Japan’s Parliament has passed a new law designed to promote the development of artificial intelligence (AI) while implementing safeguards to prevent abuse, the Japan Times reported.

The bill, which gained cross-party support, cleared the House of Councilors following earlier passage by the House of Representatives in April. The ruling Liberal Democratic Party, along with opposition groups including the Constitutional Democratic Party and Nippon Ishin no Kai, backed the measure.

With concerns mounting over the rapid spread of false or harmful content generated by AI tools, the legislation allows the government to publicly name companies found to have misused the technology. The law acknowledges that AI misuse may “facilitate crimes, leakage of personal information and copyright violations.”

While the law does not impose penalties, it empowers the government to investigate serious incidents that threaten citizens’ rights or interests. Authorities may issue guidance to companies, demand cooperation, and make public disclosures about violations. The approach is meant to encourage compliance without discouraging innovation.

To further support AI development and ensure international competitiveness, the government will form a strategic Cabinet-level AI team comprising all ministers. This group will be responsible for drafting Japan’s basic AI policy and coordinating related initiatives.

The law’s passage comes amid growing global concern over deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media. In response, both chambers of the Diet adopted a supplementary resolution urging the government to strengthen measures addressing AI-generated pornography and other harmful uses of generative technology.

While Japan’s approach favors light-touch regulation, lawmakers emphasized the importance of preserving public trust in AI systems. The government plans to use existing legal frameworks—including criminal and copyright law—to enforce boundaries as the technology continues to evolve.

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