Tag - softbank

 
 

SOFTBANK

Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 13, 2020
SoftBank's Masayoshi Son considers new type of fund for startup investing
SoftBank Group Corp. founder Masayoshi Son said he is considering a new type of fund for startup investing, showing his determination to keep cutting deals after missteps with WeWork and several other companies.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 11, 2020
Russian diplomat suspected in stolen SoftBank intellectual property case leaves Japan
A Russian diplomat suspected of illegally obtaining proprietary information belonging to SoftBank Corp. left Japan for Russia on Monday, investigative sources said.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 11, 2020
Paul Singer versus Masayoshi Son: Billionaires playing nice — for now
Paul Singer earned his reputation as a take-no-prisoners brawler by challenging the interests of Argentina's government and South Korea's family businesses. With his latest investment, though, the American activist investor appears to be taking a more collaborative approach.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Feb 5, 2020
Top U.S. partner at SoftBank's $100 billion Vision Fund is leaving
A top U.S. partner at SoftBank Group's technology fund is stepping down after the company posted declining returns on its investments and struggled to raise capital for the next Vision Fund.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Jan 28, 2020
X Japan's Yoshiki investing in cloud computing firm Uhuru, source says
Rock star Yoshiki and software giant Salesforce.com Inc. are backing cloud consulting firm Uhuru Corp. in its next fundraising round, according to a source familiar with the plans.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 27, 2020
Ex-SoftBank worker thought Russians he passed info to 'might be spies,' sources say
A former SoftBank Corp. employee arrested on suspicion of illegally obtaining trade secrets of the major Japanese mobile phone carrier was repeatedly wined and dined by a male diplomat stationed at the office of Russia's trade representative in Japan, it was learned Sunday.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Crime & Legal
Jan 23, 2020
Tokyo court orders Softbank to hand over phone number of commenter who defamed firm
In a rare ruling, a court has ordered mobile service provider SoftBank Corp. to disclose the phone number of an individual who posted defamatory comments online about a real estate company in Tokyo, a lawyer said Thursday.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Jan 13, 2020
Former Zozo fashion retailer Yusaku Maezawa seeks girlfriend for 2023 SpaceX voyage
Call it "The Bachelor: Lunar Edition."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 27, 2019
Uniqlo founder Tadashi Yanai, one of the few directors to stand up to Masayoshi Son, exits SoftBank board
Fast Retailing Co. Chief Executive Officer Tadashi Yanai is leaving SoftBank Group Corp.'s board after more than 18 years as one of the few directors with the heft to challenge Masayoshi Son.
Japan Times
BASEBALL / Japanese Baseball
Dec 26, 2019
Hawks sign former MLB pitcher Matt Moore
The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks announced the signing of former big-league pitcher Matt Moore on Thursday.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / Japan
Dec 25, 2019
Masayoshi Son: Tech visionary or robber baron?
We're coming to realize that the SoftBank founder is less a business guru than a 19th-century capitalist.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 24, 2019
WeWork bailout stalls as Japan banks balk at lending Softbank $3 billion
SoftBank Group Corp.'s talks to secure $3 billion (about ¥328 billion) from the nation's three biggest banks have stalled as the lenders have hit internal lending limits to the firm, two people said, complicating a $9.5 billion rescue package for WeWork.
Japan Times
BUSINESS
Dec 16, 2019
Masayoshi Son's bankers worried about their favorite client
Masayoshi Son's bankers are taking a hard look at their most important client.
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 13, 2019
SoftBank-backed OneConnect sees valuation tumble in U.S. IPO
Ping An Insurance Co.'s OneConnect Financial Technology said Thursday it raised around $312 million in its U.S. initial public offering, valuing the company at around $3.7 billion.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 9, 2019
SoftBank will have 'last laugh' on WeWork deal, analyst predicts
SoftBank Group Corp.'s massive investment in WeWork triggered a multibillion-dollar write-down and a rare apology from founder Masayoshi Son. But one analyst argues the deal is likely to work in the end and SoftBank will have the "last laugh."
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 9, 2019
SoftBank's new tech fund to fall shy of target, Telegraph reports
SoftBank Group Corp. has scaled back ambitions for its second Vision Fund after the failure of big bets, including WeWork, by its first fund rattled partners such as Saudi Arabia, according to the Sunday Telegraph.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Dec 6, 2019
SoftBank and University of Tokyo to open business-oriented AI research centers
SoftBank Corp. and the University of Tokyo have agreed to open artificial-intelligence centers staffed with specialists from the university and around the world, to swiftly turn research into profitable business ventures so Japan can keep up with the U.S. and China.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Dec 2, 2019
SoftBank's startup bookkeeping draws scrutiny after WeWork fiasco
In early 2018, the founders of Chinese artificial intelligence startup SenseTime Group Ltd. flew to Tokyo to see billionaire investor Masayoshi Son. As they entered the offices, Chief Executive Officer Xu Li was hoping to persuade the head of SoftBank Group Corp. to invest $200 million in his three-year-old...
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Tech
Nov 26, 2019
KDDI and Facebook to jointly develop 5G services in Japan
KDDI Corp. and social media giant Facebook Inc. will jointly develop services to be provided through a 5G network in Japan, according to informed sources.
Japan Times
BUSINESS / Companies
Nov 26, 2019
SoftBank launches $3 billion tender offer for WeWork shares
WeWork parent We Co. agreed to the Japanese conglomerate's tender offer, one element of a $9.5 billion rescue package for the ailing office-sharing company, last month.

Longform

Traditional folk rituals like Mizudome-no-mai (dance to stop the rain) provide a sense of agency to a population that feels largely powerless in the face of the climate crisis.
As climate extremes intensify, Japan embraces ancient weather rituals