On May 28, 2025, Japan’s House of Councillors passed the country’s first law specifically addressing artificial intelligence—the Act on the Promotion of Research, Development, and Utilization of Artificial Intelligence-related Technologies—with a majority vote during a plenary session. The main contents of the law are as follows:

1. Purpose and Basic Principles:
   The law aims to comprehensively and systematically promote measures related to artificial intelligence technologies (referring to technologies that replicate human cognitive, reasoning, and judgment capabilities through artificial means, as well as information processing system technologies that use such capabilities to process input data and produce output results; hereinafter referred to as “AI-related measures”) in order to improve the quality of life for the public and to facilitate the sound development of the national economy. The basic principles include maintaining research and development capabilities and enhancing international competitiveness.

2. National Government Responsibilities:
   The national government is responsible for formulating and implementing AI-related measures in line with the basic principles, in a comprehensive and systematic manner. In particular, it shall actively promote the use of AI-related technologies within national administrative agencies to enhance the efficiency and sophistication of administrative affairs.

3. Local Government and Corporate Responsibilities:
   Local public bodies are responsible for developing and implementing autonomous measures that reflect regional characteristics, in alignment with the basic principles and in appropriate coordination with the national government. Furthermore, private-sector companies applying AI technologies are required to cooperate with measures implemented by the national and local governments, based on the basic principles. The law also outlines the responsibilities of research and development institutions, as well as those of individual citizens.

4. Basic National Measures:
   The national government shall promote the following as fundamental actions: advancement of R&D, improvement and sharing of facilities and equipment, ensuring the legitimacy of R&D and application, securing human resources, revitalizing education, collecting information and conducting research and surveys, and promoting international cooperation.

5. AI Basic Plan:
   In accordance with the basic principles and based on the basic measures, the government shall formulate a Basic Plan on Artificial Intelligence. This plan shall include basic policies concerning AI-related measures and actions the government should take in a comprehensive and systematic manner.

6. Establishment of AI Strategy Headquarters:
   In order to comprehensively and systematically advance AI-related measures, the government shall establish an Artificial Intelligence Strategy Headquarters within the Cabinet. The head of this headquarters shall be the Prime Minister.

7. Effective Date:
   Unless otherwise stipulated, the law shall come into effect on the date of its promulgation.

8. Review and Revision:
   The government shall review the implementation of the law in light of international trends and other changes in the socio-economic environment. If deemed necessary, it shall take appropriate measures based on the results of the review.