The Japan Securities Dealers Association (JSDA) says it is in talks with the Osaka Stock Exchange (OSE) over the possible sale of shares in JASDAQ.
JSDA, which currently holds 72.6% of JASDAQ, believes the integration of JASDAQ with Hercules, a market for start-up companies controlled jointly by the OSE and JASDAQ, would create a successful market for start-up companies. Details of the sale and integration of the two platforms are expected to be published early in 2008.
Analysts reckon a merger will increase liquidity in start-up stocks, which is currently split between six separate exchanges.