Japan
VCs invest $4.4m in Japanese filter technology start-up
The state-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), shipping conglomerate investment arm Tsuneishi Partners and Future Venture Capital (FVC) have together invested JPY550 million ($4.4 million) in NanoMist Technologies, creator of a filtering...
Japan's VC-backed Metaps files for IPO
Metaps, a Japanese mobile software developer and IT services start-up backed by a slew of VC investors, has filed for its Tokyo IPO and is expected to raise as much as JPY3.8 billion ($30.6 million).
Carlyle registers $775m for third Japan fund
The Carlyle Group has registered just over $775 million for its third Japan fund - Carlyle Japan Partners III.
DCM closes second Android fund at $100m
DCM has raised $100 million for its second Android-focused fund, which will target start-ups building apps for Google’s mobile operating system.
Former Japan Exchange head joins KKR as chairman
KKR has named Atsushi Saito, former head of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) and the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), as the non-executive chairman of KKR Japan.
Japanese tech entrepreneurs form Tokyo Founders Fund
A group of Japanese tech entrepreneurs have formed a new start-up-focused fund called Tokyo Founders Fund, styled after Silicon Valley’s own Founders Fund.
SoftBank leads $20m Series B round for US ad analytics start-up
Japan's SoftBank Corp. has led a $20m Series B round of funding for US-based ad analytics start-up Cinarra Systems.
Permira hires former KKR deal-maker as head of Japan
Permira has chosen former KKR deal-maker Ryotaro Fujii as managing director and head of Japan. Yoichiro Furuse has been made chairman of Japan.
PE-backed Cath Kidston buys back Japan business
Cath Kidston, the UK lifestyle retailer controlled by Baring Private Equity Asia and TA Associates, has bought back its Japan operations - its largest outside the UK - from local conglomerate TSI holdings for an undisclosed sum.
Japan's Recruit Holdings invests $7.5m in US-based HackerRank
Japan's Recruit Holdings has paid $7.5 million for a stake in HackerRank, a US technical recruitment platform owned by Interviewstreet, via its $20 million corporate venture capital fund - HR Technology Fund.
Q&A: Advantage Partners' Emmett Thomas
Emmett Thomas, head of Asia at Advantage Partners, explains why helping Japanese firms enter other markets in the region and bringing Asian companies into Japan has become an important investment thesis.
2Q analyisis: The bulls hesitate
China's equities wobble is unlikely to discourage companies from local listings, and a rise in renminbi fundraising could result; Asia investment hits record high; public market sales dominate exit activity
Japan's Jafco invests $2.5m in traffic analytics tool
Japanese venture capital firm Jafco has invested JPY3 million ($2.5 million) in Wacul, a Tokyo-based start-up that offers website improvement consulting.
Japan's Genesis Healthcare raises $5.1m from Founders Fund, Mitsui
US early stage investor Founders Fund and Japanese conglomerate Mitsui & Co have together invested JPY620 million ($5.1 million) in Genesis Healthcare, a Tokyo-based start-up that develops genetic testing kits, in exchange for a 6% stake.
Former Cyberagent Ventures Beijing head forms $30m China fund
Joei Dai, the former general manager of CyberAgent Ventures China in Beijing, has formed a venture capital firm Gravity Venture Capital (GVC) and is looking to raise $30 million to back Chinese start-ups.
Bespoke solutions offer path into Japan's local private debt space - AVCJ Forum
Low interest rates have restricted the scope for foreign private debt and mezzanine funds in Japan, though offering bespoke solutions to local businesses is an attractive opportunity, say industry participants.
Japan pension funds have out-dated view on PE risk - AVCJ Forum
Japan's pension fund industry needs to reevaluate its perception of private equity as a risky alternative asset, domestic LPs told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
MBO no longer a 'dirty word' in Japan - AVCJ Forum
The term management buyout (MBO) is no longer considered a "dirty word" among Japanese company founders, according to local GPs who are eyeing more succession deals.
Portfolio: Advantage Partners and Riraku
By undercutting its competition, massage salon Riraku was able access a broader segment of the domestic market. But achieving growth on a national scale required support from Advantage Partners
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy UBS' alternative fund services unit
MUFG Investor Services, the asset servicing group of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, will buy UBS Global Asset Management's Alternative Fund Services (AFS) business.
Alibaba, Foxconn invest $236m in SoftBank robotics division
Alibaba Group and Foxconn Technology Group have agreed to invest JPY29 billion ($236 million) in SoftBank Robotics Holding Corp, which manages SoftBank's robotics business.
Japan to lead boom in Asia restructuring activity - survey
Corporate restructuring activity in Japan should lead to a broader rise in the number of distress opportunities in Asia, as a result of both regulatory change and added pressure from investors.
Q&A: The Longreach Group's Masamichi Yoshizawa
The Longreach Group made a name for itself acquiring non-core assets from Japanese corporates. Masamichi Yoshizawa, a partner with the North Asia-focused firm, expects more of these deals
VC in Japan's universities: Getting schooled
For the past decade, Japan’s universities have been working with venture capital to commercialize their research. Recent developments in the public and private sectors suggest this relationship is evolving