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The “Stargate Project,” a large-scale AI infrastructure development initiative spearheaded by SoftBank Group and OpenAI, is focusing on Sakai City as the central location for its expansion in Japan. Specifically, SoftBank plans to repurpose a former liquid crystal display panel factory owned by Sharp in Sakai. The company has acquired a portion of this facility for approximately 100 billion yen with the goal of transforming it into a cutting-edge AI data center.

This facility will be the third major site for the project, following an existing base in Tokyo and another under construction in Hokkaido. It boasts an impressive power capacity of 150 megawatts, making it one of the largest in Japan. Operations are slated to begin in 2026, with plans to expand capacity to 250 megawatts in the future. Sakai’s favorable location and infrastructure conditions are expected to ensure the long-term stability of the data center’s operations.

SB OpenAI Japan to Drive Domestic AI Development and Adoption

At the heart of this project is “SB OpenAI Japan,” a joint venture established in February 2025 by SoftBank and OpenAI. This company aims to develop large language models (LLMs) specifically tailored for the Japanese language and provide “Crystal Intelligence,” a generative AI service for businesses.

The Sakai data center is planned to host the operation of AI agents powered by GPUs, utilizing the foundational models provided by OpenAI. These agents will be specialized for various corporate functions, such as human resources and marketing, with the aim of delivering customized AI solutions that meet specific business needs.

These efforts have the potential to significantly accelerate the digital transformation of Japanese companies.

Creating the Future Through Massive Investment and Industrial Fusion

SoftBank is planning a large-scale development that will require 100,000 GPUs for this AI infrastructure build-out, potentially amounting to a massive investment approaching one trillion yen based on simple calculations. The GPUs are expected to be supplied by U.S.-based NVIDIA and the Stargate Project itself.

SoftBank President Miyakawa stated, “We aim to make Sakai a hub for the fusion of AI and existing industries, serving as an experimental ground for new business models and solutions to challenges.” This highlights the expectation that the facility will not just be a data center, but a key driver in the evolution of the AI industry both domestically and internationally.

Furthermore, this initiative is poised to be a crucial step in enhancing productivity across various industries and addressing labor shortages.