Mazda 2009 Annual Report Download - page 57

Review of OperationsMessages from Management Mazda’s Environmental and
Safety Technology
Corporate Information Financial Section
on certain property, plant and equipment as well as accounting for estimated residual value of certain property, plant
and equipment in accordance with the applicable revisions to the Corporate Tax Code of Japan. Refer to Note 3 for
more details.
Intangible assets (except for leased properties)
Intangible assets are amortized principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
For the Domestic Companies, useful lives are estimated by a method equivalent to the provisions of the Corporate
Tax Code of Japan. Software for internal use is amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of internal use, i.e.,
5 years.
Leased properties
Finance leases are capitalized in the balance sheet. Depreciation or amortization expense is recognized on a straight-
line basis over the lease period. For leases with a guaranteed minimum residual value, the contracted residual value
is considered to be the residual value for financial accounting purposes. For other leases, the residual value is zero.
For information on the new accounting standard on leases adopted by the Domestic Companies in the year ended
March 31, 2008, refer to Note 3.
Allowance for doubtful receivables
Allowance for doubtful receivables provides for the losses from bad debt. The amount estimated to be uncollectible is
recognized. For receivables of ordinary risk, the amount is estimated based on the past default ratio. For receivables
of high risk and receivables from debtors under bankruptcy proceedings, the amount is estimated based on the
financial standing of the debtor.
Investment valuation allowance
Investment valuation allowance provides for losses from investments. The amount is estimated in light of the financial
standings of the investee companies.
Reserve for warranty expenses
In order to match the recognition of after-sales expenses to product (vehicle) sales revenues, an amount estimated
based on product warranty provisions and actual costs incurred in the past, taking future prospects into consideration,
is recognized.
Employees’ severance and retirement benefits
The Domestic Companies provide various types of post-employment benefit plans, including lump-sum plans, defined
benefit pension plans, and defined contribution pension plans, under which all eligible employees are entitled to
benefits based on the level of wages and salaries at the time of retirement or termination, length of service, and
certain other factors. Also, consolidated foreign subsidiaries provide defined benefit and/or contribution plans.
The liabilities and expenses for severance and retirement benefits are determined based on the amounts
actuarially calculated using certain assumptions.
Employees’ severance and retirement benefits are provided based on the estimated amounts of projected benefit
obligation and the fair value of the plan assets. Prior service costs are recognized in expenses in equal amounts
mainly over 12 years, which is within the average of the estimated remaining service periods of employees, and
actuarial gains and losses are recognized in expenses using the straight-line basis mainly over 13 years, which is
within the average of the estimated remaining service periods, commencing with the following period.
Directors’ and corporate auditors’ retirement benefits
Prior to the year ended March 31, 2008, the Company accrued liabilities for directors’ and corporate auditors’
retirement benefits in an amount calculated based on the internal corporate policy. Commencing in the year ended
March 31, 2008, the Company reached a decision to terminate retirement benefits to directors and corporate auditors.
Refer to Note 3 for more details.
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