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Monday 21 September, 2009

Japan Leisure Hotels

Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 3511Z
Japan Leisure Hotels Ltd
21 September 2009
 



21 SEPTEMBER 2009


JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED

('Japan Leisure Hotels', 'JPLH' or 'the Company')


Interim Report for the six months ended 30 June 2009


Japan Leisure Hotels (AIM: JPLH) announces its interim report for the six months ended 30 June 2009. JPLH's current portfolio comprises 6 hotels with 242 rooms. Japan's geography, culture and demographics place a premium on privacy, which results in adult couples of all ages continuing to visit leisure hotels, even in these challenging economic times.


SUMMARY


  • Continued high levels of occupancy* in excess of 240%
  • EBITDA margin before asset management fees for H1 2009 increased to 39.7% from 33.2% in H1 2008 *
  • The Company continues to generate profits before taxation
  • Net cash generated from operations in H1 2009 of JP¥118.6 million (£0.86 million)
  • Company remains in a strong financial position with a cash balance of approximately JP¥327 million (£2.1 million) as of 30 June 2009 
  • Adjusted NAV of 76p (JP¥120) per share as at 30 June 2009 
  • Many acquisition opportunities available on attractive terms 


*    Excludes non Bonita branded hotel in Yokkaichi, acquired in August 2008


Alan Clifton, JPLH's Chairman, commented:


'The first six months of 2009 saw our portfolio continue to perform well despite a challenging economic environment. This outcome supports the Board's continued belief that the leisure hotel industry in Japan is well protected from recessionary forces. Increased media attention on the Japanese leisure hotel industry and our position within it has undoubtedly raised the Company's profile and has led to increased levels of interest from a variety of sources. We continue to explore a range of options to secure appropriate funding to buy further hotels and remain confident of executing our long term growth strategy.'


Stephen Mansfield, Asset Manager, commented:


'These results underscore the value that can be released through strong management of leisure hotels in Japan. By building a recognised brand and delivering a consistently strong performance, we are demonstrating to investors that, if we had increased financial resources, we could amass and successfully operate a business many time the size of the existing Bonita portfolio.'  


A full copy of the 2009 Half Year Report is available in PDF format on the Company's website, www.japanleisurehotels.com


Enquiries:


Asset Manager

+81 3 4550 1808 

Steve Mansfield




Shore Capital (NOMAD to JPLH)

020 7408 4090

Dru Danford


Stephane Auton




Pelham Public Relations

020 7337 1509 or 07802 442486

Archie Berens


  JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED


HALF YEAR REPORT FOR 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2009


CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT



Introduction


The first six months of 2009 saw Japan Leisure Hotels ('JPLH') portfolio continue to perform well despite a challenging economic environment. This performance supports the Board's continued belief that the leisure hotel industry in Japan is well protected from recessionary forces. The country's geography, culture and demographics place a premium on privacy, which results in adult couples of all ages continuing to visit leisure hotels, no matter what the economic climate. As recent media coverage has demonstrated, the leisure hotel industry in Japan, which generates sales of more than £30 billion per year, is an accepted and mainstream part of Japanese life.


Financial Performance


JPLH's portfolio of hotels continued to enjoy high levels of occupancy with the Bonita branded hotels1 maintaining strong occupancy rates of more than 240%. Continued efficiency measures implemented by New Perspective combined with lower energy and food costs has improved the EBITDA margin2 before asset management fees for the Bonita portfolio in the first 6 months ended 30 June 2009 to 39.5% compared to 33.2% in the corresponding period in 2008. 


Total sales for the 6 months ended 30 June 2009 was JP¥ 590.7 million (£4.1 million)3, compared with JP¥563.6 million in the corresponding period in 2008. Excluding the hotel at Yokkaichi, which was not included in the figures for the first half of 2008 having only been acquired in August 2008, total sales for the Bonita portfolio were JP¥ 543.6 million. Thus, on a like for like basis, sales at the Bonita hotels fell by 3.8% - a creditable performance, given that overall Japanese economic activity shrank by an average of 7.6%4 during the period.


Cash arising from operations in the 6 months ended 30 June 2009 was JP¥ 118.6 million (£0.86 million), resulting in a cash position of JP¥ 327.0 million (£2.1 million)5 as at 30 June 2009, with no material debt. This shows that the portfolio continues to generate strong cash flows and supports the Board's continued confidence that JPLH will be in a position to pay a dividend in respect of the year ending 31 December 2009.  


