Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications recently released the "White Paper on Generative AI Applications in 2024 (Reiwa 6)", which provides an in-depth analysis of the application of more than ten cutting-edge generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, Gen-2, and MusicGen, by Japanese citizens and businesses. It also provides a comprehensive comparison with leading countries such as the United States, China, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

China Leads the World in Generative AI Applications

The white paper shows that China ranks first with a high proportion of 56.3% in the public usage rate of generative AI, far surpassing the United States' 46.3%, the United Kingdom's 39.8%, and Germany's 34.6%. Particularly noteworthy is that in terms of enterprise applications, China is significantly ahead of the world with a 71.2% advantage, demonstrating its strong capabilities in promoting the practical application of generative AI technology. This result is consistent with the survey data released by the American SAS last week, highlighting China's dual advantages in the scale of the "native digital population" and technological innovation ecology.

Low Usage Rate in Japan, Education and Promotion are Key

In contrast, Japan's public usage rate of generative AI is only 9.1%, ranking last. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications investigation reveals several main reasons for this phenomenon: first, users generally express that they "do not know how to use" generative AI; second, "no demand in daily life" and "lack of motivation to use" are also important factors. In addition, mainstream media such as the Nikkei have expressed surprise at this low usage rate and pointed out that the aging population and the lack of interest among young people in new technologies are underlying reasons. Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications recommends strengthening relevant education and promotion to narrow the gap with leading countries.

Diversified Applications of Generative AI

In terms of specific application scenarios of generative AI, the white paper points out that academic research, content summarization and translation, and conversational chatbots are the three most favored areas by users. In addition, health consultation, code development, image and video generation, and other applications also demonstrate broad potential. At the enterprise level, daily business scenarios such as email processing, meeting records, and text creation have become the main application areas for generative AI. Especially in these scenarios, American and Chinese companies have shown high application rates, reaching 84.7% and 84.4% respectively, further confirming the leading positions of the two countries in technological innovation and practical application.

Advantages and Disadvantages Coexist, Driving Business Transformation and Upgrading

Regarding the use of generative AI, the white paper also explores its benefits and potential risks. On the one hand, generative AI can significantly improve operational efficiency and inspire innovative ideas for businesses. On the other hand, risks such as data leakage and intellectual property infringement should not be ignored. More importantly, as technology becomes more widespread and developed, companies that do not adopt generative AI will face increasing market competition pressure.

Prominent Role of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Promoting Innovative Technology Development

As one of the important agencies of the Japanese central government, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications plays a key role in promoting national communication, postal services, and administrative management. The release of the White Paper on Generative AI Applications is not only a timely response to current technological development trends but also an active exploration of the future development path of innovative technologies. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications stated that it will continue to pay attention to and support the development of generative AI and other cutting-edge technologies, injecting new momentum into Japan's digital transformation and economic growth.