PFN, Rapidus and SAKURA internet Reach Basic Agreement toward Japan-Made AI Infrastructure for Greener Society　Companies to build cloud infrastructure equipped with low-power AI semiconductors using latest manufacturing process

January 8, 2025 – TOKYO – Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN), Rapidus Corporation (Rapidus) and SAKURA internet Inc. (SAKURA internet) have reached a basic agreement toward providing a Japan-made artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure for a greener society in the country.

The three companies will leverage their green technologies through their collaboration in which Rapidus manufactures the latest model of AI semiconductors in the MN-Core™ series to be designed by PFN, and SAKURA internet will contribute its expertise in developing cloud services for generative AI.

Based on the agreement, PFN, Rapidus and SAKURA internet plan to provide the infrastructure to Japan-based data centers operated by various companies, thereby contributing to stable and sustainable development of AI technologies as well as a green society throughout the country.

The three companies have respectively made commitments to green technologies: PFN has designed and developed the MN-Core series of high-performance, energy-efficient AI processors; Rapidus has developed and will manufacture advanced logic semiconductors and packaging; SAKURA internet has reduced CO2 emissions by using renewable energy, and reduced power consumption by using outside air for server cooling.

Currently being adopted in various domains, AI, including generative, is expected to continue developing into an infrastructure that supports tomorrow’s society and industry. Development and implementation of such AI technologies, however, require a vast amount of computing power that can be continuously and stably expanded. Due to the increasing power consumption and the geopolitical supply chain risks of semiconductors, there is a growing demand in Japan for a domestic capability that stably develops, manufactures and supplies high-performance and energy-efficient AI semiconductors.

Toru Nishikawa, Chief Executive Officer of PFN, said:

“PFN has been developing the MN-Core™ series of low-power, high-performance AI processors since 2016 and we have already launched two generations of the series, contributing to AI computing with a reduced environmental impact. We also made their computing power available to external parties through the PFCP™ cloud computing service that launched last October. Through this collaboration, we will combine each company’s expertise to develop a green and high-performance AI infrastructure powered by next-generation AI semiconductors. We are devoted to the development of semiconductors that are even more high-performance and low-power, thereby contributing to the advancement of AI technology.”

Atsuyoshi Koike, CEO of Rapidus said:

“One of Rapidus’ Corporate Philosophy features ‘Further innovate toward a truly green society.’ As we fully enter the AI age, the design, manufacturing and utilization of energy-efficient semiconductors are of the utmost importance. We believe that our collaboration with PFN and SAKURA internet will be a significant step toward the extension of domestically developed AI infrastructure, contributing to a greener society.”

Kunihiro Tanaka, Founder & CEO, President of SAKURA internet said:

“Since the earliest days of the internet, SAKURA internet has focused on server and cloud businesses. We believe that cloud computing will become increasingly essential as a social infrastructure. The use of generative AI will particularly grow further. From the perspective of digital deficit and economic security, we believe that we need to establish an environment that allows for continuous development of generative AI in Japan. Through this basic agreement among the three companies, we will leverage our expertise in developing cloud services for generative AI and continue building the Japan-made AI infrastructure that contributes to a greener society.”

About Preferred Networks

Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) develops advanced software and hardware technologies in a vertically integrated approach, covering the entire AI value chain from chips, supercomputers, generative AI foundation models to solution and products. Founded in March 2014 in Tokyo, PFN has applied its technologies to a range of industries including manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, entertainment and education. PFN’s MN-3, a supercomputer powered by its MN-Core™ AI processor, topped the Green500 ranking as the world’s most energy efficient three times in 2020 and 2021. PFN has subsidiaries for materials discovery, robotics and foundation models. https://www.preferred.jp

About Rapidus

Rapidus Corporation aims to develop and manufacture the world’s most advanced logic semiconductors. We will create new industries together with our customers through the development and provision of services to shorten cycle times in design, wafer processes, 3D packaging, and more. We will continue to challenge ourselves in order to contribute to the fulfillment, prosperity, and happiness of people’s lives through the use of semiconductors. https://www.rapidus.inc/

About SAKURA internet

SAKURA internet Inc. (SAKURA internet) is an internet company founded in 1996. SAKURA internet provides cloud computing services such as ‘SAKURA Cloud,’ ‘SAKURA Web Hosting,’ and ‘SAKURA VPS’ from its self-operated domestic data centers. Under the corporate philosophy of turning ‘what you want to do‘ into ‘what you can do,’ it develops a variety of services to meet customer needs and proposes DX solutions that cater to various industries.  https://www.sakura.ad.jp/corporate/

Media contacts:

Preferred Networks, Inc.:
Tomoyuki Akiyama or Yumi Sakaguchi via inquiry form at https://www.preferred.jp/en/contact/

Rapidus Corporation:
PR Department, contact@rapidus.co.jp

SAKURA internet Inc.:
PR Group via inquiry form at https://sakura.f-form.com/sakurapr