"If there is a mania (and there may be the beginnings of one), it is or will be a global mania, with a lot higher to go. Let's hope for a mania."
Some people sense the possible end of the Internet mania. At least for the United States. I think there is the balance of the global Internet Mania yet to come. Competition between different geographical areas for the premier Internet Companies may extend the Mania for some time to come. Softbank seems to be well positioned for any such Worldwide Internet Mania, especially if they issue American ADRs.
The article below indicates some interest on giving at least the appearance of increased openness to Softbank. I believe that it will actually have that effect:
Tuesday, June 1, 1999
Softbank Names 5 Outside Directors
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Softbank Corp. (9984) announced on Monday it has named five outside personnel as members of its nine-member board at a board meeting held earlier in the day. The step is being taken to help strengthen the monitoring and transparency of its management activities, company officials said.
The five are Den Fujita, president of McDonald's Co. (Japan); Yoshihiko Miyauchi, president of Orix Corp. (8591); Yasumitsu Shigeta, president of Hikari Tsushin Inc. (9435), Jun Murai, professor at Keio University and Kenichi Ohmae, president of Ohmae & Associates Inc.
The five are all either well known for their management philosophies or well-versed in the Internet. They will give advice to Softbank's top management when necessary and join the firm's board of directors meetings six to eight times a year to participate in day-long discussions, the officials said.
(The Nihon Keizai Shimbun Tuesday morning edition) |
