Exploring the Latest Trends in US Data Centers and Opportunities for Japan

Discovering the Future of Data Centers in the US and Japan

On June 17, 2025, a seminar titled "Latest Trends in US Data Centers and Opportunities for Japan" will be held, featuring Yukio Sakaguchi, the director of the Clean Energy Research Institute. This event will delve into the evolving landscape of data centers, especially focusing on the implications for Japan’s market in light of advancements in cloud technologies, investments from major players like AWS, Google, and Microsoft, and the burgeoning edge data center segment.

Seminar Highlights

As demand for generative AI has surged over the past few years, combined with the long-standing need for cloud and network solutions, there has been a noticeable uptick in new investments in data centers across both the United States and Japan. Traditionally, Japan has preferred on-premise computing rooms, but now there's a shift towards 'colocation' models led by American cloud giants.

With companies such as GAFAM (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft) prioritizing the Japanese market, there is increased procurement of colocation data centers particularly in the metropolitan and Kansai regions. Furthermore, the direction of the generative AI space, dominated by the U.S., significantly influences both learning and inference processes.

Edge data centers, which do not fit neatly into the super-scale or colocated categories, are rapidly gaining traction, presenting substantial business opportunities especially in densely populated urban areas like Japan. However, with increased power needs linked to data centers, both markets are starting to face issues regarding the adequacy of clean energy resources and the stress on electrical infrastructure, accentuated by simultaneous regulatory actions from state governments in the U.S.

This year has seen strategic shifts from leading cloud data center providers like Microsoft, which raises significant concerns about potential impacts in Japan. The emergence of the concept of "Watts and Bits"—which seeks to unify the energy and digital sectors—is gaining traction, as experts deliberate on its role in enhancing power efficiency, stability, and flexibility.

Key Discussion Points

1. Current State of US Data Centers
- Overview of cloud business alongside data center trends
- Movement of data center operators
- Government regulations and incentives
- Investment redistribution strategies from AWS, Google, and Microsoft (FinOps)

2. Japanese Data Center Landscape
- Trends in Japanese data centers
- Key players in the market
- Urban concentration vs. risk diversification
- Monetization challenges for new entrants
- Effects of U.S. investment strategies on Japan

3. Ecosystem of Data Center Operations
- Identifying key players
- Hardware, software, and service provision dynamics

4. Understanding Edge Data Centers
- Why are edge data centers gaining importance?
- Killer applications focusing on minimal latency

5. Communication Technologies in Data Centers
- The direct link between communication technology and energy consumption
- NTT's IOWN initiative
- NVIDIA's advancements in Co-Packaged Optics (CPO)

6. Watts and Bits Integration
- Advanced integration of power (Watts) and information (Bits)
- Approaches being employed in the U.S.

7. Progress in Hardware, Software, Cooling Technologies, and PUE Regulations

8. Q&A Session & Networking Opportunity

[Contact Information]
For inquiries, please reach out to the Shinsociety System Comprehensive Research Institute at:

- Email: info@ssk21.co.jp
- Phone: 03-5532-8850
- Address: 2-6-2 Nishishinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 4F Zaimax Nishishinbashi Building.

About SSK

Founded on December 6, 1996, SSK has organized around 500 corporate seminars annually for over 28 years. These seminars aim to deliver timely strategic insights across diverse business environments, ultimately contributing to the creation of new business opportunities.