TOKYO, Oct 21 Reuters U.S. investment firm KKR has extended by 10 working days the first stage of its tender to take Japanese IT services firm Fuji Soft private, it said in a filing on Monday.

The extension comes after Bain Capital made a rival proposal to buy all the shares of Fuji Soft at a higher price, setting the stage for a battle over the Japanese company by two of the biggest names in global private equity.

KKR initially offered 8,800 yen 58.71 per share in August which was followed last month by Bain39;s 9,450 yen per share bid.

KKR then switched to a twostage process that would allow shareholders to take part in an initial tender or a later one both at 8,800 yen per share.

The first stage was previously due to expire on Monday, Oct. 21 but will now expire on Nov. 5, KKR said.

KKR has secured commitments from major shareholders 3D Investment Partners and Farallon Capital, who together own around 32.7 of Fuji Soft, to tender their shares in the first stage.

Fuji Soft39;s board on Friday reiterated its support for the first stage of the KKR tender but also said it would be logical for shareholders to wait to see the outcome of Bain39;s proposal, adding that it had not made a decision on either Bain39;s bid or KKR39;s second stage.

Bain has said its offer is predicated on winning the company39;s backing.

Fuji Soft founder Hiroshi Nozawa in a letter last week urged the company to withdraw its recommendation for KKR39;s offer as Bain39;s higher price was…