Japan

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance has priced its second dollar bond of the year, with its safe haven status attracting a strong following despite a sovereign rating downgrade.

The Japanese green financing market received a boost this week with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp (SMBC) issuing the country’s second green bond.

Development Bank of Japan has made its second visit to the SRI bond market with a €300m sustainability bond on Wednesday.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp is looking to price a landmark transaction for Japan, opening books for the first US dollar-denominated green bond from the country.

Japanese names have stolen the show this week, with Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking (MUTB) raising $1.25bn from a US-driven bond, to be quickly followed by Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance opening books for its second dollar outing of the year.

Mizuho Financial Group has returned to the dollar bond market with a bank capital trade that priced alongside a triple-tranche senior offering. Despite launching on a day crowded with other transactions, the issuer’s safe haven status allowed it to find success.

Mizuho Financial Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking (MUTB) are out in the dollar bond market, releasing guidance for their respective offerings on Tuesday.

Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance Company is preparing to issue a second dollar bond this year, with investor meetings scheduled for next week.

Goldman Sachs and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank are set to start marketing SumitG, a bond backed by a portfolio of RMBS, but secured by claims against both institutions. Goldman will be hoping to avoid the fate of last year's Figsco issue, a note with a similar structure which never made it to market. Bill Thornhill reports.

Japan Post sets sail with IPOs — Datang Environment files in HK — Banpu Power eyes Thai float — Larsen & Toubro seeks $300m listing

An Asian issuer could be about to make its second visit to the socially responsible bond market, with its green offering appearing to have undergone a slight rebranding exercise.

The Japan Post group has announced price ranges for the long-awaited IPOs of its three units, set to collectively raise ¥1.44tr ($12.03bn) to become the biggest offering this century in the country.