TOKYO: Japan will look at the "economic security" aspects of any foreign acquisition of 7-Eleven, a government minister said as Canada's Couche-Tard pursues a takeover of the world's largest convenience chain. Alimentation Couche-Tard, which owns the Circle K brand, wants to buy the store owner's parent Seven & i but the Japanese firm last year rejected an initial offer worth nearly US$40 billion from Couche-Tard. That led the Canadian company to make a revised bid reportedly 20 per cent higher.