Japan's second-largest convenience-store operator, Lawson Inc., is considering delaying a plan to directly hook up its automated teller machines with Mizuho group banks' ATM network due to the banks' computer troubles.
Lawson officials said Saturday the company wants to implement the hookup only after Mizuho Financial Group announces its computers are functioning properly.
The delay could deal another heavy blow to the Mizuho Financial Group, which is lagging behind other commercial banks as competition to tie up with retailers on ATMs intensifies.