Microsoft will be launching its first Japanese data centers for cloud computing services in 2014 at the earliest, according to a news report by Nikkei on May 24. The two data centers will be built near Tokyo and Osaka, with a total spending of over 10 billion yen (US$978 million; US$1=102.25 Yen). With the domestic data centers, Microsoft aims to leap on the opportunities of the fast-growing cloud service market in Japan, and attract customers such as Japanese financial institutions and public organizations.

Aside from Japan, Microsoft is also expanding its cloud computing footprint in Australia by building two data centers in New South Wales and Victoria, as reported by Reuters on May 20. The construction is expected to take up 12 to 18 months. However, the investment amount is not yet disclosed.