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SoftBank and OpenAI Form Tokyo Joint Venture to Launch Japan‑Tailored ‘Crystal Intelligence’

SoftBank will first pilot the enterprise suite internally ahead of a Japan‑only rollout targeted for 2026.

Overview

  • The partners established SB OAI Japan GK in Tokyo as a 50/50 joint venture to localize and deliver OpenAI’s enterprise technology for Japanese businesses.
  • Crystal Intelligence is described as a packaged enterprise AI solution that combines OpenAI’s models with implementation and support tailored to Japan’s corporate environment.
  • SoftBank will serve as the initial customer, deploying the system across its businesses to validate use cases and transfer lessons learned to clients.
  • The venture highlights compliance with Japan’s APPI and emerging AI rules, with reporting describing features such as data‑residency controls, consent management, and audit trails.
  • A commercial rollout exclusive to Japan is planned for 2026, while industry sources report—but the companies have not confirmed—that SoftBank may invest about $3 billion annually to expand OpenAI tools across its ecosystem.