=SoftBank

SOFTBANK CORP.

  • Japanese
  • Chinese
  • Korean
  • Contact Us
  • Site Map
Site Search
Japanese Page

Status of Investments

Shifting investment focus to fast-growing Asia

In fiscal 2011, the SOFTBANK Group made an additional investment of 16.4 billion yen in Renren, having initially invested in this company in fiscal 2009. On May 4, 2011, Renren achieved an initial public offering of its shares on the New York Stock Exchange of the U.S. As of May 9, 2011, SOFTBANK owned 33.4% of voting rights (before dilution) in Renren. In January 2011, SOFTBANK invested in China's PPLive. PPLive operates PPTV online TV services in China through one of its group companies. As of March 31, 2011, SOFTBANK held 40.1% of voting rights (before dilution) in PPLive.

In fiscal 2012, the SOFTBANK Group formed a joint venture in partnership with Japanese entertainment company YOSHIMOTO KOGYO CO., LTD. The new venture will distribute video content produced and procured by the YOSHIMOTO KOGYO Group via the Internet in Japan and overseas. The SOFTBANK Group also joined forces with Japan's START TODAY CO., LTD. to establish a joint venture in Hong Kong. START TODAY operates the “ZOZOTOWN” apparel shopping site. The new joint venture plans to set up a subsidiary to run an apparel shopping site, and to develop this business in China. The SOFTBANK Group has also invested in Gilt Groupe Inc. in the U.S., which runs the “Gilt” members-only shopping site. The SOFTBANK Group has plans to invest in Gilt Groupe K.K., the Japanese subsidiary of Gilt Groupe, with plans to jointly develop business in Japan.

Information on major investments (listed investees) (as of March 31, 2011)

(Billions of yen)
Company Name Amount of Investment Proceeds From Sales Market Value of the SOFTBANK Group's Equity Interest Proceeds From Sale + Market Value of the SOFTBANK Group's Equity Interest Return
Yahoo Japan 7.7 79.0 727.7 806.7 104.77×
Yahoo! Inc. 54.7 235.8 72.1 307.9 5.63×
SOFTBANK TECHNOLOGY 3.3 84.0 (0.6) 83.4 25.27×
GungHo Online Entertainment 4.1 － 9.6 9.6 2.34×
Vector 1.1 － (1.5) (1.5) (1.36)×
ITmedia 1.6 － 1.0 1.0 0.63×
Carview 2.0 1.0 (2.6) (1.6) (0.80)×
Total 74.5 399.8 805.7 1,205.5 16.18×
[Note]
  • *The content of this page is based on information included in the ANNUAL REPORT 2011.
Investor Relations
ANNUAL REPORT 2011
Corporate Governance
The SOFTBANK Group is committed to maintaining strong management and corporate governance.
CSR
The SOFTBANK Group proactively plays a unique role through its business to contribute to people's happiness.