Press Conference by Minister Akazawa (Excerpt)

*Note: This is a provisional translation for reference purposes only.

 

9:58‒10:08 a.m.
Tuesday, June 30, 3026
Press Conference Room, METI Main Building

Opening Remarks

Commencement of support for electricity and gas bills

To begin, I would like to mention two points. First, the Government of Japan will begin our support targeting the payment of electricity and gas bills this summer, starting tomorrow, July 1. This timing aligns with the expected increase in energy consumption to cope with the summer heat. For example, the government will provide a subsidy of 3.5 yen per kilowatt-hour for low-voltage residential electricity rates in July. The situation in the Middle East has been driving up electricity rates, but the support is expected not only to offset the increase but also to further reduce rates. Specifically, electricity rates in July will likely increase by 300 yen for an average household due to the situation in the Middle East, but the subsidy will reduce rates by 1,300 yen, resulting in a 1,000-yen reduction in the electricity bill. With such support, we intend to do whatever we can to prevent adverse effects on the lives and livelihoods of the public, as well as effects on their economic activities.

AI Robotics Strategy

Second, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) will release the revised version of our AI Robotics Strategy today. The strategy upholds the target of introducing approximately 10 million robots by 2040 and advancing their social implementation across 18 areas, including the newly added food service, food and beverage manufacturing, and health care sectors. Based on this strategy, METI will take bold and swift steps to help user companies adopt AI robots and establish a core AI robotics hub for research and development, social implementation, and human resources development.

In addition, regarding the development of a domestic multimodal foundation model, which is a key project under our AI Robotics Strategy, Noetra Corp. and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) have just been selected as project leaders. In this era of “big data × AI,” the key to Japan’s success is the use of accumulated data across a range of fields, including health care for older citizens, disaster response, manufacturing sites, and the decommissioning site at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Our playing field is where big data is available. Ahead of the rest of the world, we will develop and expand our data foundation for physical AI and robots, areas where Japan has demonstratable strengths. We will also expand this movement to regional areas to encourage different regions to initiate AI transformations. The administrative staff will provide details later.

Question-and-Answer Session

Tightened export controls on civilian-military dual-use items by the People’s Republic of China

Q: Yesterday, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China (MOFCOM) announced that it has added 20 Japanese organizations and companies to the export control list for their alleged involvement in enhancing Japan’s military capabilities, and that it has banned the export of civilian-military dual-use items, including rare earths, from China. What is your view on this matter, and how will the Government of Japan respond? This announcement follows a similar one in February. Please tell us, to the extent possible, about the concrete impacts of the measures so far.

A: I am aware that yesterday, or Monday, June 29, MOFCOM announced the addition of multiple Japanese companies and organizations to its export control list, the target of export bans on dual-use items, and to its watch list, the target of stricter reviews. First, the export control measures announced by MOFCOM in January and February 2026, which exclusively target Japan, deviate significantly from international practices and are completely unacceptable. We have strongly protested the measures and demanded that they be rescinded. Likewise, the measure announced yesterday, or Monday, June 29, is entirely unacceptable and highly regrettable, and the Government of Japan has submitted a strong protest and demanded that the measures be rescinded. I recognize that Japanese companies have been affected by China’s export controls on critical minerals including rare earths and by export controls exclusively targeting Japan, including the measure announced in February 2026, due to such factors as delays in permit issuance and prolonged customs inspections. Going forward, we will closely monitor the details and impact of these measures and take all necessary measures.

Support for the development of a domestic AI foundation

Q: You mentioned earlier that the Government of Japan will support a new company tasked with developing a global AI foundation. Are you considering exporting the developed international AI or collaborating with digitally underdeveloped countries? An AI model developed exclusively in Japan may be perceived as less competitive than those developed in the United States or China. What are your thoughts on this?

A: As I mentioned at the beginning, Noetra Corp. and the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) were selected today to lead the development of a domestic multimodal foundation model. Under the project, Noetra Corp. will develop and provide the foundation model, while AIST will conduct research and development by establishing a collaborative framework with overseas research institutions, including those in the United States, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom to support the development of the foundation model. The developed model will be widely provided to AI developers and users in Japan, some of whom may use it to conduct business overseas.