Tokyo Gov. Shintaro Ishihara said Friday his campaign pledge to establish a junk bond market -- a high yield stock market for small and midsize enterprises -- will be realized within the year.
Speaking at his first regular news conference, Ishihara said he is making steady progress in mapping out a detailed plan. "One of my right-hand men who has expertise on the issue has been in the United States (to carry out a study on the issue). And I've met and talked with heads of foreign financial institutions (about the issue)," said Ishihara, adding he is also contacting Japanese companies that have shown interest in creating such a bond market.