As Japan’s digital economy accelerates at an unprecedented pace, fueled by the computational demands of artificial intelligence and widespread cloud adoption, the need for robust, high-capacity digital infrastructure has become more critical than ever. In response to this insatiable demand, a significant new development is underway to bolster the nation’s technological backbone. Singapore-based global data center developer DayOne and multi-asset investment management firm Gaw Capital Partners have officially broken ground on a new hyperscale data center campus, a project strategically positioned to support the burgeoning AI boom. Located within the Fuchu Intelligent Park, a key data center hub near central Tokyo, this initiative marks a pivotal moment for the region’s digital infrastructure landscape. The campus is not only designed to meet the current data processing needs but is also engineered to accommodate the future growth of next-generation technologies, positioning it as a cornerstone of Japan’s continued digital evolution and a critical asset for businesses navigating the complexities of the modern data-driven world.
A New Hub for Digital Infrastructure
The joint venture between DayOne and Gaw Capital Partners has commenced with the first phase of a massive hyperscale data center campus that promises to become one of the largest facilities in Fuchu City by IT load. The completed campus is engineered to deliver a substantial total IT capacity of 80 megawatts (MW), sprawling across an impressive 66,360 square meters of gross floor area. Situated in the Fuchu Intelligent Park, the location was strategically chosen for its proximity to central Tokyo and its established reputation as a premier data center cluster. This placement ensures low-latency connectivity for a dense population of enterprises and cloud service providers. The groundbreaking ceremony officially signals the start of a project designed from the ground up to address the complex requirements of hyperscale clients, particularly those leveraging AI and machine learning workloads, which demand immense power, advanced cooling, and unparalleled reliability. The development represents a significant capital investment aimed at future-proofing the digital infrastructure of one of the world’s most dynamic technology markets.
Phase One of this ambitious project focuses on the construction of a state-of-the-art, nine-story building meticulously designed to house ten individual data halls. This initial phase is set to provide an IT capacity of 18 MW, serving as the foundational block for the campus’s future expansion. The architectural and construction leadership for this critical first stage has been entrusted to industry veterans, with NEC Facilities serving as the architect and HASEKO Corporation as the main contractor. Their combined expertise ensures that the facility will meet the highest standards of design, safety, and operational excellence. The timeline for this phase is aggressive yet calculated, with a target for core and shell readiness by mid-2027. This schedule is carefully aligned with market projections for data capacity demand, ensuring the facility will be available to meet the immediate needs of cloud providers and large enterprises as they scale their operations in the Greater Tokyo area. This initial build-out is a testament to the partners’ commitment to delivering timely and scalable digital solutions.
Meeting the Demands of a Digital Economy
This development arrives at a crucial juncture for Japan, a major Tier I data center market where Greater Tokyo stands as the primary digital nexus. The nation has experienced an explosive surge in demand for data services, a trend propelled by the rapid expansion of cloud computing and, more recently, the voracious data processing appetites of artificial intelligence applications. Generative AI, in particular, has become a significant driver, requiring unprecedented levels of computational power that existing facilities are struggling to provide. This market dynamic is underscored by a market forecast from just a few years ago, which predicted that Japan’s data center market would grow over 41% to reach a value of US$14.88 billion by 2027. The DayOne and Gaw Capital project is strategically timed to capitalize on this exponential growth, offering a much-needed supply of modern, high-density capacity to a market facing a potential bottleneck. The facility is poised to become an essential resource for companies racing to innovate and deploy AI-driven services across the region.
Beyond sheer capacity, the new campus is being engineered as a benchmark for next-generation hyperscale facilities, with a deep emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. The design incorporates advanced cooling technologies to manage the high heat loads generated by modern servers, which is essential for maintaining optimal performance and reliability, especially for AI workloads. Furthermore, the operational plan includes the utilization of renewable energy sources to power the facility, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. The commitment to environmental stewardship is further reinforced by the project’s goal to achieve leading ESG and operational certifications, including the Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the ISO50001 Energy Management standard. These certifications will validate the facility’s adherence to the highest global standards for sustainable operation, making it an attractive choice for environmentally conscious clients and reinforcing its role as a leader in responsible digital infrastructure development.
A Strategic Partnership for a Digital Future
The groundbreaking of this Tokyo-based data center represented a landmark achievement for all stakeholders involved, crystallizing a vision for advanced digital infrastructure in Japan. For DayOne, the project signified its inaugural entry into the Japanese market, a strategic expansion that diversified its portfolio beyond its established Southeast Asian operations. The collaboration successfully merged Gaw Capital’s deep and extensive global real estate investment experience with DayOne’s specialized, technical expertise in developing and operating high-performance data centers. This synergy proved crucial in navigating the complexities of constructing a world-class facility tailored to the specific demands of the region. The venture was not merely a real estate development but a strategic investment in the foundational infrastructure required to support Japan’s ongoing digital transformation. It ultimately provided a critical resource to meet the intense and growing data demands of one of the world’s most technologically advanced economies.
