321,500 | | |
| 68,252,500 | | |
| 501,894 | |
Operating lease liabilities, non-current | |
| 3,467,368 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Deferred tax liabilities – non-current | |
| 66,235 | | |
| 188,496 | | |
| 1,386 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | |
| 161,231,449 | | |
| 244,520,298 | | |
| 1,798,076 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Ordinary shares, 55,300,000 shares authorized; 13,839,400 shares issued and outstanding as of April 30, 2022 and 2023* | |
| 334,575,200 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 735,348 | |
Additional paid-in capital | |
| 1,524,575,200 | | |
| 1,702,120,099 | | |
| 12,516,509 | |
Accumulated deficit | |
| (1,268,330,424 | ) | |
| (1,593,605,162 | ) | |
| (11,718,547 | ) |
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
| 590,819,976 | | |
| 208,514,937 | | |
| 1,533,310 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |
| 752,051,425 | | |
| 453,035,235 | | |
| 3,331,386 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
EARLYWORKS CO., LTD.
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
| |
For the year ended April 30, 2021 | | |
For the year ended
April 30,
2022 | | |
For the year ended April 30, 2023 | | |
For the year ended April 30, 2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
OPERATING REVENUES | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Software and system development services | |
| 95,270,416 | | |
| 234,732,715 | | |
| 21,874,517 | | |
| 160,854 | |
Consulting and solution services | |
| 120,941,032 | | |
| 228,986,136 | | |
| 22,435,120 | | |
| 164,976 | |
Sale of NFTs | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,258,892 | | |
| 16,611 | |
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES | |
| 216,211,448 | | |
| 463,718,851 | | |
| 46,568,529 | | |
| 342,441 | |
COST OF REVENUES | |
| (33,542,166 | ) | |
| (108,379,683 | ) | |
| (30,502,236 | ) | |
| (224,298 | ) |
GROSS PROFIT | |
| 182,669,282 | | |
| 355,339,168 | | |
| 16,066,293 | | |
| 118,143 | |
OPERATING EXPENSES: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Selling and marketing expenses | |
| (41,985,446 | ) | |
| (29,727,815 | ) | |
| (55,667,926 | ) | |
| (409,354 | ) |
General and administrative expenses | |
| (150,918,716 | ) | |
| (201,976,446 | ) | |
| (240,003,326 | ) | |
| (1,764,860 | ) |
Share-based compensation expenses | |
| (56,000,000 | ) | |
| (670,000,000 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Research and development expenses | |
| (22,893,105 | ) | |
| (25,753,717 | ) | |
| (108,823,664 | ) | |
| (800,232 | ) |
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES | |
| (271,797,267 | ) | |
| (927,457,978 | ) | |
| (404,494,916 | ) | |
| (2,974,446 | ) |
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS | |
| (89,127,985 | ) | |
| (572,118,810 | ) | |
| (388,428,623 | ) | |
| (2,856,303 | ) |
Government subsidies | |
| 4,776,746 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Loss on digital assets | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (629,195 | ) | |
| (4,627 | ) |
Interest expenses, net | |
| (1,448,138 | ) | |
| (1,258,722 | ) | |
| (2,699,144 | ) | |
| (19,848 | ) |
Other (expense) income, net | |
| 99,841 | | |
| (155,434 | ) | |
| 228,943 | | |
| 1,684 | |
Loss from equity method investment | |
| (440,272 | ) | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES | |
| (86,139,808 | ) | |
| (573,532,966 | ) | |
| (391,528,019 | ) | |
| (2,879,094 | ) |
Provision for income tax | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Current | |
| (290,000 | ) | |
| (12,963,341 | ) | |
| 9,345,241 | | |
| 68,720 | |
Deferred | |
| 15,912,026 | | |
| (15,978,261 | ) | |
| (122,261 | ) | |
| (899 | ) |
Total provision for income tax | |
| 15,622,026 | | |
| (28,941,602 | ) | |
| 9,222,980 | | |
| 67,821 | |
NET LOSS | |
| (70,517,782 | ) | |
| (602,474,568 | ) | |
| (382,305,039 | ) | |
| (2,811,273 | ) |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
LOSS PER SHARE | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
| (5.26 | ) | |
| (43.62 | ) | |
| (27.62 | ) | |
| (0.20 | ) |
Diluted | |
| (5.26 | ) | |
| (43.62 | ) | |
| (27.62 | ) | |
| (0.20 | ) |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING* | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Basic | |
| 13,412,000 | | |
| 13,811,305 | | |
| 13,839,400 | | |
| 13,839,400 | |
Diluted | |
| 13,412,000 | | |
| 13,811,305 | | |
| 13,839,400 | | |
| 13,839,400 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
EARLYWORKS CO., LTD.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’
EQUITY
| |
Ordinary shares* | | |
Additional Paid-in | | |
Accumulated | | |
Total Shareholders’ | | |
Total Shareholders’ | |
| |
Share* | | |
Amount | | |
Capital | | |
Deficit | | |
Equity | | |
Equity | |
| |
| | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
Balance, April 30, 2020 | |
| 13,125,200 | | |
| 182,749,200 | | |
| 646,749,200 | | |
| (595,338,074 | ) | |
| 234,160,326 | | |
| 1,721,893 | |
Issuance of ordinary shares for cash | |
| 383,400 | | |
| 51,759,000 | | |
| 51,759,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 103,518,000 | | |
| 761,218 | |
Net loss | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (70,517,782 | ) | |
| (70,517,782 | ) | |
| (518,551 | ) |
Share based compensation | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 56,000,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 56,000,000 | | |
| 411,795 | |
Balance, April 30, 2021 | |
| 13,508,600 | | |
| 234,508,200 | | |
| 754,508,200 | | |
| (665,855,856 | ) | |
| 323,160,544 | | |
| 2,376,355 | |
Issuance of ordinary shares for cash | |
| 330,800 | | |
| 100,067,000 | | |
| 100,067,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 200,134,000 | | |
| 1,471,682 | |
Net loss | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (602,474,568 | ) | |
| (602,474,568 | ) | |
| (4,430,286 | ) |
Share based compensation | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 670,000,000 | | |
| — | | |
| 670,000,000 | | |
| 4,926,832 | |
Balance, April 30, 2022 | |
| 13,839,400 | | |
| 334,575,200 | | |
| 1,524,575,200 | | |
| (1,268,330,424 | ) | |
| 590,819,976 | | |
| 4,344,583 | |
Capital reduction to cover deficit | |
| — | | |
| (234,575,200 | ) | |
| 177,544,899 | | |
| 57,030,301 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Net loss | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (382,305,039 | ) | |
| (382,305,039 | ) | |
| (2,811,273 | ) |
Balance, April 30, 2023 | |
| 13,839,400 | | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 1,702,120,099 | | |
| (1,593,605,162 | ) | |
| 208,514,937 | | |
| 1,533,310 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
EARLYWORKS CO., LTD.
STATEMENTS
OF CASH FLOWS
| |
For the year ended April 30, 2021 | | |
For the year ended April 30, 2022 | | |
For the year ended April 30, 2023 | | |
For the year ended April 30, 2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Net loss | |
| (70,517,782 | ) | |
| (602,474,568 | ) | |
| (382,305,039 | ) | |
| (2,811,273 | ) |
Adjustment to reconcile net loss to net cash generated from operating activities: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Depreciation expense | |
| 67,932 | | |
| 309,508 | | |
| 778,611 | | |
| 5,725 | |
Loan origination fee | |
| 244,393 | | |
| 244,233 | | |
| 231,000 | | |
| 1,699 | |
Deferred tax expense | |
| (15,912,026 | ) | |
| 15,978,261 | | |
| 122,261 | | |
| 899 | |
Foreign currency exchange gain | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (243,159 | ) | |
| (1,787 | ) |
Loss on digital assets | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 629,195 | | |
| 4,627 | |
Realized fair value gain on digital assets | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 3,412 | | |
| 25 | |
Loss from equity method investments | |
| 440,272 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Share-based compensation expense | |
| 56,000,000 | | |
| 670,000,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Changes in assets and liabilities | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Accounts receivable | |
| 54,368,059 | | |
| (31,572,765 | ) | |
| 41,324,791 | | |
| 303,880 | |
Prepayments | |
| (2,573,645 | ) | |
| (1,083,020 | ) | |
| 2,848,747 | | |
| 20,948 | |
Short-term deposits | |
| — | | |
| (3,096,564 | ) | |
| 55 | | |
| — | |
Digital assets | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (1,382,914 | ) | |
| (10,169 | ) |
Other current assets, net | |
| 1,368,080 | | |
| (87,296 | ) | |
| 54,369 | | |
| 399 | |
Long-term deposits | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (10,000 | ) | |
| (74 | ) |
Income taxes, net | |
| 664,195 | | |
| 28,148,718 | | |
| (57,557,091 | ) | |
| (423,245 | ) |
Contract liabilities | |
| 108,544 | | |
| (108,544 | ) | |
| 1,397,470 | | |
| 10,276 | |
Other payables and accrued liabilities | |
| 10,263,729 | | |
| 24,000,359 | | |
| (5,574,747 | ) | |
| (40,994 | ) |
Lease obligations net cash | |
| — | | |
| 8,366 | | |
| (54,168 | ) | |
| (396 | ) |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES | |
| 34,521,751 | | |
| 100,266,688 | | |
| (399,737,207 | ) | |
| (2,939,460 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Proceeds from liquidation of equity method investments | |
| — | | |
| 4,559,728 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Purchases of property and equipment | |
| (611,152 | ) | |
| (984,370 | ) | |
| (1,627,539 | ) | |
| (11,968 | ) |
Refund of security deposit | |
| — | | |
| 187,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES | |
| (611,152 | ) | |
| 3,762,358 | | |
| (1,627,539 | ) | |
| (11,968 | ) |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Issuance of ordinary shares for cash | |
| 103,518,000 | | |
| 200,134,000 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Proceeds from loans | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 150,000,000 | | |
| 1,103,023 | |
Repayment of loans | |
| (12,000,000 | ) | |
| (11,000,000 | ) | |
| (16,250,000 | ) | |
| (119,494 | ) |
Payments on deferred initial public offering (“IPO”) costs | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| (212,160,121 | ) | |
| (1,560,116 | ) |
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES | |
| 91,518,000 | | |
| 189,134,000 | | |
| (78,410,121 | ) | |
| (576,587 | ) |
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 243,159 | | |
| 1,787 | |
CHANGE IN CASH | |
| 125,428,599 | | |
| 293,163,046 | | |
| (479,531,708 | ) | |
| (3,526,228 | ) |
CASH, AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD | |
| 238,826,456 | | |
| 364,255,055 | | |
| 657,418,101 | | |
| 4,834,313 | |
CASH, AT PERIOD END | |
| 364,255,055 | | |
| 657,418,101 | | |
| 177,886,393 | | |
| 1,308,085 | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Cash paid for: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Interest | |
| 1,219,532 | | |
| 1,032,588 | | |
| 2,479,492 | | |
| 18,233 | |
Income taxes | |
| 173,900 | | |
| 290,000 | | |
| 22,619,600 | | |
| 166,333 | |
NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Liabilities assumed in connection with purchase of property and equipment | |
| 163,408 | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
| * | Retrospectively restated for 100-for-1 forward split on October
26, 2021. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial
statements.
EARLYWORKS
CO., LTD.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1 – Nature of business
and organization
Earlyworks Co., Ltd. (the “Company”)
is a stock company incorporated in Japan pursuant to the laws of Japan on May 1, 2018. The Company builds products, delivers services,
and develops solutions based on its proprietary Grid Ledger System to leverage blockchain technology in various business settings, including
advertisement tracking, online visitor management, and sales of non-fungible tokens. The Company primarily generates revenue from software
and system development services, consulting and solution services.
Note 2 – Liquidity and going concern
In accordance with Accounting Standards Update
(“ASU”) 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40),
the Company has evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the
Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.
The Company’s accounts have been prepared
assuming that the company will continue as a going concern basis. The going concern basis assumes that assets are realized and liabilities
are extinguished in the ordinary course of business at amounts disclosed in the financial statements. The Company’s ability to continue
as a going concern depends upon aligning its sources of funding (debt and equity) with the expenditure requirements of the Company and
repayment of the short-term debt facilities as and when they fall due.
