AI Guidelines for Business
The AI Guidelines for Business (Version 1.1) provide unified guiding principles for AI governance in Japan to promote the safe, secure, and appropriate use of AI across its lifecycle. Issued jointly by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) in April 2025, these soft-law guidelines integrate previous Japanese AI frameworks and align with international standards such as the G7 Hiroshima AI Process. They establish basic philosophies of human dignity, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability, while detailing responsibilities for AI developers, providers, and business users based on a risk-based approach.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
This document is for all AI business actors, management, and public institutions developing, providing, or using AI systems to understand and implement appropriate AI governance.
What the document contains
The document addresses the fundamental philosophies, guiding principles, and operational requirements for AI business actors across the AI lifecycle. It details specific obligations for developers, providers, and users regarding risk management, safety, fairness, privacy, security, transparency, and accountability, alongside guidance for advanced AI systems.
The guidelines are soft laws without legally binding force, meaning they do not establish direct statutory penalties or enforcement mechanisms themselves. They also exclude non-business private users and data providers from direct targeting obligations.
- The guidelines integrate and update previous Japanese AI frameworks into a single unified reference based on a risk-based approach.
- Three core basic philosophies are prioritized: human dignity, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.
- The text defines clear duties across three main actor categories: AI developers, AI providers, and AI business users.
- Advanced AI systems and generative AI are explicitly covered, incorporating principles from the Hiroshima AI Process.
- Agile governance practices are emphasized to continuously monitor and adapt to rapidly evolving technologies and external environments.
· Preface · Part 1 Definitions · Part 2 Society to aim for with AI, and matters each AI business actor works on · Part 3 Matters Related to AI Developers · Part 4 Matters Related to AI Providers · Part 5 Matters Related to AI Business Users
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Accountability
4/5Clear responsibility for AI outcomes
When developing, providing, or using an AI system or service, it is important that each AI business actor executes its accountability to stakeholders within reasonable extent
Part 2 C. Common Guiding Principles, 7) Accountability
screening score · 2026-10-23
Fairness
4/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
During the development, provision, or use of an AI system or service, it is important that each AI business actor makes efforts to eliminate unfair and harmful bias and discrimination
Part 2 C. Common Guiding Principles, 3) Fairness
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
4/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
Based on the social context of AI use, respect human dignity and the autonomy of individuals.
Part 2 C. Common Guiding Principles, 1) Human-Centric
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
4/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
Ensure controllability that allows humans to control AI as necessary including periodic and objective monitoring and handling
Part 2 C. Common Guiding Principles, 2) Safety
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
It is important that during the development, provision, or use of an AI system or service, each AI business actor respects and protects privacy in accordance with its importance.
Part 2 C. Common Guiding Principles, 4) Privacy protection
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
When developing, providing, or using an AI system or service, based on the social context when the AI system or service is used, it is important that each AI business actor provides stakeholders with information
Part 2 C. Common Guiding Principles, 6) Transparency
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
4/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
Therefore, it’s important to take a risk-based approach in which we estimate the level of risks ( impact and probability of hazards) that can be entailed by how it is used in the applicable field beforehand
Preface
screening score · 2026-10-23