Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. operates in banking, trust banking, securities, and other financial services across Japan, the Americas, Europe, Asia/Oceania, and internationally. Its business segments include Retail & Business Banking, Corporate & Investment Banking, Global Corporate & Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Others. The company offers deposit products, various loans, advisory and consulting services, fund management, underwriting, risk hedging, real estate services, and online banking, among other offerings. Founded in 2000, it is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Mizuho Securities President Makes Luring Overseas Investment into Japan a Priority Strategy
Mizuho Securities President Yoshiro Hamamoto said in an interview with Reuters that he intends to make attracting investment into Japan by overseas companies and investors a priority strategy. Hamamoto pointed out that "when it comes to Japanese companies' M&A, overseas expansion inevitably tends to be the main focus, but drawing in investment into Japan from Western companies will be extremely important," adding that "the strategic focus going forward is, if anything, more on that side." In allocating limited capital and personnel, he made clear the policy of emphasizing ROE and inbound business, prioritizing highly profitable U.S. deals and Japan-related deals aimed at strengthening industrial capabilities. He described overseas investors' investment in Japanese equities as "rice, the staple food," while saying that "the big steak is, after all, finding land for a semiconductor plant and arranging financing for it," indicating his view that there are major profit opportunities in deals supporting overseas companies seeking to enter Japan. Mizuho Securities will leverage group functions including Mizuho Bank and Mizuho Trust & Banking to support overseas companies and funds in land acquisition, fundraising, joint ventures and equity investments with domestic companies, and acquisitions. In its investment banking division, the firm is expanding personnel both in Japan and overseas, increasing sector bankers globally, while in Japan, as M&A deals run at record-high levels and advisory personnel are in short supply, he indicated the need to add several dozen staff, mainly junior bankers.
Mizuho Bank extends $100 million credit to Radiant amid doubts over collateral invoices
Mizuho Bank, a unit of Mizuho Financial Group, extended about $100 million in credit to Singapore-based iron ore trading company Radiant World in June, according to documents and people familiar with the matter. According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the financing was backed by invoices purportedly showing that Radiant had sold iron ore to mining giant Glencore, but Glencore told Mizuho in early August that it was not aware of these invoices. Glencore announced that it had booked a provision for its credit exposure to Radiant, and on the 11th said it had halted all dealings with the company and exited all debt relationships with it. Radiant said in a statement on July 31 that allegations it provided invalid invoices to raise financing were inaccurate and unfounded, and Singapore police disclosed last month that they had launched an investigation into the company. Mizuho has recently taken legal action against Radiant.
Metaplanet CEO Responds to Shareholder Criticism; JPYC Circulation Falls About 600 Million Yen in a Week
Simon Gerovich, CEO of Metaplanet, said in a post on X on September 6 that the company is continuing to review its compensation and governance policies, and, in response to questions and criticism from shareholders, he again explained the intent behind management decisions and the company's efforts toward long-term shareholder value. One of the points of debate over the compensation system is the dilution of shares through the 10th stock acquisition rights for officers and employees. The circulation of the Japanese yen stablecoin JPYC continues to decline, and according to the on-chain data aggregation site JPYC Info, it fell from about 2.708 billion JPYC on August 30 to about 2.097 billion JPYC on September 6, a decrease of about 600 million yen in value over one week. Asset Management One, an asset management company under the Mizuho group, has hired analyst Yoshifumi Nishiyama with an eye toward crypto asset ETFs, and he announced his joining the company on his social media on September 7. The National Sheriffs' Association, a U.S. law enforcement organization, said in a letter on September 3 that it was withdrawing its opposition to the Clarity Act, which defines the market structure for crypto assets, and shifting to a neutral stance. On September 11, the Financial Services Agency issued a warning to Bit Hills, which operates the crypto asset collateralized loan CryptoPawn, saying it was conducting a money lending business without registration.
