Internet venture Livedoor Co. has requested admission into the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), the nation's most influential business lobby, federation officials said Monday.
The request is expected to be approved by Nippon Keidanren on Dec. 13. Livedoor is following in the footsteps of another major Internet firm, Rakuten Inc., which joined the federation in November 2004.
When it launched its takeover bid for Nippon Broadcasting System Inc. this spring, Livedoor faced a barrage of criticism from the political world as well as the business community over its aggressive business tactics.
But now Nippon Keidanren Chairman Hiroshi Okuda is responding favorably to Livedoor's request to be admitted to the business group, saying, "It would be good for both Mr. Horie and Keidanren if he learns more about corporate ethics by joining us."