Nvidia's chief, Jensen Huang, spent two days in Tokyo, courting Japanese tech giants with deals worth billions. His visit underscores a global push to integrate AI into every aspect of manufacturing, from factory floors to self-driving cars.

Japan is committed to building its own 'physical AI', with the government investing up to $6.2 billion over five years. However, Nvidia remains central to this vision, providing the cutting-edge hardware needed for Japan's ambitious plans.

The robotics coalition, including Fanuc and Toyota, is aligning behind Nvidia's Cosmos models, which run on its proprietary chips. These models are designed to operate in real-world environments, marking a significant shift towards AI that interacts with humans and machines alike.

Huang’s visits to Taiwan and South Korea highlight his strategy of forging key partnerships globally. His message to Japan is clear: embrace the tech revolution or risk falling behind as the world's factories become increasingly automated.

The push for independence in technology, driven by geopolitical tensions with the US and China, means that Tokyo hopes American chips won't dictate its future. Yet, until a domestic alternative emerges, reliance on Nvidia's silicon is inevitable.