	nippon life seeking tie with u s securities house nippon life insurance co is pursing a possible link with an american securities house to expand its overseas investment portfolio a company spokesman said but he declined to comment on rumours the company would take a pct stake in shearson lehman brothers an investment banking unit of american express co axp he said the firm started to sound out several u s investment banks on capital participation about months ago and was narrowing the number of prospects but he did not say if it had set its sights on one firm nippon life japan s largest life insurer also plans to set up a wholly owned investment unit nissei international america in new york next month and subsidiaries in canada singapore the cayman islands and jersey this year he said these moves are in line with its long term strategy to put more emphasis on overseas investment management as opportunities at home are declining while the company s assets are growing the company is especially attracted by the scale and depth of u s money and credit markets and wants to establish a firm foothold there the spokesman added reuter 
