Japan is making a major bet on “physical AI” — artificial intelligence systems that do more than process text and images and can also control robots, vehicles, and industrial equipment. Following Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s visit to Tokyo, a series of projects involving Japanese robotics, electronics, and automotive companies has come into focus.

A key part of the strategy is the national computing initiative Noetra. Dozens of Japanese companies, including SoftBank, Sony, NEC, and Honda, are involved. The plan includes a large AI computing center powered by Nvidia Vera processors and Rubin GPUs, with the infrastructure expected to begin operating in 2028.

Fanuc, Yaskawa, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Fujitsu, Hitachi, Sony, and other companies plan to use Nvidia’s Cosmos models and Jetson Thor platform to build robots that can understand their surroundings and make decisions directly on the device. Toyota is also expanding its use of Nvidia technology in driver-assistance systems and factory simulation.

For Japan, the effort is not only about technological leadership. It is also a response to labor shortages. The country expects AI-powered robots to play a growing role in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and elder care.