Variable interest entities

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Variable interest entities

24. Variable interest entities

Sony has, from time to time, entered into various arrangements with VIEs. These arrangements include several joint ventures in the recorded music business, an equity investment in the music publishing business, the financing of film production and the outsourcing of manufacturing operations. In addition, Sony has entered into several accounts receivable sales programs that involve VIEs, which are described in Note 6. For the VIEs that are described below, it has been determined that Sony is the primary beneficiary and, accordingly, these VIEs are consolidated by Sony.

Sony’s U.S. subsidiary that is engaged in the recorded music business has entered into several joint ventures with companies involved in the production and creation of recorded music. Sony has reviewed these joint ventures and determined that they are VIEs. Based on a qualitative assessment, it was determined that Sony has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIEs’ economic performance, as well as the obligation to absorb the losses of these VIEs as Sony is responsible for providing funding to these VIEs, and in most cases absorbs all losses until the VIEs become profitable. As a result, it has been determined that Sony is the primary beneficiary. The assets of Sony are not available to settle the obligations of these VIEs. As of March 31, 2019, the total assets and liabilities for these VIEs, on an aggregate basis, were 47,700 million yen and 27,861 million yen, respectively.

As described in Note 6, certain accounts receivable sales programs also involve VIEs. These VIEs are all special purpose entities associated with the sponsor banks. Based on a qualitative assessment, Sony is not the primary beneficiary and therefore does not consolidate these entities as Sony does not have the power to direct the activities, an obligation to absorb losses, or the right to receive the residual returns of these VIEs. Sony’s maximum exposure to losses from these VIEs is considered insignificant.