Business / Corporate Dec 6, 2021

SoftBank slumps 9% after week of bad portfolio news

Shares fell to ¥5,057 — the biggest intraday drop since March 2020 and part of its worst annual decline since 2006.

Business / Corporate Nov 25, 2021

SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son bets on narcolepsy drug for sleep-deprived Japan

The proportion of people sleeping less than the recommended eight hours is rising globally, and costs Japan as much as $138 billion in economic losses each year, according to Rand Corp.

Business / Tech Oct 31, 2021

A $2 billion Japanese startup aims to fix polarized news via an algorithm

SmartNews, which uses an algorithm to provide what it says is an unbiased, nonpartisan mix of information, is one of Japan’s most valuable startups.

Business / Corporate Aug 30, 2021

NASA taps Kyoto startup to make maps of the wind for drones

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is turning to a Japanese startup for help in creating maps of the wind.

Business / Corporate Aug 19, 2021

SoftBank’s Vision Fund creates post to focus on Japan startups

Masayoshi Son’s Vision Fund has poured billions into startups around the world, but so far it has made zero investments in his home country of Japan.

Business / Corporate Aug 11, 2021

Masayoshi Son to make personal investments with SoftBank’s Vision Fund

Business leaders don't usually mix personal interests with corporate responsibilities in order to avoid conflicts of interest, especially when there are public shareholders.

Business / Corporate Jun 29, 2021

SoftBank pulls the plug on its flagship Pepper 'humanoid' robot

The ¥198,000 robot was a project Masayoshi Son once personally championed as a symbol of his conglomerate’s ambitions in AI and technology.

Business / Corporate May 26, 2021

SoftBank-backed Jellysmack eyes global expansion and acquisitions

The New-York based company helps online content creators and brands promote their offerings across platforms like Instagram and YouTube, taking a share of revenue in return.