The construction of data centers in urban areas of Japan is igniting friction. As tech advances and the demand for internet data storage surges, companies are looking to build high-capacity data centers in populated region. Residents and city officials, however, express concerns over the potential environmental and lifestyle impacts. This happens amidst the government’s push for digital transformation and greener technology adoption.

In Japan, the construction of state-of-the-art data centers often sparks debates around balancing urban development with environmental sustainability and quality of life. People care about maintaining their 'overlooked tranquility' amidst the constant technological progression. Besides, Japan's push for 'Society 5.0', a human-centered society harmonizing cyberspace and physical space, also heightens the sensitivities around such developments.

In the US and EU, similar issues with data center construction center around power consumption, environmental impacts, and potential gentrification. Both regions have also been seeing a trend of "data center diaspora," where data centers relocate to less dense areas to mitigate urban friction and take advantage of lower property and cooling costs.