Vision Fund begins to devote cash to Japan

Opportunities abound: Pedestrians in front of a SoftBank mobile shop in Tokyo. The Japanese startup scene is going through a revival, says Matsui. — AFP

TOKYO: SoftBank Group Corp is lining up startup investments in Japan, aggressively pursuing entrepreneurs in its home market for the first time since the launch of its Vision Fund.

The Japanese startup scene is going through a revival, helped by an influx of young talent from private equity funds and consulting firms, said Kentaro Matsui, a managing partner at the Vision Fund who overseas Japan investments.