On December 19, 2018, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) debuted on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
At a press conference following the listing ceremony, Ken Miyauchi, President & CEO at the time and now Chairman, spoke enthusiastically about how SoftBank would develop advanced business models taken from around the world as part of its "Beyond Carrier” strategy to expand beyond its mainstay telecommunication business.
Much has happened in the three years since SoftBank’s historic listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Here is a recap of some key events.
HAPS business unveiled (April 2019)
SoftBank unveiled a solar-powered unmanned aircraft system to be used as a stratospheric telecommunications platform flying 20 kilometers above the ground. Flight and communication tests, R&D and regulatory advocacy have been conducted since then in preparation for the launch of a commercial business.
Opening of Beyond AI Institute (December 2019)
Together with the University of Tokyo, SoftBank began conducting fundamental research for key AI technology while incorporating research from other academic fields.
New work style introduced (June 2020)
To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, a work-from-home policy was implemented in February 2020. SoftBank then set an office occupancy goal of 50% or under, with the aim of maximizing individual and organizational productivity while ensuring employee safety.
Move to new Headquarters in Takeshiba completed (January 2021)
SoftBank finished its move to a new head office located at Tokyo Port City Takeshiba, a state-of-the-art smart building equipped with advanced technologies such as gates automated by face recognition and the AI-powered cleaning robot Whiz. The spacious office interior is enhancing productivity, creativity and collaboration.
Z Holdings and LINE complete business integration (March 2021)
Z Holdings, owner of Yahoo Japan and a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp., and LINE integrated their business operations. At a press conference, the two Co-CEOs pledged to apply their combined data and AI technologies to generate synergies with the aim of making customers’ lives more convenient.
Launched online exclusive mobile brand "LINEMO" (March 2021)
In addition to offering LINE GIGAFREE, which allows unlimited use of the LINE app without using up data allowances, LINEMO was launched in March 2021 as a new mobile brand that lets customers complete all contract and service procedures online.
Junichi Miyakawa becomes President & CEO (April 2021)
Former CTO and SoftBank veteran Junichi Miyakawa took the post of President & CEO. Upon taking the position Miyakawa pledged to accelerate AI-related initiatives and make SoftBank a "comprehensive digital platformer.”
Capital and business alliance with Axiata Group company ADA (May 2021)
SoftBank announced a capital and business alliance with ADA, a member of the Axiata Group, one of Asia's largest telecom operators. At the financial results briefing for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2021, CEO Miyakawa explained the collaboration will bring SoftBank’s digital marketing solutions into the Southeast Asian market.
In line with its Beyond Carrier strategy, over the past three years SoftBank took up numerous challenges in new business fields. Some of these include the launch of the HELPO healthcare app that enables chat-based remote health consultations, drone delivery trials and self-driving bus services.
Three years on from its public listing, SoftBank will continue to strive to be the technology company most needed by society.
(Posted on December 17, 2021)
by SoftBank News Editors
