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Building a Japanese-based LLM for the Next Leap: Message from Head of Homegrown Generative AI Development in SoftBank Corp. Integrated Report 2024

The English edition of SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) Integrated Report for 2024, published on October 31, 2024, is a comprehensive report that not only covers SoftBank’s financial information for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (FY20…

Establishing Effective Corporate Governance: Lead Independent External Director’s Message in SoftBank Corp. Integrated Report 2024

The English edition of SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) Integrated Report for 2024, published on October 31, 2024, is a comprehensive report that not only covers SoftBank’s financial information for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (FY20…

Video: How SoftBank Corp. is Pioneering AI-RAN to Support a Society that Coexists with AI

Anticipating an era where AI-based services are ubiquitous in daily life, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is advancing initiatives to deploy distributed AI computing infrastructure across Japan while seeking an optimal balance between central…

SoftBank Corp. Develops Multimodal AI to Help Autonomous Vehicles Navigate Traffic Safely

In Japan, traffic regulations stipulate that when a vehicle approaches an unsignalized crosswalk with a vehicle stopped in front of it, the driver needs to come to a complete stop before proceeding. This presents a challenge to human opera…

SoftBank Corp. Recognized as Company of the Year by Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce for Cubic Telecom Partnership

Damien Cole, Ambassador of Ireland to Japan (center), and Yoshihiro Tsuchiya, Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce (IJCC) President (left), present the IJCC Company of the Year Award to Takuo Obayashi, Director of SoftBank Corp.’s Cubic Telec…

Achieving Medium-term Management Plan While Balancing Growth Investments: SoftBank Corp. Integrated Report 2024 CFO Message

The English edition of SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) Integrated Report for 2024, published on October 31, 2024, is a comprehensive report that not only covers SoftBank’s financial information for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (FY20…

SoftBank Corp. Announces Development of New Technologies and Collaborations for AI-RAN

After first announcing its “AI-RAN” concept in 2023 as a foundation for next-generation mobile networks to support a society that coexists with AI, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has made significant progress in bringing its vision to realit…

Aichi Prefecture’s Startup Hub “STATION Ai” Celebrates Grand Opening

SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) “STATION Ai,” a startup support hub based in the city of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, Japan’s industrial heartland, officially opened its doors on October 1, 2024. Since then new member companies have been suc…

SoftBank Corp. Q2 FY2024 Earnings: Full-year Forecasts Revised Upward, Revenue and Profit Increase

On November 8, 2024, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the second quarter (Q2) and first half (H1) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (FY2024). At the press conference held i…

How Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) Technology Can Help Meet the Demands of the 6G Era

Looking beyond 5G to the 6G era, there will likely be greater demand for communication with and between objects – not to mention more communication between people – and this will lead to an increase in mobile communication traffic. To acco…

Evolving into a Technology Company Supporting a Society that Coexists with AI: SoftBank Corp. Integrated Report 2024 CEO Message

The English edition of SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) Integrated Report for 2024, published on October 31, 2024, is a comprehensive report that not only covers SoftBank’s financial information for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 (FY20…

SoftBank Corp. Further Strengthens its AI Computing Platform by Installing Approximately 4,000 NVIDIA Hopper GPUs

To enable a society that co-exists with AI, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is continuing to make progress on its goal to build and provide different types of AI infrastructure in Japan. On October 31, SoftBank announced it finished installin…

Planning to Visit Tokyo on a Budget? Three Hotels that Won’t Break the Bank

Well known for its unique blend of modern and traditional cultural experiences, excellent cuisine, efficient transportation and safety and cleanliness, not to mention its relatively low costs compared to other major world centers like New …

SDGs Actions: Aiming to Realize a Supply Chain with Net Zero Emissions

As climate change continues to intensify, achieving Net Zero emissions represents not only a goal, but an essential step toward achieving a sustainable future for humanity and the planet. As many companies around the world work to address …

3D without the Glasses? Putting SoftBank Corp.’s “TOBIDERU” to the Test

3D glasses or special goggles typically come to mind when it comes to 3D viewing. SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), however, broke this mold in September 2024 with the launch of a new 3D experience service called “TOBIDERU.” TOBIDERU is unique…

SoftBank Corp.’s Improved Solar-powered HAPS Aircraft Completes Stratospheric Flight

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is actively conducting research and development for its HAPS business to help bridge the digital divide and provide emergency communications during disasters. After first its HAPS business in 2017, SoftBank has…

AI Will Drive Value Creation: SoftBank Corp. President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa at SoftBank World 2024

