Sakura Internet, based in Osaka, Japan, has announced a significant investment to enhance the country’s artificial intelligence computing capabilities, securing approximately 20 billion yen ($130 million) worth of Nvidia’s next-generation B200 chips. This move aligns with a broader national effort to advance Japan-made AI technologies.
The company plans to install these AI chips at its facility in Hokkaido by March of the next year. These installations will primarily serve companies eager to train sophisticated AI algorithms. Furthering its commitment, Sakura has outlined additional investments totaling 100 billion yen by March 2031, expanding its AI computing power and data center infrastructure.
This strategic investment has been bolstered by a substantial subsidy from the Japanese government, which announced on Friday a 50 billion yen contribution to Sakura Internet. This funding aims to strengthen the company’s cloud-based computing resources necessary for AI development, covering approximately half of Sakura’s planned expenditure.
Nvidia, recognized globally for its cutting-edge chips amid the generative AI boom, has positioned Sakura among the first Japanese entities to secure the newly unveiled B200 chip. Last year, Sakura notably surprised the market by announcing the acquisition of 2,000 units of Nvidia’s H100 chips, which are among the most advanced GPUs for AI training.
The backing of the Japanese government has been pivotal, as Sakura executives noted the challenges of securing a significant volume of these high-demand semiconductors. Tokyo’s support highlights the government’s proactive measures to reduce dependency on foreign technologies by enhancing the nation’s supercomputing capabilities, which are vital for developing cutting-edge AI technologies. This initiative reflects Japan’s broader strategy to assert its autonomy in the technology sector, especially in areas critical to future economic and technological landscapes.
