A New Partner for Corporate Value.
Hands-on, comprehensive support for enhancing the corporate value of listed companies
Japan's capital markets are currently at a major turning point. With the Tokyo Stock Exchange calling for 'management conscious of capital costs and stock prices' and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry establishing 'Corporate Acquisition Guidelines,' listed companies are expected more than ever to achieve sustainable corporate value enhancement.
Among approximately 4,000 listed companies in Japan, many possess latent growth opportunities but have been unable to fully realize their value due to organizational rigidity and a lack of execution capabilities for discontinuous growth. There are also many cases where companies need to rebuild a robust financial foundation to complete fundamental turnarounds.
We address these market changes and individual corporate challenges by combining our deep management improvement expertise, cultivated over many years, with agile capital solutions. Going beyond mere advisory, we serve as a 'true partner' supporting effective management execution, contributing to the revitalization of Japan's economy.
Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Unlocking the potential of Japanese companies
through Japan-style capital market solutions
— Bridging companies and capital markets, partnering through transformation
Bridging companies and capital markets, partnering through transformation and beyond
Co-Creation
As a partner deeply committed to corporate aspirations and true value enhancement with passion, building relationships that continue to evolve together
Challenge
As a trusted advisor to management and a champion of unconventional transformation, persevering side by side to break through barriers together
Excellence
Identifying true value as professionals, refining it with passion and thoroughness
Investment Approach
We employ two investment approaches
Public Equity Investment
Acquiring common stock in the market and providing management recommendations tailored to the needs of investee companies.
Hands-on Management Investment
Based on third-party allotment of latent shares, we execute a multi-year hands-on management program with your company, aiming to achieve discontinuous growth.
Value Proposition
In our hands-on management investment, as professionals committed to corporate value enhancement on a same-boat basis, we provide services based on three core concepts.
Hands-on Partnership
Going beyond advice to persistently support the "realization of value" through profit growth and stock value enhancement. Top-tier professional services delivered by representatives with extensive track records at leading firms, supported by specialized experts across all domains.
Performance-Based
Full commitment with an overwhelming sense of ownership. Our success-fee business model means we only earn returns when profits and stock prices grow.
Governance Unchanged
As non-voting minority investors, your governance structure remains unchanged. 100% control stays with you. Our structure prevents us from forcing decisions or share sales.
Discontinuous Growth
Creating growth through M&A and restructuring existing businesses
Capital Raising
Funding and capital through convertible bonds, preferred stock, and stock acquisition rights
Next-Gen Management
Executive recruitment, compensation design, management function enhancement
Capital Market Solutions
Listing maintenance compliance, activist defense strategies
Our Team
Yuya Yamashita
Yamashita Yuya
Joined Advantage Partners in October 2019. Handled investment cases including Itoki (7972), Koshidaka HD (2157), rakumo (4060), Hokuto (1379), and Nihon Power Fastening (5950) in the engagement investment team for listed companies.
Supported M&A execution, pricing strategy, operational improvement, mid-term plan development, business alliances, and management function enhancement.
Prior to Advantage Partners, worked at McKinsey & Company across manufacturing, energy, logistics, and healthcare industries on new business development, company-wide transformation, sales strategy, cost reduction, and productivity improvement.
Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Agriculture, Veterinary Science.
Masashi Kaneko
Kaneko Masashi
After equity research on the chemicals and food industries at J.P. Morgan Securities, led business development, corporate planning, and M&A/PMI as Chief of Staff at a BtoC operating company with over 100 billion yen in revenue.
In 2018, joined Advantage Partners and launched the engagement investment team for listed companies. Drove investment and value-up activities in IT/Venture (rakumo, Ateam, Metaps, E-Store, Suncorporation, VisasQ, Aplix, etc.) and Restaurant/BtoC (Arcland Service, Hiramatsu, etc.), pursuing corporate value enhancement on a same-boat basis from both operational and financial perspectives.
Served as outside director at three listed companies on TSE Prime, Standard, and Growth markets (Ateam, rakumo, E-Store).
Joined Next Partners and became Representative Director. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Business Administration, University of Tokyo. Completed MBA at Kyoto University Graduate School of Management.
Jumpei Nagasawa
Nagasawa Jumpei
Joined Uzabase in 2009 when it was a small startup, gaining experience as lead engineer in planning and development for SPEEDA and NewsPicks. After Uzabase's IPO, obtained a European MBA and joined McKinsey & Company in 2020, working as a management consultant primarily on new business development and digital strategy.
