Cognition, the US-based AI startup behind Devin — widely recognised as the first AI software engineer — has established a Japan entity, marking its first expansion into Asia. The move targets the growing demand for AI-powered software development across the region as enterprises accelerate digital transformation amid constrained developer workforces.

Japan as the Asia Beachhead

Valued at US$10.2 billion and backed by Founders Fund, Lux Capital, 8VC, Bain Capital Ventures, and D1 Capital, Cognition has raised over US$400 million to date. The company is positioning Japan as a strategic entry point into Asia given the country’s scale of enterprise system complexity and its shortage of available engineering talent.

Cognition is already working with Japanese organisations including DeNA, which reportedly more than doubled operational efficiency across several engineering functions after deploying Devin. Through a partnership with enterprise systems specialist ULS Consulting, Cognition has also supported Mizuho Securities in becoming one of the first large-scale financial institutions in Japan to deploy the AI software engineer.

Leadership Appointment

To lead the Japan business, Cognition has appointed Takumi Masai as Japan President and General Manager. Masai brings over 30 years of enterprise technology experience in Japan, having held senior roles at IBM, Pivotal, Microsoft, Workday, and most recently Datadog, where he served as President.

“As AI adoption accelerates, there is a significant opportunity to rethink how organisations build and operate software. Together with our partners, we aim to help shape a new era of software development and strengthen the global competitiveness of Japanese enterprises.” — Takumi Masai, Japan President & General Manager, Cognition

Broader APAC Implications

Cognition’s Asia entry reflects a broader pattern of AI infrastructure companies prioritising the region, particularly in markets where legacy enterprise systems require modernisation. Japan’s combination of complex technology estates and a shrinking developer pool presents a compelling commercial case for autonomous coding agents.

“Japanese enterprises have built some of the most complex, high-stakes systems in the world, and have a generation of developers who should be spending their time on hard problems, not basic implementation.” — Russell Kaplan, President, Cognition

The company indicated it will work with Japanese enterprises directly as well as through local partners, with further regional expansion details yet to be announced.