Google backs Sakana AI to push Gemini models deeper into Japan

Japanese AI startup Sakana AI announced on January 23, 2026 that Google has made a strategic investment and entered a partnership to supply Gemini and other Google models for its products. Follow‑on coverage on January 24 reported that Sakana AI’s valuation is about $2.5–2.6 billion and that the deal will help Google expand Gemini’s footprint in Japan’s enterprise market.