Key facts
- Overseas companies raised a record $16 billion in yen-denominated debt in the April-September half.
- Global AI funding needs are driving a surge in corporate bond sales.
- US investment-grade corporate bond sales hit an all-time annual record in 2026.
- AI companies require substantial capital for data centers and GPU procurement.
Overseas companies and institutions are increasingly tapping Japanese investors for yen-denominated debt, with issuance reaching a record in the six months through September. This trend is part of a global fundraising surge fueled by AI hyperscalers seeking capital for infrastructure buildouts. In the US, investment-grade corporate bond sales hit an all-time annual record in 2026, driven by AI funding needs for data centers and GPU procurement. Major technology firms and AI labs have collectively issued hundreds of billions to finance these ambitious plans, with institutional investors showing strong appetite for AI-linked debt.