Subsequently joined Laboro AI, an AI consulting firm, in 2022 as Senior Consultant, leading AI implementation for major corporations and experiencing a second IPO.
Completed the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo; withdrew from doctoral program.
Asuka Tatsumoto
Tatsumoto Asuka
Joined Accenture in 2017, working in the Strategy Consulting division on new business launches and growth support, DX and business transformation, and overseas expansion strategy across various industries.
Joined Recruit in 2021 as a business development lead, responsible for launching and operating new B2B services in the HR/Education division, covering business/sales planning, marketing, and product management.
Subsequently founded Strand Partners Inc., providing recruitment support (talent placement and recruitment consulting) and management consulting services.
Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Keio University.
Daisuke Yamada
Yamada Daisuke
After serving in consulting at Accenture, joined KDDI in 2016 as General Manager, contributing to the creation of new businesses and the value-up of existing ones.
Currently serves as Representative Director of Michele Holdings, driving consulting projects and hands-on support programs for enterprises in DX, generative AI, smart cities, new business development, and data utilization.
Also serves as a researcher at the Koshizuka Lab, Graduate School of Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies, University of Tokyo; a member of Kobe City's expert committee on AI utilization; and an advisor to the KOBE Smart City Promotion Consortium.
Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, University of Tokyo.
Kenjiro Takesue
Takesue Kenjiro
At Arthur D. Little, supported the development of mid- to long-term management plans for various listed companies.
Subsequently joined Smarby in its founding phase and, as COO, led the M&A by Stripe International and the subsequent management integration. After serving as director at multiple startups, joined Mercari and, as Head of Growth & Strategy at subsidiary Souzoh, achieved the rapid launch of 'Mercari Shops'.
Later founded Sai Inc. to support regional companies' management transformation as a team of practitioners.
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Keio University.
Kenichi Ishimura
Ishimura Kenichi
An entrepreneur who led Japan's dawn of the Internet era. Joined ASCII in 1986 as Business Development Manager, and developed and provided Japan's first domain registrar business and cloud server business.
In 1999, founded E-Store and became Representative Director. Developed 'Shop Serve,' Japan's first (currently world's first) official SaaS EC cart system for corporations, and offered it in a marketing-support model. Cumulative implementation exceeded 110,000 companies, achieving No.1 share in SaaS-type carts. Listed on TSE in 2001, the 4th year since founding.
After partnering with Advantage in 2018, acquired Commerce21 and others via M&A in 2020 to strengthen the management foundation. In July 2025, achieved the privatization of E-Store by investment fund (JGIA) and retired.
Withdrew from the Department of Architecture, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University. Holds a Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine Land (JCAB/FAA), and Class 1 Small Craft Special License.
Tetsuo Naraha
Naraha Tetsuo
As Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and Partner at McKinsey, provided advisory services to leading Japanese companies including Hitachi and NEC on growth strategy, fundraising, IR, M&A, corporate transformation, and sales reform.
Led corporate transformation as an executive at operating companies, including Representative Vice President of Sanyo Electric, Executive Officer at M3, Vice President & Director of Fujita, President & CEO of Clinical Porter, Senior Managing Executive Officer at Tsubaki Nakashima, Chief of Staff at Daicel, and Senior Managing Executive Officer at Yanase (overseeing cost transformation).
Strength lies in integrating the realities of factories and sales frontlines with the dynamics of global capital markets, crafting transformations that create value and resonate with people on the ground across diverse companies at various phases and challenges. Graduated from the University of Tokyo, Faculty of Education. Completed MIT Sloan MBA. Visiting Researcher at MIT Media Lab. Upon turning 60, studied CG/VFX production techniques and founded a studio business in January 2026.
Hideyuki Nakanishi
Nakanishi Hideyuki
After serving at Boston Consulting Group and the equity research division of Citigroup Securities, joined Ward Ferry Management, a Hong Kong-based hedge fund, in 2013. Engaged in corporate research and investment activities (including unlisted stocks) across Asia, centered on Japan.
Since 2021, joined Prime Partners and handled consulting focused on business development and value-up, as well as investment operations in domestic and international startups. Personally experienced a broad range of activities including business divestitures, hedge fund launch support, and IPO support.
Graduated from the Faculty of Economics, Business Administration, University of Tokyo.
Company Overview
Committed to
Corporate Value
Enhancement
A team of professionals with extensive experience at top-tier firms, dedicated to enhancing corporate value for listed companies.
Contact Us
For inquiries about corporate value enhancement or our services, please feel free to reach out.
5-34-2 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo