NVIDIA and AMD CEOs Visit Japan to Meet PM Ishiba and Leverage the Country’s AI Goals

NVIDIA and AMD’s top executives have recently made back-to-back trips to Japan, highlighting their interest in tapping into the country’s burgeoning AI sector. With the demand for AI infrastructure surging, Japan is emerging as a prime candidate for investment in cutting-edge technology. The nation aims to be at the forefront of AI development, actively encouraging tech heavyweights like NVIDIA and AMD to establish a strong local presence.

Japan has made it clear that it wants to become “the easiest country in the world to develop and utilize AI.” This has drawn attention from AMD’s CEO Lisa Su and NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang, both of whom see Japan as a strategic opportunity to expand their influence in the AI landscape.

According to Bloomberg, Jensen Huang’s recent visit included discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Huang emphasized the need for increased electricity production to support the surging AI sector demand. During their meeting, they talked about Japan’s potential to lead in AI, building on its robust robotics and industrial manufacturing sectors. In a gesture of goodwill and commitment, Huang gifted the Prime Minister a DGX Spark AI supercomputer, reinforcing NVIDIA’s dedication to Japan’s AI goals.

NVIDIA’s interest in expanding its presence in Japan comes as the company faces challenges in China due to new U.S. export restrictions and growing competition. This makes Japan a crucial alternative market, with its extensive R&D resources and a strong desire to be a key player in the global AI sphere.

In addition to NVIDIA, AMD is also actively engaging with Japan. Lisa Su recently met with the Japanese Prime Minister and various partners. While details of her visit are still unfolding, it’s clear that Japan is keen on strengthening its relationship with AMD for its AI development plans. This sets the stage for a competitive push by both tech giants to establish a significant foothold in Japan.

As both companies vie for dominance in Japan’s AI market, it’s evident that the race is on between NVIDIA and AMD, with each aiming to establish a robust regional presence.