Wal-Mart’s Japan Unit Narrows Operating Loss

Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s Japanese unit, Seiyu Ltd., said its first-half operating loss nearly halved on stronger same-store sales and lower costs.

Wal-Mart’s withdrawal from South Korea and Germany in the last three months had fueled speculation that it might quit Japan, where the world’s biggest retailer has invested $1.3 billion since 2002 but never made a profit.

Seiyu Chief Executive Ed Kolodzieski, who was sent from Wal-Mart in December when the U.S. retailer took control of Seiyu, stressed that Wal-Mart was committed to Japan’s 133-trillion-yen ($1.15-trillion) retail market.