Japan
Japan's Genesis Healthcare raises $5.1m from Founders Fund, Mitsui
US early stage investor Founders Fund and Japanese conglomerate Mitsui & Co have together invested JPY620 million ($5.1 million) in Genesis Healthcare, a Tokyo-based start-up that develops genetic testing kits, in exchange for a 6% stake.
Former Cyberagent Ventures Beijing head forms $30m China fund
Joei Dai, the former general manager of CyberAgent Ventures China in Beijing, has formed a venture capital firm Gravity Venture Capital (GVC) and is looking to raise $30 million to back Chinese start-ups.
Bespoke solutions offer path into Japan's local private debt space - AVCJ Forum
Low interest rates have restricted the scope for foreign private debt and mezzanine funds in Japan, though offering bespoke solutions to local businesses is an attractive opportunity, say industry participants.
Japan pension funds have out-dated view on PE risk - AVCJ Forum
Japan's pension fund industry needs to reevaluate its perception of private equity as a risky alternative asset, domestic LPs told the AVCJ Japan Forum.
MBO no longer a 'dirty word' in Japan - AVCJ Forum
The term management buyout (MBO) is no longer considered a "dirty word" among Japanese company founders, according to local GPs who are eyeing more succession deals.
Portfolio: Advantage Partners and Riraku
By undercutting its competition, massage salon Riraku was able access a broader segment of the domestic market. But achieving growth on a national scale required support from Advantage Partners
Mitsubishi UFJ to buy UBS' alternative fund services unit
MUFG Investor Services, the asset servicing group of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, will buy UBS Global Asset Management's Alternative Fund Services (AFS) business.
Alibaba, Foxconn invest $236m in SoftBank robotics division
Alibaba Group and Foxconn Technology Group have agreed to invest JPY29 billion ($236 million) in SoftBank Robotics Holding Corp, which manages SoftBank's robotics business.
Japan to lead boom in Asia restructuring activity - survey
Corporate restructuring activity in Japan should lead to a broader rise in the number of distress opportunities in Asia, as a result of both regulatory change and added pressure from investors.
Q&A: The Longreach Group's Masamichi Yoshizawa
The Longreach Group made a name for itself acquiring non-core assets from Japanese corporates. Masamichi Yoshizawa, a partner with the North Asia-focused firm, expects more of these deals
VC in Japan's universities: Getting schooled
For the past decade, Japan’s universities have been working with venture capital to commercialize their research. Recent developments in the public and private sectors suggest this relationship is evolving
Banks and deal-sourcing: Information arbitrage
Japan’s banks do not have the power that they once did to source deals, but they are far from irrelevant. GPs say these institutions still have a role to play, though their advice must be considered carefully
Corporate governance: Thin end of the wedge?
Japan’s corporate governance code will not trigger a torrent of non-core divestments, but it may encourage boards to think strategically about how – and with whom – they can improve performance
Japan consumer: Big spenders
Japan’s gradual economic recovery could deliver a wealth of new opportunities in the consumer space. But to realize true value, private equity firms must look deeper, or in certain cases, further
Japan buyouts: Large check limbo
It is not a phenomenon unique to Japan. Pick a major Asian market with public markets trading at or close to an all-time high and you find a cumulative private equity investment figure that is lagging the previous year’s pace.
Japan's Advantage to launch $400m Asia fund
Japanese mid-market GP Advantage Partners is looking to raise a $400 million fund targeting investments opportunities in Asia ex-Japan.
Polaris acquires Japan massage salon operator
Japan's Polaris Capital has acquired massage salon chain Factory Japan Group (FJG) for an undisclosed sum. The investment was made via Polaris Private Equity Fund III.
MC-Seamax closes maiden shipping fund at $300m
MC-Seamax Managagement, the US-based GP backed by Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi, has reached a $300 million close on its maiden fund intended to take advantage of depressed prices in the global shipping industry.
KKR-owned Panasonic Healthcare agrees $1.1b Bayer bolt-on
Panasonic Healthcare, the Japanese medical equipment manufacturer in which KKR acquired a majority stake last year, has agreed to buy Bayer’s diabetes care business for EUR1.02 billion ($1.15 billion).
Japan's Sumitomo Mitsui backs GMO Payment
Japan's GMO Internet - which runs its own early-stage investment unit, GMO Venture Partners - has raised JPY8 billion ($65 million) from Sumitomo Mitsui to develop e-commerce payment solution GMO Payment Gateway (GPG).
Japan ministries approve $80m for Osaka University VC fund
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry (METI), and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science & Technology (MEXT) have approved a JPY10 billion ($80 million) investment by Osaka University into its recently launched venture capital arm....
Deal focus: Advantage rings up TeleGuam return
Ties between Japan and the US territory of Guam go back a long way. Much of this is do with their relatively proximity, and the fact Japan held the island during the Second World War. But visitors coming from Japan are much more welcome today. Guam is...
J-Star backs Japan medical insurer
Japanese mid-market GP J-Star has invested an undisclosed sum in Nihon Hoken Service (NHS), a Tokyo-based insurance agency and insurance solicitation business.
SoftBank commits $1b to Korea e-commerce player Coupang
Japan’s SoftBank Corp. has added another Asian e-commerce brand to its portfolio with a $1 billion commitment to South Korea-based Coupang.