AI ADOPTION SUPPORT
Legal support for businesses seeking to adopt AI. Because our attorney uses AI extensively in daily practice, we provide practical advice grounded in a genuine understanding of how the technology works.
BACKGROUND
Japan has long been noted for slower adoption of generative AI in business compared to Western countries. Even large corporations were cautious, though full-scale adoption has accelerated since 2026.
Among SMEs, however, the picture is polarized. Some companies are actively leveraging AI to boost efficiency, while others have not even begun to consider adoption due to uncertainty about how to implement it or vague concerns about risk.
Yet the capabilities of generative AI will continue to advance dramatically. Ignoring AI adoption can itself become a significant competitive risk for businesses.
For SMEs concerned about AI adoption, we interview you about your business operations and intended use cases, then organize the legal landscape to identify which services can be safely introduced. We provide proposals covering specific considerations such as those outlined below.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
When integrating generative AI into business operations, the following four perspectives must be examined.
This is the most critical consideration. Services that use input data for training may be unsuitable for business use, though some offer opt-out settings. Furthermore, research-oriented use may fall within acceptable bounds, requiring case-by-case judgment.
Issues such as ownership of AI-generated content, rights clearance for copyrighted works in training data, and IP implications of using generated content in business all require careful legal analysis.
Risks of inputting trade secrets or client confidential information into AI services, data storage and transmission security, and incident response readiness all need to be evaluated.
Legal analysis is required regarding the permissibility of inputting personal data under Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), the need to update privacy policies, and compliance with cross-border data transfer rules.
To address the four perspectives above, the following steps are essential at a minimum:
These assessments vary significantly depending on the AI service in question. We explain relevant laws and guidelines in plain language and help you clearly define what can and cannot be used in your business operations.
WHY US
Here is why our firm is chosen for AI adoption support.
Our attorney uses AI continuously in daily practice. Because we verify changes to terms of service and actual usage conditions firsthand, we can provide advice grounded in practical experience rather than academic literature alone. We also propose phased, actionable AI adoption plans suited to the budget, staffing, and IT literacy of SMEs rather than idealized solutions designed for large enterprises.
Through our own hands-on use of AI in legal practice, we have identified real-world operational challenges related to information management and security. We continuously monitor the terms of service of major AI platforms and promptly review changes when they occur, enabling us to provide advice based on the latest conditions at all times.
We have many years of hands-on experience with Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), including knowledge of exemption provisions for cloud services and practical understanding of related guidelines and Q&As. We have published writings on these topics. This enables us to assess the legal implications of inputting data into AI services in concrete terms, cross-referencing the actual terms of service.
Our attorney uses multiple AI services on a daily basis in legal practice. Because we understand the technical mechanisms and characteristics of each service from firsthand experience, we can anticipate challenges that arise during adoption and provide specific, actionable advice.
CORE SERVICES
We provide the legal support necessary for AI adoption, tailored to each client's specific challenges.
We provide legal analysis and advice on whether customer data may be input into AI, whether privacy policy revisions are needed, and related matters.
We legally review terms of service for platforms such as ChatGPT Enterprise, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot, and clarify the risks for your business.
Based on your business operations, security requirements, and budget, we propose the optimal combination of AI services for your company.
We help define information that must not be input into AI, restrict approved services, establish reporting processes, and set up audit frameworks.
A phased approach that avoids demanding "perfect security" from the start. We propose realistic, achievable implementation strategies for SMEs with limited budgets and resources.
Our attorney examines the AI services your company uses, verifying terms of service provisions (such as whether data is used for training) and compliance with APPI, and issues a formal legal opinion. This can be used as explanatory material for business partners and clients.
RELATED FIELDS
Clients using our AI adoption support often also take advantage of the following services.
From reviewing terms of service to APPI compliance and internal policy development,
please feel free to consult us about AI adoption.