Oracle Japan, alongside its partners and customers, unveiled the latest developments in cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI) during a keynote address. The presentation highlighted key trends in Japan, including sovereign cloud solutions, AI services, the expansion of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), and business transformation through Software as a Service (SaaS).
Nomura Research Institute (NRI), the world’s first adopter of Oracle Dedicated Region Cloud@Customer, announced its plan to launch domestic sovereign cloud services utilizing Oracle Alloy in February 2024. Shigekazu Omoto, Executive Vice President of IT Infrastructure Services and Chairman of NRI Secure Technologies, noted that sovereign clouds are primarily being adopted by financial institutions. He emphasized that NRI has built a comprehensive disaster recovery service across its Tokyo and Osaka data centers and is leveraging advanced GPU infrastructure to enhance AI services. Additionally, on February 12, the day before the event, NRI introduced a new service group, “NRI Digital Trust” (tentative name), aimed at further supporting cloud and AI adoption.
Omoto outlined the first phase of this initiative, which includes a “security built-in cloud” for cloud configuration and vulnerability management, a “secure development platform” featuring AI-driven test automation and security enhancements, and a “cyber fusion center” providing 24/7 cyber threat detection and response.
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Fujitsu also announced plans to offer sovereign cloud services for Japan using Oracle Alloy from fiscal 2025. Kazushi Koga, Executive Officer and System Platform Business Group Manager at Fujitsu, revealed that the company has already received inquiries from over 150 organizations and secured its first major client. He identified three key types of customers interested in sovereign cloud solutions: organizations in 15 industries that handle confidential data, businesses seeking to migrate mission-critical systems to the cloud, and those reconsidering public cloud adoption due to optimization challenges. Fujitsu aims to launch cloud migration support services for sovereign and mission-critical systems starting in March, leveraging consulting firm Uvance Wayfinders and AI to ensure seamless cloud integration from infrastructure to applications.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. also showcased its use of SaaS solutions, with Yuichi Osawa, Head of the Supply Chain Reform LCA/RC Procurement Area, detailing the company’s efforts to transform procurement operations using Oracle Fusion Cloud Procurement. Amidst a period of rapid industry transformation, Honda is prioritizing business innovation alongside its push for electric and software-defined vehicles. Osawa noted that Honda’s indirect material procurement costs approximately 700 billion yen annually across 11 sites in four domestic group companies. Through business reforms, the company identified potential cost savings of 10 to 20 billion yen. By adopting Oracle Fusion Cloud Procurement, Honda has gained greater visibility and analytical insight into its procurement processes. With nearly 1 million purchase orders processed annually—each handled by personnel managing 40 to 50 orders daily—the transition to a SaaS-driven model has significantly enhanced profitability. Honda’s purchasing division is now focusing on standardizing operations to shift from a cost center to a profit center. Osawa also expressed interest in leveraging AI-powered data correction and analytics, as well as Oracle’s upcoming AI agent functionality, to further improve efficiency.
Cloud partner RKKCS plans to use OCI for government cloud services in local municipalities. Hiroshi Maeda, Chief Architect and Deputy General Manager of the Technology Headquarters, said that cloud-native solutions and automation can boost public sector operations. He said that standardizing data models would make government work better. It would improve public services and help protect important information.
IRET, another cloud partner, is a top multi-cloud integrator focused on AWS and Google Cloud. Now, it has announced its expansion into OCI. CEO Iwanaga Mitsumasa noted the growing interest in OCI. He sees it as the company’s third key cloud platform. He confirmed IRET’s commitment to developing its skills in AWS, Google Cloud, and OCI. This will help strengthen its position as a real multi-cloud integrator.
Japan is increasingly focused on cloud sovereignty, AI integration, and digital transformation. Oracle and its partners are key players in shaping the country’s tech landscape.
