Headlines

Headlines

The latest on SoftBank Corp.'s events, conferences and initiatives.

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. 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…

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 …

SoftBank Corp. Subsidiary Launches “HELPO” for Consumers to Offer Convenient Online Health Consultations

What do people usually do when they feel run down or a bit feverish? Chances are that many may feel reluctant to visit a hospital or clinic if their condition is not too serious. Getting an in-person health consultation can often be an ard…

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…

Japan’s Digital Transformation Minister Kono Taro Goes for a Ride on SoftBank Corp.-backed Autonomous Bus Service

Sakai Town is a community located 70 kilometers north of Tokyo that has a population of approximately 24,000, with 29% classified as elderly. As the town lacks a railway station, residents were facing serious mobility challenges. As report…

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 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. and SoftBank HAWKS Team Up to Provide New Ways to Enjoy Baseball in the Metaverse

The Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS professional baseball team and SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) are collaborating to bring Fukuoka PayPay Dome—home stadium of the HAWKS—to the metaverse so fans can enjoy sports and entertainment in entirely new way…

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.’s HAPSMobile and Lendlease to Study Business Potential of HAPS in Australia

From left: Junichi Miyakawa (SoftBank Corp. President & CEO and HAPSMobile President & CEO) and Andrew Gauci (Lendlease Managing Director of Japan and Head of Telecoms & Data Infrastructure Asia) commemorate joint venture at SoftBank Corp.…

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 …

After Successful Trial, SoftBank Corp. Signs Agreement with Tokyo Metropolitan Government for Emergency Drone Deliveries

When a natural disaster or other type of emergency strikes, roads and other often-used logistics routes may not be readily accessible. For this reason, local governments in Japan are increasingly looking at drones as a way to deliver emerg…

SoftBank Corp. Launches App to Make Life Easier for Foreign Workers New to Japan

Japan is facing considerable demographic challenges—including a low birthrate and an aging population—that are causing labor shortages and posing a threat to economic growth. Against this backdrop, in 2019 the Japanese government created a…

OYO Japan Rebrands as Tabist to Offer New, Localized Travel Experiences

On March 16, 2022, OYO Japan held a virtual press conference to announce it will re-launch under a new brand name, “Tabist.” OYO Japan’s President and Chief Executive Officer Ryota Tanozaki unveiled the new brand and company name that will…

SoftBank Corp. and Cameo Partner to Connect Fans with Their Favorite Pop Culture Icons from Japan

On February 16, 2022, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and Cameo, a US-based leading marketplace connecting the world's talent directly with their biggest fans, announced a commercial partnership that will expand Cameo's global network to Japa…

Introducing SoftBank Corp.’s AI-powered Forecasting Service that Helps Reduce Food Waste and Optimize Staff Allocations

According to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 5.7 million tons of food was discarded in 2019. With Japan’s population of 126 million, that roughly translates to the equivalent of one bowl of rice per person, per day…

SoftBank Corp.’s Content Distribution System Delivers Ready-for-TV Video from Expo 2020 Dubai in Successful Demonstration

Expo 2020 Dubai, the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East and Africa region, opened its doors on October 1, 2021 and will run until March 31, 2022. Originally scheduled to be held approximately a year earlier to commemorate the 5…

SoftBank Corp.’s “SureTalk” Converts Sign Language and Speech into Text to Surmount Communication Barriers

The need to communicate with others who use different languages is universal. Ongoing technological advances in machine translation software are gradually closing the communication gap to enable conversations among those who speak differen…

SoftBank Corp. Unveils Program to Help Students Develop AI Literacy and Skills

While AI is becoming indispensable to many aspects of modern life, employers are struggling to find people with the necessary AI skills. Japan is not alone in facing this conundrum. Although the number of AI software system developers in t…

Supermarket Chain Uses SoftBank Corp.'s AI System to Transform the Shopping Experience

On August 26, 2021, a next-generation, AI-powered supermarket opened its doors in Osaka. The unique Gyomu Super pilot store, owned and operated by retail operator Kobe Bussan Co., Ltd., is using an AI-based system developed by SoftBank Cor…

SoftBank Corp. and JR-West Leverage Automated Driving and Platooning Technologies in Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Trials

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a new mode of public transportation that is attracting attention around the world. How is it different from regular bus services? BRT transit systems use dedicated corridors and stations to deliver fast and relia…

