Japan
Deal focus: PAG goes back to the theme park
PAG returns to a historically fruitful niche with the acquisition of Japanese theme park operator Huis Ten Bosch. COVID-19 made the deal possible but remains a wildcard
Integral pursues $144m tender for Japan office services business
Integral Corporation has launched a tender offer for Daiohs Corporation, a Tokyo-listed provider of office services – such as coffee machines and water dispensers as well as cleaning services – at a valuation of approximately JPY 20.2bn (USD 144m).
Japan remote workforce player oVice raises $32m
Japan’s oVice, a start-up that provides virtual co-working spaces for remote and hybrid teams, has raised JPY 4.5bn (USD 32.1m) in Series B funding featuring Jafco and Eight Roads Ventures.
Orchestra Private Equity buys Japan scaffolding business
Orchestra Private Equity, which specialises in cross-border transactions involving Korea, Japan, and China, has acquired Japan-based scaffolding provider Stack for an undisclosed sum.
Japan's D Capital nears target for debut PE fund
Japan’s D Capital, a private equity firm specialising in digital transformation that spun out from Unison Capital last year, has raised JPY 26bn (USD 188m) for its debut fund against a target of JPY 30bn.
PAG buys Japanese theme park for $722m
PAG has agreed to buy Huis Ten Bosch, a Japanese theme park best known for its recreations of idyllic European cityscapes, for an equity valuation of approximately JPY 100bn (USD 722m).
Bain agrees $3b carve-out from Japan's Olympus
Bain Capital has agreed to acquire Evident, a Japan-based medical devices manufacturer best known for producing microscopes, from Olympus Corporation for JPY 427.7bn (USD 3.08bn).
AIGF closes second ASEAN fund on $127m
AIGF Advisors, a private equity firm sponsored by Japan’s Mitsubishi Corporation, has closed its second ASEAN-focused fund with JPY 17.3bn (USD 127m) in commitments.
Japan healthcare AI start-up Ubie closes $26m Series C
Japan’s Ubie, a healthcare technology start-up that uses artificial intelligence (AI) for symptom-checking questionnaires, has raised USD 26.2m in Series C funding from local investors.
Alternative fuels: Burning questions
From the landfill to the inside of atoms, the alternative fuels angle on energy transition gives investors a range of risk profiles to consider. Developed economies are the primary playgrounds
Partners Group appoints Japan private equity head
Partners Group has initiated full-scale coverage of Japan’s private equity market with the recruitment of Tatsuya Ochi to lead local operations for the asset class.
Carlyle backs Japan medical technology player
The Carlyle Group has committed JPY 7bn (USD 52.2m) to CureApp, a Japan-based developer of software for use in the treatment of medical conditions, as part of the company’s Series G round.
Blackstone set for exit from New Zealand's Partners Life
The Blackstone Group will exit its majority stake in New Zealand-based insurer Partners Life following the announcement of a full acquisition of the company by Japan’s Dai-ichi Life Holdings at a valuation of approximately NZD 1bn (USD 645m).
Bain targets $102m Japan advertising take-private
Bain Capital has won board approval from Net Marketing, a Tokyo-listed online advertising and media management business, for a take-private that values the company at approximately JPY 13.6bn (USD 102m).
Endeavour United exits Pizza Hut Japan
Endeavour United, a Japanese private equity firm established by the team behind turnaround investor Phoenix Capital, has ended its five-year tenure as owner of Pizza Hut Japan with a sale to Yamae Group Holdings
Tech sector troubles hit Vision Fund performance
Valuation corrections across the technology sector globally continue to undermine the Vision Fund series, resulting in parent company SoftBank Group posting its second consecutive quarterly loss and founder Masayoshi Son professing shame at hyping up...
J-Star invests in Japanese courier business
Japanese lower middle-market private equity firm J-Star has made an investment of undisclosed size in air cargo transportation and courier services provider Score Japan Holdings.
Japan satellite data, metaverse start-up raises $11m
Japanese VCs have provided a JPY 1.4bn (USD 11m) seed round for SpaceData, a start-up that uses earth imaging data from satellites to create virtual 3D environments replicating the real world.
Japan's Anri hits $102m first close on latest VC fund
Japanese early-stage VC firm Anri has reached a first close of JPY 14bn (USD 102m) on its fifth flagship fund. The target is JPY 40bn.
Japanese autonomous driving player Tier IV raises $300m
Japanese autonomous driving technology developer Tier IV has raised a USD 87m Series B round from strategic investors and received a USD 183m government grant.
Japan's MPower backs construction workers' platform
Japanese environmental, social, and governance (ESG) focused private equity firm MPower has led a JPY 1.8bn (USD 13.4m) investment in Sukedachi, a jobs platform for construction workers.