Starbucks Said to Mull Options in Japan Including Stake Sale (2)

Starbucks Corp. is considering options for its Japanese business including a stake sale, according to people familiar with the matter, following the disposal of a majority interest in its China operations.

The US coffee chain has held preliminary talks with investment banks to help determine an approach for Japan, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. Japan is one of Starbucks’ biggest markets with about 2,100 stores, most of which it operates directly.

A stake sale might be valued at ¥400 billion ($2.5 billion) to ¥500 billion and could attract interest from other ...