Sharp Corporation (headquarters: Sakai City, Osaka, “Sharp”) and KDDI (headquarters: Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo) are delighted to announce that on December 9, 2024, they have entered into the memorandum of understanding to accelerate to begin operating AI data center(“AI Data Center”) at Green Front Sakai, the former factory site of Sharp in Sakai, Osaka.

KDDI will acquire the land, buildings, and electrical facilities of the site from Sharp, with the aim of commencing construction of the AI Data Center by the end of March 2025 and putting the center into full-scale operation by the end of March 2026.

Sharp will establish a business structure centering its Brand Businesses by implementing asset-light initiatives through the sale of the site, and will work closely with KDDI to ensure the early commencement of operations as soon as possible.

Sharp and KDDI have in parallel decided to withdraw from the discussion with Super Micro Computer Inc. (headquarters: California, USA, “Supermicro”), and Datasection Inc. (headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, “Datasection”); however, KDDI will continue the existing collaboration with Supermicro and Datasection to build and operate the AI Data Center.

Through the establishing the AI Data Center, Sharp and KDDI aim to collaborate with business partners across various fields and industries to build a sustainable society, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the entire Japanese economy.

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