Probably a couple reasons why it's coming up now. First the Japanese have a pretty good reputation as owners of UK businesses, they own quite a few Scotch distilleries and impressions are they manage things well.

Second, I think the world feels a lot more protectionist nowadays vs when the original buyout happened. I know it wasn't that long ago but the trade war tariffs between the US and China sort of set the tone.

The level of anxiety about capital and industrial flight in the UK is also much higher due to Brexit.

Sounds like the story with Volvo Cars. Ford sold it to Geely, but it was like it was sold to a foreign owner in the first place.