News

Seven & i Holdings Co. faces an uncertain future after a failed management buyout attempt, with concerns that it must enhance its value to avoid a potential takeover by Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The company's predicament has prompted calls for a viable strategy to increase its corporate value and protect the Japanese convenience store industry from potential disruption.

Japan and Britain, the world's fourth and sixth-largest economies, pledged to promote free and open international trade during their first "two-plus-two" dialogue on the economy, held in Tokyo on March 7th. The ministers also discussed collaboration on WTO reforms and supporting the clean energy transition in developing countries.

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba urged caution to G7 leaders against sending the wrong message to Russia during peace negotiations on Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a unified approach to achieve a just and lasting peace. He also condemned Russia's military cooperation with North Korea and expressed hope for Japan's key role in future peace negotiations.

Seven & i Holdings is preparing for current president Ryuichi Isaka's retirement, planning to appoint external director Stephen Hayes Dacus—the company's first non-Japanese leader—to succeed him. This leadership change occurs as the company faces a significant acquisition offer from Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard and aims to emphasize corporate independence and international growth.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son intends to borrow $16 billion initially and potentially another $8 billion in 2026 to augment investments in artificial intelligence projects, including OpenAI and Stargate. These strategic moves underline SoftBank's commitment to bolstering US dominance over rivals like China in the global AI industry.