AI Regulation in Japan
Japan's approach to AI governance is voluntary and principle-based, prioritizing human-centricity, transparency, and security without imposing prescriptive legal mandates. The Social Principles of Human-Centric AI (2019), published by the Cabinet Office, established seven principles — human dignity, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, safety, security, fairness, privacy protection, innovation — that underpin all subsequent government guidance. METI has issued sector-specific guidelines for AI use in industry, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has published guidance for healthcare AI.
Japan has been an active shaper of international AI governance through the G7 Hiroshima AI Process, co-launching the Hiroshima AI Code of Conduct in 2023 with other G7 economies. This reflects Japan's preference for multilateral, principles-based governance over domestic regulation. The government has also signed the OECD AI Principles and participated in the Bletchley and Seoul AI Safety Summits.
A draft AI Basic Act has been under parliamentary consideration, and if enacted would introduce more structured requirements — particularly around high-impact AI in sensitive sectors. For organizations currently operating in Japan, the compliance burden is primarily reputational and procurement-driven rather than legal, but the trajectory toward formal regulation is clear. Organizations with EU AI Act compliance programs will find that their governance frameworks align well with Japan's principles.
Key themes
- 1.Social Principles of Human-Centric AI as the normative baseline
- 2.METI sector-specific AI guidelines
- 3.Hiroshima AI Process and G7 multilateral governance leadership
- 4.Forthcoming AI Basic Act — draft under parliamentary review
Regulatory frameworks and guidance(3)
Japan AI Guidelines for Business
METI guidelines providing Japanese businesses with practical AI governance standards aligned with the Hiroshima AI Process and international frameworks, addressing risk management, transparency, accountability, and intellectual property considerations across the AI lifecycle.
Basic Plan for Artificial Intelligence
Japan's Cabinet approved the Basic Plan for Artificial Intelligence in December 2025, establishing the national strategic direction for AI policy. The plan designates AI governance leadership and the promotion of AI trustworthiness as central government priorities. It applies to public agencies and shapes expectations for private sector AI development and deployment across Japan.
Principles Code (tentative) on the Protection of Intellectual Property and Transparency for Appropriate Use of Generative AI (Draft)
This draft principles code, released on December 26, 2025, establishes soft-law guidance for developers and providers of generative AI systems operating in Japan. It addresses two core concerns: protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring transparency in how generative AI is used. The code was subject to public comment through January 26, 2026, and a final version has not yet been adopted.