Economy

3 Japanese Megabanks Mull Loaning ¥3.6 Tril. as Part of Huge Investment Package in U.S.

Yomiuri Shimbun file photo
From right, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and MUFG Bank, Ltd.

The Yomiuri Shimbun

18:17 JST, April 24, 2026

Three Japanese megabanks are considering loaning a total of about ¥3.6 trillion for the inaugural projects of the $550 billion (about ¥88 trillion) in investments in the United States, it has been learned.

The investment package was agreed upon during Japan-U.S. tariff negotiations.

The target for the initial round of investments is set at $36 billion (about ¥5.7 trillion). The government-backed financial institution Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will provide a loan to cover most of the remaining amount, securing possible funding for projects.

According to sources, the three banks, MUFG Bank, Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Mizuho Bank, Ltd., are each considering providing about ¥1.2 trillion, backed by Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.

The JBIC is expected to announce its investment in the project and lending strategy later this month.

Last year, Japan and the United States agreed on a $550 billion investment package in the United States, and the initial round will target three projects: a gas-fired power plant, a crude oil export facility and a synthetic diamond manufacturing facility.

A gas-fired plant, to be built in Ohio by Japan and the United States, will be one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Multiple Japanese companies, including Toshiba Corp., Hitachi, Ltd. and Mitsubishi Electric Corp., have signaled their willingness to supply components.

Regarding the crude oil export facility, firms such as Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Nippon Steel Corp. and JFE Steel Corp. are seen as possible candidates to lead the project.

Several Japanese companies have shown interest in becoming involved in a synthetic diamond manufacturing facility project necessary for semiconductor production.

In the second round of investments, the construction of next-generation small modular reactors and other projects have already been decided.

The three banks have been asked to provide loans for the second and subsequent rounds of investments, potentially causing the total loan to balloon.