SoftBank Pres. Son Gets Information from 2channel

   While disruption continued in the mobile phone system in Japan following a series of sudden announcements about a new rate system by SoftBank Mobile Corp., it was reported that Masayoshi Son, president & CEO of the company, “made a decision to change the rate system because of criticisms he saw on the internet.” Checking on these reports, it was found that Son is a frequent visitor of the internet forum “2channel” (2ch).

   In Japan, the mobile number portability (MNP) service by which the users of mobile phones can change the mobile phone companies they have contracts with without changing their phone numbers began on Oct. 24, 2006. In handling the applications for such changes, troubles occurred in the electronic systems of SoftBank on Oct. 28 and 29. Newspapers gave prominence to the occurrence of the troubles in their issues on the following day. Many of these reports pointed out that “the system troubles may have been due to insufficient preparations stemming from the successive announcements of new charge plans.”

“Take Heed of Voices Expressed on Internet”

Pres. Son takes heed of “2channel”

   Regarding the successive announcements of charge plans, the economic daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported from a different angle from other newspapers as follows:

“It was on the evening of Oct. 23, the eve of the MNP enforcement, that SoftBank made the announcement on the new charge menu centering on the fixed rate system for calls and short-mail that limit the number of letters used.
   Rising criticisms were posted on the internet, however, saying that the announcement actually covered only the short-mail while the new charge menu was labelled ‘Calls & Mail’. Responding to the criticisms, company’s president Masayoshi Son hurriedly decided to make another announcement in the morning of Oct. 24.”

   It is unusual to decide on hastily the change of price system which is one the most important basis for business managing just because of criticisms expressed on the internet. J-Cast asked the public relations section of SoftBank Mobile about this hard-to-believe episode, and a person at the section said, “Yes, the president looks at many of the opinions posted on the internet by himself.”
   The person further added, “He often visit the 2channel. He gives his close attention to voices expressed on the internet.”
   He thus disclosed that Son is a frequent 2ch visitor. Asked if there was anything wrong in the Nikkei report, he replied that there was nothing wrong. He admitted that Son takes into consideration opinions posted on the internet.

How About “0 Yen Advertisement”?

   He refused to answer the question: “Which bulletin board does Mr. Son look at?”
   In the meantime, the Fair Trade Commission started examining if the advertisement which emphasized “0 yen for calls, 0 yen for mail” might be misleading the public. SoftBank immediately reacted then decided to review the wording of the advertisement. It is understandable business firms are sensitive to actions of the commission, but it is also likely that opinions expressed on the internet are taken seriously.