2025/04/24

Is Japan Being Left Behind by the Tide of the Times? The Quiet Crisis Brought About by Low Internet Literacy and Delays in AI Utilization

Is Japan Being Left Behind by the Tide of the Times? The Quiet Crisis Brought About by Low Internet Literacy and Delays in AI Utilization

The internet has completely transformed our lives and society.

We can instantly access information from around the world and connect with people far away. And now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is beginning to permeate every aspect of society, opening the door to a new era.

We are all in the midst of the wave of digitalization. We hold smartphones, exchange information on social media, and shop online.

Internet usage has reached the vast majority of the population, becoming as commonplace as the air we breathe.

However, beneath this “commonplace” surface, aren’t we facing fundamental challenges in how we engage with the internet and technology?

In recent years, there have been increasing observations pointing to Japan’s low internet literacy.

And while the introduction and utilization of AI are rapidly advancing globally, Japan seems to be lagging behind this wave.

From my personal observation, when I look at the news and social media, I feel that there are many people who cannot discern the truth of information, and many who shy away from AI, a new technology, or are unaware of its potential.

I feel a strong sense of crisis about this current situation.

This is because low internet literacy and delays in AI utilization are not merely problems of individual skill; they are deeply intertwined with society’s overall competitiveness, the health of democracy, and our future itself.

Today, I want to think deeply with you all about the current state of Japan that I perceive and the crisis it faces.

Why do I feel this way? The Unfortunate State of Internet Literacy in Japan

First, let’s talk about internet literacy in Japan.

Despite many people using the internet, we see frequent instances of questionable usage quality and approaches to information that make one scratch their head.

The most striking issue is the spread and blind acceptance of fake news and misinformation.

During earthquakes and disasters, baseless information spreads rapidly on social media, fueling people’s anxiety. Some people believe false health information and take incorrect actions.

It’s not uncommon for conspiracy theories about politics to be discussed as truth without verification.

Why is it so easy to be deceived by false information?

I feel there are fundamental problems in how people approach information, such as not checking sources, not cross-referencing with multiple sources, and being easily swayed by emotions.

Next, the low awareness of privacy is also serious.

There is a never-ending stream of examples of people carelessly uploading photos that reveal their location to social media or easily posting information that could identify them personally.

Just as the term “digital tattoo” exists, it seems many people do not understand that information once published online is extremely difficult to delete completely.

Even within companies and organizations, data breach incidents occur frequently, suggesting that a lack of employee literacy regarding personal information protection, in addition to security measures, is a contributing factor.

Furthermore, misunderstanding of copyright and portrait rights is also a problem.

The unauthorized reprinting of images and text from the internet and the publication of photos containing other people without their permission are done as if they were commonplace.

It’s as if the mistaken notion that “anything on the internet can be used freely” has spread.

This is an act that infringes upon the rights of creators and the people who are photographed, demonstrating a lack of ethics in the internet space.

Moreover, cyberbullying and defamation, which abuse anonymity, have become serious social problems.

People casually throw out aggressive words online under the guise of anonymity that they would never say in the real world. As a result, many people are deeply hurt, and in some cases, it has even led to suicide.

This stems from a lack of imagination, an inability to recognize the seriousness of using the internet as a tool to attack others.

And underlying these problems is a lack of information gathering skills.

Even if people know how to use search engines, I feel many lack the ability to evaluate the reliability of the information displayed in search results or the attitude to obtain information from a diverse range of sources in a balanced way.

As a result, people tend to only encounter information that aligns with their interests and viewpoints, losing opportunities to be exposed to different opinions and perspectives, making them susceptible to filter bubbles and echo chambers.

This can also become a factor that deepens societal division.

Lagging Behind the World? The Reality of Stagnating AI Utilization in Japan

In parallel with the challenges of internet literacy, what I feel a sense of crisis about is the delay in AI utilization in Japan.

With the advent of generative AI like ChatGPT, the introduction and utilization of AI are rapidly progressing globally across all fields, including business, education, and research. However, Japan seems to be struggling to fully catch this wave.

The delay in AI adoption in the business sector is particularly noticeable.

While many companies recognize the importance of Digital Transformation (DX), the reality is that concrete AI utilization for operational efficiency improvements or new service development is not progressing.

While companies overseas are dramatically improving productivity and customer experience through AI, many companies in Japan have not even fully adopted automation tools like RPA (Robotic Process Automation).

Introducing AI requires investment and human resources, but beyond that, I feel that the overwhelming shortage of personnel with AI literacy – understanding what AI can do and how it can be utilized in their own business – is a major barrier to adoption.

The delay in AI literacy education in the education sector is also serious.

