A new panel at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry on Thursday began discussing measures aimed at helping Japanese companies beat hostile takeover bids by foreign firms.
The panel will study measures that have already been implemented in the United States, such as a "poison pill" that allows existing shareholders in a target company -- other than those seeking to acquire the firm -- to buy more shares at a discount, group members said.
The package may also include a measure that would allow companies to give their employees shares.
The ministry set up the panel, chaired by University of Tokyo Professor Hideki Kanda, in the wake of an increase in foreign companies' takeovers of Japanese businesses.