Google invests in Japanese AI and machine learning startup ABEJA

Google has made a rare investment in Japan after the company led a follow-on round for AI and machine learning startup ABEJA. The deal amount is undisclosed but a little digging suggests that it is likely a single-digit million U.S. dollar figure. That's because six-year-old ABEJA did confirm that it has now raised JPY 6 billion ($53 million) from investors to date. The company has raised $45 million in disclosed capital, according to Crunchbase, which leaves around $8 million unaccounted for -- although that covers both the Google investment and a previous Series A deal in 2014, which was also undisclosed. Numbers aside, the deal is notable not only because it represents a Google deal in Japan, but because it is strategic in nature.