The Daiwa House group comprises 41 companies in Japan and overseas engaging in a comprehensive range of businesses relating to the living environment: from homes to lifestyles. Its business domain is divided into five segments, and the parent company accounts for 88.0% of total Group sales.   Housing operations constitute the Group's core business, accounting for 66.6% of sales. They encompass a wide array of businesses relating to the homes people live in, ranging from the contract construction of housing and the sale of houses and residential lots, to the building of apartments for rental use, the development and sale of condominiums and so on.     Commercial construction to meet business demand is another pillar of the Group's construction activities, contributing 20.8% of total sales. This segment is divided into two categories: the construction of commercial facilities located in suburban areas for retailers, and steel-pipe and general construction, principally office buildings, factories, and nursing and welfare facilities.     This segment involves the operation of 29 Daiwa Royal Hotels and 10 golf courses around Japan. It accounts for 4.4% of sales a consolidated basis, and within this total the ratio of sales generated by hotels and golf courses is 9:1. In the Japanese hotel industry, these hotels are classifi ed as resort hotels.     In this segment we operate 38 home centers nationwide. These offer an average of 50,000 items, primarily DIY products for interior and exterior use, and including outdoor and leisure goods and pet supplies. We also devote considerable effort to the field of renovation. On a consolidated basis, the segment accounts for 4.3% of sales.     These businesses are primarily the responsibility of Group subsidiaries and affiliates. There are 15 categories, ranging from corporate-oriented business such as the manufacture and sale of construction materials and goods distribution, to services for end-users, including removals and the operation of Super sento bathhouses. Together, these contribute 3.9% of sales.     Segment sales figures shown in this annual report are totals of sales to external customers and inter-segment sales and transfers. Segment sales ratios, however, are calculated solely on the basis of sales to external customers.