Japan
PE investors rue lost Japan carve-out opportunities
The lack of corporate carve-outs relative to the size of the opportunity in the space has been among the biggest disappointments for Japanese private equity, investors say.
Cerberus set for exit as Japan's Seibu agrees to Tokyo listing
Seibu Holdings, the Japanese conglomerate that had a bitter falling out with leading shareholder Cerberus Capital Management over a planned IPO three years ago, is finally expected to list in Tokyo in the first half of 2014.
Big brother: Japan's government LPs
The government is becoming an increasingly significant LP in Japanese private equity funds. Smaller GPs can’t live without it but there are wider concerns about sustainability and long-term economic impact
Japan and India to launch joint investment fund
Japan and India are to launch a joint investment fund to help finance Japanese companies operating in India.
Japan IPOs: Rising sun
On the back of a cautious economic recovery Japan witnessed a boom in IPOs in 2013 as a host of venture capital-backed companies went public. How long will the good times last?
Longreach agrees Christmas carve-out
Christmas was delayed at the Longreach Group as the North Asia-focused private equity firm finalized an agreement to buy Japanese molded plastics manufacturer Sol-Plus Group on December 25, bringing to an end several weeks of negotiations.
INCJ joins Japanese companies to form $300m start-up fund
The Innovation Corporation Network of Japan (INCJ) has joined a consortium of 10 Japanese companies to set up a $300 million start-up fund to be managed by Silicon Valley-based venture firm WiL.
Nissay, SMBC, Incubate invest $1m Japan budget app
Nissay Capital, SMBC Venture Capital and Incubate Fund have together invested JPY100 million ($955,000) in BearTail, the Japanese start-up behind the cloud-based household accounting app Dr. Wallet.
Dream Incubator leads $2m round for Japan mobile video network
Dream Incubator has led a $2 million round of investment for Breaker, a Japanese start-up that distributes mobile video content. Seimer Ventures also took part in the round alongside an number of undisclosed investors.
Fortress to raise $1.9b for Japan's first infra fund - report
Fortress Investment Group is said to be targeting JPY200 billion ($1.9 billion) for a new Japan-focused infrastructure fund.
Longreach agrees Japan manufacturing carve-out
The Longreach Group has agreed to buy Sol-Plus Group, a Japanese plastics manufacturer with production facilities in Thailand, for an undisclosed sum.
VIDEO: Steve Koltes of CVC Capital Partners
CVC Capital Partners has completed two control deals in China in 2013 and Steve Koltes, the firm's co-founder and co-chairman, expects more to follow. This evolution of opportunities in existing markets - plus the opening up of new markets - will see...
Japan's Sompo agrees purchase of Bregal-owned insurer Canopius
Sompo Japan Insurance has agreed to acquire Canopius Group, a UK insurer which is 84%-owned by London-headquartered private equity firm Bregal Capital.
Osaka prefecture blocks Lone Star bid for Japan rail asset
US private equity firm Lone Star has seen its winning bid for Japan rail operator Osaka Prefectural Urban Development (OPUD) blocked by the Osaka prefectural government.
Japan's Sompo mulls $1b purchase of Bregal-owned insurer Canopius
Sompo Japan Insurance is looking to acquire Canopius Group, a UK insurer which is 84%-owned by London-headquartered private equity firm Bregal Capital.
Japan's GPIF to make infra investments with OMERS, DBJ - report
Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) will join Canada's Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) and the government-owned Development Bank of Japan to invest in infrastructure projects abroad.
SMBC to buy US rail lessor from Perella Weinberg
Perella Weinberg Partners will exit Chicago-based Flagship Rail Services to Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in a transaction valued at $1.1 billion.
PAG invests $250m in Universal Studios Japan
PAG has invested $250m in theme park operator Universal Studios Japan (USJ). The firm will be joining Goldman Sachs, MBK Partners and Owl Creek as shareholders of the Company.
Bain to acquire Japan's Macromill for $501m
Bain Capital is set to acquire Tokyo-listed Macromill, a Japanese online market research firm, after offering to buy all shares in the company for JPY51.4 billion ($501 million).
Globis, Intel-backed V-Cube raises $43m in Tokyo IPO
V-Cube, a Japanese developer of web-conferencing and webinar systems backed by Intel Capital and Globis Capital Partners, saw its stock open at JPY5,010 per share - a 51% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading. This followed a JPY4.4...
Japan's VC-backed Oncolys Pharma raises $64m in Tokyo IPO
Oncolys Pharma, a VC-backed developer of drugs targeting cancer and serious infectious diseases, saw its stock open at JPY3,500 per share - a 34.6% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading in Tokyo. This followed a JPY6.6 billion ($64.4...
Tokio Marine to launch $294m mezz fund
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance is to launch a new mezzanine fund with a target of JPY 30 billion ($294 million).
Jafco Asia leads Series B round for US games developer
Japanese venture capital investor Jafco Asia has led a Series B round of funding for US games developer Playnery. The value of the transaction was not disclosed.
Tokio Marine sells Barneys Japan stake to 7 Eleven parent
Tokio Marine Capital Partners has agreed to sell its 49.9% stake in luxury department store operator Barneys Japan to Seven & i Holdings, the parent of 7 Eleven convenience stores and department store operator Sogo & Seibu, for around JPY6 billion ($58...