TOKYO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 14, 2025--
Global IT services provider FPT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mishima Kosan Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer, to advance a next-generation AI-powered manufacturing platform and strengthen digital innovation across the sector. This strategic collaboration marks a significant step toward modernizing manufacturing environments on a global scale.
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Combining FPT’s global delivery capabilities, AI expertise and infrastructure with Mishima Kosan’s industrial platform and manufacturing knowledge, the partnership aims to deliver integrated digital solutions that enhance agility and innovation for manufacturers worldwide. The unification of FPT’s AI Infrastructure with the cloud-based MK Solution Cloud establishes a scalable digital manufacturing foundation that streamlines development, eliminates complex on-premises environments, and strengthens global competitiveness.
The collaboration also advances MK Solution Cloud through AI-assisted, cloud-based co-development that modernizes control system engineering, reduces reliance on individual expertise, and boosts productivity. Beyond technology, the partnership expands to workforce development via the AI Mentor initiative, which standardizes training, accelerates skill acquisition, and supports multilingual environments. In the next phase, both companies will extend deployment across domestic and global manufacturing sites, supporting the shift toward sustainable, intelligent, AI-enabled operations.
“Japan’s manufacturing landscape is entering a pivotal phase, where AI-driven innovation is becoming central to strengthening productivity and long-term competitiveness,” said Do Van Khac, FPT Software SEVP and FPT Japan CEO, FPT Corporation. “As an AI-First company with a long-standing presence in Japan, FPT is committed to driving this transformation. Our collaboration with Mishima Kosan brings together advanced AI, cloud, and engineering capabilities with deep manufacturing expertise, enabling organizations to modernize at speed, operate more intelligently, and advance toward a more sustainable, next-generation industrial future.”
FPT recently marked 20 years of operation in Japan, solidifying its position as one of the largest foreign technology companies in the market. The company now operates 18 offices and innovation hubs across the country, supported by a workforce of 5,000 employees in Japan and more than 15,000 offshore experts serving over 450 global customers. In 2024, FPT recorded more than 500 million USD in revenue in Japan, and is now targeting 1 billion USD by 2027, with the ambition of becoming among the country’s top 15 IT firms.
About FPT
FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam and operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. Over more than three decades, FPT has consistently delivered impactful solutions to millions of individuals and tens of thousands of organizations worldwide. As an AI-first company, FPT is committed to elevating Vietnam’s position on the global tech map and delivering world-class AI-enabled solutions for global enterprises. FPT focuses on three critical transformations: Digital Transformation, Intelligence Transformation, and Green Transformation. In 2024, FPT reported a total revenue of USD 2.47 billion and a workforce of over 54,000 employees across its core businesses. For more information about FPT's global IT services, please visit https://fptsoftware.com.
Hideo Mishima, Representative Director, Mishima Kosan (L) and Do Van Khac, FPT Software SEVP and FPT Japan CEO, FPT Corporation (R)
Senegal has an unlikely new hero, and he did not even play in the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final won by his country.
In a bizarre turn of events, Senegal’s second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf spent long spells of Sunday's match protecting the towels used by starting keeper Edouard Mendy from repeated attempts by ball boys to snatch them.
Diouf's efforts have been praised by fans as being almost as crucial as the extra-time winning goal scored by Pape Gueye, which secured Senegal’s second Africa Cup of Nations title.
Goalkeepers often keep towels close to them to wipe themselves and their gloves, especially in wet conditions such as those during Sunday’s final in Rabat.
Diouf had a crucial role on the sidelines, fighting off the assaults. At one point, he was chased by ball boys along the touchline. Some videos also show him lying flat on the pitch, shielding one of the towels, while a young man tries to wrestle with him.
In other footage filmed from the stands, Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi can be seen throwing one of Mendy's towels over advertising boards. At another moment Morocco midfielder Ismaël Saibari tried to prevent Diouf from handing a towel to Mendy.
Praising the tireless work of the second-choice goalkeeper, one social media user wrote on X: “Yehvann Diouf’s work, guys. You’ve earned the respect of an entire country. SOLDIER.”
Diouf made light of the situation, later posting a picture of him biting on his medal and holding a towel, with the caption: “Here it is (the medal and the towel).”
Speaking to reporters after the match, Diouf said he did not understand why the opposing side got so obsessed with the towels.
“Maybe people read something into those towels, but in any case they were only used to dry the gloves and the face when it’s raining,” he said. “I was just as surprised as you were, but like the team as a whole, we stuck together, and Edouard was able to get the towels he needed.”
AP at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
A ball boy throws a towel used by Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A ball boy attempts to grab a towel from Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf as he holds it for Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
A ball boy attempts to grab a towel from Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf as he holds it for Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Morocco's Ismael Saibari tries to prevent Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf from handing a towel to Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy dries his face while Senegal's second-choice goalkeeper Yéhvann Diouf waits to collect it from him, during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy, right, approaches Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz before he took a penalty during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy saves a panelty from Morocco's Brahim Abdelkader Díaz during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy saves from Morocco's Ismael Saibari during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's head coach Pape Thiaw and Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy, center, celebrate after winning the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Youssef Loulidi)
Senegal's goalkeeper Edouard Osoque Mendy clears the ball in front of Morocco's Abdessamad Ezzalzouli during the Africa Cup of Nations final soccer match between Senegal and Morocco, in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy)
