ASKUL Corporation
2678・Prime Market・Retail Trade
Governance
Company with a Board of Corporate Auditors (planned transition to a Company with an Audit and Supervisory Committee, subject to approval at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders on August 5, 2025). Of the 10 directors, 5 are independent outside directors (outside director ratio of 50%). The company has established a Nomination Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Special Committee, an Independent Outside Officers' Meeting, and other bodies, providing multi-layered support for its governance functions.
Risk Management
The company has established a risk management framework with the CEO as the overall officer in charge and the director in charge of risk as the executive officer responsible for implementation. Risk Management Officers in each division identify risks at least once a year, and a PDCA cycle is operated whereby risks are escalated and reported through the Risk & Compliance Committee, then the Sustainability Committee, and finally to the Board of Directors. Management systems compliant with ISO 14001, ISO 27001, and ISO 10002 have also been established. Climate change risk is analyzed under two scenarios based on TCFD recommendations—4°C and below 1.5°C—and the company has already obtained SBT Net-Zero certification.
Shareholder Returns
Following a deterioration in earnings due to a ransomware attack, the annual dividend for FY2026 (ending May 2026) was significantly reduced to ¥10 per share (interim ¥0, year-end ¥10). Share buybacks of ¥6,445 million were carried out. An annual dividend of ¥20 is forecast for FY2027 (ending May 2027).
Dividend Policy
For FY2026 (ending May 2026), reflecting the deterioration in earnings caused by system disruptions from the ransomware attack, the annual dividend was set at ¥10 per share (interim ¥0, year-end ¥10), a significant reduction from the previous period (¥38). Total dividends paid amounted to ¥895 million, and the payout ratio is not calculable due to a net loss for the period. The dividend-to-net-assets ratio was 1.5%. For FY2027 (ending May 2027), an annual dividend of ¥20 (interim ¥10, year-end ¥10) is forecast, with an expected payout ratio of 44.8%. In addition, during the period the company carried out share buybacks (¥6,445 million spent) and cancellation of treasury shares (¥7,795 million).
ESG
Under the '2030 CO₂ Zero Challenge,' the company has joined RE100 and EV100, endorsed TCFD, and obtained SBT net-zero certification (targeting a 90% reduction across the entire supply chain by 2050). In human capital, it is promoting a 30% ratio of female managers (target for FY2029 (ending May 2029); current level 20.3%), DX talent development, and enhanced employee engagement. The company has identified 13 materiality items and set KPIs for decarbonization, biodiversity, sustainable procurement, diversity, and other areas to manage progress.
Last updated: July 30, 2025