The Company has considered whether there is a
substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Cash flow from operations and capital contributions and loans from
shareholders have been utilized to finance the working capital requirements of the Company. As of April 30, 2023, the Company has negative
cash flow from operating activities of JPY399,737,207 (US$2,939,460). The Company’s working capital was JPY58,603,691 (US$430,941)
as of April 30, 2023. And the Company had JPY177,886,393 (US$1,308,085) in cash, which is unrestricted as to withdrawal and use as of
April 30, 2023. In view of these circumstances, the management of the Company has given consideration to the future liquidity and performance
of the Company and its available sources of finance in assessing whether the Company will have sufficient financial resources to continue
as a going concern.
To sustain its ability to support the Company’s
operating activities, the Company considered supplementing its sources of funding through the following:
The Company closed its initial public offering
on July 27, 2023 and received aggregate gross proceeds of $6 million from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts and other
related expenses. If necessary, the Company will consider additional financings through the issuance of ordinary shares or debt financings
and look into refinancing the Company’s existing debt obligations. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be
successful in securing any debt on terms favourable to the Company, or at all, and it is not possible to predict whether any financing
efforts will be successful or if the Company will obtain the necessary financing.
Management has commenced a strategy to raise debt
and equity. However, there can be no certainty that these additional financings will be available on acceptable terms or at all. If management
is unable to execute this plan, there would likely be a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. All of these factors
raise substantial doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern. The financial statements for the years ended
April 30, 2022 and 2023 have been prepared on a going concern basis and do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome
of this uncertainty. Accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a basis that assumes the Company will continue as a going
concern and which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities and commitments in the ordinary course of business.
Note 3 – Summary of significant
accounting policies
Basis of presentation
The accompanying financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”)
for information pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Use of estimates and assumptions
The preparation of financial statements
in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
at the balance sheet date and revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s
financial statements include, but not limited to, estimates for useful lives and impairment of property and equipment, impairment of long-lived
assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, revenue recognition, and deferred taxes. Changes in facts and circumstances may result in revised
estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and as such, differences may be material to the financial statements.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused
general business disruption worldwide beginning in January 2020. The Company has experienced, and may continue to experience, an adverse
impact on certain parts of its business, including a lengthening in the sales cycle for some prospective clients and delays in the delivery
of professional services and training to clients. As certain clients or partners experience downturns or uncertainty in their own business
operations or revenue resulting from COVID-19, the Company may continue to decrease or delay the Company’s spending, request pricing
discounts, or seek renegotiations of the Company’s contracts, any of which may result in decreased revenue and cash receipts for
the Company in future periods. In addition, the Company may experience client losses, including due to bankruptcy or clients ceasing operations,
which may result in an inability to collect accounts receivable from these clients. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic, including
any new virus strains or mutations, will directly or indirectly impact the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows,
and financial condition will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted.
Given the uncertainty regarding
the length, severity, and ability to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact on its future results
of operations, cash flows, or financial condition. As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, the Company is not aware of
any specific event or circumstance that would require it to update its estimates, its judgments, or the carrying value of its assets or
liabilities. These estimates may change as new events occur and additional information is obtained and are recognized in the financial
statements as soon as they become known. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and any such differences may be material to
the Company’s financial statements.
Foreign currency translation
and transaction
The Company uses Japanese yen (“JPY”)
as its reporting currency. The functional currency of the Company which is incorporated in Japan is JPY, which is its respective local
currency based on the criteria of ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”.
Foreign currency transactions denominated
in currencies other than the functional currency are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the
dates of the transactions. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the functional currency
using the applicable exchange rates at the balance sheet dates. Net gains and losses resulting from foreign exchange transactions are
included in exchange gains/(losses) on the statements of income and comprehensive income.
Convenience Translation
Translations of
balances in the balance sheets, statements of income, statements of changes in shareholders’ equity and statements of cash
flows from JPY into USD as of April 30, 2023 are solely for the convenience of the readers and are calculated at the rate of USD
1.00=JPY135.99, representing the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Federal Reserve Board on April 30,
2023. No representation is made that the JPY amounts could have been, or could be, converted, realized or settled into USD at such
rate, or at any other rate.
Cash
Cash includes currency on hand
and deposits held by banks that can be added or withdrawn without limitation. The Company maintains all of its bank accounts in Japan.
Cash balances in bank accounts in Japan are insured by the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan subject to certain limitations. The
Company considers all highly liquid investment instruments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase
to be cash equivalents. As of April 30, 2022 and 2023, the Company did not have any cash equivalents.
Digital assets
Digital assets such as Ethereum, Binance Coin and
Polygon are included in current assets in the balance sheets as an indefinite live intangible asset. Digital assets are initially recognized
based on the fair value of the digital assets on the date of receipt. The Company recognized realized gains or losses when digital assets
are sold for other digital assets, or for cash consideration using a first-in first-out method of accounting and the Company accounts
for received and disbursements as cash flows from operating activities.
An intangible asset with an indefinite useful life
is not amortized but assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur indicating that it is more likely than
not that the indefinite-life asset is impaired. Impairment exists when the carrying amount exceeds its fair value, which is measured using
the quoted price of the digital assets in the principal market at the time its fair value is being measured, and the Company recognized
an impairment loss in an amount equal to that excess. The Company monitors and evaluates the quality and relevance of the available information,
such as pricing information from the asset’s principal (or most advantageous) market or from other digital asset exchanges or markets,
to determine whether such information is indicative of a potential impairment. The Company recognizes an impairment loss at any time the
fair value of the digital asset is below its carrying value. To the extent an impairment loss is recognized, the loss establishes the
new cost basis of the asset. Subsequent reversal of impairment losses is not permitted.
Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable include trade
accounts due from clients. Accounts are considered overdue after 90 days. Management reviews its receivables on a regular basis to determine
if the bad debt allowance is adequate and provides allowance when necessary. The allowance is based on management’s best estimates
of specific losses on individual customer exposures, as well as the historical trends of collections. Account balances are charged off
against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the likelihood of collection is not probable. As of April
30, 2022 and 2023, the Company made nil and nil allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable, respectively.
Prepayments
Prepayments are mainly payments
made to vendors or services providers for future services that have not been provided. These amounts are refundable and bear no interest.
Management reviews its prepayments on a regular basis to determine if the allowance is adequate and adjusts the allowance when necessary.
As of April 30, 2022 and 2023, no allowance was deemed necessary.
Deferred initial public offering
(“IPO”) costs
Pursuant to ASC 340-10-S99-1, IPO costs
directly attributable to an offering of equity securities are deferred and would be charged against the gross proceeds of the
offering as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. These costs include legal fees, consulting fees, underwriting fees, the SEC
filing and printing expenses related to the IPO. As of April 30, 2023, the Company did not conclude its IPO. During the years ended
April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the Company recorded a charge of nil, nil and JPY212,160,121(USD 1,560,116) related to the IPO. As of
April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023, the accumulated deferred IPO costs were nil, nil and JPY212,160,121 (USD 1,560,116),
respectively.
Short-term deposits and long-term
deposits
Short-term
deposits and long-term deposits are mainly for rent and money deposited with certain service providers. These amounts are refundable
and bear no interest. The short-term deposits usually have one year term and are refundable upon contract termination. The long-term
deposits are refunded from service providers when term and conditions set forth in the agreements have been satisfied.
Other current assets, net
Other current assets, net, primarily consists of other
receivables from third parties. These other receivables are unsecured and are reviewed periodically to determine whether their carrying
value has become impaired.
Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment are stated
at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the
assets. The estimated useful lives are as follows:
Leasehold improvements |
|
lesser of lease term or expected useful life |
Office furniture and fixtures |
|
2 –
4 years |
The
cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise retired are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is
included in the statements of operations and comprehensive loss. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as
incurred, while additions, renewals and betterments, which are expected to extend the useful life of assets, are capitalized.
Long-term investments
In accordance with ASC 323 Investment
– Equity Method and Joint Ventures, the Company accounts for an equity investment over which it has significant influence but does
not own a majority of the equity interest or otherwise controls and the investments are either common stock or in substance common stock
using the equity method. The Company’s share of the investee’s profit and loss is recognized in the earnings of the period.
The Company holds investments in
privately held companies in the form of equity securities without readily determinable fair values and in which the Company does not have
a controlling interest or significant influence. In accordance with ASC 321 Investment – Equity Securities, investments in equity
securities without readily determinable fair values are initially recorded at cost and are subsequently adjusted to fair value for impairments
and price changes from observable transactions in the same or a similar security from the same issuer.
Pursuant to ASC 321, for equity
investments measured at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in earnings, the Company does not assess whether those securities
are impaired. For equity investments without readily determinable fair value for which the Company has elected to use the measurement
alternative, at each reporting period, the Company makes a qualitative assessment of whether the investment is impaired at each reporting
date, applying significant judgement in considering various factors and events including a) adverse performance of investees, credit rating,
asset quality, or business prospects of the investee; b) adverse industry developments affecting investees; and c) adverse regulatory,
social, economic or other developments affecting investees. If a qualitative assessment indicates that the investment is impaired, the
Company estimates the investment’s fair value in accordance with the principles of ASC 820. If the fair value is less than the investment’s
carrying value, the Company recognizes an impairment loss in earnings equal to the difference between the carrying value and fair value.
Impairment for long-lived assets
Long-lived assets, including property
and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances (such as
a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets) indicate that the carrying value of an
asset may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of the assets based on the undiscounted future cash flows the assets are expected
to generate and recognize an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset
plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. If an impairment is identified,
we would reduce the carrying amount of the asset to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flows approach or, when available
and appropriate, to comparable market values. For the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2023, no impairment of long-lived assets was recognized.
Fair value of financial instruments
Fair value is defined
as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date. A three-level fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The
hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels
of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
| ● | Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted
prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. |
| ● | Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include
quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets in markets that
are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. |
| ● | Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable. |
Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair value of the Company’s financial
instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, prepayments, short-term deposits, income tax receivable and other current assets, current
portion of long-term bank loans, other payables and accrued liabilities, current operating lease liabilities, income taxes payable, and
contract liabilities, approximate the fair value of the respective assets and liabilities as of April 30, 2022 and 2023 based upon the
short-term nature of the assets and liabilities.
Revenue recognition
The Company adopted Accounting Standards
Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), on May 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective approach.
Results for reporting periods beginning after May 1, 2020 are presented under ASC Topic 606 while prior period amounts are not adjusted
and continue to be presented under the Company’s historic accounting under ASC Topic 605. The Company’s accounting for revenue
remains substantially unchanged. There were no cumulative effect adjustments for service contracts in place prior to May 1, 2020. The
effect from the adoption of ASC Topic 606 was not material to the Company’s financial statements.
The Company recognizes revenue as
it satisfies a performance obligation when its client obtains control of promised services, in an amount that reflects the consideration
that the entity expects to receive in exchange for those services. To determine revenue recognition for arrangements that an entity determines
are within the scope of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), the entity performs the following
five steps: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determine the
transaction price, including variable consideration, if any; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the
contract; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The Company only applies the five-step
model to contracts when it is probable that the entity will collect the consideration to which it is entitled in exchange for the services
it transfers to the client.
The Company applied practical expedient
when sales taxes were collected from clients, meaning sales tax is recorded net of revenue, instead of cost of revenue, which are subsequently
remitted to governmental authorities and are excluded from the transaction price. The Company does not offer rights of refund of previously
paid or delivered amounts, rebates, rights of return or price protection. In all instances, the Company limits the amount of revenue recognized
to the amounts for which it has the right to bill its’ clients.
The Company is a principal and records
revenue on a gross basis when the Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the service, has discretion in establishing pricing
and controls the promised service before transferring that service to clients.
The Company derives its revenues from three sources: (1) revenue from
software and system development services, (2) revenue from consulting and solution services, and (3) sale of NFTs. All of the
Company’s contracts with clients do not contain cancellable and refund-type provisions.
(1) Software and system development services
The contract is typically fixed priced
and does not provide any post contract client support or upgrades. The Company designs software and system based on clients’ specific
needs which require the Company to perform services including design, development, and integration. These services also require significant
customization. Upon delivery of the services, client acceptance is generally required. The Company assesses that software and system
development services is considered as one performance obligation as the clients do not obtain benefit for each separate service. The
duration of the development period is short, usually less than one year.
The Company’s software and system
development service revenue is generated primarily from contracts with medium and large-sized enterprises. The contracts contain negotiated
billing terms which generally include multiple payment phases throughout the contract term and a portion of contract amount usually is
billed upon the completion of the related projects. Pursuant to the contract terms, the Company has enforceable right on payments for
the work performed.