The Company's Adjusted Net Asset Value ('NAV') as at 30 June 2009 was 76p per share, compared with 91p as at 31 December 20085. The difference is entirely due to the movement of the exchange rate during the period - in Japanese yen the Adjusted NAV increased slightly from JP¥118.65 at 31 December 2008 to JP¥120.10.  


1

The Bonita portfolio refers to the five hotels that are operating under the Bonita brand located at Sendai, Yamagata, Isawa, Komaki and Matsusaka.

2

EBITDA comprises earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation and excludes the operating expenses of the Guernsey companies. EBITDA margin is EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenue.

3

Average exchange rate of 142.68 yen per pound Sterling during the six months ended 30 June 2009.

4

Source: Trading Economics.

5

Exchange rate of 158 yen per pound Sterling at 30 June 2009, compared with 131 yen per pound Sterling at 31 December 2008.



There is a large tax charge of JP¥30 million which has adversely affected the results as shown on the income statement. This has arisen as a consequence of a difference between income calculated for Japanese tax purposes and that reported under IFRS and the payment of Japanese withholding tax on distributions of profit paid to the Company from the SPEs in respect of both last year and the current financial period. Note 5 provides further details.    


We view EBITDA as the best gauge to measure the performance of the portfolio. Despite challenging trading conditions, EBITDA has increased and the portfolio generated more cash in comparison to the corresponding period of 2008. This amply illustrates the robustness of the leisure hotel industry compared to other business sectors and the strength of the management team on the ground. 


In contrast, there remain many leisure hotels whose owners are either experiencing financial difficulties or in these testing times regard their hotels as non-core, presenting an opportunity for JPLH to invest in them on very attractive terms. Our challenge is to find a way of exploiting this unique investment opportunity. Increased media attention on the Japanese leisure hotel industry and JPLH's position within it has undoubtedly raised the Company's profile and has led to increased levels of interest from a variety of sources. We continue to explore a range of options to secure appropriate funding to buy further hotels and remain confident of executing our long term growth strategy.  


Alan Clifton

Chairman

Japan Leisure Hotels

18 September 2009 

  JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED


HALF YEAR REPORT FOR 6 MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2009


ASSET MANAGER'S REPORT 



The Japanese Economy

 

Japanese GDP declined by 14.2%1 in the first quarter of 2009, its worst performance on record. However, analysts predict that Japan is likely to be one of the first major economies to return to positive growth and this is supported by the most recent economic statistics from Japan that show a 0.6%1 increase in GDP in the second quarter of 2009. Exports and industrial production have showed positive growth and factory output has rebounded to 8.3% in the second quarter of 2009, compared to a fall of 22.1%1 in the first quarter. Exports also rose by 6.3%1 between April and June, the first quarterly increase since January 2008. 


This recovery is largely due to the government stimulus package which has helped many factories and small businesses through the financial crisis. The stimulus package, which is focussed on subsidies and tax breaks, has supported industry and encouraged consumer spending, helping the recovery of world's second-largest economy.


It is too soon to say with any confidence whether these tentative signs of revival will take hold and turn into a sustainable recovery. On several occasions during the 1990s Japan's economy showed signs of recovery which transpired to be false dawns; therefore we are cautious about predicting a swift return to sustained economic growth. However, as noted in the Chairman's Statement, the leisure hotel industry is proving especially resilient in times of economic downturn; Japanese consumers remain relatively affluent and less burdened with debt than their Western counterparts. Historical figures show that there has always been a steady demand for leisure hotels in Japan which gives us confidence that our business model need not be dependent on broader economic growth for its success.


1 Source: Trading Economics


Financial Results

Presented below are unaudited statements of EBITDA for the 6 months ended 30 June 2009. 


Bonita Branded Hotels


Yokkaichi


Total


6 months to 30 June


6 months to 30 June


6 months to 30 June

 


2009


2008



2009


2008



2009


2008


JP¥'000

JP¥'000


JP¥'000

JP¥'000


JP¥'000

JP¥'000










Revenue

540,615

563,641


50,047

-


590,662

563,641










Variable operating expenses

(272,842)

(300,484)


(32,281)

-


(305,122)

(300,485)

Fixed operating expenses

(101,707)

(109,298)


(17,071)

-


(118,778)

(109,298)










EBITDA

166,066

153,859


695

-


166,761

153,858

 

The difference between the total EBITDA above and the operating profit before exceptional item per the Consolidated Income Statement is depreciation and amortisation of JP¥114.9 million, operating expenses of the Guernsey companies of JP¥35.7 million and other expenses of JP¥0.2 million.

