Japan's Konica and Minolta have said they are holding merger talks that would create a camera and precision equipment maker with annual sales topping one trillion yen ($8.4 billion).
Leading camera and colour laser printer maker Minolta and Konica, a manufacturer of photo film and disposable cameras, plan to integrate business operations under a holding company during the summer, according to media reports from Japan.
The merger would create a camera and office equipment firm ranking fourth behind Canon, Fuji Photo Film and Ricoh.
Shares of Minolta were bid-only at 548 yen, up 3.8 per cent from yesterday's close.