Japan to set up a working group to review its AI Act, including whether legal measures are needed

Japan's Digital Minister Toshiharu Furukawa, who is also the minister for AI strategy, said at his 6 October press conference that the government's AI Strategy Expert Panel will meet around late October to begin work on the Prime Minister's July instructions, including a concrete picture of "Japan AX", sector-by-sector strategies for vertical AI, and an active review of related rules including the AI Act. For the review of the AI Act and related systems, a new working group will be set up under the panel and will start discussions promptly, citing the international debate on AI governance. Asked about the timetable, the minister said businesses have so far been asked to cooperate rather than face compulsory measures, and that experts will discuss whether any legal response is needed, including whether the law should be amended. Kyodo News reported that whether to add penalties for malicious AI providers is expected to be a focus. Japan's current AI law is a framework law with no penalties.

What it means for business: no change to obligations yet; companies providing or using AI in Japan may want to follow the working group, as it could lead to binding measures in a future amendment.