Key Highlights
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- Shares of Sakura Internet climbed 20.27% following Microsoft’s announcement of a $10 billion artificial intelligence commitment in Japan
- The tech giant will deploy 1.6 trillion yen from 2026 through 2029 for AI infrastructure development and cybersecurity initiatives
- Partnership with Sakura Internet and SoftBank will deliver Japan-based AI computing capabilities, including GPU resources
- Microsoft targets training 1 million Japanese engineers and developers before 2030
- SoftBank Group shares advanced 0.22% while SoftBank Corp. climbed 1.02% following the announcement
Shares of Sakura Internet skyrocketed 20.27% during Friday’s trading session after Microsoft unveiled an ambitious artificial intelligence expansion plan in Japan, positioning the cloud services provider as a strategic partner alongside telecom 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 leader revealed plans to deploy 1.6 trillion yen — approximately $10 billion — across Japan during a four-year period spanning 2026 to 2029. This substantial capital allocation will fund AI infrastructure buildout, enhanced cybersecurity collaboration, and an ambitious workforce development initiative targeting 1 million trained engineers and developers by decade’s end.
Brad Smith, Microsoft’s Vice Chair and President, revealed the strategic initiative during his Tokyo visit, where he held discussions with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.
Under the partnership framework, Sakura Internet — which operates multiple data center facilities throughout Japan — will collaborate with SoftBank to deliver AI processing power. The arrangement includes deploying graphics processing units that remain physically situated within Japanese territory.
This infrastructure configuration enables corporations and government entities to maintain sensitive data within national borders while leveraging Microsoft Azure cloud capabilities.
Additionally, SoftBank and Microsoft Japan are exploring a collaborative offering that would enable Azure users to access SoftBank’s AI computing infrastructure seamlessly.
Trading concluded Friday with SoftBank Group advancing 0.22%, while SoftBank Corp. registered a 1.02% gain.
Strategic Focus on Japanese Market
Microsoft highlighted Japan’s robust artificial intelligence adoption rates as a key factor driving the investment decision. Data from Microsoft’s AI Diffusion Report indicates approximately 20% of Japan’s working-age population actively utilizes generative AI technologies, exceeding the global average of roughly 16.7%.
Smith emphasized the expanding demand for cloud computing and AI capabilities across Japan, noting the investment complements Prime Minister Takaichi’s strategic vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to strengthen economic competitiveness and enhance national security.
Expanded Collaborative Ecosystem
Microsoft’s partnership strategy extends beyond Sakura and SoftBank to encompass five additional prominent Japanese technology enterprises as it pursues its goal of developing 1 million AI professionals by 2030. The expanded partner roster features NTT Data Corp., NEC, Fujitsu, and Hitachi.
The collaborative framework will additionally facilitate the creation and advancement of domestically-developed large language models tailored for the Japanese market.
On the cybersecurity front, Microsoft’s cooperation with Japanese authorities will encompass intelligence sharing regarding cyber threats and support for digital crime prevention efforts.
Sakura Internet concluded Friday’s session at 2,967.00 JPY, representing a 500.00 JPY increase for the trading day.
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