Dec 3rd - Keihan Railway to invest in Vietnam Mall Project

Keihan Electric Railway Co. will enter the commercial complex business in Vietnam by teaming up with a local company, 

Keihan's amusement park Hirakata Park in Osaka.

Keihan is trying to diversify its earnings sources amid weak sales at its mainline domestic rail operations due to the economic downturn and declining population. The firm believes it can put the know-how it has built up from developing areas along its train lines to good use in Vietnam, where the railway business is fast expanding in major cities.

Subsidiary Keihan Ryutsu Systems Co. has signed an agreement with local property firm Van Phu-Invest to cooperate in building a shopping center in Hanoi that includes an amusement park. The partners will work out such details as the opening date and investment size later.

The Japanese company will be involved in the project from the design stage and is slated to run the complex.