Softbank will take the first time in six years to change the president.The next president, Junichi Miyagawa, is bright in technology and has leadership.However, as the parent company's SoftBank Group (SBG) led to the investment business, SoftBank has become more solid as a solid earner, and the impression of taking bold measures ahead of the competition has diminished.As the price reduction of mobile phone communication fees is progressing, the diversification of revenue sources increases.Miyagawa tests an employee's challenge spirit and tests if he can become stronger.(Hirokazu Saito)
Technology, tenacity, leadership.Mr. Ken Miyauchi's Softbank President, and Miyagawa, who has been in charge of it on April 1, can be expressed in a variety of words.
Miyagawa's career is unique.His home is a temple in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture.Due to his father's wishes, he studied at the Hanazono University Faculty of Letters and Buddhism.He worked at the bar to earn tuition, and saw the business people who came to the store and strengthened their business.After graduating from university, after working for an accounting firm, he started an Internet connection service business.When I was the president of Nagoya Mikaku Telecommunications (now SoftBank), I was invited by Masayoshi Son (currently SBG Chairman and President) and participated in Softbank.
Since then, he has been working as a SoftBank technical officer for a long time.His trust from Mr. Son can be seen by the re -establishment of a major US mobile phone sprint (now T -Mobile US).
Softbank acquired a sprint in July 2013, but the company was strictly stated by the US Belizon Wireless and US AT & T.Miyagawa, who went to the United States, had a hard time organizing local employees, and lost more than 10 kilograms in six months.
Nevertheless, we have improved communication quality and reduce costs while trying to make mutual understanding by setting up a lot of sake seats.It led to improved profits.Until FY2014, sprint operating and loss was sinking in a deficit, but in FY2016 it achieved a surplus of $ 1.8 billion (about 200 billion yen).
In recent years, new businesses have been dedicated, and it can be said that they have been nominated as the successor of Mr. Miyauchi.Mr. Miyagawa, who had a meeting on the 4th, said, "My theme is to create new common sense with technology as a compass. I want to be a company that will continue to challenge and evolve."
However, recent SoftBank cannot deny the impression that the corporate culture of "offensive" is fading.For example, NTT DOCOMO took the initiative in the latter half of 20 years of mobile communications reduction competition.In front of DOCOMO's new plan, Ahamo, SoftBank had no choice but to announce similar plans.
In the past, Son has rapidly expanded its customers with a simple "white plan" with a "monthly basic fee of 980 yen".On the other hand, in the recent mobile communication market, the oligopoly of three major companies continued, and it was not necessary to actively reduce prices.It can be said that Softbank had to make a solid profit while SBG focuses on high -risk investment businesses.Despite these circumstances, the latest SoftBank's "Subtle Rayanken" remains unsatisfactory.
DOCOMO has been increasing its offensive with NTT's full wholly owned subsidiary, and there is a possibility that SoftBank will be turned behind in terms of communication charges."The challenge will lead to evolution, and my grandchild (SBG Chairman and President) has been sour, and I've been doing it. I want to keep saying so until the next generation. No matter how big (company) grows, it's a venture.The question of Mr. Miyagawa, who states that he will continue, will be asked how much momentum he will gain in the future.
There are many issues after Miyakawa's president.One of them is the integration of Z Holdings (HD) and LINE under the umbrella.Although the integration is scheduled to be completed in March, the synergistic effect will be promptly demanded.
However, some opinions question the effectiveness of the integration itself.A major financial executive, who has been interacting with his grandchild SBG chairman and president for many years, said, "I don't know why I bought LINE. Regarding the financial business, there is something that LINE has a profit.No. "
LINE has been developing several financial -related services, such as the smartphone payment "LINE Pay" and "LINE Securities", a collaborative project with Nomura HD.However, LINE's "Strategic Business" segment, including finance, was 66.5 billion yen in the fiscal year ended December 2019.The fact that LINE Pay was forced to exhausive with other smartphone payments was echoed.Even in the LINE consolidated financial statements, the synchronization is sinking in a business deficit.
Dialogue applications (applied software) "LINE" users are about 86 million in Japan (as of December 20), but many users "because they are not buying financial products, so this is a disaster."(Large financial executives mentioned above)).It can be said that there were aspects that LINE was not able to make use of the customer base.
ZHD will unify the company and merchandise name of six financial business companies with their own umbrella or shares in 2001 to the "PayPay" brand.The smartphone payment "PayPay" users have exceeded 35 million in January, aiming to work with other financial -related products.
Mr. Miyauchi SoftBank says about the synergistic effect of ZHD and LINE, "I can have the largest customer contact in Japan. Linking this data with companies and local governments to develop digitalization of Japan as a whole."However, if you cannot accumulate success cases as expected, the significance of business integration may be questioned.
Still, ZHD is important for SoftBank.As the tide of low mobile communication charges is increasing, it is necessary to expand the non -communication business to secure profits.
The ratio of consumer communication projects, which accounted for SoftBank's consolidated sales in FY19, was about 55 %.Compared to about 79 % of NTT DoCoMo, the diversification of revenue sources is progressing.However, docomo and KDDI are also going to pursue with smartphone payments.Softbank has a heavy pressure as a chased position.
Mr. Miyagawa is expected to accelerate new businesses and products, taking advantage of their experience and knowledge.It is also essential to enhance the content and services unique to the 5th generation communication (5g).How can you enhance your presence in such a field?"I have to be a company with a slightly different structure from the conventional telecommunications company," Miyagawa's skill is focused on.
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun February 5, 2020