NVIDIA and AMD CEOs Visit Japan Sequentially, Engaging with PM Ishiba to Leverage the Country’s AI Aspirations

According to recent reports, the executives at the helm of NVIDIA and AMD have made back-to-back trips to Japan, driven by the booming AI market there.

Both NVIDIA and AMD see a promising landscape for AI investments in Japan and are keen on establishing a significant presence in the region. Japan has shown a strong commitment to advancing its AI infrastructure, aiming to become a global pioneer in AI development and utilization. By inviting tech leaders like NVIDIA and AMD to invest in its technology sector, Japan is positioning itself as a hotbed for AI innovation. The recent visits from AMD’s CEO Lisa Su and NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang underscore the attraction Japan holds for these tech giants looking to expand their influence in the AI sphere.

A Bloomberg report highlights that during Jensen Huang’s visit, he discussed with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba the country’s potential to lead in AI, tapping into its robust robotics and industrial manufacturing sectors. One key point from their conversation included the need to boost electricity generation to meet AI demands. Signaling NVIDIA’s commitment, Huang presented the Prime Minister with a DGX Spark AI supercomputer.

With NVIDIA facing hurdles in China due to U.S. export regulations and increasing competition, securing a foothold in Japan seems like a strategic pivot. Japan’s rich research and development capacity and aspiration to be a major AI player make it an appealing alternative for NVIDIA, which finds itself needing to diversify its market focus amidst uncertainties.

Meanwhile, Lisa Su’s itinerary in Japan included conversations with the Prime Minister and various partners. Although specific details are under wraps, there’s a clear sense that Japan is eyeing AMD’s growth and potential in the region. The government’s openness to forging stronger ties with AMD suggests a burgeoning interest in collaborating on AI innovation. Thus, it appears NVIDIA and AMD are poised for a spirited competition to capture the AI market in Japan.

Lisa Su expressed her enthusiasm on Twitter, noting the honor of meeting Prime Minister Ishiba, as well as connecting with numerous partners and AMD team members in Tokyo, indicating a promising horizon for AMD’s involvement in Japan.