Most Japanese Companies Reportedly Keep Their AI Use Hidden From Clients and the Public

A new survey suggests that while generative AI has become widely adopted across Japan's corporate creative sector, most companies prefer not to publicly disclose that they use it. The research, conducted by Japanese creative agency Amana, found that 59% of surveyed companies already use generative AI in creative work, yet 71.4% of those organizations do not actively tell clients or the public about its use.

According to the survey, AI is no longer limited to helping employees complete routine tasks. Around 61.8% of respondents said generative AI now influences creative decision-making itself, from brainstorming concepts to supporting content production. Despite this growing reliance on AI, many organizations remain reluctant to discuss its role openly. The report suggests that concerns over copyright, intellectual property, inconsistent output quality, and the lack of clear evaluation standards are among the main reasons companies avoid public disclosure.

The findings also point to a gap in internal AI governance. Approximately 43.5% of respondents said their company either lacks formal AI usage guidelines or employees are unsure whether such policies even exist. Industry observers note that while AI adoption is accelerating across Japanese businesses, transparency and governance are developing more slowly, creating uncertainty for both employees and customers.

The survey reflects a broader trend in Japan, where AI adoption continues to grow across multiple industries. Recent studies show that a majority of Japanese companies are already integrating generative AI into their operations in some form, although public communication about these tools often lags behind actual usage. As AI becomes a larger part of creative and business workflows, experts expect companies to face increasing pressure to establish clearer disclosure policies and responsible AI governance.