OpenAI has recently announced the opening of a new office in Tokyo, Japan, as part of its strategic move to tap into the Asian market. The company is also releasing a custom GPT-4 model specially optimized for the Japanese language.
The decision to establish a presence in Tokyo was influenced by Japan’s global leadership in technology, its focus on innovation, and its culture of service. OpenAI believes that AI holds the power to enhance creativity, productivity, and create value across various industries.
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, expressed his excitement for AI’s potential in empowering individuals and driving innovation. To lead their efforts in Japan, the company has appointed Tadao Nagasaki, former president of Amazon Web Services Japan, as the President of OpenAI Japan.
OpenAI is committed to providing Japanese businesses with early access to a custom GPT-4 model designed for the Japanese language. This model offers improved performance in translating and summarizing Japanese text, operates faster than its predecessor, and is cost-effective. Notably, Speak, a popular English learning app in Japan, has reported significant improvements in tutor explanation rates and token costs with the use of the custom model.
Major Japanese companies like Daikin, Rakuten, and TOYOTA Connected are already leveraging OpenAI’s ChatGPT Enterprise to streamline business processes, aid in data analysis, and enhance internal reporting. Additionally, local governments, including Yokosuka City, are utilizing the technology to improve public services and increase productivity among employees.
OpenAI’s expansion into Japan aligns with the country’s efforts to advance AI policies and initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, and sustainable development. The company looks forward to contributing to the local ecosystem and addressing societal challenges such as rural depopulation and labor shortages through the application of AI technology.
This move follows a substantial $2.9 billion investment by Microsoft, OpenAI’s largest investor, aimed at enhancing Japan’s digital infrastructure, AI capabilities, and cybersecurity efforts. The investment will double Microsoft’s financial commitment to expanding AI and cloud infrastructure in Japan, supporting the country’s Generative AI Accelerator Challenge (GENIAC) program.
As OpenAI expands its global footprint, the company is poised to learn from diverse perspectives and contribute positively to the advancement of AI technology and policies worldwide.
