#Japan #Tokyo #Technology #Ouknet #yep

Ouknet Acquires Majority Stake in Yep

In a strategic move to enhance its digital capabilities, Ouknet, a leading circular market design company, has entered into a stock transfer agreement to acquire 50.89% of Yep, a web service and software development firm based in Bunkyo, Tokyo. This acquisition is positioned to strengthen Ouknet’s technological foundation at a time when the secondary market is on the rise globally.

Background of the Acquisition

Founded in 1985, Ouknet pioneered the world's first real-time used car auction and has successfully expanded into various sectors including second-hand digital devices, motorcycles, and luxury goods. With a wealth of expertise in secondary distribution, Ouknet aims to further diversify its business model following its mid-term management plan, Blue Print 2027, which emphasizes investment through M&A and other strategies.

In recent years, Ouknet's digital transformation (DX) department has focused on internal product development and the enhancement of customer services through system innovation. However, the company faced challenges in securing stable development personnel. The partnership with Yep, which has been a key collaborator in Ouknet's system development, presents an opportunity to significantly bolster Ouknet’s development capabilities.

Synergies with Yep and Yet

Additionally, Yep's 100% subsidiary, Yet Company Limited, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, serves as an offshore development hub. This will allow Ouknet to further capitalize on recruiting Vietnamese engineering talent, vital for enhancing Ouknet’s presence in Vietnam and maintaining its existing Vietnamese workforce. The strategic collaboration is expected to yield considerable synergistic effects for both Yep and Yet, facilitating the expansion of their existing businesses through shared resources.

Key Details of the Agreement

The agreement includes the acquisition of 50.89% of Yep’s stock from two principal executives: Masaki Kudo, President of Yep, and Ayumu Watanabe, Executive Director. Both will continue to play pivotal roles in managing the company post-acquisition. The acquisition contract was finalized on November 26, 2025, with the stock purchase execution scheduled for January 16, 2026.

Future Plans

Following this acquisition, Ouknet is committed to accelerating product development initiatives alongside Yep and Yet, with a vision to enhance customer service and broaden its business offerings. The integration of Yep into the Ouknet group is expected to lead to increased operational efficiency, innovation, and overall growth.

Ouknet will continue to operate Yep under its current service structures, respecting existing trade conditions and agreements to ensure a smooth transition. The company embraces the addition of Yep as a natural evolution of its strategic trajectory, reinforcing its commitment to expanding its capabilities in the competitive landscape of the digital marketplace.

Company Profiles

Ouknet, Inc.

• - Headquarters: 2-5-8 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
• - CEO: Shinichiro Fujisaki
• - Established: June 29, 1985
• - Capital: 1,807 million yen (as of December 31, 2024)
• - Consolidated Revenue: 55,910 million yen (for the fiscal year ending December 2024)
• - Website: Ouknet

Yep, Inc.

• - Headquarters: Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
• - CEO: Masaki Kudo
• - Established: April 2, 2014
• - Capital: 4.5 million yen (as of September 30, 2025)

Yet Company Limited

• - Headquarters: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
• - CEO: Ayumu Watanabe
• - Established: October 3, 2023
• - Capital: 609 million Vietnamese Dong (as of December 31, 2024)

Contact Information

For further inquiries regarding this acquisition, please contact Ouknet’s Business Development Office at [email protected] or reach out to our press team at 03-6440-2530 or [email protected].