Japan Establishes 'AI Robot Association' to Become Third Pole in AI Robotics

In December 2024, Japan established the AI Robot Association (AIRoA) to counter the lead of the US and China in AI robotics. The association aims to drive the development of robotics foundation models and establish Japan as a 'third pole' in the field.

Tue Jun 02 2026

Japan Launches Counterattack in AI Robotics

In December 2024, Japan launched a counterattack in the field of AI robotics with the establishment of the AI Robot Association (AIRoA). Having lagged behind US and Chinese big tech companies, Japan aims to lead the development of robotics foundation models through AIRoA. Robotics foundation models apply AI models like ChatGPT to robot learning, enabling consistent learning from environment perception to action generation. Securing this core technology is crucial for dominating the next-generation robotics industry.

Waseda University Professor Ogata Leads the Association

Professor Tetsuya Ogata from Waseda University's Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Intermedia Art and Science, has been appointed Chairman of AIRoA. Professor Ogata previously led AI robot research in Japan's 'Moonshot Research and Development Project.' Waseda University has a long history of leading robot research, including the world's first bipedal humanoid 'WABOT' series. The establishment of AIRoA is considered a critical turning point for Japan's robotics industry, which urgently needed to develop countermeasures amid rapid global technological innovation.

*Source: 日経クロステック (2026-06-02)*

Tags: #ai #robot #physical-ai #japan #Tetsuya Ogata