Policy Update: The New AI Law That Exposed Japan’s Deep Tech Anxiety
Japan just passed a national AI law, but unlike the EU, surprisingly, it avoids penalties and invites cooperation. Read this deep dive into Japan's new AI law.
Japan has officially stepped into the AI policy arena with a new national law for artificial intelligence, but it is not what you might expect. Instead of standalone rules and penalties, the government is focusing on coordination, voluntary cooperation, and a cabinet-level strategy to boost innovation. For instance, while the EU is regulating AI with rigid risk classifications, Japan is choosing a softer, promotion-first path. The goal appears to be to catch up with the EU and other countries who are currently ahead, eventually lead globally to avoid falling behind. But with low private investment and vague safeguards, the real test is just beginning.
🇯🇵 Japan’s Parliament Adopts a New Legal Framework for AI Governance
On 28 May 2025, the Japanese House of Councillors formally adopted the Act on the Promotion of Research and Development and Application of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies.
Japan has entered a new phase in how it plans to manage the growth, control, and societal impact of artificial intelligence.
The law introduces a national-level framework directed by a new AI Strategy Headquarters. This body will be chaired by the Prime Minister and supported by all Cabinet members. Its job is to prepare a government-wide strategy to develop artificial intelligence technology while identifying risks that may arise from its misuse.
The plan is not simply to support innovation but to do so in a way that balances technological advancement with public interest. This includes addressing misinformation, biased algorithms, and the opaque nature of machine learning systems.
For a country that has often been perceived as lagging behind the United States, China, and the European Union in setting a clear AI agenda, this law offers a structure for Japan to catch up.