Major venture capital firm a16z reportedly plans to establish its first Asian office in Japan

According to sources cited by Nikkei Asia, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), a US venture capital firm, will establish its first Asian office in Japan.

The goal of a16z is to integrate Japanese companies that want to invest in startups. In the increasingly tense relationship between China and the United States in the high-tech field, Silicon Valley venture capital firms are increasingly turning their attention to Japan, seeking alternatives to investors from China.

Three insiders revealed that senior executives and investor relations staff of a16z have repeatedly explained their plans to set up an office in Japan to the limited partners, but it has not yet been finalized. The new office may be used to facilitate cooperation with limited partners and future fundraising in Tokyo. A16z also sees Japan as a potential market for its investment portfolio companies. Although the company currently has no record of investing in Japan, it may consider investing in the future.

A16z announced in April this year that it had launched a fund with a total amount of $7.2 billion. According to reports, NTT Group, Tokio Marine&Nichido Fire Insurance, and major Japanese trading companies were among the investors, and the funds raised from Japanese companies reportedly reached hundreds of millions of dollars, accounting for about 5% of the total. A16z and NTT Group declined to comment, while Tokyo Marine confirmed its investment.

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