All About SoftBank

All About SoftBank

Articles on SoftBank Corp.'s businesses, people, CSR activities, financials and more.
Earnings Results Shareholders Meeting Press Conferences Masayoshi Son Workstyles Network Coverage Smart Buildings

Harnessing EdTech to Bring Educational Equality to Rwanda

The Republic of Rwanda has mandated the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to accelerate its socio-economic development, and has already made significant progress in integrating it into its society. One symbol of the cou…

Infrastructure and Governance for the AI Era: SoftBank Corp. Holds its First ESG Briefing

On February 26, 2024, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) held its first Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) briefing for investors. At the event in Tokyo, three SoftBank executives–Junichi Miyakawa (President & CEO), Masato Ikeda, (Vice Pre…

SoftBank Corp. Accelerates Generative AI Initiatives

As part of its long-term plan to build next-generation social infrastructure, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been making good progress on its initiatives to build a generative AI computing platform and develop Large Language Models (LLMs…

SoftBank Corp. Q3 FY2023 Earnings: Upward Revisions to Full-year Forecasts and Progress on Next-generation Social Infrastructure

On February 7, 2024, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the nine months ended December 31, 2023 (Q1-Q3) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 (FY2023). At the press conference he…

Water Tech Solution Brings Warmth and Hygiene to Noto Peninsula Evacuees

As reported earlier by SoftBank News, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been conducting various initiatives to restore communications on the Noto Peninsula following the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck on January 1, 2024. Further to it…

SoftBank Corp. Joins Partnership with CelcomDigi to Accelerate Digitalization of Malaysia Enterprises

From left: SoftBank VP and Global Business Division Head Kimimasa Kudo, CelcomDigi CEO Datuk Idham Nawawi, Malaysia Minister of Communications YB Fahmi Fadzil and SC-NEX CEO Jun Okawara SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is actively pursuing bus…

Behind the Scenes: SoftBank Corp.’s Initiatives to Restore Communications on the Noto Peninsula

As reported earlier by SoftBank News, on January 1, 2024, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, and immediately after that SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been urgently working to restore comm…

SoftBank Corp. Working to Restore Communications in Quake-hit Noto Peninsula with Drone System and Other Means

On January 1, 2024, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. The earthquake and its aftershocks severely disrupted transportation, power and water supplies and communications. In response, SoftBan…

Energy Saving “Eco-Denki App” from SB Power Takes the World Stage at COP28

The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), was successfully held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from November 30 to December 12, 2023. The Japan Pavilion, hosted by the M…

How BOLDLY’s Autonomous Buses are Revitalizing Japan’s Small Communities

Championing its concept of “a world where all things, information and minds are connected,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is placing priority on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To do this, SoftBank is working to solve so…

SoftBank Corp. and Cubic Telecom Team up to Redefine the Connected Vehicle Landscape

Technological advancements are transforming different industries, and the automotive industry is no exception. While mechanical hardware continues to be important, advanced software in vehicles is helping owners enjoy a better in-vehicle e…

SoftBank World 2023 Exhibition Features Latest Technologies that Utilize AI

For the first time since 2019, SoftBank World, SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) largest event for enterprise customers, returned as an in-person event in Tokyo in October 2023. From October 4 to 6, SoftBank World 2023 featured keynotes, pane…

SoftBank Corp. Q2 FY2023 Earnings: Making Good Progress Toward Full-year Forecast and Mid-term Management Targets with Increased Revenue and Profits

On November 8, 2023, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the second quarter (April - September, 2023, Q2) and six months ended September 30, 2023 (H1) of the fiscal year ending March…

SoftBank Corp. Initiative to Develop Homegrown LLMs for Japan Kicks into High Gear

As President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa first outlined at the earnings results conference held on August 4, 2023, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is carrying out various generative AI initiatives, including the construction of a new generative AI…

SoftBank Corp. Director & Chairman Ken Miyauchi Discusses How Generative AI and the Information Revolution Could Evolve

For the first time since 2019, SoftBank World, SoftBank's largest event for enterprise customers, returned as an in-person event in Tokyo in October 2023. In addition to keynotes, panel discussions and exhibits that ran from October 4 to 6…

SoftBank Corp., KDDI and Rakuten Mobile Hold Press Conference to Oppose Abolition of NTT Law

In 1984, the NTT Law was enacted to foster a vibrant private sector in Japan's telecommunications industry, which was previously a centralized monopoly under the former state-owned Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation. The NTT…

SoftBank Corp. President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa Unveils Next-generation Infrastructure Needed to Co-exist with AI

