Japan PostBank Co. Ltd. is looking to increase purchases of riskier assets tocounter low bond yields, The Nikkei reportedApril 2.

The bank plans to start buying REITs. In February, it establisheda department focused on such investments and is waiting for government approvalto build a property portfolio.

Negative interest rates imposed by the Bank of Japan arepushing banks and other financial institutions to adopt new investment strategies.

Dai-ichi LifeInsurance Co. Ltd. made its first venture investment in Februaryand Sumitomo Life InsuranceCo. began buying foreign-currency denominated corporate bonds.