Japan’s government has been actively building AI cooperation frameworks with allies across Europe and the Global South. This strategy aims to reduce dependence on AI supply chains dominated by the United States and China. Consequently, Japan hopes to promote its technology globally while capturing emerging international markets.
In mid-June, Japanese and French officials held their first High-Level Dialogue on AI in Paris. This meeting stemmed from an agreement between Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and President Emmanuel Macron in April. Senior officials from foreign affairs and defense ministries attended, discussing dual-use technology cooperation extensively.
Representatives from companies including SoftBank Group and startup Sakana AI also participated in discussions. Together, they explored collaboration methods spanning industry, government and academic institutions. Since both Japan and France qualify as middle powers, they share incentives for building alternative AI supply chains.
Beyond France, Japan has established similar AI cooperation frameworks with Britain and Global South partners. These include India, Malaysia and Brazil, reflecting Japan’s broader international technology strategy. Notably, Japan and India held their first AI Strategic Dialogue in April this year.
Furthermore, a subsequent summit on July 2 produced a joint statement covering talent exchange and research. Officials specifically discussed inviting AI talent to Japan while promoting collaborative research initiatives together. Meanwhile, expanding into the Global South offers Japanese companies substantial business growth opportunities.
Since major AI models primarily operate in English and Chinese, demand grows for localized alternatives. Japanese companies, having developed strong Japanese-language processing capabilities, aim to address these underserved markets. However, China is simultaneously pursuing similar AI export strategies throughout Global South nations.
Although Chinese AI models remain affordable and technically capable, security concerns persist regarding data handling practices. Critics worry that sensitive information entered into Chinese systems could be accumulated or leaked. Additionally, some fear China’s preferred narratives might spread through AI-generated content globally.
Within these AI cooperation frameworks, Japan plans addressing economic security and cognitive warfare concerns directly.
