Masayoshi Son, the influential billionaire behind SoftBank, is collaborating with the Trump administration to establish a massive US-Japan sovereign wealth fund. The fund, potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars, aims to fuel investments in technology and infrastructure across the United States.
The concept has already reached top-level discussions involving US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Though still in early stages, both countries have revisited the proposal repeatedly during recent trade negotiations, signaling a growing mutual interest in this unique financial initiative.
US-Japan Fund Promises Profitable Investments, Public Access, and Strategic Economic Stability
Under the proposed plan, the US Treasury and Japan’s Ministry of Finance would co-own the fund, holding substantial stakes while opening the door to other limited partners and possibly even ordinary citizens from both nations. The projected initial capital pool stands at an estimated $300 billion, with expectations that it will be significantly leveraged to enhance its impact. Unlike traditional infrastructure incentives that rely on tax benefits, this sovereign wealth fund would pursue direct, profitable investments, providing tangible financial returns to participating governments.
Masayoshi Son and Trump Back $300 Billion US-Japan Wealth Fund With Global AmbitionsFor Scott Bessent, this fund could present a new revenue stream for the US government that avoids raising taxes—a politically advantageous approach. Meanwhile, Japan’s Shigeru Ishiba sees the fund as a strategic partnership that offers both economic gains and protection from unpredictable US political shifts. The fund is part of a broader dialogue between the two nations, including discussions on tariffs and security. Ishiba expressed optimism that the upcoming G7 summit in Canada could serve as a turning point for the fund and related trade matters.
Son Drives Tech-Focused Vision as US-Japan Fund Expands Into Strategic Military Cooperation
Masayoshi Son has played a hands-on role in shaping the proposal and has maintained direct contact with Donald Trump, frequently visiting him at Mar-a-Lago. Son was also a central figure during the announcement of the $500 billion Stargate project, which focuses on AI and data infrastructure in the US. The wealth fund is seen as a vehicle to support similar tech-driven ventures, shifting away from outdated methods of economic stimulation, such as tax breaks, and instead offering governments direct equity in high-value projects.
Beyond tech and finance, the proposed partnership could extend into military and Arctic cooperation. Ishiba has floated the idea of the US allowing warships to be serviced in Japan and highlighted Japan’s expertise in icebreaker shipbuilding—a key asset for future Arctic trade routes. This potential expansion reflects a comprehensive strategic alliance between the US and Japan, with implications far beyond economics. Ishiba confirmed these areas would be further explored at the G7 summit, reinforcing the multifaceted nature of the evolving US-Japan collaboration.
