ArrowArtboardCreated with Sketch.Title ChevronTitle ChevronIcon FacebookIcon LinkedinIcon Mail ContactPath LayerIcon MailPositive ArrowIcon Print
Companies

SoftBank's Son slams Japan as 'underdeveloped' on AI

Vision Fund boss says lack of unicorns holding back investment

SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son speaks during Softbank world 2019 on July 18, in Tokyo. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)

TOKYO -- Japan has fallen so far behind India and Southeast Asia in the race to adopt artificial intelligence that it was now an underdeveloped country, the world's biggest technology investor has warned.

"Until recently, Japan was the most technologically advanced country," SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son told a technology conference in Tokyo on Thursday. "But in the most important field of AI, Japan has become an underdeveloped country. A developing country."

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored Content This content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.

Discover the all new Nikkei Asia app

  • Take your reading anywhere with offline reading functions
  • Never miss a story with breaking news alerts
  • Customize your reading experience

Nikkei Asian Review, now known as Nikkei Asia, will be the voice of the Asian Century.

Celebrate our next chapter
Free access for everyone - Sep. 30

Find out more