Japan’s government has approved its first comprehensive basic plan for the development and utilization of artificial intelligence, signaling a push to close the country’s widening gap with global AI leaders while addressing public concerns about the technology.

The plan commits Japan to “create reliable AI” by balancing technological innovation with risk management. The government said the goal is to make Japan one of the world’s most attractive environments for AI development and deployment.

As a core policy, the roadmap calls for accelerating AI adoption across the economy, strengthening domestic AI development capabilities, improving trust and reliability in AI systems, and using the technology to drive broader social transformation. A key focus will be the rapid introduction of AI into central and local government operations to boost efficiency and service delivery.

The strategy also highlights the importance of advancing foundational domestic AI models and so-called physical AI that integrates artificial intelligence with robotics, describing them as essential tools for competing in an increasingly intense global race.

To address public unease around AI risks, the plan calls for expanding staffing at the Japan AI Safety Institute, which is responsible for evaluating AI safety. Education is another priority, with the government emphasizing early exposure to AI basics for elementary and junior high school students to help cultivate future experts.