How Masayoshi Son and Steve Jobs Teamed Up to Bring iPhone to Japan

TOKYO, Japan — In the summer of 2005, Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank, sketched a vision of the future on a piece of paper: a mobile-enabled iPod with a large display and Apple’s operating system. When he showed it to Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder dismissed it as a “shitty drawing.” But behind the scenes, the two tech titans were already laying the groundwork for a partnership that would revolutionize Japan’s mobile industry and cement the iPhone’s global dominance.

Son, often referred to as “Masa,” is one of the most influential yet understated figures in the tech world. Born in 1957 on Japan’s Kyushu island, he built SoftBank into a $1 trillion empire through ventures in software, broadband, and mobile technology. His collaboration with Jobs, however, stands out as a defining moment in his career—a gamble that paid off spectacularly.

According to Son, the two first discussed the iPhone’s potential during a meeting at Jobs’ Palo Alto home in 2005. “I don’t need to give you my dirty piece of paper,” Son told Jobs, “but once you have your product, give it to me for Japan.” Jobs, known for his secrecy, refused to reveal details but reportedly agreed in principle to grant SoftBank exclusive distribution rights in Japan. No contracts were signed, and no terms were discussed—just a handshake deal between two mavericks.

By March 2006, Son had acquired Vodafone Japan for $17 billion, a bold move that positioned SoftBank to distribute the iPhone. When Jobs visited Tokyo shortly after, Son reminded him of their agreement. “You didn’t give me anything in writing, but I made a $17 billion bet based on your word,” Son said. Jobs laughed and replied, “Masa, you are a crazy guy. We will do what we discussed.”

The iPhone launched in Japan in July 2008, and SoftBank’s market share surged from 17% to 23% by 2011. The partnership not only transformed SoftBank into Japan’s leading mobile operator but also solidified the iPhone’s reputation as a game-changing device. “There was a deep connection between Masa and Steve Jobs,” said Ron Fisher, SoftBank’s U.S. representative. “Jobs understood that when you’re trying to change consumer behavior in a place like Japan, you need a maverick.”

Today, Son’s ambitions extend beyond mobile technology. Through the SoftBank Vision Fund, he has become the world’s largest venture investor, backing companies like Arm Holdings and OpenAI. His latest focus is artificial general intelligence, which he believes will surpass the impact of the microchip, the internet, and the mobile phone. “I have to be in this revolution,” Son said in a recent interview. “I have to participate.”

As Son continues to push the boundaries of innovation, his partnership with Jobs remains a testament to the power of vision, trust, and audacity in the tech world.