Business Risk Factors

Risk factors relating to the Toshiba Group and its Business
The Group's business areas of energy and electronics require highly advanced technology. At the same time, the Group faces fierce global competition. Therefore, appropriate risk management is indispensable. Major risk factors related to the Group are described below. The actual occurrence of any of those risk factors may adversely affect the Group's results and financial condition.
Risks identified by the Group are based on information available to the Group at the time of this announcement (April 25, 2008). They also include issues that may not affect investment decisions, but which are mentioned in line with the Group's policy of proactive disclosure. The Group recognizes these risks and makes every effort to manage them and to minimize any impact from them.

1.Business environment of Digital Products business

The market for the Digital Product segment is intensely competitive, with many companies manufacturing and selling products similar to those offered by the Group. In addition, demand for products in this segment can be volatile. In times of decreased consumer spending, demand for the Group's products can be low, while times of rapid increases in demand may result in shortages of parts and components, hampering the Group's ability to supply products to the market in a timely manner. While the segment makes every effort to monitor the demand situation, any rapid fluctuation in demand may result in price erosion or increases in component prices.
Furthermore, some products in this segment are dependent on particular customers.

2.Business environment of Electronic Devices business

The market for the Electronic Devices segment is highly cyclical in demand. In addition, there is intense competition to develop and market new products. The Group makes every effort to monitor shifts in the market, but if the market faces a downturn, if the Group fails to market new products in a timely manner, or if there is a rapid introduction of new technology, the Group's current products may become obsolete.
This business segment requires significant levels of capital expenditure. While efforts are made to invest in stages by carefully monitoring demand, unanticipated market change may result in production capacity for particular products becoming available at a time when demand for those products is on the wane, causing oversupply.
In addition, the Electronic Devices business segment is prone to large fluctuation in operating income, and if the market conditions worsen significantly, the Segment's performance may have a large influence on the overall company's profit and loss.

3.Business environment of Social Infrastructure business

A significant portion of net sales in the Social Infrastructure segment is attributable to government and local municipality expenditure on public works, and to capital expenditure by the private sector. The segment monitors trends in such capital expenditures, and also makes best efforts to cultivate new business and customers, in order to avoid undue impact from any fluctuations. However, reductions and delays in public works spending, as well as low levels of private capital expenditure, can adversely affect the segment business.
Furthermore, the segment's business involves supply of products and services for large-scale projects on a worldwide basis. Delays, changes in plans, stoppages, natural and other disasters, and other factors, may adversely affect the progress of such large-scale plant projects. The percentage of completion method is applied for revenue recognition for long term construction work contracts. The Company reassesses expected costs and profits accordingly, and if the expected profits from such a project do not meet original expectations, a loss will be recognized against prior accrued profits.

4.Acquisitions and others

As a result of the acquisition of Westinghouse group, a substantial amount of goodwill has been recorded in the Company's consolidated balance sheet, pursuant to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP). The Company believes that this goodwill is appropriate, reflecting Westinghouse's future capabilities for profit generation and the synergy that is being obtained from combining Westinghouse and the Group. It is an important managerial task for Toshiba Group to maintain and continue to enhance the value of this goodwill.

In August 2007, the Company entered into a share transfer agreement with National Atomic Company Kazatomprom JSC (hereafter "Kazatomprom"), a Republic of Kazakhstan state-owned enterprise and a major supplier of uranium, under which the Company transferred 10 percent of its ownership interest in Westinghouse's holding companies to Kazatomprom. As a result of this transfer, the Company's ownership interest in Westinghouse was reduced to 67%. The remainder of the stock is held by the Shaw Group (hereafter "Shaw"), which holds 20%, and IHI Corporation (hereafter "IHI"), which holds 3 percent.

Under the relevant shareholders agreements, Shaw, IHI and Kazatomprom are restricted from transferring their ownership interests in Westinghouse for approximately six years from the date of the initial shareholders agreements. To protect the Company from capital participations by unfavorable third parties and to protect minority shareholders' interests, the Company also provided each of Shaw, IHI and Kazatomprom with an option to sell all or part of its ownership interest to the Company during a certain period, while the Company has an option to purchase all or part of the ownership interest of Shaw, IHI or Kazatomprom, under certain conditions. In the event that Shaw, IHI or Kazatomprom exercise the sell option, or the Company exercises its purchase option, the Group may need to raise further funds.

