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title: "Japan — Global AI Monitor"
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source_html: /jurisdictions/japan/index.html
description: "Japan AI governance record: 5 instruments, 4 obligations and 26 evidenced claims across 12 modules. Research as of 11 Nov 2026."
generated_at: 2026-11-12T17:20:02Z
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# Japan AI Regulation & Governance

9 active modules 3 quiet

Last updated 11 Nov 2026 · 12 modules · 5 instruments · 26 claims · 35 sources in the cumulative register

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Framework status Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act) (In force since 2025-09-01).

Main regulator Regulator [Cabinet Office — AI Strategy / AI Strategy Headquarters (under the 2025 AI Act); Japan AI Safety Institute (AISI) for evaluation](https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/ai/)

Next milestone 1 Mar 2027 : Election AI-content labelling duty commences ([01 AI Framework Law](#sec-mod-ai_framework_law))

Record status Live · Periodic active record · 35 sources (29 retrieved) · 7 under review · Not yet expert-reviewed

✦ AI-assembled from cited sources

Evidence-gated · [How we verify](/methodology/#ai-content-disclosure) · Disclosure Not yet expert-reviewed · Not legal, compliance or investment advice. Facts are machine-assembled from cited public sources. Individual claims have not each been independently verified by a human reviewer. See [methodology](/methodology/).

Source tiers: T1 enacted statute, regulation, or binding supervisory order · T2 official regulator guidance, consultation, or registry · T3 international standard-setter or peer-reviewed analysis · T4 practitioner commentary or secondary reporting. Confidence: high = corroborated by retrieved T1/T2 text · medium = single official source or secondary corroboration · low = preliminary or unverified. [Full definitions →](/methodology/#source-tiers)

Research checked 11 Nov 2026 · Updated 11 Nov 2026 Record history Research as of 11 Nov 2026 · Record last changed 11 Nov 2026 · Published 11 Nov 2026 · Page built 12 Nov 2026

5 Instruments

5 Current instruments

3 Binding, in force +2 more binding, in-force date not recorded

4 Obligations

26 Claims

1 Upcoming milestones

35 Sources

## Next milestones in this record

- 1 Mar 2027Election AI-content labelling duty commences Scheduled · [01 AI Framework Law](#sec-mod-ai_framework_law)

Jump to module (12)

### 01AI Framework LawActive Derived: Probable▾#

Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act) (In force since 2025-09-01).

2 instruments (2 current) · 2 obligations · 8 claims · 1 milestone · Next: 1 Mar 2027 (Election AI-content labelling duty commences)

Japan's Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (the AI Promotion Act, Act No. 53 of 2025; e-Gov law ID 507AC0000000053; also recorded as JP-Act-53-2025) is the jurisdiction's framework AI statute. Most of its provisions took effect on 4 June 2025, with Chapters 3 and 4 - which establish the AI Strategy Headquarters and its organs - and certain Supplementary Provisions articles deferred to 1 September 2025; available reporting places the Act's full commencement at 1 September 2025. A retrieved official translation confirms that Article 9 of the AI Promotion Act imposes a coordination duty on the national government - requiring it to take measures strengthening coordination among the national government, a local government, a research and development institute and a utilization business operator - rather than a direct obligation on firms. Article 7 of the AI Promotion Act separately imposes an efforts duty on AI developers, providers and deployers to cooperate with government AI-related measures, carrying no penalty for non-compliance. Taken together, the Act is a promotional framework statute that establishes the AI Strategy Headquarters and operates through non-binding guidelines rather than directly enforceable obligations, with no licensing or registration regime for AI (CLM-JP-7dc45984; CLM-JP-02bf841f). Acting under Article 13 of the AI Promotion Act, the AI Strategy Headquarters published non-binding AI Utilization Guidelines on 19 December 2025, recommending a risk-based approach for all subjects of the Act. Under Article 18(1) of the AI Promotion Act, Japan adopted its first AI Basic Plan on 23 December 2025 and a second AI Basic Plan on 14 July 2026. The AI Strategy Headquarters is the body tasked with AI policy coordination, AI Basic Plan formulation and issuance of the AI Utilization Guidelines. An amending enactment to the AI Promotion Act creates an election AI-content labelling duty that has not yet commenced: it is scheduled to take effect on 1 March 2027; the substantive content of that duty is addressed in the Transparency & Synthetic Content module.

