Digital Realty, Mitsubishi Expand Osaka Data Center Capacity

Digital Realty and its strategic partner Mitsubishi Corporation are accelerating their commitment to Japan's burgeoning artificial intelligence sector with the commencement of construction on a significant new data center facility. Located at the KIX Campus in Ibaraki City, Osaka Prefecture, the KIX15 project represents a substantial investment in high-density computing infrastructure designed to meet the escalating demands of AI workloads.

This latest development marks the fifth facility for Digital Realty at the KIX Campus, further solidifying its presence in one of Japan's key digital hubs. When operational, KIX15 will contribute 24 megawatts of capacity to the region. This expansion is part of a broader initiative by MC Digital Realty, the 50/50 joint venture between Digital Realty and Mitsubishi Corporation, which already manages a substantial 220 MW portfolio across 10 facilities.

The strategic importance of this expansion is underscored by its alignment with the Kansai AI Infrastructure Co-Creation Project. This initiative is specifically designed to foster the growth of AI capabilities throughout the Kansai region, a vital economic powerhouse in Japan. By developing advanced, AI-ready data center capacity, MC Digital Realty is positioning itself to be a critical enabler of next-generation digital services and research.

KIX15 is engineered to support the most demanding computational requirements, incorporating advanced cooling solutions and high-density configurations. This focus is crucial for attracting and serving hyperscale cloud providers and enterprises heavily invested in AI model training and deployment. The facility's design emphasizes campus-based scalability, allowing for future expansion and integration with existing infrastructure, while maintaining a robust security posture.

The Japanese data center market, particularly for AI-optimized facilities, is experiencing robust growth. Driven by increasing adoption of AI across industries such as finance, manufacturing, and healthcare, demand for specialized infrastructure is outstripping supply. Projections indicate the Asia-Pacific data center market will see significant expansion in the coming years, with Japan being a key contributor. This investment by Digital Realty and Mitsubishi Corporation is well-timed to capitalize on these favorable market dynamics.

With an anticipated operational launch in the fourth quarter of 2028, KIX15 will bolster the capabilities of organizations seeking reliable, high-performance data center solutions in Japan. The collaboration between Digital Realty, a global leader in data center solutions, and Mitsubishi Corporation, a diversified global business enterprise, provides a strong foundation for delivering critical digital infrastructure that supports innovation and economic development.