Act on Promotion of Research and Development, and Utilization of AI-related Technology (Japan)

What it is

The Act on Promotion of Research and Development, and Utilization of AI-related Technology (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, Act No. 53 of 2025) is Japan’s first statute dedicated to AI. It is usually called the AI Promotion Act or the AI Act.

It is a framework law. Its stated purpose is to promote AI research, development and use in a comprehensive and systematic way, improving people’s lives and the national economy. The government’s own outline says Japan is lagging in AI development and use, while many citizens are concerned about AI, and that a law was needed to promote innovation while mitigating risks. The stated aim is for Japan to be the friendliest country in which to develop and use AI.

The Act sets basic principles, assigns responsibilities, lists basic government measures and creates two pieces of machinery. The AI Strategic Headquarters sits in the Cabinet, is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes every Cabinet minister. The AI Basic Plan is the government’s plan for AI measures, drafted by the Headquarters and adopted by Cabinet decision.

Who it applies to

The Act assigns responsibilities to the national government, local governments, research and development institutions, utilisation business operators and citizens.

Utilisation business operators (活用事業者) are defined broadly. The term covers anyone who intends to develop or provide products or services that use AI, and anyone who intends to use AI in their business activities. In practice that captures most organisations that build, sell or use AI in Japan.

What it requires

Of businesses

Article 7 asks utilisation business operators to actively use AI to make their business more efficient and sophisticated and to create new industries. It also requires them to cooperate with the measures the national and local governments take under the Act. The Act carries no penalties.

Of government

The basic principles in Article 3 include ensuring transparency in AI research, development and use, because AI used for improper purposes or by inappropriate methods can facilitate crime, personal information leaks and copyright infringement. The basic measures that follow include the following.

• Guidelines (Article 13). The government must develop guidelines consistent with international norms to ensure AI is researched, developed and used appropriately. The AI Strategic Headquarters decided the Guideline for Ensuring the Appropriateness of Research and Development and Utilization of AI-Related Technology on 19 December 2025.
• Research and investigation (Article 16). The government must collect information on AI trends at home and abroad, analyse cases where improper AI development or use has infringed people’s rights and interests, and on that basis take measures such as guidance, advice and providing information to research institutions, businesses and others.
• Talent, education and international cooperation (Articles 14, 15 and 17). Measures to secure skilled people, promote AI education and take part in shaping international norms.

The AI Basic Plan

Article 18 requires the government to adopt an AI Basic Plan setting the basic policy and the measures the government will take. The first plan was adopted by Cabinet decision on 23 December 2025. A second plan was adopted on 14 July 2026, after public consultation on a draft in June 2026. Both are published with English translations.

The first plan already shaped other laws. It called for amendments to the Act on the Protection of Personal Information to make AI development that counts as creating statistical information easier, and those amendments passed in July 2026.

Key dates

• 28 May 2025. Passed by the Diet.
• 4 June 2025. Promulgated and partly in force.
• 1 September 2025. Fully in force, including the provisions establishing the AI Strategic Headquarters.
• 19 December 2025. Article 13 guideline decided by the AI Strategic Headquarters.
• 23 December 2025. First AI Basic Plan adopted.
• 14 July 2026. Second AI Basic Plan adopted.

The supplementary provisions require the government to review how the Act is working, taking account of international trends and changes in society and the economy, and take necessary measures.

How it relates to other frameworks

The Act is the statutory umbrella for Japan’s soft-law approach. Day to day, organisations work from the AI Guidelines for Business published by METI and MIC, which now refer to the Act and to the Article 13 guideline. Binding obligations on personal data come from the Act on the Protection of Personal Information, not from this Act.

Compared with the EU AI Act or Korea’s AI Basic Act, Japan’s law has no risk tiers, no conformity duties and no fines. For an organisation operating across Asia, the practical work is the same governance that other frameworks expect, an inventory of AI systems, risk assessment, incident handling and records, which also lets it respond if the government asks for cooperation or information.

A note on this page

This is Aicura’s reading of the Act, written to help you find your way around it. It is not legal advice and it is not the Act itself. Read the primary sources from the Cabinet Office and e-Gov, and take advice on how they apply to your organisation.