“It’s no exaggeration to say that AI is the key technology of our time. We’re now at a crossroads on how we can incorporate it to drive growth across industries.” So remarked Junichi Miyakawa, President & CEO of SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434…

Why Terahertz Frequency is Key to 6G

In the field of mobile telecommunications, the first generation (1G) system was introduced in the 1980s. Since then, generations have evolved approximately every 10 years, with 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G using new frequency allocations. Looking ahe…

WeWork Japan to Open New Location in “Akasaka Green Cross,” a Next-generation Office Building in Tokyo

On April 1, 2024, WeWork Japan, a leading flexible office provider in Japan, began anew as a wholly-owned subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434). WeWork Japan (registered under the WWJ Corp. company name) has since continued to focus o…

Enjoy Great Food, Music and Robots at CLUB THE PEPPER, a New Tokyo Nightspot!

Looking for a unique nightlife experience in Tokyo? Located in the heart of Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s top entertainment districts, CLUB THE PEPPER, offers an unforgettable mixture of dining and entertainment with music and dancing robots. Wh…

Bridging the Digital Divide: SoftBank Corp.’s Progress in Developing Key Technologies for HAPS

High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) is an innovative technology that uses uncrewed aircraft positioned in the stratosphere, approximately 20 km above the Earth's surface, to provide stable, high-speed and wide-area connectivity. As a tec…

MONET Technologies to Launch Autonomous Mobility Service in Tokyo Waterfront City

In the latter half of fiscal 2024*, MONET Technologies Inc.—a joint venture with SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), Toyota Motor Corporation and other Japan-based automotive manufacturers—plans to launch an autonomous mobility service that will…

New Service Makes it Possible to Enjoy Smartphone Photos and Videos in 3D with the Naked Eye

Looking for a way to bring photos and videos on your smartphone to life, but are hesitant to use 3D glasses or VR goggles? Starting September 6, 2024, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) will offer a new service in Japan to meet this need. Called…

SoftBank Corp. to Launch Eutelsat OneWeb Satellite Connectivity Services in December 2024

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is aiming to build a “Ubiquitous Network” that combines ground-based terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial network (NTN) solutions, including satellite- and stratospheric HAPS-based platforms, to seamlessly …

SoftBank Corp. Unveils New Uniforms for Crew at ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ Stores

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) unveiled new uniforms to be worn by crew at ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ stores providing communication services. The new uniforms, which will be used across Japan from January 2025, were designed to embody warmth…

Interview with STATION Ai CEO: Building a World-class Startup Ecosystem in Japan’s Manufacturing Heartland

In October 2024, Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture will witness the grand opening of what will be the largest startup support hub in Japan, SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) “STATION Ai.” Positioned as a core facility for the prefecture’s strategy t…

Malaysian Government Delegation Visits SoftBank Corp. Headquarters to Experience Advanced Technologies

On August 7, 2024, a delegation of 13 Malaysian government officials and related personnel, including an Undersecretary at the Ministry of Communications, visited SoftBank's Takeshiba headquarters in Tokyo, where they learned about SoftBan…

Keywords Explained: Nullforming, a Technology that Prevents Radiowave Interference

An advanced antenna technology that suppresses radiowave emissions in a specific direction to prevent interference Technology reduces signal strength in specific directions to boost communication precision Nullforming, also known as nullst…

SoftBank Corp. Engineers Receive Top Honors at 2024 Japan AWS Partner Network Awards

Two employees from SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) received top honors as engineers at companies participating in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network (APN) community. In June 2024, Yoshiyuki Hirao was recognized as one of the “2024 …

SDGs Actions: How Smart Buildings Can Add Value and Reduce CO2 Emissions

Due to the spread of telecommuting and other workstyle changes, what people need from offices and buildings has dramatically changed in recent years. Greater comfort for employees and support for diversified workstyles are some requirement…

Realizing a Safer Society with AI-RAN

Anticipating an era where people coexist with AI, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is advancing initiatives to deploy distributed AI computing infrastructure across Japan. While previously it was common to establish data centers in major urban…

SoftBank Corp. Q1 FY2024 Earnings: Record High Revenue and Operating Income, Increased Net Income

On August 6, 2024, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa presented earnings results for the first quarter (April - June 2024, Q1) of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2025 (FY2024). At the press conference held in To…

How Digital Twin Technology Can be Used to Make Roads Safer

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is envisioning a future where every vehicle is part of a connected network. Before this vision is realized, however, society will need to grapple with the reality of both connected and non-connected vehicles dr…

Tabist Kaihourou Otaru: Historic Inn with Tech Savvy Opens in Port Town of Hokkaido

