The Komei is expected to go its own way, after the formidable Soka Gakkai has had second thoughts about an outright merger.

ECONOMIST: The revenge of Japan??s old brigade

Among the mooted alternatives: a new shareholder, a merger in which MBf retains control -- or the outright sale of the finance company at the most advantageous price to the Loy family.

CNN: TOUGH CHALLENGE

He has even more reason to be pleased since a task-force on the future of financial services in Canada has concluded that the proposed merger between his bank and Royal Bank of Canada should be considered on its own merits and not disallowed outright.

ECONOMIST: Bank mergers in Canada