North Asia
Control deals cast light on Asia GPs' value creation credentials - AVCJ Forum
Private equity investors are seeing more control deals in emerging Asian markets traditionally dominated by growth capital, which in turn gives LPs greater visibility as to GPs’ operational capabilities.
WiL aims high with Japan's 'next Nintendo'
From Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. all the way through to Sony PlayStation’s Final Fantasy, there was a time when Japan ruled the gaming industry. Microsoft’s Xbox and recent Western successes such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto have dented this...
KDDI joins corporates to launch incubator
Japanese telecoms giant KDDI will partner with 13 other corporates to create a start-up incubator targeting internet-related businesses.
PE-backed Universal Studios Japan targets IPO - report
Universal Studios Japan (USJ) - a theme park operator backed by Goldman Sachs, PAG, MBK Partners and US hedge fund Owl Creek - is looking to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Japan's Gree leads $4.5m round for HotelQuickly
Japanese tech giant Gree has led a $4.5 million Series A-1 round of funding for HotelQickly, a Hong Kong-headquartered last-minute hotel booking platform.
INCJ, Fidelity in $24m round for cloud storage provider
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ and Fidelity Growth Partners have taken part in $24 million round for US-based Cloudian, a hybrid cloud storage solutions provider.
JBIC, Mitsubishi take stake in Middle East water company
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has joined Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in acquiring a stake in Middle Eastern water treatment firm Metito.
Morgan Stanley PE Asia closes Fund IV at $1.7b
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has closed its fourth Asian fund at approximately $1.7 billion. The vehicle launched in mid-2012 with a target of $1.5 billion and reached a first close later that year of around $750 million.
Goldman Sachs leads $400m investment in Korean gas producer
A Goldman Sachs-led consortium has acquired a controlling stake in the industrial gas business of South Korean conglomerate Daesung Group for $400 million, including $200 million in convertible bonds.
WiL leads $50m round for Japan gaming start-up
Silicon-Valley based Japanese early-stage investor World Innovation Lab (WiL) has a led a JPY5 billion ($49 million) round of funding for Tokyo-based gaming company Gumi.
VC-backed Japan lunch delivery site raises $27m
Japan's Star Festival, the VC-backed start-up behind lunchbox delivery and catering site Gochikuru.com has raised JPY2.8 billion ($27.4 million) from strategic investor Askul, one of the country's largest office supply mail-order companies.
Carlyle to acquire Japan's SBI Mortgage
The Carlyle Group has made a tender offer to acquire 100% of Japanese mortgage bank SBI Mortgage in deal valued at approximately JPY43.2 billion ($423 million).
JBIC invests $10.5m in India-based Takshasila Hospitals
The government-backed Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has invested INR630 million ($10.5 million) in India's Takshasila Hospitals, which operates Sakra World Hospital in Bangalore.
Japan PE to benefit from new corporate 'psychology' - AVCJ Forum
Japan's buyout space is benefiting from a change in attitude among corporate leaders and founder-owners regarding private equity investors, say industry participants.
Japan's Rakuten launches $100m global VC fund
Rakuten Ventures - the corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten - has launched a $100 million fund targeting start-ups in Asia Pacific, Israel and the US.
Japan LPs give mixed views on co-investment - AVCJ Forum
More Japanese LPs are recognizing the importance of co-investment for driving returns but some are still put off by the potential risks.
PAG buys Commerzbank's Japanese real estate business
A PAG-led consortium has acquired a portfolio of around EUR700 million ($954 million) in primary subordinated loans held by Commerzbank’s Japan real estate subsidiary, plus local operations and staff.
Abe's third arrow is Japan PE's 'best-ever chance' - AVCJ Forum
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's third arrow of structural reform - and his ability to push it through - could present the best-ever opportunity for a resurgent Japan, industry participants say.
Ark Alternative hires Shunichi Umino to head LP relations
Japanese placement agent Ark Totan Alternative has hired Shunishi Umino as its head of financial institution sales.
Baring Asia agrees Japan electronics buyout
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to acquire the audio-video operations of Japanese car electronics maker Pioneer Corp. alongside Pioneer's rival Onkyo Corp.
Profile: New Horizon Capital's Yasushi Ando
New Horizon Capital CEO Yasushi Ando has emerged as a leading voice for boosting the profile of private equity in Japan. His efforts are starting gain traction but the journey has not been smooth
Standard Chartered PE backs Korea's AJ Networks
Standard Chartered Private Equity (SCPE) has invested $60 million in AJ Networks, the largest shareholder in listed South Korean car rental business AJ Rent A Car.
Carlyle to acquire Japan's Sunsho Pharmaceutical
The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire Sunsho Pharmaceutical, a contract manufacturer in the Japan's health and nutrition (H&N) industry. The financial details of the transaction - which will see the PE firm take a 100% stake - were not disclosed.
KDDI, Jafco invest $12m in Japan news app Gunosy
Japanese telecom giant KDDI Corp. has led a JPY1.2 billion ($11.8 million) round of investment in news app developer Gunosy.