In addition, Astellas will actively introduce new products  and otherwise pursue strategic business investment oppor- tunities, to further reinforce its product lineup. A sufficient  level of cash and cash equivalents is maintained to enable  Astellas to target such strategic investment opportunities,  while also supplying working capital and fund capital  expenditures. An overview of the consolidated statement of financial  position as of March 31, 2014 and the main changes from  the end of the previous fiscal year are shown below. Total assets as of March 31, 2014 amounted to ¥1,653.1  billion, up ¥87.8 billion from a year earlier. Non-current assets decreased ¥52.7 billion, to ¥739.8  billion at the fiscal year-end. Property, plant and equipment  at cost was ¥191.5 billion, down ¥19.7 billion from the  previous fiscal year-end. Current assets increased ¥140.6 billion, to ¥913.3  billion at the fiscal year-end. Cash and cash equivalents  was ¥391.4 billion, up ¥126.5 billion from the previous  fiscal year-end. As outlined in the section on business risks, Astellas’  operations face a varied set of risks that are peculiar to the  ethical pharmaceutical business. Astellas believes that it is  advisable to finance business development with internal  funds. In preparation for the event of demand for funding  beyond this, the Group’s financial policy is to maintain a  healthy balance sheet at all times so it can finance  smoothly at low costs. Net cash flows from operating activities amounted to ¥214.3  billion, an increase of ¥63.3 billion in year-on-year terms.  Income tax paid decreased ¥1.3 billion to ¥43.1 billion. Total equity was ¥1,268.5 billion, an increase of ¥93.9  billion from a year earlier. The ratio of owners’ equity to  gross assets was 76.7%. While profit for the year stood at ¥90.9 billion, the  Company paid ¥58.7 billion of dividends of surplus and  acquired ¥30.1 billion of treasury shares. Net cash flows used in investing activities totaled ¥26.9  billion, down ¥28.3 billion from the previous fiscal year.  While proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment  provided cash of ¥8.7 billion and proceeds from sales of  subsidiaries provided cash of ¥18.6 billion, purchases of  property, plant and equipment used cash of ¥29.3 billion and  purchase of intangible assets used cash of ¥26.9 billion. Total liabilities as of March 31, 2014 amounted to ¥384.6  billion, down ¥6.0 billion from a year earlier. Total non-current liabilities declined ¥21.8 billion to  ¥43.9 billion. Current liabilities increased ¥15.8 billion to  ¥340.7 billion. Net cash flows used in financing activities totaled ¥89.4  billion, down ¥20.6 billion from the previous fiscal year.  Dividends paid to owners of the parent decreased ¥1.4  billion year on year, to ¥58.7 billion. Acquisition of treasury  shares amounted to ¥30.1 billion. As a result of the above, the balance of cash and cash  equivalents as of March 31, 2014 amounted to ¥391.4  billion, an increase of ¥126.5 billion compared with the  previous fiscal year-end. Seeking to strengthen its pharmaceutical business, Astellas  is constantly working to expand its share of the Japanese  market while also building a global sales and marketing  network to boost its presence in global markets outside of  Japan. Moreover, Astellas will continue reinforcing its R&D  capabilities to maintain a strong drug discovery capability. 100 Astellas Pharma Inc.  _ Annual Report 2014 Cash Flows from Financing Activities Liquidity and Financing Liabilities Assets, Liabilities and Equity Assets Number of MRs Cash Flows Cash Flows from Operating Activities (persons) 2013.3 2014.3 Total (Global) 6,350 6,340 Cash Flows from Investing Activities Equity