Home > Cautionary Statement
Certain statements found in this annual report may constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such "forward-looking statements" reflect management’s current views with respect to certain future events and financial performance and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "forecast," "intend," "plan," "project" and similar expressions which indicate future events and trends may identify "forward-looking statements." Such statements are based on currently available information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the "forward-looking statements" and from historical trends. Certain "forward-looking statements" are based upon current assumptions of future events which may not prove to be accurate. Undue reliance should not be placed on "forward-looking statements," as such statements speak only as of the date of this annual report.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in any "forward-looking statement" and from historical trends include, but are not limited to:
- increasing commoditization of information technology products, and intensifying price competition in the markets for such products, particularly in the Information & Telecommunication Systems segment, Electronic Devices segment and Digital Media & Consumer Products segment;
- fluctuations in product demand and industry capacity, particularly in the Information & Telecommunication Systems segment, Electronic Devices segment and Digital Media & Consumer Products segment;
- uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to continue to develop and market products that incorporate new technology on a timely and cost-effective basis and to achieve market acceptance for such products;
- rapid technological change, particularly in the Information & Telecommunication Systems segment, Electronic Devices segment and Digital Media & Consumer Products segment;
- fluctuations in rates of exchange for the yen and other currencies in which Hitachi makes significant sales or in which Hitachi’s assets and liabilities are denominated, particularly between the yen and the U.S. dollar;
- uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to implement measures to reduce the potential negative impact of fluctuations in product demand and/or exchange rates;
- general socio-economic and political conditions and the regulatory and trade environment of Hitachi’s major markets, particularly the United States, Japan and elsewhere in Asia, including, without limitation, a return to stagnation or deterioration of the Japanese economy, or direct or indirect restrictions by other nations on imports;
- uncertainty as to Hitachi’s access to, or ability to protect, certain intellectual property rights, particularly those related to electronics and data processing technologies;
- uncertainty as to the results of litigation and legal proceedings of which the Company, its subsidiaries or its equity method affiliates have become or may become parties;
- the possibility of incurring expenses resulting from any defects in products or services of Hitachi;
- uncertainty as to the success of restructuring efforts to improve management efficiency and to strengthen competitiveness;
- uncertainty as to the success of alliances upon which Hitachi depends, some of which Hitachi may not control, with other corporations in the design and development of certain key products;
- uncertainty as to Hitachi’s ability to access, or access on favorable terms, liquidity or long-term financing; and
- uncertainty as to general market price levels for equity securities in Japan, declines in which may require Hitachi to write down equity securities it holds.
The factors listed above are not all-inclusive and are in addition to other factors contained elsewhere in this annual report and in other materials published by Hitachi.