Kirin Holdings Co.'s purchase of a stake in Brazil's second-largest beer maker took Japan's overseas acquisitions this year to at least $46 billion as the stronger yen boosts companies' buying power abroad.
This year has been the busiest in terms of cross-border purchases involving Japanese companies since 2008, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The total announced or completed since Jan. 1 almost equals that for similar deals in 2010 and 2009 combined.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. and Toshiba Corp. are among companies making acquisitions abroad, as the yen climbs against the dollar, having strengthened to a postwar record of ¥76.25 in March.