Japanese major Mitsubishi Corp revealed yesterday that it will purchase a 50% stake in seafood restaurant chain Maguro-Ichiba. The giant sogo-shosha (trading company), which also operates car manufacture, agricultural production, fuel, textiles and information services, is understood to be completing the deal in a bid to expand its food service operations.


Mitsubishi is buying out the stake from another current shareholder, and when the deal is completed it will become an equal shareholder with the company’s founder.


The Maguro-Ichiba chain currently operates seventeen franchised outlets.