LAVAL, Quebec, & TOKYO — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd., parent company to 7-Eleven Inc., is a better deal than Seven & i's current breakup plan, asserted company leadership this week during a trip to Japan.

Executives from Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard are in Japan in a bid to overcome resistance to their $47-billion takeover of 7-Eleven's parent but are being given the cold shoulder, according to interviews published Thursday.

Tard Inc. is interested in buying the entirety of Seven & i Holdings Co., and will keep the local operations of the Japanese convenience store and retail giant intact, Chairman and founder Alain Bouchard said.

Tard’s planned $47bn buyout of Seven & i is a better deal and less risky than its target’s break-up plan, the Canadian retailer said as it urged the Japanese group to start talks. Couche-Tard executives said in Tokyo that they wanted more information on Seven & i’s business and the chance to discuss their bid with government officials in Japan.