Japan to fund KDDI, four others to build AI supercomputer

Grants worth $470m aimed at reducing dependence on U.S. tech

20240418 Sakura Internet

A server room at Sakura Internet's data center in Osaka. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)

RIHO NAGAO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The Japanese government will give five companies, including telecom company KDDI, a total of 72.5 billion yen ($470 million) to fund efforts to develop artificial intelligence amid concerns about overreliance on U.S. technology.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has selected KDDI, cloud service company Sakura Internet and others, and will fund up to half of their individual investments. Sakura will be the biggest beneficiary, receiving 50.1 billion yen in government aid, followed by for KDDI, which will get 10.2 billion yen.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.