TOKYO—Japanese technology investor Masayoshi Son, who controls a big stake in Uber Technologies Inc., called Japan’s ban on ride-hailing apps such as Uber “stupid,” heightening a clash with government leaders who say the apps are unsafe.
“I can’t believe there is still such a stupid country,” said Mr. Son, whose SoftBank Group Corp. owns 15% of Uber and is a major investor in Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing Technology Co. “This is a dangerous situation where the government is halting progress towards the future.”
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