The owner of Japanese department store chain Sogo & Seibu says it completed the sale of the chain to US investment fund Fortress Investment Group on Friday.

Seven & i Holdings says it expects the final price to be around 580,000 dollars. That is much less than the 1.5 billion dollars earlier reported, partly as a result of outstanding debts.

Many are wondering how the company will rebuild its business and keep workers employed.

One regular customer says, "If the shopping becomes easier, I would like to keep coming in the future."

Another customer says, "I think it's just natural to guarantee the jobs of the employees. I'd like the store to remain here, because I have been living here for many years, and I'm quite familiar with it."

Sogo & Seibu's parent company, Seven & i Holdings, decided last November to sell the chain to the US fund.

Thursday's labor strike was the first at a major Japanese department store in around 60 years. Seven & i finalized the deal at a board meeting on the same day.

Fortress says it will do its best to keep the business going, and provide support to preserve as many jobs as possible.

Yodobashi Holdings, owner of a chain of electronics stores, is partnering with Fortress on the deal. Yodobashi plans to set up outlets in three of the department store's locations.

There are 10 Sogo & Seibu stores around the country. The fate of those in rural areas is in question.