Corporate Governance

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Toshiba's Internal Control Systems Development Status

Toshiba Group constantly refines its system of internal controls, towards ensuring management effectiveness and efficiency and reliable reporting on operations and finances and to secure high level legal compliance and risk management.
We also ensure that domestic Group companies, regardless of the scale of their operations, establish internal control systems based on those of the parent Company, as follows.

(Source: Page 66 of the securities report for the 184th fiscal period)

Systems to Ensure the Appropriateness of Business Operations of Toshiba Corp. and its Subsidiaries

The Board of Directors resolved systems to ensure the appropriateness of business operations as follows:

  1. System to ensure that Executive Officers' compliance with laws and regulations and the Articles of Incorporation.
    • 1) Executive Officers periodically report to the Board of Directors of Toshiba Corp. on their execution of their duties and are required to report on necessary items to the Board of Directors, as necessary.
    • 2) The Executive Officer in charge of the Internal Audit Division or the Vice President of the Internal Audit Division periodically reports to the Board of Directors of Toshiba Corp. on internal audit results.
    • 3) The Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. periodically interviews Executive Officers, and the Vice President of the Internal Audit Division periodically reports to the Audit Committee on internal audit results.
    • 4) Executive Officers report to the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. on any material violation of laws and regulations without delay in accordance with the Rules concerning Reporting to the Audit Committee.
    • 5) Toshiba Corp. has established the Standards of Conduct for Toshiba Group clarifying values and codes of conduct to be shared by all officers and employees and ensures, through continuous execution of officer education, etc., that Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. comply with the Standards of Conduct for Toshiba Group.
    • 6) Toshiba Corp. separates supervision from business execution by placing the Internal Audit Division under the direct control of the Audit Committee and establishes a system in which the Internal Audit Division effectively performs audits of accounting, compliance inspections and audits of other matters.
  2. System for retention and management of information concerning Executive Officers' execution of their duties.
    • 1) In accordance with the Rules concerning the Document Retention Period, Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. appropriately retain and manage material documentation, such as information materials for the Management Meetings and decision-making documents, and other documents such as account books and records.
    • 2) Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. run a system that allows Directors to access significant information, such as information materials for the Management Meetings, decision-making documents, financial statements and records and business reports.
  3. Rules and other systems concerning risk of loss management
    • 1) In accordance with the Basic Rules concerning Risk- Management and Compliance, the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer (hereinafter referred to as the "CRO") of Toshiba Corp. formulates and promotes measures concerning risk management of Toshiba Group in his/her capacity as the chairperson of the Risk-Compliance Committee. In formulating and promoting such measures, the CRO appropriately performs risk of loss management for the entire Toshiba Group by confirming and improving the effectiveness of such measures. The CRO shall be the Executive Officer in charge of the Legal & Compliance Division.
    • 2) Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. formulate and promote measures necessary for continuously clarifying business risk factors of Toshiba Group and minimizing loss in the event that risk is realized in accordance with Basic Rules of Business Risk Management.
  4. System to ensure that Executive Officers efficiently execute their duties
    • 1) The Board of Directors of Toshiba Corp. determines the basic management policy and approves the midium-term business plan and annual budgets of Toshiba Group prepared by the Executive Officers.
    • 2) The Board of Directors of Toshiba Corp. delegates authority and responsibilities to each Executive Officer in an appropriate manner, and Executive Officers clarify the authority and responsibilities of the Executive Officers and employees in accordance with the Rules concerning Responsibilities of Division and the Rules concerning Managerial Duties.
    • 3) Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. set concrete targets and roles for organizations and employees.
    • 4) Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. make decisions on business operations based on appropriate procedures in accordance with the Board of Directors Rules, the Corporate Decision Making Rule and other rules.
    • 5) Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. appropriately evaluate the performance of Toshiba Group by means of the Performance Evaluation Committee.
    • 6) Executive Officers of Toshiba Corp. promote strengthening of information security systems and operate the accounting system, the authorization system and other information processing systems in an appropriate manner.
  5. System to ensure that employees' performance of their duties conforms to laws and regulations and the Articles of Incorporation
    • 1) The President and CEO ensure, through continuous execution of employee education, etc., that employees comply with the Standards of Conduct for Toshiba Group clarifying values and codes of conduct to be shared by all officers and employees.
    • 2) The CRO of Toshiba Corp. formulates and promotes measures of Toshiba Group concerning compliance with laws and regulations in his/her capacity as the chairperson of the Risk Compliance Committee in accordance with the Basic Rules concerning Risk Management and Compliance.
    • 3) Toshiba Corp. establishes a whistle-blower system in which the officers and employees of Toshiba Corp. are able to make a report to the business execution side of Toshiba Corp. if they become aware of an illegal act of Toshiba Corp., and the Executive Officer of Toshiba Corp. in charge endeavors to detect problems early and deal with them in an appropriate manner by making use of the whistle-blower system. The Standards of Conduct for Toshiba Group clearly stipulate that the officers and employees who have used this system must not be treated disadvantageously on the grounds that they have done so. In addition, Toshiba Corp. establishes a whistle-blower system in which the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. directly receives internal reports and endeavors to collect information on problems early.
  6. System to ensure the appropriateness of business operations of the corporate group composed of Toshiba Corp. and its subsidiaries
    • 1) The subsidiaries adopt and implement the Standards of Conduct for Toshiba Group and establish whistle-blower systems according to the legal systems and circumstances of the countries in which they operate.
    • 2) Toshiba Corp. establishes a system in which its subsidiaries report to Toshiba Corp. in accordance with the Operational Communication Arrangement, etc. in the event that material issues arise in their business operations.
    • 3) Toshiba Corp. formulates appropriate measures for internal control, including that of its subsidiaries, and causes its subsidiaries to promote the measures according to their situations.
    • 4) The subsidiaries establish audit systems such as auditors in accordance with the Toshiba Group Auditors' Audit Policy.
    • 5) Toshiba Corp. executes internal audits on the accounting treatment processes and business processes of its subsidiaries.
    • 6) Toshiba Corp. appropriately and effectively manages the systems and business processes common throughout Toshiba Group and establishes a system in which shared resources are appropriately and effectively allocated.
    • 7) Under the relevant license agreements, Toshiba Corp. in principle obligates its affiliates that are permitted to use "Toshiba" in part of their company names to adopt the Standards of Conduct for Toshiba Group.

