SoftBank Group History
Evolving Ahead of the Times
Under Our Unchanging 志 Kokorozashi (Mission)
1981-1996
PC and Software
Founding of the SoftBank Group and rise of the PC
The Beginning
Masayoshi Son studied at the University of California, Berkeley in the U.S. and immersed himself in various inventions and businesses. Then he decided to return to Japan to start a new business of his own.
September 1981
Nihon SoftBank created to distribute packaged software
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 Nihon SoftBank (current SoftBank Group Corp.) ―a software bank that would serve as the infrastructure of the new information society to be built in Japan.
May 1982
Entered publishing business, launching Oh! PC and Oh! MZ
As PCs became more popular in Japan, Nihon SoftBank 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.
March 1994
Established SoftBank Holdings Inc. in the U.S.
Aiming to transform into a global company, Nihon SoftBank 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.
July 1994
Registered with Japan Securities Dealers Association
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.
1994 - 1996
Through SoftBank Holdings Inc., acquired the events division of Ziff Communications Company, took a capital stake in the exhibition department of The Interface Group which operated “COMDEX,” the world’s largest computer trade show, and acquired Ziff-Davis Publishing Co., a publisher of PC WEEK.
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.
1996-2006
The Internet
Supporting the benefits of broadband in Japan
January 1996
Established Yahoo Japan Corporation through joint investment with 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 (current LY 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.
January 1998
SoftBank Corp. listed on the First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
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.
2000
Investment in Alibaba.com Corporation
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.
September 2001
BB Technologies Corporation launched Yahoo! BB broadband service
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.
July 2004
Acquired shares of JAPAN TELECOM CO., LTD and entered fixed-line telecommunications business
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.).
December 2004
SoftBank Group's new corporate identity
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.
For more details, click here.
January 2005
Acquired shares of Fukuoka Daiei Hawks Corp.
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.
2006-2014
Mobile
Becoming a telecommunications leader
April 2006
Acquired Vodafone K.K. to enter mobile communications
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.
July 2008
SoftBank Mobile Corp. released iPhone 3G
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.
June 2010
Unveiled SoftBank’s Next 30-Year Vision
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.
For more details, click here.
October 2011
Established SB Energy Corp. to promote the increased adoption of renewable energy
SB Energy (current Terras Energy Corporation) was established in October 2011 to build a model case for the promotion of renewable energy in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake that struck on March 11, 2011.
July 2013
Acquired U.S.-based Sprint
The acquisition of a U.S.-based company Sprint as a subsidiary was completed and the SoftBank Group became a telecommunications operator with one of the largest customer bases in the U.S. and Japan.
2014-
AI, IoT and Smart Robotics
Driving the AI revolution as a strategic investment holding company
June 2014
Pepper is born
SoftBank Mobile Corp. (current SoftBank Corp.) and ALDEBARAN Robotics SAS (current Aldebaran) announced Pepper – the world's first humanoid robot that could recognize human faces and emotions.
September 2014
Alibaba Group Holding Limited lists on the New York Stock Exchange
July 2015
Company name of SoftBank Corp. changed to SoftBank Group Corp., and company name of SoftBank Mobile Corp. changed to SoftBank Corp.
SoftBank Corp. changed its company name to SoftBank Group Corp. to clearly identify its role as a holding company driving future global development.
- * SoftBank BB Corp., SoftBank Telecom Corp. and Ymobile Corporation (eAccess and WILLCOM merged and changed company name) merged into SoftBank Mobile Corp. on April 1, 2015. It was renamed SoftBank Corp. on July 1, 2015.
September 2016
Acquired UK-based ARM Holdings as a subsidiary
In anticipation of the IoT era, where all things are connected to the Internet, SoftBank Group Corp. has made ARM, a leader in semiconductor technology, a subsidiary.
May 2017
Held first major close of the SoftBank Vision Fund
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.
December 2017
Acquired U.S.-based Fortress Investment Group LLC
SoftBank Group Corp. completes acquisition of Fortress, a leading, highly diversified global investment firm.
December 2018
SoftBank Corp. listed on the First Section of Tokyo Stock Exchange
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.
March 2019
New fund focused on Latin America
SoftBank Group Corp. aims to drive the innovation through technologies in fast-growing Latin American countries.
October 2019
Launch of the SoftBank Vision Fund 2
The fund is aimed at facilitating the continued acceleration of the AI revolution through investment in market-leading, tech-enabled growth companies.
April 2020
Merger of Sprint and T-Mobile completed
The merger of Sprint and T-Mobile US was completed. In June, SoftBank Group Corp. divested a portion of its shares in the new combined company T-Mobile.
July 2020
Established a new company for COVID-19 saliva PCR testing
With the aim of preventing the further spread of COVID-19 pandemic and achieving an early normalization of economic activities in Japan, SoftBank Group Corp. established SB Coronavirus Inspection Center Corp. to provide safe and high-quality saliva PCR testing to local governments and private companies at low price, charging only the actual cost.
January 2021
Relocated its headquaters
With the aim of further transforming work-styles and strengthening our business continuity plan (BCP), SoftBank Group Corp. has relocated its headquarters to the Tokyo Portcity Takeshiba Office Tower in the Takeshiba area of Minato-ku, Tokyo.
Photo:Nasdaq, Inc.
September 2023
Arm listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market
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