5.Lawsuits and others

The Group undertakes global business operations and is involved from time to time in disputes, including lawsuits and other legal proceedings and investigations by relevant authorities. Due to the differences in judicial systems and the uncertainties inherent of such proceedings, the Group may be subject to a ruling requiring payments of amounts far exceeding its expectations. Any judgement or decision unfavorable to the Group could have a materially adverse effect on the Group's financial condition or results of operations. In addition, the pursuit of or defense of such lawsuits, legal proceedings and investigations may require significant resources and significant involvement of the Group's senior management, which may divert management attention from normal operations.
In January 2007, the European Commission (the "Commission") imposed fines on 19 companies, including the Company, for infringing EU competition laws in the gas insulated switchgear market. The Company was directly fined EUR86.25 mllion, and was also fined EUR4.65 million jointly and severally with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. The Company contends that it did not infringe such laws and appealed these fines in April 2007. However, there can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in its appeal.
The Group is also being investigated by the Commission and/or the US Department of Justice for potential violations of competition laws with respect to semiconductors, LCD products, cathode ray tubes (CRT) and heavy electrical equipment. In addition, individuals and corporations in the United States have filed class action lawsuits against the Group with respect to alleged anti-competitive behavior.

6.Development of new products

It is critically important for the Group to offer the market viable and innovative new products and services. The Group identifies strategic products that will drive future profits, and defines strategic product areas to support through the timely introduction of successive products. However due to the rapid pace of technological innovation, the introduction of new technologies and products that replace current products, and changes in technology standards, the introduction to market of optimum new products may be delayed, and new products that are brought to market may be accepted by the market for a shorter period than anticipated. In addition, any failure on the part of the Group to assure sufficient funding and resources for continuous product development may affect the Group's ability to develop new products and services and to introduce them to the market.

7.Investments in new business

The Group invests in companies involved in new businesses as well as developing its own new businesses. Many technological issues need to be resolved, and potential demand effectively discovered and captured, before a new line of business can become successful, and as such the progress and success of new businesses are uncertain. If any new business in which the Group invests or which the Group attempts to develop does not progress as planned, the Group may not recover the funds and resources it has spent, and this may adversely affect the Group.
Mobile Broadcasting Corporation, a Toshiba consolidated subsidiary that operates a digital satellite broadcasting service, accounts for a significant loss, and any failure to make favorable progress in reforming its business may have an adverse effect on Group results.

8.Success of joint ventures and other business alliances

A key strategy of the Group in many of its businesses is the formation of joint ventures and business alliances optimized for each business, in every area of the business, including research and development, production and marketing. If the Group experiences differences with a partner in a joint venture or business alliance, in respect of financing, technological management, product development or management strategies, such joint ventures or business alliances may be terminated.

9.Global business and other factors

The Group undertakes global business operations. Any changes in political, economic and social conditions, legal or regulatory changes and exchange rate fluctuations, in any region, may impact on market demand and the Group's business operations.
As the Group expands overseas production, particularly in Asia, any occurrence of terrorism or of epidemic illness, such as avian flu, could have a significant adverse effect on Group results.

10.Natural disasters

Most of the Group's Japanese production facilities are located in the Keihin region, part of the capital region, while key semiconductor production facilities are located in Kyushu, Tokai, Hanshin and Tohoku. While the Group promotes measures such as earthquake-resistant buildings at production facilities, large-scale disasters, such as earthquakes or typhoons in regions with production sites, may damage or destroy production capabilities, cause operational and transportation interruptions, and affect production capabilities significantly.

11.Measures against counterfeit Products

While the Group protects and seeks to enhance the value of the Toshiba brand, lesser-quality counterfeit products created by third parties can be found worldwide, which may dilute the value of the Toshiba brand. Distribution of those counterfeit products may decrease the Group's net sales.

12.Product quality claims

While the Group has instituted measures to manufacture its products in accordance with appropriate quality-control standards, there can be no assurance that all products are free of defects, or that such defects will not result in a large-scale recall, lawsuits or other claims relating to product quality.

13.Information securities

The Group keeps and manages various personal information obtained through business operations. The Group also keeps various trade secrets regarding the Group's technology, marketing and other business operations. While the Group makes every effort to manage this information properly, an unanticipated leak of such information could occur, and it may be obtained and used illegally by a third party. In such circumstances, the Group's business performance and financial situation may be subject to negative influences.
Additionally, the role of information systems in the Group is critical to carrying out business activities. While the Group makes every effort to assure stable operation of its information systems, it is possible that their functionality could be impaired or destroyed by computer viruses, software or hardware failures, disaster, terrorism, and other factors.

