On May 28, Nikkei Asia reported that approximately 30 leading Japanese companies, spanning industries such as chemicals, robotics, automotive, and electronics, are contemplating investments in SoftBank's newly minted AI joint venture. This move aims to bolster the development of domestically produced AI in Japan. The venture was established by SoftBank's mobile division in April of this year, with a clear mission: to cultivate 'physical AI' that can autonomously operate machines and robots by harnessing manufacturing data. The goal is to level the playing field against China and the United States, both of which currently dominate the AI landscape.

The initial cohort of around 10 companies is anticipated to make their investment decisions in June, with each committing modest sums in the tens of millions of yen. SoftBank, NEC, Honda Motor, and Sony Group are slated to play pivotal roles, each securing over 10% of the venture's shares. By 2027, the joint venture aims to develop one of Japan's most expansive AI models, boasting approximately 1 trillion parameters.