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The importance of data centers is growing due to the need to process vast amounts of data resulting from the spread of digital devices, the development of self-driving vehicles, and the development and utilization of generative AI.

While approximately 80% of Japan’s major data center demand is concentrated in Tokyo and Osaka, it has been revealed that Asia Pacific Land (APL) Group, a U.S. real estate investment and development firm, plans to build large-scale data centers in Itoshima and Kitakyushu Cities, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Construction of Kyushu’s Largest Data Center in Itoshima City, with an Investment Exceeding 300 Billion Yen, Scheduled to Begin This Spring

Construction of one of Kyushu’s largest data centers is scheduled to begin in the Taku and Tomi districts of Itoshima City in the spring of 2025. This data center will have a total power receiving capacity of 300,000 kilowatts, and the investment amount will exceed 300 billion yen.

The location is in the southeastern part of the Maebaru Interchange on the Nishi-Kyushu Expressway.

The plan is to construct six data centers on a 122,000 square meter site.

Construction will begin with site preparation in the spring of 2025, and data center operations will gradually commence from 2029.

Construction of a 120,000 Kilowatt Data Center in Kitakyushu City, Aiming to Start by the Fall of 2027

In addition, APL Group acquired a 62,822 square meter city-owned site in the Kitakyushu Science and Research Park (Wakamatsu Ward, Kitakyushu City) in November 2023, and plans to invest 125 billion yen to build a data center with a total power receiving capacity of 120,000 kilowatts. The aim is to start construction by the fall of 2027.

This will be the second large-scale data center to be established in Kitakyushu City since 2007.

APL cited the proximity to submarine cable landing points and the future potential for renewable energy utilization as reasons for selecting Kitakyushu, taking into account its geographical proximity to Asia. They also expect to capture demand from domestic and East Asian companies.

Potential for Increased Attention as a Candidate for Decentralized Data Center Locations

The construction of data centers in Kyushu is aimed at decentralizing data centers as a risk hedge against various disasters, including the Nankai Trough earthquake, and also takes advantage of the proximity to submarine cable landing stations to Asia.

Kitakyushu City has proposed a “Backup Capital Concept” to serve as a hub for companies, data centers, and government agencies concentrated in Tokyo. The construction of a large-scale data center in the Kitakyushu Science and Research Park is likely to give momentum to the city’s concept. There is also the possibility that Kitakyushu, with its low disaster risk, will attract more attention as a candidate for decentralized data center locations, and expectations are high for its development.