Berkshire CEO Abel Warns of Growing Community Pushback Against Data Centers
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel told CNBC's Becky Quick on September 2 that there is a lot more pushback in communities across the U.S. against new data center construction. Abel said Berkshire's role in the AI buildout centers on supplying power through Berkshire Hathaway Energy rather than building the facilities themselves, and that the company will only serve large computing customers on the condition that existing customers' rates are not affected. The U.S. currently hosts roughly 4,700 data centers, and New York became the first state to impose a one-year moratorium on large new data center construction, with at least 11 states having similar movements underway. Electricity bills near major data center hubs have climbed as much as 267% over five years, and data centers now account for 4% to 5% of all U.S. electricity consumption. Mizuho analyst Vikram Malhotra flagged data centers as a likely defining political issue heading into the midterms, while Abel said he views grid capacity and permitting timelines, not chips or capital, as the real constraint on the AI buildout, noting data centers already make up about 8% of Berkshire Energy's load in Iowa.
Jefferies-backed fund secures freezing order against Radiant World
A fund linked to Jefferies has secured a freezing order from a London court against iron ore trader Radiant World and its founder, amid concerns over the validity of invoices provided to banks. LAM Trade Finance Group II, in which Jefferies holds a minority stake, filed a pre-action application with London's High Court on August 27, naming Radiant World, founder Pinkesh Nahar, Sapphire Minmetals, and its chairman Rakesh Sethi as defendants. The filing marks the first litigation in Britain in the Radiant World saga, which has prompted some counterparties and lenders to halt or restrict business with the firm. Separately, Mizuho Bank has taken legal measures to remove management of Radiant World's Singapore unit, and trade-finance firm Incomlend is suing Radiant World and Nahar in Singapore for $34 million.
21 Global Financial Institutions to Launch Stablecoin Venture in Late 2026
On September 1, 21 major global financial institutions, including Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, and MUFG, announced plans to establish a new company in late 2026 to support the issuance of stablecoins. The company's name has not yet been decided, and it will initially focus on U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins, aiming for market launch in the first half of 2027. The plan includes expanding to other G7 currencies such as the euro in the future. Participating banks include Citi, Wells Fargo, Deutsche Bank, UBS, Banco Santander, and Fidelity Investments, spanning 21 banks across North America, Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. This represents a doubling of the scope initially announced by 10 banks in October 2025. The use cases will span wholesale, institutional investors, and retail, with applications in cross-border payments and digital asset settlement. Where applicable, the company aims to comply with the U.S. GENIUS Act and the EU's MiCA regulations. With the stablecoin market capitalization reaching $303.7 billion (approximately ¥48.6 trillion), and Tether's USDT holding about 60% of the market, the banking consortium's entry is a move to challenge this oligopoly. From Japan, only MUFG is participating, and the bank plans to jointly issue trust-type yen-denominated stablecoins with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Mizuho Bank, aiming to begin actual transactions during fiscal 2026.
Major Banks Raise Floating Mortgage Rates, Fixed Rates Rise Across All Banks
Five major banks announced on the 31st the mortgage interest rates they will apply to new loans in September. For floating-rate loans, which most borrowers choose, Mitsubishi UFJ Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation raised their rates by 0.25% from the previous month, bringing their most favorable rates to 1.195% and 1.525%, respectively. The other three banks kept their rates unchanged. This reflects the increase in the benchmark short-term prime rate following the Bank of Japan's additional rate hike in June. For fixed-rate loans, all five banks raised their most favorable rates for 10-year fixed mortgages: Mitsubishi UFJ Bank increased by 0.04% to 3.63%, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation by 0.05% to 3.70%, Mizuho Bank by 0.1% to 3.45%, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank by 0.09% to 4.195%, and Resona Bank by 0.16% to 3.955%.
Viking Holdings Beats Q2 Estimates as Record Bookings Boost Revenue Visibility
Viking Holdings reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted EPS of $1.31, beating consensus estimates of $1.24 and up 32.3% from $0.99 a year earlier, while total revenue rose 16.5% to $2.19 billion, also ahead of expectations. The beat was driven by capacity growth and pricing strength, with Capacity Passenger Cruise Days up 10.9% and Net Yield up 6.2% to $645, while adjusted EBITDA rose 18.2% to $748.4 million. As of August 9, the company had sold 96% of its core capacity for 2026 and 53% for 2027, and it expects to take delivery of one ocean ship and five river vessels during the remainder of 2026. However, analysts are split: Stifel lowered its price target to $120 from $125 but kept a Buy rating, citing temporary European low-water disruption, while Mizuho raised its target to $82 from $75 but maintained an Underperform rating, citing a lack of second-half catalysts and rising competition. The company faces $5.94 billion in total debt and heavy newbuild investments, and Q2 occupancy dipped slightly to 94.4% from 95.6%. Hedge fund sentiment strengthened, with 57 funds holding positions in Q2, up from 55, and AQR Capital Management increasing its stake by 24% to 9.29 million shares valued at about $967.3 million.
