Hilex Toyama has made significant strides in technological advancement with the opening of Japan's first AI-focused GPU data center, named the "Takamatsu City Data Center," as of December 18, 2024. This innovative facility marks the advent of state-of-the-art computing resources aimed at accelerating AI development within the region.
The first phase of the data center has been launched at a renovated portion of the Research Institute for Science and Technology (RIST) in Takamatsu City, operated under the auspices of the Kagawa Industry Support Foundation. Hilex has installed 100 units of the cutting-edge NVIDIA HGX H200 GPUs, which will power their GPU cloud service known as "GPUSOROBAN." Presently, the facility is gradually opening up its services, with around ten of these powerful GPUs already operational as early as December 2024. The complete rollout is anticipated by early 2025.
One of the driving forces behind this development is the growing demand for GPU computing resources, particularly for AI applications. The need to keep sensitive data processing within Japan has gained urgency due to heightened geopolitical risks, prompting stakeholders to seek local solutions to manage important data securely.
Yoshikazu Shikura, the President of Hilex Kagawa, expressed the company's commitment to providing high-performance computing resources at competitive prices, emphasizing, "Our goal is to provide high-performance computing resources at competitive prices, benefiting both local economies and technological advancements." This strategy highlights the intersection of technology and regional economic growth, aiming to spearhead advancements not just within Hilex, but across the Kagawa region as well.
Collaborative efforts from the Kagawa Prefectural Government and various local municipalities played significant roles throughout the planning stages. Prefectural Governor Toyohito Ikeda remarked, "This project highlights the collaboration between municipal governments and innovative startups to build relevant technological infrastructures," underlining the importance of local government support. This acknowledgement of teamwork is pivotal as it shapes the ecosystem necessary for fostering technological innovation.
Strategically positioned, the Takamatsu City Data Center will not only address current computing demands but is also anticipated to create numerous job opportunities within the region. Its operational framework is intelligent and resourceful, utilizing practical designs to minimize costs without compromising functionality. For example, the design does not equip the entire data center with backup power systems, which allows for more affordable service rates—an arrangement made possible due to the specific nature of computations being performed, which are batch processes less sensitive to downtime.
Hilex has indicated plans to open another facility by August 2025, with similar structural dynamics, set to be located at the former Ayakami Middle School premises, just outside Takamatsu City. This second site is already drawing attention, mirroring the advantages seen for the initial data center.
Such advancements encounter challenges as well. Data centers typically require specific infrastructural standards, such as load-bearing capacities for heavy server installations. Facilities adapted from older structures must meet specific criteria to support the extensive weight of high-performance GPUs. Addressing these logistical concerns adds another layer of complexity to Hilex's operational strategy.
Through collaborative efforts and innovative design, Hilex Kagawa is leading the charge toward making Kagawa Prefecture a hub for AI development, contributing to both the local economy and advancements within the global technology infrastructure. This initiative not only responds to demands for enhanced computing power but also showcases local governmental support for startups to flourish, weaving technology more deeply with economic and social fabrics.
Hilex's ambitious project is poised to reshape Kagawa's tech environment, paving the way for future growth and emphasizing the importance of local infrastructures capable of hosting powerful computing resources. By strategically choosing to remain local and focusing on domestic data management, Hilex is not just innovatively addressing economic and technological needs but is also reinforcing community ties and security, merging these two significant aspects within today's digital era.
