Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son: The next coup of large Zockers – Handelsblatt

Masayoshi Son

The Softbank CEO is always good for a headline

(Photo: AP)

Tokyo The Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son made only a few weeks ago made headlines when he decided at age 58, but even longer to the head of his company Softbank to stay. The designated successor former Google manager Nikesh went, the step has been interpreted as a decision of a thoroughbred entrepreneur who can not let go. But the reason may have been the billion deal to the chip designer ARM, the Son still wants to attend in person.

Masayoshi Son willingly ventured big bets. As the turn of the century the burst Internet bubble, and he thereby lost a lot of money. But the early investment in the Internet pioneer Yahoo proved a gold mine. Son risked too much, as he bought in 2006 Vodafone business in Japan for 15 billion dollars. – But it was a success

Softbank buys ARM pound fall leads to billions Deal

Virtually no smartphone requires no technology of the British developer ARM. Now the Japanese telecoms group Softbank reaches for the British company. The sharp fall of the pound has pushed the price. more …

Inspired them grabbed Son 2012, according to the American mobile operator Sprint and flipped more than $ 20 billion for towards majority. He could, however, have speculated: In the shadow of the giant AT & T and Verizon Wireless, Sprint has still struggling, the smart rival T-Mobile US scores with unconventional promotions, Softbank has debt of over 100 billion dollars. But typical of Son he lays now instead of saving it adds one more to the 24 billion pound deal to ARM.

Son was born in the family of a Korean fisherman. As a young man he managed to reach a meeting with the founder of McDonald’s Japan, Den Fujita, who advised him to learn English and go to the US. Son made it to the University of California in Berkeley and studied computer science and business there. Besides, he tried his hand as entrepreneurs: He sold the electronics giant Sharp, the concept of a translation device and put the money in the import of “Space Invaders” -Spieleautomaten from Japan to the US

Softbank. founded Sun in 1981 as a company trading with PC software. The breakthrough came soon with a happy exclusive deal with the electronics retail chain Joshin Denki. The case earned money invested in Son many young companies – including Yahoo

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