Japanese corporates look abroad for growth

Japanese outbound M&A is reaching levels not seen since the 1980s as corporates seek to consolidate their newly strengthened positions. Chris Wright reports.

By Chris Wright

JAPANESE COMPANIES, EMBOLDENED by their new-found strength and stability, are looking overseas for assets. This is rejuvenating Japanese outbound M&A, a market that had been stagnant for a decade.

According to Dealogic, in the year up to August 11, 2006, 160 deals have been announced, worth in total $20.44 billion. That’s almost as much as the whole of 2004 ($7.29 billion) and 2005 ($15.92 billion) combined.

“The deals that have happened prove the theory that Japanese companies have come back to health, are better funded and are able to look at expansion, both domestically and overseas,” says Steven Thomas, co-head of M&A for Japan at UBS.

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