Tokyo-based Sakana AI has launched API access to Sakana Namazu, a large language model optimized for Japanese and Japanese business practices. Built on Moonshot AI's Kimi K2.6, it is offered on a usage-based pricing model through an OpenAI-compatible API.
Tokyo-based AI startup Sakana AI began offering API access to Namazu, an LLM for the Japanese market, on 3 August 2026. Namazu is offered as a commercial API built on Moonshot AI's open model Kimi K2.6, with additional training to adapt it to Japanese contexts.
In addition to generating text, Namazu features autonomous agent capabilities, allowing it to retrieve the latest information through web searches and execute Python code in a sandbox environment. It is designed to minimize the configuration of external tools, and has also undergone tuning to improve political neutrality and other areas.
The usage-based pricing is set at $0.95 per 1 million input tokens and $4.00 per 1 million output tokens, with additional charges for web searches and code execution. Developers can migrate to Namazu while retaining the OpenAI-compatible API format. The EU, UK and Switzerland are currently excluded from the service area.
The launch is expected to make it easier for Japanese companies to integrate AI that understands Japanese contexts into their products. Sakana AI is highlighting agent capabilities tailored to the Japanese market, as well as enhanced support for Japanese business documents, laws and regulations, and honorific language.