Japan Positioned as AI Hub: SoftBank and OpenAI Aim for Worldwide Business Adoption

SoftBank Group Corp. and OpenAI have revealed the creation of a new joint venture, SB OAI Japan, with the goal of speeding up the introduction of advanced artificial intelligence solutions in Japan, as reported by

. This newly established company will dedicate its efforts to advancing OpenAI's Crystal Intelligence platform and is considering going public as early as 2026, marking a major milestone in the worldwide expansion of generative AI collaborations.

This partnership brings together two major players: SoftBank, renowned for its investments and technological infrastructure, and OpenAI, the American AI research organization behind the GPT large language models. Through this alliance, SB OAI Japan intends to combine OpenAI’s state-of-the-art AI technologies with SoftBank’s vast domestic reach to create customized solutions for Japanese enterprises. The initiative targets industries such as finance, healthcare, and customer support, where AI implementation is accelerating but remains inconsistent, according to the Phemex report.

During a press conference, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman underscored the broader significance of the venture, describing it as an "essential move to integrate transformative AI technologies into the workflows of international businesses." He identified Japan as an "ideal initial market" thanks to its advanced tech landscape and supportive regulatory framework for AI progress. Altman also suggested that this partnership could serve as a template for future collaborations with global corporations, noting that the joint venture is intended to demonstrate how AI-powered services can be scaled internationally, as detailed in the Phemex report.

SoftBank’s participation brings substantial financial resources and operational expertise to the table. The Japanese conglomerate, which has a history of backing AI startups through its Vision Fund, has pledged to supply infrastructure, local knowledge, and distribution networks to fuel SB OAI Japan’s expansion. A SoftBank representative pointed out that the company’s background in rolling out 5G and cloud technologies makes it well-suited to seamlessly embed AI into current business operations, according to the Phemex report.

The anticipated IPO in 2026 demonstrates strong belief in the joint venture’s growth potential and the overall direction of the AI sector. Experts predict that Japan’s AI market could surpass ¥1.2 trillion (about $8.5 billion) by 2030, propelled by increasing needs for automation and data-driven insights. Nevertheless, obstacles such as data security and workforce adaptation persist. The joint venture’s future will hinge on its capacity to address these challenges while delivering measurable value to business clients, the Phemex report noted.