Masayoshi Son, born on August 11, 1957 (68 years old), in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, is one of the most powerful names in the world of technology and investment.
He is best known as the founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, a global company that has backed some of the biggest tech brands on the planet.
Masayoshi became famous for his bold investments, especially his early $20 million bet on Alibaba, which later turned into billions.
He also led SoftBank’s Vision Fund, one of the largest tech-focused funds in the world. Through this fund, he supported companies like Uber, WeWork, and many others.
Even after facing ups and downs in business, Masayoshi is seen as a big dreamer with a fearless approach to risk.
Keep on reading Masayoshi Son’s Wiki to explore more about his wife, children, family, education, career, net worth, and lesser-known facts.
Masayoshi Son Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Masayoshi Yasumoto |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist; Founder, Chairman & CEO of SoftBank Group |
| Age | 68 years old |
| Date of Birth | August 11, 1957 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Leo |
| Birthplace | Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan |
| Current Address | Tokyo, Japan |
Masayoshi Son Wife & Children
Masayoshi Son is a married man. He tied the knot with Masami Ohno in the year 1979. However, the exact date and venue of their wedding are yet to be updated.
The couple has two daughters; the elder daughter is Maya Kawana, but the name of the other daughter is yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Wife | Masami Ohno |
| Children | Daughter: Maya Kawana |
Masayoshi Son Family
Masayoshi Son was born into a Zainichi Korean family in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan. His family originally came from Korea and settled in Japan during the colonial period.
His father’s name is Masayoshi Yasumoto, but his mother’s name is yet to be updated.
Masayoshi has a younger brother, Taizo Son, who is also a well-known businessman.
Taizo is the founder of GungHo Online Entertainment, a company famous for creating mobile and online games.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Masayoshi Yasumoto Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Brother: Taizo Son |
Masayoshi Son Education
Masayoshi Son’s education journey reflects his strong drive to succeed from a young age.
He first moved to the United States as a teenager to study, leaving Japan at just 16 years old.
While the name of his high school is yet to be updated, he quickly completed his schooling in the U.S. and focused on learning English and computer science.
For higher education, he attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied Economics. He graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor’s degree.
During his time at Berkeley, Masayoshi was already thinking like an entrepreneur; he even started a few small tech ventures while still a student.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Highest Qualification | Bachelor’s degree (Economics) |
Masayoshi Son Career
Masayoshi Son’s career is a story of ambition, fearless decisions, and futuristic thinking.
From his early days as a young inventor to becoming the head of one of the world’s biggest tech investment firms, his journey is both inspiring and unique.
Early Career: The Young Inventor
Masayoshi’s first steps into business came when he was still a university student at UC Berkeley. Unlike many students focused only on classes, Masayoshi wanted to start building his future right away.
While studying, he invented a pocket translator device, which was later sold to Sharp Corporation for around $1.7 million.
He didn’t stop there; he also started a video game company and began importing arcade machines from Japan to the U.S., making another million-dollar deal.
Founding SoftBank (1981)
In 1981, at the age of 24, Masayoshi returned to Japan and started his own company, SoftBank, from scratch.
The name “SoftBank” stood for software bank, because his original idea was to be a distributor of software products in Japan.
At first, SoftBank was small, just a software wholesaler. But Masayoshi had a big vision. He saw the future of the internet and mobile communications even before most people talked about them.
He slowly grew the company by making smart deals, investing in internet services, and acquiring tech media businesses.
Entering the Internet World
Masayoshi made headlines in 1996 when SoftBank invested in Yahoo! Inc., and they jointly launched Yahoo! Japan, which quickly became the most-used web portal in Japan.
This marked his entry into the internet business in a major way. Under his leadership, SoftBank also bought major stakes in Japanese broadband services, forming Yahoo! BB, one of Japan’s first broadband ISPs.
The $20 Million Bet on Alibaba (2000)
One of the most famous moves in Masayoshi Son’s career happened in 2000.
During a short meeting with Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba, Masayoshi was so impressed that he invested $20 million in the startup without even seeing a business plan.
This turned out to be one of the greatest investments ever made in tech history. That $20 million later grew into over $50 billion, making SoftBank’s name globally known in the startup world.
Growing the SoftBank Empire
Over the years, Masayoshi expanded SoftBank’s business into mobile communications.
In 2006, he acquired Vodafone Japan, which became SoftBank Mobile. Later in 2013, he bought a controlling stake in Sprint, the American telecom company.
In 2016, SoftBank made headlines again by acquiring ARM Holdings, a major chip design company based in the UK, for $32 billion.