The Company’s revenue from software
and system development contracts is generally recognized over time as the Company’s performance creates or enhances the project
controlled by the clients and the control is transferred continuously to the Company’s clients. The Company uses an input method
based on cost incurred as the Company believes that this method most accurately reflects the Company’s progress toward satisfaction
of the performance obligation, which usually takes less than one year. Under this method, the Company could appropriately measure the
fulfillment of a performance obligation. Assumptions, risks and uncertainties inherent in the estimates used to measure progress could
affect the amount of revenues, receivables and deferred revenues at each reporting period.
Incurred costs include all direct material,
labor and subcontract costs, and those indirect costs related to application development performance, such as indirect labor, supplies,
and tools. Cost-based input method requires the Company to make estimates of revenues and costs to complete the service. In making such
estimates, significant judgment is required to evaluate assumptions related to the costs to complete the application development, including
materials, labor, and other system costs. The Company’s estimates are based upon the professional knowledge and experience of the
Company’s engineers and project managers to assess the contract’s schedule, performance, and technical matters. The Company
has adequate cost history and estimating experience, and with respect to which management believes it can reasonably estimate total development
costs. If the estimated costs are greater than the related revenues, the Company recognizes the entire estimated loss in the period the
loss becomes known and can be reasonably estimated. Changes in estimates for software development services include but are not limited
to cost forecast changes and change orders. The cumulative effect of changes in estimates is recorded in the period in which the revisions
to estimates are identified and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. To date, the Company has not incurred a material loss on any
contracts. However, as a policy, provisions for estimated losses on such engagements will be made during the period in which a loss becomes
probable and can be reasonably estimated. If contract modifications result in additional goods or services that are distinct from those
transferred before the modification, they are accounted for prospectively as if the Company entered into a new contract. If the goods
or services in the modification are not distinct from those in the original contract, sales and gross profit are adjusted using the cumulative
catch-up method for revisions in estimated total contract costs and contract values.
(2) Consulting and solution services
Revenue from consulting and solution
services is primarily comprised of fixed-fee contracts, which require the Company to provide professional consulting and solution services
over contract terms beginning on the commencement date of each contract, which is the date its service is made available to clients.
Billings to the clients are generally on a monthly or quarterly basis over the contract term, which is typically 1 to 12 months. The
consulting and solution services contracts typically include a single performance obligation. The revenue from consulting and solution
services is recognized over the contract term as clients receive and consume benefits of such services as provided.
Revenue includes reimbursements of travel and out-of-pocket
expense, with equivalent amounts of expense recorded in cost of revenue.
(3) Sale of NFTs
The Company engages in sale of NFTs, or non-fungible tokens.
NFTs are assets that have been tokenized via a blockchain and are assigned unique identification codes and metadata that distinguish them
from other tokens. The Company typically enters into contracts with its customers where the rights of the parties, including payment terms,
are identified and sales prices to the customers are fixed with no separate sales rebate, discount, or other incentive and no right of
return exists on sales of NFTs. The Company’s performance obligation is to deliver products according to contract specifications.
The Company recognizes product revenue at a time when the control of products is transferred to customers.
Contract liabilities
Contract liabilities are recorded when
consideration is received from a customer prior to transferring the services to the customer or other conditions under the terms of a
sales contract. As of April 30, 2022 and 2023, the Company recorded contract liabilities of nil and JPY1,397,470, respectively, which
was presented as contract liabilities on the accompanying balance sheets.
Operating leases
The Company adopted ASC Topic 842, Lease
(“ASC 842”) on May 1, 2021, using the modified retrospective method. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease
at inception. Leases are classified as operating or finance leases in accordance with the recognition criteria in ASC 842-20-25. The
Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The Company has elected the package
of practical expedients, which allows the Company not to reassess (1) whether any expired or existing contracts as of the adoption date
are or contain a lease, (2) lease classification for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date and (3) initial direct costs
for any expired or existing leases as of the adoption date. Lastly, the Company elected the short-term lease exemption for all contracts
with lease term of 12 months or less.
At the commencement date of a lease,
the Company determines the classification of the lease based on the relevant factors present and records a right-of-use (“ROU”)
asset and lease liability for operating lease. ROU assets acquired through lease represent the right to use an underlying asset for the
lease term, and operating lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease
liabilities are calculated as the present value of the lease payments not yet paid. If the rate implicit in the Company’s leases
is not readily available, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement
date in determining the present value of lease payments. This incremental borrowing rate reflects the fixed rate at which the Company
could borrow on a collateralized basis the amount of the lease payments in the same currency, for a similar term, in a similar economic
environment. ROU assets include any lease prepayments and are reduced by lease incentives. Operating lease expense for lease payments
is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease terms are based on the non-cancellable term of the lease.
Leases with an initial lease term of
12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheets. Lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over
the lease term.
Cost of revenues
Cost of revenues mainly consist of salaries and benefits
of our staff and outsourced staff, and related expenses including telecommunication cost and rental costs.
Selling and marketing expenses
Selling and marketing expenses mainly consist of payroll,
promotion expenses, and related expenses for personnel engaged in selling and marketing activities.
Advertising expenses
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred
and included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the statements of income and comprehensive income. Advertising expenses
amounted to JPY3,132,390, JPY230,000 and JPY25,599,131 (US$188,243) for the years ended April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively.
Research and development expenses
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
These costs primarily consist of payroll, outsourced development cost, and related expenses for personnel engaged in research and development
activities.
Income taxes
The Company accounts for current income
taxes in accordance with the laws of the relevant tax authorities. Deferred income taxes are recognized when temporary differences exist
between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected
to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the
period including the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount
expected to be realized.
An uncertain tax position is
recognized as a benefit only if it is “more likely than not” that the tax position would be sustained in a tax
examination. The amount recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized on
examination. For tax positions not meeting the “more likely than not” test, no tax benefit is recorded. Penalties and
interest incurred related to underpayment of income tax are classified as income tax expense in the period incurred. No significant
penalties or interest relating to income taxes were incurred during the years ended April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The Company does
not believe there was any uncertain tax provision as of April 30, 2022 and 2023.
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) consists
of two components, net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenues, expenses,
gains and losses that under GAAP are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net loss. Other comprehensive
income (loss) consists of a foreign currency translation adjustment resulting from the Company not using the United States dollar as
its functional currencies.
Earnings (Loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is
computed by dividing net income attributable to the holders of ordinary shares by the weighted average number of ordinary shares
outstanding during the period presented. Diluted income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to the holders
of ordinary shares as adjusted for the effect of dilutive ordinary share equivalents, if any, by the weighted average number of
ordinary shares and dilutive ordinary share equivalents outstanding
during the period. However, ordinary share equivalents are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per share calculation
when inclusion of such shares would be anti- dilutive, such as in a period in which a net loss is recorded.
Share-based compensation
The Company applies ASC 718, Compensation
– Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), to account for its employee share-based payments. In accordance with ASC 718,
the Company determines whether an award should be classified and accounted for as a liability award or equity award. All the Company’s
share-based awards to employees were classified as equity awards and are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant
date fair values. In accordance with ASC 718, the Company recognizes share-based compensation cost for equity awards to employees with
a performance condition based on the probable outcome of that performance condition. Compensation cost is recognized using the accelerated
method if it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur in accordance
with ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvement to Employee Share-based Payment Accounting.
Segment reporting
ASC 280, “Segment Reporting”,
establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments on a basis consistent with the Company’s internal organizational
structure as well as information about geographical areas, business segments and major clients in financial statements for detailing
the Company’s business segments. Based on the criteria established by ASC 280, the Company’s chief operating decision maker
(“CODM”) has been identified as the Chief Executive Officer, who reviews results when making decisions about allocating resources
and assessing performance of the Company. As a whole and hence, the Company has only one reportable segment. The Company does not distinguish
between markets or segments for the purpose of internal reporting. As the Company’s long-lived assets are substantially located
in Japan, no geographical segments are presented.
Related party transactions
A related party is generally defined
as (i) any person and or their immediate family who hold 10% or more of the company’s securities (ii) the Company’s management,
(iii) someone that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Company, or (iv) anyone who
can significantly influence the financial and operating decisions of the Company. A transaction is considered to be a related party transaction
when there is a transfer of resources or obligations between related parties. Related parties may be individuals or corporate entities.
Transactions involving related parties
cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s-length basis, as the requisite conditions of competitive, free market dealings
may not exist. Representations about transactions with related parties, if made, shall not imply that the related party transactions
were consummated on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm’s-length transactions unless such representations can be substantiated.
It is not, however, practical to determine the fair value of amounts due from/to related parties due to their related party nature.
Commitments and Contingencies
In the normal course of business, the
Company is subject to contingencies, including legal proceedings and claims arising out of the business that relate to a wide range of
matters, such as government investigations and tax matters. The Company recognizes a liability for such contingency if it determines
it is probable that a loss has occurred and a reasonable estimate of the loss can be made. The Company may consider many factors in making
these assessments including historical performance and the specific facts and circumstances of each matter.
Risks and uncertainties
Political and economic risk
All of the Company’s assets were
located in Japan and all of the Company’s revenue was generated in Japan. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial
condition, and results of operations may be influenced by political, economic, and legal environments in Japan, as well as by the general
state of Japan economy. The Company’s results may be adversely affected by changes in the political, regulatory, and social conditions
in Japan. Although the Company has not experienced losses from these situations and believes that it is in compliance with existing laws
and regulations, including its organization and structure disclosed in Note 1, such experience may not be indicative of future results.
Credit risk
As
of April 30, 2022 and 2023, JPY657,418,101 and JPY177,886,393 (US$1,308,085) of the Company’s cash was on deposit
at financial institutions in Japan, respectively, which were insured by the Deposit Insurance Corporation of Japan subject to certain
limitations. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.
Accounts receivables are typically unsecured
and derived from revenue earned from customers, thereby exposed to credit risks. The risk is mitigated by the Company’s assessment
of its customers’ creditworthiness and its ongoing monitoring of outstanding balances.
Concentration of credit risk
Financial instruments
that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and account receivable.
The Company places its cash with financial institutions with high-credit ratings and quality.
Accounts receivable
primarily comprise of amounts receivable from the service clients. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs on-going credit evaluations
of the financial condition of these service clients. The Company establishes a provision for doubtful accounts based upon estimates,
factors surrounding the credit risk of specific service clients and other information.
Concentration of demand
As of April 30, 2022 and 2023, one client accounted for 91.3%
and 97.7% of the Company’s total accounts receivable, respectively.
For the year ended
April 30, 2021, two major clients accounted for 46.3% and 42.1% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. For the year ended
April 30, 2022, two major clients accounted for 47.4% and 25.9% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively. For the year ended
April 30, 2023, three major clients accounted for 42.9%, 24.1% and 10.5% of the Company’s total revenues, respectively.
Concentration of supply
As of April 30, 2022,
no single vendor accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total account payable. As of April 30, 2023, three vendors accounted
for 15.2%, 15.0% and 10.6% of the Company’s total account payable.
For the year ended April 30, 2021, one vendor
accounted for 86.2% of the Company’s total purchases. For the year ended April 30, 2022, three vendors accounted for 29.3%, 25.6%
and 14.9% of the Company’s total purchases. For the year ended April 30, 2023, two vendors accounted for 73.8% and 23.3% of the
Company’s total purchases, respectively.
Recent accounting pronouncements
The Company considers the
applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (“ASUs”). Management periodically reviews new accounting
standards that are issued. Under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended (the “JOBS Act”), the
Company meets the definition of an emerging growth company, or EGC, and has elected the extended transition period for complying
with new or revised accounting standards, which delays the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private
companies.
In June 2016, the FASB amended guidance
related to the impairment of financial instruments as part of ASU2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement
of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which will be effective January 1, 2020. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment
methodology with an expected credit loss model for which a company recognizes an allowance based on the estimate of expected credit loss.
In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses,
which clarified that receivables from operating leases are not within the scope of Topic 326 and instead, impairment of receivables arising
from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. On May 15, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-05, which provides
transition relief for entities adopting the Board’s credit losses standard, ASU 2016-13. Specifically, ASU 2019-05 amends ASU 2016-13
to allow companies to irrevocably elect, upon adoption of ASU 2016-13, the fair value option for financial instruments that (1) were
previously recorded at amortized cost and (2) are within the scope of the credit losses guidance in ASC 326-20, (3) are eligible for
the fair value option under ASC 825-10, and (4) are not held-to-maturity debt securities. For entities that have adopted ASU 2016-13,
the amendments in ASU 2019-05 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein. An
entity may early adopt the ASU in any interim period after its issuance if the entity has adopted ASU 2016-13. For all other entities,
the effective date will be the same as the effective date of ASU 2016-13. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, “Codification
Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.” ASU 2019-11 is an accounting pronouncement that amends
ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.”
