TOKYO - The Democratic Party of Japan-led government is considering holding regular meetings with the Bank of Japan, state minister for economic and fiscal policy Naoto Kan said Wednesday.
"We are discussing what form an opportunity for communication between the government and the BOJ should take," Kan said at a press conference, amid the government's expectations that the central bank will take additional steps to combat the increasing deflationary pressure.
---------- Shionogi applies for new flu drug with eye to start sales next fall
OSAKA - Shionogi & Co. said Wednesday it has filed an application with the health ministry for approval to manufacture and sell a new drug to treat influenza, including the H1N1 virus strain, with an eye to start sales in the fall of next year.
If approved, peramivir would serve as the third drug to be used for flu treatment in Japan in addition to Tamiflu and Relenza, which are made by foreign manufacturers.
---------- S&P lowers JAL rating further on likelihood of debt reduction
TOKYO - Standard & Poor's Ratings Services lowered on Wednesday its credit ratings further from already speculative grades on struggling Japan Airlines Corp. and its key unit due to a growing likelihood of their debt forgiveness or debt-for-equity swap deal.
Less than three weeks after a two-notch rating downgrade on Oct. 16, S&P lowered the long-term corporate credit ratings on JAL and Japan Airlines International Co. by two notches again from B-minus to CCC and kept the two firms on its credit watch with negative implications.
---------- JVC Kenwood mulls selling music software unit Victor Entertainment
TOKYO - JVC Kenwood Holdings Inc. is considering selling its music software group company Victor Entertainment Inc. as part of efforts to rehabilitate its struggling businesses, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
Potential buyers envisaged by the holding company of Victor Co. of Japan, known as JVC, and Kenwood Corp. include major video game software developer Konami Corp., the sources said.
