SoftBank Tests Stratospheric Base Station, Plans $50bn IPO for SB Energy

On September 2, 2026, SoftBank announced the successful test of a stratospheric aerial base station, a first in Japan, which could be used for disaster communications. The company also expects a $50bn IPO valuation for its renewable energy unit SB Energy, with Nvidia underpinning the deal. Mitsubishi Motors separately unveiled a revived Pajero model after a seven-year hiatus, with a domestic launch scheduled for mid-December.