THE SUCCESS 100 · ANNUAL HONOURSRECOGNITION / LEADERSHIP / ACHIEVEMENT
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Masayoshi Son

Masayoshi Son

Founder of SoftBank Group

Company
SoftBank Group
Business roots
Japan
Industry
Technology and investment

Masayoshi Son founded the business that became SoftBank Group in 1981. His company-building history spans internet services, telecommunications and technology investment, with later chapters involving Vodafone Japan and Arm.

Masayoshi Son founded Nihon SoftBank, now SoftBank Group, in September 1981. The company’s account of his career traces its development across internet businesses, telecommunications and investment, including involvement with Alibaba and the creation of the SoftBank Vision Fund.

Several appointments mark that expansion. In April 2006, Son became chairman, president and chief executive of Vodafone K.K., the Japanese business now known as SoftBank Corp. In September 2016, he became chairman and an executive director of ARM Holdings. These historical roles place his entrepreneurial work across different parts of the technology industry, and illustrate the range of businesses within his company-building career.

Milestones

  • September 1981 - Founded Nihon SoftBank.
  • April 2006 - Took leadership roles at Vodafone K.K.
  • September 2016 - Became chairman and an executive director of ARM Holdings.

Sources