ITOCHU, MARUBENI TO LAUNCH B2B VENTURE IN JAPAN

ITOCHU, MARUBENI TO LAUNCH B2B VENTURE IN JAPAN    Japanese trading houses Itochu and Marubeni and three banks plan to create a company by August that will handle international trade documentation via the Internet.
   The new company would connect with Bolero.net, an international Web-based data exchange system owned by TT Club and the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications.
   Itochu and Marubeni would each own 25 percent of the new company. Three banks set to merge in October — Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank, Fuji Bank and Industrial Bank of Japan — would own another 25 percent. The balance would be owned by Koko Marine and Fire Insurance, Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance and several shipping companies.
   A spokesman for Itochu said the new firm would reduce paperwork costs by 20 to 30 percent and reduce time required for inter-company communications from one to three weeks down to just one day.
   Many Japanese companies dealing internationally still exchange documents by regular mail or overseas couriers.
   Marubeni said the new company, which will focus on small to medium-sized clients, is expected to make $18 million in annual revenue within two years.