Japanese retail conglomerate Seven & i Holdings Co., which operates 7-Eleven, is considering an acquisition proposal from Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. The proposal is non-binding and friendly, with a special committee formed by Seven & i to review it comprehensively. If successful, it would be the largest foreign takeover of a Japanese company, creating the world's largest convenience store operator with around 100,000 stores globally. The news has led to a 23% surge in Seven & i's stock, valuing the company at approximately $38 billion. Despite Couche-Tard being smaller in store count, it has a higher market valuation. Regulatory scrutiny is expected due to the deal's sheer size and potential market impact.