Why Kyoto is Hosting NTT DATA's Newest AI-Ready Data Centre

NTT DATA has announced the opening of its Keihanna OSK11 data centre in Kyoto, Japan, adding a new site to its global data centre network.

Their facility is designed as an AI-ready environment, built to handle rising demand for cloud computing and AI workloads.

OSK11 strengthens digital infrastructure in the Kansai region, which is a major economic hub including the cities Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe – all areas seeing fast growth in data centre development.

The site forms part of a broader effort to support enterprise modernisation, which is a process that organisations use to upgrade legacy systems to more flexible digital platforms.

What is the regional role of the data centre?

The OSK11 facility sits within the Osaka-Kyoto corridor, which supports connectivity and geographic diversity for customers seeking alternatives to Tokyo. 

OSK11 delivers 30MW of IT capacity – this level of capacity supports both hyperscalers and enterprise customers managing their own IT environments.

The site marks NTT DATA’s fourteenth data centre in Japan, expanding its presence in a market where demand for digital infrastructure is rapidly growing.

As organisations are increasingly relying on data-driven operations, OSK11 provides the physical backbone required to store and process information before it is transmitted.

Doug Adams, CEO of NTT Global Data Centers, says: “OSK11 represents a significant milestone in our continued investment in Japan and our commitment to enabling the next generation of digital innovation.

"As demand for AI-ready infrastructure accelerates, The Kansai region is emerging as a critical hub for data-driven growth, and OSK11 positions our customers to scale with confidence.”

Engineering for performance and resilience

OSK11 is engineered to meet strict requirements for performance and reliability, which are essential for the modern data centre.

The facility includes dual power substations, which provide redundancy by ensuring that if one power source fails, another is still available to supply electricity.

The cooling is delivered through an N+1 air-cooled chiller design. ‘N’ represents the number of cooling units required to handle the load, while ‘+1’ is an additional backup unit, so cooling systems remain operational even if one component fails.

Having a backup unit also means that stable temperatures for this sensitive equipment are maintained.

Carrier-neutral connectivity is another key feature in the data centre – this means customers are not tied to a single telco provider and can choose from multiple network carriers.

Diverse network paths also improve resilience by allowing data to travel through different routes, reducing the risk of outages.

Security is addressed through 24/7 on-site operations and multi-factor access controls. These require users to provide two or more forms of ID such as a password and a physical token, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorised access.

Supporting global scale and AI demand

The launch of OSK11 adds to NTT Global Data Centers’ portfolio of more than 160 facilities across over 20 countries. Their global platform allows infrastructure to be deployed in multiple regions while maintaining consistent standards for performance and security.

Demand for geographically diverse infrastructure continues to grow in Japan, driven by increased adoption of cloud services and AI applications, and the need for scalable digital systems.

AI workloads in particular require high-density computing environments, which place greater demands on power and cooling systems within data centres.

The Kansai region is becoming a strategic complement to Tokyo, offering both capacity and resilience. By expanding in this area, NTT DATA is providing customers with more options for distributing workloads while ensuring the continuity of their operations.