Houlihan Lokey Advises Nippon Investment Company

Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that Nippon Investment Company (NIC) has divested C’est la vie Resort Izumigo Co., Ltd., to Fortress Investment Group (Japan) GK (Fortress). The transaction closed on January 31, 2025.

Founded in 1907 and headquartered in Tokyo, C’est la vie Resort Izumigo operates resort hotels, pet-friendly hotels, and cottages. The company develops and operates about 20 hotels/cottages and dog-friendly resorts under three brands, mainly in the Chushinetsu region, including the Kanto, Chubu, and Kansai areas. It also sells hotel memberships to individuals and corporations, offers recreation center services to corporations, and engages in cottage management and sales, mainly in the Yatsugatake area.

NIC provides a comprehensive suite of investment-related services to investment funds (NIC funds), including fund management and investment advisory. Beyond investment, the company actively supports portfolio companies by leveraging its deep experience and knowledge of Japanese corporate growth investment to provide tailored business guidance and operational assistance and facilitate the deployment of experienced management personnel utilizing the company’s network.

Fortress, capitalizing on the proven expertise of its subsidiary Mystays Hotel Management, has been building a diversified hotel portfolio across Japan. This strategic expansion includes the acquisition of approximately 170+ hotels and 27,000+ rooms (as of May 2024), highlighting its ability to operate a variety of properties that extend to community-based hotels like Kampo Inn (acquired in 2021) and Hotel New Akao in Atami (acquired in 2022), as well as Phoenix Resort, one of Japan’s leading resort complexes.

Since the acquisition of C’est la vie Resort Izumigo in November 2020, NIC has supported the company in building its management structure, improving business performance, and optimizing the operations of existing businesses. By utilizing the hotel and resort management expertise of Mystays Group, Fortress seeks to maximize the corporate value of C’est la vie Resort Izumigo and further strengthen its hotel business.

This transaction allows both parties to maximize their resources and continue growing as major players in the real estate sector.

Houlihan Lokey served as the sole financial advisor to NIC and assisted in initiating, structuring, and negotiating the transaction on its behalf.

RELATED: Financial Sponsors Coverage, Real Estate, Lodging & Leisure