Instruments (2)
- Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act) In force since 2025-09-01Binding · Authority: AI Strategy Headquarters
- 人工知能関連技術の研究開発及び活用の推進に関する法律（AI法） In force since 2025-09-01Binding

Obligations

- Art 9National government must take measures to strengthen coordination among national/local government, R&D institutes and utilization business operators.Other · Applies to: Other · Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act)
- Art 7AI developers, providers and deployers have an efforts duty to cooperate with government AI-related measures; no penalty for non-compliance.Other · Applies to: Other · Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act)

Milestones

- 1 Mar 2027Election AI-content labelling duty commences UpcomingAct on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act)

Claims and evidence (8)
- Japan's AI Promotion Act (Act No. 53 of 2025) is a non-binding promotional governance framework administered by the AI Strategy Headquarters, with no licensing or registration regime for AI.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 10 Nov 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)](https://www.csis.org/analysis/japans-agile-ai-governance-action-fostering-global-nexus-through-pluralistic) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The AI Promotion Act, which was established in May 2025 and fully came into effect in September 2025, is a law designed to support the development and use of AI, not to restrict it.
- [Bird & Bird](https://www.twobirds.com/en/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/ai-legal-services/ai-regulatory-horizon-tracker/japan) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The "Act on Promotion of Research and Development, and Utilization of AI-related Technology" (referred to as "AI Act") was enacted on 28 May 2025 and has come into full force on 1 September 2025.

- Japan's AI Strategy Headquarters published non-binding AI Utilization Guidelines on 19 December 2025 pursuant to Article 13 of the AI Promotion Act, recommending a risk-based approach for all subjects of the Act.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 14 Apr 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[White & Case](https://www.whitecase.com/insight-alert/japans-first-ai-legislation-becomes-law-focus-promoting-research-and-development-no) T3 · Surfaced · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Several months later, the Headquarters published the Guidelines for Ensuring the Appropriateness of Research & Development and Utilization of AI-Related Technology ("AI Utilization Guidelines") on December 19, 2025, pursuant to Article 13 of the Act.

- Most provisions of Japan's AI Promotion Act took effect on 4 June 2025, with Chapters 3 and 4 (establishing the AI Strategy Headquarters and its organs) and certain Supplementary Provisions articles deferred to 1 September 2025.Confidence: Probable · As of 4 Jun 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Future of Privacy Forum](https://fpf.org/blog/understanding-japans-ai-promotion-act-an-innovation-first-blueprint-for-ai-regulation/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Most provisions of the Act (except Chapters 3 and 4, and Articles 3 and 4 of its Supplementary Provisions) took effect on June 4, 2025, marking a significant transition

- Derived: Probable Japan's AI Promotion Act (Act No. 53 of 2025) came into full force on 1 September 2025.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 10 Nov 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)](https://www.csis.org/analysis/japans-agile-ai-governance-action-fostering-global-nexus-through-pluralistic) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The AI Promotion Act, which was established in May 2025 and fully came into effect in September 2025, is a law designed to support the development and use of AI, not to restrict it.
- [Bird & Bird](https://www.twobirds.com/en/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/ai-legal-services/ai-regulatory-horizon-tracker/japan) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The "Act on Promotion of Research and Development, and Utilization of AI-related Technology" (referred to as "AI Act") was enacted on 28 May 2025 and has come into full force on 1 September 2025.

- Article 9 of the AI Promotion Act imposes a coordination duty on the national government rather than a direct obligation on firms.Confidence: Probable · As of 4 Jun 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Japanese Law Translation (Ministry of Justice)](https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/5066/en) T1 · Surfaced · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Article 9 In light of the fact that mutual coordination and cooperation among the national government, a local government, a research and development institute and a utilization business operator can effectively achieve the promotion

- Article 7 of the AI Promotion Act imposes a non-penalised efforts duty on AI developers, providers and deployers to cooperate with government AI measures.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 4 Jun 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[intdesign.jp](https://intdesign.jp/en/insights/ai-law-duty/) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Article 7 places an efforts duty not only on developers but on companies that merely use AI.
- [wheresthe.ai](https://wheresthe.ai/rule/jp-ai-promotion-act-2025/) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026WTA-R-JP-0001-001 Article 7 Developers, Providers, Deployers Since 4 Jun 2025 Cooperate with AI measures carried out by the national government and local governments.

