September 12, 2025
Tokyo – AI Basic Plan Rough Draft is aimed at government development by the end of the year, and includes promoting AI use in public agencies.
The AI Basic Plan establishes four basic policies to balance technological innovation and appropriate risk management, aiming to make Japan “the world's most AI-friendly country for development and use.”
Japan is lagging behind AI usage, with last year's usage rate remaining at 20% for individuals and 50% for businesses last year. The draft plan states that “establishing a national AI strategy is more important than ever,” and presents four basic policies. It promotes AI use, strategically strengthening development capabilities, leading AI governance, and continuing innovation to become an AI society.
Regarding AI use, the draft states that government agencies and local governments should take the initiative to use AI to improve work efficiency. It also proposes adopting AI to enhance its defense capabilities.
This draft calls for the identification of “high-quality data,” determining the accuracy of AI as “Japan's strength,” and increasing development capabilities.
With the aim of achieving “collaboration” between humans and AI, the draft emphasizes “continuous transformation of social structures and institutions.” It also addresses the need to examine the civil liability framework to ensure the use of AI and “appropriate protection and use of property” especially with regard to copyright infringement.
It also identifies the risks of AI use, providing false answers and spreading disinformation. The draft calls for a thorough government investigation to be conducted when rights violations occur and take the lead in the development of international regulations.
A rough draft of the first master plan of such a plan in the AI region will be presented at the AI Strategy Headquarters meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Ishighiba. A panel of experts will then be established to make the details a reality, and the plan is expected to be finalized within a year with cabinet approval.
