SoftBank Group, alongside Oracle and OpenAI, is part of a joint venture to invest between $100 billion and $500 billion in AI infrastructure. This partnership was announced amid broader industry shifts, including Microsoft's scaling back on new data center projects worldwide.

OpenSecrets data reveals that SoftBank Corp, associated with SoftBank Group, contributed over $2.2M in campaign donations and spent approximately $2.68M on lobbying in the 2024 cycle. The report also highlights a significant revolving door practice, with many lobbyists having previous government positions, raising concerns about corporate influence over U.S. policy.

SoftBank Group’s CEO, Masayoshi Son, appeared with U.S. President Donald Trump during the announcement of a major AI project investment, an event that has raised concerns about the conglomerate’s willingness to associate with far‑right authoritarian figures. The announcement came shortly before the company reported a significant quarterly loss, underscoring the potential influence of political engagements on corporate decision‑making.

SoftBank Group has outlined its labor practice initiatives on its corporate website, detailing risk assessments for labor issues such as overwork, worker health, and compliance with international labor standards. The initiative includes measures such as adjusting working hours based on individual assessments, regular overtime surveys, and assigning HR specialists to new subsidiaries, which underscores its commitment to protecting workers' rights.

SoftBank published its anti-bribery and corruption policy on its website, outlining strict prohibitions against bribery of government officials and emphasizing fair business practices and an appropriate relationship with politics. The policy underscores the company’s commitment to ethical conduct and reducing risks of undue political influence.

On December 16, 2024, SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son attended a high-profile news conference at Mar-a-Lago with Donald Trump, pledging a $50 billion investment in the U.S. economy. In the process, he courted political favor with the Trump administration and highlighted SoftBank Vision Fund’s financial ties to Gulf petro-states, raising questions about political complicity and economic collusion with authoritarian regimes.

SoftBank detailed its human rights initiatives on its website, outlining the establishment of a comprehensive grievance mechanism and revised harassment prevention training. During FY2023, six reported human rights violations led to disciplinary actions, accompanied by measures designed to prevent recurrence and safeguard all stakeholders.

SoftBank Corp was reported to have spent $3,110,000 on lobbying in 2023, as detailed in the OpenSecrets report. This expenditure highlights the company's active engagement in political influence, raising concerns about corporate power and potential impacts on democratic processes.