Reuters
Sogo & Seibu sale to go ahead, triggering rare workers’ strike in Japan
TOKYO (Reuters) -Seven & i will sell department store unit Sogo & Seibu on Sept. 1, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday, triggering a plan for a walk-out at a flagship store in what would be Japan’s first major strike in decades. Japan-based Seven & i, operator of the world’s largest convenience store chain, agreed last year to sell loss-making Sogo & Seibu to U.S. fund Fortress Investment Group, but the deal has been delayed amid opposition from workers. The union intends to carry out its threat for a strike at the flagship Seibu Ikebukuro store in Tokyo on Thursday, according to a union member.
