Force behind SoftBank Vision Fund is 44-year-old 'chief of staff'

Yosuke Sasaki has helped small office grow into a tech investment titan

Yosuke Sasaki, the SoftBank Vision Fund's "chief of staff," plays a key role in operating the investment vehicle set up by SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son, center, seen here at a news conference in Tokyo in February 2020. (Source photo by Tomoko Nagakawa and Yuki Kohara)

MINORU SATAKE, Nikkei staff writer

January 17, 2021 12:00 JST

LONDON -- At the SoftBank Vision Fund, which has 10 trillion yen ($96 billion) under management, 44-year-old Yosuke Sasaki is commonly known as the "chief of staff." He is the behind-the-scenes force at the unique investment group, known for drawing funds from the Middle East and finding leading startup companies.

SoftBank Investment Advisers, based in London's bustling Mayfair shopping district, is the company that manages the fund. Sasaki works with CEO Rajeev Misra under the official title of "head of CEO office," but Misra introduces him to others as his chief of staff.