Bandai, Namco Joining Forces?

Bloomberg; Bandai, creator of “The Power Rangers” and “Ultraman”, valued at 236.5 billion yen, may merge with Namco, who created “Pac-Man,” and has a market value of 154.9 billion yen, to create Japan’s second-biggest toy and video-game maker. The companies will combine as early as September under a holding company run by Bandai President Takeo Takasu and Namco Vice Chairman Kyushiro Takagi, according to Nihon Keizai shimbun article today. The companies may also develop content for high-speed Internet access and mobile phone users, the newspaper said. 

The merger will help the companies compete with market leader Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. as Japan’s falling population and low birth rate means there are fewer children buying video games, Nikkei said. Bandai has made no decision, spokeswoman Akiko Taue said, responding to an earlier report in the Nihon Keizai newspaper. Namco is in discussions with Bandai, spokesman Shin Hasuya said. Shares of both companies were suspended from trading in Tokyo. Continue