Source: The Japan Times

The Japan Times reports that the Japanese government has officially approved its first "Basic Plan" for artificial intelligence, establishing a comprehensive roadmap to promote the technology while addressing escalating social risks. The plan, finalized in Tokyo on December 23, 2025, emphasizes a human-centric approach that seeks to balance the economic benefits of generative AI with the need for robust safety nets. Key priorities include the prevention of misinformation spread through deepfakes and the protection of individual privacy against unauthorized data scraping.

The strategic framework outlines specific measures to support domestic AI developers, ensuring that Japan remains competitive in the global semiconductor and software markets. It also mandates that the newly established AI Safety Institute conduct rigorous evaluations of high-risk AI models before they are widely deployed. Furthermore, the plan addresses the contentious issue of copyright, proposing clearer guidelines for how creative works can be used in training datasets without infringing on the rights of authors and artists.

Japan intends to use this Basic Plan as a foundation for its international diplomacy, aiming to harmonize its domestic rules with global standards like the G7 Hiroshima AI Process. The government aims to foster a secure environment that encourages businesses to adopt AI while providing citizens with the legal protections necessary to maintain trust in digital services. By integrating ethics with innovation, Japan seeks to position itself as a global leader in responsible AI governance, ensuring that technological progress serves the common good of society.