MarketsInvestors pile pressure on companies with abundant cashSome companies are launching buybacks to purchase cross-held shares. (Photo by Satoko Kawasaki)NORIKA TAGUCHI and TAKURO HOSODAJune 24, 2026 05:52 JSTTOKYO -- Share buybacks announced by Japan's listed companies in January-May rose 34% on the year to 16.2 trillion yen ($100 billion), reaching a record for the period and nearing the total for all of 2025, driven by the unwinding of cross-shareholdings and the push to improve capital efficiency.