Itochu Corporation launches a joint venture with America's largest e-recycler ERI to tap Japan's urban mines for rare metals. With Chinese lithium giants also eyeing the market, we break down the business battle over Japan's hidden treasure trove of 6,800 tons of gold and 60,000 tons of silver.
Seven & i Holdings postpones its North American 7-Eleven IPO to fiscal 2027 or later, citing market instability from Middle East tensions and sluggish US consumer spending. A look at the strategic calculus behind the delay and what it means for global convenience store competition.
Japan's two biggest music labels, Universal Music and Sony Music, have formed NINE BY NINE, a joint venture to produce Japanese music festivals across Asia starting 2027. Here's what this means for J-pop's global push.
Saudi investment firm EGDC has increased its Capcom stake from 5.03% to 6.04%, just three weeks after its initial filing. Combined with PIF's existing holdings, Saudi-linked capital now controls roughly 11% of the Monster Hunter maker amid record-breaking earnings.
UK activist fund Palliser Capital has become a top-25 shareholder of Ajinomoto and is demanding a 30%+ price increase for its ABF semiconductor insulation material. We explore how a food company holds near-100% global market share in chip packaging and what the activist wave means for Japanese corporations.
Maya Kawana, eldest daughter of SoftBank's Masayoshi Son, has become CEO of biotech startup Spiber after a private restructuring left roughly ¥36 billion in debt with the old entity. From Goldman Sachs to spider silk, we explore her rebuilding plan, the biomaterials race, and what this means for Japan's deep-tech ecosystem.
Calbee unveils its 'Accelerate the Future' growth strategy to lift overseas and new-category sales to 50% by 2036. The Japanese snack maker is targeting North America's $4B BFY market with Harvest Snaps, backed by an M&A budget of more than 100 billion yen.
Stellar Blade and NIKKE developer SHIFT UP has fully acquired UNBOUND, the new studio led by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami. With both studios developing original AAA games for global audiences, we explore Mikami's career journey, the strategic partnership with Hyung-Tae Kim, and what this mega-deal means for the future of gaming.
Hong Kong activist fund Oasis Management has raised its KADOKAWA stake to 13.76%, surpassing Sony as the largest shareholder. We break down what this means for Elden Ring maker FromSoftware, the failed 2024 Sony acquisition, and the future of KADOKAWA's gaming empire.
Omron announced it will sell its founding electronic components business — relays, sensors, and connectors dating back to 1933 — to U.S. private equity firm Carlyle Group at an enterprise value of ¥81 billion ($540M). A deep dive into Omron's strategic pivot to industrial automation and healthcare, and what this means for Japan's electronics industry restructuring.
Japan's Rohm, Toshiba, and Mitsubishi Electric have announced merger talks for their power semiconductor businesses. If realized, the combined entity would hold ~10% global market share, ranking second only to Germany's Infineon. We analyze the Denso $8.3B counter-bid, EV and renewable energy demand, and what this means for global chip competition.
Hong Kong hedge fund Oasis Management has raised its KADOKAWA stake to 10%, matching Sony as a top shareholder. With Oasis also targeting Nidec over accounting fraud and ValueAct boosting its MoneyForward stake to 14.39%, activist investing in Japan is surging. We analyze the forces driving this wave and what it means for investors.
Japan's SMFG is reportedly preparing for a potential takeover of US investment bank Jefferies. We analyze why Japanese megabanks are accelerating overseas M&A, compare strategies with MUFG and Nomura, and examine the risks and rewards of Japan's push into Wall Street.
Toyota Group's ¥5.9 trillion ($39B) tender offer for Toyota Industries — the founding company of the Toyota empire — has been completed, making it Japan's largest-ever domestic acquisition. We explore the Elliott Investment standoff, two price hikes, and what this means for Japanese corporate governance reform.
Hong Kong hedge fund Oasis Management has acquired an 8.86% stake in KADOKAWA, parent company of Elden Ring developer FromSoftware, for approximately $265 million. We break down what this activist investor's entry means for the gaming industry, the Sony partnership, and Japanese entertainment M&A trends.
Elliott Investment Management has taken a significant stake in Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, demanding $2 billion in buybacks and a subsidiary relisting. We explore how activist investors are reshaping Japan's corporate governance amid TSE reforms and record foreign interest.
Matsui Securities, Japan's last independent online broker, is in talks with major financial institutions about accepting outside capital. A deep dive into Japan's brokerage industry shakeup driven by NISA reforms and zero-commission wars.
Saudi investment firm EGDC has acquired 5.03% of Capcom's shares, bringing total Saudi-linked ownership to roughly 10%. Known as SNK's parent company, EGDC's move comes amid a broader wave of Middle Eastern capital flowing into Japanese gaming—from the $55 billion EA acquisition to expanded stakes in Nintendo. We break down the latest developments and public reactions.
Australian data center giant AirTrunk has expanded its Japan investment to over $8 billion. We analyze the paradox of how Japan's population decline is creating prime opportunities for AI infrastructure, examine the 'Data Center Ginza' cluster in Inzai, and compare Japan's position with Singapore and Southeast Asia.
Honda announces its first-ever net loss since going public, with losses of up to $43 billion from scrapping three North American Honda 0 Series EVs, acquiring LG battery joint venture assets, and writing down Chinese operations. With cumulative losses potentially reaching $157 billion, this signals a seismic shift in Japan's EV strategy. Analysis covers Toyota's hybrid vindication, the failed Nissan merger, executive pay cuts, and what it means for the global auto industry.