An increasing number of overseas companies have launched bids to acquire Japanese businesses this year.
As well as the yen’s depreciation, which makes Japanese companies undervalued in terms of market capitalization, analysts note Japanese industry ministry guidelines released last year meant to encourage corporate acquisitions that contribute to boosting corporate value and shareholder profits.
In August, Japanese retail giant Seven & I Holdings revealed that it had received a buyout proposal from Alimentation Couche-Tard, a major Canadian convenience store operator. The acquisition offer has been raised from an initial ¥6 trillion to ¥7 trillion (about $45.2 billion), according to informed sources.