14.Procurement of components and materials

It is important for the Group's business activities to procure materials, components and other goods in a timely and proper manner. Procured goods include products whose suppliers are limited due to the product's particularity, and products that are difficult to replace. In cases of delay or other problems in receiving supply of such components and materials, shortages may occur or procurement costs may rise. Also, it is necessary to procure components and materials at competitive costs and to optimize the entire supply chain, including suppliers, in order for the Group to bring competitive products to market. Any failure by the Group to achieve proper cooperation with key suppliers may impact on the Group's competitiveness.
Any case of defective components and materials or failure to meet required specifications may also have an adverse effect on the reliability and reputation of the Group and Toshiba brand products.

15.Securing human resources

The success of the Group's businesses depends in large part on securing excellent human resources in every business area and process, including product development, production, marketing and business management. Competition to secure human resources is intensifying, as the number of qualified personnel in each area and process is limited. Due to this, the Group may fail to retain existing employees or to obtain new human resources.

16.Compliance and internal control

The Group is active in various businesses in various regions worldwide, and its business activities are subject to laws and regulations in each country or region. The Group puts in place appropriate internal control systems from perspectives that include assuring management effectiveness and efficiency, assuring the reliability of business and financial reports, compliance with laws and regulations, and risk management, and operates within those systems. However, by their nature, such internal control systems may themselves have limitations, and it is not possible to guarantee that they will fully achieve their objectives. Due to these inherent limitations, the Company cannot guarantee that there will never be any violation of laws and regulations. Changes in laws and regulations or changes in interpretations of laws and regulations by the authorities may also cause difficulty in achieving compliance with laws and regulations, or may result in increased compliance costs.

17.Strategic concentrated investment

The Group makes strategic investments that concentrate on specific business areas, including NAND flash memory and nuclear power generation systems. While it is essential to allocate limited management resources to strategic, high growth areas and businesses in which the Group enjoys competitiveness, in order to secure and maintain the Group's advantages, the strategic businesses in which such investments are made may not generate profit commensurate with the investments.

18.Protection of intellectual property rights

The Group makes every effort to secure intellectual property rights. However, in some regions, it may not be possible to secure sufficient protection.
Also, the Group uses intellectual property from third parties, which the Group has acquired license to use. It may be possible that the Group fails to receive such third-party license for an essential intellectual property, or receives permission only on unfavorable terms.
It is also possible that the Group may have to file suit in order to protect its intellectual property rights, or that a suit for breach of intellectual property rights may be brought against the Group. Such lawsuits may require time, costs and other management resources, and, depending on the decision handed down, it may become impossible for the Group to use an important technology, or the Group may become liable for significant damages.

19.Environment

In the Group's global business activities, various environmental laws, including laws on air pollution, water pollution, toxic substances, waste disposal, product recycling, prevention of global warming and energy policies, are in force around the world. While the Group pays careful attention to those laws and regulations, it may be possible that the Group discovers a legal or social liability for the environment, regardless of whether it is at fault or not, in past, present or future business activities. It may also be possible that, in future, the Group will be more strongly required to remove environmental hazards, including toxic substances, or to further reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, as a result of the introduction of more demanding environmental regulations or in accordance with societal requirements.

20.Parent company's guarantee

When the Group's US subsidiaries, such as Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC or Toshiba International Corporation, accept orders for large projects, the Company, as the parent company, provides guarantees regarding contracts, etc. These parent company's guarantees are required in accordance with ordinary business practice and are provided under the ordinary course of business to fulfill ordinary contractual obligations. However, should the relevant subsidiaries fail to fulfill contractual obligations, the Company may be obliged to bear any resulting compensation, resulting in a loss.

21.Employee retirement benefit costs and obligations

The amount of the Group's employee retirement benefit costs and obligations are calculated on assumptions used in the relevant actuarial calculations. Those assumptions may change due to adverse economic or other factors, or planned returns on assets may be lower than anticipated.

22.Financing environment

The Group has substantial amounts of interest-bearing debt for financing that is highly susceptible to the market environment, including interest rate movements and fund supply and demand. Changes in these factors may have an adverse effect on the Group's funding activities.