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SoftBank is undergoing a significant transformation, moving beyond its traditional role as a telecommunications carrier to become a key player in building the social infrastructure for the AI era. Central to this evolution is a next-generation infrastructure concept that integrates communication and computing capabilities, centered around strategically distributed AI data centers across Japan. The company is shifting away from the conventional model of concentrating massive processing power in select major cities, aiming instead to establish an environment where advanced AI processing is accessible anywhere in the country.

A New Model Emerges with Distributed AI Data Centers

SoftBank emphasizes a distributed computing network that seamlessly links large-scale AI hubs, such as the “Brain Data Center,” with “Regional Brain” centers and even edge AI servers at the base station level. This distributed approach allows AI computations to be performed at the location closest to where the processing is needed. This innovation can significantly reduce response times, cutting what previously took hundreds of milliseconds down to just tens of milliseconds.

This level of immediate responsiveness is crucial for fields demanding real-time performance, including disaster prevention systems, smart factories, road monitoring, and autonomous driving, delivering immense value in these critical areas.

Furthermore, the company is actively pursuing concrete data center construction projects. In Tomakomai, Hokkaido, an AI data center is being built on a vast site of approximately 700,000 square meters, planned as a large-scale facility prioritizing the use of renewable energy. In Sakai City, Osaka, development of a 150 MW-class hub is underway, utilizing a former factory site, with a future concept to expand its capacity to 400 MW. These initiatives are expected to significantly bolster Japan’s domestic AI processing foundation.

Cloud Enhancement and Regional Revitalization

The enhancements go beyond hardware, extending to the cloud and AI service platforms. SoftBank is partnering with Oracle to advance the development of a sovereign cloud infrastructure utilizing domestic data centers. This effort is creating an environment where businesses and local governments can leverage AI while ensuring critical data remains within Japan—a matter of growing significance amid rising interest in data sovereignty.

Moreover, the distributed AI data centers directly contribute to the digitalization of local communities. Unlike the past, where AI utilization tended to concentrate in urban areas, this new framework makes advanced AI processing readily available to local governments and businesses nationwide. This accessibility is expected to stimulate regional economies. Applications are anticipated across various sectors, including healthcare, disaster management, logistics, and manufacturing, tailored to the specific needs of each region.

Naturally, data center construction involves numerous challenges, such as securing power, cooling facilities, and land negotiations. However, SoftBank has demonstrated success in achieving rapid agreements through swift consultations with local governments. This suggests that the importance of developing infrastructure to support the AI society is a shared understanding among local authorities as well.

In summary, SoftBank’s efforts clearly demonstrate its commitment to building the new social infrastructure indispensable for the AI era. By deploying its unique foundation—which merges telecommunications, AI, and cloud technology—across the country, the company is poised to play a crucial role in underpinning the development of domestic industries. Future developments are highly anticipated.