Mubadala Investment, the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, could anchor funding of as much as Y1tn ($6.3bn) for an AI data centre in northern Japan, Bloomberg has reported, citing an unnamed source.
The source, described as familiar with the matter, spoke anonymously because the plans have not been disclosed.
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The scheme centres on Akita Prefecture and would carry 500MW of capacity. On that basis, it could exceed the size of any facility currently operating in Japan.
Backers from Japan and elsewhere may join the wealth fund in financing the build, the source said. Contractors drawn from Japanese firms would likely form a group to deliver construction and supporting infrastructure.
Counting suppliers and businesses that may want a presence close to the site, spending tied to the development could climb to Y2tn.
The discussions illustrate how investors are seeking AI capacity in jurisdictions seen as less exposed to political risk. Japan’s standing has risen as relations between Washington and Beijing deteriorate and as fighting in Europe and the Middle East alters supply routes.
Authorities in Tokyo are naming various areas, Akita among them, as priority investment zones for industries including AI data centres and chip production, supported by state money.
Semiconductor manufacturers have responded with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), Tower Semiconductor and Micron Technology committing billions of dollars to Japanese operations over recent years.
NTT Data Group, the country’s largest data centre operator, said this week it would commit at least $9bn through 2033 to add computing capacity as demand climbs.
The UAE ranks among the larger backers of AI systems and the infrastructure beneath them.
MGX recently completed its acquisition of Aligned Data Centers, which has an enterprise value of $40bn. The Emirati state-owned investor, whose founding partners include Mubadala and G42, made the purchase alongside BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Platform and the Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Partnership.
