North Asia
Japan succession: The long goodbye
As Masayoshi Son's recent about-turn on giving up the leadership of SoftBank suggests, Japanese founders of a certain age can be even less willing to consider succession than their younger peers
MBK makes partial exit as Komeda IPO raises $588m
MBK Partners has made a partial exit from Japan-based coffee shop chain Komeda Coffee after the company raised JPY60.2 billion ($588 million) through an IPO on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Carlyle re-lists Japan healthcare staffing business
The Carlyle Group has re-listed Solasto Corporation on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, four and a half years after privatizing the medical staffing business, which was previously known as NIC Corp.
Korea's Dongbu agrees $174m sale to Keystone
Keystone Private Equity has agreed to acquire distressed Korean construction company Dongbu Corporation for KRW206 billion ($174 million).
Japanese LPs gradually turning to private equity - AVCJ Forum
Japanese institutional investors are increasingly interested and active in private equity, but engagement with the asset class is hampered by culture, limited human resources, and the lengthy time horizons involved, LPs told the AVCJ Japan forum.
SoftBank names successor to Nikesh Arora
Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank has named a successor to COO and President Nikesh Arora, who stepped down earlier this week.
Japan's SBI partners with Filipino VC
Japanese financial services company SBI Holdings has acquired a 35% stake in the venture arm of Investment & Capital Corporation of the Philippines (ICCP) with an aim to co-manage a VC fund.
Portfolio: New Horizon Capital and Tachikichi
New Horizon Capital has turned around ceramics maker Tachikichi by emphasizing its unique connections to Japanese culture. Now the GP hopes that strategy can take the company beyond its old restraints
GPs see traction in Japan's middle market - AVCJ Forum
PE firms are seeing more potential deal flow in Japan’s middle market as the lingering succession planning issues facing local founders intensify, and companies struggle to recruit the talent needed to support growth.
Jafco leads $20m Series A in Singapore's Quoine
Jafco has led a $20 million Series A financing round for Quoine, a Singapore-based bitcoin trading platform.
SoftBank exits Finland's Supercell to Tencent in $10.2b deal
Tencent Holdings has agreed to buy a majority stake in Finland-based mobile game developer Supercell, allowing SoftBank to exit its entire holding in the company in a deal valuing it at $10.2 billion.
SoftBank's embattled COO Nikesh Arora to step down
Nikesh Arora, the president and COO of Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank and the presumptive successor of CEO Masayoshi Son, will step down from his positions at the company.
Pavilion invests $5.8m in Japan's Soracom
Pavilion Capital, a private equity unit of Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, has committed JPY600 million ($5.8 million) to Japanese internet-of-things (IoT) company Soracom.
KKR to buy Korean retailer Kim's Club - report
KKR has agreed to buy Korean luxury grocery chain Kim's Club from its owner, Korean retail conglomerate E-Land Group.
Japan fundraising: Stronger sentiment
A host of Japanese GPs are either in the market with new funds or preparing to enter it. Industry participants are optimistic that the process will be smoother than last time around
Q&A: J-Star's Gregory Hara
Gregory Hara, CEO and managing partner of J-Star, discusses the global opportunities available for smaller Japanese manufacturers and the importance of setting clear goals for portfolio companies
Japan's middle market: Simmering prosperity
GPs are finding opportunity in Japan’s economic stagnancy and dramatic demographic trends, but embracing this massive market will require a sharper focus on planning, as well as patience and poise
Japan VC: Outbound ambition
Japanese start-ups are looking to address global markets from day one, but few domestic venture capital firms are equipped to support cross-border strategies. Corporate VCs could provide the solution
Japanese LPs: Glacier effect
There is growing interest among Japanese institutional investors for exposure to alternatives. However, this doesn’t mean commitments will come quickly, or go to private equity first
Korea's KIC appoints new CIO
Korea Investment Corporation (KIC) has named Shin-Woo Kang, most recently CEO of Hanwa Asset Management, as its new CIO. He replaces Heung-Sik Choo, who stepped down in February after less than two years in the job.
Japan's Midokura raises $20m Series B
Japan and US-based software network virtualization company Midokura has raised a $20.4 million Series B round from investors including the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ).
iSigma acquires Japan cybersecurity company
ISigma, a mid-size buyout firm controlled by Japanese trading and investment conglomerate Marubeni, has acquired domestic cybersecurity platform provider VarioSecure.
Deal focus: Longreach's fast-track Japan burger play
Longreach invests in Wendy's Japan to build greater synergies with homegrown franchises
Korea's NPS boosts overseas PE exposure
The National Pension Service of Korea (NPS) has pledged to more than double the Asian allocation of its KRW19.5 trillion ($16.4 billion) allotment for global private equity investment.