Japan
Baring Asia agrees Japan electronics buyout
Baring Private Equity Asia has agreed to acquire the audio-video operations of Japanese car electronics maker Pioneer Corp. alongside Pioneer's rival Onkyo Corp.
Profile: New Horizon Capital's Yasushi Ando
New Horizon Capital CEO Yasushi Ando has emerged as a leading voice for boosting the profile of private equity in Japan. His efforts are starting gain traction but the journey has not been smooth
Carlyle to acquire Japan's Sunsho Pharmaceutical
The Carlyle Group has agreed to acquire Sunsho Pharmaceutical, a contract manufacturer in the Japan's health and nutrition (H&N) industry. The financial details of the transaction - which will see the PE firm take a 100% stake - were not disclosed.
KDDI, Jafco invest $12m in Japan news app Gunosy
Japanese telecom giant KDDI Corp. has led a JPY1.2 billion ($11.8 million) round of investment in news app developer Gunosy.
Permira targets IPO for Japan’s Arysta LifeScience – report
Permira is planning to raise $500 million via the US IPO of Japanese agricultural chemical maker Arysta LifeScience.
Singapore's Sova raises $3m seed round
Sova, a Singapore start-up that provides a cloud-based WordPress hosting service, has secured $3 million in seed funding from undisclosed investors.
SoftBank's VC arm to help Kony expand in Asia
The VC arm of Japan’s SoftBank Corp. has led a $50 million round of funding for US-based Kony with a view to helping the enterprise mobility company expand in Asia.
CyberAgent launches $50m start-up fund
CyberAgent Ventures, the corporate VC arm the Japanese internet firm, has formed a new fund worth JPY5 billion ($49 million).
Japan economics: The third arrow
The timing of the AVCJ Japan forum in recent years has seemed somewhat fortuitous.
Japan's public pension funds: Sleeping giants
Following concerns about performance and a government review of asset allocations, Japan’s public pension funds are prepping to enter private equity. But when will it happen and who stands to benefit?
Q&A: JBIC's Shigeki Kimura
Japan Bank for International Cooperation made its first commitment to a top-tier GP this year, backing CVC Capital Partners’ latest Asia fund. Managing Executive Officer Shigeki Kimura explains the group’s strategy
Japan outbound investment: Playing away
Emboldened by ample financing and the need to develop demand bases beyond a stagnating domestic market, Japanese companies are investing more overseas. Are they partner or competitor for private equity?
Japan renewables: Policy play
Japan’s response to the Fukushima nuclear crisis has been to draw up plans for the world’s biggest alternative energy market. Foreign investors see solar power as the surest route to sustainable returns
Q&A: Capital Dynamics' Kazushige Kobayashi & Tokio Marine's Soichi Sam Takata
Kazushige Kobayashi (pictured), managing director at Capital Dynamics, and Soichi Sam Takata, head of private equity at Tokio Marine Asset Management, discuss the implications of improving investor sentiment in Japan
Japan's KSP reaches $11m first close on fourth venture fund
Japanese incubator KSP has reached a JPY1.2 billion ($11.7 million) first close on its fourth venture investment fund.
Orix to acquire Next Capital stake in Japan's Ashikaga
Japanese financial group Orix will become the second-largest stakeholder in Ashikaga Holdings, the parent of Ashikaga Bank, providing an exit for Next Capital Partners.
Japan's Meiji acquires India drug maker, Temasek exits
Japanese conglomerate Meiji Holdings has acquired Medreich, an Indian pharmaceutical company backed by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings, for $290 million via its subsidiary Meiji Seika Pharma.
Hamilton Lane boosts Asia presence
Global fund-of-funds and separate accounts manager Hamilton Lane has bolstered its presence in Asia with a series of hires and promotions.
Cyberagent leads Series A for 3D printing start-up
Cyberagent Venture, the corporate VC arm of internet firm Cyberagent, has led a $2 million Series A round of investment in Japanese 3D printing service Kabuku.
KDDI invests $1m in Japan handiwork marketplace
KDDI Open Innovation Fund, the early-stage investment vehicle backed by Japanese telecoms giant KDDI, has invested JPY100 million ($1 million) in Creema, an online consumer-to-consumer (C2C) market for handmade items.
Former Mitsui VCs launch $150m biopharma fund
Two former venture investors from Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co are looking to raise $150 million for a new fund focusing on the biopharmaceutical sector.
INCJ to invest $8m in Japan's Microwave Chemical
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will invest JPY800 million ($7.8 million) in Microwave Chemical (MWC), a Osaka University start-up seeking to commercialize innovative chemical processes using microwaves.
Former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei joins Fenox
Former Sony CEO Nobuyuki Idei has joined Silicon Valley-based VC firm Fenox Venture Capital as a board advisor.
Carlyle acquires Japanese noodle snack maker
The Carlyle Group has acquired a controlling stake in Oyatsu Company, the Japanese manufacturer of Baby-Star ramen snacks.