- Japan adopted its first AI Basic Plan on 23 December 2025 and a second AI Basic Plan on 14 July 2026 under Article 18(1) of the AI Promotion Act.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 21 Sep 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[regulations.ai](https://regulations.ai/regulations/RAI-JP-NA-SUMMARY-2026) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The Strategic Headquarters convened its first formal meeting on September 12, 2025, to begin formulating the national AI Basic Plan as mandated by Article 18, Paragraph 1 of the AI Promotion Act.
- [Bird & Bird](https://www.twobirds.com/en/capabilities/artificial-intelligence/ai-legal-services/ai-regulatory-horizon-tracker/japan) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The "Act on Promotion of Research and Development, and Utilization of AI-related Technology" (referred to as "AI Act") was enacted on 28 May 2025 and has come into full force on 1 September 2025.

- Japan's AI Act (Act No.53 of 2025) is a promotional framework statute establishing the AI Strategy Headquarters and operating through non-binding guidelines rather than directly enforceable obligations.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 4 Jun 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[e-Gov (Government of Japan legal database)](https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/data/Act/507AC0000000053/624018_1/507AC0000000053_20250901_000000000000000_h1.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Jun 2025To comprehensively and systematically promote measures for the research, development and utilisation of AI-related technology, an AI Strategy Headquarters shall be established within the Cabinet.
- [Cabinet Office (内閣府)](https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/ai/ai_act/ai_act.html) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 11 Nov 2026To promote AI innovation while responding to risk, the AI Act was promulgated and partially entered into force on 4 June 2025, and fully entered into force on 1 September, including provisions on establishing the AI Strategy Headquarters.

### 02Prohibited PracticesQuiet▾#

Nothing recorded for this module in the research of 2026-11-11.

0 instruments · 0 obligations · 0 claims

Nothing recorded for this module in the research of 2026-11-11.

### 03High-Risk SystemsActive▾#

Article 7 of the AI Promotion Act imposes a non-penalised efforts duty on AI developers, providers and deployers to cooperate with government AI measures.

0 instruments (0 current) · 1 obligation · 3 claims · 0 milestones

Japan does not operate a dedicated binding high-risk AI system classification regime. The applicable standing obligation on operators is the Article 7 efforts duty under the AI Promotion Act (Act No. 53 of 2025), which requires AI developers, providers and deployers to cooperate with government AI-related measures without attaching a penalty for non-compliance. Supervisory expectations for high-autonomy AI operation are set out in the METI/MIC AI Guidelines for Business (AI事業者ガイドライン), now at version 1.2, effective 31 March 2026. Because AI agents and physical AI act autonomously, the guideline states that human monitoring alone may be insufficient to keep pace with high-speed AI-to-AI interaction, and it recommends that AI providers build mechanisms allowing human judgement to intervene in the operation of AI agents and physical AI (CLM-JP-0fc5f9f9; CLM-JP-2406b456). This guidance is non-binding: it sets a recommended operator practice rather than a directly enforceable rule, and version 1.2's addition of an annex on AI agents is the most recent development in the standing guidance.

Obligations

- Art 7AI developers, providers and deployers have an efforts duty to cooperate with government AI-related measures; no penalty for non-compliance.Other · Applies to: Other · Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act)

Claims and evidence (3)
- Article 7 of the AI Promotion Act imposes a non-penalised efforts duty on AI developers, providers and deployers to cooperate with government AI measures.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 4 Jun 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[intdesign.jp](https://intdesign.jp/en/insights/ai-law-duty/) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Article 7 places an efforts duty not only on developers but on companies that merely use AI.
- [wheresthe.ai](https://wheresthe.ai/rule/jp-ai-promotion-act-2025/) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026WTA-R-JP-0001-001 Article 7 Developers, Providers, Deployers Since 4 Jun 2025 Cooperate with AI measures carried out by the national government and local governments.

- Version 1.2 of Japan's AI Guidelines for Business (METI/MIC) recommends that AI providers build mechanisms for human judgement to intervene in AI-agent and physical-AI operation.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 31 Mar 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) / METI](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001064286.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026As the autonomy of AI agents increases, it is fully conceivable that human monitoring alone will struggle to keep pace with high-speed AI-to-AI interaction
- [Mori Hamada & Matsumoto](https://www.morihamada.com/ja/insights/newsletters/137701) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026It was added that because AI agents and physical AI operate autonomously, it is important for AI providers to build mechanisms allowing human judgement to intervene.

