Japan

Is there a specific enacted legislation regulating AI in your jurisdiction?

The "Act on Promotion of Research and Development, and Utilization of AI-related Technology" (referred to as "AI Act") was enacted in 28 May 2025 and has partially come into force from 4 June 2025. The Act, which takes a pro-innovation approach, establishes the basic principles and framework for the government to strategically promote research, development and use of AI technology while mitigating risks. Private sector organizations are required to comply with the basic principle of the Act and while there are no penalties, use of AI that violates the rights and interests of others may be subject to administrative action.

The overview of the Act in English version is available here.

Is there a proposed legislation regulating AI in your jurisdiction?

N/A

Are there any guidelines/ codes of conduct/ recommendations / reports / policies in connection with AI in your jurisdiction?

• The AI Strategic Council / AI Institutional Study Group of the Cabinet Office released an Interim Report on 4 February 2025. The Report summarises the results of the study on the legal framework for AI and the approach and principles proposed in the Report have been reflected in the recently enacted AI Act.

The approach in Japan is to promote innovation while mitigating risks through the appropriate combination of laws and guidelines. Some key guidelines are:

• AI Guidelines for Business (Version 1.1) (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). These guidelines set out the common guiding principled applicable to any business providing or using AI. The guidelines take a risk-based approach and provide guidance for the safe and secure use of AI.
  
  
• Contract Checklist for Use and Development of AI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). The checklist helps businesses identify the key issues in AI-related agreements for both AI providers and users.
  
  
• Governance Guidelines for Implementation of AI Principles Ver.1.1 (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). These guidelines provide action targets and practical examples to support companies implement AI principles.
  
  
• Guide to Evaluation Perspective on AI Safety (Japan AI Safety Institute). This guide provide the basic concepts for evaluating the safety of AI systems.

Additionally, there are reports that provide recommendations such as:

• AI Governance in Japan Ver. 1.1 (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry). This Report discusses ideal approaches to AI governance in Japan, recognising that AI governance practices will contiuously evolve.
  
  
• Report Regarding Generative AI ver.1.0 (Japan Fair Trade Commission). The Report provides an analysis of the generative AI market and competition policy issues in relation to the generative AI market.
   
• Employment Policy Study Group Report (Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare). In relation to AI, this report recommends policies to establish ethical standards, promote workforce development, encourage AI research and innovation and implement robust data management practices.

Any additional relevant news regarding AI / or anticipated future changes (e.g. white papers, policy statements about AI regulation)?

Integrated Innovation Strategy 2025 has been approved by the Cabinet Office in June 2025. The strategy covers a broad range of innovation initiatives and there is a heavy focus on AI as a fundamental technology. 

Is AI specifically addressed in IP laws? Are there any guidelines / soft laws relating to AI? 

AI is not specifically addressed in IP laws, but there are guidelines and reports that relate to AI and IP such as:

• General Understanding on AI and Copyright in Japan (Agency of Cultural Affairs). These guidelines discuss the application of the Japanese Copyright Act to AI development and utilization, including ethical standards, copyright infringement criteria and the copyrightability of AI-generated material.
  
  
• Guide for Rights Holders: Interim Report on Intellectual Property Rights in the AI Era (Cabinet Office). This guide offers practical advice and guidance to rights holders on managing and protecting intellectual property in the context of AI technology.
  
  
• Overview of the Interim Report on Intellectual Property Rights in the AI Era (Cabinet Office). This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future direction of intellectual property rights related to AI, focusing on policy recommendations and strategic initiatives. 

Is AI specifically addressed in data protection laws? Are there any guidelines / soft laws relating to AI?

AI is not addressed specifically in data protection laws or guidelines, but the PPC (Personal Information Protection Commission) has issued guidance on the use of generative AI.

Consent requirements for personal data used strictly for creating statistical data (including for AI development) will be considered in the next round of the APPI (Act on the Protection of Personal Information) reform. 

Who are the competent AI supervisory authorities in your jurisdiction? 

Under the newly enacted AI Act, AI Strategic Headquarters chaired by the Primer Minister and comprised of Cabinet Members will be established by September 2025. Under the AI Act, the government will have the authority to collect information and investigate any use of AI that violates rights and interests.
Otherwise, there is no central AI authority, as AI used is across industries and sectors and businesses will be regulated by their supervising government institution, including for use of AI.

No single authority, as AI use is across industries and sectors. Businesses will be regulated by their supervising government institution, including for AI use. Ministry of internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) - mentioned in the AI Guidelines, could be different for any future regulation.

Are there any publicly known enforcement actions in relation to AI?

Unlawful activity using AI is expected to be penalised or regulated under the existing legal framework.  For example, there have been some criminal cases where AI was used to commit fraud and other crimes. 

Are there any other sector specific laws or guideline / soft laws (e.g. finance, healthcare etc.) where AI is specifically addressed?

• AI Discussion Paper (Financial Services Agency). The Paper is a preliminary analysis that outlines current use cases, challenges, and future direction of AI in the financial sector, emphasizing the importance of ethical standards, risk management and collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
  
  
• Guidelines on Utilizing Medical Digital Data in AI Research and Development (Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare). These guidelines provide for ethical, legal and socially appropriate use of digital medical data in AI research and development, emphasizing the protection of patient rights and the responsible handling of sensitive information. 

*Information is accurate up to 30 June 2025