The OECD.AI Policy Navigator

Japan is developing a prototype AI agent that automates routine administrative work common across ministries/agencies, allowing policymakers to focus on strategic tasks. By combining the knowledge of government staff with Digital Agency’s engineering skills the aim is to create user‑centered tools that fit real operations and gather issues from frontline teams, prioritize feasible improvements, and accelerate practical solutions while also reducing burdens caused by outdated rules and procedures

Japan's Digital Agency ran a pilot from December 2023 to March 2024 testing how text-based generative AI could improve government work. Officials at central ministries and selected local governments used a chat platform with multiple large language models, examining use cases including public comment processing, regulatory drafting, and code generation. The pilot generated practical knowledge on where generative AI delivers efficiency gains and quality improvements in administration.

Since 2018, Japan’s Cabinet has approved a new Integrated Innovation Strategy each year, providing an end-to-end plan from basic research to social implementation of AI and science policy. The series operationalises Japan’s multi-year STI Basic Plans and realises Society 5.0 by coordinating AI, quantum, biotech and other technologies across government. It benefits researchers, industry and citizens through sustained investment and governance of emerging technologies.

The Council on Human-Centric AI Social Principles is an advisory body established in 2018 under Japan's Cabinet Office to develop and maintain ethical principles for AI development and deployment. It developed the Social Principles of Human-Centric AI in 2019, which guide Japan's approach to AI based on three core values: dignity, diversity & inclusion, and sustainability. The Council continues to meet annually to review and update guidance in response to technological development.

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.

The systematic development of guidelines and key considerations for AI utilisation by government agencies from the perspective of legal frameworks governing administrative procedures including those involving citizens (such as various application processes). This approach aims to prevent any misuse of AI by government agencies that could infringe upon citizens' rights and interests or compromise administrative fairness and transparency, and to not unduly restrict “risk-free” AI applications.

Japan's national strategic framework for science, technology and innovation, covering the period FY2026–FY2030, which succeeds the 6th Basic Plan. Where the 6th Plan emphasised Society 5.0 as a social vision, the 7th Plan introduces an "actionable science" philosophy and places greater weight on three axes: revitalisation of Japan's basic research capabilities, acceleration of innovation-driven economic growth and integration of science and technology policy with economic security objectives.

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.

A national institute dedicated to evaluating, testing and improving the safety and reliability of artificial intelligence systems.

A Cabinet-approved comprehensive Japanese policy framework committing over JPY 10 trillion in public support for AI and semiconductor sectors by FY2030, targeting JPY 50 trillion+ in combined public-private investment over the next decade.

A Japanese corporate tax credit providing up to 5% of eligible cloud/AI investment costs (with a ceiling of 20% of annual corporate tax liability) for companies with government-approved digital transformation plans under the Industrial Competitiveness Enhancement Act.

A Japanese income-deduction / deductible-expense incentive that supports corporate–startup open innovation by allowing eligible corporations to deduct up to 25% of the acquisition cost of qualifying startup shares, subject to conditions and limits.

Central government body responsible for coordinating Japan’s national AI strategy.

A national Japanese talent development programme run by IPA/METI since FY2000, discovering and developing young IT and AI innovators through intensive mentorship, project-based funding, and a Super Creator recognition system.

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.

A major grant programme administered by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), supporting Japanese deep-tech startups and AI venture through three sequential phases from seed-stage R&D to mass production demonstration, with a total programme budget of JPY 93B over FY2023–FY2032.

A Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) programme providing subsidised access to high-performance computing infrastructure for companies and research institutions developing domestic large-scale generative AI models, aimed at reducing Japan's dependence on foreign AI infrastructure and accelerating the development of Japanese-language and domain-specific AI systems.

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).