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J Trust Puts $325M into Takefuji

Financial group J Trust is putting $325 million into bankrupt Japanese consumer lender Takefuji Corp., Reuters reported Wednesday. Previously, J Trust had been among the original bidders to buy Takefuji but dropped out of the race, citing a lack of transparency in the process, Reuters wrote.

Shanghai International Group Raises $1.1B Fund

Shanghai International Group, which is owned by the city’s government, has raised 7 billion yuan ($1.1 billion) in a dual-currency fund that invests mainly in emerging industries, Reuters reported, citing the official Shanghai Securities News. Investors include state-owned enterprises, listed companies, private companies and U.S. and European institutions, Reuters wrote.

Centurion Private Equity Backs Dynamic Ventures

Centurion Private Equity is backing Dynamic Ventures Corp. to the tune of $7.5 million, the company announced Wednesday. Dynamic Ventures, which is traded on the over-the-counter Bulletin Board, provides technology that allows firms to custom design, manufacture and install complete LEED-certified structures.

WeedMaps Buys Software Maker MMJMenu

WeedMaps Media Inc. is buying MMJMenu, a provider of seed-to-sale collective management and point-of-sale software for the medical marijuana industry. Terms of the deal weren’t released. WeedMaps is owned by General Cannabis Inc., a Newport Beach, Calif.-based company that is traded on the over-the-counter Bulletin Board. The deal comes only a month after General Cannabis acquired Marijuana.com.

Blackstone Buys DLF Joint-Venture

Indian real estate firm DLF Ltd. said that it and its joint venture partner sold their entire holding in a firm that owns a special economic zone for 8.1 billion rupees ($152.6 million) to an affiliate of Blackstone, Reuters wrote Wednesday.

Japan’s Unison Capital Offers to Buy Asahi Tec

Japanese buyout shop Unison Capital Group is launching a tender offer to acquire Asahi Tec, a domestic maker of iron castings used in automobiles, Reuters reported. Unison will first buy stock from Belgium's RHJ International, Asahi Tec's largest shareholder with a 62.4% holding, Reuters wrote.

Gunderson Dettmer Elects Six Partners

Specialty business law firm Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian has added six new partners to its corporate and securities group, intellectual properties group, and venture and private equity funds group: Darrin Brown; Joshua Cook; Michael Irvine; Jerry Ku; David Sharrow; and Greg Volkmar. The firm is based in Redwood City, Calif.

Luxor Capital Bids for Crocodile Gold

Buyout shop Luxor Capital Group has offered about $118.47 million for a majority stake in Canadian minor Crocodile Gold, which owns and operates mines in the northern territory of Australia, Reuters reported. New York-based Luxor Capital offered to buy up to 215.4 million shares, or about 69%, of Crocodile Gold at 56 Canadian cents per share, Reuters wrote.

Nomura Becomes First Japan Firm Investing in China PE

Nomura Holdings will become the first Japanese financial firm to be allowed to make private equity investments in China, Reuters reported. The firm, Japan’s largest investment bank, is investing in a private equity fund managed by Jiu You Equity Investment Management LLP. Details of the investment have not been disclosed.

Ventas to Pay $217M for Cogdell Spencer

Ventas Inc., an owner of senior housing and assisted living facilities, will pay $217 million to buy healthcare real estate company Cogdell Spencer Inc., Reuters reported. At $4.25 per share, the deal represents a premium of 8% over Cogdell’s most recent closing price.