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Idemitsu raises stake in Fuji Oil, eyes holding 20%.

Idemitsu Kosan, Japan's secondbiggest oil refinery, said on Tuesday it will raise its stake in Fuji Oil to 13.04% from 6.58% by buying stake from Sumitomo Chemical and might raise its ownership to 20%.

The move is focused on raising its competitiveness in the fuel sector through growth of joint purchases of petroleum, as well as deepening partnership in decarbonisation measures, Idemitsu stated.

Under the agreement, Idemitsu will purchase 5.05 million shares in Fuji Oil at 330 yen ($ 2.20) per share in an off-market transaction, an Idemitsu spokesperson stated, including it will think about making Fuji Oil an equity affiliate by making additional shares.

We will think about raising our stake to 20% to make Fuji Oil an equity-method affiliate, but we are not considering acquiring any additional stake after that, the representative said.

The purchase cost is lower than Fuji Oil's closing rate on Tuesday of 384 yen.

The transaction in between Idemitsu and Sumitomo Chemical, which will make Idemitsu the top investor of Fuji Oil, is scheduled to happen on March 26, according to Fuji Oil.

We see the deal (in between Idemitsu and Sumitomo Chemical) as favorable as the more powerful capital alliance with Idemitsu will aid improve our organization cooperations, a Fuji Oil representative said.

He declined to talk about a possible additional purchase of its shares by Idemitsu.

(source: Reuters)