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The CEO of SoftBank Group Corp., Masayoshi Son, speaking at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday, November 5, 2018. His son denounced the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but defended the Japanese technology giant's investment fund, which includes must be finished. (Daiki Katagiri / Kyodo News via AP) (Associated Press)
TOKYO – The managing director of SoftBank Group Corp., Masayoshi Son, on Monday denounced the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but defended the investment fund of the Japanese technology giant, which includes the 39, Saudi money, as a job to complete.
Speaking at a press conference on the benefits, Son called the death of "attack" for a precious life, but also against journalism and freedom of expression. "
His is a partner of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and about half of his $ 100 billion Vision Fund, created in 2016, comes from the kingdom. The fund invests in various companies, solar projects and artificial intelligence.
Khashoggi, a 59-year-old Washington Post columnist, was killed at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey on October 2, although the details are still unclear.
"It's a reality, a horrible act has occurred. But we can not just turn our backs on our work, "said Son. He said the investment in his fund came from the Saudi "people".
Khashoggi disappeared after entering the consulate in Istanbul to pick up the papers he needed to get married. His Turkish fiancee was waiting for him outside. A critic of the Saudi Crown Prince, Khashoggi lived in exile in the United States.
His son said he met with the prince and other Saudi officials during a recent visit and asked for a thorough investigation. He said that his prince had expressed his concern about the murder.
The Japanese magnate said that nothing had been decided for a second planned phase of the Vision Fund, pending the results of the investigation.
"It is too early to say and we must be cautious," he said.
SoftBank reported a profit of 542.6 billion yen ($ 4.8 billion) between July and September, a five-fold increase over the previous year, thanks to better results in the United States, Wireless Sprint and British IoT, ARM.
Quarterly sales increased 7 percent to 2.38 billion yen ($ 21.1 billion).
SoftBank's huge technology investment empire encompasses telecommunications, financial technology, solar power, tower reservation services and the Pepper companion robot.
His son had not commented earlier on Khashoggi's death. He began his press conference by addressing the murder, appearing darker than usual.
But after the first few minutes, he moved from the object to the Japan Series series of the company's professional baseball team, the SoftBank Hawks.
"I want to express my gratitude, especially to the fans," he said.
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