Nomura, an official sponsor of the JOC since 1999, said the current four-year 300 million yen (£2.3 million) contract would expire at year's end tomorrow.

 

A spokesman said: "The company has decided not to renew the contract after this year."

 

The group is involved in numerous industries, from oil and gas to construction, chemicals and foodstuffs, as well as what it is known for internationally, as a financial powerhouse.

 

Nomura Securities has recently taken over the European and Asian operations of bankrupt Lehman Brothers.

 

JOC secretary general Kenichi Chizuka said Nomura's decision was "very regrettable" and that he "cannot foresee the outlook" for the organisation's sponsorship in 2009 and beyond.