SoftBank Group’s CEO Masayoshi Son is expanding his relationship with OpenAI through a new joint venture in Japan aimed at offering AI services to corporate clients.
The venture, named SB OpenAI Japan, will see both companies collaborate to provide OpenAI’s technology to businesses across Japan, a move that aligns with Son’s goal to reshape the country’s tech landscape.
Translation:
Softbank and OpenAI will establish a joint venture called "SB OpenAI Japan" with each party holding 50% of the investment, and will promote AI innovation in major companies from Japan!!!
Apparently it was just signed lol
SoftBank is committing a significant financial stake to this partnership.
The company will invest $3 billion each year to leverage OpenAI’s AI tools within its own subsidiaries and portfolio companies.
This includes exclusive access to OpenAI’s enterprise products, such as ChatGPT Enterprise and various agent products, which are set to reshape how Japanese companies engage with AI.
Son is also preparing to invest between $15 billion and $25 billion in OpenAI as part of a larger funding effort, which could place SoftBank ahead of even Microsoft in backing the AI leader.
This comes shortly after reports that OpenAI is in discussions to raise up to $40 billion, with SoftBank poised to become the top investor.
The new joint venture, SB OpenAI Japan, will be controlled by OpenAI and a SoftBank-formed entity, including SoftBank’s telecom arm.
Through this partnership, the two companies plan to offer powerful AI solutions tailored to Japan’s corporate needs.
These solutions include custom models, APIs, and future agent tools like “Deep Research,” which will conduct multi-step analysis on the web.
With access to OpenAI’s technology, SoftBank’s own mobile arm—Japan’s third-largest wireless carrier—plans to market OpenAI’s services in Japan and develop its own Japanese-language chatbot.
This venture is not just about software; it is part of SoftBank’s wider ambition to expand Japan’s presence in the AI and tech sectors.
Masayoshi Son has long been an advocate for AI, frequently criticising Japanese businesses for being slow to adopt the technology.
He has warned that those who fail to embrace AI risk being left behind, comparing them to goldfish unable to process information.
He is confident that artificial general intelligence (AGI), AI with capabilities that equal or surpass human intelligence, will be realised within the next decade.
Son believes large enterprises will be the first to achieve AGI, stating that this will require “quite a huge amount of money,” resources that are mostly available only to large companies.
The new venture is just one part of SoftBank’s broader ambitions in AI.
The company has also committed $15 billion to the Stargate project, a collaboration with OpenAI and Oracle aimed at building AI infrastructure in the United States.
This massive project plans to invest $100 billion immediately and aims for a total expenditure of at least $500 billion over the next four years.
Son’s involvement in Stargate also signals a strong partnership with global figures like US President Donald Trump.
The initiative seeks to rapidly enhance computing power to support AI’s growth and ensure the United States remains at the forefront of AI development.
Japan has faced its own set of challenges when it comes to keeping up with global tech trends.
Son has repeatedly stated that Japan cannot afford to miss out on the next wave of AI development, warning that the country cannot afford “another three decades” of stagnation.
Japan’s reliance on expensive imported resources like oil and gas, alongside public concerns over nuclear power after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, has complicated efforts to modernise its economy.
These constraints leave Japan in a precarious position as global tech giants like OpenAI lead the charge in AI development.
The partnership between SoftBank and OpenAI comes at a time when the competition in the AI industry is intensifying.
DeepSeek, a new Chinese startup, has quickly gained traction in the U.S. market, offering AI models trained at a fraction of the cost of their competitors.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged the rising competition, pointing out that the success of DeepSeek highlights the need for democratic AI development.
The Seoul High Court's 5th Criminal Division, under the guidance of Presiding Judge Seo Seung-ryeol, delved into an appeal hearing regarding fraud charges amounting to 110 billion won against former Chairman Lee Jeong-hoon. The prosecution urged a reconsideration of the initial ruling, pushing for an 8-year prison sentence identical to the first trial's decision.
JoyThe Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has granted initial approval for a license, enabling XREX to offer digital payment token products and services in the city-state.
BrianU.S. authorities apprehend trio in a $10 million crypto fraud, exposing a scheme of bank theft and deceptive cryptocurrency conversion.
Hui XinUbisoft disclosed plans on the 17th to introduce NFTs through Ethereum's chain for their upcoming Web3 game, "Champions Tactics." The company also unveiled a scheme to provide select users with these NFTs for free.
JoyA couple operating aesthetic medicine clinics in Taichung City, Taiwan, faces legal repercussions due to their involvement in cryptocurrency mining ventures. Zheng and Su sought to bolster their income by investing in virtual currency mining since 2021. Collaborating with Huang, who established eight mining sites in Taichung, the couple engaged in mining operations. However, suspicions arose as Huang is accused of stealing electricity, resulting in losses of approximately NT$80 million for Taiwan Power Company. The situation escalated when two mining sites experienced electrical fires, posing risks to adjacent tutorial centres and a hot pot restaurant.
JoyMAS Managing Director Ravi Menon disclosed plans for the central bank to collaborate with local banks, testing the practical use of CBDCs as settlement assets for domestic payments.
DavinTurkey is implementing crypto regulations, prioritising licensing standards to address FATF concerns, ensure global compliance, and bolster its position in the crypto market.
Hui XinCanada's intelligence agency alerts to the growing threat of realistic deepfakes, urging global cooperation to address the risks posed by advanced AI technologies.
Hui XinXi Jinping's APEC summit attendance gathered dignitaries like Joe Biden, Elon Musk, and tech titans, with reports suggesting a lavish $40,000 dinner. Xi proposed business initiatives amid declining foreign investment, but a mix-up stole attention when CZ, mistaken for another, sparked lively crypto discussions. His humorous response lightened the unexpected twist.
JoyA specialised team is poised to elevate its concentration on the educational applications of ChatGPT, with an aim to bolster advancements in learning and child development.
Kikyo