Items Necessary for Performance of Duties by the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp.

The Board of Directors resolved items necessary for the Audit Committee's performance of its duties as follows:

  1. Directors and employees assigned to assist the Audit Committee in the performance of its duties
    In order to assist the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. in the performance of its duties, the Audit Committee Office consisting of around ten staff is established, and the head of the Audit Committee Office is an Executive Officer (including the Executive Officer who acts concurrently as a director).
  2. Ensuring independence of employees mentioned in the preceding paragraph from Executive Officers and effectiveness of instructions to such employees
    The Audit Committee has the right to approve the appointment, request the dismissal, and veto the dismissal of the head and employees of the Audit Committee Office of Toshiba Corp., and the head of the Audit Committee Office is under the direction of the Audit Committee. The employees of the Audit Committee Office are under the direction of the Audit Committee and the head of the Audit Committee Office.
  3. System for reporting to the Audit Committee
    • 1) Directors, Executive Officers, Corporate Officers and employees of Toshiba Corp. report to the Audit Committee on each relevant occasion in accordance with the Rules concerning Reporting to the Audit Committee and the Rules concerning Operation of the System of Reporting to the Audit Committee in the event that any material issue arises that may affect operations and financial performance.
    • 2) The subsidiaries of Toshiba Corp. periodically report their situations and other matters to the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. through the Toshiba Group Auditors Liaison Organization, etc. In addition, Toshiba Corp. establishes the Toshiba Group Auditor Hotline through which the auditors and employees in charge of audit reporting of the subsidiaries are able to make a report to the Audit Committee if they become aware of an illegal act of such subsidiaries.
    • 3) Toshiba Corp. establishes the Audit Committee Hotline through which the officers and employees of Toshiba Corp. and officers and employees of its domestic subsidiaries are able to make a report to the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. in accordance with the Rules concerning Operation of the System of Reporting to the Audit Committee if they become aware of an illegal act of Toshiba Corp. or such subsidiaries.
    • 4) The President and CEO provides members of the Audit Committee designated by the Audit Committee with opportunities to attend important meetings, including the Management Committee meetings.
  4. System to ensure that persons reporting to the Audit Committee are not treated disadvantageously on the grounds that they have made such report
    The Rules concerning Reporting to the Audit Committee and the Rules concerning Operation of the System of Reporting to the Audit Committee clearly stipulate that the officers and employees of Toshiba Group who have made a report to the Audit Committee of Toshiba Corp. must not be treated disadvantageously on the grounds that they have done so.
  5. Policy on procedures for advance payment or redemption of expenses arising from performance of duties of the Audit Committee's members and other settlement of expenses or debts arising from performance of such duties
    If a member of the Audit Committee requests Toshiba Corp. to make advance payment of the expenses, etc. set out in Article 404, Paragraph 4 of the Companies Act in relation to the performance of his or her duties, unless it is determined after examination by the relevant departments that the expenses or debts in relation to such request are not necessary for the performance of duties of such member of the Audit Committee, Toshiba Corp. promptly settles such expenses or debts. Toshiba Corp. annually budgets a certain amount for the payment of expenses and other costs arising from the performance of duties of the Audit Committee's members. If the need arises during the fiscal year, Toshiba Corp. increases the budget after examination by the relevant departments at the request of the Audit Committee's members.