- METI/MIC's AI Business Operator Guideline v1.2 (effective 2026-03-31) requires operators to build a mechanism for human judgement to intervene in autonomous AI agents and physical AI.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 12 Mar 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[総務省・経済産業省](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001059300.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 12 Mar 2026It is added that because AI agents and physical AI operate autonomously, it is important to build a mechanism for human judgement to intervene.
- [総務省・経済産業省](https://www.meti.go.jp/shingikai/mono_info_service/ai_shakai_jisso/pdf/20260331_1.pdf) T1 · Surfaced · retrieved 31 Mar 2026In this Guideline, an AI agent is an AI system that perceives its environment and acts autonomously to achieve a specific goal.

### 04General-Purpose AIActive▾#

J-AISI's voluntary Guide to Red Teaming Methodology on AI Safety (v1.10, March 2025) sets non-binding considerations for adversarial testing of AI systems, including general-purpose systems, before and after release.

0 instruments (0 current) · 0 obligations · 2 claims · 0 milestones

Since 23 July 2023, Japan has required a prior individual export licence from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for 23 items of advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment, except where destined for 42 listed friendly destinations; this control bears on the supply chain underlying general-purpose and foundation-model-capable hardware. On the guidance side, the Japan AI Safety Institute (J-AISI) issued a voluntary Guide to Red Teaming Methodology on AI Safety, now at version 1.10 (March 2025), setting non-binding considerations for adversarial testing of AI systems - including general-purpose systems - both before and after release. Neither instrument creates a dedicated binding compliance regime specific to general-purpose or foundation models beyond these export controls and the voluntary testing guidance.

Claims and evidence (2)
- J-AISI's voluntary Guide to Red Teaming Methodology on AI Safety (v1.10, March 2025) sets non-binding considerations for adversarial testing of AI systems, including general-purpose systems, before and after release.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 1 Jul 2025 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Japan AI Safety Institute (J-AISI/IPA)](https://aisi.go.jp/assets/pdf/j-aisi_report_2025_en.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The Guide to Red Teaming Methodology on AI Safety, which was published in 2024, has been revised to support the practice of business operators and released as version 1.10 in March 2025.
- [BABL AI](https://babl.ai/japan-ai-safety-institute-releases-comprehensive-guide-on-red-teaming-for-ai-system-security/) T3 · Surfaced · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Japan recommends red teaming at two stages: before the system launches and after it has been deployed.

- Since 23 July 2023, Japan requires a prior individual METI export licence for 23 items of advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment, except to 42 listed friendly destinations.Confidence: Probable · As of 23 May 2023 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Nikkei](https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA233FD0T20C23A5000000/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Japan controls, under FEFTA, the export of civilian goods that can be diverted to military use such as weapons; exports require prior approval from METI.
- [Thomson Reuters Japan](https://insight.thomsonreuters.co.jp/business/resources/resource/revision-of-foreign-trade-law) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026On 23 May 2023 METI promulgated an amendment to the goods ministerial order under FEFTA, adding 23 items including advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment to the list of export-control subjects.

### 05Transparency & Synthetic ContentActive Derived: Probable▾#

Amendments to Japan's Public Offices Election Act and Information Distribution Platform Act, enacted 13 July 2026 and effective 1 March 2027, require AI-generated or AI-altered election campaign images and video that could be mistaken for unaltered footage to be clearly labelled, and require large platform operators to take and annually disclose 'necessary measures' against election misinformation; no penalty on platform operators is currently prescribed.

0 instruments (0 current) · 1 obligation · 3 claims · 0 milestones

No binding synthetic-content labelling duty is currently in force in Japan. Amendments to the Public Offices Election Act and the Information Distribution Platform Act were enacted on 13 July 2026 and will take effect on 1 March 2027; from that date, AI-generated or AI-altered election campaign images and videos that could be mistaken for unaltered footage must be clearly labelled as AI-created or altered (CLM-JP-e8862054; CLM-JP-97953e93). In the interim, the AI Strategy Headquarters' AI Utilization Guidelines, issued under Article 13 of the AI Promotion Act, direct businesses to strive to develop technologies capable of determining whether content is AI-generated - such as digital watermarks, provenance management and related APIs - as necessary; this is a non-binding direction rather than a mandatory technical standard.

