An AWS-commissioned study by AlphaBeta shows that cloud and cybersecurity skills will be the top two digital skills most sought after by Japanese employers by 2025. Since his 2017 in Japan, AWS has trained more than 400,000 employees with his cloud skills and provided the in-demand cloud. Skills and best practices to help learners and organizations innovate in the cloud.
“For more than a decade, AWS has helped Japanese customers access the latest cutting-edge technology, build digital solutions on resilient and secure cloud infrastructure, and maintain an edge in today's complex economic environment. ” Tadao Nagasaki, President of AWS Japan. “Our investments in cloud infrastructure will have a ripple effect across Japanese industries, including the public and government sectors. We are committed to and excited about the future of Japan's digital economy.”
Microsoft invests in hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure
Microsoft also announced plans to invest in Japan over the next two years with the aim of increasing hyperscale cloud computing and AI opportunities.
The company hopes to do this by expanding its existing digital skills program, with the goal of providing AI skills to more than 3 million people over the next three years. This follows a similar recent initiative to educate millions of people in India about AI by 2025.
Microsoft also plans to open its first Microsoft Research Asia Lab and says it will deepen cybersecurity cooperation with the Japanese government.
This US$2.9 billion commitment is Microsoft's largest investment in Japan in the 46 years since its presence in the country. This financial support will enable Microsoft to offer more advanced computing resources in Japan, including the latest graphics processing units (GPUs) to accelerate AI workloads.
“We are honored to contribute to Japan and its future with our largest investment, technology and knowledge to date,” said Miki Tsusaka, president of Microsoft Japan. “Microsoft Japan is committed to working with our partners to help people and organizations in Japan solve social problems and achieve more.”
Google Cloud invests in digital connectivity via submarine cables
Google Cloud is expanding its Pacific Connect initiative and delivering two new undersea cables, aimed at building new fiber-optic routes between the mainland U.S. and Japan in support of Google's digital connectivity to Japan. announced a US$1 billion investment in The Japan Digitalization Initiative improves the reliability and resiliency of digital connections between the United States, Japan, and multiple Pacific Island countries and regions.
Submarine cables bring economics and increased productivity to the installation site. For example, in Japan, research estimates that investments in Google's network infrastructure have added an additional $400 million to GDP over the past decade. Increasing access to digital services enables more people to take advantage of skill development and career opportunities, and allows businesses and public sector organizations to better serve their customers and constituents.
“We're excited about the long-term benefits these latest efforts in the Pacific will bring to our people, users, and customers,” Brian Quigley, Google Cloud's vice president of global network infrastructure, said in the announcement. states. “We will continue to share more information as we continue to work with partners to reduce the digital divide across the Pacific.”
OpenAI expands into Japan and opens office in Tokyo
Meanwhile, OpenAI recently announced its first office in Asia along with the release of a Japanese-optimized GPT-4 custom model.
The AI startup is offering local businesses early access to a GPT-4 custom model specifically optimized for Japanese, with improved performance for translating and summarizing Japanese text, up to 3x faster than its predecessor. I said it works twice as fast.
“We are committed to working with the Japanese government, local businesses, and research institutions to develop secure AI tools that meet Japan's unique needs and unlock new opportunities,” the company said in an announcement blog. “We chose Tokyo for our first office in Asia because of its global leadership in technology, service culture, and community that embraces innovation.”
OpenAI said it is working with leading companies such as Daikin, Rakuten, and Toyota Connected who are using ChatGPT Enterprise to automate complex business processes, assist with data analysis, and optimize internal reporting.
“We are excited to be coming to Japan, a country with a rich history of people and technology coming together to achieve more,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. “We believe that AI will accelerate work by making people more creative and productive, while delivering broad value to new industries today and yet to be imagined.”
Oracle: Investments to meet growing demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure
In April, Oracle Japan Corporation announced plans to invest more than US$8 billion over the next 10 years to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan. This investment will expand the footprint of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) across Japan. Additionally, to help customers and partners address Japan's digital sovereignty requirements, Oracle will significantly expand its operations and support its engineering team with Japan-based talent.
Oracle plans to enhance local customer support in the Tokyo and Osaka public cloud regions and local operations team support in Oracle Alloy and OCI dedicated regions. This will enable governments and enterprises across Japan to move mission-critical workloads to Oracle Cloud and continue to adopt sovereign AI solutions.
Toshimitsu Misawa, director, executive officer, and president of Oracle Japan Corporation, said: “By expanding our cloud footprint and providing a team to support sovereign operations in Japan, we are empowering our customers and partners to innovate with AI and other cloud services while supporting regulatory and sovereign requirements. We provide opportunities.”
