Starbucks Considers Selling Majority Stake in Japan Business

Sep 17, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japanese business, potentially valued at as much as $3 billion, or about 470 billion yen, as the U.S. coffee chain seeks to concentrate management resources on its struggling North American operations.

According to Reuters, Starbucks is moving toward a possible sale of more than half of the shares in its Japan business.

Japan accounts for roughly 9% of Starbucks stores worldwide, making it one of the company's major markets.

The Japanese operations could be valued at up to $3 billion, equivalent to about 470 billion yen.

The potential sale is seen as part of Starbucks' effort to redirect management resources toward its North American business, where performance has been sluggish.

Source: テレ東BIZ

Japan's First Wintry Blast Brings Snow and Freezing Winds

Japan experienced its first major blast of winter weather on October 28th as the strongest cold air mass of the season brought snow to northern regions, powerful winds to Tokyo and western Japan, and some of the lowest temperatures of the autumn, with forecasters warning of another sharp drop in temperatures on the morning of October 29th.

Typhoon No. 31 Takes an Unexpected Turn Toward Japan

Typhoon No. 31, a very strong storm currently moving west near Minamitorishima Island in the western Pacific, could change direction several times in early November and potentially approach Japan's Ogasawara Islands, with its eventual path depending largely on the strength and position of a high-pressure system over the Japanese mainland, according to a forecast updated at 6 a.m. on October 29.

Strong Earthquake Shakes Narita Airport

A magnitude 5.4 earthquake struck northeastern Chiba Prefecture at around 12:07 a.m. on October 29, registering a maximum intensity of 5-lower on Japan's seven-level seismic scale and sending tremors across a wide area of eastern and central Japan, including Narita Airport, where footage captured the moment of shaking.

GMO Offers 150 Million Yen Reward to Identify Cyberattackers

GMO has announced a reward totaling approximately 150 million yen for information leading to the identification of hackers responsible for a cyberattack on its systems, while also pledging compensation to customers whose personal information has been exposed, as Japan faces a growing wave of cyberattacks targeting major companies.

Controversial Penalty Decision Ends Tokyo High School Soccer Match

A controversial penalty shootout decision during the Tokyo qualifiers for Japan's National High School Soccer Championship on October 24 has sparked debate after a team that believed it had secured victory was forced to continue playing and eventually lost, raising questions about whether a hole in the goal net contributed to an incorrect ruling.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

GMO Offers 150 Million Yen Reward to Identify Cyberattackers

Nikkei Gains Nearly 700 Points as Chipmakers Lead Tokyo Market

Japanese stocks extended their recovery on October 28, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 63,954.19 at 3:30 p.m. Tokyo time, up 685.82 points, or 1.08%, from the previous session, as strong demand for artificial intelligence-related semiconductor shares lifted the benchmark for a second consecutive day, even as the broader market weakened ahead of major interest rate decisions in Japan and the United States.

Japan to Buy Back 2 Million Barrels of UAE Crude for National Oil Reserves

Japan has begun replenishing its national oil reserves following the release of approximately 90 million barrels in response to worsening tensions in the Middle East, with trading house Mitsui & Co. winning the first procurement contract for 2 million barrels of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, expected to arrive in November.

Nikkei Jumps More Than 1,000 Points on Renewed AI Optimism

Japan's benchmark Nikkei Stock Average rebounded sharply on October 27, 2026, closing at 63,232.37, up 1,042.72 points, or 1.68%, at 3 p.m. Japan time, as semiconductor-related shares rallied following gains on Wall Street and renewed optimism about artificial intelligence investment, ending a three-session losing streak that had pushed the index to its lowest level in nearly three months.

GMO Refuses to Pay $50 Million Cyberattack Ransom

GMO Internet Group President Masatoshi Kumagai revealed that attackers responsible for unauthorized access to servers used for foreign exchange trading and other services had demanded $50 million, equivalent to approximately 7.9 billion yen, with the company refusing to comply.

Tokyo Stocks Fall for Third Day as Semiconductor Selling Continues

Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average extended its decline for a third consecutive trading session on Monday, October 26, as selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares continued to weigh on the market, while energy companies attracted buying interest following a surge in global oil prices.

Don Quijote Launches Discount Supermarket Robin Hood

Japan's major retailers are experimenting with new store formats as rising living costs drive demand for cheaper groceries and changing consumer habits force companies to seek new sources of growth, with Don Quijote launching its food-focused Robin Hood discount chain and FamilyMart opening a next-generation flagship store combining convenience shopping with fashion, lifestyle goods and exclusive products.

Nikkei Plunges 1,713 Points as AI Sell-Off Deepens

Japan's financial markets suffered another sharp setback on October 22 as heavy selling in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related stocks sent the Nikkei 225 down 1,713.40 points, or 2.65%, to 62,907.84, its lowest closing level since July 30.

< 2 3 4 5 >