Kyodo Industry Brief (July 24) -1-

TOKYO, July 24 -- (Kyodo) _ ---------- Canon to enter mirrorless digital camera market in Sept.

TOKYO - Canon Inc. said Monday it will launch its first mirrorless interchangeable lens digital camera in mid-September, intensifying competition in the market where such products are gaining popularity for their high image quality in a compact size.

---------- Honda to lease electric Fit to gov'ts, firms starting in Aug.

TOKYO - Honda Motor Co. said Monday it will start leasing the electric version of the Fit subcompact to municipal governments and companies in Japan at the end of August.

---------- Sumitomo Metal Mining acquires minor stake in Toyota

TOKYO - Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. said Monday it has acquired a stake of 0.062 percent in Toyota Motor Corp. to reinforce the two companies' strategic alliance.

---------- Canon sets up marketing firm in Vietnam to sell high-speed printers

TOKYO - Canon Inc. said Monday it has set up a marketing subsidiary in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, aimed at selling high-speed printers and cameras for video production, with plans to start operations in August.

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