The worst-ever start to a year for stock markets and oil¡¯s historic slump have not deterred Japan¡¯s postal savings bank, which is preparing to shift more of its $1.8 trillion portfolio into equities and alternative assets.

Japan Post Bank Co. will start investing in shares directly within a year, Katsunori Sago, who oversees the portfolio, said Wednesday in an interview in Tokyo.

Sago also said he wants to put ¡°several trillion yen¡± into alternative assets such as private equity and hedge funds over the next five to 10 years.