Japanese corporate expansion in Physical AI

Japanese companies are expanding infrastructure and research centers dedicated to Physical AI, a technology priority for the Japanese government intended to create a development path distinct from the United States and China.

In Kumamoto Prefecture, Mitsui Fudosan established the Physical AI and Semiconductor Infrastructure Center (PASTEC) as part of the Kumamoto Science Park. This initiative aims to aggregate the semiconductor industry and support industrial development in a region experiencing growth from major players like TSMC and Sony Group.

In Silicon Valley, Kawasaki Heavy Industries opened the ‘Kawasaki Physical AI Center San Jose’ to integrate AI with robotics, specifically targeting the medical and nursing care sectors. The company is collaborating with partners including NVIDIA, Microsoft, Analog Devices, and Fujitsu to develop solutions for hospitals and mobility. Concurrently, K&co Co., Ltd. launched ‘PHYSICAL AI LAB’ in Japan to promote the social implementation of the technology through talent training and industry knowledge dissemination.