Bain Capital’s Tokyo-based headcount grew a quarter last year as private equity firms look to tap into opportunities from businesses in Japan undergoing overhauls due to the pandemic.
Japanese firms are looking to boost profit and revamp businesses as the pandemic continues to pose economic challenges and disrupt consumer behavior.
In the case of Bain & Capital, this has resulted in a Tokyo-based headcount boost of 25 percent last year, according to a «Bloomberg» report, bringing the total to 50, with hiring mainly focused on investment professionals.
Japan PE
According to research firm AVCJ, the number of Japan-related transactions involving private equity funds rose 6 percent last year to 153 despite stalled deal-making in early 2020 due to the pandemic.
Bain invested more than $2 billion into Japanese transactions last year including a $1 billion deal to take nursing home provider Nichiigakkan private, $800 million to purchase transportation equipment maker Showa Aircraft Industry and $300 million as part of a buyout of drugstore chain Kirindo.
«While there is still uncertainty arising from the pandemic, we continue to see Japan as an extremely attractive investment destination,» said managing director David Gross-Loh, adding that the firm was open to more hiring.
