SOFTBANK CORP. (the Company) has made a bid to acquire the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks. The Company plans to move ahead with its bid in discussion with parties such as the Industrial Revitalization Corporation of Japan, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and everyone concerned in the local area.
SOFTBANK CORP runs the broadband service “Yahoo! BB” and provides fixed telephone services and other services through group company JAPAN TELECOM CO., LTD. With work also currently underway with the aim of moving into the cell phone market, the Company’s objective is to become a comprehensive communications carrier providing both so-called communications infrastructure services and contents services within that infrastructure.
The objectives of the Company’s entry into the world of baseball through the acquisition of a baseball team are to raise consumer awareness of SOFTBANK CORP as a provider of key social infrastructure in the shape of communications infrastructure, to significantly improve the Company’s image and to enhance broadband contents.
As there is overwhelming support for Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in the local Fukuoka area, the Company plans to continue to base the team in Fukuoka. Other details are yet to be finalized at the present time, but are scheduled to be determined in discussion with the concerned parties in the future.
The Company has had the desire to run a baseball team since 2002 and has approached all parties concerned. We hope to be able to continue to work in cooperation with all those involved in the future.
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