Bain Capital, KKR bid for Fuji Soft ahead of Japan's '2025 digital cliff'

Demand to modernize systems surges as aging workforce is set to retire

Bain Capital has put forward a competing offer for Fuji Soft that tops a bid KKR made in August. (Source photos by Nikkei)

KAORU TAKATSUKI, Nikkei staff writer

September 5, 2024 01:12 JST

TOKYO -- U.S. investment firms Bain Capital and KKR have entered a bidding war over Japanese systems developer Fuji Soft, as a looming shortage of digital developers next year is poised to open up business opportunities.

Bain confirmed Tuesday that it has offered to purchase Fuji Soft for around 600 billion yen ($4.1 billion). This tops an August offer from KKR to buy out Fuji Soft at 8,800 yen per share, making its offer worth about 560 billion yen if it acquire all shares..