The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Hiroshi Yoshimoto, has called for journalism in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) age to remain anchored to its core mission of serving the public good, despite the rapid technological transformations sweeping the media industry.

He said AI was rewriting the rules of news production, and while it presented opportunities for efficiency and innovation, it also raised pressing ethical concerns.

He was speaking at the opening of the 3rd JICA Chair lecture at the University of Ghana.

The event, jointly organised by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the University of Ghana, formed part of efforts by Japan to share its development experiences with partner countries, while fostering future leaders through academic dialogue and cooperation.

Algorithm-driven content

Mr Yoshimoto urged participants to reflect on the critical question of how journalism could continue to fulfil its societal responsibilities in a media environment increasingly influenced by algorithm-driven content creation.

According to the ambassador, Japan took pride in being the first non-Western nation to industrialise, while preserving its cultural traditions.

He said that through platforms such as the JICA Chair, Japan sought to offer insights from its modernisation journey to support sustainable development in other parts of the world, including Ghana.

He highlighted longstanding educational cooperation between the two countries, including scholarship opportunities to build the capacity of Ghanaian youth and public servants.

Kaizen philosophy

The ambassador also emphasised Japan’s Kaizen philosophy — centred on continuous improvement — as a principle that could positively shape Ghana’s educational systems. He revealed his commitment to promoting Kaizen in all aspects of Ghanaian life, particularly education.

“Japanese-style education incorporates this philosophy by fostering moral values such as teamwork and a sense of responsibility,” he said.

“These principles closely align with the spirit of Kaizen,” Mr Yoshimoto said.

Delivering the lecture on the topic From Ink to Intelligence: The Future of Japanese Journalism in the Era of AI,” a Professor of Media and Journalism Studies at the University of Tokyo, Professor Hayashi Kaori, called for a careful, values-based approach to AI adoption.

She stressed that while technology holds great promise, its uncritical use could undermine public trust and truth, especially in the media.

“AI has the potential to reshape how we access and share information, but this must not come at the cost of democracy.

We need strong ethical frameworks and independent media bodies to keep AI in check,” she added. 

Drawing from Japan’s experience, she explained that even a country renowned for its digital innovations still faces cultural hesitation and institutional scepticism around AI, particularly within journalism.

“Japan may lead in robotics, but we remain cautious about AI’s influence on public discourse,” she said.

She urged Ghanaian media organisations, particularly public broadcasters, to take proactive steps to establish mechanisms to track AI-generated content, verify information and promote accountability.