SoftBank buys $676M old Sharp plant for its OpenAI collab in Japan

The softbank is moving forward with the ambition to create a large AI operation in Japan’s home market in a strategic partner with others like its own steam and opening. Opened FridayThe technology company has confirmed that it will give $ 676 million for a factory used by Sharp to convert it to an artificial intelligence data center to create an LCD panel.

Sharp’s purchase and sales agreement with Sharp includes both Osaka Sharp Sakai Plant’s land and building for 100 billion yen ($ 676 million) prices.

It was the initial step required for the softbank as the data centers are a Lunchpin of the huge Wave Ya wave of the Tech World Sweeping Generator AI: To train models and provide subsequent services and provide enough data centers to operate.

If the site is part of the Japan’s OpenAI model is part of the commercialization plan, a spokesperson of the softbank points to TechCrunch Previous announcement About a cooperation with the Openai to deploy an advanced enterprise AI called “Crystal Intelligence” in Japan. Contact for the response, Open refused to comment on the news.

Open Report Sakai wants to bring the GPU to the Japan market to bring its AI Foundational models to the Japan market to develop models. A joint venture between Softbank and OpenAI will train models using clients’ data from Japan marketing and other activities. JV will then sell customized AI agents to clients, Per Nickei’s reportThe

The Data Center Plan explains how softbanks and open their cooperation opportunities are widening.

Has unveiled two technology companies Their joint venture in Japan Follow OPENCE ACCESS WITH SOFTBANK, Oracle and other companies The Japanese Telco Giant is also investing in the US to build several AI data centers in the United States. Discussion has been going on for months, and the last one is the softbank In the news Investing as $ 25 billion in OpenA evaluation of nearly $ 300 billion. However, the fund has not yet been closed, not officially announced.

Plants in softbank come about 10 months after the purchase of Signature of a Memorandum of Understanding to build a large AI Data Center The LCD panel is sharp in a plant used earlier for production.

The aim of the softbank is to start the operation in 2026. The softbank expects that the LCD panel will have adequate electricity capacity for operating the AI ​​Data Center in the factory, initially increased by about 5 MW and finally 20 MW.

The Sakai facility will be the third data center of the softbank. It is already operating a data center Tokyo And another is being built HawkidoThe