Funai Research Institute Holdings and JAIC have agreed to establish a joint venture capital company to conduct fund business.

Funai Soken Holdings Inc. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Group CEO : Takayuki Nakatani; hereinafter "Funai Soken HD") has agreed with Japan Asia Investment Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Shun Maruyama; hereinafter "JAIC") to establish a joint venture company, "Funai Soken JAIC Capital Co., Ltd." (hereinafter "the New Company"), with the aim of solving business succession challenges and supporting the sustainable growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, we are pleased to announce that we have agreed on the formation policy for the first fund, "FJ- Mobility Business Succession Fund Investment Limited Partnership (tentative name)" (hereinafter "Fund No. 1"), which will Notices in Mobility industry, with the New Company as the general partner.
The new company will combine Funai Soken Group 's "on-site, hands-on consulting capabilities" with JAIC's "fund management know-how (capital)" to create a new system that provides hands-on support for business succession in medium-sized and small businesses struggling with a lack of successors. This Initiatives , which combines consulting with "capital," goes beyond the conventional framework and represents an important strategic move for Funai Soken Group .

(Left) Takayuki Nakatani President Group CEO Funai Soken Holdings Inc. , (Center) Shun Maruyama, President and CEO of Japan Asia Investment Co., Ltd., (Right) Koichi Watanabe Funai Consulting Inc.

1. Background

In Japan, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often possess sound management records and excellent customer bases, but face serious challenges in business succession due to a lack of successors. Supporting the sustainable growth of these companies is one of the most important issues for maintaining the foundation of regional economies and improving the vitality of Japanese industry. In particular, Mobility Initiatives (automobile sales, maintenance and inspection, body repair and painting, insurance agencies, and gas stations), which will be the initial target of this initiative, is facing challenges such as the aging of business owners and the need to quickly adapt to structural Environment changes such as electrification, DX investment, and securing specialized personnel.

2. Purpose

To address these challenges, the two companies have established a joint venture to develop a fund business. The new company will combine the "on-site performance improvement and DX support know-how" cultivated by Funai Soken Group with the "knowledge of fund formation, management, and governance" accumulated by JAIC over many years. In particular, the Mobility industry, which will be the target of the first fund, is a field in which Funai Soken Group has a track record of support for approximately 30 years. We will not only focus on financial improvement and cost reduction, but will also provide "hands-on support" that is deeply committed to business growth, thereby realizing smooth business succession and essential enhancement of corporate value for investee companies.

3. Overview of the New Company (General Partner)

■ Company Name: Funai Research Institute JAIC Capital Co., Ltd.
■ Establishment date: September 2026 (planned)
■ Representative: Koichi Watanabe President ( Funai Consulting Inc. / Expected to assume the position)
　　　　　  Representative Director and Vice President: Masayuki Morino (JAIC/Expected to take office)
■ Main business activities: Establishment, management, and operation of investment limited partnerships (funds)

4. Overview of Fund No. 1

■Name: FJ- Mobility Business Succession Fund Investment Limited Partnership (tentative name)
■General Partners: Funai Research Institute Co., Ltd., JAIC Capital
■ Committed investment: 2 to 3 billion yen (target)
* The above is a target amount, and the final total amount of committed funds will vary depending on the fundraising situation.

5. Future Outlook

Going forward, after establishing a successful model with the first fund operated by the new company, we will gradually expand our target to other industries in which Funai Soken Group possesses deep expertise. This Initiatives also Initiatives to create new revenue opportunities by integrating capital utilization and consulting, in addition to the conventional labor-intensive growth model. Through the fund business conducted by the new company, we will promote the resolution of sustainable social challenges and diversification of our revenue base, thereby achieving long-term improvement in corporate value.

■ About JAIC

Company Name: Japan Asia Investment Co., Ltd.
Location: 3-2-4 Kudankita, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Maruyama Shun
Established: July 10, 1981
Business activities: Investment development business, investment management business, fund platform business
Official website: https://www.jaic-vc.co.jp/

■ About Funai Research Institute HD

Company Name: Funai Soken Holdings Inc.
Location: 2-2-1 Yaesu, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Tokyo Midtown Yaesu, Yaesu Central Tower 35F
Representative: Takayuki Nakatani
Established: March 6, 1970
Business Description: As the holding company of the " Funai Soken Group ," which supports the resolution of management challenges for medium-sized and small businesses, we are responsible for group strategy planning and group management.
Official website: https://hd.funaisoken.co.jp/

船井総研HDとJAIC、ファンド事業を行うキャピタル会社を合弁で設立することに合意.pdf

Contact Us regarding this matter

Funai Soken Holdings Inc. Co., Ltd.
Corporate Communications Department, Public Relations & Branding Team
Email: pub@funaisoken.co.jp