AI News Flash | Japan Aims to Become ‘the Most AI-Friendly Country in the World’?

Hello from the world of AI! 🚀In today's newsletter, we bring you the following highlighted topics.

• Japan aims to become ‘the most AI-friendly country in the world’
• TikTok unveils new AI tool ‘TikTok AI Alive’ that turns still images into video
• Google launches new initiative to support startups' AI development

AI

Japan accelerates legislation as it aims to become an AI-advanced nation

Japan's government sees AI as a core technology for growth, and is drafting the country's first legal framework for AI. The Cabinet's bill has passed the House of Representatives and is expected to clear the House of Councillors too, where the ruling coalition holds a majority.The bill calls AI ‘a foundation supporting the country's growth’ and calls for support structures, including a PM-led task force. Notably, instead of heavy-handed regulation, it favors voluntary collaboration with the private sector and cooperation between central and local governments.While concerns exist about misuse, the bill sets no penalties; serious violations instead bring guidance, recommendations, or naming the offending organization. The government wants Japan to be ‘the most AI-friendly country in the world,’ balancing innovation with international trust.

A ‘light-touch regulation’ strategy to drive growth

This flexible approach is a clear strategic choice. Over the past 10 years, Japan has drawn less than $6 billion in AI investment — trailing even Singapore, Sweden, and Israel. The US and China, by contrast, drew more than $590 billion combined over the same period.

Source: COINGEEK

Through this bill, the Japanese government has set out the following goals.

• Lower regulatory barriers so that global AI companies such as OpenAI and Google stay interested in the Japanese market rather than withdrawing
• Attract foreign direct investment (FDI) as capital keeps shifting amid US-China trade friction
• Promote domestic technological innovation and expand opportunities for international collaboration

Amendments to the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) have also been proposed, easing some user-consent requirements to encourage data use in AI development — further proof of the government's welcoming stance toward innovation.As other countries tighten AI rules, Japan is deliberately pursuing a flexible, business-friendly framework, aiming for a leading position in Asia's AI race.

TIKTOK

TikTok unveils new AI-powered feature ‘TikTok AI Alive’ — turning still images into video

Short-video app TikTok has unveiled ‘TikTok AI Alive,’ a feature that turns still images into video using AI. It's in limited rollout in the TikTok Stories camera, letting users create short videos with AI-driven motion and effects.For example, a still image of sky, clouds, and sea becomes an immersive video where colors shift, clouds drift, and waves can be heard. In group selfies, expressions and gestures are emphasized, making the photo feel ‘alive.’

Source: TechCrunch

After its earlier text-to-image tool, TikTok has unveiled ‘AI Alive,’ generating video from images. Instagram and Snapchat already offer text-to-image tools, but TikTok leads with image-to-video. Snapchat is expected to release a similar feature soon.AI-generated videos carry an ‘AI-generated’ label and metadata based on the C2PA standard, so they can still be confirmed as AI content even after being downloaded or shared outside TikTok.TikTok says safety is its top priority in AI development: before an AI Alive video goes public, it's reviewed at three stages — the original image, the AI's content description, and the final video. TikTok also lets users report inappropriate content; when a report comes in, TikTok re-checks it before deciding whether it can stay public.

Source: TechCrunch

To use this feature, open the Story camera, tap the green ‘+’ in your inbox or profile, and pick an image from your Story album. Then tap the AI Alive icon in the toolbar to start editing the video.

GOOGLE

Behind the scenes of generative AI: text, images — it all starts with a single line of instruction

On May 12, Google announced the ‘AI Futures Fund’ to support startups using advanced AI. It mainly targets companies using Google DeepMind's technology, offering support from seed stage through growth.Support includes priority access to DeepMind's cutting-edge AI models, collaboration with Google Labs and DeepMind experts, and Google Cloud credits. Selected companies may also get direct investment from Google.There's no fixed application period; investments go to eligible companies on a rolling basis. Investment size isn't fixed either — it flexes to each startup's growth stage and needs.Viggle (AI meme platform) and Toonsutra (digital comics app) have already been selected, and applications opened the same day.

Source: TechCrunch

Google has stepped up talent development and research support in AI. Its philanthropic arm, Google.org, said last year it would grant $20 million to AI researchers. In September 2024, CEO Sundar Pichai also unveiled the ‘Global AI Opportunity Fund’ to promote AI education and talent worldwide, committing $120 million.Google also runs ‘Google for Startups Founders Funds,’ funding startup founders across many fields, including AI. In 2025, it's expected to begin full-scale investment in US AI startups.

In Closing

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