The ASU 2019-11 amendment provides clarity and improves the codification to ASU 2016-03. The pronouncement would be effective concurrently
with the adoption of ASU 2016-03. The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods
within those fiscal years. In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-02, which provides clarifying guidance and minor updates to
ASU No. 2016-13 – Financial Instruments – Credit Loss (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”) and related to ASU No. 2016-02
– Leases (Topic 842). ASU 2020-02 amends the effective date of ASU 2016-13, such that ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective
for the Company for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating
the impact this ASU will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.
On December 18, 2019, the FASB issued
ASU No. 2019-12, Income taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This guidance amends ASC Topic 740 and addresses
several aspects including 1) evaluation of step-up tax basis of goodwill when there is not a business combination, 2) policy election
to not allocate taxes on a separate entity basis to entities not subject to income tax, 3) accounting for tax law changes or rates during
interim periods, 4) ownership changes from equity method investment to subsidiary or vice versa, 5) elimination of exception to intrapetrous
allocation when there is gain in discontinued operations and a loss from continuing operations, and 6) treatment of franchise taxes that
are partially based on income. The amendments in this Update are effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2021, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted this update on May 1, 2022.
The adoption of this update had no material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-08, “Codification Improvements to Subtopic 310-20, Receivables – Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs”. The
amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification. The amendments make the Codification easier to understand
and easier to apply by eliminating inconsistencies and providing clarifications. ASU 2020-08 is effective for the Company for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2021 and
interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. All entities should apply the amendments in this Update on a prospective
basis as of the beginning of the period of adoption for existing or newly purchased callable debt securities. These amendments do not
change the effective dates for Update 2017-08. The Company adopted this update on May 1, 2022. The adoption of this update had no material
impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU
2020-10, “Codification Improvements”. The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification or correct
unintended application of guidance that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice or create a significant
administrative cost to most entities. The amendments in this Update affect a wide variety of Topics in the Codification and apply to
all reporting entities within the scope of the affected accounting guidance. ASU 2020-10 is effective for the Company for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The amendments in this Update
should be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this update on May 1, 2022. The adoption of this update had no material impact
on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
The Company does not believe other recently
issued but not yet effective accounting standards, if currently adopted, would have a material effect on the Company’s balance
sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows.
Note 4 – Revenues
The following table presents the Company’s revenues
disaggregated by service lines for the years ended April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023:
| |
April 30,
2021 | | |
April 30,
2022 | | |
April 30,
2023 | | |
April 30,
2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
OPERATING REVENUES | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Software and system development services | |
| 95,270,416 | | |
| 234,732,715 | | |
| 21,874,517 | | |
| 160,854 | |
Consulting and solution services | |
| 120,941,032 | | |
| 228,986,136 | | |
| 22,435,120 | | |
| 164,976 | |
Sale of NFTs | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| 2,258,892 | | |
| 16,611 | |
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES | |
| 216,211,448 | | |
| 463,718,851 | | |
| 46,568,529 | | |
| 342,441 | |
Note 5 – Accounts receivable, net
Accounts receivable, net consist of the following:
| |
April 30, 2022 | | |
April 30, 2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
Accounts receivable | |
| 72,259,707 | | |
| 6,351,818 | | |
| 46,708 | |
Less: Allowance for expected credit loss | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Add: Consumption tax receivable | |
| — | | |
| 24,583,098 | | |
| 180,771 | |
Accounts receivable, net | |
| 72,259,707 | | |
| 30,934,916 | | |
| 227,479 | |
Note 6 – Property and equipment, net
Property and equipment, net consist of the following:
| |
April 30, 2022 | | |
April 30, 2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
At cost: | |
| | |
| | |
| |
Office equipment | |
| 1,595,525 | | |
| 3,223,064 | | |
| 23,701 | |
Total | |
| 1,595,525 | | |
| 3,223,064 | | |
| 23,701 | |
Accumulated depreciation | |
| (377,440 | ) | |
| (1,156,051 | ) | |
| (8,501 | ) |
Property and equipment, net | |
| 1,218,085 | | |
| 2,067,013 | | |
| 15,200 | |
Depreciation expense for the years ended
April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023 amounted to JPY67,932, JPY309,508 and JPY778,611 (USD5,725), respectively.
Note 7 – Other payables and accrued expenses
The components of other payables and accrued expenses are
as follows:
| |
April 30, 2022 | | |
April 30, 2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
Salary and benefit payables | |
| 26,325,325 | | |
| 23,307,275 | | |
| 171,390 | |
Outsourced development costs | |
| 10,469,841 | | |
| 6,276,121 | | |
| 46,152 | |
Communication costs | |
| 5,488,150 | | |
| 3,934,950 | | |
| 28,935 | |
Professional service fee | |
| 7,617,610 | | |
| 8,880,909 | | |
| 65,305 | |
Withholding tax | |
| 1,284,717 | | |
| 1,657,172 | | |
| 12,186 | |
Resident tax for employees | |
| 545,100 | | |
| 687,400 | | |
| 5,055 | |
Others | |
| 1,094,468 | | |
| 2,506,637 | | |
| 18,433 | |
| |
| 52,825,211 | | |
| 47,250,464 | | |
| 347,456 | |
Others mainly consist of other payables related to operating
activities including outsourced design costs and handling fee.
Note 8 – Loans
Outstanding balances of loans consist of the following:
As of April 30, 2022 | |
Balance | | |
Maturity Date | |
Effective Interest Rate | |
|
Collateral/ Guarantee |
| |
JPY
| | |
| |
| |
|
|
Kiraboshi Bank | |
| 18,676,000 | | |
Nov. 12, 2024 | |
1.6 | % |
|
Guaranteed by Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi and Tokyo guarantee |
Kiraboshi Bank | |
| 39,992,000 | | |
Mar. 31, 2030 | |
1.6 | % |
|
Guaranteed by Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi |
Total loans | |
| 58,668,000 | | |
| |
| |
|
|
Less: Loan origination fee | |
| (577,500 | ) | |
| |
| |
|
|
Current portion of long-term loan | |
| (11,769,000 | ) | |
| |
| |
|
|
Long-term loan – due over one year | |
| 46,321,500 | | |
| |
| |
|
|
As of April 30, 2023 | |
Balance | | |
Balance | | |
Maturity
Date | |
Effective
Interest Rate | |
|
Collateral/
Guarantee |
| |
JPY | | |
USD | | |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
| |
|
|
Kiraboshi Bank | |
| 11,680,000 | | |
| 85,889 | | |
Nov. 12, 2024 | |
1.6 | % |
|
Guaranteed by Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi and Tokyo guarantee |
Kiraboshi Bank | |
| 34,988,000 | | |
| 257,284 | | |
Mar. 31, 2030 | |
1.6 | % |
|
Guaranteed by Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi |
Resona Bank | |
| 100,000,000 | | |
| 735,348 | | |
Apr. 26, 2024 | |
1.48 | % |
|
Guaranteed by Mr. Satoshi Kobayashi |
Shoko Chukin Bank | |
| 45,750,000 | | |
| 336,422 | | |
Sep. 30, 2027 | |
2.69 | % |
|
|
Total loans | |
| 192,418,000 | | |
| 1,414,943 | | |
| |
| |
|
|
Less: Loan origination fee | |
| (346,500 | ) | |
| (2,548 | ) | |
| |
| |
|
|
Current portion of long – term loan | |
| (123,819,000 | ) | |
| (910,501 | ) | |
| |
| |
|
|
Long-term loan – due over one year | |
| 68,252,500 | | |
| 501,894 | | |
| |
| |
|
|
Interest expense for the year ended
April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023 amounted to JPY1,232,925, JPY1,045,821 and JPY2,346,136 (USD17,252). As of April 30, 2023, the Company’s
future loan obligations according to the terms of the loan agreement are as follows:
| |
JPY | | |
USD | |
2023 | |
| 124,050,000 | | |
| 912,200 | |
2024 | |
| 19,305,000 | | |
| 141,959 | |
2025 | |
| 15,204,000 | | |
| 111,802 | |
2026 | |
| 15,204,000 | | |
| 111,802 | |
2027 | |
| 8,687,000 | | |
| 63,880 | |
Thereafter | |
| 9,968,000 | | |
| 73,300 | |
Total | |
| 192,418,000 | | |
| 1,414,943 | |
Note 9 – Income taxes
(a) Corporate Income Taxes
The Company is in Japan and is subject
to Japanese national and local income taxes, inhabitant tax, and enterprise tax, which, in the aggregate, represent a statutory income
tax rate of approximately 30.6% for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2023.
Reconciliation of the differences
between statutory income tax rate and the effective tax rate
The following table reconciles the
Japan statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rates for the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2023:
| |
April 30, 2022 | | |
April 30, 2023 | |
Japanese statutory income tax rate | |
| 30.6 | % | |
| 30.6 | % |
Non-deductible expenses | |
| (1.5 | )% | |
| (0.7 | )% |
Non-taxable income | |
| 0.4 | % | |
| 2.8 | % |
Valuation allowance | |
| — | % | |
| (43.7 | )% |
Share based compensation | |
| (35.8 | )% | |
| — | % |
Deferred IPO costs | |
| — | % | |
| 16.6 | % |
Others | |
| 1.2 | % | |
| (3.2 | )% |
| |
| (5.1 | )% | |
| 2.4 | % |
Significant components of the provision for income taxes are
as follows:
| |
April 30,
2021 | | |
April 30,
2022 | | |
April 30,
2023 | | |
April 30,
2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
Current income tax expense (benefit) | |
| 290,000 | | |
| 12,963,341 | | |
| (9,345,241 | ) | |
| (68,720 | ) |
Deferred tax (benefit) expense | |
| (15,912,026 | ) | |
| 15,978,261 | | |
| 122,261 | | |
| 899 | |
TOTAL OPERATING REVENUES | |
| (15,622,026 | ) | |
| 28,941,602 | | |
| (9,222,980 | ) | |
| (67,821 | ) |
For the purpose of presentation
in the balance sheets, deferred income tax assets and liabilities have been offset, and included in other assets on the accompanying balance
sheets. Significant component of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| |
April 30, 2022 | | |
April 30,
2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
USD | |
| |
| | |
| | |
| |
Net operating loss carry forward | |
| 4,872,262 | | |
| 175,897,644 | | |
| 1,293,460 | |
Valuation allowance | |
| (4,872,262 | ) | |
| (175,897,644 | ) | |
| (1,293,460 | ) |
Deferred tax assets | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Temporary difference in depreciation | |
| (66,235 | ) | |
| (188,496 | ) | |
| (1,386 | ) |
Deferred tax liabilities | |
| (66,235 | ) | |
| (188,496 | ) | |
| (1,386 | ) |
Total | |
| (66,235 | ) | |
| (188,496 | ) | |
| (1,386 | ) |
In assessing the realizability of
deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will
not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the
periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the cumulative earnings and projected future taxable
income in making this assessment. Recovery of substantially all of the Company’s deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation
of future income, exclusive of reversing taxable temporary differences.
(b) Consumption tax
Consumption tax
collected and remitted to tax authorities is excluded from revenue, cost of sales, and expenses in the statements of income and
comprehensive income. Before October 1, 2019, the applicable consumption tax rate was 8%, and since October 1, 2019, the Company has
been subject to the applicable consumption tax rate of 10%, with an 8% rate applicable to a limited number of exceptions based on
the new Japanese tax law. For overseas sales, the Company is exempted from paying consumption tax. The Company can deduct all its
qualified input consumption tax paid when purchasing from suppliers, against the output consumption tax derived from domestic sales.
The Company is eligible for consumption tax refund from the tax authorities for excess input consumption tax, which is recorded as
consumption tax receivable in the prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheets.
Note 10 – Operating leases
– right-of-use assets
The Company entered into operating
lease agreements for office spaces and employee dormitories. None of the amounts disclosed below for these leases contain variable payments,
residual value guarantees or options that were recognized as part of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. As the Company’s
leases did not provide an implicit discount rate, the Company used an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at
commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.
