Jensen Huang brings AI deals and red bean buns to Tokyo

The Nvidia chief spent his time in Japan securing a landmark partnership with Noetra Corp—a state-backed consortium including SoftBank, NEC, Sony, and Honda—to construct a 27,500-GPU "AI factory." Beyond the infrastructure deal, he made a sentimental stop at a former Sega arcade in Akihabara to acknowledge the gaming company that provided a critical $5 million lifeline to Nvidia during its 1990s infancy.

However, the trip’s informal itinerary drew as much attention as the hardware. At Yakiton Sankichi in the Kanda district, Huang dined with executives from Kioxia, Tokyo Electron, Shin-Etsu Chemical, and other industry giants, tucking into offal hotpot and an oversized mountain of fries. This blend of high-level industrial diplomacy and local culinary exploration has become a signature of Huang’s travel style, echoing similar sightings in Beijing, Seoul, and across Vietnam. As he exited the bar to distribute buns to waiting fans, the message was clear: whether building national AI grids or navigating local menus, Huang remains a fixture of the global tech landscape.