Japan
DBJ, Japan Wind Development to form $423m fund
The Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and Japan Wind Development (JWD) – a local developer acquired last year by Bain Capital – have agreed to launch a JPY50 billion ($424 million) wind power fund.
Japan CRM start-up raises $16.9m Series C
Japanese customer relationship management (CRM) software developer Sansan has raised a S$24.2 million ($16.9 million) Series C round led by DCM.
Taiwan ITRI, Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ launch VC fund
Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group have jointly set up a second venture capital fund with a target of NT$2.5 billion ($75 million).
Japan’s Skyland raises $10m VC fund
Tokyo-based early-stage investor Skyland Ventures has raised JYP1.2 billion ($10 million) for its second VC fund.
Fuji Startup Ventures backs Japan's The Bridge
Fuji Startup Ventures (FSV), the VC arm of Japan's Fuji TV network, has committed an undisclosed amount of funding to Tokyo-based start-up news site The Bridge, alongside public relations company PR Times.
Fenox commits Series D to Japan's Geniee
Fenox Venture Capital has committed an undisclosed amount of Series D funding to Japan-based adtech start-up Geniee.
Bain agrees to sell stake in Japan's Jupiter Shop
Bain Capital has agreed to sell its entire 50% stake in Japan's Jupiter Shop Channel to Jupiter Communication (J:COM), a company part-owned by Sumitomo Corporation. Bain bought its interest from Sumitomo at a valuation of JPY100 billion (then $1.3 billion)...
SMFG agrees to buy GE's Japan leasing unit for $4.8b
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (SMFG) has agreed to buy GE Capital’s Japan leasing business for JPY575 billion ($4.8 billion) as parent company General Electric continues to pare its assets.
AVCJ Awards 2015: Exit of the Year - Mid Cap: Bushu Pharmaceuticals
Tokio Marine aimed to awaken the ambition of Japan’s Bushu Pharmaceuticals and show how a good GP can turn companies around. A 6x return was its reward
AVCJ Awards 2015: Deal of the Year - Mid Cap: SBI Life Living
Advantage Partners leveraged its expertise in corporate carve-outs to acquire SBI Life Living. It plans to split the business in two so that each half can achieve its full potential
AVCJ Awards 2015: Firm of the Year: Bain Capital
Bain Capital enjoyed its most active year in Asia as positive experiences from previous deals and proactive engagement with entrepreneurs helped deliver a string of new investments
Deal focus: J-Star sees low-voltage potential
Japan-based energy savings solutions provider ESCO is expected to benefit from increased consumer awareness of efficiency issues and a shake-up in the broader utilities space
Japan's J-Star buys energy savings business
Japanese GP J-Star has acquired ESCO, an energy savings solution provider that primarily works with condominium managers, for an undisclosed sum.
J-Star owned medical insurer makes bolt-on acquisition
Nihon Hoken Service (NHS), a Tokyo-based insurance agency and insurance solicitation business bought by J-Star earlier this year, has completed the bolt-on acquisition of industry peer Sokisha Corporation.
Japan skills platform gets $4.4m in funding
Coconala, a Japanese skills marketplace formerly known as WelSelf, has raised JPY540 million ($4.4 million) in funding from Jafco, Nissay Capital, SMBC Venture Capital and Voyage Ventures.
Global Brain, Dentsu, Mitsui in $6.1m round for Japan's Kabuku
Japan-based Kabuku, manager of 3-D printing service Rinkak, has closed a JPY750 million ($6.1 million) Series A round with participation by Global Brain, Dentsu Digital Holdings and Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Venture Capital.
Japan Post Bank to launch private equity division
Japan Post Bank, a unit of the recently-privatized Japan Post Holdings, will create a division to explore private equity investment opportunities.
Bain makes part-exit as Japan's Bellsystem24 goes public
Bain Capital has made a partial exit from Bellsystem24 as the Japan-based call center business raised JPY48.1 billion ($391 million) through an IPO. The company plans to broaden its service offering and expand into Southeast Asia.
Rakuten launches $100m fund for global fintech investments
Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten has launched a $100 million fund for investments in financial technology start-ups worldwide.
HarbourVest makes two promotions in Asia
HarbourVest Partners has promoted two Asia-based professionals – Minjun Chung and Kanji Takenaka, who focus on South Korea and Japan, respectively – to principal.
Fortress raises $1.1b for third Japan special situations fund
Fortress Investment Group has closed its third Japan-focused special situations fund at the hard cap of $1.1 billion. Ten deals have already been completed with more than JPY17 billion ($140 million) deployed.
Ability to change management key to value creation - AVCJ Forum
Having the ability to change the management team in a portfolio company remains a critical factor for private equity investors as they place greater emphasis on the value-add process.
Japan female-focused video ad network raises $6.6m
Jafco, TBS Innovation Partners and strategic investors iStyle and Excite Japan have invested JPY800 million ($6.6 million) in Open8, a Tokyo-based start-up that a video ad platform targeted at women.
CITIC Capital buys Japan-based footwear brand
CITIC Capital Partners has acquired Japanese footwear company Akakura for an undisclosed sum.