Sakura Bank (which recently announced a merger with Sumitomo) is strong in Thailand, thanks to its role as financier to the Mitsui group of companies.

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Last month, for example, RBS agreed to sell its aircraft-leasing unit to a group led by Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

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The stocks of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (NYSE:MTU) are up 65% and those of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE:SMFG) up 75%.

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Toyota Motor (TM), Canon (CAJ) and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG).

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Banking shares were among the gainers in Japan, with Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group up 2.2%, Mizuho Financial Group up 2.9% and Nomura Holdings 2.8% higher.

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Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group aims to take advantage of Japan Inc.

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Consumer and small-business loans would account for roughly 60% of the merged bank's domestic total, about the same as at Mizuho and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, the other big-four bank.

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Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc.

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