The final bidding deadline for the sale of failed Japanese consumer lender Takefuji Corp has been pushed back to March 31 from March 22 after last week's massive earthquake rattled financial markets. "Considering the impact of the latest earthquake, we have decided to delay the deadline," Takefuji said in a statement on Friday. Takefuji failed in September owing 433 billion yen ($5.5 billion) after its profitability was squeezed by a 2006 court ruling forcing it and other consumer lenders to repay overcharged interest and a government cap on lending rates. This is the second time that the deadline has been moved back. The earlier deadline of March 10 was delayed because Takefuji's court appointed administrator wanted to give more time to bidders to gauge the lender's value.
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