Mizuho Capital
Japan's Zozotown acquires VC-backed Aratana
Start Today - the Japanese start-up behind fashion site Zozotown - has acquired VC-backed e-commerce solution provider Aratana.
Mizuho Capital raises $170m for third mezzanine fund
Mizuho Capital Partners has launched its third fund focused on small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with initial commitments of JPY20.6 billion ($170 million).
Japan’s Wizpra raises $2m from VCs
A consortium of Japanese investors including Gree Ventures, Mobile Internet Capital, SMBC Venture Capital, and Mizuho Capital has invested JPY230 million ($1.9 million) in internet-based market research platform Wizpra.
Globis invests $6.7m in Japan's Neo Career
Globis Capital Partners has led a JPY800 million ($6.7 million) round of investment in Neo Career, a Japanese firm that offers online staffing and recruitment services.
Mizuho Capital to launch $300m SME mezzanine fund
Mizuho Capital Partners is set to launch a new JPY30 billion ($277 million) mezzanine fund which will support Japanese small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the form of subordinated loans and preferred shares.
Japan mystery shopper company raises $2.2m
Mizuho Capital, Jafco Ventures and DBJ Capital have invested JPY220 million ($2.1 million) in Research and Innovation, a Tokyo-based internet market research company.
Fenox, Mizuho lead $10m round for Japan e-scooter maker
Fenox Ventures and Mizuho Capital have led a $10 million round of investment in Terra Motors Corp, a Japanese manufacturer of two and three-wheeler electric vehicles.
Japan VCs invest $4m in game developer Aiming
Japanese gaming company Aiming has received a JPY450 million ($4.3 million) round of investment from YJ Capital, Mitsubishi UFJ Capital and Mizuho Capital.
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.
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,...
INCJ leads $11m investment in Japan blood biotech venture
The Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) has led a JPY1.16 billion ($11.7 million) investment in Megakaryon Corp, which is developing technology to produce blood platelets using reprogrammed stem cells.
Japan’s Indonesian ambitions
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC) is paying a princely sum for a slice of Indonesia's financial services sector. The price-to-book (P/B) valuation of the $1.56 billion it has agreed to pay for a 40% stake in Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional (BTPN)...
JBIC to commit $25m to Mizuho ASEAN fund
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will commit up to $25 million to Mizuho's new ASEAN-focused private equity fund.
Mizuho, JBIC to set up $183m SME private equity fund
The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Mizuho Corporate Bank (Mizuho CB) and Mizuho Bank will form the Mizuho ASEAN PE Fund to support the overseas expansion of Japanese mid-tier and small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Tokyo real estate developers to be taken private
Tokyo-listed real estate developer Tachihi Enterprise and New Tachikawa Aircraft have reportedly agreed to be taken private via a management buyout launched by a private equity fund set up by the two companies’ CEOs.
ETIC offers ARRK a lifeline
The Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corporation of Japan (ETIC), a government-owned turnaround investment unit, has pledged JPY9 billion ($107 million) to ARRK Corporation, a listed manufacturer of prototype products, and its 67 subsidiaries.
Japan and India: A match made in Asia
Early in 2011, Indian and Japanese regulators launched measures to more closely align their economies to promote cross-border deals. Since then, they have emerged as two of Asia’s strongest business partners. Three major Indian-Japanese deals have materialized...
Mizuho Financial Group consolidates its affiliates
Mizuho Financial Group (MHFG), Japan’s second largest financial group, is to acquire the remaining shares it does not own in each of its affiliate companies - including Mizuho Trust Banking Co., Mizuho Securities Co., Mizuho Invester Securities Co.,...
Mizuho Capital to exit Vantec in $655m deal
Hitachi Transport System Co., Ltd., a listed logistics unit of Japanese electronics maker Hitachi Group, will launch a TOB to acquire a 100% stake in Vantec Group Holding co., Ltd.
3i picks up Mizuho Investment for Europe debt
3i Group has acquired a unit of Japan's Mizuho Corporate Bank, Mizuho Investment Management (UK), which specializes in European debt, for some GBP18.3 million ($28.68 million).
Mizuho, Tata Capital form India-focused fund
Japanese brokerage Mizuho Securities will foray into India’s private equity industry in partnership with Tata Capital, a unit of diversified Indian conglomerate Tata Group, forming a joint fund with an expected size of $400-500 million.