Bain-backed consortium raises offer for Kakaku.com, taking on EQT bid

A Bain Capital-backed consortium has raised its offer for Japanese internet firm Kakaku.com today, escalating a contest with rival bidder EQT, Nikkei Asia reports. The move intensifies a rare head-to-head in Japan’s tech sector and could set a higher bar for take-private deals amid a pickup in activist pressure and buyouts. Kakaku.com operates the price comparison portal Kakaku.com and dining review site Tabelog, making control of its audience data and ad revenues a strategic prize.

The higher offer challenges EQT’s competing plan for the Tokyo-listed company, and may force a swift response on pricing and terms. Financial details of the revised bid were not immediately disclosed, and neither Bain nor EQT had issued statements at the time of publication. Watch for EQT’s counter, Kakaku.com’s board recommendation, and any formal tender filings or regulatory notices. [Developing. This article will be updated.]