Askul Corp. plans to exercise its right to demand Yahoo Japan Corp. sell its 45% stake, escalating a public dispute between two major Japanese internet companies.
Chief Executive Officer Shoichiro Iwata said he intends to propose the move at a board meeting scheduled for Aug 1. Whether the online retailer can force a sale hinges on the interpretation of an agreement struck when Yahoo Japan, which is backed by SoftBank Group Corp., first invested in Askul.
