(Softbank Corporation, Tokyo) A computer conglomerate founded in 1981 by Masayoshi Son. The company has backed Yahoo! and more than 50 hardware, software, communications and Internet companies both in the U.S. and Japan. It also acquired and sponsored COMDEX, the largest computer show in the U.S. for half a dozen years, before selling it to Key3Media in 2001. Softbank Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary that handles U.S. operations. See
COMDEX.