Following a downturn during the pandemic, Japan’s hotel and tourism industry has seen a rapid recovery of late. Both visitors from abroad and locals have driven demand, with some tourists keen on venturing to Japan’s outlying regions. This…

Cubic Telecom’s View on How Non-terrestrial Networks Will Redefine Vehicle Connectivity

Cubic Telecom, a global leader in software-defined connected vehicle (SDCV) solutions, officially joined SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) group of companies on March 6, 2024. Working with the world’s leading automotive, transportation and ag…

Ensuring Stable Corporate Governance: Video Interview with SoftBank Corp.’s Lead Independent External Director

Atsushi Horiba is Lead Independent External Director at SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and also Chairman and Representative Director & Group CEO at his own company, HORIBA, Ltd., a global provider of precision instruments and systems. He bri…

Japan’s Bike-sharing Leaders Collaborate to Increase Customer Convenience

While Japan is well known for having a wide array of public transportation options with its extensive train and bus network, other modes of mobility like bike sharing have emerged to fill in the “one last mile” gaps. OpenStreet Co., Ltd., …

Keywords Explained: How is ASI Different from AGI?

As technology advances, AI is increasingly becoming part of our daily lives. While many are familiar with AI in the traditional sense, newer terms like AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and ASI (Artificial Superintelligence) are enteri…

2024 as the First Year of 6G: How SoftBank Corp. is Getting Ready for a New Era

Following full-fledged commercial rollouts around the world, 5G brought ultra-high speeds, ultra-low latency and massive simultaneous connections to the masses. 6G is expected to bring even more wireless communication advancements and inno…

Top League of Legends Esports Player Evi Seeks World Domination with Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS Gaming Team

League of Legends (LoL) is a multiplayer online video game that boasts over 100 million users worldwide. First developed by the US game company Riot Games in 2009, LoL is a quintessential title for esports that sees major competitions arou…

Level 4 Autonomous Bus Service to Start Near Haneda Airport

Kajima Corporation and BOLDLY Inc., an autonomous driving systems development and service subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), have been conducting Level 2 autonomous driving bus operations – which sees hands-free driving under cert…

SoftBank Corp. and University of Miyazaki Develop Power Generation Simulation for Solar-powered HAPS

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is developing an uncrewed solar-powered aircraft for High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) stratospheric-based wireless communication systems. Unlike a satellite, it requires energy to maintain a consistent alt…

SoftBank Corp.’s 38th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders: Investing in AI for Future Business Growth

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) held its 38th Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM) on June 20, 2024, at Tokyo Garden Theater in the Ariake area of Tokyo. President & CEO Junichi Miyakawa chaired the meeting, and after reviewing SoftBa…

SoftBank Corp. Teams Up with Perplexity to Bring its Premium AI Answer Engine to Customers in Japan

To enable a society that coexists with AI, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) is building out next-generation social infrastructure such as generative AI computing platforms and AI data centers, and developing homegrown large language models (LL…

SoftBank Corp. Testing Terahertz Frequency to Realize Ultra-high Communication Speeds in 6G Era

While it has been about four years since SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) launched commercial 5G services, SoftBank and the telecommunications industry are already looking ahead to 6G, a mobile communications technology expected to see commerc…

SoftBank Corp. Developing AI-powered “Emotion Canceling” Solution to Protect Workers From “Customer Harassment”

While Japan’s service sector is widely lauded for its high standards of politeness, punctuality, efficiency and attention to detail, one issue front-line workers are contending with is “customer harassment” in which retail workers or call …

From Poppy Seeds to Sweet Red Beans: 5 of the Best Bagel Shops in Tokyo

For foodies seeking some good eats in Tokyo, sushi or ramen might immediately spring to mind, but a range of other culinary delights are on offer. Japan’s gastronomic capital has been experiencing a bakery boom of late, and bagel shops – s…

Quantum Computers: Challenges, Initiatives, and Prospects

Quantum computers, with their computational capabilities that have the potential to far surpass what traditional computers can achieve, are at the vanguard of information technology. Given their potential, quantum computers could profoundl…

Revolutionizing Baseball Viewing with AR Glasses

From April 3 to 4, 2024, a pioneering trial took place at Fukuoka PayPay Dome (now MIZUHO PayPay Dome FUKUOKA) to demonstrate a new way to experience baseball game viewing with augmented reality (AR). Get a first hand look at how this adva…

An Engineer's Rise to the Rank of AWS Jr. Champion with 12 AWS Certifications

Ginga Miyata, an engineer at SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), was selected for the 2023 Japan AWS Jr. Champions, a program that chooses young engineers in their first to third working year who have demonstrated a certain degree of technical s…