Key Highlights
- Shares of Sakura Internet climbed 20.27% following Microsoft’s reveal of a $10 billion AI commitment in Japan
- The tech giant plans to deploy 1.6 trillion yen from 2026 through 2029 focusing on AI infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives
- SoftBank and Sakura Internet will collaborate with Microsoft to deliver Japan-based AI computing capabilities, including GPU resources
- The partnership includes a goal to develop 1 million AI professionals in Japan by the end of the decade
- SoftBank Group shares increased 0.22% while SoftBank Corp. advanced 1.02% following the announcement
Shares of Sakura Internet skyrocketed 20.27% in Friday trading after Microsoft unveiled an ambitious AI expansion strategy in Japan, designating the cloud services provider as a critical partner alongside telecommunications giant SoftBank.
Microsoft announced a four-year, $10 billion investment package in Japan, part of the US company’s Asia-wide push to expand in a region hungry for artificial intelligence services- Bloomberg
•$10B for data centers and AI infrastructure through 2029
•Builds on $2.9B announced… pic.twitter.com/laIAvfd383— Yeboah Walee (@YeboahWalee) April 3, 2026
The Redmond-based technology company revealed plans to commit 1.6 trillion yen — approximately $10 billion — to Japan over the next four years starting in 2026. This substantial investment encompasses AI infrastructure development, cybersecurity collaboration, and an ambitious initiative to develop 1 million engineers and developers specialized in AI by 2030.
The strategic announcement came during Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith’s official visit to Tokyo, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Under the newly formed alliance, Sakura Internet — which operates a network of data centers throughout Japan — will team up with SoftBank to deliver AI computing infrastructure. This collaboration will provide graphics processing units that remain physically situated within Japanese territory.
This arrangement enables enterprises and government organizations to process classified and sensitive information domestically while maintaining access to Microsoft Azure cloud services.
Additionally, SoftBank and Microsoft Japan are exploring a collaborative offering that would enable Azure subscribers to access SoftBank’s AI computing infrastructure seamlessly.
Trading closed Friday with SoftBank Group up 0.22%, while SoftBank Corp. posted gains of 1.02%.
Japan’s AI Readiness Drives Investment
Microsoft highlighted Japan’s rapid embrace of artificial intelligence technologies as a key factor behind the substantial investment. Data from Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report reveals that approximately 20% of Japan’s working-age population currently utilizes generative AI applications, surpassing the global average of roughly 16%.
Smith emphasized that cloud computing and AI service demand continues to accelerate across Japan, noting that this investment supports Prime Minister Takaichi’s strategic vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to drive economic expansion and strengthen national security.
Expanded Collaboration Ecosystem
The partnership extends beyond Sakura and SoftBank, with Microsoft announcing collaborations with five additional leading Japanese technology firms to achieve its ambitious goal of training 1 million AI specialists by 2030. The roster includes industry heavyweights NTT Data Corp., NEC, Fujitsu, and Hitachi.
These partnerships will also facilitate the creation and advancement of domestically developed large language models within Japan.
On the cybersecurity front, Microsoft’s cooperation with Japanese authorities will involve exchanging threat intelligence and supporting crime prevention efforts with local law enforcement agencies.
Sakura Internet concluded Friday’s session at 2,967.00 JPY, representing a gain of 500.00 JPY.
