Optim Corp. founder who turned down SoftBank joins ranks of Japan's billionaires

At 23, Shunji Sugaya had what he calls a "life-changing episode." It was March 2000, and Sugaya had just won an award at a business contest where Masayoshi Son, the founder of what was then called SoftBank Corp., was a judge. He sent Son an email to thank him, the two met up, and before long SoftBank offered to buy Sugaya's idea for $2.8 million or for Sugaya to join the company and receive stock options. "It gave me a big boost in confidence, as I was a student -- I was so happy I could dance," he said. "We were very grateful for the offer but we politely declined and decided to do it ourselves."