Japan Unveils $140B AI Data Center Investment Plan to Rival US, China

Japan announced a $140 billion investment scheme to accelerate AI-focused data center development, leveraging its gas trading companies to position itself as the world's largest AI infrastructure hub outside the US and China. The plan signals a major state-backed push into digital infrastructure, though details on funding sources and implementation remain unclear. This marks a significant strategic move to enhance Japan's competitiveness in the global AI race.