SoftBank to be top investor in $108 billion second Vision Fund, with CEO Son silent on Saudi role
The conglomerate aims to raise $108 billion for a second Vision Fund, replacing Saudi Arabia as the largest investor as its targets opportunities in cutting-edge technologies.
Japan 'underdeveloped' in use of AI technology, says SoftBank's Masayoshi Son
SoftBank Group Corp. Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said Thursday that Japan has become an "underdeveloped" country in the use of artificial intelligence in businesses, lagging behind China, India and Southeast Asian countries that have fast-growing technology companies. "Japan once was a leader in technology ...
Ford-VW alliance over electric vehicles seen upping pressure on other carmakers
A broader alliance expected between Ford Motor Co. and Volkswagen AG has the potential to transform the global automotive industry and increase pressure on other carmakers in areas including electric and autonomous vehicles, analysts said. If VW agrees to allow Ford to license its electric-vehicle ...
SoftBank's Masayoshi Son urges Moon to focus South Korea on developing AI
SoftBank Group Corp. Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son proposed to South Korean President Moon Jae In on Thursday that South Korea focus on the national development of artificial intelligence, the presidential office said. At their meeting in Seoul, Son said the country should direct all ...
SoftBank and KDDI to conduct joint study on 5G wireless network installation
Major mobile phone service operators SoftBank Corp. and KDDI Corp. said Wednesday they will look into teaming up on the wireless networks for their 5G services, in a bid to cut costs and speed up installation. The two companies will study how and where they ...
SoftBank Vision Fund weighs backing Vaak's crime-busting tech
Vaak Inc., a Japanese start-up backed by SoftBank Group Corp., said that it is lining up a ¥2 billion ($18 million) cash injection in August and that the Vision Fund could provide further funding, as the company takes its violent crime prevention software global. Tokyo-based ...
Google internet balloon spin-off Loon still looking for its wings
Google's bet on balloons to deliver cell service soon faces a crucial test amid doubts about the viability of the technology by some potential customers. The company behind the effort, Loon says its balloons will reach Kenya in the coming weeks for its first commercial ...
Five Japanese automakers to join Toyota-SoftBank self-driving venture
Five Japanese automakers will join a self-driving technology joint venture formed last year by Toyota Motor Corp. and SoftBank Corp., sources close to the matter said Wednesday. Mazda Motor Corp., Suzuki Motor Corp., Subaru Corp., Isuzu Motor Ltd., and Toyota's minivehicle-making unit Daihatsu Motor Corp. ...
Ministry plan will see Japan's mobile phone carriers slash cancellation fees in fall
Under the approved plan, major mobile phone operators will be obliged to cut cancellation charges by 90 percent to ¥1,000 or less.
Toyota to cut managers' summer bonus by up to 5% due to high R&D costs
Toyota Motor Corp. will cut summer bonuses for some 9,800 managers by 4 to 5 percent, as it looks to tighten cost control in the face of high spending on developing technology for autonomous and electrified vehicles, a source close to the matter said ...
Japan plans to cut mobile phone contract penalties to ¥1,000
The government plans to impose new regulations on mobile phone operators to cut cancellation penalties by about 90 percent to ¥1,000 ($9) or less to make it easier for users to switch mobile carriers and spur competition, officials said Tuesday. The move is expected to ...
Airbnb Inc. says it's back in business in Japan, a year after stricter short-term lodging regulations forced it to freeze a major portion of its listings in the country. There are 50,000 listings available in the country, with another 23,000 rooms in hotels and traditional ...