ARM designs are used in almost every smartphone around the world, showing Masayoshi’s belief in the future of connected devices.
Vision Fund: A New Chapter in Global Investing (2017)
In 2017, Masayoshi launched the SoftBank Vision Fund, which aimed to invest in future technology companies.
It was a bold move with a total fund size of $100 billion, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Apple, and other big names.
Through this fund, he invested in many global tech startups, including:
- Uber
- WeWork
- Grab
- Coupang
- Didi
- OYO Rooms
While some of these companies faced setbacks, the Vision Fund changed how the tech world raised money and pushed startups to scale faster than ever before.
In 2019, he launched Vision Fund 2, continuing to invest in artificial intelligence, robotics, and deep tech.
Recent Focus: Artificial Intelligence and Stargate Project (2025)
In 2025, Masayoshi Son revealed his biggest vision yet: a global AI infrastructure project called Stargate. This project, launched with partners like OpenAI and Oracle, aims to build the backbone for future AI applications and services.
| Year | Role/Position | Company/Network Name |
| 1980 | Student Entrepreneur | UC Berkeley / Sharp Corp |
| 1981 | Founder & CEO | SoftBank Corporation |
| 1996 | Partner in Yahoo! Japan | Yahoo! / SoftBank |
| 2000 | Early Investor in Alibaba | Alibaba |
| 2006 | Acquired Vodafone Japan | SoftBank Mobile |
| 2013 | Acquired Sprint (USA) | Sprint Corporation |
| 2016 | Acquired ARM Holdings | ARM (UK) |
| 2017 | Launched Vision Fund | SoftBank Vision Fund |
| 2019 | Launched Vision Fund 2 | SoftBank Vision Fund 2 |
| 2025 | Co-launched Stargate AI Project | With OpenAI, Oracle, etc. |
Awards and Achievements
Masayoshi Son has received several honors for his bold leadership, vision in technology, and contributions to global business.
| Year | Award / Achievement | Reason |
| 2000 | Nikkei Business Person of the Year | Recognized for his leadership and impact in business in Japan |
| 2006 | Forbes Japan CEO of the Year | Honored for outstanding leadership as CEO |
| 2014 | Forbes Japan CEO of the Year (again) | Repeated recognition for business excellence |
| 2015 | Forbes Japan CEO of the Year (third time) | Continued acknowledgment of his leadership |
| 2017 | Time 100 Most Influential People in the World | Named among the world’s most influential figures |
| 2017 | Entrepreneur of the Year – The Asian Awards | Honored for entrepreneurial excellence in Asia |
| 2018 | Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette | A high-level honor from the Japanese government |
| 2018 | Individual Innovator – Asia‑Pacific by Global Finance | Recognized as an innovator in APAC technology and business |
| 2021 | Japan’s Medal of Honor | Awarded by the Japanese government for contributions to society/business |
| 2024 | Time 100 AI (Time’s list of most influential people in AI) | Named for his role in advancing artificial intelligence |
Masayoshi Son Net Worth, Salary
Masayoshi Son’s estimated net worth is around $50.5 Billion, while his annual income is Yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $50.5 Billion |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Masayoshi Son Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Masayoshi Son stands approximately 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm) tall and weighs around 78 kg (172 lbs). He has a semi-bald head and has salt & pepper hair, which has become one of his signature features, and his eye color is dark brown.
| Height | In centimetres: 168 cm In meters: 1.68 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 6 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 78 kg In lbs: 172 lbs |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Semi-blad; salt & pepper |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
Masayoshi Son Facebook
 @masason |
Interesting Facts About Masayoshi Son
- Masayoshi Son once read 40 business books in just 10 days as a teenager.
- He moved to the United States alone at age 16 to study.
- He compares himself to historical leaders like Napoleon and Genghis Khan.
- Son dreams of building a society powered by artificial intelligence.
- He founded SoftBank with just two part-time employees.
- Masayoshi is fluent in both Japanese and English.
FAQs
Who is Masayoshi Son?
Masayoshi Son is a Japanese billionaire entrepreneur and the founder of SoftBank Group. He is known for making bold tech investments worldwide.
What is Masayoshi Son famous for?
Masayoshi Son is best known for his early $20 million investment in Alibaba, which became one of the most profitable tech investments ever.
Is Masayoshi Son married?
Yes, Masayoshi Son married Masami Ohno in 1979. They have two daughters, though their names and details remain private.
What is his educational background?
Masayoshi Son holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley, which he completed in 1980.
