Japan Backs Sovereign AI as Taiwan Accelerates Space Push

As the US and China dominate frontier AI, Japan is seeking to turn its established strengths in manufacturing and robotics into an edge in “physical AI.” The strategy centers on sovereign models and computing capacity that can reduce reliance on foreign platforms while easing labor shortages in an aging economy. Taiwan’s parallel space push is both industrial and strategic, using domestic satellites, resilient communications and launch capability to extend its electronics supply chain and reduce vulnerability to disrupted subsea cables and geopolitical pressure.

On July 16, Noetra, backed by SoftBank Corp., Sony Group, NEC Corp. and Honda Motor, began full-scale development with support from 44 companies and organizations. The venture is set to receive more than ¥380 billion in its first year and acquire 27,500 Nvidia Rubin chips. TASA said on July 22 that Taiwan’s space budget had expanded to NT$71 billion over 13 years, targeting one or two missions annually, a 10-satellite constellation and a Pingtung launch site by 2030, followed by a domestically developed rocket carrying 200 kilograms by 2034.