The cash flow from operations of the hotels in the six months ended 30 June 2009 was JP¥178 million which is greater than EBITDA due to a reduction in working capital. 

The following key performance indicators further illustrate the performance of the Bonita portfolio.



2005

2006

2007

2008

H1 2009

REVPAR2

JP¥10,506

JP¥15,350

JP¥16,572

JP¥ 16,206

JP¥ 15,401

Occupancy rate

160%

239%

254%

257%

243%

EBITDA Margin3

(41.7)%

25.8%

32.0%

34.5%

39.7%







2     REVPAR: Daily Revenue per available room

3      Before asset management fees



Review of Operations


As the Company's Chairman makes clear, we believe that the leisure hotel industry is relatively well protected from recessionary forces. We must, however, recognise that our guests are individuals whose finances, like those of consumers all around the world, are under greater stress than ever before. This has meant that sales and visitor numbers have not been as high as they might have been in more benign economic conditions. 


The caution of consumers has manifested itself in many different ways but to give an example, we have seen a discernable move by guests to choose lower priced rooms rather than our high end rooms. At our hotels in the Chubu region, there has also been a noticeable impact from the downturn in exports, in particular the closure of factories in the area by Toyota, the area's largest employer. However, with Toyota resuming full operations at most of its factories in the second quarter, we have started to see an improvement in visitor numbers at these hotels.  


We have reacted to these changes in guest behaviour by being very price conscious and seeking to deliver the best value for money, principally by focussing on delivering high quality services. Our objective is to ensure that the Bonita brand is associated with both quality and value. We have launched a number of promotional offers and have also worked hard to use web-based marketing initiatives to attract and retain guests.


Concurrently we have continued to work on maximising our margins; measures have included more efficient procurement of food, beverages and other consumables; a centralised inventory management system; more laundry being done in-house; and a tighter system of working shifts, thereby reducing staff costs. We also benefited from reduced utility costs as a result of the lower oil price.


All of this has meant that we were able to increase EBITDA from JPY154 million to JPY167million. EBITDA margins before asset manager fees for all six properties were 37.2%, compared to 33.2% for the 6 months ended 30 June 2008.



Planning for the Yokkaichi renovation is moving forward on plan. Bids have been solicited for the renovation work and we are now in the process of selecting the favoured firm and scheduling the work. As we have noted previously, the planning and execution of this renovation is taking considerably longer than we would expect normally, due to our desire to review all processes, costs and expenses for all aspects of the operation and, where efficiencies can be achieved, to incorporate these into the design. This continues to take quite a considerable amount of time but will stand us in good stead for the future.


The Opportunity


As we noted in the 2008 Annual Report, the leisure hotel industry is highly fragmented and many hotel owners are experiencing severe financial distress that has been exacerbated by the economic downturn; in particular, owners are unable to refinance long term debt as it comes due. These are the two primary drivers of the opportunity for JPLH to grow its portfolio of hotels and become a dominant player in a stable and established industry which produces around £30 billion of revenue each year. Since JPLH's listing in early 2008, New Perspective has consistently demonstrated its ability to manage successfully and profitably a portfolio of hotels under a single brand, generating healthy levels of cash. The performance of the Bonita portfolio has amply demonstrated our ability to source, renovate and manage these assets in Japan.


Significant growth will not be achieved organically, based on broader economic recovery, but instead will rely on our ability to grow the portfolio of hotels. We have explained previously the importance of operating under a respectable, well regarded brand and we believe our performance to date has met this objective; this has been aided by recent media coverage that has heightened the overall awareness of our brand and further reinforced our position as a quality operator in this industry. By building a recognised brand and delivering consistently strong performance, we are demonstrating to investors that, if we had increased financial resources, we could amass and successfully operate a business many times the size of the existing Bonita portfolio. By accumulating a large number of hotels which are available at low prices in the current environment, the profits available for distribution will increase materially, by implementing strong management systems across the portfolio and by leveraging the economies of scale that will accrue to a larger operation. 


This is the opportunity which we continue to discuss with potential investors. There is no lack of choice for someone who wishes to acquire a number of hotels on very attractive terms but we believe we are extremely well placed to identify the very best hotels to acquire and operate them to their full potential. The general economic outlook remains uncertain and this is likely to remain so. That said the current large number of hotels for sale in the market will not continue indefinitely. We remain firmly committed to securing the necessary funding as soon as possible to seize this opportunity.


