TOKYO - As international competition over artificial intelligence intensifies, Japan must pursue a strategy that secures its own technological independence while remaining connected to the global innovation ecosystem, according to a new policy proposal compiled by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.
In May, the LDP released "AI White Paper 2.0," a set of recommendations outlining the government's future AI policy direction. Rather than advocating a closed approach centered on developing all AI technologies domestically, or taking a passive stance dependent on major foreign technology companies, the proposal calls for the establishment of "AI sovereignty."
The concept seeks to ensure that Japan maintains the ability to make independent decisions regarding critical AI technologies, data, infrastructure, and governance while continuing to collaborate internationally.
Akihisa Shiozaki, a member of the House of Representatives and secretary-general of the LDP's AI and Web3 Subcommittee, played a central role in compiling the recommendations. In an interview, Shiozaki discussed the thinking behind the proposal and his vision for Japan's future in the rapidly evolving AI era.
The recommendations come as AI increasingly influences not only economic competitiveness but also national security, politics, and military affairs, prompting governments around the world to reassess their technological strategies and regulatory frameworks.
According to the proposal, Japan's challenge is to chart a middle course that avoids excessive reliance on overseas technology providers while also recognizing the practical difficulties of building a completely self-contained AI ecosystem. The goal, the paper argues, is to establish a sustainable foundation that allows Japan to retain strategic autonomy in an age when AI is becoming a core element of national power.
Source: 産経ニュース
