Exclusive: Godiva's Turkish owner exploring sale of its Japanese business - sources

By Martinne Geller and Pamela Barbaglia

LONDON (Reuters) - Yildiz Holding, the Turkish owner of Godiva chocolate, is exploring a sale of the high-end chain's Japanese business in a deal that could fetch around $1.5 billion, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The process to sell the business is expected to start in the coming weeks, said the sources, who declined to be named as the situation is private.

Yildiz, which also owns Istanbul-listed biscuit maker Ulker, said in a statement that Japan was one of its most successful regions and continues to grow.

It did not comment further.

(Reporting by Martinne Geller, editing by Louise Heavens)