On June 3, the Japanese government announced the “Intellectual Property Promotion Plan 2025,” setting an ambitious goal of raising Japan’s global competitiveness in intellectual property to within the top four by 2035. Currently ranked 13th, what does Japan need to regain its place among the top players? This article explores the key points of the new plan and its feasibility.
Transforming the Quality of Creation Through Full-Scale Use of AI
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba stated, “We will fundamentally strengthen the use of AI to create competitive intellectual property.” This is not merely about improving operational efficiency—it’s about revolutionizing the creative process itself.
For example, AI is already delivering results in areas such as patent document drafting, prior art searches, and the automatic generation of visual and audio content. In the near future, AI may even become a “co-inventor” in the creation of intellectual property.
Attracting Global Talent to Japan
The plan outlines efforts to create an environment that actively invites top-level researchers in fields like AI from overseas. For Japan, which has traditionally taken a cautious stance on immigration, this represents a major policy shift.
Innovation today depends on the global mobility of talent. If Japan can establish practical systems—such as English-speaking environments, research funding, and startup support—it has the potential to become a true “knowledge hub.”
Generating 50 Trillion Yen Through Anime and Tourism
Leveraging Japan’s unique cultural assets such as anime and manga, the government also aims to accelerate “anime tourism” and international expansion. The target is to generate 50 trillion yen in economic impact from related industries by 2033.
This is more than just an export business; it’s a strategy that links “experience” with “content consumption.” From pilgrimage-style tourism to anime locations, to attracting film productions, and expanding merchandise using IP, Japan is expected to pioneer a distinctive intellectual property business model.
IP Strategy as a National Power Strategy
This plan is not just about reforming the intellectual property system. It’s a comprehensive national strategy that includes AI, talent, culture, tourism, and investment. The key question is whether Japan has the resolve to reform its existing systems and cultural norms.
Will we see Japan reclaim a spot in the world’s top four by 2035? The answer depends on the institutional reforms and the creativity of the private sector that begin now.