Japan
Japan’s GPIF awards another infrastructure mandate
Pantheon Group has won an infrastructure mandate from Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF), the second made by the pension fund to a global fund-of-funds.
Corporate VC funds foreshadow auto sector M&A wave
A raft of specialist fundraising activity by technology and automotive corporates suggests start-ups in nascent areas of the mobility industry could benefit from a near-term uptick in M&A activity.
Auto technology: Investment vehicles
New and old players are vying for market share as the global automotive industry experiences a multifaceted reboot. Investment inroads abound, but there is much uncertainty in the evolution
Japan mid-market: Realignment issues
Competition is intensifying in certain segments of Japan’s middle market, driving up valuations. Private equity firms must consider how they position themselves to maximize deal flow
Tokio Marine exits Japanese machinery parts maker
Tokio Marine Capital has agreed to sell its entire stake in Tonichi Kosan, a Japanese manufacturer of parts used in construction and agricultural machinery, to machinery wholesaler Wakita & Co.
Taiwan’s KKday secures $10.5m Series B
KKday, a Taiwan-based start-up that helps tourists find local activities, has secured $10.5 million Series B round of funding led by Japanese travel agent HIS, with participation from existing backer MindWorks Ventures.
Japan's Ezaki Glico buys chocolate company from US GP
Ezaki Glico, a Japanese food company that markets a number of branded snack products, has acquired a majority stake in chocolate maker TCHO from US growth and venture capital firm Emil Capital Partners.
Former Bain executives target $500m Japan fund
Two former principals with Bain Capital Private Equity in Japan have established their own country-focused firm – Nippon Investment Corporation (NIC) – and are seeking to raise a $500 million fund.
Ardian opens Japan office to capture local LP interest in alternatives
Ardian has opened an office in Tokyo - its third in Asia - with a view to capitalizing on growing demand for exposure to alternatives, including private equity, from Japanese institutional investors.
CVC's Japan president to join Toshiba
Nobuaki Kurumatani, who has been president of CVC Capital Partners’ Japan operation for less than a year, is departing to become chairman and CEO of Toshiba Corporation.
Deal focus: CLSA likes the fit of Marubeni subsidiary
CLSA Capital Partners agrees to carve-out Marubeni's uniform business with a view to driving consolidation in an industry where Japanese corporate customers are already gravitating from ownership to rental
Monument hires ex-Bain IR executive in Japan
Placement agent Monument Group has appointed Kay Sano (pictured) as a representative director in its Tokyo office. She was previously a Japan-based vice president with Bain Capital Private Equity.
Japan Post: Stamp of approval
A newly launched private equity vehicle under the Japan Post brand is being hailed as a validation of the asset class domestically. It could be a critical juncture for the development of local technology markets
VCs back $41m investment in Japan's WealthNavi
Japanese financial technology company WealthNavi has raised JPY4.5 billion ($41.3 million) through a combination of domestic venture capital funding and loans from financial institutions.
CLSA to buy rental subsidiary of Japan's Marubeni
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has agreed to buy Marubeni Mates, a uniform rental business owned by Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation, for an undisclosed sum.
Japan's Polaris to buy Fujitsu mobile phone unit
Japanese middle market GP Polaris Capital has agreed its second corporate carve-out in three months with a deal to buy Fujitsu’s mobile devices business.
Q&A: WisdomTree's Jesper Koll
Jesper Koll, head of Japan for WisdomTree Asset Management, summons 30 years of Japanese investment experience to predict a durable growth story where an aging population has its advantages
Japan Post entities form joint PE investment unit - update
Japan Post Bank and Japan Post Insurance have agreed to form a joint asset management company that will make direct private equity investments, mostly in partnership with GPs.
Spiral raises $64m for debut Japan VC fund
Japan-focused Spiral Ventures – known as IMJ Investment Partners until spinning out from its corporate parent last year – has closed its debut fund at JPY7 billion ($64 million).
Partners Group nets 3.2x on Japan Solar through Equis Energy sale
Partners Group has confirmed a 3.2x return on its investment in Japan Solar as part of a previously announced larger Asia energy acquisition by Global Investment Partners (GIP).
Japan's UTEC raises fourth early-stage fund
University of Tokyo Edge Capital (UTEC) has raised JPY15.5 billion ($142 million) for its fourth fund intended to support the development of research conducted at the university into start-ups.
Japan's J-Star announces trio of investments
Japan’s J-Star has continued the rapid deployment of its third fund, securing buyouts across the lifestyle retail, recycling, and fire safety equipment manufacturing spaces.
VCs commit $30m to Japanese recipe-sharing start-up
SoftBank and YJ Capital have taken part in a JPY3.4 billion ($30.2 million) funding round for Japanese online food media start-up Dely.
Japan’s Folio gets $63m in extended Series A
A group of investors including Goldman Sachs have invested JPY7 billion ($63 million) in Japanese stock trading app operator Folio.