Preferred Networks
Tokyo deep learning company founded 2014; develops MN-Core AI chips, PLaMo LLMs, Kachaka AMR, and physical AI solutions for robotics and manufacturing.
Preferred Networks, Inc. (PFN) is a Japanese artificial intelligence company founded on March 26, 2014, and headquartered at Otemachi Building, 1-6-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Founded by Toru Nishikawa, Daisuke Okanohara, and colleagues as a spin-off from Preferred Infrastructure (PFI), PFN is widely regarded as one of Japan's most significant AI research and commercialization companies, having raised over $315 million in total funding.
PFN is notable for being Japan's only company to vertically integrate the complete AI stack — from custom-designed AI semiconductors and supercomputers to large language models and industry-specific application solutions. Its proprietary MN-Core AI processor family, first unveiled in December 2018, is optimized for high-throughput deep learning workloads. The MN-3 supercomputer built on MN-Core ranked first on the Green500 list of the world's most energy-efficient supercomputers in June 2020. Subsequent generations, MN-Core 2 and MN-Core L1000, extend the line for cloud and enterprise deployment.
In 2015, PFN released Chainer, an open-source deep learning framework known for its define-by-run dynamic computation graph approach, which directly influenced the design of PyTorch. Chainer was placed into maintenance mode in December 2019 as PFN migrated research to PyTorch.
In robotics, PFN established Preferred Robotics Inc. in November 2021. Preferred Robotics launched Kachaka in May 2023, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) that docks to specialized furniture shelves and navigates home and office environments to carry items. Kachaka integrates PFN's physical AI research and the PLaMo language model for natural language robot control. PFN signed a joint development agreement with Toyota Motor Corporation in August 2019 to co-develop service robots on Toyota's Human Support Robot (HSR) platform, targeting household assistance and care environments. In June 2026, PFN and Toyota's Frontier Research Center launched joint research on Physical AI using MN-Core L Series processors.
PFN's generative AI product line centers on PLaMo, a Japanese-language LLM trained from scratch. PLaMo Prime is the commercial flagship available via cloud API, Amazon Bedrock Marketplace, and on-premises via the PFCP cloud service. PLaMo 2.2 Prime and PLaMo Translation were launched on Snowflake Marketplace in 2026. PFN also develops Matlantis, a universal atomistic simulator for materials science using machine learning potentials, and applies its AI stack to drug discovery, autonomous driving, and manufacturing quality inspection.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
MN-Core AI Processor
Custom deep learning AI chip series (MN-Core, MN-Core 2, MN-Core L1000) designed for high-throughput, energy-efficient training and inference workloads.
PLaMo Large Language Model
Japanese-English LLM family trained from scratch; flagship PLaMo Prime available via API, Amazon Bedrock, and on-premises; optimized for Japanese language tasks.
Contact Preferred Networks
WEBSITE
https://www.preferred.jpPHONE
2026.04.21HEADQUARTERS
Japan
Company Facts
Founded
2014
Primary Role
Software/Algorithm
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Asia-Pacific
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
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