Japanese telco giant NTT Inc. has launched tsuzumi 2, its new large language model (LLM), to provide cutting-edge Japanese text understanding and processing. LLMs, a central element of generative AI, are extensively deployed to automate document generation, summarization, and strategic analysis among other processes.
Tsuzumi 2: Features and Capabilities
NTT’s new model represents a substantial leap forward compared to its predecessor. Tsuzumi 2 boasts four times the number of parameters of the previous version, enabling it to handle far more complex data processing. The model’s expanded capacity translates into superior comprehension and generation of Japanese language content, rivaling international models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT in terms of processing capability for Japanese.
Tsuzumi 2 offers more than just language skills. It also has expertise in finance, medical care, and public administration. This specialized knowledge helps businesses and governments use AI effectively in their fields. The model crafts reports, outlines articles, and helps with strategic choices.
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On-Premises Deployment for Better Data Security
One of the differentiators of tsuzumi 2 is that it can be hosted on a firm’s own infrastructure, like private servers. This feature addresses key data security and privacy issues. It draws in financial organizations, local governments, and institutions with strict data management rules.
Businesses can fully use generative AI by avoiding storing sensitive data on third-party servers. This helps them stay compliant with local laws and internal security rules. This approach places NTT at the leading edge of secure, high-end AI solutions for the Japanese market.
Driving Growth in Japan’s AI Market
NTT expects demand for tsuzumi 2 and other LLM offerings to grow considerably in the next few years. The company is expecting orders for LLM services to exceed ¥500 billion by FY2027, which is ten times current sales. This is an indication of the increased usage of AI in commercial activities, especially for accurate language processing, expert domain knowledge, and safe management of confidential information.
In a time when LLMs are being developed by United States and Chinese companies, NTT seeks to stand out by concentrating on Japanese-language optimized models and niche professional fields. Tsuzuki 2 is rolled out as a domestically created LLM, taking advantage of NTT’s 40 years of research on the Japanese language, President and CEO Akira Shimada said.
Implications for Japan’s Tech Industry
The release of tsuzumi 2 is a significant advancement for Japan’s AI sector. By offering a home-grown LLM that can understand high-level Japanese texts, NTT makes the local technology infrastructure more robust and less dependent on foreign AI vendors.
For the wider tech sector, tsuzumi 2 provides new possibilities:
Enterprise Applications: Banks, healthcare organizations, and government departments can use AI to protect sensitive data. This helps them enjoy its advantages.
Innovation Acceleration: Businesses can speed up research, automate content creation, and boost strategic planning by using this model.
Competitiveness: Local businesses have access to a level of AI solution comparable to foreign leaders, which makes Japanese businesses competitive globally.
Looking Ahead
NTT’s tsuzumi 2 is not merely a technological upgrade but a strategic play to make Japan a leader in AI specifically designed for the Japanese language and business requirements. Blending rich local research with worldwide AI talent, NTT is offering businesses and government bodies a tool to enhance efficiency, security, and decision-making.
With growing adoption, tsuzumi 2 will be poised to redefine how companies and government institutions leverage AI, leading to a wider digital transformation in Japan’s tech sector. Emphasis on security, niche expertise, and language skills raises the standard for future AI development in the nation.

