SoftBank's Son Proposes Japan-US Joint Government Fund

TOKYO, May 26 (News On Japan) - SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son is pursuing the idea of launching a Japan-US joint sovereign wealth fund aimed at investing heavily in American technology and infrastructure.

Though still in the early planning stages, the concept has already been discussed with key officials including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The envisioned fund would be co-managed by the U.S. Treasury and Japan’s Ministry of Finance, with each government holding a significant share. The initial capital being considered is around 300 billion dollars, with potential for further leverage to expand its investment capacity. The plan also includes the possibility of allowing private investors and the general public from both countries to participate.

The initiative is seen as part of broader efforts to establish a stable, rules-based investment framework that reduces reliance on unpredictable political shifts. For the United States, it offers a potential alternative revenue stream without raising taxes. For Japan, it opens a new channel to strategically support overseas innovation while deepening bilateral economic ties.

Son is expected to play a central role in shaping the fund's direction, with early expectations pointing toward investments aligned with his larger vision, including a 500 billion dollar plan to expand data center and AI infrastructure in the U.S. The proposal also arrives amid broader Japan-US trade and investment talks, and is being positioned as a model for future economic cooperation between the two allies.

Source: テレ東BIZ

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