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This article discusses the history of toilet paper, highlighting the controversy and skepticism surrounding its introduction in the 1850s. While Joseph C. Gayetty's Medicated Paper was the first commercial toilet paper in America, the Chinese had been using paper for this purpose since the 2nd century. The article also mentions the use of alternative materials such as sheep's wool, leaves, linen, and cloth in Western countries. Despite initial mockery from the medical establishment, toilet paper eventually gained popularity and spawned numerous copycat products. The article concludes by mentioning the modern advancements in toilet technology, such as the Washlet in Japan, which may potentially render traditional toilet paper obsolete. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the introduction of the hybrid capital market to the Japanese corporate sector. Bankers hope that the experiences companies in the U.S., Europe and other areas such as Australia have had will give Japanese corporates the confidence to take their first steps into the hybrid market. The advantage to issuers of including the mechanism is that it can make the hybrid more equity-like in the eyes of the rating agencies.

The article focuses on the performance of the Japanese corporate hybrid capital market. With momentum building in the international markets for corporate hybrids, Japan's banks and insurance companies making local investors familiar with the product and the country's economy taking off, there is a growing expectation among all parties involved in the capital markets that it is only a matter of time before Japanese corporates follow the examples of their international peers.

The article discusses the potential if hybrid securities to Japanese corporates. Every now and then a new product arrives in the capital market that is touted as the next big thing. Bankers believe that Japanese issuers should now be joining in the hybrid activity. The Japanese economic recovery has already been reflected in the bank capital market by the return of the megabanks and other financial institutions to the international markets that they had been shut out of since the late 1990s.

The article examines the status of the domestic bond market of Japan as of 2010. It notes the move of many borrowers to withdraw deals due to weak investor demand, despite reports that the market is flourishing. According to bankers in Tokyo, this lack of demand in the primary market will be only a temporary phenomenon. It cites that a certain level of issuance in the Japanese corporate bond market over the coming 12 months should be substantiated by refinancing requirements.

The article presents the borrower's comment on the ¥50 billion bond issue of European Investment Bank which was launched on March 17, 2009 and will mature on March 25, 2019. According to the borrower, they decided to go ahead with this transaction because they have in mind selling bonds into Japan for some time and now that wider spread levels are available.

The article reports on the bond issues by General Electric Capital Corp. (GECC). According to the bookrunners, this was the first Samurai of GECC for 2008 and the first corporate Samurai following the Golden Week holidays. They state that GECC undertook a three day roadshow in Tokyo, which was very well received and undoubtedly contributed to the substantial total demand.

The article reports on four tranches of Samurai bonds or yen-denominated bonds priced by Dutch banking group Rabobank in December 2013. Topics discussed include a similar deal Rabobank launched in May 2013, other European borrowers' consideration of Samurai bonds, and prices of the bonds in the fixed and floating rate format. Also mentioned are other foreign banks that have experienced attractive funding levels in Japan in 2013 such as French bank Groupe BPCE.

The article reports on the sale of international bonds by Mizuho Financial Group in 2012. The bank had to pay a premium for the issue. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Mizuho served as the deal's bookrunners. Bankers expect Mizuho to be the last Japanese bank to sell subordinated bonds during the year.

The article reports on the sale of corporate bonds by All Nippon Airways in July 2012. The Japanese airline raised 2.026 billion U.S. dollars from the deal. Retail investors acquired 82 percent of the deal. Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan and Nomura served as the deal's lead managers and were joined by SMBC Nikko Securities and Mizuho Securities as its underwriters.

The article reports on the debut Samurai bond issue from Busan Bank, a South Korean lender, after Woori sold its bond deal at the end of January 2011. Busan Bank raised 20 billion Japanese yen from the deal in February 2011. The lender offered investors two fixed-rate tranches and also sold a 3.5 billion Japanese yen two year deal. Based on figures, the bookrunners priced the 18 month deal at par with a 1.79 percent coupon, equivalent to 133 basis points (bp) over swaps.

The article discusses steps taken by the Bank of Japan to spur the Japanese economy. In addition to lowering its policy interest rate, the bank has reaffirmed its intention to keep interest rates down and suggested it might begin forcing money into the economy by purchasing corporate bonds, commercial paper, and other assets from banks.

This article discusses the plans of European banks to issue bonds in the Japanese market in 2010. Barclays Bank and HSBC have launched bonds on September 2. Credit Suisse and BNP Paribas have also announced deals. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank was rumored to be considering issuing a bond. Syndicate bankers in the market were divided over the outcome of the deals. Several bookrunners emerged in the market, including Barclays Capital (Japan), Nikko Cordial and Mizuho.

This article looks at a corporate bond issued by European Investment Bank on June 1, 2010. Mitsubishi UFJ has been selected as the sole manager of the bond. According to the borrower, the issue aims for the domestic yen market in Japan. A number of Japanese institutional investors participated in the deal. The bookrunner noted that the deal was targeted at investors that were planning to diversify their portfolios into high grade triple-A credits.

The article offers views about the capital market in Asia Pacific as of February 19, 2010. It is said that Indian telecommunications company Bharti Airtel still needs to loan nine billion U.S. dollars to support its takeover of the African assets of the mobile telecommunications company Zain. The firms Kexim and KDB had issued dollar bonds, however, it is noted that there was no indication that more deals would be issued later in the year. The author mentions that many investment bankers were noticed at ski resorts in Niseko, Japan.

This article reports on large corporate bonds that have been launched in Japan. Companies that have launched big deals include Sony Corp., Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance and Nomura. Sony's bond has been divided into three different maturities, including a ¥50 billion 10-year tranche deal. Meanwhile, a ¥45 billion bond has been launched by Mitsubishi UFJ Lease & Finance. Bookrunners for this deal were Barclays Capital and Mitsubishi UFJ Securities.

The article presents comments from joint bookrunners Daiwa SMBC, Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho on the bond issued by Telefónica Europe BV in July 2007. They note that the deal was the first ever Samurai transaction issued by a private Spanish corporate as it continues to pursue its diversification strategy. They add that the Samurai represents the company's debut issue in the Japanese domestic market. They mention that Telefónica received an A− rating from Japanese rating agency JCR.

The article focuses on yen-denominated bonds issued in June 2007. Citigroup issued a ¥270 billion Samurai bond and a ¥140 billion global bond. The deal was said to be driven by the need of Citigroup to refinance its $7.7 billion acquisition of 61% stake at Nikko Cordial. Other Samurai issued include a two tranche bond from Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) led by Daiwa Securities SMBC and Nomura.