Mizuho Q1 Net Income Up 39.1%, Raises Full-Year Guidance
Mizuho Financial Group reported a 39.1% year-on-year increase in first-quarter net income to 170.1 billion yen, with core operating profit surging 81.9% to 575.8 billion yen, prompting the company to raise its full-year guidance. The bank achieved a record-high ROE of 12.5% and an expense ratio of 47.7%, below its 50% target, while loan balances grew 3.3% year-on-year. The securities and investment banking segment performed robustly, particularly in M&A and equity underwriting, aided by the Greenhill acquisition. The company maintained its plan to buy back up to 100 billion yen of its own shares, with 15 billion yen already executed, and its CET1 ratio remained strong at 12.5%. Management flagged ongoing geopolitical risks, particularly in the Middle East and the Taiwan Strait, and potential volatility in Japanese government bond yields as key uncertainties.
Yen trades in upper 159 range against dollar, dollar buying dominant on rising US yields
In the foreign exchange market on the 27th, the yen traded in the upper 159 range against the dollar, slightly weaker than the previous evening. US yields rose following US price indicators, making dollar buying dominant. Bonds are expected to start lower. Mizuho Bank's Hisao Hasegawa said about the US Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) that "the market understood that inflation is slowing slowly," and regarding the dollar's strength, he commented, "Since a strong result was within expectations, it was surprising that it reacted this much." Nomura Securities' Yujiro Goto pointed out that Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Ryozo Himino's speech is "highly important for gauging BOJ policy and the yen's direction," and said the focus is on whether there will be a positive stance toward rate hike discussions. In the bond market, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management's Masayuki Oguchi noted that views of a faster BOJ rate hike pace are capping bond prices, and the September futures contract, the leading month, closed at 126.42 yen.
Japan Plans to Use Blockchain for Securities Settlement by 2027
Japan's top financial regulators are pushing for the creation of a blockchain-based settlement infrastructure for stocks and government bonds. The Financial Services Agency (FSA), the Ministry of Finance, and the Bank of Japan (BOJ) will collaborate with local financial institutions starting this summer to develop a plan, which is expected to be completed by early 2027 and could be fully operational in the early 2030s. The main goal is to accelerate settlement from two days to real-time by tokenizing the current account deposits that banks hold at the BOJ on a blockchain. On the same day, about 40 regional and online banks announced a proof-of-concept project for interbank transfers using tokenized deposits, which will begin within this month. This move builds on the July amendment to the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA), which classified about 105 cryptocurrencies as financial instruments and set an effective tax rate of approximately 20% on crypto, as well as the establishment of a dedicated crypto and stablecoin division at the FSA and a pilot project by three major banks: Mizuho Bank, MUFG, and SMBC.
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Establishes Fund for Redeveloping Existing Real Estate
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank has established an investment fund for existing real estate in 2025 through a jointly owned company with emerging real estate developer Staple. The move comes as rising labor and material costs make new construction more expensive and harder to turn a profit. The fund aims to revitalize regional areas by developing hotels as core assets and surrounding restaurants and other facilities to create vibrant communities. In sourcing properties, it is collaborating with six regional banks—Akita, Ashikaga, Gunma, Kochi, Juhachi Shinyo, and Chugoku—as well as major travel agencies. The first investment is a hotel in Nihonbashi, Tokyo, with plans for investments in Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, and Hakodate, Hokkaido. After the redeveloped properties achieve stable operations, the bank is considering selling them to long-term holding funds to allow individuals and local businesses to invest in small amounts. In the realm of existing property redevelopment, Mizuho Financial Group also established an office renovation fund in 2025, and Norinchukin Bank is advancing investments in collaboration with a U.S. real estate services company.
