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Japan’s lawyers have never had it so good. The market for their services is booming as overseas investors pump money into the country and Japanese companies look to the international markets for funds. But there aren’t enough lawyers to do the job. And foreign practitioners say they can’t offer the service their clients want. Things need to change. Ralph Cunningham reports from Tokyo

What’s wrong with Mesdaq? Adeline Wong of Wong & Partners, Kuala Lumpur

South Africa introduces capital gains tax Just when several countries are considering dismantling or reducing the impact of their capital gains tax legislation, South Africa's minister of finance has given notice in his annual budget speech of the intention to introduce the tax in South Africa. Capital gains tax will take effect from April 1 2001, and it is understood that the amending legislation will be available early in 2001. In the interim, the tax authorities have issued a guide relating to the tax and its application.

Tax modifications in the pipeline Colombia's minister of finance has presented a draft bill to congress "by which new taxes are established, the Tax Code is amended and other regulations are issued". The bill proposes an important new tax reform and includes, among other things: (i) the extension of the 2/1000 tax on financial transactions; (ii) a progressive reduction of the corporate income tax rate down to 32%, as well as a reduction of the income tax rate applicable to individuals; (iii) some restrictions on the income tax deductibility of gifts; (iv) a modification of the withholding tax rate on consulting services, commissions, independent services and services in general; (v) anti-avoidance measures; (vi) measures relating to improving the collection of taxes; and (vii) the introduction of a new substitutive tax (impuesto sustitutivo) that would apply to certain small taxpayers developing commercial, industrial or services activities.

After-hours trading now permitted on the Italian Stock Exchange Trading on the Italian Stock Exchange is now permitted after regular trading hours. Changes have been made to the existing regulations and as of May 15 2000, two new markets were introduced: TAH and TAHnm. After-hours trade may be made 5.50 pm - 6.00 pm for cross-order book modalities, and between 6.00 pm - 10.00 pm for continuous dealing.

New legislation on international wire transfers By Act of January 9 2000, published on February 9 2000 and effective as from that date, Belgium implemented European directive no. 97/5/EC of January 27 1997 on international wire transfers.

IFLR presents a condensed version of the ABA committee’s letter to the SEC, in which it presents its concerns over Regulation FD and suggests an alternative approach to rule making

The London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Deutsche Börse have announced plans for a merger that would create the world's second largest stock exchange, behind New York. The new company would be called iX. In addition Nasdaq and iX have signed a memorandum of understanding to create a European high growth market.

Singapore's Cycle and Carriage (C&C), which last month led a consortium to buy a $506 million stake in Indonesia's leading car-maker Astra, is now in talks to buy an additional 3.9% stake - 103 million shares - from its fellow consortium member, Lazard Fund Asia.

The Japanese Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC) revealed in May that Deutsche Bank had made illegal transactions through its Tokyo securities unit. The unit could face temporary suspension from trading bonds and bond futures.