Outlook


We have shown that a portfolio of well managed assets can generate creditable returns even during times of deep recession. Recent economic signs have been more encouraging, which can only improve the prospects for the existing portfolio. We believe that our performance in these conditions should provide plenty of comfort for anyone considering an investment to allow us to take advantage of the consolidation opportunity outlined above. We continue to explore a range of financing options and look forward to reporting progress.


Stephen Mansfield                                         Robert Marshall

Director                                                         Director

New Perspective Y.K.                                  New Perspective Y.K.

18 September 2009                                       18 September 2009

 

 

  Independent Review Report

to the Members of Japan Leisure Hotels Limited


Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 which comprises the Consolidated Income Statement, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Changes In Equity, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and related Condensed Notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.


Directors' responsibilities

The interim financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the Directors. As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this interim financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, 'Interim Financial Reporting', as adopted by the European Union.


Our Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report based on our review.

Our report has been prepared in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the rules of the London Stock Exchange for companies trading on the AIM and for no other purpose. No person is entitled to rely on this report unless such a person is a person entitled to rely upon this report by virtue of and for the purpose of our terms of engagement or has been expressly authorised to do so by our prior written consent. Save as above, we do not accept responsibility for this report to any other person or for any other purpose and we hereby expressly disclaim any and all such liability.


Scope of Review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410, 'Review of Interim Financial Information performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity' issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.


Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the interim financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2009 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with the basis of preparation as set out in note 1 and in accordance with the AIM rules issued by the London Stock Exchange. 



BDO Novus Limited

Chartered Accountants

Place du Pré, Rue du Pré, St Peter Port, Guernsey

18 September 2009

 

 

JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED


Consolidated Income Statement (Unaudited)

For the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009




01.01.2009 to 30.06.2009


01.01.2008 to 
30.06.2008



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)





(Restated - Note 3)


Note

JP¥'000


JP¥'000






Revenue


590,662


563,641

Total revenue


590,662


563,641






Raw materials and consumables


(55,273)


(58,644)

Personnel costs


(137,200)


(132,184)

Depreciation and amortisation


(114,868)


(105,793)

Other expenses

4

(270,081)


(258,174)

Total expenses


(577,422)


(554,795)






Operating profit before exceptional item


13,240


8,846






Exceptional item





Negative goodwill

6

-


801,250






Profit on operations


13,240


810,096






Interest income 


217


8,607

Net foreign currency gain/(loss)


681


(13,451)

Cost of warrants


-


(2,364)



898


(7,208)






Profit before taxation


14,138


802,888






Taxation

5

(30,149)


(82)






(Loss)/profit for the period


(16,011)


802,806






Attributable to:





Equity shareholders


(17,494)


801,482

Minority interest


1,483


1,324



(16,011)


802,806






(Loss)/earnings per share - basic (Yen)

7

(0.40)


19.81

(Loss)/earnings per share - diluted (Yen)

7

(0.31)


15.15

Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share - basic (Yen)

7

(0.40)


0.01

Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share - diluted (Yen)

7

(0.31)


0.01






All items in the above statement are derived from continuing operations.


The accompanying condensed notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED


Consolidated Balance Sheet (Unaudited)

At 30 June 2009




30.06.2009


31.12.2008



(Unaudited)


(Audited)


Note

JP¥'000


JP¥'000

ASSETS:





Non-current assets





Intangible assets

8

25,633


3,872

Property, plant and equipment

9

4,975,240


5,055,240

Rental deposits  


3,220


3,420

Total non-current assets


5,004,093


5,062,532






Current assets





Inventory

10

22,182


18,354

Trade and other receivables

11

14,996


62,805

Cash and cash equivalents

12

326,956


263,369

Total current assets


364,134


344,528






TOTAL ASSETS


5,368,227


5,407,060
















Current liabilities - trade and other payables

13

(121,751)


(145,260)






Non-current liabilities - loans payable

14

(687)


-






TOTAL LIABILITIES


(122,438)


(145,260)






TOTAL NET ASSETS


5,245,789


5,261,800






Share capital

15

97,121


97,121

Distributable reserve


4,365,514


4,365,514

Retained earnings


754,034


771,528

EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO SHAREHOLDERS


5,216,669


5,234,163

Minority interest


29,120


27,637

TOTAL EQUITY


5,245,789


5,261,800






NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

16

JP¥ 118.95


JP¥ 119.32

DILUTED NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE

16

  JP¥ 108.44


  JP¥ 106.05


The accompanying condensed notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