For the first time since 2019, SoftBank World, SoftBank's largest event for enterprise customers, returned as an in-person event in Tokyo. From October 4 to 6, SoftBank World 2023 showcased keynotes and panel discussions from technology lu…

The Road to Net Zero: SoftBank Corp.'s Network Centers Embrace Renewable Energy

To offer stable communication services to their customers, network centers are indispensable to mobile network operators. However, with the proliferation of AI, 5G, and IoT devices, which are increasing data traffic, power consumption at n…

SoftBank Corp. Earns Japan’s Top Spot on DJSI World Index

In June 2023, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) was selected for inclusion in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World) for the first time following a review of the 2022 constituent stocks. What is the significance of being a part o…

Interview with SoftBank Corp. Head of HR: Reflecting the Values of a Diverse Workforce into HR Policy

In an era that is rapidly changing due to the adoption of new technologies such as IoT and AI, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), as a telecommunications and IT operator, believes it is essential to evolve so it can sustain growth and success. …

SoftBank Corp. Q1 FY2023 Earnings: Making Good Progress on Full-year Forecasts and Launching Generative AI Initiatives

On August 4, 2023, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the first quarter (April - June, 2023, Q1) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 (FY2023). At the press conference held in T…

Company Culture Key to Fostering Skills: SoftBank Corp.’s Google Cloud Partner Top Engineer Award Recipients

The Google Cloud Partner Top Engineer award is given to engineers working for Google Cloud Japan’s partner companies. In 2023, three engineers from SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) received the accolade for the first time. Why did they receive…

Envisioning the AI Age: Interview with Yasuko Kosaihira, CEO of Findability Sciences’ Joint Venture with SoftBank Corp.

Findability Sciences Inc., a US-headquartered global provider of AI and big data solutions, established a Japan-based joint venture called Findability Sciences K.K. with SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) in 2017. On April 1, 2023, Yasuko Kosaih…

SoftBank Corp.’s 37th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders: Utilizing AI to Provide Next-generation Infrastructure

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) held its 37th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on June 20, 2023, at Tokyo International Forum. President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa chaired the meeting, which was attended by approximately 750 sharehold…

SoftBank Corp. FY2022 Earnings: Revenue and Operating Income Exceed Forecasts, Long-term Vision Shows Path to to Provide Next-generation Social Infrastructure

On May 10, 2023, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the full fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2023 (FY2022). At the press conference held in Tokyo, Miyakawa began his presentatio…

SoftBank Corp. Welcomes 455 New Employees at Company Entrance Ceremony

In Japan, April brings cherry blossoms, a new academic year, and a new fiscal year for businesses. It’s also a time when newly hired employees enter companies en masse. As part of an established hiring norm, many companies in Japan activel…

SoftBank Corp. Joins Consortium to Transform Hiroshima University into a Smart Campus

On February 15, 2023, a ceremony was held to commemorate the establishment of the “Hiroshima University Smart City Co-Creation Consortium.” Inspired by the Government of Japan’s Society 5.0 concept and its Vision for a Digital Garden City …

Explained: Telecom and IT Operator SoftBank Corp.’s Group Structure

With many companies using or associated with the “SoftBank” name, it can be difficult to understand how SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) fits into the picture. Here’s a quick primer to clarify SoftBank Corp.’s position. SoftBank Corp.’s parent…

SoftBank Corp. Q3 FY2022 Earnings Summary: Consolidated Revenue and Profits Rise

On February 3, 2023, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the nine months ended December 31, 2022 (Q3) of the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023 (FY2022). At the press conference he…

How Can Companies Build Resilience by Incorporating Sustainability into Their Operations?

Formulated in 2015 by the United Nations, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 objectives to be achieved by 2030. With the world now at the halfway point before the 2030 deadline, many considerable challenges remain, in…

SoftBank Corp. Participates in Natural Capital Credit Consortium to Help Revitalize Japan’s Carbon Credit Market

On December 15, 2022, a press conference was held in Tokyo to announce the establishment of the Natural Capital Credit Consortium ("NCCC"), an alliance that brings companies, municipalities, and academic researchers together to revitalize …

On This Day: SoftBank Corp.’s Forerunner Launches World’s First Global Standard 3G Service

J-PHONE’s initial 3G lineup (from left): the V-N701 by NEC, the V-NM701 (Nokia 6650) and the V-SA701 by SANYO Electric 20 years ago on December 20, 2002, J-PHONE Co., Ltd. —an antecedent of SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) mobile communicati…

SoftBank Corp. and Group Company ASKUL Team Up to Help Small Businesses Solve their Problems with Digital Solutions

ASKUL Corporation President & CEO Akira Yoshioka and SoftBank Corp. Representative Director & COO Yasuyuki Imai unveil “Biz-Raku,” a new business for small and medium-sized enterprises As reported by SoftBank News in May 2022, SoftBank Cor…

