SoftBank invests in Sierra, backs Japan expansion
Axios reports that U.S. AI startup Sierra has secured an investment from SoftBank and will expand into Japan, per an exclusive published Dec. 4, 2025. The deal aligns Sierra’s AI agent platform with SoftBank’s reach in the Japanese market; further details were not provided in the report.
📌 Key Facts
- Axios exclusive on Dec. 4, 2025: SoftBank invested in Sierra
- Sierra plans to expand operations and customers in Japan with SoftBank’s support
- Sierra is a U.S.-based artificial intelligence startup focused on enterprise AI agents
📊 Relevant Data
As of September 2025, 29.4% of Japan's population, or approximately 36.19 million people, is aged 65 or older.
Japan's elderly population down at around 36.2 million — The Japan Times
The number of bankruptcies caused by labor shortages in Japan increased by 32% to 342 cases in 2024.
Japan firms face serious labour crunch from aging population, survey shows — Reuters
Japan's artificial intelligence market is projected to be valued at $15.64 billion in 2025, growing to $123.90 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 34.4%.
Japan Artificial Intelligence Market Size, Share | Growth [2032] — Fortune Business Insights