Japan’s Cabinet Secretary General Hirokazu Matsuno has stated that the government currently has no plan to regulate the ChatGPT chatbot or similar AI services. The wider government view is that immediate regulatory action is unnecessary at this stage, a position echoed by the country’s leadership. In public remarks, Matsuno emphasized that no formal steps toward regulation are planned in the near term. (Source: Reuters)
Meanwhile, Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s minister of economic security, indicated that there is no intention to ban ChatGPT or impose blanket restrictions on AI-based programs right away. She also warned that the way these services are used can create information leakage risks, and that steps to reduce such risks should be considered as part of any ongoing assessment. (Source: Reuters)
In contrast, regulatory actions abroad continue to unfold. The Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD) announced a preliminary inquiry into the U.S. company OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. The move signals heightened scrutiny of how AI chat tools handle personal data within the EU and among member states. (Source: Reuters)
Concurrently, the Spanish regulator has requested that the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) bring the ChatGPT matter to its plenary session for broader consideration. The aim is to align on data protection standards and enforcement expectations for AI chat services across Europe. (Source: Reuters)
These developments come as governments balance innovation with privacy and security concerns. For policymakers, the central questions include how to mitigate risks of data exposure, how to ensure transparent data handling by AI providers, and what benchmarks or reporting mechanisms might be required for AI tools used by the public and by businesses. In Japan, the current stance leaves room for review should new data protection challenges or domestic risk assessments emerge. For European regulators, the path toward a coordinated framework continues to unfold, with ongoing dialogue among national authorities and EU bodies. (Source: Reuters)
Observers note that public confidence in AI tools depends on clear guardrails, practical risk management, and reliable oversight rather than broad prohibitions. As governments evaluate policy options, the conversation often returns to questions such as what data is processed, who has access, and how consent is obtained. These core concerns shape both national strategies and regional cooperation on AI governance. (Source: Reuters)