A potential acquisition of Seven & I Holdings, which may lead to the sale of one of Japan’s most prominent brands, signifies a major turning point in Japan’s investor-friendly policies. Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard has expressed interest in purchasing the operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores, following the implementation of government guidelines urging companies to carefully consider takeover offers.
After facing pressure from activist investors and unsuccessful foreign acquisition attempts in the past, this deal is now capturing attention both domestically and internationally. Howard Smith, a portfolio manager at Indus Capital Partners, views this as a critical test for Japan, one that will be closely watched by investors and strategic buyers worldwide to assess the attractiveness and feasibility of mergers and acquisitions in Japan.