Schroder Ventures, the UK-based private equity firm, has made the first closing on its Japanese buy-out fund at $55m (€55m) and is launching a parallel fund directed at international investors.

Nick Ferguson, the chairman of Schroder Ventures who will lead the fund-raising effort, said: "It would be nice to reach Y20bn (€170m)." This will be Schroder Ventures' fourth Japanese buy-out firm. The third fund closed on Y17bn and the fourth fund will be run by the same manager, Nobuo Matsuki.