Department store chain Isetan Co. is expected to take over a site formerly used by an outlet of failed Sogo Co., a lawyer representing the outlet's administrator said Friday.
"Isetan has shown the most eagerness among the three department store chains interested in taking it over," Masaharu Nakano said, suggesting the administrator considers Isetan the strongest candidate.
Nakano said the administrator is expected to decide by the end of November who will get the site.
Isetan, based in Tokyo, is interested in taking over the site used by Kokura Sogo, which closed in December 2000 after its parent firm failed. The parent firm is now undergoing reconstruction.
Kokura Tamaya Co., a department store chain based in Kitakyushu that is temporarily occupying the site, is expected to vacate in December.