Historical Characteristics of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Research in Japan in Relation to Postwar Political and Cultural Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics research in Japan do not necessarily follow the same trends as those in the United States of America. This is because military research in Japan has been severely restricted since the end of World War II, and the research funds available for defense expenditures are limited. The development of AI in Japan during the second AI boom, including the Fifth Generation Computer System, was intended for industrial promotion and international cooperation. Additionally, Japanese researchers in AI and robotics have been positively influenced by the popular subcultures of manga and anime. This has led to a trend in the history of Japanese robotics toward developing human-like bipedal robots and robots that can spend time together at home. This study examines the position of military research in Japan and analyzes the characteristics of AI research during the second AI boom, which marked the beginning of AI research in the country. It also explores how the political and cultural context in Japan influenced Japanese researchers and engineers.