TSE to ease delisting rules on quake hit firms

TOKYO: The Tokyo Stock Exchange said Friday it will ease rules on delisting companies affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami while softening requirements for listings to help disaster damaged firms raise capital.

Among the assistance, the bourse will overlook halts to business activity and excessive debt levels resulting from the quake, the TSE said in a release.

For companies looking to trade their shares on the exchange the TSE said it would allow falls in profits and asset values that would normally disqualify firms and that it would also permit late listing applications.