Obligations

- amending provisions enacted 13 July 2026AI-generated/altered election campaign images/videos that could be mistaken for unaltered footage must be labelled from 1 March 2027.Transparency disclosure · Applies to: Other · Act on Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies (AI Promotion Act)

Claims and evidence (3)
- Derived: Probable Amendments to Japan's Public Offices Election Act and Information Distribution Platform Act, enacted 13 July 2026 and effective 1 March 2027, require AI-generated or AI-altered election campaign images and video that could be mistaken for unaltered footage to be clearly labelled, and require large platform operators to take and annually disclose 'necessary measures' against election misinformation; no penalty on platform operators is currently prescribed.Confidence: Probable · As of 14 Jul 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[The Japan Times](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/28/japan/japan-election-campaign-ai-use-rules/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The requirement will apply to videos and images that may be mistaken for those not generated by AI, while those that can be clearly identified as made using AI will be excluded.
- [Tech Jacks Solutions (citing The Asahi Shimbun)](https://techjacksolutions.com/ai-brief/japan-ai-election-content-labeling-law-diet-july-2026/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The revised Public Offices Election Law requires clear labeling of AI-generated images and videos of candidates that could be mistaken for real footage.

- Japan's AI Utilization Guidelines, issued under Article 13 of the AI Promotion Act, direct businesses to strive to develop technologies that can determine whether content is AI-generated, such as digital watermarks, provenance management and APIs, as necessary.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 11 Aug 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[BowerGroupAsia](https://bowergroupasia.com/ai-generated-content-labeling-an-indo-pacific-overview/) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The guidelines direct businesses to "strive to develop technologies that can determine whether something is generated by AI (digital watermarks, provenance management, APIs, etc.)"

- Derived: Probable From 1 March 2027, AI-generated or altered election campaign images and videos that could be mistaken for unaltered footage must be clearly labelled as AI-created or altered.Confidence: Probable · As of 13 Jul 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[The Japan Times](https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/05/28/japan/japan-election-campaign-ai-use-rules/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The requirement will apply to videos and images that may be mistaken for those not generated by AI, while those that can be clearly identified as made using AI will be excluded.
- [Tech Jacks Solutions (citing The Asahi Shimbun)](https://techjacksolutions.com/ai-brief/japan-ai-election-content-labeling-law-diet-july-2026/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The revised Public Offices Election Law requires clear labeling of AI-generated images and videos of candidates that could be mistaken for real footage.

### 06AI & Intellectual PropertyActive▾#

Japan's Copyright Act Art 30-4 permits use of copyrighted works for AI-training purposes without the right holder's consent where the purpose is not to enjoy the work's expressed ideas or sentiments, subject to exceptions.

0 instruments (0 current) · 0 obligations · 3 claims · 0 milestones

Article 30-4 of Japan's Copyright Act permits use of copyrighted works for AI-training purposes without the right holder's consent, provided the purpose is not to enable enjoyment of the thoughts or sentiments expressed in the work, subject to statutory exceptions. On the question of copyrightability of AI-generated output, the Agency for Cultural Affairs' (Bunkacho) non-binding guidance states that an AI-generated output is copyrightable only where a human shows both creative intent and creative contribution to the output. Refining that standard, Japan's Copyright Subcommittee has articulated a test that weighs the volume of prompting, the number of generation attempts and the degree of human selection involved, with no single factor alone sufficient to establish creative contribution.

Claims and evidence (3)
- Japan's Copyright Act Art 30-4 permits use of copyrighted works for AI-training purposes without the right holder's consent where the purpose is not to enjoy the work's expressed ideas or sentiments, subject to exceptions.Confidence: Probable · As of 1 Aug 2024 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkacho), Copyright Division](https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/chosakuken/pdf/94097701_02.pdf) T1 · Surfaced · retrieved 4 Nov 2026A work may be used, to the extent necessary, in the cases listed below and other cases where the purpose is not to enjoy, by oneself or have another person enjoy, the thoughts or sentiments expressed in that work, by any method.

- Bunkacho's non-binding guidance states that an AI-generated output is copyrightable only where a human shows both creative intent and creative contribution to the output.Confidence: Probable · As of 15 Mar 2024 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[文化審議会著作権分科会法制度小委員会（文化庁）](https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkashingikai/chosakuken/pdf/94037901_01.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 15 Mar 2024how should the requirements (creative intent and creative contribution) for an AI-generated output to become a copyrighted work be considered

- Japan's Copyright Subcommittee test for AI-generated-work copyrightability weighs prompt volume, generation attempts and human selection, with no single factor alone establishing creative contribution.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 15 Mar 2024 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[文化審議会著作権分科会法制度小委員会（文化庁）](https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkashingikai/chosakuken/pdf/94037901_01.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 15 Mar 2024how should the requirements (creative intent and creative contribution) for an AI-generated output to become a copyrighted work be considered

### 07Sectoral & Public-Sector AIActive Derived: Probable▾#

Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920: Guidelines on Procurement and Utilization of Generative AI for the Evolution and Innovation of Government Administration (Valid from 2025-05-27).

