In a candid revelation, SoftBank Group's founder Masayoshi Son has opened up about the emotionally charged decision to sell the company's entire stake in chipmaking giant Nvidia. The move, which came as a surprise to markets in November, was driven purely by the need to raise capital for ambitious new investments in artificial intelligence, including a significant commitment to OpenAI.
The Tearful Exit from a Winning Bet
Addressing the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Priority Asia forum in Tokyo on Monday, December 2, 2025, Son did not mince words about his reluctance. "I don't want to sell a single share. I just had more need for money to invest in OpenAI" and other ventures, the 68-year-old billionaire stated. He poignantly added, "I was crying to sell Nvidia shares."
Son clarified that the decision was not a loss of faith in Nvidia, which has become the world's most valuable company, but a necessary financial manoeuvre. He emphasised that if SoftBank had unlimited capital, he would have held onto the stake. The funds are being redirected to bankroll a series of high-stakes AI projects that require substantial upfront investment.
Doubling Down on the AI Frontier
The capital from the Nvidia sale is fueling a aggressive expansion of SoftBank's AI portfolio. Key initiatives include:
- A major planned investment in Sam Altman's OpenAI before the end of 2025.
- The construction of a massive "Stargate" data center in partnership with Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (Foxconn).
- The recent acquisition of US-based chip designer Ampere Computing LLC.
Son framed these investments as essential bets on the future, arguing that the potential economic payoff from AI is being underestimated by critics.
Dismissing the 'AI Bubble' Talk
In his address, the SoftBank CEO also took a firm stand against growing chatter about an overheating AI investment landscape. He labelled those who speak of an AI bubble as "not smart enough."
Son presented a grand vision to justify the spending, suggesting that if AI technology can eventually capture even 10% of global gross domestic product (GDP), it would justify cumulative investments running into trillions of dollars. "Where is the bubble?" he challenged the audience, insisting the current wave of funding is rational given the transformative potential.
The Tokyo forum also highlighted deepening economic ties between Japan and Saudi Arabia. Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), shared that the sovereign wealth fund has invested $11.5 billion in Japan from 2017 to 2024, with plans to grow that to around $27 billion by 2030. The PIF was a cornerstone investor, contributing $45 billion, to Son's first Vision Fund.
Son's comments mark his first direct explanation of the Nvidia divestment, framing it not as a retreat but as a strategic reallocation. For SoftBank, the tears shed over selling a winner are being dried by the conviction that an even bigger prize lies in the foundational technology of the AI era.
