Group 1: Current State of Generative AI in Japan - In the fiscal year 2024, only about 26.7% of the Japanese population has used generative AI services, significantly lower than China's 81.2% and the United States' 68.8% [1][3] - The usage rate in Japan has increased from 9.1% in the previous fiscal year, indicating a notable growth [1][3] - Among different age groups, 20-29 year-olds represent the largest user base for generative AI services in Japan, accounting for approximately 44.7% [3] Group 2: Government and Corporate Initiatives - The Japanese government recognizes the need to enhance AI technology development and its application in various sectors [1][5] - Prime Minister Kishida has acknowledged Japan's low AI adoption rate compared to the US and China, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with US companies like OpenAI [5][6] - SoftBank has established a joint venture with OpenAI to focus on developing enterprise-level generative AI, aiming to boost AI application among Japanese companies [5][6] Group 3: Challenges and Future Directions - The white paper highlights the necessity to be cautious of the negative impacts of digital technologies, including AI, as they become more integrated into society [4][5] - Japan's historical context shows a cautious approach towards AI adoption, stemming from past concerns over personal information protection [6] - The government has launched a $14 billion (approximately 21.9 trillion yen) economic stimulus plan to strengthen strategic investments in the semiconductor and AI sectors [6]