As Japan grapples with an unprecedented surge in data consumption driven by the mass adoption of artificial intelligence and cloud computing, a landmark project has broken ground to address the nation’s critical need for robust digital infrastructure. Singapore-based data center developer DayOne and multi-asset investment firm Gaw Capital Partners have officially commenced the development of a new hyperscale data center campus in Tokyo, a facility poised to deliver a substantial 80 megawatts of IT capacity upon completion. This ambitious undertaking, situated in the heart of a major technology hub, represents a direct and powerful response to the skyrocketing demand for data processing and storage capabilities. The project is not merely an expansion of existing capacity but a strategic move designed to support the next wave of technological innovation in one of the world’s most advanced digital economies, setting a new benchmark for scale and sophistication in the region.
Strategic Development in a Prime Location
The new campus is strategically located in Fuchu Intelligent Park, a well-established and highly sought-after data center cluster in close proximity to central Tokyo. This prime positioning offers significant advantages, including access to robust power infrastructure and dense fiber optic networks, which are essential for high-performance computing operations. Upon full build-out, the facility will span a gross floor area of approximately 66,360 square meters, making it one of the largest data center developments in Fuchu City based on its total IT load. This significant scale is designed to cater to the immense requirements of hyperscale cloud providers and large enterprises that form the backbone of Japan’s digital economy. By anchoring the project in such a critical location, the partners are ensuring that the new infrastructure is not only powerful but also seamlessly integrated into the existing digital ecosystem, ready to serve the escalating data demands of the Greater Tokyo area and beyond.
The development is being executed in carefully planned phases to align with market demand and ensure a timely delivery of capacity. The initial construction phase involves a nine-story building designed to house ten state-of-the-art data halls, which will collectively provide 18 MW of critical IT capacity. This first stage is on a fast-track schedule, with the core and shell of the building slated for completion by mid-2027. To realize this ambitious timeline, the project has enlisted the expertise of leading firms in the Japanese construction industry. NEC Facilities has been appointed as the architect, bringing its specialized knowledge in designing complex technological facilities, while HASEKO Corporation will serve as the main contractor, leveraging its extensive experience in large-scale construction projects. This structured, phased approach allows for a flexible and responsive development process, enabling the campus to grow in lockstep with the evolving needs of its future tenants.
Responding to Japan’s Digital Transformation
This major infrastructure investment is a direct response to the powerful macroeconomic trends reshaping Japan’s technological landscape. The nation is currently experiencing a massive digital transformation, fueled by the rapid adoption of cloud computing services, the proliferation of artificial intelligence, and the recent explosion in generative AI applications. These technologies require immense computational power and data storage, creating an insatiable demand for modern, high-capacity data centers. Japan is firmly established as a major Tier I data center market globally, with Greater Tokyo serving as its primary digital hub. Projections from recent years indicated that the country’s data center market could reach a staggering value of 2.24 trillion yen, or approximately US$14.88 billion, by 2027. The Fuchu campus is therefore strategically timed to capture this growth, providing the essential foundation upon which Japan’s digital future will be built.
In line with the global shift towards environmentally responsible infrastructure, the Tokyo data center campus is being designed as a cutting-edge, sustainable facility. A core focus of the project is the integration of advanced cooling technologies and the strategic use of renewable energy sources to maximize energy efficiency and minimize its environmental footprint. This commitment to sustainability is not just an operational goal but a central tenet of the facility’s design philosophy. The developers are targeting several prominent ESG and operational certifications to validate these efforts, including CASBEE (Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and ISO 50001 for energy management. By pursuing these rigorous standards, the project aims to create a new generation of digital infrastructure that is not only powerful and resilient but also aligned with the long-term sustainability objectives of its clients and the broader community.
A Milestone in Digital Infrastructure
The groundbreaking of this facility marked a significant strategic milestone for both companies, cementing a partnership that combined global real estate acumen with specialized technical expertise. For DayOne, the project represented its inaugural venture into the Japanese market and served as a pivotal step in expanding its international platform beyond its successful strategy in Southeast Asia. For Gaw Capital Partners, the collaboration was a fusion of its extensive experience in global real estate investment and development with DayOne’s deep knowledge in operating high-performance data centers. Together, their joint effort was aimed at delivering world-class infrastructure capable of handling the escalating data processing demands of the region. This groundbreaking ultimately stood as an important advancement in bolstering Japan’s overall data ecosystem and supporting Fuchu City’s ongoing digital evolution.
