LOGO

In July of this year, Microsoft announced a new policy. While Microsoft’s business data centers for AI generation were primarily located in the United States and Europe, in order to enhance service quality for Japanese customers and strengthen data management, they revealed the decision to switch all business data centers for AI generation applications of Japanese companies to be within Japan.

The background to this policy is that concerns have been raised regarding the management of sensitive and important information due to data center locations overseas.In a bid to address these concerns, Microsoft decided to conduct all data transactions within Japan.

Expanding the existing data centers in Eastern Japan to serve as hubs for AI generation will enable the processing of highly sensitive information solely within the country. Moreover, in line with the expansion of AI generation operations, Microsoft plans to consider expanding data centers located in Western Japan in the future.

Microsoft’s actions are impacting the entire industry, as seen in NEC’s initiation of new services utilizing data centers within Japan.

Headquarters for the Promotion of Digital Society also recognizes

Microsoft’s new policy has been recognized by the LDP’s Headquarters for the Promotion of Digital Society.

At a meeting of the working team on the use of AI, former Digital Minister Hirai, who was briefed on the new policy by Microsoft, expressed his view that “research and development is progressing rapidly in countries around the world, and Japan will have more promising options in terms of providing an environment.

Furthermore, Masaaki Taira, a member of the House of Representatives who chairs the working team, said, “If data centers are located overseas, security issues will arise, so the establishment of a base in Japan is an important proposal that will resolve one of our concerns.

The expansion of domestic data centers will resolve the biggest concerns regarding the use of generated AI by the government and various ministries. The announcement of this new policy is likely to increase expectations for the future development of generative AI.