Record Operating and Ordinary Income for the
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012

Summary of Earnings for the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2012
  Sales Down but Profits Up Year-on-Year
  Operating income increased due to steady performance by domestic food products,
    increased income from amino acids and improved profitability of fundamental foods.
      Record 72.5 billion yen (a 4% increase from previous fiscal year)
      (Previous record 70.9 billion yen in fiscal year ended March 31, 2005)
  Ordinary income increased due to non-operating factors including an increase in
    interest received and decrease in interest expense
      Record 75.9 billion yen (a 7% increase from previous fiscal year)
      (Previous record 72.1 billion yen in fiscal year ended March 31, 2005)
  Full-year dividend of 16 yen per share planned, unchanged from previous fiscal year


TOKYO, May 8, 2012 - Ajinomoto Co., Inc. (Ajinomoto) today announced its results for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012, as outlined in the following tables. On a consolidated basis, net sales were 1,197.3 billion yen (a 1% decrease from the previous year), operating income was 72.5 billion yen (a 4% increase), ordinary income was 75.9 billion yen (a 7% increase) and net income was 41.7 billion yen (a 37% increase).
 

Consolidated Segment Information
 


Net sales decreased 10.3 billion yen from the previous fiscal year to 1,197.3 billion yen (down 1%). By geographical segment, sales in Japan were 814.9 billion yen (down 2%) due to a decrease in sales of the pharmaceuticals business and other factors, despite growth in sales of seasonings, processed foods and frozen foods, while overseas sales totaled 382.4 billion yen (up 1%), even with the negative effect of currency translation due to the strong yen, with sales growth mainly in seasonings and feed-use amino acids.

Operating income was a record high of 72.5 billion yen (up 4%). By geographical segment, operating income was 35.5 billion yen (up 10%) in Japan and 37.0 billion yen (down 1%) overseas. In Japan, sales of specialty chemicals decreased, but the domestic food products business performed steadily with the contribution of seasonings, frozen foods and other products, operating income increased in the amino acids business, and profitability improved in the wellness business, with growth in sales volume and other factors, resulting in the overall increase in operating income. Overseas, although the negative effect of currency translation was substantial due to the strong yen, Ajinomoto secured overall operating income at essentially the same level as in the previous fiscal year with the contribution of feed-use amino acids.
Ordinary income increased 5.4 billion yen to a record high of 75.9 billion yen (up 7%) due to non-operating factors including an increase in interest received and a decrease in interest expense.

Net income increased 11.3 billion yen to 41.7 billion yen (up 37%). Extraordinary gains increased due to insurance income, and although Ajinomoto recorded losses due to the earthquake in Japan and flooding in Thailand, total extraordinary losses declined as a result of decreases in impairment losses and loss on devaluation of securities.


Consolidated Performance Forecast for the Fiscal Year Ending March 31, 2013
Ajinomoto forecasts net sales of 1,221.0 billion yen, operating income of 73.5 billion yen, ordinary income of 76.5 billion yen and net income of 44.0 billion yen. This forecast assumes a U.S. dollar/yen exchange rate of 80.0 yen for the fiscal year.

Ajinomoto plans to pay dividends totaling 16 yen per share for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013 (including an 8 yen interim dividend), the same amount as for the previous fiscal year.


The Ajinomoto Group has positioned the three years from April 2011 as a period for building its foundation for becoming a "genuine global company," and will continue its efforts for growth through the two drivers of "global growth" and "R&D leadership" and the three policies for business structure reinforcement of "from VOLUME to VALUE," "from PROFIT to CASH" and "Enhance capital efficiency to boost stockholder value."


About Ajinomoto
Ajinomoto is a global manufacturer of high-quality seasonings, processed foods, beverages, amino acids, pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals. For many decades Ajinomoto has contributed to food culture and human health through wide-ranging application of amino acid technologies. Today, the company is becoming increasingly involved with solutions for improved food resources, human health and global sustainability. Founded in 1909 and now operating in 26 countries, Ajinomoto had net sales of JPY 1,197.3 billion (USD 15.1 billion) in fiscal 2011. For more about Ajinomoto (TYO: 2802), visit www.ajinomoto.com.

For further information, please contact:
Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Public Communications Department; pr_info@ajinomoto.com.

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