SoftBank Launches 65 Billion Yen AI Data Center Project in Hokkaido

SAPPORO, Apr 17 (News On Japan) - A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 15th in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, for one of Japan's largest data centers, which is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2026.

Telecom giant SoftBank and its subsidiary IDC Frontier have begun construction of the "Hokkaido Tomakomai AI Data Center."

The facility is being built to handle the rapid increase in data processing and electricity consumption driven by the growing use of AI, with a total investment of 65 billion yen.

Currently, about 80% of data centers in Japan are concentrated in urban areas, prompting a push to develop such infrastructure in regional locations to mitigate risks during natural disasters.

"We're building an AI data center of this scale in Tomakomai, and we want this to become the core of an industrial cluster," said SoftBank President Junichi Miyagawa.

The site covers 700,000 square meters, with a target power consumption capacity of 300 megawatts, one of the largest in the country. The project is expected to be completed in fiscal 2026.

Source: 北海道ニュースUHB

World’s Longest 150-Meter Rail Departs for Hokkaido on Freight Train

Transportation of a 150-meter railway rail—the longest in the world—manufactured at a steelworks in Kitakyushu City, began on April 18th. The rail will be delivered to Hokkaido over the course of about four days for use in the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension project.

Japan Obesity Society Warns Against Women's Desire To Be Thin

The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity has issued a warning about the health risks of excessive thinness and poor nutrition among women, positioning what it calls 'women's underweight and malnutrition syndrome' as a newly recognized health condition.

Why Are Japan’s Street Ramen Stalls Vanishing?

Once a familiar and comforting presence on urban streets, Japan's cherished ramen stalls are quietly fading away as stricter regulations, an aging workforce, and evolving consumer preferences make their survival increasingly difficult.

Bear Sinks Teeth Into Live Deer as Tourists Watch From Hotel Window

A bear attacking a live deer outside a hotel in Kamikawa, Hokkaido, has shocked onlookers and prompted heightened alert from local authorities.

Strong Winds Cause 'Shaky Landings' at Narita Airport

Strong winds battered wide areas of Japan on April 15th, disrupting air travel, toppling trees in central Tokyo, and fueling a fire that burned down homes in Toyama.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

World's First Eco-Friendly Aviation Fuel Factory Begins Full Operation

A factory that converts discarded tempura oil into jet fuel using a world-first method has officially begun full-scale operations in Tahara City, Aichi Prefecture.

SoftBank Launches 65 Billion Yen AI Data Center Project in Hokkaido

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on April 15th in Tomakomai, Hokkaido, for one of Japan's largest data centers, which is scheduled for completion in fiscal 2026.

Rice Disappears from Store Shelves as Prices Top 6,000 Yen

Rice prices in Japan have surged dramatically, with 5-kilogram bags now commonly priced in the 3,000 to 4,000 yen range and in some cases exceeding 6,000 yen including tax. This price surge has caught consumers off guard, and supermarkets are experiencing both high prices and shortages.

Who Chose Espinosa as Nissan's New CEO?

Nissan’s new president, 46-year-old Ivan Espinosa, may symbolize change for the struggling automaker. However, his appointment raises eyebrows: Espinosa previously served as head of product planning—a role directly tied to the decline in the company’s brand appeal.

Behind the Expo: Business Talks Hold the Key to Success

While the purpose of World Expositions has evolved over time, the 2020 Dubai Expo hosted 98 business events, drawing over 25,000 participants from more than 130 countries, both in-person and online. Events covered themes like space and medicine, offering opportunities for companies to hold negotiations.