KDDI Technology, a subsidiary of Japanese telecom operator KDDI Group, has launched a new challenge aimed at AI-embedded devices and services for consumers and businesses. With the rapid evolution of AI and devices, KDDI Technology seeks to continue providing value to customers by developing and providing innovative technologies such as IoT, AI, and XR. The […]

Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider announced that it has acquired 100 percent of Sakura Exchange BitCoin (SEBC), a Japanese-registered crypto exchange service provider. With its recent acquisition, Binance will now be able to enter the Japanese market as a Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) regulated entity. The terms of the […]

ESR Group Limited, Asia’s largest real asset manager powered by the New Economy, announced the first close of over US$1 billion in equity commitments for its inaugural vehicle, Data Centre Fund 1, which is dedicated to the development of its growing data centre business. ESR DC Fund 1 brings together some of the world’s largest […]

Customers in Japan can now use FTX, a cryptocurrency exchange headquartered in the Bahamas. Quoine Corporation, which was acquired by FTX earlier this year and renamed FTX Japan, will handle the company’s activities in the country. The company is currently licensed to provide cryptocurrency exchange services and operates as a Type 1 Financial Instruments Business. […]

Akatsuki, a Japanese entertainment corporation, announced the launch of Emoote, a $20-million fund focusing on Web3 investing. Emoote, based in Singapore, plans to invest in Asia, which is seen as a key market for Web3 companies. The company, however, stated that it will maintain a “global perspective” and that it is searching for Web3 companies […]

Asia Pacific-focused alternative investment firm PAG announced that funds managed by its Real Assets group have entered into an agreement with First Solar to acquire First Solar’s project development and operations platforms in Japan. The project development platform being acquired is one of Japan’s largest solar pipelines and includes 293 MWDC of projects under construction […]

The first self-build data center in Osaka, Japan will soon become fully operational next year. Digital Edge (Singapore) Holdings Pte. Ltd announced this development as the new data center or OSA 1 is nearing completion by the end of 2021. Samuel Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Edge, said the completion is “on time” considering […]

SmartNews, the Japanese news aggregator that became a unicorn in 2019, announced raising $230 million in its Series F funding round that values the media unicorn at $2 billion. As per the announcement, the Series F investors represent a broad range of strategies and geographies. It includes new investors Princeville Capital and Woodline Partners, based […]

PayPal Holdings announced that it is acquiring Paidy, a two-sided payments platform and provider of buy now, pay later (BNPL) solutions in Japan, for ¥300 billion or about $2.7 billion in cash. In a statement, PayPal said the acquisition will expand its capabilities, distribution, and relevance in the domestic payments market in Japan, which is […]

Japanese venture capital investor Coral Capital announced that it secured ¥14 billion (about $128 million) in commitments for its third investment fund. The fund, Coral Capital III, will invest in the top seed and early-stage companies in Japan after securing commitments from Mizuho Bank, Mitsubishi Estate, Shinsei Bank, Pavilion Capital, Founders Fund, Dai-ichi Life Insurance, […]