Japan
Skylark exit helps consign buyout boom to history
With Skylark sold and Yayoi likely to follow it, Japan’s megadeals of 2006-2008 are finally being dismantled and the – relatively meager – profits returned to investors
Asia ex-Japan pension fund assets to reach $4t by 2015
Assets held by pension funds in Asia ex-Japan and Australia stood at $2.2 trillion at the end of last year and are set to reach $4 trillion by 2015, largely fueled by an expanding middle class.
Advantage, Bain, Olympus in second-round bidding for Yayoi
Advantage Partners, Bain Capital and Olympus Capital have reportedly advanced into the second round of bidding for MBK Partners-owned Japanese accounting software developer Yayoi, which is expected to be one of the biggest sales in the market this year.
Bain acquires Japan's Skylark for $2.1b in equity
Bain Capital has officially acquired 100% of Japanese restaurant chain Skylark from Nomura Principal Finance for an equity value of JPY160 billion ($2.1 billion). It is the largest buyout in Japan since the onset of the global financial crisis.
Corporate Japan looks for growth overseas
Japanese companies need to take on the world. Local private equity professionals at the 2011 AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum Japan conference in Tokyo, which I am chairing, see globalization as the major current theme for corporate Japan. Indeed,...
Japanese industries see post-earthquake renewal - AVCJ Japan
Japan’s private equity industry is anticipating greater changes in the aftermath of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.
Corporate Japan urged to look overseas – AVCJ Japan Forum
The need for Japanese companies to expand overseas into fast-growing Asian markets emerged as a key theme on the opening day of the AVCJ Japan Forum, which takes place today and tomorrow in Tokyo.
Tokio Marine targets $903m Showa Yakuhin Kako sale - report
Tokio Marine capital has launched the sales process for its 50% stake in Japanese drug producer Showa Yakuhin Kako, targeting up to JPY70 billion ($905 million), according to Reuters.
Prudent Energy gets $29.5m from Asian investors
Prudent Energy, a US- and Beijing-based energy storage firm, has raised $29.5 million in an investment rounding led by Japan’s Mitsui & Co. and including Vangoo Investment Partners – which is an affiliate of Japan’s Ant Capital Partners - Asia Clean...
Asia buyouts struggle as banks clamp down on lending
Buyout deals in Asia are becoming more difficult as banks hold back on lending. Rising capital costs have made lenders wary of the risks tied to mispricing a loan, leaving private equity firms to increase the cash portion of buyouts.
Diamonds lurk among the Japanese midcaps
Deal-making opportunities remain in Japan’s mid-cap space, spurred by domestic consolidation and corporate ambitions for overseas expansion
Japan’s secondary funds look to consolidate
The cross-ownership of Japanese companies creates rich pickings for secondaries players looking to gather up and exit
Japanese LPs: Conservative investors
With Japanese LPs still wary of private equity investing amidst ongoing global economic uncertainty, GPs find it difficult to secure commitments
Japan's Murata Manufacturing acquires VTI Technologies
Private equity fund EQT III will divest its 100% stake in Finish motion sensor parts maker VTI Technologies to Japanese electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing for JPY20 billion ($261 million).
Bain set to acquire Japan's Skylark for $3.4b
Bain Capital is finally set to acquire Japanese restaurant chain operator Skylark from Nomura Holdings for approximately JPY260 billion ($3.4 billion) including debt, after more than six months of delays.
Bain gets $1.1b recapitalization loan for Japan's Bellsystem24
Bain Capital has completed a JPY87.5 billion ($1.1 billion) recapitalization for portfolio company Bellsystem24, a telemarketing firm specializing in call centers, according to Basis Point.
Advantage, KKR, Olympus line up for MBK-owned Yayoi
Advantage Partners, KKR and Olympus Capital are reportedly among the potential bidders for Japanese accounting software developer Yayoi from MBK Partners.
Yahoo examines options for exiting Japanese business – report
Yahoo is close to unloading its 35% stake in Yahoo Japan and it is thought that a sale could happen relatively quickly, potentially simplifying decisions about the US firm’s wider prospects.
SBI makes first foray into Cambodia
Japanese Financial Group SBI Holdings has entered Cambodia through the creation of a private equity fund in partnership with Royal Group, the country’s largest conglomerate. It is SBI’s second overseas joint venture vehicle this year, following the...
Helix-backed Hi-Rel Electronics sold to Hitachi
India’s Hi-Rel Electronics, backed by Helix Investor Advisors, has been acquired by Japan’s Hitachi for an undisclosed price.
PE-backed Affle gets $10m from Japan's D2 Communications
Japanese mobile advertising company D2 Communications (D2C) has invested more than $10 million in Singapore-headquartered Asian mobile media firm Affle. It joins existing backers Microsoft, Itochu Corp., Bennett Coleman & Company and Centurion Private...
Blackstone’s GSO exits Stolle to Japanese strategic buyer
GSO Capital Partners, Blackstone Group’s credit business, will sell Stolle Machinery to Japan’s Toyo Seikan for $775 million. The transaction is expected to close before the end of 2011, subject to regulatory approvals.
Sumitomo Mitsui looks to acquire distressed lender Promise Co.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Japan’s second-largest lender, will make a $2.6 billion tender offer for all shares it does not already own in distressed consumer lender Promise Co.
Mitsubishi, Creat JV fund closes in on first deal
Mitsubishi Corp-backed Kizuna Capital Partners has identified 5-6 potential companies for the debut investment of its $120 million private equity fund and plans to close a transaction by the end of the first quarter of 2012. The alternative energy, medical...