Aeon Co Ltd's logo is seen on its office building in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

A man walks past Aeon Co Ltd's shopping mall in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

People ride bicycles past Aeon Co Ltd's shopping mall in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

A woman walks past Aeon Co Ltd's shopping mall in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

The Chief Executive Officer of Aeon Mall Co Ltd Soichi Okazaki attends France fair event at Aeon Style store in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Aeon Co Ltd's logo is seen on its shopping mall in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

The Chief Executive Officer of Aeon Mall Co Ltd Soichi Okazaki speaks during France fair at Aeon Style store in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

The Chief Executive Officer of Aeon Mall Co Ltd Soichi Okazaki attends France fair event at Aeon Style store in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Aeon Co Ltd's logo is seen on its shopping mall in Chiba, Japan November 3, 2016. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

The logo of Aeon Co is seen on shopping carts at its supermarket in Tokyo January 10, 2013. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo 

Women leave a Tesco Extra store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

A Tesco Extra store is seen in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

Shopping trolleys are seen at an Aeon store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

Shoppers are seen outside a Tesco Extra store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

A child rides in a shopping trolley at a Tesco Extra store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

A worker stacks shelves at an Aeon store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

Shoppers are seen at a Tesco Extra store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

A Tesco Extra sign is seen outside a store in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 6, 2015. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd is interested in buying the Malaysian operations of Britain's Tesco PLC, valued at about 900 million pounds ($1.4 billion), people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

A woman sits behind a sign showing prices of funerals during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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A woman smiles as she is shown her photographic portrait which will be used at her funeral during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Yoshiya Yoshimura climbs out of a coffin after trying it out during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Kazuo Furumoto (L) reacts as he is shown his portrait that will be displayed at his funeral during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Yoshiya Yoshimura lies in a coffin to try it out during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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A staff member covers Kazuhiko Kitano with a quilt as he lies in a coffin to test it during an end-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Noriaki Iwashima looks out of a coffin during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Natsumi Niki smiles as she lies in a coffin to test it during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

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Noriaki Iwashima gestures as he lies in a coffin to try it out during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Kazuhiko Kitano smiles as he lies in a coffin during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Noriaki Iwashima lies in a coffin to test it during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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A staff member covers Natsumi Niki with a quilt as she lies in a coffin to test it during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Natsumi Niki lies in a coffin to test it as a staff member prepares to place the lid on it during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, which literally translates to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

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Natsumi Niki stands in a coffin before lying down in it to test it during an end-of-life seminar held by Japan's largest retailer Aeon Co in Tokyo October 24, 2014. Funeral arrangements are normally left to those who are have been left behind but the latest trend in Japan, literally translated to "End of life" preparations, is for the ageing to prepare their own funerals and graves before they set off on their journey to the great beyond. With a population that is expected to shrink by nearly 30 million people over the next 50 years, the market for funerals, graves and anything related to the afterlife is still very much alive. Picture taken October 24, 2014. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS SOCIETY)

ATTENTION EDITORS: PICTURE 07 OF 26 FOR WIDER IMAGE PACKAGE 'JAPANESE AND PREPARING FOR THE AFTERLIFE'

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Black Angus bulls feed at Tasmania's largest cattle feedlot located at Powranna on the outskirts of Launceston June 5, 2014. The feedlot, owned by Japan's Aeon Co Ltd, book an even higher premium thanks to Tasmania's status as the only Australian state that bans genetically modified food crops and animal feed. That moratorium has made Tasmania - an island the size of Ireland separated from Australia's mainland by 250 km (150 miles) of Bass Strait waters - a model of high-end, value-added agriculture production. Once a dumping ground for the British Empire's convicts, Tasmania's isolation, wilderness and low population of just over half a million people has meant that it is one of the cleanest places on earth. But with fewer and fewer places in the world that are free from genetically modified farming and the innovations it brings, the pristine environment is under threat. Picture taken June 5, 2014. To match FEATURE AUSTRALIA-GMO/ REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS BUSINESS) 

Black Angus bulls are pictured at Tasmania's largest cattle feedlot located at Powranna on the outskirts of Launceston June 5, 2014. The feedlot, owned by Japan's Aeon Co Ltd, book an even higher premium thanks to Tasmania's status as the only Australian state that bans genetically modified food crops and animal feed. That moratorium has made Tasmania - an island the size of Ireland separated from Australia's mainland by 250 km (150 miles) of Bass Strait waters - a model of high-end, value-added agriculture production. Once a dumping ground for the British Empire's convicts, Tasmania's isolation, wilderness and low population of just over half a million people has meant that it is one of the cleanest places on earth. But with fewer and fewer places in the world that are free from genetically modified farming and the innovations it brings, the pristine environment is under threat. Picture taken June 5, 2014. To match FEATURE AUSTRALIA-GMO/ REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS BUSINESS) 

