SoftBank Academia was established in 2010, headed by Masayoshi Son himself. The institution has approximately 300 students working and studying together in a variety of programs aimed at identifying and fostering both potential successors to lead the SoftBank Group and also people who will take up the challenge of our AI cluster strategy.
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You will have the opportunity to study business administration and strategic planning, including the chance to learn directly from Masayoshi Son about such topics as the inside story on business strategy and the secrets of decision making.
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You will be part of an exclusive community among fellow students overflowing with enthusiasm and possessing knowledge, experience, and talent from a wide range of fields. The resulting synergies will lead to numerous business connections.
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Participation in the program will provide opportunities for you to contribute to business strategy formulation and involvement in the SoftBank Group.
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Objective Identify and foster potential successors to lead the SoftBank Group and people to take up the challenge of our AI strategy Venue SoftBank headquarters Class day,
Number of classesWednesday (starting at 6:00pm), One or two every two to three months Participation fee free (students pay their own travel expenses)
Special lectures
Well-known leaders are invited to join in panel sessions, including presentations by Masayoshi Son himself on his own approach to management theory. Past such sessions for Academia students have included discussions between Son and such notable people as former US Secretary of State Colin Powell and Tadashi Yanai, Chairman, President, and CEO of Fast Retailing.
Presentation program
Students present their ideas on a topic set by Masayoshi Son that relates to business issues facing the SoftBank Group. Those who make it through a preliminary round get the opportunity to make their presentation in front of Son and other senior management of the SoftBank Group.
Management Game
The Management Game is a simulation exercise instituted by Masayoshi Son when SoftBank Group Corp. was first established and which is recognized for helping to teach management skills.
The game involves each participant acting as the manager of a company in competition with other SoftBank Academia students, thereby fostering management skills such as strategy development and how to respond to circumstances with quick and appropriate decisions.
Conferences
Generally held once a year, these provide a venue for information sharing and include presentations by Academia students on what they have been working on over the previous year.
Study groups
SoftBank Academia students take the lead in planning study groups on a topic that they want to learn more about. Students are free both to choose any topic they want and to participate in any study group that sparks their interest. Numerous such groups have been held in the past on topics such as AI, design & business, and trends in Silicon Valley.
Projects
These projects are voluntary and run to their own schedule. Examples include special projects directly overseen by Masayoshi Son and collaborative projects undertaken in partnership with SoftBank Group companies.
Members of SoftBank Academia are able to access archive footages of the special lectures (some contents excluded).
Mr. Son's Art of War(in Japanese)
Secrets of Decision Making(in Japanese)
Secrets of Overcoming Crises(in Japanese)
Special Lecture
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Information is current as of the time
of publication.
Timee, Inc.
SoftBank Academia is the best place to polish your business administration philosophy and decision-making competence.
The dialogue with Principal Son will help to recalibrate your ambition and think big. You are at the growth frontline, a high vantage point to see a greater future.
aba Inc.
SoftBank Academia changes how we look at businesses. I was an engineer deeply rooted in the field, but Academia has opened my eyes to read trends of the time from a higher perspective. This is such a valuable environment, facilitating us to bolster our ability to weigh the ideal against what is feasible through discussions with diverse fellow students.
Sagri Co., Ltd.
I see SoftBank Academia to be an enabler to improve my competence in practice through perpetual challenges.
The presentation in front of Mr. Son taught me about my being overconfident, which led to my determination to apply the lesson I learned to my business. It is a training ground where you can pursue growth with fellow students who have clear ideas about what they want to achieve.
SoftBank Corp.
SoftBank Academia is a place where students can truly connect with aspiring fellow students, irrespective of their ages or positions. Every word of Principal Son and every challenge my Academia peers take on motivate me to further better myself.
The lessons and inspirations Academia offers are driving me to keep moving forward.
Lib Consulting Co., Ltd.
Academia gives us an opportunity to positively reset ourselves in the presence of Mr. Son, the ultimate figure in business management. The cycle of challenges and learning lessons revs up the growth mindset in us in the most organic way.
This is such a valuable environment to keep us moving forward.
Avinton Japan K.K.
SoftBank Academy offers an opportunity for introspection vis-a-vis diverse values. Seeing other Academy students tackle their ambitions encourages me and enriches my wisdom naturally. Inspired by Mr. Son’s speeches and having learned from different business fields, I am most certainly making progress in the business management as well as in my own person.
