Equinix vs SoftBank Group

Global Data Center Backlash Threatens AI Infrastructure Investments

Public opposition to data center construction is spreading from the U.S. to Europe and Asia, raising risks for investors. In Europe, over 70 projects were rejected or restricted in early 2026, with significant pushback in Scotland, Denmark, Spain, and the U.K. In South Korea, local residents are protesting data centers near homes, prompting proposed consent requirements and review systems. This backlash has delayed or canceled around $42 billion in European data center investments, compared to $77 billion in the U.S. Industry leaders acknowledge growing community scrutiny but see it as manageable, although costs may rise due to project delays. The AI boom continues, but communities now have significant power to derail large-scale plans.

• Public opposition has impacted around $42 billion in European data center investments due to delays and cancellations.
• More than 70 data center projects in Europe were rejected or restricted between January and April 2026.
• Scotland paused planning approvals for new hyperscale data centers.

AI slowdown not 'end of world' for data centers: Digital Realty CEO

Digital Realty CEO Andrew Power asserts that an AI development slowdown, pledged by major AI players Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI, is not catastrophic for data center real estate. He argues that broader digital transformation and cloud computing growth remain strong demand drivers. The article notes that AI could account for 70% of global data center capacity demand by 2030, requiring nearly $7 trillion in capital outlay according to McKinsey. While stocks of data center REITs like Digital Realty and Equinix slumped, Power emphasizes that the company's funding model and $20 billion development pipeline position it well. JLL's Andrew Batson highlights that future data center growth lies in inference (adoption of AI tools), not just training new models, with only 1 in 4 Americans using AI daily.

• Digital Realty CEO Andrew Power says AI slowdown pledges by Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI are not 'pencils down' for AI or data center real estate.
• McKinsey report projects AI could account for about 70% of global data center capacity demand by 2030.
• McKinsey estimates nearly $7 trillion in capital outlay needed to meet total data center demand by 2030.

SoftBank Plans $50B Malaysia Tech Investment

SoftBank Group is reportedly planning to invest $50 billion in Malaysia's technology sector, including artificial intelligence and data centers. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son identified locations in Kuching, Sarawak, and peninsular Malaysia for the investments. The announcement follows a video conference between the two. SoftBank recently signed a framework agreement with Grab Holdings and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad to explore AI and digital infrastructure development in Sarawak. Malaysia aims to become an "AI nation" by 2030, having already attracted significant data center investments from Google, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft. The country recorded $94 billion in data center-related investments from 2021 to the first half of 2026.

• SoftBank plans to invest $50 billion in Malaysia's technology sector, including AI and data centers.
• Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim said Son identified locations in Kuching, Sarawak, and peninsular Malaysia.
• SoftBank signed a framework agreement with Grab Holdings and Petroleum Sarawak Berhad to explore AI and digital infrastructure development in Sarawak.

SoftBank Group Press Releases: OpenAI Additional Investment and DigitalBridge Acquisition Completed

New press releases include: OpenAIへの追加出資（サードトランシェ）の実行に関するお知らせ (2026-10-01) and DigitalBridgeの買収完了に関するお知らせ (2026-09-30).

Oracle Japan shares surge 7% after record Q1

Oracle Corp Japan's shares surged over 7% on Friday after the company reported record fiscal first-quarter sales and profits, driven by strong growth in its cloud business. Net sales for the June-August quarter rose 13% year-on-year to ¥74.86 billion ($472 million), while operating profit jumped 22.7% and net profit climbed 23.2%. Cloud revenue grew 31.7% to ¥25.14 billion, increasing its share of total sales to 33.6%. The rally in Tokyo contrasted with a more than 3% drop in Oracle's U.S. shares, which followed a 'force majeure' notice tied to its New Mexico data center project. Oracle has committed over $8 billion to cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan over a decade, and SoftBank has launched sovereign cloud and generative AI services using Oracle technology.

• Oracle Japan shares surged more than 7% after record fiscal first-quarter results.
• Net sales rose 13% year-over-year to ¥74.86 billion ($472 million).
• Operating profit jumped 22.7% to ¥25.92 billion, net profit climbed 23.2% to ¥18.25 billion.