Japanese multinational investment holding company, SoftBank Group and Nvidia are joining forces to develop Japan's most advanced AI supercomputer using Nvidia's latest Blackwell chips, marking a significant step in Japan's AI and semiconductor expansion. This announcement came during the Nvidia AI Summit in Tokyo, where Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son discussed their shared vision for Japan's technological future.

The new supercomputer, based on Nvidia's DGX B200 platform, will be the country's most powerful AI machine, supporting a wide array of services across Japan. It will be followed by a more advanced system featuring the Grace Blackwell architecture. SoftBank's telecom unit plans to utilize this cutting-edge technology to transition Japan's communications infrastructure into an AI-based network. The initiative includes AI radio access networks (AI-RANs), which are designed to enhance remote robotics, autonomous vehicles, and other advanced services while reducing energy consumption.

During the summit, Huang humorously referenced SoftBank's previous stake in Nvidia, which Son sold before Nvidia's meteoric rise in the AI sector. Son, now committed to driving Japan's AI revolution, acknowledged his past regrets but focused on future opportunities. “This is Japan's chance to catch up,” Son said, emphasizing the need for the country to embrace the AI revolution.

Japan's government has allocated significant resources to bolster its semiconductor and AI industries. This includes a ¥4 trillion ($26 billion) fund to expand domestic chip production and over $65 billion for AI development, as pledged by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. SoftBank's new AI ventures align with these national objectives, aiming to position Japan as a global leader in AI.

In addition to the supercomputer project, SoftBank's telecom division will utilize Nvidia's AI Aerial platform to integrate AI with 5G networks. This groundbreaking project has already resulted in the world's first 5G AI-RAN network, opening up new revenue opportunities for telecom providers. SoftBank and Nvidia also announced plans to establish an AI marketplace in Japan using Nvidia's AI Enterprise software. This platform will provide secure AI computing solutions, support AI training, and enable edge AI inference, creating new business opportunities for industries, consumers, and enterprises across Japan.

Huang highlighted that Japan is at the forefront of a new AI-driven industrial revolution. The collaboration with SoftBank aims to reduce reliance on traditional hardware, shifting towards AI-optimized networks capable of supporting the next wave of technological innovation. Son echoed this sentiment, calling on Japan's government and industry to fully commit to this transformative journey.