Japanese financial services company Nomura Holdings has decided to lay off about 60 employees as it continues to seek ways to cut costs in the investment banking sector in light of the slowdown in capital markets activity and merger and acquisition deals.

BBC quoted informed sources as saying that the job-cutting plan includes the dismissal of 30 employees in the United States, where the largest number of them are in the investment banking sector.

The company will also lay off a number of employees in trading and sales sectors in London and Asian countries other than Japan.

One source said the plan does not target specific teams or leadership levels.

A company spokesman said, "Nomura regularly reviews its workforce needs and considers market demand and business requirements globally... In light of current market conditions and its future outlook, we are achieving operational efficiency by reducing certain roles in various international activities."