In an exciting development for the tech world, SoftBank is making waves with its recent purchase of a former Sharp plant in Osaka for a cool $676 million. This isn’t just any acquisition; it’s a strategic step toward boosting AI capabilities in Japan. The plan? To turn this facility into a state-of-the-art AI data center, playing a pivotal role in SoftBank’s ambitious expansion alongside OpenAI.
The deal covers both the land and buildings of the Sharp Sakai Plant, marking a significant milestone for SoftBank. They’re gearing up to create a robust data center infrastructure, which is crucial for developing and rolling out generative AI technologies. While OpenAI hasn’t commented on this move, the collaboration is expected to pave the way for commercializing OpenAI’s models in Japan. This aligns perfectly with SoftBank’s previous announcements about bringing advanced AI solutions, like Cristal Intelligence, to the region.
The joint venture, SB OpenAI Japan, is set to harness the power of graphical processing units (GPUs) at the Sakai site to craft AI models. These models will be trained using data from various industries, allowing for customized AI agents that can be tailored and sold to clients. It’s an exciting expansion of the partnership between SoftBank and OpenAI, building on their collaborations in the U.S. with Oracle and other tech giants.
There’s also buzz about SoftBank potentially investing up to $25 billion in OpenAI, though the details are still under wraps. The Sakai facility is slated to kick off operations in 2026, becoming SoftBank’s third data center in Japan, alongside those in Tokyo and Hokkaido. Initially, it will operate with a power capacity of 150 megawatts, with plans to ramp up to over 240 megawatts down the line.
This move underscores SoftBank’s commitment to advancing AI infrastructure in Japan, positioning itself as a leader in tech innovation in collaboration with top global AI players.
