Government officials say Japan needs to do more to stay competitive in the global AI race. They say local companies need increased support to catch up to their rivals overseas.
The officials made a series of recommendations in this year’s white paper on technology, science and innovation. Japan’s Cabinet approved the paper on Tuesday.
The report notes that the US and China have made big gains in AI in the 2020s. It says in China, the government has offered strategic support for research and development.
The report says Japanese firms have faced more challenges, including a shortage of researchers and money.
It says to address the imbalance, Japan needs more investment in research and development and a continuing effort to nurture more experts. It also calls for stronger ties between top researchers in Japan and abroad. And it recommends more support for researchers who use AI in their work.