The Zhitong Finance App learned that according to the latest list released by Japan's Ministry of Finance on Friday, Japanese retail giant Seven & i Holdings (ACT), the parent company of 7-11, has been listed as a “core” enterprise for national security.

A week ago, Seven & I rejected a $38.5 billion cash takeover offer from Canada's Alimentation Couche-?$#@$, which might have become the largest foreign acquisition offer in history for a Japanese company. According to related reports, Couche-?$#@$ is discussing the possibility of increasing the offer.

Seven & i is one of the latest 88 companies to join the list, and these companies are considered to have businesses critical to national security. This list usually covers companies in industries such as nuclear power, aerospace, and semiconductors.

Compared to acquiring a company with a “core” business, foreign entities are required to notify the Japanese government in advance when trying to acquire shares in a company with a “core” business, and the requirements in this regard are more stringent.

However, an official from Japan's Ministry of Finance said that this classification will not change the extent of government scrutiny, nor will it change the review process for any bid to acquire an entire company.

Seven & i said its classification was unrelated to Couche-Tard's takeover proposal.

Seven & i said last week that the proposed takeover is not in the best interests of shareholders and is likely to face major antitrust challenges in the US. In the US, the merged company will become the largest company in the convenience store industry by a considerable advantage.