Japan
KKR agrees $2.2b sale of Japan's Kokusai Electric
KKR will sell Kokusai Electric – a semiconductor-focused thin film manufacturing business acquired from Hitachi approximately 18 months ago – to US-listed Applied Materials for $2.2 billion in cash.
GPs anticipate rich flow of Japanese divestments - AVCJ Forum
The corporate carve-out opportunity in Japan is sizeable and sustainable, despite relatively lackluster large-cap deal flow in 2018, industry participants told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
Bain agrees Japan human resources carve-out
Bain Capital Private Equity has agreed to acquire 100% of the human resources (HR) business and related subsidiaries of Japan corporate software developer Works Applications for an undisclosed sum.
The 20-year review
AVCJ's Japan Forum has been going for two decades, a period during which the industry has embarked on several roller-coaster journeys. For now, though, the market appears to be in good health
Unison buys Japanese hair treatment specialist
Unison Capital has acquired Pyuru, a Japanese producer of hair care and cosmetics products best known for a naturally-derived treatment for graying hair.
Japan secondary buyouts: Between friends
Negative perceptions and local sensitivities have stymied the development of secondary buyouts in Japan. International GPs – plus some of their domestic peers – have the firepower to drive change
Profile: Ernest Higa
From lumber to fast food, Ernest Higa has found a market for US concepts in Japan. The entrepreneur – and oftentimes private equity collaborator – believes careful customization is the key to success
Japan's Aspirant leads $223m manufacturing carve-out
Japanese private equity firm Aspirant Group has led the 100% acquisition of a copper tubing subsidiary of diversified industrial manufacturer UACJ Corporation for about JPY24 billion ($223 million).
Global GPs and Japanese LPs: Stirring the pot
As Japanese institutional investors seek to initiate or change up their private equity programs, GPs looking to build long-term relationships in the country must find the right way to engage
Revitalizing Japan's conglomerates: Big ticket
Japan’s manufacturing conglomerates are continuing to define the economy as they either adapt or succumb to new technology trends. The process is adding a new ripple to the local carve-out market
Q&A: Ripplewood's Tim Collins
A Ripplewood Holdings-led consortium broke new ground for private equity with the turnaround of Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan. CEO Tim Collins explains why he boldly goes where others fear to tread
Japan PE fundraising: Upsizing
Japanese private equity firms are looking to raise larger funds, based on what is described as a blossoming investment opportunity. Do they risk biting off more than they can chew?
Catalys seeks $100m for Japan healthcare VC fund
Newly established Japanese venture capital firm Catalys Pacific has launched its debut fund with a view to raise $100 million for investments in early-stage life science start-ups globally.
Panasonic, VCs back Series B for Japan robotics player
Panasonic Corporation has joined a group of Japanese venture capital firms in a JPY900 million ($8.3 million) Series B round for local industrial robotics systems developer Linkwiz.
Advantage buys Japanese niche education businesses
Advantage Partners has acquired two Japan-based education assets – vocational training provider Abitus and Tokyo Central Japanese Language School (TCJ).
Japan's Polaris to back Panasonic security spin-out
Japan’s Polaris Capital has agreed to back Panasonic i-Pro Sensing Solutions, a spin-out of Panasonic that will take over the parent company’s security systems business in Japan and overseas.
Japanese food tech start-up secures Series A round
Japan’s Base Food, a company that produces packaged meals that are said to be nutritionally complete, has raised JPY400 million ($3.7 million) in Series A funding from a group including Global Brain.
SBI joins $35m Series B for Japan's Pixie Dust
SBI Investment, the VC arm of Japan’s SBI Holdings, has joined a JPY3.8 billion $35 million Series B round for Pixie Dust Technologies, a local company developing novel uses for ultrasonic waves.
PE-backed ESR closes Japan logistics fund at $1.8b
ESR, a pan-Asian logistics and fund management platform that was seeded by Warburg Pincus, has closed its latest Japan-focused fund at JPY200 billion ($1.8 billion).
Japan's PE-backed Sansan files for IPO
Sansan, a PE-backed company that specializes in cloud-based business card digitization, has filed for a domestic IPO that is expected to generate around JPY35.2 billion ($321 million).
Vietnam inbound investment: Regional rivals
Strategic interest in Vietnam is growing, especially among companies within Asia looking to tap growth no longer available at home. PE investors see them as partners – and sometimes as competitors
Japan's Gree rebrands as Strive, launches $137m fund
Japan’s Gree Ventures has rebranded as Strive and launched its third fund with a view to raising JPY15 billion ($137 million) for internet company investments across Japan, Southeast Asia, and India.
Japan crowdfunding player raises $20m Series C
Campfire, a Japanese crowdfunding platform operator, has raised a JPY2.2 billion ($20 million) Series C round with support from Global Brain and KDDI Corporation.
Allianz, GLP to invest $600m in Asia logistics
German financial services giant Allianz has committed $600 million to funds managed by GLP, a PE-owned warehouse operator based in Singapore, with a view to investing in logistics in China and Japan.