Toshiba woe holds lessons for Japanese buyers

The recent boom in overseas acquisitions by Japanese companies has led to predictable regrets and recriminations.

Among those ruing their international boldness is Toshiba. Having written off some $6.3 billion after overstating earnings at US nuclear unit Westinghouse Electric, which it bought in 2006, the marquee Japanese company said on Wednesday that it has chosen a preferred bidder for its chip business as it rushes to raise shareholder equity and avoid a humiliating delisting from the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Japan Post has also been left red faced after a 400 billion yen $3.6 billion write down on its ill-advised 2015 purchase of Australian logistics firm...