State of Open Source in Japan 2025: Rising Business Value Recognition Meets Infrastructure and Governance Challenges
The Linux Foundation's "State of Open Source in Japan 2025" survey report, released in December 2025, reveals both remarkable progress and persistent challenges in how Japanese organizations approach open source software (OSS). Drawing from responses from 141 Japanese companies as part of a global study, the report illuminates Japan's unique OSS adoption patterns and future trajectory.
Leading the World in Business Value Recognition
The survey's most striking finding is the rapid acceleration of OSS business value recognition among Japanese companies. An impressive 69% of Japanese organizations reported increased business value from OSS over the past year, significantly outpacing the global average of 54% by 15 percentage points. Furthermore, 74% recognize OSS as valuable for their organization's future.
This growing recognition reflects deepening understanding of OSS's concrete benefits. Japanese companies particularly value IT operational cost reduction (77%) and innovation acceleration (78%), positioning OSS not merely as an alternative technology but as a strategic business tool.
Critical Gap in Foundation Infrastructure Adoption
However, this high business value recognition contrasts sharply with serious challenges in foundational infrastructure technology adoption. Operating system adoption stands at just 27%, a staggering 34-point gap compared to the global average of 61%.
Significant gaps appear across other critical areas:
- Web/Application Development: 16% (global average 52%)
- DevOps/GitOps: 24% (global average 47%)
- Database/Data Management: 28% (global average 49%)
- Storage Technologies: 13% (global average 28%)
This infrastructure adoption lag reflects organization-specific factors unique to Japanese companies, including risk-averse decision-making cultures, dependence on proven proprietary systems, and concerns about data sovereignty and regulatory compliance.
Leading in Specialized Technologies
Conversely, Japanese organizations demonstrate strength in specific specialized domains. Visual technology fields including augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR), 3D simulation, and graphics show a 40% adoption rate, significantly exceeding the global average of 10%.
Japan also leads in:
- Blockchain: 24% (global average 8%)
- Manufacturing Technologies (3D printing, CAD/CAM): 14% (global average 7%)
Notably, Japanese respondents identify these technologies as areas most benefiting from open source adoption, revealing clear strategic prioritization.
Urgent Need for Governance Framework Development
While OSS business value gains recognition, organizational governance framework development lags behind. Survey findings show:
- Organizations with Open Source Program Offices (OSPOs): 41%
- Organizations with clear OSS strategies: 39%
- Organizations with public OSS positions: 33% (unchanged from 2024)
The stagnation in public position statements is particularly concerning. Clear public positions demonstrate commitment to developers and partners, attract talent valuing open source culture, clarify contribution policies, and build community trust.
Serious Security Assessment Gaps
Security challenges are also evident. Only 40% of companies use automated security testing tools, with comprehensive evaluation method adoption remaining limited:
- Direct dependency assessment: 35%
- Manual source code review: 33%
- Community activity level verification: 26% (global average 47%)
Particularly notable is Japanese companies' heavy reliance on Common Criteria certification. While 52% of Japanese organizations adopt this certification, the global average stands at just 13%. This overreliance on a single security framework creates fragmentation from the global ecosystem and potentially hinders comprehensive security measures.
High Expectations for Enterprise-Level Support
Changes in Japanese companies' OSS attitudes are reflected in support requirements. For production OSS, 89% of companies expect response times within 12 hours, significantly exceeding the global average of 69%.
Environments where paid support is considered essential include:
- Heavily regulated industries: 45% (global average 36%)
- Confidential data systems: 43%
- Mission-critical workloads: 40%
This trend demonstrates OSS evolution from "free alternative" to "foundational infrastructure requiring formal service level agreements."
Active Engagement Creates Competitive Advantage
The survey clearly demonstrates correlation between OSS engagement levels and competitive advantage. Among highly engaged organizations, 73% agree that OSS enhances competitiveness, compared to just 56% among passive organizations.
Organizations contributing to OSS report these benefits:
- Security improvement: 78%
- Innovation acceleration: 77%
- Ethical obligation fulfillment: 78%
- Staff knowledge and skills enhancement: 74%
- Software quality improvement: 73%
Additionally, 77% of companies report OSS improving workplace environments, with 68% experiencing hiring benefits.
Investment Priorities and Barriers
Japanese companies prioritize these future investments:
- Developer OSS training: 44%
- Upstream contributions: 41%
- Critical OSS dependency sponsorship: 41%
Meanwhile, major barriers to OSS adoption and contribution include:
- Intellectual property concerns: 52% for contribution barriers, 44% for adoption barriers
- Lack of clear policies: 51%
- ROI uncertainty: 34%
These barriers suggest the need for specialized expertise and formal governance frameworks.
Future Outlook: Strategic Initiatives to Bridge Gaps
Survey results indicate Japanese companies stand at a critical juncture. While business value recognition grows, organizational and technical foundations to maximize that value lag behind.
Noriaki Fukuyasu, Vice President of Japan Operations at Linux Foundation, notes that "while Japanese companies demonstrate excellence in specialized fields, they face significant challenges in foundational infrastructure adoption and governance maturity." He emphasizes the need for comprehensive governance framework establishment, security assessment practice enhancement beyond Common Criteria, and transition from passive consumption to active participation.
Companies that maintain existing strengths in specialized technologies while modernizing foundational infrastructure and strengthening governance frameworks will secure competitive advantage in global markets. The era has arrived where OSS serves not merely as a cost-reduction tool but as a strategic differentiator.
