Abstract: Japan's overall Al capability ranks in the world's second tier. Nevertheless, through a structured science and technology diplomacy approach, it has effectively enhanced its international influence in this field by employing three strategies: institutional participation, discourse construction, and practice sharing. At the institutional level, Japan has actively promoted the alignment of Al governance principles among the OECD, the G7, and the G20 and has introduced the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) framework as a supporting mechanism for Al governance. At the discourse level, Japan prepares draft texts for international Al discussions to highlight its national interests in international rule-making. At the practical level, Japan shares with the international community its governance practices characterized by a soft law paradigm and agile governance, thereby attracting international recognition. Through the interaction among these three approaches, Japan has shaped its international image as an active actor in global Al governance, helping to strengthen its international discursive power.
Keywords: Non-traditional security studies; AI; Japan; International rule-making; International discursive power
Authors: Jiang Tianjiao; Zhang Shuyan
Source: Jiang, T. J. & Zhang, S. Y. (2026). Systemic Strategy: Japan’s Path toward Participating in International AI Governance Rule-Making. The Journal of International Studies, (2).
Publish date：2026/6/1
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