The country increasingly represents the safest choice for a regional hub
In late April, industrial giant Toshiba ended almost a year of speculative turmoil and confrontation with shareholders by formally opening talks with private equity firms and other potential investors. Those talks could lead to a buyout for the 140-year-old symbol of corporate Japan.
For global and Asia-focused private equity firms that have been steadily building a presence in Japan — over almost two decades, in some cases — the mere fact that a business of Toshiba’s size and national importance might put itself in the hands of a firm like Bain Capital, KKR, Blackstone, or any others expected to offer a deal, marks a turning point.
Much of the “dry powder” sitting in funds raised for Asian dealmaking is now less likely to be used in China than to back increasingly ambitious deals in Japan.
Read more: FT