In advanced countries in Europe, the US, and Asia, opportunities to learn about the basic mechanisms and ethical aspects of AI are starting to be provided in school education.

However, in Japan, while programming education has been introduced, education for understanding and utilizing AI “as a user” is still insufficient.

AI is no longer just for a few experts; it is a tool that everyone needs to understand to benefit from or to comprehend its risks.

The current situation, where the environment is not fully equipped for children who will bear the future to acquire the literacy needed to navigate the AI era, directly leads to a decline in international competitiveness.

And the penetration rate of individual-level AI tool usage also feels low compared to the rest of the world.

Of course, some early adopters are actively using AI tools and leveraging them for their daily work and learning.

However, among the general public, the perception that “AI is difficult” or “it’s not related to me” still seems to persist. Perhaps the importance of being able to use AI tools as casually as search engines is not sufficiently recognized.

Overseas, AI tools are starting to be commonly used for improving individual productivity and unleashing creativity.

For example, AI is being utilized in various situations such as report writing, presentation material creation, brainstorming, programming assistance, and language learning.

This difference could potentially manifest as a significant gap in individual skill development and career formation in the future.

Why is Japan Becoming a “Digital Laggard”?

Low internet literacy and delays in AI utilization.

These problems are by no means happening by chance. There are likely complex causes rooted in Japan’s social structure, culture, and past education system.

One reason is the negative effects of rote learning education.

Past education in Japan has emphasized accurately memorizing given knowledge and reproducing it.

However, in today’s information-saturated world, what is needed are critical thinking skills to discern the truth of information and problem-solving abilities to identify issues and find solutions on one’s own.

The insufficient cultivation of these abilities through education may have created a fertile ground for being easily swayed by information on the internet.

The second is the delay in media literacy education.

Television, newspapers, and the internet. How should we engage with, interpret, and utilize information disseminated from various media? Media literacy education to understand the characteristics of media and consider the intent and background of information has not been sufficiently provided in schools or at home.

The third is the digital divide, particularly the reluctance of the elderly towards using digital devices and the internet.

In a society where digitalization is advancing, people who cannot use digital tools may become isolated from information and lose opportunities for social participation.

The evolution of AI has the potential to deepen this divide further, making countermeasures urgently needed.

The fourth is the culture of fearing failure and resistance to new things.

Failure is an inherent part of introducing new technologies or attempting new things.

However, there is a social atmosphere in Japan that is not tolerant of failure, leading to a tendency to hesitate and be overly fearful of risks when introducing and utilizing new technology like AI.

Furthermore, a conservative disposition that clings to long-standing customs and existing methods and dislikes change may also be a factor hindering the spread of innovative technologies like AI.

The fifth is herd mentality and conformity pressure.

There is a strong tendency to feel safe by doing the same as others, which can isolate those who challenge new things or make it difficult to express dissenting opinions in an atmosphere where majority opinion prevails.

This is thought to be connected to the tendency to easily accept information on the internet as true simply because many people believe it, and the situation where companies and individuals actively engaging in AI utilization remain a minority.

The sixth is the delay in legal frameworks and guidelines.

When new technologies emerge, they bring associated legal and ethical issues.

Regarding AI, various discussions are needed on issues such as copyright, privacy, discrimination, and responsibility.

However, Japan tends to be slower than other countries in developing legal frameworks and guidelines for new technologies, which hinders the creation of an environment where companies and individuals can safely utilize AI.

Finally, the tendency to seek short-term results and a lack of long-term perspective can also be cited.

Introducing AI and providing literacy education requires a certain amount of investment and time.

However, perhaps the focus on short-term results is too strong, leading to neglect of investment in AI, which has the potential to bring significant long-term benefits, and literacy education based on a long-term perspective.

This Way is Dangerous! The Quiet Crisis Caused by Becoming a Digital Laggard

If low internet literacy and delays in AI utilization are left unaddressed, Japan will face various serious crises. This may not be a visible, large-scale disaster-like crisis, but perhaps it can be called a “quiet crisis” that quietly but surely erodes our society.

The most direct impact is the decline in international competitiveness.

As technological innovation and business model transformation driven by AI advance globally, if Japan falls behind this trend, it will be inevitable that it loses its economic presence.

The productivity gap will widen, new industries will be less likely to emerge, and existing industries may become unable to compete with overseas players.

Next, the impact on democracy.

Fake news and misinformation on the internet can distort public opinion and potentially even affect election results.

People with low literacy are more susceptible to making incorrect judgments due to intentionally manipulated information.

Furthermore, if advanced information manipulation and propaganda become possible through AI, it could lead to an even more serious situation.