The consolidated financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on the 18 September 2009 and signed on its behalf by:


Alan Clifton                                                                                    Sarah Evans

Director                                                                                           Director

 

 

JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED


Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)

For the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009


For the period from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009
















Share Capital

Distributable Reserve

Retained Earnings

Total Shareholders Equity

Minority Interest

Total Equity



JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

At 1 January 2009


97,121

4,365,514

771,528

5,234,163

27,637

5,261,800

(Loss)/profit for the period

-

-

(17,494)

(17,494)

1,483

(16,011)









At 30 June 2009


97,121

4,365,514

754,034

5,216,669

29,120

5,245,789



























Share Capital

Share Premium

Distributable Reserve

Retained Earnings

Total 

Shareholders Equity

Minority Interest

Total Equity


JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

At 1 January 2008

-

-

-

(5,027)

(5,027)

-

(5,027)

Issue of Ordinary Share capital

94,757

4,643,102

-

-

4,737,859

-

4,737,859

Share issue costs

-

(277,588)

-

-

(277,588)

-

(277,588)

Conversion of share premium account

-

(4,365,514)

4,365,514

-

-

-

-

Profit for the period

-

-

-

801,482

801,482

1,324

802,806

Minority interest in pre-acquisition reserves

-

-

-

-

-

23,979

23,979

Warrants issued

2,364

-

-

-

2,364

-

2,364









At 30 June 2008

97,121

-

4,365,514

796,455

5,250,090

25,303

5,284,393



The accompanying condensed notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.




JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED


Consolidated Cash Flow Statement (Unaudited)

For the period 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009




01.01.2009 to 30.06.2009


01.01.2008 to 30.06.2008



(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)





(Restated - Note 3)


Note 

JP¥'000


JP¥'000

Cash flows from operating activities





(Loss)/profit for the period


(16,011)


802,806

Adjustments for:





Depreciation and amortisation


114,868


105,793

Interest income


(217)


(8,607)

Cost of warrants


-


2,364

Taxation


30,149


82

Decrease in deferred income


(1,026)


-

Negative goodwill

6

-


(801,250)

Changes in working capital


22,278 


(2,259)

Cash inflows from operations


150,041


98,929






Interest received


217


8,385

Tax paid


(31,677)


(82)

Net cash inflows from operating activities


118,581


107,232






Cash flows from investing activities





Purchase of intangible assets


(20,899)


Purchase of freehold land


(10,756)


-

Purchase of equipment, fixtures and fittings


(23,539)


(22,889)

Decrease in rental deposits


200


-

Cash acquired on acquisition of SPEs



91,730

Net cash movement from investing activities


(54,994)


68,841






Cash flows from financing activities





Share proceeds


-


655,350

Share issue costs


-


(222,024)

Net cash generated from financing activities


-


433,326






Net increase in cash and cash equivalents


63,587


609,399






Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period 


263,369


-



 


 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period


326,956


609,399



The accompanying condensed notes form an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



JAPAN LEISURE HOTELS LIMITED



Condensed Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

For the period from 1 January 2009 to 30 June 2009


General Information

Japan Leisure Hotels Limited was incorporated in Guernsey on 17 October 2007 and commenced operations on 7 January 2008. The Company is a closed ended investment company and registered under the provisions of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. The address of the registered office is given in the Management and Administration section at the beginning of this report. The Company has been established to derive cashflow and capital gains by investing in Japanese leisure hotels.

 

The Company was listed and admitted to trading on AIM, the market of that name operated by the London Stock Exchange, on 16 January 2008 (the 'Placing'). On admission 44,100,000 shares were issued at £0.50 per share resulting in gross proceeds of £22,050,000.


Group Structure

The Group comprises the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and those special purpose entities ('SPEs') which invest in hotels in Japan. The funds raised in the Placing have been invested through wholly-owned subsidiary companies of the Company, which are also Guernsey registered companies: JLH 1 Limited and JLH 2 Limited (the 'Subsidiaries'). These companies are responsible for investing in properties in the Japanese leisure hotel sector.


