Japan
CLSA Capital Partners backs Japan school operator
CLSA Capital Partners (CLSA CP) has invested in Japanese school operator BC Ings through its Sunrise II buyout fund.
Japanese pharma group launches global VC arm
Japanese oncology specialist Taiho Pharmaceutical has launched a VC arm that will invest an initial pool of $50 million in global start-ups focused on cancer therapies.
Japan's Gree reaches $37m first close on second fund
Gree Ventures – the VC arm of Japanese online media and gaming company Gree - has achieved a first close of its second fund with about $37 million in commitments.
WiL, Infinity join $22m round for Japan's Soracom
World Innovation Lab (WiL) and Infinity Venture Partners are among the participants in a JPY2.4 billion ($22 million) round of funding for Soracom, a Japan-based internet of things (IoT) communications platform.
Singapore's Tagit receives $8.8m from Japanese IT group
Singapore mobile technology company Tagit has secured S$12 million ($8.8 million) for an international expansion effort from SRA Group, a Japanese IT systems developer and operator.
AID in $13m round for Japan home rental site
AID Partners and Cool Japan Fund have contributed to a JPY1.4 billion ($13 million) round for Japan’s Hyakusenrenma, an online vacation rentals platform.
New kids on the block: Accessing Asia's emerging LPs
Patience is a virtue when looking for allocations from Asian institutions that are either new to private equity or planning to increase commitments to the asset class
Asian LPs eye more alternatives – UBS
Large institutional Asian LPs are looking to boost allocations to alternative assets, including private equity, as they seek to diversify portfolios in response to economic volatility, according to UBS Asset Management.
Japan Post targets higher-yield assets
The new CEO of Japan Post Holdings has underlined his commitment to targeting riskier asset classes, including private equity and direct M&A opportunities. This comes as several local insurers are branching out into higher-return investments overseas...
SoftBank defends under fire COO Nikesh Arora
Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank has spoken out in defense of Nikesh Arora, its president and COO - and presumed successor to CEO Masayoshi Son - who has been accused of conflict of interest and poor investment performance.
Japan's Gree raises $12m fund for VR start-ups
Japan's Gree has launched a $12 million fund to support virtual reality (VR) start-ups focusing on both gaming and non-gaming software and content.
Fund focus: Globis gets traction with pension LPs
Japanese pension funds show stronger interest in latest fund from Tokyo's Globis
Deal focus: VCs back Kyulux to be leading light
VCs and strategic investors demonstrate confidence in Kyulux to produce energy-efficient digital displays with higher quality at a lower price
Samsung leads $13.5m round for Japan’s Kyulux
Samsung Venture Investment has led a $13.5 million Series A round for Kyulux, a developer of advanced lighting technology used in digital screens.
Warburg Pincus exits Premier Foods to Japan's Nissin
Japanese noodle maker Nissin Foods has agreed to buy a 17.3% stake in diversified UK grocer Premier Foods from Warburg Pincus for GBP90 million ($129.3 million).
VCs commit $33m to Japan's Bizreach
Japanese online talent search platform Bizreach has raised a JPY3.7 billion ($33 million) Series A round led by YJ Capital, the investment arm of Yahoo Japan.
J-Star completes buyout of Japan's Aisei Pharmacy
J-Star has completed its takeover of Japanese drugstore chain Aisei Pharmacy in a deal valued at JPY11.4 billion ($101 million).
Japan's Colopl VR Fund leads $11m round for VR specialist
Colopl VR Fund has led a $11 million Series A round of funding for Fove, a virtual reality (VR) technology company founded in Japan and headquartered in the US.
Japan's GPIF appoints new president
Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) has appointed Norihiro Takahashi, a long-standing executive at Norinchukin Bank, as its president.
Portfolio: Unison Capital and Gong Cha
Bubble tea chain Gong Cha’s Korean franchise started out with an entrepreneurial approach that suited its needs. Now Unison Capital is transforming management style and building a regional lifestyle brand
US PE firm leads $41m round for Japan's Takeda
US-based GP Frazier Healthcare Partners is leading a $41 million Series A round for Japanese medical research and development company Takeda Pharmaceutical.
Polaris acquires Japanese power sector supplier
Polaris Capital has acquired Japanese power generation equipment and services company Yodogawa Transformer with a view to leveraging increased electricity demand related to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
VC-backed Gunosy commits $5m to Indonesia's Kurio
Gunosy, a listed Japanese news app backed by VC firms Jafco and B Dash Ventures, has committed IDR67 billion ($5 million) to Kurio, a similar company based in Indonesia.
Japan hiking app provider Yamap raises $1.5m
Japan-based Hiking app provider Yamap has raised JPY170 million ($1.5 million) in a Series A funding round led by mobile gaming services company Colopl.