SoftBank Corp. Q2 FY2022 Earnings Summary: Gain on PayPay Consolidation Drives Upward Revision of Full-year Profit Forecasts

On November 4, 2022, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the six months ended September 30, 2022 (Q2) for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023 (FY2022). At the press conference h…

In Conversation: SoftBank Corp. Chairman Ken Miyauchi Discusses How to Embrace Technological Change with Bain & Company Japan’s Chairman Shintaro Okuno

Different forces at play behind major corporate transformations: changes in population and human resources, intensified global competition, ESG demands, among other factors. The pace of change is not expected to abate anytime soon. To set …

SoftBank Corp. and Singapore’s Carro Team Up to Digitally Transform Japan’s Used Car Market

Around the world, the automotive industry and its customers are grappling with a number of challenges, such as a supply chain squeeze and high prices. Japan’s automotive market is no exception. In recent years, the country has seen lower v…

SoftBank Corp. Sets Net Zero Target for 2050

As reported in June 2021, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to virtually zero by the year 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. On August 31, 2022, SoftBank announced an additional targe…

SoftBank Corp. Q1 FY2022 Earnings Summary: Accelerating the “Beyond Carrier” Strategy with a New Financial Business Segment

On August 4, 2022, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the first quarter (June - April, Q1) of the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2023 (FY2022). At the press conference held in Toky…

SoftBank World 2022: SoftBank Corp. Seizes Opportunity to Speed up Japan’s Digital Transformation

In delivering the keynote speech at this year’s SoftBank World in Tokyo, Junichi Miyakawa, President & CEO of SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), pulled no punches. At the online event for enterprise customers, he noted Japan continues to lag be…

SoftBank Corp. Sets Up Virtual Shop in ZEPETO, Asia's Largest Metaverse Platform

On June 23, 2022, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) opened Japan's first virtual mobile carrier store with shop crew avatars that can serve customers* in ZEPETO, Asia’s largest metaverse platform that has approximately 300 million users. * Acco…

SoftBank Corp.’s 36th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders: Evolving into a Provider of Next-generation Infrastructure

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) held its 36th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on June 23, 2022, at Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba. President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa chaired the meeting, which was attended by approximately 50 shareholder…

SoftBank Corp.’s External Directors Discuss Board Effectiveness and Succession at Small Investor Meeting

How can conflicts of interest between SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and its parent company SoftBank Group Corp. be managed and prevented? What do external directors consider when faced with a decision on succession planning? What is exactly…

SoftBank Corp. FY2021 Earnings Summary: Continued Growth Forecasted After Record Sales and Profits

On May 11, 2022, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2022 (FY2021). At the press conference held in Tokyo, Miyakawa also gave forecasts for th…

SoftBank Corp. and Konica Minolta Team Up to Digitally Transform Japan with AI-powered Imaging Analytics

In recent years Japan has been coming to grips with various challenges, such as a shrinking workforce and an increase in natural disasters driven by climate change. Digitalization and digital transformation (DX) are garnering attention as …

SoftBank Corp. Raising Funds Through a Social Loan to Expand 5G Network and Promote a Digital Society

As part of its 5th Science and Technology Basic Plan, in 2016 the Government of Japan proposed an aspirational vision, called Society 5.0, that it defined as "a human-centered society that balances economic advancement with the resolution …

How SoftBank Corp. is Making its Network Disaster-resilient

Eleven years ago on March 11, 2022, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck the Tohoku region of Japan. In the aftermath of this tragic event, many valuable lessons were learned, including how mobile phones are a lifeline that people use to…

Bridging the Digital Divide from the Sky: SoftBank Corp.’s NTN Network Solutions

NTN, short for “Non-Terrestrial Networks,” is a term that refers to communication networks that use objects in the sky or space, such as High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based networks in the stratosphere or satellite-based networks. …

On This Day: SoftBank 4G Launched

Ten years ago today, on February 24, 2012, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) launched “SoftBank 4G” services in Japan. After the first generation of mobile phones was introduced the 1980s, a new mobile communication standard has been introduced…

Merging Data to Create Added Value: Interview with SoftBank Corp.’s CTO

At SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), ongoing technology research is key to advancing new business areas related to AI, robotics, as well as the core telecommunications business. To learn more about this and SoftBank’s vision for future technol…

Q3 FY2021 SoftBank Corp. Earnings Summary: On Track to Achieve Full-year Targets with Best-ever Sales and Profits

On February 3, 2022, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the nine months ended December 31, 2021 (Q1-Q3) in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 (FY2021). Continued progress toward …