Japan introduces AI certification for companies and emphasizes Explainable AI

The Japan AI Skill Certification Association has launched the ‘AX Company Certification’ system to evaluate how organizations implement and utilize artificial intelligence. The system uses the ‘AX SCORE’—a 100-point metric based on 51 items across five domains: AI human resources and skills, implementation, promotion systems, productivity/management results, and AI governance. Companies can achieve GOLD, SILVER, or BRONZE rankings. A free diagnostic tool is available to help businesses assess their current standing.

Parallel to these organizational evaluations, the importance of Explainable AI (XAI) is growing. XAI refers to technologies that allow humans to understand the reasoning behind AI-driven decisions, addressing the ‘black box’ problem where complex models like deep learning provide results without clear logic. This transparency is becoming a regulatory necessity, such as under the EU AI Act, to ensure accountability in high-risk areas like recruitment and credit scoring.