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Takahiko Hyuga
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Mar 31, 2023
Japan tightens chip gear exports as U.S. seeks to contain China
Tokyo’s move follows months of lobbying by the U.S. to get Japan to join it in tightening shipments of semiconductor tools to China.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 7, 2023
SoftBank Vision Fund loses ¥660 billion as tech slump persists
A collapse in valuations last year has pummeled the global tech investor, which holds stakes in hundreds of startups.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 6, 2023
As tech slumps, SoftBank's Son spooks investors with plan to skip earnings call
The founder and chief executive of the world’s largest tech investor is bidding farewell to the presentations he’s led for decades, saying he would focus on taking chip designer Arm public.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 8, 2022
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son quietly lifts stake to 34%, edging toward buyout
The billionaire now owns more than a third of the company he founded, after aggressive buybacks in the last two months.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 18, 2022
Masayoshi Son now owes SoftBank $4.7 billion on side deals
Over the years, Son's controversial personal stakes in SoftBank's investments drew fire from investors, who saw the mix of personal and company interests as a corporate governance concern.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Nov 16, 2022
Japan’s wave of tourists sends hotels and taxis hunting for staff
To a certain extent, Japan's struggles mirror what the United States and Europe saw over the summer.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 11, 2022
SoftBank’s quiet finance chief Yoshimitsu Goto to take Son’s place in spotlight
Goto will likely lead earnings briefings in the future to give Son more time to focus on chip design unit Arm's planned initial public offering and other priorities, the firm said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 9, 2022
SoftBank buyback spree sparks speculation that Masayoshi Son plans buyout
SoftBank Group has accelerated the pace of its share buybacks, reigniting speculation that founder Masayoshi Son is laying the groundwork to take the company private.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 1, 2022
This Japanese startup wants to become the moon’s very own FedEx
Ispace is looking to earn money by ferrying scientific equipment and commercial goods to the moon.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Sep 23, 2022
ANA to increase international flights as Japan's borders fully reopen
COVID-19 hit Japan's tourism industry hard — there were only about 246,000 foreign visitors last year, compared with a record 31.9 million in 2019.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 16, 2022
Banker who brought Goldman clout to SoftBank starts venture bets
Before his abrupt departure from SoftBank Group last year, Katsunori Sago was seen as a potential successor to Masayoshi Son. He's now charting his own course in startup investments.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Markets
Aug 23, 2022
Popular manga app seeks 2023 IPO in Tokyo at $6 billion value
Piccoma raised u00a560 billion last year from investors, and the startup hopes its profitability will attract more investors at its IPO.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 8, 2022
SoftBank CEO pledges sweeping cost cuts after $23.4 billion loss
Low tech valuations have been draining SoftBank's ability to turn public listings of its portfolio companies into liquidity to fuel further big bets.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 15, 2022
SoftBank-backed cancer detection startup may go public as soon as 2023
AI Medical Service Inc. develops software to scan endoscopy images and identify potential cancers.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 23, 2022
SoftBank’s Son faces shareholders shaken by ¥4.6 trillion loss
With SoftBank's own financial health on the line, shareholder confidence is near a breaking point, some analysts have said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 22, 2022
SoftBank Group International CEO to leave after five months on job
The exit of Michel Combes, who will close a five-year career at SoftBank, adds to a string of key departures in recent months.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 21, 2022
Thai market helps mobile payments firm join list of unicorns in Japan
Mobile payment gateway provider Opn Co. owes much of its success to its early entry into the Thai market in 2013.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 17, 2022
NTT Data and Toyota to tap overseas startups for joint effort on connected cars
Japanese carmakers have been ramping up efforts to develop electric vehicles and connected cars, which can communicate with each other and outside networks to improve features.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 11, 2022
SoftBank faces record loss as Masayoshi Son’s bets tumble again
The world's largest tech fund is estimated to have lost about $18.6 billion on its public portfolio alone during the quarter that ended March 31.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Apr 28, 2022
As sinking yen causes pain for many, SoftBank and game-makers are rare beneficiaries
Game publishers such as Nintendo and Capcom create software in Japan, meaning the bulk of their costs are in yen, while a large portion of their sales come from overseas.

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