The hotels and other assets are owned by SPEs all of which are Japanese corporations. The Company, through its Subsidiaries, has invested in the SPEs by entering into Tokumei Kumiai agreements ('TK Agreements'). A TK Agreement is a contractual relationship whereby one party, the 'TK Investor', agrees to contribute capital to the other party, the 'TK Operator' or SPE, to undertake an agreed business and receives a share of the economic benefits of investment in that business. The TK Investor's investment is referred to herein as its 'TK Interest'. Further information regarding the group structure is available on the Company's website www.japanleisurehotels.com.


1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied throughout the current period, unless otherwise stated.


Basis of accounting

The annual financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union under the historical cost convention.


The condensed interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'. The condensed interim financial statements do not include all the information and disclosures required in annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2008. The presentation of the interim financial statements is consistent with the annual financial statements.


Intangible assets

All intangible assets are held for the purpose of running the business of the SPEs. Intangible assets comprise of software and trademarks. The estimated useful life of software is 3 years and amortisation is charged on a straight line basis to operating expenses. Trademarks are deemed to have an indefinite life and therefore are not amortised but are tested annually for impairment. 

  


Impairment of assets

Assets, other than inventories, trade and other receivables and certain financial assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Whenever the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its recoverable amount (being the higher of its fair value less cost to sell and its value in use), an impairment loss is recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement.

 

2. NEW STANDARDS AND INTERPRETATIONS NOT APPLIED


No new IFRS, interpretations or amendments to existing standards have been adopted early; however it is unlikely that any such standards or interpretations or amendments issued, when adopted, will result in changes to the recognition and measurement accounting policies.

 

3. RESTATEMENT OF PRIOR PERIOD FIGURES


The negative goodwill reported in the 30 June 2008 Interim Report as an exceptional item was JP¥156,663,000. On completion of the 31 December 2008 Annual Report this was changed to JP¥801,250,000. Accordingly the profit for the period ended 30 June 2008 has been increased by JP¥644,587,000.


The reason for the restatement was a change in the method for calculating the reserves held by the SPEs in connection with the TK Interests; these reserves had previously been calculated with respect to the profits and losses of the SPEs under Japanese GAAP as required under the TK Agreements; at 31 December 2008 this was changed to reflect the profits and losses of the SPEs under IFRS. This resulted in an increase in these reserves that in turn resulted in an increase in the amount of negative goodwill.


Additionally in the financial statements as at 31 December 2008 recognition of the costs of warrants issued has resulted in a reduction in profit for the period ended 30 June 2008 of JP¥2,364,000.


At the time of the 30 June 2008 Interim Report the functional currency of the Company was Sterling; this was changed at 31 December 2008 to JP¥ causing the elimination of the foreign currency translation reserve and a corresponding increase in foreign exchange loss of JP¥8,978,000 in the Consolidated Income Statement for the period ended 30 June 2008.


The table below shows the effect of these restatements on the results of the Company for the period ended 30 June 2008:



As per Interim Report 2008


Effects of restatement 


As restated in this report


JP¥'000


JP¥'000


JP¥'000

Restated item






Exceptional item - negative goodwill

156,663


644,587


801,250







Cost of warrants

-


(2,364)


(2,364)







Elimination of currency translation reserve

-


(8,978)


(8,978)








 


 


 


156,663


633,245


798,908







Profit for the period

169,561


633,245


802,806







Attributable to:






Equity shareholders

168,237


633,245


801,482







Earnings per share - basic (Yen)

4.16




19.81

Earnings per share - diluted (Yen)

3.18




15.15

 

4. OTHER EXPENSES

 

01.01.2009 to 30.06.2009


 

01.01.2008 to 30.06.2008


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Hotel operating costs

135,767


138,862

Asset Manager's fees

53,003


33,457

Professional services

21,707


28,460

Auditors' remuneration 

6,818


6,587

Administrator's fees

6,976


8,856

Directors' fees

7,568


8,644

Other expenses

38,242


33,308


270,081


258,174



5. TAXATION

Japanese taxation


There are two components of the Japanese tax charge, withholding tax and corporation tax:





2009


2008




JP¥'000


JP¥'000


Withholding tax


29,998


-


Corporation tax


151


82




30,149


82


Withholding tax

Withholding tax is levied at 20% on distributions of profit as calculated for Japanese tax purposes that were made during the period from the SPEs to the Guernsey holding companies as shown below:



2009


2008

Withholding tax at 20% on distributions made during the period:

JP¥'000


JP¥'000

  Relating to profits of prior periods

19,809


- 

  Relating to the profits of the current period

  10,189


- 





Total withholding tax

   29,998 


-  


Corporation tax

Corporation tax is calculated at 42% of taxable profits.

