TLDRs;
- Masayoshi Son becomes Japan’s richest man with a net worth of $55.1 billion.
- SoftBank’s share price surge in 2025 drives the billionaire’s wealth rebound.
- The firm is investing $30 billion in OpenAI and $500 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure.
- Stakes in Arm, Nvidia, Intel, and TSMC continue to power SoftBank’s AI-driven momentum.
Masayoshi Son, the visionary founder and CEO of SoftBank Group Corp, has officially become Japan’s richest man, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
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His estimated net worth of US$55.1 billion now surpasses that of Tadashi Yanai, the Uniqlo mogul who held the top position for over three years. The surge in Son’s wealth reflects SoftBank’s stock rally in 2025, powered by renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and semiconductor investments.
The Tokyo-listed conglomerate has become one of Asia’s most closely watched tech powerhouses, with its portfolio spreading across AI infrastructure, chip design, telecommunications, and robotics.
AI Boom Powers SoftBank’s Rise
SoftBank’s turnaround story this year has been fueled by its aggressive push into AI. Son has positioned the firm at the center of what he calls the “AI revolution,” unveiling a $500 billion infrastructure plan aimed at building massive compute and data center capacity in the United States.
Just weeks earlier, reports surfaced that SoftBank approved a second $22.5 billion installment to finalize its $30 billion investment in OpenAI, a move that cements its commitment to the generative AI ecosystem.
This funding is contingent upon OpenAI’s restructuring into a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), a step designed to balance profit motives with its nonprofit mission. If OpenAI completes the move and clears legal reviews in California and Delaware, SoftBank’s full investment would make it one of OpenAI’s largest backers outside Microsoft.
Tech Bets Pay Off Big
SoftBank’s renewed fortune isn’t solely based on AI hype, it’s also being underpinned by strong performance from its major holdings. The company’s investments in Arm Holdings, Nvidia, Intel, and TSMC have paid off handsomely amid soaring demand for semiconductor chips.
Son personally holds about one-third of SoftBank’s outstanding shares, meaning every uptick in the company’s stock translates directly into billions added to his fortune. Arm’s blockbuster IPO in 2023 and subsequent share price gains have also been major contributors to the rebound in SoftBank’s portfolio value.
In public remarks earlier this year, Son described his vision for SoftBank’s next chapter.
“We are entering an age where AI surpasses human intelligence. I want SoftBank to be the capital engine of that future.” He stated.
Billionaire’s Legacy Enters New Chapter
Masayoshi Son’s rise to the top of Japan’s wealth rankings marks a comeback for the 67-year-old entrepreneur, who once faced massive setbacks following the dot-com crash and the Vision Fund’s high-profile missteps.
Now, with a new strategy focused on AI infrastructure, semiconductor leadership, and data intelligence, Son appears to be reasserting SoftBank’s role as a global technology catalyst. Analysts see the firm’s OpenAI stake, along with its planned data center ventures, as key pillars of its long-term growth.
For Japan’s economy, Son’s resurgence symbolizes how AI-driven innovation is reshaping wealth creation in the region. And for SoftBank, it signals a new era, one where the company’s fortunes rise and fall alongside the evolution of artificial intelligence itself.