Japan Airport Terminal to sell 10 million shares; Mizuho Bank and others to divest
Japan Airport Terminal announced on the 24th that it will sell 10 million shares. Financial institutions including Mizuho Bank and Taisei Corporation will sell their holdings. The offering price will be determined based on demand and other factors, with a preliminary range calculated by multiplying the closing price on any day from September 2 to 7 by 0.90 to 1.00. In addition, depending on demand, an overallotment of up to 1.5 million shares will be offered. Nomura Securities, one of the joint lead managers, will sell Japan Airport Terminal shares borrowed from shareholders. Japan Airport Terminal also announced a share buyback of up to 3.5 million shares, equivalent to 3.8% of outstanding shares, with a maximum value of 15 billion yen, to mitigate the impact of the offering on share supply and demand. The repurchase period runs from October 1 to March 31, 2027.
ULA plans $500 million private bond sale to refinance debt
United Launch Alliance plans to raise approximately $500 million through a private bond placement to refinance existing debt. The rocket joint venture, owned by Boeing and Lockheed Martin, provides launch services for the US military and commercial customers including Amazon. US Bancorp, Mizuho Financial Group, and Wells Fargo are reportedly arranging the transaction. The bonds will be structured as a true private placement, sold directly to institutional investors rather than registered in public markets.
Combined net profit of five major Japanese banks rises 42% to 1.9564 trillion yen in April–June quarter
The combined net profit of five major Japanese banking groups in the April–June 2026 quarter rose 42.3% year-on-year to 1.9564 trillion yen. The Bank of Japan's rate hikes improved lending margins, while rising stock prices boosted fee income from investment trust sales and other sources. By bank, net profit rose 48.2% at Mitsubishi UFJ, 33.0% at Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, 45.5% at Mizuho Financial Group, 56.6% at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group, and 14.2% at Resona Holdings. All except Resona posted record April–June profits. For the full year ending March 2027, Mizuho and Resona raised their forecasts following the additional rate hike in June, while the other three banks kept theirs unchanged.
Mizuho pushed back on concerns that Chinese memory maker CXMT will flood the DRAM market and crush pricing, telling investors the fear is overblown. TMT sector specialist Jordan Klein said the firm's Japan team estimated CXMT's DRAM bit supply growth will rise only 13% year over year in 2027, below the broader industry's 21%, leaving the company at roughly 8% of global share. That would put CXMT's 2026-2028 compound annual growth rate at 24%, in line with the overall DRAM industry, which Mizuho said points to no reckless supply expansion to try and take share with aggressive pricing. The firm cited constraints including Applied Materials and Lam Research suspending tool servicing on CXMT's existing equipment in March 2026, aging equipment due for a refresh, yield pressure from node transitions during 2027, and a lack of EUV lithography tools as a major constraint. Klein added that the Chinese government wants CXMT to allocate much more capacity toward high-bandwidth memory rather than conventional DRAM, and the company lags big time in HBM and is not selling to non-China hyperscalers, further limiting its impact on global pricing dynamics.
Mizuho FG Expands Share Buyback Program to 35 Million Shares, 200 Billion Yen
Mizuho Financial Group announced it will expand its share buyback program. The previous limit of 25 million shares and 100 billion yen has been raised to 35 million shares and 200 billion yen, with the repurchase period running from May 18, 2026, to September 30, 2026. If the maximum number of shares is acquired, the ratio to total outstanding shares excluding treasury stock will be 1.4 percent. The company also announced plans to cancel all repurchased shares on October 23, 2026.
Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Raise Time Deposit Rates
Mizuho Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank will raise yen time deposit rates from August 3. Mizuho Bank will increase the one-year rate by 0.1 percentage point to 0.5 percent, and the five-year rate by 0.125 percentage point to 0.825 percent, with hikes ranging from 0.1 to 0.175 percentage point depending on the term. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank will raise the one-year rate by 0.1 percentage point to 0.525 percent, with increases of 0.1 to 0.3 percentage point depending on the term. Other major banks are expected to follow suit soon.