SoftBank Corp. the Only Japan-listed Company in the Information & Communication Category to be Chosen as a “Digital Transformation (DX) 2021 Stock”

The pace of digital transformations (DX) at companies across industries has proceeded at a rapid pace in Japan and other countries thanks to advances in digital technologies, and SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been at the forefront of th…

In a Japan First, SoftBank Corp. Offers Virtual Advertisements for Pro Baseball Games

With the increased adoption of high-speed 5G services and decreased attendance at sports venues due to COVID-19 and other factors, people of all ages are increasingly using their smartphones and other devices to watch sports content. To me…

OYO Hotels Japan Updates the Traditional Japanese Inn with “OYO Ryokan”

OYO Ryokan inns are furnished with newly designed furniture and accoutrements In Tokyo on March 18, 2020, OYO Hotels Japan announced “OYO Ryokan,” a new brand for Japan that follows the ethos of omotenashi--the country’s unique approach to…

In Ancient and Modern Times, Vision and Strategy are Key: Masayoshi Son and "Kingdom" Comic Book Creator in Conversation

SoftBank Academia headmaster Masayoshi Son and Kingdom manga creator Yasuhisa Hara To celebrate its 10th anniversary, on January 15 SoftBank Academia held a special fireside chat event between Masayoshi Son, SoftBank Academia’s headmaster,…

SB Drive’s Self-driving Buses to be First to Operate on Public Roads in Japan

Henri Coron (left), CBDO of NAVYA, Masahiro Hashimoto (center), Mayor of Sakai, the town that will introduce Japan’s first self-driving buses on public roads, and Yuki Saji, (second from right) SB Drive Corp. President & CEO, at press even…

Pepper Raises Plastic Pollution Awareness for Elementary Students

Pepper lectured students about marine pollution at an open classroom event held at Yoshikawa Elementary School in Kameoka City, Japan On November 19, 2019, Pepper —the humanoid robot developed by SoftBank Robotics Corp.— taught elementary …

Trains, Boats and Automobiles: MONET Participates in Tokyo’s MaaS Trial

From January 14 to 17, 2020, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government conducted a test trial for multi-modal commuting in Tokyo Bay. MONET Technologies, a SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and Toyota Motor Corporation joint venture developing on-deman…

Bringing AI and IoT Solutions to Make Indonesia's “Lippo Village” a Model Smart City in Southeast Asia

Lippo Karawaci CEO John Riady and SoftBank Corp. Vice President and Head of Global Business Strategy Hidebumi Kitahara announce their cooperation in Jakarta PT Lippo Karawaci Tbk, the largest listed property company in Indonesia, and SoftB…

Teaming with the University of Tokyo to Create an AI Research and Business Ecosystem in Japan

From left: SoftBank Corp.'s Representative Director & CTO Junichi Miyakawa and Chairman Masayoshi Son, The University of Tokyo's President Makoto Gonokami and Executive Vice President Teruo Fujii On December 6, 2019, the University of Toky…

Proud to be Recognized by ‘PRIDE Index’ as LGBT-friendly Workplace

Photo of the award ceremony For the third year in a row, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) was awarded a gold rating--the highest ranking-- in the ‘PRIDE Index’ for its LGBT-friendly workplace policies. A conference was held on October 11, 2019…

SoftBank Signs First-round NBA Draft Pick Rui Hachimura to Promote 5G Services

SoftBank Corp. Representative Director & COO Jun Shimba welcomes Rui Hachimura as SoftBank’s new 5G ambassador On August 7, 2019, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO:9434) held a pep rally at its Tokyo headquarters to show support for the Japan men’s ba…

Creating a Future That Others Can't Imitate: SoftBank Corp. Briefs on Q1 FY2019 Earnings

On August 5, 2019, SoftBank Corp. held its earnings results conference for the first quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020. President & CEO Ken Miyauchi discussed financial highlights, including the impact of consolidating Yahoo…

SoftBank World 2019 Event Envisions a Digital Japan

On July 18 and 19, SoftBank World 2019 showcased presentations from about 80 IT industry leaders along with 86 exhibits from companies with leading-edge technologies and solutions. The annual event held by SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO:9434) and i…

“Smartphones Offer Unlimited Possibilities”: SoftBank Corp. CEO at First Shareholder Meeting Since Listing

On June 24, 2019, SoftBank Corp. held its first Annual General Meeting of Shareholders since listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on December 19, 2018. In front of approximately 1,500 shareholders at the Makuhari Event Hall, located east of…