Foreign private equity funds go big-game hunting in Japan

TOKYO -- Foreign private equity funds are snapping up Japanese companies with overseas potential, supported by investment from pension funds and financial institutions.

In March, U.S. private equity company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts acquired autoparts maker Calsonic Kansei from Nissan Motor and other shareholders for about 500 billion yen ($4.38 billion). In a separate deal this year, KKR purchased power tools company Hitachi Koki from Hitachi and other shareholders for over 140 billion yen.