Internet Multifeed and Sakura Internet to test Hokkaido data infrastructure

Internet Multifeed and Sakura Internet have announced a technical verification project aimed at strengthening data distribution and realizing regional decentralized digital infrastructure in Hokkaido, Japan. The demonstration is scheduled to begin around the winter of 2026.

The project will focus on connecting Internet Multifeed’s JPNAP Sapporo Internet Exchange (IX) service with Sakura Internet’s Ishikari Data Center. By using optical wavelengths for the connection, the companies aim to evaluate the feasibility of local data circulation within the Hokkaido region.

This initiative addresses the current trend of digital infrastructure and computing resources being concentrated in the Tokyo metropolitan area. While Hokkaido offers ideal conditions for data centers, such as a cool climate and renewable energy potential, much of the communication traffic generated within the prefecture currently routes through networks outside the region. The verification will examine traffic flow possibilities, technical challenges for decentralized network configurations, and the potential for local data consumption and production.