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Japan’s Top Banks Break Profit Records as Interest Rates Rise

TOKYO - Japan’s three largest banking groups have all reported record net profits for the past fiscal year, with their combined earnings nearing 4 trillion yen.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Japan’s largest bank by assets, recorded a net profit of 1.8629 trillion yen for the 12 months through March, according to its earnings report released this week. "We are seeing strong growth both in quality and quantity," said President Hironori Kamezawa, emphasizing the group’s continued momentum.

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group also surpassed the 1 trillion yen mark in net profit for the first time, reporting 1.1779 trillion yen. Mizuho Financial Group posted a profit of 885.4 billion yen, a 30.4% increase from the previous year.

The strong earnings were driven by a favorable environment, including higher interest rates following the Bank of Japan’s policy shift and gains from the sale of strategic shareholdings. Together, the three megabanks posted a combined profit of 3.9263 trillion yen, each achieving its highest level on record.

Source: TBS

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Japan’s weather agency carried out field inspections in Yamanashi Prefecture on June 28 after a powerful earthquake struck the Fuji Five Lakes area late on June 26, registering a lower 6 on Japan’s seismic intensity scale in Fujikawaguchiko and injuring six people.

According to updates on June 28, the double-typhoon system that brought record rain, flooding, landslides and fallen trees to parts of Japan has moved away, but Kanto remains under cloudy rainy-season skies, with intermittent rain still possible and saturated ground keeping the risk of landslides high in areas hit by heavy rain.

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

A powerful earthquake with a maximum seismic intensity of upper 6 struck off Iwate Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. on June 25, shaking parts of Aomori Prefecture and leaving Hachinohe, which was hit by a similarly strong quake last December, facing fresh damage.

A powerful earthquake registering a maximum intensity of 6 upper on Japan’s seismic scale struck Aomori Prefecture at around 7:30 a.m. today. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter was off the coast of Iwate Prefecture, with a depth of about 50 kilometers. The earthquake’s magnitude was estimated at 6.9.

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