Japan
Japan design firm Goodpatch raises $3.5m
Goodpatch, a Japan-based user interface design company that focuses on digital products, has received a Series A round of funding worth JPY400 million ($3.5 million).
Carlyle buys Japanese software group WingArc1st
The Carlyle Group has agreed to take a 100% stake in Japanese enterprise output management (EOM) and business intelligence (BI) software provider WingArc1st.
Carlyle invests in Japan's GGC Group
The Carlyle Group will support overseas expansion efforts for western Japan’s biggest bean sprout manufacturer, GGC Group, through a strategic business and capital alliance.
Japan e-commerce: Shopping for fun
Mercari has become Japan’s first unicorn on the back of an innovative approach to e-commerce. Can the company blaze a trail for others to follow by replicating its domestic success overseas?
Japan’s LifeRobotics raises $4.4m in Series A round
LifeRobotics, the developer of an industrial collaborative robot called Coro, has raised JPY500 million ($4.4 million) in Series A funding aimed at a marketing initiative and technological developments.
Jafco, Voyage in $2.6m round for Japan's Repro
Japanese mobile analytics provider Repro has raised JPY300 million ($2.6 million) for a US expansion from investors including Jafco and Voyage Ventures.
Advantage acquires Japan's Ishii Sports
Advantage Partners has acquired Tokyo-based outdoor sports equipment retailer Ishii Sports.
Japan marketplace Mercari gets $74m Series D round
Japan’s Mitsui & Co has co-led a JPY8.4 billion ($74 million) Series D round of funding for smart phone peer-to-peer marketplace Mercari.
AID Partners to sell stake in HMV to Japan's World Innovation Lab
AID Partners is set for a partial exit from HMV’s Asia business after agreeing to sell an 18.37% stake in the music and movie retailer to Japan-based World Innovation Lab for $9 million.
INCJ leads $35m investment in Singapore's Astroscale
Singapore-based satellite services and space technology company Astroscale has secured up to $35 million in funding from VC investors including Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Jafco.
Eight Roads leads $8m round for Japan's Port
Eight Roads Ventures Japan has led a JPY900 million ($7.9 million) round of funding for Tokyo-based online content developer Port.
Japan's Mitsui Fudosan launches VC fund with Global Brain
31 Ventures, a venture capital firm sponsored by Japanese property developer Mitsui Fudosan, has launched a JPY5 billion ($44 million) fund with Global Brain Corporation that will invest in start-ups globally.
GLP, CPPIB establish $877m Japan joint venture
The Japanese arm of Singapore-listed warehouse operator Global Logistics Properties (GLP) and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) have established a joint venture that will invest an initial JPY100 billion ($877 million) in local logistics projects.
KKR to support European solar player's Japan expansion plans
KKR has acquired a majority stake in Gestamp Solar, a Spain-based developer and operator of solar plants that is looking to expand its business in Japan. The deal values the business at approximately $1 billion.
IMJ targets $53m for Japan venture fund
Singapore-based IMJ Investment Partners has raised JPY2 billion ($17.7 million) for a venture capital fund that will back start-ups in Japan. The full target is JPY6 billion.
J-Star targets buyout of JASDAQ-listed drugstore chain
J-Star has launched a tender offer for drugstore chain Aisei Pharmacy that values the JASDAQ-listed company at approximately JPY12.7 billion ($112.5 million). This is the private equity firm’s first-ever tender offer.
Japan's SBI to lead Series B for US bitcoin exchange Kraken
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan's SBI Holdings, has agreed to lead a Series B round for US-based bitcoin exchange Kraken.
Japan Post Bank prepares for PE investment
Japan Post Bank plans to start making commitments to private equity funds in the first half of this year, according to Katsunori Sago, the bank’s vice president in charge of asset management.
Rakuten launches $84m Japan venture fund
Rakuten Ventures, the corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has launched a JPY10 billion ($84 million) fund targeting start-ups in Japan.
Nissay commits $1.7m to Japan's Oneteam
Nissay Capital has invested $1.7 million in Series A funding in Japanese workplace chat app Oneteam.
JC Flowers to buy Chi-X's Asia trading platforms
J.C. Flowers has agreed to buy the Australia and Japan businesses of Chi-X Global Holdings, an alternative equity trading platform that competes with primary exchanges, as well as the company’s Hong Kong-based technology services unit.
PE-backed e-Shang boosts Asia footprint through merger
China-based warehousing operator e-Shang, which was founded by two local entrepreneurs in conjunction with Warburg Pincus, has agreed to merge with Asian counterpart Redwood Group as it builds scale towards a public market listing.
Japan's ChatWork raises $12.5 Series B round
Japan-based business chat platform ChatWork has raised $12.5 million in Series B funding from Jafco, SMBC Venture Capital and GMO Venture Partners.
Japan's J-Star buys nursing care business
J-Star has made another investment intended to leverage Japan’s aging population with the acquisition of Platia, a nursing services business that specializes in caring for people with dementia.