Japan

Moody's Investors Service has placed on review for possible downgrade various ratings of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.

Many seasons have passed since we last talked about the readiness of Japan’s mighty finance houses to boldly go where few Japanese banks had gone before - overseas. Then, Daiwa Securities chief, Shigeharu Suzuki, was boasting of a 100b Yen commitment to regional investment, while Nomura announced its intention to acquire an Indian investment bank. Since those joyful days we have had the season of ‘Thanksgiving’ – when a summer of bad news such as failed bank, Northern Rock, finally gave way to another upsurge in global equity markets. Then came the season of ‘Panic’, after Bear Sterns famously imploded and speculation of who would be next spread like a fever.

Many seasons have passed since we last talked about the readiness of Japan’s mighty finance houses to boldly go where few Japanese banks had gone before - overseas. Then, Daiwa Securities chief, Shigeharu Suzuki, was boasting of a 100b Yen commitment to regional investment, while Nomura announced its intention to acquire an Indian investment bank. Since those joyful days we have had the season of ‘Thanksgiving’ – when a summer of bad news such as failed bank, Northern Rock, finally gave way to another upsurge in global equity markets. Then came the season of ‘Panic’, after Bear Sterns famously imploded and speculation of who would be next spread like a fever.

Many seasons have passed since we last talked about the readiness of Japan’s mighty finance houses to boldly go where few Japanese banks had gone before - overseas. Then, Daiwa Securities chief, Shigeharu Suzuki, was boasting of a 100b Yen commitment to regional investment, while Nomura announced its intention to acquire an Indian investment bank. Since those joyful days we have had the season of ‘Thanksgiving’ – when a summer of bad news such as failed bank, Northern Rock, finally gave way to another upsurge in global equity markets. Then came the season of ‘Panic’, after Bear Sterns famously imploded and speculation of who would be next spread like a fever.

Mitsubishi UFJ and Morgan Stanley will form a new company to address the securities needs of wholesale and retail customers in Japan. It will also offer various Japan-related financial products and services to overseas customers.