Japan
Portfolio: J-Star and Primagest
Primagest is a long-standing leader in Japan's document-scanning industry, but it faces challenges in terms of a transition in leadership and staying relevant as technology evolves. J-Star is providing support
Japanese entrepreneurs' big data start-up raises $15m
Treasure Data - a Silicon Valley-based big data start-up founded by two Japanese entrepreneurs - has raised a $15 million Series B round of funding led by Scale Venture Partners with participation from AME Cloud Ventures.
Navis exits Australia's Peoplebank to Recruit Holdings
Navis Capital Partners has sold Australia-based IT and specialist recruiting firm Peoplebank to Japan’s Recruit Holdings for A$68.6 million ($56.6 million).
Samurai Incubate targets Tel Aviv
When Prime Minister Shinzo Abe travels to Israel later this month it will be the first time a Japanese leader has visited the country since Junichiro Koizumi in 2006.
Japan's GPIF: Situations vacant
Hiro Mizuno is an intriguing choice as the first CIO of Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF). His qualifications are not about to be questioned here, but rather what his appointment means as the Japanese behemoth prepares to add helpings...
Samurai Incubate launches Japan, Israel-focused fund
Japanese incubator and early-stage investor Samurai Incubate has launched a JPY1 billion ($8.3 million) fund with a new focus on Israeli start-ups.
Japanese 3D printing start-up raises $3.6m
A consortium of venture capital investors has committed JPY400 million ($3.6 million) to JMC, a Japanese casting and 3D printing services firm.
VIDEO: Advantage Partners' Richard Folsom
With an increasing number of Japanese companies looking to expand overseas, strategies to support these efforts feature more prominently in Advantage Partners' investment theses, according to Richard Folsom, the Tokyo-based GP's representative partner
Carlyle promotes Hiroyuki Otsuka to partner in Japan
The Carlyle Group has promoted Hiroyuki Otsuka, a member of its Japan buyout team, to partner as part of global round of 59 appointments, including five in Asia.
Japan’s NTT Docomo Ventures backs France-based Sunpartner
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the eponymous Japanese telecom giant, has taken part in a EUR4 million ($4.7 million) round for Sunpartner Technologies, a French solar panel manufacturer.
Japan's GPIF targets new hires as part of investment strategy shift
Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) is trying to attract more talent with better pay in order to meet the demands of its changing investment strategy.
Japan's REVIC, NCB, DBJ set up $42m fund
Japan's Nishi-Nippon City Bank (NCB) has set up a JPY5 billion ($42 million) fund in cooperation with Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan (REVIC).
Jafco exits shredder maker to Japan Industrial Solutions
Jafco has exited Meiko Shokai, a Japanese manufacturer of document shredders, to turnaround specialist Japan Industrial Solutions (JIS) for an undisclosed sum.
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.