The loss of a healthy information space is a fundamental issue that shakes the foundations of democracy.

Moreover, the deepening of societal division is a concern.

The information gap and opportunity gap will widen between those with high internet literacy and AI utilization skills and those with low skills.

The digital divide exacerbates disparities in all aspects, including education, employment, healthcare, and administrative services, becoming a factor that deepens social division.

At the individual level, loss of opportunities is also unavoidable.

A significant difference in productivity and creativity will arise between people who can utilize AI and those who cannot.

Individuals who cannot utilize AI may find themselves bogged down by simple tasks or unable to process advanced information, potentially missing out on opportunities for career advancement or finding it difficult to acquire new skills.

Increased security risks cannot be ignored either.

Individuals and organizations with low internet literacy are more susceptible to becoming targets of cyberattacks such as phishing scams and malware infections.

Furthermore, there is a possibility that more sophisticated and cunning cyberattacks could emerge if AI is misused, making it essential to improve the overall security level of society.

And the most concerning impact is on the upbringing of children who will lead the future.

Children who enter society without acquiring the skills and literacy necessary for the AI era will find it difficult to compete in the international community.

Furthermore, growing up without acquiring the knowledge to protect themselves from online dangers or the judgment skills not to be swayed by information can hinder their healthy development.

Measures Japan Should Take Now for the Future

To avoid such a crisis and for Japan to shine again in the digital and AI era, society as a whole must take drastic measures.

The most important thing is educational reform.

A fundamental strengthening of media literacy and information literacy education is needed for all age groups, from elementary and junior high schools to universities, and even working adults and the elderly.

It is necessary to systematically teach basic knowledge and skills for safely and effectively utilizing the internet, such as methods for discerning the truth of information, the importance of referring to diverse sources, concepts of privacy and copyright, and ethical behavior online.

At the same time, a shift towards education that fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities is indispensable.

Instead of blindly accepting given information, it is necessary to cultivate the ability to question why things are the way they are, what other perspectives exist, and to find answers on one’s own.

It is important to incorporate active learning methods such as inquiry-based learning and project-based learning.

Furthermore, the expansion of programming education and AI literacy education is an urgent task.

Basic knowledge and skills for understanding the mechanisms of AI and utilizing it as a tool are essential qualities for living in the coming era.

Opportunities should be provided to discuss not just how to operate AI but also what it can and cannot do, as well as its social impact and ethical issues.

Mechanisms to support the acquisition of digital skills and AI literacy should also be expanded in recurrent education and lifelong learning programs for working adults.

Beyond education, reforming the mindset of society as a whole is also necessary.

Public and private sectors must collaborate to conduct awareness campaigns about the dangers of the internet and the potential of AI.

Companies should proactively implement training for employees to enhance their digital literacy and AI literacy. Media also have a role to play in striving for accurate information dissemination and proactively providing content that contributes to improving the literacy of viewers and readers.

Measures in terms of technology and systems are also important.

It is necessary to proactively promote deregulation and investment in research and development to facilitate AI development and utilization.

At the same time, the development and dissemination of technologies to ensure the reliability of information are also crucial.

For example, information verification systems utilizing blockchain technology or mechanisms to clearly label information generated by AI could be considered.

Don’t Give Up on the Future: What Each of Us Can Do

It is not easy to change large social systems.

However, there are also many things that each of us can do to overcome this quiet crisis.

First, change your attitude towards information.

Do not blindly accept information on the internet, but always maintain a critical perspective.

Check the source of information and cross-reference with multiple sources.

Do not be swayed by emotions, but judge calmly.

Simply by keeping these things in mind in your daily information gathering, the risk of being deceived by fake news will significantly decrease.

Next, actively try new technologies, especially AI.

There are many free tools available, such as generative AI like ChatGPT.

It is important to start by using them and experiencing what they can do and how they can be useful.

Don’t assume it’s “difficult” or “not related to me”; start by experimenting with a sense of play.

Surely, you will discover something that can be useful in your life, work, or learning.

And maintain a learning attitude.

Digital technology is evolving every day.

Learning once is not enough; you need to constantly update your information and skills.

Utilize online courses, books, and seminars, and continue your efforts to improve your own literacy.

If you have children, take the opportunity to learn about the internet and AI together with them.

It is important to discuss not only the dangers but also the possibilities and to think together about safe usage methods and how to creatively utilize AI.

I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels a sense of crisis about the current situation in Japan.

To overcome this crisis and build a brighter future, society as a whole needs to change.

And that change begins with the awareness and actions of each and every one of us.

The quiet crisis of becoming a digital laggard is progressing.

To stop this, now is the time to stand up, learn, and act. For the future is entrusted to our own hands.

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