  6. Other system to ensure that audits by the Audit Committee are conducted effectively
    • 1) The President and CEO periodically exchanges information with the Audit Committee.
    • 2) Executive Officers, Corporate Officers and employees report the execution of their duties to the Audit Committee by means of the periodic interviews conducted by the Audit Committee and circuit interviews.
    • 3) The Audit Committee places the Internal Audit Division under its direct control. The Audit Committee presents audit policies and gives audit instructions to the Internal Audit Division. The Vice President of the Internal Audit Division periodically reports the internal audit results to the Audit Committee.
    • 4) The Audit Committee has accounting auditors provide explanations and reports concerning the accounting audit plan at the beginning of each fiscal year, the situation of accounting audits during each fiscal year, and the results of the accounting audits at the end of each fiscal year.
    • 5) The Executive Officer in charge provides explanations to the Audit Committee concerning the settlement of accounts at the end of each fiscal year as well as each quarterly settlement of accounts prior to the approval by or the report to the Board of Directors.
    • 6) The Vice President of the Internal Audit Division is appointed an Executive Officer, or the Executive Officer is appointed to being in charge of the Internal Audit Division. The Audit Committee has the right to approve the appointment, request the dismissal, and veto the dismissal of the Vice President of the Internal Audit Division and the Executive Officer in charge of the Internal Audit Division. The Vice President of the Internal Audit Division and the Executive Officer in charge of the Internal Audit Division are under the direction of the Audit Committee.
    • 7) The members of the Audit Committee have the right to access all internal reports made to the whistle-blower system on the business execution side.

Status of Internal Audits and Audits by the Audit Committee

(Source: Page 102 of the securities report for the 184th fiscal period)

1. The Internal Audit and the Audit Committee organization, personnel and procedures

The Internal Audit Division, that ensures independence, (personnel: 52 staff) was established under the direct control of the Audit Committee. The Division has staff with specialized knowledge of internal audits, including 3 certified public accountants and 17 certified internal auditors. The Division reports the audit results directly to the Audit Committee each time, and reports to the President and other management, after reporting to the Audit Committee. By monitoring the operational status of key subsidiaries (key Group companies) on a daily basis, the internal Audit Division is able to strengthen the audit system with respect to their operations. By strengthening cooperation with the Audit Committee, the Accounting Auditor, we seek to strengthen the various audit functions, such as accounting audits, internal control audits and audits on legality.

2. Mutual cooperation between the internal audit, the Audit Committee audit and the accounting audit, and the relationship with the Internal Control Division

Mutual cooperation between internal audits, Audit Committee's audits and the accounting audits is detailed on Page 101 of the securities report for the 184th fiscal period "1. The Audit Committee organization, personnel and procedures." In Toshiba, divisions responsible for internal controls ensure the appropriateness of all information disclosure, including financial reporting, and the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, compliance, and risk management, etc. The Legal & Compliance Div., Accounting Div., CRO, and Risk Compliance Committee are included among divisions in this category. The Vice President of the Internal Audit Division periodically reports audit results to the Risk Compliance Committee. Along with providing the Audit Committee with timely reporting required by the "Audit Committee reporting and information access rules," the said divisions responsible for internal controls also provide information to the internal Audit Division and Accounting Auditor from time to time, as required.

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