As of April 30, 2023, the Company
recognized operating lease liabilities, including current and noncurrent, in the amount of JPY3,467,368 (US$25,497) and the corresponding
operating lease right-of-use assets of JPY3,467,368 (US$25,497).
As of April 30, 2022, the Company recognized operating lease liabilities,
including current and noncurrent, in the amount of JPY11,695,406 and corresponding operating lease right-of-use assets of JPY11,641,238.
Rent expense for the year
ended April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023 was JPY10,779,000, JPY9,567,000 and JPY8,355,000 (US$61,438), respectively.
Lease commitments
The Company’s maturity analysis
of operating lease liabilities as of April 30, 2023 is as follows:
| |
Operating Leases | |
| |
JPY | | |
USD | |
2023 | |
| 3,481,250 | | |
| 25,599 | |
Total lease payment | |
| 3,481,250 | | |
| 25,599 | |
Less imputed interest | |
| (13,882 | ) | |
| (102 | ) |
Present value of operating lease liabilities | |
| 3,467,368 | | |
| 25,497 | |
Less: current obligation | |
| (3,467,368 | ) | |
| (25,497 | ) |
Long-term obligation at April 30, 2023 | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Supplemental disclosure related to operating leases were as
follows:
| |
For the year ended April 30,
2023 | |
| |
JPY | | |
USD | |
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities | |
| | |
| |
Operating cash flows for operating leases | |
| 8,355,000 | | |
| 61,438 | |
Weighted average remaining lease term of operating leases | |
| 0.42 years | |
Weighted average discount rate of operating leases | |
| 1.6% | |
Note 11 – Shareholders’ equity
Ordinary shares
The Company is a stock company incorporated in Japan pursuant
to the laws of Japan on May 1, 2018.
| |
Ordinary shares | | |
Amount | |
Issued Date | |
Issued | | |
Accumulated | | |
JPY | |
May 1, 2018 | |
| 5,000,000 | | |
| 1,000 | | |
| 10,000,000 | |
July 3, 2018 | |
| 5,000,000 | | |
| 2,000 | | |
| 10,000,000 | |
May 13, 2019 | |
| 600,000 | | |
| 2,120 | | |
| 30,000,000 | |
July 3, 2019 | |
| 200,000 | | |
| 2,160 | | |
| 10,000,000 | |
July 16, 2019* | |
| — | | |
| 108,000 | | |
| — | |
August 9, 2019 | |
| 800,000 | | |
| 116,000 | | |
| 40,000,000 | |
September 24, 2019 | |
| 400,000 | | |
| 120,000 | | |
| 20,000,000 | |
December 27, 2019 | |
| 400,000 | | |
| 124,000 | | |
| 50,000,000 | |
April 30, 2020 | |
| 725,200 | | |
| 131,252 | | |
| 175,498,400 | |
July 31, 2020 | |
| 383,400 | | |
| 135,086 | | |
| 103,518,000 | |
May 31, 2021 | |
| 330,800 | | |
| 138,394 | | |
| 200,134,000 | |
October 26, 2021** | |
| — | | |
| 13,839,400 | | |
| — | |
The Company retrospectively
restated for effect of Retrospectively restated for effect of a 100-for-1 forward split on October 26, 2021. As of April 30, 2022 and
2023, the number of outstanding shares is 13,839,400 and 13,839,400, respectively.
Note 12. Share-based compensation
Share option plan (the “2019
Plan”)
On February 5, 2019,
the shareholders and Board of Directors of the Company approved the 2019 Plan, which is administered by the Board of Directors and
has a term of 10 years from the date of adoption. Under the 2019 Plan, the Company has set aside options that are exercisable into
1,095,000 ordinary shares (retrospectively restated the share split of 50-for-1 and 100-for-1 on July 16, 2019 and October 25, 2021)
of the Company to eligible employees, officers, directors or any other individual as deemed appropriate by the board of directors.
The purpose of the 2019 Plan is to attract and retain exceptionally talented and qualified individuals, and to motivate them to
exercise their best efforts on behalf of the Company through valuable incentives and awards.
The options granted under the 2019
Plan have a contractual term of 10 years. The share options shall vest on the day before the listing date. The grantees can exercise vested
options after the commencement date of exercise and before the earlier of: 1) its contractual term (i.e. 10 years after its grant date);
or 2) upon the grantee terminates their employment if the vested option has not been exercised. The commencement date of exercise is upon
the completion of the Company’s IPO.
The
fair value of each option award is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions
used for the options granted during the years ended April 30, 2022 and 2023: risk-free interest rate of 0.17%, dividend yield
of 0.00%; estimated volatility of 5.90%, and expected lives of options of 10 years. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities
of the Company’s common stock and similar peer group averages.
A summary of the employee equity award activity under the
2019 Plan is stated below:
| |
Number of options* | | |
Weighted- average exercise price | | |
Weighted- average grant-date fair value | | |
Weighted- average remaining contractual term | | |
Aggregate intrinsic Value | |
| |
| | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
Years | | |
JPY | |
Outstanding, April 30, 2021 | |
| 1,050,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 7.8 | | |
| 268.0 | |
Granted | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Forfeited | |
| (15,000 | ) | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Outstanding, April 30, 2022 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 6.8 | | |
| 603.0 | |
Vested at April 30, 2022 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 603.0 | |
Exercisable at April 30, 2022 | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
Number of options* | | |
Weighted- average exercise price | | |
Weighted- average grant-date fair value | | |
Weighted- average remaining contractual term | | |
Aggregate intrinsic Value | |
| |
| | |
USD | | |
USD | | |
Years | | |
US$ | |
Outstanding, April 30, 2022 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 0.01 | | |
| 0.01 | | |
| 6.8 | | |
| 4.4 | |
Granted | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Forfeited | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Outstanding, April 30, 2023 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 0.01 | | |
| 0.01 | | |
| 5.8 | | |
| 4.4 | |
Vested at April 30, 2023 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 0.01 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 4.4 | |
Exercisable at April 30, 2023 | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
| |
Number of options* | | |
Weighted- average exercise price | | |
Weighted- average grant-date fair value | | |
Weighted- average remaining contractual term | | |
Aggregate intrinsic Value | |
| |
| | |
JPY | | |
JPY | | |
Years | | |
JPY | |
Outstanding, April 30, 2022 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 6.8 | | |
| 603.0 | |
Granted | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Forfeited | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | | |
| — | |
Outstanding, April 30, 2023 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| 5.8 | | |
| 603.0 | |
Vested at April 30, 2023 | |
| 1,035,000 | | |
| 2.00 | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| 603.0 | |
Exercisable at April 30, 2023 | |
| — | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table
above represents the difference between the fair value of the Company’s ordinary share as of fiscal year end and the
option’s respective exercise price.
The total weighted average grant-date fair
value of the equity awards granted during the year ended April 30, 2022
and 2023 were both JPY2 (US$0.01) per option. No awards were vested during the year ended April 30, 2022 and
2023.
As
of April 30, 2021, 2022 and 2023, there were JPY2,100,000, JPY2,070,000 and JPY2,070,000 (US$15,222) of unrecognized share-based
compensation expense, respectively, related to unvested awards. Total unrecognized compensation cost may be adjusted for actual
forfeitures occurring in the future.
Trust-Type Share Option
Plan (the “2019 Trust-Type Plan”)
On July 1, 2019, the shareholders
and Board of Directors of the Company approved the 2019 Trust-Type Share Option Plan (the “2019 Trust-Type Plan”); 2019 Trust-Type
Plan is administered by the Board of Directors, and has a term of 10 years from the date of adoption. Under the “2019 Trust-type
Plan”, the Company deposited into the trust a set of options that are exercisable into a total of 2,000,000 ordinary shares (retrospectively
restated for the share split of 50-for-1 and 100-for-1 on July 16, 2019 and October 25, 2021, respectively) of the Company. The board
of directors and the trustee of the 2019 Trust-Type Plan, in their discretion, may designate and distribute these options to individuals,
including but not limited to employees, officers, and directors. The purpose of the “2019 Trust-type Plan” is to attract and
retain exceptionally qualified and talented individuals and to motivate them to exercise their best efforts on behalf of the Group through
valuable incentives and awards.
The trust-type share option (trust
for market value-issue stock acquisition rights) is a scheme of where the option holder is granted the right to acquire the Company’s
stock in the open market at pre-determined price, which can be lower than the fair market value; therefore, generating immediate benefit
to the holder to option. The trust type plan was initiated and created by the trustor (Mr. Kobayashi, the Company’s Chief Executive
Officer) when he deposited funds into the trust with the intention to reward the beneficiaries of the plan. The trustee is entrusted with
the responsibility to grant to beneficiaries (officers and employees, etc.) the options.
The fair value of each option award
is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions used for the options granted
during the year ended April 30, 2022: risk-free interest rate of 0.17%, dividend yield of 0.00%; estimated volatility of 5.90%, and expected
lives of options of 10 years. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatilities of the Company’s common stock and similar
peer group averages.
For
the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021, the Company recognized an expense of JPY56,000,000 and a capital reserve of JPY56,000,000.
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2022, the Company recognized an expense of JPY670,000,000 and a capital reserve of JPY670,000,000.
For the fiscal year ended April 2023, the Company recognized an expense of nil and a capital reserve of nil.
Note 13 – Subsequent events
On July 27, 2023, the Company announced
the closing of its initial public offering of 1,200,000 American Depositary Shares (“ADSs”) at a public offering price of
US$5.00 per ADS. The Company received aggregate gross proceeds of $6 million from the offering, before deducting underwriting discounts
and other related expenses.
The
Company has assessed all events from April 30, 2023 up through September 15, 2023, which is the date that these
financial statements are available to be issued, unless as disclosed above, there are not any material subsequent events that require
disclosure in these financial statements.
F-24
U.S. GAAP
false
FY
0001944399
0001944399
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
dei:BusinessContactMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
dei:AdrMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:OrdinarySharesMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
2023-04-30
0001944399
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ConsultingAndSolutionServicesMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
elws:ConsultingAndSolutionServicesMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:ConsultingAndSolutionServicesMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:SaleOfNFTsMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
elws:SaleOfNFTsMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:SaleOfNFTsMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2020-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2020-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2020-04-30
0001944399
2020-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2021-04-30
0001944399
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:CommonStockMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:AdditionalPaidInCapitalMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:RetainedEarningsMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneMajorClientMember
2021-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoMajorClientsMember
2021-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneMajorClientMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoMajorClientsMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneMajorClientMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoMajorClientsMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ThreeMajorClientsMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneVendorMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoVendorMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ThreeVendorMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneVendorMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneVendorMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoVendorMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:ThreeVendorMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:OneVendorMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoVendorMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
srt:MinimumMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
srt:MaximumMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:SoftwareAndSoftwareDevelopmentCostsMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ConsultingAndSolutionServicesMember
2020-05-01
2021-04-30
0001944399
elws:ConsultingAndSolutionServicesMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:ConsultingAndSolutionServicesMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:OfficeEquipmentMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
us-gaap:OfficeEquipmentMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankOneMember
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankOneMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankOneMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:KiraboshiBankOneMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ResonaBankMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ResonaBankMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ShokoChukinBankMember
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:ShokoChukinBankMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
2019-10-01
2019-10-01
0001944399
srt:MaximumMember
2019-10-01
2019-10-01
0001944399
srt:MinimumMember
2019-10-01
2019-10-01
0001944399
srt:MinimumMember
2019-07-19
0001944399
srt:MaximumMember
2019-07-19
0001944399
srt:MinimumMember
2021-10-25
0001944399
srt:MaximumMember
2021-10-25
0001944399
elws:May12018Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:July32018Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:May132019Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:July32019Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:July162019Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:August92019Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:September242019Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:December272019Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:April302020Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:July312020Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:May312021Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
elws:October262021Member
2023-04-30
0001944399
2019-02-01
2019-02-05
0001944399
2019-02-05
0001944399
elws:TwoThousandNineteenTrustTypePlanMember
2021-05-01
2022-04-30
0001944399
elws:TwoThousandNineteenTrustTypePlanMember
2022-05-01
2023-04-30
0001944399
2019-07-01
2019-07-01
0001944399
2019-07-01
0001944399
2023-07-01
2023-07-27
xbrli:shares
iso4217:JPY
iso4217:USD
iso4217:JPY
xbrli:shares
iso4217:USD
xbrli:shares
xbrli:pure
American depositary shares (“ADSs”)
of Earlyworks Co., Ltd. (“we,” “our,” “our company,” or “us”) are listed and traded on
the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “ELWS,” and our ADSs are registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act. Each
ADS represents one of our ordinary shares (“Ordinary Shares”). This exhibit contains a description of the rights of the holders
of Ordinary Shares and ADSs.
