Askul Corp. plans to exercise its right to demand Yahoo Japan Corp. sell its 45 percent stake, escalating a public dispute between two major Japanese internet companies.
Askul Chief Executive Officer Shoichiro Iwata said he intends to convene a board meeting within a week to vote on the issue.
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.