Japan's Nippon Oil considers merger with Kyushu Oil

TOKYO, March 18 (Reuters) - Japan's largest refiner Nippon Oil Corp (5001.T: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it was considering a merger with rival Kyushu Oil Co.

The firm said it would make an official decision on the matter later in the day, with an announcement to be followed immediately.

The Nikkei business daily reported on Tuesday that Nippon Oil plans to acquire Kyushu Oil via an equity swap. (Reporting by Taiga Uranaka)