Controversy taints Japan Post IPO
The funds raised could go towards whittling down Tokyo's debt, but some analysts say it is like selling off the family silver. And postal privatisations haven't gone well elsewhere
JAPAN Post is scheduled to make its public debut on Nov 4 via a mammoth US$12 billion initial public offering (IPO) of shares in the holding company, plus partial stakes in the state-owned conglomerate's banking and insurance arms.
The IPO, which some say could be the harbinger of further disposal of state-owned assets by the Japanese government, is almost certain to succeed in terms of being fully or over-subscribed.
But it is tinged with controversy.
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