DigitalBridge and JEXI Launch Nippon Gateway Infrastructure

DigitalBridge and Japan Extensive Infrastructure (JEXI), part of the Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group, have launched Nippon Gateway Infrastructure (NGI), a new enterprise-focused colocation data center platform targeting Japan’s growing demand for digital infrastructure. The new company begins operations with a portfolio of data centers acquired from NEC, including facilities in the Greater Tokyo and Greater Osaka metropolitan areas. NEC will remain a strategic customer while NGI expands its platform through acquisitions, facility expansions, and selective greenfield developments.

NGI enters the market with an experienced executive team drawn from Japan’s technology and telecommunications sectors. Hiroshi Ogasawara, formerly with SCSK, SCSK NEC Data Center Management, and AT TOKYO, will serve as President and CEO. Masato Hoshino, previously Head of Asia at Colt Technology Services, joins as Executive Vice President and COO. Yoshiaki Fujimori, Chairman of Oracle Japan, has been appointed Chairman of NGI.

The launch reflects continued investment in Japan’s digital infrastructure market as enterprise AI adoption, cloud computing, and data sovereignty requirements drive demand for carrier-neutral colocation facilities. DigitalBridge said NGI will focus on enterprise customers while pursuing additional acquisitions and new developments in major Japanese markets. JEXI said the venture aligns with its strategy of connecting domestic infrastructure opportunities with institutional investment capital while supporting long-term industrial development.

• DigitalBridge and JEXI formed Nippon Gateway Infrastructure (NGI), a new colocation data center platform.
• NGI launches with data center assets acquired from NEC in the Greater Tokyo and Greater Osaka regions.
• NEC will remain a strategic customer of the platform.
• Hiroshi Ogasawara becomes President and CEO.
• Masato Hoshino joins as Executive Vice President and COO.
• Yoshiaki Fujimori, Chairman of Oracle Japan, becomes Chairman of NGI.
• Growth plans include acquisitions, expansion of existing facilities, and selective greenfield developments across Japan.
• The platform will focus on enterprise colocation services supporting cloud, AI, and digital transformation workloads.

“The formation of NGI reflects DigitalBridge’s strategy of creating and scaling digital infrastructure platforms alongside exceptional management teams and strategic partners. With a foundational portfolio of high-quality data center assets, a highly experienced management team led by Hiroshi Ogasawara and Masato Hoshino, and a pipeline of expansion opportunities, we believe NGI is well positioned to become a leading data center platform in Japan,” said Justin Chang, Senior Managing Director and Head of Asia at DigitalBridge.

🌐 Analysis: Japan ranks as one of Asia’s fastest-growing colocation markets as hyperscalers, AI infrastructure providers, financial institutions, and domestic enterprises expand computing capacity while seeking carrier-neutral facilities. Tokyo and Osaka remain the country’s primary data center hubs, attracting continued investment from global operators including Equinix, Digital Realty, AirTrunk, STACK Infrastructure, and local providers such as AT TOKYO.

DigitalBridge has increasingly pursued a platform-building strategy rather than owning individual assets, partnering with local operators and investors to scale regional digital infrastructure businesses. The creation of NGI follows a broader industry trend in which infrastructure investment firms combine established enterprise customer bases with experienced local management teams to consolidate fragmented colocation markets and position for AI-driven infrastructure demand.