We are a stock company incorporated in Japan under
the Companies Act. The rights of our shareholders are represented by our Ordinary Shares as described below, and shareholders’ liability
is limited to the amount of subscription for such Ordinary Shares. As of the date hereof, our authorized share capital consists of 55,300,000
Ordinary Shares, of which 15,039,400 Ordinary Shares are outstanding. Our Articles of Incorporation currently in effect do not provide
any restrictions on transfer of shares.
Holders of Ordinary Shares have no pre-emptive
rights under our Articles of Incorporation.
Not applicable.
Under the Companies Act,
the distribution of dividends takes the form of distribution of surplus, and a distribution of surplus may be made in cash and/or in kind,
with no restrictions on the timing and frequency of such distributions. The Companies Act generally requires a stock company to make distributions
of surplus authorized by a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders. Distributions of surplus are, however, permitted pursuant
to a resolution of the board of directors if:
In an exception to the
above rule, even if the requirements described in (a) through (d) are not met, the company may be permitted to make distributions
of surplus in cash to its shareholders by resolution of the board of directors once per fiscal year if its articles of incorporation so
provide. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the company may, by a resolution of our board of directors, distribute interim dividends
to those shareholders or pledgees who are entered or recorded in the register of shareholders as of the close of business on October 30
of each year.
A resolution of a general
meeting of shareholders authorizing a distribution of surplus must specify the kind and aggregate book value of the assets to be distributed,
the manner of allocation of such assets to shareholders, and the effective date of the distribution. If a distribution of surplus is to
be made in kind, we may, pursuant to a resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, grant a right to the shareholders to require us
to make such distribution in cash instead of in kind. If no such right is granted to shareholders, the relevant distribution of surplus
must be approved by a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders. See “—Voting Rights” for more details
regarding a special resolution. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that we are relieved of our obligation to pay any distributions
in cash that go unclaimed for 3 years after the date they first become payable.
As of the date of this
prospectus, we have not issued dividends to our shareholders since the incorporation of our Company.
Under the Companies Act,
we may distribute surplus up to the excess of the aggregate of (a) and (b) below, less the aggregate of (c) through (f) below,
as of the effective date of such distribution, if our net assets are not less than JPY3,000,000:
For the purposes of this
section, the amount of “surplus” is the excess of the aggregate of (I) through (IV) below, less the aggregate of (V) through
(VII) below:
In Japan, the “ex-dividend” date
and the record date for any distribution of surplus come before the date a company determines the amount of distribution of surplus to
be paid.
Under the Companies Act,
the paid-in amount of any newly-issued shares is required to be accounted for as share capital, although we may account for
an amount not exceeding one-half of such paid-in amount as additional paid-in capital. We may generally
reduce additional paid-in capital and/or legal earnings reserve by resolution of a general meeting of shareholders, subject
to completion of protection procedures for creditors in accordance with the Companies Act, and, if so decided by the same resolution,
we may account for the whole or any part of the amount of such reduction as share capital. We may generally reduce share capital by a
special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders and, if so decided by the same resolution, we may account for the whole or any
part of the amount of such reduction as additional paid-in capital.
Under the Companies Act,
we may at any time split shares in issue into a greater number of the same class of shares by a resolution of the board of directors.
When a share split is to be made, we must give public notice of the share split, specifying the record date therefor, at least two weeks
prior to such record date.
Under the Companies Act,
we may at any time consolidate our shares into a smaller number of shares by a special resolution of the general meeting of shareholders.
We must disclose the reason for the reverse share split at the general meeting of shareholders. When a reverse share split is to be made,
we must give public notice of the reverse share split, at least two weeks (or, in certain cases where any fractions of shares are left
as a result of a reverse share split, 20 days) prior to the effective date of the reverse share split.
Our ordinary general
meeting of shareholders is usually held in the head office of the company in Tokyo, Japan. The record date for an ordinary general meeting
of shareholders is April 30th. In addition, we may hold an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders whenever necessary by giving
at least 2-week advance notice to shareholders.
Notice of convocation
of a general meeting of shareholders setting forth the time, place, purpose thereof, and certain other matters set forth in the Companies
Act and relevant ordinances must be mailed to each shareholder having voting rights (or, in the case of a non-resident shareholder,
to his or her standing proxy or mailing address in Japan) at least 2 weeks prior to the date set for such meeting. Such notice may be
given to shareholders by electronic means, subject to the consent of the relevant shareholders.
In a public company,
any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 3% of the total number of voting rights for a period of 6 months or more may
require, with an individual shareholder notice, the convocation of a general meeting of shareholders for a particular purpose. Unless
such general meeting of shareholders is convened without delay or a convocation notice of a meeting which is to be held not later than
8 weeks from the day of such demand is dispatched, the requiring shareholder may, upon obtaining a court approval, convene such general
meeting of shareholders.
In a public company,
any shareholder or group of shareholders holding at least 300 voting rights or 1% of the total number of voting rights for a period of
6 months or more, which period is required after the removal of restrictions on the transfer of shares, may propose a matter to be included
in the agenda of a general meeting of shareholders, and may propose to describe such matter together with a summary of the proposal to
be submitted by such shareholder in a notice to our shareholders, by submitting a request to a director at least 8 weeks prior to the
date set for such meeting, with an individual shareholder notice.
The Companies Act enables
a company to amend its articles of incorporation in order to loosen the requirements for the number of shares held and shareholding period,
as well as the period required for dispatching a convocation notice or submission of requests, all of which are required for any shareholder
or group of shareholders to request the convocation of a general meeting of shareholders or to propose a matter to be included in the
agenda of a general meeting of shareholders. Our Articles of Incorporation do not provide for loosening such requirements.
A shareholder of record
is entitled to one vote per Ordinary Share, except that neither we nor any corporation, partnership, or other similar entity in which
we hold, directly or indirectly, 25% or more of the voting rights shall exercise any voting rights in respect of Ordinary Shares held
by us or such entity, as the case may be. Except as otherwise provided by law or by our Articles of Incorporation, a resolution can be
adopted at a general meeting of shareholders by a majority of the voting rights represented at the meeting. Shareholders may also exercise
their voting rights through proxies. The Companies Act and our Articles of Incorporation provide that the quorum for the election of directors
and company auditors is 1/3 of the total number of voting rights. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that the Ordinary Shares may not
be voted cumulatively for the election of directors.
The Companies Act provides
that a special resolution of the general meeting of shareholders is required for certain significant corporate transactions, including:
Except as otherwise provided
by law or in our Articles of Incorporation, a special resolution of the general meeting of shareholders requires the approval of the holders
of at least 2/3 of the voting rights of all shareholders present or represented at a meeting where a quorum is present. Our Articles of
Incorporation provide that a quorum exists when 1/3 or more of the total number of voting rights is present or represented.
The Companies Act provides
additional specific rights for shareholders owning a substantial number of voting rights.
A shareholder holding
90% or more of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders has the right to demand that all other shareholders sell their shares
to such shareholder who holds 90% or more of the voting rights.
Shareholders holding
10% or more of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders, or 10% or more of the total number of our outstanding shares, have
the right to apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for our dissolution.
Shareholders who have
held 3% or more of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders, or 3% or more of the total number of our outstanding shares,
for six months or more have certain rights under the Companies Act, which include the right to:
Shareholders holding
3% or more of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders have the right to object to the exculpation of a director or a company
auditor from certain liabilities.
Shareholders holding
3% or more of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders, or 3% or more of the total number of our outstanding shares, have
certain rights under the Companies Act, which include the right to:
Shareholders who have
held 1% or more of the total number of voting rights of all shareholders for six months or more have the right to apply to a competent
court for the appointment of an inspector to review the correctness of the convocation and voting procedures of a shareholders’
meeting.
Shareholders who have
held any number of shares for six months or more have the right to demand that we take certain actions under the Companies Act, which
include the rights to demand:
There are no provisions
under the Companies Act or our Articles of Incorporation which forces shareholders to make additional contributions when requested by
us.
In accordance with the
Companies Act and the Articles of Incorporation, liquidations must be approved by shareholders holding at least a two-thirds majority
of Ordinary Shares present at a meeting where a quorum of one-third of the issued and outstanding Ordinary Shares with voting
rights is present. If we are liquidated, the assets remaining after payment of all taxes, liquidation expenses, and debts will be distributed
among shareholders in proportion to the number of shares they hold.
Under the Companies Act,
we may allot any class of shares to our existing shareholders without any additional contribution by resolution of the board of directors;
provided that although our treasury shares may be allotted to our shareholders, any allotment of shares will not accrue to shares of our
treasury shares.
Authorized but unissued
shares may be issued at the times and on the terms as the board of directors determines, so long as the limitations with respect to the
issuance of new shares at “specially favorable” prices (as described in “—Voting Rights”) are observed.
Our board of directors may, however, determine that shareholders shall be given rights to allotment regarding a particular issue of new
shares, in which case such rights must be given on uniform terms to all holders of the shares as of a record date for which not less than
2 weeks’ prior public notice must be given. Each shareholder to whom such rights are given must also be given notice of the expiration
date thereof at least 2 weeks prior to the date on which such rights expire. The rights to allotment of new shares may not be transferred.
However, the Companies Act enables us to allot share acquisition rights to shareholders without consideration therefor, and such share
acquisition rights are transferable. See “—Share Acquisition Rights” below.
In cases where a particular
issuance of new shares (i) violates laws and regulations or our Articles of Incorporation, or (ii) will be performed in a manner
materially unfair, and shareholders may suffer disadvantages therefrom, such shareholders may file an injunction with a court of law to
enjoin such issuance.
Subject to certain conditions
and to the limitations on issuances at a “specially favorable” price or on “specially favorable” conditions described
in “—Voting Rights,” we may issue share acquisition rights (shinkabu yoyakuken) and bonds with share acquisition
rights (shinkabu yoyakuken-tsuki shasai) by a resolution of the board of directors (and before the removal of restrictions on the
transfer of shares, a resolution of the general meeting of shareholders is required instead). Holders of share acquisition rights may
exercise their rights to acquire a certain number of shares within the exercise period as set forth in the terms of their share acquisition
rights. Upon exercise of share acquisition rights, we will be obligated either to issue the relevant number of new shares or, alternatively,
to transfer the necessary number of shares of treasury shares held by us.
The record date for annual
dividends and the determination of shareholders entitled to vote at the ordinary general meeting of our shareholders is April 30. In addition,
by a resolution of the board of directors, we may set a record date for determining the shareholders entitled to other rights and for
other purposes by giving at least 2 weeks’ prior public notice.
Any such acquisition
of shares must satisfy certain requirements, such as that we may only acquire our own shares in an aggregate amount up to the amount that
we may distribute as surplus. See “—Distribution of Surplus” above for more details regarding this amount.
Our own shares acquired
by us may be held by us as treasury shares for any period or may be cancelled by resolution of the board of directors. We may also transfer
the shares held by us to any person, subject to a special resolution of a general meeting of shareholders or a resolution of the board
of directors, as the case may be, and subject also to other requirements similar to those applicable to the issuance of new shares, as
described in “—Rights to Allotment of Shares” above. We may also utilize our treasury shares (x) for the purpose
of transfer to any person upon exercise of share acquisition rights or (y) for the purpose of acquiring another company by way of
merger, share exchange, or corporate split through exchange of treasury shares for shares or assets of the acquired company.
Under the Companies Act,
we are not required to send a notice to a shareholder if notices to such shareholder fail to arrive for a continuous period of five or
more years at the registered address of such shareholder in the register of our shareholders or at the address otherwise notified to us.
In addition, we may sell
or otherwise dispose of the shares held by a shareholder whose location is unknown. Generally, if
we may sell or otherwise
dispose of the shareholder’s shares at the market price after giving at least three months’ prior public and individual notices,
and hold or deposit the proceeds of such sale or disposal for the shareholder.
Our Articles of Incorporation
permit us to exempt, by resolution of our board of directors, company auditors (kansayaku) from liabilities arising in connection
with their failure to execute their duties in good faith (but without gross negligence), to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies
Act. In addition, our Articles of Incorporation permit us to exempt, by resolution of our board of directors, directors from liabilities
arising in connection with any failure to execute their duties in good faith or due to simple negligence (excluding gross negligence and
willful misconduct), to the fullest extent permitted by the Companies Act. Should our board of directors, exempt a company auditor or
director from any such liabilities, our rights and those of our shareholders to file shareholders’ derivative suits on behalf of
our Company to recover monetary damages from such director or company auditor for breach of their duties under the Companies Act will
be eliminated or reduced. However, exculpation does not apply to any director or company auditor if they have breached their duties under
the Companies Act intentionally (koi) or by gross negligence (ju-kashitsu). Furthermore, we have entered into agreements
for the limitation of liabilities with our independent directors and company auditors.
