Japan plans to invest US$36 billion in the United States as the first tranche of its US$550 billion commitment under the trade agreement struck with former President Donald Trump. The projects aim to strengthen supply chains, boost economic security, and foster growth in key sectors including energy, artificial intelligence (AI), and critical minerals.
The largest investment is a US$33 billion natural gas plant in Ohio, led by SoftBank’s SB Energy, expected to generate 9.2 gigawatts—enough to power 7.4 million homes. Another US$2.1 billion will go to a deepwater crude export terminal in Texas, while US$600 million is allocated for a synthetic industrial diamond facility in Georgia, operated by De Beers’ Element Six.
Japanese and US officials said the investments, part of a tariff-linked trade deal, are designed to deliver safe returns while expanding US industrial capacity, energy dominance, and strategic infrastructure. Most of the US$550 billion fund will be deployed as loans or loan guarantees rather than direct cash investment.
The announcement comes ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s trip to Washington in March and reflects both countries’ focus on energy, AI, and semiconductor priorities.
