As the nation's banking sector continues to struggle with bad debts and falling stock prices, major automakers from Japan, Europe and the United States are seeking to expand the scale and scope of their financial businesses here.
By taking advantage of their global financial expertise, foreign automakers such as Detroit-based General Motors Corp. and German luxury carmaker BMW AG aim to cultivate new business opportunities in Japan's financial markets.
Both companies have already established financial footing here, though they've taken different approaches. GM started with commercial real estate, while BMW has focused on consumer financial services.