LAVAL, Quebec, & TOKYO — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.'s proposed acquisition of Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd., parent company to 7-Eleven Inc., is a better deal than Seven & i's current breakup plan, asserted company leadership this week during a trip to Japan.

Executives from Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard are in Japan in a bid to overcome resistance to their $47-billion takeover of 7-Eleven's parent but are being given the cold shoulder, according to interviews published Thursday.

Circle K operator Alimentation Couche-Tard is likely to face a tough U.S. antitrust review if it moves forward with its $47.2 billion bid to buy 7-Eleven owner Seven & I Holdings.

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is interested in buying the entirety of Seven & i Holdings Co., and will keep the local operations of the Japanese convenience store and retail giant intact, Chairman and founder Alain Bouchard said.

Tard Inc.’s founder and top executives are spending three days in Tokyo this week, seeking to make their case for buying Seven & i Holdings Co. for about ¥7.1 trillion ($47.4 billion) despite being rebuffed by the Japanese retailer.

Tard’s planned $47bn buyout of Seven & i is a better deal and less risky than its target’s break-up plan, the Canadian retailer said as it urged the Japanese group to start talks. Couche-Tard executives said in Tokyo that they wanted more information on Seven & i’s business and the chance to discuss their bid with government officials in Japan.