NEON Group Welcomes ITOCHU Corporation as Shareholder, Accelerating Strategic Growth in Japan and Beyond
Singapore, 10 January 2025 – NEON Group Limited (“NEON”, the “Company”/collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) is thrilled to welcome ITOCHU Corporation onboard as a valuable shareholder. As the Group’s first Japanese equity partner, ITOCHU Corporation’s robust financial standing of a market cap of $70.93 billion USD, will further bolster the Group’s solid financial foundation and expertise in redefining experiential entertainment globally.
This fresh investment into the NEON Group follows closely on the heels of a strategic joint venture established in 2023 with ITOCHU Property Development, Ltd., a subsidiary of ITOCHU Corporation, as one of the joint venture partners in the formation of NEON Japan K.K. The subsidiary is dedicated to enhancing NEON’s presence in Japan through the creation of transformative entertainment experiences in the region.
Since its inception, NEON Japan K.K. has been on an aggressive growth trajectory, establishing its local presence with the latest key event – the Asia Premiere of Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, opening in Tokyo come March 2025. This globally acclaimed exhibition, which has captivated millions across cities like Houston, Paris, and Sydney, will mark its Asian debut at NEON’s Crevia Base Tokyo. The venue, formerly known as IHI Stage Around Tokyo, will be revitalized into a state-of-the-art entertainment destination to showcase the grandeur of ancient Egypt, bringing history to life in an unprecedented way.
Promising an extraordinary journey into the world of Ramses the Great, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs features over 180 rare artefacts, including ornate treasures and mummies, alongside a cutting-edge virtual reality tour of iconic monuments like the Tomb of Queen Nefertari. This golden experience exemplifies NEON’s unparalleled ability to merge history and technology into awe-inspiring narratives.
Building on its venture partnership in NEON Japan K.K., ITOCHU Corporation’s decision to join as a shareholder of the Group further solidifies NEON’s positive outlook. The partnership leverages ITOCHU’s extensive global networks, operational excellence, and industry insights to unlock the immense potential of the immersive entertainment industry globally.
Plans to unveil cutting-edge entertainment technologies such as animatronics, through collaborations with local partners are underway, promising the development of innovative and captivating experiences for audiences throughout Japan. Further aligning with its vision for growth and innovation, NEON aims to explore partnerships with Japanese IP owners to create new IP experiences designed for audiences around the world, highlighting Japan’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
“NEON’s journey has always been defined by bold moves and visionary collaborations,” said Ron Tan, Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NEON. “With the expertise of ITOCHU Corporation and our esteemed partners, we are further empowered to drive transformative growth in Japan and beyond. Together, we will create unparalleled experiences that resonate deeply with audiences, setting new benchmarks toward realising the boundless opportunities in the experiential entertainment landscape.”
Beyond the Asia-Pacific region, the NEON Group continues to expand its reach through strategic partnerships and ventures worldwide. With the combined expertise of its strategic alliances, NEON is poised to lead the evolution of immersive experiences, captivating audiences across the globe and setting new industry standards in the entertainment landscape for audiences to Get Closer™ to what they love, and with whom they love.