Key facts
- The Akita AI data center is planned by two emerging companies, one Japanese and one American, according to Nikkei.
- Nikkei reported total received capacity of up to 500 megawatts and construction costs of about 2 trillion yen.
- The project is described as one of Japan's largest, with the UAE expected to invest through a sovereign fund, Nikkei reported.
- UAE Ambassador to Japan Shihab Alfaheem toured an offshore wind project site in Akita prefecture, per Nikkei.
- The region hopes the project creates a technology hub and raises tax revenue, Nikkei reported.
An artificial intelligence data center project under development in northeast Japan is drawing attention from investors in Japan and the United Arab Emirates, Nikkei reported on November 11, 2026. The project is planned in Akita city by two emerging companies, one Japanese and one American, according to the report.
Nikkei reported total received capacity of up to 500 megawatts and construction costs of about 2 trillion yen, describing the project as one of Japan's largest. The UAE is expected to invest through a sovereign fund, the report said.
The region's abundant natural resources, including offshore wind power and water, are seen as supporting the project, and local hopes center on building a technology hub and increasing tax revenue. UAE Ambassador to Japan Shihab Alfaheem toured the construction site of an offshore wind power project in Akita prefecture, according to Nikkei.