A new study places Japan third on the Asia-Pacific Digital Nations Index and calls for targeted action on innovation, cybersecurity and digital skills to realize the country's Society 5.0 ambitions.
November 5, 2025, Tokyo: GSMA published today 'Japan's digital nation: paths to transformationa new report that assesses Japan's readiness to meet its digital transformation ambitions and outlines policy imperatives to close remaining gaps. Using GSMA Intelligence's Digital Nations Index, the study positions Japan as a “Leading Digital Nation”, the third highest in Asia Pacific, with an overall score of 76, and highlights the country's global leadership in data governance and constant improvement of its cybersecurity posture.
While the report applauds strong foundations in infrastructure and personnel, it warns that persistent challenges in translating world-class research into market-driven innovation could limit Japan's long-term competitiveness. It recommends a focused innovation strategy to commercialize next-generation networking concepts such as Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) and Open RAN, increased investment in cybersecurity resilience, and strategic human capital programs to expand the pool of advanced AI and cloud specialists.
“Japan has laid much of the foundation for a truly digital society, but our findings show that bold, coordinated action is now required to turn technical excellence into transformative results for the entire economy.” said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA. “By prioritizing innovation-friendly regulation, bolstering cyber resilience, and deepening its digital skills portfolio, Japan can move from being a leader to setting the global benchmark for digital nations.”
The GSMA highlights three policy imperatives in the report:
- Focused innovation strategy – Leverage leadership in networking technology (IOWN, Open RAN) by channeling venture capital and flexible data governance tools into innovative platforms and services that can scale commercially.
- Complete security leadership – Combine Japan's rapidly rising security score with sustained investment in critical infrastructure resilience standards and advanced development of cybersecurity talent to achieve world-class status.
- Strategic Human Capital – In an aging society, expand operator-led digital inclusion programs and systematically upskill professionals in AI and cloud disciplines to ensure an inclusive and future-ready workforce.
More information about Japan's digital nation
- Continued investment keeps Japan on the path to 6G-ready networks, but regulatory and financial support will be essential to commercialize concepts like the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN).
- Strong telecom R&D is not yet accompanied by a dynamic startup ecosystem; Accelerating digital R&D towards market applications and exploiting initiatives such as GSMA Open Gateway are critical next steps.
- Japan's championing of the “free and trusted flow of data” cements its regional leadership, but generative AI use cases demand flexible, future-proof privacy rules.
- Active participation in the GSMA Asia Pacific Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Task Force (ACAST) and new cyber resilience mandates have strengthened defences, but continued investment and talent development remain priorities.
- High basic digital literacy is offset by a shortage of specialized skills; Expanded upskilling and inclusion programs are required to sustain the goals of Society 5.0.
The findings were discussed in depth at an event hosted by the GSMA on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 in Tokyo, where Japanese policymakers, industry leaders and key experts explored how to advance Japan's path to the digital nation.
He 'Japan's digital nation: paths to transformation' The report can be downloaded here.
The GSMA will host its inaugural Digital Nation Summit in Tokyo in April 2026, building on the successful Digital Nation Summits recently held in Hanoi, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Singapore.
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About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organization that unifies the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver critical innovation for positive business environments and social change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organizations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA offers its members three broad pillars: connectivity for good, industry services and solutions, and outreach. This activity includes policy advocacy; address today's biggest social challenges; underpin the technology and interoperability that make mobile devices work; and provide the world's largest platform to bring together the mobile ecosystem at the MWC and M360 series of events.
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