2 instruments (2 current) · 1 obligation · 5 claims · 1 milestone

Two binding instruments currently govern sector-specific or public-sector AI use in Japan. First, since 23 July 2023, a Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA) Ministerial Order amendment has required a prior individual METI export licence for 23 items of advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment, except to 42 listed friendly destinations. Second, Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920, in force since 27 May 2025, binds national ministries and agencies: under section 6.2, section 3.2 and Annex 3 of Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920, each ministry or agency must appoint a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) who applies a four-axis test to determine whether a given generative-AI use is high-risk, with procurement required to apply a standardised checklist. Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920 version 2.0 is scheduled to take effect on 1 September 2026 and will have the CAIO govern generative-AI use on the same four-axis basis while applying an expanded standardised procurement checklist of 21 evaluation items. On the supervisory-expectations tier, the Financial Services Agency (FSA) issued an AI Discussion Paper (version 1.0, March 2025, updated to version 1.1 in March 2026) setting non-binding supervisory expectations for financial institutions' use of AI in credit screening and underwriting, with a focus on explainability and fairness (CLM-JP-dfda187c; CLM-JP-b4bf2842).

Instruments (2)
- Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920: Guidelines on Procurement and Utilization of Generative AI for the Evolution and Innovation of Government Administration Valid from 2025-05-27Binding
- Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act (FEFTA) Ministerial Order amendment — advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment export controls In force since 2023-07-23Binding

Obligations

- s.6.2; s.3.2; Annex 3Each national ministry/agency must appoint a CAIO applying a four-axis high-risk determination and a standardised procurement checklist for generative AI.Risk management · Applies to: Deployer · Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920: Guidelines on Procurement and Utilization of Generative AI for the Evolution and Innovation of Government Administration

Milestones

- 1 Sep 2026DS-920 version 2.0 takes effect MetDigital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920: Guidelines on Procurement and Utilization of Generative AI for the Evolution and Innovation of Government Administration

Claims and evidence (5)
- Derived: Probable Under Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920 v2.0, each Japanese national ministry/agency must appoint a Chief AI Officer who governs generative-AI use, applies a four-axis high-risk determination, and must use a standardised procurement checklist (21 evaluation items) for generative-AI systems.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 12 Jun 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Digital Agency / MIC (via Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline portal)](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001035225.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Each ministry and agency shall actively promote the use of generative AI that contributes to the evolution and innovation of administration, while conducting risk assessment appropriate to the use case, and for generative AI use that may be high-risk
- [gxo.co.jp](https://gxo.co.jp/column/gov-generative-ai-guideline-v2-procurement-checklist-20260612) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The Digital Agency decided on the 2.0 version of the 'Guidelines for Procurement and Utilization of Generative AI' at the 23rd Digital Society Promotion Council executive meeting on 12 June 2026. It takes effect 1 September 2026.

- Derived: Probable The Financial Services Agency's AI Discussion Paper (v1.0 March 2025, updated v1.1 March 2026) sets non-binding supervisory expectations for financial institutions using AI in credit screening and underwriting, focused on explainability and fairness, and the FSA states it intends the paper to function as a safe harbour clarifying how existing regulation applies to AI use.Confidence: Probable · As of 3 Mar 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Financial Services Agency (FSA)](https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r7/sonota/20260303/aidp_version1.1.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026firms that verify model validity by visualising which parameters contribute most in a credit-screening model, and firms developing technology to improve the explainability of fraud-risk detection models
- [Financial Services Agency (FSA)](https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r6/sonota/20250304/aidp.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Ensuring explainability, ensuring fairness, model performance degradation, establishing AI governance

- Derived: Probable Under Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline DS-920, each Japanese national ministry or agency must appoint a Chief AI Officer who applies a four-axis test to determine whether a generative-AI use is high-risk, and procurement must apply a standardised checklist.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 12 Jun 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Digital Agency / MIC (via Digital Society Promotion Standard Guideline portal)](https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_content/001035225.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Each ministry and agency shall actively promote the use of generative AI that contributes to the evolution and innovation of administration, while conducting risk assessment appropriate to the use case, and for generative AI use that may be high-risk
- [gxo.co.jp](https://gxo.co.jp/column/gov-generative-ai-guideline-v2-procurement-checklist-20260612) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The Digital Agency decided on the 2.0 version of the 'Guidelines for Procurement and Utilization of Generative AI' at the 23rd Digital Society Promotion Council executive meeting on 12 June 2026. It takes effect 1 September 2026.

