Japanese investors spent $5.9 billion last year...

Japanese investors spent $5.9 billion last year on acquisitions in the United States, more than double the amount they spent in 1986, according to a survey. The Japanese made 45 acquisitions in the United States, while U.S. investors made three acquisitions in Japan, according to Ulmer Bros. a New York-based merchant bank specializing in Japanese acquisitions. The biggest Japanese deal was Sony Corp.’s $2-billion cash purchase of CBS Records Group, followed by the $1.53-billion purchase by Aoki Corp. and the Fort Worth-based Robert M. Bass Group of Westin Hotels & Resorts from Allegis Corp. In 1986, Japanese investors made 41 acquisitions worth $2.7 billion, the report said.