SoftBank Launches Battery Business to Power AI Infrastructure in Japan

SoftBank Corp. announced in a press release the launch of a Japan-based battery business designed to build large-scale power infrastructure for the increasing energy demands of AI systems. The company will develop and manufacture battery cells and energy storage systems through facilities at its Osaka Sakai AI Data Center, aiming for gigawatt-hour-level production by fiscal year 2028.

SoftBank is collaborating with COSMOS LAB to create zinc-halogen battery cells that use pure water as an electrolyte, reducing fire risks compared to lithium-ion batteries. The companies plan to establish mass production technology by fiscal year 2027. The batteries will feature halogen-based cathodes and zinc anodes, combining safety with high energy efficiency.

For energy storage systems, SoftBank is working with DeltaX to develop systems featuring high energy density. DeltaX’s proprietary Cell Connecting System and Cell to Pack technologies will be applied to maximize performance, while SoftBank’s AI-based energy management system will handle power demand forecasting and optimize charging and discharging.

The batteries produced under this initiative will be deployed at SoftBank’s AI data centers and later offered for grid, industrial, and residential applications. The company targets more than 100 billion yen in annual domestic battery revenue by fiscal year 2030.