The Japanese bank paid $149 million, or more than $44 a share, for the stock.

That would be about the same as other top Japanese banks.

Start by asking at the central branch of any major Japanese bank.

"My perspective is the Japanese banks will play a significant role."

The Japanese central bank poured money into the economy immediately.

The rate increase puts Japanese banks in a particularly difficult position.

This prompted the Japanese bank to cover the loss with a £50m rights issue.

Japanese banks were already well over the minimum last year.

Only then did the Japanese banks make their move, well covered by the activity of others.

Japanese banks now have a 25 percent share of the lucrative California market, for example.