Itochu enters data center development, targets 10 sites by 2030

Itochu is moving into data center development in Japan, with plans to build around 10 facilities across the country by 2030, according to reports that emerged yesterday.

The Japanese investment firm is reportedly considering an investment of several 100 billion yen ($630.6m) by 2030, although a more specific figure has not yet been determined. The planned facilities are expected to be located in areas including Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyushu.

Reports said Itochu is aiming for roughly 50MW of capacity at each site, with new facilities reaching operational status annually. The company also plans to lease the data centers to US tech giants and eventually sell the assets to third parties.

The push marks an expansion for Itochu, which was founded in 1858 as a textiles company. The firm now operates across textiles, machinery, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, and IT.

Itochu has previously had a presence in the sector through its subsidiary, Itochu Techno-Solutions. The unit owned a number of data centers in Japan before selling five of them in 2021. Itochu Techno-Solutions now focuses on operating six data centers in Yokohama, Kobe, Shibuya, and Mejirozaka.

Late last year, Itochu also signed a memorandum of understanding with Castrol covering liquid cooling support in Japan.

As part of that agreement, Itochu said it would support market development, commercial pathways, and supply from an energy-centered standpoint, while subsidiary Itochu Techno-Solutions would deliver end-to-end solutions spanning design, implementation, and operations.

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