Nippon Steel Solutions and JT Raise Earnings Forecasts, Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings Announces 400 Billion Yen Buyback
According to disclosures made on July 30, Nippon Steel Solutions raised its first-half net profit forecast by 6 percent, adding to its record-high profit outlook, and also increased its full-year forecast. Japan Tobacco raised its current-term net profit forecast by 13 percent, adding to its record-high profit outlook, and increased its dividend by 30 yen. Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan Holdings swung to a first-half net profit and announced a share buyback of up to 14 million shares, representing 8.6 percent of outstanding shares excluding treasury stock, with a maximum value of 400 billion yen. Elsewhere, Sekisui Jushi raised its current-term net profit forecast by 23 percent, increased its dividend by 18 yen, and expanded its share buyback amount from 2.7 billion yen to 3 billion yen. Mizuho Financial Group raised its current-term net profit forecast by 8 percent, adding to its record-high profit outlook, and expanded its share buyback program from the current 25 million shares and 100 billion yen to 35 million shares and 200 billion yen. On the other hand, negative factors also emerged, such as Nihon M&A Center Holdings reporting an 11 percent decline in ordinary profit for the April-June quarter, Kagome lowering its current-term net profit forecast by 22 percent, and Osaka Steel revising its first-half ordinary profit forecast to a loss and maintaining a previously undecided first-half dividend at zero.
Mizuho Financial reports Q1 GAAP EPS of ¥173.53 and revenue of ¥2520.86B, revises full-year outlook
Mizuho Financial Group reported first-quarter GAAP earnings per share of ¥173.53 and revenue of ¥2520.86 billion, an 18.3% increase year-over-year. The company also revised its full-year outlook. The results were disclosed in a press release on the company's investor relations website.
Mizuho Financial Group raises full-year net profit forecast to 1.4 trillion yen
Mizuho Financial Group on the 30th revised upward its consolidated net profit forecast for the fiscal year ending March 2027 to 1.4 trillion yen, from the previous 1.3 trillion yen. Consolidated net profit for the April–June quarter of 2026 rose 45.5 percent year-on-year to 422.9 billion yen. According to the consensus estimate of 12 analysts compiled by IBES, the average forecast for full-year consolidated net profit for the fiscal year ending March 2027 is 1.387 trillion yen.
Major Banks Launch Mortgage Rate Relief for Kumamoto Earthquake Victims
Mitsubishi UFJ Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Mizuho Bank, Resona Bank, and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank began offering preferential interest rates on housing loans, renovation loans, and unsecured loans for victims of the earthquake that struck Kumamoto Prefecture on the 29th. Rates will be reduced upon submission of a disaster victim certificate, and affected businesses will also receive low-interest financing. The Kyushu Local Finance Bureau and the Bank of Japan's Kumamoto Branch have requested that financial institutions allow withdrawals based on identity verification even if passbooks or seals have been lost, and each bank plans to respond flexibly. The Life Insurance Association of Japan and the General Insurance Association of Japan announced that premium payment grace periods will be extended by up to six months, and insurance claim procedures will be simplified.
US banks including JPMorgan set to join Japan’s investment and lending to the US, easing dollar funding concerns
US banks including JPMorgan Chase are moving toward participating in the 550 billion dollar Japan-US investment and lending framework agreed in bilateral tariff talks. The framework was struck last July as a quid pro quo for the US cutting tariffs on Japanese imports to 15 percent, under which Japan will provide up to 550 billion dollars in investment, lending and loan guarantees for projects in energy, critical minerals and other sectors. About one-third of the amount is to be provided by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, with the remainder to be co-financed by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and Mizuho Financial Group. However, the massive dollar-denominated lending has raised challenges for Japan’s megabanks, including higher foreign-currency funding costs and reduced lending capacity. The participation of US banks with ample dollar liquidity could give the projects a tailwind, and a Japanese government official indicated that whether the dollars are raised by megabanks or US banks does not matter. Combined investment and lending for the first and second tranches of projects announced so far exceed 100 billion dollars, but only 2.2 billion dollars in loans have been finalized.
