Circle K convenience store owner Couche-Tard's $47 billion bid for Seven & I is one of the most prominent examples of the surge in international interest in Japanese assets in recent years. An exit from deflation and deepening corporate governance reforms have drawn more investors to a market once seen as all but untouchable for foreigners. A spokesperson for the Canadian retailer said on Wednesday that Couche-Tard remained committed to reaching a mutually agreeable transaction with Seven & I. After receiving a takeover bid from Couche-Tard last year, Seven & i's founding family had begun talks to take the convenience store owner private in what would have been the largest management buyout in history if successful. Couche-Tard had offered $38.5 billion, but raised it to $47 billion after Seven & I rejected the initial bid.