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Takahiko Hyuga
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 28, 2022
SoftBank’s Vision Fund devotes more of its cash to Japan for first time
The newfound interest comes after years of criticism in Japan of an unprecedented investment spree that's bankrolled high-profile startups elsewhere.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Apr 10, 2022
Maker of ¥77.7 million flying motorbike prepares for Japan IPO
The single-person flying transporter can hit a max speed of 80 kilometers per hour and travel up to 40 minutes per charge.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Mar 10, 2022
SoftBank unit plans NFT mall to grow global presence
Z Holdings, which makes the bulk of its revenue through mobile ads and spending, plans to expand by tapping a five-year budget of roughly u00a5500 billion for growth initiatives.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 24, 2022
SoftBank to expand Vision Fund team for more Japan investment
To date only two of Masayoshi Son's investments have been in domestic startups.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 6, 2021
SoftBank slumps 9% after week of bad portfolio news
Shares fell to u00a55,057 — the biggest intraday drop since March 2020 and part of its worst annual decline since 2006.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 25, 2021
SoftBank’s Masayoshi Son bets on narcolepsy drug for sleep-deprived Japan
The proportion of people sleeping less than the recommended eight hours is rising globally, and costs Japan as much as $138 billion in economic losses each year, according to Rand Corp.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Oct 31, 2021
A $2 billion Japanese startup aims to fix polarized news via an algorithm
SmartNews, which uses an algorithm to provide what it says is an unbiased, nonpartisan mix of information, is one of Japan's most valuable startups.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 30, 2021
NASA taps Kyoto startup to make maps of the wind for drones
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is turning to a Japanese startup for help in creating maps of the wind.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 19, 2021
SoftBank’s Vision Fund creates post to focus on Japan startups
Masayoshi Son's Vision Fund has poured billions into startups around the world, but so far it has made zero investments in his home country of Japan.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 11, 2021
Masayoshi Son to make personal investments with SoftBank’s Vision Fund
Business leaders don't usually mix personal interests with corporate responsibilities in order to avoid conflicts of interest, especially when there are public shareholders.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jun 29, 2021
SoftBank pulls the plug on its flagship Pepper 'humanoid' robot
The u00a5198,000 robot was a project Masayoshi Son once personally championed as a symbol of his conglomerate's ambitions in AI and technology.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 26, 2021
SoftBank-backed Jellysmack eyes global expansion and acquisitions
The New-York based company helps online content creators and brands promote their offerings across platforms like Instagram and YouTube, taking a share of revenue in return.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
May 13, 2021
SoftBank tumbles after record profit fails to impress
Investors are skittish about whether SoftBank will keep buying back its own stock after completing a u00a52.5 trillion allotment for repurchases.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jan 13, 2021
SoftBank sells $2 billion in Uber stock as services recover
Uber's food delivery business has surged during the pandemic, making up for losses suffered by its ride-hailing service.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 19, 2020
SoftBank hits 20-year high as investors embrace defensive stance
The Tokyo-based company's stock gained more than 3% to u00a57,244, the highest level since March of 2000 in the midst of the dot-com boom.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Oct 15, 2020
SoftBank to combine frenzy of SPACs with CEO’s eccentric vision
For Masayoshi Son, creating such a vehicle may give him a new way to invest in nascent companies while tapping the surging public markets for money.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 25, 2020
Masayoshi Son cuts SoftBank shares pledged to lenders by $810 million
Son trimmed his committed shares by about 14 million to 213 million, according to regulatory filings.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Sep 8, 2020
SoftBank’s big options bet tests investors' faith in Masayoshi Son
The firm's position has injected a jolt of uncertainty into the market, with questions about exposure and plans for future trading.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Aug 19, 2020
SoftBank to dispatch executives to help stricken Oyo
Cuts in Japan by the online hotel operator come as it adapts to a much smaller tourism industry in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Jul 13, 2020
After 133% rally, SoftBank investors bet there’s more to come
Founder Masayoshi Son has made a career out of confounding his doubters, and analysts see plenty of upside to his company's share price despite all its recent troubles.

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