"Japan’s (Advanced) Artificial Intelligence Systems Policies, Support, and Collaboration Opportunities with the EU"

We are at an inflection point. Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant frontier—it is quietly reshaping how societies govern, produce, move, and age. For Japan, a country known for its technological sophistication and institutional stability, this is a moment to shape the future. 

Drawing on a multi-method research approach—including expert interviews, a case study on smart mobility, and a multi-stakeholder focus group—the report also surfaces underlying tensions within Japan’s AI evolution. Interviews highlight the need for stronger AI literacy, embedded cybersecurity teams, and clearer incentives for translational research.

The case study illustrates how AI is already being deployed to solve complex public challenges. A deeper question emerged from the focus group: Does AI have an identity? As countries build foundation models, the question is no longer just technical—it is ethical, cultural, and strategic. Japan’s answer is emerging not in slogans, but in systems: AI that serves, explains, and respects. Through the G7 Hiroshima AI Process, the Council of Europe AI Convention, and its growing collaboration with the European Union, Japan is not only advancing its own agenda, but contributing to the formation of shared governance norms for democratic, trustworthy AI. What emerges from Japan may serve as a blueprint for how advanced societies embed ethics, resilience, and purpose into intelligent systems. This report invites the reader to reflect—with curiosity and critical distance —on Japan’s AI journey and its place in the global landscape.

Publication date: April 2025

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