Japan
SoftBank joins $13.3m Series B for Japan e-commerce app
Japanese tech giant SoftBank Group, credit card firm Credit Saison, and Makoto Takaono - editor-in-chief of Forbes Japan - have invested JPY 1.6 billion ($13.3 million) in Origami, a Tokyo-based mobile commerce platform.
Japanese biotech firm targets $42m venture fund
An investment unit of Japanese biotech company Euglena is looking to raise JPY5 billion ($41.5 million) for a VC vehicle it has launched alongside SMBC Nikko - which is controlled by Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group - and science start-up incubator Leave...
Japan news app raises another $10m from VCs
SmartNews, the Tokyo-based start-up behind the news curation app of the same name, has raised $10 million in another round of funding led by Japanese internet gaming firm Gree.
Japan's Beenos leads $2.5m Series A for flea market app
Japanese e-commerce incubator Beenos has led a $2.5 million Series A round of funding for Southeast Asian flea market app Duriana. Existing investors also took part in the round.
Japan's Zozotown acquires VC-backed Aratana
Start Today - the Japanese start-up behind fashion site Zozotown - has acquired VC-backed e-commerce solution provider Aratana.
Japan's Livesense buys VC-backed e-commerce start-up
Livesense - a Japanese internet company known for its flagship career search site Jobsense - has acquired a 71.7% stake in VC-backed e-commerce start-up Waja for JPY400 million ($3.3 million).
VC-backed Gunosy files for Tokyo IPO
Gunosy - a Japanese news app developer backed by the venture capital firm Jafco, telecoms company KDDI Corp. and B Dash Ventures - has filed for a Tokyo IPO.
INCJ consortium invests $21m in Japan stem cell start-up
Megakaryon, a Japan-based stem cell technology developer, has raised JPY2.54 billion ($21.2 million) from a consortium of investors including existing backers Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ), Mitsubishi UFJ Capital, SMBC Venture Capital...
Bain to acquire Japan Wind Development for $80 million
Bain Capital Partners is set to acquire Japan Wind Development (JWD) - a leading Japanese wind farm developer - in a JPY9.7 billion ($80 million) take-private transaction.
Japan's Rakuten to acquire VC-backed US eBook firm
Japan's Rakuten will pay $410 million to acquire US-based digital book marketplace OverDrive from Insight Venture Partners, a US private equity and venture capital firm.
INCJ invests in Japan laser manufacturer Spectronix
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has agreed to invest up to JPY500 million ($4.2 million) in laser manufacturer Spectronix.
Japanese ticketing platform gets $5m Series B round
Japanese online ticketing platform Peatix has raised $5 million in a Series B round of funding led by DG Incubation, with strategic investment from SPH Media Fund and Japanese media company Sunny Side Up.
Mizuho Capital raises $170m for third mezzanine fund
Mizuho Capital Partners has launched its third fund focused on small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with initial commitments of JPY20.6 billion ($170 million).
Japan's Rakuten leads $530m Series E round for Lyft
Japanese e-commerce player Rakuten has led a $530 million Series E round of funding for US ride sharing app Lyft - valuing the business at $2.5 billion. Fortress Investment Group also participated.
Japanese consortium buys US PE-backed juice maker
A consortium of Japanese investors has acquired Country Pure Foods, a US-based food service juice manufacturer, from US private equity firm Mistral Equity Partners.
Cool Japan invests $37m in TV channel Wakuwaku
The government-backed Cool Japan Fund will contribute JPY4.4 billion ($37 million) to a JPY 11 billion investment in entertainment channel Wakuwaku Japan alongside SKY Perfect JSAT Corp (SJC).
Japan's Recruit buys VC-backed restaurant booking site
Japanese employment and internet services company Recruit Holdings has acquired German VC-backed restaurant booking site Quandoo for EUR198.6 million (about $219 million).
IMJ's Koichi Saito launches new VC fund
Koichi Saito, a former partner at Japanese venture capital firm IMJ Investment Partners, has launched his own VC outfit - KK Fund.
CIMB, Mitsubishi in $130m first close on SE Asia-focused fund
Malaysian financial services provider CIMB Group and Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation have announced a first close of $130 million on their ASEAN Industrial Growth Fund (AIGF).
Bain soaks in hot spring opportunity
Along with conveyer belt sushi and lively karaoke nights, the hot spring visit is a uniquely Japanese pastime popular with both locals and, increasingly, those who visit the country.
Fenox invests $2m in Japan solar energy marketplace
Fenox Venture Capital has invested $2 million in I AND C-Cruise (IACC), the Japanese start-up behind solar power web portal Green-EnergyNavi.com.
Japan's INCJ joins acquisition of US biopharma firm
The government-backed Innovation Network corporation of Japan (INCJ), life sciences company JSR Corporation, and pharmaceutical research firm CMIC Holdings have together purchased US-based KBI BioPharma for an undisclosed sum.
Japan's Nippon Venture, ATR set up $42m specialist tech fund
Nippon Venture Capital (NVC) and the Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International in Kyoto have set-up a JPY5 billion ($42 million) fund for niche technology investments.
Bain launches $79m bid for Japanese mushroom producer
Bain Capital has launched a takeover bid for Tokyo-listed Yukiguni Maitake, a troubled Japanese mushroom producer, for as much JPY9.5 billion ($79.1 million).