There are no restrictions
with respect to non-residents of Japan or foreign shareholders holding our Ordinary Shares or on the exercise of voting rights,
except for filing requirements with respect to an acquisition of shares by a Non-Resident of Japan under the Foreign Exchange
and Foreign Trade Act of Japan and related regulations. However, pursuant to a provision of our share handling regulations, a shareholder
who does not have an address or residence in Japan is required to file with our depositary its temporary address to receive notices in
Japan or that of a standing proxy having any address or residence in Japan.
There are no provisions
in our Articles of Incorporation that would have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control that would operate
only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving us.
There are no provisions
in our Articles of Incorporation or other subordinated rules regarding an ownership threshold, above which shareholder ownership must
be disclosed.
There are no provisions
in our Articles of Incorporation governing changes in our Company’s capital more stringent than is required by law.
With respect to Items 10.B.2 to 10.B.8, the Company
has identified in the responses above where provisions of the Companies Act applicable to the Company is significantly different from
the comparable Delaware law.
There are no provisions in our Articles of Incorporation
governing changes in our Company’s capital more stringent than is required by law.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The Bank of New York
Mellon, as depositary, registers and delivers our ADSs. Each ADS represents one Ordinary Share (or a right to receive one Ordinary Share)
deposited with MUFG Bank Ltd., as custodian for the depositary in Japan. Each ADS will also represent any other securities, cash, or other
property that may be held by the depositary. The deposited shares together with any other securities, cash, or other property held by
the depositary are referred to as the deposited securities. The depositary’s office at which the ADSs are administered and its principal
executive office are located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10286.
You may hold ADSs either
(A) directly (i) by having an ADR, which is a certificate evidencing a specific number of ADSs, registered in your name, or (ii) by
having uncertificated ADSs registered in your name, or (B) indirectly by holding a security entitlement in ADSs through your broker
or other financial institution that is a direct or indirect participant in The Depository Trust Company, also called DTC. If you hold
ADSs directly, you are a registered ADS holder, also referred to as an ADS holder. This description assumes you are an ADS holder. If
you hold the ADSs indirectly, you must rely on the procedures of your broker or other financial institution to assert the rights of ADS
holders described in this section. You should consult with your broker or financial institution to find out what those procedures are.
Registered holders of
uncertificated ADSs will receive statements from the depositary confirming their holdings.
As an ADS holder, we
do not treat you as one of our shareholders and you do not have shareholder rights. Japanese law governs shareholder rights. The depositary
is the holder of the Ordinary Shares underlying your ADSs. As a registered holder of ADSs, you have ADS holder rights. A deposit agreement
among us, the depositary, and ADS holders and all other persons indirectly or beneficially holding ADSs sets out ADS holder rights as
well as the rights and obligations of the depositary. New York law governs the deposit agreement and the ADSs.
The following is a summary
of the material provisions of the deposit agreement. For more complete information, you should read the entire deposit agreement and the
form of ADR, which are filed as exhibits to the annual report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023.
The depositary has agreed
to pay or distribute to ADS holders the cash dividends or other distributions it or the custodian receives on Ordinary Shares or other
deposited securities, upon payment or deduction of its fees and expenses. You will receive these distributions in proportion to the number
of Ordinary Shares your ADSs represent.
Before making
a distribution, any withholding taxes or other governmental charges that must be paid will be deducted. The depositary will distribute
only whole U.S. dollars and cents and will round fractional cents to the nearest whole cent. If the exchange rates fluctuate during
a time when the depositary cannot convert the foreign currency, you may lose some of the value of the distribution.
The depositary is not
responsible if it decides that it is unlawful or impractical to make a distribution available to any ADS holders. We have no obligation
to register ADSs, shares, rights, or other securities under the Securities Act. We also have no obligation to take any other action to
permit the distribution of ADSs, shares, rights, or anything else to ADS holders. This means that you may not receive the distributions
we make on our Ordinary Shares or any value for them if it is illegal or impractical for us to make them available to you.
The depositary will deliver
ADSs if you or your broker deposits Ordinary Shares or evidence of rights to receive Ordinary Shares with the custodian. Upon payment
of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will register
the appropriate number of ADSs in the names you request and will deliver the ADSs to or upon the order of the person or persons that made
the deposit.
You may surrender your
ADSs to the depositary for the purpose of withdrawal. Upon payment of its fees and expenses and of any taxes or charges, such as stamp
taxes or stock transfer taxes or fees, the depositary will deliver the Ordinary Shares and any other deposited securities underlying the
ADSs to the ADS holder or a person the ADS holder designates at the office of the custodian. Or, at your request, risk, and expense, the
depositary will deliver the deposited securities at its office, if feasible. The depositary, however, is not required to accept surrender
of ADSs to the extent it would require delivery of a fraction of a deposited Ordinary Share or other security. The depositary may charge
you a fee and its expenses for instructing the custodian regarding delivery of deposited securities.
Under recent amendments
in 2019 to FEFTA, a proposed transferee of our Ordinary Shares who is a Foreign Investor (as defined under FEFTA) must submit an application
for pre-clearance to the applicable Japanese governmental authority prior to the transfer of our Ordinary Shares, which approval
may take up to 30 days and could be subject to further extension. Prior to accepting Ordinary Shares for deposit in return for the issuance
of ADSs, the depositary, which is considered a Foreign Investor for purposes of FEFTA, must obtain pre-clearance from the Japanese
governmental authority. Accordingly, investors wishing to deposit Ordinary Shares with the depositary for the issuance of ADSs should
notify the depositary at least 30 days prior to such deposit to allow time for the depositary to apply for any required pre-clearance, if
not already obtained. The depositary will not accept any Ordinary Shares for deposit until any required pre-clearance has been
obtained. In addition, any Foreign Investor expecting to receive delivery of our Ordinary Shares upon surrender of ADSs must also obtain pre-clearance from
the applicable Japanese governmental authority prior to accepting delivery, which approval may take up to 30 days and could be subject
to further extension. Accordingly, ADS holders who are Foreign Investors wishing to surrender ADSs for the purpose of withdrawing the
underlying deposited Ordinary Shares should apply for pre-clearance at least 30 days in advance of such surrender. The depositary
will not accept surrender of ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal of Ordinary Shares until it receives assurances satisfactory to the depositary
that any required pre-clearance for the delivery of the Ordinary Shares to a Foreign Investor has been obtained.
You may surrender your
ADR to the depositary for the purpose of exchanging your ADR for uncertificated ADSs. The depositary will cancel that ADR and will send
to the ADS holder a statement confirming that the ADS holder is the registered holder of uncertificated ADSs. Upon receipt by the depositary
of a proper instruction from a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs requesting the exchange of uncertificated ADSs for certificated
ADSs, the depositary will execute and deliver to the ADS holder an ADR evidencing those ADSs.
ADS holders may instruct
the depositary how to vote the number of deposited Ordinary Shares their ADSs represent. If we request the depositary to solicit your
voting instructions (and we are not required to do so), the depositary will notify you of a shareholders’ meeting and send or make
voting materials available to you. Those materials will describe the matters to be voted on and explain how ADS holders may instruct the
depositary how to vote. For instructions to be valid, they must reach the depositary by a date set by the depositary. The depositary will
try, as far as practical, subject to the laws of Japan and the provisions of our Articles of Incorporation or similar documents, to vote
or to have its agents vote the shares or other deposited securities as instructed by ADS holders. If we do not request the depositary
to solicit your voting instructions, you can still send voting instructions, and, in that case, the depositary may try to vote as you
instruct, but it is not required to do so.
We cannot assure you
that you will receive the voting materials in time to ensure that you can instruct the depositary to vote the Ordinary Shares represented
by your ADSs. In addition, the depositary and its agents are not responsible for failing to carry out voting instructions or for the manner
of carrying out voting instructions. This means that you may not be able to exercise voting rights and there may be nothing you
can do if the Ordinary Shares represented by your ADSs are not voted as you requested.
In order to give you
a reasonable opportunity to instruct the depositary as to the exercise of voting rights relating to deposited securities, if we request
the depositary to act, we agree to give the depositary notice of any such meeting and details concerning the matters to be voted upon
at least 45 days in advance of the meeting date.
The depositary collects
its fees for delivery and surrender of ADSs directly from investors depositing shares or surrendering ADSs for the purpose of withdrawal
or from intermediaries acting for them. The depositary collects fees for making distributions to investors by deducting those fees from
the amounts distributed or by selling a portion of distributable property to pay the fees. The depositary may collect its annual fee for
depositary services by deduction from cash distributions or by directly billing investors or by charging the book-entry system accounts
of participants acting for them. The depositary may collect any of its fees by deduction from any cash distribution payable (or by selling
a portion of securities or other property distributable) to ADS holders that are obligated to pay those fees. The depositary may generally
refuse to provide fee-attracting services until its fees for those services are paid.
From time to time, the
depositary may make payments to us to reimburse us for costs and expenses generally arising out of establishment and maintenance of the
ADS program, waive fees and expenses for services provided to us by the depositary, or share revenue from the fees collected from ADS
holders. In performing its duties under the deposit agreement, the depositary may use brokers, dealers, foreign currency dealers, or other
service providers that are owned by or affiliated with the depositary and that may earn or share fees, spreads, or commissions.
The depositary may convert
currency itself or through any of its affiliates, or the custodian or we may convert currency and pay U.S. dollars to the depositary.
Where the depositary converts currency itself or through any of its affiliates, the depositary acts as principal for its own account and
not as agent, advisor, broker, or fiduciary on behalf of any other person and earns revenue, including, without limitation, transaction
spreads, that it will retain for its own account. The revenue is based on, among other things, the difference between the exchange rate
assigned to the currency conversion made under the deposit agreement and the rate that the depositary or its affiliate receives when buying
or selling foreign currency for its own account. The depositary makes no representation that the exchange rate used or obtained by it
or its affiliate in any currency conversion under the deposit agreement will be the most favorable rate that could be obtained at the
time or that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most favorable to ADS holders, subject to the depositary’s
obligation to act without negligence or bad faith. The methodology used to determine exchange rates used in currency conversions made
by the depositary is available upon request. Where the custodian converts currency, the custodian has no obligation to obtain the most
favorable rate that could be obtained at the time or to ensure that the method by which that rate will be determined will be the most
favorable to ADS holders, and the depositary makes no representation that the rate is the most favorable rate and will not be liable for
any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate. In certain instances, the depositary may receive dividends or other distributions
from us in U.S. dollars that represent the proceeds of a conversion of foreign currency or translation from foreign currency at a rate
that was obtained or determined by us and, in such cases, the depositary will not engage in, or be responsible for, any foreign currency
transactions and neither it nor we make any representation that the rate obtained or determined by us is the most favorable rate and neither
it nor we will be liable for any direct or indirect losses associated with the rate.
You are responsible for
any taxes or other governmental charges payable on your ADSs or on the deposited securities represented by any of your ADSs. The depositary
may refuse to register any transfer of your ADSs or allow you to withdraw the deposited securities represented by your ADSs until those
taxes or other charges are paid. It may apply payments owed to you or sell deposited securities represented by your ADSs to pay any taxes
owed and you will remain liable for any deficiency. If the depositary sells deposited securities, it will, if appropriate, reduce the
number of ADSs to reflect the sale and pay to ADS holders any proceeds, or send to ADS holders any property, remaining after it has paid
the taxes.
The depositary will not
tender deposited securities in any voluntary tender or exchange offer unless instructed to do so by an ADS holder surrendering ADSs and
subject to any conditions or procedures the depositary may establish.
If deposited securities
are redeemed for cash in a transaction that is mandatory for the depositary as a holder of deposited securities, the depositary will call
for surrender of a corresponding number of ADSs and distribute the net redemption money to the holders of called ADSs upon surrender of
those ADSs.
If there is any change
in the deposited securities such as a sub-division, combination, or other reclassification, or any merger, consolidation, recapitalization,
or reorganization affecting the issuer of deposited securities in which the depositary receives new securities in exchange for or in lieu
of the old deposited securities, the depositary will hold those replacement securities as deposited securities under the deposit agreement.