Black Angus bulls are pictured at Tasmania's largest cattle feedlot located at Powranna on the outskirts of Launceston June 5, 2014. The feedlot, owned by Japan's Aeon Co Ltd, book an even higher premium thanks to Tasmania's status as the only Australian state that bans genetically modified food crops and animal feed. That moratorium has made Tasmania - an island the size of Ireland separated from Australia's mainland by 250 km (150 miles) of Bass Strait waters - a model of high-end, value-added agriculture production. Once a dumping ground for the British Empire's convicts, Tasmania's isolation, wilderness and low population of just over half a million people has meant that it is one of the cleanest places on earth. But with fewer and fewer places in the world that are free from genetically modified farming and the innovations it brings, the pristine environment is under threat. Picture taken June 5, 2014. To match FEATURE AUSTRALIA-GMO/ REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS BUSINESS) 

Black Angus bulls are pictured eating at Tasmania's largest cattle feedlot located at Powranna on the outskirts of Launceston June 5, 2014. The feedlot, owned by Japan's Aeon Co Ltd, book an even higher premium thanks to Tasmania's status as the only Australian state that bans genetically modified food crops and animal feed. That moratorium has made Tasmania - an island the size of Ireland separated from Australia's mainland by 250 km (150 miles) of Bass Strait waters - a model of high-end, value-added agriculture production. Once a dumping ground for the British Empire's convicts, Tasmania's isolation, wilderness and low population of just over half a million people has meant that it is one of the cleanest places on earth. But with fewer and fewer places in the world that are free from genetically modified farming and the innovations it brings, the pristine environment is under threat. Picture taken June 5, 2014. To match FEATURE AUSTRALIA-GMO/ REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS BUSINESS) 

Black Angus bulls are pictured at Tasmania's largest cattle feedlot located at Powranna on the outskirts of Launceston June 5, 2014. The feedlot, owned by Japan's Aeon Co Ltd, book an even higher premium thanks to Tasmania's status as the only Australian state that bans genetically modified food crops and animal feed. That moratorium has made Tasmania - an island the size of Ireland separated from Australia's mainland by 250 km (150 miles) of Bass Strait waters - a model of high-end, value-added agriculture production. Once a dumping ground for the British Empire's convicts, Tasmania's isolation, wilderness and low population of just over half a million people has meant that it is one of the cleanest places on earth. But with fewer and fewer places in the world that are free from genetically modified farming and the innovations it brings, the pristine environment is under threat. Picture taken June 5, 2014. To match FEATURE AUSTRALIA-GMO/ REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS BUSINESS) 

Black Angus bulls are pictured at Tasmania's largest cattle feedlot located at Powranna on the outskirts of Launceston June 5, 2014. The feedlot, owned by Japan's Aeon Co Ltd, book an even higher premium thanks to Tasmania's status as the only Australian state that bans genetically modified food crops and animal feed. That moratorium has made Tasmania - an island the size of Ireland separated from Australia's mainland by 250 km (150 miles) of Bass Strait waters - a model of high-end, value-added agriculture production. Once a dumping ground for the British Empire's convicts, Tasmania's isolation, wilderness and low population of just over half a million people has meant that it is one of the cleanest places on earth. But with fewer and fewer places in the world that are free from genetically modified farming and the innovations it brings, the pristine environment is under threat. Picture taken June 5, 2014. To match FEATURE AUSTRALIA-GMO/ REUTERS/David Gray (AUSTRALIA - Tags: ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY ANIMALS BUSINESS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket adjusts the position of a poster informing discounts of prices as a sales tax hike increases item prices, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Japanese business sentiment barely improved in the three months to March and is set to sour in the following quarter, a closely watched central bank survey showed, underscoring the challenges facing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his efforts to reflate the economy out of stagnation. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS FOOD) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket changes a price tag under a sign informing a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Japanese business sentiment barely improved in the three months to March and is set to sour in the following quarter, a closely watched central bank survey showed, underscoring the challenges facing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in his efforts to reflate the economy out of stagnation. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS FOOD) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket adjusts the positions of posters informing discounts of prices as a sales tax hike increases item prices ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Japanese business confidence improved in the three months to March for a fifth straight quarter, a central bank survey showed, but the pace of recovery slowed and sentiment is seen weakening in the following quarter due to worries that a sales tax hike will dent growth. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS FOOD) 

Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers (C) are seen on display with other diaper brands at an Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket outlet in Chiba, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Retailers across Japan have reported shortages of Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers in recent months, with many stores sold out even after imposing rations. At midnight, Japan's sales tax rose to 8 percent from 5 percent. A crush of demand ahead of the first sales tax hike in 17 years has been credited with lifting sales of everything from condominiums to luxury cars -- and raised fears of a sharp downturn in spending over coming months. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

An Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket staff adjusts a slip of paper informing the two-package-per-family limit on Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers on a display shelf at its Chiba outlet, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Retailers across Japan have reported shortages of Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers in recent months, with many stores sold out even after imposing rations. At midnight, Japan's sales tax rose to 8 percent from 5 percent. A crush of demand ahead of the first sales tax hike in 17 years has been credited with lifting sales of everything from condominiums to luxury cars -- and raised fears of a sharp downturn in spending over coming months. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

An Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket staff adjusts a slip of paper informing the two-package-per-family limit on Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers on a display shelf at its Chiba outlet, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Retailers across Japan have reported shortages of Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers in recent months, with many stores sold out even after imposing rations. At midnight, Japan's sales tax rose to 8 percent from 5 percent. A crush of demand ahead of the first sales tax hike in 17 years has been credited with lifting sales of everything from condominiums to luxury cars -- and raised fears of a sharp downturn in spending over coming months. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers sit on a display shelf at an Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket outlet in Chiba, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Retailers across Japan have reported shortages of Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers in recent months, with many stores sold out even after imposing rations. At midnight, Japan's sales tax rose to 8 percent from 5 percent. A crush of demand ahead of the first sales tax hike in 17 years has been credited with lifting sales of everything from condominiums to luxury cars -- and raised fears of a sharp downturn in spending over coming months. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

An Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket staff adjusts a slip of paper informing the two-package-per-family limit on Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers on a display shelf at its Chiba outlet, east of Tokyo, March 31, 2014. Retailers across Japan have reported shortages of Kao Corp's 'Merries' brand diapers in recent months, with many stores sold out even after imposing rations. At midnight, Japan's sales tax rose to 8 percent from 5 percent. A crush of demand ahead of the first sales tax hike in 17 years has been credited with lifting sales of everything from condominiums to luxury cars -- and raised fears of a sharp downturn in spending over coming months. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket update their checkout machines to reflect a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, late March 31, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket changes a price tag due to a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, late March 31, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket changes a price tag due to a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, late March 31, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. Picture taken March 31, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Self-service checkout machines, which are updated for a sales tax hike, are seen ahead of the store's opening hours at a branch of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, April 1, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

New price tags to reflect a sales tax hike are seen ahead of the store's opening hours at a branch of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket, in Chiba, east of Tokyo, April 1, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket changes a price tag due to a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, April 1, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket checks new price tags due to a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, April 1, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket checks new price tags due to a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, April 1, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

A staff of Aeon Co Ltd's supermarket changes a price tag due to a sales tax hike, ahead of the store's opening hours at a supermarket in Chiba, east of Tokyo, April 1, 2014. Japan's sales tax will rise on Tuesday to 8 percent from 5 percent, the first increase in 17 years and the first step in a two-stage boost that is set to take the levy to 10 percent in 2015 as part an effort to curb the nation's massive public debt. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: BUSINESS POLITICS) 

Yasuaki Fukunaga, president of Aeon Agri Create Co.,Ltd, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Chiba, east of Tokyo February 26, 2014. When it comes to trade policy, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe faces a choice between the fears of Japan's ageing farm lobby and the hopes of suburban families lined up here - a nearly 20-meter long meat counter at a Tokyo mall showcasing Australian beef. Picture taken February 26, 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino (JAPAN - Tags: AGRICULTURE BUSINESS POLITICS FOOD) 

Shoppers are seen outside one of the biggest Parknshop Superstores, owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing, inside a shopping mall in Hong Kong July 25, 2013. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd and state-owned China Resources Enterprise Ltd are among the suitors considering bids for the Hong Kong supermarket business being sold by billionaire Li, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Li's Hutchison Whampoa Ltd conglomerate has set an August 16 deadline for initial bids for the business, with an asking price of up to $4 billion, said the people, who declined to be identified because the sale process is confidential. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS) 

A shopper walks into one of the biggest Parknshop Superstores, owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing, inside a shopping mall in Hong Kong July 25, 2013. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd and state-owned China Resources Enterprise Ltd are among the suitors considering bids for the Hong Kong supermarket business being sold by billionaire Li, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Li's Hutchison Whampoa Ltd conglomerate has set an August 16 deadline for initial bids for the business, with an asking price of up to $4 billion, said the people, who declined to be identified because the sale process is confidential. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS) 

Shoppers crowd one of the biggest Parknshop Superstores, owned by tycoon Li Ka-shing, inside a shopping mall in Hong Kong July 25, 2013. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd and state-owned China Resources Enterprise Ltd are among the suitors considering bids for the Hong Kong supermarket business being sold by billionaire Li, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Li's Hutchison Whampoa Ltd conglomerate has set an August 16 deadline for initial bids for the business, with an asking price of up to $4 billion, said the people, who declined to be identified because the sale process is confidential. REUTERS/Bobby Yip (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS) 

People shop at Matahari retail department store in Yogyakarta January 24, 2013. Japan's Aeon Co Ltd and a unit of Thailand's Central Group are eyeing a bid for PT Matahari Department Store, a CVC-owned retail group in Indonesia for which the private equity firm is seeking as much as $3.5 billion, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Picture taken January 24. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo (INDONESIA - Tags: BUSINESS)