Japan
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...
Japan's Ride On Express raises $23m in Tokyo IPO
Ride On Express, a Japanese food delivery franchise operator backed by Jafco Ventures, saw its stock open at JPY3105 per share - a 55% premium on the offering price - on its first day of trading. The company earlier raised JPY2.3 billion ($22 million)...
Asia Awards: PE Professional of the Year - Michael Kim
MBK Partners closed its North Asia-focused fund in September and also completed four of Asia’s largest buyouts of 2013. Michael B. Kim, the firm’s founding partner, looks back on a busy 12 months
Asia Awards: Firm of the Year - KKR
KKR closed its second pan-Asia fund at $6 billion and announced investments of $1.8 billion and distributions of $1.2 billion for the year to September. Capstone, the firm’s operating unit, was a factor in each area
Advantage to exit Japan's Nissen for $22.8 million
Advantage Partners, the Japanese mid-market buyout firm, is to exit its stake in catalogue and web-based retailer Nissen Holdings to Seven & i Holdings, the Japanese parent of 7-Eleven and the Ito Yakado supermarket chain, for JPY2.36 billion ($22.8 million).
Itochu, Mizuho back Japan restaurant finder app
Itochu Ventures and Mizuho Capital have led a JPY330 million ($3.2 million) Series B round of funding for Retty, the Japanese start-up behind the restaurant app of the same name.
MBK Partners sells Japan-based Invoice to Lone Star
MBK Partners has fully exited Invoice, Japan’s largest telecom bill aggregation service provider, to Lone Star Funds. The sale price was not disclosed but sources close to the deal said the North Asia-focused private equity firm had generated a 2.5x...
INCJ commits $100m to Global Brain Fund V
The government-backed Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) will commit up to JPY10 billion ($98.7 million) to Global Brain No.5 Investment Limited Partnership, the latest vehicle launched by IT-focused VC Global Brain Corporation (GBC).
JAFCO-backed ZIGExN raises $58m in Tokyo IPO
ZIGExN, a JAFCO portfolio company that runs network of search engine websites, saw its stock more than double to JPY1750 on its first day of trading following a JPY5.8 billion ($58 million) Tokyo IPO.
Japanese government launches 'Cool Japan Fund'
The Japanese government has launched a "Cool Japan Fund" which will invest up to JPY90 billion ($884 million) in cultural exports such as fashion, food and media.
ICG, Nomura set up Japan mezzanine fund
Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), a global mezzanine specialist, and Japanese investment bank Nomura Holdings have together launched a joint venture to manage a Japan-focused mezzanine fund. Each will the contribute JPY10 billion ($98 million).
Risa Partners exits drug store to Tsuruha Holdings for $99m
Risa Partners, a unit of NEC Capital, has exited its 56% stake in Japanese drug store operator Hearty Wants to strategic investor Tsuruha Holdings for JPY10.1 billion ($99 million).