How does open source software adoption and utilization compare in your country? We'd love to hear about similarities and differences with Japan's experience.
Reactions in Japan
The Linux Foundation survey confirms what I thought. My company recognizes OSS business value but still uses proprietary systems for infrastructure. Can't get approval for changes...
89% expecting support response within 12 hours shows OSS has become core to business operations. The era of using it casually because it's free is over.
Only 41% having OSPOs is concerning. Without governance, departments use OSS independently and we can't even assess security risks.
Strong in AR/VR and manufacturing tech is very Japanese. But weak foundations in OS and DevOps is problematic long-term. Like building skyscrapers on unstable ground.
52% concerned about IP rights symbolizes Japanese corporate conservatism. Can't escape the mindset that contributing means losing proprietary technology.
52% Common Criteria adoption is abnormally high for Japan alone. Due to government procurement, but we'll be left behind global standards without other assessment methods.
Survey showing OSS engagement aids recruitment makes sense. When interviewing, the best candidates have OSS contributor experience. Important for hiring strategy.
In manufacturing, we use OSS for 3D printing and CAD/CAM. Japan's strong here. But 33% cloud tech adoption is too low. Now I understand why people say we're behind in DX.
Numbers reflect Japanese companies' 'recognize value but don't invest' mentality. 39% OSS strategy, 33% public position is too low. Want real commitment, not just talk.
In finance, strict regulations make paid support essential. But OSS still has benefits - avoids vendor lock-in and offers customization freedom.
Surprised AI/ML OSS adoption is only 33%, below global 41%. Maybe Japan's AI development is too insular. Should join global ecosystem more.
Executive OSS understanding lower than employees (70% vs 85%) is the core issue. No strategic investment without top-level understanding. Need education efforts.
Honestly surprised by 24% DevOps adoption. Many companies still stuck in waterfall? Such a waste - OSS tools would accelerate development.
Only 26% checking community activity levels is dangerous. Many companies likely using unmaintained OSS with security holes. Risk management too lax.
Startups can't survive without OSS. I understand large companies move slowly, but need to prepare now thinking 5-10 years ahead.
77% workplace improvement through OSS makes sense. As a developer, can interact with external communities and get technical stimulation. Important for maintaining motivation.
Active organizations 73% competitive advantage vs passive 56%. This gap says it all. OSS is no longer about 'whether to use' but 'how to use'.
44% prioritizing developer training means finally focusing on OSS talent development. But companies actually budgeting and implementing are probably fewer.
34% ROI uncertainty is understandable. OSS benefits are long-term and hard to quantify. But want them to realize risk of not investing is greater.
Want to share these survey results internally. Objectively shows Japan's OSS maturity level and provides material to explain to executives why we need to change.
From Silicon Valley perspective, 69% of Japanese companies reporting OSS business value increase is impressive. But low foundational infrastructure adoption rates are surprising. Cloud-native is standard here in the US.
In Sweden, the government actively promotes open source. Japan's 52% Common Criteria dependency is interesting. In Nordic countries, combining multiple security frameworks is common practice.
Indian IT companies have grown through OSS contributions. I understand Japan's 52% IP concerns, but need mindset shift that contributing actually enhances technical capabilities.
German manufacturing also leverages OSS. Makes sense Japan is strong in manufacturing tech and AR/VR. But 24% DevOps adoption is shocking. This is tough in the Industry 4.0 era.
Korea also has low OSPO establishment rates. But Japan's 41% might be higher than Korea. Governance framework development is a challenge across Asia. Think there are cultural factors.
OSS is widely used in UK public sector. Understand Japan's 89% expecting 12-hour support response. Natural requirement for mission-critical systems.
OSS spread in Brazil for cost reduction. Japan recognizes value but investment doesn't follow. This reverse pattern is interesting.
OSS is important in France's sovereign cloud context. Understand Japan's data sovereignty concerns. But isn't that exactly why OSS should be leveraged?
OSS communities still developing in Middle East. Respect Japan leading globally in specialized fields. Arab countries have much to learn.
OSS is essential in Poland's startup scene. Understand Japanese large companies are conservative, but worried about impact on startup ecosystem.
Mexico encourages OSS community participation for talent development. Japan's 77% reporting workplace improvement is good sign. Should also benefit recruitment.
As a Japanese living in Australia, these results are interesting. Australia has active OSS communities. Hope Japanese companies participate more in international collaboration.
SME OSS adoption advancing in Italy. Japan's 24% blockchain adoption is high. Not yet that widespread in Europe.
Open data and OSS develop together in Netherlands. Concerned about Japan's low security assessment method adoption. Transparency is crucial.
Many Israeli cybersecurity companies leverage OSS. Japan's reliance on single security framework is risky. Need defense in depth.
Canadian government agencies also advancing OSS adoption. Japan's active organizations having 73% competitive advantage is convincing. Could use as material to explain to executives.
Singapore actively uses OSS in Smart Nation policy. Japan's 33% AI/ML adoption too low. Risk losing competitiveness in AI era.
Russia's OSS dependence increased due to Western sanctions. Jealous Japan can strategically use OSS with choices available. Should leverage more.
OSS contributes to education and digital divide reduction in South Africa. Interesting that even developed countries like Japan face adoption challenges. Cultural and organizational structures likely have major impact.
OSS recommended in Norwegian public sector for transparency. Japan's 33% public position statements is low. Showing open stance builds trust.