Friday, 02 October 2026 · SEA Deal Ticker

SEA Deal TickerFri, 02 Oct

Why is Japan's Kokuyo putting US$180M behind a Vietnamese pen maker?

Japan's Kokuyo wants Vietnam's pen brand: its board approves US$180M to take control of Thien Long — DealStreetAsia · Permalink
Stationery maker Kokuyo approved US$180 million (¥28 billion) for the Singapore unit that will buy a holding company owning 46.82% of Thien Long, Vietnam's listed pen maker. A public offer for another 18.19% follows, pending Vietnamese approval.
A US$500 billion Japanese fund manager buys into Singapore stock-picking software: Blue Fire AI closes US$9M — e27 · Permalink
Blue Fire AI, a Singapore firm whose software analyses company accounts for fund managers, closed a US$9 million round. Asset Management One, the fund arm of Japan's Mizuho bank group, took a minority stake and will sell Japanese investment products built on it.
Positive-sum angle: A small Singapore software firm reaches Japanese savers through a partner that already manages over US$500 billion. Founders selling to banks can copy the trade: give up a minority stake, get the distribution.