Masayoshi Son

$46.83 B

Ranked #38 in World

About Masayoshi Son

Masayoshi Son, a titan in the global finance sector, was born on August 11, 1957, in Japan, and later became a Japanese citizen. The founder of SoftBank Group Corp., he made his initial foray into entrepreneurship while at the University of California, Berkeley with a lucrative deal with Sharp Corporation. Son has both reaped massive gains, notably with Alibaba, and faced investment setbacks. His $100 billion Vision Fund seeks to transform technology's frontier, despite some challenges. A philanthropist, Son assists disaster victims and fosters young talent.

Born

August 11, 1957 in Tosu, Saga, Japan

Age

68 years

Source Of Wealth

Telecom, Investments

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

Japan

Residence

Tokyo

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of California, Berkeley

Spouse

Masami Ohno

Children

Masayoshi Son was born on August 11, 1957, in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan. He is a third-generation Zainichi Korean who naturalized as a Japanese citizen in 1990. His father, Sam-heon Son, built an illegal sake business. Masayoshi Son attended Serramonte High School and later studied economics and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. While still a student, he started his first business, selling an electronic translator to Sharp Corporation for $1.7 million.

Masayoshi Son: Family

Masayoshi Son is married to Masami Ohno, and they have two daughters. He owns a mansion in Tokyo and a home near Silicon Valley. His brother, Taizo Son, is also an entrepreneur and investor.

Masayoshi Son: Career Highlights

Masayoshi Son is the founder, CEO, and largest shareholder of SoftBank Group Corp. He established SoftBank Corp. in 1981, initially a software vendor that later became a major telecommunications operator in Japan. Son transformed SoftBank Corp. into SoftBank Group Corp., an investment holding company. Throughout his career, he has experienced both successes, such as the lucrative investment in Alibaba, and failures, such as the investment in Kingston Technology.

Masayoshi Son: Companies

Masayoshi Son is closely associated with the following companies:

SoftBank Group Corp.
SoftBank Corp.
Yahoo! Japan
Alibaba
Arm Holdings
Sprint Corporation
T-Mobile US
SoftBank Hawks

Masayoshi Son: Major Achievements

Masayoshi Son's major achievements include:

Building SoftBank Corp. into a major telecommunications operator in Japan.
Transforming SoftBank Corp. into SoftBank Group Corp., an influential investment holding company.
Making early investments in successful internet firms like Yahoo! and Alibaba.
Establishing the $100 billion SoftBank Group's Vision Fund to invest in emerging technologies.

Masayoshi Son: Awards & Achievements

Masayoshi Son has received numerous awards and recognitions, including:

Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette (2018)
Forbes Japan CEO of the Year (2006, 2014, 2015)
Nikkei Business Person of the Year (2000)
Time 100 Most Influential People in the World (2017)

Masayoshi Son: Personal Life & Legacy

Masayoshi Son is known for his ambitious investment strategies and his significant impact on the technology industry.

He owns the SoftBank Hawks, a professional Japanese baseball team. Son has also made notable philanthropic contributions, including pledging 10 billion yen and his remaining salary to support victims of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Masayoshi Son: Trivia

Masayoshi Son is a fan of the Japanese manga series "One Piece."
He is known for his distinctive hairstyle, which he has maintained for many years.
Son is an avid art collector and owns works by renowned artists such as Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol.

Wealth History

Timeline

August 11, 1957

Masayoshi Son is born in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan.

1990

Son naturalizes as a Japanese citizen.

1981

Son establishes SoftBank Corp., initially a software vendor.

1999

Son invests $20 million in Alibaba, which grows to a significant stake worth billions of dollars.

2016

SoftBank acquires Arm Holdings for £23.4 billion.

2017

SoftBank Group establishes the $100 billion Vision Fund to invest in emerging technologies.

2021

Son steps down as CEO of SoftBank Mobile.

Masayoshi Son : FAQs

What is Masayoshi Son's current net worth?

Masayoshi Son's current net worth is $46.83 billion.

What is Masayoshi Son's current global rank among billionaires?

Masayoshi Son holds the 38th position globally among billionaires.

What is Masayoshi Son's current ranking within the Japan?

Masayoshi Son holds the 2nd position in Japan.

What was the change in Masayoshi Son's net worth compared to the previous year?

Masayoshi Son's net worth decreased by 9.02 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 55.85 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Masayoshi Son's net worth?

Masayoshi Son's net worth increased by 794.03 million dollars recently, a 1.7% increase, with his net worth standing at 46.83 billion dollars.

What are Masayoshi Son's main sources of wealth?

Masayoshi Son's main source of income comes from Telecom, Investments.

In which industry does Masayoshi Son primarily operate?

Masayoshi Son is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

What is Masayoshi Son educational background?

Masayoshi Son holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of California from Berkeley.

How old is Masayoshi Son?

Masayoshi Son is 68 years old.

How many children does Masayoshi Son have?

Masayoshi Son has 2 children.

Who is Masayoshi Son and what's his background in business?

Masayoshi Son is the founder, CEO, and largest shareholder of SoftBank Group Corp. Born in Japan on August 11, 1957, he is a naturalized Japanese citizen who started his early business endeavors while studying at the University of California, Berkeley. He first gained traction by selling an electronic translator to Sharp Corporation for $1.7 million.

How did SoftBank begin and what are some notable successes and failures?

SoftBank was established in 1981 by Masayoshi Son as a software vendor and has since become a major telecom operator in Japan. Under Son's leadership, it transformed into an investment holding company, SoftBank Group Corp., with notable successes like the investment in Alibaba, and some failures, including the Kingston Technology investment.

What are some key investments made by Masayoshi Son?

Masayoshi Son is known for his aggressive investment strategy, including early stakes in Yahoo! and Alibaba. Investing $20 million in Alibaba in 1999, it became one of his most fruitful investments, growing to be worth billions. He also acquired Arm Holdings and invested in Sprint which later merged with T-Mobile US, among his involvement in other sectors such as solar power.

What is the SoftBank Vision Fund and its focus areas?

The SoftBank Vision Fund, established in 2017 with a $100 billion fund, represents SoftBank Group's commitment to investing in emerging technologies. It targets areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. However, the fund has faced challenges due to the underperformance of some investments and changing market conditions.

Can you share details about Masayoshi Son's personal life and philanthropic efforts?

Masayoshi Son is married to Masami Ohno and has two daughters. He is a homeowner in both Tokyo and near Silicon Valley in the U.S., and owns the SoftBank Hawks baseball team. His philanthropy includes a 10 billion yen pledge and his remaining salary to support the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami victims. He also founded the Masason Foundation to support talented youth.