North Asia
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.
Deal focus: Permira consolidates ingredients of JMO success story
Permira has acquired personal care brand John Masters Organics to grow its presence in Japan and the rest of the world
Longreach acquires Wendy's Japan
Longreach Group has acquired a majority stake in Wendy’s Japan as part of a growth strategy that will see the hamburger restaurant chain combined with fellow domestic operator, First Kitchen.
Japan’s Whill closes $17.5m Series B
Eight Roads Ventures has led a $17.5 million Series B round for Japanese wheelchair and personal mobility device developer Whill.
Macquarie invests $29m in Japanese logistics business
Macquarie Asia Infrastructure Fund (MAIF) has invested EUR26 million ($28.9 million) for a 40% interest in Japanese logistics company Nippon Vopak.
Korea to allow publicly-raised capital into private equity
Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has announced plans to allow capital raised through public market offerings to invest in domestic private equity and real assets vehicles.
Korea's Althea raises $3.5m Series A
Althea, a South Korean cosmetics e-commerce site that markets primarily to Southeast Asia, has raised a $3.5 million Series A round from a group of investors including Mirae Asset Ventures, Cherubic Ventures and 500 Startups.
Tencent invests in Korea's PE-backed YG Entertainment
China’s Tencent Holdings and Beijing Weiying Times Technology – an online ticketing platform in which Tencent is an investor – have committed approximately $85 million to YG Entertainment, a Korean record label and talent manager backed by L Capital...
Japan's Creema raises $10m round
Globis Capital Partners has led a JPY1.1 billion ($10 million) round for Japan-based Creema, the operator of an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) marketplace specializing in handmade items.
INCJ leads $10m round for Japan robotics start-up
Japanese robotics company 3D Media has received a JPY1.1 billion ($10 million) investment from Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Sparx Group and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital.
MBK-owned Komeda Coffee wins approval for Japan IPO
Komeda Coffee, a coffee shop chain owned by North Asia-focused MBK Partners, has won approval for a Tokyo IPO. The indicative price suggested the offering will be worth up to JPY60.2 billion ($547.4 million).
Kyobo Life bids for MBK-owned ING Life Korea
Kyobo Life Insurance, Korea’s third-largest insurer, has entered the bidding process for MBK Partners-owned ING Life Korea.
Deal focus: CITIC exits a bigger Tri-Wall
CITIC Capital Partners overcame strategic competition to buy a majority stake in Tri-Wall. After six years and significant financial and geographic expansion, it is exiting to a strategic player