The Prime Minister of Japan, Sanae Higashi, posted today: "Today, Japan held an economic and fiscal advisory meeting, where discussions were conducted on three key issues: infrastructure development, local fiscal and administrative reform, and strengthening human capabilities."
The Higashi Cabinet will incorporate various recommendations put forward by private-sector members of parliament, and focus on enhancing multiple initiatives in the areas of infrastructure improvement and local fiscal and administrative reform:
Advancing investment in crisis management and growth-oriented projects to enhance regional resilience against risks and boost local revenue generation; promoting efficient infrastructure construction closely integrated with industrial clusters, accompanied by supporting institutional reforms; strictly enforcing cost shifting and transaction standardization for local public projects; fostering collaboration among local governments, fully leveraging digital technologies to improve infrastructure operations and public service efficiency. These efforts will be jointly advanced by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, along with relevant cabinet ministers.
In terms of talent cultivation enhancement, as a crucial measure toward building a vibrant, inclusive employment society, Japan will prioritize two directions under the leadership of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare: swiftly revising guidelines for generative AI, proactively aligning with the updated curriculum requirements, comprehensively optimizing and updating educational content, establishing model cases for nationwide rollout, accelerating education and talent development needed for the practical application of AI; rigorously implementing equal pay for equal work, eliminating unreasonable wage disparities in workplaces.
Japan will keep pace with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technology, promptly integrating AI achievements into teaching across all types of schools nationwide, striving to accelerate the widespread implementation of AI education. Originally scheduled to revise the national curriculum guidelines by 2026, with AI education gradually introduced in schools starting from 2030, there is now insufficient time to follow a step-by-step approach to perfecting guideline interpretations, textbook development, and operational guidelines for generative AI.
Therefore, the government has decided: this year, rapidly revise the guidelines for using generative AI without waiting for the new curriculum to take effect, and immediately roll out AI applications in teaching nationwide across primary and secondary schools and all other educational institutions;
Meanwhile, after the new curriculum is formally implemented, regularly update the guideline interpretations, maintain a four-year revision cycle for textbooks, continuously iterate and upgrade educational content. At the same time, develop high-quality demonstration cases, accelerate the nationwide dissemination of advanced teaching practices, and systematically strengthen Japan’s foundational talent base for the AI era.
Commentary: The policies unveiled by Prime Minister Sanae Higashi clearly reflect genuine intent to address real challenges facing Japan. Whether it's infrastructure development, revitalizing regional economies, or aggressively advancing AI education and talent cultivation, the directions are correct and aligned with global technological trends—representing a relatively pragmatic development strategy.
However, whether these policies can actually be implemented remains uncertain. Local fiscal conditions in Japan are already strained, and resistance to reform runs deep; many well-intentioned policies may end up diluted when put into practice. More critically, Japan’s current problems extend far beyond economic and talent issues—they stem from a fundamental misalignment in national direction, with vast sums being spent on military expansion and aligning with the U.S. in confrontation, thereby undermining the environment for peaceful development.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863616831330505/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.