Takaichi urges global AI cooperation, eyes early AI summit

The meeting Takaichi addressed was hosted by the French government and brought together French President Emmanuel Macron along with leaders, government institution representatives and AI-related business officials from interested countries. In her remarks, Takaichi framed AI's security impact as borderless, pointing to cyberattacks and loss of control as examples, and argued that international cooperation is therefore essential. She also stressed the need to deepen discussions on facilitating innovation while handling risks at the same time.

Takaichi used the forum to explain the Japanese government's aim of hosting an AI summit at an early date, saying Japan hopes to help achieve progress in international cooperation under an evolved free and open Indo-Pacific. The body does not give a date or venue for that planned summit.

The political context at home is also relevant. Takaichi has been under fire for skipping an online summit of the Group of Seven major nations held from 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 2. At a news conference Tuesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Tokyo was informed of the schedule of Monday's meeting by the French government in the second half of last week, and that the prime minister decided to participate considering it is important to communicate Japan's stance and efforts to the international community.