North Asia
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.
VC-backed RareJob goes public in Japan
RareJob, a Japanese English-language learning website that has received capital from a string of VC investors, ended the morning session of its trading debut at a more than 110% premium to its IPO price.
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.
Permira targets IPO for Japan's Arysta LifeScience – report
Permira is planning to raise $500 million via the US IPO of Japanese agricultural chemical maker Arysta LifeScience.
Singapore's Sova raises $3m seed round
Sova, a Singapore start-up that provides a cloud-based WordPress hosting service, has secured $3 million in seed funding from undisclosed investors.
MSPEA in $293m Korea construction materials carve-out
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Asia (MSPEA) has acquired a construction materials business from a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Group in a deal worth KRW300 billion ($293.4 million), including debt.
SoftBank's VC arm to help Kony expand in Asia
The VC arm of Japan’s SoftBank Corp. has led a $50 million round of funding for US-based Kony with a view to helping the enterprise mobility company expand in Asia.
CyberAgent launches $50m start-up fund
CyberAgent Ventures, the corporate VC arm the Japanese internet firm, has formed a new fund worth JPY5 billion ($49 million).
Japan economics: The third arrow
The timing of the AVCJ Japan forum in recent years has seemed somewhat fortuitous.
Japan's public pension funds: Sleeping giants
Following concerns about performance and a government review of asset allocations, Japan’s public pension funds are prepping to enter private equity. But when will it happen and who stands to benefit?
Q&A: JBIC's Shigeki Kimura
Japan Bank for International Cooperation made its first commitment to a top-tier GP this year, backing CVC Capital Partners’ latest Asia fund. Managing Executive Officer Shigeki Kimura explains the group’s strategy
Japan outbound investment: Playing away
Emboldened by ample financing and the need to develop demand bases beyond a stagnating domestic market, Japanese companies are investing more overseas. Are they partner or competitor for private equity?
Japan renewables: Policy play
Japan’s response to the Fukushima nuclear crisis has been to draw up plans for the world’s biggest alternative energy market. Foreign investors see solar power as the surest route to sustainable returns
Q&A: Capital Dynamics' Kazushige Kobayashi & Tokio Marine's Soichi Sam Takata
Kazushige Kobayashi (pictured), managing director at Capital Dynamics, and Soichi Sam Takata, head of private equity at Tokio Marine Asset Management, discuss the implications of improving investor sentiment in Japan