# Japan Issues Nonbinding AI Code

Japan published a nonbinding generative-AI code on August 25 that uses a comply-or-explain approach and emphasizes intellectual-property protection and transparency. The U.S. framework described in the article instead prioritizes national-security assessment and industry self-regulation. Neither approach is identified as a current procurement mandate; however, making compliance a condition of government procurement or trade reviews could affect contractor eligibility and place a disproportionate documentation burden on smaller firms.

- Contractors serving Japanese or U.S. government markets should distinguish voluntary guidance from binding requirements and prepare proportionate documentation of their AI practices in case procurement or trade-review conditions are introduced.
- AI providers should protect trade secrets and security-sensitive information when documenting how their systems address transparency, intellectual-property concerns, and security assessment.
- Procurement teams evaluating AI suppliers can account for the two frameworks’ different priorities in market research and supplier discussions without treating the Japanese code as a current mandatory condition.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Artificial Intelligence
**Published:** November 06, 2026

### Government Entities
- Government of Japan
- United States government
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

### Sources
- [From principles to practice: rewriting the rules of AI - The Japan News](https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/insights-world/20261106-357485) - The Japan News