Frequently asked questions

The proposed BIG HOP redevelopment and data center are still at an early planning stage. CloudHQ will continue to engage with the City and residents as the project is further developed.

BIG HOP is approaching 20 years of operation and requires significant reinvestment to remain sustainable for the future. The commercial performance of the property has been challenging overall, while operating, maintenance, repair and major renewal costs continue to increase.

In 2025, more than 60 potential investors and developers were approached for sale of the property, but no viable solution was identified that would allow BIG HOP to continue at its current scale solely as a conventional commercial facility. The proposed redevelopment is therefore intended to create a more sustainable long-term future for the site, while retaining commercial and community functions as important parts of the overall project.

No. 2.7 hectares, around 20%, is currently planned for commercial, park, community and other non-data-center uses, and 3.2 hectares, about 24%, is for two data center buildings. The remaining 7.5 hectares, or 56%, are identified as “Future Development”, and their eventual use has not yet been determined. These areas could potentially accommodate a range of uses, including retail, offices, residential or hotel uses, or data centers. The future mix will depend on factors including demand, timing and commercial viability, and the overall plan remains subject to further design development and applicable approvals.

Two data-center buildings are currently planned. The long-term Future Development area is not yet determined.

No. While future data center development on areas currently identified as “Future Development” cannot be ruled out, there are no fixed plans for those areas at this stage. If CloudHQ develops plans for additional data centers in the future, we intend to communicate those plans with the local community at an early stage, as we are doing with the current proposal. Any future development would also be subject to the applicable planning and approval processes.

The project is still at an early design stage, so detailed building dimensions have not yet been finalized. Under the current concept, the data center buildings are expected to be approximately 35 metres, similar in height to the existing data center (operated by a different company). CloudHQ will provide further information as the design progresses. Final building heights and dimensions remain subject to detailed design development and applicable approvals.

Under the current proposal, the distance between the exterior wall of the data center and the nearest existing residential buildings across the road will be more than 50 metres. The exact building locations and separation distances will be confirmed through further design development and remain subject to applicable approvals.

Data centers operate continuously and contain mechanical and electrical equipment that can generate sound. For this reason, noise will be carefully assessed and addressed as part of the project design.

CloudHQ will design the facility to comply with applicable Japanese noise requirements and will incorporate appropriate acoustic mitigation measures. As the design progresses, further acoustic studies will be undertaken, with post-opening verification as appropriate to confirm actual operating noise levels.

CloudHQ will locate the generators and fuel tanks on the north side of the data centers, away from the residential area, to minimize potential disturbance. CloudHQ will comply with all applicable Japanese requirements, including appropriate acoustic mitigation measures and post-opening noise verification once the necessary studies are sufficiently advanced. The final configuration remains subject to detailed design development and regulatory approvals.

Data centers generate heat through the operation of their IT equipment. This heat must be removed through cooling systems to maintain safe and efficient operations.

CloudHQ will design the cooling and heat-rejection systems to minimise potential impacts on surrounding residential areas. This includes carefully considering equipment locations, the direction and height of heat discharge, building configuration and appropriate engineering mitigation measures.

As the design progresses, CloudHQ will undertake relevant technical assessments, including thermal modelling where appropriate, to evaluate potential effects on the surrounding environment.

The data center is designed to comply with applicable Japanese requirements and guidelines for electromagnetic field exposure. As the detailed design progresses, CloudHQ will assess EMF levels through modelling and/or measurement, as appropriate, and share relevant information once the technical assessment is sufficiently developed. The final electrical design and equipment configuration remain subject to detailed design development and applicable approvals.

Fire safety and fuel storage will be addressed as part of the detailed design and applicable approval processes. CloudHQ will develop and share further information on the fire-safety strategy, fuel-storage quantities, containment measures and emergency-response arrangements once the design has progressed sufficiently and the relevant details have been verified. The final arrangements remain subject to detailed design development and applicable approvals.

It should be noted that the heavy oil typically used for emergency generators differs significantly in its properties from fuels such as gasoline or diesel, as it has low flammability and is virtually non-volatile.

CloudHQ is evaluating cooling technologies with the objective of minimising water consumption while maintaining high energy efficiency and reliable operations.

The final cooling configuration has not yet been determined. Before the development progresses, CloudHQ intends to assess and disclose the proposed cooling technology, estimated water consumption, water supply arrangements and relevant environmental safeguards.

Our objective is to develop a modern, efficient data center campus that makes responsible use of local resources and minimises impacts on the surrounding community.

The existing leases have different terms, and discussions with the current tenants will need to progress before a detailed redevelopment schedule can be confirmed. The proposed new retail facility may provide replacement premises for some existing BIG HOP tenants.

The new retail facility is planned to provide everyday essentials, including a supermarket and drugstore, while also creating opportunities for local small businesses. The second floor is currently envisioned for a mix of uses such as city-related services, childcare and education, clinics, fitness and wellness, and start-up businesses. The development also includes an event space in front of the station with a large LED screen, together with public and community spaces. Tenant selection is still at an early stage, and both local businesses and larger operators will be considered.

Yes. Commercial-first sequencing remains an important principle of the project, with the current plan for the commercial and community facilities to be developed ahead of the data center facilities.

Parking is an important consideration in our planning. We are planning to provide parking facilities within the new retail area. Where there is sufficient demand, the Future Development areas may be offered as paid parking on an interim basis, rather than being left unused for an extended period. The final number of parking spaces, traffic circulation arrangements, and parking availability during construction are still under review and will be confirmed as the project design progresses.

The project is intended to deliver benefits that residents can directly experience, not only additional tax revenue. The current concept includes a renewed commercial precinct, new community park and public spaces, medical and family services, childcare and education, community space for elderly residents and wellness uses, and community events. It also aims to improve connectivity around the station and create potential opportunities for education, skills training and local employment. These elements remain part of the developing project concept and will be further defined as the plans progress.

Yes, this is something CloudHQ is willing to explore with the City and relevant emergency planning authorities. As the project develops, we will discuss whether and how the site could support the local community during earthquakes, flooding or other emergencies. Any specific role or facilities would need to be agreed with the relevant authorities before commitments can be made.

The purpose of the resident meetings is to listen to and understand community feedback while the project is still being developed. The plan has not yet been finalized or approved, and there remains scope for elements of the project to evolve through continued engagement with residents, the City and other stakeholders.

CloudHQ provides several ways for residents to ask questions and share feedback directly. This website is the central source for current plans, project information, FAQs, technical studies and future updates. It also has a comment form where residents can send questions and comments. We read every message and answer common questions on this website, but we are not able to reply to each message individually. CloudHQ also intends to continue periodic face-to-face engagement sessions with the local community as the project progresses.

Both the land and buildings are held by Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking through a trust structure. CloudHQ ultimately controls the beneficial ownership via its 100% subsidiary and is responsible for decisions regarding the property.

The review process is being led and managed by the City. For updates on the process, please contact Inzai City.

No project schedule has been established at this stage. We intend to continue discussions with existing tenants, local residents, and other community stakeholders. Any future schedule will be developed and refined based on those discussions, the planning process, and any required approvals.

No. While discussions are underway regarding the potential supply of some power capacity from this substation, it is not being built specifically for this project. The substation serves broader regional power needs and is not dedicated solely to this development.

The data center buildings located south of the BIG HOP Ferris wheel are not part of our development. We are not involved in those projects.