Public-private investment fund Japan Investment Corp. is considering acquiring Toshiba Corp., sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday, the first domestic entity known to express an interest in taking over the Japanese conglomerate.

The move comes after reports earlier this year that U.S. investment fund Bain Capital was mulling a possible acquisition of Toshiba. The Japanese firm has been looking for potential sponsors to take it private amid uncertainties over its future after reform plans to split fell through.

A household name in Japan with a nearly 150-year history, Toshiba has been facing pressure from shareholders frustrated by its lackluster efforts to boost growth and corporate value. Delisting could eliminate such pressure.

In March, Toshiba failed to gain majority support from its shareholders for a proposal to split into two listed companies as the firm continues to struggle to improve its image following a string of scandals over the past several years.

==Kyodo

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