After fried chicken in Korea, Nvidia CEO raises a toast over pork skewers in Japan

Jensen Huang, chief executive of U.S. artificial intelligence chipmaker Nvidia, held a “yakiton summit” with Japanese executives from semiconductor materials and components companies while visiting Japan, a move appeared aimed at strengthening cooperation with local businesses ahead of an expected announcement on Nvidia’s investment plans in Japan.

According to the Nikkei on Wednesday, Huang headed that evening to a yakiton restaurant near Kanda Station in Tokyo, an izakaya specializing in grilled pork skewers and sake.

Located near Tokyo Station, the Kanda Station area is a popular after-work dining spot among Japanese office workers.

After stepping out of his car, Huang reportedly walked down a roughly 20-meter-long alley before entering the restaurant, where the waiting guests greeted him with applause.

The CEO reportedly proposed a toast immediately afterward.

“Executives from major Japanese materials companies are believed to have attended the gathering, where they deepened their ties with Huang,” the Nikkei reported.

Huang has shown his personable side by dining with busi ...