HONG KONG, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. investment giant

Carlyle group said on Tuesday it had raised 430 billion

yen ($2.8 billion) for its fifth Japan buyout fund, its largest

investment vehicle for Japan.

Strong demand and backing from domestic and global investors

helped it raise nearly 70% more than its previous fund, Carlyle

said in a statement, adding that it began fundraising efforts

less than a year ago.

The firm's Japan buyout platform has invested more than 450

billion yen across about 40 private equity investments since

2000, the statement said.

Carlyle raised 258 billion yen ($2.3 billion) for its fourth

buyout fund in 2020. It has 12 investments to date, the

statement said.