Roles of Private Equity Investment in the Growing Japanese Economy

Corporate Luncheon
Friday, April 14
12 – 2 pm

Read the Event Summary.

Speaker
John Ehara, Partner and Co-Founder, Unison Capital, Inc.

Presider
Alicia Ogawa, Associate Director, Center on Japanese Economy & Business, Columbia University

In recent years, private equity funds have won legitimacy in the Japanese business community.  As many Japanese companies began to reshape their fundamental strategies to compete in a changing environment, restructuring and disposition needs rapidly arose. Private equity funds became a viable alternative for them.  In addition, actions by shareholders activist groups and unfriendly takeover attempts are beginning to contribute to the deal flow.  Private equity investment has entered into a second phase and is poised for growth.  John Ehara will discuss the investment opportunities private equity firms expect over the next few years and the impact of these investments on the overall economy.  He will also touch upon challenges for those funds and the changing nature of private equity’s competitive landscape.

About our speaker
John Ehara co-founded Unison Capital in 1998. With nearly two decades of prior investment banking experience at Goldman Sachs and at Morgan Guaranty Trust, he is known to be one of the pioneers of the investment banking industry in Japan. In 1988, he was selected to be the first Japanese General Partner of Goldman Sachs. Mr. Ehara has spearheaded Unison Capital since its inception.

Agenda
12-12:30 pm   Registration & reception
12:30 – 1   Luncheon
1 – 2   Lecture

Admission: Corporate members are entitled to a designated number of free admissions to this event, based on their company’s current membership level. These reservations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event. Additional corporate registrants and Japan Society individual members at the Patron level and above pay the discounted corporate member rate of $45 for lunch and lecture, $10 for lecture only.  Nonmember admission: $65 for lunch and lecture, $15 lecture only.  The academic and government admission rate is $30 for the luncheon and $10 for lecture only.  When payment is required, prepayment must be made, or registration secured, with a credit card. All registrations and cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event. Substitutions are welcome.