SoftBank Group History

While studying in the U.S., Masayoshi Son came across a striking picture of a microchip on a science magazine, which convinced him that the age of personal computers was coming. He moved on to launch the very first business to distribute PC software throughout Japan. He named his company SOFTBANK Corp. Japan (current SoftBank Group Corp.) ―a software bank that would serve as the infrastructure of the new information society to be built in Japan.

As PCs became more popular in Japan, SOFTBANK Corp. Japan launched Oh! PC and Oh! MZ in May 1982. Those monthly magazines targeted exclusively manufacturers and engineers, a stark contrast to the general PC magazines that were dominant in the industry at the time. The unique style of SoftBank’s magazines gained much public attention.

Aiming to transform into a global company, SOFTBANK Corp. Japan changed its name to SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) in July 1990. During this period, SoftBank brought new services to Japan from the U.S. As a part of it, SoftBank Holdings Inc. was established in the U.S. to identify investment opportunities in promising Internet-related companies.

SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) registered with the Japan Securities Dealers Association and began offering shares publicly on the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Using the 20 billion yen raised from this offering, SoftBank began considering a large-scale acquisition.

Following the launch of OTC trading in July 1994, SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) acquired a computer trade show operator and a publisher in the U.S.
Masayoshi Son describes the acquisition as a way to “get a map and a compass” for a voyage into the center of information technology. The acquisition of Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., a publishing division of Ziff Communications Company, helped discover embryonic Yahoo! Inc. in the U.S.

To launch a full-scale Internet business in Japan, SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) established Yahoo Japan Corporation through joint investment with Yahoo! Inc. in the U.S., after taking a stake in it in November 1995.
1996 was a remarkable year for SoftBank as the company moved to launch an increasing number of several Internet-related businesses and subsidiaries.

The company demerged its divisions into separate companies to become a pure holding company in the following year, creating a new operating structure with increased business mobility.

The two companies, current Alibaba Group Holding Limited and SoftBank Group Corp., built a close relationship through business partnerships, joint ventures, joint investments, and other collaborations.

Aiming to provide cheaper and faster access to the Internet in Japan, SoftBank launched Yahoo! BB, a comprehensive broadband commercial service using ADSL, in September 2001. The service was widely accepted with the name Yahoo! BB, offering twice the speed and about half the price of competitors’ offerings.

In addition to its fast-growing broadband service, SoftBank evolves into a telecommunications organization operating on fixed-line telecommunications networks and data communication services for corporate use, by acquiring 100% ownership of JAPAN TELECOM CO., LTD. (current SoftBank Corp.).

The SoftBank Group introduces a new brand symbol comprised of double lines, based on the banner of Kaientai, a company led by Ryoma Sakamoto. The company later changed its brand color to shining silver.
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Following the completion of the transactions to acquire Fukuoka Daiei HAWKS, Fukuoka SoftBank HAWKS was born. With this entry into professional baseball, SoftBank’s profile rose significantly as the team’s owner company. Its corporate reputation and brand recognition were also enhanced.

Believing in the arrival of the mobile Internet age, SoftBank intended to build a mobile communications business from scratch. But it had the opportunity to acquire Vodafone K.K.’s shares and entered mobile communications, which it rebranded as SoftBank　Mobile Corp. (current SoftBank Corp.) in October 2006.

SoftBank Mobile Corp. (current SoftBank Corp.) expanded its customer base through affordable and revolutionary mobile plans, further strengthened network and a wide variety of device choices. As the exclusive provider of iPhone 3G in Japan, the company released the device on July 11, 2008. People queued in front of SoftBank shops throughout Japan.

As SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) entered its 30th year, the company asked for suggestions and ideas on its goals, from within and outside the company. When SoftBank unveiled its vision for the next 30 years, the SoftBank Group reconfirmed its aim: to become the most needed company from people around the world.
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After experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, Masayoshi Son had come to see the need for new energy that is safe and sustainable. In October 2011, SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) created SB Energy Corp. to promote the increased adoption of renewable energy and expanding business within and beyond Japan.

Upon acquiring 100％ ownership of the Sprint Nextel Corporation (current Sprint Corporation), the SoftBank Group became a telecommunications company with one of the largest customer base in the U.S. and Japan.

SoftBank Corp. (current SoftBank Group Corp.) acquired Brightstar Corp., a mobile device distributor, as a subsidiary.

SoftBank Mobile Corp. (current SoftBank Corp.) and ALDEBARAN Robotics SAS (current SoftBank Robotics Europe SAS) announced Pepper – the world's first humanoid robot that can recognize human faces and emotions.

SoftBank Corp. changed its company name to SoftBank Group Corp. to clearly identify its role as a holding company driving future global development.

The Internet of Things promised a dramatic increase in devices connecting to the Internet. Its acquisition of Arm, a leader in semiconductor technologies, would help the company play a central role in the SoftBank Group’s strategy.

SoftBank Vision Fund is established to invest in companies with the potential to bring about the AI revolution. The fund aims to energetically drive the next stage of the Information Revolution forward by investing in innovative technologies and entrepreneurs that promise to shape the future.

To further promote the smart robotics technology, SoftBank Group Corp. announced the acquisition of the robotics pioneer.

SoftBank Group Corp. completes acquisition of Fortress, a leading, highly diversified global investment firm.

The listing of SoftBank Corp. shares clarified the roles of SoftBank Group Corp., the global investment company, and SoftBank Corp., its Japan-based telecommunications business.

SoftBank Group Corp. aims to drive the innovation through technologies in fast-growing Latin American countries.

The objective of the fund is to facilitate the continued acceleration of the AI revolution through investment in market-leading, tech-enabled growth companies.