Overview
SoftBank (ソフトバンク, SofutoBanku) is a telecommunication company that was established by Masayoshi Son in 1981. Initially, as the name implies, the company was engaged in the wholesale of computer software, mainly through transactions with Joshin Denki and Hudson (now Konami Holdings).
In 1987, the company developed LCR equipment (equipment that selects the least expensive telephone company based on the number to be called), and the profits from this equipment led to rapid growth.
In 1990, the company name was changed to Softbank Corporation (first name). The company then actively engaged in M&A and investment, and today it is a comprehensive company in the information-related industry with a wide range of businesses, including portal sites (Yahoo! Japan), new telecommunications (Softbank Telecom), cell phones, Internet access (Yahoo! BB, later Softbank BB), and publishing (Softbank Publishing / ITmedia, etc.).