If the depositary, however, decides it would not be lawful and practical to hold the replacement securities because those securities could
not be distributed to ADS holders or for any other reason, the depositary may instead sell the replacement securities and distribute the
net proceeds upon surrender of the ADSs.
If there is a replacement
of the deposited securities and the depositary will continue to hold the replacement securities, the depositary may distribute new ADSs
representing the new deposited securities or ask you to surrender your outstanding ADSs in exchange for new ADSs identifying the new deposited
securities.
If there are no deposited
securities underlying ADSs, including if the deposited securities are cancelled, or if the deposited securities underlying ADSs have become
apparently worthless, the depositary may call for surrender of those ADSs or cancel those ADSs upon notice to the ADS holders.
We may agree with the
depositary to amend the deposit agreement and the ADRs without your consent for any reason. If an amendment adds or increases fees or
charges, except for taxes and other governmental charges or expenses of the depositary for registration fees, facsimile costs, delivery
charges, or similar items, or prejudices a substantial right of ADS holders, it will not become effective for outstanding ADSs until 30 days
after the depositary notifies ADS holders of the amendment. At the time an amendment becomes effective, you are considered, by continuing
to hold your ADSs, to agree to the amendment and to be bound by the ADRs and the deposit agreement as amended.
The depositary will initiate
termination of the deposit agreement if we instruct it to do so. The depositary may initiate termination of the deposit agreement if
If the deposit agreement
will terminate, the depositary will notify ADS holders at least 90 days before the termination date. At any time after the termination
date, the depositary may sell the deposited securities. After that, the depositary will hold the money it received on the sale, as well
as any other cash it is holding under the deposit agreement, unsegregated and without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit
of the ADS holders that have not surrendered their ADSs. Normally, the depositary will sell as soon as practicable after the termination
date.
After the termination
date and before the depositary sells, ADS holders can still surrender their ADSs and receive delivery of deposited securities, except
that the depositary may refuse to accept a surrender for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities or reverse previously accepted
surrenders of that kind that have not settled if it would interfere with the selling process. The depositary may refuse to accept a surrender
for the purpose of withdrawing sale proceeds until all the deposited securities have been sold. The depositary will continue to collect
distributions on deposited securities, but, after the termination date, the depositary is not required to register any transfer of ADSs
or distribute any dividends or other distributions on deposited securities to the ADSs holder (until they surrender their ADSs) or give
any notices or perform any other duties under the deposit agreement except as described in this paragraph.
The deposit agreement
expressly limits our obligations and the obligations of the depositary. It also limits our liability and the liability of the depositary.
We and the depositary:
In the deposit agreement,
we and the depositary agree to indemnify each other under certain circumstances.
Before the depositary
will deliver or register a transfer of ADSs, make a distribution on ADSs, or permit withdrawal of shares, the depositary may require:
The depositary may refuse
to deliver ADSs or register transfers of ADSs when the transfer books of the depositary or our transfer books are closed or at any time
if the depositary or we think it advisable to do so.
ADS holders have the
right to cancel their ADSs and withdraw the underlying shares at any time except:
This right of withdrawal
may not be limited by any other provision of the deposit agreement.
In the deposit agreement,
all parties to the deposit agreement acknowledge that the Direct Registration System, also referred to as DRS, and Profile Modification
System, also referred to as Profile, will apply to the ADSs. DRS is a system administered by DTC that facilitates interchange between
registered holding of uncertificated ADSs and holding of security entitlements in ADSs through DTC and a DTC participant. Profile is a
feature of DRS that allows a DTC participant, claiming to act on behalf of a registered holder of uncertificated ADSs, to direct the depositary
to register a transfer of those ADSs to DTC or its nominee and to deliver those ADSs to the DTC account of that DTC participant without
receipt by the depositary of prior authorization from the ADS holder to register that transfer.
In connection with and
in accordance with the arrangements and procedures relating to DRS/Profile, the parties to the deposit agreement understand that the depositary
will not determine whether the DTC participant that is claiming to be acting on behalf of an ADS holder in requesting registration of
transfer and delivery as described in the paragraph above has the actual authority to act on behalf of the ADS holder (notwithstanding
any requirements under the Uniform Commercial Code). In the deposit agreement, the parties agree that the depositary’s reliance
on and compliance with instructions received by the depositary through the DRS/Profile system and in accordance with the deposit agreement
will not constitute negligence or bad faith on the part of the depositary.
The depositary will make
available for your inspection at its office all communications that it receives from us as a holder of deposited securities that we make
generally available to holders of deposited securities. The depositary will send you copies of those communications or otherwise make
those communications available to you if we ask it to. You have a right to inspect the register of holders of ADSs, but not for the purpose
of contacting those holders about a matter unrelated to our business or the ADSs.
The deposit agreement
provides that, to the extent permitted by law, ADS holders waive the right to a jury trial of any claim they may have against us or the
depositary arising out of or relating to our Ordinary Shares, the ADSs, or the deposit agreement, including any claim under the U.S. federal
securities laws. If we or the depositary opposed a jury trial demand based on the waiver, the court would determine whether the waiver
was enforceable in the facts and circumstances of that case in accordance with applicable case law.
You will not, by agreeing
to the terms of the deposit agreement, be deemed to have waived our or the depositary’s compliance with U.S. federal securities
laws or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Earlyworks Co., Ltd. (the “Debtor”) has
entered into the following terms of loan agreement with The Shoko Chukin Bank, Ltd. (“the Bank”) upon accepting each of the
terms and conditions of the written agreement separately submitted.
The Debtor borrowed money from the Bank under the
following terms and conditions.
In the event of default of obligations under
this agreement, damages at the rate of 14.5% per annum on the amount owed shall be paid.
The place of debt payment under this agreement shall
be the Ueno Branch of the Bank.
The Debtor shall bear all costs of preparing the
deed under this agreement and any other costs required for this agreement.
The status of the Debtor’s assets and
income and expenditure, whether or not the Debtor owes any debts other than the principal debt, the amount of such debts and the status
of performance, and if the Debtor has provided or intends to provide anything else as security for the principal debt, a statement to
that effect and the details thereof.
The status of the Debtor’s assets and
income and expenditure, whether or not the Debtor owes any debts other than the principal debt, the amount of such debts and the status
of performance, and if the Debtor has provided or intends to provide anything else as security for the principal debt, a statement to
that effect and the details thereof.
The borrower and guarantor, which is a legal entity,
warrant that they have completed all procedures required by law and the Articles of Incorporation, including resolutions of the Board
of Directors, if any, with respect to this agreement.
The obligor and guarantor shall, at the request of
the Bank, immediately take the necessary steps to prepare a notarial deed with acknowledgment of the obligation under this agreement and
acceptance of compulsory execution. The costs incurred for this purpose shall be borne by the obligor.
Earlyworks Co., Ltd.
Tokyu Livable Inc. (hereinafter referred to as
the “First Party”) and Earlyworks, Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “Second Party”) enter into an agreement
regarding the solution services provided to the First Party as follows (the “Agreement”).
1. “Solution Services” Overview: Modification
and development of CS questionnaire web system (addition of automatic distribution function for second arrow(move) in customer strategy
PJ).
2. Breakdown of “Solution Services”:
As shown in the attached “Solution Services Breakdown Sheet”.
3. Service fees, etc.
Consumption tax
and local consumption tax shall be based on the tax rates applicable under the Consumption Tax Law and Local Tax Law in effect at the
time of billing by the Second Party, and shall be calculated on a per-bill basis.
As evidence of the conclusion of this Agreement,
two (2) copies of this document have been prepared, one copy each with the name and seal of the First Party and the other copy is in the
possession of the Second Party.
Note 1: Consumption
tax and local consumption tax are not included in the service fee.
Note 2: Prerequisites
and other special notes are subject to the attached service specifications.
Tokyu Livable Inc. (hereinafter referred
to as the “First Party”) and Earlyworks Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the “Second Party”) have entered into
a “Solution Service Contract Agreement” (hereinafter referred to as the “Agreement”) dated February 3, 2021, between
the First Party and the Second Party, pursuant to which the Second Party will provide the software developed by the Second Party (hereinafter
referred to as the “Software”). The following agreement is entered into with respect to the maintenance of the Software.
The First Party shall entrust the maintenance
work of the Software (hereinafter referred to as “the Work”) to the Second Party, and the Second Party shall be entrusted with
the Work in accordance with this Agreement.
The Second Party may sub-consign all
or part of the entrusted services to a third party only with the prior written consent of the First Party.
The First Party and the Second Party
may assign all or part of the obligations hereunder to a third party only with the prior written consent of the other party.
1. The Work entrusted to the Second
Party shall be as follows
(1) Periodic maintenance and inspection,
such as upgrading of libraries used in the Software and investigation of unauthorized access by checking logs.
(2) Restoration of the software to
the state stipulated in the specifications of this contract in the event of a failure of the software.
(3) Advice to the First Party
regarding various problems in the operation of this software.
The date, time,
and deadline for the performance of this Work shall be designated by the Second Party upon consultation between the First Party and the
Second Party in accordance with the purpose of this Work.
The responsibility
of the Second Party shall be limited to performing the Work set forth in this Agreement to the best of its ability.
The fee for the Services shall be 100,000
yen per month (excluding tax). The First Party shall pay the monthly fee for this service for the current month by the last day of each
month after the date of conclusion of the contract, by way of remittance to the account of the financial institution designated by the
Second Party. The transfer fee shall be borne by the First Party. Consumption tax and local consumption tax shall be calculated for each
payment based on the tax rates applicable under the Consumption Tax Law and Local Tax Law in effect at the time of the First Party’s payment.
This Agreement shall remain in effect
from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022. However, unless either party gives written notice of termination six months prior to the expiration
of the term, the term shall be automatically extended for one year, and shall be extended in the same manner thereafter.
1. The First Party and the Second Party
shall not divulge or disclose to any third party any confidential information relating to the technical, production, financial, sales,
marketing, or other business operations of the other party that has come to their knowledge in connection with this Agreement.
2. When disclosing confidential information
to the other party, the First Party and the Second Party shall indicate that the information is confidential.
3. The provisions of this Article shall
remain in effect not only during the term of this Agreement but also after the termination of this Agreement.
In the event that the First Party and
Second Party cause actual damages to the other party due to the default of the obligations under this Agreement by willful act or gross
negligence, the First Party and Second Party shall be liable to the other party for damages up to an amount equivalent to twelve times
the monthly fee for the Services, regardless of whether this Agreement has been terminated or not.
However, the First
Party or Second Party shall not be liable for damages caused by reasons not attributable to the First Party or Second Party, damages caused
by special circumstances whether foreseen by the First Party or Second Party, and lost profits.
If it becomes
difficult to perform the maintenance work due to the expiration of support for the library or cloud service used for the Software, etc.,
the Second Party may notify the First Party to that effect and terminate this Agreement. In this case, the Second Party shall not be liable
for any compensation for any damages.
Either the First
Party or Second Party may terminate this Agreement immediately without notice or demand to the other party if any of the following items
applies to the other party
(v) In the event
that a petition is filed for bankruptcy, commencement of peace proceedings, commencement of corporate reorganization proceedings, commencement
of corporate liquidation, or commencement of special liquidation
(vi) If the default
of the other party with respect to this Agreement is not corrected even after a reasonable period of notice is given to the other party.
The Tokyo District Court
shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any litigation relating to this Agreement.
(1) Any matter
not stipulated in this Agreement shall be settled amicably through consultation between the First Party and the Second Party in accordance
with the principle of good faith and faith.
(2) If any
question arises concerning the provisions of this Agreement, the First Party and the Second Party shall consult and amicably settle such
question in accordance with the principle of fidelity and sincerity.
As evidence of the execution of this Agreement,
two (2) copies of this document shall be prepared, one copy shall be signed and sealed by the First Party and the other copy shall be
retained by the Second Party.
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form
20-F of Earlyworks Co., Ltd. (the “Company”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements,
and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations,
and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Company’s other certifying officer
and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company
and have:
5. The Company’s other certifying officer
and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors
and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form
20-F of Earlyworks Co., Ltd. (the “Company”);
2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements,
and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations,
and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4. The Company’s other certifying officer
and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)
and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company
and have:
5. The Company’s other certifying officer
and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors
and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):
In connection with the Annual Report of Earlyworks
Co., Ltd. (the “Company”) on Form 20-F for the year ended April 30, 2023, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Satoshi Kobayashi, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge: