Japan
Bain targets $236m buyout of Japan's Impact HD
A Bain Capital-backed take-private of Japanese one-stop field marketing services provider Impact HD, which values the company at approximately JPY 30.7bn (USD 236.3m), has won board support.
Japan's Net Marketing is sold four months after take-private
Net Marketing, a Japanese online advertising and media management business that was delisted following the completion of a successful tender offer by Bain Capital last September, has been acquired by Tokyo-listed marketing analytics player Macbee Planet.
Aramco backs Japan drone start-up
Saudi Arabia’s Aramco, the world’s largest oil company, has invested USD 14m in Japanese drone maker Terra Drone on the back of a JPY 8bn (USD 62m) Series B round.
Partners Group, Pantheon bolster Japan coverage
Partners Group and Pantheon have both strengthened their teams in Japan, with the former appointing Teppei Kawai as country head and the latter promoting Akitoshi Yamada to partner.
TR exits last China asset acquired through Cassia restructuring
TR Capital has sold China-focused luxury streetwear brand Evisu United – one of two assets it acquired through fund restructuring for Cassia Investments – through a sale to an unnamed financial sponsor. The size of the deal was not disclosed.
Bain & Co appoints new Asia PE practice co-head
Bain & Company has named Sebastien Lamy, who has been with the firm for over 20 years and most recently focused on Asia infrastructure investment, as co-head of its regional private equity practice.
Labour shortages: Tales from north and south
Australia and Japan are facing extreme labour shortages. In the former, GPs can survive on policy support and emergency manoeuvres. In the latter, fundamental strategy shifts are a more immediate imperative
Japan rocket start-up Interstellar gets $29m Series D
Interstellar Technologies, which in 2017 became the first Japanese company to launch a privately developed space rocket and is currently working on solutions for sending small satellites into orbit, has raised JPY 3.8bn (USD 29.6m) in Series D funding.
NSSK exits Japan nursing care provider to Ricoh Leasing
Japan-based mid-market private equity firm NSSK has exited nursing care provider Welfare Suzuran to Ricoh Leasing, a Tokyo-listed leasing and finance company, for an undisclosed sum.
KKR buys Japan's Bushu Pharmaceuticals from BPEA EQT
KKR has agreed to buy Japan-based contract drug manufacturer Bushu Pharmaceuticals from BPEA EQT – formerly Baring Private Equity Asia – for an undisclosed sum.
2023 preview: Japan middle market
Confidence in Japan’s middle market is whipping up new deal flow, new funds, and new exit channels that will play out in 2023. This includes the possible reanimation of a dormant IPO market
Q&A: Bain Capital’s David Gross-Loh
David Gross-Loh, a managing director and a founding member of the Asia business at Bain Capital, on expanding into Osaka, targeting large-cap carve-outs in Japan, and the availability of deal financing
LP appetite for Asia weakens - survey
Institutional investor interest in Asia has fallen significantly over the past two years, according to a survey conducted by Probitas Partners, with pan-regional funds, venture capital, and single country-focused funds among the least popular strategies...
Northleaf launches Tokyo office, targets Asian LPs
Northleaf Capital Partners, a Canada-based asset manager that invests in private equity, private credit, and infrastructure, has opened a Tokyo office to spearhead fundraising activity in Asia and is considering the addition of a Korea presence.
Carlyle sells Japanese snacks maker to D Capital
The Carlyle Group has exited its 100% stake in Japanese snack maker Oyatsu Company for an undisclosed sum to D Capital after a more than eight-year hold.
KKR completes tender for Japan's Hitachi Transport Systems
KKR has completed its tender offer for Hitachi Transport Systems, having secured a 51.1% stake in the third-party logistics (3PL) provider at a valuation of JPY 749.5bn (USD 5.4bn).
Japan's Jafco launches buybacks to thwart activist threat
Japanese venture capital firm Jafco has announced a JPY 42bn (USD 305m) share buyback programme that will take out positions held by investors with ties to activist investor Yoshiaki Murakami.
Japan PE sees digitalisation as national imperative – AVCJ Forum
Digital transformation is an urgent social issue as much as an operational one, Japan-focused investors told the AVCJ Private Equity & Venture Forum.
Bain buys Japan fashion business
Bain Capital has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Mash Group, a Japan-based fashion label, for an undisclosed sum.
Fortress to buy Sogo & Seibu from Japan's Seven & i
Seven & i Holdings, a Japanese retail conglomerate best known as the parent company of 7-Eleven, has agreed to sell department store operator Sogo & Seibu to Fortress Investment Group.
Japan-based microfinance player gets $47m Series E
Gojo & Company, a Japan-headquartered microfinance institution that operates across Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Cambodia, India, and Tajikistan, has raised USD 47.6m in Series E funding.
Carlyle pursues take-private of Japan's Totoku Electric
The board of Japan-based electric wire manufacturer Totoku Electric has endorsed a tender offer from The Carlyle Group that values the company at approximately JPY 38.2bn (USD 261m).