Nomura ICG K.K. Announces First Close on Japanese Mezzanine Fund

Nomura ICG offers institutional investors opportunities to invest in mezzanine debt in Japan. The Fund has reached its first close in twelve months since the establishment of Nomura ICG.

• First close on fund held at ¥28 billion with 15 investors
• Final close will be in 2015
• Fund is committed to invest approximately ¥10bn in two transactions

The Fund is committed to invest approximately ¥10 billion in two transactions. Tomohiro Kikuta, Representing Director, Nomura ICG, commented: “The successful first close of Nomura ICG’s Japan mezzanine fund shows that there is real appetite from institutional investors for this type of portfolio diversification, and exposure to this level of credit investing. The Fund is currently deploying capital on target and Nomura ICG continues to offer mezzanine investment opportunities to investors.”

Kentaro Okuda, Global Head of Investment Banking at Nomura commented: “We are pleased that Nomura ICG’s fund has successfully completed its first close with the commitment of many institutional investors. This highlights the ongoing expansion and increased demand for Japanese mezzanine investing. Nomura and ICG will meet the demand of investors for middle risk, middle return credit investment and the financing requirements of sponsors and companies through Nomura ICG. Nomura is committed to continue supporting Nomura ICG to develop the mezzanine market in Japan.”

Christophe Evain, CEO, ICG commented: “The first close of the Nomura ICG Japanese mezzanine fund is evidence of the demand from Japanese investors for the returns which can be produced from investing in the mezzanine asset class in Japan. We believe that Japan continues to offer investors a wealth of opportunities, and ICG is committed to support Nomura ICG in developing the mezzanine market in Japan.”