Mizuho clarifies ‘no decision yet’ on Rakuten Bank investment

Rakuten Bank said that Mizuho “has not made any decision” regarding the investment.

Mizuho Financial Group said that it has not made any decision regarding an investment in Rakuten Bank, Ltd.

In a statement, the Japanese megabank said that it is currently conducting various examinations including the possibility of investment in the bank.

“Although we are currently conducting various examinations, including the possibility of investing in Rakuten Bank, Ltd., based on the announcement dated February 25, 2026, made by Rakuten Group, Inc., we have not made any decision at present,” Mizuho wrote in the statement dated 18 May 2026.

Mizuho Financial Group said that it will disclose information once a decision is made.

The statement comes on the back of reports made by Yomiuri Shimbun on 17 May, which said that Mizuho will make an investment in Rakuten Bank.

In a separate statement, Rakuten Bank stated that it did not announce the information reported by Yomiuri Shimbun.

“...although the company is currently examining the reorganization of the FinTech business of Rakuten Group; however, the company has not made any decision regarding this matter at present,” Rakuten Bank wrote.