Don Quijote Takes Over Toys R Us Japan Operations

Toys R Us will withdraw from Japan, and Don Quijote will take over the business. It acquired all Japanese Toys R Us stores in a deal that might reach ¥10 billion (approximately $63.5 million). [Thanks, Nikkei!]

Toys R Us was founded as a company 78 years ago in 1948 in the United States. However, it filed for bankruptcy in 2017 in the US and Canada. In Japan, there are 150 stores including Babies R Us, which specializes in baby products. The retailer employs around 6,000 employees. This number includes part-time workers.

According to the Nikkei report, the birth rate decline may be the reason for Toys R Us and Babies R Us’s business difficulties. Further exacerbating issues has been an increase in competition in the toy market, including the rise of online shopping. Toys R Us has been in the red for quite some time, according to its latest financial reports, and has been struggling to maintain operations.

To be precise, Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) is acquiring the Toys R Us Japan stores. PPIH is the parent company of Don Quijote, or “Donki.” In Japan, Don Quijote is a discount store chain that sells a wide range of products. This can range from beauty products to electronics to anime merchandise. Stores usually have long operating hours, which makes them ideal places for any emergency shopping.

As of September 29, 2026, PPIH (Don Quijote) is now in charge of Toys R Us operations in Japan. In the US, some Macy’s stores have branded Toys R Us sections.