Japan Data Center Market Assessment, By Data Center Rating, By Type, By Infrastructure, By Enterprise Size, By End-User, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2019-FY2033F

Japan data center market was valued at USD 20.50 billion in FY2025. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.09% to reach USD 40.39 billion by FY2033F. Japanese businesses are increasingly adopting digital technologies as part of their modernization efforts. Cloud computing, in particular, has become an essential tool for companies looking to enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and innovation, which is the key driver for the growth of the data center market in Japan. Moreover, the Japanese government is planning to provide incentives for locating data centers on Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, further fueling Japan data center market growth. This region boasts abundant renewable energy resources, making it an attractive location for energy-intensive data centers, which further accelerates market growth.

The upward trend in Japanese cloud computing consumption has created substantial market expansion for data centers in the country. Digital transformation in businesses has driven the essential need for cloud services to store, manage, and process increasingly vast volumes of data. Traditional industries, along with tech startups in Japan, are adopting cloud-based solutions, which is leading to a strengthening market demand for data centers. Additionally, the ongoing development of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and 5G networks is significantly driving data center expansion in Japan because these technological networks need substantial computing power, together with quick response infrastructure, to function properly.

Furthermore, many prominent players within the data center market are strengthening their operations in Japan to serve rising business and government institution requirements in the country. For instance, in April FY2024, Oracle Corporation Japan announced USD 8 billion investment plans to meet the growing demand for cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure in Japan over the next 10 years. Also, the firm expanded its operations and support engineering teams with Japan-based personnel to help customers and partners address the digital sovereignty requirements in Japan.

Government Initiatives Driving the Japan Data Center Market

The government of Japan is targeting rural data center expansion using photonics technology, which is playing a key role in driving the country's data center market. Photonics, which uses light instead of electricity to transmit data, enables faster and more energy-efficient data transfer. This is particularly beneficial for hyperscale and edge data centers, as it reduces latency and power consumption, making rural expansion more viable. The government is preparing to back the rollout of ultra-fast, light-based communications technology to promote building data centers outside major cities. Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are making efforts to plan the smooth implementation of this advanced initiative.

Moreover, the Japanese government is also providing subsidies to support the establishment of new data centers in regions outside of Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, and Kanagawa prefectures, adding value to the Japan data center market. The subsidies cover partial development costs for land, electric power, and telecommunications infrastructure. The subsidy rate is 1/2, with amounts ranging up to 15.54 billion yen for infrastructure projects and up to JPY 30 billion for projects including facilities like buildings and equipment. Also, the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has proposed a subsidy program to encourage data center development in Hokkaido and Kyushu, leveraging their renewable energy resources. These initiatives aim to decentralize data centers and reduce concentration in major metropolitan areas, hence driving the growth of the Japanese data center market.

Advancements in Technology are Propelling the Japan Data Center Market

The Japan data center market is experiencing robust transformation due to the ongoing advancements and innovations in the information technology (IT) sector, making it one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving industries. The advent of technologies such as 6G networks and the rise of hyperscale are collectively reshaping the data center market in Japan. For instance, in November FY2025, in collaboration with NTT Corporation, Nokia, and SK Telecom Co., Ltd., an international telecommunications operator, NTT DOCOMO, INC., successfully operated the first indoor test of 6G wireless technology using waves enhanced by AI in the 4.8 GHz band in Japan. Such innovations are anticipated to drive the enhancements in data center architecture and are estimated to drive the Japan data center market growth.

Furthermore, the data center market in Japan is expected to continue growing in the forecast period due to the continuous acquisitions being made by prominent players within the country. For instance, in March FY2025, Mitsui & Co., Ltd.'s wholly owned subsidiary, Mitsui & Co. Asset Management Holdings Ltd., acquired an operational hyperscale data center via a holding company. The company reported that it will invest USD 0.13 billion (JPY 18 billion) in the holding company to obtain 50% of its shares.

Growing Cloud Adoption Driving the Japan Data Center Market

The proliferation of edge computing and the growing demand for smaller, decentralized data centers are emerging as key drivers of the data center market in Japan. The need for low-latency data processing primarily fuels this trend, the rapid adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and the nationwide rollout of 5G networks. Edge computing, which involves processing data closer to the point of generation rather than relying on centralized data centers, is gaining traction in Japan due to its ability to support real-time applications such as autonomous vehicles, smart city infrastructure, industrial automation, and augmented reality. As a result, businesses and industries are increasingly investing in edge computing solutions to enhance operational efficiency and deliver faster, more responsive services.