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External student attributes
(the remainder: engineers, researchers,
academics, university students, etc.)Proportion of internal and
external students(External students:
External students are those
who do not work for SoftBank Group or
any of its Group companies.) -
Proportion of internal and
external students(External students: External students are those
who do not work for SoftBank Group or
any of its Group companies.)External student attributes
(the remainder: engineers, researchers,
academics, university students, etc.) -
Age range
Age range
(as of April 1, 2025)
- Ages 18 to 45 (inclusive) on the date of application
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Place of
residence It does not matter, but you are required to participate in programs as much as possible. -
Academic
history,
Business
background,
Nationality No restrictions
apply
FAQ
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How many are you recruiting this time?
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About 30 people.
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Will there be any offering later on?
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We will offer once a year in principle.
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Does nationality matter?
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No, any nationality is acceptable.
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Does academic background matter?
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No, academic background does not matter.
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I currently live overseas. Can I apply?
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Place of residence does not matter, but you are required to participate in programs as much as possible.
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I am running a business on my own. Can I apply?
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Yes, you can.
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I don't have any business background. Can I apply?
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Yes, you can.
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Is there any age limit?
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People aged over 18 to under 45 at the time of application are eligible.
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Could you tell me about the examination process?
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We are planning as follows:
- First examination based on documents
- Second examination involving 5-minute presentation
- Final involving 5-minute presentation
- Announcement of application results -
Do I need to submit any documents for the examination?
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We proceed with the examination based on the information you enter into the online form.
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How long does it take until the announcement of application results?
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It takes approximately for three months. We will announce the final results in March 2026.
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Can you tell me the place where second round and final examination are held?
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The second and the final round of screening will take place through Zoom.
Please participate from a location with a stable online environment. -
Will I be informed even if I don't pass?
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We will contact you regardless of the results.
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Can I submit a video of my presentation or do it online instead of attending in person?
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Even if the screening is held online (the second screening), we would like to talk to you in person so we generally ask you to make time for the screening. If you wish to send in a recorded version of your presentation, please contact us.
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Do I need to submit any other documents at the time of application?
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No, you don't. After enrollment, we will ask you to submit some documents. We will announce it only to the enrolled students.
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Do I need to make any contract to join SoftBank Academia?
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We will ask you to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
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How much is the participation fee?
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Free of charge.
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Is there any possibilities of being hired as an employee in the SoftBank Group if I am qualified for SoftBank Academia?
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No, it has no relation to our recruiting activities.
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If I am a university student and SoftBank Academia member, will SoftBank Group hire me after graduation?
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Sorry, but you need to apply for post-graduate hiring.
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Can I join SoftBank Academia without quitting my job?
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Of course you can! Please remember you are required to participate in as many programs as possible.
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Could you prepare an interpreter for each session?
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There will be interpretation if necessary.
English version of documents and manuals are prepared. -
Can I attend the programs via TV conference or telephone conference?
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There are more and more programs held online.
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Are the programs supposed to be distributed by video or on the website?
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No, the programs are not distributed via live stream.
Some will be made available as on-demand video later. -
Where do the programs take place?
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Programs are generally held at the head office of SoftBank in Tokyo but some of the events organized by Academiams are held online.
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Are there going to be any other venues for programs other than Tokyo?
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There is no such plan at this moment.
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How often are the programs held?
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About once or twice in two-three month periods. There are also workshops and other events organized by members unperiodically.
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Can I reschedule my class if I cannot attend?
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No, you cannot change your class or dates.
Some programs will be made available as on-demand video later. -
What time do the programs start?
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The program starts either at 6 or 7 p.m. This depends on the individual programs, and the further details will be provided accordingly.
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How long are the programs?
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Each program is expected to last for 2 or 3 hours.
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Is there a payment of travel expenses?
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No. You will be responsible for the cost of your transportation.
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When will be the enrollment?
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In April 2026.
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When will be the graduation?
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This is a long-term program to cultivate a successor for over 10 years, therefore there is no such concept as graduation.
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Is there any enrollment period?
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There is no specific enrollment period. However, if you are in the bottom 20%, you are required to leave.
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Will you issue any certificates? (Certificate of enrollment, diploma, etc.)
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Only a certification of enrollment will be issued.
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Can I tell others that I am a student of SoftBank Academia?
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You can tell anybody. However, any information you obtained through the programs is subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement.
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Is it required to submit any recommendation letters from supervisors of my company?
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It is not required. Submitting a recommendation letter will have no effect on the examination.
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I applied last year and didn't pass.Can I apply again?
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Yes, you can.
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If I was replaced and once left SoftBank Academia, would I be able to apply again?
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Yes, you can keep applying.
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I work at one of SoftBank's group companies, should I apply through this website?
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Please refer to the notice sent from your company.
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Will feedbacks be given for the screenings?
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There will be no feedback given.
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How should I select the language for my presentation?
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Please select either Japanese or English, whichever you feel more comfortable with. The judges will be Japanese. (subject to change)
