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)
REI NAKAFUJI and AKIRA YAMASHITA
November 9, 2026 17:00 JST
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.