Hard truths about SoftBank
The world’s most important tech-investing group has pulled off a stunning comeback. But some of its flaws remain
EVERY DAY, from 8am to 10pm, Son Masayoshi sits in his mansion in Tokyo doing what entertains him like nothing else: sizing up technology entrepreneurs and handing out money. Working from home has not slowed down the billionaire boss of SoftBank. At the Japanese group’s earnings call on May 12th Masa, as he is universally known, boasted of backing 60 companies in three months. Between January and March he doled out $210m a week.
This article appeared in the Business section of the print edition under the headline “The empire of Son”
From the June 19th 2021 edition
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