The OECD.AI Policy Navigator

Japan's core corporate R&D tax credit system providing a 6–14% tax credit on total R&D expenses, with enhanced rates of 12–17% for SMEs, an open innovation add-on of up to 10%, and a new 40% credit for strategic technologies including AI from FY2026.

AI Guidelines for Business (Ver1.2), issued on 31 March 2026, provide unified guiding principles for AI governance in Japan. They aim to promote the safe and secure use of AI by helping business actors recognise risks and take voluntary countermeasures across the lifecycle, supporting both innovation and risk reduction through cooperation and a risk-based approach.

A Japanese national grant programme — a renamed and AI-refocused evolution of the long-running IT Introduction Subsidy — providing SMEs and micro-enterprises with subsidies to purchase and adopt pre-registered IT tools, with AI-enabled tools now prioritised as a core adoption target.

A flexible subsidy route that supports bespoke equipment, system integration and custom automation/IT investments (including tailored AI systems).

The AI Act and the AI Basic Plan (established in Article 18, para. (1) of the Act) constitute a government-led policy framework designed to promote AI innovation while mitigating risks. It is intended for citizens, business operators, and R&D institutes, aiming to ensure that AI benefits society and supports economic growth. It is necessary to address delays in domestic AI development and public concerns about AI-related risks, while balancing innovation promotion with effective risk mitigation.

ABCI 3.0 is Japan's national AI computing infrastructure that provides access to supercomputing resources for developing sovereign AI capabilities. Operated by AIST and funded through Japan's METI, it delivers 6.2 exaflops of computing power using 6,128 NVIDIA H200 GPUs. The infrastructure supports industry, academia, and government in developing large language models and advancing generative AI research, with priority given to national research institutes, universities, and startups.

"Japan's GenAI Procurement & Utilization Guideline" was formulated in 2025 to establish rules for the procurement and use of generative AI across national government. It creates an AI governance framework requiring each ministry to appoint a Chief AI Officer (CAIO), conduct risk assessments to each generative AI systems, and implement procurement based on specific check sheets. The guideline aims to accelerate adoption of generative AI in government while managing its risks.

Japan’s Artificial Intelligence Basic Plan establishes the government’s policy framework for promoting the research, development and utilisation of AI-related technologies. It sets out basic concepts, policy directions and priority measures, including accelerating AI utilisation, strengthening development capabilities, advancing governance, and promoting societal transformation, together with arrangements for implementation and coordination across government.

Japan’s 2025 AI Act establishes the country’s first dedicated legal framework for artificial intelligence, focusing on promoting research, development, and utilisation rather than imposing strict regulation. The law sets out basic principles and a national policy framework, including a “Basic AI Plan” and coordinated governance structures, while encouraging voluntary action by businesses.