Idemitsu Kosan completed the purchase of just under a third of Showa Shell last December, but their goal of a full merger has been delayed indefinitely due to opposition from Idemitsu's founding family.

(Reporting by Osamu Tsukimori; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

Stocks treated in this article : Showa Shell Sekiyu KK, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.