NTT Plans $6.3B Data Center for Anthropic in Japan

According to multiple sources familiar with the matter, NTT Data Group, a subsidiary of Japanese telecommunications giant NTT, is in the final stages of negotiations with U.S. artificial intelligence company Anthropic to build a large-scale data center in Osaka Prefecture, western Japan. The project could cost approximately 1 trillion yen (about $6.3 billion) and is expected to rank among Japan's largest data center facilities in terms of computing capacity.

The proposed facility would be Anthropic's first dedicated data center in Japan. Anthropic is a leading developer of advanced AI models, including generative AI technologies used in a growing range of applications.

NTT Data Group and Anthropic aim to sign an agreement before the end of fiscal 2026, which concludes in March 2027. Initial operations could begin as early as 2028. The data center is expected to have a maximum power capacity of 500 megawatts, potentially placing it among the largest facilities of its kind in Japan.

Beyond the construction of the facility itself, the project would require substantial investment in high-performance servers equipped with graphics processing units (GPUs) to support advanced AI computing workloads. If a large number of next-generation AI servers are installed, the total investment could reach several trillion yen.

Power supply remains a major challenge for the project. Securing 500 MW of electricity entirely through the conventional utility grid could take considerable time. As a result, the companies are considering alternative power solutions for the initial phase, including on-site power generation and fuel cells.

A Stanford University study reportedly published findings as of March 2026 indicating that Anthropic's advanced AI models ranked ahead of models developed by U.S. competitors OpenAI and Google, placing them at the top among models developed by companies worldwide.

Anthropic is also exploring opportunities to build additional data centers in several Asian countries, with governments competing to attract investment in AI infrastructure. The company is reportedly in discussions with local businesses in Australia regarding potential projects.

NTT Data Group is the world's third-largest data center operator by market share, with more than 1,600 MW of total data center capacity across multiple countries and regions. The company has experience developing AI-focused facilities that incorporate advanced technologies, including liquid cooling. By operating a large-scale AI data center in Japan, NTT Data Group aims to strengthen its technical capabilities and improve its position in future infrastructure contracts.

Japan is experiencing a surge in large-scale data center investment as demand for AI computing continues to grow. In Akita Prefecture in northern Japan, a separate project is planned with a maximum capacity of 500 MW and an estimated investment of 2 trillion yen. Meanwhile, a Taiwanese investment company and other organizations are planning to invest approximately 850 billion yen in a 350 MW data center in Kagoshima Prefecture in western Japan.

The Japanese government has identified data centers and cloud computing as priority areas among its 17 strategic sectors. It aims to mobilize 32.7 trillion yen in public- and private-sector investment in data centers, cloud computing, and storage batteries by fiscal 2035, underscoring the country's commitment to expanding its digital infrastructure and supporting the growing demand for AI computing.