The reasons for the difference between actual corporation tax charge for the period and the standard rate of tax in Japan applied to the profits for the period are as follows:

  



 01.01.2009 to 30.06.2009 


 01.01.2008 to 30.06.2008 


 JP¥'000


JP¥'000


 (Unaudited) 


 (Unaudited) 

Profit before taxation

  14,138 


  802,888 





Income not subject to tax

20,930


(759,859)

Other items deductible for tax purposes

(95,782)


(50,231)

Accelerated depreciation

27,996


8,574

Delayed recognition of expenses

  -  


(2,970)

Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

20,223


2,402

Net taxable income

(12,495)


804





Tax losses utilised 

 - 


  (804) 

Tax losses carried forward

(12,495)   


  -  


 



Actual corporation tax charge being the minimum tax charge on SPEs with nil taxable income

  151 


  82 


Guernsey taxation

The Company is exempt from taxation in Guernsey under the provisions of the Income Tax (Exempt Bodies) (Guernsey) Ordinances, 1989 to 1992, and is charged an annual exemption fee of £600 (JP¥ 77,419) included in other expenses.


The Company is a Collective Investment Scheme and has applied for and been granted exempt status under the revised company income tax regime that came into effect in 1 January 2008.


6. EXCEPTIONAL ITEM


Negative goodwill

Negative goodwill arises when the net assets acquired in a business acquisition exceed the price paid by the acquiring entity. Under IFRS 3, negative goodwill should be recognised in the Consolidated Income Statement as it arises. The negative goodwill of JP¥801,250,000 arising on the acquisition of the TK Interests was credited to the Consolidated Income Statement in the year ended 31 December 2008; this reflects the difference between the net asset value in the books of the SPEs acquired and the value of the shares issued in exchange for the TK Interests. As per note 3 this figure has been changed from that disclosed in the Interim Report 2008. 



7. EARNINGS PER SHARE


Earnings per share is based on profits after tax attributable to equity shareholders and the number of shares in issue during the period as shown below:


01.01.2009 to 30.06.2009


01.01.2008 to 30.06.2008


(Unaudited)


(Unaudited)


Number of Shares


Number of Shares

Weighted average number of shares in issue during the period

44,100,000


40,465,385

Dilutive potential shares from warrants

12,420,500


12,420,500


56,520,500


52,885,885



Warrants

For every share subscribed in the placing, the Company issued 2 warrants. Accordingly, 12.2 million warrants have been issued to subscribers. Each warrant entitles the holder to subscribe for one new share at £0.45. The warrants will be exercisable from 31 January 2009 until 31 January 2013. 


A further 220,500 warrants have been issued to Shore Capital in part payment of its fees in connection with the placing.  The fair value of the issued warrants to Shore Capital as payment for services is estimated to be JP¥2.3 million (£11,025) and was recognised as an expense of the Company at the time of the placing.


Therefore there are 12,420,500 potential ordinary shares should the warrants be exercised, which would bring the total number of ordinary shares to 56,520,500.


8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS


30.06.2009


31.12.2008


(Unaudited)


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000

Cost




At beginning of the period/year

4,765


-

Additions

22,297


4,765

At end of the period/year

27,062


4,765





Amortisation




At beginning of the period/year

(893)


-

Provided for in the period/year

(536)


(893)

At 30 June 2009/31 December 2008

(1,429)


(893)





Net book value at 30 June 2009/31 December 2008

25,633


3,872









9. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT


Freehold Land

Freehold
Buildings and Structures

Equipment, Fixtures and Fittings

Total


JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000

JP¥'000






Cost





At beginning of the period

1,162,699

3,114,065

994,451

5,271,215

Additions

10,756

-

23,576

34,332






At end of the period

1,173,455

3,114,065

1,018,027

5,305,547






Depreciation





At beginning of the period

-

105,651

110,324

215,975

Provided for in the period

-

55,313

59,019

114,332






At end of the period

-

160,964

169,343

330,307






Net book value





At 30 June 2009 (unaudited)

1,173,455

2,953,101

848,684

4,975,240







At 31 December 2008 (audited)

1,162,699

3,008,414

884,127

5,055,240


As stated above, the Group's property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on the straight line method over their estimated useful lives


In compliance with the AIM admission document an annual valuation has been prepared by Colliers International (Hong Kong) Ltd, an independent valuer, in accordance with RICS standards. Colliers International (Hong Kong) Ltd estimated the value of the Group's property, plant and equipment at 31 December 2008 to be JP¥5,026 million. 


