DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) and Japan Extensive Infrastructure (JEXI) have launched Nippon Gateway Infrastructure (NGI), a new colocation data centre platform focused on enterprise demand in Japan.

The platform has been formed by affiliates of DigitalBridge Group and Japan Extensive Infrastructure, known as JEXI. It launches with a portfolio of data centre assets acquired from NEC Corporation in the Greater Tokyo and Greater Osaka regions.

NEC will remain a strategic customer of the platform, while NGI plans to expand its enterprise-focused data centre business across Japan.

NGI will be led by Hiroshi Ogasawara as president and CEO. Ogasawara has held senior roles across Japan’s technology services and digital infrastructure sectors, including at SCSK Corporation, SCSK NEC Data Center Management and AT TOKYO Corporation.

Masato Hoshino has joined as executive vice president and COO. He brings more than 20 years of experience across telecommunications and digital infrastructure, including a previous role as head of Asia at Colt Technology Services.

Yoshiaki Fujimori has been appointed chairman of NGI. He currently serves as chairman of Oracle Japan and has more than four decades of leadership experience across Japan’s business sector. 

“The formation of NGI reflects DigitalBridge’s strategy of creating and scaling digital infrastructure platforms alongside exceptional management teams and strategic partners,” said Justin Chang, senior managing director and head of Asia at DigitalBridge. 

“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.”

JEXI is an investment advisory company within the Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group focused on domestic infrastructure.

The company invests across digital infrastructure, decarbonisation and social infrastructure in Japan. Its focus includes assets that support the country’s digital growth, energy transition and regional development.

Kenjiro Okamura, chief investment officer and representative director at JEXI, said the launch of NGI reflects growing demand for digital infrastructure in Japan.

JEXI, part of the Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group, intends to support NGI beyond capital provision by helping with business creation and growth. Okamura added that JEXI aims to connect global and domestic investor capital with infrastructure businesses in Japan.