Press Releases
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs SHIMADA’s attendance at the closing ceremony of the “2nd in-person meeting of the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group”
March 16, 2026
On March 16, Mr. SHIMADA Tomoaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the closing ceremony of the “2nd in-person meeting of the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group” held in Tokyo, and delivered the closing remarks.
At the closing ceremony, the “Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group Action Plan 2026” was also announced. The overview of his remarks is as follows:
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA expressed his congratulations on the successful holding of the “Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group Meeting 2026.”
- Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA stated that AI is a pillar of Japan’s Growth Strategy and Japan will vigorously promote public-private investment to embody Japan’s value of trustworthiness through AI. He further stated that it is essential to establish a “safe, secure, and trustworthy AI” ecosystem based on trust and international cooperation to promote AI innovation.
- Finally, Parliamentary Vice-Minister SHIMADA expressed Japan’s intention to co-create AI ecosystems tailored to the unique circumstances of each country and region, including the Global South, together with partners.
(Reference1) Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group In-Person Meeting (Japanese) 
- -The Friends Group was established in May 2024 under the leadership of Japan, as a voluntary framework of countries that support the spirit of the Hiroshima AI Process.
- -This meeting was attended not only by the participating countries and region of the Friends Group (as of March this year, 66 countries and region) but also by private AI-related companies and international organizations, to discuss AI governance and other matters aimed at realizing “safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.”
- -This in-person meeting was the 2nd meeting, following the first in February 2025.
(Reference2) Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group Action Plan 2026 
- -This plan presents specific voluntary actions to be undertaken over the next year by the Friends Group and the Partners Community of the Hiroshima AI Process to advance AI governance and social implementation to promote the global adoption of “safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.”