Note 2 indicates that, “Inventories valued on the LIFO basis totaled ¥94,578 million and ¥50,037 million at 31 December 2008 and 2009, respectively.” Based on this, the LIFO reserve should most likely:

A. increase.

B. decrease.

C. remain the same.

ZP Corporation is a (hypothetical) multinational corporation headquartered in Japan that trades on numerous stock exchanges. ZP prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Excerpts from ZP’s 2009 annual report are shown in Exhibits J−L.

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EXHIBITJ Consolidated Balance Sheets ( millions) Year Ended 31 December Current assets Cash and cash equivalents E Inventories Total current assets E Total assets I Total current liabilities E Total long-term liabilities Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries Total shareholders' equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 2008 542,849 608,572 4,028,742 1 10,819,440 3,980,247 E 2,663,795 218,889 3,956,509 10,819,440 2009 814,760 E 486,465 E 3,766,309 9,687,346 I 3,529,765 2,624,002 179,843 3,353,736 9,687,346