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.