MUFG Accelerates Medium-Term Plan With Investment in Sakana AI

Group 1 - Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) has announced an investment agreement with Sakana AI K.K., becoming Sakana AI's largest Japanese corporate investor [1] - Sakana AI, founded in July 2023, achieved unicorn status within a year with a valuation exceeding $1 billion [2] - MUFG's investment aligns with its medium-term business plan aimed at expanding growth strategies and increasing return on equity to around 9% by fiscal 2026 [3][4] Group 2 - The commitment to advancing AI capabilities is integral to MUFG's plan to enable data-driven management and improve productivity [4] - MUFG and MUFG Bank have obtained approval for participation in the energy market and plan to acquire a 49% stake in eClear Co., Ltd. [5] - MUFG plans to invest $393 million in Globe Fintech Innovations, Inc. to strengthen its position in Asia's digital financial market [6] Group 3 - MUFG aims to enhance its AI strategy by leveraging Sakana AI's technological skills, which positions the company to diversify income sources [7] - Over the past three months, MUFG's shares on the NYSE have gained 3.5%, contrasting with the industry's decline of 5.6% [7]