https://yfarmx.com/softbank-and-openai-launch-joint-venture/
Extract with my own bolding :- “
SoftBank and OpenAI have officially launched their long-anticipated joint venture, SB OAI Japan GK, headquartered in Tokyo.
Announced today, the partnership aims to redefine corporate management in Japan by integrating OpenAI’s cutting-edge language models and enterprise tools into Japanese businesses and public institutions.
The ownership structure is split evenly between OpenAI and C Holdings, a company jointly owned by SoftBank Corp. (51%) and SoftBank Group (49%). The arrangement positions SB OAI as both a strategic bridge and a commercial conduit for Japan’s AI deployment, part of a broader push toward Masayoshi Son’s long-running ambition to make AI “the engine of every industry.”
A Partnership Years in the Making
This new entity formalises a relationship that has been building quietly for months.
SoftBank began investing in OpenAI’s global initiatives and announced plans in early 2025 to roll out AI-driven management tools across Japan. The venture’s launch was originally slated for the summer but was delayed amid structural negotiations and regulatory reviews.
Now live, SB OAI Japan GK will serve as
OpenAI’s operational hub for the region, adapting GPT-based enterprise products for Japanese language and compliance requirements. Early focus areas include corporate decision support, automated reporting, and AI governance systems tailored to Japan’s business culture and data standards.
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Creator: Kim Kyung-Hoon | Credit: REUTERS
SoftBank’s AI Ambitions
The joint venture marks another chapter in SoftBank’s aggressive repositioning from telecoms conglomerate to AI-first holding powerhouse. Through both SoftBank Group and SoftBank Corp., Son has invested heavily in AI chips, robotics, and infrastructure (from ARM Holdings to BrainChip) and domestic cloud optimisation projects.
By pairing with OpenAI rather than building in-house, SoftBank gains immediate access to frontier models, while OpenAI benefits from SoftBank’s distribution networks and regulatory familiarity in one of the world’s most tightly governed tech markets.”