Chusen Media was formed by Chuo Senko, a mid-sized Japanese agency network that formed the company to handle its media-buying interests. Aegis has paid £3.5m for its stake in Chusen. As well as giving Carat a Japanese presence, Aegis will use the investment to strengthen its position in the Asia-Pacific market.
At the end of November last year, Aegis bought the Japanese market research group Research Fact for £1m. It has now renamed that company Carat SPI.
Doug Flynn, CEO of Aegis, said: "This is a significant trend for Carat as it opens further the door on the world's second-largest advertising market. Japan is a major area of opportunity for our clients, consequently it's a major area of opportunity for our business too."
Not all of Aegis's overseas expansion has proved good for the business. Last week, it was revealed that it was set to lose some £10m in Argentina, following the country's economic collapse.
Its shares also fell last week after Lehman Brothers reduced its forecasts for the group. This morning, its shares were trading at 101.25p, down 1.22% on Friday's closing price.
Carat's clients include BMW and Coca-Cola.
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