Power Clash at Top of SoftBank Puts Son’s Vision in Question

Masayoshi Son’s grand vision for SoftBank Group Corp. has been dealt a setback by an internal power struggle between two of his closest lieutenants.

Marcelo Claure was named chief operating officer in May with the goal of improving operations across SoftBank portfolio companies and getting startups such as Uber Technologies Inc. and WeWork Cos Inc. to work together. Yet he clashed from the start with Rajeev Misra, who oversees SoftBank’s $100 billion Vision Fund and many of Son’s most important investments, according to people familiar with the matter.

Marcelo Claure

Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

After months of disagreements, Misra won an important dispute. The staff ...