Over 40% of Japanese Firms Lack AI Plans

A Reuters study revealed Thursday that nearly 25% of Japanese companies have adopted AI, while more than 40% have no plans to employ it

Throughout July 3-12, Nikkei Research surveyed Reuters, which posed various questions to 506 corporations. Approximately 250 firms responded, with the agreement to remain anonymous.

Approximately 24% of respondents reported that they have already implemented AI in their enterprises, 35% are planning to do so, and the remaining 41% have no such plans. This represents a range of technological innovation adoption levels in corporate Japan.

In a query that permitted multiple responses, 60% of respondents stated that they were attempting to address a labor shortage, 53% were interested in reducing labor costs, and 36% identified the acceleration of research and development as their objective when adopting AI.

A transportation company manager identified “anxiety among employees over possible headcount reduction” as one of the obstacles to introduction.

In addition, the survey revealed concerns regarding reliability, substantial capital expenditure, and a need for more technological expertise.

The survey also revealed that 15% of respondents have been the victim of cyberattacks in the past year, and 9% of respondents had business associates who were also cyberattacked during the same period.

Upon being questioned about the extent of the damage, 23% of those who experienced cyberattacks themselves or had business associates who were targets reported that their operations were temporarily suspended, while 4% reported that they experienced an information leak.

Regarding cybersecurity measures, 47% of respondents reported delegating defense, while 38% reported having in-house specialists.

In the past few months, the government has been working to enhance cybersecurity measures in response to the case of high-profile publisher Kadokawa, who was cyberattacked.

The survey also indicated that half of the firms favor amending a law requiring spouses to use the same surname. Women adopt their husband’s name in more than nine out of ten marriages. Opponents argue that this practice deprives women of a portion of their identity and burdens them with the extensive paperwork required to transition.

Last month, the Keidanren business lobby requested that the government permit married individuals to retain their surnames, which brought the issue back into the public eye.

50% of respondents expressed their support for the legislative change in the survey, while 11% were opposed.

“The dignity and freedom of individuals, particularly women, are being compromised by the existing system,” stated a manager at a machinery company.

The change was referred to as the “natural demand of the times” by an official at a steel-producing company. In opposition, a manager at a non-ferrous metal manufacturer stated that the allowance of distinct surnames could “weaken family bonds.”

When asked about the potential impact of a change in the law on their business, 14% of respondents stated that it would increase employee morale, 10% claimed that it would stimulate recruiting activity, and 56% predicted no impact.