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Foot Locker to make $360 million Japanese acquisition

Aug 12, 2021 (iclg.com) - Japanese streetwear and footwear boutique Text Trading Company KK (Atmos) has agreed to be taken over by United States footwear giant Foot Locker for USD 360 million.

New York Stock Exchange-listed Foot Locker engaged DLA Piper to act for it on the transaction, which Foot Locker hopes will help grow its reach and market position in Japan. Atmos owns the Atmos brand, a premium footwear retailer with a multi-channel offering and existing relationships with sellers in the footwear market. DLA Piper partner Erik Wulff, who also headed up the firm’s advisory team on the transaction, said in a statement that the deal will support Foot Locker’s “growth strategy in the growing Asia-Pacific market and expand on its impressive brand portfolio”. Foot Locker plans to pay for the acquisition using existing cash reserves. Atmos has 49 physical shop locations globally, with 39 of them in Japan, which is the world’s third-largest economy. As well as increasing its strategic presence in Japan, Foot Locker hopes that it can leverage its premium offering via the acquisition. In fiscal year 2020, Atmos generated revenues totalling approximately USD 175 million, with over 60% of this coming from online channels.

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Typhoon No. 24 (Krovanh) was moving north southwest of Amami City on September 3, with Okinawa and the Amami Islands facing stronger winds, heavy rain and high waves as the storm approaches before following an unusually complex path that could prolong its effects for several days. As of 9 p.m. on September 3, the typhoon was south of the Amami region, with Okinawa's main island, the Amami Islands and southern parts of the Osumi and Satsuma peninsulas within its strong-wind zone.

Night trains are making a comeback across Japan, with railway operators introducing new overnight services and even experimenting with overnight Shinkansen trains as demand grows for alternatives that combine transportation, accommodation and the experience of traveling through the night.

Bear sightings and attacks have been reported across Japan throughout the summer, with animals damaging sheds, attacking livestock and injuring people, while experts warn that autumn is the most dangerous season as bears expand their range in search of food.

Japan's Environment Ministry will conduct its first survey of animal cafes, where customers can interact with animals including exotic species, as concerns grow over infection risks, injuries and the welfare burden placed on animals.

Haneda Airport introduced two major changes on September 2, opening a new boarding facility at Terminal 1 while moving the checked-baggage deadline for all domestic flights to 30 minutes before departure.

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The Imperial Household Agency is considering holding a significantly scaled-down funeral for former Emperor Akihito at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, reflecting his wishes to minimize disruption to the lives of the public.

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