On April 9, 2024, Microsoft announced a $2.9 billion investment over the next two years to expand its hyperscale cloud computing and AI infrastructure in Japan. This is the largest investment by Microsoft in Japan in its 46-year history, effectively doubling its current financial commitment. The investment will also support the training of 3 million people in AI skills over the next three years and the opening of the first Microsoft Research Asia lab in Japan. The initiatives aim to stimulate Japan's economy by expanding the infrastructure, skilled talent, and security required to accelerate the country's digital transformation and adoption of AI. The announcement was made during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s state visit to the United States.