Japan wants AI. Many people aren’t convinced.

Japan has long been known as a global technology leader. But when it comes to artificial intelligence, the country is taking a noticeably different path. Only about a quarter of people in Japan report using generative AI, far fewer than in countries like the United States and China. While the government and technology companies are investing heavily in AI and promoting wider adoption, many people remain cautious. In this episode of Japan Today Spotlight, we explore why Japan has been slower to embrace AI, the challenges facing workplaces and policymakers, and whether skepticism is holding the country back — or simply reflecting legitimate concerns. Full details and sources are in the links below. -------------------------------------------------- ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Intro: The AI gap 01:01 The paradox 01:46 So what's going on? 04:27 The stakes 05:18 The government response 07:34 The bigger bet 08:44 Will it work? 09:44 Outro -------------------------------------------------- 🔗 Visit the story on Japan Today: 📌 https://japantoday.com/category/spotl... 🔗 Japan Today sources: 📌 Gov't, banks given access to latest Anthropic AI model for security -- https://japantoday.com/category/tech/... 📌 Do you think public perception of AI tends to be more positive or more negative? -- https://japantoday.com/category/poll/... 📌 Japan lagging in generative AI use with 26.7% adoption in FY2024 -- https://japantoday.com/category/tech/... 📌 Japan to support domestic AI development with ¥1 tril funding: source -- https://japantoday.com/category/tech/... 📌 Japan aims to raise usage of AI to 80% to catch up with global peers -- https://japantoday.com/category/tech/... 🔗 External sources: 📌 Artificial Intelligence and the Labour Market in Japan | OECD -- https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/... 📌 A Tale of Two Workforces: Who’s Using AI and Who’s Getting Left Behind - Indeed Hiring Lab -- https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/12/29/... 📌 The state of global AI diffusion in 2026 - Microsoft On the Issues -- https://blogs.microsoft.com/on-the-is... 📌 Microsoft deepens its commitment to Japan with $10 billion investment in AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, and workforce - Source Asia -- https://news.microsoft.com/source/asi... 📌 Government AI “GENAI”｜Digital Agency -- https://www.digital.go.jp/en/policies... 📌 Launch of Large-Scale Pilot Project of Government AI "GENNAI" targeting 180,000 Employees across all Ministries and Agencies -- https://www.digital.go.jp/en/news/2d6... 📌 National Personnel Authority — Annual Survey on Overtime Work (令和７年調査) — https://www.jinji.go.jp/content/00000... (Japanese) 🔔 Subscribe for more Japan news and analysis: / @japantodayofficial Follow Japan Today for more: 🌏 Website: https://japantoday.com 📸 Instagram: / japantodaynews 📘 Facebook: / japantoday 🐤 Twitter/X: https://x.com/JapanToday DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this video are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of GPlusMedia, Inc.