More than 80% of Japanese companies use AI only for selected business functions, while company-wide adoption remains at 16%. Based on a Nikkei Research survey and government reports, the article examines the state of adoption and investment policies in Japan.
The use of AI by Japanese companies remains limited, with only 16% having moved to company-wide adoption. Nikkei Research conducted the survey from 29 July to 6 August, sending it to 510 companies, of which 219 submitted anonymous responses.
Among the responses, companies that had already begun trial adoption or partial use were the most numerous. Some companies reported that their applications were limited to tasks such as document creation, while others said they did not know how to use AI. A Japanese government report found that Japan lags behind other major industrialized countries in the adoption of generative AI.
Companies prioritizing domestic investment accounted for 82%, and there were no signs of plans for major cuts to AI budgets over the next 1–2 years. In fiscal 2027, 41% of companies are expected to increase domestic investment, 50% to maintain current levels and 9% to reduce investment.