- The Financial Services Agency's AI Discussion Paper (v1.1, March 2026) is a non-binding supervisory document setting expectations for AI use in credit screening and underwriting, focused on explainability and fairness.Confidence: Probable · As of 3 Mar 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Financial Services Agency (FSA)](https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r7/sonota/20260303/aidp_version1.1.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026firms that verify model validity by visualising which parameters contribute most in a credit-screening model, and firms developing technology to improve the explainability of fraud-risk detection models
- [Financial Services Agency (FSA)](https://www.fsa.go.jp/news/r6/sonota/20250304/aidp.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Ensuring explainability, ensuring fairness, model performance degradation, establishing AI governance

- Since 23 July 2023, Japan requires a prior individual METI export licence for 23 items of advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment, except to 42 listed friendly destinations.Confidence: Probable · As of 23 May 2023 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Nikkei](https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOUA233FD0T20C23A5000000/) T2 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Japan controls, under FEFTA, the export of civilian goods that can be diverted to military use such as weapons; exports require prior approval from METI.
- [Thomson Reuters Japan](https://insight.thomsonreuters.co.jp/business/resources/resource/revision-of-foreign-trade-law) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026On 23 May 2023 METI promulgated an amendment to the goods ministerial order under FEFTA, adding 23 items including advanced-semiconductor manufacturing equipment to the list of export-control subjects.

### 08Safety & Incident ReportingActive▾#

Where the AI Strategy Headquarters investigates a serious AI-related incident and a business does not follow resulting guidance, the government may publicly disclose that entity's details.

0 instruments (0 current) · 0 obligations · 1 claim · 0 milestones

Japan has no dedicated binding incident-reporting statute for AI; the operative mechanism sits within the AI Promotion Act's investigatory and disclosure powers, administered by the AI Strategy Headquarters. Where the AI Strategy Headquarters investigates a serious AI-related incident and a business does not follow the guidance that results, the government may publicly disclose that entity's details. The AI Strategy Headquarters is the body responsible for AI policy coordination, AI Basic Plan formulation and the AI Utilization Guidelines, and exercises this disclosure power within that remit.

Cited evidence in this module rests solely on tier 3/4 commentary despite primary official sources existing for this jurisdiction.

Claims and evidence (1)
- Where the AI Strategy Headquarters investigates a serious AI-related incident and a business does not follow resulting guidance, the government may publicly disclose that entity's details.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 15 Aug 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[aigovernancecore.com](https://www.aigovernancecore.com/ai-regulation-tracker/japan-ai-promotion-act) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Where business operators fail to comply with guidance following an incident investigation, authorities are empowered to publicly disclose details regarding non-compliant entities to incentivize adherence through public accountability.

### 09Standards & ConformityQuiet▾#

Nothing recorded for this module in the research of 2026-11-11.

0 instruments · 0 obligations · 0 claims

Nothing recorded for this module in the research of 2026-11-11.

### 10Authorities & EnforcementActive Derived: Probable▾#

The AI Promotion Act fixes no fine, criminal offence or administrative monetary penalty for breach; its only enforcement lever is investigation, guidance, and public disclosure.

0 instruments (0 current) · 0 obligations · 2 claims · 0 milestones

The AI Promotion Act fixes no fine, criminal offence or administrative monetary penalty for breach of its provisions; its only enforcement lever is investigation, guidance and public disclosure. In practice this operates through the AI Strategy Headquarters: where that body investigates a serious AI-related incident and a business does not follow the resulting guidance, the government may publicly disclose that entity's details. The AI Strategy Headquarters is the central authority for AI policy coordination, AI Basic Plan formulation and the AI Utilization Guidelines, and currently exercises reputational rather than financial enforcement powers.

Cited evidence in this module rests solely on tier 3/4 commentary despite primary official sources existing for this jurisdiction.

