SoftBank has overtaken Toyota as Japan’s largest company by market value, surpassing ¥46 trillion as investors rewarded its exposure to artificial intelligence and technology. Its shares have risen nearly 73% this year and more than 8% on Monday following reports that SoftBank pledged up to €75 billion for artificial intelligence computing clusters in France, with the project also described as Europe’s largest AI facility. The development is also being viewed as a sign of changing corporate leadership in Japan, where investors are increasingly favoring digital infrastructure and future-oriented technology over traditional manufacturing. Earlier reporting had cited a €45 billion investment in French AI data centers by 2031, while newer reporting points to a larger, more concentrated commitment, so both versions remain part of the record.