Japan Is Now a Full Lap Behind in Just 3 Years and 10 Months! Japan’s Position in Physical AI and the 10 Million AI Robots Prime Minister Takaichi (高市) Cites as a National Goal

On 15 September 2026, the “4th GMO Grand Conference: Autumn: Physical AI 2026” was held at Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Shibuya, Tokyo, opening with a dance performance by AI humanoids. Masatoshi Kumagai (熊谷正寿) emphasized the speed of the AI revolution and described the current situation as one in which Japan recognizes itself as a lap behind. The fact that AI is taking on software development is accelerating progress, raising questions about Japan's position amid geographic competition.

In a video message, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (高市早苗) positioned physical AI as Japan's path to victory and stated that Japan would deploy approximately 10 million units domestically by fiscal 2040, including domestically produced AI robots, while assuming approximately ¥80 trillion in public- and private-sector investment. She also expressed the view that data from manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure and other workplaces would be a source of competitiveness.

Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama (片山さつき) pointed to the importance of using workplace data and of cybersecurity. Taking into account the risks of AI operating in the real world, she explained that multilayered defense and AI-enabled measures would be necessary. Hisashi Matsumoto (松本尚) emphasized sovereignty and expressed the view that domestic production and domestic cooperation should be encouraged in AI development.

There was a shared recognition that, going forward, Japan would need to develop domestically the infrastructure, use of training data, and supply of components and safety measures needed to establish AI robots as an industry, rather than merely install 10 million units. The path toward targeting a scale exceeding 30% of the global market was emphasized.