10. INVENTORY



 30.06.2009


31.12.2008


(Unaudited)


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Goods held for re-sale

22,182


18,354



11. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES





 30.06.2009


 31.12.2008


(Unaudited)


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Trade receivables

5,130


6,083

Prepayments

8,127


41,426

Consumption tax refund

1,122


13,112

Other receivables

617


2,184


14,996


62,805


12. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS





 30.06.2009


 31.12.2008


(Unaudited)


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Cash held at hotels

23,924


32,963

Cash at banks

303,032


230,406



326,956


263,369






  13. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES





 30.06.2009


 31.12.2008


(Unaudited)


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Trade payables

51,126


62,374


Accrued expenses

31,674


39,546

Accrued consumption tax

8,701


21,666

Deferred income

13,211


14,237

Accounts payable fixed assets

4,644


3,140

Current tax liabilities

134


1,662

Loans payable

916


-

Other payables

11,345


2,635


121,751


145,260









14. NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES


The non-current liabilities arose due to the deferred payment for the purchase of project management software for the renovation of Yokkaichi and maintenance of all hotels. The total payment is JP¥2.16 million of which JP¥687,000 is due within more than one year. 


15. SHARE CAPITAL


All authorised and allotted shares are Ordinary Shares.


The authorised share capital of the Company is 160 million shares of £0.01 each.


The issued share capital of the Company is comprised as follows: 




 30.06.2009

31.12.2008



(Unaudited)


(Audited)


Number

JP¥'000

Number

JP¥'000

Allotted, called up and fully paid





Ordinary Shares of £0.01 each

44,100,002

97,121

44,100,002

97,121


 

16. NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE


Net asset value per share is based on net asset values and the number of shares in issue at the end of the period, which was 44,100,000. The diluted net assets values are based on the total number shares if all the warrants were exercised (note 7). There are 12,420,500 potential ordinary shares should the warrants be exercised, which would bring the total number of ordinary shares to 56,520,500.

  



30.06.2009


 31.12.2008


(Unaudited))


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Net asset value per Consolidated Balance Sheet

5,245,789


5,261,800





Difference between the net book value and the independent 




valuation carried out at 31 December 2008 of plant, property and equipment as shown in note 9. 

50,760


(29,240)













Adjusted net asset value, incorporating the valuation of plant, property and equipment 

5,296,549


5,232,560








Basic NAV


Diluted NAV


30.06.2009


31.12.2008 


30.06.2009


31.12.2008









Net asset value per share - Yen

JP¥118.95


JP¥119.32


JP¥108.44


JP¥106.05









Net asset value per share - Sterling 

£0.75


£0.91


£0.69


£0.81









Adjusted net asset value per share - Yen 

JP¥120.10


JP¥118.65


JP¥109.33


JP¥105.53









Adjusted net asset value per share - Sterling 

£0.76


£0.91


£0.69


£0.81










 

17. COMMITMENTS UNDER OPERATING LEASES


Although the SPEs hold freehold title to most of the properties, there are some parcels of land used for car parking that are rented. The total future minimum lease payments are due as follows:



 30.06.2009


 31.12.2008


(Unaudited)


(Audited)


JP¥'000


JP¥'000





Not later than one year

5,112


6,237

Later than one year and not later than five years

18,480


24,949

Later than five years

58,225


31,186

 

18. RELATED PARTIES & MATERIAL CONTRACTS


Mark Huntley, a Director of the Company, is also a director of the Company's administrator, Heritage International Fund Managers Limited. During the period Mr. Huntley earned JP¥1,126,671 (2008: JP¥1,536,909) by way of a Director's fee, of which JP¥591,950 (2008: JP¥794,323) was outstanding at the period end. Heritage International Fund Managers Limited earned JP¥6,976,020 (2008: JP¥7,431,774) in administration fees in the period of which JP¥2,959,747 (2008: JP¥3,971,616) was outstanding at the period end.


New Perspective, the Group's Asset Manager, earned JP¥53,112,357 by way of asset management fees and JP¥5,568,202 for accounting and other services during the period. Of these fees there was JP¥578,407 outstanding at the period end, together with a further JP¥2,103,524 of expenses to be reimbursed by the Company.  


During the period, the Group entered into contract to purchase the Bonita trademark from Bonita Services Limited for JP¥15,000,000. 

 

19. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS 


There have been no significant events subsequent to the balance sheet date.




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