Key Highlights
- Sakura Internet shares climbed 20.27% following Microsoft’s declaration of a $10 billion AI commitment in Japan
- The tech giant will deploy 1.6 trillion yen from 2026 through 2029 for AI infrastructure and cybersecurity initiatives
- Partnership with Sakura Internet and SoftBank focuses on delivering Japan-domiciled AI computing capabilities, including GPU resources
- Microsoft targets training 1 million Japanese engineers and developers by decade’s end
- SoftBank Group shares rose 0.22% while SoftBank Corp. advanced 1.02% following the announcement
Shares of Sakura Internet skyrocketed 20.27% on Friday following Microsoft’s revelation of a substantial AI investment strategy in Japan, with the cloud infrastructure provider designated as a primary collaborator alongside 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 giant disclosed plans to deploy 1.6 trillion yen — approximately $10 billion — across Japan from 2026 to 2029. This capital allocation encompasses AI infrastructure development, cybersecurity collaboration efforts, and an ambitious initiative to train 1 million engineers and developers by the end of this decade.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, unveiled the initiative during a Tokyo visit where he held discussions with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Sakura Internet, which operates an extensive network of data centers throughout Japan, will collaborate with SoftBank to deliver AI computing resources through this strategic alliance. The arrangement specifically includes graphics processing units housed within Japanese territory.
This infrastructure approach enables enterprises and government entities to process confidential information domestically while maintaining access to Microsoft Azure cloud services.
Microsoft Japan and SoftBank are currently exploring a collaborative framework that would enable Azure subscribers to directly utilize SoftBank’s AI computing infrastructure.
Trading concluded with SoftBank Group up 0.22% on Friday, as SoftBank Corp. registered a 1.02% gain.
Japan’s Strategic Importance
Microsoft highlighted robust AI adoption rates in Japan as a catalyst for this investment decision. Approximately 20% of Japan’s working-age population currently utilizes generative AI technologies, based on data from Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report. This penetration rate exceeds the global average of roughly 16%.
Smith emphasized that cloud computing and AI service demand throughout Japan continues expanding, noting the investment supports Prime Minister Takaichi’s strategy to leverage cutting-edge technology for economic development and national security objectives.
Expanding the Collaboration Ecosystem
Microsoft’s partnership extends beyond Sakura and SoftBank, encompassing five additional prominent Japanese technology corporations to achieve its goal of training 1 million AI professionals by 2030. These collaborators include NTT Data Corp., NEC, Fujitsu, and Hitachi.
The alliance will additionally facilitate the creation of homegrown large language models within Japan.
Microsoft’s cybersecurity cooperation with Japanese authorities involves intelligence sharing regarding cyber threats and collaborative crime prevention initiatives.
Sakura Internet finished the trading session at 2,967.00 JPY, representing a 500.00 JPY increase.
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