Claims and evidence (2)
- Derived: Probable The AI Promotion Act fixes no fine, criminal offence or administrative monetary penalty for breach; its only enforcement lever is investigation, guidance, and public disclosure.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 16 May 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[legalagent.co.jp](https://legalagent.co.jp/en/legal-lab/ai-news/japan-ai-act-2025/) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026The AI Act contains no penalty provisions.
- [aigovernancecore.com](https://www.aigovernancecore.com/ai-regulation-tracker/japan-ai-promotion-act) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Where business operators fail to comply with guidance following an incident investigation, authorities are empowered to publicly disclose details regarding non-compliant entities to incentivize adherence through public accountability.

- Where the AI Strategy Headquarters investigates a serious AI-related incident and a business does not follow resulting guidance, the government may publicly disclose that entity's details.Confidence: Probable (capped: best source is T3) · As of 15 Aug 2026 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[aigovernancecore.com](https://www.aigovernancecore.com/ai-regulation-tracker/japan-ai-promotion-act) T3 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Where business operators fail to comply with guidance following an incident investigation, authorities are empowered to publicly disclose details regarding non-compliant entities to incentivize adherence through public accountability.

### 11Sandboxes & Transitional ReliefActive▾#

Act on Special Measures for Productivity Improvement (regulatory sandbox provisions, carried into the Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness) (Valid from 2018-06-06).

1 instrument (1 current) · 0 obligations · 2 claims · 0 milestones

Japan's regulatory sandbox regime was established in 2018 under the Act on Special Measures for Productivity Improvement (in force from 6 June 2018) and was made permanent in 2021, with its sandbox provisions carried into the Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness. Under this regime, a business holding a ministerially-certified implementation plan may run demonstration tests of new technologies or business models - including AI and IoT - outside otherwise-applicable regulation, for a certified participant group and for a limited period (CLM-JP-37e71a4d; CLM-JP-dc3ca382).

Instruments (1)
- Act on Special Measures for Productivity Improvement (regulatory sandbox provisions, carried into the Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness) Valid from 2018-06-06Binding

Claims and evidence (2)
- Japan's regulatory sandbox, established in 2018 and made permanent in 2021, lets a business with a ministerially-certified implementation plan run demonstration tests of new technologies or business models, including AI/IoT, outside otherwise-applicable regulation for a certified participant group and period; 33 plans and 152 entities had been certified as of March 2025.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 30 Mar 2024 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan](https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/s-portal/pdf/underlyinglaw/Japans_Regulatory_Sandbox_e.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Established in 2018 under the Act on Special Measures Concerning Productivity Improvement. Made permanent in 2021 under the revised Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness.
- [Japanese Law Translation (Ministry of Justice)](https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3420) T1 · Surfaced · retrieved 4 Nov 2026(2)The term "testing of new technology, etc." as used in this Act means what falls under both of the following items:

- Japan's regulatory sandbox, established in 2018 and made permanent in 2021, allows certified businesses to run demonstration tests of new technologies including AI outside normal regulatory constraints for a limited period.Confidence: Confirmed · As of 30 Mar 2024 · EvidencedEvidence and sources[Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan](https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/s-portal/pdf/underlyinglaw/Japans_Regulatory_Sandbox_e.pdf) T1 · Retrieved · retrieved 4 Nov 2026Established in 2018 under the Act on Special Measures Concerning Productivity Improvement. Made permanent in 2021 under the revised Act on Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness.
- [Japanese Law Translation (Ministry of Justice)](https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3420) T1 · Surfaced · retrieved 4 Nov 2026(2)The term "testing of new technology, etc." as used in this Act means what falls under both of the following items:

### 12Commercial ActivityQuiet▾#

Nothing recorded for this module in the research of 2026-11-11.

0 instruments · 0 obligations · 0 claims

Nothing recorded for this module in the research of 2026-11-11.

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## Authorities

Authority Type

AI Strategy Headquarters Other

## Enforcement actions

No enforcement actions recorded in this research.

## Cases

No cases recorded in this research.

## Consultations

No consultations recorded in this research.

What this record does not yet establish is set out on the [transparency register](/gaps/#gap-jp); its dated events are on the [regulatory calendar](/calendar/?jid=JP).

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Technical provenance (record schema, run ID & build metadata) Schema version artificial-intelligence-record-v2.12 Research run ID aic-union-JP-2026-11-02 Page model module-card-page-v1 Renderer render_jid_aic_v13 Build date 12 Nov 2026