The Wall Street Journal reports on the Japanese government's preparation of legislation for the Government Pension Investment Fund

To allow it to directly buy and sell stocks

Investment in stocks is currently run by outside managers

"GPIF could contribute more to Japan's economy by constructively interacting not only with money managers, but also with corporations," said GPIF chief investment officer Hiromichi Mizuno in response to questions from The Wall Street Journal. "As Japan's biggest asset owner, we can jump start a positive chain reaction of better governance between businesses and investors."

The Journal piece is here, gated: Japan Makes Plans for Pension Fund to Invest in Stocks

-

This has been on the cards for a long while.