Additionally, investments by key players in advanced technologies and cloud computing are significantly driving data center market growth in Japan. Major global cloud providers, like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud, are expanding their infrastructure and services. These investments enhance data center capabilities, support digital transformation, and meet the growing demand for scalable, efficient, and secure cloud solutions, fueling the overall market expansion. For instance, in April, FY2024, Microsoft unveiled plans to invest USD 2.9 billion over the next two years to bolster its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan. The initiative includes expanding digital skilling programs to train over 3 million individuals in AI over the next three years.

Additionally, in April FY2026, Guidewire Software Inc. unveiled its plan to invest USD 60 million over the next five years to expand its operations in Japan and accelerate the delivery of capabilities tailored to the unique needs of Japanese insurers. The aim of the investment is to enhance Guidewire's platform, empowering Japanese insurers to drive profitable growth, increase business and IT agility, ensure regulatory compliance, and support the growth of the company's local team and ecosystem to meet rising demand for cloud-based core systems.

Tier III Data Center Segment Holding Majority Share of Japan Data Center Market

The Tier III data center currently holds 63.65% of the Japan data center market, which is valued at USD 13.04 billion as of FY2025. This segment is projected to grow significantly, reaching USD 23.97 billion by FY2033F. The anticipated growth is attributed to these facility's balanced offering of reliability, scalability, and cost-efficiency. They ensure a high uptime of 99.982%, translating to less than 1.6 hours of downtime annually. Such reliability is crucial for businesses in industries like finance, healthcare, and e-commerce, where uninterrupted operations are essential. This need for consistent performance is driving demand in the segment.

Additionally, the launch of new tier III data centers by key players is significantly driving the growth of the Japan data center market. For instance, on May 28, FY2025, AT TOKYO Corporation announced the completion of its new data center, AT TOKYO Chuo Center #3 (CC3). In response to the growing needs for data centers, cloud connectivity, and risk diversification, the company has expanded its data center offerings by leveraging its superior connectivity and zero-downtime operations centered largely in the Tokyo and Osaka areas. Located in the Shibaura-Shinagawa area, one of the major data center clusters in Japan, the CC3 facility will serve primarily as an interconnection hub for public cloud services, IXs, and enterprise partners. These strategic measures are not only fostering the growth of the data center market but also positioning Japan as a leader in the global digital economy.

Future Market Scenario (FY2026 - FY2033F)

The upward trend towards the growing consumption of cloud computing services, along with the growing digital transformation in businesses, has been driven by the country's focus on environmental sustainability goals has driven innovation and various investments within the Japan data center market landscape.

Growing government initiatives and policies to prioritize data and infrastructure development as a part of its digital transformation strategy to support the growing digital economy are anticipated to fuel the growth and demand of the Japanese data center market.

The increasing adoption of colocation data center services, along with the rising demand for cloud services, data storage, and digital transformation, and with additional factors like e-commerce growth, remote work, hybrid cloud strategies, and advancements in AI and machine learning, the Japan data center market is expected to experience robust growth.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

The Japan data center market is moderately fragmented, with a diverse array of key players contributing to the growth of the market. Key players are heavily investing in expanding their data center facilities to cater to the growing demand for cloud services, data storage, and digital transformation. For instance, in January, FY2024, Amazon Web Services, Inc. unveiled its JPY 2.26 trillion investment plans into its existing cloud infrastructure in Tokyo and Osaka by FY2027 to cater to the growing customer demand for cloud services in Japan. The AWS Economic Impact Study (EIS) for Japan reported that the investment is anticipated to contribute JPY 5.57 trillion to Japan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and support an estimated average of 30,500 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in local Japanese businesses each year. Furthermore, many prominent key players are also contributing to the Japanese data center market growth by forming strategic collaborations and partnerships to solidify their presence within the market. For instance, in August, FY2024, Singapore Telecommunications Limited and Hitachi, Ltd. formed a strategic partnership to contribute to next-generation data centers and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) Cloud in Japan and potentially the wider Asia Pacific region under the lead of Singtel's Digital InfraCo unit. The collaboration will combine Singtel's extensive data center and connectivity expertise and technology platforms with Hitachi's differentiating capability that enables end-to-end data center integration, including green power solutions, cooling systems, storage infrastructure, and data management.