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Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. ("MUFG") and its consolidated subsidiary, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as a lead investor for this round, together with Finnoventure Private Equity Trust I fund managed by Krungsri Finnovate Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Bank of Ayudhya (“Krungsri”), have entered into an investment agreement for USD 195 million in Ascend Money Company Limited ("Ascend Money"), a provider of digital financial services in Thailand. MUFG considers the Asia-Pacific its second home market and has been building a commercial banking platform there over the past decade. In the Asia-Pacific, there is an accelerating trend of digital financial service providers leveraging the latest technology developments to offer financial services to unbanked or underbanked consumers and SMEs. To capture growth in this area, MUFG has been continuously investing in the region’s leading digital start-ups and tech firms, starting with Grab in 2020, followed by Home Credit in November...

Rakuten Group, Inc. (Head office: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Chairman and CEO: Hiroshi Mikitani, hereinafter “the Company”) announces the details of the shareholder benefit program for the 28th fiscal year (for qualified shareholders as of the end of December 2024). The details are as follows: Purpose of the shareholder benefits program The Company offers a benefit program for shareholders for the purpose of showing its gratitude to all its shareholders for their support and aims to provide everyone more opportunities to understand the services of the Rakuten Group. Outline of the benefit program for shareholders for the 28th Fiscal Year 1 ) Qualified shareholders Shareholders who are listed in the shareholders register as of December 31, 2024, and own 100 shares (i.e., 1 share unit) or more are eligible. In addition, in order to be recorded on the shareholders register as of the end of December 2024, due to the system for transferring shares etc., it is necessary to purchase shares by the cl...

KDDI is revamping the paid subscription service "au Smart Pass," used by approximately 15 million people, as "Ponta Pass" from October 2, 2024. In line with the renewal, the service content will be enhanced, including the addition of benefits such as the free/discount coupon "Weekly LAWSON" that can be used every week at LAWSON, saving a total of over 600 yen per month, and "Ponta Pass Boost," which increases the Ponta point redemption rate up to 4 times (2%) from the regular rate (0.5%) when making payments using au PAY at LAWSON. These additions make shopping at LAWSON even more advantageous. Along with the benefits currently offered as au Smart Pass, you can use benefits that amount to over 3,000 yen in savings every month. "Ponta Pass" (paid) service starts from 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 2nd. On top of that, from October 2 to November 30, 2024, a campaign to commemorate the launch of Ponta Pass, "AGESUGI* Challenge Part ...