SoftBank launches OpenAI-powered 'Patching as a Service' for Japan

SoftBank is one of OpenAI's biggest backers, with cumulative committed investment reaching $64.6 billion by end-2026. SoftBank Corp CEO Junichi Miyakawa said roughly 50 people are working on the product rollout now, and the team will expand to about 1,000.

The joint venture between SoftBank Corp and OpenAI was announced in November 2025 to develop AI system integration services for Japanese businesses. The cybersecurity product deepens that partnership at a moment when corporate and government clients are rushing to defend against AI-generated phishing, deepfakes, and automated intrusion attempts.

Son's framing of the product as a defensive "obligation" signals how SoftBank is positioning the offering not just as a commercial play but as a national-security tool. The product will patch vulnerabilities in real time using OpenAI's models, the company said.

Miyakawa did not specify a timeline for the 1,000-person target or disclose pricing. The joint venture's existing AI integration services for Japanese enterprises give it a base of potential clients – many of which operate the power grids, transportation networks, and telecom systems Son cited as priorities.