Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:NVDA) CEO Jensen Huang paired a landmark AI infrastructure announcement in Japan with a fan-friendly appearance that underscored his growing celebrity status across Asia.
Nvidia’s AI Factory Headlines Japan Visit
Huang’s trip to Tokyo centered on a major partnership between Nvidia and Noetra Corp., a state-backed AI developer formed by SoftBank Corp. (OTC:SFTBY), NEC Corp. (OTC:NECPY), Honda Motor Co (OTC:HNDAF) and Sony Group Corp. (OTC:SNEJF).
The companies unveiled plans to build a 27,500-GPU “AI factory,” describing it as the world’s first national AI infrastructure designed specifically for robotics.
Beyond the business announcement, on Wednesday, Huang drew crowds throughout the Japanese capital, where fans affectionately call him “kawa-jan,” or “leather jacket,” a nod to his trademark black jacket, Business Insider reported on Thursday.
He stopped by a traditional red-lantern izakaya in Tokyo’s Kanda district, where onlookers gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the Nvidia chief.
From Sega Memories To Red Bean Buns
Huang also visited a former Sega arcade in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, revisiting a company he has credited with helping Nvidia survive its early years.
He has previously said Sega’s roughly $5 million contract in the 1990s helped rescue the struggling chipmaker.
Later, Huang attended Nvidia’s Build-a-Claw event before heading to Yakiton Sankichi, a popular after-work bar.
According to Japanese outlet Diamond Online, he dined on offal hotpot and a towering “baka-mori”—or “stupidly big”—serving of fries alongside executives from Kioxia, Tokyo Electron, Shin-Etsu Chemical, Sumitomo Electric, Taiyo Yuden and Ajinomoto.
When dinner ended, Huang surprised fans waiting outside by handing out red bean buns, a popular Japanese snack.
A Growing Tradition Across Asia
Sampling local cuisine has become a hallmark of Huang’s overseas visits. In May, after accompanying President Donald Trump on his state visit to China, Huang was spotted eating fried bean sauce noodles at a Beijing sidewalk restaurant, telling a crowd, “It’s so good.”
The Nvidia CEO has also been photographed at street food spots in Vietnam, Hong Kong and South Korea, where his fried chicken dinner with Samsung Electronics Co. (OTC:SSNLF) and Hyundai executives drew widespread media attention last year, blending high-stakes AI diplomacy with local culture.
Price Action: Nvidia shares closed Thursday down 2.40% at $207.40 and slipped another 0.68% to $206.00 in after-hours trading, according to Benzinga Pro.
According to Benzinga Edge Rankings, Nvidia scores in the 98th percentile for Growth, highlighting a strong price trend in the medium and long term, but negative in the short term.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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