IPO Sakana AI gears up for one of Japan's biggest startup IPOs

Generative AI developer's listing could top Mercari's valuation

Sakana AI is gearing up for an initial public offering as soon as next autumn in what would be the first by a Japanese AI developer. (Photo by Ino Shintaro)

TOKYO/LONDON -- Japanese artificial intelligence developer Sakana AI is preparing for an initial public offering either in Japan or in the U.S. as early as autumn 2027, Nikkei has learned, with a market valuation possibly exceeding Mercari's 680 billion yen ($4.3 billion) to become one of the largest listings for a Japanese startup.