SoftBank Group’s international shares (SFTBY) showed little movement in recent trading sessions as investors weighed short-term uncertainty against a bold long-term artificial intelligence infrastructure strategy.
While the stock remained largely flat, market attention has increasingly shifted toward the company’s expanding ambitions in AI data centers and energy systems, including a newly revealed plan to develop large-scale battery manufacturing in Japan.
The move highlights SoftBank’s evolving role beyond telecommunications and investments, positioning itself deeper within the physical infrastructure layer required to power next-generation AI systems.
SoftBank Corp, the company’s mobile and infrastructure unit, is preparing to convert part of its Sakai factory in Osaka into a major battery production facility dedicated to supporting AI data centers. The site, previously associated with Sharp’s LCD manufacturing operations, was acquired by SoftBank in 2025 for approximately 100 billion yen (around $627 million).
According to planning details, the facility could eventually produce several gigawatt hours of batteries annually, potentially ranking it among Japan’s largest battery production lines. The output is expected to initially support SoftBank’s own AI data center operations.
The battery initiative is part of a broader AI infrastructure push centered on the Sakai campus, which is envisioned as a massive computing hub. The overall development spans roughly 750,000 square meters and is designed to support more than 150 megawatts of computing power.
SoftBank Group Corp.’s mobile unit plans to transform part of its factory in Osaka into one of Japan’s biggest production lines for large-scale batteries. https://t.co/LoZgXoKq1M
— Bloomberg (@business) April 23, 2026
SoftBank aims to begin operating the AI data center by the end of 2026, signaling an aggressive timeline for scaling its AI infrastructure footprint. CEO Junichi Miyakawa is expected to provide further details in May as part of the company’s upcoming five-year strategic plan, though final approval from the board is still pending.
The project underscores SoftBank’s intent to vertically integrate energy and computing capabilities, reducing reliance on external suppliers while securing long-term operational stability for AI workloads.
The battery plant reflects a growing industry-wide trend: the convergence of artificial intelligence and energy infrastructure. As AI models become more powerful and data centers more energy-intensive, companies are increasingly investing in dedicated power solutions.
SoftBank’s strategy aligns with broader initiatives led by its founder Masayoshi Son, who has previously explored large-scale energy projects, including discussions around a 9.2-gigawatt gas-fired power facility in Ohio designed to support massive AI computing clusters.
In parallel, SoftBank has also participated in a $1 billion investment in SB Energy, a renewable energy developer, alongside OpenAI. These investments indicate a dual-track approach, balancing traditional energy generation with renewable sources to secure long-term supply for AI expansion.
The Sakai development also reflects a broader global trend, where technology companies are rapidly scaling data center infrastructure. Industry estimates suggest that more than 22.8 gigawatts of data center computing capacity are currently under construction worldwide, highlighting unprecedented demand for AI processing power.
Within this context, SoftBank’s integrated approach, combining data centers, energy production, and battery manufacturing, positions it as more than just a financial investor in AI. Instead, it is increasingly acting as a foundational infrastructure player in the global AI economy.
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