Japan's chief government spokesman said on Friday he hoped the country's antimonopoly watchdog would make a speedy decision on whether to approve a plan by Nippon Steel Corp (5401.T) and Sumitomo Metal Industries (5405.T) to merge. "The (Fair Trade Commisssion) will make a decision based on the law, but I hope they take speedy action taking into cosideration various social and economic factors," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano told a news conference. Nippon Steel and Sumitomo Metal Industries plan to merge to create the world's second-largest steelmaker. The deal is subject to review by Japan's antimonopoly watchdog, the Fair Trade Commisssion. (Reporting by Chisa Fujioka; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
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