Japan's antitrust authority has unveiled new policy guidelines that permit mergers in strategically important sectors, including shipbuilding, even when the domestic market is highly concentrated, Nikkei Asia reported Thursday.

The updated rules, presented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, are designed to bolster the country's economic security, said the publication.

Specifically, the guidelines clarify that domestic shipbuilding companies can consolidate to better compete against powerful foreign rivals, despite already having few competitors at home, said the news daily.

This shift aims to strengthen key industries that face intense international pressure by relaxing traditional antimonopoly concerns, the report added.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)