Japanese E-commerce Platform SixtyPercent Expands Business with Investment and Plans for English-language Version

The Japanese e-commerce platform SixtyPercent has secured a 460 million yen ($3.1 million) investment in a series A funding round led by the Tokyo-based corporate venture arm of Yamato Holdings. The funding round was also participated in by musician and co-founder of Japanese fashion brand Ambush, Verbal, who will take on an advisory role in the firm. SixtyPercent, founded by Nanae Matsuoka in 2019, sells around 1500 brands from 10 Asian countries on its cross-border platform Sixty-Percent.com. The investment will be used to expand the business domestically and internationally, including the release of an English-language version of the site in March. The funding round was led by Kuroneko Innovation Fund, which primarily targets start-ups in the tech, logistics, and supply chain management sectors. [1a22808b] [47bec39b]

In other news, Penguin Ventures and Sony Creative Products (SCP) have signed a new six-year agreement for The World of Peter Rabbit in Japan. The partnership aims to drive consumer products and licensing growth with additional investment in local Peter Rabbit brand activity. The agreement has delivered a 142% net increase in 2023, making Japan the largest market outside of the UK for Peter Rabbit. Location-based experiences, such as The Peter Rabbit English Garden and Peter Rabbit Rakeru cafes, have been successful in engaging visitors. SCP has secured high-profile brand partnerships for Peter Rabbit, including Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking & Mitsubishi UFJ Real Estate collaboration and a partnership with Blanc Neige for touring pop-up events. Hayakawa Publishing Corporation is the official publishing partner for The World of Peter Rabbit in Japan, with authorized translated editions of all 23 Original Tales launched in December 2021. [b206697b]