PRE-MARKET JAPANESE AND SOUTH KOREAN STOCKS NEWS: Sony Bank is partnering with JPYC to introduce yen-denominated stablecoins for use in the music industry and other entertainment sectors

JAPAN

SoftBank Group Corp (9984 JT) - Co. affiliate PayPay is set to attract Visa and two Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds as key investors in its planned US listing, although it was separately reported that sources said PayPay put the IPO roadshow on hold and is to assess relaunch on a day-to-day basis. (Newswires/Nikkei)

Sony Group Corp (6758 JT) - Co. unit Sony Bank is partnering with JPYC to introduce yen-denominated stablecoins for use in the music industry and other entertainment sectors. (Nikkei)

Toyota Industries Corp (6201 JT) - Toyota Group raised its tender offer price by around 9.6% to JPY 20,600 to take the co. private, with activist investor Elliott Investment Management agreeing to accept the revised bid. (Nikkei)

SOUTH KOREA

Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (005930 KS) - Co. plans to transform its domestic and overseas production facilities into AI-driven factories by 2030 as part of a broader manufacturing innovation push. (Yonhap)

Financials - South Korea’s five major financial holding companies KB Financial Group (105560 KS), Shinhan Financial Group (055550 KS), Hana Financial Group (086790 KS), Woori Financial Group (316140 KS) and NongHyup Financial Group (139130 KS) activated emergency response systems to support local businesses operating in or exporting to the Middle East. (Yonhap)

Property - South Korea’s inflation-adjusted home prices fell 1.6% Y/Y in Q3 2025, marking 13 consecutive quarters of on-year contraction and ranking 47th among 56 major economies (Yonhap)

Other News

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is set to conclude his trip to Singapore and travel to Manila for summit talks with Philippine President Marcos to discuss expanding bilateral cooperation. (Yonhap)