SoftBank Group founder Masayoshi Son reclaimed the top spot on the 2026 Forbes Japan’s 50 Richest list. He last held this position in 2021. Son’s net worth surged 184% during the period. His total wealth now stands at $80 billion. He ranks as the year’s largest gainer in both percentage and dollar terms.
SoftBank’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI primarily drove the wealth increase. The company reported a record net profit of ¥5 trillion for the fiscal year ending March 31. This profit equals approximately $31 billion. A global artificial intelligence frenzy and a Japanese stock market bull run further boosted SoftBank’s valuation.