Anthropic partners NEC to deploy Claude across 30,000

Anthropic has agreed a partnership with NEC, which will deploy Anthropic's Claude tools to about 30,000 employees across its global group.

The deal makes NEC Anthropic's first global partner based in Japan.

Under the arrangement, the two companies plan to develop industry-specific artificial intelligence products for the Japanese market. Initial work will focus on finance, manufacturing and local government, centring on secure systems for customers in those sectors.

NEC is also integrating Claude into its Security Operations Centre services as it expands the use of AI in cybersecurity. The software will be included in a next-generation cybersecurity service that NEC is already providing.

Platform expansion

Beyond security, Claude, Claude Opus 4.7 and Claude Code will be added to NEC BluStellar Scenario, a programme that combines consulting, AI tools, security and digital infrastructure for business customers. The rollout will begin with services linked to data-driven management and customer experience before extending further across the programme.

Internal rollout

Internally, NEC plans to set up a Centre of Excellence to train and support a larger AI-focused engineering workforce. Anthropic will provide technical support and training as NEC works towards building what it described as one of Japan's largest AI-native engineering teams.

The internal deployment will include Claude Code for engineers and a wider rollout of Claude Cowork across NEC's business operations. This will take place through NEC's Client Zero initiative, under which it uses its own technology internally before selling related products and services to customers.

The partnership reflects rising interest among large Japanese groups in embedding generative AI into software development, internal operations and sector-specific products. It also gives Anthropic a deeper foothold in Japan through an established domestic technology supplier with clients across government and industry.

Service strategy

For NEC, the alliance adds to a broader effort to combine consulting, infrastructure, security and software into packaged services for corporate and public sector customers. It has pointed to demand in regulated and operationally sensitive sectors, where reliability and security standards are closely scrutinised.

"This long-term partnership with Anthropic enables NEC to maximize the potential of AI in the Japanese market. Together, we aim to create solutions that meet the high safety, reliability, and quality standards demanded by companies and public administration in Japan," said Toshifumi Yoshizaki, Executive Officer and COO, NEC.

Claude is now being deployed to NEC Group employees worldwide, while joint development of sector-focused AI products is already under way.