Masayoshi Son’s net worth soared 248% this year to $55.1 billion, surpassing Uniqlo billionaire Tadashi Yanai. The gain makes Son Japan’s wealthiest individual, edging out Yanai by approximately $23 million. Yanai had led the country’s rich list since April 2022.

AI Investments Drive SoftBank’s Market Surge

The increase in Son’s fortune mirrors the performance of Tokyo-listed SoftBank, where he holds roughly one-third of shares. His wealth has been propelled by strategic investments in artificial intelligence, including a planned $30 billion commitment to OpenAI. Analysts note that SoftBank shares have become a proxy for AI infrastructure spending.

Ambitious Global AI Projects and Strategic Partnerships

Son’s expansion includes a $500 billion plan to develop AI data centers and infrastructure across the US in collaboration with OpenAI, Oracle, and Abu Dhabi fund MGX. He is also exploring a trillion-dollar industrial complex in Arizona with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., targeting AI and robotics. Additional moves include a $2 billion investment in Intel and the acquisition of ABB Ltd.’s robotics arm for $5.4 billion.

From Early Ventures to a Tech Empire

Born in Japan in 1957 as an ethnic Korean, Son began his entrepreneurial career in the US by developing an electronic dictionary sold to Sharp Corp. for $1 million. He founded SoftBank in 1981 as a software distributor, which evolved into a global conglomerate spanning telecommunications, digital payments, and technology investments. “Everything is breaking the right way for SoftBank at the moment,” said Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Kirk Boodry.

Market Analysts Caution on AI Valuations

Despite Son’s rapid gains, some investors warn that AI valuations may be inflated. OpenAI and Nvidia are involved in complex transactions that could be artificially supporting the trillion-dollar AI boom. Past experiences, including a meteoric rise during the dotcom era and subsequent setbacks, have shaped Son’s calculated approach to technology investments.

PHOTO: REUTERS/TORU HANAI

This article was created with AI assistance.