(*) The Lifetime Value Company was renamed the Women & Family Company in the FY2008.

Consolidated net sales in the Women & Family Company were ¥26.4 billion, up 3.0% year on year.

The higher sales were primarily attributable to increased orders in mail-order shopping operations Tamahiyo Shop, P-smile and Tamahiyo no Uchiiwai, which fueled strong growth.

On the earnings front, this company recorded an operating loss of ¥0.7 billion, after posting operating income of ¥1.1 billion in fiscal 2007. This loss reflected such factors as expenses for launching two new businesses. In February 2009, Benesse launched befa!, a correspondence course for mothers and families from the fifth to sixth month of pregnancy to the fifth month after birth. Then in March 2009, the Company rolled out Happy Collection, a lesson program for women that they can complete at home.

This in-house company was reorganized in September 2008 in order to strengthen the lifestyle business domain going forward by supporting the lifestyles of women and their families and women's aspirations to better themselves. Both the company and segment name were changed from Lifetime Value Company to Women & Family Company.