The Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren) and the Japan Federation of Employers' Associations (Nikkeiren) merged Tuesday to become the Japan Business Federation, hoping the more powerful business lobby can wield greater influence over government policies.
The merger, creating Japan's largest economic bloc with some 1,600 corporate and organizational members, marks the first postwar integration of major business groups.
The new group, dubbed Nippon Keidanren, aims to create an environment to revitalize corporate activities and help companies cope with a rapidly changing society, said Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Hiroshi Okuda, who was formally named the group's head at its inaugural meeting in Tokyo the same day. He is expected to serve in the post for two years.