Japan
CVC returns $2b to investors from Asia deals in 2014
CVC Capital Partners returned $2 billion to investors from Asia-based investments in 2014 after completing three full or partial exits – which contributed $1 billion of the proceeds – in December.
Japan's Incubate Fund forms $92m Internet of Things vehicle
Tokyo-based early-stage VC firm Incubate Fund has raised JPY11 billion ($91.2 million) for a vehicle that will support Japanese companies involved in the Internet of Things (IoT).
CITIC Capital exits Japanese bone china maker Narumi
CITIC Capital Partners has exited Japanese bone china and tableware manufacturer Narumi Corporation to Ishizuka Glass for JPY4.3 billion ($36.2 million).
TPG's Japan team spins out as NSSK
Several members of TPG Capital's Japan team, led by former country head Jun Tsusaka, have launched a new private equity firm called Nippon Sangyo Suishin Kiko (NSSK).
The crystal ball: Predictions for 2015
From China and India to Southeast Asia and Japan, private equity professionals give their perspectives on the year to come for fundraising, investments and exits
2014 in review: A year of record-setting
Strong capital markets facilitate bumper exit activity; pan-regionals, venture capital dominate fundraising; China’s leads revival in growth capital investment, with Korea still buyout central
Globis invests $6.7m in Japan's Neo Career
Globis Capital Partners has led a JPY800 million ($6.7 million) round of investment in Neo Career, a Japanese firm that offers online staffing and recruitment services.
AVCJ Awards: Exit of the Year - Mid Cap: United Cinemas
United Cinemas was struggling in the face of macro headwinds and low consumer confidence, but Advantage Partners’ saw the bigger picture and delivered blockbuster returns
Carlyle, Unison to exit Japan semiconductor firm Covalent
The Carlyle Group and Unison Capital are to exit their stake in Covalent Materials, a Japanese semiconductor materials manufacturer, to US ceramics group CoorsTek.
Cool Japan funds invest $16.7m in ramen chain
The Japanese government-backed Cool Japan Fund has agreed to invest JPY2 billion ($16.7 million) in Chikaranomoto Holdings, the restaurant operator behind international ramen noodle chain Hakata Ippudo.
CITIC launches tender offer for Japan's Schott Moritex
CITIC Capital Partners has launched a tender offer to acquire a controlling stake in Schott Moritex Corporation, a Japan-based manufacturer of vision lenses for machines.
Japan PE acquires plastics manufacturer, elderly care business
Mid-market GP Japan Private Equity has acquired plastics manufacturer Sekisui Chemicals and care home services business Healthy Service via its third buyout fund.
Japanese crowdsourcing platform gets $8.5m from VCs
Lancers, a Japanese crowdsourcing platform, has raised JPY1 billion ($8.5 million) from six VC and strategic investors, including Gree Ventures, Globis Capital Partners and GMO Venture Partners.
TPG to exit stake in Japanese toy maker
TPG will exit Japanese toymaker Tomy through a buyback by the company. Tomy has agreed to acquire the private equity firm’s entire equity holding and also redeem its convertible bond holdings.
CVC invests $150m in Marubeni's Japan broadband business
CVC Capital Partners has acquired a 50% stake in enterprise-focused Japanese telecommunications carrier Arteria Networks - a unit of Japanese conglomerate Marubeni - for $150 million.
Nippon Life raises stake in India's Reliance Capital
Japanese insurer Nippon Life has agreed to increase its stake in India's Reliance Capital Asset Management and could end up owning 49% of the company.
Fidelity, Arbour lead $8.5m round for Japan fin-tech start-up
Japanese finance technology start-up Accounting SaaS Japan (ASJ) has secured a JPY1 billion ($8.5 million) Series B round of funding from Fidelity Growth Partners Japan, Arbor Ventures and iMercury Capital.
Rakuten leads $10m Series A for Singapore's PocketMath
Rakuten Ventures, a corporate VC arm of Japanese e-commerce giant Rakuten, has led a $10 million Series A round for PocketMath, a Singapore-based mobile advertising platform.
Blackstone acquires GE's Japan real estate business
The Blackstone Group has bought General Electric's (GE) residential real estate business in Japan for JPY190 billion.
Japan VC-backed internet firm Kayac files for IPO
Kayac, a Japanese internet company backed by Globis Capital Partners and CyberAgent, has filed for its IPO on the Mothers (market of the high-growth and emerging stocks) section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE).
Japan's GPIF names Hiro Mizuno CIO
Coller Capital partner Hiro Mizuno has been named CIO of Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). His appointment comes as the fund prepares to boost its exposure to alternative assets.
JIP sells Japanese phone retailer ITX for $433m
Japanese electronics retailer Nojima has agreed to acquire a 100% stake in mobile phone retailer ITX from Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) for JPY51.3 billion ($433 million).
Jafco invests $1.2m in Japan's Interactive Solutions
Jafco Ventures has invested JPY150 million ($1.2 million) in Interactive Solutions, the Tokyo-based start-up behind enterprise marketing and productivity app Interactive-Pro.
J-Star in hospice care double deal
Not for the first time, J-Star planted the seeds of its latest investment while in pursuit of another deal.