Skip to main content
BoF Logo

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

The Business of Fashion
Workplace & Talent

Uniqlo Founder Resigns as SoftBank Board Member

Uniqlo founder Tadashi Yanai will step down from SoftBank's board at the end of this month.
Uniqlo founder Tadashi Yanai | Source: Nik van der Giesen for BoF
By
  • Reuters

TOKYO, Japan — SoftBank Group Corp said on Friday Tadashi Yanai, founder and CEO of Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing, would resign as external board member at the end of the month after 18 years to focus on his fashion business.

An ally of SoftBank founder and CEO Masayoshi Son, the billionaire is one of only three external members of a board filled with SoftBank executives and heads of its portfolio companies.

Yanai's successor to the board is not decided, a SoftBank spokeswoman said.

Yanai, who along with Son is one of a handful of Japanese founder-CEOs who are also household names, was known for being willing to voice his dissent at some of Son's decisions.

ADVERTISEMENT

SoftBank lost one of its most outspoken voices when another outside director, Shigenobu Nagamori, founder and CEO of Nidec Corp, stepped down two years ago.

By Sam Nussey; Editior: Muralikumar Anantharaman.

WF6AKN4F5RCK7OJGVWGZOCNOSQ

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Workplace & Talent
Analysis and advice on the future of work, careers and management.

Can Sporty & Rich’s Emily Oberg Break the Founder-CEO Curse?

Oberg stepped into the top job at her startup last August. In an exclusive interview with The Business of Fashion, she explained how she plans to scale her business while sidestepping the ‘founder’s ego’ problem that has doomed many emerging brands.

view more
Latest News & Analysis
Unrivalled, world class journalism across fashion, luxury and beauty industries.

Estée Lauder’s Surprise Acquisition, Explained

The American cosmetic giant’s buyout of Ayurvedic beauty line Forest Essentials came as a surprise. By picking an under-the-radar brand it knows well, the company can show that it’s still in the M&A game without needing to outbid rivals.

VIEW MORE

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.