Companies in Japan have long avoided foreign acquisitions. But Canada-based Alimentation Couche-Tard’s recent unsolicited bid for the owner of the 7-Eleven convenience store chain is testing that premise. The FT’s Tokyo bureau chief Leo Lewis examines how these events could shape corporate Japan’s future.   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: The takeover fight that could reshape Japan  After 7-Eleven, Japan’s M&A scene may never be the same again 7-Eleven bid is the next stage in revitalising corporate Japan  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  On X, follow Leo Lewis (@urbandirt) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re revisiting an episode from last year. For decades, the global centre for oil trading has been Geneva, Switzerland. But Russia’s war in Ukraine changed that. Sanctions have made it harder for western traders to move Russian oil. Now, traders are flocking to a new trading hub that has no restrictions on oil from Russia: the United Arab Emirates. The FT’s Tom Wilson explains how this shift has helped the UAE replace Switzerland, and whether the global energy industry is shifting away from western economies.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: How Dubai became ‘the new Geneva’ for Russian oil trade Switzerland questions oil trader over sidestep of Russian sanctions Letter: Energy trading is opaque — and that suits Big Oil - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Register now for the FT Weekend Festival, and claim £24 off your pass using promo code FTPodcast at: ft.com/festival - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  On X, follow Tom Wilson (@thomas_m_wilson) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  Read the transcript of this episode which was first aired in August 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.