NTT Data in Final Talks to Build Anthropic's First Japan Data Center in Osaka

Japan's NTT Data Group is in the final stages of negotiations to construct a data center in Osaka for U.S. artificial intelligence company Anthropic, according to a report by the Nikkei business daily citing multiple sources. The facility would mark Anthropic's first dedicated data center in Japan and represents a significant expansion of the AI company's infrastructure footprint in Asia.

The project carries an estimated construction cost of up to 1 trillion yen (approximately $6.3 billion), underscoring the massive capital investment required to support the growing computational demands of large-scale AI models. The data center is expected to have a power intake capacity of up to 500 megawatts, with partial operations projected to begin as early as 2028.

NTT Data and Anthropic aim to sign a formal agreement by the end of fiscal 2026, which concludes on March 31, according to the report. NTT Data declined to comment on the matter, while NTT Group was not immediately available for comment.

The development highlights the accelerating race among AI companies to secure dedicated computing infrastructure in key markets. As AI models grow increasingly complex, the demand for high-capacity data centers with substantial power resources has become a critical strategic priority for companies like Anthropic, which competes with rivals such as OpenAI and Google in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

For Japan, the project signals the country's emergence as a significant destination for AI infrastructure investment. The Osaka facility would contribute to local economic activity while positioning Japan as a key node in the global AI supply chain. The partnership also reflects the deepening ties between Japanese technology conglomerates and leading American AI firms, as both sides seek to leverage complementary strengths in infrastructure and artificial intelligence.