AZ-COM Maruwa to Use JPYC Stablecoin for Fees and Salaries for 2,300 Partners
AZ-COM Maruwa Holdings, a major Japanese logistics company, will adopt the JPYC stablecoin to pay fees and salaries to approximately 2,300 business partners and independent contractors, including truck drivers. This marks the first large-scale corporate use of JPYC, the first officially registered yen-pegged stablecoin in Japan. AZ-COM Maruwa is also considering a 1 billion yen investment in JPYC Inc. to foster collaboration. The offer of faster payments aims to attract partners and address labor shortages stemming from an aging society and stricter overtime regulations. The circulating supply on JPYC's network has already exceeded 2 billion yen, and Lawson, Japan's third-largest convenience store chain, recently launched a pilot program accepting JPYC payments. Meanwhile, Metaplanet Ventures invested 400 million yen in JPYC Inc.'s Series B round. Traditional financial institutions are also competing in the stablecoin market, with SBI Group launching JPYSC and the three megabanks MUFG, SMBC, and Mizuho planning to begin transactions with a jointly issued stablecoin by fiscal year 2026.
Mizuho FG Launches AI-Powered Lending Service for SMEs
Mizuho Financial Group has launched UPSIDER BANK by MIZUHO, a comprehensive financial service for mid-sized and small businesses that leverages AI. The service features same-day account opening at the earliest, a flat 100 yen fee for transfers to other banks, and AI-based credit assessment enabling corporate card credit lines of up to 1 billion yen. It also offers operational efficiency improvements and specialist matching. Mizuho FG President Masahiro Kihara positioned supporting the growth of mid-sized and small enterprises as the group's mission and expressed confidence in the partnership with startup UPSIDER. The group targets cumulative online loan executions of 500 billion yen and cumulative account acquisitions of 100,000 by fiscal 2030. Mega banks have seen repeated failures in lending to mid-sized and small businesses, and attention is focused on whether AI technology can rewrite that history.
Nvidia Expands AI Push Across Japan's Largest Industries
Nvidia is widening its reach across Japan's largest industries. During a visit to Tokyo, CEO Jensen Huang announced partnerships covering robotics, health care, banking, manufacturing, automobiles, quantum computing and gaming. Japanese companies including FANUC, Sony, Hitachi, Kubota and SoftBank plan to work with Nvidia on physical AI models for robots and industrial systems. In health care, several drugmakers are using Nvidia's BioNeMo platform for drug discovery, while Canon and Fujifilm introduced medical imaging systems built with Nvidia technology. Toyota is expanding its work with Nvidia on driver-assistance software, factory simulations and traffic systems, Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui are building AI infrastructure for banking, and RIKEN is preparing Blackwell-powered supercomputers for scientific and quantum research.
Nvidia CEO Huang unveils broad AI partnerships across Japan's key industries
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveiled a broad slate of AI products, partnerships, and customer deployments at the company's Japan AI event in Tokyo on July 15. The announcements spanned physical AI, healthcare, financial services, quantum computing, automotive, manufacturing, and gaming, highlighting Nvidia's push to position its technologies at the forefront of Japan's next-generation AI infrastructure. In physical AI and robotics, Nvidia launched Cosmos 3 Edge for on-device vision reasoning, and companies including FANUC, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kubota, NEC, SoftBank, Sony Group, and Yaskawa Electric plan to join the Nvidia Cosmos Coalition to develop open physical AI models. In healthcare, Astellas Pharma, Eisai, Daiichi Sankyo, Ono Pharmaceutical, and Takeda Pharmaceutical are deploying Nvidia BioNeMo for AI-powered drug discovery, while Canon and Fujifilm introduced Nvidia-powered next-generation CT systems, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries is advancing AI-enabled surgical and hospital robots. In financial services, Mizuho Financial plans Japan's largest on-premises AI factory for banking, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial has deployed an AI factory through Japan Research Institute, and Rakuten Bank is developing AI transaction foundation models using Nvidia Agent Toolkit. Huang emphasized that the next wave of AI will be physical AI—robots, factories, vehicles, and industrial systems that can perceive, reason, and act in the real world—and said Japan's leadership in robotics, manufacturing, and precision engineering positions it to play a leading role in this transition.
