NetWorth
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Son
Masayoshi Son
Rank #25
JAPAN•Telecom•Telecom, Investments

Masayoshi Son

Net Worth
$88.121B
0% (24h)
Masayoshi Son is a prominent Japanese entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. As the founder and CEO of SoftBank Group, he has significantly shaped the landscape of technology and investments. His source of wealth stems from Telecom and Investments. Born in Japan in 1957 to Korean parents, Son's career began with software distribution before he expanded into publishing and telecommunications. His achievements include building SoftBank into a global technology investment group and early investments in companies like Alibaba. Son's current net worth is estimated at $51.0 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Japan and globally.

How to read Masayoshi Son's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Masayoshi Son, we anchor the narrative to Telecom and Telecom, Investments, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $88.121B alongside global rank #25, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (JAPAN) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

Masayoshi Son was born Masayoshi Yasumoto on August 11, 1957, in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, to Zainichi Korean parents. His grandfather moved to Japan during the Japanese colonial period. Son faced discrimination due to his Korean background. At 16, he moved to the United States to study, graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Economics.

Rise to Success

Son founded SoftBank in 1981 as a software distributor. He saw an opportunity in the fragmented Japanese software market. The company expanded into publishing and telecommunications. Son's vision led to investments in internet services and the so-called new economy in the 1990s. A pivotal investment was in Alibaba in 1999, which yielded substantial returns when it went public. SoftBank's early investments in the internet and telecom sectors laid the foundation for its future growth.

Key Business Strategies

SoftBank's key strategies include aggressive investment in technology, particularly in AI and related sectors. Son is known for his bold investment moves, sometimes resulting in major losses, especially with the Vision Funds. SoftBank has made strategic partnerships and investments in AI, including the $500 billion Stargate Project. The company continues to focus on AI-based technology, including investments in OpenAI.

Philanthropy

Son is known for assisting disaster victims and fostering young talent. He pledged 10 billion yen to support the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami victims.

Career Timeline

2024

Time's 100 Most Influential People in AI

Included in Time's 100 Most Influential People in AI list.

2017

Entrepreneur of the Year

Named Entrepreneur of the Year at The Asian Awards.

1999

Investment in Alibaba

Invested $20 million in Alibaba, a pivotal investment that yielded massive returns.

1990s

Investments in Internet Firms

Made large investments in Internet services and the new economy, including Yahoo! Japan.

1981

Founded SoftBank

Established SoftBank as a software distributor in Japan.

Philanthropic Impact

Disaster Relief$0.1B

Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami Relief

Pledged 10 billion yen to support victims.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Alibaba Group14.20%—
T-Mobile US7.60%—
Arm Holdings87.10%—
SoftBank Group Corp.29.95%—

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Masayoshi Son was born Masayoshi Yasumoto on August 11, 1957, in Tosu, Saga Prefecture, Japan, to Zainichi Korean parents. His grandfather moved to Japan during the Japanese colonial period. Son faced discrimination due to his Korean background. At 16, he moved to the United States to study, graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Economics.

Rise to Success

Son founded SoftBank in 1981 as a software distributor. He saw an opportunity in the fragmented Japanese software market. The company expanded into publishing and telecommunications. Son's vision led to investments in internet services and the so-called new economy in the 1990s. A pivotal investment was in Alibaba in 1999, which yielded substantial returns when it went public. SoftBank's early investments in the internet and telecom sectors laid the foundation for its future growth.

Key Business Strategies

SoftBank's key strategies include aggressive investment in technology, particularly in AI and related sectors. Son is known for his bold investment moves, sometimes resulting in major losses, especially with the Vision Funds. SoftBank has made strategic partnerships and investments in AI, including the $500 billion Stargate Project. The company continues to focus on AI-based technology, including investments in OpenAI.

Philanthropy

Son is known for assisting disaster victims and fostering young talent. He pledged 10 billion yen to support the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami victims.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Masayoshi Son are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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Latest News

Son's Sun: SoftBank's AI Gambit Pays Off – But Is This a Golden Age or a Fool's Paradise?

May 22, 2026

Son's Sun: SoftBank's AI Gambit Pays Off – But Is This a Golden Age or a Fool's Paradise?

Masayoshi Son, the visionary (or, depending on your perspective, the gambler) behind SoftBank, has pulled off a stunning market surge, riding the AI wave. A 30% jump in two days is no fluke; it's a statement. But beneath the headlines, a critical question looms: Is this a genuine renaissance, or a carefully constructed illusion about to shatter?