INTERNATIONAL

Meiji Interested in Taking Stake in Equitable: Tokyo-based Meiji Mutual Life Insurance Co. is interested in taking a stake in Equitable Assurance Society in the U.S., according to a report from Kyodo News Service. Meiji’s president, Keinjiro Hata, sounded out his counterpart, Richard H. Jenrette, at Equitable Life in informal talks about buying a stake of several tens of millions of dollars, the news service said. Last month, Equitable sold a $1-billion stake to Axa S.A. of France and sold 70% of its Japanese unit to Nippon Shinpan Co., a Japanese consumer credit concern.