Japan
VC-backed Value HR sees shares double after $8.5m Japan IPO
VC-backed Value HR, a Japanese human resources benefits service provider, saw its stock more than double in value to JPY4035 ($41.5) on its trading debut in Tokyo on Friday.
DRC Capital exits Japan's Casa to Ant Capital
DRC Capital has sold Japan's Casa, a rent guarantee provider formerly known as Rento Go, to Ant Capital Partners and the firm's management. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Kyoto University launches $60m venture fund
Japan's Kyoto University has launched its second venture fund, a $60 million vehicle which will invest in start-ups in Japan and the rest of Asia.
Yamaguchi bank launches $30.7m SME restoration fund
Yamaguchi Capital and the Regional Economy Vitalization Corporation of Japan have together set up a JPY3 billion ($30.7m) fund - Yamaguchi Business Restoration Fund - to provide capital to distressed small- and medium-sized businesses (SME).
Japan's Integral backs TBI Group
Japanese private equity firm Integral Corp. has acquired part of TBI Group, a restaurant chain operator with 78 outlets, as part of a management buyout. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
KKR acquires Panasonic healthcare unit for $1.67b
KKR has agreed to acquire an 80% stake in Panasonic Healthcare, a unit of the Japanese electronics giant, for JPY165 billion ($1.67 billion) - the buyout firm's biggest deal in the country to date.
Japanese government panel suggests pensions shift to alternatives
A Japanese government-appointed advisory panel has suggested that the country's JPY160 trillion ($1.6 trillion) public pension system - which includes the JPY120 trillion Government Pension Investment Fund (GPIF) - reallocate a portion of its holdings...
Japan's Lixil acquires TPG-backed faucet maker Grohe
Lixil Group, a Japanese toilet manufacturer, has agreed to acquire Grohe, a German maker of faucets backed by TPG Capital and the private equity arm of Credit Suisse (formerly CSFB Private Equity), for JPY400 billion ($4 billion).
Japan's KDDI, Cisco lead $10m Series A for Moxtra
Japanese telecom firm KDDI Corp and US tech giant Cisco Systems have led a $10 million Series A round of investment for Silicon Valley-based app developer Moxtra. Other investors include China's Innovation Works and Starwood Capital's Barry Sternlicht....
Ant Capital invests $11m in construction software firm Kozo Keikaku
Japanese private equity firm Ant Capital Partners has agreed to acquire a 30.4% stake in Japan-listed construction software developer Kozo Keikaku Engineering from existing shareholders for JPY1.15 billion ($11 million).
Malaysia launches $100m clean tech fund
Malaysia has teamed up with Japan-based Asian Energy Investments to form a $100 million venture capital fund to invest in clean technology in South East Asia.
SMRJ, Daiichi Sankyo, Mitsubishi UFJ launch $10m pharma fund
The Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation Japan (SMRJ), pharmaceutical firm Daiichi Sankyo and Mitsubishi UFJ Capital are together launching a new JPY1 billion ($10 million) fund to invest in pharmaceutical start-ups working...
NTT Docomo Ventures, Livesense lead $5.5m investment in Japan's Aratana
NTT Docomo Ventures, the corporate VC arm of the Japanese mobile giant, and internet media firm Livesense have together led a JPY550 million ($5.5 million) investment round for Aratana, a social e-commerce platform developer. Existing VC backers JAFCO,...
Mediaflag moves to acquire J-Star-owned sweets maker Tokachi
Mediaflag - a company which provides distribution support services to consumer goods manufacturers - has offered to acquire a 100% stake in Tokachi, a traditional Japanese sweets maker owned by Japanese mid-market buyout firm J-Star. The financial terms...
Henry Kravis on Asia
KKR co-founder Henry Kravis recently briefed a group of reporters on his firm's investment strategy in Asia, offering glimpses of a business that is rooted in private equity yet stretches well beyond it.
Japan Private Equity holds $30m first close on Fund IV
Japan Private Equity (JPE) has held a JPY3 billion ($30 million) first close on its fourth buyout fund, JPE Private Equity No.4.
KKR considers teaming with Japan state fund for Panasonic unit - report
KKR may partner with a Japanese state-backed investment fund in a bid to secure a stake in Panasonic's healthcare unit.
Advent, CDIB, Mirae back The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Advent International has joined Taiwan's CDIB Capital and Japan's Mirae Asset Private Equity to acquire a significant stake in International Coffee and Tea, the company behind US specialty coffee and tea retailer - The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. The largest...
Toshiba expands in India with 3i's Vijai Electricals acquisition
Japan’s Toshiba Corporation will acquire the majority of Vijai Electricals’ electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) business for approximately $200 million. 3i bought a minority stake in Vijai for $25.8 million in 2006.
Orion Partners to launch $250m Japan care homes fund
Hong Kong-headquartered Orion Partners, formerly known as Ajia Partners, is looking to raise as much as JPY25 billion ($250 million) for its third Japan care homes investment fund.
Japan's Dogan closes Kyushu SME fund at $34m
Japanese GP Dogan Advisors has reached a JPY3.3 billion ($34 million) close on its latest regional fund, Kyushu BOLERO (Buyout for local enterprise and reform organization) Fund 2.
Nissay Capital invests $1.9m in towel company
Nissay Capital has invested JPY199 million ($1.9 million) in Japanese towel maker, Ikeuchi Towel. The size of the stake acquired was not disclosed.
KKR leads race for Panasonic healthcare unit - report
KKR is said to have taken the lead in the bidding for a majority stake in Panasonic's healthcare unit - a potential $1.5 billion deal that would represent the firm's largest Japanese buyout to date.
Nissay Capital leads $1.5m round for Japan skills marketplace
Nissay Capital has a led a JPY150 million ($1.5 million) round of investment in WelSelf, the Tokyo-based start-up behind online skils marketplace Coconala. Other investors include internet marketing companies Opt and Adways, and the CEO of cosmetics site...