Hibino Corporation has entered into a share transfer agreement to acquire Ascent for JPY 500 million, with the transaction expected to complete on April 1, 2026. The deal sees Hibino acquire 100% of Ascent’s common equity from founder Kenji Kigoshi in a straight cash transaction.
Ascent is a Japanese specialist in large-scale sports and public venue AV and lighting, with a portfolio that includes some of Japan’s most prominent infrastructure projects. The firm is behind the AV and lighting installations at Kobe Arena, IG Arena, and Ajinomoto Stadium, and has established a reputation for delivering complex, high-stakes environments ranging from eSports arenas to government facilities.
The acquisition broadens Hibino’s capabilities in large-venue integration at a time when the Japanese market is seeing significant investment in sports and public infrastructure.
Hibino, listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and operating with approximately 1,700 employees across the Asia Pacific region, positions itself as Japan’s leading AV specialist. Adding Ascent’s expertise in data-driven AV, digital signage, and performance-tracking systems gives the group a stronger hand in the stadium and government sectors specifically.
The deal continues Hibino’s regional consolidation strategy. The group has previously made acquisitions in Australia and Singapore, and the addition of a domestic large-venue specialist suggests the company is now reinforcing its home market position as well as its broader APAC footprint.