Japan and Korea AI Infrastructure: SoftBank, Sakura, SK — 2026-09-05
SoftBank’s data-center unit SB Energy is advancing toward an IPO, revealing massive warrant valuations tied to OpenAI, while SK Group finalizes a $2.2 billion sale of a 49% stake in its AI data center arm to KKR and IMM Investment. Meanwhile, South Korea’s SK Hynix is actively reviewing potential sites in Japan for a new joint-operated plant to support the global AI memory boom.
Japan and Korea AI Infrastructure: SoftBank, Sakura, SK — 2026-09-05
Top developments
SoftBank’s SB Energy IPO Discloses $5.5 Billion OpenAI Warrant Valuation
On August 30, 2026, reports citing SB Energy’s draft IPO documents revealed that OpenAI holds warrants in the SoftBank-backed energy and data-center company valued at approximately $5.5 billion as of June 2026. This disclosure highlights the deepening financial entanglement between SoftBank’s infrastructure ambitions and the Stargate project, providing concrete valuation metrics for the "neocloud" ecosystem as SB Energy prepares for public markets. The move underscores how SoftBank is leveraging its energy assets to finance the massive power requirements of its planned AI data centers in Japan and the US.
SK Group Finalizes $2.2 Billion Sale of 49% Stake in AI Data Center Unit
SK Group signed a definitive agreement on August 27, 2026, to sell a 49% stake in its artificial intelligence data center business to a consortium led by KKR and IMM Investment for approximately $2.2 billion (3.08 trillion won). Following this transaction, SK Telecom will retain a 51% majority stake in the newly spun-off entity, SK Horizon, which was officially announced on August 27. This capital injection is critical for accelerating the buildout of SK’s GPU cloud infrastructure in Korea, positioning it to compete with Naver and Kakao in the domestic AI compute market.
SK Hynix Reviews Japanese Sites for Joint Memory Plant
On August 31, 2026, it was reported that SK Hynix, the leading supplier of High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for AI accelerators, is actively reviewing various locations in Japan for a jointly operated manufacturing plant. This potential expansion into Japan aligns with broader supply chain diversification strategies and could strengthen the hardware backbone for Japanese AI initiatives, including those by SoftBank and Sakura Internet, by reducing logistics friction for critical memory components.
Global AI Data-Center Financing Reaches $3.6 Trillion Projection
A report published on September 3, 2026, estimates that the global AI data-center buildout will require roughly $3.6 trillion in financing between 2026 and 2030. This figure frames the urgency of recent capital moves in Japan and Korea, where governments and private sectors are racing to secure subsidized funding and private equity to meet the energy and hardware demands of this projected spending wave.
Local view
Japanese media, including Impress Watch, noted in early September that while Japan’s AI data-center plans have accelerated since the start of 2026, significant challenges remain regarding energy supply and international competition. In Korea, Money Today highlighted the logistical complexities of large-scale projects, noting that the SK Group-AWS Ulsan campus (7 trillion won investment) and the Haenam Solasido National AI Computing Center face multi-year timelines, with first-phase operations not expected until 2027 and 2028 respectively.
Context & numbers
- Financing Volume: Global AI data-center financing needs are projected at $3.6 trillion for 2026–2030.
- Korea Investment: SK Group, GS Group, and Naver are planning approximately 550 trillion won in investments for South Korean AI data centers with an initial capacity target of 8.4 GW.
- Japan Capacity: NTT Data intends to add roughly 750 megawatts of capacity over the next seven years to meet AI demand.
- Subsidies: METI has approved up to ¥72.5 billion in subsidies for domestic GPU cloud capacity, supporting companies like Sakura Internet and KDDI under the Economic Security Promotion Act.
On the radar
- SB Energy IPO: Watch for the official listing date and final prospectus details for SB Energy, which could set a new benchmark for AI infrastructure valuations.
- Naver vs. Samsung SDS: The battle for South Korea’s public-sector "OnAI" platform contracts continues to intensify, with significant implications for domestic cloud provider dominance.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
Powered by
