The Sanae Takaichi (高市早苗) administration set out a robust strategy for revitalising Japan, identified 17 areas and 62 product groups, and announced a target of ¥370 trillion in public- and private-sector investment by 2040. It indicated a policy of promoting private-sector investment centred on AI, semiconductors and digital technologies, with some suggesting that this could also affect the role of companies and the media.
As the government’s policy of strengthening its growth strategy around AI and semiconductors comes to the fore, debate over Japan’s revival has deepened. A robust strategy was presented, identifying 17 growth areas and 62 product groups, with a target of ¥370 trillion in private-sector investment by 2040. The feasibility of policies to promote the renewal of the private sector is becoming a key focus.
Katsumi Kakuta (角田克), president of Asahi Shimbun Company, reaffirmed the value of newspapers as essential media and discussed a path for reform, including the use of AI. He indicated that editorial departments would handle reporting and desk work, while AI would be used in a supporting role.
Hirohide Yamaguchi (山口廣秀) of Nikko Research Center pointed to the simultaneous operation of strong forces, namely an AI and semiconductor bubble and fiscal stimulus from military expansion, and the weak force of declining supply capacity. His view was that the economy would neither rise nor fall significantly and would remain resilient.
Masahiro Sekine (関根正裕), president of Shoko Chukin Bank, shared the view that an era is approaching in which sectors outside the financial industry will enter financial services, in preparation for the age of digitalisation and advances in AI. He indicated that the bank would develop a management support structure based on the use of AI and place emphasis on developing digital infrastructure and talent.