News

Canadian convenience store giant Couche-Tard, despite facing rejection from Seven & i Holdings, remains determined to acquire the Japanese company. While Seven & i cites plans to boost its own value and concerns about antitrust issues in the U.S. as reasons for declining the offer, Couche-Tard emphasizes its commitment to a friendly approach and believes the merger would be beneficial for 7-Eleven's business.

Former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's office gave 100,000 yen gift certificates to parliamentary secretaries attending a social gathering at his official residence, raising questions about the practice within the ruling LDP. This follows Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's admission of distributing similar certificates to new Lower House members, suggesting a potential established custom.

The tradition of Japanese prime ministers handing out gift vouchers to newly elected members of the Lower House dates back to at least 2012, with some LDP politicians confirming receiving them from Abe after their first election. However, the practice has come under scrutiny recently, with opposition lawmakers questioning its legality and appropriateness.

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida is stepping down after a tumultuous period marked by financial struggles, failed merger talks with Honda, and the lingering impact of the Carlos Ghosn scandal. Ivan Espinosa, a veteran Nissan executive with extensive experience in product planning and electric vehicles, will take the helm on April 1st, tasked with navigating the company through a critical juncture and restoring its financial health.

Asian markets were mixed on Tuesday, with Chinese markets retreating after a strong rally on Wall Street fueled by hopes of a more targeted approach to tariffs by the Trump administration. The S&P 500 jumped 1.8% on Monday, but remains down 1.9% for the year due to concerns about the potential impact of a trade war.