Ryoma Sakamoto

"SoftBank’s CEO and founder was drawn irresistibly to historical analogies. He often compared himself to the nineteenth-century samurai warrior and reformer Ryoma Sakamoto, whose rebellion swept away the old feudal order in Japan, paving the way for the restoration of the Emperor’s authority in 1868. In the decades that followed, Japan rapidly modernized, spawning thousands of new businesses and spurring its ascent as the leading economic power in Asia. Masa’s internet evangelism was, however, more than about making Japan great again; it was a bid to revive animal spirits in a Japanese economy still semi-comatose after the collapse of the real-estate bubble."

"Son openly declares, “I have admired Ryoma Sakamoto since childhood,” and has embodied that passionate spirit by seeing himself in Sakamoto Ryoma’s image. While Ryoma Sakamoto opened the door to the Meiji Restoration at the end of the Edo period, Masayoshi Son, as the forerunner, opened the door to the “digital information society.” He truly deserves the title of “revolutionary” who faces challenges wholeheartedly."

"“Seven” is the magic number that indicates “the optimal timing to make a move in a game is when a 70% chance of victory is seen.” When Oda Nobunaga, Ryoma Sakamoto, and Eiichi Shibusawa sensed “victory,” they took “bold actions” as if driven by it. Oda Nobunaga made a significant shift with the Battle of Okehazama, where he blocked the path of Imagawa Yoshimoto aiming for Kyoto, Ryoma Sakamoto with his two defections, and Eiichi Shibusawa when he resigned from the Ministry of Finance at the request of the Meiji government to live as an entrepreneur establishing the First National Bank."

"“Flow” means “seeing the flow of the times, predicting ahead, and taking action while waiting.” Oda Nobunaga, Ryoma Sakamoto, and Eiichi Shibusawa were such great figures."

"“Battle” means “only by fighting with one’s life on the line can one accomplish things.” This is well demonstrated by the life of Oda Nobunaga and Ryoma Sakamoto."