ChatGPT developer OpenAI has concluded a sales pitch for Japan, presenting the Japanese government and private companies with its latest cybersecurity AI model.
The company demonstrated a number of its cyber defense software to Japanese media on May 21. Paul Nakasone, a member of the OpenAI Board of Directors, revealed that the visit to Japan was aimed at holding talks with government officials.
Nakasone said they discussed cybersecurity measures across 15 critical sectors with the Japanese government. While talks are set to continue, OpenAI said it hopes to launch the service in Japan at an “early stage.”
OpenAI offers a specialized GPT-5.5 Cyber AI model to the Japanese government. The GPT-5.5 defense standard tool with Trusted Internet Access (TAC) will be offered to Japanese companies under an application and screening process.
Protection against myths
During the press conference, Sascha Becker, head of national security policy at OpenAI, emphasized that a cyber defense “ecosystem” is needed to overcome powerful models.
She pointed to Anthropic’s Mythos, which can independently identify and exploit security flaws in software, web browsers and operating systems.
Strong AI also requires stronger governance and safeguards, Nakasone said.
“We will build robust security systems and stay one step ahead of malicious actors. We intend to expand these efforts broadly from finance and critical infrastructure to local governments and industrial supply chains.”
Nakasone, who previously led US Cyber Command under the Trump administration, described Japan as central to the “free and open Indo-Pacific region” and suggested that OpenAI would deepen cooperation with the country.
“We want the Japanese government and companies to use our most advanced models,” added Sasha Becker.
The real threat is reliance on artificial intelligence
OpenAI’s visit comes as the Japanese government ramps up efforts for “sovereign AI.”
Japan’s basic AI plan, which was completed in December 2025, revolves around the concept of “trustworthy” AI. This stems from economic security concerns, as foreign tech giants could control the entire AI supply chain.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has proposed developing a large-scale domestic enterprise model similar to the Japanese version of ChatGPT using government funding.
When the Ministry of Trade and Investment presented its proposal at the LDP Digital Society Promotion Headquarters meeting in October 2025, some lawmakers criticized the plan as reckless, arguing that Japan lacked the political resources needed to compete with the United States and China.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry has since abandoned the “Japan ChatGPT” goal, but the government remains determined to boost the domestic AI portfolio, which includes foundation models, data centers, and AI chips, as well as Physical infrastructure for artificial intelligence.
The government is preparing to review its AI master plan this summer. At a meeting on AI strategy held on May 19, lawmaker Kimi Onoda emphasized that the revised draft would strengthen AI supremacy from the national security stance.
Reality testing of artificial intelligence in Japan
While some Japanese companies, such as Preferred Networks, Ricoh, SoftBank, NEC, Honda, and Sony Group, have begun developing foundation models, many in the industry privately acknowledge that it will be difficult to catch up with the United States and China.
Japan ranked 30th out of 69 countries in the rankings IMD Global Digital Competitiveness Degree In 2025.
There is also a significant lack of investment in artificial intelligence between Japan and its competitors.
According to Japanese government data, the US government has invested approx. $329 billion in domestic AI development from 2019 to 2023. The Chinese government invested about $329 billion in domestic AI development from 2019 to 2023. $133 billion. On the other hand, the Japanese government invested a small amount of $10 billion.
The end of artificial intelligence nationalism
The government’s Digital Society Promotion Headquarters is preparing a proposal against the entire Japanese AI cluster.
The proposal urges the government to prioritize AI innovation in the manufacturing, healthcare and infrastructure sectors.
It argues that Japan can combine foundation models developed abroad with applications developed by domestic industrial data to create a competitive advantage.
On May 11, Secretary General of the Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, Akihisa Shiozaki, He said Japan is entering the post-LLM era It requires a major paradigm shift.
He stressed that the goal should not be to build sovereign artificial intelligence, but rather to diversify suppliers.
“What is most important is to ensure independence without dependence on any single country, company or provider. Instead of focusing only on ‘sovereign AI’, Japan needs to think about how to protect its AI sovereignty.”
