J-Search Inc. (hereinafter, J-Search / Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / President / Masahiko Otsuki / https://j-search.co.jp), a consolidated subsidiary of Nihon M&A Center Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter, the Company / Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / President and Representative Director: Suguru Miyake), hereby announces to establish the NOBUNAGA Search Fund, a joint venture with two members of the Juroku Financial Group, Inc. (hereinafter, Juroku Financial Group / Headquarters: Gifu city, Gifu prefecture / President and Representative Director: Naoki Ikeda), namely, The Juroku Bank, Ltd. (hereinafter, Juroku Bank / Headquarters: Gifu city, Gifu prefecture / President and CEO: Akihide Ishiguro) and NOBUNAGA Succession Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, NOBUNAGA Succession / Headquarters: Gifu city, Gifu prefecture / President and Representative Director: Tomoatsu Kaku).

　　　

J-Search was established as an operating company for regionally focused search funds in collaboration with local financial institutions.

The NOBUNAGA Search Fund will commence operations with investments from the Company along with Juroku Bank and NOBUNAGA Succession.
J-Search aims to develop search funds in collaboration with financial institutions across the country, providing talented individuals with opportunities to thrive as business leaders in regional areas. This initiative seeks to support the growth of local SMEs, address business succession issues, and ultimately strengthen the competitiveness of Japanese companies.
Following the establishment of the Minami Kyushu Search Fund No. 1, the Hokkaido Search Fund No. 1, the Hokuriku Search Fund No. 1, the Awa Search Fund No. 1, and the NOBUNAGA Search Fund No.1, we aim to create regionally focused search funds in various locations throughout Japan.

Overview of NOBUNAGA Search Fund No.1

Name of Partnership: NOBUNAGA Search Fund No. 1 Limited Partnership
General Partner (GP): J-Search Inc.
Limited partners (LPs): The Juroku Bank, Ltd., NOBUNAGA Succession Co., Ltd., Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc.
Total fund size: 1 billion yen
Operating period: 10 years
Investment target:
•Search activities by individuals seeking business succession type M&A for SMEs
•Investment funds for business succession and M&A targeting regional SMEs in the Tokai region, primarily in Gifu Prefecture

Tomoatsu Kaku, Presidentof NOBUNAGA Succession said:

In line with the Juroku Financial Group’s management philosophy of “achieving growth and prosperity for our customers and the local community”, our company is committed to fulfilling our mission of enabling as many business successions as possible. Regional companies are currently facing serious challenges of business succession. This fund will connect aspiring business leaders (searchers) with companies to offer new options for business succession. Together with J-Search, we are committed to driving sustainable growth and development of businesses and contributing to a vibrant future for our regional communities.

Masahiko Otsuki, Representative Director of J-Search said:

Juroku Financial Group and Nihon M&A Center Group have been working together to address business succession issues faced by small and medium-sized enterprises through a variety of initiatives such as the NOBUNAGA Succession joint venture established in 2023. We believe that the new NOBUNAGA Search Fund will further strengthen our support system for business succession among regional companies.
We will continue to deepen our collaboration and work to address management challenges faced by regional companies in the Tokai area, such as business succession and the shortage of successors. In addition, we aim to support the success of aspiring talent and foster the creation of growth companies.

【To Aspiring Business Leaders】Recruitment of Searchers Begins

J-Search is now recruiting searchers who aspire to become future business leaders. If you are interested in managing companies in the Tokai region primarily in Gifu Prefecture, please contact us via the J-Search website.

About J-Search Inc.
Company name: J-Search Inc.
President: Masahiko Otsuki
Head office: TEKKO BUILDING 1-8-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, 100-0005
Established in: October 2024
Capital: 100 million yen
Shareholder: 100% Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc.

About Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc.
Company name: Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc. (Stock code: 2127 on TSE Prime Market)
Location of headquarters: 24F TEKKO BUILDING 1-8-2, Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Business description：Business management, etc. of the group companies
Established in：April 1991
Bases：Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, Hiroshima, Okinawa, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand
（Including subsidiaries and bases of the subsidiary, Nihon M&A Center Inc.）

【Contact for inquiries】
Public relations at Nihon M&A Center Holdings Inc. 　pr@nihon-ma.co.jp