Japan
Longreach closes latest buyout fund at $650m
The Longreach Group has reached a final close of $650 million on its third North Asia-focused mid-market buyout fund.
Carlyle invests in Japanese cosmetics maker Tokiwa
The Carlyle Group has agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Tokiwa to support its domestic and overseas expansion plans.
Dai-ichi Life backs energy-focused Japan VC fund
Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Insurance has agreed to invest JPY1 billion ($9.1 million) in a venture fund managed by local energy and cleantech specialist Energy & Environment Investment (EEI).
Deal focus: CLSA teams up with ‘Chanel for children’
CLSA Capital Partners goes niche in Japan’s retail space with the acquisition of premium toymaker Bloom Group. A range of strategic and operational value-add measures are on the table
Japan VC: Positive energy
Japan’s quiet venture capital space is booming within its own borders. Signs of a stronger exit market and an exuberant influx of corporate involvement are encouraging themes, but they will play out slowly
DNX Ventures launches $300m Japan-US VC fund
DNX Ventures, formerly known as Draper Nexus Ventures, has launched its third Japan-US cross-border VC fund with a target of $300 million.
Unison to exit Japan's Ayumi to Blackstone
The Blackstone Group has made its first transaction in Japan, agreeing to acquire Ayumi Pharmaceutical Corporation from Unison Capital and medical information site operator M3.
CLSA buys Japanese toy maker
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has agreed to buy Bloom Group, a Japanese toy manufacturer best known for its “squishy” products popular among elementary and middle-school-age girls.
Japan's Infinity Ventures targets $120m for fourth fund
Japan-based Infinity Ventures has launched its fourth fund focused on Japan and China with a target of $120 million.
Bain raises tender offer price for Japan's Kosaido
Bain Capital Private Equity has sweetened a tender offer initiated in January for Japan-listed printing and IT services provider Kosaido. The revised bid values the company at about JPY17.4 billion ($157 million).
500 Startups Japan rebrands, launches $45m fund
The Japan-based team of 500 Startups has spun out a separate firm called Coral Capital and announced a debut fund with about $45 million in commitments.
Japan launches space start-up accelerator
Several venture capital firms, including Global Brain, are participating in a Japanese government-backed accelerator program for space start-ups.
Japan fundraising: Getting bigger
Will the rapid increases in fund size for the likes of Japan Industrial Partners and Polaris Private Equity turn out to be the exception or the rule in Japan's middle market?
BaltCap, JBIC launch $113m Europe-Japan VC fund
Estonian private equity firm BaltCap and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have launched a EUR100 million ($113 million) Europe-Asia cross-border VC fund with a focus on Japan.
J-Star's Japan Hospice Holdings set for Tokyo IPO
Japan Hospice Holdings, a hospice care platform created by J-Star through a series of acquisitions, is looking to raise JPY1.48 billion ($13.4 million) through a Tokyo IPO.
MBK to buy Asia retail assets from chocolate maker Godiva
MBK Partners has agreed to buy Belgian chocolate maker Godiva’s distribution operations in Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand in a deal reportedly worth more than $1 billion.
Polaris exits Japanese timber company
Japan’s Polaris Capital has agreed to sell its 100% stake in domestic timber and building materials company Hivic for JPY8.5 billion ($77.4 million).
Advantage buys Vietnam's Elise Fashion
Advantage Partners has made its first acquisition in Vietnam, buying women’s fashion brand Elise Fashion for an undisclosed amount.
Japan's J-Will set for $272m buyout of ND Software
J-Will Partners has won board support for its proposed acquisition of ND Sofware, a Japanese software developer that serves the healthcare sector, through a tender offer at a valuation of JPY29.9 billion ($272 million).
CVC exits Japanese care provider to Polaris
CVC Capital Partners has agreed to sell Hitowa Holdings, a Japan-based provider of cleaning, assisted living and childcare support services, to Polaris Private Equity.
Korea's Orchestra buys electronic darts machine maker
Korean middle market investor Orchestra Private Equity has completed the KRW122 billion ($109 million) acquisition of Hong International, the largest global manufacturer of electronic darts machines.
Longreach promotes Takuya Sato to partner
The Longreach Group, a mid-market North Asia buyout firm that has a particular focus on Japan, has promoted Takuya Sato (pictured) to partner.
Japan Airlines launches $70m VC fund
Japan Airlines (JAL) has provided $70 million for a venture capital fund focused on transportation technology start-ups. It will be managed by US-based TransLink Capital.
VCs commit $15m to Japanese AI specialist
A group of venture capital firms, including SBI Investment, have invested $15 million in a Series B round for Cinnamon, a Japanese artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on office automation.