Artificial Intelligence Will Reduce Japan’s Workforce in Next 10 Years, Many Top Executives Say

Over 40% of Japanese top executives predict a decrease in their company’s workforce over the next decade mainly due to the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
More than 30% of the executives surveyed utilize generative AI in their management decisions.
Many executives cannot rely entirely on AI for decisions involving ethics, safety, or complex judgments.
Eighteen executives anticipate workforce reductions, with five estimating a 10% or more decrease.
Areas where AI will replace workers include data entry, document preparation, and call center operations.
Fifteen executives do not foresee any impact of generative AI on employment.
Skylark Holdings Co. Chairman Makoto Tani predicts an increase in employees due to AI-driven productivity improvements and business expansion.
Fourteen executives utilize AI for management decisions, particularly for gathering and sorting information.
Executives list various tasks unsuitable for AI, such as hospitality services, face-to-face customer service, entertainment shows, food safety inspections, and expertise-based skilled work.
Opinions vary on the realization timeline of artificial general intelligence, with some predicting it in five years to 10 years or more, and 15 unsure.