Sakana AI to develop domestic AI models from scratch in Japan

Tokyo-based startup Sakana AI has announced plans to build domestic artificial intelligence models from the ground up. Previously, the company focused on refining existing foundation models through post-training and a technique called evolutionary model merging to improve cultural alignment and efficiency for Japanese users.

Founded in 2023 by former Google researchers David Ha, Llion Jones, and Ren Ito, Sakana AI aims to reduce reliance on foreign AI frameworks, particularly for sensitive sectors such as defense and finance. The company has seen significant growth, reaching a post-money valuation of $2.65 billion following a $135 million Series B funding round in late 2025.

Sakana AI’s current product ecosystem includes the Namazu series for Japanese applications, the Fugu orchestration platform, the Marlin research agent, and the recently announced Aquarium enterprise tools. The company is also set to participate in the AI Agent Expo 2026, where it will present its research and product development progress.