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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is accelerating efforts to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in Japan, with plans to address an expert panel on the issue this week. The government aims to submit a comprehensive bill on AI regulation at the ordinary Diet session early next year, marking a significant step towards formalizing oversight in the rapidly advancing tech sector.
The planned legislation seeks to establish a balanced approach to AI regulation, ensuring that technological innovations can flourish while addressing potential risks such as misinformation, privacy breaches, and misuse in areas like elections and security. This move aligns Japan with global regulatory trends, as seen with the European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act and increasing regulatory demands in the United States.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi highlighted the importance of aligning Japan’s AI regulations with international standards while ensuring that domestic policies are informed by global developments. The government’s current AI strategy includes voluntary guidelines introduced in April, which encourage developers to prioritize safety and ethical considerations. However, the upcoming legislation signals a shift towards more formal regulatory measures.
Kishida’s initiative is part of Japan’s broader strategy to lead in global AI governance. The Hiroshima AI Process, launched during Japan’s G7 presidency, is a framework for international AI regulation that has garnered support from 49 countries and regions. This framework aims to develop guiding principles and a code of conduct for AI developers to promote safe, secure, and trustworthy AI usage worldwide.
The expert panel, which includes industry leaders, academics, and policymakers, will play a crucial role in shaping the forthcoming bill. The panel’s discussions will focus on major AI developers with significant societal impacts, while small startups and businesses are expected to be exempt from stringent regulations to avoid stifling innovation.
Japan’s regulatory push also addresses ethical implications, human rights safeguards, and preventive measures against criminal exploitation of AI technologies. This comprehensive approach aims to create a secure and innovative environment for AI development, ensuring that technological advancements benefit society while mitigating associated risks.