Asia Tech Wire (Apr 10) -- Microsoft Corp. has announced that it will invest $2.9 billion in Japan over the next two years during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to the U.S.

Microsoft President Brad Smith made the announcement Tuesday after meeting with Kishida in Washington.

The $2.9 billion commitment will be Microsoft's single largest investment in its 46-year history in Japan.

Smith said the investment serves to boost Microsoft's cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Sources said Microsoft will upgrade its data center facilities in Tokyo and Osaka by introducing graphics processing units (GPUs).

The company plans to open its first Microsoft Research Asia lab in Japan, focusing on AI and robotics, while deepening cybersecurity cooperation with the Japanese government.

Microsoft also plans to expand its digital training program, saying in a statement it "will also invest in training 3 million full-time and part-time workers across Japan over the next three years, giving them the skills they need to build and work with AI technologies."

The announcement comes just days after Microsoft unveiled a new Microsoft AI Hub in London, to serve as the new base for its new division, Microsoft AI.