Key points
- NTT Data is in the final stages of talks to build a data center for Anthropic.
- The facility is planned for Osaka and could reach 500 MW in capacity.
- The project represents one of Japan's largest data centers, with costs potentially reaching $6.3 billion.
NTT Data Group is in the final stages of negotiations to construct a new data center in western Japan for U.S. artificial intelligence company Anthropic, according to multiple sources cited by Nikkei Asia. The proposed facility would be located in Osaka and is designed to support the growing computational demands of AI workloads. This development signals a significant expansion of physical infrastructure dedicated to AI services within the Japanese market, highlighting the increasing geographic distribution of large-scale computing resources.
By the numbers
- 500 MW: The maximum potential power capacity of the proposed data center facility in Osaka.
- $6.3 billion: The estimated total cost of the project, making it a multi-billion dollar investment.
- 1 facility: The single data center site currently under advanced discussion between NTT Data and Anthropic.
What the figures mean
The scale of this project underscores the rapid acceleration of AI infrastructure deployment in Asia. A 500 MW capacity places this facility among the largest in Japan, indicating that Anthropic is preparing for substantial long-term growth in model training and inference capabilities. For managed service providers, this highlights the shifting landscape of cloud and AI hosting, where hyperscale customers are securing massive, dedicated power and space commitments. The $6.3 billion price tag reflects the high cost of building modern, high-density data centers capable of supporting next-generation AI hardware.
What should you do?
Business leaders should monitor how such large-scale infrastructure investments impact local energy grids and real estate markets in regions like Osaka. Organizations relying on AI services should assess their own vendor risk management strategies, particularly regarding geographic concentration of services. Understanding the physical footprint of AI providers helps in evaluating supply chain resilience and potential operational dependencies. This trend suggests that infrastructure availability may become a critical factor in service level agreements and strategic planning for AI adoption.
What to do and how to stay safe: NTT Data
- Review your organization's vendor risk assessments to understand geographic dependencies on AI infrastructure providers.
- Monitor local energy and real estate market trends in regions hosting major data center expansions.
- Evaluate supply chain resilience plans to account for potential bottlenecks in power or space for AI services.
- Ensure business continuity plans address risks associated with the concentration of AI workloads in specific regions.
Step-by-step guide: Shadow AI Explained: 8 Questions Answered for Secure Operations
General security guidance from the BitShield News newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.
Frequently asked questions
Where is NTT Data planning to build the new data center for Anthropic?
The facility is planned for Osaka in western Japan, according to sources cited by Nikkei Asia.
What is the estimated cost of the proposed data center project?
The project could potentially cost $6.3 billion, as reported by Nikkei Asia.
How large is the planned capacity of the new facility?
The data center is expected to have a capacity of up to 500 MW, making it one of Japan's largest.