Realty Income Recasts and Expands Revolving Credit Facilities to $5.5 Billion and Commercial Paper Programs to $5.5 Billion
Realty Income has closed on the recast and expansion of its multicurrency unsecured revolving credit facilities to $5.5 billion, up from the prior $4.0 billion capacity, and also expanded its global commercial paper programs to a combined $5.5 billion, up from $3.0 billion. The revolving credit facilities are split into two $2.75 billion tranches maturing in April 2029 and July 2030, with an accordion feature allowing an increase to $6.5 billion. The company's current credit ratings provide for a borrowing rate of 67.5 basis points over SOFR and a facility fee of 12.5 basis points, resulting in all-in drawn pricing of 80 basis points over SOFR, a reduction of 5 basis points from the prior facilities. The commercial paper programs consist of a $2.75 billion U.S. program and a $2.75 billion European program, with the revolving credit facilities serving as a liquidity backstop. A total of 26 lenders are participating, with Wells Fargo as administrative agent and Wells Fargo Securities, JPMorgan Chase, BofA Securities, Mizuho, and TD Bank as joint bookrunners.
Mizuho FG's ordinary profit forecast for the March 2027 fiscal year rises 1.5% from the previous week
The consensus forecast for Mizuho Financial Group's ordinary profit for the March 2027 fiscal year rose 1.5% from the previous week's 1.914317 trillion yen to 1.942865 trillion yen. Compared to the prior-year result, the forecast was revised upward from a 21.7% increase to a 23.5% increase. The rating consensus remains unchanged at 4.7.
Over 140 Companies Including Visa and Stripe Launch Jointly Operated Stablecoin Open USD
Independent entity Open Standard has announced the dollar-denominated stablecoin Open USD. More than 140 companies are participating, including Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, BlackRock, and Coinbase, with the aim of establishing an open standard jointly operated by the member firms. The yield on reserve assets, minus a small operating fee, is designed to be returned to the participating companies that contribute to adoption and circulation, and there are no fees for issuance or redemption. The launch is scheduled for the latter half of 2026, and on the day of the announcement, shares of USDC issuer Circle fell roughly 16 percent. Japanese companies such as PayPay, Mizuho Financial Group, Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, and Rakuten Group are also among the participants, a move that contrasts with domestic efforts by three banks including MUFG Bank to jointly issue a yen-denominated stablecoin.
SoftBank renews talks for $10 billion loan against OpenAI stake with added guarantees
SoftBank Group has reopened talks with a consortium of lenders for a $10 billion loan backed by its stake in OpenAI, after earlier attempts stalled over concerns about valuing private companies. To make lenders more comfortable, SoftBank is offering to guarantee repayment, giving banks recourse if the OpenAI shares pledged as collateral lose value. The lending consortium is expected to include Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Mizuho Financial Group. The financing, known as a margin loan, is part of SoftBank's efforts to fund its artificial intelligence investment strategy, which has included more than $60 billion in commitments to OpenAI and related infrastructure projects.
The Japanese stock market is expected to see profit taking on Monday after the Nikkei 225 climbed more than 6,950 points or 10.9 percent over seven consecutive sessions to a fresh record closing high of 71,250.06. The global forecast for Asian markets is weak after Iran closed down the Strait of Hormuz again over the weekend, with European markets soft and U.S. bourses closed for the Juneteenth holiday. On Friday, the Nikkei gained 196.57 points or 0.28 percent, but weakness in financial shares, technology stocks, and automobile producers limited broader gains, with Nissan Motor plunging 4.43 percent and Mizuho Financial cratering 4.42 percent. Crude oil prices tumbled last week on reports the strait had reopened, falling more than 10 percent to below $80, but Iran's renewed closure over the weekend is likely to prompt a rebound this week.
Mizuho Bank and Rakuten Bank Form Strategic Capital and Business Alliance
Mizuho Bank and Rakuten Bank have entered into a strategic capital and business alliance to create a new credit model combining megabank corporate expertise with digital bank retail reach. As part of the capital alliance, Mizuho Bank will acquire 23,559,673 Class A shares of Rakuten Bank, which will be converted into common shares during a broader reorganization of Rakuten's FinTech business. The partnership aims to optimize domestic fund circulation by connecting Mizuho's corporate clients' financing needs with Rakuten Bank's retail deposit base, and includes plans for Rakuten Bank to acquire corporate loans originated by Mizuho. The banks will also collaborate on working capital for small businesses, housing loan efficiency, and backup cash disbursement protocols for Rakuten Bank during crises.
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