A private survey found that the number and amount of acquisitions and investments made by Japanese companies in overseas companies over the last year have decreased significantly compared to the previous year.
The spread of the new coronavirus has affected the business strategy of companies.
According to Recof, which mediates corporate acquisitions, the number of acquisitions and investments made by Japanese companies in overseas companies last year was 557, a decrease of 32% from the previous year, the first decrease in seven years. ..
By region, Asia was down 44%, Europe was down 31%, and the United States was down 21%.
In addition, the total amount invested in acquisitions and investments was 4,434.4 billion yen, a decrease of 57%.
The main factors are believed to be the deterioration of corporate performance due to the effects of the new coronavirus and the growing uncertainty about the future of the global economy.
Japanese companies, whose domestic market is shrinking, have been aggressively acquiring and investing in overseas companies, but the spread of infection has affected the company's management strategy.
Regarding the outlook for this year, the company that conducted the survey said, "Companies are still willing to invest in finding a way out in overseas markets, but unless the infection is settled, the tendency to refrain from acquisitions will not change." is.