Microsoft establishes AI research center in Tokyo and invests 440 billion yen to strengthen domestic computing power

Microsoft has announced that it will invest approximately 440 billion yen over the next two years to strengthen its AI and cloud infrastructure in Japan. In addition, it has also announced that it will provide reskilling opportunities to 3 million people over the next three years and establish a new research center in Japan.

Microsoft invests 440 billion yen to strengthen domestic AI and cloud infrastructure, contributing to the Japanese economy through reskilling, establishment of new research centers, and cybersecurity collaboration - News Center Japan
https://news.microsoft.com/ja-jp/2024/04/10/240410-microsoft-to-invest-us2-9-billion-in-ai-and-cloud-infrastructure-in-japan-while-boosting-the-nations-skills-research-and-cybersecurity/

Microsoft to invest approximately 440 billion yen in Japan business to meet growing demand for generative AI | NHK | Generative AI / Artificial Intelligence
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240409/k10014416831000.html

◆ Investing 440 billion yen to strengthen computing power at bases in Tokyo and Osaka
Microsoft has been active in Japan since it established its first business base outside the United States in 1978. The 440 billion yen investment announced this time is said to be the largest investment Microsoft has ever made in Japan.

Microsoft plans to use 440 billion yen to introduce computing resources, including GPUs, to data centers in Tokyo and Osaka to improve computing power. Microsoft also plans to continue contributing to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's AI development capacity enhancement project 'Generative AI Accelerator Challenge (GENIAC)'. Details of GENIAC can be found on the following page.

GENIAC (METI/Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
https://www.meti.go.jp/policy/mono_info_service/geniac/index.html

◆ Improving AI skills through reskilling of 3 million people
Microsoft will develop reskilling and training programs for developers, students, and people from companies and organizations of all sizes who want to acquire skills. In addition, Microsoft plans to implement 'Code; Without Barriers,' a program to support women who want to be employed in jobs that utilize AI skills, in Japan, and to provide a wide range of training content to learn about AI and cybersecurity in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) .

In addition, Microsoft has announced that it will continue to provide resources to startups through the ' Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub ' and to support programming education at technical high schools. In addition, the company will provide programs for the introduction and use of AI tools to companies, local governments, and public institutions of all sizes.

◆Microsoft Research Asia to establish headquarters in Tokyo
Microsoft Research Asia, Microsoft's research division, will establish its first base in Japan in Tokyo. The research base to be established in Tokyo will conduct research on 'Embodied AI' and 'Societal AI.'

Microsoft also announced that it will provide resources worth approximately 1.5 billion yen each to its AI research partners at the University of Tokyo, Keio University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

◆ Strengthening cooperation with the Japanese government in the field of cybersecurity
Microsoft has announced that it will work with the Japanese government in the field of cybersecurity to protect the Japanese government, businesses, and citizens from cyberattacks. Microsoft will use its expertise in cloud and AI security services to 'strengthen information sharing,' 'develop human resources,' and 'provide technical solutions.'

In response to Microsoft's announcement, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida commented, 'As economic activity in the digital space becomes more active, collaboration with global companies with digital infrastructure like Microsoft is important for Japanese industry as a whole. I am grateful to Microsoft for their announcement of new investment in Japan. Through various initiatives, Microsoft has made a significant contribution to the social implementation of generative AI in Japan, and I look forward to continued cooperation. I also hope to deepen our collaboration in the field of cybersecurity in the future.'