Rules / Japan

Act on the Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies

In forceLawBinding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

Japan's first AI statute: a promotion-focused framework law that sets basic principles, creates the AI Strategy Headquarters chaired by the Prime Minister, mandates an AI Basic Plan, and lets the government investigate serious incidents and issue guidance, request cooperation and publicise misuse. It imposes no direct fines on businesses.

Why it matters

Businesses face a general duty to cooperate with government AI measures rather than prescriptive obligations; detail comes via the Basic Plan and guidelines.

What it requires

Government use of AI

Penalties

No monetary penalties in the Act.

SourceCabinet Office: https://www8.cao.go.jp/cstp/ai/ai_act/ai_act.html Checked against the source on 4 Oct 2026. Promulgated and partly in force 4 Jun 2025; fully in force 1 Sep 2025 (including provisions establishing the AI Strategy Headquarters). Passed by the Diet in May 2025.

Cite this record

Act on the Promotion of Research, Development and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-Related Technologies. National Diet; Cabinet Office (AI Strategy Headquarters). Status: In force. wheresthe.ai, https://wheresthe.ai/rule/jp-ai-promotion-act-2025/ (verified 4 Oct 2026).

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