Sustainability

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. 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 …

SoftBank Corp. Ranked in Top 10% for S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) was selected for inclusion in the top 10% of companies worldwide in S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024. On April 9, 2024, the research and rating firm hosted an award ceremony in Tokyo where SoftBank rec…

SoftBank Corp. Switching from Retail Bags with Plastic Coating to New Ones with 100% Recycled Paper

Since 2010, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been using high-quality paper shopping bags with a plastic finish at its ‘SoftBank’ stores and other retail outlets. The luxurious white bags displaying the ‘SoftBank’ logo have been a common si…

SDGs Actions: Providing Connectivity from the Sky to Enhance Education in Africa

As a company that provides telecommunications and IT services as its main business, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) believes that contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) not only helps solve social issues in various situation…

How AI-RAN Can Transform the Telecommunications Industry in the AI Era

The formation of the AI-RAN Alliance, a new collaborative initiative aimed at integrating AI into cellular technology to further advance radio access network (RAN) technology and mobile networks, was one of the top stories of Mobile World …

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…

Institute for AI and Beyond Leads Discussions at AI House Davos During the World Economic Forum

2024’s World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting was held from January 15-19 in Davos, Switzerland, and this year’s program featured AI House Davos, a new initiative that brought leaders in industry, civil society, government, the investin…

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…

Harnessing AI to Transform Wireless: Industry Leaders Form AI-RAN Alliance

How can AI innovations be utilized to advance the telecommunications industry, and society at large? To address this challenge, leading technology, industry, and academic institutions came together at Mobile World Congress Barcelona on Feb…

Sit Down but Don’t Pedal: A New Mobility Option Comes to Japan

With its extensive network of rail lines, trams, monorails and buses, Japan is well known for having a wide array of public transportation choices. There is still room for improvement, however, and new and complementary mobility options to…

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. Leads Global Efforts to Expand Spectrum Crucial to HAPS Services of the Future

From November to December 2023, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s World Radiocommunication Conference 2023 (WRC-23) was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) was there representing Japan, along w…

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…

HAPS Alliance Holds First In-person Only Member Meeting to Accelerate its Mission of Connecting the Unconnected

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), which is developing a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) business to offer telecommunication services from the stratosphere, is also a founding and executive member of the HAPS Alliance, an industry associa…

How SoftBank Corp. is Enabling Safe Truck and Bus Platooning with 5G

In its research and development efforts to realize next-generation networks, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been actively researching Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) technologies and working to implement them, as evidenced by a Bus Rapid Transi…

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.’s HAPS Technologies Showcased at UN-hosted Internet Governance Forum Kyoto 2023

From October 8th to 12th, 2023, Internet Governance Forum Kyoto 2023 (IGF Kyoto 2023), the latest in a series of yearly forums hosted by the United Nations, which brings together a wide range of stakeholders to engage in dialogue on all is…

“Smart Fleet” Vehicle Management Service Utilizes Technology to Prevent Drinking and Driving

It’s a sad fact that people still operate vehicles while intoxicated, and this continues to bring disastrous results for motorists and pedestrians. Japan is also grappling with this problem, and in an effort to prevent accidents, new legis…

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…

5G and Autonomous Driving Technologies to Power Japan’s First Bus Platooning Trial on Public Roads

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a public transportation system designed to provide a high-capacity bus service that combines the speed and reliability of rail systems at much lower costs. With these advantages, BRT systems are seeing increased …

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. …

Unlocking Urban Innovation: 'Smart City Takeshiba' Project Revolutionizing Takeshiba District with Real-time Data

As cities become increasingly digitized, innovative technologies are making daily life more convenient than ever before. Smart Cities are driving this trend by leveraging AI, sensor networks and other advanced technologies to improve energ…

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. Launches Private 5G Service that’s Custom-built for Enterprises

Approximately three years after it began offering commercial 5G services to consumers, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) launched its “Private 5G” service for enterprises in Japan on March 29, 2023. SoftBank’s Private 5G is a managed service th…

Trapped by an Earthquake, Saved by a Drone. Demonstration Shows How it Can be Done

In partnership with the Tokyo Institute of Technology, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been researching and developing drone systems to locate people lost in the mountains or buried under rubble caused by natural disasters like earthquake…

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 …

32 Companies and Organizations from 10 Countries Attend HAPS Alliance’s First In-person Meeting to Further Foster an Ecosystem that Connects the Unconnected

SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) and its subsidiary HAPSMobile—which are both developing a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) business to offer telecommunication services from the stratosphere—are also founding members of the HAPS Alliance,…

Bringing Meaningful DX to Companies in Japan: Interview with INCUDATA’s President

Digital Transformation (DX) is a term that continues to gain traction in the business world. While more companies are setting goals to promote DX so they can enhance their competitiveness, many companies are still finding it difficult to i…

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. Helps Kyoto Prefecture’s Kameoka City Utilize IoT to Realize its Goal of Eliminating Litter

Kameoka City, located in Japan’s Kyoto Prefecture and about 20 minutes away from Kyoto Station by rapid train, is a municipality rich in history and natural beauty. The City is also a pioneer in safeguarding the environment. In 2012, it wa…

SoftBank Corp. and Mapbox Japan Bring AI-powered Coaching and 3D Maps to “Tour de Tohoku 2022,” a Bicycle Event to Support Earthquake Recovery Efforts

On September 18, 2022, Yahoo Japan Corporation, a SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) group company, and Kahoku Shimpo Publishing Co., the Sendai-based publisher of a major newspaper in Japan’s Tohoku region, held Tour de Tohoku 2022, a bicycle e…

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…

One Step Closer to Commercializing Sky-based Connectivity: SoftBank Corp. Successfully Conducts Test with Tethered Balloon Base Station

What’s this floating object in the sky? It’s a tethered balloon equipped with a base station. To commercialize the stratospheric-based telecommunications platform called “HAPS” (High Altitude Platform Station), SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434)…

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. 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…

New Video Shows Actions SoftBank Corp. is Taking to Achieve the SDGs

September 17 to 26, 2021 is Global Goals Week, an annual week of action, awareness, and accountability for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434), achieving the SDGs is a top management p…

SoftBank Corp.’s LGBTQ Inclusion Initatives Awarded Highest Rating for Fourth Year in a Row

A central tenet of SoftBank Corp.’s (TOKYO: 9434) human resource policy is “creating a strong organization by combining the capabilities of diverse individuals.” With the belief that the promotion of diversity is key to company growth, Sof…

Crosstalk: Taking a Business-based Approach to Sustainability

In May 2020, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) announced it was making the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) a top managerial priority. To learn more about how SoftBank’s business activities are contributin…